Li Yundong, naturally unaware of the behind-the-scenes dealings, smiled as he greeted Ziyuan upon her return from the stage. He cupped his hands in greeting and declared with a chuckle, "Congratulations, True Person Ziyuan, on your triumphant victory!" Su Chan chimed in, also bowing slightly, "Congratulations, congratulations!" Her eyes, however, darted restlessly over the enormous 'check' clutched in Ziyuan's hand.

Seeing her expression, Li Yundong couldn't help but laugh. "Look at you, you silly thing.

It's fake. We'll get the real money backstage after this is over." Su Chan dismissed his comment with a wave of her hand, her face alight with excitement as she turned to Li Yundong.

"We're rich?" Li Yundong chuckled. "Even if we were rich, we'd spend it immediately.

Money never stays in our hands for long." Su Chan’s eyes were glued to the counterfeit check, as if terrified it might vanish the next second. She breathed out dreamily, "Two million...

how much is that really? How long would it take me to count it all?" Li Yundong burst into laughter and reached out to pinch Su Chan’s cheek.

"A little greedy, aren't we!" Ruan Hongling, standing nearby, couldn't help but interject, "Hey, wasn't that the prize money my senior sister won? How did it instantly become something you two are planning to spend?" Though Su Chan had fought alongside Ruan Hongling before, she showed no restraint in their usual banter.

She snorted, retorting, "If our Yundong hadn't possessed such mighty, soaring qi, how could she have conjured the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea?" Seeing that the two were about to start bickering again, Ziyuan quickly intervened. "Stop arguing.

This prize was won through the concerted effort of all of us; we wouldn't have gotten it without any one person." Ziyuan’s attempt to mediate caused Ruan Hongling and Su Chan to exchange a glance. With a final huff, they both turned their heads away.

Zhou Qin, quick-witted as always, shifted the topic to engage Li Yundong. "Speaking of which, why did that Lin Xueqing earlier say she wasn't convinced, claiming she lost not to True Person Ziyuan, but to you?" Ruan Hongling opened her mouth, preparing a fiery response, but Ziyuan, wary of her sharp tongue, spoke first.

"The reasoning is actually quite simple. Before, she used the Karmic Fire of No Mind to boil the water in the teapot, then controlled the billowing white vapor with her True Essence, shaping it into the form of a phoenix.

Although it was only a rough outline, not highly detailed, her skill in controlling True Essence had already reached the level of a Nascent Soul Yang Spirit, in no way inferior to mine." "However, when I observed Li Yundong battling the Abbess of Songgu Nunnery and her disciples, white vapor was continuously rising from the top of Li Yundong's head. This white vapor is the vital energy emitted only by those whose True Essence is exceptionally potent.

Since this True Essence energy isn't as diffuse and quick to dissipate as ordinary steam, I used it to mold the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea. Furthermore, the fact that these Eight Immortals could hover on the teacup without dispersing, appearing vividly lifelike, gave me a significant advantage when compared side-by-side.

Any true cultivator understands this logic, but the audience below and the judges on stage did not. Therefore, Lin Xueqing’s dissatisfaction was entirely understandable." Zhou Qin had only asked casually, but after Ziyuan's explanation, she realized Lin Xueqing hadn't been making groundless accusations; there was indeed substance to her protest.

Her mouth fell open in surprise as she turned to look at Li Yundong. Li Yundong noticed her gaze and smiled.

"Actually, if True Person Ziyuan’s manipulation of the True Essence hadn't been so exquisitely precise, my boundless True Essence energy would have been useless." Zhou Qin looked from Ziyuan to Li Yundong, inwardly feeling a mixture of awe and envy. Ruan Hongling, hearing them both elevate the other, couldn't help but remark, "Alright, you two stop trading compliments back and forth; it’s getting sickeningly sweet!" Ziyuan glared at Ruan Hongling, chiding her lightly, "Hongling!

You are becoming more and more reckless!" Li Yundong cleared his throat and changed the subject. "I wonder when we’ll be able to collect the prize money?" Su Chan also laughed, whining playfully, "You call me greedy, but you’re the real money-grubber!" Li Yundong feigned anger and glared back at Su Chan.

"If I weren't greedy, how would I afford to support a fellow like you!" The group chatted and laughed until, about ten minutes later, someone arrived to notify them to come to the venue to claim their prize money. Li Yundong and the others were overjoyed, their happiness plain on their faces.

The little girl’s smile nearly squeezed her eyes shut, and even Ziyuan wore a slight smile. However, when Li Yundong and the others arrived at the venue, they didn't see Zheng Youming or his entourage; instead, a curvaceous female secretary stepped forward, handing over a check with a polite smile.

Li Yundong took it and frowned immediately. The amount shown was only eight hundred thousand.

He looked up, asking in confusion, "Why is it only eight hundred thousand? Shouldn't it be two million?" The female secretary smiled sweetly.

"Yes, two million was the pre-tax amount. The net would be one million six hundred thousand.

Currently, our President Zheng is a bit tight on immediate funds, so we only have eight hundred thousand in cash. The remaining portion...

ah, President Zheng's instruction is to substitute it with goods on hand." "Goods?" Li Yundong was stunned, his expression growing strange. "What goods?

This sounds like a transaction among gangsters—can you actually use other merchandise to pay off a debt?" The female secretary smiled helplessly. "There's no other way.

This is all the cash President Zheng can access right now. This was the initial contingency plan.

We never anticipated a single representative winning first place, and the other large tea companies who took our goods could move them quickly for cash. So, all the other companies were aware of this arrangement, but you folks..." Li Yundong finally understood.

Good heavens, so he’d been subjected to backroom dealing before the competition, and after winning first place, he was subjected to it again! "Damn it, this is even allowed?" Li Yundong felt his frustration mounting internally.

He couldn't help but roar, "Where on earth are we supposed to sell this much tea?" The female secretary shrugged, adopting an air of helplessness. "We can't do anything about it.

This is the situation. You can choose to refuse the tea, but we will consider it as voluntarily forfeiting the reward." Ruan Hongling bristled beside him.

"This is fraud!" Li Yundong struggled to suppress his anger. "Aren't you afraid we'll sue you?" The secretary put on a pitiful expression.

"We don't want to either! The company genuinely didn't foresee a situation like this!

Besides, everyone involved is tacitly aware of how these things work; who could have predicted you would take the championship?" Li Yundong snapped, "So now you're blaming us?" Seeing Li Yundong grow angry, the secretary flinched and took a step back, hastily waving her hands. "I didn't mean it that way." Zhou Qin suddenly spoke up from the side.

"What goods are you using for substitution?" Hearing her voice, the secretary looked as if she’d been granted amnesty. "It is, of course, the finest Tieguanyin tea." Zhou Qin considered for a moment, then whispered to Li Yundong, "Zheng Youming managed to slip out of the Lou Cuicui case, so he must have some backing in official circles.

People like them... suing them will be useless.

We might as well take these goods and figure out another solution later." Li Yundong whispered back, "Do you have a solution?" Zhou Qin murmured, "I do have one idea." Li Yundong nodded decisively. "Alright, I trust you.

Let's do it that way!" He turned to the female secretary and said, "Fine, I agree, but you must write up a formal acknowledgment. Otherwise, what if you try to deny it later?" The secretary smiled.

"That’s natural. Even if you hadn't asked, we would have provided a contract for you to sign." Saying this, she beckoned a staff member nearby and passed over two contracts.

Li Yundong took them but handed them directly to Zhou Qin without looking. Zhou Qin carefully flipped through both contracts before handing them back to Li Yundong and nodding once.

Li Yundong then began signing the contract, but as he reached the delivery address section, he frowned again, looking towards Zhou Qin. "Where should I fill in for the location?" Zhou Qin thought for a moment, then asked the female secretary, "Can you arrange for delivery to a different location?" The secretary looked hesitant.

"A different location? Where to?" Zhou Qin stated, "Dongwu City." The secretary blinked.

Good heavens, that was over a thousand li away. She quickly shook her head like a rattle drum.

"No, no, that’s too far." Zhou Qin was direct. "Are you expecting us to haul this massive amount of tea back ourselves?

We all know how unethical your actions have been in this matter—we understand the situation perfectly. Since we've chosen to compromise, shouldn't you offer some reasonable concession too?

Otherwise, we can just call the whole thing off, expose the matter, and none of us will benefit." Seeing Zhou Qin’s air of refined composure paired with her razor-sharp words, the secretary dared not treat her lightly and quickly smoothed things over with a smile. "Let me consult with President Zheng." She walked aside, made a quiet call, and then returned with a smile.

"President Zheng has agreed. A different location it is.

We will ship tomorrow, but we are only responsible for delivery; we are not responsible for unloading once it arrives." Zhou Qin immediately agreed. "Good, it's settled!" Li Yundong saw that the two had reached an agreement, so he promptly signed the contract with relief.

After leaving the venue, the group exchanged glances, their expressions varied. Su Chan looked thoroughly put out.

"Two million gone just like that, reduced to eight hundred thousand—how hateful!" Ruan Hongling also sighed deeply. "Alas, asset depreciation has never been this fast, not even hyperinflation moves this quickly!" Ziyuan smiled serenely.

"Wealth is external. We cultivators shouldn't dwell so much on gains and losses." Li Yundong also laughed.

"At least we gained eight hundred thousand out of thin air! Eight hundred thousand!

That's not small change. Don't be greedy!" Seeing Li Yundong appear unconcerned, Su Chan asked out of curiosity, "Yundong, weren't you very angry just now?

Why are you so accepting now?" Li Yundong winked at Zhou Qin with a smile. "Zhou Qin said she had a way, so I believe she has a way, right?" Zhou Qin smiled faintly, self-assured.

"Yes, there is a solution." Li Yundong, Ruan Hongling, and Su Chan all asked in unison, filled with curiosity, "What is the solution?" Zhou Qin explained, "Didn't I mention earlier that there were a few storefronts available for rent on the commercial street in Dongwu City? We can take over one of those premises and establish a high-end tea house.

That area has a high volume of foot traffic, mostly high-spending patrons and many office workers. Setting up an elegant and comfortable tea bar there should attract business.

Coupled with the fact that True Person Ziyuan just won first place in this year's Tea Culture Competition—if we market that fact, there should be no problem at all." Li Yundong was a rare genius in cultivation, but when it came to business acumen, he was far behind. Seeing how clearly and logically Zhou Qin had mapped out the plan, he was overjoyed.

"Excellent! I truly lucked out with this disciple of mine!

This monarch is immensely pleased and decrees a great feast for all! We go out for a massive meal!" The mention of food made Ruan Hongling smile.

"Great, great! Where should we eat!" Li Yundong waved his hand and boomed with laughter, "Back to the Daoist temple for vegetarian noodles!" As soon as he finished speaking, everyone else laughed, except for Su Chan, whose brow was clouded with disappointment, making her look listless.

The group returned to the Tianlong Mountain Daoist Temple. After finishing their meal, everyone retired to their respective rooms.

Li Yundong, however, went alone to Su Chan's room. Before even entering, he saw the young girl sitting alone on a stone bench in the courtyard, resting her chin on her arms, looking solitary.

Li Yundong smiled slightly, walked over quietly, and suddenly wrapped his arms around her waist, startling her with a mock cry. "Hey there, I'm robbing your virtue!" Su Chan jumped, but relaxed instantly upon hearing Li Yundong's voice.

She turned around and giggled, "My lord, what brings you here?" Li Yundong pinched her nose endearingly. "I came to check on my little girl!" The young girl giggled in response, "Oh," and then fell silent.

Li Yundong noticed the subtle hint of worry lingering around her eyes, completely unlike her usual carefree demeanor. A thought struck him, and he asked gently, "Little girl, what's wrong?" Li Yundong’s soft inquiry touched upon the sadness hidden in Su Chan’s heart.

She looked up, her charming face etched with anxiety. "My lord, do you perhaps dislike me now?" This question startled Li Yundong.

He pulled her tenderly into his embrace, asking softly, "You foolish girl, why would you say such a thing?"