In a feudal society, social classes were sharply defined.
Here in the Longxi Peak cafeteria, ordinary students ate free Spirit Rice, Jiang Yue could afford to buy Spiritual Meals, and Yi Yunya, who was in the highest echelon, not only ate better food but also had her own private room.
However, the Cultivation Families of this world placed great importance on their children's education. Most of the capable—or rather, ambitious—scions of these families were quite cultured.
Yi Yunya, who sat before him, was a perfect example.
Although she hadn't deigned to greet him at the door, her attitude toward Zhong Ming was decent enough.
"Young Master Zhong, please have a seat."
"Orchid, serve the tea."
"Yes, Miss."
After taking the teacup and having a sip, Zhong Ming's eyebrows shot up.
This was no ordinary tea. After drinking it, Zhong Ming felt his Divine Soul instantly clear. His Heart Spirit, weary from training, felt as though it had been rinsed by a cool, clear spring. Fatigue, drowsiness, exhaustion... all these negative states were washed away completely.
"Excellent tea. Thank you."
After his praise, Zhong Ming cupped his hands and said, "I was wondering, what business might Miss Yi have with me?"
His directness made Yi Yunya smile. "Your talent is outstanding, Young Master, which fills me with admiration. I was hoping to befriend you... I wonder, have you ever heard the term 'guest retainer'?"
Zhong Ming replied, "I've heard of it, but I don't know much."
"Then allow Orchid to explain it to you."
"Of course, Miss."
After acknowledging, Orchid proceeded to explain the guest retainer system of this era to Zhong Ming in detail.
"So-called guest retainers are affiliated personnel recruited by merchant guilds or large factions..."
Through Orchid's explanation and his own deductions, Zhong Ming came to understand. In this era, due to the existence of Cultivators, large factions rarely reported commercial disputes or conflicts of interest to the authorities. Instead, they relied on their own strength to resolve such matters.
For this reason, many merchant guilds and large families supported their own Cultivators.
And to grow stronger, these factions couldn't rely solely on their own people; they also had to recruit outsiders.
However, most powerful Cultivators, in addition to their formidable martial strength, also craved freedom. This made it impossible for even the largest factions to place them under strict, compulsory contracts.
To that end, some families and merchant guilds would sign contracts with powerful Cultivators or gifted elites—contracts that weren't so restrictive.
Most of the time, these contracts stipulated that the guild would provide a prodigy with a regular supply of Spirit Stones and resources. In return, when the family or guild encountered trouble, the sponsored Cultivator was expected to step in and help.
Hearing this, Zhong Ming couldn't help but nod.
"It's a very reasonable system, and quite suitable for Cultivators like us."
"Of course it's suitable." Glancing at Zhong Ming, Orchid said quietly, "Nearly all Cultivators from humble backgrounds become guest retainers for a family or merchant guild when they are weak."
"Even super-prodigies with A-class Spiritual Roots are no exception."
"After all, even geniuses are very weak at the start of their Cultivation journey."
"People like you need time, and more importantly, resources to grow quickly. And our Golden Jade Tower can provide you with those resources."
At this point, Yi Yunya's intention was crystal clear.
She wanted to recruit him.
'What made me marvel was how clever this woman was. She must have realized that if she, as my peer, tried to recruit me directly, I might refuse out of pride.'
'So instead of recruiting me herself, she invoked the power behind her, the Golden Jade Tower, inviting me to become its guest retainer in the faction's name.'
'Before extending the offer, she even went out of her way to mention that there was no shame in becoming a guest retainer, that even A-class prodigies from humble backgrounds lay low when they were weak.'
'Citing that precedent would significantly diminish any reluctance I might have felt out of pride.'
In fact, her approach was very effective.
If she had directly tried to recruit him as her personal subordinate, Zhong Ming would have refused without a second thought.
But the offer to become a guest retainer for the Golden Jade Tower gave him pause.
With no family backing, he was indeed sorely lacking in resources.
The resources Zhong Ming had earned were only enough for the hundred-day assessment. But that was just the beginning; Cultivation after his Initiation would demand far more.
True, if Zhong Ming could obtain a good rating, Longxi Peak would invest a certain amount of resources in him.
But Zhong Ming felt that would be far from enough. When it came to resources, no one ever complained about having too much.
Seeing Zhong Ming's hesitation, Yi Yunya immediately struck while the iron was hot. "With your talent, Young Master Zhong, you should have no problem securing a B-level Rating. At the Golden Jade Tower, that would only qualify you as a Yellow-level Guest."
"However, since we are both from Longxi Peak—fellow disciples—I can raise your evaluation and classify you as Profound Level. That way, you would receive 36 Spirit Stones per month from the Golden Jade Tower, totaling four hundred and thirty-two per year."
"Furthermore, you would also receive a ten percent discount on all purchases at the Golden Jade Tower."
After she said this, Yi Yunya expected Zhong Ming to agree, but something unexpected happened.
Upon hearing this, Zhong Ming not only refused to agree, but he also countered with a question, "A B-level Rating makes one a Yellow-level Guest. What about an A-level Rating?"
Yi Yunya was very sharp. Zhong Ming's question immediately revealed his ambition to her, and it caused her to frown slightly.
But her expression quickly returned to normal, and she answered calmly, "Earth Level."
The guest retainer ranks at the Golden Jade Tower were Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow. Earth Level was already the second-highest rank.
Knowing this, Zhong Ming made his choice. "My apologies, but I need some time to think it over."
"..." Yi Yunya said, "Becoming a guest retainer concerns your development for the next few years, Young Master. You should indeed consider it carefully."
With that, she gestured to her maid, who handed Zhong Ming a porcelain vial.
"This contains Snow Jade Ointment. It can heal physical injuries and relieve fatigue. I've noticed you've been practicing your Swordsmanship lately, Young Master. This should be of some help to you."
"Ah... I can't accept this. I haven't done anything to deserve it."
Yi Yunya insisted, "Please, take it. I never take back a gift."
"Besides, by calling you over, I've taken up some of your time. Let this serve as my apology."
Her putting it that way made it difficult for Zhong Ming to refuse.
At the same time, her actions left him with a favorable impression of her.
'If I'm short on resources in the future and need to become affiliated with a merchant guild, I could certainly accept her offer and become a guest retainer for the Golden Jade Tower.'
With that thought, Zhong Ming offered a cupped-fist salute and departed.
He was gone, but the conversation about him in the elegant private room was far from over.
"A Profound-level Guest... To think even an offer like that didn't move him. Heh..."
At these words, Orchid immediately apologized.
"My apologies, Miss. It was my negligence. I failed to ascertain his true character."
"It's not your fault." Shaking her head, Yi Yunya said calmly, "A third-class Spiritual Root, yet he dreams of an A-level Rating. That Zhong Ming's ambition is so vast, it would have been strange if you *had* anticipated it."
Clearly, Yi Yunya didn't think highly of Zhong Ming's chances of getting an A-level Rating.
Orchid... felt the same way.
Furthermore, she felt Zhong Ming had just passed up an excellent opportunity.
In their recent conversation, Yi Yunya may have used a few small tricks, but she was right about one thing: the position of Profound-level Guest at the Golden Jade Tower was beyond the reach of most B-Class Disciples at Longxi Peak.
Yi Yunya's offer was made in very good faith.
Of course, she wasn't doing this for no reason.
Yi Yunya had her eyes set on becoming a True Disciple of Longxi Peak. And since distant water can't quench a nearby fire, the Golden Jade Tower's other guest retainers were of no use to her at present.
Zhong Ming, on the other hand, was right here at Longxi Peak and possessed considerable talent. He was someone who could actually be useful to Yi Yunya right now.
That was why her offer had been so generous.
'What a pity. You missed your chance.'
Shaking her head with a sense of pity, Orchid asked, "Miss, did you give Zhong Ming the Snow Jade Ointment because you think he has a chance at an A-level Rating?"
Yi Yunya replied, "Of course not. If I thought he had a chance, I wouldn't have given him Snow Jade Ointment."
SWISH...
Toying with the Jade Folding Fan in her hand, Yi Yunya smiled.
"However, for him to believe he has a chance at an A-level Rating... that Zhong Ming, while arrogant and perhaps overestimating his abilities, must have some genuine skill. Without some card up his sleeve, his refusal wouldn't have been so decisive."
"For someone with talent, I don't mind giving them a second chance."
"Consider that bottle of Snow Jade Ointment a preliminary investment."
At this, Yi Yunya's expression grew a little more profound. "But I will only give him two chances."
Her lady's attitude made Orchid glance in the direction Zhong Ming had departed. 'Zhong Ming, I hope you come to understand your own limits soon...'
...
Although she hadn't said it outright or even let it show on her face, Zhong Ming could vaguely sense that Yi Yunya didn't believe he could achieve an A-level Rating.
He wasn't angry about it, nor did he feel particularly slighted.
Longxi Peak's A-level Rating was, in fact, incredibly difficult to obtain.
Even with his Heaven Rewards Diligence and the resources he'd earned by visualizing the True Intent of the Dragon, Zhong Ming still wasn't one hundred percent confident he could achieve an A-level Rating.
And he wasn't the only one feeling anxious. Across all of Longxi Peak, aside from the three true prodigies—Yi Yunya, Xue Yao, and Zhuang Yi—
not a single other person was completely confident.
Otherwise, Jiang Yue and Liu Wanyu wouldn't have spent so many Spirit Stones just to get a slight edge.
If those two weren't confident, then the chances for Zhong Ming—who on paper was in a worse position than either of them—were naturally even lower.
...
"Zhong Ming, what did Miss Yi want to see you about?"
When Zhong Ming returned to Jiang Yue and the others, Jiang Yue immediately piped up with the question.
The others also turned to look at him, their eyes filled with curiosity.
Clearly, everyone paid close attention to Longxi Peak's true prodigies.
Zhong Ming didn't try to hide it. "That esteemed young lady was planning to recruit me as a Profound-level Guest for the Golden Jade Tower."
"The Golden Jade Tower? Profound Level?" The answer surprised Jiang Yue for a moment, and a flicker of disappointment crossed his face. But he quickly suppressed it, cupping his fist toward Zhong Ming. "Zhong, congratulations. With the Golden Jade Tower's support, your path will be much smoother from now on."
Clearly, Jiang Yue also believed that becoming a Profound-level Guest would be a huge help to Zhong Ming.
His disappointment stemmed from the fact that if Zhong Ming became affiliated with the Golden Jade Tower, he would no longer be able to recruit him himself.
But just as he was feeling disappointed, Zhong Ming spoke again. "Jiang, your congratulations are a bit premature. I refused Miss Yi's invitation."
"Huh?" This stunned Jiang Yue. "Why?"
Zhong Ming said, "I'm not interested in becoming a guest retainer for the time being. I just want to focus on my Cultivation."
Jiang Yue argued, "Becoming a guest retainer wouldn't hinder your Cultivation, would it? Besides, with the resources from the Golden Jade Tower, you'd cultivate even faster as a Profound-level Guest..."
He trailed off, a sudden realization causing his pupils to contract as he fell silent.
Meanwhile, Zhong Ming, unwilling to elaborate, called out to Dong Sea.
"Great Sea, time to trouble you again. We should get back to training."
"Coming!"
As Zhong Ming walked away, Jiang Yue and Liu Wanyu exchanged a look, both speechless for a long moment.
Jiang Xiaoyu, who was a beat slow to react, finally caught on to something in the strange atmosphere, and her delicate fists suddenly clenched.
'He refused Miss Yi's invitation and the status of a Profound-level Guest... Zhong Ming, he doesn't actually think he has a chance at an A-level Rating, does he? ...No way. With his Talent, it's absolutely impossible.'