Another half hour passed...

"I never thought there would be so many advanced Heavenly Golden Core stage cultivators. Are these just some of the cultivators in the Heavenly Command Sect? Hmm! It definitely has to be like that. Because there are also nine main forces and superpowered clans, as well as many other-level clans. It's normal that there are so many Heavenly Golden Core stage cultivators. But great, skilled martial artists at the Heavenly Star stage wouldn't be nearly as numerous!"

After Zheng-Fu had selected all ten guards, he reflected on the total number of cultivators on the list. He surmised that there were many more advanced Heavenly Golden Core stage cultivators in his sect.

"That's right! As for the Heavenly Golden Core stage, it's not that difficult to reach. But the Heavenly Star Stage is completely different. Ten Heavenly Golden Core stage cultivators couldn't defeat even one Heavenly Star Stage cultivator. Because of that, they have the right to freely choose whether to refuse or accept a job!" While Zheng-Fu was muttering to himself, Master Hong-Xiao-Bai's voice suddenly interrupted. He had overheard what Zheng-Fu said earlier and clarified it for him.

"Oh! I think so too, Elder. The energy waves and aura you have are many times stronger than those people. I think you're definitely a Heavenly Star stage, great skilled martial master!" Zheng-Fu nodded at Master Hong-Xiao-Bai before teasing him.

"Hah! Looks like you have quite sharp eyes! To the point that you realized I'm a Heavenly Star Stage cultivator. But it's all right! Even if you guessed right, I won't give you any reward. By the way, have you chosen the ten guards you want?" Although Master Hong-Xiao-Bai was startled by Zheng-Fu's guess, he didn't take it personally. He was more focused on Zheng-Fu's business.

"Yes, Elder! I've already chosen ten people. These are my selected ones!" Zheng-Fu lightly nodded before moving the listing stone back to the middle-aged man. The profiles of the ten cultivators he had selected were displayed.

"Hmmm! Good choice, kid! These ten cultivators all have a passion for food. They're probably best suited for a tavern guarding job. Even though their abilities aren't the highest, they have various unique skills. Even people from high-powered, low-ranking clans in the poor neighborhood wouldn't dare to cause trouble at your tavern!"

Master Hong-Xiao-Bai spoke after reviewing the profiles of the ten cultivators Zheng-Fu had chosen. He was both impressed and surprised because Zheng-Fu's choices were highly reasonable and well thought out. Hiring people who loved food to guard the tavern meant that they would naturally dedicate themselves to protecting something they appreciated.

"Thank you, Elder, for complimenting me. I just selected the ones who seem the most suitable for the job I need. By the way, when do I need to pay, and what should I do next?" Zheng-Fu felt he had been there for too long and wanted to quickly conclude the transaction.

"Hmmm! You just need to attach your identification badge to this listing stone and pay three months' wages in advance for each of them. One person costs fifteen medium-level Purple Heaven Crystals. So, it's 150 medium-level Purple Heaven Crystals for all ten. After that, you need to sign your autograph on their ten employment contracts, and everything will be done!"

Master Hong-Xiao-Bai explained the next steps, which were straightforward. Zheng-Fu only needed to pay the advance wages and sign the contracts to finalize the process.

Whooooosh!

Thump!

"In this bag, there are 150 medium-level Purple Heaven Crystals, sir. Elder, please take it and check if it's complete!" After attaching his identification badge to the listing stone, Zheng-Fu took out a cloth bag containing the 150 medium-level Purple Heaven Crystals and handed it over to Master Hong-Xiao-Bai.

Blop!

"There's no need to count. Just by listening to the sound of the crystals colliding, I know it's complete! Here are the ten contracts. You need to sign your autograph on these pieces of paper. One day from now, these ten people will meet you at the tavern address you provided!"

The middle-aged man took the cloth bag containing the Purple Heaven Crystals. Without needing to open it, he sensed the exact number of crystals inside. He handed Zheng-Fu the contract papers to sign properly.

"I'm done, Elder!" Zheng-Fu finished signing and handed the ten contracts back to Master Hong-Xiao-Bai with a warm and friendly smile.

"Hmmm! Everything is done. Starting tomorrow, they'll begin working for you. For the next three months, they won't be able to cancel their contracts. After three months, it will be up to you whether you will be able to make them choose to stay or not. If they make any mistakes or act unreasonably during this period, you can file a complaint with the Mercenary Association. We'll send someone to investigate immediately. If they are found guilty, you'll receive all your wages back!"

Master Hong-Xiao-Bai took the contracts back and confirmed that the ten guards would start their work tomorrow. He also mentioned some additional rules.

"I understand, Elder. Then, I'll excuse myself." Zheng-Fu nodded understandingly at Master Hong-Xiao-Bai's suggestions before asking to leave to attend to his other errands.

"See you later, Zheng-Fu Kid!" Master Hong-Xiao-Bai also bid farewell to Zheng-Fu, and as he spoke, a sly smile appeared at the corners of his mouth.

'He's more talented than I expected—whether in prudence or firm speech. He's not afraid of anything, even before me. And he's also very clever. In the future, this kid will definitely become a great person. Hmm, what's his name? Zheng-Fu? It's a good name!'

Master Hong-Xiao-Bai felt a lot of admiration for Zheng-Fu. The more he talked with him, the more he found Zheng-Fu mysterious and enigmatic, as if the person in front of him wasn't a seventeen-year-old kid but someone with worldly experience.

After leaving the Celestial Guardian Mercenary Association, Zheng-Fu instructed the driver to take him to a construction store about three kilometers away. This store was the most famous in the Heavenly Command Capital, known for its excellent and refined construction workmanship.

Half an hour passed...

"We've arrived at our destination, Master!" After traveling for half an hour from the Mercenary Association, the carriage finally stopped in front of a large building.

"Thank you very much. Park the carriage and wait for me!" Zheng-Fu nodded to the driver.

"Yes, sir, Master!"

"Wow! It's a very beautiful building."

The building in front of Zheng-Fu was made of various kinds of wood, each over a thousand years old. At first glance, it was clear that the building was both beautiful and exquisite.

"Zheng-Fu!"

"Huh!?"

At that moment, someone called out Zheng-Fu's name.

"Elder Jiang-Long!?"

"It really is you! Ha ha ha, we finally meet again!" The person calling Zheng-Fu was Jiang-Long, the one who had brought him to this upper world and introduced him to many things. Today, by coincidence, they met again. It was the moment the young man had been eagerly anticipating.

"I didn't expect to see you here either! I'm sorry I didn't come to visit you," Zheng-Fu said, a bit shocked to see Jiang-Long. He thought Jiang-Long would remain in the academy and hadn't expected him to be here. Nevertheless, Zheng-Fu was glad to meet him and immediately apologized for not visiting him earlier.

"Don't overthink it! Besides, you don't have to call me Elder. Just call me Senior Brother. So, where have you been these days? And what are you doing here?" Jiang-Long raised his hand to dismiss Zheng-Fu's apology and told him to stop calling him Elder. After all, he was just a senior disciple who had entered the sect before Zheng-Fu. Then, he asked Zheng-Fu about his residence and the purpose of his visit to this place.

"I'll tell Senior Brother about my residence later. As for why I'm here, I came to hire this store to build a tavern for me!" Zheng-Fu avoided sharing his whereabouts for now but was straightforward about the reason for his visit.

"Build a tavern!? So, you're planning to open a tavern? Why!?" Jiang-Long's eyes widened in shock. He couldn't believe his ears upon hearing Zheng-Fu's plan to open a tavern.

"Well… Actually, I'm opening a tavern for an acquaintance, and it's a joint venture," Zheng-Fu explained, clarifying that it wasn't solely his project but a partnership.

"All right, it's your decision what you choose to do. I can't say anything about it. But I'm really happy to see you again, Zheng-Fu!" Jiang-Long said sincerely, expressing his joy at meeting Zheng-Fu again. He still remembered how Zheng-Fu had helped him defeat Lan-Si during the disciple selection test.

But just as Jiang-Long was about to say more, he suddenly sensed something shocking. "Huh? Your... your energy level! Are you at the seventh level of the Heavenly Root stage? That's so fast! It's been less than a month!" The young man nearly choked on his words upon realizing Zheng-Fu's rapid progress.

"Nice to see you too, Senior Brother. My energy level isn't that great! By the way, you've leveled up too, haven't you?" Zheng-Fu shrugged and smiled, downplaying his progress while pointing out Jiang-Long's own advancement.

"It's because you helped me win the bet, remember? The Heavenly Root Breakthrough Pill I won allowed me to break through the barrier to the next level. Now, I've reached the first level of the Heavenly Foundation Building stage. After breaking that barrier, my cultivation has improved significantly!" Jiang-Long said happily. He had been stuck at the ninth level of the Heavenly Root stage for a long time, and despite using various divine pills, none had worked.

This time, however, two Heavenly Root Breakthrough Pills had proven incredibly effective, and he was excited to share the news with Zheng-Fu.

"Then, this junior disciple congratulates Senior Brother!" Zheng-Fu said with a sly smile at the corners of his mouth. In truth, it was because he had previously corrected Jiang-Long's meridian deficiencies that the young man had been able to break through to the next level.

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