"Among the underworld, dragons and snakes mingle."
In his residence, Li Chen took the calling cards and letters of self-recommendation his steward handed him. After reading through them, he could not help but sigh.
Finding an Attendant as satisfactory as Hua Yongshan on such short notice was no easy matter. The Puppeteer Dao Path had a bewildering array of branches, large and small, and cultivators varied wildly in cultivation, attainment, and even moral character. However desperately Li Chen thirsted for talent, he would not rashly recruit anyone into his ranks.
Some testing was inevitable, and the foundations in the New Dao he had previously stipulated were a firm requirement.
Beyond that, he also had to consider the applicants' own ambitions for their future.
If they aspired to rule a territory and build an enterprise of their own, Li Chen could not recruit them either. After all, he had yet to reach the level of the Golden Sun Gate.
The Yan Pond Sea Kingdom had been an exception. With that kingdom of nonhuman Sea Folk, his intent to make use of them had been stronger. Moreover, he had only wanted to investigate the whereabouts of the Sea Emperor's Secret Cache, with no intention of developing it.
Dong Pengfei also came to ask Li Chen about his progress. After looking over several calling cards, he said, "Since you've accepted their cards, you might as well meet them."
Li Chen said, "That was my intention as well, but judging by their backgrounds, probably none of them meet my requirements."
"What I need is someone who truly understands the intent of my Dao Path and has a foundation for loyalty. That means the Dao Path he cultivates must align with mine, his origins must be trustworthy and his background clean, and he must be