Chapter 41: The Transition

Until he finally fell asleep, Ou Xiaolu still hadn't withdrawn his hand. Coming from a humble family, he had always relied on his wits even when playing games, and as for spending money in them, he truly didn't know how to make the most of it. Perhaps he should just find a gaming forum, chat a bit, and ask how to get the best value out of in-game purchases.

The next morning, Ou Xiaolu uncharacteristically slept in until after nine, only waking when a phone call roused him. The caller was none other than a subordinate of the former archbishop, but this individual was far from ordinary himself. He introduced himself as the president of a nearby university—not as famous as Xinshiang University's Stone Creek campus, but certainly no obscure establishment. If he were to appear at Stone Creek, at least the vice president would have to come out to greet him.

Thus, it wasn't easy for him to enter Stone Creek campus, and knowing how much the former archbishop valued Ou Xiaolu, he asked Ou Xiaolu to meet him outside. Since he had explained the reasons clearly, Ou Xiaolu understood; after all, there was an unspoken rule of matching administrative ranks.

With that, Ou Xiaolu tidied himself, slung his longsword over his back, and headed off campus, paying little attention to the fact that several people were watching him as he left.

Outside the gates, he saw the car as described by the caller. Perhaps to avoid ostentation, the president's car was the most common model from Amiliki Lighthouse Country, though three identical cars had arrived. Aside from the president waiting outside, there were three driver-bodyguards and two men whose elite bearing was immediately apparent.

Upon seeing Ou Xiaolu, the president greeted him and introduced himself as Lawrence. Though not particularly well-known in Xinshiang's academic circles, the main reason was that, aside from his university, his other schools were all church-affiliated, which made the education community somewhat dismissive of him.

The two elites following behind didn't even introduce themselves—one was a lawyer and the other an accountant. They were present to witness the land transaction. As for how the farm would be transformed, what changes would be made, and what the budget would be, that would fall to the accountant.

Since the main issues had already been discussed with the former archbishop, there was no need to labor over the contract. Ou Xiaolu glanced over the document the lawyer presented; finding no problems, he signed.

Thus, the land stretching from the mountain road was now entirely his.

The lawyer’s role was done; he had to file the transaction, so he left. The accountant then began his work. Since it was just a ranch, nearly everything would have to be torn down and rebuilt. With the narrowest part of the mountain road allowing only one car to pass at a time, large trucks were out of the question, so all building materials and tools needed to be airlifted in, making the budget tight.

Most crucially, this was the accountant's first time meeting Ou Xiaolu, and he had never even been to the ranch—he'd only seen maps. He had no idea what Ou Xiaolu envisioned for the place.

He could only say honestly, "Transporting building materials and tools will likely be the biggest expense. Since I don't know what kind of villa you want to build, I suggest we first hire a professional design team, then estimate costs at twice the market rate. That way, after the main structure is done, we should still have some funds left for auxiliary facilities."

Ou Xiaolu considered this. "Alright. Do you know any design teams you can recommend?"

The accountant immediately looked to Lawrence, who, fully aware of the potential profit but not daring to overreach, replied solemnly, "The Sun God Design Company that designed our university's main building is quite good."

What an audacious name, Ou Xiaolu thought—the first thing that came to mind was whether this was a shell company.

Fortunately, Lawrence was a shrewd man and saw through his doubts at once. "Rest assured," he said confidently, "I know the owner personally, and their prices are fair. Most of our campus was designed by them."

Ou Xiaolu nodded. "Alright, let's go with them."

The accountant hurried to open a car door and invited Ou Xiaolu in.

"I have another meeting to attend," Lawrence said from the side. "Once it's over, I'll return to follow up on this. The accountant will accompany you for now."

The accountant, still unnamed, was moved almost to tears.

Ou Xiaolu nodded, knowing that for someone of Lawrence's status to come even once was already a great courtesy. Expecting him to accompany them all day would be a request for another time—perhaps when Ou Xiaolu had earned a status in Xinshiang akin to that of the former archbishop.

Seated in the car, Ou Xiaolu laid his sword across his knees, pulled out his phone, and dialed, "Follow me."

Soon after, his own car drove out from the campus and followed at a distance behind the one he was in.

During the ride, the accountant kept highlighting the strengths of the Sun God Design Company. Ou Xiaolu listened absentmindedly; to him, a thirty-million house was naturally better than a three-million one.

Suddenly, the driver glanced back and said, "There are two cars following us."

Ou Xiaolu replied indifferently, "One is mine—wait, did you say two?"

"Two," the driver confirmed.

"I’ll have my car flash its hazard lights—see who’s in the other vehicle," Ou Xiaolu instructed, dialing the number again.

The driver used the rearview mirror to spot the flashing lights, identified Ou Xiaolu’s car, and pointed out the other.

Ou Xiaolu rolled down the window, leaned out, and glanced back. The other car looked perfectly ordinary—a five-seater, full of people.

Even from a distance, he felt a strong sense of familiarity from those inside, as if he'd seen them before.

"Council of Sacred Blood?" The thought flashed through his mind. He turned to the driver. "Head for a busier road."

"Alright," the driver replied, assuming Ou Xiaolu wanted to lose the tail in traffic, and quickly switched routes.

Naturally, both his own car and the pursuer followed. Before long, a large red truck approached from the opposite direction—one that struck Ou Xiaolu as oddly familiar.

But there was no time to dwell on it. He twisted around, pointed at the wheel of the trailing car, and unleashed his skill: Frenzied Shark Bite.