Strongest Lord by Opening Blind Boxes

Chapter 71: Chapter 71: 6 Talents

When Yang Qingniu heard Wang Yi call him to the stage to receive his reward, he immediately stood up and shouted to the crowd, ”I’m Yang Qingniu! Captain of the Civilian Militia! You all know who I am, right?”

The man was a total show-off right now.

Zhang Lengzi and the others were much calmer, even taking a moment to straighten their General Armor.

Jelena was the one who presented their awards.

As for their rewards, besides a Mystic Iron Sword and one Gold Coin each, they also received five Skill Books. These were for Body Forging Long Fist, mountain-opening saber, Green Forest Saber Technique, Chaotic Fist, and Mad Dog Fist.

Wang Yi was more than willing to develop these founding members of the Civilian Militia. ’Once they learn these five Skill Books,’ he thought, ’their strength should increase dramatically.’

After the five members of the Civilian Militia received their rewards, Wang Yi continued, ”Pang Damao! For your merits in killing enemies, you are awarded one Mystic Iron Sword, one Gold Coin, and a Skill Book! Step forward to receive your prize!”

Pang Damao, much like Yang Qingniu, leaped to his feet excitedly and shouted to the crowd, ”I am Pang Damao, formerly known as Pang Yuan, the director of the Intelligence Department!”

He happily went forward to claim his prize. He received two Skill Books: Body Forging Long Fist and Diving!

Wang Yi went on, ”Yang Wanli! For your merits in procuring supplies, killing enemies, and recruiting workers, you have already been granted a Mystic Iron Sword, so it will not be awarded again. You are rewarded with five Gold Coins!”

Upon hearing this, Yang Wanli happily trotted forward.

He knew very well in his heart that his own reward was the best of all: the Tongyou Spell!

After Yang Wanli received his reward, Wang Yi called out again, ”Barbarian Guard, step forward! For your merits in providing protection, killing enemies, and training the Civilian Militia, your contributions have been immense! You are granted one Yellow Dragon Mace, five Gold Coins, and Skill Books!”

Man Datou was also extremely excited, but he maintained his stern expression and stepped forward respectfully.

As for the Skill Books awarded to him, there were a whopping 11 in total. They were for the Dragon Elephant Skill, Iron Cloth Shirt, flaming saber, Body Forging Long Fist, mountain-opening saber, Green Forest Saber Technique, Chaotic Fist, Mad Dog Fist, Hundred Battles Saber Technique, Grapple Hand, and wind-breaking saber.

In fact, Wang Yi had already let Man Datou pick out his Skill Books beforehand.

According to Wang Yi’s thinking, since Man Datou possessed the Barbarian Witch Bloodline and was suited for both Martial Arts and Body Refinement, he might as well give him all the Martial Arts Skill Books and just focus on cultivating his abilities to the fullest!

However, according to Man Datou, having more skills didn’t necessarily make one stronger. It was enough to have the skills one needed; mastering too many useless skills was actually detrimental. He had then unceremoniously picked out 11 Skill Books—the very ones Wang Yi was now awarding him.

Among them, the Dragon Elephant Skill could also be upgraded, making it Man Datou’s main Cultivation Technique.

With Man Datou having received his rewards, the merit-awarding segment of the celebration came to an end. The sun had set, and it was time for the grand feast.

At Wang Yi’s command, soy-sauced beef, five-spice ham, Vegetable Soup, and more were brought out. The first canteen also supplied griddle cakes made from fine flour, and Eggshell Square once again burst into a lively hubbub.

In truth, this was the moment the villagers were happiest.

Wang Yi left Prototype No. 1 and, under Man Datou’s protection, walked into the crowd.

The Talent Assessment Machine had identified several useful talents, and Wang Yi was now on his way to recruit them.

...

Li Huaizheng was 46 years old and had been settled in Huangni Village for twenty years.

For those twenty years, he had lived a dejected life.

Twenty years ago, he had been a Tutor at the Bado Academy in Jinyuan County. He was well-versed in literature and history, brimming with talent, and had a promising future. But one day, drunk and in a fit of rage, he accidentally killed a local thug who was bullying a young girl.

The thug had connections in the Government Office. When Li Huaizheng sobered up, he feared arrest by the officials and fled overnight, seeking refuge with a distant relative here in Huangni Village.

He later married a local woman in Huangni Village and holed himself up in this remote place. In the blink of an eye, twenty years had passed.

Now, Li Huaizheng’s family had all died of illness. He had no children and was all alone in the world, with no ties or attachments. Although he occasionally reminisced about his prime, he had lost most of his fighting spirit. He was just waiting for the day he would close his eyes for the last time and end his life.

But today, Li Huaizheng was happy.

He chewed on a Crispy Fried Small Fish, took a bite of soy-sauced beef, and then sipped some Vegetable Soup, sighing in satisfaction.

Villagers were talking nearby. ”Wow, Boss Li got five Gold Coins! He’s struck it rich!”

”Someone over there said five Gold Coins can buy 2,500 jin of Crispy Fried Small Fish.”

”How much is 2,500 jin?”

”I dunno, but it sounds like enough to last for years!”

”The Roasted Chicken Immortal is such a spendthrift!”

”All those people who got rewards received gold... I’m so jealous...”

Listening to the men beside him, Li Huaizheng couldn’t help but scoff. ”Fools,” he said. ”What are Gold Coins? The Mystic Iron Sword is the real prize!”

”What do you mean?”

”Old Li, what nonsense are you spouting? How much can an Iron Sword be worth?”

”Ignorant is as ignorant does. Didn’t you hear what was said earlier? That Mystic Iron Sword is a symbol of merit and honor. Is its value something that can be measured in gold and silver? Believe me, in a few years, you might not be able to buy a single Mystic Iron Sword for dozens or even hundreds of Gold Coins! And the Yellow Dragon Mace is surely worth even more!”

”Haha, Old Li’s spouting nonsense again!”

”Hundreds of Gold Coins? Who has that kind of money!”

As the few villagers were laughing at Li Huaizheng, Wang Yi and Man Datou walked over.

Including Li Huaizheng, the villagers immediately fell silent and respectfully cleared a path.

But Wang Yi stopped in front of Li Huaizheng and asked, ”What is your name?”

”Th-this commoner is Li Huaizheng.”

Li Huaizheng froze.

’Why is the Roasted Chicken Immortal asking for my name?’

’Did I do something to offend him?’

Wang Yi said, ”Li Huaizheng. Good, very good. Are you willing to join Eggshell Castle and work for me?”

”Me?”

Li Huaizheng was stunned, unable to process what was happening.

Wang Yi continued, ”Soon, I will build an Eggshell Academy so that all the young children of Eggshell Village can attend school to learn how to read and write. You have a talent for teaching and nurturing others, and I hope you will serve as the academy’s dean. Of course, you will be paid a salary!”

Hearing this, Li Huaizheng’s heart, which had been as still as an ancient well, felt as if a boulder had been dropped into it, stirring up massive waves. He slapped his chest, bowed solemnly, and said, ”This commoner is willing!”

”Excellent! Report here tomorrow. For now, you can shadow Jelena.”

Wang Yi waved his hand and walked away.

This Li Huaizheng was one of the talents he had discovered with the Talent Assessment Machine. His comprehensive score was 72, classifying him as a Potential Level talent. His personality was upright yet magnanimous, and his expertise was in teaching and nurturing others.

There were five other talents as well.

One was Li Hua’Er, with a comprehensive score of 77. She had naturally keen senses and a high Elemental Affinity, making her suitable for practicing Magic. Her eyes were unusual, possessing a natural Pupil Technique. She was a Potential Level talent whose abilities could still increase with natural growth.

Zhang Xiaohu was also a Potential Level talent. He possessed a Wood Spirit Root, which meant he could pursue Cultivation and was suited for learning Wood Element Techniques. His comprehensive score was 73.

The third was Yang Xiaobao. Just like his father, Yang Qingniu, this Yang Xiaobao also had a Spirit Root and could pursue Cultivation. His comprehensive score was 72!

The fourth and fifth were the two people Wang Yi wanted to recruit next. They were both villagers from Huangni Village, currently squatting together and eating.

The younger one looked to be in his thirties or forties. His surname was Hai and his given name was Cen. He had an astonishing sense of taste and was a born chef, with his talent points all in ”Cooking.” His comprehensive score was 74.

The older one, with white hair, was Hai Cen’s father, named Hai Pei. He himself probably didn’t even know that his physique was naturally different from an ordinary person’s. The Talent Assessment Machine had identified him as having a Wine God Body and possessing a low-grade ”Wine Spirit Root.” He could achieve Cultivation just by drinking alcohol. He was also skilled at wine tasting and brewing. His comprehensive score was 79, meaning his innate talent was even stronger than Li Hua’Er’s.

’A low-grade Wine Spirit Root that lets you achieve Cultivation just by drinking? To think such a Spirit Root exists... Interesting...’

Wang Yi wondered why he didn’t have a Wine Spirit Root himself. Before he’d transmigrated, he’d had to attend so many social functions; all that alcohol had gone to waste.