The Star God frowned slightly as he listened to the messages coming in one after another.
Professionals were handling the matter, so it wasn't their contents that made him frown.
He was frowning because of the five hundred million!
Could a mere five hundred million cause such a chain of upheavals?
It seemed the impact of a Heavenly Mandate Bearer absorbing money was more serious than they had imagined.
"Did the disappearance of the five hundred million cause a big backlash?"
Su Wen asked. He had already prepared himself for it.
In truth, he was already quite satisfied that the country could provide him with five hundred million to absorb, giving him fifty Wealth Source Points in one go.
For the rest, wouldn't it be better to sell the Basic Body Tempering Method to other countries and use foreign money to recharge his Wealth Source?
The economy of Meilina across the ocean was so large that using a few billion, or even tens of billions, should be no problem, right?
Besides, wasn't it business as usual for Meilina to have an economic crisis?
And it had happened so many times already that they ought to be quite skilled at handling it.
So the real big source of Wealth Source was in Meilina!
"Not a big one."
The Star God shook his head. "But it's a little different from what I expected. Five hundred million... to the country, it's just a small splash, but I didn't expect the disappearance of a small splash to cause such a disturbance."
Beside him, the Theater God said, "That's normal. After all, this is five hundred million in cash. Assets and cash aren't the same."
"Even for a major corporation valued at several billion, or even tens of billions, having five hundred million suddenly vanish from its cash flow would be a major problem."
"If it's handled badly, the corporation might even face bankruptcy."
"One chain reaction follows another. Sometimes, the spark that sets off an economic crisis might be nothing more than a child leaving his milk unfinished."
The Star God looked at Su Wen and said, "Don't worry. Let the country adjust, and it'll get used to it in time."
Something like this was bound to be hard to get used to at first.
But little by little, they would get used to it.
If the God of Wealth could speak openly about future events and even use money to derive techniques, then the country had to provide that money!
Never mind economic turmoil-even if it meant a major economic crisis, they had to provide it!
Especially after the Battle God had been implanted with a mental gu seed, he had realized that there wasn't much time left for everyone, not much time left in peace.
"Preparations have also begun for selling the Basic Body Tempering Method."
"But you'll need to find some time to record a video and show our international friends the potential of the Basic Body Tempering Method."
"Of course, if you're demonstrating it, you'll need more than a mask. Your appearance, build, voice... everything will have to change. You'll even have to show a face openly."
"Let them watch, and let that bunch of foreign Heavenly Mandate Bearers derive it!"
"We have to let them get a good look before they'll pay for it."
The Star God smiled. "And only if they come to buy it of their own accord will the price be easier to negotiate."
Hearing that, Su Wen said softly, "Right, speaking of the Basic Body Tempering Method, I've gained some new insights."
The Star God's tone didn't change. "How is it? Is the change significant?"
Business as usual!
Nothing to make a fuss about!
Hadn't the God of Wealth just absorbed five hundred million?
So it was only natural that he had derived a brand-new technique.
"It should be decent."
Su Wen nodded slightly. Then, with a thought, the technique field appeared before him.
"Technique: Basic Body Tempering Method 2.0 (+)." [Transformation Realm: The limits of the technique have been reached. Understanding and application of this technique have reached a level of divine mastery.] [The Basic Body Tempering Method 2.0 and Basic Body Tempering Method 3.0 overlap to a high degree. Wealth Source may be consumed to replace the Basic Body Tempering Method 2.0.]
Then, right in front of the Star God, the Battle God, and the others, Su Wen began replacing the technique.
The Basic Body Tempering Method was going to be sold anyway, so was there any need to hide it from them?
Revealing some of his abilities to an appropriate degree would benefit everyone.
Besides, wasn't it perfectly reasonable for the great God of Wealth to have such an ability?
"Technique: Basic Body Tempering Method 3.0 (+)." [Transformation Realm: The limits of the technique have been reached. Understanding and application of this technique have reached a level of divine mastery.]
The next moment, a powerful surge of qi and blood burst from Su Wen's body.
"Hum!"
The Star God waved his right hand, and a barrier formed around them.
At the same time, energy from the vicinity began gathering there, helping Su Wen complete his sublimation and transformation from the second tier to the third.
"It feels completely different from a Heavenly Mandate Bearer advancing in tier."
The Battle God stroked his chin and clicked his tongue. "This thing the God of Wealth came up with has something to it."
"Gramps Theater God, can I try practicing it?"
The Theater God burst out laughing. "If you want to practice it, go ahead. Why are you asking me?"
"Wasn't I asking to see if you had any brilliant insights?"
"What? You want to hear my explanation of the Theater of Cruelty?"
"No, no."
"Go ahead and practice! I have nothing to say about this technique of the God of Wealth's."
"Good, then."
The Battle God chuckled. Golden light flickered in his eyes as he began carefully observing the changes all over Su Wen's body.
Before long, the Battle God noticed the power of the stars appearing on the surface of Su Wen's body.
He frowned slightly and turned his gaze to the Star God.
"Don't speak!"
Seeing the Battle God's movement, the Theater God silenced him once more with a thought.
To be safe, he even used his power to restrain the Battle God in place.
"The God of Wealth is advancing, and the Star God is having an epiphany."
The Theater God sent a voice transmission. "If your voice disturbs those two, I reckon they'll be ready to swallow you whole and flay you alive afterward."
Beside him, the Battle God didn't struggle. He simply watched the Star God with a look of amazement.
He had heard before that the Star God had experienced an epiphany and grown much stronger.
And now he was having another one?
At that moment, he suddenly understood why the Star God paid so much attention to the God of Wealth.
It wasn't just a question of the God of Wealth's abilities and divine powers!
There was also the matter of the Star God's epiphanies!
Putting himself in the Star God's place, if every technique the God of Wealth derived could give him an epiphany, wouldn't he enshrine the God of Wealth like an ancestor?
Sadly, though, he had yet to experience an epiphany even once.
Although he had never entered a state of enlightenment, he had experienced moments when the clouds suddenly parted. That feeling was so exhilarating that it made him want to throw back his head and howl at the sky to express his excitement.
Enlightenment... was like the clouds parting continuously!
"Gramps Theater God, do you think the God of Wealth can help me enter a state of epiphany too?"
The Battle God watched the Star God, who was still experiencing his epiphany, and sent the question enviously.
"How would I know?"
The Theater God replied, at a loss for words, "I want an epiphany too! Once you've experienced that feeling, you'll never forget how wonderful it was!"
"I wouldn't trade it even for the whole world!"
The Battle God asked in puzzlement, "Gramps Theater God, you've experienced enlightenment?"
"You think everyone's like you, a brute who only knows how to fight?"
"..."
How had their conversation turned into a personal attack?
And why did Gramps Theater God sound so sour?