I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times

Chapter 88: Benefits

Zheng Fa felt like he’d been forced into an unhappy arranged marriage.

He and the chubby senior brother, Han Qi, exchanged silent, awkward glances.

“May I ask Senior Brother’s name?” Zheng Fa finally broke the uncomfortable silence.

“Han Qi,” the senior brother replied, taking a deep breath to adjust his demeanor before standing up. “I’ll take you to collect your identification token.”

As they walked, Zheng Fa observed the surroundings more closely than he had the day before. His initial impression of Jiushan Sect had been fleeting, but now, with a proper look, he found certain aspects puzzling.

He lived near the valley entrance, which was the most bustling part of the sect. From the port onward, the streets were teeming with people.

The western side of the valley seemed to be the residential area. Zheng Fa’s own courtyard, though small, was one of the higher-end buildings here. In contrast, many of the houses were cramped one-story dwellings, with little space between them and an eclectic mix of architectural styles that gave the area a chaotic, crowded feel.

The eastern side appeared to be a market. Rows of small, uniform houses lined the streets, their occupants hawking goods amid a cacophony of bargaining, shouting, and laughter.

The lively atmosphere felt oddly familiar to Zheng Fa, like the bustling districts of the mortal world. But it didn’t fit the image of an immortal sect.

What puzzled him most was why everything seemed crammed at the valley entrance. Looking further into the valley, the density of buildings thinned significantly, and the spaces between them grew larger, creating an almost deserted impression.

Noticing his confusion, Han Qi chuckled. “Junior Brother, you probably don’t know this yet, but outer sect disciples like us, along with our mortal attendants, can only live at the valley entrance. Most of these houses are self-built.”

Zheng Fa processed this with a hint of irony. A sect-wide version of an urban village.

“Only inner sect disciples who’ve reached the Foundation Establishment stage can live deeper in the valley. See those courtyards near the entrance? Those are for inner sect disciples.”

Luxury apartments.

“Golden Core disciples and elders, like Senior Sister Zhang, live at the foot of the mountains.”

Private villas.

“And Nascent Soul cultivators? They live on the mountains themselves.”

Mountain-top estates.

“What’s the point of such segregation?” Zheng Fa asked, struggling to see any real advantage beyond appearances.

“The spiritual veins,” Han Qi said flatly. “The closer to the center of the formation, the denser the spiritual energy. Disciples like us can’t even dream of taking an extra breath of it.”

Zheng Fa finally understood why Senior Sister Zhang had mentioned the resentment among lower-ranking disciples.

...

Realizing he’d said too much, Han Qi quickly changed the subject. “Today, we’ll first go to the Administrative Hall to register your identification token, and then we’ll visit the Scripture Pavilion to choose a cultivation technique.”

“Understood.”

Zheng Fa silently thanked Senior Sister Zhang—having a senior brother guide him made things much easier.

As they passed through the valley entrance, Zheng Fa noticed a row of two-story buildings, each bearing a signboard. These were clearly shops, but unlike the smaller, crowded stalls in the market, these establishments exuded an air of prestige and exclusivity.

“Senior Brother, what are these shops?”

Han Qi pointed them out one by one. “That’s the Myriad Talismans Pavilion, run by Jiushan Sect. It specializes in selling talismans. That one’s the Nine-Turn Pavilion, owned by Qingmu Sect—they sell pills. Over there is the Hundred Treasures Hall, operated by Chongyue Sect, and they deal in magical tools.”

From Han Qi’s explanations, Zheng Fa gathered that these shops were affiliated with major sects in the Hundred Immortals Alliance, offering high-end products.

What struck him as odd was how empty they were compared to the bustling market.

“Senior Brother, if these shops sell better goods, why do they seem so quiet?”

Han Qi glanced at him and smirked. “You’ve heard of the decline in spiritual energy, right?”

“Yes.”

“Well, over the past ten thousand years, prices for spirit ink, spirit grain, spirit tools, and talismans have all skyrocketed. Anything imbued with spiritual energy has become absurdly expensive.”

“So people can’t afford them?” Zheng Fa deduced.

“Exactly. But there is one thing that’s gotten cheaper.”

Han Qi pointed to a shop tucked in the corner of the square. It was the busiest of the lot, with people constantly entering and leaving.

“Human labor.”

“...What?”

“That’s the Xunfang Pavilion, run by the Sunu Sect. It’s... a brothel. I hear their offerings have improved a lot recently.”

“...”

“By the way, I heard that a thousand years ago, new disciples were paid in spirit stones. Now? Administrative Hall only gives gold.”

Zheng Fa sighed, his understanding of the current state of immortal sects growing darker. Rising prices, stagnant wages—it all spelled decline.

...

The Administrative Hall was located at the base of a nearby mountain. It was a large complex with two side halls flanking the main building.

“Be cautious here,” Han Qi warned. “Master Fang, who oversees the tokens, is proud and well-connected. He doesn’t tolerate disrespect, so follow my lead.”

Zheng Fa nodded, appreciating Han Qi’s thoughtfulness.

Entering the side hall, they found a middle-aged man with a long, three-stranded beard sitting cross-legged on a cushion. His eyes were closed as he meditated, blatantly avoiding work.

Han Qi kept his tone and posture deferential, quietly waiting with Zheng Fa in the hall. Nearly half an hour passed before the man finally opened his eyes.

“New disciple?” he asked coolly.

“Yes, Master Fang. Please register this junior brother’s identification token,” Han Qi replied humbly.

“What’s your name?” the man asked Zheng Fa lazily.

“Zheng Fa.”

“...Zheng Fa?” The man froze, then sprang to his feet, abandoning all pretense of aloofness. “Are you the Zheng Fa brought back by Senior Sister Zhang?”

“...Yes.”

“Oh dear, I’ve been too neglectful!” Master Fang exclaimed, clapping Zheng Fa on the shoulder with sudden enthusiasm. “Senior Sister Zhang gave me clear instructions to take care of you. Why didn’t you call me earlier?”

Zheng Fa turned slowly to look at Han Qi.

Master Fang followed his gaze, his expression hardening as he glared at Han Qi.

Han Qi coughed awkwardly and muttered, “...My mistake!”

...

“Junior Brother Zheng,” Master Fang said cheerfully, “as a new outer disciple, your monthly stipend for the first ten years is fixed at one spirit stone—unfortunately, that can’t be changed.”

“Ten years?”

“After ten years, if you haven’t reached Foundation Establishment and become an inner disciple, the stipend stops entirely,” Master Fang explained, adding with a smile, “But with Senior Sister Zhang’s favor, I doubt that will be an issue.”

Han Qi’s face darkened.

“Additionally, because of your exceptional talent in talisman arts, Senior Sister Zhang instructed me to provide you with 100 sheets of talisman paper and two portions of spirit ink each month—for six months.”

So this is what it means to be the “greatest talisman prodigy in a thousand years.”

Zheng Fa glanced at Han Qi, whose expression was a mix of awe and envy. His face practically screamed, That’s so much money!

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