Chapter 199: The Environment is Too Poor
The bold words of the young rich girl gave Tao Yu a shiver down his spine, but after careful reflection, he realized that what she proposed wasn't entirely unacceptable…
Slap~
He smacked his own face, forcing himself to sober up and calm down.
This won't do, he can't afford to entertain such thoughts.
"The main issue is that the young rich girl is too overbearing, knowing full well her own charm," he complained, trying to lay the blame elsewhere. Then he looked at his backpack and the filthy ground of the Outsider Area, struggling to find a suitable place to change into the robe of a mid-level partner.
"It's really too dirty, but it's still better to wear this when entering the Inner City to avoid trouble."
Muttering to himself, Tao Yu headed toward the city gate.
The big business deal he discussed with the young rich girl was a matter of Shaolin martial arts, starting a dojo to quickly train some instructors and eventually even opening one in the Inner City for a lucrative business.
It was both a steady stream of income and a windfall.
A whole new system laid before him, offering a value completely different from the abilities that had long been circulating in the Inner City Area.
Enjoy new tales from empire
This could complement the Yuan Force!
Yuan Force had become a main system, slowly tried and proven by the Pioneers in the old Development Zone.
It certainly had reached a level of cost-effectiveness and capability just like mechanical augmentation and alien implantation.
"Apart from Yuan Force, it seems Battle Qi and the Combat Skill System are also quite widespread, but they aren't as cost-effective as Yuan Force and can even conflict with each other. Only those with the right talent or serendipity would choose them. I wonder if they can coexist with Inner Strength..."
It was a shame that the stakes involved were too great for him to handle alone; he had to let the young rich girl and her ilk take the lead while he contented himself with a small share of the spoils.
"The secondary Deification of Nine Yin True Scripture and Nine Yang Divine Skill will hinge on this deal."
A secondary Deification of the Northern Dipper could cost millions, and the Nine Yang Divine Skill was likely comparable, something obviously difficult to come by through normal exploration.
"But the items I currently have on hand are fine to sell in the Inner City, and then I'll check out the dojos there. They offer the Myriad Streams Breathing Technique's schools, I can learn a few more forms, and the cost-effectiveness of a single Deification is high..."
Tao Yu made his plans for the near future; there was no need to wait idly for Sun Shiqing to return. He would first take care of what he needed to do.
It was also a good opportunity to check out the situation of the dojos in the Inner City.
As Tao Yu carried his backpack and pondered, a voice suddenly came from nearby,
"Tao Yu? What brings you here, looking for me? It's been more than two months since the last trip to the Abyss, right?"
Turning around, Tao Yu saw Uncle Tao Hu and the captain of the public security, Ze Chuan, walking and chatting leisurely in an area close to the wall belonging to the public security's family quarters.
The environment here was much better than most other places in the Outsider Area.
"Uh, Uncle Hu, I'm planning to go to the Inner City to turn in some tasks. I'll come to see you later and bring you some interesting things," Tao Yu said with a grin, waving at Tao Hu.
Inner Strength martial arts, for now, he'd help his family get a start with them.
The Outsiders really didn't have much to offer, and compared to the Myriad Streams series, which had heavy demands on Qi-Blood and an additional burden of eating more, some of the simpler Inner Strength techniques were relatively easier to get started with.
For instance, the Basic Breathing Method from Shaolin could be practiced by even the most untalented individuals, though the effects were mediocre. Still, it served as a stepping stone to the more profound Shaolin arts, and even just the Basic Breathing Method would bring significant improvements for Uncle Hu and his parents.
The versatility of Inner Strength was strong; it enhanced whatever part of the body it was applied to and could benefit anyone.
It was just that the knowledge of meridians and acupoints might be confusing for them; they could only learn the fast way, guided by True Qi, focusing only on a few key points during the Breathing Technique.
Studying the full set was out of the question for now; it was too difficult for them. They needed to get used to the basics first.
"Alright, then wait for me. Be low-profile in the Inner City," said Uncle Hu with a smile, not taking it to heart. Tao Yu had always brought him little surprises on his return trips, like his beloved motorcycle and those cigars afterward.
"That must be your Tao family's Grade A Dynamic Vision prodigy, truly impressive in appearance." Ze Chuan said with a smile, nodding to Tao Yu.
A prodigy with a Grade A talent could afford to exchange a smile without a problem.
"Yes, that's him. Tao Yu, this is Captain Ze Chuan from our Outsider public security team," Tao Hu introduced his boss to Tao Yu.
Even though he knew who he was, now that they were formally introduced, it made a difference.
"Captain Ze Chuan," Tao Yu nodded his head, recognizing Ze Chuan as a slick character. Since he had been given face before, Tao Yu naturally wouldn't give him the cold shoulder now.
"Heh, a Grade A talent is indeed exceptional. It's only been over half a year, and you already need to go to the Inner City for tasks and selling items? Impressive. I remember you're from the new Development Zone, right?" Ze Chuan remarked cordially, glancing at the backpack Tara Yu was carrying, before casually asking,
"Young man, do you have any plans for the future? Are you interested in joining the public security team, or do you want to go to the Inner City?"
"Uh, the Inner City," Tao Yu paused, if I joined the Outsider public security team, I would inevitably push you out of your position, and that wouldn't be right.
Seeing Ze Chuan's expression and attitude, it seemed like those guys from the dinner didn't spread the word around. Maybe they were spooked?
"Ambitious. I have some connections in the Inner City; if you run into any troubles, you can come to me. Perhaps a simple greeting will resolve them."
"Thank you, Captain Ze Chuan."
"Got a girlfriend yet? Need me to introduce a couple for you to hang out with?"
There it was, the same old question waiting for an answer.
"No need for that, I'm quite picky about my tastes."
Tao Yu sighed helplessly before winding up the conversation,
"Let's leave it at that for today. I have things to take care of, we'll catch up another time."
Ze Chuan was momentarily surprised by Tao Yu's reaction; it was rare to see someone in the Outsider Area take the initiative to end a conversation with him.
But as an astute veteran who had been the captain of public security for many years, he was not one to fuss over a young man of eighteen ending their chat. Youngsters, especially those with great talent, were just like that—it was perfectly normal.
It's easier to bully an elder with white hair than a poor, ambitious youngster— who knew if Tao Yu would soar to great heights in the future?
"So..."
Before he could finish his perfunctory words, he stared dumbfounded as Tao Yu pulled a cloak out of his backpack and draped it over his body, also putting on a mask at the same time.
It looked so familiar, no matter how he looked at it.
Uncle Hu, at this moment, also had his pupils shrink and his eyes widen.
Damn!
"Thank you, Captain Ze Chuan, for last time."
After securing the mask, Tao Yu casually waved at the two of them.
"I'm off."
As he walked away, Tao Yu still paid attention to the ground. Good, this place really was a lot cleaner now.
Ze Chuan and Tao Hu watched as Tao Yu left, both their expressions wooden.
So it was you, kid!
"Tiger, you really kept me in the dark, and it was quite the effort."
Ze Chuan, watching Tao Yu walk towards the Inner City, couldn't help but let out a sigh.
Impersonation? Disguise?
Why would a genius with Grade A talent take such a risk?
He must be crazy!
So this certainly must be the real him!
"When I first heard that a mid-level partner appeared in the new Development Zone, I was amazed at the speed of these young people these days; I did not expect it to be one of our Outsiders."
"Heh..."
At this moment, aside from a forced laugh, Tao Hu didn't know what kind of expression he should make.
I didn't know either!
The kid didn't come out and tell me himself!
Just over half a year, no!
If he became a mid-level partner last time, that means just over four months!
This growth rate is too exaggerated!
Even the geniuses of the Inner City wouldn't necessarily have such speed!
This, apart from proving strength, also indicates that the other party has earned at least two or three hundred thousand Yuan Force in just over four months, and that's with the Development Zone bonuses; otherwise, it would need even more!
Two or three hundred thousand in four months!
Tao Hu took a sharp breath when he thought of this.
It's simply like picking up money with a sack, too exaggerated!
The income of a legitimate mid-level partner might only be just so.
This great nephew went from starting from scratch to becoming a mid-level partner...
At this moment, Ze Chuan was also lost in thought.
He himself possessed Grade A+ talent and had his own fortune; his power was not at its zenith, but it definitely ranked him as one of the top masters in the Outsider area.
Even among mid-level partners, he was no weakling.
One could say that whether it was the identity of the mid-level partner who came to the door initially or the identity of the Grade A talent genius he had met before, Ze Chuan had only shown the due courtesy.
To say that he took it too seriously, he did not.
Not to mention Grade A talent, even that Level S talent genius from the Outsider area recently, he didn't believe the other would definitely achieve more than him!
Deep down, Ze Chuan had his own pride!
But now...
Just over four months, an Outsider.
Ha, Grade A talent, I'd believe in ghosts before you!
And aside from having a higher talent, it was also obvious that he had received the favor of someone influential; otherwise, it would've been impossible to garner such points and income, and likewise impossible to gain such strength.
"Tiger, how many years have you been with me now?"
Ze Chuan, somewhat emotional, left Tao Hu a little baffled.
"I'll step down in the future, and you'll have to take over this position."
"Ah?"
Tao Hu was also startled, but he understood it must be the impact of Tao Yu's rapid growth!
"Why did he put on the cloak only after coming here?"
Ze Chuan looked at the ground, a contemplative look on his face.
"Is the environment in the rest of the Outsider area too poor?"
"That's, indeed, somewhat true."
Tao Hu didn't understand what Ze Chuan was getting at, so he just went along with it.
Because the Public Security Family Area here was decent, in other places, they naturally didn't bother to intervene.
In theory, the Public Security Force should be the management institution of the Outsider area, even independent from the company. However, due to reality inevitably not able to bypass the company, plus the lack of manpower and the reluctance to manage, apart from a few critical areas, they just left it to the forts and local gangs to take care of.
Just don't cross the red line and cause trouble!
"The Wild Wolf Gang and the Skull Gang are gone, and the territories have almost been reassigned, you go tell those newcomers, they can take over, but they need to clean up the sanitation for me."
"I understand."