The Rich Cultivator
Chapter 75. Supervisor Han

Chapter 75: 75. Supervisor Han

"Follow this path to the residential area. Remember, you get five things for free. After that, you have to work if you want something," the fat man said, his voice gruff yet authoritative. He opened a worn book, touching a button hidden within its pages. Instantly, the trees behind him shuddered and shifted, revealing a hidden passageway.

Tyler’s brow furrowed in confusion. ’Are those formations?’ he wondered. He had yet to hear the term ’formation’ in this world and wasn’t even sure what it might be called here. The complexity of the environment around him only added to his curiosity.

The group, a motley collection of new arrivals, hesitantly walked into the passage. As they proceeded, they saw people working diligently in the fields, others fishing by a serene lake, and some emerging from mountain paths with pickaxes, spades, and shovels.

"Another new batch," someone muttered.

"Do you think they can survive?" another whispered.

"Hahaha... Look at them, their eyes filled with hope," a third said, his voice tinged with mockery. The comments were low, almost conspiratorial, as no one dared to speak loudly for fear of the consequences.

Tyler’s gaze wandered to a large house nestled against a river and a mountain, constructed like a small village. The residents were scattered but organized within this area. The mountain backdrop was impressive, though it paled in comparison to the awe-inspiring Giant Skull Waterfall he had seen earlier.

’Five things for free,’ Tyler mused, recalling the fat man’s words. He sensed a hidden trap within that statement, a potential catch that could complicate their stay.

A man in a new dress, not a crimson robe but bearing a badge marked ’Supervisor’, walked out to greet them. "Hello, everyone. My name is Han Fei. You can call me Supervisor Han. I will guide you to your living area. Remember, the accommodation is free, but the recruiters will arrive tomorrow morning. Make sure to secure a job and try to survive for a month. If you can do that, you can become a Sect Member."

The group murmured in surprise. Supervisor Han’s words made it sound simple, almost too simple. His chubby face and tanned skin gave him a gentle appearance, but Tyler caught a glint of mockery in his eyes. Why did everyone keep using the word ’survive’? They would soon find out.

As the new arrivals followed Supervisor Han, Tyler couldn’t shake his unease. The idyllic surroundings and seemingly straightforward instructions felt like a façade, masking the true challenges ahead. The notion of survival, repeated by both the onlookers and the supervisor, weighed heavily on his mind.

"You can choose any five things from this list," Supervisor Han said, handing out long lists to the group. The lists included tools, clothing, food, and other ordinary items. Tyler, Silvia, and the others scrutinized the list carefully.

"You can choose later if you can’t decide now," Supervisor Han explained.

Tyler’s eyes surveyed the surroundings. He had a feeling that many eyes were watching them. It was just an instinct, but it felt unnervingly accurate.

"We can wait for a day and choose a job. Then we can choose the tools we need," someone in the crowd suggested.

Tyler ignored them and looked at the books section. Most of them were about plants, herbs, cooking, and minerals. His interest was piqued; knowledge was power, and perhaps something useful could be found among those pages.

"Can we check the products?" Tyler asked.

"Except for food and herbs, you can check any products. But remember, checking a product means you lose one free chance," Supervisor Han warned.

Soon, everyone who had considered checking the items abandoned the idea. Losing one of their precious five free items was too great a risk.

Tyler considered his options. Each choice was crucial, and he had to ensure he made the right ones for himself and Silvia. He glanced at Silvia, who was clutching his hand tightly, her eyes wide with a mix of curiosity and fear. He needed to protect her, and that meant being strategic about their selections.

Many people decided to wait a day, to observe and gather more information before making their choices.

"Is there a time limit to check a product?" Tyler asked, his voice steady.

Supervisor Han’s eyes flickered with surprise, but he maintained his calm demeanor. He smiled at Tyler and said, "No, there is no time limit."

"He’s wasting his chance," someone muttered.

"It’s good, one less competitor," another whispered.

The people began to murmur among themselves. One person even stepped forward to warn Tyler out of kindness. "You should reconsider. It’s not worth losing a free item," he said.

Tyler thanked him but stood firm. "Then, me and this little girl will use this chance," he declared, looking down at Silvia, who nodded bravely beside him.

"Two less competitors," someone scoffed.

"Are you sure?" Supervisor Han asked seriously, his tone carrying a hint of challenge.

Tyler nodded. "Yes, we’re sure."

"Does anyone else want to join them?" Han asked the crowd, his eyes scanning their faces. No one stepped forward. The fear of losing a valuable opportunity held them back.

"Very well," Supervisor Han said, his expression unreadable. "Follow me."

Tyler and Silvia followed Supervisor Han through the bustling camp. The curious eyes of the other newcomers followed them, some filled with pity, others with scorn. The path led them to a small, dimly lit storage area. Shelves lined the walls, filled with various items neatly arranged: tools, clothing, books, and more.

"Remember, you can check anything except food and herbs," Supervisor Han reminded them.

Tyler nodded, his mind racing with possibilities. He had to be strategic. He scanned the shelves, his eyes landing on a section of books. He picked one at random and flipped through it. It was a book on local herbs and their uses, a potential goldmine of information.

"Did anyone inform you about this?" Supervisor Han asked, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied Tyler.

"Nope, I just figured it out," Tyler replied calmly. He took a book from the shelf and began to study its contents. "I’m going to check if each and every page is good or not," he added, flipping through the book meticulously.

He handed another book, this one about animals, to Silvia. "Here, try to read this if you can," he said gently. Silvia nodded eagerly and began to pore over the pages, her young mind soaking in the illustrations and simple descriptions.

Supervisor Han nodded, masking his surprise. This was one of the trickier ways to make the most of their free items, but it had a significant flaw. Ordinary humans couldn’t memorize everything quickly; they needed to eat and sleep, too. He decided not to intervene further.

"Alright, take your time," Supervisor Han said as he left them in the storage area.

Tyler felt a small pang of satisfaction as he continued to study the book on herbs. He had found a loophole in the system, a way to maximize the value of their free items. He needed to absorb as much information as possible.

He ’accidentally’ dropped a candy into his copper pot and then took it out, sighing in disappointment when nothing happened. The copper pot still wasn’t working. Silvia glanced up from her book, her eyes filled with curiosity and concern, but Tyler just gave her a reassuring smile.

As the minutes turned into hours, Tyler and Silvia sat side by side, lost in their reading. Tyler absorbed information about local herbs and their uses, while Silvia learned about the various fishes inhabiting the area. The knowledge they gained would be invaluable in the coming days.

Despite his calm exterior, Tyler’s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. He knew their time was limited, and the challenge ahead was daunting. Yet, he felt a renewed sense of determination. Every piece of information he memorized, every strategy he devised, was a step closer to their survival and success.

Supervisor Han returned, observing the duo with a mixture of amusement and respect. "Have you finished checking?" he asked.

"No." Tyler replied.

"Very Well," Supervisor Han chuckled. "Then You can continue tomorrow. Your first chance is still not over."

Tyler nodded. "Understood."

Tyler then thought of something, "Senior. Is there anything you want from here? We can use one chance each and give it to you."

Supervisor Han is sure that Tyler will definitely join the sect. He even tried to bribe him. Such an intelligent Person is worth making friends with.

"Alright. I will choose something tomorrow. If someone demands something from you, show them this token and tell them you both are marked by me." Supervisor Han said.

As they walked back to their quarters, Tyler felt a cautious optimism. The knowledge they had gained from the books would provide a foundation for their survival. With Silvia by his side, he was ready to face the challenges of becoming a Sect Member.

Silvia looked up at him, her eyes shining with trust. "We’re going to be okay, right?"

Tyler smiled, feeling his resolve strengthen. "Yes, we will. We just have to be smart and stay together."