Chapter Six: Rehired Once More

Time always passes swiftly, and the Talent Selection Conference finally concluded yesterday. Today, the senior leaders of the conference began delivering their closing remarks—nothing more than the usual congratulations on its resounding success. Only after these formalities did the real discussion begin: the selection of team leaders for the elite candidates.

“This time, for the mission to protect the Jupiter resource site, the selection of the team leader has been unanimously approved by the organizing committee. The list will now be announced, displayed on the main screen. Please check for your own names. Once confirmed, those involved should report to the Elite Residence in the Talent Selection Courtyard. The meeting is adjourned…” Elder Lu once again spoke in his steady tone.

“Leader of the Tenth Team in the Spirit Tranquility Phase—Tang Yi. My name is actually there! Wonderful! I wonder what benefits this position comes with?” Tang Yi cried out excitedly as he saw his name on the screen.

“Elder Lu, thank you! You let me lead the team. First, tell me what benefits are included?” Tang Yi caught up to Elder Lu and asked.

“You should report first. Someone will inform you about everything in due time.”

“Hmph, stingy old man, I’ll go report myself.” With that, Tang Yi dashed off.

“Am I really so stingy?” Elder Lu shook his head and laughed.

A short while later, Tang Yi returned to his room, elated, carrying a pouch filled with his allowance.

“Tang Brother, don’t leave me behind! Take me with you!” Zhang Qiang rushed over as soon as he saw Tang Yi, clutching his leg and crying.

“Let go!” Tang Yi shouted.

“No way! If you don’t agree to take me with you, I won’t let go!” Zhang Qiang clung stubbornly to Tang Yi’s leg.

“You little rascal, trying to play tricks with me? You’re way out of your league.” In the blink of an eye, Zhang Qiang, who’d been hugging Tang Yi’s leg, was wrapped up like a human-sized rice dumpling, with his own sock stuffed in his mouth.

“Mmm… mmm…” Zhang Qiang struggled on the floor, unable to speak, only able to make muffled noises.

“Stop moving around. Listen, if you want me to take you with me, it’s not impossible. But there are conditions. If you meet my requirements, I’ll take you. Listen carefully; I’m about to tell you the condition. Agree or disagree—just say so. Do you understand?” Tang Yi said to Zhang Qiang.

“Mmm… mmm…”

“I said answer with agree or disagree, not just make random noises.” Tang Yi was rummaging through the allowance pouch as he spoke.

“Mmm… mmm…” Zhang Qiang kept making muffled sounds.

“Why are you still making those noises? Careful, I—oh, right, your mouth’s stuffed.” Tang Yi removed the sock from Zhang Qiang’s mouth. “Can you answer now?”

“Tang Brother, as long as it’s your request, I’ll do it, no matter what!” Zhang Qiang replied determinedly, his expression so sincere that, were his hands and feet not bound, he’d surely raise them to swear an oath.

“Don’t be so confident yet—listen to my condition first. You must cultivate the Xuan-class technique I give you to the Spirit Tranquility Phase within three days. Only then can you come.” Tang Yi said kindly.

“Spirit Tranquility Phase! Three days! Boss, even if I don’t eat or drink, I can’t reach it in three days!” Zhang Qiang was nearly in tears.

“Really? Then how did you reach your current level? In just three months, you’ve advanced to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment. You’re telling me you can’t reach Spirit Tranquility in three days?” Tang Yi smiled even wider.

“Well, I see… Tang Brother, you’ll help me, won’t you?” Zhang Qiang realized.

Tang Yi waved his hand, and Zhang Qiang’s bindings fell apart. He then explained, “Five days from now, the selected elites will first gather in Moon City to rest, then travel through the ancient teleportation array via Mars to Jupiter’s first satellite. From there, after passing through three smaller teleportation arrays, we’ll reach the resource planet we’re to protect. After a brief rest and armor allocation, we’ll head to the battlefield satellite.” Tang Yi paused to let Zhang Qiang absorb the information, then continued, “So, you must at least have the cultivation of the Spirit Tranquility Phase. Otherwise, the teleportation itself might kill you before you even reach the battlefield. Let alone fighting alongside me. Do you understand?”

“I understand!” Zhang Qiang said, after digesting the news.

“If you understand, then hurry and prepare—enough provisions for ten years, thirty years if possible.” Tang Yi kicked Zhang Qiang out of the room.

“Got it! I’ll be back soon!” Zhang Qiang responded, full of excitement.

Tang Yi informed Elder Lu that he’d be in seclusion for three days and asked not to be disturbed. He and Zhang Qiang then began their closed-door cultivation. Elder Lu even placed a soundproof barrier outside Tang Yi’s room.

Three days later, Tang Yi and Zhang Qiang emerged. Tang Yi looked unchanged, but Zhang Qiang had astonishingly reached the early stage of Spirit Tranquility. This shocked everyone from the Divine Sword Sect. Three days to go from mid-Foundation Establishment to early Spirit Tranquility—could he even be human? Elder Lu, upon discovering this, invited Tang Yi for tea.

“Friend Tang, tell me honestly—do you possess a spatial immortal artifact?” Elder Lu inquired.

“To be honest, I do not,” Tang Yi replied with a mysterious smile.

“I refuse to believe such talent exists—three days from mid-Foundation to early Spirit Tranquility!” Elder Lu protested.

“Honestly, I don’t have any spatial immortal artifact you mentioned. But I do possess superpowers comparable to such artifacts!” Tang Yi said, his tone enigmatic.

“Oh? Tell me quickly!” Elder Lu’s curiosity was thoroughly piqued.

“Heh, I could tell you, but there’s a condition. Give me enough materials to make one hundred storage rings, and I’ll show you right away.” Tang Yi began his bargaining.

“One hundred sets? That’s outrageous! Is the answer worth that much?” Elder Lu was taken aback.

“Take it or leave it. That’s my price. Think it over carefully. I’ll go about my business now—if you decide, come see me this evening. Otherwise, I’ll be leaving tomorrow.” With a wave, Tang Yi strode away with casual elegance.

“Wait! I’ll provide one hundred sets!” Elder Lu intercepted Tang Yi, glaring fiercely.

“That’s more like it… Let me count, exactly one hundred. Elder Lu, you’re truly frugal—not even a few extra sets, not even two or three more.” Tang Yi counted the materials in his pouch, commenting to Elder Lu.

“…” Elder Lu was speechless.

“Alright, now I’ll let you witness something extraordinary.” With that, Tang Yi grabbed Elder Lu’s arm and instantly brought him into the time corridor.

“This… this… is unbelievable…” Elder Lu stammered, overwhelmed by the sight of everything frozen in time.

“Well? Was the price of one hundred sets of storage ring materials worth it?” Tang Yi asked the awestruck Elder Lu.

“Worth it, absolutely worth it! Friend Tang, our Divine Sword Sect wishes to employ you again, to serve as a guest elder. Your main role would be to accelerate the time cultivation of our disciples. Name your conditions—anything at all!” Elder Lu exclaimed, his excitement barely contained.