Starting Cultivation in Wasteland-Chapter 215 - 143: Draining Everything Clean - 144: The Agreement at the Thatched Cottage (End of Four Updates)
Qu Jianlei smirked, "But I don’t know what to ask for. How about... cultivation materials?"
"I can give you some cultivation materials," Jamaari nodded slightly, "but not a lot."
Qu Jianlei waved his hand briskly, "I don’t want handouts, I’ll buy them, just keep the price fair."
Jamaari blinked, puzzled, "Aren’t you struggling financially?"
Though he looks quite honest, it’s important to know that the Inspection Bureau’s duty is to deal with the miscreants among the Ultimate Warriors!
This question was meant to test the young man’s character, the answer was secondary.
However, Qu Jianlei’s answer surprised him, "Free things are the most expensive. I’m poor, so I won’t choose the most expensive."
So young, but such a mature mindset? Jamaari thought for a moment and spoke, "You can take on some tasks to offset the cost."
"I won’t offset," Qu Jianlei shook his head, "I’ll buy!"
Jamaari saw that he was ignoring the word "tasks," so he simply asked again, "Besides cultivation resources?"
"That would be needs related to mechanical theory," Qu Jianlei answered casually, "but I don’t seem to need your help."
Jamaari was irritated to the core, "The knowledge related to Central City is definitely more than here."
"Oh, really?" Qu Jianlei glanced at him and asked leisurely, "Does Central City have cultivation methods for the electromagnetic attribute?"
Aren’t you splitting hairs? Jamaari replied with annoyance, "No place can have every advantage!"
Qu Jianlei spread his hands, "So I can’t figure out why I should go to Central City, isn’t it nice here too?"
"I understand," Jamaari looked at him deeply and stood up, "I’ll see what I can offer you."
He came again ten days later, this time offering new conditions.
He got Qu Jianlei a job as a "Mechanical Maintenance Consultant for the Inspection Bureau," with no need to work shifts.
In the Wasteland, there’s no such thing as a consultant, but it’s essentially that - manage it if you can, forget it if you can’t.
The salary was absolutely lackluster, twenty silver coins a month.
Bentley rents this yard for sixty silver coins a month, this salary only covers ten days of rent - the landlord might not even agree.
This is just the price in the Celestial District, who knows how costly it would be in Central City.
Jamaari wasn’t embarrassed.
He said the salary was secondary, the crucial part was that with such a position, you could purchase cultivation materials at a discount.
Qu Jianlei thought carefully and eventually refused, "Forget it, I don’t like being tied down."
"Is this even considered a constraint?" Jamaari was shocked, this time genuinely not feigning it.
Just listening to this bizarre title, you know it’s definitely custom-made, he really made quite an effort!
The key was, during this process, he couldn’t even reveal the inner details, people thought his expressions were a bit strange.
But Qu Jianlei stated, "With those three words ’Inspection Bureau’ attached, there’s bound to be forced tasks sometimes, right?"
"Anyone could face forced conscription," Jamaari replied with annoyance.
"You know Bobov missed a conscription, I was supposed to trouble him for that."
Qu Jianlei just smiled, "But with those three words, it’s easier to be conscripted."
Jamaari was left speechless, "Ordinary people can be conscripted, right... what’s your awakening attribute?"
"That’s private," Qu Jianlei didn’t answer directly, "so I think staying in the Celestial District is not bad."
"That behavior is exploiting loopholes," Jamaari pointed out unhappily, "you’ve let down the cultivation from Central City!"
"When did Central City ever cultivate me?" Qu Jianlei sneered, "Everything I have is through my own efforts!"
Jamaari was stunned by these words, after thinking for a while, he asked, "What about the transformation potion?"
Qu Jianlei’s face turned dark, "The number of people injected with the potion each year is accounted for; go check and see if you can find me!"
Jamaari was surprised by this, "Are you also a wild awakened?"
Qu Jianlei let out a light snort but did not answer him further.
Now it makes sense! Jamaari started to understand, but why are there so many wild awakened these days?
Then he tentatively asked, "What if we guarantee not to forcibly conscript you?"
"Heh," Qu Jianlei chuckled indifferently, "Say that again when you can actually do it."
Jamaari stood up, "Then I’ll go and make some inquiries... goodbye!"
His next visit was fifteen days later, and he got straight to the point.
"I managed to apply for it, no forced conscription for ten years... It can’t be extended further."
Qu Jianlei was stunned upon hearing this, "Are you kidding? You’re just a B-level... Do you have any physical proof materials?"
Damn, what do you mean by ’just a B-level’? Jamaari really wanted to curse, can’t you speak properly?
However, he eventually suppressed his anger, "I don’t have proof materials. If I break my promise, you can certainly do the same."
Qu Jianlei thought for a moment, then asked, "With my position, can I freely view all attribute Cultivation Methods?"
"How is that possible?" Jamaari’s reaction was extremely intense, "I’m in the Inspection Bureau, not the Training Bureau, and definitely not the Secret Pavilion!"
After a pause, he cautiously asked, "Why would you bring up such a request?"
To him, this answer was really important. Asking about Cultivation Techniques out of the blue could already fall within the scope of the Inspection Bureau’s investigation.
And if this person was the one asking, it represented other possibilities.
"I’m a Maintenance Master," Qu Jianlei replied boldly, "I want to explore developing some Attribute Weapons, what’s wrong with that?"
This was an excuse he had thought up for a long time, although rare, it was barely passable.
Jamaari was indeed stunned; after a while, he asked incredulously, "Attribute... weapons?"
"Is it not possible?" Qu Jianlei tilted his head slightly, looking at him as if he was a fool.
"The snake-shaped Short Dagger of Terry, that’s my design, very suitable for Warriors with Electromagnetic Attributes, don’t you think?"
"Snake-shaped Short Dagger..." Jamaari was momentarily dazed upon hearing this, and then he realized: he’d never actually seen such a weapon before.
He couldn’t help but ask, "Why is such a Short Dagger suitable for the Electromagnetic Attribute?"
"Heh," Qu Jianlei spat out two words and fell silent.
"I was presumptuous," Jamaari immediately admitted his mistake. With such secrets, even forced conscription might not work.
However, he couldn’t help but ask, "Attribute Weapons... is it really possible?"
If it really is possible, this achievement would likely be far greater than retrieving the Cultivation Method for the Electromagnetic Attribute.
"I’m not sure about that," Qu Jianlei expressed without hesitation, "If you demand success, I’d rather not see the Cultivation Method."
This is what it feels like to have an intellectual edge. Although I want to see it, you must plead with me to look.
Jamaari pondered for quite a while before finally standing up again, "This... I need to go discuss it."
Qu Jianlei was indeed a bit frustrated, "Inspector, you’re a B-level Warrior, can’t you make this decision?"
"I can, but it’s not feasible," Jamaari looked conflicted, "If people in the Inspection Bureau can’t manage themselves, how can they punish wrongdoers?"
"Well, suit yourself," Qu Jianlei didn’t mind; for someone so dutiful, he was willing to hold them in reverence.
However, he had to emphasize one point, "I just want to try developing Attribute Weapons... it’s just a try! You understand?"
A complex expression crossed Jamaari’s eyes, "Daring to try proves you have some ideas... I believe in you."
Qu Jianlei gave a self-mocking smile, "Even I don’t have much confidence, so don’t pressure me."
"The fact that you dare to think is already something I admire," Jamaari stood up once more, "I’ll go fight for it."
When he came back to Houjing, it was twenty days later, and this time he appeared very fatigued.
"I’ve finally helped you apply for it. You can view the Cultivation Methods for the Five Major Attributes, but you must sign confidentiality agreements."
"That’s no problem," Qu Jianlei nodded; there’s no such thing as a free lunch; to gain something, there must be a cost.
"However, since I have to sign agreements, I’d also like to see the Cultivation Methods for B-levels and A-levels."
Jamaari shook his head without hesitation, "That’s absolutely impossible!"
"Cultivating at B-level and A-levels not only requires talent but also merits. Without enough merits, no amount of talent is useful."
"I absolutely don’t believe that," Qu Jianlei stated bluntly.
"The limitation on advancement isn’t the Cultivation Method itself; it’s talent and resources."
"As long as your resources are restricted, whether the Cultivation Method leaks isn’t important."
Jamaari paused, sizing him up with two glances, "How did you come up with these ideas?"
Qu Jianlei smiled and didn’t answer.
Jamaari remained silent for a while, then sighed lightly, "I admit you have a point, but rules are rules..."
"How about this, if you can develop an experimental Attribute Weapon, I’ll take care of the B-level and A-level Cultivation Methods."
(This is yet another four Chapters, marking the seventeenth day of continuous updates of ten thousand characters. Please support with votes and subscriptions.)
