Choice

"Haha, the terms are certainly generous!"

Zhuge Tao smiled, then turned to Yang Wu and said, "Yang Wu, after the Quasi-Martial Artist assessment, we failed to discover your talent. I admit that was a mistake on the part of the Extreme Martial Arts Hall. However, please believe that the sincerity of the Extreme Martial Arts Hall is the greatest of all."

"Regarding the villa and the special training contract, the Extreme Martial Arts Hall and the Thunder Dojo are quite similar. As for the startup capital..." He smiled and glanced at Wang Heng before continuing, "The Extreme Martial Arts Hall can offer you 50 million in startup capital, as well as various secret manuals worth up to 100 million!"

Upon hearing Zhuge Tao's terms, Hou Zhen and the other two changed expressions.

"Zhuge? What are you doing..." Wang Heng said with some dissatisfaction. "If you offer terms like these, aren't you afraid the higher-ups at the martial arts hall won't approve?"

Wang Heng was very clear about the treatment the Extreme Martial Arts Hall provided to genius martial artists: 20 million in startup capital and a choice of secret manuals worth up to 50 million. Zhuge Tao's current offer was more than double that.

The rules of the Extreme Martial Arts Hall were strict; even as an executive, Zhuge Tao did not have the authority to change the recruitment conditions for genius martial artists.

"Hehe!" Zhuge Tao smiled. "I'll pay for the excess myself!"

Zhuge Tao had always placed great importance on geniuses. He had invested in many, and while some investments failed, a few had already become War God Level powerhouses and were now among his supporters. Overall, the gains outweighed the costs.

"You're paying for it?" Wang Heng frowned slightly.

"Alright! Let's not talk about this for now." Zhuge Tao ignored Wang Heng and asked Yang Wu with a smile, "Yang Wu, we've all stated our terms. How are you considering it?"

After hearing the conditions offered by everyone, Yang Wu was silent for a moment before finally making his choice.

"Thank you all for your kindness! However, my instructor and many of my former seniors have joined the Extreme Martial Arts Hall. Therefore, I intend to join the Extreme Martial Arts Hall as well!" Yang Wu said with a hint of apology.

Although he envied the safety conditions of the military martial artist residential area, Yang Wu chose the Extreme Martial Arts Hall for the sake of more freedom.

Furthermore, in terms of various treasures, the Extreme Martial Arts Hall had more to offer. As long as Yang Wu's status within the Extreme Martial Arts Hall continued to rise, obtaining them would not be difficult.

"Haha, good!" Zhuge Tao said with a smile. "Yang Wu, I'll call someone to take you to sign the contract right now!"

Seeing that Yang Wu had chosen the Extreme Martial Arts Hall, Wang Heng and the others felt a bit of regret, but they didn't say much. They truly couldn't—or rather, wouldn't—offer terms like Zhuge Tao's.

Before long, Wu Tong, the chief instructor of the Yangzhou City Extreme Martial Arts Hall, appeared in the room.

"Executive!" Wu Tong greeted respectfully.

"Wu Tong, you're finally here." Zhuge Tao smiled. "Go and draft a recruitment contract for a genius martial artist with Yang Wu, following the old rules... However, change the startup capital to 50 million and the price cap for secret manuals to 100 million. I will cover the excess!"

"This..." The terms Zhuge Tao offered completely stunned Wu Tong.

One had to know that even for Luo Feng earlier, Zhuge Tao had only changed the price cap for the secret manuals. Yet for Yang Wu, the startup capital was 30 million higher. Luo Feng was only 18, while Yang Wu was already 24.

This forced Wu Tong to wonder if he had misheard.

"Why are you dazed?" Zhuge Tao said with a smile. "Wu Tong, you should be aware that Yang Wu's current strength is no lower than yours!"

"What?" Wu Tong looked at Yang Wu in astonishment, but he didn't dare to say anything more.

He, Wu Tong, was a War General Level martial artist!

At this moment, Wu Tong suddenly remembered the question Luo Feng had asked him before the assessment.

Could it be that this Yang Wu really increased his strength by 8,000 kilograms the first time he cultivated Genetic Origin Energy? No, no, that's simply impossible! Wu Tong thought to himself.

Zhuge Tao looked at Yang Wu. "Yang Wu, go with Wu Tong to sign the contract first. As for the Basic Training Camp, think about it. If you decide to go, tell me, and I will apply for you immediately!"

"Yes, Executive!"

Yang Wu replied respectfully and then followed Wu Tong out of the room.

"Zhuge, 80 million Huaxia Currency, what a bold move!" After the two left, Wang Heng sighed from the side.

"What, it's just a bit of money; you act as if none of you could afford it," Zhuge Tao said with a smile.

Although 80 million Huaxia Currency was not a small amount, the four people in the room were all powerful figures who held sway in their respective regions, each possessing the strength of a high-level War General.

To the four of them, 80 million Huaxia Currency was truly just pocket change.

"80 million Huaxia Currency isn't much, but without entering the War God Preparatory Camp, the possibility of this Yang Wu reaching the War God Level before the age of thirty is very low. And after thirty, his growth in strength will surely slow down. Perhaps he will end up like us, stuck at the high-level War General stage!" Wang Heng said sourly.

Having known each other for many years, Wang Heng certainly knew of Zhuge Tao's hobby of investing in geniuses. He himself would occasionally try to cultivate some genius martial artists, but he would never be willing to pay as much as Zhuge Tao.

Even when recruiting Luo Feng in the original story, the 300 million in breach-of-contract fees had to be covered by the martial arts hall.

For one, investing in genius martial artists was risky. As long as the person invested in did not reach the War God Level, even if they became a high-level War General, it wouldn't be of much help to people like them.

Secondly, these investments were gifts; the person invested in had no obligation to return them. Even if the other party reached the War God Level, if they were unwilling to help, one would gain nothing.

Therefore, investing in geniuses like this was like gambling. While it was possible to gain a War God Level supporter in the future, it was more likely that the investment would fail.

Hearing Wang Heng's words, Liu Dong and Hou Zhen both nodded in agreement.

Although 80 million Huaxia Currency wasn't much, they wouldn't be willing to spend it themselves to win over a genius martial artist.

"Haha, it's just a small experiment!" Zhuge Tao said casually.

Before this, Zhuge Tao had thoroughly investigated Yang Wu's background, including the fact that Yang Wu worked at a tavern owned by a collateral member of the Wang Family.

It was precisely because he confirmed that Yang Wu was not the type to be ungrateful that he significantly increased the recruitment terms for the Extreme Martial Arts Hall.

As for whether Yang Wu could reach the War God Level, he felt there was a very high possibility!

"By the way, Old Wang, do you think that little genius from your Thunder Dojo, Wan Dong, will be able to hunt more monsters than my Extreme Martial Arts Hall's Luo Feng in this assessment? Want to make a bet?" Zhuge Tao asked casually.

Having just recruited Yang Wu into the Extreme Martial Arts Hall, Zhuge Tao was in a pretty good mood.

"Go away... who has time to bet with you?" Wang Heng was not in a good mood at the moment. "Hurry up and leave, I still want to continue drinking!"