The Price Goes Up

Meeting room.

Faced with the skepticism of a powerful Realm Lord who was hiding his true strength, Tang Ping showed no sign of panic. Instead, he abruptly stood up from his seat, his voice brimming with barely suppressed excitement. "Manager, you don't understand! You simply don't understand what this planet, which is like dust in the universe, means to Lord Luo Feng!"

He took a half step forward, his eyes burning with intensity. "Back then, Lord Luo Feng clearly had the opportunity to leave Earth on his own. With his talent and strength, what star system couldn't he establish himself on?"

But he didn't! To protect this small planet, he fought bloody battles against the beast horde, feigned compliance with powerful figures from all sides, and single-handedly used his life to hold up Earth. Now, he holds a high position and could easily move into the safer and more luxurious core star region, yet he still chooses to remain rooted on Earth.

"I am Luo Feng's most loyal follower, and my admiration for him is like a surging galaxy, endless and boundless! This admiration also makes me love the Earth deeply!"

Otherwise, why would I have poured so many resources into this ordinary planet? In my eyes, Earth is priceless!

Sun Ruowei gripped the teacup tightly, her knuckles turning white. She took a deep breath, suppressing her surging impatience, and tried to keep her tone steady. "So?"

"So..." Tang Ping abruptly stopped his excited expression, grinned, revealing a set of pearly white teeth, and said, "It'll cost extra!"

With a "bang," Sun Ruowei's knuckles slammed heavily on the table.

She was originally a "minor character" with no background and the lowest combat power among the realm lords. The performance of each acquisition directly affected her future. If it weren't for the Marquis Black Annihilation's strict order, she would never have taken on this deal that everyone could see would result in a loss.

The losses from this acquisition will likely take ten, a hundred, or even a thousand years to make up.

The lack of promotion was secondary; without the bonus to support her cultivation resources, her hopes of advancing to immortality were completely dashed.

But this kid in front of her is still pushing his luck! If it weren't for Luo Feng's help, and if it weren't for the protection of the rules of the Virtual Universe, she could turn a mere Universe Level being into ashes with a wave of her hand!

"Heh!" Sun Ruowei laughed angrily, her eyes almost overflowing with coldness. "How much more do you want to add?"

Tang Ping slowly raised his right hand and held up one finger.

Sun Ruowei of relief.

It's just a Hunyuan Unit. Although it hurts, she can apply for partial reimbursement from Marquis Black Annihilation, and with subsequent performance improvements, she might still have a chance to turn things around.

"No problem, one Hunyuan." She was too lazy to deal with this petty man anymore. If it weren't for his relationship with Luo Feng, she would have already shown him just how ruthless Virtual Universe Company's methods were.

"Manager Sun, you're overthinking it." Tang Ping shook his head slightly, his tone somewhat "frank": "Seeing your sincerity, I'll give you a fair price: ten thousand Hunyuan. Don't think it's expensive; this might be the most valuable investment of your life. In the future, not only you, but your descendants will also benefit."

"Ha!" Sun Ruowei's sarcasm was undisguised. "Tang San, are you saying your 'admiration' for Lord Luo Feng is only worth ten thousand Hunyuan? Do you know what that amount of money means? Even to Immortal God, it's enough to buy a life!"

Tang Ping shrugged, looking relaxed. "Since Manager Sun can't accept it, that's fine. I suggest separating the Earth assets from the acquisition, so you can lose less. What do you think?"

Sun Ruowei was startled and fell silent.

Having navigated the turbulent waters of the business world for nearly 100,000 years, she has managed to reach where she is today as an ordinary human being thanks to her keen judgment and insight.

If she hadn't been forced to take the blame this time and was feeling depressed, she wouldn't have lost her usual composure. At this moment, she clearly realized that Tang Ping didn't seem to be asking for an exorbitant price, but rather genuinely didn't want to relinquish Earth's assets.

But 10,000 Hunyuan —even the ten capital stars of the Ganwu Universe Kingdom couldn't fetch that price!

Unless Luo Feng grows into Venerable comparable to the Ganwu Kingdom Lord in the future, and attaches great importance to Earth, even demanding the Milky Way Galaxy from the King to personally reshape it.

The probability of this is even slimmer than that of a few hundred-year-old Universe Level who has advanced to immortality within a mere ten thousand years.

It's a game of feigned indifference! She was almost fooled by this young lad!

Sun Ruowei suddenly stood up, held out her hand, and said, "Deal! Do as you say: divest the Earth assets."

A hint of regret flashed in Tang Ping's eyes. He reached out and shook her hand. The Realm Lord's hand was indeed delicate and warm, like white jade.

"Manager Sun readily agreed, saying I'm willing to give up 51% of the shares, making Lay Flat Investment Company a subsidiary of the Ganwu Branch."

Also, after signing the contract, would you like to stay for a simple meal? Or perhaps come to my place to sit and discuss the investment prospects?

Seeing the "regret" on his face, Sun Ruowei became even more certain that she had guessed correctly. She withdrew her hand with a hint of disdain. "No need. I'm busy with official duties. Let's sign the contract as soon as possible. According to company procedures, the review and payment will be completed within 59,200 seconds, which is three days in Luo Feng's Earth time."

Tang Ping nodded, then used his Spiritual Telekinesis and Origin Force energy to sign his name. After carefully verifying that everything was correct, Sun Ruowei turned and left, her back ramrod straight, exuding an undeniable arrogance.

"Take care, Manager Sun!" Tang Ping called out from behind.

Sun Ruowei quickened her pace.

I never want to see such opportunistic scum again in my life!

Deep within the Virtual Universe, the Amethyst Island, under the jurisdiction of the Ganwu Continent, floats amidst nebula tides.

The entire island is formed from hundreds of millions of tons of natural amethyst, and its crystal surface flows with a glass-like luster under the starlight. Its vast territory is comparable to that of Black Dragon Mountain Island.

This is the core office of the Virtual Universe Company's Ganwu Branch. The universe is vast and boundless; only by establishing the office hub in the Virtual Universe can we break the constraints of time and space and coordinate affairs across the star system.

At this moment, the main hall was completely silent.

Sun Ruowei, dressed in court attire, knelt on both knees, her forehead lightly touching the cold amethyst floor. She even deliberately kept her breathing extremely soft, making her figure appear exceptionally small in the empty hall.

Seated in the main seat inside the hall was a barefoot girl completely veiled in a dark Marquis Black Annihilation.

The girl's skirt trailed on the ground, revealing slender, jade-like ankles. Her gaze, however, seemed to contain the laws governing the movement of galaxies; merely falling upon Sun Ruowei caused ripples in the surrounding air. A Gentle yet undeniably authoritative voice slowly rang out. "Ruowei, why did you reject Tang San's offer regarding Earth's assets?"

She lightly twirled her fingers, a wisp of amethyst light flowing in her palm. "I gave instructions long ago that this acquisition, within the bounds of compliance, must be completed at the highest price. You... forgot?"

Sun Ruowei straightened her back, her tone stubborn. "My lord, please understand! That Tang San is making outrageous demands, asking for 10,000 Hunyuan Unit for just one ten-thousandth of Earth's landmass! This premium far exceeds the reasonable scope of interstellar investment and completely violates company regulations. I simply cannot agree to it."

Marquis Black Annihilation was taken aback upon hearing this, inwardly cursing Tang San as an ignorant fool who dared to ask for such an exorbitant price from a small, resource-poor Earth. But then she thought that such a greedy person was easier to control and would only benefit her plans.

Thinking of this, her tone became tinged with anger. "Ruowei, you think the Earth isn't worth that price? What makes you so sure? Have you done any in-depth research? Did you consult me before coming back?"

Sun Ruowei looked up, her eyes filled with astonishment, which quickly turned into determination. "If Your Excellency deems this investment feasible and is willing to grant me the corresponding authorization, I will immediately return to discuss it with Tang San!"

Looking at her stubborn expression, Marquis Black Annihilation shook his head slightly, a hint of disappointment flashing in his eyes.

She had initially thought Sun Ruowei was a smart person who knew how to assess situations, but she never expected her to be a mediocre person who didn't even dare to take risks and a subordinate who was unwilling to take the blame. Even if she had the ability, she was not capable of being of great use.

"Go down." Marquis Black Annihilation waved his hand.

"This subordinate takes his leave." Sun Ruowei bowed respectfully, and as she rose, she remained upright and left with neither servility nor arrogance.

The moment she stepped out of the main hall, her tense back relaxed slightly.

How could she not know the consequences of this decision?

But deep down, she didn't think highly of Luo Feng. He came from a humble background and had no connections. He was just a minor Domain Lord, and in the blink of an eye, he would be caught up in the power struggles of the Ganwu Universe Kingdom. The probability of his demise was far greater than his rise.

There are some burdens that she, a powerless and insignificant minor world lord, cannot bear.