It would actually make more sense from a role playing perspective.
The quest line usually involves some serious help that’s needed.
So I can save your whole town or save the life/lives of key people, but you won’t grant me “revered”/“exalted” access until after I’ve done that AND weeks of killing bunnies and boars?
That’s the most ridiculously annoying role playing system ever.
If anything it should work in the reverse with the big questline as the finisher that gets you to exalted.
But if you’re willing to safe their people/ down 4-5 times on different characters, you’ve still put the time in - and it sits a little better from a role playing perspective.