Starting Cultivation in Wasteland-Chapter 496 - 368: Earth Scholar

Hilton admitted his mistake, but the dark-skinned man’s attention was elsewhere.

"If his faction is really that powerful, why does he come to us to buy superpower rice and crystals?"

Hilton pondered for a moment and found a reason, "Maybe it’s... not about the money?"

The dark-skinned man hesitated for a moment and shook his head, "If money’s not an issue, why have problems with channels?"

Hilton replied nonchalantly, "In life, there’s always something you can’t help; things don’t always go your way."

The dark-skinned man glanced at him sideways, "You’ve been hearing a lot of famous quotes; is your mind... affected?"

Hilton casually replied, "Consider it lucky; it didn’t turn into an unmanageable situation. You’re not still looking to deal with him, are you?"

The dark-skinned man pondered for a moment and slowly nodded, "A bit, at first, I didn’t think much, but now I’m a bit envious."

"However, I really don’t have the guts, and I don’t know if anyone in the organization will lose their cool."

Hilton understood this feeling and after a pause said, "Do you think he might be wild?"

"What a joke," the dark-skinned man laughed disdainfully, "Wild... and know as much as this guy does?"

The next evening, the two once again arrived at Qu Jianlei’s villa.

This time, they brought five thousand pounds of superpower rice, next year’s rice, and ten A-level crystals.

Five thousand pounds of superpower rice isn’t much, but the energy fluctuation released made some noise, so they used a storage talisman.

Qu Jianlei did not show any surprise. Watching hundreds of bags of superpower rice appear in the meeting room, his expression remained unchanged.

Such a large organization, if it didn’t even have a storage talisman, it would really be easy to underestimate.

Superpower rice was sold for thirty per pound, and crystals were eighty thousand each, totaling nine hundred fifty thousand.

Qu Jianlei’s net worth instantly shrank by one-third, but he was very satisfied with the price, much lower than the black market.

He wouldn’t consider the other party’s costs and profits; being petty over such small matters was too shortsighted.

Next was their cooperation talk, and this time the direction was a bit peculiar—about arrays.

The organization had an ancient book about arrays, not in divine text, but in Imperial text.

The ancient book was incomplete, and the other party hoped Qu Jianlei could help complete it, then split the rewards.

They didn’t bring the book, but brought two pictures instead.

Qu Jianlei glanced through the remaining text and found it was an array about defense.

There was too little information to analyze further, so he straightforwardly shook his head in refusal.

"Sorry, I don’t understand arrays... otherwise, I wouldn’t have bought a fake ’Array Basics’."

Doesn’t he want it? It’s really not that; he was very interested in arrays, but at such times, he couldn’t show impatience.

The dark-skinned man was persistent in promoting, "Even if you don’t understand, can’t others help?"

"A defensive array that can be set up at will, with just energy blocks, can infinitely protect one’s safety."

"Sorry, really not interested," Qu Jianlei shook his head, "Aren’t major buildings already equipped with protection now?"

"With ready-made products in reality, why repeat the research? Besides, I really don’t understand arrays at all."

Then why buy "Array Basics"? Hilton was clear-minded, actively increasing the offer.

"The organization can get you some basic knowledge about arrays... such things are strictly forbidden to be shared."

Are they really so kind? Qu Jianlei squinted slightly, faintly smelling a hint of conspiracy.

He wasn’t completely ignorant of arrays; the protective shield of buildings, the firing of the Gauss Gun, all had traces of arrays.

But these were all converted through various high-tech means into scientifically interpretable ways for everyone to see.

Now that the other party was offering array knowledge, were they trying to bind him deeply?

But this deep binding didn’t apply to him. Strictly speaking, he didn’t even have a real identity in the Imperial.

If things got out of hand, he could just flee, could he really accept being blackmailed by the other party?

So, he could take the sugar coating and throw the bomb back!

A peaceful life was what Qu Jianlei longed for, but arrays... the temptation was really too great, this was true mysticism!

Moreover, he had never encountered any array knowledge on the previous two planets, hinting at how strict the barriers were.

Such a good opportunity, if he couldn’t seize it, it would be a shame.

But now he couldn’t openly accept, he had to fake a refusal to disguise his true intentions.

After pondering for a while, he asked, "May I know, what is the full name of your organization?"

Caught the bait! The two A-levels across showed no expression, but were secretly delighted.

How precious is array knowledge? If someone said they would voluntarily offer it, neither of them would believe it.

The organization could offer such a large bait only because Panda eyes were too high and too hard to contact.

Considering the current situation, with such a long contact with the other party, they had never asked the organization’s name.

Some disdain was feigned, some contempt was genuine.

They’ve been talking about the organization for several days, and the other side is just now asking questions, which clearly shows it’s not an act.

Given how difficult it is to approach Panda, the organization has also decided to pull them into the water first.

Now the other side is finally starting to ask for the name of the organization, which is indeed a promising step.

Hilton hesitated for a moment, pretending to be polite, and then answered with a difficult expression.

"It should be kept confidential, but cooperation requires a cooperative attitude. The full name of the organization is ’Archaeology Enthusiasts’."

Upon hearing this, Qu Jianlei couldn’t help but frown, "Why does it have such a strong Earth Scholar vibe?"

"Earth Scholar?" The dark-skinned man repeated in surprise, "What is that?"

"That’s not important," Qu Jianlei shook his head, "What I want to ask is, what is your purpose in being so persistent about collaboration?"

"What purpose could we have?" Hilton smiled candidly.

He wasn’t worried about the other side backing out, because this was an open strategy, and if the other side had this interest, it would be hard to refuse.

"We believe that with your strength, you will soon be able to complete the array for Mr. Panda."

"Isn’t resource sharing and mutual benefit an appropriate division of labor?"

Qu Jianlei stared at him for a while, making the other side feel a bit embarrassed before he slowly spoke.

"Then, after ten or eight years, if I say I’m unable to complete it... will you choose to believe it or not?"

This is still about trust, something both sides have been entangled with from the start.

However, at this moment, Hilton really didn’t care about this... ten or eight years? Haha, you’re thinking quite far ahead!

Whether or not it’s studied, hasn’t he already pulled you into this?

The organization hasn’t decided what to do after pulling the other side in.

The other side’s strength is impressive, so future interactions should be taken step by step, focusing first on understanding.

Of course, he couldn’t answer so directly, so after hesitating for a moment, he spoke, "Then... the alliance agreement?"

"Sorry, still not possible," Qu Jianlei shook his head decisively, "An alliance cannot guarantee that inherent knowledge will not be accounted for."

Hilton spread his hands, "Then you say, what should we do."

After thinking for a moment, Qu Jianlei asked, "Your Earth Scholar... Archaeology Enthusiasts organization, where do those ancient artifacts come from?"

The dark-skinned man answered straightforwardly, "They come from all over, there’s no set rule, as long as they can be obtained."

Qu Jianlei asked again, "Is there an investor behind you... like a financial backer?"

There are various investments in the Imperial as well, and plenty of venture capital, with many teams on Zarif Star supported by financial groups.

The dark-skinned man understood clearly and shook his head straightforwardly, "No, there are many wealthy merchants in the organization."

"To put it this way, we gathered because of a shared interest, seeking to enhance the cultivation system through archaeology."

Those with dreams are always worthy of respect, although Qu Jianlei doubted these words, he still maintained enough respect.

"So, is your organization non-profit?"

If this question were asked on Blue Star, nine times out of ten the answer would be affirmative, regardless of the nature, they’d fool people first.

But people in the Imperial are ultimately straightforward, Hilton’s face flushed a bit, and his voice became louder.

"This question is meaningless... does it matter if the organization is profitable or not?"

"Without sufficient financial resources, how can the organization develop, and how can dreams become reality?"

Qu Jianlei nodded without showing emotion, he most liked to see his negotiation opponents lose composure, "So it’s actually profitable, right?"

"It has nothing to do with profit, it’s for the dream," Hilton answered seriously, "We aim so most people can cultivate."

"Such a grand dream?" Qu Jianlei raised an eyebrow, "In that case, I have some other suggestions."

The two A-levels exchanged glances upon hearing this, both sensing a bit of unease.

Ultimately, the dark-skinned man nodded, "Please, go ahead."

Qu Jianlei spoke in a deep voice, "You first bring over the ancient books and arrays, and I will see if I can complete them."

"If it’s not completed within half a year, the cooperation ends, and you shall not question..."

"As compensation, I will give you a set of new cultivation methods."

At first, the two on the other side were quite composed, and when they heard the middle part, they concealed the ridicule in their eyes well.

However, by the end, both opened their mouths into an "O" shape.

After a while, the dark-skinned man asked with a gasp, "A new cultivation method, to what extent is it new?"

"Of course, it’s the latest," Qu Jianlei answered casually, "But I won’t allow you to disseminate it for profit."

"Didn’t you say it’s to benefit the public... right?"

After a while, the dark-skinned man showed a look of struggle, "But the process of promotion also requires funding."

"Anyway, I won’t charge extra, you handle it yourself," Qu Jianlei wouldn’t insist recklessly either.