'Mm, I've been put on a wanted list...'
Lu Qingshan looked at the wanted notice Nesethes had pulled up, then shook his head. 'Actually, it seems I'm not wanted after all...'
The notice showed only the figure of an armored man, with nothing but a pair of eyes exposed. There wasn't even a name. What kind of wanted notice was this?
'But Shang Jie is in trouble now. His face was drawn clearly. I should have made him wear armor too!'
In Ling Yu's estate on Wind Thunder Island, Lu Qingshan lay beneath a tree, leisurely reading the news on the virtual network.
The two sisters, Ling Yu and Ling Xi, were hiding off to one side, whispering to each other. From time to time they glanced toward Lu Qingshan, as if afraid of being caught.
'Kunshaluo really has no options now. So what if he's an Undying Deity? Without an avatar, he can protect only one place at most. With my Ghost King avatar outside, Treasure Pavilion can forget about doing business.'
Lu Qingshan held grudges.
Back when he had no permission to trade directly with banks, he had chosen Treasure Pavilion and been mentally prepared. If Treasure Pavilion dared covet his treasures, he would retaliate hard.
He had originally planned to wait until he became Undying, or at least possessed strength comparable to an Undying, before taking action. Unexpectedly, the appearance of his Ghost King avatar had given him the ability to take revenge ahead of schedule.
'Nesethes, show me Treasure Pavilion's stocks.'
The virtual screen switched to the stock page. Treasure Pavilion's stock, which had remained firm for tens of thousands of years, was now plunging...
The falling green numbers were painful to watch...
It had fallen only seven percent so far. It seemed Treasure Pavilion was still working hard to prop up the price.
With the seven-percent drop, after Lu Qingshan had opened a leveraged position, his principal had been a full one hundred Hunyuan units, and that single move had earned him seven Hunyuan units.
And this was only the beginning.
Lu Qingshan had no intention of stopping after this success. His Ghost King avatar had already begun planning the next move with Shang Jie.
'Teacher, what are you watching that makes you so happy?'
Lu Qingshan looked up and saw the two sisters, Ling Yu and Ling Xi, standing before him.
Ling Xi was holding a plate of pastries.
'I'm watching Treasure Pavilion's stock. It dropped seven percent. Hahaha, if you have money, you can buy some, but make sure you choose a short position. Don't get it wrong!'
Lu Qingshan laughed heartily, clearly pleased.
Both Ling Yu and Ling Xi knew about the conflict between Teacher Lu and Treasure Pavilion. Now that Treasure Pavilion was in trouble, they were happy too...
'Really, Teacher? We can make money?'
Hearing that they could make money, Ling Xi's big eyes were already shining.
'Mm, there's a ninety-eight percent chance of making money. Treasure Pavilion offended a ruthless man and is now being fiercely retaliated against. They've only managed to steady the stock by working hard to support it. They won't be able to hold out much longer!'
When a wall is already falling, everyone pushes it over. Quite apart from the fact that Lu Qingshan still intended to keep acting, even if he stopped, the financial giants who were always searching for opportunities in the Virtual Universe, as well as independent investors like Luo Hua, Luo Feng's younger brother, would surely see this opportunity. Once they entered the market, Treasure Pavilion would never be able to withstand it!
'Then I'll go buy some right now. I've never bought stocks before,' Ling Xi said excitedly.
Ling Yu glared at her. 'Stocks are very risky. Don't buy recklessly. Just do as Teacher said and short Treasure Pavilion.'
'Mm, I don't really understand. Just let Xiao Xi handle the operation.'
Ling Xi went offline for a while, apparently to buy stocks. When she came back, she placed the plate of pastries she had been holding on the table beside Lu Qingshan.
'Teacher, try my cooking.'
'Mm.'
Lu Qingshan picked up a pastry and took a bite.
Honestly, it tasted quite good. Even though Lu Qingshan wasn't much of a fan of sweets, he still found the pastry delicious.
'Teacher...' Ling Xi seemed somewhat excited and somewhat nervous. She quietly glanced at her sister.
Only after receiving an encouraging look from her sister Ling Yu did she say, 'Teacher, I want to become your disciple...'
So that was what they had been discussing...
Ling Xi was also a third-class genius recognized by the System. Lu Qingshan would certainly not refuse, but he was in no hurry. Smiling, he asked, 'Have you practiced Thunderlight Flash?'
'Teacher, I've already cultivated Thunderlight Flash to the second layer.'
As she spoke, Ling Xi moved, and three Illusion Bodies emerged from her body.
At this level, she was already on par with Lu Qingshan's eldest disciple, Lei Ming, though still a little short of Paris. Paris had good talent in Thunderlight Flash and had already reached the realm of five Illusion Bodies.
Lu Qingshan did not need to guess that Ling Yu had been giving her younger sister extra private coaching.
Of course, that had nothing to do with him.
'Mm, not bad...'
'Teacher, are you agreeing?'
Several Illusion Bodies merged into one as Ling Xi asked eagerly.
'Didn't you already call me Teacher?'
'That... that's different. I want to be your true disciple,' Ling Xi said, a little anxious.
Ling Yu put a hand to her forehead, lamenting her sister's foolishness. 'Teacher has already agreed to you,' she said.
'Really? Teacher, is it true?'
'Yes, I agree. Consider it payment for eating your pastries.' This time, Lu Qingshan made his meaning clear.
'Yay!' Ling Xi jumped up happily, hugged her sister Ling Yu, and shouted, 'Sister, I succeeded!'
'Teacher is still here. Be more composed.'
Ling Yu pushed her away, then bowed sincerely to Lu Qingshan. 'Teacher, Ling Xi is my only family. She is pure and kind by nature, and does not understand the ways of the world. I will soon take part in the Genius Battle at the Virtual Universe Company headquarters. Ling Xi is the only one I cannot feel at ease about... From now on, with you looking after Ling Xi, I will have no more worries.'
'Ling Xi is very sensible. She doesn't need much looking after. These past days, she has been the one taking care of me, and the food she makes is delicious. Even if you wanted to take her away, I would be a little reluctant to let her go...'
Lu Qingshan looked at Ling Xi and gave her a word of praise.
'Hehe, Sister... don't worry. I will take good care of Teacher.'
Ling Yu shook her head and said nothing more.
Teacher was the most composed person she had ever seen in her life. Even when facing the threat of an Undying Deity, he could remain unmoved. With Ling Xi following Teacher, she felt at ease...
After that, she could devote herself wholeheartedly to the Genius Battle, becoming stronger step by step at the core of the Virtual Universe, and in the end...
Memories surfaced in her heart. Ling Xi had been too young then to remember them, but Ling Yu would forever keep them in her heart.
She had to become strong. She had to!
Just as Lu Qingshan had guessed, although the Treasure Pavilion incident remained on the trending list for less than a day, it had already spread everywhere, and it was impossible to eliminate its impact.
Short-sellers joined in one after another. Treasure Pavilion's stock finally collapsed under the pressure...
Eight percent... nine percent... Only three days later, when Lu Qingshan checked again, it had fallen by twenty-one percent.
Those who had originally held Treasure Pavilion stock, or who had bought the dip at low prices, already sensed the beginning of an avalanche. One after another, they sold frantically, gritting their teeth as they cut their losses...
If they left now, they would only lose some; if they continued to hold the stock, they might lose everything!
At that moment, the twenty Hunyuan units of principal Lu Qingshan had invested had already doubled!
Chapter 78