After several days of Yuan Force cultivation, practical limitations became painfully obvious.
Every movement of the nine-sequence method generated tremendous force—air pressure waves, vibrating floors, trembling furniture. The cramped family home couldn't contain a Martial Artist's cultivation requirements without constant property damage.
But space constraints were secondary to security concerns.
"Our current location is suicide."
Their modest dwelling occupied Linhai Base's outer perimeter—prime territory for beast incursions during emergencies. The first structures to fall when defenses failed, populated by families too poor to afford central districts.
Ye Yu possessed no cultivation abilities, no supernatural defenses, no combat training. If fierce beasts breached the walls while he was away hunting, she'd die helplessly.
"Time to relocate to the central villa district."
The exclusive residential zone offered maximum security short of direct base occupation. Only catastrophic defensive collapse would threaten inhabitants there—and such disasters would doom the entire settlement regardless.
But safety demanded substantial financial investment. Villa prices started at ten million yuan minimum, far beyond most families' lifetime earnings.
His liquid assets totaled slightly over two million. Martial Artist status qualified him for banking loans, but eight million in debt represented enormous risk.
"Acceptable risk for unacceptable alternative."
Ye Yu's safety was non-negotiable.
Lunch Discussion
"Xiaoyu, we're moving to the central villa district. I've identified an excellent property in Central Garden community."
His sister's eyes widened to impossible dimensions before she approached to press her palm against his forehead.
"Brother, you don't have a fever, do you? Central Garden villas cost at least ten million! That's completely beyond our means!"
Her practical concern was endearing but outdated.
"Where did you learn such mature thinking?" He flicked her forehead gently, then produced two gold cards with theatrical flourish. "Your brother has achieved financial success!"
"Two million yuan, plus my new Martial Artist status qualifies me for substantial bank credit."
Pride swelled his chest as he delivered the revelation with maximum dramatic impact.
"Brother, you're a Martial Artist now?!"
Pure shock overwhelmed her expression—hands covering her mouth, disbelief radiating from every facial feature.
"You've only been cultivating six months! How is advancement possible so quickly?!"
"Recent breakthrough confirmed. But you cannot tell anyone—genius attracts dangerous jealousy, and our family could become targets for envious enemies."
"I promise complete secrecy, Brother!"
Her nodding resembled an enthusiastic woodpecker, joy and pride shining through her excitement at having such an exceptional sibling.
Property Acquisition
The following days consumed bureaucratic procedures with tedious efficiency. This era's simplified legal framework eliminated complex documentation—simple contracts sufficed for major transactions.
The purchased villa exceeded his expectations in some ways, disappointed in others.
Central Garden's properties were pre-furnished but reflected ancient aesthetics rather than modern luxury. Courtyard-style architecture with traditional materials created comfortable living spaces without technological sophistication.
Linhai Base's resource limitations prevented advanced construction techniques available in major settlements. Economic constraints demanded practical functionality over aesthetic grandeur.
Still, the villa's statistics were impressive: fifty-square-meter courtyard, five bedrooms, two living areas, dual bathrooms, four hundred square meters total space.
Such generous proportions reflected Linhai Base's abundant territory and modest population density. Hundreds of thousands of residents occupied space designed for millions.
Relocation and Reality
Moving required half a day's effort—their possessions were pathetically few compared to the villa's expansive capacity.
But ownership was conditional rather than absolute. Loan default or his death would trigger immediate repossession. The eight million yuan debt represented genuine financial bondage until completely satisfied.
Most warriors required decades to accumulate such sums through conventional methods. But Ye Tian possessed advantages that conventional warriors couldn't imagine.
Systematic Beast Hunting
The following two weeks established a brutal but profitable routine.
Daily wilderness expeditions. Single fierce beast kills. Immediate base return with proof materials.
One creature per day, average value two hundred thousand yuan. Fifteen days generated three million in accumulated wealth.
Such aggressive hunting violated every survival principle other warriors followed. The statistical certainty of eventually encountering overwhelming opposition made extended wilderness presence suicidal for most.
But his combination of supernatural speed, shadow talent concealment, and advanced cultivation enhancement created unique advantages. Late-stage Martial Artist velocity at early-stage classification, plus invisibility options that enabled escape from impossible encounters.
Risk remained significant, but acceptable given the exponential financial returns.
Consolidation Period
After half a month of relentless hunting, strategic rest became mandatory. Continuous high-risk operations would eventually result in fatal miscalculation.
Time to convert accumulated beast blood into permanent strength enhancement.
Intensive cultivation with premium resources and advanced genetic advantages produced extraordinary results.
Two thousand pounds of raw strength achieved—double his previous capabilities. Skin refinement reached levels that deflected fine iron weapons through pure physical durability.
In his previous world's terms: bulletproof flesh through supernatural body tempering.
Unfortunately, bullets no longer existed for practical testing.
Lake of Death Expedition Planning
Wu Pavilion's underground market provided specialized intelligence for his next objective.
"I require a detailed map of the Lake of Death region."
The Lake of Death occupied territory ten kilometers from Linhai Base—a freshwater body surrounded by diverse fierce beast populations. But the lake itself contained the deadliest inhabitants.
Aquatic creatures of extraordinary lethality made even Elite Martial Artists flee rather than engage directly. Hence the ominous designation.
But Ye Tian's target wasn't random violence—he sought specific genetic enhancement through a unique species.
Lighthouse Jellyfish.
Pre-Yuan Qi era, these creatures were microscopic marine organisms. Energy transformation had revolutionized their biology completely—palm-sized specimens with incredible regenerative capabilities and lethal offensive potential.
No longer oceanic, no longer environmentally constrained, their survival adaptability transcended normal biological categories.
Enhanced lighthouse jellyfish could penetrate Martial Artist defenses with specialized tentacles while demonstrating recovery abilities that defied death itself. Even Elite warriors retreated from jellyfish swarms rather than risk annihilation.
"Healing and regeneration talents."
Such genetic capabilities would multiply his survival potential exponentially—wounds closing rapidly, stamina recovering instantly, perhaps even limb regeneration under extreme circumstances.
The Lake of Death expedition represented substantial risk.
But the potential rewards justified accepting that danger.
Strategic preparation would determine success or catastrophic failure.
[End of Chapter 21]