Unusual Enquiry, Unknown Assailant, Uproar In The Sect (Part 2)

Western Area of longevity sect,  Ivory Peak's Trade Square, 

The normally deserted Ivory Peak and the surrounding areas looking clean and fresh  unused roads for carts are carefully cleared; few new roads were made; each side of the road torches lit up the deserted area, soon buzzling with disciples, merchants and some people related to the sect.

It could be seen clearly if anyone happened to witness the scene from the peak's top.  From the foot of the peak about five miles nearby an area was scattered with disciples from Western area. They are all slowly Inching towards the Western Area Trading square center like how ants would swarm the anthill when they return.

The unusual crowd of this fine evening was solely related to the special event Trade Fair,  The Western Trade Square going to be hosting the fair for the whole two days, it was a rare and welcoming event amongst the disciples of each respective area. 

This meaningful event was arranged by the sect with sponsorship of a few wealthy and reputable merchants in eighteen cities of Dual Mystic Plain. This wealthy merchant would offer sponsorship to one of the four trading squares and the sect would organize the fair for every three months at different times in all four trading squares.

Even though the cost for organizing this fair in each area is barely tolerable with the sponsorship, the sect is still willing to continue with this exhausting event just to support the Dedicated and Preserving disciples to reach an even higher level.

It could be seen from the enthusiastic expressions on the disciples face as they rushed towards the square with joyous atmosphere and boisterous laughter amongst them.

" Uncle, is this the only one you have?"

 " Hello Martial Brother " 

"Little brother, don't run around or you will be lost in the crowd! "

 " Welcome Sir, What is Sir required from my stall?" 

"Hey, wait for me!"

"What do you mean? this fifty grams cost me Six Ponn?"

" Senior Sister, I'm here! " 

"How much is that? yeah that's the one!"

" Aren't the bangles here all very nice?"

" Sir, madam I really can't afford to lower the praise "

" Come with me quickly!  I'm telling you, what I saw there might really be a low level treasure weapon " people from all kinds of life could be seen gathered around here, the trading square this time bustling with excitement.

Those who were about to open night stalls were quick and skillful in their actions, as they chatted with one another or entertained their customers while they were opening stalls.

They were doing both things with practice ease, For this whole two days Trade Square allowed this night stall and few other restrictions were loosened so anyone in the longevity city can visit the fair If they have entry token if they aren't from longevity city this might require some enquiry and hefty sum before they are allowed.

The sect has its large treasury, opened for all of their disciples and elders,  As a Mighty and reputable sect in the entire Dual Mystic Plain, one could find almost everything in there and they could be bought from the treasury using sufficient Merit Points.

The sect didn't treat its disciples badly or show anyone partiality or preference one over another as long as they are talented, have loyalty and righteousness in their heart they gladly nurture such people without hesitation.

They can even become esteemed elders or supreme elders if they have enough talent, Even though the sect started out as a sect based on family hierarchy now most of the elders are not related to the family rather obtain their spot with their own means.

From this it could be seen how they held principles close to their heart and abided by them, it was because of this the longevity sect was able to gain fame in the Flowing Light Empire and respected by the masses and loved by its disciples.

Anyone can claim what rightfully belongs to them with merit points, The sect entirely operated on the basis of merit point system.  Merit was the only and definite currency in the sect.

Though Martial artists, other sects and wealthy people of the world used Ponn (Gold coin) as a unit for themselves and value it greatly,  the longevity sect at this point fully adapted to this system to clear out many disadvantages for disciples with poor backgrounds.

Be it servant disciple or Supreme Elder all of them claim the accumulated resources in the treasury. If they have enough merit points according to their contribution they can claim their resources and strive to improve to a higher level.

One can obtain merit points via completing   From either their teachers or sect an amount monthly, completing sect missions, new realm breakthroughs, participating and achieving top fifty in sect Martial tournaments, or contributing anything valuable to the sect.

By 'anything' can be contributed as long as the Treasury Elders and Merit and Appraisal hall deemed it worthy enough, they are given Merit,  They could be either a rare herb, ores or broken weapons, even creating and donating techniques were plausible there was even a case of one disciple mortgaged his place on the achievement ranking for some necessary merit points so as long as they put to develop the sect and nurture aspiring Martial Artist.

On the other hand the sect wasn't blind enough to give its disciples some Leeway in a form of Trade Squares, which are built to make things further easy for disciples' situations and help them out and also let them make connections for themselves.

There are Four Trade Squares in the longevity Sect, with each of them operating as a separate entity, they allow students to sell almost everything except for a few restricted items like technique scrolls, books and ensure the trade happens fairly.

As the worth of certain things can be change accordingly with their availability and demand which made them unsuitable for standard way to obtain merit points for example : the easiest one to understand should be herbs or rare ores not all of them in highly demand all the time so sometimes the points for them would lower or completely lost it's worth. 

So getting extra merit points would be very hard for disciples with lower level strength by allowing them to sell their goods at their discretion even if they aren't talented in martial arts. If they have talent in trade they are given a chance to manage sect business in the eighteen cities.

Disciples can gain something from selling it higher or lower value, favors or barter for according to their necessity.  Aside from this the sect organized every three months they held trade fairs with the sect contributing few rare resources and excessive resources to the event the prices were halved for disciples.

So disciples are often waiting for trade fair to secure valuable herbs or materials for their practice or important breakthrough, though they are allowed to visit and browse the goods freely but the purchasing preference and better treatment given to the disciple from that area.

A pale thin youth around the peak of his teens years walking around the buzzing venue with a small smile, he often met up with some of his old and new acquaintances along the way he would either greet them or politely nodded at them, while paying attention to the goods in the stalls at the same time.

From his good looks and the attention he was gaining from this fellow disciples, he was someone with fame and reputation a renowned person he would often go to the stall If anything caught his attention but so far he bought very few things he was either uninterested or financially broke but by the confidence on his face it's most likely the former.

He turned around, entered another road with some big stalls and examined the goods on the stalls with light interest. He strutted around almost lazily. He was one of the few people who came alone despite having a lot of acquaintances or friends. 

He squatted at one of the stalls which was slightly larger than the ones here and had more variety of goods compared to other stalls nearby but that wasn't why he was interested in it, rather his eyes caught something good. 

" Hello, Martial Brother how are you doing, please browse through the things you are interested in then we will talk about the price later "  a little girl who look like she is in her ten to eleven years old  him shyly with timid voice, gesture him to look for what he fancy as if she was afraid to talk to strangers.

He raised his eyebrows at this didn't say anything as it was little naive to trust passerby but he didn't linger on turned his attention to the thing that got his attention, the youth's gaze landed on the purple color weird root on the top row carefully sizing it up for for a minute while recalling something it's appearance more like an abandoned crow nest than anything.

He was elated when he confirmed the thing. He turned his attention inside the stall, the stall owner talking to a disciple In persuading tone.

There were three people looking after the store and attending to the customers. Aside from the little girl who welcomed him there was a youth around his age and a small boy, whose head barely reached his hip. That boy was even younger than the little girl but he was the one helping out the customers energetically from the outside.

" Little girl, How much is that " he didn't say what he want but pointed at the nest trying to act casually " Yeah that thing there, the one look like bird's Nest "

"Ah! " the little girl confused at his gesture before quickly catching on what it was quickly running over take that thing in her hands and pitched " Big brother, this is at least Fifty year old rare herb called Serpent's Crown ah….sorry a root if you take it with blood pill you will have immediate breakthrough to peak Martial arts realm in one fell swoop " 

Her eyes were full of stars and yearning " It's said taking this not only helps you to advance your level but it will help you accumulate more vitality and further  the time to consolidate your breakthrough... more over my grandpa a old physician said to us it will improve condition of martial artist's lungs- "

He came out of his shock and hurriedly raised his hand to stop her long-winded triad, discreetly wiped the sweat on his forehead, he glanced around him from the corner of his eyes and became speechless more than a hand full of heads turned looking at the thing in her eyes with some interest.

' Damn it! " There was an urgency in his eyes now " I don't need your explanation, just tell me it's praise' ' he urged the girl who was looking embarrassed by the attention she gained little red in the face she squeaked nervously' ' Sorry big brother I misunderstood.... It's' ' her face and expression should have melted even vicious and ruthless people's hearts, he too was no exception, softened his expression, then yelled out the price.

" It's only fifteen Ponn Big brother " His face changed to anger once again hearing the price but the little girl, quick to read his expression, beat him to the punch again.

" Big brother we didn't overly prising it or anything, rather this was picked up by my brother from putting his life on the line, he was almost fell down the cliff while obtaining it you know? "  she even wiped away the few drops of tears from her cheeks looking very wronged as she sobbed. "it's the only piece we have"

He knew it was such a plant that could grow in very high and dangerous places. He wasn't surprised and it was indeed risky to collect but herb collectors are mostly prepared for such a risk.

The praise wasn't that high. It would be quite cheap if he bought it outside. In fact overjoyed but it was fair if a disciple sold a herb half a price the sect would compensate them in merit so he was hesitant.

He wasn't wrong In thinking like that but they could easily sell it in the treasury and obtain merit points easily it was a rare plant, so he wondered why would he have to buy it here if he can get this with merit, ' Should I ask her to  lower the price little more ' It's total value should be only around twenty five Ponn.

Two Ponn wasn't by any means some measly sum… at least for him, he had to be very frugal to save up about hundred and sixty eight Ponn which was pretty much all of his wealth he had. To get as much money as two Ponn he had to work six hours menial labor in sect or if it was a mission with lowest level danger and paid with money he had to take something like five hours to guard merchandise.

Or escort the carriage goods one place to another but this missions counted in days minimum being two days had risk of attacked by bandits 

To understand even simple terms, a martial artist could afford three main meals for three days. As a martial artist he eats a lot. If it was a non practitioner he could be little more extravagant and time extended to weak.

But he sighed at the sight of hopeful watery eyes. The little girl bought the thing with a heavy heart and hurriedly left, afraid his misery might affect her moment of happiness.

It wasn't very long before the youth returning that same way after checking out the other stalls but his eyes widened In shock and bewilderment when he noticed in the stall he bought the root the little girl sweetly persuading a female disciple what was even more shocking was the familiar purple color root like the one he bought.

He was so angry he shouldn't be surprised if he could suddenly spew flames, that churning in his stomach, the little girl's eyes casually glanced over and she acted like he was just a passerby he controlled his anger and immediately chose another way to return.

With one look at her he know he was tricked by a black bellied little loli but there is nothing he could do, not only will he laughed at by his friend but he really might not get that two Ponn back, was something like that happen if she doesn't have any backing the attitude said it all he just had to endure it at least he can save his face and reputation this way ' What a devious little girl! '