Li Changyang and Lü Tieling were at a loss. Why was Lu Zheng so stubborn?
Lü Tieling said regretfully, “Lu Zheng, not even a little tempted?”
Lu Zheng glanced at Lin Wan.
She smiled back, “I don’t know what’s holding you back, but I’ll support whatever you decide.”
Lu Zheng nodded, brushing off Lü Tieling and Li Changyang, “I’ll think about it.”
So insincere…
The two exchanged a look, only able to nod helplessly.
People think differently. Some truly don’t care for fame or fortune. What could they do?
Force Lu Zheng to fight? They couldn’t even beat him!
…
Though Lu Zheng refused the ring, Li Changyang seized the chance to learn from him.
For the next hour, Li Changyang stuck to Lu Zheng, showering him with flattery and questions, making Lin Wan feel like a third wheel.
Finally, at noon, Li Changyang insisted on treating them to lunch, exchanged contacts with Lu Zheng, and reluctantly saw them off.
“Great one, come back often!”
Lu Zheng smacked his lips, feeling the scene oddly familiar. After a moment, he realised it was like the farewells of a brothel madam at Chunfeng House.
…
“Lu Zheng.”
“Hm?”
“Nothing, just saying your name.”
Lu Zheng smiled, taking Lin Wan’s hand.
“Do you also want me in the ring?”
“I’m torn. I want to see you dominate the world, but I’m scared you’ll get hurt.”
“Heh, look at your job. You’re one to talk about danger?”
“That’s different!”
“Of course it is. Being a cop’s been your dream since childhood. I know.”
“And you?”
Lin Wan’s gaze burned, as if peering into his soul.
“Me?” Lu Zheng paused. “I just wanted to coast through life, free and easy.”
“Now?”
“Now…” Lu Zheng looked into the distance, “I’m slowly figuring it out…”
Lin Wan squeezed his hand, “I’ll be with you.”
Lu Zheng’s worldview had been upended by cultivation. He wasn’t sure what lay ahead.
Lin Wan thought his sudden wealth and extraordinary skills had thrown him off balance, leaving him directionless.
Though their thoughts differed, their paths aligned.
“Let’s worry about the future later. For now, let’s go pet some cats!”
“Deal!”
That afternoon, they visited a cat café, sipped coffee, and petted cats, relaxing. Lu Zheng saw Lin Wan’s gentle, quiet side.
Then they hit the mall. Lu Zheng bought Lin Wan an autumn coat, and she got him jeans.
After a casual dinner and a movie, they strolled hand-in-hand back to her place.
…
The next day, Sunday, they’d planned for an amusement park, but Lin Wan got called to work, cancelling the outing.
Coincidentally, Liu Zhenming’s private auction was that day.
Lu Zheng attended as a guest.
Reality was nothing like novels.
Just a modest conference room, Liu Zhenming doubling as auctioneer, presenting items physically and in high-res images for bidding.
The auction proceeded in a friendly, harmonious atmosphere—no drama, no arguments. Bidders dropped out cleanly when prices exceeded their limits.
The final total was twenty-seven million eight hundred thousand, close to Gu Pingzhong’s estimate.
“Shame, I thought we’d hit thirty million,” Liu Zhenming said, shaking his head.
“It’s fine. I’m satisfied. Thanks for playing auctioneer, Mr. Liu.”
“Glad you’re pleased, Mr. Lu. If you get more good stuff, don’t forget me!”
“Will do!”
…
With the eight million from the phoenix bloodstone seal, Lu Zheng’s bank balance now exceeded fifty million.
Just two months since gaining the jade seal in his mind.
“Making money is that easy!”
Online, he logged into the tax portal, checked his income, and paid all taxes owed for the eight million and this auction in one go.
Done!
That afternoon, Lu Zheng viewed three large apartments, settling on one in his upscale rented neighbourhood. A five-bedroom, two-living-room, nearly 250-square-metre bare-shell flat, priced at thirty-two million.
Without hesitation, he paid in full, then hired a reputable renovation company, signing a full-package contract.
“No rush for a car. Don’t need one yet. I’ll buy when I do.”
Back home, Lu Zheng lay on his bed, lost in thought.
When he first got the jade seal, he thought the other side was just a peaceful ancient dynasty.
Self-aware, he knew his limits as an ordinary person. Playing a small-time trader between worlds to get modestly rich was fine, but aiming too high would likely get him devoured by ancient elites or modern business sharks.
His goal was simple wealth: marry a beautiful wife, improve the next generation’s genes, live freely, and ensure his kids’ comfort.
But later events shattered his worldview.
Corpses, ghosts, cultivation, immortality.
In the ancient world, he only knew a fraction of the Da Jing Dynasty, and the future was uncertain, but he was now a dual cultivator of dao and martial arts.
His goal was set: steadily advance his cultivation, integrate into the cultivation world, alter their fates, and harvest luck’s light for his practice, going as far as he could.
In the modern world, he was already a master.
Just two months!
In combat, he could crush the world’s top fighters, reviving traditional martial arts.
In speed, with a divine travel talisman, he’d outrun the 100-metre champion.
In solving crimes, a qi-tracking talisman would catch any culprit unless they fled thousands of miles instantly.
With a frost talisman, he could start a cult abroad, performing miracles on demand.
Unless he chose to hide his skills, any action, any incident, would reveal him.
Like saving someone from a speeding car—could he stand by and let them die?
Or if framed by a criminal, would he just take it?
Or at the fight club, would he let others mock him or let Lin Wan be misunderstood?
Gold always shines; it can’t be hidden. Suppressing himself forever would be suffocating.
So, how to move forward in the modern world needed careful thought.
…
An hour later.
“Damn it! Can’t figure it out! Sleep!”
