Knowledge is power.
Qiongqi was cunning, but no matter how sly it was, when faced with the “meaning of life” trap that has baffled countless philosophers… it could only surrender.
If it had truly figured out this difficult question, it wouldn’t be holed up in that building playing the big villain, dreaming every day of turning Tianhai City into Gotham.
“Based on your family’s performance over generations, your Qiongqi lineage likely suffers from hereditary Dopamine Secretion Disorder, the diagnosis came. It was a rare illness, but with the efforts of scientific research, we would definitely find a solution… Do you want treatment? Or would you rather live like your ancestors, a puppet to this disease?”
Seizing Qiongqi’s moment of confusion, I unleashed my final blow.
“Can… I… really be cured?”
“Hereditary diseases are nothing more than defects in gene expression. With the rapid progress of modern gene programming, even if we can’t cure you completely, your offspring won’t have to repeat your ancestors’ tragedies.”
“…”
Qiongqi pondered for a moment.
Finally, it stepped out of the shadows, revealing its massive tiger body marked with purple-gray stripes.
It looked down at me, its oppressive presence pressing directly against me, and from its throat came a deep, kingly growl:
“You said before: I’ll be your dog for five hundred million. Does that still count?”
“…Uh, it counts, but I didn’t realize you were a tiger, so I guess that makes you a cat?”
“Cat or dog, fine. Transfer the money, my card number is…”
And just like that, the legendary menace that had thrown Tianhai City into chaos, Qiongqi, was brought to justice.
“I refuse to believe Qiongqi would surrender so easily,” White Tiger Mentor said, brandishing his blade, ready to deal with any remaining threat. “This guy must be plotting something bigger!”
I thought the same.
But considering Qiongqi’s own questionable combat strength, it might simply know it couldn’t escape today’s fate and was playing dumb to save face.
It didn’t necessarily mean there was a grand conspiracy.
“If we can lock it up, let’s just do that. The Academy has heavy guards—no matter what plans it has, it won’t escape this prison,” Vermilion Bird Mentor said.
“Hmm… it’s rare to have such close access to a Legendary Spirit’s body for experiments, especially with its willing cooperation. This opportunity can’t be missed.”
Qiongqi wanted to cure its genetic defect, so it agreed to cooperate with the professors in DNA analysis and other experiments… This was an unprecedented celebration for the entire Immortal Spirit scientific community.
“This mission was accomplished thanks to Xiao Luo Xian’s great contribution. Capturing Qiongqi without a single casualty was all due to Xiao Luo Xian’s sharp tongue… So, the credit for the Academy City bounty goes to Xiao Luo Xian, everyone okay with that?” Vermilion Bird Mentor asked.
“No objections.” The other three mentors readily agreed.
With that, the incident was temporarily put to rest.
I looked at the five-figure balance in my Academy City account and felt so happy I nearly fainted.
With this much Academy City currency, it was already equivalent to an ordinary student’s earnings over three years. I should be able to grow as many tails as I want by now, right?
Too bad I still had no idea what materials were needed to grow tails…
“Ah—what’s going on? Why did the prices of these few medicinal herbs suddenly skyrocket a thousandfold? Is this a System BUG? This is ridiculous—”
On the way back to the dormitory, I overheard students complaining.
“The school said the weather changes caused by Eye Senior have drastically reduced the yield of these herbs, nearly making them extinct… so their price jumped from 50 Academy City per bunch to 50,000.”
Apparently, some herbs had gone up in price.
“They hadn’t gone up last night. If I’d known, I would’ve converted all my points into those herbs yesterday. Who knew just a few minutes ago they’d spike a thousand times!”
“This is insane! I just lost a hundred million!”
The students chattered nonstop.
I didn’t understand and didn’t pay much attention.
The herbs they mentioned weren’t part of the goods demanded by the Xianlu Magic Potion Shop, so it probably didn’t concern me… right?
Shouldn’t be a problem~
Returning to the dorm, I found Cluru was already gone early in the morning.
I sensed her location—she was eating breakfast in the cafeteria, so there was no need to worry.
I wanted to collapse back into bed for some sleep, but after the restless night, I was too wired to fall asleep.
Bored, I decided to open a livestream.
The stream’s title read: [Xianlu Magic Potion Shop Hiring Regional Managers, Store Managers, Sales Clerks, Buyers…待遇：Complying with Labor Laws]
Despite the time being a traffic trough, the livestream instantly exploded with millions of viewers.
The chat spammed the title with ridicule.
“What? Your company actually follows labor laws? Oh my god… is this for real? This isn’t a company, it’s heaven!”
“I-I-I want to be a sales clerk! I graduated from Stanford with a master’s degree!”
“Unbelievable, in the 21st century, after feudal remnants have long been eradicated, there’s actually a company that follows labor laws?! Streamer, are you serious?! This can’t be some scam marketing, right??”
Facing the doubts, I cleared my throat.
“Of course, our company’s benefits aren’t just ‘complying with labor laws’. There are also some strict rules you have to follow.”
“Of course.”
“I knew it, there’s got to be traps… Rules? Sounds like a minefield.”
“Haha, exactly, no one treats cattle and horses well… What? I’m human, not cattle? You’re kidding me! I’m looking right at myself in the mirror!”
“Well, besides following labor laws, our company has many non-negotiable rules.
For example—overtime is strictly prohibited, violators will be fired.”
“?”
“??”
“???”
“Also, employees must take at least 100 days of leave every year; those who don’t will be fired.”
“???”
The chatroom filled with question marks, as if they were listening to a madwoman’s fairy tale.
This little girl boss must be crazy, or still half asleep?
“And—if you don’t leave when your shift ends, you get fired. If you get emotionally manipulated by your boss and don’t resist, both you and your boss get fired. Bullying colleagues? Fired. Not collecting your year-end bonus? Fired.”
“[…]”
“Coming to work sick or during a family funeral? Fired. Not asking the company to reimburse your commute? Fired. Working too hard without protecting your health? Fired. Not liking quiet, beautiful girls? Fired…”
The audience finally understood—this little boss didn’t get along with money.
“In short, our company has no competitors, so I don’t need you to work hard. I just want you to be decent human beings.” Yawning from the sudden drowsiness, I said, “As for the potions in the store, they can buy them or not. Besides us, they have nowhere else to go…”
Monopoly means being this willful.
“Streamer, I’m giving you full marks for this pitch, but I wish it were true.”
“This makes me itchy to listen… Sigh, dreams have everything.”
“Hmm? What pitch? I’m serious,” I raised an eyebrow, “You can come apply to the Xianlu Magic Potion Shop anywhere. Our company doesn’t require high academic qualifications or impressive sales skills. I have only one requirement—
Be human, and embrace life.”
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