After leaving the Xun Fang Pavilion, Lin Yi leisurely strolled through Qing Yun City. The Immortal City appeared even more prosperous at night than during the day. As he walked through the marketplace, he overheard complaints from Loose Cultivators. It seemed the price to gain the qualification to farm in the Outer Sect of the Liu Yun Sect had doubled.
A price doubled! Previously, it was forty Spirit Stones, but now it had risen to eighty. This was essentially a death sentence for Loose Cultivators.
Calculating with the lease of ten mu of Spiritual Fields, they could only reap two thousand jin of Spirit Grain, which would be converted into one thousand four hundred jin of Spirit Rice. Given Qing Yun City Shops paid two Spiritual Pearls per jin, it would take two to three years just to break even.
Of course, eighty Spirit Stones might seem worthwhile for acquiring farming rights that included a minimum cultivation guarantee from Spirit Rice each year. However, most Loose Cultivators barely managed to make ends meet. Eighty Spirit Stones was an extreme sum, one which only a minority of Loose Cultivators could afford.
The previous owner scrimped and saved for several years, gathering a total of just about thirty to forty Spirit Stones. He managed to gain entrance by acting plain and honest, and therefore paid ten Spirit Stones less.
This move greatly limited the opportunities for lower-ranking Loose Cultivators to farm in the Outer Sect. This area around Qing Yun City was home to tens of thousands of Loose Cultivators. Lin Yi predicted that this would create a major uproar.
As expected, having toured around the marketplace, he heard numerous complaints and expressions of discontent from Loose Cultivators. Forty Spirit Stones, if economised, could be earned by doing odd jobs around Qing Yun City. But with the price now raised to eighty, they were left bereft of hope.
Lin Yi couldn't help but snicker at the situation. Such greedy fellows. They sucked Loose Cultivators dry without thinking twice. Adding ten Spirit Stones to the toll would not have caused such a massive uproar.
A tiny spark can ignite a prairie. These disgruntled Loose Cultivators might not have been able to topple Liu Yun Sect, but they could possibly alter its atmosphere.
He was speechless seeing some Loose Cultivators gather together, planning to protest directly at the Sect's mountain gate. Their impulsive actions would only lead to disaster. Even as Cultivators, they failed to use their brains.
So, Lin Yi disguised himself, putting on some perfume, donning a hat, wrapping a scarf tightly around his face, and affecting a different voice. He gave those Loose Cultivators a suggestion which might reduce their losses.
After giving his advice, he didn't continue his stay in Qing Yun City. He drew a Swift Movement Talisman and headed towards the Outer Sect's Spiritual Fields.
On the road, he speculated about the results of the protest the Loose Cultivators might stage, his gaze growing intense. Perhaps he also needed to prepare himself.
Lin Yi checked his Fury score—it was at fifteen points. He had gained thirteen points at the Xun Fang Pavilion, which didn't surprise him.
Having lived in the Cultivation World for half a year, most of his time had been spent labouring in the Spiritual Field. The brutality of this world was something he hadn't experienced much.
However, the tragic scene of an innocent woman deeply affected him. As a person from Earth's harmonious realm, the incident caused a tremendous tremor within him and kindled a massive fury, bringing forth an objective he must accomplish.
Fortunately, he obtained a very handy title. Previous ones like 'Petty Meanderer' or 'Little Farmer' were all supportive titles.
Only this one, 'Cannot Bear Small Injustices', could enhance his combat ability. Next up was to accumulate a hundred Fury points as soon as possible and trigger the attached title 'Burst Out'.
When he returned home, just after entering the courtyard, Zhi Ling darted out of his room and jumped onto his shoulder, nuzzling her small head against his face, "Squeak."
Lin Yi smiled picked up Zhi Ling in his hands, and stroked her smooth fur. Having this little companion around really made life more enjoyable.
After dinner, he cultivated for a while and then went into the underground chamber. He started crafting talismans. This time he continued crafting Raging Fire Talismans as they had the highest success rate.
Moreover, his beginner talisman craft skill was close to achieving the Great Achievement Level. Once he reached that level, crafting restrictive talismans would give him a greater advantage.
All night, he crafted nearly fifty Raging Fire Talismans. Each talisman template was incredibly neat and pleasing to the eye. Throwing out this bunch could earn him tens of Spirit Stones—the effect it could create would be even more beautiful.
On the second day, Lin Yi planned to sell these talismans in Qing Yun City and then buy some more materials to continue crafting. The planting season for the next batch of Spirit Rice would start in ten days, with harvest just before winter.
According to the previous owner's memories, the winters here were extremely cold and not conducive for growing Spirit Rice. Thus, Spirit Farmers were given a little over a month's rest.
Just when he was about to leave the house, he saw Old Huang, his neighbour, rushing over from afar, his face filled with excitement. Waving at Lin Yi, he charged towards him.
"Little Lin, let's go. Let's quickly head to the sect gate. The Loose Cultivators are causing a scene. Rumour has it that these Outer Sect Spiritual Field Managers are just too greedy, raising the admission farming cost to eighty Spirit Stones. There's going to be a good show now."
Lin Yi was taken aback. Didn't these Loose Cultivators listen to his advice? He had gone to the place in Qing Yun City where the Loose Cultivators gathered the most.
However, it could be that they did listen and found some useful information, choosing to act today.
He activated a Swift Movement Talisman and together with Old Huang, they swiftly moved towards the Sect's Gate. On the way, they encountered many Spirit Farmers heading in the same direction, presumably to watch the excitement.
Before long, a giant gatehouse appeared within their view. A white cloud floated above the gatehouse and from any direction, the three characters "Liu Yun Sect" could be seen. This was the location of the sect gate.
At this point, the area outside the huge gate was densely packed with people. There were at least two to three hundred Loose Cultivators, and their numbers kept increasing.
"Return our livelihood, we want to farm...." "The Sinong affairs are out of control, treating the lottery as their business." "Eighty lower-grade Spirits per person, treating us, Loose Cultivators like dogs."
A few Loose Cultivators at the front continuously shouted various slogans, and the many Loose Cultivators behind them followed suit.
Watching this group of Loose Cultivators, the surrounding Spirit Farmers appeared to empathize with them. Some even started joining in the shouting.
Lin Yi looked on with respect. Protesting at the gate of a Cultivation sect required great courage, because it was extremely dangerous. To some High-Level Cultivators, Loose Cultivators were truly as inconsequential as straw dogs.
The managers of the surrounding Spiritual Fields were the first to rush over. Although the Spiritual Stones gained from charging admission to the Spiritual Fields mostly went to the people of Sinong Palace, they also got a share. Now that the Loose Cultivators were causing a ruckus, they were naturally very tense.
"What are you doing? Are you trying to besiege the Liu Yun Sect's gate? Do you want to die?" Some Managers of the Spiritual Field released their Spiritual Power and yelled angrily.
"We are not besieging. We are merely expressing our needs in a reasonable manner, asking the seniors of the Liu Yun Sect to uphold justice for us Loose Cultivators..." Some Loose Cultivators at the front immediately replied.
Soon enough, some deacons from the Sinong Palace arrived. Seeing the surging crowd of Loose Cultivators, their faces paled. If they did not swiftly handle the situation before it reached the ears of the Liu Yun Sect's Elders and the Sect Master, they would either die or be severely punished.
However, their placating words fell on deaf ears. Encouraged by the Loose Cultivators at the front, the crowd began shouting slogans again.
Just then, a Flying Sword appeared in the sky and slowly descended with a middle-aged man exuding Foundation Establishment aura standing on it. He waved his hand and said, "Everyone, don't panic. I am Elder Chen Qi Feng of the Sinong Palace. I am aware of your complaints and will certainly investigate and punish the relevant individuals. I promise to return justice to all of you. Please, can you all leave first?"
He was one of those who turned the admission farming into a business venture. Upon hearing the news, he immediately rushed over.
"No! We want to see the Golden Core Real Person and the Sect Master. All of you from Sinong Palace are in cahoots." A few Loose Cultivators at the front shouted loudly, inciting a rebellious sentiment among the many Loose Cultivators.
Seeing the situation grow increasingly fierce, Chen Qi Feng's face darkened. Floating mid-air, he controlled his Flying Sword and struck fiercely at the surrounding rocks, instantly shattering them into dust. "Since I, the elder, have promised you, I will definitely administer justice impartially. If you still won't leave..."
"No, Sinong Palace is thoroughly corrupted! We must see the Sect Master." The same few Loose Cultivators at the front spoke again. They believed that with so many Loose Cultivators on the scene, they wouldn't dare to act rashly.
Chen Qi Feng cast a cold glance at the leading Loose Cultivators. With a slight flick of his finger, his Flying Sword shot towards them like lightning. The few low-ranking Qi Refinement Loose Cultivators didn't even have the time to react before their heads were sent flying.
"These few people incited the crowd, besieged the Liu Yun Sect's gate, and by their crimes they deserved death. Will you not leave now?" Chen Qi Feng spoke coldly, his thoughts causing the small Flying Sword to transform into a gigantic sword, suspended in the air.
"Everyone, do not retreat! He is threatening us, treating Lose Cultivators as cattle; ready to kill us at his whim. Let's see if you can kill all of us." In the crowd, some Loose Cultivators shouted loudly, which roused many Loose Cultivators who responded in agreement.
"Oh, there are still people daring to incite the crowd." Chen Qi Feng said expressionlessly, controlling the Flying Sword, and again he beheaded a few Loose Cultivators.
Seeing this Sinong Palace elder indiscriminately killing Loose Cultivators in public, Lin Yi's face hardened. This reminded him once again of the cruelty of the Cultivation World. In the eyes of high-ranking Cultivators, the lives of low-ranking Loose Cultivators were as insignificant as grass.