Chapter 15: Host, You

The news that Hongyuan Group had secretly contacted short-sellers loomed like a dark cloud over Xingyao Department Store's bright future, yet Qin Feng, at the eye of the storm, showed no sign of anxiety.

He had ample cash, core assets undergoing upgrades with promising prospects, and the System as his trump card. This was merely a capital-level game—he could handle it.

He even felt a hint of anticipation. It was the perfect chance to test the strength he currently controlled and the real-world effectiveness of his Investment Insight skill.

He instructed Sun Zhe to closely monitor capital market trends, especially bond prices and financial derivatives potentially used to short Xingyao Department Store, while preparing sufficient funds to respond instantly to possible sell-offs or public attacks.

After arranging these, Qin Feng turned his attention back to his own and the System's enhancement. Expanding wealth and business territory mattered, but strengthening his fundamental power and unlocking System functions were the Cornerstone of his enduring supremacy.

He unswervingly used the Blessing Key and Skill Key every day.

Today, the Blessing Key granted him a "Fortune Abounds (Slight)" status, while the Skill Key randomly awarded him "Investment Insight (Intermediate)" again.

Under the one-hour boost of Intermediate Insight, Qin Feng reviewed his vast and rapidly growing assets: cash exceeding 600 million RMB, Xingyao Department Store equity valued near 700 million RMB, the Yunding Mansion villa, five apartments at Baiyue International, the top floor of Global Wealth Center, two supercars… altogether, his personal net worth had surpassed 1.5 billion RMB!

This was an absolutely staggering figure. Yet Qin Feng frowned slightly at the System interface's prompts: "Super Technology Unlock Progress: 52%" and "Wealth Prediction Unlock Progress: 45%."

The progress was still too slow.

At this rate, unlocking these two clearly transformative features would require accumulating wealth for a long time—or completing a few more monumental "achievements" like the downfall of Tianhai Group.

"Is there no faster way to accumulate wealth and unlock progress besides acquisitions and investments?" Qin Feng mused silently. "Or do I simply not understand 'wealth' or 'spending' deeply enough?"

He recalled the System's original description—"designed to assist the Host in reaching life's peak." Peak, he realized, meant far more than mere monetary figures.

As he sank into thought, an electronic voice filled his mind—teasing, exasperated, utterly unlike the System's usual cold, mechanical tone:

【Host, you're so stupid! You don't even know how to spend money!】

Qin Feng froze.

"System? Is that you speaking?" he asked inwardly, startled. This was the first time the System had communicated with him in an "emotional" way.

【Of course it's me! Who else could it be?】 The voice sounded slightly smug. 【Watching you hoard mountains of gold and silver yet still fret over unlock progress—I simply can't stand it anymore!】

"What do you mean?" Qin Feng raised an eyebrow. "I buy companies, invest in property, raise employees' salaries—aren't these all spending, expanding influence?"

【Superficial! Extremely superficial!】 The System's voice rose. 【Think, Host—what is the purpose of your spending? Just to buy more things, hire more people, and earn more money? That's a low-level cycle!】

Qin Feng pondered: "Then what do you suggest?"

【Spending is energy! It's a force that moves the world and defines the rules!】 The voice carried a seductive tone. 【You buy a company and remake it in your image—that's spending. You pour massive funds into developing a groundbreaking technology that transforms an entire industry and human lifestyle—isn't that higher-level spending? You establish a vast charitable foundation, saving countless lives and influencing national policy—isn't that spending too?】

【Your current spending is inefficient and narrow-minded! Limited to business expansion and personal luxury—you still understand 'peak' at a primitive level! That's why unlock progress is so slow!】

Qin Feng was momentarily speechless under this barrage of questions, yet upon reflection, it struck him like a revelation.

Yes, what he was doing was still the traditional tycoon's path—earn, invest, expand assets. But for someone with the System, this path seemed… too narrow.

"Then according to you, how should I 'spend' now?" Qin Feng asked humbly. This suddenly "alive" System clearly offered him more direct guidance.

【Excellent question!】 The System's voice sounded pleased. 【Given your decent comprehension and your current asset scale, the System hereby issues a 【Profligacy Task】!】

A golden-glowing virtual scroll slowly unfurled before Qin Feng's eyes:

【Profligacy Task: The Cornerstone of Influence】

【Task Description: Within 72 hours, expend at least 500 million RMB. Funds must NOT be used for conventional business investment, fixed asset purchase, or personal luxury consumption. Must be directed toward projects generating broad societal impact, advancing specific fields, or solving major social problems.】

【Reward: Significant unlock progress boost! Super Technology unlock progress +20%, Wealth Prediction unlock progress +15%! Bonus reward: Shenji Blessing cooldown reset!】

【Failure Penalty: None. (But will you willingly miss this chance for a leap?)】

Seventy-two hours. Spend 500 million. No conventional spending or investment allowed.

Qin Feng stared at the task description—and his eyes grew brighter.

Now this was interesting!

No buying buildings, no buying cars, no investing in companies… then what could he do?

Fund scientific research? Support education? Promote environmental protection? Aid disadvantaged groups? …

Countless ideas flashed through his mind, each representing a possibility—a way to use money to blast open new doors to the world!

"System, is this you guiding me toward the 'right' way to spend?" Qin Feng smiled inwardly.

【Hmph! The System just doesn't want to waste time with a stupid Host!】 The voice replied haughtily, then instantly reverted to its cold, mechanical tone. 【Task issued. Complete it promptly.】

Silence followed.

Qin Feng knew the "System spirit" with emotions had likely fallen back asleep—but the task and guidance it left behind had opened a new door for him.

Seventy-two hours. Five hundred million RMB.

He took a deep breath, feeling the faint warmth flowing through him from the "Fortune Abounds" blessing and the lingering Quick Thinking from his Intermediate Investment Insight.

How should he spend this money to make it earth-shattering, priceless, and worthy of his future identity as a Shenhou?

His gaze turned toward the vast sky outside the window.

It was time to let the world witness what true "profligacy" meant.

He picked up the internal phone and called Su Wenqian: "Sister Su, immediately gather and organize all data on cutting-edge science labs, top-tier medical research projects, major environmental engineering initiatives, and promising social innovation enterprises—be as detailed as possible, focusing on those with critical funding gaps but immense significance."

He called Sun Zhe: "Sun Zhe, prepare five hundred million RMB in cash, ready for immediate use. Also, contact several influential charitable Foundations and media outlets—I may make a major move."

Finally, he called Chen Yongming: "Lawyer Chen, consult me—how quickly can we legally establish a multi-hundred-million RMB special fund dedicated to supporting cutting-edge science and major social issues?"

Orders flowed out; the entire team spun into motion like a precision instrument.

Qin Feng sat behind his desk, fingers lightly tapping the tabletop, eyes gleaming with unprecedented light.

Hongyuan Group's short-selling? Just a tiny ripple in the sea of commerce.

What he was about to do was to unleash a tsunami forged by money—capable of reshaping entire fields.

Spending? This was an art.

And he was about to show the world what the "art of profligacy" meant for a Shenhou.