Lu Jun understood clearly. Although Manye Town had originally been the Lu family's territory, after the Lu family withdrew, it was no longer under protection.
High-tier mages were insufficient to allow the remaining industries to develop steadily. In magical society, even a slightly larger force would find it difficult to take a single step without Super-tier support.
Over the past two years, the industries of Manye Town had likely stagnated or even declined, shrinking quite a bit. That was why Qingyu had shown hesitation.
Fortunately, Lu Jun had slaughtered his way across the international stage, sweeping through Europe, Africa, and South America, establishing an awe-inspiring reputation. Only in the past year had things finally gotten back on track.
While driving the sedan, Qingyu said calmly, "There are currently a little over ten billion in liquid funds in the accounts. However, Manye Town mainly possesses pure elemental diamond mines. With destructive mining, a massive amount of capital could be accumulated in a short time."
Hearing this, Lu Jun fell into thought. As his cultivation level rose, assets worth tens of billions no longer meant much.
After all, an estimated valuation of tens of billions and tens of billions in actual cash flow were two completely different concepts. Don't be fooled by companies valued at trillions, many of them had dried-up accounts and even owed banks and shareholders two trillion instead.
Lu Jun did not blame Qingyu. Once he mastered the refinement methods of "Stardust Magic Tools" and established a force in Ancient Capital, the profits generated would far exceed those of Manye Town.
Before long, the group drove into the center of Magic City. Lu Jun suddenly felt a sense of timidity upon nearing home, thinking of Ding Yumian, of their tacit dual cultivation and exploration of the path of the soul.
After several years, what changes had she undergone?
At Jinyuan Apartments, the sedan stopped. Lu Jun and the others got out, with Sister Lu Mei, Qingyu, and Jun Yaojin, three great beauties of distinct styles, standing behind him.
Bystanding pedestrians whispered among themselves in astonishment. "When did such beautiful women show up at Goddess Mu's apartment? None of them are inferior to Senior Mu."
"Hehe, Goddess Mu is elegant and dignified, but I still prefer Goddess Ding's gentle and serene temperament."
"Shh, keep it down. Look at that guy—could it be the legendary Pearl Slaughter God who holds two goddesses and has returned?"
Lu Jun sensed the surrounding movements mentally. Quite a few Pearl Academy students were lingering around Jinyuan Apartments, it seemed Mu Nu Jiao and Ding Yumian were truly famous.
Soon, Mu Nu Jiao, who had been meditating upstairs with another person, sensed someone approaching. Her willow brows furrowed and her pretty face carried a hint of anger, thinking someone had come to harass them again.
When she came downstairs and saw Lu Mei and the others, she froze for a moment. Her gorgeous face bloomed like a peony as she stepped forward in delight. "Sister Lu Mei, you're back?"
As for Ai Tutu beside her, she bounced forward energetically, her full chest swaying eye-catchingly. She jumped in front of Lu Jun, lifted her curious pretty face, and said admiringly, "Lu Jun, what does it feel like to sweep across all nations and capture over a hundred prodigies?"
"Oh right, I heard you have an unclear relationship with the Medusa of the African Serpent Scorpion Tribe, is that true?"
Ai Tutu chattered endlessly, eager to know Lu Jun's experiences and how he had transformed into a dragon in just two years, becoming one of the strongest figures internationally.
Hearing this, Lu Jun smiled and replied, "Even before the National Government training, I dared to go alone to the Lu family and wipe out Lu Xin's entire branch. After two years of cultivation, if I still couldn't become a top Super-tier powerhouse, wouldn't that mean standing still?"
"Huh?" Ai Tutu hesitated, her beautiful eyes widening in shock. "You really eliminated the Lu Xin line? That was two Super-tier Supremes!"
Back then, more people in Magic City believed the Totem Black Serpent had acted. The massive serpent had coiled around the entire Lu family's Manye Town, making it impossible to discern what truly happened inside.
Lu Jun did not explain further. Even among Super-tier mages, combat strength could differ vastly, those two were merely ordinary single-element Super-tier mages.
He turned to Mu Nu Jiao at the side and asked, "What are your plans after graduation?"
Mu Nu Jiao had been reminiscing with Lu Mei. Hearing this, she hesitated before replying, "I'll probably keep living here and try to break through to Super-tier."
Lu Jun nodded. Mu Nu Jiao likely wanted to free herself from her family's control. Because of him kicking Nanrong Ni and Mu Tingying out of the National Government team, she had benefited, barely squeezing into the main rotation and gaining some reputation, reducing her family's influence over her.
Coupled with her ambiguous relationship with him, the Mu family would probably adopt a laissez-faire attitude.
In the original timeline, Mu Nu Jiao eventually went down the path of teaching and education.
Lu Jun thought that once Old Feng perfected Fusion Magic, it would definitely be promoted. With Mu Nu Jiao's interpersonal skills, she was indeed suitable to become the first principal of a magic academy.
With so many women reunited, conversation topics were inevitable. Lu Jun did not linger and planned to go to Pearl Academy to find Ding Yumian.
As he left, his sister glanced at him unintentionally, her disdainful gaze seeming to look down on something.
However, Lu Mei did not follow him. She had no familiar acquaintances at Pearl Academy and instead stayed at Jinyuan Apartments, tacitly permitting his actions.
Lu Jun felt nervous and excited, tinged with guilt, as he slipped away toward Pearl Academy.
From afar, a silver blazing sun appeared at his brow. At the center of the great sun stood a Heavenly Gate, beneath which a condensed Primordial Spirit Soul Grid floated ethereally, seemingly sensing the presence of a Psychic Calamity Bearer and beginning to boil with excitement.
Speaking of which, his Psychic Element had undergone multiple transformations and likewise possessed the potential to house a Calamity Talent. However, that position had long been occupied by Ding Yumian.
Lu Jun disdained the idea of gaining power by killing close companions. Moreover, bearing four Calamity Talents and holding the positions of the Lord of Life and the Nether King, he first needed to digest and contain what he already had, biting off more than he could chew would only backfire.
Buzz—buzz—buzz!
On the other side, at the academy's back mountain, a woman in white sat cross-legged in meditation. Her appearance was flawless, her figure plump and mature, her chest full and prominent, appearing to be around twenty-three or twenty-four years old.
Her expression was calm, sacred as snow. Her temperament was like an orchid hidden in an empty valley, possessing a tranquil beauty that perfectly merged with the surrounding graceful natural scenery, as if she herself were a part of the spiritual elegance of heaven and earth.
Suddenly, Ding Yumian awoke, stirred by an unknown impulse. The soul shadow at her brow soared upward, her thoughts continuously expanding.
In the next instant, Pearl Academy was silently enveloped by two vast waves of mental power. They intertwined with each other with incomparable smoothness, as though they had been one and the same from the very beginning.
Lu Jun's heart trembled. The two strands of spiritual will entwined endlessly, and in an instant, each fully comprehended the other's experiences and changes over the past two years. Their minds fit together seamlessly, without the slightest reservation.
Naturally, such a state of mental power caused both of them to blush, as a drifting, intoxicating pleasure flowed through them every moment.
At the academy's back mountain, Ding Yumian's tranquil aura was broken. Her pretty face turned crimson, exquisitely alluring, her chest rising and falling violently as she gasped for breath. She hurriedly transmitted her thoughts across space: "Come over to the academy's back mountain."
At the school gate, Lu Jun heard Ding Yumian's mental transmission. The lingering softness and faint panting in her voice made his expression turn strange.
Lu Jun rushed toward the back mountain without delay, eager to see Ding Yumian as soon as possible.
When he arrived, he sensed a hazy layer of a Psychic Illusion Realm shrouding the surroundings.
Clearly, Ding Yumian had been cultivating here and did not wish to be disturbed. Any students who stepped into the academy's back mountain would subconsciously stay away, unaware and unperceiving—perhaps not even ordinary Super-tier mages could exempt themselves.
She lived a life akin to seclusion.
"Ding Yumian has grown even stronger… double-element Super-tier already? Psychic Element at Super-tier Level Two, with her Spiritual Realm at the peak of the Eighth Level?"
Seeing this, Lu Jun felt delighted. Just like in the past, once their mental powers merged, they climbed steadily, crossing the Ninth Level, with half a foot stepping into the supreme realm above the Ninth Level—the domain of Psychic-type Emperors.
Perhaps the vast majority of Psychic forbidden spells could not compare to their combined state. That was why even Principal Xiao, a three-element Forbidden Curse mage, failed to detect this disturbance.
Moreover, he discovered that after his divine soul fused with Ding Yumian's, he could borrow the overwhelming might of her Psychic Calamity Talent—truly terrifying.
Lu Jun felt both anxious and unsettled as he passed through the forest, gazing at the back of the woman in white at the center. His expression instantly froze.
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