Rise of the Wasteland in Cultivation

Despite being mentally prepared, Leng San was still secretly shocked when he heard that it would cost 500 contribution points a month. Even if he used all of his more than 7,000 contribution points to pay the rent, he could only rent the place for about a year. Tsk tsk, it seems that he is still too poor.

"Hehehe, if you like this place, mistress, I'll let you have it. I'll pay the rent from now on!"

After a burst of hearty laughter, Boss Bi walked out of a shipping container. His tall and strong figure was extremely imposing, clearly the physique of a second-tier gene-enhanced warrior. Behind him were five members of the Canglang Scavenging Team, making a total of seven people including himself and Zhou Chen.

Leng San was secretly taken aback, clearly not expecting that his boss valued him so much that he was even willing to give up his own place. However, he reacted quickly and immediately laughed, "Congratulations, Xiao San, you should thank our boss."

As the saying goes, one cannot accept a reward without merit. Leng San did not believe that a pie would fall from the sky, and shook his head, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Master Bi. I was just asking out of curiosity. Where can I afford to stay in a place like this?"

Big Boss Bi put on a stern face and said, "I'll pay the rent. You can just stay here, mistress. I, Bi Lang, am not joking. I mean what I say."

"I know you can do it, but I can't accept something for nothing. Let's forget it. I can't offer you anything of equal value in exchange."

Zhou Chen revealed his displeasure: "Xiao San, look at what you're saying, it's as if our boss has ulterior motives towards you."

Big Boss Bi laughed and said, "Xiao San is right. There are no free gifts in the wasteland world. It's all about the exchange of benefits. Here's what we'll do: as long as you join our Canglang Scavenging Team, this house will be yours. I'll pay the rent every month. In addition, you'll also get a share of the team's scavenging spoils, distributed according to the team's rules."

Upon hearing this, the other members of the Canglang Scavenging Team all had subtle expressions, because it meant that as long as Leng San joined, he wouldn't have to do anything and would earn a net income of 500 contribution points per month, which would amount to 6000 contribution points per year.

These conditions are undoubtedly very tempting, but as the saying goes, there is no such thing as a free lunch. Since Boss Bi has offered such a price, he naturally wants to get double the return from me. Moreover, once I join the team, I will be subject to Boss Bi's control, and I will naturally not be able to freely control my cultivation time.

So Leng San shook his head and said, "Thank you for thinking so highly of me, Master Bi, but I don't want to join any scavenging team for the time being."

The members of the Azure Wolf Squad exchanged bewildered glances. Even the leader, Bi, was somewhat surprised. How could Leng San refuse such generous terms? How interesting!

You should know that the Canglang Scavenging Team is the strongest scavenging team in Camp C-361. The average monthly income of its members exceeds 500 contribution points, and countless people would kill to join them.

Zhou Chen frowned and said, "Does Xiao San look down on our Canglang Scavenging Team?"

Leng San hurriedly said, "Brother Chen, don't misunderstand. I've just gotten used to being alone now."

The big boss, Bi Dadu, smiled and said, "It's alright. These things are all about mutual consent. Since the mistress doesn't want to join, then forget it. With her current strength, she can live a good life on her own."

Okay, let's try a different approach. Our team is going on a mission soon and needs more people. If you're interested in joining, you'll get 10% of the mission's rewards. Even if there are no rewards, you'll still get 2,000 contribution points.

Leng San's heart skipped a beat, and he asked, "What mission?"

"Yesterday, a space experiment module fell from Earth's orbit. Rumor has it that it contains something extremely important. If we can find it, the rewards will be enormous, possibly reaching—this amount." Boss Bi said, holding up one finger.

"100,000 contribution points?"

"Conservatively one million contribution points."

Leng San's heart skipped a beat; however, the rewards and risks were often proportional, so he pressed on, "What exactly is inside the experimental chamber?"

A hint of appreciation flashed in Big Boss Bi's eyes. Most people would be shocked when they heard the number one million, and would agree without thinking. But Leng San was very calm and composed, which was better than Zhou Chen. The key is that this kid is only eleven or twelve years old.

For a moment, Big Boss Bi wanted to bring Leng San into the group, and smiled and said, "It is said that there is extremely important experimental data in the experimental chamber, such as third and fourth-order gene enhancement drug technology, or even complete mechas."

Upon hearing this, Leng San immediately said, "Sorry, I won't get involved in this."

Just kidding, this level of stuff is not something I can handle right now. Staying put and developing my strength is the right way. If I don't have the ability and still go out to act recklessly, I'll lose my life sooner or later.

Big Boss Bi froze, clearly not expecting Leng San to refuse so decisively. Didn't one million contribution points hold any appeal for him?

One of the female members of the Canglang Scavenging Team couldn't help but look Leng San up and down with curiosity.

The female team member was about fourteen or fifteen years old. She had a very pretty face, long and slender legs, and a graceful figure. She wore denim shorts that revealed her calves below the knees, and zippered leather boots. On her upper body, she wore only a military green tight-fitting vest. She had a slender waist, a flat stomach, and her breasts were just beginning to bloom. She had bare, healthy arms and a ponytail tied behind her head, making her look youthful and energetic.

"If Mr. Bi has nothing else, I'll be leaving now," Leng San said.

Big Brother Bi then realized what was happening and laughed, "Don't rush. Since the deal isn't going to go, it's good to be friends. Come on, since you've come all this way, at least have something to drink before you leave."

Without a word, the big boss grabbed Leng San's hand. The latter immediately felt an overwhelming force pressing down on him and frowned slightly. This was a case of the soft approach failing, so they resorted to the hard one.

At this moment, Boss Bi's expression changed slightly. He originally wanted to pull Leng San to sit down on the sofa, but he found awkwardly that he couldn't pull him at all. He quickly increased his strength, but Leng San seemed to be rooted to the spot.

Big Boss Bi was extremely shocked. He was a level two gene-enhanced warrior, and his grip could easily exert a force of a thousand pounds. Even a level one gene-enhanced warrior would not be able to withstand it. With added force, he could even crush the bones of an ordinary person. Yet now, he could not move Leng San.

Just as Boss Bi was in a difficult situation, Leng San made a move, walked over to the sofa and sat down. To outsiders, it seemed that Boss Bi had pulled him there, but the latter knew perfectly well that Leng San was giving him a way out.

Leng San and Boss Bi sat across the coffee table. The latter instructed, "Wenrou, go and get two bottles of cola for our guests."

"Okay!" the girl with the ponytail replied, turned around and went into the left-hand shelf, quickly retrieving two bottles of cola.

Although this beverage is more expensive than clean water, it is relatively simple to make and was produced even after the nuclear war, so it cannot be considered a luxury item.

The girl with the ponytail opened two bottles of cola, handed one to Boss Bi and the other to Leng San, and said generously, "Hello, my name is Ye Wenrou, let's get acquainted."

The girl had a very sunny and cheerful smile, and her teeth were very white and straight, indicating that she brushed her teeth regularly.

"Thank you, my name is Leng San!" Leng San took the cola and took a sip.

Leng San knew Ye Wenrou, but they had never spoken. In the past, Leng San was not qualified to speak to her.

Big Boss Bi smiled and said, "Wenrou, go and get a few more cans so we can all drink together. You can have one too."

"Thanks, boss!" Ye Wenrou swayed her ponytail and walked away. Soon she came out with six cans of cola and gave one to each of the team members.

"Thank you, gentle lady." Zhou Chen smiled and accepted the drink, saying, "It's from you, I'm a little reluctant to drink it."

"Then don't drink it!" Ye Wenrou snatched the cola back and punched Zhou Chen in the stomach, making him turn pale with pain, which didn't seem fake.

"Hahaha, Brother Chen, how does it taste?" The other team members laughed gleefully.

Big Brother Bi smiled and said to Leng San, "Don't be fooled by Ye Wenrou's name. She's anything but gentle. She's got a fiery personality and is nicknamed 'Spicy Softie'."

"The boss is making things up about people again. Don't listen to his nonsense, Xiao San. I'm very gentle. If you join our team, I'll definitely treat you well!" Ye Wenrou finished a can of cola as she spoke, then crumpled the can into a ball and threw it into a nearby trash can.

Zhou Chen rubbed his stomach and complained, "Look at you, mistress, you dare call this gentle? You'd be more like Ye the Violent."

Ye Wenrou raised her chin, waved her fist in a show of defiance, and then winked playfully at Leng San.

The boss laughed and said, "Little San, are you really not going to consider joining our Azure Wolf Squad?"

Leng San shook his head: "Sorry, I don't want to at the moment. Perhaps there will be opportunities to cooperate in the future."

Seeing that Leng San hadn't ruled out any possibility of a deal, the big boss Bi nodded happily and said, "Alright, I hope we'll have the opportunity to cooperate in the future."

Leng San stood up and left, taking the unfinished cola with him.

Zhou Chen saw Leng San to the door, his expression somewhat complicated, hesitant to speak. Leng San said calmly, "I'm sorry to have put Brother Chen in such a difficult position."

Zhou Chen laughed and said, "It's okay, the boss said these things require mutual consent. No problem, I've made a fortune this time, I'll take you to an A-level shelter for a bit of fun!"

"Then I wish Brother Chen a swift success and a triumphant return," Leng San said, clasping his hands in a fist salute.

Zhou Chen was taken aback for a moment, then followed suit, clasping his hands in a fist and smiling, "Thank you for your kind words, Third Brother!"

Leng San turned and walked away. Zhou Chen clasped his hands in a fist salute to Leng San's retreating figure and chuckled, "Interesting. When did retro etiquette become popular?"

"That Leng San is far too arrogant. The boss has treated him with such courtesy, yet he still refuses to join us."

When Zhou Chen returned to the courtyard, a member of the Canglang Squad was speaking indignantly.

The big boss said calmly, "If Leng San were a level two gene-enhanced warrior, would you still think he's so powerful?"

"Level 2?" Everyone exclaimed in surprise.

Big Boss Bi nodded. Leng San had killed Viper. He originally thought that Leng San was at most a level one gene-enhanced warrior, but after personally testing him just now, he could confirm that Leng San was definitely a level two gene-enhanced warrior.

Zhou Chen exclaimed in surprise, "How is that possible? A first-tier gene enhancement potion costs 10,000 contribution points. I've been following the boss for so many years and it took me so many years to save up enough money to buy it. A second-tier gene enhancement potion costs 50,000 points, which I can't afford right now. How could Leng San afford it? Besides, his physique doesn't seem to match!"