RETURNING FROM THE IMMORTAL WORLD

Chapter 481 - Chapter 490

Chapter 481: Meeting by Chance

As the box's door was closed, Sun Wen dumbfoundedly stared at Tang Xiu. She would have never believed it if she had not seen with her own eyes. To think that the manager of the dignified Everlasting Feast Hall would actually be respectful before Tang Xiu, even calling him "Boss".

"You... are you?" Sun Wen's lower lip twitched, disbelief in her eyes.

"Can you stop speaking already?" Li Laoshan angrily spoke. "Brother Tang is the owner of the Everlasting Feast Hall!"

Sun Wen could only gulp down her saliva. She knew that the Everlasting Feast Hall was the top upscale restaurant in Shanghai. Moreover, Shanghai's Everlasting Feast Hall was only a branch, since she also heard that this restaurant franchise also had branches in Beijing, Jingmen Island, and Hong Kong.

And Tang Xiu is its owner? That means...

...He is probably very rich!

Suddenly, she realized how stupid her attitude had been and how disgraceful she had acted. Having just looked down on Tang Xiu, while the person turned out to be the owner of the Everlasting Feast Hall, it was akin to have slapped her own face.

One must know that Tang Xiu seemed to be in his early 20s, yet he had already become the owner of the Everlasting Feast Hall. What background such a person's family could have? That meant that his other family members could have terrifying identities, didn't it?

She now realized why Li Laoshan was become friends with Tang Xiu, and why he was angry with her.

This was because... she had indeed made him lose face.

The color was drained from Sun Wen's face as she cautiously looked at Li Laoshan. There was a look of apology on her face, as she said, "Mr. Tang, I'm really sorry for what I said."

Tang Xiu waved his hand and smilingly said, "It's nothing, really. Didn't I say that family need not speak such words? Besides, you're Old Brother Li's woman, thus you're a friend."

The indignant expression Li Laoshan's face receded. After searching Tang Xiu's face, a forced, wry smile appeared on his face, "Brother Tang, you're really extraordinary even in this personal matter. Young as you are you're already this open minded. Furthermore, I never feel like there's a gap in our difference of age, which is the most inconceivable. It's like I'm communing with someone of my age."

"Do you mean that I'm old? Is that so obvious?" Tang Xiu couldn't help smirking.

Cough, cough... Li Laoshan choked upon hearing Tang Xiu's reply.

The lunch ended quickly since they didn't drink anything alcoholic. After the lunch was over, Li Laoshan told Tang Xiu that he would leave Shanghai for Beijing tomorrow to prepare himself. Afterward, Tang Xiu went to Chi Nan's office and saw the children obediently sitting on the sofa. Tang Xiu turned to look at Chi Nan and smilingly said, "It was laborious of you."

"I'm honored to serve you, Boss," said Chi Nan with a smile.

"Since you feel that it's an honor, then I will give you another assignment," said Tang Xiu with a smile. "Convey my message to the Headquarters to investigate some underground parties. One of which is the Cubo Clan from Italy, and the other is the Brauns Group from the United States. The more detailed the better."

"I know a bit about these two forces, Boss, but not too much," said Chi Nan with a changed expression.

"Tell me!" Tang Xiu said with a surprised expression.

"That Italian underground party is the largest criminal syndicate there. This criminal organization boasts a number of more than 100,000 members, and the Cubo Syndicate is in the top three mafias with enormous capital amongst the crime organizations there. I had once killed some of their people, which were exactly this Cubo Syndicate's members. As for the Brauns Group from the United States, they are a cartel who operates in a lot of business channels mainly managing drugs and liquor businesses. As far as I know, they also have dozens of large wineries as well.

"These two forces have a large number of thugs, and they're all members of their very own security companies. Moreover, they have intricate links with some international mercenary companies. Few people are willing to fight against them overseas."

A cold glint flashed in Tang Xiu's eyes as he lightly said, "These two forces are now opposing my Magnificent Tang Corp. If they do dare to touch my bottom line, I will never think twice to bulldoze them as well."

Chi Nan had her expression slightly change, and said in a deep voice, "Boss, had it been a few months ago, even our Everlasting Feast Hall would dread them a bit. But now... Hmph!"

Tang Xiu nodded. He understood Chi Nan's meaning. As of recently, over a hundred core members of the Everlasting Feast Hall had been imparted with a cultivation technique, thus their strength had progressed by leaps and bounds. If they could be said as an invincible existence against one hundred enemies before, each and every one of them now possessed a terrifying strength that even these two forces would suffer massive losses once they were to go all out.

"Let us wait and see. Get me detailed information on them first."

"Then I'll immediately send the news back to the HQ," said Chi Nan with a nod.

A few minutes later, Tang Xiu and Tang Xiaojin's group left the Everlasting Feast Hall. They returned home by car, as Tang Xiu then instructed them to stay at home while he left Bluestar Villa Complex.

****

Shanghai First Public Hospital.

Tang Xiu arrived at the ward of the Inpatient Department where Yuan Chuling and the rest were hospitalized. What puzzled him was that Yuan Chuling was not in his hospital bed. There were only his two fellow students lying on the two sickbeds next to his.

"Who are you looking for?" Asked a young man looking at Tang Xiu curiously.

"I'm Yuan Chuling's friend. Where is he?" Asked Tang Xiu.

"He said it was too boring staying in the ward, so he went outside to chat with the nurses. You... are you Tang Xiu, the one Yuan Chuling addressed as Eldest Brother Tang?"

"Yeah, it's me!" Tang Xiu smiling replied.

The young man quickly tried to sit up with the support of his arms, and gratefully said, "Eldest Brother Tang, thanks for everything you did for us; I heard about what happened. If it weren't for you, we would have been greatly troubled with the campus, and helpless and unable to vent the irritated feeling inside us."

"You are all Yuan Chuling's classmates, so we are not strangers. Anyways, you have a good rest, I'm going out to find him," said Tang Xiu with a smile.

"Mmm!" Both men nodded.

After leaving the ward, Tang Xiu released his spiritual sense and immediately "saw" Yuan Chuling in a doctor's office. He was currently holding a female nurse's hand, doing a palm reading on her.

What the... this chap is...

Tang Xiu shook his head and rushed there. He directly opened the door and strode inside.

"Oh..."

The female nurse, whose hand was held by Yuan Chuling, was startled by Tang Xiu. She called out in alarm and took back her hand as though she got an electric shock.

Yuan Chuling got angry and toward Tang Xiu. When he saw Tang Xiu there, he immediately exclaimed in anger, "Hey, Tang Big Bro, how did you find out? Also, why did you come at the wrong time?"

"Fatty Yuan, you better not damage the nurses, got it? Let's go back to the ward where you belong and rest well there. The sooner you leave the hospital, the better," Tang Xiu chuckled.

Yuan Chuling rolled his eyes and turned to the delicate and pretty nurse who was obviously a bit flustered, "Pretty Sis, it seems like our talk ends here today. If anything, everyone's life can really be known by using palmistry. I'll show you about it some other day."

Having said that he operated the wheelchair with both hands and went toward the door.

Tang Xiu secretly forced a smile. He found that every boy was like a hungry wolf, a lecher whose mind was full of girls and women with the increase of their age.

Quickly moving forward, he took over in pushing Yuan Chuling's wheelchair, saying, "You couldn't be living a safe life with one hand controlling the wheelchair, could you?"

Yuan Chuling chuckled, "We're boys in puberty, are we not? Puberty means that we are in our spring period. Don't tell me you..."

"Tang Xiu?"

Someone's voice interrupted Yuan Chuling. It came from the door beside them.

Tang Xiu turned around. As he saw the person, a surprised look suddenly appeared on his face as he replied, "Jia Ruidao? Why are you here?"

Striding out of the room, Jia Ruidao hurriedly stretched out his hand and said, "I never expected to really be you, Tang Xiu! I thought I was just seeing things."

"Well, my friend is hospitalized here, so I came to see him," said Tang Xiu with a smile.

Jia Ruidao glanced at Yuan Chuling, nodded and said, "The last time we met was in Jingmen Island. It's been several months already, right? I never thought I would see you here in Shanghai."

"I'm studying at Shanghai University. What about you? What brings you to Shanghai?" Asked Tang Xiu with a laugh.

"I've been doing some business recently, and am planning to move the company to Shanghai. I feel quite unwell, so I came here to have a check up," said Jia Ruidao with a smile.

"What business are you engaging in?" Asked Tang Xiu.

"I intend to wash my hands and make a clean break from the gambling industry. So, I opened up some game arcade establishments. By the way, I've got a big store in the commercial street near your Shanghai University, and am currently preparing to renovate it," said Jia Ruidao.

"That's great!" Said Tang Xiu with a smile.

"Tang Xiu, being able to meet you here in Shanghai shows that our fate is quite deep, no? If you have a free time tonight, let me treat you to dinner," said Jia Ruidao.

"I already have an appointment tonight, how about some other day?" Tang Xiu laughed and replied.

"Alright. I'll be staying in Shanghai for the next few months, so I'll have some other time anyway. Let's keep in touch," said Jia Ruidao with a laugh.

Tang Xiu nodded at him and smiled, and then pushed Yuan Chuling's wheelchair toward his ward.

"Who is that man, Tang Big Bro?" Asked Yuan Chuling curiously.

"A friend of mine," answered Tang Xiu.

"I heard him saying that he was making a clean break from the gambling industry. What exactly is his situation? Is he a professional gambler or something?" Asked Yuan Chuling.

"You guessed right, buddy. He was indeed a professional gambler, and was quite a good one at that, too. However, gambling has never been a proper job, after all. I once helped him with some problems, lessening his losses in that incident. Afterward, he washed his hands and made a clean break and never involved himself again in the gambling industry," said Tang Xiu with a smile.

"I just found you're really a good person, Big Bro," said Yuan Chuling as he gave him a thumbs up and praised, "You casually bumped into someone and even he got some help from you. I observed that Jia Ruidao before, he seems to respect you very much, bro!"

"Don't praise me. You'll make me smug and dumb, you know!" Tang Xiu replied with a laugh.

Chapter 482: Reasons to Get Startled

Common saying says that friendship was such as clear spring that only the hearts of those involved could nourish and moisten it to grow in their journey.

Though the friendship between Tang Xiu and Yuan Chuling was not that particularly deep, yet it was in line with the principle that "one would act well toward the another who treated him the same way". What Yuan Chuling had done and displayed secured him a place in Tang Xiu's heart, hence Tang Xiu stayed to accompany him for more than two hours before leaving.

After returning to Bluestar Villa Complex and having yet to have a chance to moisten his throat with tea, Tang Xiu received a phone call from someone he had nearly forgotten. It was also an international call.

"Who am I speaking with?" Asked Tang Xiu calmly while standing before the bedroom's window.

A silvery sonorous voice replied from the cell phone, "It's me, Boss. Kuwako Yamamoto."

Tang Xiu dazed for a short while before he immediately recalled the young lady from the House of Yamamoto from Japan. She was also the future master of Northstar One Blade School, a ninja master who had been under his Soul Ruling Spell.

"Something happened?"

"It's an urgent issue, Boss," said Kuwako Yamamoto respectfully. "I just got an order from the patriarch of my clan, my father, to lead a team to China in order to steal some information from a company called Magnificent Tang Corporation in Star City. I know that you are from there, so I'm telling you about this."

With a change in expression, Tang Xiu's eyes suffused with coldness as he slowly said, "I'm the owner of the said company. The Gods Nectar, Skin Care Lotion, and Scar Removal Cream are the three products I personally researched and developed. Do you think I will let your Yamamoto Clan get them?"

"I'm really sorry, Boss," said Kuwako Yamamoto hurriedly. "I didn't know you were the owner of the Magnificent Tang Corp, nor did I know that those three products were developed by you. But about my father's orders..."

Swiftly thinking, Tang Xiu pondered for a short while, before he slowly replied, "You can bring your people over. But wait for my news after you get settled in Star City. I'm in Shanghai as of now, and will return to Star City within two days. We'll talk about it again when the time comes. Anyways, how is the development on your part after getting back to your homeland?"

Kuwako Yamamoto said, "The Soul Ruling Spell you imparted me is really mysterious and amazing, Boss. I've secretly taken control of one-third of the top members of my clan. Though on the surface they seem to be distancing themselves from me, they are completely completely controlled by me. Also, there are also some Elders in the Northstar One Blade School who I managed to get under my control using the Soul Ruling Spell; whereas a number of elite ninjas are also under my complete control. In three years at the most, I can completely control all the rights and privileges in the Yamamoto House and Northstar One Blade School."

Tang Xiu said with satisfaction, "I see. Then I'll send a list of cultivation resources which lists some medicinal herbs and minerals. Use your strength in Japan to look for them. If you are able to bring a large number of these goods, I will reward you some medicinal pills to assist and speed up your cultivation progress."

"Medicinal pills? What is that?" Asked Kuwako Yamamoto.

"You don't need to know. You just need to find the herbs and minerals on the list I'm about to send you. If you can make satisfied, the medicinal pills I'll give yoiu can make your cultivation progress faster; possibly several times faster," said Tang Xiu lightly.

Several times faster?

Pumped up with excitement, Kuwako Yamamoto hurriedly said, "I'll try to delay the mission to China as long as possible, Boss. I'll try my best to find these medicinal herbs and minerals you need."

"All right!" Tang Xiu then hung up the phone.

In order to reenter the realm of immortals in the Immortal World, as well as restoring his cultivation to the peak, Tang Xiu would need a massive amount of cultivation resources. Only by using these cultivation resources would he be able to increase his strength, and finally manifest his ultimate goal of revenge.

Japan was a very special country, and although Tang Xiu was pretty much oblivious to the situation there, he believed that this country should have medicinal herbs and ores that he could use. Not to mention that Kuwako Yamamoto could be said as a falcon or dog that he was training, so that she would become his minion and would benefit him in the future.

****

Beijing, at the Tang Family's ancestral home...

Liu Changxi was alone and carrying a basket of fruits as he stood waiting outside the courtyard, an armed soldier standing upright at the gate coldly staring at him.

"Secretary Liu, Senior Tang is in the backyard garden. After you enter, someone will take you to see him." Another armed soldier walking out of the front courtyard spoke to him in a deep voice.

Nodding in response, Liu Changxi entered the courtyard in big strides. After passing through the first front gate, a pond appeared in front of him. There was a small circular door on the left side of the pond, whereas patches of colorful flowers provided a feast for the eyes. Several bird cages were hung on verdant branches and wonderful chirping songs were heard from there.

In the center of the garden, Tang Guosheng and Tang Guoshou were playing chess, moving the the black and white pieces inside an antique-styled gazebo. At present, the chess pieces were about to cover the entire chessboard. There was an antique incense burner made of bronze beside them, where a faint azure smoke curled up, and the faint smell of smoke pervaded and covered this tiny piece of the world.

After Liu Changxi arrived, he quietly stood outside the gazebo and didn't disturb the two. He just handed the basket over to the housekeeper who came with him.

"Under the stones!" [1]

The wrinkles that covered Tang Guoshou's face were stretched by a bright smile.

Tang Guosheng shook his head, yet his face was exceptionally tranquil. His eyes then moved from the chessboard to Liu Changxi and waved at him.

"Senior Tang!" Liu Changxi respectfully called the two men.

"Little Liu, how did you remember to come see this old man today?" Tang Guosheng smilingly said.

"I was actually planning to come earlier. It's just that official business always got me occupied outside. I was able to squeeze some time and rushed here from Shanghai. Have the two seniors been good all this while?" Liu Changxi said with a smile.

From Shanghai?

The incident with the extremists in Shanghai had entered Tang Guosheng's ears, and his eyes were immediately squinted. Even though Liu Changxi hadn't said anything yet, he could faintly guess that it was probably related with that treasured grandson of his.

"Kiddo, what's inside your mind and heart can be compared to the stars in the sky. Out with it! What is your purpose in coming?"

Having his mind exposed like that, Liu Changxi let out an embarrassed smile and earnestly said, "Senior Tang, the purpose of my visit this time is mainly for Tang Xiu. You're his grandfather, and I believe he must listen to you."

As expected!

Tang Guosheng sighed inwardly. The smile on his face was restrained as he said, "Continue."

Liu Changxi said, "Senior Tang, I believe you have received the news from Shanghai. It was truly fortunate that Tang Xiu was there at that time so that we could avert the tragedy. If it weren't for him, Zhang Xinya's concert would have been turned into a world tragedy with tens of thousands of victims. The incident at Shanghai Airport was also averted, and the losses were reduced to the lowest level. As for me, I've been asking the higher authorities so that Tang Xiu can be rewarded for his merit in a few days.

"I came to see you this time because I wanted him to join our Security Department. With him joining us, it would definitely be a plus for us, so that we can play a greater and better role in keeping the peace and security of our country.

"I myself have personally invited him several times already, yet he rejected me due to academic reasons. Therefore, if you could persuade him, please let him join our security department. You can rest assured. Although I can't give him too many privileges given my authority, I can guarantee that I'll give you the best treatment possible. I can even guarantee him my position later as long as he does a good job."

While squinting his eyes at Liu Changxi, a smile resurfaced on Tang Guosheng's face. The smile was even brighter than before. However, as he recalled his grandson's character, he couldn't describe his feeling in any other language except forcing out a wry smile.

"Little Liu, despite Xiu'er being my biological grandson, he lived outside alone all these years, and we have just found him in the recent months. As an adult himself, he has his own ideas and way of thinking; thus, even I myself am not suitable to interfere with his decision despite myself being his grandfather. I have indeed already learned about this matter and I will talk to him. As for the result, however, I can't give you a guarantee."

Liu Changxi stared blankly, "Senior Tang, aren't you able to make a decision for him? This..."

"Were he just a normal child, I naturally could help him make a decision," said Tang Guosheng with a smile. "But for him to make you seek me, do you think he's an ordinary child?"

"What you said is true, Senior," said Liu Changxi with a forced smile.

"Anyway, would you like to stay and have dinner with us?" Asked Tang Guosheng.

"No, I can't. I must return to my unit," said Liu Changxi quickly. "If anything, there's some things that remained unsolved, and Tang Xiu didn't wanted to tell me truthfully. Hence, I can only personally check them out."

"What is it?" Asked Tang Guosheng with raised brows.

After hesitating for a moment, Liu Changxi seriously said, "This is actually the purpose that I came here for. From our surveillance footages, the people who were suspected as members of the extremist group happened to have been taken away by some mysterious people. Furthermore, we have also investigated the crime scenes as well as all the traffic surveillance videos within five kilometers of the Shanghai New World Center. We also have the surveillance videos of nearby commercial buildings, residences, and stores, yet these mysterious and suspicious people simply gave us a headache; their counter-detection and tracking abilities are better than ours. Not one of the hundreds of surveillance videos captured them."

"What?"

Tang Guosheng and Tang Guoshou looked startled and astonished. They were once people who had great power and privileges, and were naturally aware of some methods of investigation. This news was hardly believable to them. Hundreds of areas being monitored by surveillance cameras, yet they were unable to capture these mysterious persons? They... wouldn't they be very difficult to deal with?

Tang Guosheng took a deep breath and said in a deep and heavy voice, "You mean to say that Xiu'er knows the identity of these people?"

Liu Changxi nodded, "I suspect that Tang Xiu knows about them, and may even know who they are. It's because there is no one else who knows the appearance of those extremists aside from the people from our security department and the police force."

Countless thoughts were swirling inside Tang Guosheng's mind. He remembered the incident in which Tang Xiu had been playing with the Yao Family in the South. When he recalled those mysterious experts Tang Xiu had pulled back then, he suddenly came to the realization that he only had a bit of knowledge about his own grandson. However, facing Liu Changxi, whose identity was quite special, he natural wouldn't speak out what was inside his mind.

Chapter 483: Between Laugh and Tears

A wise saying said that a geezer who had yet to die had no regard for others [1]. Tang Guosheng could be regarded as a senior citizen, an elderly who had lived pretty long in the whole country. His astuteness and shrewdness had already been carved deep in his bones. He placed his fingers gently on the chessboard, rhythmically knocking it as he spoke with an indifferent expression, "Secretary Liu, your security department does possess big power and privileges, but what can you prove merely based on suspicion? I'm very well aware of the situation regarding Xiu'er, for I sent some people to investigate his life experiences after finding him. There wasn't any information pertaining to any mysterious bunch of people whatsoever."

There was a vacant look on Liu Changxi's face, as he immediately forced a wry smile and said, "Senior Tang, I know I shouldn't suspect Tang Xiu, but..."

Waving his hand, Tang Guosheng interrupted him and lightly said, "Secretary Liu, feel free to investigate him if you don't believe me. However, my grandson is not someone easily provoked. Though the present Tang Family is not what we used to be in the past, yet a skinny camel is still bigger than a horse. Whoever dares to fix their eyes on him, I'll make sure to make them feel that the teeth of my House of Tang are still very sharp."

"I..."

As someone who elevated his position and status to today's status, Liu Changxi was an astute and smart person. He could instantly understand the meaning behind Tang Guosheng's words, and said with a smile, "Since Senior Tang has spoken, I'll have this matter end here. But Senior Tang, please persuade Tang Xiu. If he's willing to join our security department, I'll certainly joyously welcome him."

"All right!" Tang Guosheng nodded indifferently.

A few minutes after Liu Changxi's departure, Tang Guoshou grabbed a black piece of chess, as his eyes were suffused with a pensive glint. Afterward, he slowly said, "Dozens of people who are extremely skilled in counter-tracking and counter-detection, and they seem to have secretly eliminated some of those extremists as well. To think that these mysterious experts didn't get noticed and alarmed the Ministry of State Security and police force's people meant something. That is, they are very good! It seems like our grandson really have cards in his hand that we know nothing about."

Tang Guosheng picked up a white piece chess and lightly said, "I have always known that Xiu'er had some cards hidden in his hands, but I never thought that it'd be something like this. Regardless, I can rest my worries. Even if I'm going to see Buddha now, I won't have to be worried about the future of the Tang Family. However, I'm still alive, so I can never let anyone threaten him. Youngest, since you're still strong and healthy, move that Liu Changxi's ass! He's no longer suitable to stay at the Ministry of State Security."

"Eldest, I'm afraid that we have to pay quite a price to kick him somewhere else," said Tang Guoshou with a frown.

"No matter how big the price is, you must do it!" Tang Guosheng sneered. "Just find some way to transfer him somewhere else. He's quite smart, so I believe that he won't easily investigate the matters he experienced in Shanghai later."

"I hope the cards in Xiu'er's hands can exceed our imagination, though. Otherwise, we'll suffer quite a loss," commented Tang Guoshou with a nod.

"We won't suffer the slightest loss," said Tang Guosheng with confidence. "Merely these dozens of experts have already made me overjoyed. You don't know the ability of the guys in the security department, do you? All of them are specially trained elites, yet even they were left speechless. Hehehe..."

"True that!"

****

Shanghai, Bluestar Villa Complex...

The philosophy that the powerful reigned supreme and people revered the strong regardless of the time and places had already been carved deeply in Tang Xiu's bones. Therefore, he pushed himself harder in his cultivation. He was now sitting cross-legged on his bed, silently circulating the restless star force inside his body. The force inside him echoed with the stardust in the universe while constantly absorbing the power of the stars.

Now, he was wearing the jade ornament gifted by Li Laoshan on his neck. The energy emitted from the Dragon Soul of the Nine-Clawed Crimson Dragon, even if it was weak, still greatly benefitted Tang Xiu. Between each exhale and inhale, faint traces of the Dragon Soul's power were absorbed into his body.

Dragons have an extremely formidable body, while Phoenixes have an all-powerful soul.

Tang Xiu himself was practicing the Heavenly Art of Cosmic Genesis cultivation technique, which was precisely a supreme cultivation technique that emphasized in tempering one's body into that of a Demon's formidable physique, and thus was in line and suitable with the Dragon's formidable body.

Therefore, after the Dragon Soul's power had been absorbed into his body, not only did its power nourish his body, it also washed away the impurities within it, as well as tempered his body. Coupled with the magical effect of the Heavenly Art of Cosmic Genesis cultivation technique, his physical strength was promoting at a very rapid rate.

"Huh? The black hole's entrance inside my dantian is shrinking and the star force pouring out of the black hole is increasing? What exactly happened inside the black hole? My spiritual sense is unable to get inside, yet I can feel this is not simple, whatever it is. To what extent can learn about it?"

Tang Xiu eyes slowly opened. He let the star force inside his meridians circulate freely, while silently pondering about this puzzling matter.

Buzz...

All of a sudden, an invisible suction force radiated out from his dantian. Accurately speaking, it was sent out from the black hole. The huge suction force was as though it was able to devour everything. The seed of the Heavenly Path Universe Tree that floated motionlessly inside his dantian was easily pulled in by the engulfing power and swallowed inside.

"Damn it!"

The color was drained from Tang Xiu's face as his expression drastically changed. The seed of the Heavenly Path Universe Tree was too important for him. Possessing it meant that his chances of entering the Gods Realm could increase ten million times!

In the next moment, the indignant expression on Tang Xiu's face froze. It was because after the seed of the Heavenly Path Universe Tree was swallowed into the black hole, a life force came rushing out from it. This life force was akin to a spring that nourished Tang Xiu's body and soul, even causing the star force inside his meridians to get excited.

However, that was not the most important thing. The most important thing was the life force itself. The vast majority of it was fused into his soul crown. When Tang Xiu broke through to the Supreme Realm in the Immortal World, he was able to use his perception to "see" this soul crown, yet he could "see" it clearly now.

The soul crown was only needle-sized, and could only be clearly visible when he zoomed in, while the naked eyes could only see a tiny bit of luminous light. However, after that rushing life force fused into it, his soul crown suddenly increased by about ten times.

"I..."

Tang Xiu blinked his eyes, yet words were unable to express what he felt. He could, however, understand and grasped it by instinct that the enhancement brought by this life force was strengthening his soul strength, which was akin to the extension of his lifespan. He could feel that this life force had increased his lifespan by at least a thousand years.

Reasonably speaking, the limit of his lifespan was 200 years with his current cultivation level. However, the rushing life force had bestowed him a thousand years more. If this kind of matter were known to those Immortals in the Immortal World, their eyes would probably turn wide and full of envy, wishing to exchange it for everything they had.

The death of a man is like an extinguished lamp, for all one's hope and efforts come to nothing in the end. Hence, being alive is the most meaningful thing!

Tang Xiu floated in the air and quietly came to the window to look at the dark scenery outside. Joy, hope, and fear mingled inside his heart. He didn't know whether the seed of the Heavenly Path Universe Tree was still there or not, thus adding another mystery to him.

Suddenly, as if realizing something, he strode out of his room and came to the living room on the first floor. He smelled a think fragrance of dishes from the kitchen, where five small and thin figures were busying themselves. Among them, Tang Xiaomu's face was stained white with bread flour.

"You... are you cooking something?" Tang Xiu was surprised when he came to the kitchen.

Tang Xiaojin looked back and replied, "Boss, we just noticed that there are a few dishes in the refrigerator, as well as flour and other vegetables in the cupboard, so we just did a bit of cooking. Anyways, are you hungry? If you are, wash your hands and we'll have our meal immediately."

Her reply took Tang Xiu aback as he walked into the bathroom to wash his hands. After returning to the dining room, he saw that the children had already brought several dishes to the table. Though the dishes looked ordinary, the aroma exuding from them was very strong.

"Boss, when we were five years old and got adopted by Grandpa, he told us that food is what matters to humans, so he taught us to cook. Later on, after we learned it, we did the cooking by ourselves every day. You... please have a taste," said Tang Xiaomu in a low voice.

In a flash, Tang Xiu understood. He picked up the chopsticks and started tasting the dishes, as he nodded and said, "It's very good. You guys are great!"

"Please eat more if you like it, Boss," said Tang Xiaomu with a smile. "We'll cook for you every day later."

"No," Tang Xiu shook his head. "The food you made is indeed very delicious, but your most important duty is to learn and cultivate. Hence, the cooking will be handed over to the housemaids later. Some housemaids will come here very soon; they will take care of your daily necessities."

"But, Boss, please don't waste money on us. We can take good care of ourselves," replied Tang Xiaomu in a low voice.

"I know that you are able, and I'm very proud of you," said Tang Xiu. "But your later studies and cultivation duties are bound to be very arduous, so you cannot waste your mind and energy on other things. In the future, when you've finished your studies and your cultivation has reached a level that can make me satisfied, you are free to choose what you like."

"All right, then!" Tang Xiaomu nodded and replied softly.

Di, di...

The sound of a car's horn sounded outside the villa's courtyard.

Tang Xiu's face flickered. He released his spiritual sense and instantly "saw" a car outside the courtyard's gate with Ouyang Lulu inside it pressing the horn. After taking out the house keys, Tang Xiu pressed the button and, two minutes later, Ouyang Lulu entered the living room while carrying her handbag. Smelling the aroma, the first thing she did was straightly rush to the dining room.

"Good gracious, what a good coincidence! Gimme me a pair of chopsticks and tableware, I'm gonna wash my hands first."

After saying that, she tossed her bag in a chair and strode toward the bathroom.

Tang Xiu rolled his eyes and muttered to himself inwardly, This girl really doesn't think herself an outsider at all.

Quickly after, Ouyang Lulu came back to the dining room and looked smilingly at the dishes on the table, and then said with a smile, "Tang Xiu, I didn't know that you had hired a housemaid. These dishes may look ordinary, but they really smell very good! I gotta taste them first!"

Tang Xiu patted her hands and snappily said, "It's late, how come you haven't eaten yet, huh? Just wait for a while, will you? The children aren't done cooking all the dishes yet!"

"Children? What children?" Ouyang Lulu was taken aback and stared blankly, looking at Tang Xiu with a queer expression.

Chapter 484: You're My Man!

"Boss, Sis Xiaojin has just finished another one..." Tang Xiaomu ran into the dining room while carrying a plate of pork covered with green peppers. She hadn't finish her words when her eyes landed on Ouyang Lulu.

Tang Xiu took the dishes and smilingly said, "Xiaomu, this is your aunt Lulu."

"How do you do, Aunt Lulu?" Said Tang Xiaomu in a cute manner.

Auntie?

Ouyang Lulu's mouth twitched. She squeezed out a smile and nodded to Tang Xiaomu. Then, she turned her head with a question tag on her face toward Tang Xiu.

"I just adopted five orphans. She's Tang Xiaomu, whereas the other four are Tang Xiaojin, Tang Xiaoshui, Tang Xiaohuo, and Tang Xiaotu. These dishes were cooked by them."

Ouyang Lulu got up and strode toward the kitchen. When she saw the four busy small figures there, she immediately returned to the dining room and angrily glared at Tang Xiu, "Say, Tang Xiu! Are you still human? They are still kids, and you're making them cook?"

"Weren't you the one who wanted to eat? If you don't want to eat, I'll go to the living room first and wait there."

"You..."

She rolled her eyes at Tang Xiu, and then pulled Tang Xiaomu's hand and softly said, "Little Mu, let us go to the kitchen, Auntie will help you with the cooking."

About ten minutes later, another batch of dishes had been served in the dining room along with hot steamed white rice and a bowl that was placed in front of Tang Xiu. Tang Xiu himself wasn't hungry, but the children's cooking still roused his appetite.

Quickly after stuffing himself Tang Xiu looked at the five children and Ouyang Lulu, who were similarly full, and said, "The five of you can rest now; go study by yourselves. Lulu, let us have a chat in the living room."

"Wait. I haven't washed the dishes yet," said Ouyang Lulu.

"You can wash them later. Anyways, you came over so late, so you should have something to say, right?" Asked Tang Xiu.

Seemingly reminded of something, Ouyang Lulu quickly ran back to the dining room. Taking her bag, she took out a red invitation envelope from the inside. She handed it over with both of her hands and said, "Boss Tang, my restaurant will be opened for business tomorrow. I'm inviting you to participate in the opening ceremony."

"You've a restaurant and is opening it for business? So, being secretive and mysterious all this while after coming to Shanghai was because of this?" Tang Xiu asked with a strange expression.

"Of course!" Ouyang Lulu proudly said. "I've poured all of my wealth on it. Now I'm broke. From tomorrow on, however, I will have a handsome income from my restaurant, though; my financial crisis will pass for sure. How about it? Will you accept my invitation or not? I'm keeping the position of cutting the ribbon vacant since I want you to do it!"

Tang Xiu took the invitation. Then, he shook his head and smilingly said, "I will come, that's for sure. But forget about cutting the ribbon! I'm neither a big shot nor someone famous... Shortly put, cutting the ribbon is your job. Besides, me doing it will only garner people's attention. And that is not my style at all."

Ouyang Lulu came to Tang Xiu's side, took a seat and took his arm with both hands. Acting like a bit like coquettish, spoiled brat, she spoke in a swaying manner, "I know your character, yet it's not to be made a precedent, no? You're among the few awesome people I know of. Besides, this restaurant is my own private property; it doesn't belong to the Ouyang Family. I really hope that you would be the one to cut the ribbon."

Tang Xiu was feeling a bit helpless inside. But when he looked at the expression on Ouyang Lulu's face, he forced a smile and said, "Forget it, like you said yourself, it's not be made a precedent. Anyways, did you invite the media?"

"No, absolutely not!" Ouyang Lulu hastily shook her head. "There will definitely be no media reporters, not even their shadows. I did invite some officials of the city and celebrities, though. As for the others, aside from the staff of my Paradise Manor, there will be some guests that are attracted by the recent advertisements. That's right, there should also be some businessmen in Shanghai who have business relations with my Ouyang Family as well."

"It should be quite extravagant!" Said Tang Xiu with a laugh.

"How could I not go big? All my wealth has been poured into it! Nevertheless, I'm very sure that my Paradise Manor will be very hot. Okay, let me tell you a secret. I went to the Everlasting Feast Hall and Seaside Strait manor and used my steal art to snatch their dishes. I even signed a contract with your uncle, Tang Dong, about buying meat from him. Some of the special cuisines are produced with the fierce beasts' meat from the Seaside Strait Manor. I guarantee that it will taste so delicious that all the guest will be drooling and wolfing them down."

"You really have gone all in, it seems," said Tang Xiu with a chuckle.

"But of course!" Ouyang Lulu proudly replied with a happy smile.

Half an hour later, she hurriedly left due to take care of a few issues of the opening. However, just as Tang Xiu walked inside, Mu Wanying came out carrying a lot of things.

"What are these things?" Asked Tang Xiu while looking at the dozen or so big bags Mu Wanying was carrying.

"I bought some snacks as well as some clothes for Xiaojin and the rest," answered Mu Wanying with a smile. "The luggage and the travel bag are mine, though. My dorm has been out of power and noisy recently. Hence, I'm going to stay here for the next two nights. Also, I'm going to Beijing the day after tomorrow."

My place is not a hotel, girl!

Tang Xiu could only groan inside. He waved his hand and said, "Feel free to pick a room. Anyways, I'm going to class tomorrow, so I'll rest first."

"All right!" Mu Wanying picked up the stuff from the big bag and headed to the room where Tang Xiaojing and the other five were staying.

The next morning, Tang Xiu went to the campus. At noon, he then rushed and arrived at the address written on the invitation. To his astonishment, Paradise Manor encompassed a large area and was located at a very good geographical environment. The location was only 20 kilometers away from Shanghai University.

The site had been decorated with lanterns and colorful festoons. It was full of festivity.

By the time Tang Xiu arrived there, he found that the large parking was already full, many of which were luxury cars. Before riding the sightseeing vehicle that was specially arranged to welcome guests to the buildings shaped in 品 formation, Tang Xiu secretly sighed at the astuteness of the designer.

The three buildings were three floors high each. One of which had an antique flavor, a pagoda-like pavilion, and a modern european-style one. The pagoda-like pavilion stood erect at the back in the middle, while the vast majority of guests had gathered on the fountain square outside this pavilion.

Tang Xiu took a glance around and found that there was no one he was acquainted with, so he walked inside. He saw Ouyang Lulu greeting several guests in the pavilion hall, so he just waved at her and proceeded further inside. There was a good seating spot in the corner, so he took a seat on the sofa and started fiddling with his phone.

Ugh, this guy is really...

Upon seeing what Tang Xiu was doing, Ouyang Lulu couldn't help but feel edgy inside. After greeting a few guests, she strode toward him and resentfully said, "How can you be so idle? Come with me to greet the guests!"

"Huh?" Tang Xiu confused. "I'm not the Boss nor am I the manager. Why must I greet the guests? Besides, I don't even know them."

"This Paradise Manor will be my dowry later," said Ouyang Lulu indignantly.

"What does your dowry have anything to do with me, anyway?" Asked Tang Xiu bluntly.

Ouyang Lulu patted her forehead, and then sat next to Tang Xiu. She pulled his arm and said, "This Ouyang Lulu has set her eyes way too high, and you are the only one who can enter my eyes; thus, my future husband will be you! So, this Paradise Manor will also be your property. Therefore, you must follow me and welcome the guests, and then I will introduce you to each of them."

Tang Xiu's face sank as he pushed Ouyang Lulu's hand and retorted, "Lulu, I think of you as a friend, so stop joking. I've already told you that I won't talk about having a woman for the next few years. The matter of having a wife who will bear a child for me is far from what I have in mind. You know very well about my disposition, so I hope you can stop here."

A bit of disappointment flashed inside Ouyang Lulu's eyes, and was feeling quite uncomfortable inwardly. Yet, she still seriously replied, "Look, I'm not joking with you. Even if I don't introduce you to the others today, you must still become my husband in the future. You say you don't want to talk about having a woman right now, so I'll be waiting for you. Even if you say you'll take another woman to bear a child for you in the future, I'll still be waiting for you. I, Ouyang Lulu, can afford to wait, even if we both have grown old and our hairs have gone white."

"You..."

Tang Xiu was unable to utter any words regarding this type of dog skin plaster.

Holding Tang Xiu's hand yet again, Ouyang Lulu said, "What are you, you, and me, me, huh? Don't tell me you feel don't the need to take responsibility after you have stolen my heart, huh? I don't care. Shortly put, you will be Ouyang Lulu's man. My property will be your property, and I'll give them to you if you want it now. If you want them in the future, then in the future I'll give them to you."

Suddenly, her eyes turned and she talked in a low voice, "That's right, this is my property. If you feel that it's not enough, the Ouyang Family will have to give a lot of dowries in the future. In time to come I can help you in many essential things. For example, the Ouyangs are a wealthy family."

Tang Xiu was at a loss whether he had to cry or laugh. Suddenly, a famous saying whose essence was truth in itself coming from the ancestors sprung inside his mind: A maiden who goes out of her family to get married is akin to something that has lost and cannot be retrieved again. And this girl, she was truly heading out and intended to go!

If I were to have such a daughter later, I might as well choke her to death and forget about her, An absurd and ridiculous thought suddenly popped up inside Tang Xiu's mind.

"Boss, several city leaders have come," said a well-dressed middle-aged woman.

"Tang Xiu, are you really not willing to welcome the guests with me?" Asked Ouyang Lulu.

"No, I won't go!" Tang Xiu shook his head and firmly answered.

While loosening his arm, Ouyang Lulu helplessly said, "I won't insist and force you since you don't want to go. Manager Huang, keep an eye on him; don't let him slip away. And bring him to me when the time to cut the ribbon comes. Do remember that he's the highest Boss in this Paradise Manor. His orders are more effective and imperative than mine."

"Boss, have you made a mistake? He..." Manager Huang replied with an incredulous expression.

"No, I'm not making a mistake. I know what I'm talking about," said Ouyang Lulu firmly, "He will soon be my, Ouyang Lulu's boyfriend. He will become Ouyang Lulu's husband in the future, and then he will also be the biological father of my children."

Manager Huang stared at Tang Xiu with a queer expression, and then looked at Ouyang Lulu. Her mouth twitched a few times before she nodded and said, "I understand."

Chapter 485: The Idea to Rear Fierce Beasts in a Pen

Despite having strong mental strength, Tang Xiu still felt like he was sitting on pins and needles facing Manager Huang's queer gaze. He almost couldn't bear to get up and leave.

"Manager Huang, isn't it? You don't have to care about me. You can go busy yourself with your work and straightly call me out when the ribbon cutting time comes. Also, Ouyang Lulu seems to have a bit of a fever today, causing her to be muddled-headed. Don't take her joke seriously."

"This is... interesting!" Manager Huang almost roared with laughter upon hearing this.

She had been with Ouyang Lulu for several years, and was definitely her right-hand woman. Thus, she was appointed as the General Manager of the Paradise Manor. She was well aware of the inside story of Ouyang Lulu's personality from A to Z, yet she never imagined that the heavenly proud daughter, the young lady of the Ouyang Family whose pride seeped into her bones, would unexpectedly have such a thick skin as to chase after such a boy.

 The most important of all was that the boy even looked a few years younger than she. Moreover, said boy even used all sorts of excuses and was unwilling to accept her feelings.

Like a sow trying to climb the tree, it's an extremely rare occurrence and yet highly improbable.

Somehow, Manager Huang didn't put Tang Xiu in her eyes. It was Ouyang Lulu's display of attitude that was all the more interesting for her. During this very important time and event, however, she didn't want to waste time with Tang Xiu, causing her to slightly nod at him with a fake smile as she turned around to leave.

Tang Xiu retracted his vision from the departed back of Manager Huang. Though he was quite bored, he didn't feel like playing with his mobile phone again. While being unsure what to do, he caught the sight of a magazine on the nearby desk, so he took it and laid down on the sofa, covered his face with the magazine and was preparing to take a short nap.

Time passed by. Just as his eyes turned blurry, two arguing voices passed into his ears:

"Brother Jiang, the process of growing up is akin to a caterpillar breaking its cocoon and turning into a butterfly, shedding all the ugliness before its beautiful wings can vibrate beautifully under the sunlight, which only then will it flicker lightly and happily. For example, you can see Ouyang Lulu. She turned mature day by day and shed her young feathers. And now, she has come to struggle in Shanghai by herself; and she alone did everything for this wonderful scene to happen."

"Brother Chen, despite your statement having a bit of truth in it, I actually have my own opinion. One's growth is due to his or her being faced with some sorrowful matters and deal with it until he or she knows what is called of having been through the vicissitudes of life."

"Brother Jiang, your statement reminds me of what my Master once said told me."

"Your Master? Do you really have a Master, Brother Chen? Your Respected Master is..."

"I'm not..."

Tang Xiu got up from the sofa and removed the fashion magazine that covered his face, and then lightly said, "I'm his master."

On the sofa opposite of the coffee table, both men turned to look at Tang Xiu at the same time.

"Master, you're also here?"

When Chen Zhizhong just arrived, he found that someone was sleeping on the sofa at the opposite side. Though he felt somewhat strange given the current situation, he didn't even recognize the man as Tang Xiu.

"Yeah, Ouyang Lulu sent me an invitation," Tang Xiu nodded. "So I came over to join in the fun. Anyways, how did you come to be in Shanghai as well?"

"I came to Shanghai to sign a business contract, and then happened to learn from Ouyang Lulu's big brother, Ouyang Lei, that she opened a restaurant here. Hence I came here to congratulate her while convenient. Master, I know that you're studying at Shanghai University, but I had no plans of looking for you for fear that I would disturb you. Therefore, it's kind of unexpected to see you here."

"All right!" Tang Xiu nodded and looked at the other person.

Jiang Feng was stunned. The relationship between Tang Xiu and Chen Zhizhong made him feel kind of puzzled and confused. After all, Chen Zhizhong's age was nearly twice that of Tang Xiu's, yet he was unexpectedly Tang Xiu's disciple; this fact was quite hard for him to accept.

"Brother Jiang, we are all martial arts practitioners," said Chen Zhizhong calmly. "I think you should understand the reason why he can become my Master. He's very powerful, more powerful than I. I feel that even if it is you..."

Jiang Feng interrupted Chen Zhizhong and said with a bitter tone, "Brother Chen, I already know that Mr. Tang is very powerful. I suffered quite a loss to him before."

"What happened between you two?" Chen Zhizhong slightly surprised and turned to look at Tang Xiu.

"Let's just say he suffered in the place of someone from his Soaring Dragon Martial School who courted a disaster for him," said Tang Xiu with a faint tone.

Astute as he was, Chen Zhizhong could understand the meaning in Tang Xiu's words in an instant. He then smiled, "I see. Then please talk no more. Master, Brother Jiang is actually a very frank and upright man, and he's also a martial arts grandmaster. It's just that his Soaring Dragon Martial School kind of have a large number of people, and that inevitably lead to some rotten apples among them."

Tang Xiu slightly nodded, "One must do what one can do. Nevertheless, uprightness and proper manners won't be there without proper rules or codes, for only with strict doctrine will we be able to nurture genuine talents."

With a grateful look, Jiang Feng glanced at Chen Zhizhong. Then, he nodded to Tang Xiu and said, "I will bear these words in my mind, Mr. Tang. As of now, my Soaring Dragon Martial School has only one-fifth of its previous number. Furthermore, I myself have reformed the rules and codes there, and those who dare to violate them will be severely punished."

A faint smile finally appeared on Tang Xiu's face, "One only learns from one's mistakes. I believe you have tasted the bitter fruit of having gotten implicated by another, so you will definitely not have any problems like that again. Alright, you two have a chat! I'm going to stroll outside."

Tang Xiu got up and walked for a few steps before his pace suddenly came to a halt. He turned around to look at Chen Zhizhong and asked, "By the way, when will you return to Star City?"

"I was originally planning to go back today, but it would be too late after leaving here, so I'll be going back tomorrow. Do you any instructions for me, Master?" Answered Chen Zhizhong.

"Come with me after this opening ceremony! We'll go back to Star City the day after tomorrow," said Tang Xiu.

"All right!" A sliver of joy suffused in Chen Zhizhong's eyes as he replied respectfully.

As a matter of fact, he had always been wanting to find Tang Xiu since the True Qi inside his body had all been transformed into True Primordial Qi. His cultivation speed, however, was too slow; his strength had not been improved until now. According to what he knew about his very young Senior Sister, Gu Yin, the present her should have surpassed him in terms of cultivation level.

Therefore, he really needed guidance from Tang Xiu.

As Tang Xiu took his leave, Jiang Feng praised with a sigh, "Mr. Tang does possess very powerful strength. Despite me having broken through to the realm of martial arts grandmaster, I'm still not his opponent at all. I have a hunch that even if I make another breakthrough that doubles my strength, I'm afraid that I would still not be his match."

A proud look could be seen on Chen Zhizhong's face, as he said, "For him to be my Master, it's a given that he's very formidable."

"Brother Chen, although Mr. Tang is indeed very strong, I still don't get why you took him as your Master with your current age..." Said Jiang Feng, a curious look on his face.

"My Master just said, don't you think? It's to reach mastery and become an expert. What I want is to achieve a higher level in martial arts, so requesting him to be my Master is a very normal thing. Anyhow, I forgot to tell you something. Because of my Master, my present cultivation is improved due to my diligence, and is no longer shallow. How about we compare notes when we have a chance?"

Jiang Feng couldn't help laughing, "Brother Chen, the way I look at it, just forget it! Mr. Tang is indeed very formidable and I can confirm this point, but you were still far away from the threshold of martial arts grandmaster six months ago. Even if you have been instructed by him and your cultivation has progressed by leaps and bounds, I don't think you have reached the level of martial arts grandmaster as of yet, no?"

A hint of a smile appeared on the corner of Chen Zhizhong's mouth.

Martial arts grandmaster?

With his current strength, even eight martial arts grandmasters may not be his opponent at all.

Looking at the slight contempt looks on Jiang Feng's face, he smiled lightly and said, "After we get back to Star City, I'll personally go the Soaring Dragon Martial School to find you to compare notes. I hope that you won't throw the towel by that time."

"Got no problem with that. I'll be waiting for you," said Jiang Feng as he laughed loudly.

****

Outside, at the tree-lined pathway, Tang Xiu put his hands in his pockets and enjoyed the beautiful scenery of the manor. To his astonishment, there were many rare birds and animals housed in cages on both sides of the lush groove. Two of which were white tigers that were particularly attracting everyone's attention.

"Ouyang Lulu truly has poured a lot of effort and energy to prepare this manor. Nevertheless, many of these rare birds and wild animals are protected animals by the country. Does she possess a certificate to rear these things?" Amid the thought, a helpless smile suddenly appeared on Tang Xiu's face. He thought that he was really bored, to think that he was actually bothered about this trivial matter.

All of a sudden, his expression suddenly changed as an idea sprung up inside his mind. This idea made him grip his fist as an intense light filled his eyes.

Rearing animals?

That's right! When he was in the Immortal World, he reared and kept a lot of Immortal Beasts. Many of which were reared since they were little and were fed Spirit Beast Pills that he personally concocted. After they had their spiritual wisdom opened, he also imparted them with suitable Immortal Beast cultivation techniques into their mind, thus nurturing a large number of formidable Immortal Beasts for himself.

"That's right. I will need the bones of fierce beasts for my cultivation. But rather than going out everywhere to track down fierce beasts, hunting them down would be quite a hassle, so it will be much better to rear these fierce beasts myself. After I feed them Spirit Beast Pills, I can anticipate some of them to transform and open their spiritual wisdom, so that I can train them and they can be useful in combat. But if their spiritual wisdom is not opened, I can butcher them and use their remains for my cultivation.

"Furthermore, during my time in the Immortal World, I had many herbal fields with countless rare and exotic medicinal herbs. If I'm able to grow a large-scale plantation of herbs, not only can I use them for my cultivation in the future, I will also be able to give them to the people I'm nurturing.

"Earth truly is too small. Once my cultivation and the cultivation of the people under me has reached a higher level, the resources here will be not enough even if we are to collect them from the whole Earth. Apparently, I must prepare in advance.

"Nevertheless, it goes back to money yet again! I'm afraid I'll be short on funds for this. After all, the amount needed to purchase a wide land will be enormous. Later on, despite being able to plant medicinal herbs as well as rear fierce beasts on Nine Dragons Island, I must still build more bases in some other places as well.

"A place for herbs plantation and a fierce beast pen, however, must be carefully selected. And only the most suitable place can be picked. But firstly, the funds for the investment and the people who will manage it must also be resolved.

"..."

Ideas kept churning inside Tang Xiu's mind one by one. After a while, he clenched his fists hard as a firm look filled his eyes.

Chapter 486: From What Background Does He Come From?

Time passed by, and soon it was already 12 at noon; an auspicious time chosen by Ouyang Lulu. After receiving a call from Manager Huang, Tang Xiu rushed to the entrance gate.

The vast majority of the guests who had come to congratulate and witness the opening ceremony of the 'Paradise Manor' had already arrived. They all wore smiling faces and gathered in small groups of three to five. They were either chatting with the executives of the Paradise Manor or with Ouyang Lulu, conveying their blessings. However, several talented young men from Shanghai's business circle gathered around the big star, Zhang Xinya, either boasting their accomplishments or flattering her, wishing to get close to her.

"The auspicious time has arrived, so let us invite the owner of the Paradise Manor, Ouyang Lulu; the Mayor, Mr. Wang Tao; the Vice-Chairman of the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Zhang Yueming; the world-famous singer, Ms. Zhang Xinya and lastly... Mr. Tang Xiu. They will cut the ribbon for the opening of Paradise Manor."

At this moment, six ceremonial girls were already present in front of the gate, waiting motionlessly with a red ribbon.

Tang Xiu?

Aside from Ouyang Lulu and Zhang Xinya, Mayor Wang Tao and the Vice President of the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce, Zhang Yueming, wore strange expressions on their faces. As for Zhang Yueming, he knew Tang Xiu and his identity. However, he was, nevertheless, quite curious about Tang Xiu's unexpected presence in this occasion. Wang Tao, however, wore a puzzled expression, since he had never heard about Tang Xiu before.

"Boss Ouyang, who is this Tang Xiu?" Wang Tao, who stood next to Ouyang Lulu, asked very softly.

"He's my idol, and the person I'm currently pursuing," said Ouyang Lulu with a chuckle. "Of course, he also has many identities, though I'm not going to elaborate on them. I believe Mayor Wang will eventually learn about him if Tang Xiu wants to expand his wings to Shanghai as well."

Wang Tao was speechless. He did admire Ouyang Lulu's straightforwardness, but he couldn't help but grumble inside: An unknown figure cutting the ribbon in such an important occasion... wouldn't it become a laughingstock if this news were to be spread out?!!

Regardless, Ouyang Lulu was the owner of Paradise Manor, so Wang Tao didn't feel like questioning her decision. Him coming here this time was entirely due to looking at the face of the Ouyang Family of Jingmen Island, since his family and the Ouyang Family had quite a deep relationship.

Under the watchful eyes of the audience, Tang Xiu came behind the red ribbon. He had planned to stand at the most rear, and would immediately hide right after the ribbon had been cut. But he didn't expect that Zhang Xinya would actually pull his hand with a smiling face and exchange her position with his, giving him the position next to Ouyang Lulu.

Whoosh...

Everyone in the front was stunned and astonished, whispering to each other in private.

"What is this? Zhang Xinya is an up-and-out big star, the most famous public figure. From whence did this Tang Xiu come from? The introduction only mentioned his name. What makes him qualified to stand on the center and make Zhang Xinya stand in the outermost?"

"Could it be that Zhang Xinya already knew this Tang Xiu from before? What exactly is his background? To think that even such a big star gave him her inside spot?"

"The positioning of the ribbon is also very particular and uncommon. There is no question for Ouyang Lulu to stand in the middle, since she is the owner of Paradise Manor, after all. It's also a given for Mayor Wang to stand by her side, since he represents the approval and support of the government. But for an unknown layman to actually stand beside Boss Ouyang, isn't this quite unjustifiable?"

"Yeah! The other is Zhang Yueming, the Vice President of the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce. Not only is his personal wealth in the billions, his position is also very prominent. Yet, he's standing on the outermost, so what makes this surnamed Tang have the qualification to stand on the center?"

"What scandal is this? What exactly is Zhang Xinya doing?"

"..."

Everyone's chatter caused Manager Huang to shoot a deep look at Zhang Xinya and Tang Xiu before she handed the microphone to Ouyang Lulu with a smile.

Ouyang Lulu then let out a smile and started her speech, "Ladies and Gentlemen, today, I'm very honored to invite you all to attend the opening ceremony of our Paradise Manor. I would like to offer my gratitude to you all, and ask all you to support and take care of my Paradise Manor in the future. I have always been a forthright person, and I never beat around the bush. So, without further ado, I announce that Paradise Manor is officially open for business."

Bang, bang...

The deafening sound of firecrackers spread out nearby.

"Cut the ribbon now..." Manager Huang shouted.

The five important figures cut the red ribbons. The bands on both sides began to beat drums and gongs, playing the song of blessing. Then, applause reverberated from hundreds of guests, causing the entire scene to turn jubilant.

Ouyang Lulu took the microphone again. She set her eyes on the audience and smilingly said, "All right, everyone! The ribbon-cutting ceremony is over. We—the Paradise Manor have prepared delicacies as well as peerless good wine... Gods Nectar. From today onward, my Paradise Manor will set up a lucky draw. Any guest who participates in the lottery drawing will have a chance to be rewarded with Gods Nectar. Of course, there are only five spots per day, and every quota will only have two bottles of Gods Nectar. Speaking about the price, it will be slightly more expensive than other places."

In a flash, the hundreds of guests in the courtyard were stunned. Many of them even asked loudly:

"Boss Ouyang, are your words real? You're actually providing Gods Nectar? Could it be that you have secured a cooperation with the Magnificent Tang Corp?"

"Yeah! The Gods Nectar produced by the Magnificent Tang Corp is now hailed as the best wine. All wine lovers regard drinking Gods Nectar as a symbol of honor, yet the sales model of the Magnificent Tang Corp as well as the sales volume of Gods Nectar is very limited. One is simply unable to buy it unless they go purchase it in their exclusive stores!"

"Boss Ouyang, can your Paradise Manor help me buy a number of Gods Nectar bottles? I'll pay double! If you agree, I'll immediately transfer the money into your account."

"I'm willing to pay five times the price to buy it!"

"Ten times!"

Looking at the crowd in front of her, Ouyang Lulu was dumbfounded. Never once had she expected that using Gods Nectar would create such an uproar. It had to be known that she spent quite the effort to run to Star City, using both soft and hard tactics to face Kang Xia, before she finally secured a private small agreement to get the goods. And it was only 5,000 bottles a year.

At the end of the day, she shot Tang Xiu a glance only to find his expression being at a loss whether to cry or laugh. Taking a deep breath, she forced a smile and said, "Gentlemen, would you please calm down first? I do want to earn such money, actually. However, the Big Boss of the Magnificent Tang Corporation is a very stingy man. I have been pestering him, using both hard and soft tactics, and even offered myself in marriage before he eventually agreed to give me a share of Gods Nectar each year. If it was not for my Paradise Villa, I would have taken the goods out for you! Nevertheless, if you want to buy them, you can go straight to the Magnificent Tang Corporation!"

Standing at the side, Tang Xiu could only roll his eyes and secretly grunted inside, This girl truly speaks with tongue in her cheek. To think that she can tell a bare-faced lie out-and-out so brazenly. Does painting yourself black is really that interesting?

At this time, he firmly decided to never stand out even if he was beaten to death. Despite having already made a name for himself, today's situation was obvious. The guests didn't even recognize him, and were all oblivious that he was the big boss of the Magnificent Tang Corp. He was not so foolish and stupid as to push himself forward only to get squeezed by the crowd, who only wanted to get close to him and get some benefits through the back door.

Fortunately, Ouyang Lulu herself didn't want to let the Gods Nectar steal her limelight. She squeezed out a smile and said, "All right, we have prepared sightseeing cars in front of the entrance, so I invite you all to come inside! Today, we will certainly make everyone to have a very good time drinking and dining here."

As the audience entered, welcoming ladies took them to the interior of the pagoda-shaped dining hall. Fragrant dishes were currently being delivered to the tables, and each table was provided with two bottles of Gods Nectar.

As the main character today, Ouyang Lulu was always accompanied by prominent figures. Whereas Tang Xiu quietly withdrew due to his dislike of noisy scenes. He found a quiet rest area and asked the staff to provide him paper. On it, he silently wrote the names of the herbs he had memorized, and the list of wild animals and fierce beasts he planned to rear.

While at that, a good fragrance invaded his nostrils. Then, a woman in a white dress and casual white shoes came before Tang Xiu.

"Hello, Grand Master!"

Tang Xiu looked up. His expression turned slightly vacant after he saw Gu Xiaoxue, and then asked with astonishment, "Why are you here, Xiaoxue?"

"Lulu invited me. We are good sisters, after all," said Gu Xiaoxue with a faint smile. "Besides, you're also in Shanghai, Grand Master, hence I came. It's just that I don't like lively and noisy scenes, so I didn't appear before anyone. I just learned from Manager Huang that you were not in the banquet hall, so I came find you."

"All right, sit down and let's have a chat!" Tang Xiu pointed to the opposite spot and smilingly said. "Actually, I was planning to call you! Let me show you something. This just crossed my mind."

After receiving the list and carefully reading it, there was a puzzled look on Gu Xiaoxue's face as she said, "Grand Master, there are two lists here. One is filled with names of medicinal herbs, and the other one is a list of wild animals. What are you going to make, exactly?"

"I'm preparing to plant a massive number of medicinal herbs, as well as rear various wild animals," said Tang Xiu with all seriousness. "I'm going to use the Immortal Ordinance Art to transform these wild animals, eventually transforming them into fierce beasts or spirit beasts."

"Your vision is somewhat similar to the Master's idea," said Gu Xiaoxue with astonishment. "However, when Master had just put forward this idea, her physical state became worse and worse, and then it was eventually forgotten. Grand Master, if this plan is really successful, then we can get a lot of cultivation resources."

"That's right. If we want to nurture a large number of experts, cultivation resources are indispensable!" Said Tang Xiu. "Hence, my initial idea is to plant medicinal herbs in 200 mu of land, and I will personally lay out a formation array at that time so that the medicinal herbs can grow quickly. With my current ability, the best I can do is to make them grow ten times faster, which is one year equalling to ten years if they were to be planted outside. It could be even faster than that. Within eight to ten years we can get a massive number of hundred-year-old medicinal herbs.

"As for rearing wild animals, I will also need to lay out a formation array, but their growth rate will be a lot slower. But at most ten years later, we can easily identify which wild animals can grow into spirit beasts and which aren't unable to open their spiritual wisdom and can only become low-level fierce beasts."

Chapter 487: Offering Help Only to Get Refused and Scolded

While Tang Xiu was elaborating on his ideas, an extraordinary splendorous light shined in Gu Xiaoxue's eyes as she imagined their future harvests to come.

Finally, when Tang Xiu had finished his explanation, he took back the two lists and asked, "Some time ago, due to the need to develop the Magnificent Tang Corp, I'd given an amount of funds to Kang Xia, so there is only 1.2 billion yuan remaining in my account. To implement my idea, I'm afraid that the amount needed will not be enough even if this amount is multiplied by ten. So, how much money the Everlasting Feast Hall can provide?"

Gu Xiaoxue pondered for a short while and then said, "About 28 billion, that's all the money I have saved. But, if I draw the funds from the various businesses we have, I should be able to transfer another 10 to 20 billion."

Thinking for a while, Tang Xiu then said, "It won't be necessary. Just transfer 9 billion into my account after you return to Jingmen Island. 10 billion yuan should be more or less enough for the upfront investment. But I'll find you again later if there's a need to expand the scale."

"You don't have to wait until I return to Jingmen Island, Grand Master," said Gu Xiaoxue with a smile. "I can transfer the money to you now."

A few minutes later, Gu Xiaoxue took back her mobile phone and smilingly said, "I've transferred the money to you, Grand Master. However, the bank manager just called me to say that the money will only arrive in your account within three working days."

"We need to buy land in a mountain where the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi is relatively rich. Lands in mountainous areas are quite cheap, though developing it will prove rather difficult. However, we can still accomplish it if we pour sufficient funds in it. It's just that I haven't decided the specific location yet. Do you have a good place to recommend?"

"From the looks of your point of view, setting up herb plantations and rearing wild animals will require us to pay close attention to the weather, temperature, topography, water conservancy, and other related conditions. I myself rarely go out, and only have been to a few famous mountains. So there's no good place I can recommend to you. However, I do have an idea." Gu Xiaoxue shook her head and said.

"What's your idea?" Asked Tang Xiu.

"I think we had better buy the rights to develop an island rather than purchasing plots of land in the mainland," said Gu Xiaoxue. "Firstly, we can rent them. While the rent itself is quite cheap, many of these islands are rich in Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, thus suitable for growing medicinal herbs and rearing wild animals. Of course, what is most important is the issue with the caregivers. If we do it in the mainland we will need a large number of people to carry out the security work, while on an island would be different altogether. We only need to send a number of experts to be stationed there with the assistance of high-tech surveillance instruments to make the area absolutely safe."

"You're right! I never thought of this before." Tang Xiu's eyes lit up. "Jingmen Island is located in the South China Sea. To plant medicinal herbs and rear wild animals in a few chosen islands would be better, I think. So be it! I'll take the time to go to South China Sea to survey the area. Once I've decided the places, I'll immediately deal with the renting issues, and begin to invest in the development."

"Then I'll prepare a list of security team members ahead of time, Grand Master," said Gu Xiaoxue with a faint smile. "May I ask you what the appropriate number would be?"

"Talking about that is too early, though it's still necessary to prepare in advance." Tang Xiu shook his head. "Alright then! Pick 50 core members first, but don't them anything yet. When everything has been arranged properly I'll personally test them. If they get my approval, they will bring a number of peripheral members to be stationed in the picked island."

"Affirmative!" Gu Xiaoxue gently nodded.

After discussing the proper business, Tang Xiu looked at Gu Xiaoxue's bright eyes. And suddenly, he didn't know what to say for a moment. Though he had been in contact with her for a while now, Gu Xiaoxue's innate cold character made them have a very few common topics besides speaking about proper and serious matters.

After staying silent for two minutes, Tang Xiu eventually said, "Xiaoxue, if you don't have anything else to do, go pick something to eat first! Also, please look after Yan'er well after you return to Jingmen Island."

"I will," said Gu Xiaoxue with a nod.

Tang Xiu suddenly recalled something and quickly said, "Wait, when will you return to Jingmen Island, exactly?"

"Since I've already met you and the Paradise Manor has officially opened, I'm planning to go back to Jingmen Island this afternoon," answered Gu Xiaoxue.

"Since you happen to be here, take the children back with you to Jingmen Island while convenient! These children are all orphans. I adopted them and they are now living with me in Bluestar Villa Complex. Remember to settle them with those children who have already come previously. These five kids have learned a bit of Kung Fu, and I've also imparted them body tempering techniques. So add some more things to do when you're training them."

"Then I'll go with you when you return home, Grand Master," said Gu Xiaoxue with a faint smile. "Afterward, I'll take them away with me."

"All right, then. I'll call you when I'm about to leave," said Tang Xiu. "That's right. There's someone called Chen Zhizhong in the banquet hall. He's an in-name disciple of mine. Take the time to go and see him."

"I'll go later, then," Gu Xiaoxue's eyes lit up and replied with a nod.

After she left, Tang Xiu kept the lists and relaxingly nested on the sofa. He didn't want to bother himself with anything else and just wanted to lie down there cultivating for a while. Despite the star force inside his meridians not needing him to control it, there was something that piqued his interest and suspicion. The circulation speed of the star force had significantly increased, and its absorption of solar power also had increased to a much faster rate.

Without him expecting it, someone was coming toward him. Tang Xiu took no notice of it, and comfortable half-laid in his spot.

"Mom, it doesn't seem so cold here," a childish voice entered Tang Xiu's ear.

It was a woman in her 30s. She had a beautiful face, wearing a shawl and shining earrings and carrying a bag for books. Her name was Gu Hui, and she followed her husband to attend the opening ceremony of Paradise Manor. Half an hour ago, however, her child felt unwell and seemed to have caught a cold. Therefore, she lost her appetite and bid polite excuses to the others and her husband, and then prepared to take her son to the hospital.

"Dongdong, don't speak. This uncle is asleep, don't disturb him."

The boy that seemed to be four or five years old shot Tang Xiu a look and silently nodded, yet his little figure moved closer toward Tang Xiu, while his slightly pale face also showed a comfortable expression.

Finally, Tang Xiu opened his eyes and glanced at the mother and son. His eyes finally landed on the little boy and frowned, since he could sense death qi in him.

"Little kid, can uncle give you a hug?"

The boy looked up at his mother.

"Sir, my son caught a bit of a cold, I'm afraid you will be infected. So..." said Gu Hui quickly.

Tang Xiu shook his head and smiled. He hugged the small boy. While at that, he used his fingers to feel his pulse, and kept at it for more than 20 seconds. Afterward, Tang Xiu furrowed his brows slightly, as he looked up and asked Gu Hui, "Was there a case of homicide or murder in your family recently?"

"Murder? There has been no homicide... Huh? Sir, are you..." Gu Hui was confused.

Raising his hand to interrupt her, Tang Xiu said, "If there was no murder case in your family, that means that someone very close to your son has personally encountered a homicide case. And the time it happened should be no less than two days ago."

Gu Hui frowned as she snatched her son and stepped back. There was a vigilant look on her face as she said, "Mister, I don't get what you mean by that. There has never been a murder case in my family, and the only people close to my son are my husband and I, and we have never encountered a murder case either. So please don't talk such nonsensical things!"

After saying that, she was about to leave with her son.

Tang Xiu squinted his eyes and looked at her back while speaking, "Your son is not suffering from a cold, but because he got exposed to death qi. I don't think the hospital will be able to cure this condition. Of course, you may question this and leave. But your son is still too young, and his life force will be fully corroded by the death qi in seven days at the most. By that time, he will lose his life."

Gu Hui was an atheist. She instantly turned around upon hearing his words and angrily stared at him, saying, "More absurd things. Then don't blame for calling out people to kick you out."

Having said that, she hastily left while hugging the boy.

Tang Xiu could only shake his head. The cycle of karma, the cause and effect of the Heavenly Dao has a profound and deep influence that will affect the lives of ordinary people. The current himself was also under the influence of the Heavenly Dao at all times. Unless he could break the shackles on his neck and ascend to become an Immortal, only then would he be able to get rid of the interference of the Heavenly Dao.

One's wealth, status, and honor are set and preordained by the Heavens!

Despite him encountering such a thing, nevertheless, if the child's mother didn't believe in him, and didn't allow him to clearly inspect her child and dispel the death qi on the boy willingly, then it would mean that the boy was fated to die a few days later.

Inside the pagoda-shaped restaurant...

On the second floor of the banquet hall, hundreds of guests had filled the entire venue. In front of the luxurious tables, the crowd were tasting the gourmet and praising them while sipping Gods Nectar.

At the innermost placed table, Ouyang Lulu was accompanied by Mayor Wang Tao, Zhang Yueming, Zhang Xinya and a few other guests with prominent status, merrily chatting and laughing while dining.

At this time, Gu Xiaoxue came. Donning a white dress that fluttered, she was as though a fairy who descended to Earth. Her arrival in the banquet hall attracted the eyes of numerous people as she came to Ouyang Lulu's side.

"Sis Xiaoxue, come and sit down with me."

Previously, Ouyang Lulu never expected that Gu Xiaoxue would be willing to come and dine here. Hence, a pleasantly surprised look immediately appeared on her face.

"No, I can't," said Gu Xiaoxue as she shook her head. "I only came here to see Martial Uncle, Lulu."

After saying that, she asked for an empty glass and then went toward Chen Zhizhong, who was at the same table, and softly said, "Martial Uncle, Xiaoxue didn't know that you were here, too, so I didn't come to pay you a visit. I hope you can forgive me. Please, accept this glass of wine as a token of respect from your Martial Niece."

Chen Zhizhong got up, but was urged to sit still by Gu Xiaoxue. He then received the glass of wine and smilingly said, "Have you seen Master?"

"Yes. Grand Master is currently resting. It was him who told me that you were here," answered Gu Xiaoxue.

Master?

Grand Master?

The other people around the table had strange expressions on their faces as they looked at Chen Zhizhong and Gu Xiaoxue. They didn't understand what they were talking about. A master to such a prominent figure like Chen Zhizhong, who exactly could this sacred being be?

Chapter 488: Contrasting Attitudes

Nodding at her, Chen Zhizhong sipped his wine and smilingly said, "Xiaoxue, after I return to Star City with Master I'll mention the matter of me going to Jingmen Island with him. If Master agrees, I will probably go to your place to dine, but you don't need to entertain your Martial Uncle yourself, though."

With a faint smile, Gu Xiaoxue replied, "Then, Xiaoxue will arrange everything in advance to welcome Martial Uncle's arrival."

"All right!" Chen Zhizhong nodded slightly.

"Martial Uncle, if you have no other instructions for me, I'll take my leave first. I'm not accustomed to this environment," said Gu Xiaoxue again.

"Go on then!" Chen Zhizhong smilingly replied.

Standing at the side, Ouyang Lulu couldn't help but roll her eyes. She thought that Gu Xiaoxue had come to dine. It turned out that she came only to see Chen Zhizhong. She knew the matter pertaining to Chen Zhizhong and Gu Xiaoxue, since they had met each other in Beijing when Tang Xiu got injured. She looked at the leaving Gu Xiaoxue and reluctantly sat back on her seat. Then, she shifted her vision to Chen Zhizhong and said, "Big Boss Chen, since you are Sis Xiaoxue's Martial Uncle, you should persuade her to give up living such a boring life. By the way, she should listen to your words, right?"

"Well, she only listens to Master's words," said Chen Zhizhong with a forced smile.

Stunned, Ouyang Lulu stared blankly, and immediately painted a "you've been defeated" look on her face.

At the same table, a shocked and astonished light glinted in Zhang Yueming's eyes. Just as Gu Xiaoxue's figure vanished in the front door of the banquet hall, he immediately picked up his glass and got up from his seat, circling around toward Chen Zhizhong's position. After he came to his side, he smilingly said, "Brother Chen, I have heard that your Endless Virtue Pharmaceutical has a medicinal herbs business that is particularly thriving, yet I have never been able to meet you all this while. This is kind of a pity. So, today, I would like to pay my respects you with a cup of wine."

What's this situation?

Chen Zhizhong was dumbfounded.

Given Zhang Yueming's prominent status, which was far higher than Chen Zhizhong's, would he even care about Chen Zhizhong? What was the most particular was that he actually left his seat and stood by Chen Zhizhong's side, giving a toast in quite a humble manner... This was simply unreasonable, no?

In a matter of seconds, Chen Zhizhong came back to his senses, quickly got up and replied politely, "You're too polite, Brother Zhang. Your distinguished name is just like thunder reverberating in my ears. I'm simply unable to contain my joy of getting the chance to meet you today. Come, I'll accompany you drinking a cup."

"Brother Chen, let's have toast!"

The smile on Zhang Yueming's face turned brighter. He and Chen Zhizhong drank a glass of wine together, yet he didn't immediately leave the seat and smilingly said instead, "Dear Brother Chen, I'm a local snake here in Shanghai. Since you've come to this place, you should also befriend the local landlords. Do you have free time tonight? If so, would Brother Chen like to visit my place and accompany me to dinner? The least I can do is play as a good host for you."

Chen Zhizhong hesitated. He forced a smile and said, "Brother Zhang, your offer is certainly welcome. But, I must accompany my Master later, and I don't know what arrangements he has for me this evening. About your invitation... I apologize, I can't accompany you."

Zhang Yueming's expression slightly moved as he smiled and said, "Since your Respected Master have some matters to handle, then let us forget it for now. To be honest, I was planning on drinking a few cups with him before. But he doesn't seem to like lively scenes, unfortunately. Please give my regards to him."

"Brother Zhang, you know my Master is..." said Chen Zhizhong curiously.

"So to say, I have a bit of friendship with Tang... with your Respected Master," said Zhang Yueming smilingly.

Chen Zhizhong understood in a flash. His attitude toward Zhang Yueming obviously turned better, and he said with a smile, "Brother Zhang, please quickly go to your seat. If my Master doesn't have any arrangements for me later, then I'll visit you. If I'm too busy, then Zhizhong will surely pay a visit whenever I come to Shanghai again."

Zhang Yueming smiled in satisfaction. After returning to his seat, he filled his glass with wine and raised it toward Chen Zhizhong before he drank it up.

Their exchange made everyone present shocked and confused. Even Ouyang Lulu had never expected that Tang Xiu would actually be acquainted with Zhang Yueming, more so being friends with him. All the more important was that she could see that Zhang Yueming was evidently showing goodwill toward Chen Zhizhong, which was obviously because of Tang Xiu.

How could this fella know so many powerful local tycoons?

Ouyang Lulu secretly mumbled to herself. She then raised her glass and smilingly said, "Come, everyone, Lulu wants to express her thanks to everybody present. Please accept my toast of respect."

After the glasses had been dried up, Wang Tao's vision turned to Chen Zhizhong and said with a curious expression, "Boss Chen, I don't know who is your Respected Master. Did he come today as well?"

"Well, my Master is the one who participated in cutting the ribbon, Tang Xiu," said Chen Zhizhong with a smile.

What?

Everyone present at the table, except Ouyang Lulu and Zhang Yueming, had incredulous looks on their faces.

"Boss Chen, what kind of joke are you playing? That Tang... he's still very young. How could he possibly be your Master?" Asked Wang Tao with disbelief.

"Mayor Wang, there's a saying that we can never measure the sea with a bushel. Likewise, men cannot be judged by their looks. Though my Master is indeed young, he's much more skillful and powerful than I am in various aspects. Reciting an ancient saying, whoever has reached a mastery of something can be someone's master. The matter of me take him as my Master is not something worthy of surprise, is it?"

Wang Tao looked vacant, yet he immediately grinned awkwardly and said, "Truly, I'm so parochial and narrow-sighted. Anyhow, do you mind if I ask what you are learning from Mr. Tang?"

"Kung Fu!" Chen Zhizhong replied without trying to conceal it.

Suddenly realizing something, Wang Tao smiled and said, "Chinese Wushu is precisely the essence of our country. To think that Boss Chen can put aside the concept of seniority and can really implement the philosophy of 'whoever reaches the mastery can be one's master', is truly rare. Come, let us have a drink."

"All right!" Chen Zhizhong complied with a smile.

Having drank the Gods Nectar in his glass, Wang Tao stopped chatting with Chen Zhizhong. Although he spoke beautifully on the surface, he himself actually didn't approve inside. After all, given Chen Zhizhong's identity, taking a youngster in his 20s as his Master was truly taking lightly about a major issue. If Chen Zhizhong wanted to practice Wushu, given his wealth and identity, he could have directly hired someone rather than going so far as to formally take him as a Master, which was akin to lowering his own status.

Tang Xiu was someone who he had never heard of prior to this, neither did he know from whence he came from. Nevertheless, for him to actually participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Paradise Manor and become Chen Zhizhong's Master may prove that he did have some real abilities at that young age. Unfortunately, just that was not enough to make him go to a larger stage.

Something suddenly crossed his mind, as he immediately leaned toward Ouyang Lulu. He toned down his voice and said, "Lulu, can I ask you something?"

"What?" Asked Ouyang Lulu back with a strange expression.

"Though Tang Xiu is Chen Zhizhong's Master and your friend, yet it shouldn't be enough for him to participate in such an important event such as today's ribbon cutting ceremony, right? Does he have some other prominent identity or something?" Inquired Wang Tao.

Ouyang Lulu pondered for a while, yet she didn't answer Wang Tao's inquiry as she whispered back, "Uncle Wang, you and my father are friends, and can even be said as old buddies, am I right?"

Despite being clueless as to where Ouyang Lulu was going with this, Wang Tao still nodded and answered, "Yeah, that's right. Our friendship does go far back, and we have cooperated in many things before. All the more so as your Ouyang Family and my Wang Family are also related by several marriages as well."

"If so, then I won't conceal anything from you. But, please don't tell even a word to anyone else what I'm about to tell you," said Ouyang Lulu with a nod.

Wang Tao nodded, "Okay, tell me!"

With a voice that only both of them could hear, Ouyang Lulu said, "Tang Xiu is the offspring of the Tang Family from Beijing. He's the biological grandson of the Tang Family Head."

The Tang Family from Beijing?

Wang Tao gently nodded, yet his complexion drastically changed all of a sudden. He abruptly got up and exclaimed, "What did you say? He, he, he... He is that..."

Ouyang Lulu hastily got up and grabbed his arm with both hands to interrupt him, and forced him to sit back down.

"Uncle Wang, do you need to make a fuss over nothing like this?"

The shocked expression Wang Tao's face didn't reduce in the slightest, however. He looked up to Chen Zhizhong and finally realized as to why Chen Zhizhong would formally take Tang Xiu as his Master. The recently discovered offspring of the Tang Family from Beijing was absolutely not someone of no particular talent! From some forces the Wang Family had a relationship with, he had heard the news that the outcome of the recent last game of thrones between the Tangs and the Yaos in the South had made the Yao Family end up miserably and badly beaten by the Tang Family. It was thanks to Tang Xiu who had come late. He employed some powerful means that caused the Yao Family to suffer a big defeat and massive losses.

As of now, the forces from ordinary families may not be aware of these matters; the top families in Beijing, however, had all learned about this matter. The Old Yao Family Head was even rumored to have raged after learning about it.

Wang Tao took his wine glass and went toward Chen Zhizhong under Ouyang Lulu's curious gaze. The man then gazed at Chen Zhizhong and said, "Boss Chen, though I did meet Mr. Tang before, I didn't greet him due to many matters getting mixed in between the event. Anyhow, I'd like to offer you a toast, hoping that you would convey him my regards later. I'll come visit him some other time later."

Again?

Once again, Chen Zhizhong was paralyzed, and the rest was dazed.

Everyone present had an inconceivable expressions when they looked at Wang Tao. They didn't understand. Why would he mention that young man called Tang Xiu again? Even his attitude this time was obviously different.

While trying to suppress his confusion, Chen Zhizhong lifted his wine glass and said, "With all politeness, I'll convey your message."

After drinking the wine, Wang Tao said, "Boss Chen, Shanghai is an international metropolis, and Chinese medical knowledge is almost replaced by Western medical science. But we all know that Chinese medical knowledge is a quintessence product and precious knowledge passed down by our ancestors. If your Endless Virtue Pharmaceutical is willing to expand your business to Shanghai, please contact me directly. I'll give you my private number, and will be waiting for your call. I will personally assist you with the legal documents."

"This..."

Never had Chen Zhizhong imagined that Wang Tao would publicly show his goodwill on this occasion. This commitment, in and of itself, was very rare.

As if fearing that Chen Zhizhong didn't believe him, Wang Tao said again, "Boss Chen, I, Wang Tao, have always kept my words. I always had the wish that the Chinese medical science can make a comeback with the medicinal herbs provided by your Endless Virtue Pharmaceutical."

With a grateful expression, Chen Zhizhong looked at Wang Tao and said, "In this case, I would like to express my gratitude first to you. I will definitely contact you if I plan to expand here in the future."

Wise and astute as he was, he could tell that Wang Tao's change in attitude was because of his Master, Tang Xiu. His puzzlement also quickly vanished after he recalled that Wang Tao was someone from the government; whereas his Master, Tang Xiu, was an offspring of the Tang Family from Beijing.

Chapter 489: Plagued by Bad Karma

The guests participating in the Paradise Manor's opening ceremony, particularly the ones sitting at this table, were all people with high statuses. Each and every one of them was either someone with authority or possessing wealth amounting to billions. Such a group of people evidently had wisdom that far exceeded normal people.

Hence, they could clearly tell that Wang Tao's change of attitude toward Chen Zhizhong was entirely due to his Master, Tang Xiu; yet, they were clueless about the specific reason. However, even if so, they now attached more importance to Tang Xiu in their hearts.

On the banquet table, besides Ouyang Lulu who was the main character of the day, the attitude of the remaining people toward Chen Zhizhong turned more amiable and closer. The situation in China, nonetheless, was such that personal connections held a very important position, and an indispensable resource at that. It was because having a huge network and personal connection, whether in daily life or in doing business, would give one numerous benefits.

At another banquet table in the hall, although Wei Yang was merrily chatting and laughing with the guests at the same table whose statuses were equal to his, his eyes often glanced at the table where Ouyang Lulu was with a bit of envy and jealousy.

At this moment, Gu Hui came to him while hugging her son Dongdong, and sat on the seat beside him. Her complexion was somewhat unsightly to see.

"What happened? Did the illness get more serious?" Wei Yang quickly whispered after seeing his wife's irritated expression.

"Our son said that he felt more comfortable just a while ago. However, I also bumped into a ominous character," said Gu Hui, shaking her head.

"Ominous character? What are you talking about?" Wei Yang's face changed.

"I just met a sleeping young man in the rest area. After he sat up, he said that our son is not sick, but is being plagued with bad karma or something. I was really angry and lashed out. I told him that he was just spitting out nonsensical things. I also told him that there had never been a murder case in our family, nor had we had a homicide case amongst our closest relatives. The most annoying thing was that he was kind of cursing our son! Saying that even if we go to the hospital, they won't be able to cure him; and that our son wouldn't last for seven days unless he himself treats the illness. Husband, that scammer is really so hateful and annoying."

Wei Yang fell into a daze. His pupils contracted fiercely, and his heartbeat suddenly beat faster.

After looking at the other people who were sharing the table with them, Gu Hui continued speaking in a low voice, "Husband, I have seen that swindler before, actually. He's the young man who was in charge of cutting the ribbon at the opening ceremony."

The husband took a deep breath as his eyes stared at his wife and asked, "Tell me everything from beginning to endo. Remember to not miss a word. Tell me quickly!"

Gu Hui paused. She looked at her husband's solemn face and told everything about her encounter with Tang Xiu. Then, she finally said, "You tell me, how come there would be someone so wicked in the world? Our son just caught a cold. Us taking him to the hospital to get some medication, or just having a bit shot injection, yet he went so far as to curse our son. That made me really angry..."

"Shut up!" Wei Yang couldn't sit still. He quickly stood and pulled Gu Hui from the chair, and hurriedly said, "Take me to see him now, hurry!"

Being dragged out of the banquet hall, Gu Hui was stunned. After she came to her senses, she hurriedly asked, "Husband? What is wrong with you? That's nothing but a lie..."

Wei Yang interrupted her, and sternly replied in a heavy tone, "There's something I haven't told you, yet. I was drunk last night and ran over someone when I was driving the car. The place was quite remote, so I ran because I was afraid of being charged with criminal charges. Now, tell me, doesn't this mean that it was me who encountered a death case?"

"What?" Gu Hui was frightened. Color was drained from her face, and an ominous premonition grew inside her heart. While walking down the corridor with her husband, she hurriedly asked, "Husband, is there really no one who saw you running over someone and escaping?"

Wei Yang nodded, "I'm very familiar with the place. That road is not far from our home. There is no surveillance cameras near the scene, while the street lights are also broken. While I was careful... Anyways, I'm sure that there wasn't anyone around at that time, since I took a look aroung after getting out of the car."

"Since that young man can figure out that you... then, what he said about our son dying after seven days..." said Gu Hui quickly.

Wei Yang fell into silence.

He was doing a business in Hong Kong. The people there had influenced him so much that he feared and awed gods and spiritual beings. He also believed that Feng Shui or some evil and ominous stuff did exist. That made him believe that there were also some people with bizarre abilities in this world. Therefore, he wanted to confirm whether what the young man said about his son was true or not, thus wanting to find that young man and ask about it clearly.

"Husband, the rest area is over there." Having walked across the corridor, Gu Hui whispered quickly as she saw Tang Xi's figure still lying there.

The husband's eyes fell on Tang Xiu's face. He approached and respectfully said, "Are you, Mr. Tang? I'm really sorry for disturbing you."

Tang Xiu opened his eyes. After seeing the mother—Gu Hui and her son, he could tell the identity of Wei Yang, as he nodded and asked, "What's your name?"

"Wei Yang!"

Tang Xiu nodded, "I was not quite sure what the problem was with your family. But I finally understand after seeing you. You've been involved in a murder, right?"

Wei Yang's complexion changed, and bitterly said, "Mr. Tang has eyes like a torch. Only, I don't know how could Mr. Tang figure it out?"

"The Death qi around you is much more serious than that of your son's. Therefore, you have definitely touched a dead bodies in the last two days. However, since the Yang qi inside you is very strong, the Death qi has little effect on you. Nevertheless, you should have hugged your son and passed the Death qi to him shortly after you touched those dead bodies. The boy is still too young, and his ability to withstand the Death qi is still too poor. Not to mention that your son also has a congenital heart disease, so..." said Tang Xiu.

Wei Yang's face changed greatly, to the extent that it was like he got a disastrous accident. The sound of knees hitting concrete was heard, as he knelt in front of Tang Xiu and said in a pleading voice, "Mr. Tang, everything you said is true. Last night, because I was driving drunk and some of the streetlights on the road near my house being broken, I couldn't see the situation on the road clearly, so I ran over two people. Then, I got off my car to check on them and found that both of them were dead. I also touched their dead bodies. When I got home, due to being scared and feeling guilty, I cried and hugged my son. Mr. Tang, help me save my son, please! I'll immediately turn myself in as long as my son is safe."

"I can save your son, but there are several conditions," said Tang Xiu as he sighed inwardly.

"Please do tell, Mr. Tang. I will never refuse as long as it's within my capabilities," said Wei Yang categorically before Tang Xiu.

"Bad Karma is a retribution of cause and effect; while the wrath of Heaven is a punishment of the Karma itself. Even if you turn yourself in, after you got plagued with this bad karma, it would still be very difficult for you. Therefore, the conditions I will put forward won't do you any harm. Firstly, you must find the family of the deceased. Kneel three times and kowtow nine times to them, and burn incense to expiate the sins of the dead. Secondly, you must look after the families of the deceased. If they are elderly, you must look after them until you arrange their funerals. If they are still children, you must bring them up until they have grown up. Thirdly, take half of your family's wealth and give it to charity. Only then will you get karmic reward," said Tang Xiu.

Nodding heavily and repeatedly, Wei Yang said, "I'll do everything you requested, Mr. Tang. As a matter of fact, even if I hadn't met you today, I had already planned to visit their family members and give them compensation."

"Now, get up! Give me your child, and ask the staff to find me an empty room," said Tang Xiu.

"All right!" Wei Yang immediately complied.

A few minutes later, the boy hugged by Tang Xiu didn't make any noises. Instead, he became more energetic, whereas the couple and the staff stayed outside the room.

"Uncle, being around you is really comfortable," said the little boy softly.

Tang Xiu let out a faint smile. He was a cultivator. During the day, he absorbed solar power all the time, so warmness would naturally circulate around his body. This warmth happened to have a restraining effect on Death qi, hence giving the boy a comfortable feeling. Immediately afterward, Tang Xiu dispelled the Death qi inside the little boy with his star force, and even used the Tuina Massage technique to inject his star force into the boy's heart.

Although employing this method couldn't cure his congenital heart disease, it actually could play a relieving role and reduce the state of his cardiac disease, so that it wouldn't flare up, and guaranteed his safety for several years to come.

Afterward, he brought the boy out of the room. After returning him to his mother, he said, "The Death qi inside him has been eliminated, but his congenital heart disease is still a threat to him. If you have the time during the holiday in October, take him to Shuangqing Province's Star City! I'll be giving medical services on October 2nd, 3rd, and 4th in Star City Chinese Medical Hospital. Bring him over at that time, and I will cure his congenital heart disease."

Wei Yang's pupil contracted and his breathing turned faster as he quickly asked, "Mr. Tang, you... can you fully cure my son's congenital heart disease?"

"It may be very troublesome for other doctors, but it's very easy for me," said Tang Xiu lightly. "All right, you people can go do your things! But please remember what I've requested of you. Otherwise, you will still be plagued by bad karma; the good days of your family will surely come to an end."

Bam...

Wei Yang then pulled his wife, Gu Hui, and the couple knelt in front of Tang Xiu. After giving three kowtows, he stood and said, "Mr. Tang, I can't thank you enough for your benevolence. This is my business card. If you ever need my assistance in the future, as long as it is within my capabilities, I'll make sure to have to do it even if I have to lose my life."

Tang Xiu nodded as his gaze followed the family out. He secretly sighed. Through this incident, he saw how serious the Heavenly Dao affected the human beings on Earth. It was no wonder that the ancient people also understood the principle truth that, one will receive rewards for their virtuous deeds, so will evil be rewarded for their evil deeds. Time, it will never stop to punish all the evil deeds.

As for laws and justice, it could only play a restraining role in Tang Xiu's opinion; while the punishment it brought just provided a little significance.

For example, Wei Yang himself. Turning himself in voluntarily would sentence him to eight to ten years of prison, at the most. And this was due to him running from the accident he caused. That didn't make sense and was insignificant. It would be much better to make him do more good deeds like what he requested him to do, for that would benefit many people and put an end to this bad karma that plagued him.

When Tang Xiu was still in the Immortal World he was also someone who had committed innumerable murders. It could even be said that he had created rivers of blood and stepped on mountains of corpses to break through to the Supreme Realm. However, he helped a lot of people and saved many of them out of his good intentions, too. Thus, the merits offset the faults, until he finally broke the shackles of the Heavenly Dao when he achieved the Supreme Realm.

Chapter 490: Filthy Rich

In the afternoon, Chen Zhizhong and Gu Xiaoxue accompanied Tang Xiu in leaving Paradise Manor. As for Ouyang Lulu, she didn't detain them since there were things that they needed to handle. She just asked Tang Xiu to come visit if he had the time.

After arriving at Bluestar Villa Complex, Tang Xiu saw that Chi Nan had already brought in the two housemaids she had hired for him. Because Gu Xiaoxue had come and he also had planned for her to take the children with her; hence, having the housemaids take of their daily life was no longer needed. However, he still kept them to clean up the house and do the cooking.

"You two, come with me to the study room."

Right after Chi Nan left, Tang Xiu looked at the other two and spoke.

In the study room.

Just as they took their respective seats, one of the housemaids who was already familiar with the place brought hot tea. It was Tang Xiu who gave her the order.

"Aunt Liu, starting from today, you can do the cleaning in this villa, but leave out this study room. Both of you, you are not to step into this study room again without my permission."

The housemaid was a nearly 50-years-old woman named Liu Fen. She hastily replied after hearing it, "All right, I will tell Sister Zhang about this, too."

After she left the study room, she closed the door from the outside. Afterward, Tang Xiu looked at Chen Zhizhong and said, "Zhizhong, take a look at this list. Help me find the medicinal herbs on it to the best of your abilities. You don't need to find mature ones, though. I just need them to be still alive and can be replanted. Additionally, if you can get the seedlings of these medicinal herbs, they'll also do."

Chen Zhizhong received the list, and after having a look at it, he found that hundreds of precious herb were written on it, thus immediately asked, "Master, there are some I've never heard of. They should be rare medicinal herbs, though most of the rest are easy to find. About the quantity, I don't know how much you need..."

"I'm planning to plant an area of 100 mu with medicinal herbs," said Tang Xiu seriously. "Therefore, the quantity needed will be very huge. Hence, you must buy as much as possible. In any case, the more you can buy, the better."

Setting up a medicinal herbs plantation? At least 100 mu wide?

Shocked, Chen Zhizhong quickly replied, "I understand, Master. I'll immediately begin on it once I get back to Star City."

"You need not worry about these herbs' seedlings. You can send a few people to buy a lot of them and then call me after," said Tang Xiu.

Chen Zhizhong nodded, and put away the list full of names of medicinal herbs in a cautious manner. Then, he said, "Master, I encountered a bottleneck in my cultivation. My progress is very slow regardless of how much effort I pour into it. I found that it's very hard to absorb the efficacy of a lot of precious herbs that are used for food supplements recently."

With a strange expression, Tang Xiu looked at him and asked, "You were using precious medicinal herbs as food supplements?"

With a matter-of-factly expression and tone, Chen Zhizhong replied, "Yeah! I'm running a medicinal herb business, after all! Whenever I found medicinal herbs of good quality, such as several hundred years old ginseng, Ganoderma Lucidums, Cordyceps, and other good things, I always keep some of them. Recently, maybe due to have taken too many of them and the efficacy of those herbs having accumulated in my body, I realized that it had gotten very difficult to absorb them. Even taking medicated diet may cause night sweat and nosebleeds."

Tang Xiu was speechless. He looked at Gu Xiaoxue, who was similarly showing a strange expression. Then, he shook his head and smiled, "It seems like you have really wasted too many medicinal herbs. Alright, then! Whenever you obtain medicinal herbs later, send all of them to the Everlasting Feast Hall's HQ in Jingmen Island. You will then receive medicinal pills in exchange for them. Taking these medicinal herbs directly, even if you take them in a form of medicated diet, the efficacy that can be absorbed will only reach a certain extent, and the benefits it will bring for your cultivation won't be too significant. But refining them into medicinal pills or elixirs is a different case altogether, for it will be easier to absorb the efficacy after the refinement."

Medicinal pills and elixirs?

As a matter of fact, Chen Zhizhong had heard about medicinal pills. But how could he know that there were people in the Everlasting Feast Hall's HQ who could concoct medicinal pills? Regret immediately filled his heart after hearing Tang Xiu's explanation. Nevertheless, filthy rich as he was, he soon calmed his mind and said, "Speaking of which, I'm going to ask you something, Master. Is it alright for me to visit the Everlasting Feast Hall's HQ in Jingmen Island whenever I have some free time?"

A smile outlined on the corner of Tang Xiu's mouth. There was a hint of teasing in his eyes, as he nodded and chuckled, "You proposed this yourself, then go there if you want! When you've collected enough herbs and seeds for me. Make arrangement for your company first, and then come back here to do a special training for several months! I'm sure it will help you a lot."

Looking overjoyed, Chen Zhizhong respectfully replied, "All right! I will certainly have it done as soon as possible."

Then, Tang Xiu shifted his vision to Gu Xiaoxue and asked, "Do you have some medicinal pills on you now?"

"Yeah, I brought some with me."

Two jade bottles appeared in Gu Xiaoxue's hand as she said, "These are Essence Amassing Pills. There are a total 20 of them in these two bottles. Taking one pill at a time will add three years' worth of cultivation."

"Give them to him! Additionally, exchange it for the medicinal pills quota set up for the Everlasting Feast Hall's core members, and give him the list of medicinal herbs that are needed to concoct it. Zhizhong, if you want to get these medicinal pills later, you can go the Everlasting Feast Hall's HQ in Jingmen Island and do the exchange yourself. However, the HQ has a limited number of medicinal pills, so do not use your wealth and wantonly exchange for them, got it?"

With a happy face, Chen Zhizhong took the two jade bottles and excitedly said, "I would never do that, Master. I will only exchange for some medicinal pills that I need."

Tang Xiu laughed, "Later on, whenever there are core members of the Everlasting Feast looking for you to buy some medicinal herbs, give them some discounts. We're people from the same side, and many of them may need your help in this case."

"I will bear that in mind, Master," nodded Chen Zhizhong quickly.

"Anyways, there are a lot of rooms here. Just pick a room you want to stay in. You and I will be going back to Star City tomorrow. As for you, Xiaoxue, if you're going back to Jingmen Island today, then go now! I give Tang Xiaojin's group to your care. Train them well!"

"Understood!" Gu Xiaoxue replied, as she got up and left the study room.

After the two left, Tang Xiu walked to the innermost corner of the study room. He kept moving his fingers while releasing his star force whenever he formed the runes of the array he had arranged there. Immediately afterward, the fierce beast he had subdued before jumped out from the inside and conveyed a telepathic message into his mind. It was hungry.

Taking out a lump of meat from his interspatial ring, Tang Xiu gave the meat to it and said, "You seem to have grown in appetite and your belly capacity for food has kind of grown, too. Giving only meat for you will probably be troublesome later. Just wait until I return to Star City, I'll make some beast pills for you! That thing is easy to take and it will bring about great benefits to you. When you've become stronger, I can impart you a set of Immortal Beast's cultivation technique that will help you grow faster."

Quickly, he received a telepathic message of gratitude from the fierce beast.

Tang Xiu smiled, and ordered him back to the corner. He had created a very wide illusion realm for it with the array, making it stay in the corner so it wouldn't get bored. Afterward, Tang Xiu left the study room and came back to the living room. There, he looked at Tang Xiaojin, who had already started packing and was preparing to leave with Gu Xiaoxue. Tang Xiu could see that they were in low spirits and somewhat downcast, so he smiled and said, "Relax, kids! Someone will provide you with everything you need when you guys have arrived at Jingmen Island. We will also arrange the best teachers and instructors for you all, so that you can learn many things. I will also go to Jingmen Island to see you there whenever I have time."

"We understand!" The five children nodded.

As Gu Xiaoxue took them away, Tang Xiu then came to Chen Zhizhong, who had already picked up his own room to stay and was currently sitting in the living room in boredom. He said, "Let's go! I'm going to teach you a set of body tempering techniques. As long as you work hard and diligently practice it, it will make your body and physical strength rapidly increase. Additionally, the True Qi inside your boy has completely transformed into True Primordial Qi, so I must teach you a few simple spells as well."

Upon hearing it, Chen Zhizhong rejoiced and immediately followed Tang Xiu to the courtyard.

The teaching was carried out very smoothly!

The seriousness shown by Tang Xiu in his teaching was met with diligence from Chen Zhizhong. When dusk came, Chen Zhizhong had thoroughly learned the body tempering technique, as well as mastered several magic spells. Nevertheless, it was still very hard for him to use them due to his limited strength. However, according to Tang Xiu, he could use these spells as long as he made a breakthrough.

"Zhizhong, mark my words. You must never use these spells, nor can you easily expose about your cultivation whatsoever to others. Our existence will only make others feel threatened. Once you get exposed, I'm afraid that you can never pass your days peacefully again," said Tang Xiu gravely.

Chen Zhizhong could understand what Tang Xiu was saying, and solemnly said, "I understand, Master. You can rest assured about that!"

Buzz...

Just as he finished speaking, the automated electric gate of the villa slowly opened. While carrying her bag and hugging a few books, Mu Wanying walked inside. She was slightly stunned after seeing Chen Zhizhong's naked back, who was sweating, as she immediately turned to look at Tang Xiu and asked, "Who is he?"

"He's my disciple, Chen Zhizhong. Zhizhong, this is Mu Wanying, an alumnus from Shanghai University," said Tang Xiu.

"I know her, Master," said Chen Zhizhong with a smile. "She's honored and known as the first belle of Beijing, and the young lady of the House of Mu from Beijing."

Astonished, Mu Wanying said, "You're Tang Xiu's disciple? You... what exactly did you learn from him?"

"Wushu," said Chen Zhizhong.

Curious as well as strange expression covered Mu Wanying's face as she looked at Tang Xiu and praised, "There really are too many things Tang Xiu can do. I really envy you for being able to learn something from him. But then, how did you know that I'm someone from the Mu Family?"

"I have seen your grandfather. A few years ago when he was not in good health, I personally sent several precious medicinal herbs to your Mu Family in Beijing," said Chen Zhizhong with a smile.

"I remember you now! You're Uncle Chen, the Boss of the Endless Virtue Pharmaceutical, right?" Mu Wanying was surprised.

Chen Zhizhong quickly waved his hand, "Please, don't call me that! Just call me Chen Zhizhong directly. You're a friend of my Master, and being called uncle is something I dare not accept."

A strange expression appeared on Mu Wanying's face yet again. She looked at Tang Xiu and Chen Zhizhong, feeling amazed and astonished inwardly. It should be noted that Chen Zhizhong's Endless Virtue Pharmaceutical was a large Chinese herbal medicines company, and was second to none in the country. Its main business was trading medicinal herbs that encompassed the whole country. Yet, someone whose identity and wealth was so significant like him turned out to have formally acknowledged Tang Xiu as his Master was simply... simply unimaginable and inconceivable.