306: Chapter 300 Recruiting and Rejecting

Chen Zhiwen discovered that the skeleton was heavier than he could have imagined.

But this was precisely what he valued the most.

He calculated inwardly that if he could refine this skeleton into a combat Puppet, even without engraving any profound Formation,

just by relying on its terrifying weight and hardness, falling from a high altitude,

it would likely be enough to crush an ordinary early Nascent Soul stage cultivator to death, even if they had their shield activated.

This was a deadly weapon, the absolute aesthetic of violence.

Ren Quanxu, who had been standing to the side, was watching Chen Zhiwen's actions with a complex gaze.

Although he had already received the compensation of 10,000 Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, watching such top-tier Materials fall into someone else's hands,

was a form of torture for any Cultivator.

"Brother Chen, impressive methods."

Ren Quanxu gave a dry laugh, trying to hide the disappointment in his eyes.

He brushed his sleeves, pretending to be nonchalant as he spoke.

"This skeleton falling into your hands can be considered making the best use of it."

"However, this old man has a word of advice."

"In the future, if Brother Chen really refines it into a Puppet, when its Divine Might reaches Major Achievement, do not forget this old man's act of helping you achieve your goal today."

Chen Zhiwen turned around.

He put on that gentle, jade-like smile again.

"Brother Ren, you are joking."

Chen Zhiwen cupped his hands, his tone sincere.

"If not for Brother Ren yielding today, I would not have obtained such an Opportunity."

"This favor, Chen will keep it in his heart."

However.

Beneath the surface of harmony, a trace of doubt rose in Chen Zhiwen's heart.

He calmly sized up Ren Quanxu before him.

This old man had god-like attainments in Formation and endless methods.

His strength was so great that he could likely fight even a Late Stage Nascent Soul Cultivator and even retreat unscathed.

Yet, such a strong expert,

why did he go to such great lengths to find teammates when exploring this Spiritual Vein?

Previously, one could say it was to deal with unknown risks.

But after witnessing Ren Quanxu's many trump cards, Chen Zhiwen felt that this old guy was fully capable of swallowing this Treasure Trove alone.

Was it for safety?

Or was it because of that overly cautious nature in his bones?

Or perhaps, he was really in need of a helper?

In a flash.

A thought suddenly flashed through Chen Zhiwen's mind.

Hidden Sword Peak was currently waiting to be rebuilt, and although his own strength was not bad, he was only one person after all.

If he could recruit a Formation Great Master like Ren Quanxu,

Chen Zhiwen's mind became active.

He did not rush to leave, but instead pretended to chat casually.

"Brother Ren, I have something I do not understand."

Chen Zhiwen took two steps forward, closing the distance between them.

"With Brother Ren's heaven-defying methods, in a major Sect like Tian Yin Pavilion, you must hold a high and powerful position, right?"

"Why does it seem to me that Brother Ren acts like an unrestrained Loose Cultivator?"

This was a probe, testing the true relationship between Ren Quanxu and Tian Yin Pavilion.

Ren Quanxu heard this, and a look of pride appeared on his face.

He stroked his beard and smiled, quite pleased with himself.

"Brother Chen has a good eye."

"Although this old man holds the title of Elder at Tian Yin Pavilion, in reality, I am just a Guest Elder."

"I have a prior agreement with the Pavilion Master of Tian Yin Pavilion; I only enjoy the offerings and do not participate in Sect affairs. Unless the Sect is at a life-or-death crisis, I do not need to obey any orders."

As expected, a Guest Elder. Chen Zhiwen felt settled in his heart.

Since he was only a Guest Elder, that meant there were no shackles of blind loyalty.

This corner could be dug.

"So that is how it is."

Chen Zhiwen nodded, a look of sudden realization appearing on his face.

Immediately, he changed the subject, his tone becoming solemn.

"Brother Ren, to tell you the truth."

"My Hidden Sword Peak is currently thirsting for talent."

"Although the foundation of my Hidden Sword Peak is still shallow, its future development potential is limitless."

Chen Zhiwen looked at Ren Quanxu with burning eyes and extended an olive branch.

"Since Brother Ren is only a Guest Elder at Tian Yin Pavilion, you surely would not mind having one more identity."

"I wonder if Brother Ren would be willing to lower yourself to come and stay at my Hidden Sword Peak and hold the title of Elder?"

"In terms of treatment, it will definitely not be worse than Tian Yin Pavilion."

These words were spoken very directly and very sincerely.

However.

After Ren Quanxu heard this, the smile on his face did not change in the slightest.

That smoothness of an old Jianghu hand made him look like a pebble that could not be bitten at all.

"Brother Chen is too kind."

Ren Quanxu waved his hand and refused in a relaxed tone.

"In this life, this old man has become accustomed to the life of a free and unfettered crane."

"I cannot stand even the slightest restraint."

He looked up at the pitch-black rock wall above his head, as if looking through the thick soil to the vast sky outside.

"Over these hundreds of years, the notable Nascent Soul Sects of the Eastern Continent, whether it be the Ten Thousand Swords Sect or the Divine Fire Gate, have all extended olive branches to this old man."

"Some even offered conditions that almost tempted me."

"But in the end, I declined them all."

Speaking of this, Ren Quanxu looked at Chen Zhiwen, his eyes carrying a trace of apology, but more of firmness.

"So, this old man appreciates Brother Chen's good intentions."

"As for this Elder position at Hidden Sword Peak, this old man truly does not have the fortune to accept it."

The refusal was very direct and within reason.

For a strong expert of his level, freedom is often more important than resources.

But Chen Zhiwen was not discouraged.

Since he had spoken, he was naturally prepared.

If ordinary recruitment didn't work, then he would change methods.

A method that no one could refuse.

"Brother Ren, wait."

Chen Zhiwen smiled slightly and did not feel embarrassed by being rejected.

Instead, he was even more composed and confident.

"I know that Brother Ren loves freedom and does not wish to be entangled in worldly affairs."

"Therefore, I do not intend to have Brother Ren truly join Hidden Sword Peak and be bound by its Sect rules."

Chen Zhiwen raised a finger and said slowly.

"I want to hire Brother Ren as an 'Honorary Guest Elder' of my Hidden Sword Peak."

"Not only do you not need to be stationed at the Sect, you also do not need to obey anyone's orders, and you don't even need to provide daily greetings."

Chen Zhiwen observed Ren Quanxu's expression and threw out the bombshell.

"But the offerings Brother Ren will enjoy will be equivalent to those of a direct lineage Grand Elder of my Hidden Sword Peak."

"Moreover, I guarantee Brother Ren."

"Only when Hidden Sword Peak faces a true catastrophe and a life-or-death crisis will I trouble Brother Ren to help once."

"Usually, Brother Ren will still be that free and unfettered crane, going wherever you want, and Hidden Sword Peak will never interfere."

These words were full of sincerity, practically giving away money for free.

Earning the highest salary while doing the least work, and perhaps not having to work even once for hundreds of years.

For any Cultivator, this was a pie falling from the sky.

But in reality, Chen Zhiwen had other plans.

This was what is called "boiling a frog in warm water."

As long as Ren Quanxu agreed to this title and took the benefits of Hidden Sword Peak.

That layer of Karma would be established.

People are not made of wood or stone; who can be without emotion? Taking people's things makes your hands short, eating people's food makes your mouth soft.

Once Ren Quanxu stepped into this "trap," in the future, it would only need to be managed slowly and subtly.

Sooner or later, he would be able to completely bind him to the war chariot of Hidden Sword Peak.

However.

Chen Zhiwen still underestimated Ren Quanxu's shrewdness.

Or perhaps he underestimated this Formation Great Master's obsession with the word "freedom."

Hearing the four words "Honorary Guest Elder."

Ren Quanxu's originally warm expression suddenly sank.

That gloominess was not anger, but a sense of alienation after being offended.

"Brother Chen."

Ren Quanxu's voice became somewhat cold.

He put away that Elder-like smile, looked straight at Chen Zhiwen, carrying a sense of scrutiny.

"Although this old man is greedy for money, I also know what money can be taken and what money cannot."

"In this world, there has never been a free lunch."

"The so-called Honorary Guest Elder is just another form of shackles."

Ren Quanxu gave a cold snort.

His Aura faintly radiated, pulling an invisible chasm between the two.

"This old man views you as a friend, which is why I have cooperated with you until now."

"Between us, we can be friends, we can be allies, or even business partners."

"But we can never be superior and subordinate, or some kind of interest-bound vassal."

Speaking to the end.

Ren Quanxu's attitude had become extremely firm.

"Do not mention recruitment again."

"Otherwise, I am afraid we cannot even be friends."

The atmosphere instantly became somewhat stiff.

Chen Zhiwen's heart skipped a beat.

He did not expect Ren Quanxu's reaction to be so intense, even directly pointing out his little scheme.

It seems this old fox has lived for hundreds of years and has seen every trick in the book.

Wanting to scheme against him was still too naive.

"Hahahaha!"

Chen Zhiwen suddenly burst into a hearty laugh.

Breaking this awkward atmosphere.

He did not show any anger at being exposed, but instead looked calm.

"Brother Ren is indeed a person of true temperament!"

"It was Chen who was reckless, using the heart of a petty person to measure the belly of a gentleman."

"Since Brother Ren is unwilling, then this matter stops here; we shall treat it as if it was never mentioned."

Chen Zhiwen cupped his hands to apologize, putting his posture very low.

This is called knowing when to stop.

Since the other party had already spoken to this extent, continuing to pester would not only fail to recruit him, but instead create an enemy.

It would be more trouble than it was worth.

"Brother Ren, let us discuss how to distribute the remaining resources in this Spiritual Vein."

Chen Zhiwen cleverly changed the subject.

Pulling their relationship back to pure distribution of interests.

Hearing this, Ren Quanxu's expression also softened.

He also did not want to truly fall out with Chen Zhiwen.

After all, this kid's strength and background made him somewhat wary.

"Easy enough."

Ren Quanxu nodded, regaining that merchant-like shrewdness.

"Outside this underground basin, there is still a vast area of the Spiritual Vein."

"The amount of Spiritual Plants and Ore among them is not small."

Relying on the good basis of cooperation before.

The two did not waste too much time on the distribution plan.

They quickly reached an agreement.

"Taking this underground basin as the center."

Ren Quanxu pointed towards the direction above his head.

"The areas to the east and south belong to Brother Chen to loot."

"The areas to the west and north belong to this old man."

"As for what can be found, it all depends on one's own luck and methods."

"How is that?"

"Fair."

Chen Zhiwen had no objections.

This was the simplest and also the fairest way.

"Since that is the case, let us meet here in two days."

The agreement was made.

The two did not delay any longer.

Each turned into a stream of light, rushing out of the underground cave in opposite directions.

...

How vast is the Divine Sense of a Nascent Soul Cultivator.

Once fully unleashed, the speed of looting resources is simply comparable to a swarm of locusts passing through.

In the next two days.

This fourth-grade Spiritual Vein, which had been silent for thousands of years, welcomed a catastrophe.

Chen Zhiwen's figure was like lightning, shuttling between the towering mountains and ridges to the east and south.

His Divine Sense was like a radar, accurately scanning every inch of land.

"Third-grade Spiritual Plant, Purple Sun Flower, collect!"

"Fourth-grade associated Ore, Profound Iron Essence Gold, collect!"

"Eh? There is actually a nest of unhatched Golden Luo Spider eggs here? Collect them too!"

Wherever Chen Zhiwen passed, he truly dug three feet into the ground.

Anything with Spiritual Qi fluctuations, regardless of grade, was all rolled into his storage ring.

Must say.

Although this Spiritual Vein was not top-tier rich, it won by being rarely visited, and the foundation accumulated over thousands of years was indeed not to be underestimated.

Two days later.

When Chen Zhiwen returned to the entrance of the underground cave.

His face was filled with a satisfied smile.

After some counting.

Except for the Yao Beast Materials allocated before and that priceless skeleton.

In these two days of sweeping, he had gained a large amount of Spiritual Plants, Ore, and some strange associated spiritual objects.

Along with the bodies of the half of the spider Yao Beasts he had killed on the outskirts before.

A rough estimate.

The total profit of this trip, converted into Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, was at least over 50,000!

This was a huge sum of money.

Enough to support Hidden Sword Peak's operation for several years, and even allow him to buy several System items he had long desired.

Not long after.

An earthy yellow escape light lit up on the distant horizon.

Ren Quanxu arrived stepping through the air.

Looking at his glowing face, it was clear that his harvest over these two days was comparable.

The two "locusts" reunited again.

Looking at each other, they both saw the satisfaction in each other's eyes.

"Brother Chen, this trip was successful."

Ren Quanxu landed in front of Chen Zhiwen and said in a great mood.

"This old man is going back to Tian Yin Pavilion to go into seclusion."

"This great battle, although somewhat draining, also gave this old man some new insights into the Dao of Formation."

Saying this, he was about to cup his hands to say goodbye.

Just at this moment.

Chen Zhiwen seemed to have suddenly remembered something and hurriedly opened his mouth to stop him.

"Brother Ren, wait a moment!"

Ren Quanxu's footsteps paused, and he looked back in confusion.

"Brother Chen, is there anything else?"

Chen Zhiwen rubbed his hands, a slightly embarrassed smile appearing on his face.

"Ahem, it is like this."

"Although I am no longer recruiting Brother Ren, this business can still be done."

He said solemnly:

"Although my Hidden Sword Peak currently occupies a treasure land, the Spiritual Veins are scattered, and the Spiritual Qi is not concentrated enough."

"I would like to invite Brother Ren to take action and help Hidden Sword Peak merge several fourth-grade Spiritual Veins to create a true blessed land."

"I wonder if Brother Ren could spare some time to come?"

"As for the remuneration..."

Chen Zhiwen patted his chest and said heroically.

"Brother Ren, just speak up; Chen will definitely not give less."

Merge Spiritual Veins?

Ren Quanxu heard this and pondered slightly.

This is a big project.