Li Shuhao's Recruitment

Li Shuhao turned and stared intently at Yang Fan. "When the Divine Kingdom first awakened, everyone had lofty ambitions. They believed that as long as they worked hard, life would only get better.

"But reality? Look at our parents. They constantly squeezed their believers dry, hunched over with graying hair, yet still had to keep working.

"Divine Lifeforms have a lifespan of five hundred years, but most of them grow old and die at two or three hundred. What do you think, Brother Yang?"

"The Divine Kingdom's resources are being overdrawn," Yang Fan answered without hesitation. His mother, Sun Rong, had already begun showing such health problems.

"The Federation has a poll tax. To earn Faith Points, every transaction is also subject to personal income tax. Even online trading platforms charge a 2% transaction fee. With how advanced the internet is now, matching buyers and sellers no longer costs anything.

"Once we graduate and lose the Federation's legal protection, we either become strong enough or find someone powerful to rely on.

"Taxes everywhere in life, all kinds of hidden expenses. Then there are investments made to cultivate believers for the Divine Kingdom's safety, or simply finding a backer and handing over the lion's share of the profits. All of this turns compound interest into nothing more than a beautiful math problem.

"The profit margins on Divine Kingdom investments are high, but if all you do is invest, your Divine Kingdom becomes a bowl of succulent fatty meat, waiting for the day you hand it—and your life—over to your enemies."

"Classmate Li, you truly are well-read and remarkably insightful," Yang Fan said admiringly.

Yang Fan meant it sincerely. He was only in his final year of high school and had never considered things that far ahead.

Li Shuhao's knowledge and ideas gave him plenty of inspiration and warning.

"Brother Yang, I'll get straight to the point. I want you to become my subordinate god."

"I know that, with your qualifications, you actually have better options. Even Li Tianheng, that direct descendant genius of the Li Family, would be within your reach. But before that, you might as well hear my terms."

"As long as you choose to sign a contract with me, I'll subsidize you with 100,000 Faith Points every month. In addition, a year from now, I can provide you with a B-rank building.

"Most importantly, from now on, I'm willing to purchase every resource produced in your Divine Kingdom at market price.

"Of course, we'll trade through bank transfers, so we can legally avoid taxes."

Hearing this, Yang Fan looked somewhat confused.

To seek protection, subordinate gods generally sold their Divine Kingdom's resources to their protectors at seventy percent of market price, or even fifty percent.

He did not understand what Li Shuhao hoped to gain by doing this.

Seeing Yang Fan's expression, Li Shuhao explained, "Naturally, I wouldn't have offered this price before today. But this assessment let me see another kind of value in you."

"What value?"

"Actuary. You have talent as an actuary. With initial capital of only five million Faith Points, you developed your Divine Kingdom to this extent within twenty days. I think your talent in actuarial work is exceptionally strong.

"I won't take advantage of your Divine Kingdom's resources, but I hope you can help me plan my Divine Kingdom in the future," Li Shuhao said frankly.

Yang Fan finally understood. After all that, Li Shuhao had misunderstood him, just like Li Qingying had.

"Doesn't the Li Family have its own actuaries? Besides, I should be inferior to them right now."

"As for actuaries' fees, first-rate geniuses of the Li Family have funds that cover the costs, but I have to pay for them myself. The price is beyond what I can afford at present." Li Shuhao looked a little embarrassed.

Yang Fan sighed. "Can I refuse?"

Apparently not expecting that answer, Li Shuhao froze for a moment.

"Why?"

Li Shuhao had been confident that his terms came with no losses for Yang Fan. He would purchase Divine Kingdom resources at full price and even provide a monthly subsidy. It was practically a windfall from the heavens.

"I want to follow the combat path. I don't want to do logistics work."

"Huh? But your talent..." Li Shuhao could hardly believe it.

"Thank you for the generous invitation, Classmate Li, but I have my own plans. Besides, I don't have much talent as an actuary. The development of my Divine Kingdom involved some luck."

After a moment of silence, Li Shuhao finally set down his wineglass. He looked up with a smile. "Even if business doesn't work out, friendship remains. We're classmates, after all. Maybe we'll still manage Divine Kingdom investments together in the future. Since you're here, I have to play the host properly. Brother, let me treat you to a good time."

"In that case, thank you, Classmate Li... Brother Li."

"Hahaha, come with me. I'll let you experience the local customs here." Li Shuhao laughed and pulled Yang Fan into another private room.

"This is Heavenly Fragrance Haven's signature service. Awakening a Divine Kingdom means we're considered adults, and only then are we qualified to spend money here. Brother, pick someone first."

With a grand wave of his hand, Li Shuhao summoned a row of floating portraits of women.

Name: Liu Ruyan

Measurements: 85 58 90

Personality: Open

Strength: Divine Lifeform

Price: 10,000 Faith Points (overnight)

Name: Bai Ningbing

...

The portraits were seductive, voluptuous, or innocent. Yang Fan could not help swallowing hard, unable to decide for a while.

Seeing that Yang Fan had not moved for a long time, Li Shuhao smirked. "Do you need a special type?"

"What special types are there?"

"Married women, sisters, mothers and daughters. Or perhaps Brother Yang has heavier tastes—there are elves and beastfolk too. If you want something even heavier, there are pretty goblins."

"Pfft." Yang Fan nearly spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Of course, Heavenly Fragrance Haven also has Demigods and Gods for you to play with, but they're upstairs. We aren't qualified, and with our current mental strength, we could easily be played to death," Li Shuhao said with a laugh.

"This place has way too many talents," Yang Fan said, his cheek twitching.

"Internet technology is advanced. Even if two people are separated by two planets, they can still interact on the level of consciousness. But Brother Yang can rest assured, Heavenly Fragrance Haven has an excellent reputation. The attendants here are absolutely not virtual characters; they all exist in reality.

"Life isn't easy for anyone. They come out to earn a little extra money. You understand." Li Shuhao wore the knowing expression shared by all men.

Yang Fan coughed. "I've never spent money here before. This is my first time, so..."

"Everyone has a first time. It's a virtual world anyway, so it doesn't count as cheating on your future wife. Want me to arrange it?"

"Then I'll have to trouble you."

"The day before yesterday, I heard from a friend that those goblins—"

"Stop. I think this Liu Ruyan looks pretty good."

Li Shuhao looked regretful upon hearing that. "In that case, Brother Yang, enjoy yourself. We'll meet again when we have time."

As he spoke, Li Shuhao paid the fee and tactfully left the private room.

Yang Fan watched his retreating back, his cheek twitching. He had the nagging feeling that this guy wanted to mess with him because he had just been rejected.

In another private room, Li Shuhao sat in the seat of honor. A white-haired old man exuding the aura of a Demigod stood quietly beside him, holding a stack of documents.

"Uncle An, what do you think of my classmate?" Li Shuhao asked.

"Based on the young master's description, his talent is indeed quite good, but the conditions you offered are too generous."

"He is a classmate, after all. I just didn't expect him to reject such favorable terms."

"If the young master truly wishes to recruit him, perhaps you could start with his parents."

"No need. Methods can conquer a person, but they cannot win sincere loyalty. Developing a Divine Kingdom is a long-distance race. If we rely on underhanded methods, all we'll get in the end is mutual attrition. One more friend is always better than one more enemy."