337: Chapter 336 The Era of Large-Scale Infrastructure Construction and System 3.0

"Oh? No money? Then there's nothing I can do."

Lin Feng seemed to have expected this. A look of extreme regret appeared on his face, like a butcher who had failed to sell his pork.

"Princess Yao Ji!"

"Boss, I'm here." Princess Yao Ji stepped forward understandingly, carrying that cold, glinting Demon Sword shrouded in Devilish Qi, a professional and cold smile on her face.

"Since the Jade Emperor no longer wants these seniors, let's put them to use. I've heard the Origin Laws of The Five Elders of the Five Directions are very nourishing. It just so happens that my eight hundred brothers have just made a Breakthrough to Grand Unity Golden Immortal and their Realms are unstable; they need something highly nutritious. Stew them and make a 'Five Elements Tonic Soup.'"

"Oh, and Celestial Master Zhang's Daoist robe is quite nice; strip it off and modify it into a tablecloth. Also, that Male and Female Demon-Slaying Sword—melt it down and forge it into a kitchen knife. It'll definitely cut vegetables fast."

"You dare!" The Five Elders of the Five Directions were scared to the point of their Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering. Being stewed? Is this Lin Feng a devil? They had lived for millions of years and imagined all sorts of ways to die, but they never thought they would turn into soup!

"Do it." Lin Feng did not hesitate, his gaze as cold as a blade.

Princess Yao Ji raised her sword and let it fall. The Demon Sword whistled through the air, heading straight for Celestial Master Zhang's neck. At the moment the blade was about to touch his skin, even a single charred whisker was severed by the Sword Qi.

"Wait!!!"

The Jade Emperor's shrill cry echoed through the heavens and earth, a roar filled with a sob, "I'll give it! I'll give it, alright!!!"

At this moment, the Jade Emperor seemed to age ten years, and his originally straight back slumped.

He knew that today, he was destined to be extorted. If he didn't save them, and the Three Realms saw that the Heavenly Court couldn't even protect its own elders, hearts would scatter and the team would be impossible to lead. If he did save them, the Heavenly Court's treasury would be emptied, and they would have to tighten their belts for the next few thousand years.

This was an open scheme. A blatant, open scheme.

Lin Feng withdrew the look signaling Princess Yao Ji to act and made a 'peace' sign at the camera:

"That's the way. We're all family, why act like strangers? Wouldn't it have been better if you were this decisive earlier? We support bank transfers and QR codes; no credit allowed, dear. Oh, and by the way, free shipping via SF Express."

The next hour became the darkest and most humiliating moment in the history of the Heavenly Court.

One flying boat after another, filled with resources, flew grandly toward the City of Sin under the escort of Venus, whose old face looked worse than if he were crying.

"One hundred million... two hundred million... one billion..."

Princess Yao Ji brought an accountant and began counting the money in front of the entire Three Realms' live broadcast. The glittering Immortal Crystals piled up like mountains, blinding countless eyes.

"Boss, the numbers match. The Peaches of Immortality are fresh too, just picked and still carrying dew. The Medicinal Pills haven't expired either; they were all personally refined by Grand Supreme Elderly Lord." Princess Yao Ji's face was flushed with excitement. She had never seen so much money in her life; even the Demon Realm wasn't this rich!

"Good. Honest business, no cheating for young or old. Release them."

Lin Feng waved his sleeve, and the 'strong adhesive tape' loosened automatically.

The nine great experts scrambled up in a wretched state. They gave Lin Feng a venomous look but didn't even dare to say a word of bravado, covering their faces as they fled on clouds. Their speed was much faster than when they arrived.

Watching their receding backs, Lin Feng stood atop the mountain of treasures, spread his arms, and shouted to his cheering subordinates throughout the city:

"Brothers! It's payday!"

"Tonight, Young Master Lin is footing the bill for everything! Let's drink until we drop!"

"Victory! Victory! Long live the Lord of the Manor!"

The cheers shattered the clouds, and even the stars in the sky seemed to tremble.

Lin Feng watched this scene, but he was sneering in his heart.

Money is a small matter, and resources are a small matter.

What mattered was that after this battle, the myth of the Heavenly Court's invincibility was shattered, and its prestige was completely swept away. And he, Lin Feng, became a god in the hearts of the countless people in the Three Realms who wanted to resist the existing order!

"System, don't play dead. How much Reputation is this wave worth?"

[Ding! Detected that the host has completed the 'Strongest Kidnapping in History' achievement.]

[Reputation points are off the charts! Luck value is skyrocketing! Current Luck Rank: Swallowing Mountains and Rivers!]

[Congratulations to the host, the System is about to undergo a version 3.0 upgrade. This upgrade will unlock the 'Divine Kingdom Construction' module. Please look forward to it.]

The corners of Lin Feng's mouth curled up, his eyes flashing with the light of ambition.

"A Divine Kingdom? Interesting."

...

If you have money and don't spend it, it's just waste paper (or a pile of glowing stones).

Lin Feng understood this principle well. In the world of cultivation, saving money is the stupidest behavior; converting it into strength is the kingly way.

So, on the day after extorting a huge sum from the Heavenly Court, the City of Sin began a vigorous 'Great Infrastructure' mode.

"Princess Yao Ji, don't skimp on the money. Open up your perspective a bit."

Lin Feng sat in the main hall, looking at his 'housekeeper' who was hunched over an abacus, calculating meticulously with a furrowed brow. "One billion top-grade Immortal Crystals, plus all those Materials—throw them all in. I want to turn this City of Sin into an iron bucket that even a fly can't enter. Even if an Immortal Emperor comes, he'll have to break a couple of teeth on it."

"Boss, spend it all?" Princess Yao Ji looked up, her heart aching so much she was twitching. "We need to keep some liquid capital for emergencies. What if there's a war later..."

"There are no what-ifs."

Lin Feng interrupted her, his gaze firm. "As for future money, we'll just go rob... oh no, go earn more. The primary task now is to raise our strength. As long as our fists are hard, that is our greatest capital."

"System, is the upgrade complete?"

[Ding! System version 3.0 has finished updating.]

[The contents of this update are as follows:]

[New Function 1: Divine Kingdom Shop. The host can consume Reputation points and critical hit points to purchase Divine-Grade building blueprints from the myriad worlds.]

[New Function 2: All-Member Aura. The host can share one of his own abilities with all subordinates at 10% effectiveness.]

[New Function 3: Myriad Dao Furnace (Enhanced Edition). Can mass-enhance Magic Treasures and Medicinal Pills, ignoring failure rates.]

Lin Feng's eyes lit up, his breathing quickening slightly.

"Good stuff! All-Member Aura? This is practically a divine skill!"

Lin Feng thought for a moment and decisively made his choice: "I choose the 'Infinite Recovery' aura!"

Even though it was only 10% effective, for those eight hundred Grand Unity Golden Immortals, it meant they would become unkillable cockroaches on the battlefield. As long as they weren't killed instantly, they could quickly recover health after being injured. This was simply cheating! This was a total hack!

"Open the Divine Kingdom Shop!"

A virtual interface that was a blend of sci-fi and cultivation styles appeared before Lin Feng. The dazzling array of goods made his head spin.