The familiar voice of anger appeared again, the power of the Incomplete Coin converged, forming a transparent figure with only the upper body visible. However, compared to the first time, the figure seemed even more blurred, not as solid as before.
It seemed as if it could dissipate at any moment.
"It's not an illusion, this resentment has indeed weakened a lot, but even so, its strength far exceeds my imagination. It looks like it will take a long time for it to completely dissipate, or maybe I'll have to reach a certain level in my cultivation and then find a way to get rid of it," Li Yi thought.
But that incomplete resentment seemed to have sensed Li Yi and roared furiously as it pounced towards him, as if it was ready to break free from the constraints of the Sword Coin's energy field and crush his consciousness.
"You've got to be kidding, again?"
Li Yi was startled, immediately waking up from his Meditation.
He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
A false alarm.
He looked around.
Zhang Gao, Lv Jue, Zhao Xiaoxiao, they were all meditating, channeling cosmic energy. Not far, a dangerous-looking middle-aged man, acting like a bodyguard, was also sitting with his eyes closed, motionless.
The surroundings were very quiet.
No one noticed Li Yi's peculiarity, nor did they sense the mysterious object on him.
"What deep hatred does that resentment on the Incomplete Coin have against me? Every time it sees me, it goes mad, desperately trying to kill me. It was the same last time, and waking it today means my guidance work will be hindered," Li Yi thought inwardly. But there was nothing he could do since it was just an incomplete wonder; hazards were to be expected.
Now that he could no longer use the Sword Coin, he had to rely on his own guidance of cosmic energy to complete the remaining two-plus hours of work.
After calming his mind, Li Yi meditated again.
At this moment, without the aid of the mysterious object, he suddenly turned from a genius to a mediocrity. The feeling of freely acquiring cosmic energy was gone, and he could only, like everyone else, fish for sporadic cosmic energy in the gray-white world. This amount of energy wasn't even enough to sell for money, let alone support his own cultivation.
He persisted for another two hours.
At six in the morning, everyone's guidance work ended once again.
As usual, they went to the cafeteria for breakfast.
Manager Xu Ming, accompanied by his assistant, handed out today's wages to them. However, unlike yesterday, today's wages were surprisingly more than usual.
"Xu Ming, shouldn't I be getting fifty-four thousand today? Why did you give me a hundred and ten thousand? Is there a mistake?" Zhang Gao asked, puzzled.
Manager Xu Ming explained, "Because after tomorrow, the employer might wake up from the Cultivation Cabin. Your guidance work might be terminated midway. To avoid causing losses for everyone, we decided to give you one day's wages in advance. Also, our cooperation might end tomorrow, so please be prepared."
"What? Just a few days and you guys are not hiring anymore?" Zhang Gao suddenly became surprised.
Manager Xu Ming explained, "We need a large number of guides on a very short-term basis. If you want to apply for a long-term position as a guide, you would have to go through a selection process. At the very least, you'd need a guide license to qualify, unless... we encounter exceptional talents like Li Yi, whom we can specially hire."
Zhang Gao felt immediately disappointed upon hearing this; he had hoped to work here for ten days or maybe even a month, but it seemed there was no hope for that.
At that moment, Lv Jue said, "We understand the situation; after all, your offer is already double the market rate. Only those who urgently need guides would do this. However, if you have similar jobs in the future, feel free to contact me, even if it's just for three to five days."
"No problem, we've already collected everyone's information, and if there's a need, we will definitely contact you all first," Manager Xu Ming responded.
After taking her money, Zhao Xiaoxiao also looked regretful and said, "To be unemployed after just four days of work, it looks like I need to find another job again."
Manager Xu Ming then specifically found Li Yi and told him, "Li Yi, your income today was one hundred and ninety thousand, which is much lower than the past two days, but we are still willing to settle your salary for tomorrow at three hundred thousand a day, so today you'll receive a total of four hundred and ninety thousand."
"Hey, isn't that a bit much? You pay us the normal wages, but give him special treatment; isn't that quite unfair?" a cultivator who had just finished collecting his salary complained upon hearing this.
Zhao Xiaoxiao smirked and said, "If you had a cultivation value like Li Yi, others would also give you extra subsidies. If you don't have the capital yourself, of course, you don't deserve special treatment. Asking such a question, aren't you embarrassed?"
The cultivator, after being told off like that, immediately realized his mistake and left in displeasure.
Others laughed silently; Zhao Xiaoxiao was right. Li Yi received preferential treatment because the employer saw Li Yi's cultivation talent and was willing to pay more. As for them, with their mediocre cultivation values, they couldn't catch the employer's eye; receiving a little extra in their pay was already generous.
"Thank you, Manager. I hope you'll keep me in mind for future work opportunities," Li Yi said smoothly, immediately offering some kind words after receiving his payment.
"Don't mention it; your cultivation value is very high. We often need talents like you, and if there's a need, I will definitely contact you first. Moreover, I believe that with your cultivation speed, you soon won't need us to provide work opportunities. Likely, by tomorrow, after our employer finishes his cultivation, he will be more than willing to sponsor you," Manager Xu Ming said with a smile.
Despite his words, Li Yi still felt a bit down.
Such a great job would be gone by tomorrow, and he had only earned a total of nine hundred and ninety thousand.
Although it was a significant amount of money, Li Yi's expenses had increased, and he wasn't sure how long it would last. He could only think about finding another job in the future.
As Manager Xu Ming left, everyone's appetite for dinner diminished.
It's difficult to transition from luxury to frugality, a truth that everyone understands.
"Li Yi, after resigning tomorrow, what do you plan to do? Continue looking for work, or go back to cultivation for a while?"
At that moment, Zhao Xiaoxiao proactively came over with her plate, seemingly trying to ease the relationship.
Li Yi simply said calmly, "I haven't decided yet, maybe I'll go back to cultivation for a while, I've earned enough money for now and don't feel like looking for work."
Zhao Xiaoxiao continued, "Cultivation is very expensive; medical cabins, nutritional fluids, guides, and even private tutors... Your one million needs to be saved for taking care of your parents, how much can really be spent on yourself? So, Li Yi, you should give me a chance to invest in you."
Although Li Yi had declined last time, Zhao Xiaoxiao felt that Li Yi's rejection implied confidence in his future achievements. If he hastily accepted various investments, Zhao Xiaoxiao would actually be more hesitant.
Li Yi shook his head and said, "I'm not interested in your investment, go invest in someone else. These days, there's no shortage of cultivators needing investment; there's no need to focus on me. I want to earn money by myself now and am not willing to accept sponsorship."
"Well, alright then," Zhao Xiaoxiao said with a resigned sigh upon hearing his response.