26 Sun Huowang's Recruitment_1

"Shopkeeper, Yiming, I hope I'm not interrupting you!"

Shen Long asked politely.

The man in the yellow shirt was Sun Huowang's son, Sun Yiming, who was responsible for handling the business affairs of Soldier Hall.

"No interruption at all, Shen Long. You two have your chat; I've got some business to discuss."

Sun Yiming said with a smile as he walked downstairs.

Sun Huowang sighed softly, but said nothing.

"Shopkeeper, your birthday is coming up in a few days, and this flask of Jade Apricot Brew is a token of my appreciation."

Shen Long took out the wine flask and handed it to Sun Huowang.

Sun Huowang accepted the Jade Apricot Brew, his eyes revealing a gratified expression.

Initially, he took pity on Shen Long, and since he didn't lack those few dozen Spirit Stones and happened to need some help, he hired Shen Long. Ever since Shen Long resigned, he had been giving Sun Huowang a flask of Spiritual Wine every year on his birthday.

"Shen Long, join me for a few drinks."

Without waiting for an answer, Sun Huowang took out two cups and poured the Spiritual Wine.

"Shopkeeper, here's to you."

Shen Long raised his cup and clinked it with Sun Huowang's.

Sun Huowang downed the wine in his cup and said, "Shen Long, what plans do you have for the future? Surely you don't intend to rely on demon hunting for a living your whole life! Over the years, I've seen many customers in my shop come and go, and many have died at the claws of Monster Beasts."

"Shopkeeper, please speak your mind."

Shen Long said earnestly.

"What do you think of Yiyue?"

Sun Huowang asked, his gaze fixed on Shen Long.

"She is excellent, having inherited your mantle. She will surely become a remarkable Artifact Refiner in the future."

Shen Long replied.

"That's not what I'm asking. Would you like to be my son-in-law? Half of Soldier Hall would be yours, and I can teach you Artifact Refining. With a skill at hand, you wouldn't need to venture into the mountains to hunt Monster Beasts every now and then."

Sun Huowang spoke seriously.

Shen Long was taken aback; he had never considered this before.

"Why bring this up all of a sudden? Why me?"

Shen Long questioned with confusion, as if to say that even if a pie fell from the sky, it couldn't possibly land right on him!

"Yiming plans to marry the Li Family's female cultivator and become a stay-at-home son-in-law. That rebellious son is blinded by love, thinking that they value him for who he is. Over the years, we've had many helpers in the shop, but you're the only one who brings me a flask of Spiritual Wine on my birthday. You are grateful, and I would feel at ease entrusting Yiyue to you."

Sun Huowang explained the situation.

If Sun Yiming couldn't hold on to the family business, it would eventually be devoured by the Li Family. Sun Yiyue had inherited Sun Huowang's mantle and was proficient in Artifact Refining, capable of producing medium-quality Magic Artifacts. The Li Family would certainly not sit back and watch Yiyue take control of Soldier Hall alone. Having someone to support her would prevent others from taking advantage of the situation.

"I'm sorry, Shopkeeper, but I can't accept this."

Shen Long decisively refused.

He had no intention of getting embroiled in this mess; the Li Family was not something he could contend with.

Sun Huowang didn't want Sun Yiming to become a stay-at-home son-in-law, and Shen Long had no such desire either.

"You don't need to answer me right away. Go back and think it over. Once you've thought it through, then give me your answer. With a skill to fall back on, you and Yiyue would be set for life, and whether you can achieve Foundation Establishment is up to you."

Sun Huowang said.

"Shopkeeper, there's no need. I've considered it thoroughly. Thank you for your kind offer, but you should choose another husband for Yiyue. When the time comes, I'll be sure to come have a few drinks."

Shen Long flatly refused again.

He didn't want to get involved in complex issues and saw no need to string Sun Huowang along. If he wasn't interested, he wasn't interested; stating it clearly was better for everyone.

Sun Huowang sighed deeply, his face filled with disappointment.

"Everyone has their own aspirations, and I won't force you. But you should also think about your future; you can't rely on hunting Monster Beasts for a living forever. It's better to have a craft."

Sun Huowang advised.

Shen Long nodded and said, "Thank you for your guidance, I have plans for the future."

"That's good."

Sun Huowang nodded. He drained the cup of liquor and said, "Be wary of Xu Lei, he is not a good person. If you threaten his position, he might eliminate you. There are many cases of internal strife over wealth within Monster Hunting Teams."

"Thank you for the warning, Shopkeeper. I will be careful."

Shen Long thanked him and toasted Sun Huowang.

"You go ahead! If you change your mind, you can find me at Soldier Hall."

Sun Huowang waved his hand, signaling Shen Long to leave.

Shen Long put down his cup and turned to leave.

Watching Shen Long's retreating figure, Sun Huowang sighed softly.

Back at his residence, Shen Long activated the Soundproofing Array and entered the Spirit Control Tower.

The Iron Tail Scorpion had already devoured the corpse of the other Iron Tail Scorpion. As soon as Shen Long entered the Spirit Control Tower, the Iron Tail Scorpion sensed his presence, crawled out of the Spirit Control Pool, and approached Shen Long, its tail swaying from side to side.

Shen Long took out a Spirit Feeding Pill. The Iron Tail Scorpion, smelling the special fragrance the pill emitted, made an excited hissing sound.

It was the first time Shen Long had seen the Iron Tail Scorpion so excited. He said, "Open your mouth."

The Iron Tail Scorpion did not understand Shen Long's words, but it could receive his commands and obediently opened its mouth.

Shen Long tossed the Spirit Feeding Pill into its mouth, and it swallowed it down.

The Iron Tail Scorpion made a cheerful hissing sound, appearing very happy.

Shen Long exited the Spirit Control Tower and began cultivating.

Seven days passed quickly.

One day, Shen Long was strolling around the plaza, looking around.

"Oh? Fairy Ye, you've set up a stall."

Seeing Ye Yutang, Shen Long smiled and greeted her.

Ye Yutang was setting up her stall, where she displayed some first-rank Talismans.

"Fairy Huang mentioned you were looking for us?"

Ye Yutang casually asked.

Having worked together for over two years, Shen Long would occasionally seek Ye Yutang's advice on Insect Repelling and Controlling Beast Taming Techniques, finding it very interesting.

Shen Long glanced over the Talismans on the stall and said, "I wanted to buy a Flying Heaven Talisman from you, but I have come at the wrong time, as you have sold out."

Ye Yutang nodded and said, "Flying Heaven Talismans are difficult to refine. My sister only made two, and they have all sold out. If she refines another, I will keep one for you."

"Thank you very much, Fairy Ye."

Shen Long expressed his thanks.

"It's nothing, just a trifle. We..."

Ye Yutang hadn't finished speaking when she took out a palm-sized golden Law Disk that flickered with Spiritual Light, which was a Messaging Artifact.

She inputted a spell, and Xu Lei's voice rose, "Fairy Ye, can you come to Qingzhu Courtyard? We're preparing to go into the mountains. If you see Taoist Friend Shen and the others, please call them over!"

"Okay, we will be right there."

Ye Yutang agreed and responded.

Her bottleneck had yet to be resolved, otherwise, there would have been no need for her to keep hunting Monster Beasts in the mountains; selling Talismans for Spirit Stones was much faster.

She used the Messaging Plate to contact Ye Yuqing, asking her to come to Qingzhu Courtyard, then looked towards Shen Long and said, "Taoist Friend Shen, there's work to be done."

She packed up the items from her stall and left Azure Stone Plaza with Shen Long, heading to Qingzhu Courtyard.

Xu Lei and Sun Yang were sitting in the Stone Pavilion, talking about something.

Xu Lei had overcome his bottleneck and advanced to the eighth level of Qi Refinement, while Sun Yang was still at the sixth level.

Before long, Xu Wen, Xu Wu, Qin Qing, and Ye Yuqing arrived one after another.

Xu Wen had advanced to the sixth level of Qi Refinement, Xu Wu was still at the fifth level, Qin Qing was still at the sixth level, and Ye Yuqing had reached the seventh level.