Cultivation: But Not a Game-Chapter 43 - 20: Sudden Wealth and Generous Recruitment Benefits (Part 2)
"My fault, my fault."
He smiled and patted Su Yu’s hand, then gave him the reward.
Su Yu ranked eighth, receiving 5 taels of gold, 200 guild contribution points, and 1 opportunity to listen to a guild offering.
The gold was given immediately, while the guild contribution was recorded on the guild identity card.
The final reward was a Jade Talisman, which could be used to attend any lecture by a Loose Immortal from the guild.
After distributing all the rewards, Ding Hao said in a deep voice:
"You all are the outstanding individuals among the newcomers, the hope of the guild. I hope you all work hard in cultivation in the coming months and make further progress."
"I hope to see you all at the next award ceremony."
The venue was once again filled with enthusiastic applause until the deputy guild leader left.
However, although the deputy guild leader left, some of those who came with him stayed behind and several walked towards Su Yu.
Leading them was the middle-aged man who had interrupted the deputy guild leader earlier. He introduced himself to Su Yu:
"I’m Xu Bochen, the deputy head of the third core group and captain of the second brigade."
He promptly saluted:
"Hello, Mr. Xu."
"This is not the place to talk, let’s add each other as friends and discuss more later."
"Alright."
After adding each other as friends, Xu Bochen left immediately.
Then more people came to add him as a friend, and some even added others as friends after adding him.
The surrounding newcomers saw this but none showed envy. Among the top sixteen, apart from him and the fifteenth rank who were in the second tier, the fourteen others were all in the first tier. Their parents were mostly high-ranking members of the guild, and many had long joined one of the guild’s groups or independent brigades.
Once those big shots left, He Shoucheng waved to him:
"I know you’ll be busy later, so I won’t disturb you now. Let’s talk later."
"Alright."
Once Xu Bochen left, several other mid-to-high-level guild members approached him to add him as a friend without mentioning recruitment on the spot.
Chu Xinyue was not among them; she left after the small test ended.
Once it was confirmed that no one else was coming for recruitment, Su Yu bid farewell to those around him and left.
As he exited the arena building, Gu Zhiqiu flew over with a grin:
"Received the money, after deducting 20% guild tax, there’s 24 taels of gold left."
"Wow, that high a tax?"
"What did you expect?"
"Alright."
With the money in hand, his available funds immediately increased to 29 taels of gold.
"We hit the jackpot this time."
"Let’s go buy things."
Su Yu was somewhat impatient.
At Thousand Feather Pavilion, Su Yu spent 10 taels of gold to buy 10 rolls of First-Grade Cultivation Manuals, and 5 taels of gold to purchase 5 Third-grade Dao Heart Elixirs.
Additionally, he spent 2 taels of gold to buy a Spirit Fish Shuttle.
Spirit Fish Shuttle (Third Level): A shuttle-shaped flying ship, unimpeded both underwater and in the air.
Dimensions: Length 5 meters, width 1.5 meters, accommodates five people.
Attributes: Durability 5000, Defense 20000.
Attributes: Flight altitude 8000 meters, Speed 1200 km/h.
Special Effect: Agile, the shuttle is nimble, with a 50% increase in turning speed.
With this, the paper crane that had accompanied him for so long could finally retire with honor.
After shopping, a total of 17 taels of gold had been spent, leaving 12 taels remaining.
Back at the residence, he immediately took out the Cultivation Manuals to start reading.
By nightfall, all ten rolls of the Cultivation Manual had been used. Three rolls were used on Swordsmanship, with the Golden Finger boosting each roll’s limit by ten levels, raising the Cyan Mountain Sword Scripture by a total of thirty levels.
Seven rolls were used on the Purple Essence Qi Refining Skill, with the Golden Finger boosting each roll’s limit by six levels, raising the skill’s level by a total of forty-two levels.
A Third-grade Dao Heart Elixir increased Dao skills by 30 points, with the Golden Finger further increasing it by 60 points. The five elixirs collectively increased Dao skills by 300 points.
Previously accumulated 102 points, now totaling 402 points, enough for some time.
A glance at the experience pool showed a total of 6.63 million cultivation points, not enough to raise the Qi Refining Heart Skill from thirty-three to forty levels.
For the Qi Refining Heart Skill, the cultivation points and Dao skills required greatly increase beyond the thirtieth level, slowing progress tremendously compared to the beginning, with most cultivations being about the same.
However, it was at this point that elites began to widen their gap from the average; with enough resources, the gap could widen rapidly.
The wealthy second-generation immortals would widen the gap from others at this time; while their same-aged peers were at about thirty levels, they had already reached fifty or sixty. A fast start paved the way for fast progress, although becoming a top master might be hard, there was no doubt they’d become part of the elite class surpassing many.
Fortunately, Su Yu’s own talent was decent, and combined with his effort, he barely kept up with their pace in cultivation.
His gaze moved from the Qi Refining Heart Skill to the Cyan Mountain Sword Scripture.
With the current accumulated cultivation points insufficient to raise the Qi Refining Heart Skill, they could boost the Cyan Mountain Sword Formulas from thirty to forty levels.
"Upgrade!"
Posting a ’Do Not Disturb’ sign, he entered seclusion to improve.
An incense stick’s time later, Su Yu opened his eyes, stretched out his right palm upward, a wisp of Sword Qi emerged.
With a thought, the Sword Qi surged and hovered over the palm.
With a gentle flick of his fingers, a Sword Qi slashed through the window, disappearing into the night sky.
His nimble fingers manipulated the Flying Sword, making it weave through his fingers like a spirit snake.
Spending 6.25 million cultivation points and 50 Dao points, the Cyan Mountain Sword Formulas leveled up to forty: Flying Sword damage +1200, Attack speed +800, Sword Control speed +800 km/h. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢
"The Sword Formulas’ rank is still too low, need to find a way to acquire an advanced basic Sword Formulas."
After contemplating briefly, he opened the guild channel to check the guild contribution exchange list and quickly found two advanced basic Sword Formulas.
Taibai Sword Formulas (Advanced), Xuan Sect Basic Sword Formulas, Exchange Requirement: Guild elite member, 5000 guild contribution points.
Illusion Moon Sword Scripture (Advanced), Side Sect Basic Sword Formulas, Exchange Requirement: Guild elite member, 5000 guild contribution points.
"No chance!"
At least several years before gathering 5000 guild contribution points.
Closing the guild channel, he opened the regional channel to check the Thousand Feather Pavilion Commerce Association product page, which also had two advanced Sword Formulas.
Slaying Origin Sword Scripture (Advanced), Demon Sect Basic Sword Formulas, Price: 50 taels of gold.
Five Venoms Sword Formulas (Advanced), Side Sect Basic Sword Formulas, Price: 50 taels of gold.
After some thought, he inquired into several other well-known associations and studios in Thousand Feather City, discovering five more advanced basic Sword Formulas, but all were either from the Side Sect or Demon Dao, and very expensive, at least over 50 gold, unaffordable for him.
"Forget it, I’ll make do for now. After joining an immortal sect next year, new disciples are eligible to select one advanced basic Sword Formulas."
At the moment, the Sea-Suppressing Pearl was undergoing self-modification, and by the end of the year, it could grant ten points to innate attributes, and by then, with at least two innate attributes over 20 points, coupled with my Swordsmanship talent, joining an immortal sect was a certainty.
"Yes, that’ll do."
Reviewing his life plans once more to ensure nothing was missed, Su Yu withdrew his Ice Soul and casually ordered a takeaway.
Shortly after ordering, just about to start eating, he received new messages.
Opening the contact list revealed it was from Xu Bochen, who he had added as a friend earlier, so he immediately greeted him:
"Hello, Mr. Xu."
"Hey there, little brother, hope I’m not disturbing you?"
"I happen to be free."
Xu Bochen chuckled heartily:
"Let’s not beat around the bush, little brother you should know my intention, are you interested in joining the third core group?"
"I am currently captain of the second brigade in the third group, if you join us, I’ll give you a sixth-level Flying Sword, a high-grade Sword Formulas, 20 taels of gold, guarantee your promotion to an elite member by the end of the year, and once your cultivation reaches over fifty levels, I’ll secure you a squad leader position."
"Those are the standard recruitment conditions, besides that, if you join the second brigade of the third group, I’ll personally sponsor an additional 10 taels of gold."
"Of course, if you don’t want gold and prefer something else, let me know, I can help coordinate."
Su Yu was internally shocked, the offer was indeed filled with sincerity.
After some contemplation, he replied:
"Please allow me some time to think it over, I’ll give my answer by tomorrow evening."
"Of course."
"Though I doubt anyone could offer you a better deal than mine."
"I think so too."
"Haha, see you tomorrow then."
"See you tomorrow."
After closing the communication, the corners of Su Yu’s mouth curved slightly.
The offer was indeed excellent, showing sincere effort, and it inclined him towards accepting.
The only reason for not immediately agreeing was simply to maintain composure, not wanting to agree too quickly and devalue himself.
He didn’t think other independent brigades could offer a better deal.
"A sixth-level Flying Sword, a high-grade basic Sword Formulas, 20 taels of gold, guaranteed elite membership by the end of the year, and once the Qi Refining Heart Skill reaches fifty levels, being appointed a squad."
"Quite decent."
