Chapter 84: Stay Away from Me If You Have Nothing to Say

But things couldn't be rushed either; it wouldn't be too late to release the basic cultivation methods with the next mission. At the very least, let them first understand what kind of world this truly was.

Moreover, once the players improved their cultivation, they would begin to infiltrate various factions. Only then would the true usefulness of the players reveal itself.

Cultivation resources didn't necessarily have to be distributed through missions. The player trading platform was a rather useful function. In time, as players obtained what they needed, he would easily and conveniently acquire spirit stones from their hands. It was practically a win-win.

Su Jian couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration. His creation mode and the player summoning mode were simply a match made in heaven. He never felt any sting using things drawn from the system.

An hour later, the first seven players who had left returned with darkened faces. After some haggling with Ruoshui and Luo Xiaomi, they had paid a debt of thirty spirit stones to learn the correct way to approach the mission.

Key Immortal could only weep in silence, regretting that he'd wasted all his speaking opportunities earlier; otherwise, he might have gotten a share as well.

Su Jian merely smiled and said nothing. These players were naïve, and once they understood the purchasing power of thirty spirit stones, he'd see how they cried then.

This time, Duststorm was the first to approach him. "Big brother, I didn’t know greatness when I saw it before. Frankly, I want to be your follower."

Mushroom: "......"

Emperor Leaf: "Shameless!"

Su Jian glanced at him. "You may look ugly, but your dreams are lovely."

It was this fellow who had misled the others, causing so much trouble.

Lamb Lover: "Big brother, I hear your new shop is opening. Is there anything I can help with?"

Su Jian smiled. "My shop still needs four assistants. It seems you all have the same idea?"

The seven nodded rapidly like chickens pecking at rice.

"Then duel for it, except you," Su Jian pointed at Duststorm.

Duststorm was stunned. "Why?"

Su Jian replied, "You don't suit my taste."

His manipulative tactics were masterful.

Su Jian had planned this from the start. Only if players formed healthy competition among themselves could their potential be truly unleashed. Being the master was no easy task; it consumed all his attention.

Soon enough, after a bout of mutual fighting, the six players settled who would be hired. It looked more like inept chickens pecking at each other—hardly impressive.

[Go to Immortal Guest House at the east/west side of Hanshan City, work as a reserve assistant without pay, resolve to be diligent, and contribute to the growth of the Immortal Guest House.]

[Mission reward: Five Fasting Pills.]

[Mission penalty: Lose fifty years of lifespan.]

He was quite fair with rewards and punishments.

Then, Su Jian issued a simple explanation and gave Mushroom and Emperor Leaf a mission to seek spiritual items in the mountains.

At this moment, Duststorm felt targeted, slumped bitterly under the old locust tree, drawing circles in the dirt. Clearly, this silly NPC was jealous of his unique charisma and was deliberately suppressing him.

Seeing Duststorm so disheartened, Su Jian feigned sympathy and said, "Only after enduring hardship is life meaningful. You’ve merely lost a trivial opportunity; why be so discouraged? Fine, I'll point you towards a bright path. Whether you grasp it or not is up to you."

Unexpectedly, this NPC was rather good at comforting people.

Duststorm didn't react at first and nearly delivered a few lofty lines, but as realization dawned, he switched to a flattering demeanor. "Big brother, please tell me. I'll definitely seize the chance!"

What a sudden reversal!

Su Jian sighed lightly. "Opening a shop in Hanshan City is survival in a tight spot. The market is monopolized by Treasure Pavilion; expanding is no easy feat. I need you to infiltrate Treasure Pavilion and act when the time is right."

Though he had already looted Hanshan City's Treasure Pavilion, they would surely recover quickly.

Duststorm’s face lit up with excitement. It looked like he’d unlocked a hidden storyline! Though being a mole was risky, opportunity always accompanied danger.

[Go to Hanshan City, find a way to become an assistant at Treasure Pavilion, and act as the Immortal Guest House’s inside agent. Note: Betrayal is forbidden, the consequences are severe.]

[Mission reward: Entry-level Longevity Technique.]

[Mission penalty: Lose fifty years of lifespan.]

Duststorm automatically ignored the penalty, his gaze fixed on the Longevity Technique, unable to look away. Those who received Fasting Pills earlier were nothing in comparison. He was the chosen one; how could he possibly fail?

Suddenly, inspiration struck Duststorm, and he looked at Su Jian with fervor, like a parched man seeing rain after a long drought.

"Keep your distance," Su Jian frowned.

Duststorm suddenly knelt, his face earnest. "Big brother, it doesn’t matter if you don’t accept me as your follower. In my heart, you are the guiding light on my journey. I’ll remember your teachings—if you tell me to go east, I’ll never go west..."

Flattery may wear thin, but never grows old.

He had already sensed Su Jian’s uniqueness—surely a plot-specific NPC. Otherwise, why would ten players only trigger missions with him?

If he could cling to this powerful figure, he could save years of struggle.

Su Jian was speechless—this fellow was too dramatic. Still, it was Duststorm’s cleverness that made him choose him as the mole.

Su Jian slipped away.

The reason he taught Duststorm the Longevity Technique ahead of time was simply because working at Treasure Pavilion required cultivation. Dealing with Treasure Pavilion was a long road; they wouldn’t grow timid just because they’d been robbed, but would only seek ways to eliminate their adversaries.

Su Jian mused, "I wonder if Treasure Pavilion has clashed with the Alliance of the Righteous by now."

Judging by the timing, it should be about right.

Upon returning home, Su Jian received a message about his Dao companion.

[Your Dao companion He Hansu has discovered a meteorite from the heavens soon to fall to the lower realm. In about three days, it will pass near her; she has decided to ride it to the lower realm.]

Su Jian: "......"

It seemed her earlier cultivation was all for the sake of descending to the lower realm sooner.

Su Jian hadn’t intended to pay her any mind, but he couldn’t just let her stray down the wrong path.

He opened the communicator and contacted her.

"You scoundrel Su Jian, despicable and shameless..."

Su Jian was not surprised, but it didn’t stop him from wanting to hold her down and give her a beating. Instead, he laughed, "Looks like there’s nothing left to discuss. I’d hoped, for old times’ sake, to let you die with dignity."

He was a refined and courteous person. How could he behave as rudely as she did? Civilized people must respond in a civilized way.

He Hansu tried to calm herself. "I won’t curse anymore. Speak!"

"Beg me."