The Master of Beasts

Chen Jiuge didn't understand how to recruit Loose Cultivators, but he knew the prerequisites: a big reputation, attractive conditions, and the promise of ascension.

So, a recruitment fair appeared in the Hundred Herbs Garden Immortal City.

Dressed in urban chic attire, Su Mei looked at the Loose Cultivators before her with an icy expression. "Name, age, Cultivation, skills? Can you accept a Daoist oath?"

"Zhang San, 1,521 years old, Returning to Void Cultivation, Third Rank Spiritual Plant Master. I can accept a Daoist oath."

"Take this Sound Transmission Talisman and go home to await notification."

Zhang San took the talisman and cautiously asked, "Are the benefits and resources advertised previously genuine?"

Su Mei smirked. "Those are just the minimum. The better you perform, the more resources you'll receive. Becoming immortal isn't difficult at all."

"Wonderful! Thank you, Fairy! Thank you, Fairy! Please consider me; I can endure any hardship." Zhang San departed, his face alight with excitement.

"What do you think?" Chen Jiuge pulled out some documents and began to look through them.

"Not great, Boss. If you genuinely intend to recruit high-quality Loose Cultivators, you'll need more publicity. The Hundred Herbs Garden Immortal City isn't quite suitable for that," Su Mei suggested.

Putting away the documents, Chen Jiuge mused, "Publicity? That might actually work."

Ever since becoming Chen Jiuge's agent for his external businesses, Li Qiwen's status had risen continuously, and he handled increasingly substantial resources.

Chen Jiuge was also very generous. With abundant, even surplus, resources, Li Qiwen had already begun to undergo Tribulation. However, his hope of attaining the True Immortal Realm was slim, and he himself planned to take the path of a Loose Immortal.

Publicity? An idea sparked in Li Qiwen's mind as he looked at Chen Jiuge's Sound Transmission Talisman.

"Ah Da, pass on my orders. Have all shops, inns, and merchant caravans post notices about the Boss recruiting Loose Cultivators. Be sure to include important phrases like 'Direct Disciple of a Golden Immortal from the Myriad Beasts Sect' and 'Spirit Beast Breeding Master'," Li Qiwen instructed his guard.

"Yes, sir."

Following Li Qiwen's orders, all of Chen Jiuge's external businesses began to spread the news like wildfire. In less than a month, it had reached nearly the entire Myriad Beasts Domain.

He Chong was a Loose Cultivator on the run. An heir from a minor family in the Myriad Beasts Domain had taken an interest in his granddaughter's beauty, forcing them to flee.

"Grandpa, perhaps we should stop running," He Qianqian said, her voice tinged with despair.

"COUGH, COUGH!" A violent cough wracked He Chong. He looked at the large pool of black blood in his hand, a fierce expression crossing his aged face. "Even if I die, I won't let that bastard have his way!"

"Qianqian, that man intends to use you as a cultivation Furnace! You would suffer a fate worse than death," He Chong said, his face twitching.

He Qianqian knew this all too well. It was just unbearable for her to see her loving grandfather in such a state.

Just then, a merchant caravan approached, led by none other than Ye Xiaotian, the former eunuch. However, over the years, he had accumulated vast resources and exchanged them for a treasure that restored his severed limb, regaining his manhood.

"Well, well, if it isn't Fellow Daoist He Chong! What on earth happened to you?" Though his manhood was restored, his eunuch-like tone of voice remained.

"It's Fellow Daoist Ye." He Chong sighed in relief. The Tongxin Merchant Caravan had a good reputation, and given his acquaintance with Ye Xiaotian, betrayal seemed unlikely.

"Fellow Daoist He Chong, are you being pursued?" Ye Xiaotian guessed, noticing the look in He Chong's eyes.

He Chong's expression turned wary. Seeing this, Ye Xiaotian knew his guess was correct. Being pursued is a good thing; I was just wondering where to find high-quality Loose Cultivators.

"Fellow Daoist He Chong, don't be alarmed. We've known each other for many years; why would I harm you? I have an excellent opportunity for you. Just take this recruitment Token, and your safety within the Myriad Beasts Domain is guaranteed," Ye Xiaotian said with a smile.

Under Ye Xiaotian's cajoling—no, his sincere invitation—He Chong, a rare Sixth Rank Alchemist among Loose Cultivators, smoothly accepted the recruitment Token and arrived at the Hundred Herbs Garden Immortal City.

Gazing at the bustling Immortal City, He Chong almost thought he was dreaming. Just a short while ago, their hiding spot had been discovered. Realizing they couldn't escape, He Chong, in a desperate gamble, had presented the recruitment Token. Astonishingly, the pursuers from the minor family had turned pale with anger and retreated.

"He Chong, 2,100 years old, peak Returning to Void stage, Sixth Rank Alchemist?" Su Mei looked at the last piece of information, surprised.

"Yes, I am a Sixth Rank Alchemist. Any Loose Cultivator who knows me can testify. If you don't believe me, Fairy, I can perform Alchemy right now. However, I am injured and will need a few days to recover," He Chong said nervously.

Just a Token was enough to scare away a minor family! The information on this recruitment Token must be at least eighty percent true. My future manager is a Golden Immortal Disciple from the Myriad Beasts Sect—this is my salvation!

"Simple. This is a Seventh Rank Resurrection Pill; it should be enough for you to recover from your injuries. Meditate and recover, then perform Alchemy on site." Su Mei felt that He Chong's claim must be verified; a Sixth Rank Alchemist was indeed a considerable talent.

"Alright! Thank you very much, Fairy!" He Chong accepted the Elixir with excitement.

One hour later, after recuperating, He Chong began to perform Alchemy on site.

Observing the round Sixth Rank Elixir—though it was only the most common Sixth Rank Heart-Clearing Pill—Su Mei noted that as a Loose Cultivator, he wouldn't have had access to many recipes. With sufficient resources and recipes, this He Chong has quite some potential.

"Very good. You understand the conditions, correct? We require a Daoist oath. Can you accept that?" Su Mei handed He Chong a contract outlining the general terms.

As He Chong read, he grew increasingly astounded. With benefits like these, why did I ever remain a Loose Cultivator? I should have joined a faction long ago!

Before he finished reading, He Chong's aged face flushed beet red. "Where do I sign? And how do I swear the Daoist oath?"

Su Mei nodded, satisfied with He Chong's eagerness. "After swearing the Daoist oath, just sign your name on the contract."

"Uhm, Fairy, can my granddaughter join as well?" He Chong suddenly remembered He Qianqian; the offered terms were so shocking he had almost forgotten her.

"He Qianqian, Golden Core Cultivation, Third Rank Alchemist, 231 years old?" Su Mei glanced at the information. The girl's talent doesn't seem to be anything special.

Never mind. I'll consider it a gesture of goodwill towards He Chong; it might make him work more diligently.

"She can join."

With He Chong and his granddaughter joining, many other Loose Cultivators possessing unique skills and open to joining a faction began flocking to the Hundred Herbs Garden Immortal City.

While some factions disapproved of Chen Jiuge's market-disrupting recruitment, they either lacked the power or the backing to object.

The factions with both power and backing didn't care much for these Loose Cultivators. Besides, Chen Jiuge was recruiting them to breed Spiritual Beasts for his Sect. Who would be foolish enough to offend a Direct Disciple of a Golden Immortal over such a trivial matter?

「Three months later.」

Chen Jiuge reclined in a courtyard of the Tongxin Inn, holding a stack of papers. These were applications from Loose Cultivators wishing to join, but their strength and skills were somewhat lacking and required further screening.

After feigning to review them for a while, Chen Jiuge set the documents down. "Let Li Qiwen look at these. She's been out in the world for many years and is more familiar with Loose Cultivators."

Su Mei's eyelids twitched. So, Boss, what exactly were you looking at just now?

"Alright, Boss."

"Yes, this has been tough on you. Once the main recruitment drive is complete, you'll need to establish the organizational framework. You'll also help oversee some affairs in the Heavenly Bull Realm in the future," Chen Jiuge began. Noticing Su Mei's somewhat downcast expression, he quickly changed his tone.

"Of course, I don't expect you to do it all alone. You can hire assistants. Recruit any of these Loose Cultivators whom you believe can help you with management."

Su Mei's expression brightened slightly, but she had one request: for her Senior Sister Ye Qingqing to return and assist her.

Chen Jiuge naturally agreed. She was his only subordinate skilled in administration. If I don't keep her happy, who will handle all these miscellaneous tasks for me?

"Let's hope the character of these Loose Cultivators is somewhat decent. Ah, forget it. It's better to prepare in advance than to face trouble later." Chen Jiuge stood up, somewhat reluctantly.

If it weren't for the people from his own small world being transferred here, Chen Jiuge wouldn't bother intervening so much. He just needed them to properly handle the tasks he assigned.

How does one manage Loose Cultivators? It's simple: just refine Daoist Soldiers.

By refining the original Purple-Blood Daoist Soldiers with his True Immortal Realm cultivation, most of them reached Mahayana cultivation. To ensure sufficient martial power, Chen Jiuge painfully took out items from his cherished collection and forcibly refined three True Immortal Level Daoist Soldiers.

"I need to be more frugal. I didn't realize that cultivation as a True Immortal consumes so many resources. I've already used up nearly a quarter of the Immortal Rank materials I obtained," Chen Jiuge lamented.

"I wonder if the Yellow Turban Warriors at the Sect have finished building the city. It's been three months; it should be nearly complete by now."

Using the information relayed by Li Qiwen, Su Mei began to rigorously screen the Loose Cultivators. Several voices of dissent emerged, but they vanished after Chen Jiuge had the True Immortal Daoist Soldiers patrol a few times. Loose Cultivators always bully the weak and fear the strong.

A year passed quickly. The city in the Heavenly Bull Realm had been completed a month prior. Chen Jiuge had no plans to recruit more Loose Cultivators for now; he would make do with the current numbers. If there were deficiencies later, he would have his merchant caravans pay more attention and recruit additional talent.

"How are things?" Chen Jiuge asked Su Mei.

Putting down a Loose Cultivator's file, Su Mei frowned. "We have roughly enough personnel, Boss. However, as you mentioned, we have a significant shortage of Spiritual Plant Masters. Loose Cultivators are generally more skilled in Fighting Techniques; their specializations are usually as Spiritual Talisman Masters or Alchemists."

"No problem. We can train new ones if necessary. I mainly need Spiritual Plant Masters who can rapidly cultivate Spirit Grass."

"That could work. In that case, Boss, I assume this assignment is complete?" Su Mei said, a hint of relief on her small face.

"Yes, but the management of the Heavenly Bull Realm is about to begin," Chen Jiuge said, somewhat sheepishly. Su Mei had performed so well over the years that he had completely forgotten to assign her any assistants.

"It's alright. I've already recruited a few managers. Things should be much easier now," Su Mei replied with a smile.

"That's good. For now, take these Loose Cultivators back."

As the immense Flying Boat soared towards Hundred Herbs Peak, the Loose Cultivators aboard were filled with boundless hope for the future.

"Grandfather, what is a Major Sect like?" He Qianqian asked, her voice full of longing.

He Chong, who had wandered the outside world his entire life, had a look of yearning in his eyes. "It must be the Immortal Holy Land we've always dreamed of."