Chapter 261 Large Amount of Resources
Under the premise that the benefits outweigh the disadvantages.
These mortals naturally emerged in response and became elite soldiers and capable generals under many important figures.
He Song considered the old and young individuals before him to be precisely these types of people, specifically used for dirty work and tiring tasks.
He simply didn't know what task White Cloud True Person had previously entrusted to them.
He would have to wait until White Cloud True Person departed before entrusting this matter to himself.
Soon.
Walking along the connecting corridor.
The figures of the old and young individuals arrived at He Song's location.
In a living room near the mansion gate.
Inside the living room.
He Song sat in the head seat, silently observing the old and young individuals before him.
Below, the young man supported the old man, who slowly bowed.
"Subordinate Zhang Li, with my disciple Zhang Ying, pays respects to True Person Evergreen Pine."
"When White Cloud True Person departed, he informed subordinate that from now on, subordinate will follow True Person Evergreen Pine's lead."
"Zhang Li has come to pay respects."
"And, presents the account book from before."
"Please True Person Evergreen Pine take a look."
As he finished speaking, Zhang Li tremblingly retrieved a thin booklet from his chest and handed it to Zhang Ying beside him.
Zhang Ying took the booklet, walked forward with a respectful expression, and knelt a few steps from He Song, holding the booklet up with both hands, presenting it to He Song.
Seeing this, He Song willed it, and the booklet in Zhang Ying's hands floated into the air and landed in He Song's grasp.
He Song opened the booklet and flipped through it briefly.
A hint of surprise flashed in He Song's eyes.
This booklet recorded the annual tributes from various families within the Immortal City.
Heavenly Pivot Immortal City had Foundation Establishment families.
And Qi Condensation families.
Though their strengths varied, all made their living in Heavenly Pivot Immortal City and naturally had to offer tributes.
Weaker families offered less.
Stronger families offered more.
This booklet detailed the tribute quota for each family.
Which family offered how many spirit stones.
Which family offered how many treasures.
Which family offered how many spirit objects.
Which family…
It could be said.
Every word in this small booklet represented a substantial amount of resources.
Spirit stones.
Treasures.
Spirit objects.
All kinds of rare valuables.
He Song was overwhelmed by the sheer variety.
Upon closer inspection, He Song noticed that the items listed in the booklet.
Were all recorded within the past year.
There were no records from before.
He Song looked at Zhang Li below, a question in his eyes.
Before He Song could ask, Zhang Li, as if anticipating his question, quickly spoke.
"Not concealing it from True Person Evergreen Pine, these items were never formally recorded in an account book; everything was in this old one's memory."
"This account book only exists because I wished to gain True Person's trust."
"White Cloud True Person entrusted this matter to subordinate, and subordinate personally delivered the annual tributes."
"Now that White Cloud True Person has left, if True Person Evergreen Pine permits, subordinate will continue to deliver the annual tribute here."
Zhang Li's words brought a realization to He Song.
No wonder.
No wonder the account book only contained records from the recent year.
This account book wasn't for record-keeping but was hastily compiled by Zhang Li from memory to gain his trust.
He Song flipped through the booklet again, examining the entries and nodded.
Zhang Li's memory was indeed impressive; the records were detailed and seemed accurate.
However.
After calculating the value of the items recorded in the booklet.
He Song's heart stirred.
The total value exceeded ten thousand spirit stones.
And that was just for one year.
Adding the annual stipend of three thousand spirit stones for a Foundation Establishment True Person, his yearly income, even without considering spirit herb cultivation, would be over thirteen thousand spirit stones.
More than thirteen thousand spirit stones annually.
This amount almost matched He Song's previous income from cultivating over a hundred acres of spirit fields.
Yet.
These spirit stones were obtained simply by being stationed in the Immortal City.
If there were other ways to earn spirit stones, the income would naturally increase further.
This annual income of thirteen thousand spirit stones was merely a guaranteed base income.
Thinking of this, Wei Fan's words upon departure echoed in He Song's mind.
Opportunity?
Could this be the opportunity Wei Fan mentioned?
An annual income of ten thousand spirit stones was indeed a significant opportunity for a Mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Moreover, it was a continuous source of income.
Furthermore, Wei Fan spoke of it, and Meng Guan and Dark Crane True Person, who were present, showed no surprise.
They likely knew about this as well.
In other words.
This seemingly gray income was a tacitly accepted norm among Guardian True Persons.
Was receiving ten thousand spirit stones annually a perk of guarding an Immortal City?
Otherwise, relying solely on the sect's annual stipend of three thousand spirit stones, a Mid-Foundation Establishment True Person would struggle even for basic cultivation needs.
Thus, this gray income naturally arose.
With these thoughts, He Song felt more grounded.
As long as this practice was not unique to him but accepted by everyone, he could participate.
He guessed that this tribute system was not limited to Heavenly Pivot Immortal City's Guardian True Person.
Other Immortal Cities under Earth Sect.
And even Immortal Cities under other Golden Core Sects.
And Nascent Soul Upper Sects.
Probably had similar practices.
Perhaps, Heavenly Pivot Immortal City's ten thousand spirit stone tribute was relatively low.
Some richer Immortal Cities might collect several times that amount annually.
With these thoughts, He Song calmed down and looked at the old and young individuals with newfound amiability.
"Rise."
"Continue as before. If anything significant arises, you may come to my door."
"If there's nothing else, you may leave."
After Zhang Li and Zhang Ying had been in He Song's mansion and before him for so long, He Song finally spoke his first words to them.
Hearing this, Zhang Li and Zhang Ying, who were initially apprehensive, showed elation.
They exchanged glances, seeing relief in each other's eyes.
For them.
White Cloud True Person was like heaven.
With White Cloud True Person, they were untouchable.
But with White Cloud True Person's departure and a new master taking over, their fate was in He Song's hands.
He Song could erase them with a word.
Conversely.
He Song's word could ensure their continued prosperity and social standing.
He Song's order to continue as before meant their lives were spared.
And their privileged lifestyle would continue.
This was why they were so relieved.
The new True Person Evergreen Pine hadn't dismissed them in favor of others.
For them, this was incredibly fortunate.
Overjoyed, they bowed again.
"Thank you, Master, thank you, Master! We will serve Master with utmost loyalty, even unto death!"
"Master, rest assured, the annual tribute will be delivered to your mansion on time, causing you no worry whatsoever."
"..."
With these declarations of loyalty, the two happily left He Song's mansion.
As they departed with smiles.
Those waiting outside He Song's mansion, eager to curry favor, also breathed sighs of relief and followed Zhang Li and Zhang Ying.
They dared not approach He Song directly.
But approaching Zhang Li and Zhang Ying, expressing their desire to serve, and offering tributes, was something they would not hesitate to do.
This was Zhang Li and Zhang Ying's purpose.
And this was why White Cloud True Person took He Song around to meet his acquaintances before leaving, ensuring everyone recognized He Song.
Though White Cloud True Person was gone, the intricate network of relationships he established was inherited by He Song.
Now, He Song only needed to reside in the mansion to receive at least ten thousand spirit stones annually.
This was the opportunity Wei Fan spoke of.
After dismissing Zhang Li and Zhang Ying, He Song, finding himself with nothing else to do, returned to his quiet room and resumed cultivating the Earth Scripture to improve his cultivation.
Five years had passed.
He had successfully become the Guardian True Person of Heavenly Pivot Immortal City.
His status had drastically changed.
Even in the quiet room, He Song contemplated this shift in identity.
Starting from the beginning.
From a rogue cultivator in Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market.
To joining Spirit Medicine Pavilion, becoming a spirit herb planter, an Immortal Market cultivator.
Then breaking through to Mid-Qi Condensation Stage, promoted to garden management.
Later, reaching Late-Qi Condensation Stage, becoming a deacon of Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market.
Then, through Meng Guan's Foundation Establishment success, being brought into Earth Sect as an outer sect disciple.
Many years passed before he finally established Foundation Establishment, becoming an Earth Sect elder and Guardian of Hundred Herb Immortal Market.
Guardian of Hundred Herb Immortal Market for years, then transferred to Heavenly Pivot Immortal City five years ago.
Today, he officially became the Guardian of Heavenly Pivot Immortal City, truly becoming the Guardian True Person.
He Song remembered many of these identity changes.
But only now, as Guardian of Heavenly Pivot Immortal City, did he gain an annual income of ten thousand spirit stones.
(End of chapter)