Not long after, Xiao Qingyu arrived as promised.

"Senior Sister Xiao!"

"Good day, Senior Sister Xiao!"

The moment she appeared, the buzz and chatter in the area quieted down significantly.

Wang Xiu greeted her with a smile. "Senior Sister Xiao, you finally made it. I was beginning to think you'd backed out!"

Xiao Qingyu shot him an eye-roll. "Am I the kind of person who goes back on her word?"

Today, Xiao Qingyu was dressed differently. Her style was a far cry from the stern one she wore in the Task Hall. She had on a snow-white gown that neatly cinched her slim waist, and her long, flawless legs could be glimpsed through the fabric. Her shoulder-length hair was tied into a ponytail that swayed with every move. She seemed less authoritative and aloof, replaced by a youthful vigor and girlish vitality. Even the eye-rolls, which usually seemed merely alluring, now sparkled with a certain brightness.

"My apologies, I misspoke," Wang Xiu said with a smile. "This way, Senior Sister!"

***

Not far from the entrance to the Blessed Land stood a grand hall. It had long been idle, but now it was cleaned up and prepared to serve as Xiao Qingyu's office. Back in the day, the Divination Sect had been one of the most prominent branches of the Sanqing Immortal Sect. Although it had since declined, basic infrastructure like this hall remained. The space was open and well-lit, adorned with ornately carved beams and painted pillars, giving it an antique charm. Its environment was in no way inferior to the Task Hall. Corridors on either side were lined with pots of Nether Night Orchids, looking delicate and lovely in the sunlight. Their fragrance seeped through the gaps in the pearl-beaded screen, filling the entire room.

"I heard you were quite fond of these Nether Night Orchids, Senior Sister, so I took the liberty of arranging a few pots for you. I hope they meet your approval?" Wang Xiu said with a light chuckle.

Xiao Qingyu walked to the center of the hall. She suddenly spread her arms wide, closed her eyes, and basked in the moment. After a long while, she opened them. A smile graced her face, and her eyes, full of a captivating brilliance, met Wang Xiu's. "Junior Brother, you're so thoughtful!"

Clearly, Xiao Qingyu was very satisfied with her new work environment, which was a relief to Wang Xiu.

When you ask someone for help, you need to show the proper attitude. You can't make them feel like they're being taken for granted. Besides, he never believed it was the salary—thirty percent higher than the Task Hall's—that had truly convinced her to come. This was a favor, and he couldn't let her down.

"You lot over there! Stop standing around gawking! If you want to borrow money, get in line and register!"

Feeling the sincerity of Wang Xiu's efforts, Xiao Qingyu wasted no time and quickly slipped into work mode. At her shout, the disciples and Elders from the various sects, who had been lingering reluctantly at the entrance to the Blessed Land, obediently hurried over to the hall and formed a queue. Having commanded the Task Hall for many years, Xiao Qingyu had all the necessary connections, prestige, and competence. Moreover, as a direct disciple of the Sect Leader, everyone had to give her some face.

***

"How much do you want to borrow?"

"Three thousand Spirit Stones!"

"How many installments?"

"Half a year, please!"

"Your identity token!"

"..."

"Alright, go to the gate to collect a pickaxe. Someone will be along shortly to lead you to the Spirit Stone Veins!"

***

「By the entrance of the Blessed Land.」

"Senior Brothers and Sisters, Junior Brothers and Sisters… please follow me, this way!"

Jiang Ling'er, wearing a hat and holding a small flag, led the way. Behind her, a line of Immortal Sect disciples, pickaxes in hand, followed her into the Blessed Land, heading toward the Spirit Stone Veins.

When they saw the gigantic lode buried underground with only a single opening exposed, their eyes lit up, and the blood rushed to their heads. Without waiting for Jiang Ling'er to say another word, they raised their pickaxes and charged forward, howling with excitement.

"Spirit Stones! So many Spirit Stones!"

"Gods, we're rich!"

"Sob... I've never seen so many Spirit Stones in my entire life!"

"We're gonna be rich! We're rich!"

"Don't stop me, I'm going to dig this whole thing out!"

"..."

The process unfolded just like that. It was somewhat rushed, but luckily, no step was missed.

As Wang Xiu's gaze swept across the scene, he noticed a problem. Although a large crowd had gathered on Spirit Turtle Peak, only a portion of them had actually signed up and entered the Blessed Land to mine. Another group was still waiting on the sidelines, their faces etched with hesitation as they watched. Wang Xiu realized that most of these people… were female cultivators.

A thought struck him. Activating the Ten Thousand Demonic Transformations Art, he morphed into an ordinary-looking female disciple of the Sanqing Immortal Sect and stealthily slipped into the crowd.

"Sisters, why aren't you all joining in?" he asked in a soft voice.

The other female disciples turned to look at him. Seeing an unfamiliar face, they didn't think much of it. A particularly beautiful female cultivator from the Sonic Sect rolled her eyes and said, "What's there to join in on? Mining is rough, tiring, miserable, and dirty. I'm not doing that!"

Another female disciple, who was slightly shorter but well-endowed, agreed. "Exactly! Who wants to be all sweaty and gross? It's so unpleasant."

Wang Xiu blinked. "Aren't you sisters short on money?"

"We are!" the beautiful cultivator nodded. "But we don't have to do it ourselves! I've already made an arrangement with Senior Brother Lin from the Physical Sect. He's going to split whatever he borrows with me, fifty-fifty!"

Is that even possible?

Wang Xiu was stunned for a moment. "Are you two going to pay it back together?" he asked.

"Of course not!" The beautiful cultivator tilted her head haughtily. "He'll be the one paying it back, naturally. In return, I've agreed to accompany him for a day out in Vermilion Bird City! He's covering all the expenses!"

"Will you be coming back that night?" Wang Xiu pressed.

Her eyebrows shot up. "Of course I'll be coming back. What do you take me for?"

Wang Xiu was speechless.

Meanwhile, another female cultivator spoke up, her face full of envy. "Senior Sister Zhou is so charming. Senior Brother Lin is from the Physical Sect, so he has great stamina and strength. He'll definitely be a fast miner! Unlike me. Even though I have three junior brothers who agreed to give me a cut of what they borrow, all of them put together… probably can't match Senior Brother Lin's efficiency!"

The one called Senior Sister Zhou waved her hand dismissively. "What's so great about that? If any of us could get on good terms with Junior Brother Wang Xiu, that would be a true blessing without end. You have to remember, half of this entire Blessed Land belongs to him!"

"Isn't that the truth! And not only is Junior Brother Wang Xiu wealthy, he's the Chief of the Divination Sect, so he's bound to become the Sect Head in the future. Most importantly, he's also handsome! If you could become his Dao Companion, you'd never have to work another day in your life!"

"Exactly!"

"I wonder who'll be so lucky!"

"Why didn't we ever notice what a catch he was before?"

At the mention of Wang Xiu, the group of female cultivators grew excited, their eyes sparkling and their faces flushing.

Wang Xiu secretly wiped sweat from his brow.

Suddenly, Senior Sister Zhou turned her head and stared at him. "I saw you come from over there. Do you know where Junior Brother Wang Xiu went?"

"I don't know, I have no idea!" Wang Xiu hastily shook his head. He gave a sheepish smile and silently slipped out of the crowd.

Returning to a secluded spot, Wang Xiu reverted to his original form and stroked his chin in thought.

It wasn't as if all the female cultivators were as lazy and opportunistic as that group, content to reap rewards without sowing. Plenty of girls had shouldered pickaxes and gone to mine for themselves. But over time, what would happen to those self-sufficient girls? When they saw others getting far more Spirit Stones than they earned through their own hard labor—just by going for a stroll and having a meal, all without having to repay any debt—their attitudes would gradually change. That, in turn, would seriously affect the mine's output. This group of freeloaders… he had to find a way to deal with them.

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