26: Chapter 26 A Recruitment for One Hundred Million

Under Major General Lu Shuang's profound gaze, the atmosphere on the holographic star-viewing platform turned somewhat subtly tense.

Patriarch Zhang Wanlin and Patriarch Wang Ze, the two financial moguls who called the shots in Tianwu City, tacitly shut their mouths at this moment, quietly observing the military big shot's attitude out of the corners of their eyes.

When recruiting geniuses, the biggest taboo was competing with the military. If Lu Shuang really took a liking to Lin Yunfei and intended to forcibly enlist him directly into the Interstellar Expeditionary Army, even the richest chaebols would have no choice but to step aside obediently.

Seemingly sensing the probing gazes around him, Lu Shuang slowly leaned back into his high-backed leather chair, a faint smile appearing on his majestic face.

"There's no need for you two patriarchs to be so formal."

Lu Shuang's voice was not loud, yet it possessed the calm authority and dominance of a superior. "This kid Lin Yunfei is indeed a rare military genius. His deduction ability with that battle formation amazed even me. However..."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.

"The military has its own rules, and we never force anyone into anything. Where he wants to go and whose investment he chooses to accept depend entirely on his personal will. No individual or force is allowed to use their background to forcibly interfere or suppress him."

Lu Shuang snorted coldly, his tone carrying an unquestionable warning. "If I find out anyone is playing dirty tricks behind the scenes to force him, the warships of the Interstellar Expeditionary Army will park right over their front gate."

As soon as these words were spoken, Patriarch Zhang Wanlin and Patriarch Wang Ze breathed a long sigh of relief in their hearts.

As long as the military didn't take him away by force and allowed free competition, then this became the money game that these financial cliques excelled at!

"Rest assured, Major General. Tianwu City has always believed in fair competition and will never force anyone," Patriarch Zhang Wanlin promised solemnly.

While the bell signaling the end of the grand exam was still echoing across the campus, the big shots on the star-viewing platform were already frantically mobilizing resources behind the scenes!

Behind the Wang family camp, inside a luxurious lounge...

Patriarch Wang Ze, head of the Wang family, looked at the data on the light screen and directly gave a strict order to his trusted butler.

"Go to the family vault immediately and allocate fifty million Faith Points! Also prepare three exchange vouchers for miniature spirit veins and a batch of the highest-grade bone strengthening potions. Take these items and approach Lin Yunfei with the highest specifications—be sure to sign him under our Wang family's name!"

Just as the butler took his orders and stepped back, Wang Han, who had been eavesdropping outside, pushed the door open and walked in.

"Dad, are you crazy? Fifty million Faith Points? And throwing in three miniature spirit veins on top of that?"

Wang Han's face was full of displeasure as he strode over to sit on the sofa. "That kid Lin Yunfei just got lucky and came up with a turtle-shell array, that's all. His foundation is just an F-grade Wasteland after all, so his future upper limit was locked long ago. Throwing so much money at him is a total waste!"

"What do you know!" Patriarch Wang Ze glared at his son. "Being able to withstand a Tier-2 Abyss Lord without taking any damage—that's called potential! As long as we invest in him, his array can be used by the Wang family!"

Wang Han sneered, his eyes filled with disdain.

"Dad, don't forget that Liu Ting is now number one in all of Tianwu City! Not only did she awaken an A-grade Frost Talent, but she has also agreed to be my girlfriend. With her and her Frost Legion, the Wang family's future is as stable as Mt. Tai."

"With Liu Ting as our trump card, a wasteland bumpkin like Lin Yunfei who only knows how to defend is entirely optional."

A flash of greed crossed Wang Han's eyes. He had been spending lavishly recently to curry favor with Liu Ting and was worried about being short on cash.

"Leave this matter to me. Fifty million is too much—it will only raise his ego too high. I'll take charge and leave him ten million Faith Points, while cutting those materials directly in half. A commoner who's used to being poor will probably fall to his knees in gratitude upon seeing ten million. Why would we need to humble ourselves and beg him?"

Patriarch Wang Ze pondered for a moment. Looking at his son's confidence, he felt there was some truth to it. After all, Liu Ting was the true rank one, possessing a clearer high-tier potential.

"Very well, go and make contact with him then. Remember, don't speak too harshly; use both carrot and stick."

Meanwhile, the Zhang family's actions were entirely different.

In a corner of the playground, Lin Yunfei was about to leave when a familiar figure stepped in front of him.

It was Zhang Hao.

However, at this moment, Zhang Hao had just gone through a brutal battle against a Tier-2 Poisonous Python and suffered heavy losses, making him fully aware of how terrifyingly impressive Lin Yunfei's performance against a Tier-2 foe truly was.

"Yunfei, congratulations. You well deserve a spot in the top ten," Zhang Hao said with utmost sincerity.

Lin Yunfei looked at Zhang Hao with a calm expression. "Young Master Zhang is being too polite. It was merely a narrow victory."

Zhang Hao took a deep breath, his expression becoming extremely solemn.

"Yunfei, let's not beat around the bush. On behalf of the Zhang family, I officially extend a recruitment offer to you."

"The terms are: one hundred million Faith Points in cash! Plus a high-grade spiritual energy apartment in the center of Tianwu City, and all the conventional basic materials needed for your Divine Kingdom's development over the next three years!"

One hundred million!

Half a day ago, this figure would have been enough to drive any high school senior wild. Even now, hearing this number made Lin Yunfei's heart skip a beat.

However, accepting their resources meant joining the Zhang family. In the short term, it would indeed allow his Divine Kingdom to develop rapidly, but over time, he would become bound to the Zhang family! This was not what Lin Yunfei wanted.

"Young Master Zhang's offer is indeed generous."

Lin Yunfei smiled faintly, his tone gentle yet imbued with an unshakable resolve. "However, I'm used to being a free spirit and don't care much for family rules. I appreciate your goodwill, Young Master Zhang."

It was an explicit rejection.

A flash of disappointment passed through Zhang Hao's eyes, but the smile on his face didn't fade at all.

He did not dwell further on the investment. Instead, he reached into his breast pocket, pulled out a metal card shimmering with dark-gold light, and held it out to Lin Yunfei.

"Since you harbor lofty ambitions, Yunfei, I won't force you."

Zhang Hao's tone became very relaxed and free: "Still, there's no harm in becoming friends, right? This is a Supreme VIP Card for our Zhang family's core businesses."

"From now on in Tianwu City, whether you're buying spirit medicine, array materials, or visiting high-tier training grounds, presenting this card grants you a twenty percent discount on everything, along with top-priority stock allocation privileges."

"No strings attached. Consider it just a personal gesture from me, Zhang Hao, to make a friend out of you. What do you say?"

Lin Yunfei looked into Zhang Hao's sincere eyes and nodded to himself secretly.

Able to yield and adapt, knowing when to hold on and when to let go—this Zhang Hao was indeed a smart man. In the cruel Astral Sea Era, having one more friend who understood boundaries was far more worthwhile than making an enemy.

"Then thank you, Young Master Zhang. I'll gladly accept you as a friend." Lin Yunfei reached out to take the dark-gold card, the smile on his face growing a bit more genuine.

The two shared a smile and bade each other a polite farewell on the playground.

Naturally, none of this escaped the information network of the big shots on the star-viewing platform.

Soon enough, someone reported the matter to Major General Lu Shuang!

"Unmoved by immediate immense wealth, unbound by the shackles of financial cliques. Resilient in character, smooth and seasoned in handling affairs."

If Lin Yunfei had really accepted that hundred million today, in Lu Shuang's mind, the young man's ceiling would stop at being a mercenary in Tianwu City.

But Lin Yunfei had refused! He chose a far more difficult, yet infinitely broader path!

The light in Lu Shuang's eyes grew even brighter, and he raised his hand in a beckoning motion.

Beside him, Adjutant Tang Dong quickly stepped forward and bowed slightly.

"General, what are your orders?"

Lu Shuang stared at the light screen and lowered his voice, a hint of urgency and excitement in his tone.

"Tang Dong, listen carefully. Without making a fuss, change into plain clothes tonight at midnight and make a private trip to Lin Yunfei's apartment."

Tang Dong's expression turned solemn. "General, do you mean..."