"Alright, now we can have a proper chat," Lu Xiaobu said with a smile.

"Please!" Linren said, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.

Both sides moved to the reception room.

Even though Linren was still seated in the City Lord’s position, this was no longer his domain.

"What exactly do you want?!" Linren asked cautiously.

"Nothing much, just cooperation," Lu Xiaobu replied with a smile.

"Cooperation?! Cooperate on what?!" Linren did not relax at all.

"I will help you with development, and I want fifty percent of the income that exceeds the original revenue of this city," Lu Xiaobu stated directly.

"What?!" Linren stood up, his emotions somewhat agitated.

It’s not that he didn’t hear the terms clearly, nor was it because he couldn’t bear to part with that fifty percent.

After all, as mentioned before, only the excess would be shared with this person.

But the key issue was that this was nearly tantamount to seizing power!

Right now it sounds like it’s just about finances, but to develop, policies must be enacted.

Isn’t this equivalent to being stripped of power?

Especially if he actually succeeds, that’s the most terrifying part.

If he leads everyone to prosperity, will anyone still recognize him as the City Lord?

"Take your time to consider," Lu Xiaobu said without further elaboration.

He understood Linren’s thoughts very well.

After all, anyone would feel uncomfortable seeing someone else eyeing their own plate of meat.

However, he had previously mentioned that the people in Linren City were quite smart; he believed Linren would make the right choice.

Linren sat down again.

After the initial emotional upheaval, he began to consider things seriously!

The scene fell into silence, with only the occasional sound of tea drinking echoing.

Jiang Lei, sitting not far away, gave Wu Wei a meaningful look.

Having contended their whole lives, they understood such glances instantly.

Jiang Lei glanced at Wu Wei, then at the City Lord, and finally back at Wu Wei—do you think the City Lord will agree?

Wu Wei nodded slightly—barring unforeseen circumstances, yes.

Jiang Lei also nodded, sharing this assumption.

Their City Lord appeared plump and cheerful, yet he held ambition within.

Now there was a way, allowing him and Linren City to walk a stronger path. He had no reason not to seize it.

Indeed.

"Alright, I agree, but I have conditions! Regarding the City Guard Army, you are not allowed to interfere!" Linren laid out his terms.

By keeping control of the City Guard Army, no matter how much this person meddles, it wouldn’t mean much.

"No problem," Lu Xiaobu smiled, "Happy cooperation."

"Happy cooperation," Linren nodded, "By the way, I haven’t asked how to address you."

"My name is Lu Xiaobu," Lu Xiaobu introduced himself.

Everyone present silently memorized this name.

"I’m curious how Mr. Lu plans to proceed," Linren became concerned.

"No rush, is there a library or something? I want to look at Linren City’s situation," Lu Xiaobu said.

"Yes, I’ll take you there." Linren nodded.

After they left, Jiang Lei and Wu Wei exhaled deeply.

"What do you think this God Lu will do? Linren City neither has mineral resources nor powerful cultivators. How can it possibly develop?" Wu Wei asked Jiang Lei.

By this time, they had lost the heart to continue their feud.

If this person truly succeeds, being the first to connect with this God, they would surely benefit.

In comparison, their struggle was merely insignificant.

"I’m not quite sure either," Jiang Lei admitted with a wry smile and a shake of his head, "Maybe it’s just our insight that’s too limited."

Their families had lived here for countless generations, knowing every inch of the place.

They were convinced that Linren City’s only path to development was the emergence of a powerful cultivator. With such a figure, the city could transform.

Yet it’s as if the heavens disliked them; the strongest cultivator until now is Linren, the City Lord!

A Foundation Establishment Late-Stage cultivator.

Therefore, upon learning how extraordinary Lu Xiaobu was, they rushed to ingratiate themselves with him!

As a result, matters bizarrely unfolded to the present state.

Just then, Linren returned, walking and shaking his head with a wry smile, "I don’t know what his plan is. Let’s hope for a miracle!"

As Linren City’s ambitious City Lord, he’s the one who most desires his city’s development.

Yet it’s futile!

This is akin to the Heavenly Dynasty’s small cities; everyone wants to leave. There’s no money, no people; how can anything develop?

"I hope it doesn’t amount to nothing," Linren sighed and said no more.

Wu Wei and Jiang Lei both sighed inwardly.

They too felt there’s little hope.

...

Lu Xiaobu read through Linren’s library.

Though the text was mostly ancient script, reading enough made it possible to comprehend.

After all, Chinese characters are pictographs, even with simplifications and transformations, most of their conversions have logical bases.

Lu Xiaobu first read about the world’s basic history.

With some understanding, he then delved into Linren City’s situation.

The findings were quite bleak.

There’s nothing of value.

If not for the place’s remote location and lack of mineral resources, Linren, as a Foundation Establishment Late Stage City Lord, would have been overturned long ago.

Nonetheless, even in such circumstances, Lu Xiaobu discovered business opportunities.

Not just one opportunity, but three!

Having finished reading, Lu Xiaobu returned to the hall.

"Did Mr. Lu read everything?"

Linren, silent all afternoon, suddenly stood up, eyes full of hope as he looked at Lu Xiaobu.

"Yes, I’ve read it all," Lu Xiaobu nodded.

"Then..."

Linren opened his mouth, eager to ask.

Despite having little hope, reaching this moment made him extremely excited.

What if!

However, at this moment, Tu Hejiu gestured at him.

"Oh, oh, I’m being impatient, I’m being impatient, let’s have a meal first!" Linren hurriedly reined in his impulse.

Directly asking like that would indeed be somewhat rude.

Food and wine arrived.

Everyone sat down.

Linren, Wu Wei, and Jiang Lei felt like cats on hot bricks, unable to settle.

They couldn’t savor anything.

Just wanting to ask if Lu Xiaobu found a solution!

Finally.

After several rounds of dishes.

"Mr. Lu, do you have a plan?!"

Linren finally asked the question.

"Yes, there is," Lu Xiaobu nodded.

"Boom!"

All three stood up, disbelief on their faces as they stared at Lu Xiaobu, "There really is?!"