Chapter 12

The progress of the Star Yao Department Store equity acquisition case was faster than imaginable.

With Qin Feng's decisive financial support and Tianhai Group's urgent need to cash out for survival, all legal procedures, asset verifications, and equity transfers were completed at an astonishing pace. A week later, the controlling shareholder of Star Yao Department Store was officially changed to "Wind Rises Investment Holding Co., Ltd.," newly registered under Qin Feng's name.

Meanwhile, Qin Feng's short-selling operation in the Hong Kong stock market also concluded perfectly. Under the dual effects of panic sentiment and precise insight, the fund's price steadily declined; Qin Feng closed his position decisively when the drop reached 25%, netting a profit of 120 million RMB after deducting leverage interest and transaction costs.

With 120 million RMB from short-selling, plus remaining account funds, minus the 690 million RMB spent on acquiring Star Yao's equity, Qin Feng's total cash holdings not only did not decrease but rose steadily past the 600 million RMB mark! This does not include the nearly 100 million RMB-valued Yunding Mansion, two supercars worth tens of millions, or the newly acquired Star Yao Department Store equity, valued over one billion RMB!

This almost alchemical speed of wealth expansion left even the well-traveled lawyer Chen Yongming often dazzled and filled him with profound reverence for Qin Feng.

Online, the "Wind Rises" livestream's million-rupee lottery proceeded as scheduled. Ten lucky winners were revealed before countless netizens, each receiving a post-tax cash prize of 100,000 RMB. This extravagant lottery, combined with the earlier precise "predictions," draped the "Wind Rises" ID in an even more mysterious and powerful aura, causing its follower count to surge and making it an internet phenomenon (despite Qin Feng having livestreamed only once).

Everything was advancing rapidly in a favorable direction.

That evening, Qin Feng sat in the spacious, luxurious chairman's office in Star Yao Department Store's headquarters—formerly Zhao Tianhai's—and listened to the management team's report on the store's current operations and future plans.

When he finally approved the decision to invest fifty million RMB in preliminary smart upgrades and experiential renovations for three stores, and to introduce more emerging trendy brands, the long-awaited system notification finally sounded again!

【Ding! Detected that the host has successfully completed their first major business acquisition (Star Yao Department Store) and has formally established their commercial influence, meeting system upgrade criteria!】【Quan Neng System upgrading...】【Upgrade successful! Current system level: 3!】【Congratulations, host! Unlocked new feature: Skill Key (Level 3)!】

Another upgrade!

Qin Feng's heart stirred, but he suppressed the urge to check immediately, maintaining a calm expression as he ended the meeting and dismissed the management team to their tasks.

When the office was alone with him, he immediately summoned the system interface.

The interface's hue grew deeper; the purple luminescence swirling within its blue base became more pronounced, and faint golden patterns emerged along its edges, radiating nobility and mystery. Beside the 【Blessing Key】, a new button emitted a soft blue glow, engraved with the image of an open book.

【Skill Key (Level 3): An independent feature unlocked upon system upgrade to Level 3. Grants one active skill use per day, randomly drawing an "Experience Card" for any skill already owned; upon use, temporarily elevates that skill one level (maximum not exceeding Divine Rank) for a short duration (typically one hour). Note: Last-minute cramming can sometimes create miracles.】

Temporary skill upgrade!

Qin Feng's eyes lit up! This feature was incredibly practical!

For instance, his 【Investment Insight (Beginner)】—if boosted to Intermediate at a critical moment, its analytical accuracy and depth would greatly increase! Or his 【Martial Arts Proficiency (Intermediate)】 temporarily elevated to Advanced, providing immense protection in sudden danger! Even future, stronger skills—temporarily upgrading one level would make a world of difference!

Though lasting only one hour, in many critical moments, one hour is enough to decide victory or defeat!

He eagerly tried the new feature.

"Use Skill Key!"

The soft blue button pressed; a glowing virtual book flipped rapidly before his eyes, then halted.

【Skill Key activated! Drawn: Martial Arts Proficiency (Intermediate) Experience Card! Upon use, Martial Arts Proficiency will be elevated to Advanced for one hour!】

A far more vast and refined torrent of martial knowledge, striking techniques, and combat experience flooded his mind; his muscle memory updated simultaneously, as if forged through countless trials. He felt he could now effortlessly knock down dozens of armed thugs, and his awareness of danger rose to a new level.

Advanced Combat Mastery! The sensation was powerfully intoxicating.

Though only lasting an hour, it gave him clear insight into this strength and a clearer direction for future self-improvement.

After the Experience Card's effect ended, Qin Feng carefully sensed the other changes brought by the system upgrade.

The daily blessing effect of the 【Blessing Key】 seemed slightly enhanced? The reward quality of 【Fixed Point Check-in】 rose again slightly, and the consecutive check-in rewards became richer. In the 【Perfect Lottery】 point exchange list, some more practical low-tier items appeared. In the 【Self-Improvement】 interface, the (19/20) after Spiritual Attribute became (19/25)—had the bottleneck been widened? He immediately added his remaining one Attribute Point; Spirit reached 20, and a sense of mental clarity and heightened perception arose.

Most notably, the unlock progress for 【Super Technology】 and 【Wealth Prediction】 surged again! 【Super Technology Unlock Progress: 35%】【Wealth Prediction Unlock Progress: 28%】

The commercial influence gained from acquiring Star Yao Department Store greatly accelerated the unlock progress!

Qin Feng nodded in satisfaction. At this rate, unlocking these two godlike functions was within reach.

He stood up, walked to the office's floor-to-ceiling window, and gazed down at the bustling commercial street and the flowing crowds below.

Star Yao Department Store would be the cornerstone of his commercial Empire. And the new abilities granted by the system upgrade would be his strongest tool in building this empire.

At that moment, the office door was gently knocked.

"Enter."

Chen Yongming entered holding a file, his expression grave.

"Mr. Qin, two matters." Chen Yongming placed the file on the desk. "First, Zhao Kun… has been found. He attempted to smuggle himself out of the country and was intercepted at the border. The economic crime unit has officially opened an investigation into his suspected fund embezzlement; results should come soon."

Qin Feng nodded expressionlessly. The fate of a stray dog meant nothing to him.

"Second," Chen Yongming's tone grew even more serious, "we've received word that another major commercial group in this city—Hongyuan Group—also showed strong interest in Star Yao Department Store. They contacted Tianhai Group before we did, but offered less. Now that they've learned we've completed the acquisition, they may… take some action."

"Hongyuan Group?" Qin Feng searched his memory. It was a large integrated conglomerate founded in retail and logistics, powerful and one of the region's longstanding business titans.

"Yes. Their leader, Li Zehong, is famously aggressive and… possessive. Several of Star Yao's core stores have excellent locations, directly competing with Hongyuan's commercial properties. I fear they'll employ commercial suppression tactics."

Business competition?

Qin Feng's lips curled slightly—not with worry, but with rising excitement.

The newly upgraded system, the newly acquired 【Skill Key】, his ample cash reserves, and his ever-growing commercial insight—all needed a suitable whetstone.

Hongyuan Group? Li Zehong?

Perfect timing.

"Understood." Qin Feng's voice was calm. "Monitor their movements closely. Also, notify management to accelerate our store upgrade plan. We must strike first, before Hongyuan reacts."

"Yes, Mr. Qin!"

After Chen Yongming left, Qin Feng turned his gaze back to the window, his eyes sharp as a hawk's.

Level 3 system. Skill Key in hand.

His journey was toward the stars and seas—how could he fear a mere storm in the business sea?

Hongyuan Group? I hope you're worthy of letting my new ability warm up a little.