C9 Hurting

"Son, after all these years without seeing each other, tell me about these items you've brought, especially that jade pendant you're wearing. Did someone powerful give it to you?" Wang Cuilian couldn't contain her curiosity any longer after a lengthy conversation with her son. As cultivators, they could easily discern the nature of the items he carried. They were eager to inquire, yet they hesitated, knowing they should be cautious with their words.

Cultivators must be careful not to reveal too much in the presence of ordinary people, who might become so despondent over not being cultivators themselves that they could resort to suicide or complete despair. Such actions could disrupt the balance of the world. While their own strength was undeniable, they were mindful not to let it negatively impact others.

"When I was abroad, I encountered an elderly beggar performing on the streets. I gave him some money and had my assistant take him for a few hearty meals. In return, he was adamant about giving me this," Lee Xiao said, scratching his head with a cheerful grin, downplaying his deeds as he handed over the jade pendant.

"This pendant is entirely black, and I thought it looked pretty cool, so I accepted it. The old man claimed it would protect me and keep me safe. I didn't really believe him and took it as a joke," he continued.

As soon as the black jade pendant was revealed, everyone around couldn't help but steal a glance, including Yang Chao, who narrowed his eyes. The pendant's energy was increasingly potent, yet it came with a downside—it could gradually alter a person's nature. A cultivator with a pure heart would always harbor benevolent thoughts, but this black pendant could insidiously influence one's fortune, potentially leading to ruin and misery. In essence, it was far from a benign artifact.

Wang Cuilian sensed the unease and removed the pendant from her son, examining it closely before draping it around her neck with a chuckle. "Well, I actually like it. So, why don't you give it to me? I haven't treated myself to any gold or silver jewelry in years. Let's consider it a protective charm from my son. How does that sound?"

After becoming a parent, she was ready to bear all the risks herself rather than let any harm come to her child.

The elderly men nearby watched with a glint of recognition in their eyes. They understood the situation but couldn't disclose it to Lee Xiao. Given the current circumstances, he was just an average person, and they were powerless to intervene.

For those not destined to know, revealing the existence of a path to cultivation could be a curse. Without the necessary fate, they might be tempted down a dark path.

The child showed remarkable understanding. After presenting Yang Chao with some gifts, he placed a stack of bills on the table and said, "You've been so kind to my mother, and the seniors here seem to be living well. I've noticed it all along. Lately, I've brought quite a few people to visit, and it looks like my mother is genuinely happy every day."

"Please accept this money as a small token of my gratitude. Is that alright? He wasn't always this way, you know."

He couldn't help but furrow his brow when he thought of his mother's former temperament, which was once unbearable for anyone. Yet, she had transformed so dramatically in such a short time, it was almost inconceivable.

Regardless, the situation was complex. This place was a Senior University, and they had managed to make the living arrangements quite comfortable.

It was no small feat to bring together these demanding elders and keep them content. That alone was an accomplishment.

Yang Chao was silent, overwhelmed by the unexpected amount of money presented to him. He had a task to spend a significant sum in a short time.

His next mission was to spend a whopping 50 million yuan quickly. Yang Chao, still contemplating how to earn that amount, hadn't anticipated someone offering him money out of the blue.

"There's no need for that. Truth is, I have money myself. I was just looking for a way to give back to the community out of boredom. I don't need this money, and as you've seen, everything here is high-end and of excellent quality. You really shouldn't worry."

He hadn't even finished spending his own money. Taking more could spell disaster, especially since he had only mentioned needing the students' tuition fees.

Accepting a student's child would be somewhat improper for him, especially if it ended up being his responsibility in the end—it just wouldn't be worth the risk.

Yang Chao scratched his head, a look of resignation in his eyes. Lee Xiao was taken aback; the sum he had offered was no small figure.

If Yang Chao had the means, surely he wouldn't be able to turn down such an amount. Anyone who could flash a wad of cash from a luxury car would typically jump at the chance. Yet Yang Chao seemed utterly indifferent, even earnestly declining the offer.

"Fine, if that's how it is, and you don't need the money, I'll be on my way," Lee Xiao said. "I've been having some trouble with my company lately and need to find someone to help with the cash flow. Maybe it's for the best."

Lately, a series of issues had cropped up at the company, one after another. Thankfully, they hadn't caused significant damage.

They hadn't touched the core interests; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to return home to visit his mother and enjoy such leisure.

A thought struck Yang Chao about something he'd recently discovered. He stepped forward and asked in a low voice, "Has your luck been particularly bad lately? Are you having problems with the company? If so, I can lend you 10 million yuan. Would that help you out?"

Yang Chao was anxious; he still had a mission to complete, and he needed to figure out how to spend all his money.

While most people look for ways to save money, Yang Chao was in the unique position of having to find ways to spend it. If he didn't, not only would he fail to deplete his funds, but he'd also face the system's punishment—electrocution being the least of his worries. A severe penalty could leave him bedridden, unable to rise.

"You're joking, right? With your family's means, I'd expect you could scrape together a few million yuan at most, but tens of millions? Are you planning to drain your entire fortune to help me?"

Lee Xiao stared at Yang Chao incredulously. He was aware that Yang Chao might have some savings, but in comparison to his own wealth, it seemed insignificant.