Chapter 80: Is Young Friend Liu Also the Same?

Chapter 80: Chapter 80: Is Young Friend Liu Also the Same?

"Greetings, Steward Lin."

Liu Chen followed Senior Brother Yang out of the back mountain, and after just a few steps, he saw Steward Lin waiting there.

"No need for formalities, Young Friend. Please, follow me."

Steward Lin sized up Liu Chen, unable to suppress his shock. ’I thought the Grand Elder’s disciple, who is on the verge of reaching Body Tempering Peak, was already a prodigy. I never expected Liu Chen, a disciple of the acting Peak Master, to be even more outstanding.’

’He’s already at Body Tempering Peak, not to mention he’s also a Second Grade Spirit Chef. With such talent, it’s probably just a matter of time before he takes over Purple Bamboo Peak.’

"We have some time on the way, so let me explain Purple Cloud Valley’s rules for Honored Guest Elders. Inner Sect Disciples can become Honored Guest Elders for families, or even Noble Families. Each month, the corresponding family must provide a set amount of resources for the Inner Sect Disciple’s cultivation.

"Purple Cloud Valley has clear regulations on this. The minimum for a Steward’s disciple is five hundred Spirit Stones per month. For an ordinary Elder’s disciple, it’s one thousand Spirit Stones per month. As for the disciples of a Grand Elder or a Peak Master, the monthly minimum is two thousand Spirit Stones. The Spirit Stones can be exchanged for equivalent resources."

Steward Lin explained casually. Following behind him, Liu Chen glanced at Senior Brother Yang and found him looking back. Their eyes met, but in the end, neither of them voiced the confusion in their hearts.

"This is just the base amount set by Purple Cloud Valley. The actual amount will be determined when the Spirit Contract is signed. These Spirit Stones, or their equivalent resources, will first go to the Hundred Affairs Hall. After the Hundred Affairs Hall appraises them, the Law Enforcement Hall will be responsible for verifying if the resources comply with the Spirit Contract. Once everything is complete, these Spirit Stones will be distributed along with the Inner Sect Disciple’s regular stipend.

"Of course, if those families are willing to provide more Spirit Stones, that’s a private matter between you. Purple Cloud Valley will only guarantee the portion stipulated in the Spirit Contract."

As Steward Lin finished speaking, Liu Chen looked up at the spacious and bright hall ahead. This was the Hundred Affairs Hall.

The plaza outside the Hundred Affairs Hall was bustling with activity. Disciples of all kinds were setting up stalls to trade or forming teams to accept missions.

However, when the three of them arrived, the previously boisterous plaza suddenly fell quiet for a moment. Everyone’s gaze fell upon Liu Chen.

Some disciples showed expressions of sudden understanding, then went back to their own business. Others, however, continued to stare at him, their eyes filled with a mix of emotions, but mostly confusion.

Steward Lin watched this scene quietly, then used his senses to gauge Liu Chen’s state. ’This must be his first time here.’ Unfortunately, all he could perceive was Liu Chen calmly watching the disciples, his expression completely blank.

"Let’s go. We’ll draft the initial version of the Spirit Contract first."

Steward Lin spoke slowly. As Liu Chen followed, he glanced at Senior Brother Yang. By now, Senior Brother Yang had changed into the robes of an Inner Sect Disciple. Compared to Liu Chen, who was dressed in ordinary training clothes with even his Identity Jade Token stored away in his Storage Ring, Senior Brother Yang’s status was much more apparent.

The Hundred Affairs Hall was divided into four floors. The first floor was for Outer Sect Disciples, the second for Inner Sect Disciples, the third for True Disciples, and the fourth was where Stewards handled their affairs.

The two of them followed the Steward directly to the fourth floor. In the very center stood a rather large desk, surrounded on all sides by rows of cabinets filled with all sorts of books.

"What are your requirements for the Spirit Stones, young friends?"

After sitting down, Steward Lin began drafting the Spirit Contract. Purple Cloud Valley would certainly prioritize the wishes of its Inner Sect Disciples. As for the families... ’Does a Purple Cloud Valley Inner Sect Disciple need to beg you to sign a Spirit Contract? If you don’t sign, there are plenty of others who will.’

"The minimum standard will be sufficient."

Yang Haichen answered directly. It was his own family, after all. As long as the people in his family weren’t fools, they would surely provide him with more resources privately later on. This Honored Guest Elder Spirit Contract from Purple Cloud Valley was just a formality.

"That’s right. The Yang Family is your family of origin, and you are the Grand Elder’s disciple. The minimum standard is two thousand Spirit Stones. Sign the Spirit Contract."

Steward Lin nodded, and a contract formed from Spiritual Power materialized before Yang Haichen. Yang Haichen gave it a quick glance, then slit his finger and let a drop of blood mixed with Spiritual Power fall onto the Spirit Contract.

A crimson mark appeared on the Spirit Contract. The mark squirmed, gradually transforming into the blood-red name ’Yang Haichen’.

Seeing the matter concluded, Steward Lin took out a palm-sized Token and stored the corresponding Spirit Contract within it.

"Is it the same for you, Young Friend Liu? However, besides being the disciple of the acting Peak Master, you are also a Second Grade Spirit Chef. That requires an additional two thousand Spirit Stones on top of the minimum. Speaking of which, this is the first time this specific rule has been applied since Purple Cloud Valley established it."

Steward Lin turned to look at Liu Chen, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. If it were the junior sister making the request, the minimum standard would be the norm.

But even this minimum standard was likely several times more than what other Inner Sect Disciples, who were determined to acquire as many Spirit Stones as possible, would receive.

"How about five thousand Spirit Stones?"

Liu Chen considered Junior Sister Ye’s request and proposed a price he felt was quite reasonable.

"That is certainly possible. However, according to Purple Cloud Valley’s investigation, five thousand Spirit Stones is roughly one-third of the Ye Family’s monthly income."

Steward Lin couldn’t help but offer a reminder. ’That’s your junior sister’s family. Isn’t it a bit inappropriate to raise the price like that?’

"Then make it six thousand Spirit Stones."

Liu Chen narrowed his eyes. ’So the Ye Family is quite wealthy, then. This monthly amount of Spirit Stones is inconsequential to me anyway. If Junior Sister Ye is willing to accept them, I can always give them back to her.

’After all, it’s just the amount of Spirit Stones I’d get from selling three portions of Spiritual Cuisine. It’s no big deal.’

Yang Haichen couldn’t help but look over, a bit bewildered himself now. The Ye Family’s income wasn’t pure profit. At this rate, basically half of the Ye Family’s profits would be going to Liu Chen.

However, Yang Haichen didn’t say anything. Although he didn’t understand what was really going on, he knew that if Junior Brother Liu were willing to become an Honored Guest Elder for any other Noble Family, he would definitely receive no less than this amount.

"Six thousand Spirit Stones it is, then."

Steward Lin didn’t press the matter further. There were spies from various families in the Marketplace outside Purple Cloud Valley. If word got out that a Second Grade Spirit Chef was willing to become a family’s Honored Guest Elder, families would come flocking, offering not just six thousand Spirit Stones, but even double that amount.

Unfortunately, the Spirit Stones weren’t the main point; the key was his junior sister. However, judging from Liu Chen’s attitude, his junior sister’s relationship with her family was likely not very good.

The Spirit Contract was quickly drawn up. Liu Chen examined it carefully. It didn’t force the Inner Sect Disciple to do anything specific, but it did strictly prohibit the family from using the Inner Sect Disciple or Purple Cloud Valley to commit evil deeds, on pain of being dealt with directly by the Law Enforcement Hall.

A drop of blood mixed with a small amount of Spiritual Power fell onto the Spirit Contract. Liu Chen felt as though some invisible force was acting upon him, but there was no tangible restriction. To be precise, the Spirit Contract placed no constraints on him.

"Alright. Let’s go meet the two Patriarchs."