What? You opened a resort on the battlefield of all races?

Xiao Qiong had just popped a freshly unwrapped piece of bubble gum into her mouth and chewed it a couple of times when she felt a chill down her spine.

It felt like I was being targeted by a foreign race.

Turning her head, she was met with Xu Tianlin's somewhat sly smile.

"What mischief are you plotting?"

Xiao Qiong frowned, looking at Xu Tianlin warily, and subconsciously clutched her wallet.

Xu Tianlin rubbed his hands together, walked around from behind the counter, and took a step forward with a grin.

Seeing his expression, Xiao Qiong felt even more uncertain and subconsciously took a step back.

Xu Tianlin's smile remained unchanged as he took another step forward.

Xiao Qiong touched the ground with her toes, slid backward, and landed directly on the wall of the hall.

"stop!"

Xiao Qiong couldn't stand the cloying atmosphere any longer, so she raised one hand and placed it across her chest to block Xu Tianlin from getting any closer.

"Speak your mind, don't get so close, this old man is getting creeped out!"

Xu Tianlin stopped, put his hands behind his back, cleared his throat, and said seriously, "Lord of the Manor, let's talk about serious matters."

"Is it serious business?"

Xiao Qiong glanced at Xu Tianlin suspiciously.

You're probably not really after the old man's credit points, are you?

Xu Tianlin continued, "Your Cangyun Prefecture's goal for this year's Youth Martial Arts Competition can't be as simple as just 'not coming in last,' can it?"

Xiao Qiong gave him a strange look.

Why is this kid suddenly interested in education in Cangyun Prefecture?

However, when the competition was mentioned, Xiao Qiong's expression became more serious.

He started chewing his bubble gum again and mumbled, "Those fifty brats upstairs, with the ten times the cultivation speed of your king-size bed, could train hard for a month. Those with slightly better aptitude would have no problem breaking through to the Thousand Jun Realm."

Then he sighed.

"In past competitions, as long as our team has a few Thousand-Jin Realm experts to carry the team, we're guaranteed to be at the bottom. As for higher goals..."

He shook his head, looking helpless.

"Qinglan Prefecture, Wangchuan Prefecture, Haichuan Prefecture, and Wuyue Prefecture are the four traditionally strong prefectures for education among the human race."

"Their students, whether in terms of innate talent or family background, are miles ahead of our Cangyun Prefecture. They've been fed top-notch breathing techniques and advanced martial arts skills from a young age."

Xiao Qiong sighed: "The top geniuses there have already broken through to the Thousand Jun Realm as soon as they entered the Martial University."

"How do we compete?"

He looked up in the direction of the guest rooms and continued.

"Among our group of Cangyun Martial Arts University students, apart from Luo Yurou who obtained the heaven-defying fortune of the Marrow Cleansing Elixir, she is considered a variable."

"Even if the others stayed in your room for three months and practiced day and night, they could only barely reach the level of the fourth or fifth level of the Thousand-Pound Technique."

"What do we have to compete with those at the Flying Heaven Realm?"

"So, do you want to be number one?"

Xu Tianlin asked abruptly.

"think."

"This old man still wants to break through to the Eternal Realm!"

Xiao Qiong said, pursing her lips.

Is it really that easy to just spout off and get first place?

If he were a hundred years younger to compete, he might have a chance.

Apart from Luo Yurou, none of these people were worthy of Xiao Qiong's attention.

"Just think about it."

Xu Tianlin stretched out his right hand, spread his five fingers, and waved it in front of Xiao Qiong.

"Only five million credits."

Xu Tianlin's smile vanished, replaced by an unwavering confidence: "Give me this money, and I guarantee you'll sweep the top fifty spots in this year's Cangyun Martial Arts Competition. Not a single one will be left out."

The hall fell silent.

Only the leaves of the burning tree outside the door rustled softly in the breeze.

Xiao Qiong stared at Xu Tianlin's five slender fingers, then looked at his expressionless face.

"Oh."

Xiao Qiong sneered, spat the chewing gum in her mouth into the trash can next to her, and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Young man, although I'm old, my mind is still sharp."

"So you're trying to sell me health supplements?"

He looked Xu Tianlin up and down.

"Five million, enough to sweep the top fifty?"

"Do you think the geniuses cultivated by other prefectures with countless resources are like cabbages in a field, to be cut down at will?"

"Insufficient qualifications, too little time—it's a dead end. What makes you think you can secure the contract?"

"I naturally have my own methods; it just depends on whether the Lord of the Manor dares to believe me." Xu Tianlin lowered his hand, his expression still relaxed.

"I don't believe it."

Xiao Qiong answered very decisively.

"How about we make a bet?"

"What are we betting on?"

Xiao Qiong raised her graying eyebrows, showing some interest.

Xu Tianlin leaned forward slightly, lowered his voice, and said, word by word, "I'm betting on the top fifty. If, three months later, the students from Cangyun Prefecture don't sweep the top fifty spots..."

Xu Tianlin looked directly into Xiao Qiong's eyes.

"I'll heal the hidden injuries left by your forced fusion of your soul essence with the Dao, free of charge."

The moment the words fell.

"Click."

A soft, crisp sound came from beside Xiao Qiong.

His right hand, which had been casually resting on the edge of the wooden countertop, suddenly clenched its five fingers. Five deep finger marks were left on the hard solid wood surface, and wood chips fell down in a flurry.

Xiao Qiong's breath hitched.

How did he know about the hidden injury caused by the forced fusion of his divine soul origin with the Dao?

I quickly recalled it.

Could it be that this kid could see through it after just one encounter?

Where is he holy?

"So, what do you say? You're not at a loss either way, are you?"

Xu Tianlin looked at Xiao Qiong's suddenly serious expression and chuckled.

I'm not afraid that Xiao Qiong won't agree.

I'm afraid this old man won't be able to come up with 500 million.

Xiao Qiong didn't speak, but her eyes darted around as she quickly made a mental calculation.

Even if I don't win first place in the Youth Martial Arts Competition, the five million I spent will heal my hidden soul injury—that's enough.

A bright future awaits!

If Xu Tianlin wins.

Cangyun Prefecture swept the top fifty spots in the competition!

Then Xiao Qiong led the Cangyun Prefecture to create a miracle.

Not only can Cangyun Prefecture completely wash away its shame, but it can also receive top-level resource support from the federal government.

That kid is right. No matter how you look at it, he's the winner.

Xiao Qiong loosened her grip on the tabletop, patted the wood chips off her palm, and a bright smile appeared on her face.

"good!"

Xiao Qiong slammed her hand on the counter, her voice booming, "Old man, I agree! Five million credits."

He looked at Xu Tianlin, his eyes gleaming with intense curiosity.

"I'd like to see just what extraordinary methods you, Boss Xu, possess!"

"To enable these mediocre brats to trample the geniuses of other prefectures underfoot in just three months!"