"Damn, so many people?"
As soon as Su Bai stepped into the grand plaza of the Hundred Sects Gathering, he was startled by the bustling scene before him. The crowd was so dense it nearly filled the entire square.
Are people in this world really so fanatical about cultivating immortality?
He counted roughly one hundred and seven banners, which meant over a hundred sects were here recruiting disciples.
Each of these banners was more impressive and luxurious than the last, especially the one in the center, which was extraordinarily grand.
The plaque bore the three gilded characters "Soaring Heavens Sect," with several lines of large characters beneath it.
Immortal Alliance Top 500!
Monthly base salary: Thirty taels of silver
Yunshui City quota for today: Fifty spots
At this moment, the area around the "Soaring Heavens Sect" was already crowded with people, all vying for a spot.
Su Bai looked at the luxurious gilded plaque, then at the shabby wooden board in his hand, feeling a mix of emotions.
"No wonder they're in the top 500, they're swimming in wealth, starting at thirty taels of silver a month!"
In this world, ordinary people's currency is mainly copper coins and silver taels, with one tael of silver equaling a thousand copper coins.
From his observations over the past few days, one copper coin in this world is roughly equivalent to one yuan.
In other words, thirty taels of silver is a "monthly salary" starting at thirty thousand yuan!
The words "starting at" bring endless possibilities!
No wonder so many people are striving to get in!
Su Bai glanced around; the "monthly salary" marked on those sects' signs ranged from three taels to thirty taels of silver.
He reached into his pocket, feeling the twenty copper coins left, and couldn't help but mutter to himself.
"I can't even pay the disciples' wages, what's the point!"
After a moment, he steeled himself and wrote a few lines on the wooden board.
Heavenly Dao Sect
Future Number One Sect!
Monthly base salary: Thirty taels
Quota: One spot
"I'm a man with a system, how could I bow down for three taels of silver!"
"Anyway, the monthly salary is paid after a month, recruit disciples to upgrade the sect first, and worry about silver later."
With this thought, Su Bai found a spot, propped up the wooden board in front of him, and waited for disciples to come for "interviews."
There were so many people at the Hundred Sects Gathering, even though everyone wanted to join the "Soaring Heavens Sect," many couldn't due to "limited abilities" and had to look at other sects.
Thus, there were many people in front of each sign.
"Everyone, come take a look, the future number one sect in the world, don't miss it as you pass by!"
Su Bai sat there shouting, a smile on his face, facing everyone with a smile, the basic etiquette of an "interviewer."
"What? The future number one sect in the world?"
Everyone was stunned, stopping in their tracks, curiously looking towards the source of the voice.
When they quickly walked over and got a closer look at the so-called sign, everyone's eyes widened like copper bells, mouths agape enough to fit an egg.
Immediately, a burst of laughter erupted.
"Is this supposed to be a sign? Is this a joke?" Someone couldn't help but laugh, pointing at the shabby wooden board in front of Su Bai.
Moreover, the edges of the board were jagged, as if gnawed by a dog.
"No need to look, this is definitely another scam sect, trying to trick those eager to cultivate immortality!" Another person analyzed with a face full of disdain.
"I must keep my child away from such scammers, lest they be influenced!" A middle-aged woman hurriedly pulled her child away.
"Sigh, this young man looks quite decent, why did he turn to such deceitful acts?" An old man shook his head, sighing with regret.
"Damn, look at that scam sign, it says thirty taels of silver as the monthly base salary!"
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"It really is thirty taels, I thought it was three taels, missed a zero!"
"Am I crazy, or is this world crazy? The Soaring Heavens Sect, a top 500 in the Immortal Alliance, only offers thirty taels!"
"Must be crazy for money!"
"Thought it was a scammer, turns out it's a fool!"
A group of people laughed, drawing more and more attention.
Seeing a young man recruiting disciples with a shabby wooden board, offering thirty taels of silver, everyone was amused.
Even if you're not a scammer, assuming you're genuine, don't you understand the situation?
What qualifies you to offer thirty taels?
Are you in the top 500 of the Immortal Alliance?
Do you have a million disciples and countless strong members like the Soaring Heavens Sect?
Listening to the discussions around him, Su Bai slightly frowned.
Why does it feel increasingly off?
Is my sect's welfare being mocked?
Why, does my Heavenly Dao Sect's "monthly salary" have to be lower than the Soaring Heavens Sect's?
An hour, two hours, three hours...
Su Bai had been sitting for eight hours, some sects filled their quotas and left, new ones arrived.
People came and went, and quite a few stopped by him.
However, everyone who stopped by, upon seeing the sign, first froze, then burst into mocking laughter.
Especially when hearing or seeing the thirty taels of silver, their eyes looked at him as if he were a fool.
Without exception!
Su Bai wasn't angry, he just sat there quietly waiting.
...
Zhuge Feng walked stiffly, like a walking corpse, down the mountain, unknowingly arriving at the Hundred Sects Gathering for recruiting disciples.
"Only ten spots left!"
"Hurry up, make it quick!"
The stewards responsible for recruiting disciples for the Soaring Heavens Sect shouted, causing the crowd to boil over, rushing forward, afraid of missing a spot.
"Immortal, I have some local specialties here, take a look?" A middle-aged man squeezed forward, respectfully offering an opaque burlap sack, pulling his son along.
"Immortal, how about my son?"
A steward took the sack, weighed it in his hand, reached in to feel, and immediately smiled: "Haha, this kid looks promising, seems like good material for cultivation, it's you!"
The middle-aged man and his son were overjoyed, kneeling with gratitude.
"Thank you, Immortal! Thank you, Immortal!"
Just a servant position, yet they were so happy.
The so-called local specialties in that sack were at least twenty taels of silver!
This had become an unwritten rule for recruiting servants, without silver, without greasing palms, you want a spot?
With so many wanting to become servants, these stewards could choose whoever they wanted, why give it to you without some benefit?
The middle-aged man's clothes were patched, indicating a modest family background, the silver likely saved over years of frugality.
Zhuge Feng watched silently, as if seeing himself six months ago.
Six months ago, he sold his only house, scraped together two hundred taels of silver.
Twenty taels greased palms for a servant spot, one hundred eighty taels paid for half a year's servant fees.
The most outrageous part, servants weren't even provided food and lodging!
He had no choice, penniless, he could only earn some copper coins by helping senior brothers and sisters after finishing his tasks, barely supplementing his food and clothing.
After six months of hardship, this was the result!
The sect's rule was, to join and become a formal disciple to cultivate Immortal Art, one must first serve as a servant for six months!
Servant disciples had various tasks daily, sweeping steps, carrying water, planting spiritual herbs, etc., with no rest for six months.
Moreover, servant disciples had to pay thirty taels of silver to the sect each month to stay, otherwise, they had get lost.
Otherwise, if you occupy a spot without paying, how can others join?
"Sigh!"
Another sigh, Zhuge Feng didn't know where his path lay.
No home, failed the assessment, no silver to continue as a servant, penniless...
If he couldn't become an immortal, how could he avenge his parents?
Maybe, in this life, he would never have his revenge?
Just as he was about to leave, he caught sight of a sign out of the corner of his eye.
Heavenly Dao Sect
Food and lodging included!
Join the sect to learn Immortal Art!
Monthly base salary: 30 taels
Quota: One spot
Join the sect to learn Immortal Art?
Zhuge Feng couldn't help but stop, his gaze fixed on the sign.
If...joining the sect meant cultivating immortality...
The thought sprouted like wild grass, rapidly spreading through Zhuge Feng's mind, overwhelming him!
After a long while, Zhuge Feng took a deep breath to calm his agitation, then walked towards the sign.
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