It didn't take him long to forge his core. It was done the next day. Well, he had the usual pyramid made of four triangle sides. He was very excited about it and even more so as he could feel the changes it brought to his body. He felt himself stronger and filled with energy. Much more than usual.

Filled with happiness, he couldn't help but brag to his two inner sect friends who humored him. In their eyes, it was no more than the silly kid bragging about a small success. They were happy for him though. They knew how hard he had worked and pushed himself. Then, he asked them: " So, I was thinking of making a bigger core, what do you think?" and he was answered instantly by both: "That's dumb // That's idiotic"

He was a little surprised at the quick reaction but regained himself quickly and asked: " Why? " Even if he had to look stupid and uncultured, he needed to ask them. Those two were the best ones he knew who could give him answers and he needed them. The few elders he spoke with already told him the same but he didn't see why. If it only required more resources, wouldn't it be fine?

As he expected, they told him if he did, he would lose time and resources. So he said: "How is that a problem?" and a little stunned by the question, they both stared at each other before realizing what the problem was. This kid had no clue about cultivation. Sang-Min, under the glare of Han-Bi, was forced to volunteer and explain everything to the kid:

"You do realize that it requires resources to break through stages after starting on the path of a spiritual warrior, right? Simply absorbing the surrounding energy isn't enough anymore though we keep doing it. After all, as little as it is, it stacks. But we do need much more than what can be given that way. So, we make and take pills, potions or spiritual treasures... There are many ways but in the end, it's all about plundering the spiritual energy contained in other things, be they alive or not"

"You've probably be given some gifts for joining the outer sect, right? Pills usable at the first stage of accumulation, right? Consider those. You might need close to a hundred just to go up from the first to the second stage of spiritual accumulation. Do you have that many?"

As Sang-Min asked, Jin answered with a sigh: "I got five of those" Sang-Min nodded to his honest answer. The quantity never changed throughout the years. He had been given that much too back in the days. So, Sang-Min went on: "Now, how do you think you will get the ninety-five left?"

That was a question worth being asked. If not for them, Jin would have had no idea what his meager five pills were worth. Turned out they were worth far less than he expected. And he would need a whole lot to get by and grow. Sang-Min did say there were other things he could gain spiritual energy from but it seemed like the issue remained. He was broke dude.

Noticing the frown on Jin's face, Sang-Min was reassured. This kid was silly but not dumb. He understood the problem he would face later on. So, Sang-Min pursued as he eyed Han-Bi who sipped her tea with a smile on the side listening to him without joining in. He sighed as he went on: " You need cash, little brother Jin. The sect won't give you any free stuff, you see. They want capable and talented disciples. But we are cultivators. It is a dog eat dog world, get me? To the sect, whoever manages to become strong are those capable and talented disciples. Even if you were to have more talent, if you are unable to grow, you're trash "

Jin nodded. It made sense. A sect was not a charity but a business. It invested in potential future. Who ended up being the successful invested one didn't matter to it. What mattered was that some were successful. In the end, he would need resources. And so, he would need to find a way to get them. Buying them was very likely the way to go. But he had no money and had never made none in this world.

As such, he asked: " So, how do you get more resources here? " to which Sang-Min retorted: "Cash" forcing Jin to frown deeper. This was going to be tough. How would he make money in this world? He never knew how to make any in his previous life... This was a very tough challenge. Fortunately for him, Han-Bi finally decided to join the discussion: " That is where secondary occupations come into play, little brother Jin. Sang-Min sculpts and I grow plants. That is how we make money. With the sect missions from time to time on the side "

Jin nodded. Now it made sense why those two weren't solely focused on cultivation. They used their hobbies to support their cultivation. It was smart. But there was a problem. Jin didn't know how to do shit except fight. And even then, he was unfortunately at the bottom of the sect. So, he thought of what he could do... And the only thing that came to mind was to teach his martial arts.

He asked the two: "I only know how to fight, should I become a teacher?" and the two both laughed hard. He didn't get why. Fortunately, Han-Bi, in a good mood, decided to enlighten him: " And what makes you think that the other disciples will want to pay you, a new kid, for pointers on fighting? " to which Jin pointed at the golden fist pin. He wasn't wrong. This proved that he had good battle sense. Genius-level. But it wasn't enough.

Han-Bi chuckled as she told him: " Yes, that proves your ability but do you think they would pick you when they can take lessons from respected and known elders for free? "

And that's when he realized how dumb his idea had been...