Chapter 79: Leaps and Bounds
Benton wanted to get as far from the town as they could in the remaining daylight. With friendly relations established between him and Fatty Ren, there was no real fear of cultivators interfering with the caravan, but they were transporting lots of vulnerable kids and valuable goods.
It was best to get the wagons away from where they might prove to be a temptation to the town’s many mortal gangs. If nothing else, he didn’t want the orphans first experience with his sect to be the violent slaughter of would-be bandits.
Benton waited until nearly sunset to call for a stop, and while his experienced disciples made camp and put water on to boil, he followed the tradition he’d established and asked the nineteen new people to follow him into the woods.
While Peng Zhen had a suspicion about what was about to happen, the orphans and the gang had been told little except that they were moving with Benton to a new home.
Once everyone was seated in a circle lit by qi orbs, Benton said, “I am Chao Su, and I assume all of you understand that I am a cultivator of some power.”
There were nods all around.
He fingered the pin on his left breast. “This token names me as a friend of the Poison Claw Sect, one of the three most prestigious sects in this part of the continent. Town Lord Ren also counts me as a friend and has asked my advice on how to handle certain issues.”
The last large group he had inducted had been told by Kang Ya-Ting how important Benton was. The group before him mostly didn’t know him from Adam. Even though talking himself up felt a bit awkward for him, he thought it best to explain to the newcomers that he wasn’t a jumped-up wandering cultivator.
“I am forming a sect near the Prosperous Gray Forest Village, and all of you are to be members of this new sect. Give me your honest effort at work and cultivation, and I will give you a place to belong and a longer, healthier, richer life.”
The orphans and gangs were all visibly shocked by the announcement, so Benton gave them a moment to calm down. Eventually, he pulled out the orb and told each of them their talents and qi aspects. He explained that they were not talented enough to join any other sect, but that was okay. His sect was different. However, it was unlikely any of them would get past the Foundation Establishment realm, but if they were diligent, he promised to do everything in his power to get them at least that far.
“What I require from you differs depending on your group.” He turned to Peng Zhen. “You and your family are to run the contribution point shop. As the sect grows, this task may become unmanageable without more people. If that time comes, I’ll get you help. Any questions?”
“No, Esteemed Master Cultivator.”