Too many avatars Chapter 6 (Patreon)

Helim Ama was still a very off-handed teacher honestly, but that worked out well enough for me at this point. I didn't need my hand held, as using my training arena cheat, I was VERY quickly gaining earthbending experience and strength. 

With a personal disciple grade canteen card, I was also able to feed my body properly to allow me to spend my time productively in cultivation and hard training.

And in that same vein, I was practising a new trick. While relaxing as much as possible, I controlled several floating fist-sized rocks to float above my head with simple finger movements as I lay down on the earth.

'I should probably try to find some kind of mission to deal with some bandits or something. Even with a meal card from Teacher, I should still try to get some more money.' I mused to myself.

Loud crackles rang out as I formed a tight fist and the floating rocks slammed together with enough force to shatter themselves.

And as the tiny pebbles of the rocks and sand floated in the air still. I wondered if I could pick up the sand manipulation techniques of Gaara from Naruto as well. His techniques although not as outwardly offensive, was still powerful defensive techniques.

'Sand burial my ass... Try sand blaster storm, or maybe call it the bone sander?' I mused as I imagined creating a spinning tornado of high-speed, crystal-rich sand to shred enemies.

Still, after a bit of chuuni shower thoughts as I stared up at the clouds above me. I got up with a grunt of effort and quickly made my way back to Helim Ama's own cave mansion.

Once I got there, the clearly slightly drunk beautiful woman gave me a dull look before she tsked and said with a sigh. "And what can I do for you Hayato. I thought you were going to spend the next couple of months in training." 

"I wanted to ask how I could pick up some less dangerous bounties to start having an income of my own." I said bluntly.

Helim Ama paused at my blunt question before sighing and saying helplessly. "Hayato you... Fine, it's not my business; go to the Gate Keeper Panhua. He can help set you up with some commissions and tell you of any bounties in the area." 

She then gave me a deep look before saying. "While it is good you want to make your own money Hayato. You also need to understand that making coin by the edge of the blade means a blade is always poised to enter your own heart. You should also consider looking for a fellow disciple to help you with such missions."

Then Helim Ama added with a helpless expression. "Also, remember that the Sect takes a cut out of any commissions they direct towards you. If you are successful, you will need to cultivate your own contacts." 

I most certainly wasn't strong enough to go on any missions with Helim Ama at this point. But against any commoner bandits who had no idea how to bend at all?

I could deal with, without too much trouble, I was fairly certain.

So, with a bow to Helim Ama my Teacher, I left with a note from her that said that she approved of me leaving the mountain for missions.

I headed down the mountain and soon reached the large manor where Panhua that giant panda spirit lived and watched the Sect's main entrance. And at seeing me as I approached the gate.

Panhua's gaze took on a rather interested expression as he chuckled and said with a boom to his voice. "Oh ho? Hayato Long, you have already opened up several acupoints during the month you have been here. Are you looking to go into town to find a little wife or something haha?"

My lips twitched at the reminder of how feudal this world was. At my ripe age of being in my early twenties. Most people my age were very much already married and working on their second kid or something.

I coughed and cleared my throat before I said dryly. "I am not so ready to settle down just yet, Panhua. I came here to look for some bounties or a commission from the sect so I can make some money."

Panhua's head tilted to the side as he looked me up and down before shrugging and saying casually. "I see. Well, I always have commissions from the local nobles and wealthier merchants that need to be taken care of. Hmm, actually I do have a decent commission you can take; give me a moment to get it."

Panhua turned around, his bulk moving with surprising grace and silence as he went back into his large house before coming back in a couple of minutes.

Then, with a loud thudding noise, he closed the heavy gate-like door as he came back out with a scroll in hand. "Here, the Beifong's sent us a commission asking for one of our disciples to escort a caravan to Omashu. It will pay well, and only the stupidest of bandits would dare to attack their caravans."

"That will work. How long is the trip to Omashu and back?" I asked curiously.

Panhua shook his head and said seriously. "You are responsible for finding your own way back. They will be hiring earth bender's from the Mountain Soul Sect in Omashu for the way back."

'Why the hell are they hiring people for just one way of the trip?' I thought with annoyance as it wasn't like I wasn't going come straight back here???

And Panhua easily saw my confusion as he said helplessly. "Your confusion is in the right place, Hayato. It's because when you do arrive in Omashu, if you wish to ride back on their carriages back here. They will charge you basically half of the mission escort payment to begin with to say nothing of the cost of food and other things." 

Welcome to the feudal era... Where if the landlords don't take more than half of your harvest, they are called just and generous lords.