Time passes a little quick, and two days soon passed as he was being taken from one building to another. Because his position was slightly special, Zhang Wu Ji received a much proper and high-quality clothing material, along with an Advance-Grade weapon, Seven Leaves Sword.
That was not all! As a Direct Disciple, his position is currently the newest Young Ninth, also just started to get known as the Master Senior Ninth. The master senior title is only given to the nine headmaster's direct disciple, whom also need to learn about how to handle a certain task within the Seven Star Sect.
Being a Master Senior, Zhang Wu Ji's position is no longer a studying disciple, but a role model revered by the others.
Marking his 39th day in this world, his number of Inner Qi has finally increased to 32 strands. Standing right in the front of his own courtyard [1], he started to measures the total of land was assigned to his usage. This was what being a Direct Disciple of the Headmaster Liang Tian represents.
Receiving the similar treatment like the elders, Zhang Wu Ji can receive a total of 100 Qi Sensing Pills each month, and also there will be unlimited raw resources made available to him. After knowing that he can even hire the other disciples to help him in many kinds of different matters, like a personal butler for the rates of one Qi Sensing Pill a day.
"Master Senior Ninth, do you need any help? I heard you're a qualified botanist, I can help you with many botanical matters." suddenly, a disciple approached him with the intention to look for an employment.
"Are you knowledgeable with the Yin Ling Fruit Tree and their harvesting method?" Zhang Wu Ji knows that to properly managed his own little farm, it will be important for him to hire helpers that can work on his behalf with the resources and tools he provides.
Even more important, was the knowledge to handle some specific plants, such as the Yin Ling Fruit Tree. This plant carries a very sentience familiarity towards the person who grows them, and in return for the care the person gives, the Yin Ling Fruit they produced will vary in their term of quality.
Like its name, the Yin Ling Fruit was an edible product of rich Yin-Element inside, which is fine to be eaten raw, cooked, and even after they were concocted into pills. The richness of its Yin-Element allowed the person that consume them to have a better balance in their body's Yin and Yang energy, improvement in bowel activities, and strengthen their physical body from frequent consumptions.
This was a fruit that can expect to sell very well in the market, as well if they were produced and provided to the peoples within the sect. Although it's wasn't too much to be proud off, the opportunity of having the Yin Ling Fruit to eat in daily basis can easily attract over thousands of cultivators to purposely enroll in the sect.
"Yes, Master Senior Ninth, I am confident with my experience in handling the Yin Ling Fruit Tree." the disciple confidently reply to his questions while anticipates Zhang Wu Ji's reply.
"Great, prepare the tools for gardening purposes, we will discuss the location for where they should be planted. If you have any opinion on the lands, let me know." he agreed to hire this disciple. But before he turns around to do something else, the disciple has a request for him.
"Master Senior Ninth, can I enter the courtyard and take a look first before I prepare the materials?" he said. Looking at his serious face, Zhang Wu Ji agreed, and lead him to the bigger plot of land filled with weeds on it.
"This piece of land need some works to be done. For starter, I will arrange for a new irrigation system to be done and separates this piece of land into four parts. Based on the growth of the weeds in this piece of land, the most fertile part would be our bottom left, followed by the upper left and upper right. Because the bottom right did not have too much weed on it, the possibility is only two."
"Something must be disturbing the growth of the weeds in this part of the land, or the land was just plowed not too long ago." after he shared his expertise in this matter, Zhang Wu Ji is more confident with his decision.
"Great. Can you possibly try to see what is suitable to be planted at the other part of the land as well?" checking at the size of his land, he estimates their size to be about 1.3 acres, a size of an international Football field. Based on his knowledge of plants and their suitable gap to grow properly, a quarter of his land can fits 250 - 270 trees.
But after some consideration according to the knowledge he got in this world, the best maximum number of the Yin Ling Fruit Tree to be planted should be 100 divided into ten rows, with ten trees each. This will allow each of them to have a more spacious spot to grow independently without the need to fight for nutrients.
After the disciple introduced himself as Tang Yuan, he left happily to get ready with all the preparation he needs. And what is more important of, is the approval of Zhang Wu Ji to allow him to stay in his courtyard. Being a basic outer disciple, those like Tang Yuan are only lucky enough to receive 3 Qi Sensing Pills each month.
They were more of a servant disciple, instead of proper inner disciples. With only 3 Qi Sensing Pills a month, they will have no choice but to search for employment all over the Seven Star Sect. Some even venture to the outside just for the sake to earn their livings.
By receiving the right to stay in the private courtyard of the Master Senior Ninth, was an enormous upgrade in his position. What he doesn't know yet is that this little daring attempt of his actually turn his life around, allowing him to live even better.
With the issue of handling the farming part is completed, Zhang Wu Ji took his free time to visit the two Profession Room provided to him by the sect. The two of them are separated into two ends, which was a proper consideration looking at how extreme is the Blacksmith Profession in handling their metallurgy works, and how completely serene a master need during pill concoction.
"Not bad, most of the basic materials were prepared for, and even some revision materials for me to read if I stumble across an obstacle during my work. The sect seriously treating me like a young prince here. I guess making things a little extreme are not something bad sometimes." Zhang Wu Ji was impressed with the arrangement but more impressed with himself on the title he got himself two days ago.
"Torture Demon, huh?" he laughed at his own nickname, but the deeper he think about it, the more he felt about the need to utilize the nickname!
"Torture Demon, why can't it become something else? Upgrading Demon? Hahaha, that's funny, but it sounds good anyway..." Zhang Wu Ji talked to himself as he walks around his courtyard. With a total of 32 Strands of Inner Qi, he furiously upgrading everything he can upgrade, from beddings to chairs, and soon into even the vase, statue, doors, and cloth hanging rope.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
What shook his mind the most is among all the item he upgraded, the Door to the storage Vault was the most stunning among them.
Vault Steel Door +5
Defense: 15
Durability: 22/22
Special: Unless allowed by the owner with a thought, this door will be inaccessible.
Looking at the ability the door obtained, it was almost a password locked doors that will not open unless he gives them a password!
"Hahaha! I can now keep all my treasures in this little storage room without worries of theft." he laughed his surprise off and went to get a proper rest, before facing the challenges coming next day.
In his dream, his mind went to think about the condition of the little lady Guan Qing Han. If he wasn't mistaken, she most probably will pass the test as well, the only differences will be who's her appointed master will be.
But he did not ever imagine, that instead of being picked as a disciple amongst the elder, Guan Qing Han was actually taken into a more private faction that was hidden from the eyes of the public. It belonged to the faction of the mistress of the Headmaster, which operate in secrecy as the protector of the Seven Star Sect.
His mind flew to slightly further, with the worries of his family still remains.
"How is the father now? Did my disappearance from his sight made his temper become better? Did Da Yang and Da Zui eat well when I'm no longer around?" even just staying together for just a month, the close relationship between him with the three gives him the most longing impression during his stay.
"Since my master already accepted me as his direct disciple, it is normal that I will do something for the sake of the sect. But I wonder what is highly sought after in this sect. Should I just focus on plantations? Or should I work something out from the metallurgy part for them?"
"If the thing did not get too smooth at that part, how about Pill Concoctions? But the sect has their own Pill Masters as well, it might be not that impressive compared to them." Zhang Wu Ji reconsidered his choice again.
"What should I do..." he begin to ponder about what he can do for the sect and failed to obtain an answer for quite a long time. Time went quickly as the next morning arrived. There were a few knocks on his door, but as he wakes up and dressed himself up, the visitors were greeted by another person.
"Somebody in my house? Is the person Tang Yuan?" he remembered he allowed the guy to move into his courtyard, but his speed is a little too fast, right?
When he was done, he went out of his room, and look at the crowd trying to get into his courtyard to meet him.
"What happened?" Zhang Wu Ji asked Tang Yuan about the commotion happening before his main entrance. It seems that because the news of Tang Yuan was hired spreads and created some jealousy from the others, thus all of them were here to obtain their own chances as well.
"Hehehe, it seems they news you hire me was spread across the whole sect since I'm only an outer disciple, the others think that with their status, their qualification is better than me." Tang Yuan answered him truthfully. Knowing how straightforward is his Master Senior, why should he twist his word around and beat around the bushes?
"Being truthful is the way to go!" he said in mind as he faces Zhang Wu Ji.
"Oh... Ask them one question."
"If you're willing to work free for me for one week, I will consider hiring them as well. Then see how many of them willing to stay after that and report them to me." Zhang Wu Ji finished his sentence and entered the small tool room Tang Yuan stored the gardening tools inside.
Without bothering about those still outside, Zhang Wu Ji furiously upgrades the tools into their +5 conditions. Although only a few carried a special ability with them, at least it will still worth something.
He even thought about making his own tools, because, after the experience with the Iron Ruler, it might be plausible for him to craft his own wares to use. That might give him some good special abilities too!
After spending a few hours in the tool room, he went out to take another look again on his courtyard entrance.
"Eh! Aren't you guys a little too realistic?" Zhang Wu Ji was surprised with the sight of not even a single disciples remained at his entrance. It was just a few hours for god sake!
When he went out from the entrance, he noticed a few pieces of paper with words were stuck on the wall, within written;
"Absolutely Atrocious!"
"Force labor! A despicable Master Senior is exploiting disciples to work for free!"
"Shameless Master Senior!"
He stares at the words written on the paper, and instead of getting angry, it was better to ignore them.
"People only know what is good for them when they found out about it. Before that, it was pointless to try and argue with them about this matter." he thought, as he continues walking until he reaches the Seven Star Sect free market opened by the merchants.
Here, plenty of different merchandise can be brought, as long the discussed price was agreed between the buyer and the seller. As for Zhang Wu Ji's appearance here, was very simple.
With a hundred of Qi Sensing Pill in hand, why can't he bargain them for the item he needs? Although the merchandise may not be well sought after by the disciples, the Qi Sensing Pill was product merchant and disciples coveted.
Walking around blindly, he did not try to approach others to look at their merchandise but instead wait for a response from them. Reason?
It's simple. "I'm a Master Senior. Either they were timid of stupid, I shall be the one to be approached, not the other way." this was what he was told when he entered the sect.
"Is this honorable mister is the rumored Master Senior Ninth, Zhang Wu Ji?" at last, one of the merchants approached him to try and sell him something.
"This lowly junior does not worth the word honorable. The fame remained to my master. I thank mister to respect my master instead." Zhang Wu Ji politely replies, while carrying the presence of a humble cultivator.
"Master Senior Ninth, you're too kind to this middle-aged man like me. How about coming to my stall to view some of my humble but worthy merchandise?" the merchant pointed at his stall with merchandise and prepare to take all precious item out for inspection.
Having 95 Qi Sensing Pills remained with him, Zhang Wu Ji is quite a wealthy customer at the moment. Added with his own little bit of wealth, he's carrying 100,000 gold coins with him at this moment.
Unlike the other merchants, this one carries many different kinds of mineral stones amongst his wares. Based on the appearance of his stall, he must be quite an expert in metal business, thus all his wares are focusing on mineral stones, mining tools, and special processed plates.
Touching most of them, he obtains a rough understanding of them. Two-third of the mineral stones came from the mines not too far from the west of Wen Wu City, well known for their density in an equal amount of Sentient Iron and Crystal Iron.
This mines largely contributes to the improvement of the Wen Wu City, where it helps the city to obtain their names from. Due to the wider range of materials the Sentient Iron and Crystal Iron covers, the Wen Wu City are well known for their production of Scholars material, such as Sentient Fans, Sentient Brush, and of course, the most popular Sentient Crystal Accessories that look like a jade pendant, bangle, and brooch.
Since earrings are not a well sought after accessories in this world, most of the ladies including Guan Qing Han did not possess any earholes that can allow them to put on an earring. But this instead increases their demand on the item such as wrist bangle, waist pendant, and brooches in their chest.
And before him, the stock of 50 Mineral stones here worth a total of 300% of Magnetite and 110% Siderite. This amount equals to three Sentient Iron Ingots and one and a tenth ingot of Crystal Iron!
"What is your offer if I intend to purchase all of them from your stall?" his sentence is an easy one, but for those hearing it, their heart falls onto the ground with a "Thump!" sound from their heart.
"Master... Master Senior Ninth... Are you serious about buying all the mineral stones?" the merchant understands the meaning, but being a merchant mainly deals with metal related products, this was the first time his merchandise was so well sought after!
"I can make you an exception of 2,000 Gold Coins for the 50 Mineral Stones." he immediately gives out a considerable price for the wares, but the figure did not impress Zhang Wu Ji at all.
"Boss, I said all of them from your stall. Not only the mineral stones," he repeated his words once more. His repeat on the sentence again caused the heart of the others to fall once more.
"Why not my stall, why not my wares!" they complained. But unfortunately, there is no cure for the illness called regret.
"This... I am seriously don't know how to open a proper price..." this was the first time he was pushed into a situation he got no idea how should he set a price. Although the prices of each merchandise were set earlier, it was a price set for negotiation, not final.
This means if he did bargain for a very low price, it will be an unprofitable sales, but if he set it too high, then the buyer may decide to not follow up with the intention to purchase.
The situation makes him become speechless for a moment before he decides to make this transaction as an investment for a better future. So what if he failed to obtain this newly appointed Master Senior's good impression? Just count that as a bad luck then!
"Master Senior, I've come out with a good price for everything in my stall, that would be 20,000 Gold Coins, please! As for the gratitude to clean all my wares so I can return to the Wen Wu City with an empty load, please let me present this special formation plate to you as a gift!" his investment is equally huge!
This was a trick of making the client pay more by giving them back something on equal! Unexpectedly, it was beautifully presented by him without prior preparation!
"Great! 20,000 Gold Coins it is!" he took the total of 20 Qi Sensing Pills to the boss to complete his transaction, and without a delay, the merchant personally drives the stall back to his courtyard to unload all his purchase.
He was the one everyone laughed when he brings a movable stall filled with nothing but mineral stones, but now, he was the person everybody was jealous off because of his good business.
"Who will ever know that from Pottery, Herbs, books, weapons, to metal, he would choose Metal products without a moment of indecision!" this sentence came into everyone's mind, but nothing can be done now because Zhang Wu Ji had left the free market area following with his purchase.
"We should invest in metal products next time! Based on his purchase this time, he must be a disciple with blacksmithing as his supporting profession!" the group of envious merchants stares at the stall that left and Zhang Wu Ji who went towards a different way.
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[1]. The courtyard used in this chapter was taken from the traditional style Chinese Courtyard House. It was called as Shiheyuan in Chinese, and you can easily get their information from Wikipedia.