Fighting to be Kind in a Cultivation World

As the worker woman returned, some other office workers also came with, bringing back numerous parchments.

A brief look shows them to be the starting documents for creating a contract. She then asked us the types of contracts we would like to have with each other.

 I should have realized earlier, but she was likely thinking that I would make a custom contract for each of these creatures.

 Honestly, it would make sense, especially considering that I’m working with creatures that are much higher level than I am.

A power dynamic normally skewed massively in the spirit beast’s favor.

That would mean I’d have to make a lot of concessions, which also means a lot of custom changes to a normal contract.

 For reference, a normal taming contract between a cultivator of a higher cultivation level and a consenting intelligent spirit beast, would likely be one of promising to work together and protecting each other, while following the cultivator’s orders.

 On the opposite end, a spirit beast with a higher cultivation than a cultivator, that agrees to a contract, would likely agree to help a certain number of times, and in specific situations. While getting something in return for it.

 Finally, a standard contract between a cultivator of a higher cultivation level and an unwilling, but subjugated intelligent spirit beast, would be one of promising to protect and follow the cultivator’s orders, while receiving nothing in return.

 So, when I tell this worker that we will go for a standard subjugated taming contract, they blink at me as if they don’t understand what I’m saying.

 She then unconsciously turned to the spirit beasts, who are completely surrounding us, ranging from low Qi condensation, all the way to peak stages.

 She shudders, before asking normally impertinent question.

“Can they understand us?”

 Simultaneously, the creatures all nod in affirmation.

 I smile, as mysteriously as I can.

“Yes. Yes, they can.”

 She gulps, as do the other workers watching from the side and from the office buildings. And then quickly calls for these documents to be replaced by other ones.

 Alongside the people now coming back with the new documents is a mid-foundation establishment cultivator. From my knowledge of the process, this is the person who helps make these contracts possible.

 He quickly introduces himself, while keeping a curious and wary eye on the creatures around, before starting work on the contract. I also see that he gives a disapproving glance to the worker woman who brought me and the creatures here.

 I can already tell why.

Having these many creatures here in one place is a security concern.

 Usually this wouldn’t be an issue, but because this is one of the more remote branches and typically, they would never receive something of this volume at once.  Nonetheless, I can see that he focuses back in towards us and the contracts in question

 Before we start, he requests I send my Qi towards the contract to help with the process.  

As I do so, my scan shows that a few foundation establishment cultivators have positioned themselves a distance away from the building and where we are.

Readying themselves in case things go wrong and the creatures go wild.

 Not giving any indication of this, he then outstretches his hands towards one document. As he does so, I can see the characters glow and a feeling arising in my body. My scan picks up the strings of Qi that are going between me, the document, and one of the low stage butterflies.

 It is at this point, that if the creatures wanted, they could use their superior cultivation to cut off their contract and deny it. If they didn’t understand the terms of the contract before, this step would essentially let them know. Most contracts that aren’t truly agreed to by both parties fail at this point because of this.

It is part of the reason he chose that the low stage one to do first, as it would be more manageable to handle them first in the event of a spirit beast outrage.

 So, everyone's surprise is clear as each of the creatures seemed happy with and agreed to the contract, thus solidifying it.

 With the magic taming contracts in place, which are much more binding and specific than the Cultivation ones that they’re using here, having this contract in place is more of a license rather than something to actually be used to bind.  Us using this is mainly meant to make sure that they can move around freely without getting captured.

It also allows me to bring in somewhat secure areas with little trouble, though any blame that could be attributed to the creatures is now switched to me.

 

 So, the best way to use this is as an opportunity to showcase my skills in taming.

Increasing my value for the organization.

 After the last creature accepts the taming contract, the foundation establishment contractor member can’t seem to help asking a question.

“D-did you get all of these spirit beasts yourself?”

 I nod sagely.

 I can see a surge of greed come into his eyes, and a wary thought comes to my mind.

Calmly, I speak something out just to cover my bases and protect myself from exploitation.

“I have my own special ways of forming relationships with spirit beasts. It’s unfortunate, but my abilities do not allow me to extend that outside of myself. Otherwise, I’d be helping others to tame creatures to raise myself up. These children only listen to me, as it seems. I’ve already confirmed with my master that this is as far as my ability can go.”

 Adding validity to my words, is the fact that since I’ve been here, all the spirit beasts actually looked to me before following any request by workers. Until I had indicated to follow, they wouldn’t move in accordance to others words.

 While this was because of our relationship with each other, and being in an unfamiliar situation, this allowed me to position this as an ability that only I can use.

 I could probably make more money and get better connections if I let on that I could help others get tamed creatures, but that would be a rabbit hole where I’d be possibly forced to tame creatures for other people.

Imagining another situation like the one with Ao Jin, but I’m continuously bringing over creatures, is trauma inducing.

 I can see doubt creep into his face before it looks like he comes to a conclusion. He then nods sadly, before telling me his name and that if I need anything to contact him at any time.  He then quickly dismisses himself and moves to speak with some of the other foundations establishment members.

 While the contract cultivator was doing this, worker woman had left and now come back.  She quickly notifies me that the branch manager in section chief would like to meet me and will be arriving within the next 30 minutes, as if she had just heard such news.

 Of course, I agree to stay for a bit.

 When I ask about the price of the contracts, she looks towards the foundation establishment contract cultivator from before, who gives a nod from a distance. He seems to still be listening to the conversation despite his distance from us.

“The contracts and housing for the creatures, is a gift from our organization to you, to honor your quick rise within your sect.”

 Noting that this is quite an expensive gift, I give a slight bow in the direction of the foundation establishment cultivator. Acknowledging both my appreciation and my respect towards him.

It’s clear this is a move by him to get in the good graces of a rising star. Even if he can’t personally benefit by getting creatures from me, it will look very good for him in the organization if he covers and bring helps to bring in a new member with such talents.

 As I’ve noticed in a lot of things, connections and relationships are extremely important in this society. Of course, it was the same on earth, but when someone can literally destroy a country, it’s even more important that you make sure you are on the good side of any geniuses.

 With that done, like the expert salesman that she is, she brings out a book in front of me. On it, is a large variety of creatures of different types sizes and strengths.

It represents something far deeper than just the names on it.

 As a Group like this, they support their members and do business not just with the maintenance of creatures, but finding new creatures and taming them. This is the book that they sell the locations of and possibly the creatures themselves to be tamed.

 Based off the types and strengths of the creatures on here, I can tell this is the public facing version of the book.  One with higher prices and less information than the one that they would provide for members in their organization.

 She tells me as much, saying that members and higher ups within the group have access to increasingly better benefits. She gives me the pitch of all the different ways the group benefits members if they choose to join and grow within their organization.

 Even this book is only for favored people outside the organization.

 Despite the way I am simplifying it, the way she does it illustrates both a respect for me, while also saying if I choose to join them, I could have even better things.

 Of course, I was planning on joining them from the start and I already knew that for getting more creatures, plausibly at least, I would need to join this organization.

 As long as I’m part of this group, no one would question where I’m finding out information on rare and obscure creatures.

 Just by being part of this group, people will pay you to get rid of a creature that’s been bothering their area, when usually you would do it at a cost to yourself. In that sense, it’s more similar to an adventurers' Guild.

 Curious about what’s available, I activate my commerce scan to help me make the right choices for information. I’ve tuned it to look for great deals both in the normal sense and in ways that other people might not suspect.

 The reason I’m actually buying something now, although I am joining the group, is that I had just accepted an expensive gift.

Depending on the situation, the respectful thing to do is to patronize the organization in some way. This situation is one of those times.

 Thank you, Ai and Mei Lin, for the lessons on how to navigate these things.

While some of the information is obvious, there are some things that I just wouldn’t know were practically requirements to avoid offending people.

  While I think that, something comes up on the scan that completely derails my thoughts.

 And it’s not even on the book.

 When I last activated my commerce scan in the outer city, looking for exceptional deals in the slums, I’d come across the barest hint of a deal so extraordinarily valuable and life changing, that even though it was obscured, my scan still caught a whiff.

One that I could not find, despite trekking in the slums for a night.

 And now, it’s back up and active.

The level and feeling of it, when compared in hindsight, is comparable to me finding my healing cultivation method.

My scan sends the feeling of a necessary existence, that can help me survive and thrive in this world.

 However, I get the distinct idea from the scan that if I don’t jump on this now, I may never get an opportunity again.

 I immediately stand up in shock at this information.

Something else? And at this point in time?

 

 Dang it!

And how do I head to this situation while still not making the Myriad Monsters group feel like I’m spiting them?

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