Chapter 496: Grand Opening Blessings

"Are all these items here genuine, or did you assemble them yourself?" Su Lin asked the dreadlocked black man before him.

Su Lin and his group's entry and exit points in the public zone were fixed; as "neighbors," they naturally grew curious about the veteran merchants in this vast Cycle Space.

The muscular black man rubbed his broad nose, turned, and pulled two sheets of paper from beneath the counter, tossing them onto Su Lin's table with disdain: "These are my squad's bounty notices from the district plaza, and this is my wanted poster from my days in Night City."

"Cool." Su Lin nodded, his fingers sweeping over the weapons on the stall: "Comrade's Hammer, Four Seasons Treasure, Archangel—forget it. Package everything."

The big man froze, then moved with speed rivaling the pancake-selling brother next door—his entire form blurred and vibrated, packing all the items in under two seconds.

"557 points! Round it to 560 points! Thank you for your patronage!!!"

"550 points. If you won't take it, I'm leaving."

Su Lin's face remained expressionless; he simply sent a transaction request from his wristwatch.

Without hesitation, the big man immediately approved the transaction on his wristwatch and added a dozen crates of ammunition.

"Bro, would you like to check out the Sianwestan model?" the big man rubbed his hands. "Model 4 is 1500 points, Model 5 is 1700—guaranteed no rejection reaction upon implantation."

"Your prices here are wildly inconsistent," Su Lin raised an eyebrow.

This entire pile of items only cost five hundred points to package.

The big man spread his hands. "Tech-series products are always like this—either dirt cheap or astronomically expensive. Check the prices of Wakanda and Batman series—I'm already the cheapest on the whole street."

"Package it." Su Lin nodded.

The big man was stunned. Where did this kind of VIP come from in this district?

Such a lavish rich man didn't look like a Cycle Walker specializing in body modification.

"Can you lower the price?" Su Lin asked Xiang Tuoni.

Xiang Tuoni studied it for a moment: "I don't know. I need to take it back and study it."

Normally, manufacturing armor, firearms, and munitions requires massive raw materials and U. S. dollars, plus scarcity—even in Cycle Space, prices wouldn't be low.

Good Lord, this thing would be absurdly simple for the God beside him.

"Best make it non-implantable and mount it on your armor," Su Lin suggested. "Then learn some Wu Gong—Yongchun, Taiji, something like that."

Watching the two leave, the big man suddenly felt something bad was about to happen.

Divine City, Ye Zhetian Trading Company.

In a hidden hall, multiple array patterns were arranged, capable of instantly teleporting the entire company—except Duan De's room—away at any moment.

In the center.

【Pills】, 【Spirit Plants】, 【Talisman Scrolls】, 【Contracts】, 【Magic Artifacts】, 【Tech Armor】, 【Ruhua Dao-Lü Edition】, 【Chen Ge Hu · Upgraded Version】—items covering daily life to combat and cultivation—were all displayed in individual exhibition cabinets.

These were all goods soon to flood the new market for circulation and trade.

"I have something I'm not sure whether to say," Zhang Chu'an's lips twitched, staring at the corporate-style meeting setup and seating arrangement; the rest of his words stuck in his throat.

The venue was arranged in a rectangle; each table was covered with off-white silk tablecloths, and name plaques carved from some divine wood sat beside each seat, accompanied by a Sacred Fruit, a pile of Bai Ling Fruits, and a cup of Wu Dao Tea steeped in Spirit Spring.

Had he come to the Xuanhuan World to attend a corporate group meeting?

"Elder Masters," Song Shuhang could no longer hold back: "You all—"

He stared at Meng Qi's table plaque reading "Yuanshi Tianzun / Lingbao Tianzun / Dao De Tianzun," and Su Lin's plaques reading "Hun Tian Di / Shang Di," and like Zhang Chu'an, fell into a strange emotional vortex.

Song Shuhang rubbed his eyes. "Are you guys going public?"

For some reason, he now felt exhausted just looking at these Elder Masters.

Especially last night, he'd slept restlessly, haunted by fragmented, unremembered visions that left him mentally drained.

This morning, while brushing his teeth, he'd hallucinated—a blood-soaked Song Shuhang in the mirror bowed to him. He punched the mirror so hard he shattered it.

"Grow big, grow strong, create glory!" Ye Fan said, handing out Cycle Walker wristwatches to Zhang Chu'an, Song Shuhang, and others.

"Led by Shang Di, guaranteed by the Three Pure Ones, driving deep integration of the multiverse industry chain."

Zhong Li examined the Cycle wristwatch: "Cycle Space? Truly more powerful than imagined—it can indeed be counted as a stroke of fortune."

For others, the many restrictions of Cycle Space—including exiting mission instances to avoid risk—could all be achieved through the chat group.

"Not just fortune—it's a heavenly stroke of fortune!" Ye Fan casually ate a Sacred Fruit like a snack, then pointed to the massive source stone behind him—so vast it would make any clan drool—and slammed the table: "Earn one small goal a year! Fill a Great Emperor's fortune in three!"

Xiao Yan looked at Ye Fan. "Bro, do you remember what you originally intended to do?"

"What?" Ye Fan asked back.

These past one or two years, Ye Fan had made a fortune—his pockets overflowing, his wealth unmatched in the group, even excluding the guy with the cheat system.

But—

"Isn't Ye Tian Di, the one who overshadowed the world with a single leaf, supposed to be known for martial prowess, not business acumen?" Xiao Yan asked.

"What was my cultivation level under normal circumstances?" Ye Fan smiled, pointing at himself. "My current level and hidden cards can crush a thousand versions of myself from the normal timeline."

He had already left his contemporaries far behind.

Occasionally, he could crush a few, but his gaze was fixed on the old masters.

When he fought, it would be against those elders.

As for business—money left unmade is the act of a fool.

Because Shi Hao and Su Lin recently fought a great battle on the Wind Clan's Divine Island, the balance of power among all factions has shifted.

Under these circumstances, Ye Fan first sold items to those prodigies, then waited until their cultivation improved before crushing them.

He didn't use overwhelming power—he fought evenly, then left them barely alive.

These prodigies and their clans, desperate to surpass the Saint Body and wash away their shame, would inevitably increase investment.

Ye Zhetian Trading Company would then release precious items suited for the younger generation—creating demand where none existed.

This could truly be called Tian Di's Art of Strategy!

"Still, I think I should go to Mars and chop up that Great Saint-level crocodile soon," Ye Fan squinted.

Li Xiaoman and Hua Yunfei had been unusually restrained lately—perhaps they finally recognized the gap and could only scheme in secret—but the crocodile's divine consciousness remained a hidden threat.

During this time, Ye Fan had held back precisely because he was planning this.

When my cultivation advances further, I'll go myself and catch that guy to stew.

"The future is the future, the present is the present!" Ye Fan leaned back in his chair, legs crossed. "Our goal is the myriad worlds of the cosmos."

"The myriad worlds of the cosmos?" Su Lin thought for a moment, then pulled out a token. "You wanting to build a capital heaven isn't a problem—actually, I happen to have something."

"What's that?" Ye Fan couldn't make out anything special.

The token was a rectangular piece of jade-green jade, about three centimeters thick, its color ordinary, with no detectable divine aura.

"The Tiancheng Token—it's said to link many worlds for trade. I've never used it; I don't know what it's like there now." Su Lin pushed the jade token forward. "This token belongs to a candidate for city lord."

All eyes focused on the token, but after so many shocking revelations, they'd developed a certain resistance.

This guy always suddenly pulls out something insane, with zero warning.

"Think about it."

Ye Fan knew the price of this item was certainly beyond what he could afford.

"I didn't say I'd give it to you—I just wanted you to see it."

"Doggy wishes you wealth in the Year of the Dog!"

"Thank you, and may you also have a happy Year of the Dog."

Su Lin was courteous, and the entire room was filled with harmony and friendliness.

True name concealment successful.

【Duan De】, 【Young Master Hai】, 【Wu Gen Sheng】, 【Hun Tian Di】, 【Gui Li】 name change completed.

Su Lin turned his gaze toward Zhongli. "Gui Li?"

Zhongli's eyes grew slightly distant. "In the age of agriculture, before Liyue had taken shape, my friend and I each took one character from our names to call our sanctuary Gui Li Yuan. The name Gui Li is merely a memorial."

'I hope I won't find myself reminiscing too often.' Su Lin nodded, then looked toward the red-haired man. "Took you this long to pick a name? Any enemies you dislike?"

"Actually, yes."

Weigong Shilang's mind conjured an image of a white-haired man in a red coat, smug and obnoxious.

【Xilong】 name change completed.

Did you pick it for the pun?

"You might as well change your name to Gilgamesh and dye your hair yellow."

Su Lin finally turned his gaze toward Tony Stark. "By the way, I've always wanted to ask—why did you change your name to Robert Downey?"

"Because God told me to use a pseudonym," Tony Stark shrugged. "I couldn't possibly call myself Steve Rogers—you can tell just by looking at my butt that I'm not him."

Makes sense.

Su Lin nodded and sent a message to Zhang Heng.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Zhang Heng repeatedly slammed his head against a pillar—luckily, the pillar was a liquid robot, or his reinforced skull would have shattered it.

"I was stupid back then."

Judging from what Zhang Heng remembered of Gu Yue Fang Yuan, the man's intense interest must mean he had some other plan—otherwise, he wouldn't have bothered with him at all.

Should I refuse?

I can't possibly outwit this bunch of dangerous lunatics!

Beyond the sea is hell!

"It's just two streets away."

After much thought, Zhang Heng finally arrived at the location, accompanied by Chu Lingyun.

At least I'll see what he's up to—in the public zone of the Cycle Space, we shouldn't have to worry about safety.

"Only 998! You heard right—take home the Mark 5 portable armor!"

"You can test the power of the portable dimensional space—please step this way."

"Search for 'Main God Space's Investigator Team stationed in the Cycle Space' on the online marketplace to purchase a range of products from the store 'Ye Zhetian Trading Guild, Cycle Branch'!"

A long line of Reincarnators, all dressed in modern styles. At the very front, inside a stall built temporarily with spatial tech, two unfamiliar youths were greeting customers.

Inside the shop, many items sat on display counters, and over twenty identical fairy-like women were speaking to other Reincarnators.

"Is 2999 expensive? This pill can help you break through in your direst hour. Just check Main God's exchange list—a Resurrection Cross for physical revival alone, without touching the soul, costs 5000. My pill restores all injuries and permanently boosts your immortal cultivation!"

"If you still think that's expensive, you really need to reflect. We only have five pills left—and they're verified by Main God's third-party system."

"Enough talk. For fairness, we're listing them on the online marketplace—first come, first served! Three, two, one—link live!"

If my ears hadn't deceived me, I must have come to the wrong place.

Is this place really not some kind of sales center?

"Young Master Zhang Heng, sorry to keep you waiting."

The voice came from behind. Zhang Heng turned to see the Gu Yue elder, accompanied by two unfamiliar faces, carrying bags and bundles.

They were alchemical materials, ores, and mechanical equipment.

"Sorry, we just went out to buy a few things," Su Lin smiled slightly.

Zhang Heng slowly raised his head and looked at the man. "No, we just arrived here ourselves."

"Come inside and sit," Su Lin gestured toward the interior of the stall.

"That…" Zhang Heng gathered his courage and spoke to this man who might make even demons get tattoos: "Elder, why did you summon me today?"

From a human relations standpoint, he and Chu Lingyun truly owed this man a great deal.

There's no such thing as a free lunch, and no one gives you kindness without reason.

These truths may not be entirely correct, but they're very applicable in the Cycle Space—so he desperately wanted to know what this man required of them.

"To be honest, today I have two favors to ask of you," Su Lin walked into the shop, gently placing a hand behind Zhang Heng's shoulder in a subtle gesture that compelled him to follow.

Inside the shop, Amon and Hong Zhong were smiling—their faces lifted by the growing crowd of Reincarnators—making Zhang Heng feel as if plunged into an icy abyss.

"Business is good." Kleen adjusted the cleaned monocle on his right eye socket: "Better than expected, but I never imagined the witch's elixir would remain the top-selling item."

"The rhetoric of the Dao of Forgetting works wonders for sales," Li Huowang nodded slightly.

Is it still possible to go home now?

Zhang Heng could now confirm: these people were the originals!

"Elder, what is it you need?" Chu Lingyun glanced at Zhang Heng and spoke.

Su Lin led the group to a handsome man who was playing chess while verifying accounts.

"Sit."

Once everyone was seated, Su Lin began to speak:

"First matter: naturally, we hope you can help us with promotion. The new shop just opened, and our Reincarnators are few. If you have time, please take a few samples and promote them in other regions."

Only now did Zhang Heng look around; every shelf was filled with an array of dazzling goods. His keen hearing picked up the female replicas introducing items to other Reincarnators.

From artifacts and materials to the immortals known as 'Hua Ru,' everything was a sellable item.

This region was a total dimension-lowering strike.

"That's it?!" Zhang Heng exclaimed in surprise.

"There's a second matter," Su Lin continued. He ignored Zhang Heng's frozen expression and pinched his thumb and forefinger apart:

"I'd like your team to accept a few Reincarnators—old friends of mine. Their former teams disbanded and they're looking for new ones. Their strength is roughly equal to yours, and their character is reliable."

"This..." Zhang Heng heard the request and felt a sudden relief inside.

If it was only this, then of course there was no problem.

Though team size can affect mission difficulty, if everyone's strength is comparable, it's not a major issue.

"Elder, we're just a new team," Zhang Heng said.

"That doesn't matter. What matters is we trust you," Su Lin smiled. "A couple among them are slightly weaker, but you don't need to look after them. In dangerous situations, each looks out for themselves."

Chu Lingyun took Zhang Heng's hand and, under the Cycle Space's restrictions, used the 'Heart-to-Heart Communication' technique to speak with him.

After a moment, Zhang Heng nodded: "Fine. Since you recommended them, I trust them too."

【Gui Li】 applies to join the team.

Zhang Heng turned his gaze to the tall, handsome man, who put down his ledger and gave Zhang Heng a slight nod.

"Elder, greetings," Zhang Heng bowed politely—clearly a veteran of the Cycle Space.

As long as the name wasn't familiar, it was fine.

Zhang Heng lifted the tea cup offered by Hua Ru. The tea's fragrance soothed his spirit, subtly transmitting insights that cleared his mind like a sudden enlightenment, resolving many cultivation issues.

He eagerly took a small sip.

Chu Lingyun asked: "What about the others?"

"Oh!" Su Lin slapped his forehead and called toward the shop's entrance: "Young Master Hai, Hun Tian Di, Wu Gen Sheng, Duan De — come meet your team leader!"

"Puh—!"

His grip tightened, shattering the teacup; hot tea spilled over him. Too panicked to care about the mess, Zhang Heng stared wildly toward the shop's entrance.

There, the unfamiliar faces all turned toward him in unison.

Zhang Heng, male, 33 years old, has read a lot.