In front of the Eternal Radiance Divine Sect's humble bamboo gate, the air was thick with awkward silence.
On one side stood Li Qingyu and his ragtag band of disciples, including the smugly sweeping Elder Zhang, now dressed in sect robes so patched they resembled a quilt from the mortal realm.
On the other side, the Azure Wind Sect's core disciples stood tall, their robes shimmering with spiritual silk, eyes filled with disdain.
"Trash sect," snorted the leading Azure Wind disciple, Gao Lin, flicking his fan. "I can't believe Elder Zhang fell so low. Our sect leader demands an explanation for your betrayal."
Li Qingyu folded his arms. "Explanation? Elder Zhang simply embraced enlightenment... and poverty."
"You must have drugged him!" another disciple shouted. "No sane elder would abandon a second-rate sect for a pile of rotting bamboo!"
Elder Zhang puffed out his chest. "Ignorant juniors! Do you know the true meaning of cultivation? It's about humility, simplicity... and uh... low taxes."
Li Qingyu coughed. "Correct. Also, our sect offers a special retirement package."
The Azure Wind disciples' faces twisted in disgust. "Enough! We challenge your sect to a public humiliation battle. We will make you kneel and bark like dogs!"
Su Jian adjusted his glasses. "Ah, dogs are loyal. I suggest pigs instead."
Hu Daniu chimed in, "Or chickens. Since ours got stolen."
Li Qingyu smiled faintly. "No need to be so violent. Let's settle this like civilized cultivators."
"And how is that?" sneered Gao Lin.
Li Qingyu clapped his hands. The system window popped in his mind only, and he grinned wider.
---
[System Mission: Rob the Arrogant Core Disciples]
Description: For the sake of sect development, acquire resources through… creative means.
Reward: Sect Points +200, Sect Treasury Upgrade, Title Unlocked - 'Robin Hood of Cultivation'.
---
Li Qingyu looked solemn. "We propose a friendly wager battle. If you win, we will kneel. If we win, you must... contribute generously to our sect rebuilding fund."
"Ha!" Gao Lin laughed so hard his spiritual qi trembled. "Fine! Let's see what trash can do!"
---
An hour later…
The battle was anything but traditional.
Su Jian, using his 'Logical Sword Style', talked the Azure Wind disciples into confusion until they tripped over their own words.
Hu Daniu, armed with his infamous broom, swept their feet from under them while loudly declaring, "This is sect-cleansing footwork!"
Ziyan calmly cut their expensive robes at the seams, leaving them in their spiritual undergarments—embroidered with 'Azure Wind Forever'.
By the time they realized it, they were tied upside down to the chicken coop.
Li Qingyu approached them, hands clasped behind his back.
"Ahem. According to sect law 27, section 3, paragraph 9... those who lose to us must pay reparations."
"You… you made that up!" cried Gao Lin.
Li Qingyu nodded. "Naturally. But as you can see, we have a chicken coop full of witnesses."
Su Jian held up a chicken feather solemnly. "In our sect, this is a binding contract."
Faced with humiliation and the realization that they were at the mercy of lunatics, the Azure Wind disciples begrudgingly surrendered their weapons, spirit stones, even their last bottle of treasured 'Azure Wind Youthful Skin Elixir'.
Hu Daniu held it up. "Nice. I can finally treat my athlete's foot."
Li Qingyu patted Gao Lin's shoulder gently. "Don't worry. Consider this a donation for the greater cultivation world."
Gao Lin's lips trembled. "You… demons…"
As the Azure Wind disciples hobbled back in shame, Elder Zhang dusted his new robe proudly. "This is the sect of the future."
Su Jian nodded. "Robbery? No. This is wealth redistribution."
Li Qingyu grinned. "We call it… resource optimization."
---
[System Notification: Mission Completed]
+200 Sect Points
Sect Treasury Upgraded: You can now afford three proper meals a day.
Title Unlocked: 'Robin Hood of Cultivation'
Li Qingyu stretched. "Ah. Cultivation sure is fulfilling."
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We're so poor, we cultivate using soup steam. A Power Stone can change that. Maybe.