Chapter 172: Building a Tower in the Human Relationship Bureau (Two in One)
As soon as the commercial ended, Wang Ran leaned back in his chair and let out a long sigh.
Shennong Tea Party: five cups of magical tea, a Taoist magic spell, three rounds of toasts, and two apologies.
To get involved, you need background and power.
If he didn't have some social skills, he would have been kicked out long ago.
But because of this, he became even more excited.
This game is not a numerical game, it is a real social simulation.
Behind every interaction there are favors, and every word may be a trap.
"It's been a long time since I've felt this intense."
The previous wave, which seemed to be just a social interaction at a tea party, made his palms sweat and his nerves tense.
There is no mindless favor-boosting, and no options to kill. Everyone is like a real NPC, with temper, stance, and past grudges.
It's rare. I haven't encountered someone who can make him so nervous in the game for many years.
After the short "Shennong Tea Party" ended,
The system suddenly popped up a new option:
[You have been noticed by Zhen Yuanzi and invited to settle in the "Wu Zang Mountain Territory" and become one of the landowners. Do you accept?]
Wang Ran raised his eyebrows.
"Territory? And you can manage territory?"
Wang Ran reacted quickly!
This is not as simple as giving away land.
This is an invitation to “take sides.”
Zhen Yuanzi, a man who can set the tone at a tea party without speaking loudly, is willing to give you a piece of his own land. This can't be explained by just a little appreciation.
He clicked [Accept] without hesitation.
He nodded "yes".
"This feeling...isn't it the sandbox cultivation simulation I've always dreamed of?"
The scene changes and we arrive at the outer edge of "Wu Zang Mountain".
It is not a blessed land of immortal mountains, but more like the edge of a barren mountain, a desolate but uncultivated hilltop, with some wandering cultivators and demons entrenched on the edge.
System prompts:
[You have obtained a piece of land outside Wuzang Mountain, where you can open a temple, recruit disciples, and manage resources]
[You are one of the few land masters among the casual cultivators. You can choose to expand or cultivate deeply.]
【You can now choose the following development directions:】
1. Establishing a "thatched cottage dojo" and recruiting disciples to preach
[2. Cultivate medicinal fields, gather spirit formations, and accumulate resources]
3. Build a "welcome pavilion" to invite nearby monks to discuss the Dao.
[You need to establish a sect to stay here longer]
"Faction? I can build a gang by myself."
"Interesting..."
Wang Ran raised his eyebrows and clicked on the [Sect] module.
The interface pops up: "You have not yet established a sect. Do you want to create a sect based on Wuzang Mountain?"
Wang Ran decisively filled in the name of the sect - [Wangchen Sect].
The next second, the system popped up a bunch of management options:
【Faction Management】
【Disciple Recruitment】
【Housekeeping Dispatch】
[Earth vein repair]
【Sect Reputation】
【Visitor Reception】
【Gift List】
Wang Ran's eyes were dazzled.
"This is a business simulation, right, brother..."
Moreover, looking at the data interface, there are actually settings such as "sect recipes", "alchemy recipes", and "neighborhood sociality".
[Your current sect is a one-person sect (only the sect leader). You can attract wandering cultivators to join the sect through communication, banquets, and favors in the "Wild Cultivator Tavern"]
[Note: Different cultivators have different personalities, and joining a sect will also bring about causal fluctuations.]
Wang Ran glanced around and his eyes paused on "Disciple Recruitment", but he didn't click it in a hurry.
Then don’t rush to recruit people.
He didn't want to attract a group of paper people who were fighting among themselves all the time. He had to lay a solid foundation first and make the territory look decent before talking about the prosperity of the sect.
He turned and clicked on [Earth Vein Repair].
The scene switches to a perspective overlooking the mountains.
In the area outside Wuzang Mountain, the flow of spiritual energy is thin, and the broken ground veins are like withered vines, lying on the surface of the land.
Sure enough, the system understood him very well:
[The ground veins outside Wuzang Mountain are broken. You can use "Spiritual Breath Seeds" to cultivate them, or find Spiritual Stones to manually repair them.]
[The higher the repair degree, the stronger the spiritual energy concentration, and the richer the resource output]
[If the earth veins are connected, there is a chance that strange phenomena will occur.]
"Vision"
Wang Ran touched his chin and suddenly became interested.
But forget about the seeds, he didn't have many spirit stones, so he decided to give up!
He exited the earth vein module and turned to click on [Medicinal Field Construction].
result……
There are rocks and weeds everywhere, and there are even a few red-eyed rabbit monsters frolicking around in the fields.
Wang Ran frowned as he watched.
“This really needs to be built bit by bit.”
“There’s so much work to be done!”
It's strange though.
At this time, he didn't feel annoyed, but rather very interested.
Yes.
It is this feeling of starting from scratch, building step by step, and laying every floor tile by himself that makes him particularly excited.
Wang Ran moved his finger and expanded the "Sect and Neighbors" column.
Sure enough, a foggy geographical atlas popped up.
Several of the areas have been named, and some familiar names appear:
【Xuanhujian·Fox Taoist】
[Ran Ya Lin: Kui Shan Hunters]
[The Solitary Lamp Cave·The Yellow Millet Taoist]
[Broken Moon Bridge, Yanchi Gate]
Each place represents the permanent residence of a force or practitioner.
There's even some red text:
[Fox Taoist: I have a good relationship with the player sect "Wangchen Sect" for the first time. I would like to make some small friends.]
[Huangliang Taoist: I once showed hostility towards you at the tea party]
“Oh, there are still people who hold grudges.”
Wang Ran's eyes lit up and he became more interested.
Just as he was thinking about what to do next, the system suddenly popped up another prompt:
[System prompt: You received a banquet invitation]
[From: East China Sea Kunpeng]
【Location: Baihong Bay Pilgrimage Banquet】
【Whether to go】
Wang Ran's eyes jumped.
"Kunpeng is coming"
“You actually invited me.”
"How is this possible?"
At this moment, Wang Ran had sat up straight.
I was just repairing the earth veins, chasing rabbit monsters, and planting medicinal fields, and in the blink of an eye, the game suddenly popped up Kunpeng’s banquet.
"Isn't this NPC a bit too high-end..."
But he soon realized that this was no accident.
Just as the game is promoted, this game is not about piling up numbers, nor is it about forced excitement, but rather a game of interlocking human relationships.
He instantly realized that as a casual cultivator with no background or upbringing, it was impossible for him to be selected.
But he remembered something.
Zhen Yuanzi!
His requests for advice and gifts at the Shennong Tea Party made Zhen Yuanzi nod his head, and he even personally invited him to settle in his territory.
In the eyes of players, this is just a plot of "giving away land if you increase your favorability to the maximum."
But for NPC, that is,
"Even the Earth Immortal Patriarch has spoken out, this person is no ordinary person."
"This person is from the Zhenyuanzi clan,"
This kind of identity label is more practical than sect background and cultivation level.
Zhen Yuanzi’s appreciation is the pass.
Wang Ran understood this, so he clicked [Accept] without hesitation.
The screen switches instantly.
A red rainbow appeared in the sky, surrounded by auspicious clouds. A white rainbow spanned the mountains and the sea, like a bridge to heaven, leading directly to the banquet venue - Baihong Bay.
System Description pop-up:
[The Pilgrimage Banquet is an annual grand event in the cultivation world. The invitees are all famous cultivators, sect leaders, and extraordinary talents from all over the world.]
Please pay attention to your etiquette and appearance. Excessive vulgar behavior will affect your sect's reputation.
“We also need to be polite.”
Wang Ran looked at his character's current attire: a long gray robe, half-finished straw sandals, and messy hair. He looked like a wild cultivator who had just crawled out of a mountain ravine.
The next second, the system thoughtfully pops up the "Appearance Management" module.
Wang Ran casually clicked on it and selected the "black Taoist robe given by Zhen Yuanzi". He put on a crown and his temperament was immediately revealed.
"That's what a 'suzerain' looks like."
…
Upon entering the banquet, Wang Ran was immediately shocked by the overwhelming atmosphere.
The entire Baihong Bay was suspended in mid-air by a magic circle, with shimmering waves all around. Dozens of crystal-light floating islands stood on the water, and each floating island was a table for banquets.
All the monks walk in the air, flying boats, riding swords, walking on clouds, stepping on rainbows... Each way of appearance is impressive in its own way.
He chose the most marginal and inconspicuous island to sit on.
As soon as I sat down, a lot of prompts popped up:
You are scrutinized by the monk 'Qianjian Zhenren'.
You are ridiculed by the disciples of the sect 'Taixu Ancient Palace'.
[You meet a cultivator who raises his glass to you: Qingli Sanren]
[You are being secretly watched by an unknown powerful person]
Wang Ran's face darkened: "It's only the first banquet, and you're already so nervous?"
But he soon discovered that he was not the only new face.
On several floating islands, there were also some monks sitting with an uneasy look on their faces. They looked like "newly appointed sect leaders" or "representatives of local small sects."
On the islands in the center, just people standing still can emit a strong pressure.
Gazes flashed across the room, scanning everyone like lasers.
The most eye-catching one among them is Kunpeng.
He is not in human form, but has silver feathers, golden eyes, and wings like waterfalls. He floats in the center of an independent floating island. Surrounded by several strong men whose faces cannot be seen, he has an intimidating aura.
The system introduction is also very restrained:
[Kunpeng: Unknown identity | Unknown background | Extremely advanced cultivation]
Wang Ran: "Will Kunpeng give me the face to talk? I think it's going to be tough!"
But you can't just refuse the invitation from Kunpeng, right?
For Kunpeng, it may not be important who comes, but it is clear who doesn’t come!
But what gave him even more headaches were the menu options that popped up one after another.
【You can choose the banquet behavior:】
1. Eat in silence, as quiet as a chicken
2. Take the initiative to toast and socialize
3. Express your views and participate in discussions
4. Make eye contact with Kunpeng
5. Use 'Xuanlingzui' to exchange for favor points
This is just like the leader inviting us to a dinner party!
Wang Ran rolled his eyes, but still chose option 1.
As soon as Wang Ran clicked "Eat in silence", the character sat down quietly.
He picked up the bowl of clear porridge in front of him and drank it spoonful by spoonful very quietly.
The system was not idle either, and a prompt popped up the next second:
[You chose "Silent as a Chicken" and did not talk to others. Your sect's current exposure has decreased.]
You meet a monk who raises his glass to you and calls you "the one who can sit with Zhen Yuanzi at the tea party."
Wang Ran: “Oh wow?”
He was stunned for a moment. There was an unexpected gain?
Is this the impact of human relationships?
Although he was just a familiar face, in the eyes of these NPCs, he became "someone appreciated by Zhen Yuanzi."
To be honest, he didn't even remember Zhen Yuanzi's full name or appearance!
However, it is precisely this kind of cause and effect linkage and the attraction of luck that makes Wang Ran more and more addicted to the game.
And then... Wang Ran became active.
Various human scenes came like a tide.
Someone asked about the origin of his Taoism.
Some people suggested that resources could be exchanged.
Someone openly invites me to "travel to the secret place together someday".
What he is best at is to strike the snake while it is still under control.
Once someone takes the initiative to show goodwill, he will immediately take advantage of the situation and move himself up a level.
I don't want real friends, but I want to be familiar with them.
Now that things have come to this, there is no turning back.
However, although he took the initiative to "exaggerate" at the banquet, he never spoke falsely, and every sentence was supported by details.
In subsequent interactions with others, he repeatedly hinted:
"Master Zhen Yuanzi once said that our Wangchen Sect still has room for improvement..."
"When the Immortal mentioned the interruption of the spiritual veins outside Wuzang Mountain, he specifically asked me to cultivate its roots well..."
"When I first took my seat, the Immortal personally gave me the 'Black Robe' as a sign of etiquette..."
In less than three rounds of toasts, he had used the golden signboard of "Zhen Yuanzi's appreciation" to great effect and successfully won the favor of several "neutral" NPCs.
There were even two small sects that took the initiative to send visiting cards, expressing that they "could consider exchanging resources" and "forming an alliance to overcome the ancient catastrophe together."
When using someone else's name, don't use it too forcefully.
It was this sense of propriety that allowed him to successfully gain the favor of several neutral forces.
Soon, a prompt sound popped up on the system panel:
[You received extra attention at the Baihong Banquet due to your status as "Zhen Yuanzi's Appreciation":]
[1. Chijun Sanren raises a glass to you]
[2. Qingli Sanren's attitude towards you changes from "scrutinizing" to "neutral"]
[3. Disciples of the Taixu Ancient Temple will no longer initiate provocative behavior]
【……】
Wang Ran nodded with satisfaction.
He also gained a lot of experience.
I took the opportunity to quickly select a few dialogue templates, all of which were moderate expressions of the kind that "talk a lot without making mistakes" and "be polite but not specific", and responded to each NPC who spoke to me one by one.
But there was an accident. Wang Ran didn't notice it for a moment.
Suddenly, a monk on the back of a golden-feathered crane came over to offer a toast. He asked in a calm tone:
"I heard that you drank with Master Zhen Yuan. Could you introduce me to him?"
When Wang Ran heard this, his heart skipped a beat.
Isn't this equivalent to asking him to use his connections to get a backdoor?
He wanted to try his luck, but he decisively chose "I'll do my best."
This sentence is half promise and half vague, and it can be regarded as a standard answer in reality.
But games are not reality.
The next second, a system pop-up window popped up:
Qingli Sanren: Your words are without basis, and you seem perfunctory. Your mood fluctuates.
"Oh my god."
That's it? Before I even agreed, the yellow light flashed?
Don't worry! I'll change you by watching this 120-second ad!
As Wang Ran clicked into the [Favor Account Book], he was anxiously looking for the advertisement button.
The system tactfully pops up an option:
[Do you want to use the "Apology" function: Watch the ad to restore Qingli Sanren's trust?]
[Current remaining times: 2]
[This ad duration: 120 seconds, and cannot be skipped]
Wang Ran gritted his teeth and nodded "look".
…
120 seconds passed.
He picked up the water cup and drank water while continuing to be cautious!
"The compensation is getting more expensive each time. It's designed like a loan."
After watching the ad,
Wang Ran breathed a sigh of relief. He was very careful in socializing at the next banquet.
But I used the opportunity to watch the advertisement again.
Only one chance left to watch the ad.
We can't stay at the party any longer! Let's call it a day!
Wang Ran quickly withdrew from the banquet and chose to return to the sect to handle affairs.
But as soon as I returned to the sect, I immediately received feedback.
Taoist Fox came to visit and proposed an alliance, but his words were full of probing.
In particular, they frequently mentioned "What does Zhen Yuanzi think of your founding of a sect" and "Whether there is really a lineage relationship between them."
Wang Ran was able to make it work at first, but when the Fox Taoist offered a "Virtual Moon Shining Heart Lamp", the system prompt suddenly became red:
[Under the illumination of the "Heart Light," your words are ambiguous and your intentions are concealed. The Fox Taoist has determined that you are being hypocritical.]
[The fox Taoist's trust in you has collapsed, and the relationship between them has changed from "superficial acquaintance" to "distant"]
[You are about to encounter the "Sectarian Public Opinion Backlash" state]
"Fuck!"
How can this be!
Watch the ad now!
Apologize quickly!
Wang Ran gritted his teeth and nodded "look".
After the commercial ended, he finally managed to stabilize the Taoist Fox and preserve the reputation of his sect.
But, all five ads have been used up.
Looking at the cooling countdown on the screen, which showed [Next refresh time: 23 hours and 59 minutes], Wang Ran collapsed in his chair.
"This is... there's really no chance of a rollover."
He is now like a tightrope walker. If he misses once, he will lose all his opportunities.
But it was precisely because of this that when he opened the [Wangchen Sect·Reputation] panel, he saw the line of words:
[Current Sect Status: Ninth-Rank New Sect | Popularity: Slightly Rumored | Relations with Surrounding Sects: Cautious]
He suddenly felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction.
This is not the kind of immediate pleasure of "numerical explosion", but a cumulative achievement achieved bit by bit through the complex interplay of human feelings, human nature, and destiny.
A real world of immortal cultivation where cause and effect are emphasized gradually unfolds at his fingertips.
And he,
Wang Ran, the leader of the Wangchen Sect, finally managed to survive temporarily in the human world after apologizing five times.
…
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