Chapter 10: The Innate Spirit Maiden

With ease and delight, Chen Yang walked out of the Wang family estate, humming a little tune, carrying thirty billion in cash. As for the Wang family's revenge, Chen Yang had his own countermeasures: the second step in destroying the Wang family. With this money, Chen Yang immediately paid off the debts owed by Chen Group to migrant workers and some construction contractors. After all, it's not easy for migrant workers to earn money in the city; they couldn't be left unpaid forever.

Even so, Chen Group's reputation had already plummeted to rock bottom. Restarting operations would not be so simple.

"Forget it for now. At least I've cleaned up the mess. There's still at least ten days before the bank repossesses the properties. I need to make good use of this time and break through to the Foundation Establishment stage first!" Chen Yang resolved.

Between Chen Group and his own cultivation, Chen Yang didn't hesitate for a moment, decisively choosing the latter. He had no choice; his cultivation was so low that even ordinary bullets could injure him. But once he reached the Foundation Establishment stage, everything would change. Foundation Establishment was entry-level for cultivators, but to ordinary mortals, it was akin to becoming a deity on earth—revered as a living god.

Yet the greatest issue now was that Earth's spiritual energy was desperately scarce, almost entering the age of the end of law. To break through to Foundation Establishment in just over ten days was sheer fantasy. After all, only upon reaching the fifteenth level of Qi Refinement could one step into Foundation Establishment—unless one could find true spiritual medicines or a place rich in spiritual energy. But how could such a treasure land be found so easily?

As night gradually fell, Chen Yang, almost as if guided by fate, wandered into a small restaurant. Besides Chen Yang, there were only two other tables of customers—the business neither thriving nor failing. He wasn't a powerful cultivator yet, merely more resistant to hunger than ordinary people.

"I haven't eaten all day; let's start with dinner," Chen Yang thought as he sat down. At that moment, a girl of about sixteen came over with a smile. Her features were fine, her skin pale and delicate—a natural beauty, working as a waitress here. Though not yet fully matured, she already showed the signs of a budding beauty.

More than that, there seemed to be a subtle aura of spiritual energy about her. For a moment, Chen Yang was stunned, staring at her in disbelief.

"Um, big brother, why are you staring at me so much?" The girl blushed, lowering her head shyly. "Is there something dirty on Wanwan's face?"

Her name was Lin Wanwan, a high schooler and the only daughter of the restaurant's proprietress. Whenever she had time, she'd help her mother with the business.

Despite her shyness, Chen Yang couldn't look away. He even deliberately released his spiritual sense to probe her for a while, his face soon filled with shock: "An innate spiritual maiden?"

How could this be possible? Chen Yang was dumbfounded. He never imagined that a casual meal would lead him to an innate spiritual maiden.

Even in the cultivation world, such beings were as rare as phoenix feathers. How could a planet in the age of the end of law give birth to such a person? In his previous life, Chen Yang had once met the saintess of an ancient clan—an innate spiritual maiden. Born with pure spiritual energy, she advanced effortlessly in cultivation, her progress swift as the wind, her heart untouched by tribulation. In other words, once such a maiden appeared, it was only a matter of time before she stood atop the cultivation world.

If Lin Wanwan learned the ways of cultivation, the end-of-law era would not hinder her. She might not reach the heights of the true cultivation world, but attaining the Nascent Soul stage would pose no challenge.

"If I could use her as a cauldron, I could easily break through to Foundation Establishment!" Chen Yang's mouth went dry; he longed to seize Lin Wanwan.

In his past life, Chen Yang was known as the Evil Sovereign, adept in the arts of harvesting. Countless female cultivators had perished at his hands. Absorbing Lin Wanwan could help him break through immediately.

But in the end, Chen Yang held back—not out of conscience, but for fear of wasting such a treasure. If Lin Wanwan were allowed to cultivate to Foundation Establishment or even Golden Core, then acted upon, the results would be extraordinary.

His gaze roamed Lin Wanwan's body without restraint, as if viewing a prey.

"Big brother, what exactly do you want?" Despite her innocence, Lin Wanwan sensed danger and instinctively stepped back. At this moment, Chen Yang was like the big bad wolf, and Lin Wanwan, like Little Red Riding Hood.

No, he had to restrain himself. It was far from the right time.

Thinking so, Chen Yang smiled brightly. "Sorry, little sister, I was just lost in thought. Tell you what—give me a few of your house specialties, I'm quite hungry!"

Seeing him return to normal, Lin Wanwan relaxed her guard. "Alright, please wait a moment, I'll be right back!" She dashed off to the kitchen.

Watching her pure silhouette, Chen Yang unconsciously licked his lips. "I searched high and low, only to find it with no effort—heaven truly favors me!"

Soon, the dishes were all served. But halfway through his meal, a group of three to five yellow-haired punks swaggered in, cigarettes dangling from their lips. Apart from Chen Yang, the other customers fled, not wanting to attract trouble.

The leader, sporting a slicked-back hairstyle and a scar across his face, was known as Scar Brother in the streets—a menacing figure not to be trifled with.

As the gang settled in, the proprietress, Huang Ying, could no longer sit still. In her early forties but well-maintained, she looked closer to thirty-five, possessing a certain charm. But now, her eyes were filled with fear and helplessness. Her daughter, Lin Wanwan, hid in the kitchen, not daring to show herself.

Scar Brother glanced at Huang Ying impatiently. "We're all seated, yet you're just standing there like a block of wood. Can't you see what's going on?"

"Why aren't you bringing out the good food and drinks?" the other punks snapped.

But Huang Ying did not comply; her face was full of helplessness. "Well, gentlemen, you haven't paid for your last few visits. I run a small business, so..."

Before she could finish, one acne-faced punk stood up and snarled, "What do you mean by that? Scar Brother eats at your place, that's you being honored! Don't act like you don't appreciate kindness. If you piss us off, we'll trash your little shop, believe it or not?"

"Yeah, you should know—nobody in this area dares mess with Scar Brother," another chimed in.

Clearly, they intended to eat and drink for free.

But Huang Ying, a widow with her daughter, worked hard to keep the small restaurant afloat—it wasn't easy. She couldn't afford such freeloaders.

Huang Ying argued, "Fine, I'll waive the previous bills as a gesture, but from now on, please don't come again."

At her words, the punks glared at her fiercely. More often than not, fists speak louder than words.

Scar Brother waved his hand to stop them, stepping up to Huang Ying with a smirk. "Boss lady, you're still quite charming. Though I'm not into older women, my boys are all full of energy!"

Huang Ying paled and retreated instinctively, terror written across her face.

The acne-faced punk perked up. "Scar Brother, I'm full of energy—I don't mind!"

"You—you filthy thugs!" Huang Ying said, her face ashen. "If you dare mess around, I'll call the police!"

Scar Brother sneered. "Go ahead, call if you want. I won't stop you. But if you do, you'll be done for!"

He glanced around the restaurant. "Enough talk. From now on, this shop's safety is my responsibility. I won't ask much—just fifty thousand a month, call it our hard-earned fee."

Eating and drinking for free wasn't Scar Brother's true aim; extorting 'protection money' was.

Huang Ying was stunned. She barely earned twenty thousand a month, and now Scar Brother demanded fifty thousand? Was there no justice left in the world?

"Not even five thousand, let alone fifty thousand—I won't give you a single cent!" Huang Ying said firmly.

Scar Brother curled his lip. "Oh, is that so? Boys, the décor here is lacking. Why don't you help out and do some renovations?"

"Got it, Scar Brother. Leave it to us!" The punks cracked their knuckles, ready to trash the place.

At that moment, Lin Wanwan ran out from the kitchen. "Don't bully my mother!"

Instantly, the punks' greedy eyes locked onto Lin Wanwan.

"Damn, Scar Brother, this girl's a real gem!" Several of them practically drooled, itching to rush at her.