At the Que Luo Immortal Abode, before a mine entrance on Jade-Cutting Mountain.
A line of people queued to collect their pay for the month.
"Next, Shanchen." The steward elder circled an entry in his ledger, then addressed Shanchen, the West Sea rogue cultivator who stepped forward. "Here is yours."
"Thank you, Steward Luo." Smiling delightedly, Shanchen accepted a stack of small-denomination talisman currency from a menial worker beside him. After sweeping it briefly with his spiritual consciousness, he went to another table and used his own true essence to leave an imprint on the Jade Scroll, then walked on.
"Chie-big brother... over here!"
Several other rogue cultivators from the West Sea called to him, gathering on the slope ahead to tally their earnings.
They squatted there counting their money. Naturally, there was nothing wrong with the amounts, so they began chatting.
"This Incense Accumulation Sect really does spend lavishly! Even ordinary rogue cultivators like us get over a hundred in talisman currency a day!"
"Exactly. Over a hundred a day means more than thirty thousand a year. Even if we take leave to cultivate from time to time, it's enough to live on."
"And now food and lodging are included. Every day we get to use the mine's spirit well and drink its sweet, clear spring water. That alone is worth two or three spirit materials a year, saving us from buying our own to nourish ourselves."
"Normally, a few thousand to ten thousand a year is enough to maintain our true essence. Over a whole year here, the cost of daily cultivation is practically negligible. We can save all thirty thousand and more. It's wonderful."
"Work like this for three to five years, and we'll be able to buy a few magical artifacts that suit us."
Hearing this,