7: College Entrance Examination = Grand Competition of Immortal Sects Across the Land

July 7th, the Gaokao begins.

[Detected that the host is about to face the Great Competition of the World's Immortal Sects. Host, please defeat your opponents and achieve a top ten ranking. The higher the rank, the better the rewards.]

Li Xiuwu, who had just stepped into the examination hall, paused in his tracks.

"System, do you know what you're saying? Top ten in the Gaokao? Why don't you just ask me to ascend to the heavens?"

"Unless I use cheats."

[Detected that the host is participating in the Great Competition of the World's Immortal Sects. The system is activating 'Last-Minute Sharpening'. Please take out your big spear and start sharpening away!]

"System, you motherf—" He suddenly felt a jolt to his spirit. A sense of clarity and transparency flooded his mind. Every book he had read and every piece of knowledge he had learned in the past was now firmly etched in his memory.

"...What a genius." Li Xiuwu walked into the examination hall with high spirits.

On July 9th, Li Xiuwu finally finished the Great Competition of the World's Immortal Sects. He felt completely relaxed.

Just as he got home, his phone started ringing.

"Li Xiuwu, are you done with the exam? How did you do?" A charming voice came through; it was Liu Yifei's.

"Pretty good. Top ten shouldn't be a problem." Li Xiuwu was uncharacteristically confident for once.

"Braggart," Liu Yifei pouted.

"If your grades were that good, would you still be applying to art school?"

"I have a heart that pursues art."

"Tsk." Liu Yifei didn't believe him at all.

"How is your filming going?" Li Xiuwu didn't continue the argument and asked about her filming situation.

"It's so hard." Her voice faltered, and she sounded dejected.

"Didn't you hire an acting coach to guide you on set?"

"Ah, I can hire a coach?" she said suddenly.

"Isn't that obvious? How old are you? It's your first time acting. Do you really think you're some kind of genius? Didn't your director mention it?"

"No. Every time I don't perform well, he just tells me to figure it out myself. I can only sit there with the script and try to think."

"Did you offend him or something?"

"I don't think so?" Liu Yifei was unsure and looked at her mother.

"Then he's quite the bastard."

Liu Yifei remained silent; she didn't dare to curse at the director.

After ending the call, she told her mother the news. Liu Xiaoli slapped her forehead in realization; how had she not thought of that?

The player is confused while the bystander sees clearly.

The Gaokao was over; it was time to consider how to spend the money.

This was a very important question.

Two billion was currently in the account of an investment company in Hong Kong. How to legally and reasonably convert it into returns was crucial.

He flew to Shenzhen to meet a professional manager recommended by a headhunting firm.

"Mr. Qiu."

"Mr. Li, you're so young." Qiu Wanjun looked at Li Xiuwu in surprise.

"It's just some funds for experience," Li Xiuwu replied vaguely.

He sized up Qiu Wanjun, a middle-aged man. According to the data from the headhunting firm, he excelled in commercial negotiations and investments.

Qiu Wanjun was shocked but also felt it made sense. An eighteen-year-old in control of such a massive sum could only be the heir to some family.

He just didn't know which family was behind him or what kind of background they had to provide two billion for "experience."

"How would you like to proceed, Mr. Li?" Qiu Wanjun collected his thoughts and asked.

"In the capacity of a Hong Kong investment company, invest in NetEase. NetEase is currently facing difficulties, and I want you to help me acquire the largest possible share."

This year was the toughest for NetEase. Affected by the internet bubble and a lack of clear prospects, financing was extremely difficult, and the stock price had hit rock bottom.

"Contact the stakeholders behind Tencent and try to purchase some shares. You can offer a premium."

By 2002, Tencent was already developing well; at least they weren't short on funds.

But in 2004, when Tencent went public, its market valuation was only 200 million USD.

Back in 2002, the market valuation was less than 100 million USD.

Li Xiuwu's current funds were more than enough to buy out all the shares, though they certainly wouldn't sell.

Li Xiuwu listed a series of internet companies. "Start with NetEase and gradually approach the others. We will only invest and not interfere with company operations. Voting rights can be entrusted to the founding teams."

"Mr. Li, the current prospects for the internet are still unclear," Qiu Wanjun reminded him.

"Just do as I say." Li Xiuwu looked over coldly.

"I'm paying you to get things done. I want my money to be well-spent."

"I understand." Qiu Wanjun felt a chill in his heart; it seemed this young man had very firm ideas.

"For every company I mentioned that you successfully negotiate with, your team will receive a commission of one percent of the market value of the shares acquired. The more shares you help me acquire, the higher your commission."

"I don't mind spending tens of millions more on salaries."

Only profit can move people; Li Xiuwu threw out a massive incentive.

Sure enough, after he spoke, not only did Qiu Wanjun's eyes light up, but the eyes of the people sitting around him also brightened. They couldn't wait to set out immediately.

"Mr. Li, we understand what to do. We'll work overtime tonight to draft a plan. We'll show you results in the shortest time possible." Qiu Wanjun tucked away his own judgments about the market.

The boss had more money than sense; he didn't care about the companies' future development anymore—he'd just make this quick buck first.

"I'll be waiting for your good news."

"Before that, help me invest 100 million into Golden Age Culture Company first."

"Understood. The funds will arrive within five days." After hearing the company information, Qiu Wanjun understood what Li Xiuwu intended to do... "Are you two interested in going to Beijing to develop your careers?" Li Xiuwu invited Yang Linghua and Zeng Yi to dinner.

"Beijing?" The two looked at each other. They had been in Shenzhen for many years and weren't very keen on leaving.

"I won't force you." Li Xiuwu could see their resistance.

The two clearly looked relieved.

While he waited for the funds to arrive, Qiu Wanjun was already negotiating with NetEase's shareholders.

Affected by the internet bubble, NetEase had hit rock bottom and still saw no hope.

The money for Golden Age hadn't even arrived yet when Qiu Wanjun delivered the first share transfer contract that required his signature.

A NetEase shareholder had exited, and the company purchased a 5.5% stake for 16 million.

"Good. I'm a man of my word. A reward of one percent of the market value of the shares. Complete the transaction immediately, and your team can split the first reward."

Li Xiuwu signed his name on the equity document.

"Thank you, President Li. We will keep up the good work." Seeing that Li Xiuwu kept his promise and indeed paid the bonus, Qiu Wanjun's enthusiasm grew even more.

In about half a month, Li Xiuwu had acquired a 25% stake in NetEase.

The other shareholders couldn't be swayed; they were unwilling to sell their shares.

Qiu Wanjun formally approached Ding Lei to discuss a capital increase and financing.

The frequent changes in shareholdings had already alerted Ding Lei.

Although he desperately needed financing through a capital increase, if it was all subscribed by one person, the capital represented by Qiu Wanjun would become the largest shareholder.

He wanted to meet the person behind Qiu Wanjun.

"You are Mr. Li?" Ding Lei looked at Li Xiuwu in shock. He was too young—so young that he suspected Qiu Wanjun was playing him.

"Are you disappointed?" Li Xiuwu spoke with a smile.

"Sorry, I lost my composure." Ding Lei regained his calm.

"Please sit, CEO Ding." Li Xiuwu invited Ding Lei to sit.

"I know what you're worried about, CEO Ding. Take a look at this." Li Xiuwu pushed a document over.

"Voting Rights Proxy Agreement." Ding Lei looked at the contract in astonishment.

"Our company only invests and will not interfere with operations. Regardless of whether the company seeks further financing, this document remains valid." Li Xiuwu made a promise to Ding Lei.

Ding Lei flipped through it; it was a genuine proxy agreement.

"It seems we can cooperate closely."