Chapter 524 - Well Said, Don’t Say It Again
Chen Qing felt a bit tempted. If Gu Han became the new ancestor, he could probably land himself an elder position, especially when the man was this strong. Even heavily injured, Gu Han could casually cut down a Saint realm cultivator in one slash.
Having understood the customs here, Gu Han felt somewhat disgusted. “Don’t call me old ancestor! I’m just a scavenger!”
After all, these disciples had already sent off three old ancestors. The title was very unlucky!
The disciple grew even more obsequious. “Old Ancestor, over seventy percent of the people here are scavengers by origin. We’re all family!”
Gu Han couldn’t say anything back. At that moment, some quick-witted disciples brought over the Yangxin Sect’s resources. There were only twenty or thirty drops of Transcendent Substance, along with one half-saint herb.
Gu Han frowned deeply. “That’s it?”
For a sect presided by a Saint realm cultivator, the Yangxin Sect sure was poor! It was far worse than even the Myriad Transformations Holy Land back in the Eastern Wasteland!
A disciple explained that this half-saint herb had been brought over by the previous old ancestor when he first arrived. After being plundered by many generations of old ancestors, the Yangxin Sect had long gone broke.
To top it off, these sect masters and elders had absolutely no cohesion or emotional attachment to the sect. The first thing they did upon taking office was convert all the good stuff into their own personal strength. Then, they’d find all sorts of ways to line their pockets.
Just like the tribute earlier, this situation was hardly unique in the Tiannan Realm. Nearly all unranked forces operated the same way. Aside from offering a bit more security, there really wasn’t much benefit to the disciples. Being a scavenger was far more relaxing.
After consuming the half-saint herb and Transcendent Substance, Gu Han immediately led the group away.
The disciples didn’t try to stop him. If Gu Han wouldn’t take the job, someone else would. Besides, if nobody wanted it, they could always go back to their old trade and become scavengers again.
***
The half-saint herb worked wonders. In just a short while, Gu Han’s injuries had already recovered by quite a bit, but he was still far from a full recovery.
I have to keep going. With that thought, he looked at Chen Qing, who was torn between hope and regret. “Is it like this everywhere in the Tiannan Realm?”
Chen Qing gave a bitter smile. “More or less. The forces above third-rate are a bit better. As for the lowest-level cultivators? Sometimes they’re rogue cultivators, sometimes they’re sect disciples. Everyone’s used to it.
“Senior, didn't you miss a good opportunity earlier? With someone as powerful as you, the sect would undoubtedly rise to the ranks of a third-rate sect. You can even advance to second-rate in the future if you build things up steadily.”
Gu Han glanced at him. “What? Isn’t scavenging good?”
Chen Qing hesitated for a moment. “Well... you saw it yourself. Not to mention those three from earlier, I’ve run into this kind of business many times. I’m ashamed to say it, but after all my years of scavenging, I’ve only managed to save up these dozen or so drops of Transcendent substance. I used a small portion myself, while most of it was used to bargain for my life.”
He let out a light sigh, his tone tinged with melancholy. “The world is harsh. Just standing firm is already no small feat. All I seek is a bit of stability.”
Gu Han shook his head inwardly. With Ling Ya around, the cultivators of the Tiannan Realm had it a few times harder than people elsewhere.
He casually tossed the storage ring containing the Yangxin Sect’s resources to Chen Qing. “Here. Consider it interest.”
Chen Qing was taken aback, and his melancholy vanished. Even if he scavenged hard for decades, he wouldn’t ever gather this much. I knew it! Someone who could feed Transcendent Substance to a rooster is generous!
The contents of The Scavenger’s Treasure Manual gradually faded from his memory. He suddenly felt that following Gu Han wasn’t such a bad thing after all.
With that thought, Chen Qing asked curiously, “If you don’t mind me asking, what is your esteemed name?”
“Fu Yulin.”
Chen Qing praised enthusiastically, “What a great name! It’s a perfect match for you!”
Gu Han was silent for a moment. “Well said. Don’t say it again.”
Chen Qing was speechless.
Gu Han stopped and swept his gaze across the surroundings. “Apart from the Yangxin Sect, are there any other sects here?”
Behind Chen Qing, a disciple said excitedly, “There are! About a thousand li from here, there’s the Xuansha Sect. They’re a bit stronger than the Yangxin Sect.”
“Do they need a tribute too?”
That disciple nodded. “Yes. And those people are more violent. When we came, we made a point of taking a detour.”
Gu Han immediately changed direction. “Let’s go then. We’re heading to the Xuansha Sect to scavenge!”
Chen Qing was taken aback. Rather than scavenging, it sounds like he’s provoking them on purpose?!
***
Even though Gu Han's injuries hadn't fully healed, a thousand-li journey wasn't that far for him. In less than half an hour, they’d reached the Xuansha Sect’s territory.
What happened was simple: provocation, sword drawn, sword sheathed, battle over. He harvested one half-saint herb, over thirty drops of Transcendent Substance, and drew numerous Xuansha Sect disciples to kowtow and worship him as their new old ancestor.
Just like with the Yangxin Sect, Gu Han ignored them. He proceeded to consume the half-saint herb and Transcendent Substance, then tossed the remaining items to Chen Qing. The legendary scavenger was naturally overwhelmed with gratitude and no longer spoke of leaving. He finally understood why most rogue cultivators enjoyed killing and looting treasures. It was highly addictive!
Before Gu Han could ask, Chen Qing pointed into the distance, exceptionally proactive. “Three thousand li from here, there’s the Yinshan Sect. Their old ancestor is very powerful, so they shouldn't be underestimated. They’re way more ruthless when it comes to collecting tribute! Decades ago, I passed through their territory. They caught me and forced me to hand over all my Transcendent Substance. I thought I was done for.”
He had long thrown the steady approach from The Scavenger’s Treasure Manual to the winds.
Gu Han’s expression remained blank. “Good. They’re our next target.”
He was completely broke right now and couldn’t afford any pills. It was better to just go hunting and scavenging. Not only was it fast, it required no cost. It was perfect for his current situation.
This was the way of the Tiannan Realm. Since he was following local customs, he’d follow them to the fullest. No good or evil, and no right or wrong. Whoever had the bigger fist and greater strength could claim more resources. He thought this rule was excellent.
As they traveled, Chen Qing marveled inwardly. I knew it! Only someone as strong as him could so shamelessly go slaughter—no, scavenging—right at someone else’s doorstep!
At that moment, Gu Han stopped again and looked into the distance. Moments later, a surge of Saint might came from afar. It moved extremely fast, appearing in their line of sight almost instantly.
The Saint realm!
As it drew nearer, Chen Qing exclaimed in surprise, “Oh? Isn’t that the Yinshan Old Ancestor? No way he knew we’re coming to scavenge and came looking for us ahead of time, right? That’s impossible!”
Gu Han’s eyes narrowed. “No. He’s not here to cause trouble. He’s running away!”
Chen Qing was stunned and also noticed something off. “Running away?”
In his impression, the Yinshan Old Ancestor was deeply calculating and ruthless. But right now, his face looked somewhat pale, with a hint of fear in his eyes. In an instant, the Yinshan Old Ancestor flashed past not far away, not even sparing them a second glance.
Chen Qing was completely baffled. “How strange. Is someone chasing him—”
Before he finished speaking, more cultivators appeared on the distant horizon. They seemed to be fleeing for their lives as well. There were both rogue cultivators and sect disciples, the weakest among them being at the Transcendent realm.
Among those people, Chen Qing spotted a familiar figure and exclaimed in surprise, “Brother Zhou, what’s going on?!”
The man surnamed Zhou glanced at them and sped up even more. “Run! Run fast! The Hehuan Sect has come out to find cultivation vessels again!"