"No wonder the City Lord's cultivation speed is so fast, turns out there's a secret to it," Gao Fei marveled, truly a case of 'comparisons are odious'.
Athyst contains abundant and pure spiritual energy, sothing all cultivators dream of.
"Because of my negligence, you almost suffered a great loss, so consider this athyst as your compensation," Bai Daqing said with a smile.
"It's too precious..." Gao Fei shook his head: "I can't accept this..." While he verbally refused, his hands clung to it tightly, such a hypocrite.
"I always separate gratitude and grudges clearly in my actions, you helped my daughter find her spirit cat, and by both emotion and reason, I should thank you," Bai Daqing said amiably.
"But..." Gao Fei still wanted to decline.
"I never take back what I've given away."
"Uh, well then, I'll accept it."
"That's more like it."
...
"Um... City Lord, may I brazenly ask a question..." Gao Fei said hesitantly.
"Ask away," Bai Daqing nodded. "As long as I can tell you, I will."
"Where can you find athyst?" Gao Fei asked: "I an... what does one have to do to get athyst?"
"Oh?" Bai Daqing's eyebrows raised with a laugh: "You're interested in athyst?"
"Of course," Gao Fei nodded. "Athyst is countless tis stronger than spirit stones, if I could use athyst for cultivation, then I..."
"I'll tell you the truth," Bai Daqing waved his hand. "Many years ago, the Purple Crystal Mines were monopolized by various powers, and it's incredibly difficult for ordinary people to get a piece of athyst."
"Monopolized?"
"The officials have a sixty percent monpoly, and the other forces control the remaining forty percent."
"Does that an... I can't get athyst?"
"There's still a chance," Bai Daqing didn't shut down the idea completely: "It all depends on your approach."
Gao Fei was perplexed: "What do you an?"
"Let ask you, why would the major powers monopolize athyst?" Bai Daqing posed a question in response.
"Because athyst is a treasure,"
"Another reason is, the major powers use athyst to attract talents."
"Attract talents?"
"Take myself, for example," Bai Daqing pointed at himself. "Centuries ago, I was just a mber of a small family, living a life without worries about food or clothing. As I grew older, I realized the importance of cultivation and from then on, I determined to strive hard and cultivate diligently. I had good cultivation talents and my family was willing to spend resources to nurture .
After entering the Golden Core Stage, my cultivation pace started to slow down, and the resources my family could provide beca less and less... It was then that I learned about the existence of athyst, and I thought to myself, if I had enough athyst, I would definitely achieve brilliant success...
To get athyst, I resolutely joined the officials..." Here Bai Daqing paused, "The officials have a rule, whoever makes significant contributions can be rewarded with athyst. I was lucky, just after joining I made several rits and finally received ten pieces of athyst as a reward...
With athyst, my cultivation speed beca extrely fast, and I step by step rose from a lowly soldier to beco the City Lord, now looking back, it all feels like a dream."
Gao Fei blinked, "You want to join the officials?"
"You could also join other forces," Bai Daqing said with a smile, "It's not necessary to join the officials."
Gao Fei fell silent.
"As far as I know, other forces also have similar rules, as long as you accomplish great achievents, you can receive the reward of an Athyst," Bai Daqing explained.
"I'm used to being free and easy, I don't want to be restrained by others," Gao Fei said in a deep voice.
"Then I ask you, which is more important to you, freedom or Athyst?" Bai Daqing asked.
"This..." Gao Fei didn't know how to answer.
"With Athyst, your cultivation speed will soar trendously, leading to outstanding achievents," Bai Daqing continued, "At first, you might lose so freedom, but as your cultivation improves, fewer and fewer people will be able to restrain you." He paused for a mont before continuing, "When I first joined the officials, I was ordered around without any dignity, but as my cultivation and status improved, those daring to provoke beca fewer and fewer.
Now that I've beco the city lord, even the Emperor has to give so face. I'm telling you all this to convey one thing: there are gains and losses! Don't just look at the imdiate benefits, you should take a long-term view."
Gao Fei had to admit that Bai Daqing made a lot of sense.
"I'm only telling you this much because I see you're a sincere young man. The final choice is yours," Bai Daqing said as he picked up his teacup and took a sip.
"Aside from the officials, what other forces have Athyst?" Gao Fei inquired.
"Those Super Sects and Ancient Families," Bai Daqing replied, "They have many rules, and it'd be tough for you to join them." He added, "Even if you manage to join them later, it's still hard to stand out. In my opinion, you should join the officials. With to help you, your chances of succeeding will greatly increase."
Join the officials?
Gao Fei hesitated. He had never intended to do so before; his previous joining of the Tianyang Sect was out of necessity, and he was ultimately abandoned by them. Though he acted indifferent on the surface, it had actually hurt him a great deal.
Indeed, as Gao Fei had ntioned, he didn't like being constrained; he longed for a life of freedom.
But... without joining the officials, he couldn't obtain Athyst... Without Athyst, his cultivation speed would slow down...
What should he choose?
Gao Fei felt his head grow heavy with thought. Deep breath, another deep breath! Don't rush, think it through slowly, and surely you'll have an epiphany. Let's list the pros and cons of both sides, then compare them, and finally choose the path that's more beneficial to oneself.
The advantages of joining the officials were: the chance to obtain Athyst and the support of a strong backing. The disadvantage was: losing freedom.
The advantages of going it alone were: freedom and independence, being unbound and doing whatever one desires. The disadvantages were: the inability to obtain Athyst and a slow cultivation speed.
After comparing both, Gao Fei finally made his decision.
"Alright! I've decided!" Gao Fei slowly exhaled a pent-up breath, "I've decided to join the officials! To beco a mber of the officials!"
"Hehe..." Bai Daqing laughed, "You seem a bit reluctant."
"It's mainly because... I don't know much about the officials..." Gao Fei said awkwardly.
"Don't know much?" Bai Daqing smiled slightly, "No problem, I can introduce you. The highest decision-maker in the officials is the Emperor, and everyone else must accept the Emperor's command. According to incomplete statistics, there are altogether over a billion mbers in the officials, the largest force in Human Territory.
Even if those Super Sects and Ancient Families united, they wouldn't be a match for the officials. Of course, neither will those Super Sects and Ancient Families beco enemies with the officials; they would still have to accept the restrictions set by the officials nominally."
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