A seemingly endless stream of outer mountain disciples rushed towards a certain mountain creek. The area around the creek was already a huge mess. Ezra stood somewhere to the rear, leaving the administrative matters to Gill Subzi and other Naran disciples who practiced Gossamer Steps, while Ash and his group also helped out where they could. After an hour, only ten of the hundred quotas were left.
It was at this moment that another wave of disciples began to swarm over, turning the place even more chaotic as they struggled to obtain the final ten quotas. In fact, some of the disciples even began to fight.
Gill's eyes spun in thought when he saw this. With a dry cough, he said, "Since no one is willing to give in, we'll auction off the last ten quotas. They will go to the highest bidder, and the bidding will start at five spirit jade pieces a day and fifteen for Shiyan disciples"
He could tell that the ones who had rushed over at this time mostly composed of Shiyan disciples. These people were pretty rich, but most importantly, they had not believed Ezra earlier, hence why it had taken them so long to come.
Ezra grinned at Gill's cunningness, Gill felt that he could not let these people have such an easy time, hence why he had come up with such a ruthless move.
These disciples glared at Gill in anger when they heard this, evidently realising the latter's intentions.
But even if they knew, for the sake of the quotas, they could not be bothered too much at such a time.
One the the Shiyan disciples quickly shouted, "I bid 16 spirit jade pieces!"
"I bid 17 pieces!" Another gritted his teeth and followed. This price was already exceeding Roshi's place, but since Ezra was more effective, the price was still within an acceptable level.
"18 pieces!" In the end however, there was someone even fiercer, snatching away the quota with a bid of 18 spirit jade pieces.
Numerous disciples secretly wet their lips at the sight of this. 18 spirit jade pieces a day meant a total of a 540 by the time one was done in a month. This was a huge, painful price.
With the exception of the first quota being bidded away at a price of 18 spirit jade pieces, the other quotas stabilized at about 16 pieces. As such, a handsome sum was easily earned.
Ezra chuckled inside as he watched. Gill Subzi was indeed good at ripping others off.
After the auction of the last ten quotas, Gill announced that they would no longer be accepting anymore students.
The numerous disciples that had yet to sign up began to sigh repeatedly, feeling disappointed inside. Only now did they regret not believing Ezra earlier.
Though they were disappointed, no one tried to stir up any trouble. It was likely that after witnessing Ezra's capability, these unofficial outer mountain disciples now had some respect towards him.
After all, everyone still hoped to receive guidance from him, and naturally would not dare to offend him.
As such, peace finally began to slowly return to the long chaotic area around the creek.
The chubby Gills grinned from ear to ear as he practically sprinted over, a large sack hoisted over his back. The clear tinkling of spirit jade pieces could be heard from within, an extremely beautiful sound indeed.
He allowed the sack to land with a loud thud in front of Ezra and said, "Your majesty, everything is basically in order. Here's the fees for tomorrow, a sum of over six hundred fifty spirit jade pieces."
Saliva seemed to flow down from his mouth as he spoke. This was only the first day. In a month, Ezra would have earned nearly eighteen thousand spirit jade pieces, an enormous sum even to the numerous official outer mountain disciples.
Ezra could not help but sigh. It had been way too easy to earn these spirit jade pieces. With their support, he could finally squander money as he pleased.
With a flick, spiritual energy wrapped around a hundred pieces in the sack and sent them flying towards Gill Subzi and the rest. "You guys have worked hard today. Don't reject this tiny bit of good will, all of you should know that it's really nothing to me. And distribute the remaining amongst the 500 Naran Continent's disciples.
Pass my order that these spirit jades can only be used for Blooming Spirit Flower to speed up your martial prowess. I want all of Naran disciples to conquer either first class quotas or second class quotas.
If, by the time of peak selection ceremony, anyone failed to ascend and remained a measly third class disciple after being pampered to this extent. Then, I will personally cut his throat and extract his soul. My spirit jades are not for free, I need results in exchange."
Everyone who heard that twitched, even Ash Bekham was looking with his eyes wide opened. "He is distributing that big sum to his people!"
The Naran disciples were worried, for others, the words of Ezra were mere hollow threats but the Naran disciples knew that he can literally extract the soul out of them.
The big power houses such as Xyr, Zulfi, Argus, Shifa and Theor were absent. Ezra prohibitted them from coming and ordered them to focus on their prowess, but the others were present and the 1st one to move was Cen Zutton.
He came forward and knelt before Ezra. "Your majesty, I will grab a first class seat for myself before the peak selection."
He ignited the slackening fire in others' hearts and one by one all other Naran disciples came and knelt.
"That's the spirit" praised Ezra.
He then looked at Ash Bekham with a smile and said, "All of you should come here again from tomorrow onwards. I will help you guys with the Gossamer Steps technique."
Ash Bekham, Telhi and the rest nodded. After seeing this, Ezra did not waste any more time. He kept one sack of spirit jade and leisurely turned around, leaving the creek and heading back to his little house.