I Can Add Points Infinitely - Chapter 65

“Oh?”

Shen Lian was slightly surprised. “Who is it?”

“He claims to be a prince of the Yan Kingdom,” the disciple respectfully replied.

“A prince?”

Upon hearing this, Shen Lian’s confusion deepened.

He had only been stationed at the Dongshi Valley mine for a few months and had visited the capital just once to make a brief trip to the Spirit Treasure Pavilion.

It could be said that he had no acquaintances here, let alone any connections with a prince.

Why would the prince suddenly seek him out?

After pondering for a moment, Shen Lian calmly said, “Bring him in.”

“Yes,” the disciple replied, bowing. A short while later, he returned with three commoners.

Shen Lian had already observed them through his spiritual sense.

One of the young men appeared to be in his early twenties, dressed in a brocade robe with an air of nobility and wealth.

Behind him were two burly middle-aged men. Judging by their physique and movements, they seemed to have practiced body-refinement techniques, but their exact level was unclear.

To commoners, these two might seem like top-notch experts, but to Shen Lian, they were hardly worth mentioning.

“Senior Brother, I’ve brought them,” the disciple said respectfully from outside the door.

“Let them in,” Shen Lian replied calmly.

Outside the door, the disciple nodded at the young man, who immediately adjusted his expression and respectfully stepped through the door alone, without his attendants.

“I am Li Yu, the eighth prince of Yan Kingdom. Greetings to the immortal,” the young man said, bowing deeply as soon as he entered and locked his gaze on Shen Lian.

“Li Yu? The eighth prince of Yan Kingdom? What brings you here?” Shen Lian murmured, having no recollection of the name, and asked in a stern voice.

“I humbly request an audience because I have an important matter to discuss with the immortal. Otherwise, I would never dare to intrude,” Li Yu replied respectfully, his voice calm.

Shen Lian didn’t respond but simply nodded, “Take a seat. Speak.”

“Thank you, immortal.”

Li Yu bowed in gratitude and glanced at Yun Xiong and the others. Noticing that Shen Lian did not dismiss them, he understood that these people were trusted aides.

After a brief pause, he directly stated, “To be frank, I came here to propose a collaboration with the immortal.”

Shen Lian remained silent, waiting for Li Yu to continue.

“I heard that the immortal has taken over the Dongshi Valley mine and implemented reforms, leading to a surge in spirit stone production,” Li Yu continued. “I assume that the immortal must have a considerable number of spirit stones in hand.”

“Spirit stones are precious, of course, but once their number exceeds a certain amount, they cease to provide additional benefits to the immortal. Simply holding them may be a waste,” Li Yu said.

“I, though unworthy, run a small business association and am willing to manage and invest the immortal’s assets,” he continued. “I can’t guarantee much, but I can assure the immortal that if you let me manage the spirit stones for a period, you will see at least double the return.”

“And I can also acquire various cultivation resources for the immortal at a lower cost.”

Having said this, Li Yu fixed his gaze on Shen Lian. Although he had gone over his words countless times before coming, he couldn’t help feeling nervous in front of Shen Lian.

Shen Lian didn’t respond immediately but instead closed his eyes, contemplating.

He had considered working with a business association for a while, but he had not found a reliable agent and did not want to be distracted by managing it himself, so he had delayed taking action.

After a moment of reflection, Shen Lian opened his eyes and spoke in a low voice, “Why should I cooperate with you? There are many business associations in the world. I could work with many well-known ones; why should I invest in your unknown small association?”

“Because I offer the highest benefits,” Li Yu said seriously after taking a deep breath. “The immortal could certainly choose someone else, but no matter who you choose, it would still be a mere partnership.”

“True, isn’t that the case?” Shen Lian replied calmly.

“Indeed, but things are different with me,” Li Yu asserted firmly. “In cooperation with me, you would be in control. I only need a 10% cut as compensation; the remaining 90% would be yours.”

“I doubt anyone else could offer a better deal.”

“Ninety percent for me?” Shen Lian was taken aback, finally showing a hint of surprise.

Indeed, under such conditions, no one else could offer a better price.

Now genuinely intrigued, Shen Lian smiled at Li Yu and said, “Why? Give me a reason. I don’t believe anyone would willingly work for free, especially a prince.”

“Heh…” Li Yu chuckled bitterly, shaking his head. “No, immortal, you’re mistaken. It’s precisely because I am a prince that I can offer such conditions.”

“Oh?” Shen Lian looked at him with interest.

Li Yu paused for a moment and then sighed, “Being born into royalty often means not having a choice in many matters. I don’t know much about Azure Cloud Sect, but I do know a little. As a core disciple, your position is somewhat similar to that of a prince.”

“I believe you understand the constraints such an identity brings,” he continued. “That position pushes you forward, whether you want to fight for it or not, until, in the end, the reason we fight becomes quite simple: just to survive.”

Li Yu lamented for a while, then looked up earnestly and said, “I am not highly ranked among the princes, but my status always carries some potential.”

“My brothers all want me dead, and I can only try to protect myself.”

“Working with you, my main purpose is to gain a layer of protection.”

“As long as you promise that, no matter what happens in the future, as long as I create enough profit for you, you’ll be willing to protect me at a critical moment.”

Li Yu finished speaking and waited for Shen Lian’s response.

Shen Lian could see that he was not lying; his words were sincere. After a brief silence, Shen Lian softly asked, “One last question: Why choose me and not someone else?”

“As far as I know, there are quite a few core disciples around the capital. For example, Fang Nan has been in constant contact with the royal family of Yan Kingdom.”

“His Highness the Crown Prince collaborates with Fang Nan. I had no chance to approach him with my status,” Li Yu replied directly. “As for the others, they have already made deals with other princes.”

“So, you are my only choice, immortal.”

“Alright.”

Hearing this, Shen Lian finally nodded and smiled warmly, “In that case, let’s begin our cooperation.”

“Really?” Li Yu leaped from his chair, his face full of joy.

Shen Lian smiled silently and did not answer Li Yu directly but instead turned to Luo Junyuan. After a moment’s thought, he said, “Second Senior Brother, could you take the eighth prince out for a walk? After confirmation, let me know.”

“Yes,” Luo Junyuan replied, understanding Shen Lian’s intent.

Though a partnership was to be formed, Shen Lian still had to confirm the eighth prince’s true capabilities. It wouldn’t make sense to trust him based solely on his words.

Sending Luo Junyuan was meant to investigate the prince’s abilities.

The eighth prince understood this and had no objections. He respectfully invited Luo Junyuan to leave Dongshi Valley and return to the capital with him.

Meanwhile, at Fang Nan’s residence, a small meeting was also taking place.

Many core disciples gathered around Fang Nan.

Everywhere he looked, there were Golden Core cultivators.

However, the atmosphere at the scene was somewhat gloomy.