Starting Cultivation in Wasteland

Celestial Sound didn’t like hearing people speak ill of her uncle, but she was willing to be reasonable.

However, Qu Jianlei wouldn’t easily be influenced by others.

He sneered, "Exploiting the weak and extorting them, bullying the small, Hillary, do you think there’s no need for retribution?"

Hillary’s lips moved, wanting to retort, as she never thought she deserved to die.

The weak simply don’t deserve to live, and she is very strong.

But in the end, she suppressed her anger and asked.

"Just because I exerted some pressure on a small B-level, should I pay such a big price?"

Until now, she didn’t feel that first ignoring the dying, and then seizing the "Unclaimed Land," was wrong on her part.

She sincerely believed that this was the "rational choice" any normal person would make.

Qu Jianlei looked at her with a strange expression, "Who gave you the courage to snatch our spoils?"

"This..." Hillary really had no way to respond to that.

If the other party were a bit weaker, she’d have plenty of reasons, but now... she’s quite helpless.

Then she turned coldly to Koning, "This is just your side of the story, I have yet to take any action."

This is her plan to muddle the waters, she dares not provoke the other side, but she can still provoke a Koning.

Qu Jianlei shook his head and spoke lightly, "We don’t intend to reason with you, just one question, will you compensate or not?"

He wasn’t an unreasonable person, but since the other side was unreasonable with Celestial Sound, he wouldn’t stubbornly adhere to reason either.

He and Celestial Sound both thought that if they planned to take the mine, they must cut off those greedy hands; setting an example is necessary.

"I..." Hillary hesitated for a moment, ultimately not daring to speak harshly, or else she’d suffer a certain loss right now.

She took a deep breath, suppressing her anger, and spoke slowly, "I need to consider this and discuss it with my peers."

Up until now, she hadn’t forgotten to bring Feiyang Academy into play as a banner.

"Alright then, lest you think we are afraid of you," Qu Jianlei nodded casually, "We’ll give you one month."

"If by then you keep delaying, don’t blame us for being impolite."

Hillary dared not say more and flashed away from the scene.

Seeing her leave, Koning sighed softly, "It’s always her causing trouble, otherwise things would have been almost settled by now."

In his words, Hillary initially expressed her interest in participating in purchasing the mine, and the terms she offered were quite harsh.

For example, she wanted a 20% investment to gain 30% of the profits, reasoning that she could lend her influence with the support of her peers.

This condition wasn’t entirely unreasonable, as intangible assets themselves have value.

Koning knows his own situation, he was planning to just earn some money through work, so how could he agree to such terms?

However, the conditions initially proposed by Hillary were just a probe to see the other side’s capabilities.

Over time, the conditions she proposed became increasingly demanding.

Because the group that killed the Marriott Supreme and others disappeared afterward and never resurfaced.

She had ample reason to believe the other party simply wanted revenge and did not intend to reclaim the gold mine.

In a broader sense, Qingsha Star is a prosperous planet, not one where you can just seize assets and operate freely after killing someone.

If the other party was truly interested in the gold mine, they would at least engage with high-level channels and go through some procedures, right?

Coincidentally, Hillary had many connections in the government of Qingsha Star and the Sirius Star Realm.

Needless to say, she could find out if someone had made a move—after all, three Supremes died, not a trivial matter.

Finding no one had made a move, and learning that Kong Se’s only promising niece was Celestial Sound, she concluded that Koning was pulling strings.

So now her conditions became increasingly harsh, and today she also came with intent to threaten.

Otherwise, how could she be so ostentatious in Koning’s residence?

After hearing this, Qu Jianlei frowned, realizing in these seven or eight months, you haven’t accomplished anything?

Koning looked at the Paranoid, helplessly spreading his hands, "I’ve been working hard, but the academy faction’s Supreme..."

You too come from the academy, you should know how well your cliques band together; that’s something ordinary Supremes can’t withstand.

The Paranoid waved his hand dismissively, "You don’t need to tell me, tell him and Celestial Sound."

Tell him? Koning glanced at Qu Jianlei again, believing the Paranoid was the real powerhouse.

Qu Jianlei calmly asked, "In a month, can you settle it?"

"The necessary procedures are mostly complete," Koning replied seriously, "The biggest variable is Hillary..."

Because of Hillary’s interference, those he initially recruited have taken a wait-and-see attitude.

Some people disapprove of Hillary and don’t want to collaborate with her, so they have thoughts of backing out.

After all, this project isn’t that profitable—the bulk of the profits are taken by Kong Se’s family.

But some think something is better than nothing, wanting to follow along and curry favor with Hillary Supreme.

Regardless, the biggest stumbling block now is Hillary.

"Hmm," Qu Jianlei nodded upon hearing this, "So it seems we need to take her down to complete the project smoothly?"

"Yes, we must take her down!" Koning nodded decisively; he and Hillary have always been quite at odds.

Their conversation just now had completely intensified the conflict. If Hillary wasn’t taken down, he would be the one in trouble.

"We really can’t be soft-hearted; that woman is not only greedy and domineering but also has a strong sense of revenge."

Qu Jianlei gave him an odd look, so he’s saying, let us be your thugs?

Koning naturally understood that his calculations couldn’t be hidden from the other party, and he expressed very frankly.

"Otherwise, even if the project starts smoothly, she might find faults and stir up trouble, and by then, you may not even be present..."

These small shareholders can resist, of course, but please get this clear... you’re making the most money.

No need to say it too clearly; just hinting at it is enough.

Qu Jianlei looked at him speechlessly, "You really dare to say, so the small shareholders don’t have to bear any responsibility at all?"

"We earn hard money," Koning expressed calmly, "We can handle small issues appropriately, but costs must be considered."

Celestial Sound was unhappy again upon hearing this, "I was planning to stop pursuing accountability from you!"

"I can put in a little more effort," Koning replied seriously, "but for the others... it’s hard to say."

Celestial Sound wanted to say something more, but Qu Jianlei interrupted, "That’s fine, but if there’s any malfeasance, don’t blame us for being impolite."

He genuinely wanted to play the role of Manager, but the cooperation method here was different from that on Purple Star.

Ping’an was truly willing to cooperate, and within their capabilities, they’d handle those minor troubles themselves.

So facing Ping’an, Qu Jianlei could completely let go, not even bothering with malfeasance, but it wouldn’t work here.

Since the other party didn’t want to take risks and only wanted to make a little money, then don’t blame him for keeping an eye on malfeasance.

Rights and obligations have always been equal; doing business doesn’t just follow one model.

Koning could also understand the logic, but gold mines... how could malfeasance be completely eliminated?

A rigorous system might block most loopholes, but... systems are implemented by people.

And that group, they really dared to kill, and they wouldn’t even blink.

He hesitated for a moment but still nodded, "I will discuss this with them... everyone’s input matters."

But such discussions also require first taking down the thorn that is Hillary, or else it’d be pointless.

Qu Jianlei nodded, then took out a storage device to hand over, along with two Storage Talismans.

"We need some materials, help with the purchase... We’ll pay for the trouble, remember to keep it confidential."

These were all controlled materials for building a Supreme Spirit Gathering Array, which he found inconvenient to buy himself.

But as a registered Supreme, Koning would find procurement much easier, which was also one of his purposes for coming.

Koning didn’t dare refuse, awkwardly accepting it, but inwardly lamenting, you want me to buy this for you... is money really the issue?

Since the other party even produced two Storage Talismans, it was clear not only were the items precious, but refusal wasn’t an option.

He hoped it wasn’t anything illegal because otherwise... he’d really have to consider the feasibility of fleeing.

After the group left, he picked up the storage device and connected it to the terminal for a look.

Initially, his brows were furrowed tightly, but as he continued to look, he relaxed quite a bit.

By the end, his brows hadn’t completely unfurrowed, but he still let out a long breath, muttering quietly.

"It’s really quite challenging, what on earth are these... fortunately, nothing particularly sensitive."

As for what they were doing with those materials... sorry, he honestly wasn’t curious at all.

After leaving Koning’s mansion, Qu Jianlei voiced a question to Celestial Sound, "At the time, who else did your uncle resent?"

"People my uncle hated..." Celestial Sound pondered for a moment, then shook her head, "I really don’t know."

Lord Kong Se protected her very well, rarely speaking to her about external resentments; they chatted about fun things.

He had her focus on cultivation, always saying that the outside world was treacherous, and that improving her own strength was vital.

Even when the family faced great hardship, he never complained about anyone—Koning and Hillary weren’t on his list.

It wasn’t until he sent her to Paradise Star to seek help from He Xu Supreme that he said, if it doesn’t work out, don’t come back.

Her uncle only asked her to protect her brother, but unfortunately... she didn’t manage to do so.

Qu Jianlei found this a bit speechless: a person raised in a greenhouse, and you send her to become a nanny?

He sighed and shook his head, "Then let’s think of other ways."

However, the next moment, Celestial Sound suddenly remembered someone, "Can we find someone who understands my uncle?"

"Of course," Qu Jianlei responded, then curiously asked, "Can they be trusted?"

After Kong Se’s family was wiped out, most close people met misfortunes or fled; those still living in Qingsha... are they trustworthy?

Celestial Sound nodded, "He’s a City Guard who should now have opened a teahouse."

"My uncle once helped him without seeking any return, and few others know their relationship."