Chapter 36: Five Levels of Influence, the Wu Family Panics!

As a transmigrator, Shen Lang was naturally not foolish enough to believe that the Great Qin was the center of the world. After all, the strength of the Divine Firmament Emperor was only at the Nascent Soul stage—a far cry from the path to sainthood depicted in cultivation novels.

Shen Lang narrowed his eyes and looked at Nalan Yanran, asking, "What tier of power would our Great Qin be considered in the context of the whole world?"

Nalan Yanran pondered for a moment. "It should be considered a Tier 1 power."

"Tier 1? That’s not bad," Shen Lang said, breathing a sigh of relief.

"Tier 1 is the lowest," Nalan Yanran immediately corrected him.

"What?" Shen Lang’s expression changed. Hearing "Tier 1," he had assumed this world was similar to those nine-heaven cultivation novels, where one would ascend to a Spirit Realm after reaching the Nascent Soul stage. But it seemed the world he had transmigrated into was far more dangerous than those other protagonists faced. He squinted again and asked, "What is the highest tier?"

"Tier 5!"

Such a massive disparity? A look of unprecedented gravity settled on Shen Lang’s face. Fearing she had discouraged him, Nalan Yanran quickly consoled him, "Don't overthink it. Great Qin is already on the edge of the world. There are no powers above Tier 2 within a radius of one hundred thousand kilometers. Just focus on helping the Master keep control of Great Qin. You don't need to worry about anything else."

Hearing her comforting words, the corner of Shen Lang’s mouth twitched. If he were an ordinary person unaware of how vast the world was, he might not have given it much thought. But as a transmigrator with a system, Shen Lang knew better. Even if he wanted to keep a low profile, his "trash system" wouldn't let him, the protagonist, hide away.

Thinking of this, Shen Lang asked inwardly, "System, how much Grudge Value do I need to reach the eleventh level of Qi Refining?"

"One hundred and fifty thousand!"

Hearing the price, Shen Lang nodded. One hundred and fifty thousand wasn't too much; it was acceptable.

"What about the twelfth level?" Shen Lang pressed on.

"Four hundred thousand!"

*Hiss...* "Why is this one so expensive?" Shen Lang’s face darkened.

The system remained indifferent. "The higher the level in the Qi Refining stage, the stronger the Dao Foundation forged. If the host breaks through to the twelfth level, as long as you don't die, you are guaranteed to ascend to the Tribulation Transcending stage."

Hearing this, Shen Lang understood. Cultivation was like building a skyscraper: the firmer the foundation laid during the Qi Refining stage, the greater the future achievements. He couldn't help but think about the thirteenth level. "And how much Grudge Value for the thirteenth level?"

"One million Grudge Value!"

Hearing the price more than double, Shen Lang instinctively squinted. One million Grudge Value was equivalent to one hundred million spirit stones—a staggering sum. However, in an instant, he realized that with his current abilities, it wasn't impossible to acquire that amount. If he played his part well, perhaps the Zhou family would offer him an unexpectedly high price.

With this in mind, Shen Lang looked at Nalan Yanran. "Zhou Yu should be arriving soon. Do you remember the script I taught you?"

Seeing Shen Lang’s serious expression, Nalan Yanran nodded subconsciously. "I remember it all. But it’s already midnight—will Zhou Yu still come?"

"Don't worry. They are more anxious than we are!"

Sure enough, not long after Shen Lang spoke, the voice of the maid, Lü Duo, came from outside the door: "Master, Young Master Zhou Yu is here to see you."

"Good, have him wait for me in the private room."

An incense stick of time later, Zhou Yu saw Shen Lang and Nalan Yanran walk into the room hand-in-hand. He immediately rushed forward, shouting excitedly, "Brother Lang, great news!"

Shen Lang played along perfectly. "Has the Elder of the Zhou family agreed to help me raise the tax silver?"

Zhou Yu nodded. "My father intends to help you, Brother Lang. He has even already prepared two million spirit stones."

"Only two million?" Shen Lang’s expression immediately soured. Nalan Yanran, who knew the plan, lifted an eyebrow and added, "Isn't that a bit low?"

"Two million is already quite a lot!" Zhou Yu feigned difficulty.

Shen Lang knew the Zhou family was intentionally low-balling him, so he switched tactics. "Brother, it's not that I'm ungrateful, but if the taxes I collect don't surpass Zhao An’s, all our previous efforts will be for nothing!"

Zhou Yu raised an eyebrow. "How much do you want?"

"At least twenty million spirit stones!"

"What?!"

Zhou Yu was stunned. He had expected that even if Shen Lang quoted a price, it would be at most five million or so. At that point, his father would step in and demand the divine artifact as collateral, and everything would fall into place. He never imagined Shen Lang would open his mouth so wide and ask for twenty million. Was he insane?

However, since the Zhou family was already plotting to seize the divine artifact in Shen Lang's possession, even though he found the price outrageous, he feigned honesty. "Brother Lang, I'm afraid you'll have to discuss such a price with my father."

"Then can I go speak with the Zhou Elder tonight?" Shen Lang asked, feigning urgency.

"This..." Zhou Yu hesitated, acting troubled, before nodding. "I can take you to try, but I don't know if my father will see you!"

"Thank you, brother! If I ever hit it big, I certainly won't forget you!"

...

At that moment, as Shen Lang and Nalan Yanran followed Zhou Yu toward the Zhou residence, Wu Yong, who had been watching from a nearby rooftop, felt a flicker of excitement in his eyes.

"The master has begun his move; I must follow."

With that, Wu Yong took out his communication talisman and contacted Wu Peiyuan. "Father, the Zhou family has invited Shen Lang to their residence for a secret talk late tonight!"

"What?!" Wu Peiyuan’s face turned pale with shock. He was currently discussing with his advisors how much to offer to swindle the divine artifact from Shen Lang, and he hadn't expected the Zhou family to move so quickly. He lashed out at Wu Yong in frustration: "Didn't you say you didn't tell the Zhou family?"

"I didn't, but Zhou Qingqing overheard my report to you..." As Wu Yong spoke, he held the talisman aside, but the sound of Wu Peiyuan’s furious roar still reached his ears.

"You useless fool! When reporting such an important matter, couldn't you check if anyone was around?"

Seeing that Wu Peiyuan had finished his outburst, Wu Yong spoke again, "Father, it's too late now. Should the Wu family still compete for that artifact?"

"Nonsense! Of course we must compete!" Wu Peiyuan snapped. "Use every means necessary to ensure the deal between the Zhou family and Shen Lang does not go through. I am coming over now!"