“A clever person knows that there is always something to be learned from everyone.”

When Qai was midway his speech, there were already around 8 disciples present including Ao Tian and Shu Liang.

“What gall!”

Upon hearing Qai's words, Ao Tian felt enraged.

On the other hand, Shu Liang merely chuckled. She had a profitable experience working with Qai so she wouldn't feel a bit offended with Qai’s way of doing things.

However, it did seem too much for Qai—being an ‘unofficial’ outer disciple at the moment—to make a genius Foundation Establishment stage inner disciple indebted.

‘Who wants to trade with that!?’

To the disciples who heard his words, that was like an act of coercion coming from the weak.

Unacceptable!

The culture and ways of the cultivator were such that the strong prey on the weak—that bullying was a matter of right if you have the might.

“How can we owe an ant! If I like your possessions then I can just take them. Who the hell do you think you are for me to owe you. Even dragons would feel blessed if I take blood from it!”

Ao Tian could only brag for being irritated by Qai's stunts. He definitely wouldn't harm the other with Elder Li around.

Qai didn't mind Ao Tian. He could feel Elder Li monitoring the show he started.

“Seniors, even if I love to trade these for Spirit Stones, I just can't. As you can see, my bag is already full. There is no way I can reveal such a kind of wealth going to the sect. Seniors, I’m sure you know that I would draw too much attention that way and eventually expose myself early from trouble.”

Of course, most of them understood since almost all of them went through the same struggle before. Only those who came from big clans had enough backing to avoid such a predicament.

Elder Li was taken aback at the Qai for being very clever.

First, Qai dropped his name to make everyone know that he was the one who allowed Qai to join the sect.

Second, Qai made everybody aware that going to the sect together with them meant that Qai would certainly have the opportunity to ask the disciples to fulfill their end of the trade should they indeed take his items.

And lastly, once in the sect, Qai would surely be a newcomer without anyone to rely on—but if anyone from among these geniuses of the sect would owe him even once, then Qai would certainly have some leverage as an outer disciple without any backing.

‘What a clever fellow. I never thought there would be someone this talented in such a remote place. No wonder Old Bu took him as a servant.’

Elder Li then sighed knowing that Old Bu would no longer return.

'He must have truly died even before consuming his final years. I guess I'll just have to report the sect to send another protector on this island and to pay a little attention to that village. Who knows if another gem would appear in there.’

From 8, the disciples present were now 12.

The disciples drooled at many of Qai's items. Yet, no one still came to trade with Qai—of course, Shu Liang had already plenty of transactions with Qai so she didn't have to make herself even more indebted. As for the rest of the disciples, they all have gained a lot in this Trial by Fire but additional precious refining materials would be a welcomed development.

Everyone hesitated until Elder Li himself came to the openly laid items.

“I'll take this one. Now hand me that leather parchment of yours.”

“Senior!”

Qai was dumbstruck.

He never thought that his very first patron would be Elder Li.

The sect elder, on the other hand, actually picked up a Metal element beast horn from a level 4 Spirit Beast. He needed it only for some experiment and was not in a dire situation to have it. But he traded for it nonetheless to give Qai a little hand.

He was apparently impressed with Qai's method.

“Here,” Elder Li said as he returned the leather parchment. “You can just ask me anytime if you needed my help once we got back to the sect.”

“Thank you, esteemed Elder.”

When the disciples saw it, some still hesitated but one disciple began to choose an item.

“Whatever, it's just a favor. Who doesn't owe a favor anyway.”

As he stooped down, Qai began to utter another enticing advertisement.

“Senior brother, since you are the first disciple to trade with me, feel free to pick 5 items instead for the same value of one promise.”

Except for Ao Tian and two others, the rest rushed towards Qai's makeshift market when they heard him said those words believing that they too can get a good bargain.

As a result, Elder Li and 9 other disciples ended up owing Qai a favor once.

His items were eventually distributed evenly among the disciples. And it was all gain for Qai since he initially planned on disposing of them anyway.

‘Truly, there is fortune even in these supposed to be scraps.’

Thereafter, the disciples waited for another day and no other cultivator came—only the 12 Foundation Establishment stage disciples that arrived seemed to have survived.

“Elder Li, I believe the others didn't make it.”

It was disciple Ao Tian who made the remark.

“That should be the case.”

The group of sect disciples who came to participate in the Trial by Fire originally numbered around 20. But because of the dangers present in the ruins—not to mention the reality that these same disciples could settle grudges and eventually kill each other in that period—the number was expected to dwindle.

“Indeed, only those fated in this Trial by Fire can successfully return to the sect alive. I hope everyone here has gained a lot. And as agreed, you are to deliver to the sect half of the earnings you made here in exchange for Contribution Points.”

As the sect elder finished his reminders, he suddenly turned to face Qai.

“As for you, servant boy, once we enter the sect, you should immediately report to the Regulations Hall in order to claim your sect badge, your official robe and your cave assignment as an outer disciple. As for other things you wanted to know, well you have plenty of your Seniors to ask from. I'm pretty sure they would be glad to teach you a thing or two to return you the favor they owe you today."

Qai did not whether to laugh or cry.

He was expecting to take advantage of most of those favors in times of trouble. He didn't expect the elder to be so clever to see through his intentions and gave the disciples an idea of how to return their favor without exerting too much effort.

When the disciples heard the elder's words, their eyes turned suddenly bright and smiled warmly at Qai as if they already want to teach something to him.

Qai cleared his throat and immediately bowed at them.

“Senior brothers and sisters, I am thanking you in advance. Since we still have some time, please enlighten me about our Precious Tree Sect.”

Those genius disciples who traded with him opportunely obliged and gave Qai tips here and there.

Even if his initial purpose with his items was defeated, he was satisfied with the result nonetheless. At least, he gained some knowledge of what to expect of his sect.

And by the time they were finished, Elder Li finally called everyone’s attention.

Qai felt excited.

‘Finally.’

He was once a noble in a different world. Now he was threading an immortal’s path in another.

‘It’s autumn, isn't it?’

He suddenly asked himself when a leaf fell in front of him.

Then he reminisced everything that transpired.

He looked at the direction of the village, of his home.

Qai could only sigh.

The elder was standing near the Teleportation Array. Apparently, he had just finished placing several Spirit Stones in the formation and was currently activating the portal with an incantation.

A rich spiritual Qi energy converged in between the boulders and a blinding pentagon-shaped light started to form.

“It’s time to go.”

End of Book One: A Baron Knight’s Tale