The entire audience was in an uproar, utterly shocked.

"Is it dead?" someone asked incredulously.

Chen Fenglei shook his head, proudly saying, "It’s not dead, but it can’t escape my grasp anymore. The reason I let it appear this time is to give everyone an understanding of the ghosts and monsters from Europe and America."

He Yiming asked, "Brother Feng Lei, how did you capture it?"

Chen Fenglei proudly said, "I’ve researched this creature; it fears fire. It can’t stand being exposed to flames, so I used that to capture it. Naturally, some Mystical Arts were also involved."

On this point, Chen Fenglei was lying. He had found Arachne in a cryonic state, within a snowy mountain range.

Indeed, as soon as he said this, the listening crowd couldn’t help but feel immense admiration for Chen Fenglei.

After the Spider Monster was shown, Chen Fenglei became the center of attention. Many people who admired his subjugation of the Spider Monster sought to win him over. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

This was Chen Fenglei’s true purpose for holding the exchange meeting. He had just returned from Europe and America and needed to establish his presence and build his financial network.

People’s actions are inherently purpose-driven.

Yue Qinghong approached Chu Hao, saying, "Now, it’s time to settle our accounts."

Many eyes turned towards them. Are they finally going to continue the conflict from earlier?

Chu Hao replied indifferently, "You want to play it like this?"

Yue Qinghong said coldly, "You have the Golden Lion Seal, don’t you?"

Rumors were circulating that Chu Hao had taken Jiang Yuran’s Golden Lion Seal.

Yue Qinghong produced a long ruler and said, "This is the Endless Ruler, one of the twenty-two Ghost and Demon Soldiers, just like the Golden Lion Seal. I propose a contest: whoever loses must surrender their item to the victor."

As it turned out, Yue Qinghong had traveled a great distance to Anli City specifically for the Golden Lion Seal.

He knew he couldn’t take the True Word Brush for now. Too many people and Ghost Demons were watching, and he didn’t want to die so soon.

However, the Golden Lion Seal was in Chu Hao’s possession. This Ghost and Demon Soldier was also considered peerless in Huaxia.

He reasoned that if Chu Hao faced danger or a life-and-death situation in the future, the Golden Lion Seal would surely be snatched by others. Therefore, he wanted to act first and claim it for himself.

Yue Qinghong’s idea wasn’t bad.

Chu Hao glanced at the Endless Ruler. He hadn’t seen this thing before. "Let me take a look."

Yue Qinghong, not afraid of Chu Hao stealing it, handed it over.

"DING! Endless Ruler found. Damage: 70%. Exchangeable for 5,000 Pretentiousness Points."

This thing is too badly damaged. Otherwise, it would be worth more Pretentiousness Points.

Chu Hao asked, "This is how you want to compete?"

Yue Qinghong replied, "A magical duel."

In Yin-Yang circles, there are many types of duels: life-and-death battles, literary contests, and martial competitions.

Chu Hao waved his hand and said, "Fighting and killing isn’t very civilized. I have an idea."

"Speak," Yue Qinghong said impatiently. He wanted to take the Golden Lion Seal and leave immediately. According to his sources, the young experts from Mao Mountain already knew he was here.

Chu Hao pointed at the Spider Monster on display and said, "Doesn’t Longhu Mountain claim to be masters of demon extermination? Let’s have a contest then: whoever kills that creature first wins."

Yue Qinghong frowned. "How do we kill it? It’s already frozen solid, and Chen Fenglei won’t let anyone touch it."

Chu Hao crossed his arms and said indifferently, "Wait ten minutes."

Yue Qinghong was somewhat skeptical. What could happen in ten minutes? Is that Spider Monster going to wake up?

"Fine, ten minutes it is."

Yue Qinghong turned and left. He was determined to get the Golden Lion Seal; it would be immensely helpful for his bid to become the Sect Master of Longhu Mountain.

He Yiming approached. As a member of the He Family, he had naturally heard about the incident with He Tao and about Chu Hao snatching the ancient books treasured by the He Family. "Chu Hao," he said, "I’ve long admired your reputation."

Chu Hao nodded slightly.

He Yiming said, "I am from the He Family of Huaxia’s Nine Gates. The elders in my family say the ancient book is with you. I wonder, what would it take for you to return it to the He Family?"

The He Family had clashed with Chu Hao twice. First, He Tao, relying on his status as Steward Director, had tried to seize the True Word Brush. However, Chu Hao taught him a harsh lesson, leaving him essentially crippled. The second time, they inexplicably encountered Chu Hao, failed to threaten him, and ended up having their ancient book snatched away.

Chu Hao folded his arms. "You think I’ll give it to you?"

Compared to the incompetent He Tao, He Yiming was far more rational and capable. He said, "The ancient book is useless in your possession. I’m willing to exchange something else for it. Consider it a way for us to become friends."

The ancient book was indeed with Chu Hao. After he’d previously paid Pretentiousness Points to understand its contents, it was basically useless to him now. Anyway, the information is already in my head; the ancient book itself is useless to me. He then said, "What do you want to exchange for it?"

Hearing a glimmer of hope, He Yiming said, "I’m willing to buy it for one hundred million. What do you think?"

Li Yin and the woman beside him were shocked. What kind of item could make someone offer one hundred million right off the bat?

Chu Hao revealed a shrewd merchant’s smile. "From beginning to end, it has been your He Family troubling me. Do you think one hundred million can settle it?"

He Yiming took a deep breath. "Two villas in the Imperial Capital."

Li Yin almost agreed on Chu Hao’s behalf. Property prices in the Imperial Capital are so high! Two villas would cost a fortune! At least several tens of millions!

Chu Hao thought it wasn’t a bad deal. Just imagine, if I had a house in every major city across the country... that would be awesome! It’s like being a VIP member at over a hundred internet cafes in one city. Even if I ended up homeless one day, I could go to an internet cafe and wouldn’t starve, right?

If He Yiming knew what Chu Hao was thinking, he would probably cough up blood. What kind of plebeian thinking is that?!

Chu Hao said, "Five houses."

He Yiming frowned. "Five houses is too many. How about four?"

Although the He Family was wealthy, they weren’t suckers. Houses in the Imperial Capital were extraordinarily expensive; a high-end villa alone could cost tens of millions. Chu Hao’s demand was for around two hundred million—enough to make anyone’s heart pound.

Chu Hao was very assertive. "Five houses. Take it or leave it."

He Yiming gritted his teeth and took a deep breath. "Deal."

Chu Hao took out the ancient book and casually tossed it to He Yiming. "Once the property titles are sorted, remember to call me. You guys know my number."

He Yiming nodded. Tracking down Chu Hao’s phone number was a piece of cake.

Li Yin jumped up excitedly. "Brother Hao, it’s... in such a short time, you’ve made two hundred million! Oh my god!"

Because Mu Xue was present, Chu Hao didn’t want to reveal his inner ’common man’ glee. He waved his hand dismissively and said pretentiously, "It’s just five houses. Even if you gave me the entire Anli City, what use would it be? Who can truly understand my profound loneliness?"

"DING! Host has forcefully feigned loneliness pretentiously. Earned 500 show-off points."

Li Yin’s mouth twitched. If he didn’t know Chu Hao’s actual personality, he might have believed him.

Meanwhile, Mu Xue, standing nearby, grew increasingly curious about Chu Hao. For this man, is money really just a number? Many people toiled day and night just to expand their businesses; that was the lifelong pursuit of ordinary people. Yet, he seemed utterly indifferent to such things. Are the lifelong ideals and dreams of so many people nothing but dirt in his eyes?

Mu Xue was profoundly shocked. Just how strong is this man’s inner resolve?