Zhang Wei certainly didn't need henchmen.
But Zhang Wei lacked laborers!
Building houses, moving bricks, carrying cement—all required people who weren't afraid of the bitter cold. These few individuals were perfect laborers.
Didn't they want to stop doing evil?
And didn't they want to advance in rank and gain prestige?
Then they should work hard moving bricks, creating value with their own hands.
Considering their level, one person's brick-moving efficiency would surpass ten thousand others. Even the largest engineering vehicles on Blue Star couldn't match a tenth of their speed.
A'jin asked, "It is indeed a good job… but how will you pay us? It won't just be food, will it?"
Zhang Wei made a gesture.
Silver Apples! He produced Silver Apples immediately!
It was fitting for their status!
Following the method taught by the Skin Doll, Zhang Wei cracked the passcode lock, divided the flesh into seven portions, and fed it directly to the five of them.
Zhang Wei said, "Silver Apples worth over ten billion. You've already received half a year's salary in advance. When do we start working?"
The five individuals: …………
…………
Ten billion for half a year—even for their level, that was an incredibly extravagant reward!
They were definitely being hired at a high salary!
Carrying a massive amount of construction materials and accompanied by A'jin and the other four, they spent a day returning to the Great Glacier.
Afterward, a meeting was held to finalize future plans, and Zhang Wei immediately set off for the Arid Stone Plateau!
Zhang Wei felt he was swamped with work!
Four plans had been finalized previously, and now there was the Gourmet Coin plan. He had no time to look after Mo Du's Northern United Government.
He didn't even know how the merchant guild, which profited from the Cloud Kingdom, had organized itself…
Riding the Thunder!
No expense spared on energy, only speed mattered!
In an instant, Zhang Wei traversed thousands of kilometers, arriving at an extremely vast Gobi Desert.
The Arid Stone Plateau!
The climate here was extremely harsh. Cold currents from the Ice Hell Plains battered this area, causing nighttime temperatures to drop below negative forty degrees Celsius!
During the day, the sun blazed like fire, not only driving away all the cold currents but even raising the ground temperature to the point of frying an egg.
The temperature difference between day and night was at least a hundred degrees Celsius!
Extremely drastic!
Even more severe was that this place was almost entirely rock and gravel, with no soil whatsoever.
Combined with the razor-sharp air currents, very few plants could survive here.
The scarcity of food made the survival pressure here immense. Both herbivorous and carnivorous animals were far more formidable than in other regions.
"According to Tian Zui, this is the place."
"Sponge Sea Star had also planned to come here. After so long, I wonder how they are doing."
"With their cooking skills, if they could be recruited by the Gourmet Bank, the academy's problems would be solved."
"Ah, the past vividly reappears, and so much time has passed."
On a giant rock.
The blond Tian Zui, Atlas carrying a bamboo basket, and Mr. Luo, a chef covered in knives, had been waiting for a long time.
Zhang Wei descended from the sky, casually tossing two lumps of Bronze and Silver to Mr. Luo.
"The collected metal, for you."
"Metal…"
Mr. Luo picked up the metal and examined it for a moment, his palm caressing it repeatedly, his eyes widening!
Then he exclaimed in disbelief, "Sacred Bronze! Sacred Silver!"
"Zhang Wei, where on earth did you get this? Have you already managed to set foot in the Gourmet World?"
"No, I was lucky. I got a few subsidiary fruits from the Olympus trees in the mortal realm."
Cold sweat streamed down Mr. Luo's face: "Snatching food from the tiger's mouth… you even dare to provoke Olympus!"
Zhang Wei sneered, "In the mortal realm, what can Olympus do?"
"That's true… but Olympus won't let you off easily. After all, this metal is too precious to them, even more so than the flesh itself!"
"Oh? Why?"
Mr. Luo was well-informed.
He knew quite a bit about Olympus.
According to Mr. Luo, Olympus's entire fighting strength resided in their Saint Cloth warriors, and to maintain their combat power, these apple peels were essential.
Their Saint Cloth forging technology was the pinnacle of all intelligent species! It was said to be able to draw upon stellar power to gain various formidable abilities!
Even many of Mr. Luo's knife-forging techniques were acquired from there.
The 88 constellations of the heavens were their sources of power.
"I see… stellar power…"
"No need to worry about them for now, let's depart."
After all, Zhang Wei was very busy.
"Wait a moment, there are still people."
"Who?"
Tian Zui smiled, "You'll know soon!"
Three hours later.
Several meteors streaked across the sky. Zhang Wei focused his gaze and recognized them—acquaintances!
The Blood Hound, Brothandel!
Ranked third on the Black List, a Vampire!
The Northern Ten Elites, the Missionary, the Woodcutter, the Blacksmith!
"These are…"
Tian Zui said, "They are all tired of their current lives and wish to accompany us on the Path of Hunger for an adventure."
The Vampire handed over a new list.
Heavenly Rank First: The Terror Clown.
Second: Scorpion.
Third: Skin Doll.
Fourth: Qing Cheng.
Fifth: The Knight King.
…
Tenth: Indra Haru!
Zhang Wei sighed, "The Black List truly produces talents endlessly…"
The Skin Doll had risen to third, and Haru had successfully advanced to tenth place.
Tian Zui said, "From now on, the Black List has nothing to do with me."
It was one thing for members of the Northern Ten Elites to be here, but why was the Blood Hound here too!
They were sworn enemies who had fought to the death before. Had their relationship become so unpredictable now?
However, Zhang Wei didn't pry too much and said no more.
……………………
Olympus Divine Realm!
Atop a mountain peak.
A woman radiating divine light sat in the highest position. She was the de facto ruler of the Olympus Divine Realm.
Surrounding her were humanoid beings of renowned reputation, known as beings born of the gods.
On the mountaintop, a feast that never ended was underway, with countless attendants taking turns serving wine, brandy, tequila… all sorts of fruits and whole roasted meats.
Some beasts were as large as mountains, yet they were being perfectly prepared.
Regardless of the season outside, the mountaintop always experienced a spring night sky, accompanied by a gentle evening breeze.
On the dining tables were nine-pronged candelabra, their soft starlight making everything clearly visible…
Below Queen Hera, several figures also radiated immense brilliance!
Demeter, the Goddess of Seasons, possessed the ability to change seasons and manipulate nature at will. It was said that the starlit sky here was her creation.
Apollo, the Sun God, a man bathed in eternal radiance, was said to possess unparalleled archery skills, symbolizing truth and light!
Artemis, the Huntress Goddess, was said to make beasts tremble at the sound of her voice, and her archery skills were equally superb!
Ares, a tall and bloodthirsty terrifying giant, wore rudeness and disrespect on his face, unfitting for this luxurious hall.