Golden Crocodile: Where Did the Wasteland Go?

"That can't be right!"

Hu Liena opened the bag and saw it was full of gold; her face was full of doubt.

She didn't believe that the new city plan could make money. Even her teacher didn't believe it could.

She had analyzed the situation carefully beforehand and discovered that the plan would not only fail to make money, but would also offend people. With that land-selling model, would anyone really be so foolish as to buy it?

What is a businessman?

Only those who prioritize profit are right!

The new urban area project not only leaves people with no future gains and no profitable development, but also forces them to sell the land to others and pay for the construction of their own houses.

With such a large expense, even a fool would understand that making money is highly uncertain. Would anyone still gamble on such a slim chance?

Even if we use the power of the Spirit Hall to force them to buy the land, it would be a thankless and exhausting endeavor. The impact of this incident would definitely cause resentment towards the Spirit Hall, and they might interfere in certain matters in the future.

"If that project wasn't making any money, why did my allowance suddenly increase so much? Could it be that the Spirit Hall is making money in some other way?"

Suspicion lingered in his mind.

Hu Liena immediately decided to investigate. As the Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall, she needed to know certain things about the Spirit Hall.

This is a required course for a saint, and also a matter of character.

Walking on the stone-paved road.

Soon, Hu Liena arrived at the Pope's Hall. The main hall, used for the monthly meetings, was deserted and silent. She looked toward the familiar throne, but it was empty; Bibi Dong was not there.

Seeing that her teacher was not there, Hu Liena walked straight into the main hall and headed towards the back of the hall.

We arrived at the garden.

The fragrance of fresh flowers filled the entire space.

The air was filled with the fragrance of various flowers, which Hu Liena couldn't help but inhale. A feeling of carefree comfort welled up from the bottom of her heart and spread throughout her body, relaxing her tense body and making her feel refreshed.

She stood still, not taking another step forward, captivated by this long-lost feeling of physical and mental well-being. She couldn't remember the last time she had felt so carefree and comfortable.

From her earliest memories, the only thing Hu Liena experienced was not a comfortable life, but the arduous training day after day, year after year. The pain of her injuries was her only companion, always keeping her company in the darkness.

The stars and moon hang high in the sky.

A lonely night.

She curled up alone in bed, enduring the aches and pains from the day's training and the stinging from her wounds. She could bear the physical scars and persevere, but what she found most unbearable was the boundless darkness and loneliness of the night.

During the day, she had to face Bibi Dong's rigorous training, and at night she had to be alone in a corner, enduring both physical and mental pressure.

Therefore, at this moment, she seemed reluctant to leave this comfortable environment.

However, this state did not last long.

One end of the garden.

Suddenly, a familiar and calm voice rang out.

What brings you here?

The teacher's voice... Hu Liena was jolted awake from her comfortable state and immediately realized who the voice belonged to—it was her teacher, Bibi Dong.

She hurried across the garden and arrived at Bibi Dong's bedroom. The door was tightly closed, and the sounds were coming from inside.

Seeing that the door remained closed, Hu Liena immediately understood that Bibi Dong did not want her to go in.

No one is allowed to trespass here.

This was an order from Bibi Dong.

However, this did not include Hu Liena. As the Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall and a direct disciple of Bibi Dong, she was qualified to enter this place.

Bibi Dong didn't open the door, so Hu Liena simply stood outside, respectfully asking the question that had been on her mind, "Teacher, why is my allowance so much today?"

Bibi Dong was sitting in the study, flipping through the files on her desk one by one. Hearing the question from outside the door, she paused, her focused gaze shifting from the files to the door. "What's wrong? Something's bothering you?"

"No."

Hu Liena was alarmed and quickly denied it, her voice tinged with nervousness, "I just felt that there might be some new developments in the Spirit Hall recently. As the Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall, I should also know some things about the Spirit Hall to facilitate my work."

In the study.

Bibi Dong turned around, looked at the file in her hand, pondered for a moment, and agreed with Hu Liena's words. She then told the truth.

"This morning, at sunrise, the Tenth Elder came and brought good news."

Upon hearing this, Hu Liena, who was standing outside the door, paused in surprise.

Tenth Elder, Li Mubai?

Good news?

Putting all the words together, Hu Liena couldn't help but think of the scene a few days ago when she made sarcastic remarks about Li Mubai. Could it be that this young man who frequented brothels every day had really made money from those abandoned places?

Impossible!

Hu Liena, sticking to her own opinions and remaining stagnant, immediately rejected the idea that had suddenly arisen in her mind.

She simply couldn't believe that anyone would be foolish enough to pay a fortune for a small piece of land that nobody wanted.

That piece of land.

The Spirit Hall had previously considered disposing of it and selling it to someone else.

However, the land there was overgrown with rocks and weeds, making it unsuitable for cultivation and extremely difficult to develop. Even if such land were given to the poor, no one would want it; it would be utterly useless.

And now.

That piece of land was sold, and for an astronomical price—it's unbelievable.

Just as Hu Liena was confidently speculating...

Bibi Dong's indifferent demeanor, a hint of excitement rang out, "Li Mubai truly deserves the title of a great talent. That wasteland has been abandoned for a long time; the grass on the grave is already half a meter tall. If it weren't for him, how could he have been of any use?"

Bibi Dong began by offering a compliment.

Upon hearing this, Hu Liena's heart skipped a beat. A bad premonition immediately surged within her, like a vast blue sea. With just this one sentence, she vaguely had the answer in her heart.

And at that moment, Bibi Dong's words rang out.

"The reason I'm giving you several times more money is because I owe you for what I did for you before. Of course, there's another crucial factor..."

Bibi Dong, seated on her chair, smiled slightly. "Li Mubai sold that piece of wasteland, and for a good price!"

At this point, Bibi Dong's face was full of smiles.

Thinking about the net profit of over 20 million, I felt very satisfied.

If we talk about before...

If her attitude towards Li Mubai was merely that of a tool that was easy to control and would never betray her, then now she truly regards Li Mubai as her right-hand man.

That's why she agreed to let Li Mubai open a free academy.

In fact, the impact of this incident was enormous.

Although this is in Spirit City, not in the two great empires, the opening of the academy will inevitably affect the interests of many people, thus offending many others, especially the corrupt noble forces in the two great empires.

The other party will definitely not let this go so easily and allow the academy to continue operating smoothly. They will definitely try to find ways to cause trouble and force the academy to stop operating.

This is only one aspect.

Bibi Dong understood that the reason why the two great empires did not promote culture was to facilitate their rule, and Li Mubai's actions were undoubtedly an invisible challenge to the two great empires.

At that time.

The other side will definitely regard Li Mubai as a thorn in their side, wishing they could skin him alive, eat his flesh, drink his blood, and get rid of him as soon as possible. This has always been the method of the two great empires.

What wouldn't they do to maintain their rule?

But...

She took it upon herself to handle all the aftermath for Li Mubai!

She wouldn't let those people succeed in their schemes and plots in Spirit City.

The claws of the two great empires cannot reach Spirit City, because Bibi Dong and the enormous Spirit Hall are there!

Just as Bibi Dong was feeling triumphant.

Hu Liena, standing outside the door, trembled at that moment, her eyes glazed over, and she fell silent.

"How is this possible? How is this possible? He actually sold that wasteland and made over 20 million! That's more than three times the Spirit Hall's annual net profit! How is this even possible?!"

But.

These words came from Bibi Dong's mouth, so their truthfulness is beyond doubt. Bibi Dong has never lied to her.

Moreover...

Even if I were to lie, I wouldn't lie about this; there's no point in lying about it.

In other words...

Li Mubai really sold the wasteland for an astronomical sum.

Hu Liena was shocked, and her face showed a look of utter disorientation.

Thankfully, the door was locked.

Otherwise, if Bibi Dong saw it, she would inevitably get a scolding.

Just a moment ago.

She was still desperately denying Li Mubai in her heart when Bibi Dong revealed the answer, shattering her last bit of self-respect.

The sum of over 20 million is not simply a matter of businessmen giving face to the Spirit Hall. There must be a real point of profit involved that would make those businessmen flock to it and spend so much money to buy these plots of land.

Otherwise.

Based on the influence of the Spirit Hall, they can only get that piece of wasteland sold for a maximum of two million, which is already the highest price they can get.

What are the profitable aspects of this business?

On her way back, Hu Liena lowered her head, deep in thought, but ultimately couldn't come to any conclusion. She had to admit that perhaps her vision was too narrow; no matter how much she thought about it, she still couldn't understand the true meaning.

I can't understand why that piece of wasteland is worth more than 20 million!

But.

Before long, she put the shock and doubt in her heart to the back of her mind.

Just now.

Bibi Dong granted her a day off today, so she didn't have to train or keep an eye on the Spirit Hall's affairs. She could go shopping, which was truly a wonderful thing.

Hu Liena guessed what was going on with Bibi Dong's special permission. It must be because Li Mubai had earned a large sum of money for the Spirit Hall, making her teacher happy.

Her teacher was so happy that her once-in-a-lifetime vacation finally came.

Hu Liena walked briskly down the street, enjoying the familiar sounds of vendors hawking their wares.

Without Li Mubai, there would be no holiday.

Then.

She silently thought to herself: I really have to thank this old man...

New Urban Area Planning Office

Looking at the scene before him, the Golden Crocodile frowned. "What's going on? If I'm not mistaken, this should be the same wasteland we were in before?"

He looked around the area with suspicion.

The desolate land I remembered, overgrown with weeds and dotted with strange rocks, has long since disappeared.

Before him lay a flat patch of land, devoid of any weeds. Dust billowed in the sky, and the air itself was thick with the distinctive scent of ash.

And.

This area seemed to be divided into zones, with many people working tirelessly in designated areas, their shouts ringing out in unison. On the flat ground, there were also raised stone walls.

Everything before his eyes told the Golden Crocodile a story.

There's a lot of construction going on here!

Golden Crocodile scanned the area and confirmed that this was indeed the wasteland he remembered, because in the distance, there was a small hill standing tall.

He remembered that small hill.

Earlier on the mountain, he had been advising Li Mubai against attempting to use the Spirit Hall's assets to develop this useless land, lest it cause losses to the Spirit Hall.

Li Mubai Bai laughed as he left without saying anything more.

He also thought that Li Mubai was young and impetuous, short-sighted and unable to see the long-term situation, so in the past few days, he had been keeping a close eye on the movements of the Spirit Hall's treasury.

Just two days ago.

A large sum of money was deposited into the treasury, which surprised him somewhat, as the amount was considerable. However, he didn't think much of it and didn't bother to find out more from Bibi Dong.

The Worship Hall and Pope Bibi Dong were clearly at odds, so they didn't bother with the Pope and held him in contempt.

Seeing that no money was being sent out of the vault, the Golden Crocodile stopped bothering with the matter.

As long as no money leaves the vault, that's fine; nothing else matters to him.

He just wanted to see how Li Mubai would develop that wasteland without the help of the Spirit Hall.

He wanted to make Li Mubai understand the meaning of the saying, "Those who don't heed the advice of their elders will suffer the consequences."

However.

What's going on now?

The Golden Crocodile gazed at the stone wall that was gradually rising in the distance thanks to the workers' efforts, its eyes filled with doubt.

How did this wasteland end up being developed like this when the Spirit Hall clearly had no funds for expenditures?

Watching the workers' efficient movements in the distance, Golden Crocodile estimated that this area would soon be completely transformed, filled with houses instead of desolation or dust flying everywhere.

Puzzled.

He found a worker and asked what was going on, "Young man, wasn't this a wasteland? How did it become like this?"

The young worker's face was yellowish-white and covered in dust, but his eyes shone brightly like stars.

The interruption annoyed him, but when he saw an elderly man with graying temples speaking to him, he stopped being angry and instead grinned, revealing two rows of white teeth:

"Old man, don't you know?"

A new urban area is being built here, and construction has already started four days ago.

The former wasteland will soon be transformed into a new city.

The owner told me that the house prices here are a bit high, but you don't need to pay in full; you can pay in installments.

Hahaha...

Then I'll finally have a home in Spirit City!

The young man's face was full of smiles, his eyes brimming with anticipation for the future.

Upon hearing this, Golden Crocodile immediately realized something.

After exchanging a few words with the young man.

He left directly from there.

Now.

He suddenly had an idea that he needed to confirm.

Could it be that someone secretly misappropriated money from the Spirit Hall's treasury without informing the Worship Hall...?

Otherwise, why would there be so much construction going on here?

Without funding from the Spirit Hall, who would be willing to build houses here?!