Chapter 9

The online storm sparked by the livestream continued to ferment, yet Qin Feng, at the eye of the storm, remained eerily calm.

Early the next morning, he woke precisely at his biological clock's cue. Instead of immediately checking the frenzied online discussions, he first performed his daily 【Fixed Point Check-in】.

【Ding! Fixed Point Check-in successful!】

【Check-in location: Yunding Mansion, Block C, Building 7】

【Reward: RMB 188,888!】 (Automatically deposited into the Host's bound bank card)

【7-day consecutive check-in bonus: 1 Skill Point!】

The check-in reward remained stable, and the extra skill point for seven consecutive days was a pleasant surprise. Qin Feng directly allocated this skill point to 【Spirit】, raising his Spiritual Attribute from 18 to 19. His mind grew clearer, his thoughts accelerated, and the subtle considerations from last night's planning now became sharply lucid.

He washed up simply, enjoyed a meticulously prepared breakfast delivered on time by the property manager, then calmly opened his computer to browse news and social media.

As expected, the "Wind Rising" livestream and his "prediction" regarding Tianhai Group had surged to the top of local trending lists. Doubts, hopes, and sensationalist clamor intertwined, thrusting Tianhai Group and Zhao Kun to the center of the storm.

Tianhai Group's stock price showed clear anomalies during the opening auction, opening significantly lower. Clearly, sharp capital had already sensed danger.

Qin Feng was unsurprised. He closed the webpage and dialed Chen Yongming's number.

"Mr. Qin, the public opinion has erupted! Tianhai Group reacted quickly—they've been scrambling for damage control since early this morning. Zhao Tianhai even personally called several familiar media outlets, but the effect seems minimal." Chen Yongming's tone carried a hint of excitement. "We're fully prepared; the anonymous materials can be sent out anytime. Also, Zhao Kun seems panicked—he tried contacting the involved parties last night, but we've already calmed them down in advance."

"Well done." Qin Feng approved. "Send the anonymous materials this afternoon. As for the detailed one… wait for my instruction."

"Understood!"

After hanging up, Qin Feng checked the time: 9:30 a. m.

Hours remained before his prediction's deadline: "no later than tomorrow afternoon." He wasn't in a hurry. A good show needed buildup; panic needed time to brew.

He had something more important to do—spend money.

Yes, spend money.

His account held over 770 million RMB in cash. Letting such a vast sum sit idle was pure waste. Under the dual impetus of 【Investment Insight (Beginner)】 and the impending financial storm, he needed to deploy this capital swiftly and effectively—part for short-term arbitrage, part to convert into high-quality assets capable of long-term value retention, even appreciation.

Real estate was undoubtedly one key option. The luxury villas at Yunding Mansion served mostly for personal use and status display; he needed properties with greater investment potential.

Moreover, he had a vague intuition that the system encouraged this kind of "reasonable" spending and investment—perhaps tied to unlocking subsequent functions.

He contacted Su Qing, the sales agent at Yunding Mansion, again.

"Mr. Qin!" Su Qing answered, her voice brimming with unmistakable respect and a trace of nervousness. Clearly, she'd seen the online rumors about the "Wind Rising" livestream. Though she couldn't confirm it was him, her instinct told her this young, mysterious billionaire was no ordinary man.

"Miss Su, don't be nervous." Qin Feng's tone was calm. "I'd like to know if Yunding Mansion or your group has any other good investment properties? For example, well-located large floor plans, or promising commercial shops or office buildings?"

Hearing this, Su Qing perked up and launched into a professional pitch: "Yes, Mr. Qin! Our group has a premium serviced apartment project near Financial Street called Baiyue International, targeting the top-tier rental market. All units are over 200 square meters, with luxury finishes and hotel-style management; tenants are mostly executives from Fortune 500 companies, offering very stable and substantial rental returns. Also, in the New District CBD, we have a Grade-A office building called Global Wealth Center just launching leasing—its top floor is still available, 2,000 square meters, with unbeatable panoramic views, an absolute symbol of status…"

As he listened, Qin Feng rapidly analyzed the options using 【Investment Insight (Beginner)】. Baiyue International's location and positioning were indeed excellent—the high-end rental market in this city was a blue ocean with stable cash flow. The top floor of Global Wealth Center, as a fixed asset and potential future corporate headquarters (if he ever needed one), held immense value.

"Alright," Qin Feng decided, "Pick five of the best-viewed, best-designed units at Baiyue International. I'll take the entire top floor of Global Wealth Center. Prepare the documents and contracts—I'll come over this afternoon to sign."

"F-five units? And the top floor?" Su Qing gasped on the other end, her voice trembling. Another transaction nearing 200 million RMB! This Mr. Qin's wealth was utterly unfathomable!

"Yes! Absolutely! I'll prepare everything immediately! I'll be waiting for you this afternoon!" Su Qing nearly shouted.

At 2 p. m., Qin Feng arrived punctually at Baiyue International's sales center.

This time, the treatment was entirely different. A red carpet was laid at the entrance; the entire sales team, led by Su Qing, stood in formation to greet him. The project manager even came out personally to accompany him. Everyone now knew this young client's terrifying purchasing power—and his possible connection to the mysterious "Wind Rising" livestreamer. Their deference reached its peak.

The viewing and selection process was simple and efficient. Relying on the intuition granted by his skill, Qin Feng swiftly chose five large floor plans with optimal location, layout, and views—totaling over 1,200 square meters, priced at 110 million RMB. He then visited the top floor of Global Wealth Center: a vast 2,000-square-meter space with 360-degree panoramic views, exquisitely luxurious finishes, priced at 88 million RMB.

Total expenditure: 198 million RMB.

"That's all." Qin Feng signed his name on the contract and swiped his card to pay.

The sensation of massive funds flowing out had grown numb to him. But he felt something within him shift—a threshold triggered. The system interface flickered faintly; the icons for the unopened 【Super Technology】 and 【Wealth Prediction】 appeared slightly clearer.

"So spending and asset accumulation are indeed one of the unlocking conditions," Qin Feng realized.

As he finished all procedures and prepared to leave, his phone vibrated. An unknown number—but he had a hunch who it was.

He walked to a quiet corner and answered.

"Hello?" His voice was utterly level.

The line fell silent for several seconds, then a middle-aged man's voice, strained with suppressed anger and a hint of barely concealed panic, spoke: "Is this Mr. Qin Feng? This is Zhao Tianhai."

Just as he suspected.

"Chairman Zhao, what do you want?" Qin Feng's tone was cold.

"Mr. Qin, let's speak plainly," Zhao Tianhai's voice carried weariness and forced firmness. "That livestream online—was that you? And the rumors about Xiao Kun… Young man, don't push things too far! Tianhai Group has operated in Jincheng for decades—we're not some soft target you can squeeze at will! State your terms. Let's negotiate."

"Negotiate?" Qin Feng chuckled faintly, laced with quiet mockery. "Chairman Zhao, I think you've misunderstood something. I'm not here to negotiate terms with you."

His tone turned icy: "I'm merely informing you. The rules of this game are mine to set. As for the cost…"

He paused, lifting his gaze to the gray, overcast sky outside.

"You'll find out soon enough."

He hung up immediately and blocked the number.

Almost the instant he ended the call, his phone pushed a breaking news alert—

【The State Administration of Cultural Heritage has just released a new notice: "On Further Strengthening Underground Cultural Relics Exploration and Protection in Urban Core Areas," accompanied by the first list of affected cities and maps…】

The east wind has arrived!

Qin Feng opened the alert and scanned it quickly—sure enough, he spotted the familiar land parcel number.

A cold smile curled his lips. He dialed Chen Yongming's number and said only two words:

"Release it."