Chapter 130: “High-Risk Project” Team Formation
Ascension Group, core executive emergency meeting.
The atmosphere was unprecedentedly solemn.
Chu Feng stood before a massive sand table. What the sand table simulated was precisely the terrain surrounding the Ten Thousand Souls Cavern.
“Everyone,”
Chu Feng’s voice was transmitted through the conch horn to every person present,
“Today I’ve summoned all of you for a major matter that concerns the Group’s future development, and… my personal reputation.”
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the room.
“I’ve decided to launch the first S-grade special project since the Group’s founding — ‘Ten Thousand Souls Cavern Resource Exploration and Strategic Investment Plan’!”
The moment these words fell, the entire hall erupted in an uproar.
What kind of place was the Ten Thousand Souls Cavern?
It was a forbidden land that made Eastern Wasteland cultivators blanch at the mention of its name — a graveyard for the living!
And the Chairman actually wanted to conduct “strategic investment” in a place like that?
Was he insane?!
“I know what you’re all thinking.”
Chu Feng seemed to see through everyone’s thoughts. He smiled faintly, then abruptly shifted the topic.
“Risk often coexists with opportunity. The Ten Thousand Souls Cavern is indeed dangerous, but according to our latest ‘market research’, it contains immeasurable ‘soul resources’.”
“This is an undeveloped blue-ocean market!”
“So, I’ve decided to personally lead the team to the Ten Thousand Souls Cavern to conduct the first round of ‘angel round’ investment inspection.”
He looked at everyone, a bewitching glint flashing in his eyes.
“This operation will have no KPI, and no guaranteed survival.”
“What I need are ‘partners’, not employees.”
“I hereby, in the name of the Group Chairman, publicly recruit ‘project partners’.”
“Any member who voluntarily joins — regardless of success or failure — will receive one hundred thousand Group Heavenly Ladder contribution points, as well as a 0.01% Group stock option reward!”
“If the project succeeds, all participants will be directly promoted to Group Honorary Executives and awarded the newly established Group ‘Abyss Pioneer’ Honor Medal!”
“This medal will be a symbol of the highest priority identity within the Group in the future!”
These words were like a massive boulder smashing into a calm lake.
One hundred thousand points!
0.01% stock options!
Honorary Executive!
Each term was like a devil’s whisper, ruthlessly pounding against everyone’s hearts.
“I… I’m in!”
A rough roar shattered the silence.
Zhang Daniu was the first to step forward. His honest face was filled with determination.
He didn’t understand blue-ocean markets or angel rounds. He only knew one thing.
“Wherever the Chairman goes, I go! Through mountains of blades or seas of fire, I’ll be the Chairman’s human shield!”
“Count me in!”
Wu Hao followed closely behind. He pushed up the nonexistent glasses on the bridge of his nose and spoke with a shrewd expression,
“Such an important S-grade project can’t possibly lack professional ‘operations and logistics’ support, can it?”
“Chairman, this is my once-in-a-lifetime chance to ‘gold-plate my résumé’. I must seize it!”
“Ahem! Chairman, there’s also me!”
Zhao Wuji squeezed forward with his bulging belly and patted his chest as he spoke,
“To be honest with you, Chairman, back when I used to run around the Demonic Path, I dealt quite a bit with those bald monks from the Nirvana Zen Monastery. I know the routes well!”
“This trip, I’ll definitely serve as a solid ‘business guide’ for you and clear obstacles for the Group’s ‘cross-border cooperation’!”
Looking at these three “enthusiastic elements”, Chu Feng nodded in satisfaction.
A fiercely loyal enforcer, a shrewd and capable steward, plus a local “snake” familiar with the terrain.
The configuration of this startup team was quite reasonable.
However, just as Chu Feng was about to announce the final roster, a cold voice rang out at an inopportune moment.
“And me.”
Murong Xue stepped out from the crowd, her pretty face frosted with chill.
“As the Group’s Chief Risk Control Officer, the launch of any S-grade project must have full-process participation and supervision from risk control personnel.”
“This is to evaluate and avoid potential risks and ensure the safety of the Group’s core assets. I have the authority, and the obligation, to accompany the mission.”
Her words were logical and impeccable.
Chu Feng’s brows instantly knitted together.
“No.”
He rejected it without even thinking.
“Why?”
Murong Xue stared straight at him.
“The risk level is too high and exceeds the scope of your professional capabilities.”
Chu Feng’s voice turned cold,
“If you go, not only will you be unable to help, you’ll become a burden.”
These words were extremely blunt.
Murong Xue’s face instantly turned pale.
In her phoenix eyes, two clusters of flames ignited.
This was the fiercest direct confrontation between the two since she joined the Group.
“I’m a burden? I’m at least at the mid–Golden Core stage!”
She trembled with rage,
“Chu Feng, don’t forget — who reminded you to establish the compensation system? Who helped you appease those family members?”
“In your eyes, am I forever just a useless vase who only talks on paper and causes you trouble?!”
“I’m doing this for your own good.”
Chu Feng looked at her, suppressing his anger.
“I don’t need it!”
“That’s enough!”
Chu Feng slammed the table. A surge of mid–Foundation Establishment pressure burst forth,
“This matter is settled! You stay behind and watch the home front!”
This was the first time he had issued an order to Murong Xue with such a forceful stance.
Murong Xue bit her lip tightly, her eyes reddening. In the end, she said nothing more. She only took a deep look at him, turned around, and left with a sweep of her sleeve.
That gaze was filled with disappointment, stubbornness, and a trace of complex emotion that Chu Feng couldn’t understand.
The meeting ended on bad terms.
……
Late at night, Chu Feng was alone in his office, studying the maps. His mood was somewhat irritable.
He admitted that his words earlier had been too harsh.
But he couldn’t take her along.
A place like the Ten Thousand Souls Cavern was a nine-deaths-one-life situation.
He himself had no absolute confidence. How could he possibly bring her?
Just then, the office door was gently pushed open.
Murong Xue walked in.
She had changed out of her plain dress and put on a tight-fitting black combat outfit. Her long hair was tied high, making her look valiant and spirited.
She said nothing. She simply walked silently to Chu Feng’s desk and placed an item on the map.
It was a palm-sized black iron shard, icy cold to the touch.
It was precisely the object she had discovered among the relics of that chore disciple named Wang Ermazi.
“What is this?”
Chu Feng frowned, thinking she was still angry about the daytime incident.
Murong Xue remained silent, only signaling him with her eyes to look carefully.
Chu Feng picked up the iron shard in confusion, his gaze falling on the half, incomplete star map etched onto it.
The lines were ancient, exuding a desolate aura.
As he stared at it, his expression suddenly changed!
This star map…
The纹路 and trajectory of this star map…
He suddenly yanked out a pendant from around his neck, strung on a red cord and polished smooth beyond recognition.
It was a black iron shard of the same material, slightly smaller than Murong Xue’s — the only item he had carried on him when he transmigrated from Earth!
He slowly brought the two iron shards together.
“Click.”
A soft sound rang out.
The two shards fit together perfectly, seamless, as if they had been one from the very beginning!
And that incomplete half of the star map became whole at that very moment!
Under the moonlight, the complete star map emitted a faint,幽幽 glow, and in the end, pointed toward the deepest part of the map — the Ten Thousand Souls Cavern — at a mysterious coordinate that had never been marked.
Chu Feng held the completed iron shard, his hand trembling slightly.
For the first time, his face revealed shock, confusion, and a trace of… fear that even he himself couldn’t put into words.
What… exactly was going on?