Pay to Cultivate Immortality? My Sect is Completely Free - Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Starting “Monthly Salary” of Thirty Thousand

“Whoa, so many people?” Su Bai was startled by the bustling scene as soon as he entered the large square of the Hundred Sect Gathering. The entire square was almost filled with a dark mass of people. Were the people in this world truly so enthusiastic about cultivating immortality?

As he counted, Su Bai saw approximately 107 banners, indicating that there were more than a hundred sects recruiting disciples here. Each banner was more grand and extravagant than the last, especially the one in the center, which was particularly impressive.

The plaque was inscribed with the three gilded characters “Lingxiao Sect,” along with several rows of larger characters below:

Immortal Alliance Top 500!

Monthly Starting Silver: 30 Taels

Today’s Yunshui City Quota: 50 Spots

At this moment, the area around the Lingxiao Sect’s station was crowded with people, all trying to secure a spot.

Su Bai looked at the luxurious gilded plaque and then at the shabby wooden board in his hand, sighing with emotion. “No wonder it’s in the Top 500, they’re incredibly wealthy—a starting salary of 30 taels of silver per month!”

In this world, the currency for ordinary people consisted mainly of copper coins and silver, with one tael of silver equal to one thousand copper coins. (Note: Early stages use gold and silver, while mid-stages primarily use spirit stones.)

From his observations over the past few days, a copper coin in this world was roughly equivalent to one dollar. This meant that 30 taels of silver equated to a “monthly salary” starting at thirty thousand!

The words “starting salary” sparked endless imaginations! No wonder so many people were striving to get in!

Su Bai glanced around. The “monthly salaries” indicated on those sect banners ranged from 3 to 30 taels of silver.

He reached out and felt the remaining twenty copper coins in his pocket, and couldn’t help but grumble in his heart.

“Can’t even pay the disciples’ salaries, what’s the point!”

After a moment, he steeled his resolve and wrote a few lines on the wooden board.

Heavenly Dao Sect

Future Number One Sect!

Monthly Starting Silver: 30 Taels

Quota: One Spot

“I’m a man with a system, how could I bend for just three taels of silver!”

“Anyway, the monthly salary is paid at the end of the month. I’ll recruit disciples to upgrade the sect, and by then, why worry about lacking silver?”

Thinking of this, Su Bai found a position, set up the wooden board, and waited for disciples to come for an “interview.”

There were so many people at the Hundred Sect Gathering. Although everyone wanted to join the “Lingxiao Sect,” many lacked the “capability” to queue, forcing them to look at other sects.

As a result, there were many people in front of each sign.

“Everyone, come take a look, the future number one sect in the world, don’t miss out if you’re passing by!”

Su Bai sat in place, calling out with a smile on his face, greeting everyone like it was the basic etiquette of an “interviewer.”

“What? Future number one sect in the world?”

The crowd paused in surprise and curiously looked toward the source of the voice.

As they quickly walked over and got a closer look at the so-called sign, their eyes widened like saucers and their mouths hung open wide enough to fit an egg.

Then, a burst of laughter erupted.

“Is this really a sign?”Are you joking?” someone couldn’t help but laugh, pointing at the shabby wooden board in front of Su Bai. The edges of the board were uneven, resembling something that had been gnawed by a dog.

“No need to look; this is surely another fraudulent sect intending to deceive those eager to cultivate immortality!” another person earnestly analyzed, showing a look of contempt.

“I must keep my child away from people like this to avoid any influence!” a middle-aged woman exclaimed, tightly holding her child’s hand as she hurried away.

“Such a pity,” an elderly man shook his head with a sigh, filled with regret. “He looks quite decent, yet why hasn’t he chosen the right path and instead resorted to such deceitful acts?”

“Whoa, take a look! That con man’s sign says the monthly starting silver is 30 taels!”

“It really is 30 taels! I thought it was 3 taels earlier—turns out I missed a zero!”

“Am I crazy, or has the world gone mad? Even the Lingxiao Sect from the Immortal Alliance Top 500 only asks for 30 taels!”

“Is he driven mad by money?”

“I thought it was a con artist. Turns out, he’s just a fool!”

The crowd’s mockery drew more and more attention. As they saw a young man trying to recruit disciples with a shabby board while demanding 30 taels of silver, everyone was amused.

Leaving aside whether you’re a scammer, even if you’re genuine, do you not understand the situation?

What qualifies you for asking 30 taels?

Do you belong to the Immortal Alliance Top 500?

Are you as large as the Lingxiao Sect with millions of disciples and countless powerful members?

Listening to the crowd’s comments around him, Su Bai frowned slightly.

Why does something feel increasingly off?

Is it that the good benefits and treatment of my Heavenly Dao Sect are being mocked?

Why on earth should the “monthly salary” of my disciples be lower than that of the Lingxiao Sect?

One hour passed, then two, then three…

Su Bai had been sitting there for four hours. Some sects finished recruiting and left, while new ones arrived.

There was a constant stream of passersby, with many stopping by at his spot.

However, everyone who stopped by would first be momentarily surprised by the sign, then burst into mocking laughter.

Especially when they heard or saw the requirement for thirty taels of silver; they all looked at him as if he were a fool.

No exceptions!

Su Bai wasn’t angry, just sat quietly in place waiting.

…

Zhuge Feng walked stiffly, like a lifeless corpse heading down the mountain, and unconsciously arrived at the Hundred Sect Gathering for recruiting disciples.

“Only ten spots left!”

“Hurry up, time is running out!”

The stewards responsible for recruiting disciples for the Lingxiao Sect shouted, causing the crowd to erupt, rushing forward for fear of missing a chance.

“Immortal, here’s a little local specialty for you to look at.” A middle-aged man squeezed forward, respectfully handing over an opaque burlap bag while pulling his son over.

“Immortal, what do you think of my son?”

A steward took the bag, first weighing it in his hand, then reaching inside to feel the contents. His face broke into a smile. “Ha ha, this boy is not bad, seems to be suitable for cultivating immortality. It’s you!”

The middle-aged man and his son were overjoyed, immediately kneeling on the ground with tears of gratitude.

“Thank you, Immortal! Thank you, Immortal!”

It was just a position as a servant, yet they were this happy.

The so-called local specialty in the bag was at least twenty taels of silver!

This had already become an unspoken rule for accepting servant positions; without silver, without a little “greasing of palms,” you still wanted a spot?

After all, there were so many people wanting to become servants; these stewards could give the positions to whomever they wished. Without some benefit, why should they give it to you?

The middle-aged man’s clothes were patched, clearly indicating a modest family background. These silver taels were likely saved over several years of frugality.

Zhuge Feng watched silently from the side, as if seeing himself six months ago.

Six months ago, he sold his only house and scrounged together two hundred taels of silver.

Twenty taels of that were used to secure a servant position, and one hundred eighty taels covered six months of servant fees.

The most exaggerated part was that servants weren’t even provided with meals and lodging!

He had no choice, being penniless, but to help other senior brothers and sisters after completing his tasks each day, just to barely earn some money to cover food and clothing.

After enduring for six months, this was the outcome!

The Sect’s rule was that to enter and become an official disciple to cultivate immortality, one had to first serve as a servant for six months!

Servant disciples had various tasks every day, whether sweeping steps, carrying water, or planting spiritual herbs, without any rest for half a year.

Moreover, servant disciples had to pay thirty taels of silver to the Sect each month to continue staying. Otherwise, they would be kicked out.

Otherwise, if you didn’t have money and still held onto the spot, how could those behind you get in?

“Sigh!”

Zhuge Feng sighed lightly again, uncertain of what lay ahead for him.

His home was gone, the assessment was failed, and he had no money to continue as a servant for another six months. He was penniless…

If he couldn’t become an immortal, how could he avenge his parents?

Perhaps, in this lifetime, he might never fulfill his revenge.

Just as Zhuge Feng was about to leave, he caught sight of a sign out of the corner of his eye.

Heavenly Dao Sect

Meals and accommodations included!

Learn immortal arts upon entry into the sect!

Monthly stipend: 30 taels of silver

Open position: one

Learn immortal arts upon entry into the sect?

Zhuge Feng couldn’t help but stop in his tracks, his gaze fixed on the sign, unable to look away.

If… entering the sect meant being able to cultivate immortality…

This thought, once it appeared, grew wildly like weeds, sweeping through Zhuge Feng’s mind in an instant, making it impossible for him to restrain himself!

After a long while, Zhuge Feng took a deep breath to quell the unrest in his heart, then walked towards the sign.