Back on Earth, I am the only cultivator.

The next morning, a thick fog enveloped the area.

The aroma of tea wafted through the hall of the Li family home.

Li Tiancheng sat upright in the main seat and carefully sipped the ginseng tea.

Li Wen stood to the side, holding several newly compiled business contracts in his hands.

"Patriarch, the Lin family patriarch Lin Jingde and the Lin family head Lin Tianrong are waiting outside the door for an audience. They have been waiting for a while."

Ma Wu strode in and respectfully reported.

Li Tiancheng raised an eyebrow, exchanged a glance with his son Li Wen, and then smiled faintly:

"That old fellow from the Lin family, he never even leaves his house normally, but today he actually brought Lin Tianrong here in person. Please invite them in."

"Yes."

Ma Wu accepted the order and withdrew.

A moment later, Lin Jingde and his son entered the hall under the guidance of Ma Wu.

"Mr. Lin, what a rare guest!"

Li Tiancheng stood up and greeted them warmly.

"What wind blew you, a mid-stage Heavenly Realm expert, here so early in the morning?"

Lin Jingde laughed heartily and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture:

"Master Li, let's not beat around the bush."

"I have come to your door in person today to beg Patriarch Li to show me a way to survive."

The two sides took their seats as host and guest.

Li Tiancheng feigned surprise and said:

"What are you saying, Elder Lin?"

"Your Lin family's businesses in the south of the city are thriving, and with a Heavenly-level expert like Elder Lin overseeing things,"

"Where does the idea of ​​a way out come from?"

"Master Li, please stop making fun of me."

Lin Jingde gave a wry smile:

"Tianrong has told me everything that happened at Yujing Villa last night."

That Senior Wu Fan's methods are truly divine! Now that the Li family has latched onto his coattails, not only will this small town be under their control, but the entire Jiangnan Province will likely be theirs in the future.

Li Tiancheng did not deny it, but simply sipped his tea.

Seeing this, Lin Tianrong quickly stepped forward, took out a stack of documents from his pocket, and politely handed them to Li Tiancheng on the table in front of him.

"Brother Li, this is the share transfer document for our Lin family's 30% of the properties in the south of the city."

"If the Li family is willing to help our Lin family get an audience with Senior Wu Fan, we will gladly offer up 30% of our assets!"

Li Tiancheng paused slightly as he held the teacup, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

The industry accounts for 30% of the south side of the city!

The Lin family has really gone all out!

It should be understood that the Lin family's foundation for survival was in the south of the city, and this 30% of their business was practically equivalent to cutting off one of the Lin family's major assets.

"Mr. Lin, this is quite a generous gesture."

Li Tiancheng put down his teacup and looked at Lin Jingde with a half-smile.

"However, do you think our Li family would lack this kind of business?"

"A senior's attitude cannot be swayed by money."

Li Wen stepped forward, adjusted his glasses, and said:

"Senior Lin, Patriarch Lin, may I say something?"

"The senior hates it when people disturb his peace and quiet."

"If there is nothing that will move you, even if our Li family is willing to make an introduction, you may not be able to meet with us. Instead, you might blame our Li family."

"We can't afford to take that risk."

Lin Jingde seemed to have anticipated that the Li family would say this.

He sighed and took out the wooden box containing the Bagua iron plaque from his pocket.

"Patriarch Li, my Lin family will certainly not go to see you empty-handed."

Lin Jingde slowly opened the wooden box, revealing the Bagua iron plate inside.

"This is?!"

Li Tiancheng's expression hardened.

"This is an ancient relic passed down in my Lin family, the Bagua Iron Plate."

Lin Jingde said in a deep voice:

"I heard that you've been searching for ancient relics containing special energy lately."

"This iron plaque is indestructible, and there are faint, peculiar fluctuations inside."

"I have studied this for decades but have not been able to solve it."

"But if it were handed over to a senior, it might be able to unleash its full potential."

"This is just a small token of our Lin family's appreciation!"

A glint of light flashed in Li Wen's eyes as he stood beside Li Tiancheng.

He leaned down and whispered in Li Tiancheng's ear:

"Dad, the Lin family has staked everything on this."

"Those 30% of industries in the south of the city involve a lot of medicinal herb import and export and land, which is of great benefit to our Li family."

"Moreover, this iron plaque is extraordinary; you might find it interesting, senior."

"If we accept it, we can report it to our seniors; that would be a merit."

Li Tiancheng remained silent for a moment.

Looking at Lin Jingde's weathered face, he sighed inwardly, "This old man Lin truly lives up to his title as the patriarch of the Lin family."

This tactic of "you can't catch a wolf without risking your cub" is indeed ruthless and decisive.

The situation in Mencheng is changing rapidly. Since the Lin family is willing to back down, it's a good deal for the Li family to accept the benefits without doing anything.

"good!"

Li Tiancheng slapped his thigh and stood up.

"Since Elder Lin is so sincere, my Li family will act as the introducer."

"However, let me make this clear from the start: whether or not the senior will see you depends on his mood!"

"Of course! Thank you very much, Patriarch Li!"

Lin Jingde breathed a sigh of relief, his heart finally feeling half at ease.

……

Meanwhile, in the Xingfuli residential community.

The morning sunlight slanted into Wu Fan's bedroom, casting dappled golden light on the floor.

On the bed, Jiang Chuxue lazily turned over, the blanket slipped off, revealing her fair and delicate shoulders.

She slowly opened her eyes, feeling a warm sensation all over her body, with her spiritual energy vortex circulating smoothly within her.

The fatigue and soreness from last night's dual cultivation have long since vanished, leaving me feeling refreshed.

Turning her head, she saw Wu Fan propping his head up with one hand, lying beside her, looking at her with a gentle smile on his lips.

"woke up?"

Wu Fan spoke softly.

"Wu Fan..."

Jiang Chuxue's pretty face flushed red again as the shameful scenes from last night flashed through her mind.

She quickly pulled the blanket over half her face, looking at him shyly.

Why are you looking at me like that?

Wu Fan reached out and gently stroked her delicate nose, teasingly saying:

Do I need a reason to look at my own girlfriend?

"Besides, last night, I don't know who it was, crying and begging to be with me, refusing to let go no matter what."

"Oh! Stop talking!"

Jiang Chuxue kicked her legs under the covers in embarrassment and said in a very soft voice:

"I was doing that because I was afraid of losing you..."

"Brother! Sister-in-law! Come and have breakfast!"

Wu Xi's voice rang out in the living room.

"Coming! Coming! Coming right away!"

Wu Fan responded with a smile, enjoying the feeling.

Breakfast was simple: millet porridge, fried eggs, and a few delicate side dishes.

At the table, Wu Xi was humming a song while biting into a fried dough stick, then her bright, sparkling eyes looked at Jiang Chuxue.

"Wow, sister-in-law! You look even more beautiful today!"

"Your skin looks like it's glowing!"

Jiang Chuxue's pretty face flushed red instantly.

She rolled her eyes at Wu Fan, feeling a little guilty, and stammered an explanation:

"No way, Xiaoxi, you've gotten stronger, you must be seeing things."

Wu Fan sat down by himself, picked up the bowl of porridge, took a sip, and said:

"It's almost Chinese New Year, so you two shouldn't stay cooped up at home today."

"Let's go shopping, buy some nice new clothes, and also get some New Year's goods."

Wu Xi cheered and grabbed Jiang Chuxue's arm.

"Sister-in-law, let's go! Today we're going to shop in the biggest mall in the city! And buy the prettiest clothes!"

Jiang Chuxue glanced at Wu Fan and asked, "And what about you?"

"I'll stay home and examine the two ancient artifacts I brought back last night."