Chapter 208: Just the Standard
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 Im working with creatures that are much higher level than I am.
A power dynamic normally skewed massively in the spirit beasts favor.
That would mean Id 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 cultivators 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 cultivators 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 dont understand what Im 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 wouldnt 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.Fịndd new updates at novelhall.com
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 Im part of this group, no one would question where Im 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 thats been bothering their area, when usually you would do it at a cost to yourself. In that sense, its more similar to an adventurers' Guild.
Curious about whats available, I activate my commerce scan to help me make the right choices for information. Ive tuned it to look for great deals both in the normal sense and in ways that other people might not suspect.
The reason Im 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 wouldnt know were practically requirements to avoid offending people.
While I think that, something comes up on the scan that completely derails my thoughts.
And its not even on the book.
When I last activated my commerce scan in the outer city, looking for exceptional deals in the slums, Id 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, its 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 dont 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 Im spiting them?