Chapter 3. It's Not a Problem If Money Can Solve It

A few days later.

Lu Yuan started his morning training as usual.

After completing his workout and washing away the fatigue, he sat before the dining table to enjoy his breakfast.

Meanwhile, the television in the living room served as background noise with The Morning News currently being broadcast.

「Three days ago, a hiker reported witnessing multicolored rays in the clouds while ascending Mount Tai, claiming to have seen what appeared to be a celestial palace within the light. The account quickly sparked widespread discussion online. However, experts have since confirmed that the phenomenon was a mirage.」

「Another earthquake has been reported in the Chuan-Yu region. Although the tremors were minor, local authorities have promptly dispatched rescue teams to the affected areas. No casualties have been reported at this time.」

「The eastern region of the Hangtai Mountains has recently been enveloped in dense fog, with two tourist groups reported missing. Experts are advising travelers to exercise caution in the area for the time being.」

Listening to the broadcast, Lu Yuan fell into deep thought.

Maybe the global awakening started long ago, just that it hasn't received much attention.

The reported events seemed ordinary on the surface, and most would not think too much about them.

But if one were to think about it carefully. There seemed to be some underlying secrets—subtle signs of something much greater.

Perhaps the authorities had long since taken notice and were quietly making preparations behind the scenes. However, to maintain public stability and avoid unrest, they chose to censor and suppress any unusual occurrences.

A sense of urgency grabbed Lu Yuan's heart. With just barely over a month before the global awakening, time was running out.

He needed to move, and he had to move quickly and seize all available chances.

Ring-ring-ring.

Just then, his phone rang again.

Lu Yuan glanced at the screen. It was Manager Zhang from Rongsheng Real Estate.

Without a moment's hesitation, Lu Yuan picked up the call.

—Hello, is this Mr. Lu? I'm Zhang, calling from Rongsheng.

A polite voice sounded from the other side of the call.

—Regarding the farm you wish to purchase in the outskirts of Zhouwu City, we have finalized all the paperwork and prepared the property contract. It's just that...

"What's the issue?" Lu Yuan's brows furrowed together.

—The seller suddenly raised the price. The original asking price was twenty million. But he's asking for twenty-five now.

Manager Zhang continued with a hint of hesitation underlying his tone.

—That land parcel isn't worth this price. How about we wait it out a little, and I can try negotiating it back down for you?

"No need. Twenty-five million is fine. Just get it settled ASAP," Lu Yuan replied in a calm voice.

—Ah... alright. No...no problem, Mr. Lu. I'll make sure to get everything settled in the next few days.

Manager Zhang stammered slightly. He had worked many years in the real estate business, but had never met a buyer so decisive. Five million added without a second thought?

Though another thought struck him almost immediately. The higher the price, the higher his commission.

Before he could dwell on it, Manager Zhang continued.

—By the way, Mr. Lu, we might need you to come by in person to sign the paperwork.

"I've already authorized Rongsheng to handle everything. You can sign on my behalf."

—Uh... are you sure you don't want to make a trip down personally?

Manager Zhang found it almost unbelievable. That was twenty over million, and Lu Yuan was just authorizing someone else to sign off the transaction on his behalf? Was this how the rich operated?

"Yes. Just send the complete contract to the address I gave you once it's all settled. Rongsheng's a reputable firm, after all. I trust you to handle it properly."

With that, Lu Yuan hung up the call.

He had limited time on his hands and couldn't afford to waste even a single second. He didn't even spare the matter another thought.

What was a few tens of millions?

It was nothing compared to the value of that piece of land in his eyes.

From his memories, he knew that soon enough, Zhouwu City would witness a once-in-a-millennium meteor shower.

Among them, the most essential star would fall from the starry skies and land right on the farm he had just purchased.

And within that fallen star was a dormant supreme sword embryo. It was considered a rare celestial treasure whose worth couldn't be defined by money.

This was the true reason why Lu Yuan had insisted on securing the farm despite the sudden increase in asking price. When the meteor shower happened, he could then be the first one to go there and claim it.

After everything was settled, he unlocked his phone again and clicked on his messaging app. He found the name he was looking for and typed out a message.

Lu Yuan: Lawyer Wang, have you contacted Mount Hulong?

The reply came almost instantly.

Lawyer Wang: Hello Mr. Lu. I've already reached out to them, but we're running into some issues.

Lu Yuan: If it's about money, that's not a problem. I can pay more.

Lawyer Wang: That's not it. It's just that it has been hard negotiating with the Daoists at Mount Hulong. They said that there are too many donors recently and asked us to wait.

Lu Yuan: Ten million. Continue the negotiations.

...

Lawyer Wang: Understood.

The conversation ended.

A faint smile spread across Lu Yuan's face at the thought of Mount Hulong.

Mount Hulong was the ancestral home of Daoism, and was wrapped in centuries of myth and legend.

Especially after the global awakening, its influence would only grow stronger as many famous and powerful individuals emerge from its doors.

Of course, Lu Yuan hadn't donated so generously to build goodwill or seek protection.

It was for something more important—a wordless stone stele.

𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

The stone stele contained a supreme Daoist technique. Its power was unmatched; in his past life, someone had mastered the technique encompassed within and remained undefeated across the lands.

Naturally, no one else in this world knew of the stele's existence and ability.

No one... except Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan planned to make use of this knowledge and get his hands on the stele before anyone else.

According to the rules of Mount Hulong, anyone who donated beyond a certain threshold would be granted a lay Daoist private residence within the grounds.

The stone stele was heavy and it was impossible for him to take it away outright without drawing attention. So his plan was to make a large donation and have the stele included within his designated sanctuary. He would then figure out how to move it later.

To Lu Yuan, a problem was not a real problem at all if money could solve it.

"Once the land parcel in Zhouwu City and the Mount Hulong donation are settled, that should be just about it for the initial preparations," Lu Yuan muttered and exhaled a long breath.

This was merely the beginning. He still had a series of plans he had yet to execute. Every second mattered. Otherwise, he wouldn't have tasked others to handle these matters.

Besides, once these few tasks were wrapped up, he would have to leave Hu City. He couldn't help but wish he could make copies of himself to be everywhere at once.

Without further dwelling on his thoughts, he picked up his phone and looked at the time. It was already close to 9 a.m.

He quickened his pace and finished his breakfast. After doing a quick clean-up, he left the living room and headed for the garage.

Only a single vehicle was parked within. It was a brand-new 2025 Mercedes G63, priced at around four million.

Of course, a figure like this was insignificant before someone like Lu Yuan. He hadn't bought it to show off. He merely found it practical and reliable.

I wonder what my old classmates will think when I show up in this car.

Back in college, he had kept a deliberately low profile and strived to appear ordinary in every way possible.

The reason was that his parents believed in raising their son in poverty. They were afraid that if Lu Yuan were exposed to vast wealth too soon, it would rot his character and hinder his growth. As a result, most of his classmates back then thought that he came from a humble, working-class family.

Shaking his head, Lu Yuan grabbed his car key, boarded his car, and started the engine.

With that, he drove out of the villa.