You Have Connections? No, I Have Money!

"No matter what you say, that child is definitely going to No. 2 Middle School!" "I married into your Ge family and slaved away like a draft animal for over a decade. Right now, this is my only demand. If you don't agree, I'll come make a scene every single day!" A woman was speaking, her voice loud and shrill, like a shrew hurling abuse in the street. Just as Lu Yuan tried to listen more closely, the courtyard gate swung open. A middle-aged couple walked out. The man bore some resemblance to Old Man Ge. Without question, they were father and son. As for the woman, her identity was just as obvious. The two merely glanced at Lu Yuan without a word before going on their way. Seeing this, Lu Yuan didn't pry and walked straight into the courtyard. "Old Man Ge, I'm here again." Not far away, the old man looked troubled, but his expression softened slightly upon seeing Lu Yuan. He said directly, "Little Lu, watch that medicine for me for a moment." Having said that, without waiting for Lu Yuan's response, he turned and went into the house. Lu Yuan smiled and began tending the medicinal stove. Nearby, the Ziwu Heaven-Mending Furnace he needed still sat abandoned in the corner. After a long while, Old Man Ge finally emerged from the house, tightly clutching a bank passbook, his brow furrowed as if burdened by a difficult trouble. Yet he did not mention his troubles. Coming over to Lu Yuan's side, he said, "Little Lu, I've lived for decades, and I know nothing good comes without a reason. You've been coming here every day to help out; you must want something. Just say it straight. As long as it isn't unreasonable, I'll consider it." A man in his sixties or seventies who couldn't see through something like this would have lived in vain. "To be honest with you, Old Master, I happen to love collecting antiques," Lu Yuan said directly, naturally disinclined to beat around the bush. "I'm quite fond of that medicine furnace of yours, and I was hoping you might part with it. Price won't be an issue." Now that the topic was broached, there was no need to hide anything. "Money doesn't matter." Old Man Ge shook his head and brought out the Ziwu Heaven-Mending Furnace. "This is an heirloom of my family, passed down who knows how many years. If it were anyone else, I definitely wouldn't give it up. But since you want it, take it." Although they hadn't known each other long, he could tell this young man was decent. Otherwise, who would have the patience to come here every day just to help an old man? It was completely unheard of. As for money, he was indeed short on cash, but he truly didn't care that much about it. "Thank you, Old Master." Lu Yuan nodded, knowing that if he tried to pay him, the old man wouldn't accept it. Even so, he understood the principle of returning a favor. After a moment's thought, he said directly, "I know you have a granddaughter, Old Master. She just graduated from elementary school, right? Is she trying to get into Shanghai No. 2 Middle School?" "You heard that?" Old Man Ge nodded. "Yeah. No. 2 Middle School has better educational resources. That's what my daughter-in-law wants. But our family doesn't have a Shanghai household registration, so it's very difficult." "It's difficult because you haven't found the right person to help. Why didn't you ask if I might have a way?" Lu Yuan smiled. "What? You have connections?" The old man was startled, knowing that getting into a school like that usually required personal connections. "No." "Then...?" "I have money." "..." Old Man Ge sighed upon hearing this. He genuinely hadn't wanted to accept charity, but his daughter-in-law had made such a fuss that he had run out of options. In the end, he had no choice but to stand up in silence, head back inside, and bring out an ancient book, which he placed into Lu Yuan's hands. "This is an heirloom of my Ge family, said to contain methods for alchemy and brewing medicines. I studied it for many years without unraveling its secrets. I originally intended to pass it to my son. "It's just that in today's society, traditional Chinese medicine and the like have fallen behind. If you're interested, take this along as well." "Then I will take it with gratitude, Old Master." Looking at the ancient book in his hands, a faint smile appeared on Lu Yuan's face. Indeed, it recorded the alchemical techniques of Immortal Ge. To truly make good use of the Ziwu Heaven-Mending Furnace, this ancient book was indispensable. It had also been one of his goals all along. The reason it was useless right now was that the mutation had not yet begun. Once the new era arrived, it would reveal unimaginable wonders. "I'm the one who should be thanking you." Old Man Ge waved his hand and sat down to brew the medicine. The old man and the young man chatted at length, though Lu Yuan was mostly a listener. Before leaving, Lu Yuan turned back and said, "Old Master, if you ever need help with anything in the future, you can contact me." He had already given him his phone number earlier. Speaking this way was a means of forging a good karmic connection for himself. Furthermore, Lu Yuan vaguely remembered that Old Man Ge's granddaughter would achieve some renown in the future. Perhaps their paths would cross down the road, and if possible, he could lend a hand. Soon, Lu Yuan drove away, heading straight home without stopping anywhere else. All his affairs in Shanghai were finished. Next was to secure the final two items. Of course, before that, he needed to make some preparations. The mutation drew ever closer. Just as Manager Lin had said, things were getting chaotic out there; he needed the strength to protect himself. After returning home, Lu Yuan first placed the Eleven-Tier Pagoda into the basement. Then he drew a basin of fresh water and placed the Ziwu Heaven-Mending Furnace on the table. The furnace looked ordinary and quite old. Inside, it was coated with a thick layer of dust and black residue. An ordinary person would surely try to scrub it clean. Yet when Lu Yuan saw that residue, an unstoppable smile surfaced in his eyes. "The Ziwu Heaven-Mending Furnace was used by Immortal Ge for alchemy. Every time pills were formed, some essence would remain inside the furnace. Even after a thousand years, this essence still retains its potency. "It only needs to be dissolved in a certain amount of fresh water, then poured into a bath. By soaking in it, one can temper the body and enhance their physical constitution." In his previous life, he had been able to gain a temporary foothold in the new era precisely because of this pill essence. And this was one of the few things Lu Yuan knew of that could affect the body even before the global mutation. With it, Lu Yuan was confident he could obtain a superhuman physique in a short time. And as long as he succeeded, the benefits he would reap when the mutation arrived would be even greater. Without wasting any more words, he followed the method he knew so well and dissolved the pill essence in fresh water. Next, he ran water in the bathtub. Once it was full enough, he poured the water from the furnace into it. The water gave off a delicate fragrance. Looking closely, one could see wisps of purple radiance rippling across the surface, appearing profoundly mystical and extraordinary. After all, Immortal Ge was a legendary immortal. "Now, it can begin." Lu Yuan took a deep breath. Without hesitation, he submerged his entire body into the water, even dipping his head beneath the surface. And tonight would be the day of his first transformation!