9: Chapter 9 This king is hungry!

He actually had to work like an ox or a horse for three years before he could even qualify to Cultivate?

Looking back at the others behind him, they were only slightly disappointed and didn't show much surprise; clearly, they had come prepared for this.

Bai Jiner continued.

"During these three years, you can work diligently to trade with some Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters from the Outer Sect and Inner Sect for Spirit Stone fragments or Medicinal Pills."

"Remember, do not keep money on your person."

"If you have money, immediately go to the Hall of Merit to purchase some body-strengthening pills to condition your Physique."

"That way, when you receive the Qi Refinement Formula in three years, you'll have hope of achieving Qi Induction in a short time. As long as you reach the First Level of Qi Refinement, you'll have a chance to pass the assessment and be promoted to an Outer Sect Disciple."

"Thank you for the guidance, Senior Sister!" After hearing this, everyone gratefully cupped their hands in salute to her.

They all understood that what Bai Jiner said was words of wisdom.

A Utility Disciple, to put it bluntly, was the lowest level of manual labor in the Sect; not only was their status humble, but their strength was also the weakest.

It was better to spend the money early to avoid having it stolen by those 'old fox' Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters.

After speaking, Bai Jiner said no more and led the group further ahead.

This walk lasted for half a day.

It was almost dark, yet they still hadn't reached their destination.

Damn it, why would a perfectly good Sect be built in such a godforsaken, deep mountain forest?

Chun Xiaobai was starting to feel like not going at all.

Since he was going there just to be a beast of burden anyway, he might as well run away now, find a random mountain peak, plant a flag, and go back to his old job as a Mountain King—it'd be much more pleasant!

With any luck, he might even snatch a Qi Refinement Formula from some stray fat sheep within half a day!

...

Just as Chun Xiaobai was getting cold feet, Bai Jiner's crisp voice suddenly rang out.

"We're here."

Chun Xiaobai squeezed forward to look, only to see rows of dilapidated thatched huts scattered at the foot of the mountain ahead.

His heart went cold at the sight.

"Holy crap!"

These living conditions weren't even half as good as his Black Wind Stronghold!

As she spoke, Bai Jiner simply flipped her hand, and a small cloth pouch appeared in her palm. She poured out a pile of black iron tokens with no names, only numbers, and distributed them to everyone.

"Take these; these are your identity tokens."

"Remember to bring them when you go down the mountain. Otherwise, if you encounter the Sect's Law Enforcement Team and cannot verify your identity, you will be executed on the spot as a spy from another Sect!"

"So you're saying this mountain is actually a bit dangerous?"

Chun Xiaobai took the token, fiddling with it while looking around. He found that aside from some human voices coming from the thatched huts ahead, he didn't see a single Immortal flying through the sky or tunneling through the earth.

After handing out the tokens, Bai Jiner turned and headed toward the Outer Sect area up the mountain.

After just a few steps, she felt her arm being grabbed.

She looked back to see that annoying fellow again.

"Uh... little girl, This Great King is hungry. Where's the dining hall?"

Bai Jiner was stunned. Great King?

Could this guy be some bandit from a mountain who came here to practice cultivation?

She shook her arm, but found his large hand was like an iron pincer, clamped onto her arm without budging.

"You... let go of me!"

Chun Xiaobai quickly released his grip.

He hadn't had a proper meal for two whole days, and after being led over mountains and ridges, he was starting to see double.

He had left in a hurry and hadn't brought any dry rations.

It was only because of his tough Physique that he hadn't starved to death already; a normal person would have been long gone.

"For Utility Disciples, the Sect does not provide meals. You need to feed yourselves."

"Huh???"

Doesn't that mean Utility Disciples are even worse off than oxen or horses?

At least oxen and horses get fed!

Chun Xiaobai was completely dumbfounded.

Bai Jiner looked at him. "Eating is only the first hurdle."

"First, you have to find your own place to stay, then find a piece of empty land to clear and grow your own rice and vegetables."

There was one thing she didn't say... in previous years, by the time they got all that settled, many Utility Disciples had already starved to death.

Seeing Chun Xiaobai's face about to collapse, Bai Jiner felt a bit of pity after all. She flipped her hand again, and a few dry, hard biscuits appeared in her palm.

"Here, eat these. Once you're done, find your residence as quickly as possible. Whether you rent or clear land, get your vegetable garden started early."

Chun Xiaobai snatched them, stuffed one into his mouth, and immediately began to wolf it down.

Then his gaze fell upon the delicate little pouch at her waist.

Could this be the legendary Storage Pouch that can hold everything?

"What are you looking at?!" Bai Jiner immediately shielded the Storage Pouch at her waist, staring at him as if guarding against a thief.

"Nothing, nothing, just a bit curious," Chun Xiaobai said, quickly waving his hands.

There's honor among thieves; this little girl was his guide and now essentially his savior. This debt of gratitude was higher than the heavens.

He could rob anyone, but he couldn't rob her.

"Fine, once you're full, go find a place to stay. Don't end up freezing to death before you starve!"

As she spoke, Bai Jiner prepared to leave again, but was pulled back once more by Chun Xiaobai.

"Little girl, how many Disciples are there in our Sect?"

This was the question Chun Xiaobai cared about most.

If there were too few people or if they were too poor, he felt it wouldn't be conducive to his development.

"So wordy, can't you just ask everything at once?" Bai Jiner said directly. "I'm not sure about the rest, but I know the Disciples of the Thirty-Six Outer Peaks total about 500,000."

"What?" Chun Xiaobai had a piece of biscuit stuck in the corner of his mouth, his face full of shock.

"Holy crap, if there are five hundred thousand Outer Sect Disciples, wouldn't there be one or two million if you add the Inner Sect Disciples?"

By the time he wanted to ask more, he found Bai Jiner running up the mountain as if escaping.

Bai Jiner glanced back at him.

She always felt that this guy named Chun Xiaobai didn't seem like a good person, especially those eyes of his, darting around restlessly as if appraising the value of everything he saw. it made one's skin crawl.

By the time Chun Xiaobai had his fill of food and drink, the crescent moon had quietly climbed onto the treetops.

He walked down the hillside.

The surroundings were silent; there wasn't even a campfire lit.

Clearly, those newly arrived Utility Disciples had come prepared with enough dry rations, and after eating their fill, they had already found places to crash.

Chun Xiaobai fumbled through the dark to the foot of the mountain, pushing open the doors of the thatched huts one by one, only to find them all occupied.

Fortunately, when he reached the riverside, he found a thatched hut that was nearly falling apart and unoccupied, so he dove right in.

As soon as he hit the straw mat, earth-shaking snores began to emanate from within.

...

The next day, just as dawn was breaking.

Bang!

The bamboo-wattle door of his dilapidated thatched hut was kicked flying by someone.

"Still fucking sleeping in? Do you think this is your home? Get the hell up and get to work!"

A middle-aged man with broad shoulders and a thick waist, also wearing the uniform of a Utility Disciple, stood at the door and bellowed.

He noticed the figure on the ragged mat didn't move an inch.

This man's name was Wang Fan. He was also a Utility Disciple who had endured for twenty years to finally reach the minor position of a Utility Manager.

He waved his hand toward his side.

A thin, scrawny Utility Disciple immediately understood, rushed into the hut, and nudged Chun Xiaobai, who was still in dreamland.

"Senior Brother, wake up and get to work!"

"Don't bother me... let This Great King sleep a bit longer, you guys go down the mountain first and rob..."