188: Chapter 188 The Emperor's Arrival, Qu Yanran

Zhao Yiyi sat up in bed, stretching, her eyes still looking a bit dazed and cute.

After a few seconds of blankness, she suddenly snapped to attention.

Today was the beginning of the month, the day for the Virtual Tower update challenge!

She quickly grabbed her Communicator, opened the Genius Ranking, and swiped her fingers rapidly.

When she saw the name in seventeenth place, Zhao Yiyi's eyes widened. She stared at the name for a full five seconds before letting out a wail:

"Ah—! That detestable guy! He actually progressed so fast!"

The door was pushed open, and an identical, beautiful figure walked in.

With an ethereal temperament, it was none other than Zhao Muyi, ranked first on the Genius Ranking.

Zhao Muyi held a cup of hot milk and looked at her sister, who was sitting on the bed with messy hair, shaking her head helplessly:

"The sun is already high, and you still haven't gotten up. Did you stay up late again last night?"

Zhao Yiyi opened her mouth to retort, but realizing she had indeed just woken up, she was speechless.

She could only pout, take the milk, and mumble softly:

"Sis, that Lin Yun... he's in seventeenth place now..."

Zhao Muyi walked to the window, pulled back the curtains, and let the sunlight stream in, her tone calm:

"I saw it. 1242 points, a huge improvement from last month."

Zhao Yiyi held the milk, her eyes filled with complex emotions:

"Sis, do you think he'll surpass you?"

Zhao Muyi turned to look at her, the corners of her mouth slightly lifting:

"Surpass me? That's not necessarily certain."

She looked out the window, her gaze deep:

"But regardless, having a strong opponent is a good thing."

...

In the following days, Lin Yun completely adopted a "half Cultivate, half companionship" mode.

Every morning, he would punctually head to the sixth floor of the Nine-Story Cultivation Tower.

Under 640 times gravity and twenty times the density of Universe energy, he focused on practicing the Nine-Grade Golden Core Art.

Even though there was still no sign of a False Core, he did not get discouraged, instead slowly polishing his blood and Qi, and studying the details of his Secret Technique.

In the afternoon, he would completely set aside his Cultivation to accompany Qiao Shiyu, Bai Lulu, and Qiao Feifei to attend cultural and Cultivation classes together.

Or they would go to the martial arts arena to spar, living a fulfilling and comfortable life.

Occasionally, Su Yingxue, Lin Qianxi, and his other six beloved wives would also set aside their thoughts of "Cultivation."

They would accompany Lin Yun to attend some interesting elective courses that could earn academic credits.

In the classroom, the ten of them sat together, drawing frequent side-glances from surrounding students who were filled with envy.

With both gentle, virtuous, mature wives and delicate, lively young girls by his side, Lin Yun had practically become the enemy of all the male students in the school.

Unknowingly, over a week had passed.

That afternoon, just after Lin Yun finished accompanying Qiao Shiyu and the other two to class, he received a call from Su Yingxue.

She said a group of special visitors had arrived, led by a beautiful woman from the Imperial Star named Qu Yanran.

Lin Yun was surprised. A visitor from the Imperial Star?

And coming specifically to see him? Could it be related to the Imperial Star trial or the Nine-Grade Golden Core Art?

He quickly said goodbye to Qiao Shiyu and the others and hurried back to the Lin Family Villa.

In the reception hall of the Lin Family Villa, the decoration was luxurious and elegant, and the air was filled with a faint scent of tea.

Qu Yanran sat upright on the sofa, wearing a light purple long dress, her figure graceful and her face stunningly beautiful.

Between her brows and eyes, she carried a trace of the elegance and composure of an Imperial Star noble.

Seeing Lin Yun walk in, Qu Yanran immediately stood up, a proper smile appearing on her face as she took the initiative to extend her hand:

"Mr. Lin, I have long admired your name. I am Qu Yanran, from the Imperial Star."

Lin Yun reached out and shook her hand gently. His fingertips touched her slightly cool skin, and he immediately withdrew his hand, a gentle smile on his face:

"Miss Qu has come from afar, and I have failed to welcome you properly. Please, have a seat."

Both parties exchanged pleasantries and sat down.

The maid served tea and then retreated.

Only Lin Yun and Qu Yanran's party remained in the reception hall. The atmosphere became somewhat subtle, and the two sized each other up.

Qu Yanran looked at the young man before her.

His posture was upright, and his temperament was steady.

Although he was young, he possessed a composure and aura far beyond his peers.

She couldn't help but nod inwardly.

Truly, heroes emerge from the youth. No wonder he could pass the Imperial Star A+ level trial at such a young age and be granted the Nine-Grade Golden Core Art; he indeed had some capability.

Meanwhile, Lin Yun looked at Qu Yanran and also sighed inwardly:

A product of the Imperial Star is indeed extraordinary.

[Name: Qu Yanran]

[Beauty Rating: 95]

[Martial Arts Talent: Mystic Grade High-Tier]

[System Rating: Earth-Grade Low Grade]

[Marriable]

Lin Yun didn't expect that this great beauty from the Imperial Star would also meet the conditions for marriage.

However, there was only pure appreciation in his eyes, without a trace of greed or obsession.

Qu Yanran had already read Lin Yun's file countless times and knew that he possessed the [Fertility Holy Body], which made beauties have a super-strong attraction to him.

She had assumed that by taking the initiative to visit, even if he wasn't enthusiastic, he would be somewhat moved.

But she didn't expect that Lin Yun would only show appreciation in his eyes, without the slightest covetousness. This actually surprised her a bit and piqued her interest even more.

Qu Yanran was the first to speak, breaking the silence:

"Mr. Lin, I have long admired your name. Seeing you today, you truly live up to your reputation."

Lin Yun smiled slightly:

"Miss Qu, you flatter me. A visitor from the Imperial Star is what truly makes my humble villa shine."

After a few polite exchanges, Qu Yanran changed the subject and got straight to the point:

"Mr. Lin, I have come this time because I want to discuss a business deal with you."

"Business?" Lin Yun raised an eyebrow.

"Yes," Qu Yanran nodded. "Regarding the Yellow-Grade Ultimate Guidance Technique, the 'Five Hearts Toward Heaven Method,' that you submitted to the Empire."

Lin Yun's heart stirred, but he remained calm on the surface: "Please go ahead."

Qu Yanran picked up her teacup, took a light sip, her posture elegant:

"I would like to purchase the fifty percent copyright you hold for one hundred billion."

One hundred billion?!

Lin Yun was shocked.

After the 'Five Hearts Toward Heaven Method' was submitted to the Empire, the copyright was split fifty-fifty with the Empire.

In other words, Qu Yanran wanted to use one hundred billion to buy all of the half-copyright he held.

He quickly did the mental math.

It had been a long time since he submitted it to the Empire, and the 'Five Hearts Toward Heaven Method' had only sold a total of 5 copies.

After the fifty-fifty split with the Empire, he had received one hundred and twenty-five million.

One hundred billion...

That was indeed a lot.

But...

Lin Yun did not agree immediately.

He pondered for a moment, then spoke slowly:

"Miss Qu, one hundred billion... I'm afraid that's not enough."

Qu Yanran's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, but she was not surprised.

She had read Lin Yun's file and knew that he had reached this level of Cultivation at such a young age; he was definitely not someone easy to deal with.

"Please continue, Mr. Lin."

Lin Yun set down his teacup, his tone steady:

"The 'Five Hearts Toward Heaven Method' is an A+ rated Yellow-Grade Ultimate Guidance Technique; its grade is extremely high."

"The reason sales are poor is simply because the promotion is insufficient."

"If there were sufficient promotion, its potential would go far beyond this."

He looked at Qu Yanran, his gaze calm:

"Since Miss Qu is willing to spend one hundred billion to buy the copyright, you must have seen this as well."

Qu Yanran smiled slightly and did not deny it.

Lin Yun continued:

"Therefore, the way I hope to cooperate is for me to give up forty percent of the copyright, while retaining ten percent. You pay two hundred billion, and at the same time promise that the funds used for promoting the 'Five Hearts Toward Heaven Method' in the future will not be less than two hundred billion."