Yang Zhen had no choice but to run. He could resist the pressure of a saint-level Spirit Soul and could even slice through Bone Mountain, but he couldnât kill hundreds of Practitioners in the Tribulation Crossing Period.
Even if he went all out, his strongest attack could only match a practitioner in the Tribulation Crossing Period blow for blow. With his Spirit Soul wounded, he couldnât kill a practitioner in the Tribulation Crossing Period now.
As for putting his life on the line⦠Maybe he could get the job done, but why risk his life when he could just run? Besides, you couldnât call this running away, could you? Wasnât this what scholars did?
This was called strategic retreat. Machiavellian tactics!
âSorry, Iâm actually Yang Zhen!â
Yang Zhen laughed heartily as he raced away, his spurt of speed sending the Shameless Cat and Lecherous Chicken tumbling around on his back, making them feel like they were about to vomit.
Another practitioner who was racing even faster than Yang Zhen snorted when he heard Yang Zhenâs words. âHmph, if you were Yang Zhen, Iâd have smacked you dead long ago. Young man, you should focus on your own cultivation instead of idolizing your peers. Believe in yourself. Donât aspire to be the next Yang Zhen, instead, strive to be the first you!â
Yang Zhen responded with surprise and asked respectfully, âSir, what do you
do?â
The man returned the greeting in surprise as well, âYou figured it out! Iâm the founder of the Immortal Cultivation Training Convention!â
âI thought so, pleased to meet you!â Yang Zhen was utterly astonished.
Damn, no wonder this old man seemed like a successful person and spoke with the authority of a teacher. He was a pioneering figure in the realm of cultivation, the one who led the way for training classes.
Hearing the words of respect, the founder laughed heartily; he was obviously very pleased. He said: âIf you ever encounter any problems in your cultivation that your mentors in your sect cannot solve, you can come to us. Weâll solve the problem first and take the payment later!â
Yang Zhen smiled and replied politely: âI will definitely keep that in mind. How
is business at the cultivation training conference?â
The old man hesitated, revealing a somewhat embarrassed expression. He sighed and said: âTo be honest, the reason Iâm here is to look for a few practitioners who have made some mistakes in their cultivation⦠but my efforts havenât been very successful!â
-Why?â Yang Zhen asked curiously, even the Shameless Cat and Lecherous Chicken on his shoulder were curiously gazing at the old man.
The old man said angrily: âThese people have clearly made errors in their cultivation, but they do not trust my judgment. Itâs truly⦠Itâs trulyâ¦â -Truly blind!â Yang Zhen angrily retorted, gleefully encouraging the old man. âDonât be discouraged. As the pioneer of training classes, how can you pave the way for the dream to flourish without a few setbacks? As the saying goes, âgreat responsibility will be bestowed only upon thoseâ¦'â
Yang Zhen proceeded to give the old man a pep talk. The old man was stunned and deeply moved. âYoung man, your talent is exactly what I need. Can you give me a hand? Iâll give you five⦠no, ten thousand crystal stones every month!â Whoa, Yang Zhenâs eyes widened. This old man was rich! With his powerful cultivation, he was definitely a valuable customer. But now, Yang Zhen had decided to turn over a new leaf. After a momentâs hesitation, he said: âHow about twenty thousand per month?â
âYou!â The old man huffed, âThatâs too much! I only earn fifty thousand per month, how can give you half of it?â
Yang Zhen didnât bother about the old manâs terrible math skills. Itâs not a big deal, math was not his strong suit either.
âHow about this, Sao Saint has an idea for you. Believe it or not, it can increase your business tenfold,â He offered.
The old man calculated with his fingers. Tenfold meant five hundred thousand. He was startled by the figure, then rolled his eyes and said, âIâll be damned if I believe you!â
Yang Zhen glared at the old man and said: âDamn it, old man! When this genius comes up with an idea, you damn well better believe it! If Sao Saint can increase your revenue by tenfold, will you give me half?
âKid, donât try to scam me. I was scamming people when you werenât even born yet!â
âOld man, just answer quickly. Do you dare to bet?
âKid, itâs on!â
If he couldnât increase it by tenfold, ninefold should work, too.
That crafty old man was no good. The look in his eyes told Yang Zhen all he needed to know about his intentions. As heâd suspected, not a single entrepreneur was to be trusted-each one a con artist through and through. Not that that was surprising because otherwise, theyâd be like a shaved sheep entering a pack of wolves.
Who could resist such a tempting treat, though?
Yang Zhen, grinning, said to the old man, âLean in, old man!â
And so it went.
When Yang Zhen suggested his plan to the old man, the latterâs eyes lit up, almost rivaling a light bulb in brightness. Pointing at Yang Zhen, he exclaime , â âI canât believe it, young man. Youâre such a clever and crafty little devil.â
âJust say whether the plan works or not!
âAbsolutely, itâs more than just feasible. It can yield not only ten times, but potentially even a hundred times returns if executed properly. By the way, Iâm the Wandering Lu You. Whatâs your name, young one? Where should I find you. This venture has massive potential.â
Yang Zhen was taken aback. Damn, the old manâs name wasnât a small one, the Wandering Lu You. Interesting. He waved his hand and chuckled, âIâm just a nobody in this vast world, but it seems weâre fated to meet. As the saying goes, people destined to meet will do so, even from miles apart. Once our destinies converge, I will naturally appear by your sideâ¦â
At this point, Yang Zhen burst into laughter, and with a speed as quick as a flash, he left a carefree silhouette behind, waving his hands, âAs for my name, I donât change it wherever I go. Itâs Yang Bailao!â
âYang Bailao!â Wandering Lu You laughed while stroking his beard, âThis friend Yang Bailao is a talent. However, his velocity is way too fast, heâs absolutely a genius!â
The Wandering Lu You was amazed by Yang Zhen. The sly cat and cunning chicken stared at Yang Zhen, poised to speak but holding back. Finally, they couldnât hold back anymore and said to Yang Zhen, âKid, are you scamming people again?â
âDamn, how is that scamming people?â Yang Zhen slapped back, âDo you know a good idea can save a teetering-on-the-edge company?â
-Whatâs a company?â The sly cat looked confused but then excitedly asked, â â Nevermind, Iâm not curious about that. Whatâs the good idea you gave him. Why do you look so smug?â
Yang Zhen coughed lightly, âDamn it, could it be that my acting skills have dulled?â
This wonât do!
Yang Zhen looked at the sly cat and cunning chicken. Seeing four curious eyes staring at him, he maliciously said, âI just explained to Wandering Lu You the concept of the celebrity effect.â
âCelebrity effect?â The sly cat was puzzled, âWhat is the celebrity effect? -To put it simply,â Yang Zhen snickered, âit means advertising, or in other words, spreading the news wide and far. What do you think would have people think if the peerless and extraordinary Yang Zhen came from the Immortal Cultivation Session?â
âDamn!â The sly cat jumped up three feet high, shocked, âWith thousands of people wanting to pick a bone with you, youâre actually scheming an old man.â Yang Zhen shrugged, âThatâs not necessarily scheming. He has to convince people to believe him.â
âThatâs true,â the sneaky cat nodded.
Yang Zhen grinned, âSo, I told him about my Spirit Soul injury and a harmless little secret. Had him spread the word that Iâm now convalescing at the Immortal Cultivation Session. Now, do you believe people will fall for it?â âDamn!â The sly cat was speechless, âThat old man will be scammed to death by you.â
âItâs better to scam him than to scam Ink Pool Peak. Otherwise, Ink Pool Peak would definitely be besieged. Also, you canât venture into business without paying tuition,â Yang Zhen argued.
âDamn, youâre brutal, what now?â
âOf course, Iâm going to recover my Spirit Soul, you idiot!â Yang Zhen burst out, âOtherwise, what am I? Spirit Soul-less?â