Extra's Strategy: Cultivate Protagonists, Become Invincible-Chapter 146: The Most Refreshing Thing In The World

Giving Mu Ran a share of the money was something Han Xuhan had planned, to begin with.

Firstly, he almost felt a little guilty about bullying Mu Ran into giving him the technique and making him agree to share it with the sect, even though he deserved compensation.

To Han Xuhan, taking advantage of smart, cunning opponents was not an issue to be mentally disturbed about. He could bully people like Shen Kai all day. But taking advantage of a dumbass like Mu Ran left a bad taste in his mouth. It felt like stealing a child’s toy.

Ever since Han Xuhan had seen that proud look on Mu Ran’s face when he was handing the manual to him, his conscience had been going through some struggles. Besides, he had to keep up a good image in the hearts of his two golden thighs, and Xuanyuan Zhou was always watching him like a hawk. She wouldn’t be fooled so easily.

In the end, he had decided that since he was receiving the benefits of being an underling, he would return the favor, as long as it wasn’t too difficult. Saving Mu Ran and Xuanyuan Zhou in the Holy Land of Laws was something he would have done regardless of his job as an underling. So it did not count as much of a favor.

For the current Han Xuhan, a few thousand spirit stones meant nothing but a small boost towards his ultimate goal—the peak of the first major realm of cultivation. If sharing a part of it got rid of the uncomfortable feelings in his heart, it would be worth it.

"I wonder if Xuanyuan Zhou will be inspired to share her Unorthodox Mystic Art with me upon seeing how fair I’m being with Mu Ran’s manual. The system did say she could end up sharing one with me..."

Shaking those insidious thoughts out of his mind, he focused on filling up the application form. Sometimes being able to scheme was not a blessing.

Even though he had put Mu Ran’s name in the provider list out of his goodwill, he couldn’t deny that a small portion of his mind had approved of this maneuver due to the security and extra benefits it brought. It made him feel slightly pissed at himself.

But at the end of the day, this was his true self. He couldn’t change that.

By the time he had finished filling up the entire thing, Mu Ran appeared in the distance, just in time for the signing.

"How did your enlightenment session go, boss?" Xuhan asked him curiously.

"Mm, I comprehended some unique concepts of this technique I’ve been studying. I shall soon reach the peak of the fourth layer of a mystic art, it seems. Might need to venture out again for some experiences and resources if I want to break through soon," Mu Ran replied off-handedly.

This was it! This was his chance to strike!

Indeed, when it came to a protagonist’s need for resources, the heavens would surely find a way for them to fall on his lap, one way or another.

With a dashing smile, Han Xuhan handed the application form to Mu Ran.

"Take a look, boss. I don’t think there is any need for you to take such massive risks again. How can I call myself a good underling if I cannot solve some minor financial problems for you?"

Stunned, Mu Ran ran his eyes over the application that included the contract agreements. His eyes froze over his name under the manual provider list.

"...Underling Xuhan, this is—"

"Do not refuse, Boss! This is as much for your good as mine. I cannot accompany you outside within a short period of time. But at least I can delay your departure till I recover some of my strength and boost our cultivation bases slightly!

"This technique originally belonged to you anyway. Do you really think I, your underling, would stoop so low as to leech off you?"

Han Xuhan’s words were dripping with heartfelt emotions. It was almost a replica of the situation two nights ago, where he had been busy mending the cracks in their wonderful, mutually beneficial relationship. Mu Ran was disarmed in seconds.

"...Alright, I can accept this arrangement," Mu Ran said with a sigh. His eyes shone with an unusual brightness while gazing at Han Xuhan.

After they handed the application form over to the senior disciple, Han Xuhan finally heard the words he had been waiting for.

"Okay, everything seems to be in order. Wise decision choosing the commissions, I must say. Most desperados who sell their cultivation techniques usually go for the double-priced, permanent deal. Now you need to wait for a few days for the Elders to evaluate this technique. I’ll send it for evaluation right now."

Finishing his lecture, the Senior Brother Lin did a cool trick that had amazed Xuhan on his first day as a disciple. The scroll vanished in the air with a controlled, fiery explosion, transferring the application form with it to the Elder in charge.

"Mm, your work here is done. I’ll send somebody to summon you once the papers get sent back. Wait for about a week-"

Senior Brother Lin stopped midway, distracted by the appearance of a fireball appearing in front of him out of thin air.

A scroll dropped from it and the fireball receded into nothingness.

It was a very familiar-looking scroll.

"I don’t remember sending out any scroll before this..." the senior disciple muttered with a confused expression on his face.

The corners of Han Xuhan’s lips curved upwards.

As he opened the scroll, the familiar application form tumbled out, now sporting a colorful seal on it bearing the sect master’s signature, as well as a paper containing the evaluation and payment details.

It was the sect master himself who had evaluated it! He must have arranged everything on the other side already!

The senior disciple’s eyes widened in shock. He was by no means an idiot. It was impossible for an evaluation to have happened within such a short period of time.

This emaciated kid in front of him had personal connections with the sect master himself!

He hadn’t fully believed the boy when he had first heard him boast about it. But it turned out to be true!

Gulping audibly, Senior Brother Lin forced himself to smile fawningly as he did his job and took care of the rest of the miscellaneous paperwork as quickly as he could.

It was a golden opportunity to establish a friendly relationship with this well-connected young man named Han Xuhan. The senior made use of it more smoothly than Han Xuhan himself could have.

A young man experienced in the way of the real world—that was the impression both of them got from each other. It was almost like meeting a kindred spirit!

By the time Han Xuhan and Mu Ran were about to leave the archives, they were calling each other ’brother’ not just formally, but also affectionately. The hierarchical tags had been discarded!

"Goodbye, Brother Lin!" Han Xuhan shouted one last time, his hands clutching the sealed promissory note from the archives that stated that the treasury of the sect would have to hand out five thousand spirit stones to the bearer of the note.

"Goodbye, Brother Xuhan!" The senior disciple waved his hands at him cheerfully, personally seeing him off.

"That felt quite refreshing," Mu Ran muttered. Even he had noticed the change in the attitude of Brother Lin. Han Xuhan agreed.

"Of course, boss. Showing off is the most rewarding feeling in the world!"

"You’re mistaken, underling. The most rewarding feeling in the world is having a beauty secretly peek at you while you’re changing your clothes. I experienced it just yesterday on the boat!"

Han Xuhan felt a vein throb in his temple. Was this ’guy’ talking about Xuanyuan Zhou?

Of course she’d peek at you while you were changing! She probably caught on to the fact that you’re a woman, Boss!

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