Apocalypse Circular-Chapter 397: The Terrifying Outsider (Nearly 9K Words)

Chapter 397: Chapter 397: The Terrifying Outsider (Nearly 9K Words)

In the interview hall of this environmental protection company, an invisible challenge had begun.

"Miss Qi Xinzhu, do you have any special requirements regarding compensation?"

"No, a normal salary is fine."

The female interviewer, about thirty years old, looked at Qi Xinzhu and slightly pushed her glasses up.

"Miss Qi Xinzhu, you are so beautiful. Why consider working in our environmental company? With your qualifications, you should have more options, right? If you don’t have any special requirements, then someone like you really doesn’t need to come here!"

Qi Xinzhu frowned slightly. This interviewer seems somewhat aggressive. Is it because we’re both women? Such matters are indeed quite petty.

In the Inner Ring, Qi Xinzhu often faced opposition and attacks from other women due to her appearance. She had grown used to such things; however, she hadn’t expected similar situations to occur in the Imperial.

"Get out," a stern voice commanded.

"Huh?" The interviewer was taken aback.

Just as Qi Xinzhu was formulating her response, several people walked in and pulled the interviewer sitting opposite Qi Xinzhu to her feet.

The leading Manager Wu had a frosty expression.

"I asked you to get out."

"But, Manager Wu."

"Get lost!"

Manager Wu was furious. They had finally found Qi Xinzhu, an almost perfect candidate: perfect appearance, perfect voice, perfect age. Such a candidate, if successful, was an enormous credit in itself. If Sola got the meat, they could at least get a few sips of the broth! The broth of a Transcendent was simple—the opportunity to break through their tier. It was something everyone yearned for.

But unexpectedly, during the interview, one of his subordinates was causing trouble. What would Lady Sola think? What would the other colleagues in the secret society think?

"Lady Sola, it’s my lack of discipline..."

Sola nodded. "It’s not a problem. No one can take care of everything, but you indeed need to improve your control over your subordinates. Those without self-awareness are better off gone, so they don’t hold up the important matters of the society."

"Yes. You, pack up your things. From this moment on, you’re fired."

"What?" The interviewer still didn’t understand what had happened. She had only interviewed a woman who was a bit more beautiful; why was she suddenly being fired?

"Manager, what did I do wrong?"

"You committed the greatest taboo an interviewer can: bringing personal preferences into it."

The interviewer looked at the manager dispiritedly, wanting to object, wanting to resist. But in the end, she didn’t. She knew the company wasn’t ordinary and held many secrets. Its usual activities were not as simple as environmental protection; often, that work was just a front to cover up the company’s true activities. She knew, so she dared not rebel at this time.

"I understand."

"Your salary will be fully provided. Reflect well after you go back."

"Yes, thank you, Manager Wu."

This incident didn’t interrupt Sola’s interest in Qi Xinzhu; she had already slowly walked up to her.

"Hello, Miss Qi Xinzhu, my name is Sola."

Qi Xinzhu looked at the strangely attired individual before her; she didn’t really like such attire. A nose ring and earrings were one thing, but this person also had a lip ring and an eye ring—in short, wherever it was possible to hang a ring, there was one. Beyond the rings, her body was covered in dense tattoos. And indeed, the energy reaction from her body clearly told Qi Xinzhu that the other party was not an ordinary person. With such attire, she didn’t look like a regular person, not even a normal one.

Transcendents are also human, and I feel I’m just a normal person. But Sola in front of me is not. A Fourth Tier Transcendent? Such a strange outfit—it doesn’t seem to enhance combat ability and is rather cumbersome! The energy feels a bit weak; I wonder how this person attained the Fourth Tier.

During the time Qi Xinzhu was job hunting, she had also encountered some Transcendents. However, their strength was mostly low, typically First Tier, with Second Tier being rare. Even Police Captain Zhang Ji, whom Lu Luo had met, was only Third Tier. So, coming across a Fourth Tier expert here rather surprised Qi Xinzhu.

"Hello, Sola... uh, Miss Sola."

Because of the many tattoos and copper rings on the other party’s face, Qi Xinzhu simply could not determine her age. Fourth Tier normally implies what, twenty-five to thirty years old? Han Shiyu reached almost the Sixth Tier at twenty-eight, and I was already Fourth Tier at twenty-two, so isn’t a thirty-year-old at Fourth Tier quite ordinary? I’m not even comparing myself to a freak like Lu Luo. If one hasn’t reached Fourth Tier by the age of thirty, what’s the difference between that and being useless?

Sola smiled at Qi Xinzhu; she always felt an inexplicable attraction to Qi Xinzhu, continually drawing her closer, much like she naturally wanted to draw closer to the Lord of Kane.

"Miss Qi Xinzhu, have you ever had a faith?"

"Uh?" Qi Xinzhu was somewhat surprised. I’m just here to look for a job; how did it come to faith? But it’s not the kind of thing I can’t answer.

"Of course. I believe in light."

"Light?" Sola thought hard, but in her memory, there didn’t seem to be any organization that took ’light’ as a unit of faith or as its primary belief. A newborn sect of light? No, that’s not right; light should be a large category, like the Four Great Archangels, or perhaps the Revelators, the Pursuers of Light, those kinds. They all symbolize parts of the light. But light itself does not yet have a definitive meaning.

"People who yearn for light are lovely, and Miss Qi Xinzhu is too."

"Thank you for your praise. However, I just want to find a job related to environmental protection here. Something like routine environmental protection inspections, or even manual labor, is fine. Doing these shouldn’t require my faith, right?"

Qi Xinzhu always felt this Sola was a bit odd, so she wanted to ascertain what the other party was up to.

Hearing Qi Xinzhu’s question, Sola no longer hid her intentions. She chose to make a move on Qi Xinzhu directly to showcase her own Transcendent power. Sola’s eyes glowed fiercely as she looked at Qi Xinjzhu; the power of the Lord of Kane descended in that moment.

"I, Sola, the Black Night Witch of the Cain Secret Cultivator Society, today formally invite Miss Qi Xinzhu to become a preacher of our Cain Secret Cultivator Society. You will become the voice of our Lord, a believer of our Lord, spread darkness, and proclaim His might. The contract... is established..."

Dark Energy, very strong Dark Energy! I can feel it—her gaze is very powerful, at least for this moment. It could probably reach the level of Lu Luo’s second-level gaze. But what’s with all this muttering? Is she trying to brainwash me? What on earth?

"Miss Sola, what exactly do you want to do to me?"

Seeing the perplexed look on Qi Xinzhu’s face, Sola froze. "Why? Why is it having no effect? How can the Eyes of the Black Night have no effect?"

Qi Xinzhu touched her forehead; the Star of Dawn had flickered slightly just now. Although fleeting, she still sensed it sharply. So weak! Astoundingly weak!

Qi Xinzhu might be dull in some areas, but when it came to combat, she had been trained extensively by Lu Luo. No matter how dazed she might seem, she should have known the other party had made a move on her. However, it had absolutely no effect.

"Miss Sola, I think until we are more familiar with each other, you shouldn’t offend me like this. Otherwise, as someone once said, you are very likely to end up... in a bad way."

"What?"

BANG!

The lip and nose rings, along with Sola’s nasal bone, caved in instantly. Blood mixed with teeth sprayed from Sola’s mouth.

Yes, Lu Luo said before that when out and about, it’s best not to cause trouble before understanding the situation. But now, the situation isn’t favorable for me. And since it’s bad, it’s naturally okay to fight back.

Holy Radiance wrapped around Qi Xinzhu’s palm, like an angel of daylight, or a queen representing light. The Imperial was not the Wasteland Alliance. Here, no one had witnessed the might of Holy Radiance.

"What is this power? You?!" For a moment, Sola was at a loss. She suddenly realized she might have provoked someone she shouldn’t have. This kind of power is clearly not ordinary; one can tell at a glance it’s very high-end attribute energy. But why didn’t Qi Xinzhu show any energy reaction just now? Wait... I didn’t mean to!

BANG!

"URGH!"

The fist slammed Sola directly into the wall. Sola’s black mist scythe was twisted apart by Qi Xinzhu’s bare hand. Qi Xinzhu tilted her head, looking at the weapon broken in two on the ground, and sank into thought. Why do I feel like I suddenly got stronger? No, that’s not right; I’ve been on the road during this time, or with Lu Luo... *cough, cough*... I’ve had very little time for actual training. So it can’t be that I got stronger; it’s just that this Sola is too weak. Can someone so weak really become Fourth Tier? How curious!

Qi Xinzhu was normally quite easy to talk to, and after giving Sola two punches, she didn’t continue the assault. There are many ordinary people around; it’s not appropriate to fight and kill here. Moreover, I’m unfamiliar with the area and just a foreigner looking for work. Foreigners are easily bullied; it’s better to keep a low profile.

Qi Xinzhu took a step forward, and the people in the office hurriedly crouched in the corner, trembling, fearing that Qi Xinzhu would get angry and kill them all. This was a Transcendent, and an even stronger one than Lady Sola. Although very young, the sight of the powerful Sola being beaten half to death by Qi Xinzhu’s two punches was still vivid in their minds. Especially the interviewer who had been giving Qi Xinzhu a hard time, still present, looked pale as death, wishing she could kneel. Well, her legs are already weak; she couldn’t even kneel if she wanted to.

"What-what are you going to do?" Manager Wu was relatively composed; he had some exposure to Transcendent matters. He was usually the one to communicate with Sola and handle talent transfers. Now, with Sola severely injured, he definitely had to do something, or the Cain Secret Cultivator Society would surely settle accounts with him.

"I’m just going to get my bag, okay? Relax. I originally came here just to find a job; I didn’t expect you all to make such a big fuss. This isn’t fun. I’m leaving now, so goodbye."

Qi Xinzhu picked up her small backpack, ready to leave the environmental protection company.

The still-confused Sola suddenly half-knelt on the ground, reaching out to Qi Xinzhu. "Wait!"

"Hmm?" Qi Xinzhu turned her head to look at Sola. I feel a bit sorry for punching someone so hard. Since communication is impossible and there’s a possibility of more trouble, it’s better to leave now. I’m really clumsy; without Lu Luo, I can’t do anything right.

"Is there something else?"

I’ve already decided, if the other party continues to look for trouble, I’ll run! I can’t cause any more trouble for Lu Luo. If it comes to it, I can always be a full-time housewife. After all, earning money is something Lu Luo can definitely handle.

But it was different for Sola. If seeing Qi Xinzhu earlier was merely a hope, now her gaze was fiery with passion. Light, a great power. An existence after the darkness. Qi Xinzhu is the person I’ve been searching for. She is the best, the most perfect, the least likely to be discovered spreader of darkness.

"Wait, I mean no harm! Miss Qi Xinzhu, I apologize for my recklessness just now... But I still want to ask, what is your faith?"

"Haven’t I already said? My faith is in the light."

"Then do you... belong to an organization? Like a club or something?"

"An organization?" Qi Xinzhu was somewhat puzzled. My organization is the Circle Transcendent Company, isn’t it? However, the Circle Transcendent Company certainly can’t be exposed at the moment, and even if it were, it has to be gradual, as per Lu Luo’s instructions. Aside from that, the Dawn Church has already expelled me. So at this point, I should be considered unaffiliated.

"I don’t belong to any organization or club. Why?"

Hearing Qi Xinzhu say she didn’t belong to any organization, Sola’s eyes immediately lit up. She had been searching and searching, thinking she had found an uncut jade. Just as she was about to rejoice, this uncut jade suddenly shone with a brilliance even brighter than a divine stone. Sola had considered that Qi Xinzhu might be a spy, but a spy would have no reason to linger here, much less look for work. Qi Xinzhu’s identity was certainly special, but none of that mattered now. She was the very person Sola was looking for.

"I am Sola, the Black Night Witch of the Cain Secret Cultivator Society. I’ve been searching for someone like you. After darkness comes the light. Miss Qi Xinzhu, on behalf of the Cain Secret Cultivator Society, I sincerely invite you to join us. I hope you will seriously consider it."

Now, Qi Xinzhu was genuinely dumbfounded. This person was beaten and still managed to say all this; her ability to endure and adapt is indeed impressive. However, whether or not to agree to this is the real question! If it were completely up to me, I would have refused on the spot. But Lu Luo mentioned something before: if there’s a chance to contact an Imperial Transcendent organization, gather as much information as possible while ensuring my own safety. So, am I in a safe situation now? Cain Secret Cultivator Society... a Transcendent organization. After darkness comes the light!

「Elsewhere.」

Lu Luo brought Wang Zemin to a deserted area. Wang Zemin looked at Lu Luo nervously. As they drew closer, he became more certain that Lu Luo was the man who had torn the strange creature apart. He would never forget it.

"What are you going to do to me?" Wang Zemin clenched his fists, having calmed himself and made up his mind. If Lu Luo intended to do something despicable to him, he would resist with all his might, preferring death to submission.

*This guy, does he think something is wrong with you?* the Observer remarked.

Lu Luo was somewhat speechless. I’ve been a normal man from start to finish. Why would Wang Zemin look at me like that? It’s quite strange.

Nevertheless, Lu Luo didn’t waste time. He grabbed Wang Zemin by the collar, their eyes locking. Thousands of eyes opened all around Wang Zemin.

"Do you remember me?"

In that instant, Wang Zemin felt countless tentacles entwining his brain. He couldn’t think, couldn’t even breathe.

"I... I remember you. You’re that savage! You killed a strange creature. I remember very clearly, you were terrifying!"

Watching Wang Zemin, who was on the verge of suffocation, Lu Luo frowned slightly. Netherflame appeared again as the Nightmare Power began to erode Wang Zemin’s brain. For a short period, Wang Zemin’s memories were burned to ash. Then, Lu Luo let him go.

"Hello, Mr. Wang Zemin. You’re now cleared of suspicion. Please go back to your parents."

Lu Luo had prepared to be the good guy, but Wang Zemin’s reaction was totally unexpected.

"What exactly do you want to do to me? What have you done to me?" Wang Zemin’s voice was filled with anger and indignation.

Lu Luo, however, was somewhat baffled. What’s going on? Come on, Observer, be useful for once. It’s pointless to be useless all the time.

*??? What does this have to do with me?*

Okay, what’s happening here?

*Don’t know! Probably the Nightmare Power just isn’t working. Has it expired because it wasn’t kept in the fridge?*

Expired? No, the Nightmare Power still works on others. The problem lies with this Wang Zemin. Why can he still remember me? This Wang Zemin... there’s a problem, a big problem! Either he’s immune to powers like Nightmare Power, or he has a way to resist powers that control him. Either way, it means this Wang Zemin is out of the ordinary.

"Alright, I didn’t mean to hurt you, and I even saved you in the recent case. Can’t you be a little grateful? If it weren’t for me, your parents would be childless by now."

Wang Zemin retorted, "...I have five older brothers anyway!"

Lu Luo was speechless. "Can we change the subject?"

"Sure."

"I’m not asking for your gratitude, but can you stop calling me a savage in the future? I was just hunting a monster that day. Was there any need for such a fuss?"

After thinking it over, Wang Zemin realized Lu Luo really had been helping him all along. But every time he saw Lu Luo, his body would instinctively feel a sense of urgency. It was this very feeling that made him resist Lu Luo every time they met.

"Alright, thank you for helping me. But why did you help me?"

"My reason for helping you? Just think of me as a good Samaritan."

"Who exactly are you?"

"Lu Luo, from the Circle Mysterious Affairs Office."

Circle Mysterious Affairs Office? I’ve never heard that name before! Wang Zemin had been an ordinary person all his life. Although he had encountered Transcendent-related things, he didn’t possess Transcendent power himself. Therefore, since childhood, he had always envied such abilities. This encounter with Lu Luo made Wang Zemin even more eager to gain Transcendent power of his own. Suddenly, he seemed to have an epiphany. Could it be that I’m a once-in-a-million genius?

"Mr. Lu Luo, you’ve been looking for me repeatedly. Is it because you’ve noticed some special trait in me? Do I have an ability that ordinary people don’t, like, like..."

Lu Luo’s mouth twitched.

*Young people need some setbacks to truly understand the realities of who they are.*

"Like you’re very good at dreaming?"

"Uh... that’s not what I meant. I’m saying, did you seek me out because I have the potential to become a Transcendent?"

Lu Luo blinked. "You do indeed have a talent for dreaming!"

"Never mind, then." Wang Zemin felt disappointed. If I don’t have the qualifications to become a Transcendent, life indeed loses a lot of its excitement! The world of Transcendents must be far more fascinating than that of ordinary people.

Lu Luo looked at Wang Zemin, hesitated for a while, then suddenly changed his tune. "Becoming a Transcendent isn’t impossible."

"Master, your disciple bows to you!"

*This person understands too much!*

Yes, too much indeed. Lu Luo shook his head. "Let’s not talk about discipleship for now. Give it some time. Once I’ve settled down, I’ll take a closer look at your situation. Don’t rush, and don’t urge me. I won’t forget."

Lu Luo’s promise was plain, yet for Wang Zemin, receiving such a pledge was thrilling enough.

"Thank you, Master! Your disciple will steal money from home every day to honor you!"

Lu Luo was dumbfounded.

*? This person... understands too much.*

"There’s no need to steal money from home. Just live well and focus on your studies. Isn’t it almost graduation season?"

"Yes, graduation is coming soon."

Lu Luo nodded. If I were still studying in the Fourth Ring, I’d almost be entering graduation season as well. Time flies so fast; it’s been nearly two years in the blink of an eye.

"Let’s go. Go back and spend some quality time with your parents."

"Understood, Master."

Lu Luo didn’t stop Wang Zemin from calling him Master. Right now, he was still unsure about the situation in the Imperial, and also unclear about Wang Zemin’s circumstances. Just plant a seed for now and wait to see if it sprouts.

「At the entrance of the police department.」

Zhang Ji and many colleagues brought the corpse dug from beneath the toilet back to the police station. They had solved one murder case only to uncover another; there was no worse situation. Isn’t it better to just stay quietly at home?

"Mr. Lu Luo, do you have any thoughts on this case?"

"This case has nothing to do with me at all. What can I do?"

Zhang Ji was left speechless by Lu Luo’s retort. Hadn’t Lu Luo just been acting like a champion of justice, emphasizing evidence? How did he change his tune so quickly?

"Alright, I’ll take another look."

Zhang Ji walked away, somewhat disappointed. Lu Luo is right; this matter is no longer related to him. He naturally doesn’t need to involve himself anymore. But... I’m now in the Imperial, in a pioneering stage. If I could help out the police a little, it wouldn’t be a bad thing.

"Wait a moment!" Lu Luo called out to Zhang Ji, who very sensibly turned and came back.

"Yes, Mr. Lu Luo? Do you have any instructions?"

"After you go back, you’ll be looking into the previous renters, right?"

"Yes? We definitely need to identify the girl."

"What if the girl wasn’t a tenant?"

"Uh, what do you mean, Mr. Lu Luo?"

"Becoming a Soul Body requires the fusion of obsession and Spiritual Energy. This might sound simple, but it’s actually a very complex condition. Without sufficient energy, it’s difficult for a pure Soul Body to come into existence. Do you understand?"

Lu Luo had been quite direct, and he had also taught Zhang Ji how to proceed with the investigation. As for whether to investigate or not, that was Zhang Ji’s decision.

"I understand. Thank you for your cooperation and assistance. The Dong’an City police will remember your contribution." Zhang Ji was very polite. Not only Lu Luo’s strength but also his character and methods had earned Zhang Ji’s respect.

"Alright, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be on my way. Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

Zhang Ji watched as Lu Luo and Wang Zemin’s family left. The very powerful young man had made a deep impression on him. Now I need to consider whether or not to report Lu Luo’s situation upwards. A young man of such caliber appearing in Dong’an... could it be that something we aren’t aware of has happened in the city? Forget it, better to mind one’s own business than to cause trouble for oneself.

Zhang Ji’s ability was decent, and he might have a chance to advance. But he felt there was no need. The next promotion would be to Chief of Police. As Chief, he would have to confront Transcendents directly. His salary would barely increase, and the danger factor would skyrocket by at least five hundred percent. No dog would want such a job. Isn’t it nice to get paid to take a dump?

Zhang Ji arrived at the administrative department and tossed the file in front of a colleague. "Submit the new case. I’ve already solved the old one. This is a Transcendent case; I need to apply for a day off. No objections, right?"

The young lady in the administrative department looked at Zhang Ji with admiration. "Inspector Zhang, you’re impressive! Solving yet another Transcendent case..."

Though Zhang Ji enjoyed such admiration, this time, while basking in it, he suddenly remembered the corpse Lu Luo had given him and the words Lu Luo had said.

"Soul Body anomalies are very complicated and require intricate conditions."

"Without sufficient energy, it’s tough for a pure Soul Body to emerge."

"Do you understand?"

"Do you understand?"

"Do you understand?"

Lu Luo’s voice echoed continuously in Zhang Ji’s mind, so much so that when his female colleague tried to get his attention, he didn’t react.

"Inspector Zhang? What’s wrong with you?"

"Oh, nothing. Work’s over. Let’s go have a drink."

"Sure!"

Though Zhang Ji appeared cheerful on the surface, his mind was preoccupied with what Lu Luo had told him and that corpse. After getting into the car with a few female colleagues, Zhang Ji sat silently in the driver’s seat.

"Inspector Zhang, shall we go?"

Zhang Ji ignored the urging from the back. He suddenly pulled the handbrake and, without even locking the car, got out and returned to the police office.

"Hey, what are you doing?"

"I’m going back to work on a case!"

"Is he crazy? It’s after hours. What case is he working on?"

"I don’t know. Perhaps he was rattled today."

「Some time later.」

Lu Luo and Wang Zemin’s family had moved to a place some distance from the police office. Wang Zemin’s father wanted to invite Lu Luo for a meal, but Lu Luo refused. Then, he produced a bank card and handed it directly to Lu Luo.

"This is a small token of our gratitude. It’s not much, but Mr. Lu Luo, please accept it."

Holding the bank card, Lu Luo was almost grinning from ear to ear. Yep, the Wang Zemin family understood things too well! They left nothing unsaid.

"Then I won’t be polite."

After a solemn handshake, they parted ways. Wang Zemin pursed his lips at Lu Luo from afar, his expression seeming to say, "Master, wait for me."

However, Lu Luo didn’t pay much attention. My gains for the day are quite good. I just don’t know how much money is in the bank card. I’m not entirely clear about the cost of living and purchasing power in the Imperial, but anyway, it shouldn’t be too little, right?

「Late that night.」

Lu Luo arrived at the base of Dong’an Tower, the tallest building in Dong’an City. Originally, they had planned to meet on the roof, but on second thought, they decided against it. Unlike the Wasteland Alliance, there were many cameras here, and many people had smart terminals, similar to mobile phones. Blindly jumping to the rooftop could easily be captured. Lu Luo didn’t want to expose too much about himself, so staying low-key was better.

Sitting at the base of Dong’an Tower, Lu Luo silently watched the fountain. He was daydreaming while pondering how they should continue to develop in the Imperial.

I wonder how Brother Gu and Qi Xinzhu are doing now.

As Lu Luo mumbled about the other two, a person dressed in a yellow kangaroo suit, riding an Imperial-specific Spirit Car, stopped in front of him and handed him a boxed meal.

"Eat. I know you haven’t eaten."

Lu Luo was at a loss for words.

*Gu Fangyi is a complete badass!*

"Gu Fangyi, you’re actually doing food delivery?"

"What about it? I think it’s an extremely valuable job. It allows one to quickly understand the urban environment, cultural habits, lifestyle habits, diet, and such—very premium intelligence work."

Although Gu Fangyi wasn’t wrong, Lu Luo still found it bizarre to see him in the very image of a food delivery person.

"It’s just that I think you, a Fourth Tier Transcendent, doing food delivery is somewhat a waste of talent."

Gu Fangyi fell silent for a moment. "It’s not really a waste. We just arrived in the Imperial, and we’re still not familiar with the surroundings. In this situation, it’s quite difficult to find suitable work. So, Lu Luo, have you found a job yet?"

Gu Fangyi seldom spoke so much at once, but his question hit Lu Luo right where it hurt. "I... haven’t found a job yet."

"I knew it! I’ve already found a job. And Lu Luo, you haven’t. So you’re not doing as well as me!"

Lu Luo was speechless.

*He’s making sense! Why don’t you speak up?*

"I might not have found a job, but I’ve got a bank card, which should have quite a bit of money in it." Lu Luo took out the bank card and flaunted it in front of Gu Fangyi.

"How much money is in there?"

"Uh, I’m not entirely sure."

"What if there’s no money in it? Then you’re just getting happy for nothing, aren’t you?"

"Gu Fangyi, talk like that and you’ll easily end up getting a ’boxed meal’ yourself."

"I deliver boxed meals. I don’t need to receive one."

The two were now somewhat at loggerheads.

Until Qi Xinzhu slowly walked over. "You’re all here already? I thought I was the first."

Qi Xinzhu seemed quite troubled and a little downcast. Lu Luo and Gu Fangyi were already accustomed to this. They glanced at each other. No need to say it; Qi Xinzhu is definitely the least capable among the three of us. Seems like this girl couldn’t find a job. Well, I guess we’ll just support a freeloader.

"It’s alright if you can’t find a job," Lu Luo said. "We’re making decent progress. If it really doesn’t work out, I can give you some money to get familiar with the environment for now." He took out his bank card, ready to hand it to Qi Xinzhu. No way around it; a husband has to provide for his own wife. If Qi Xinzhu can’t find a job, it’s definitely up to me to solve it.

"Who says I didn’t find a job? I found one, alright?"

Whoa? Really found one? Is it as a clerk, or perhaps a receptionist? Lu Luo looked at Qi Xinzhu. As a Priestess, aside from praying, she really doesn’t seem to have any other skills.

"What job did you find?"

Qi Xinzhu tilted her head, pondering for a moment. "They offered me several and told me to choose! First, to become a preacher and host for the Cain Secret Cultivator Society, with favorable treatment: 40,000 Imperial coins a month, plus 20 grams of Spirit Stones. Second, to become a Black Night Attendant for the Cain Secret Cultivator Society; this requires going to the headquarters for further training, with a salary of 10,000 during that period, and Spirit Stones supplied according to consumption. Lastly, there’s applying to become a Secret Society Guard. This one is a regular combat unit, and I’m not personally very interested. However, this job offers the highest salary, so I guess it must involve a lot of fighting and such. Which one do you think is good?"

Lu Luo was stunned.

Gu Fangyi was stunned.

What’s with everyone today? Are these really the kinds of jobs Qi Xinzhu can find? Did I switch to the wrong channel?