The Rich Cultivator
Chapter 77. No Way Out

Chapter 77: 77. No Way Out

Tyler quickly ran out. He knew that if people wanted to leave, they had to apply at Supervisor Han’s office. Arriving there, he saw more than twenty people gathered, their faces a mixture of fear and determination.

"White. You’re here too? Don’t tell me you also want to quit?" Supervisor Han asked jokingly, his tone betraying a hint of curiosity.

Tyler shook his head, trying to calm his racing thoughts. "No, I’m not quitting," he replied firmly.

Supervisor Han nodded, a knowing look in his eyes. He had already guessed why Tyler was there. Tyler wasn’t interested in quitting; he wanted to see what happened to those who did.

The atmosphere was tense as Supervisor Han addressed the crowd. "For those of you choosing to leave, understand that this decision is final. There’s no coming back once you walk out that register area"

A murmur spread through the group. Some people seemed hesitant, while others were resolute. Tyler watched closely as the first few individuals stepped forward, their expressions a mix of relief and trepidation.

"You will be escorted out immediately," he said, signalling to servant disciples standing by. They are wearing green robes.

Tyler noticed the servant disciples’ mocking expressions. This wasn’t just a simple exit; there was a heavy finality to it. The people handed their badge to the supervisor Han and packed their bags. They swore to themselves they won’t come there again.

Tyler’s curiosity got the better of him, and he followed at a discreet distance, making sure not to draw attention to himself. As the group neared the gate, he saw the disciples activate a formation, similar to the one he had seen before.

The large, intricately carved gate opened slowly, revealing a dense, ominous forest beyond. Tyler’s stomach tightened as he realised this wasn’t a straightforward departure. Suddenly the vines inside the forest grabbed all the people. It didn’t touch the servant disciples. It sucked the blood of all people. It didn’t nearly suck them to dry. It didn’t kill them.

"What is the meaning of this?" one of the men demanded, his voice trembling with a mix of anger and fear.

"Just fees. We gave you free food and accommodation, right? We are just collecting the debt," replied one of the servant disciples with a smirk.

Leaving wasn’t just quitting; it was a near-certain death sentence.

"You people said you would escort us off the island," the man insisted, his desperation growing.

"Yup, we’re just sending you off," the servant disciple replied, his smile widening as he activated another formation. The air shimmered, revealing a dense, foreboding forest beyond.

Traumatised by the recent events, the group instinctively tried to step back, but events before happened had sapped their strength, leaving them unable to move due to lack of energy.

"At the other side of the forest, there’s a flying boat waiting for you. Now go," the disciple said ruthlessly, kicking them through the formation. They stumbled and fell, the gate closing behind them.

Tyler was dumbfounded. He knew there was no way those people would survive the night in that hostile environment. The servant disciple noticed Tyler watching but chose to ignore him. He is someone under Supervisor Han. In that moment, Tyler understood what being in an unorthodox sect truly meant: cruelty and ruthlessness were part of their daily existence.

Then, the servant disciple reopened the formation, addressing the remaining crowd. "Well, we’ll give you another chance. Do you want to continue the trial?"

"Yes, lord. Yes, lord," they nodded vigorously, their eyes wide with desperation. This was their last straw of hope, and they clung to it with everything they had.

The servant disciples grinned, satisfied with their show of dominance, and took the trembling people back to the compound.

Tyler turned away, his mind racing. The brutal reality of their situation was stark and undeniable. Survival here required more than just following orders; it demanded cunning, resilience, and a willingness to adapt to the harshest conditions.

Back in their quarters, Tyler found Silvia waiting for him, her eyes filled with worry. "What happened?" she asked softly.

"Nothing. I now basically understand how things works here." Tyler patted her head and began to eat the food. When eating the food Tyler saw some ingredients that are useful for replenishing blood. He understood why they added these everyday. He took the fish and ate it. Silvia didn’t ask anything. As long as Tyler is fine then everything is fine for her.

┉┈ ◈ ◉ ◈ ┈┉

The next day, Tyler continued his routine. He noticed people pointing at the malnourished individuals and whispering among themselves. When they saw Tyler, they immediately approached him, seeking information on why those people hadn’t left.

"It’s not that I don’t want to tell. I do know a thing or two. If you pay some Lydia or some materials, I can give you a tip," Tyler said, his tone practical. He didn’t care what happened to these people. He was in the same situation as them, and his priorities were clear: himself first, then Silvia. Only after securing their safety could he worry about others.

The people around him, desperate for answers, handed over their saved-up vegetables, herbs, gems, and ores. Tyler took their offerings and then explained what had happened. Everyone was dumbfounded.

"So we can’t leave?" another one wailed.

"Just survive this month, and you can become a disciple," Tyler said before walking away. Silvia followed closely behind.

┉┈ ◈ ◉ ◈ ┈┉

**Day 10**

"It’s been ten days, huh..." Supervisor Han mumbled. He ordered a servant disciple, "Go and arrange for the next step of the trial."

Tyler, Silvia, and the others were called to a platform. Tyler noticed that many people seemed malnourished, and some were even injured. One had lost a hand, and another looked like she was poisoned, her whole face disfigured.

Supervisor Han arrived and stood before them. He nodded and said, "Congratulations on passing the first ten days. From now on, you don’t have to work in these places."

Everyone was delighted, except for Tyler.

"For the next twenty days, you are free to go anywhere on the island. The library is open for all of you. Try to select a department and study it. If you excel in martial arts, medicine-making, or arrays, you will have a higher chance of becoming an official disciple. Otherwise, you will become servant disciples. Now go."

Everyone was excited as they began moving toward the library. Tyler followed, thinking about the new opportunities and challenges ahead.

The outer library didn’t have aura techniques but contained basics of all other professions. A huge yellow building appeared before his eyes. Tyler entered with the others and saw a spacious area filled with rows of books. An old man sat at the counter, his presence emitting a dangerous aura.

Not everyone is a genius, Tyler thought. Even though they were allowed to study in the library, many couldn’t understand a lot of things. To truly learn, they needed a teacher. It seemed the sect was determined to make most of them servant disciples.

Tyler headed to the array section. He learned that formations were called arrays in this world, and those who mastered them were called Array Masters. Talismans were called charms, made by Rune Masters. There were also many other professions like Potion Masters, Medicine Masters, Fishers, and Cooks—each important for travelling the vast sea.

Tyler picked up an array book. Thanks to the free chance he used to read books, he could identify the materials and understand simple basic arrays.

Silvia picked books about animals and fishes, eager to study them. She was interested in these.

There is also a popular profession that almost everyone uses. It is called Tamer. It is very useful when travelling the sea.

That night, as Tyler and Silvia walked toward the dining area, they saw many people complaining. Tyler caught a man and asked him, "What happened?"

"There will be no free food. We have to pay for our food," the man said bitterly.

A thought struck Tyler. He quickly walked towards Supervisor Han’s place, seeing many others already heading there. It seemed like most of them had figured it out.

Everyone used one of their chances to pick food. Supervisor Han issued free food tokens for the next 20 days. Everyone sighed in relief, glad they hadn’t used their chances.

People who had already used all their free chances regretted it. They could only wait for tomorrow to go to work to get food, leaving them no time to study at the library.

Another 10 days passed...

Only half of the people stayed. Many of them left because they couldn’t even understand anything. They asked some disciples for guidance but they asked for more money. They have no choice but to go to work and make some money.

While Tyler was deeply engrossed in an array book, a group of senior disciples met with Supervisor Han."We are here for those two people under you called White and Black," one of them said,

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