First-Year Internship—And You Went to Site 749 to Contain Monsters?!

Drunken Sword straightened his back and lifted his gaze, locking onto Lu Ding, who was chatting and laughing with Director Deng nearby.

His eyes burned with arrogance.

The resource allocation for Qi Sword Sect included rare spiritual treasures and other cultivation materials.

Long ago, 749 had established a strict regulatory system to govern Qi Cultivators, drawing a clear line between them and ordinary people.

One of the key rules—Qi Cultivators were forbidden from enslaving ordinary people to sustain themselves.

This meant that the lives of Qi Cultivators were no longer as privileged as they had once been. But in contrast, ordinary people had developed and flourished.

In the past, what roles did ordinary people serve?

Test subjects, herb gatherers, field workers, miners, laborers—too many to count.

749 wiped out those who refused to change, while allowing those without major offenses to remain.

Then, they provided resources, technology, and improved farmland, allowing them to continue herb cultivation, artifact crafting, or other trades.The sects were allowed to retain their traditions, but the materials and resources were distributed through 749. A fair trade system was established.

If a sect had its own methods, 749 would provide materials, and in return, a portion of the products belonged to 749.

Even rare materials from distant regions were shared—though never the core, most valuable resources.

Ironically, many small sects flourished better than before under this system.

As for the larger sects?

Big?

Bigger than the Han Dynasty?

In this world, if you misbehave, we’ll take our time dealing with you.

Many things involve political balance and long-term strategy.

But if you cross the line—

We’ll send in powerhouses first, followed by artillery, and if necessary, wash the entire area clean with nuclear weapons.

These weapons might not kill the strongest cultivators, but they would annihilate their disciples and allies.

And without successors, a sect would naturally collapse over time.

Then, the remaining few powerhouses would be hunted down one by one.

Every year, each region was assigned a set quota of resources based on their contributions.

Qi Sword Sect was underperforming but still demanded more.

Initially, all sects had similar allocations, with minor differences based on their heritage and specialization.

But as time passed—

When we give you 10,000 pounds of seeds, and other sects produce 200,000 units of output, yet you only produce 8,000—and not just once, but every year, sometimes even dropping to 7,000—

You think we won’t reduce your quota?

Where did the extra seeds go?

Wasted?

You lack the ability to utilize what you’re given, and you dare to complain about unfair distribution?

Instead of resorting to cheap tricks like challenging others for negotiation leverage, why not focus on improving your efficiency?

Work hard, earn more. Everyone plays by the same rules.

Nothing in the system specifically targets you.

And now, you want to cause trouble over resource allocation?

Lu Ding felt the unfriendly gaze directed at him.

He turned to Director Deng.

The old man explained all of the above in a calm and patient manner.

“So,” Lu Ding concluded, “this peacock display of his is all about challenging me, trying to take a shortcut, not considering his actual ability, demanding more resources than he can handle, failing to deliver, and repeating the cycle?”

The old man smiled kindly.

“No need to worry about a vicious cycle. If you can see through it, others can too. There are countermeasures in place.”

“This is all within the rules. The world is vast, and there should be competition. As you said before—’a hundred boats racing forward.’”

“The world of Qi Cultivators should have variety. If 749 monopolized everything, lost its external competition, and lacked outside challenges, over time, it would become stagnant and complacent.”

“749’s purpose is to maintain stability and peace, ensuring that both ordinary people and Qi Cultivators can thrive in a balanced society, without repeating past mistakes.”

“Think of sects like noble families of the past—not all were corrupt, but there were always bad apples. Meanwhile, 749’s investigators are mostly from humble backgrounds or ordinary families.”

“We understand, we tolerate, but we are also ruthless.

“Not all threats to stability come from monsters and demons.

“Sometimes, they come from people.”

Lu Ding listened quietly.

“I see now. If that’s the case, I need to help him recognize reality.”

If your stomach can only handle so much food, don’t pile your plate higher than you can eat.

No one ever taught him to cherish his resources?

And why wait until after the combat trials?

Lu Ding had no patience for that.

Peacocks might look beautiful when they spread their tails, but only the ones facing them know—

They’re still just birds. And birds don’t wipe their own sh*t.

From an outsider’s view, Xu Zui’s gaze toward Lu Ding was a challenge—one powerhouse measuring up another.

But from Lu Ding’s perspective?

This guy was just looking for trouble.

And for people like this?

You make them lie down.

“Make sure you announce the start later.”

That was Director Chu.

“Got it, Director Chu.”

Lu Ding answered casually—then stood up.

Under the gaze of tens of thousands, he walked forward.

In the Qi Sword Sect’s spectator area, disciples whispered nervously.

“Senior Brother! He’s coming! He’s coming!!”

“Lu Ding’s coming—Senior Brother, stay strong! Everyone’s watching!”

“Senior Brother, remember your presence! Your gaze! You can’t let them look down on us!”

Xu Zui stood tall and proud as Lu Ding approached.

And as soon as Lu Ding got close, he opened his mouth to say—

”Lu Ding, is it? You—”

”Enough. I don’t want to hear your meaningless nonsense. Right now, immediately, get down here and fight.”

”There’s space, it’s open, and the usual long-winded introductions have gotten stale.

”Let’s make our battle the opening act for today’s Three-District Combat Trials.”

Xu Zui’s brain short-circuited.

Sure, he was arrogant—

But with so many major sect leaders and 749’s top officials watching, even he had to restrain himself.

Yet Lu Ding?

Not even a little.

With one sentence, Lu Ding completely ruined his setup—skipped the formalities, skipped the theatrics, went straight to the fight.

Normally, these things followed a structured process—

First, you step forward, display your posture and sect’s etiquette, then say something refined like:

“749 truly produces remarkable talents… Today, I—”

Then, depending on the person, you insert somewhere between 100 to 500 words of speech before the top rookies take the stage.

But Lu Ding?

Skipped all of it.

You want to fight?

Then fight.

Xu Zui hadn’t even finished speaking.

“What’s the matter? Brain stuck? Thinking too much?” Lu Ding sneered.

”This is the VIP seating area. I’d rather not ruin the atmosphere here.

”I’ll count to three.

”Three seconds.

”If you’re still standing here looking like a dumb goose, don’t blame me for slapping you across the face—

”Right here, in front of everyone.”