Treasurer Meng had a secret nickname that everyone in High Heaven Pavilion called him behind his back... "Bully Meng."
Despite holding the prestigious Treasurer position, he was notoriously stingy and possessed an undeniable talent for extorting Contribution Points from the disciples.
Take the Blood Clotting Cream, for example. Normally, a single bottle cost ten Contribution Points. Meng, however, would frequently run a "special promotion" where he sold three bottles for the price of four... and worse, he simply diluted the contents of two bottles to fill the three.
When disciples complained, his reasoning was simple: "Buy it or scram!"
Of course, Meng wasn't stupid enough to rob everyone blind. He mostly targeted the richer disciples or those who were in desperate need and had no other choice but to buy from him.
As for poor, struggling disciples like Yang Kai? Meng usually didn't even bother trying to squeeze blood from a stone.
Contribution points were hard-earned, and many disciples had angrily reported him to the Elders Council. But Treasurer Meng was like a greasy loach, impossible to pin down. The higher-ups seemingly tolerated him, and no one else could take over his role.
Thus, almost every disciple secretly despised him.
But Yang Kai was a rare exception.
Meng was ruthless to everyone, but he surprisingly never pushed Yang Kai too far. Why? Because according to the original Yang Kai's memories, he had once caught the old man red-handed sneaking around the female disciples' bathing springs.
What a scandal!
Yang Kai had witnessed it all, and ever since he used it as leverage, the shameless old man was surprisingly cooperative whenever Yang Kai came around.
Recovering from his earlier embarrassment regarding the "beautiful thin waist" comment, the thick-skinned old man quickly adjusted his attitude, clearing his throat. "Ahem. Same as always?"
Yang Kai shook his head. "No. Exactly how many Contribution Points do I have saved up now?"
Meng rolled his eyes, lazily flipping through a thick ledger on the counter. "Let's see... counting your pitiful sweeping wages and past savings, you have a grand total of twelve points. What, do you want to exchange them for a bottle of Blood Clotting Cream?"
Yang Kai tapped the counter thoughtfully. The exchange rate was strict. "Twelve points... that's one hundred and twenty silver taels if I cash out, right?"
Meng's hand froze on the ledger. He looked up, narrowing his eyes at the youth. "You're thinking of cashing out to mortal currency? You idiot, what can you even buy with silver? You can't buy cultivation resources with that garbage."
Yang Kai leaned in slightly, a smirk on his face. "Oh? Afraid I might spend it on something better than your diluted, overpriced stock?"
Meng clicked his tongue in annoyance, then suddenly lowered his voice, his tone shifting to something almost resembling genuine advice. "Little Yang Kai, don't tell me... weren't you trying to save up for a Tempered Body Pellet?"
Yang Kai's fingers continued to tap rhythmically against the wooden counter.
He actually had one specific thing in mind to generate quick funds.
Gambling.
For the first time since arriving in this brutal world, Yang Kai seriously considered it. With his Earthly knowledge of statistics and human psychology, he knew exactly how odds worked. If there was a gambling den down in Black Plum Village, he could easily turn one hundred and twenty silver into over a thousand.
If he was smart and cautious, he could multiply his mortal money rapidly, which he could then use to buy raw herbs outside the sect.
Of course, the risk of getting caught by a local gang was high.
Was it worth it?
Seeing Yang Kai lost in thought, Meng's white brows furrowed. "What are you scheming now, brat?"
Yang Kai snapped out of his thoughts and shrugged innocently. "Nothing important. Just cash me out."
Meng grumbled, tossing a heavy pouch of silver onto the counter. He wasn't convinced. His expression turned slightly serious, shedding the comedic merchant persona for a fleeting second.
"Brat, I heard you got beaten up pretty badly yesterday."
Yang Kai froze for a split second, weighing the heavy silver pouch in his hand, before turning around to leave.
Meng called after him, a complex smirk tugging at his lips. "Oi, don't run away so fast! I'm just asking!"
Meng sighed inwardly. He had seen countless reckless disciples over the years. They all eventually got crushed, fell behind, or left the sect in absolute disgrace. Yang Kai's perseverance was admirable, but without talent, the end result would be no different.
"Little Yang Kai!" Meng finally shouted toward the exit, his voice carrying a rare trace of sincerity. "You should take that silver, pack your bags, and leave. High Heaven Pavilion isn't a place for the weak. Sooner or later, your stubbornness will get you killed!"
Yang Kai paused for a moment in the doorway, waving his hand dismissively over his shoulder without turning back.
Meng watched his thin back disappear, quietly gripping his porcelain teacup.
.............
Yang Kai briefly returned to his hut to store his broom, then briskly walked out of the sect gates. He was heading down the mountain to Black Plum Village, just like he did every month, to buy food and supplies with his silver.
But this time, the journey felt different.
His body felt incredibly light and undeniably stronger.
The Golden Skeleton's passive effects were already making themselves known.
A confident smile crept onto his face. This brutal world's rules were becoming much clearer to him.
......
Black Plum Village was a bustling, lively town situated at the base of the mountain range. It was strategically located between High Heaven Pavilion and Storm House, two of the strongest sects in the immediate area.
The relationship between the two sects wasn't openly hostile, but they were fierce rivals. The smaller sects in the region didn't even own their own territory, making them utterly insignificant in comparison.
Because of the constant influx of disciples, weapons, medicinal herbs, and rare materials filled the market, creating a thriving economic environment reminiscent of an ancient capital on Earth.
Yang Kai navigated through the crowded streets, heading directly toward a familiar shop. It was a simple rice shop owned by Shopkeeper He, a fair merchant who treated all his customers equally, regardless of their cultivation status.
But just as Yang Kai was about to enter, he noticed something out of the corner of his eye.
A group of rough-looking men stood idling in a nearby alleyway. Something about their posture felt completely off. As he approached, their gazes subtly locked onto him, filled with undeniable malice.
Yang Kai chuckled lightly under his breath.
If they don't mess with me, I won't mess with them, he decided, choosing to ignore them and walk past.
But as he glanced over, he noticed something strange. Among the three men, one was wearing robes similar to his own.
A fellow High Heaven disciple?
Yang Kai's eyes narrowed slightly. What was an inner sect disciple doing loitering in an alley with local thugs?
Was this a coincidence, or was it something more?
Well, not my concern right now, he thought, stepping into the rice shop.