Family Cultivation: Rise of the Wilderness

Chapter 164 Negotiation
The system of retainers has existed since ancient times.

Many forces in the cultivation world are keen to recruit cultivators with special talents or great strength to serve as guest elders.

Those who are recruited also value the abundant resources and protection provided by the host family. The two sides cooperate, each getting what they need, achieving a win-win situation.

As a result, the system of retainers became prevalent in the cultivation world, especially among the major sects. Almost every sect would keep a group of retainers as their right and left arms.

To ensure the loyalty and stability of this force, sects often employ various methods to transform guest retainers from mere employers into true members of their own faction.

In this respect, family power is particularly adept.

Xu Ci's parents were initially just guests in the Liu family.

However, in order to win them over, the Liu family arranged a marriage, betrothing their daughter to Xu Ci early on.

After Xu Ci got married and had children, she settled down and started a family.

Children need to see their mother and their maternal grandfather eventually, right?

At this point, it was almost impossible for the Xu family to break away from the Liu family.

It is precisely because of this common method of winning over and assimilating that the cultivation world has reached a consensus that guest elders and masters are essentially one, sharing honor and disgrace, and inseparable.

Gong Wan knew that the Li family was recruiting beast tamers, which was essentially recruiting guest advisors.

He himself was not opposed to becoming a guest advisor, but he knew nothing about the background and current situation of the Li family, so he naturally did not want to bring his family to Danggui Mountain to be assimilated.

If the Li family faces a formidable enemy, wouldn't the Gong family be in grave danger?
Conversely, if he left his family in Pushuifang and went to Danggui Mountain alone, the two places would be far apart and he would be unable to take care of both, which would also go against his wishes.

Although Gong Wan did not voice these concerns, Li Xiangming had some guesses and slowly said, "If Fellow Daoist Gong does not wish to become a guest elder, my Li family also has the Qinwu Academy system for you to choose from."

"Service Bureau?"

Gong Wan was curious, as she seemed to have never heard of such a term before.

"The Service Institute is a functional institution established by our Li family for cultivators of other surnames. The cultivators there have a purely employment relationship with our Li family. If Fellow Daoist Gong has any concerns, you may enter the Service Institute."

Next, Li Xiangming revealed all of the regulations of the Logistics Department.

Within the Qinwu Academy, cultivators are not restricted and can leave Dangui Mountain at any time.

Correspondingly, the Li family will not protect the cultivators of the Service Bureau in the same way they protect guest ministers.

Upon hearing this, Gong Wan hesitated before asking the most crucial question: "What are the benefits like at the Logistics Department?"

"Since they are not guest elders, the cultivators of the Service Institute do not receive a salary. Fellow Daoist Gong can take on tasks within the institute at his discretion and earn rewards."

"The reward varies depending on the duration and difficulty of the task, but it will not be less than 5 spirit stones."

In fact, most missions in the Service Academy cost no more than 5 spirit stones, but Gong Wan is a special talent, so the Li family will assign her special missions, and the rewards will naturally be special as well.

Upon hearing this, Gong Wan pondered. Distributing rewards in the form of tasks seemed more like a method used by sects.

However, five spirit stones at a time is not a small amount.

In addition, the Li family recruited beast tamers, giving spirit stones as long as they cleared the level, and they spent an unknown amount of spirit stones in the process.

This shows that the Li family was not a stingy family.

Thinking of this, Gong Wan's heart skipped a beat.

As Li Xiangming said, as a beast tamer, staying in Pushui Market would only waste time.

Once they leave Pushui Market, they'll be treated as guest advisors wherever they go.

Rather than being tied to others, it's better to go to the Li family's service institute; at least we can observe for a while longer.

If the Li family has a promising future, he will stay with them; if the Li family is not worthwhile, he will take his family and leave.

Thinking of this, Gong Wan bowed and clasped his hands, saying, "If you do not despise me, I am willing to serve far away."

"Very well, on behalf of the Li family, I welcome Fellow Daoist Gong!"

Li Xiangming quickly helped Gong Wan up; no matter what, Gong Wan was a rare talent.

Even if the other party is unwilling to serve as a guest advisor to the Li family, placing them in the Service Department would still benefit the Li family. "Let me introduce you. This is Xiang Hong, a beast tamer like you, and this is..."

After the introduction, Gong Wan was secretly alarmed.

In an effort to recruit beast tamers, the Li family actually sent ten people over.

In addition to themselves, the Li family also recruited two other skilled beast tamers.

The Li family even had a special beast-taming institution, which seemed to be called the Beast Breeding House.

A glimpse reveals the whole picture; the Li family is not, as outsiders claim, a desolate place where beasts roam.

"So that Fellow Daoist Gong may know that my Li family will be vigorously developing the art of beast taming in the next few years, so Fellow Daoist Gong joining us at this time is very opportune."

"Does the Li family have many demonic beasts?"

Gong Wan couldn't help but ask, "Only when faced with a considerable number of demonic beasts and spirit beasts do beast tamers have value; otherwise, they're just staring at each other blankly."

Li Xiangming and Li Qianyuan exchanged a smile: "Danggui Mountain is backed by Puyin Mountain. It lacks everything, but it doesn't lack demonic beasts. In addition to the beast breeding room, we also have a beast-catching room specifically for capturing demonic beasts!"

"I see!"

Gong Wan suddenly realized that he was unfamiliar with the terrain of Pu County and wondered why the Li family, who were not known for their beast taming skills, could train and recruit beast tamers on such a large scale.

It turns out it's connected to Puyin Mountain!

"So, the Li family is going to continue recruiting beast tamers?"

"That's right, our family's quota for us is to recruit ten people!"

Ten people?

Gong Wan hesitated: "I have a senior martial brother, I wonder if you could introduce me to your family?"

"Uncle Master?"

Li Xiangming was surprised and quickly inquired about it.

It turns out that Gong Wan's sect, Jinpeng Fortress, was known for its beast taming skills, but due to poor management, it had long since declined and was now facing internal and external troubles.

Knowing he was powerless to reverse the situation, the sect leader decided that rather than waiting for the sect to be divided up by the enemy and suffering casualties, it was better to announce the disbandment and leave everyone with their bodies to fight.

And so, the disciples of Jinpeng Fort went their separate ways. Among them, a few beast tamers heard that the Luoyan Merchant Guild was going to do spirit pet business in Puxian County. Out of curiosity, they came to Pushui Market together, hoping to make a living.

Unexpectedly, the Luo Yan Merchant Guild had no shortage of beast tamers. After being turned away, the group dispersed again, each seeking their own way out.

Only Gong Wan, who had a family, and the elderly Chen Chihe remained in Pushuifang.

Upon hearing that Gong Wan had a senior martial uncle, Li Xiangming was overjoyed: "How does Fellow Daoist Chen's beast-taming skill compare to yours?"

Gong Wan smiled and shook her head: "Uncle Chen is the top beast tamer in Jinpeng Fort. I am far inferior to him. If we have to compare, I am like the light of a firefly, while he is the brightness of the moon."

Upon hearing this, Li Qianyuan and the others gasped in shock.

"Where is this person?"

"It's on East Street, I can take you there."

"Please!"

The group packed their things, disregarding the assessment of the other beast tamers, and followed Gong Wan to visit Chen Chihe.

However, the Chen residence only had two or three ordinary servants, and none of them knew Chen Chihe's whereabouts.

Gong Wan analyzed, "Uncle Chen is particularly fond of discussing the art of beast taming, so perhaps he went to the homes of other beast tamers."

"Does Fellow Daoist Gong know anyone in Pushui Market who is on good terms with Fellow Daoist Chen?"

"I know a little bit about it, please follow me."

(End of this chapter)