"Apologies," Qin Siyang stood up and bowed twice toward Gu Weihong and Liu Yufei.
"I cannot accept the conditions of Rende Research Institute and Human Research Institute."
"Having both directors come in person, yet returning empty-handed, makes me feel very guilty."
"Although we cannot reach an agreement on the special recruitment matter, that does not prevent us from having other exchanges in the future."
"I hope to establish a deep friendship with both of you."
Seeing that Qin Siyang was about to get up to see them off, Gu Weihong and Liu Yufei were quite helpless.
Qin Siyang's demands were indeed beyond their power to resolve.
A research institute was not a university, where a board of directors could simply close the doors and make a decision.
Whatever their research institutes wanted to approve had to be reported step by step through the hierarchy.
Even as directors, they did not have much authority in their hands.
There was no need to feel wronged.
They were paid so much, their salaries were dozens of times that of ordinary university professors. They had to give up something in return.
They couldn't have it all.
The two of them also stood up gracefully, expressing their regret.
However, at Qin Siyang's strong request, they still exchanged contact information with him.
Qin Siyang also requested brochures introducing the two research institutes, expressing his intention to study them further. He even mentioned that there might be opportunities for cooperation in the future.
After this round of pleasantries, the two felt much better about their long trip not being entirely in vain.
Qin Siyang and Li Tianming escorted the people from the two research institutes out of the school gates, and the whole process was very amicable.
However, Gu Weihong and Liu Yufei did not immediately get into their cars and leave.
The two walked along the roadside, talking, while their driver followed silently in the car.
"Old Liu, you came quite quickly this time."
"Mm, I was conducting research in a nearby area. As soon as I got the message from the Ministry of Education, I rushed over immediately."
"Same here."
Liu Yufei smiled, "This Qin Siyang is quite interesting. He outright rejected us, yet remained polite, asking for our contact information and research institute brochures as if he really might cooperate in the future."
Gu Weihong clasped his hands behind his back, "Who knows? If he can get something else good besides the Vine Core, wouldn't that create another opportunity for cooperation?"
"Just getting the Vine Core was already lucky enough for him. What else could he possibly get? You think he can acquire Crimson Crystals?"
Liu Yufei looked a bit exasperated.
"Qin Siyang and Li Tianming must have already discussed this. They will definitely not join a research institute. I suspect they met with us and talked so much just to use our offers to pressure others, waiting for the highest bidder."
"I got all excited and prepared for so long, only to come here and realize I was just a tool. It's frustrating."
Gu Weihong didn't mind, "So what if we're tools? If this forces those universities to bleed more, I'll be happy."
"You're actually enjoying this?"
"One Vine Core in exchange for a tenured professor. If they manage to get that deal without spending big, wouldn't you feel bitter?"
"Heh, Director Gu, I don't even know how to respond to that. I thought only common folk like me would think that way, but I didn't expect someone like you, the secretary-general's cousin, to have the same perspective."
"My cousin is my cousin. I am me. Managing this research institute is already me doing him a favor. Does he expect me to play the saint alongside him?"
Liu Yufei nodded, "True. Secretary-General Gu's self-discipline and integrity aren't something ordinary people can match. By the way, Director Gu, are you going to inform the other research institute directors that Qin Siyang and Li Tianming won't be joining?"
"Of course not. Why should I be the only one who wasted a trip? Let them come and hit a wall too. Old Liu, are you going to tell them?"
"Haha, I'm known for being introverted. I don't like sharing information with others."
"That's the right attitude."
———
Li Tianming and Qin Siyang returned to the meeting room.
"Qin Siyang, I estimate that others will also come to negotiate terms soon. Other universities and research institutes might not, but the Four Glory, Five Pillar, Three Prosperities, and Five Virtue institutions will definitely come. Are you ready?"
Qin Siyang thought for a moment,"Meeting them one by one is too tiring. It's better to gather them all together for discussions. The school's meeting room isn't big enough, so I'll borrow the Management Bureau's meeting room from Old Qian."
"Mm. But the fastest ones will arrive today, and the slowest will likely be here by the day after tomorrow. How do you plan to handle this?"
"Find a place for them to stay for two days and meet them all at once the day after tomorrow."
"Where in this backwater place are we going to find accommodations suitable for a group of distinguished guests?"
Qin Siyang smirked, "Ever heard of 'when in Rome, do as the Romans do'? They're coming here to negotiate terms, which means they want to show their sincerity. If they can't handle it, they can just leave. It's not like we're short on options."
Leaning back in his chair, he looked completely at ease, "Tsk, being a 'sea king' sure is fun."
Li Tianming let out a small laugh but didn't say much.
Let Qin Siyang have his fun.
Qin Siyang dialed a number, "Hey, Ayou, I need a favor…"
When Wang Deyou heard that he had to host a group of university presidents and research institute directors, he nearly pissed his pants.
The two brothers were dumbfounded.
They hurriedly called their eldest brother Wang Defa for help.
Wang Defa, upon hearing this, immediately recognized the gravity of the situation. Do this well, and the future was bright; screw it up, and they might as well send their heads in a box.
Without hesitation, he closed his internet café with a "Temporarily Closed" sign and rushed over to help his younger brothers handle the situation.
Meanwhile, Qin Siyang called Qian Wenzhao to borrow a meeting room, and Qian Wenzhao agreed without hesitation.
Now that Qian Wenzhao was a bureau chief, arranging a meeting room was no issue at all.
Li Tianming explained the situation to the arriving guests, directing them to stay at "Ayou's Inn" and meet for negotiations two days later.
As for Qin Siyang and Li Tianming, they took the next two days off.
Nothing eventful happened.
However—
Since Wang Deyou's inn was very close to the entrance of Safe Zone No. 38324, many of the university presidents and research institute directors staying there became curious.
Just how many gods were at the entrance of Safe Zone No. 38324 for Qin Siyang to rack up over six thousand points in a single week?
Thus, Safe Zone No. 38324's entrance saw the arrival of the most powerful god hunters in its history.
The presidents of the Four Glory and Five Pillar universities, along with the directors of the Three Prosperity and Five Virtue research institutes, except for Rende and Human Research, gathered at the entrance of Safe Zone No. 38324.
None of them wore cold-resistant suits.
Yet all nearby sequence ability users could sense their extraordinary presence.
The expressions on their faces were not of caution, but of disdain and arrogance.
These high-ranking individuals conversed among themselves.
"Nothing much to do—might as well take a look at the environment where Qin Siyang hunts gods."
"I've never been to such a remote place before. This should be an interesting experience."
At this moment, Yan Mohui, the president of West Glory University, suddenly spoke, "How about we come back before the meeting and see who earns the most points hunting?"
"President Yan, that's quite childish. We are university presidents—such comparisons between scholars are inappropriate."
"Hehe, let's not compete. No need to hurt our camaraderie."
"Exactly, I think so too."
"Yeah, I'm just an old bag of bones. How could I possibly out-hunt you younger folks?"
Smiles spread across the group.
They all claimed they wouldn't compete.
As if—
They really didn't care about Yan Mohui's suggestion.
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