The approaching gaze also fixed on the golden light.
Two golden lights shot onto the spiritual root, instantly converging into a huge halo that encircled it.
Beneath the halo, the spiritual root began to shrink, bit by bit.
The approaching one sensed something was wrong and immediately intervened.
This spiritual root was something he had painstakingly obtained. If it were lost now, all his efforts would be in vain.
Seeing him move to seize the spiritual root, Liu Sandao immediately intervened to stop him.
This time, the approaching one did not unleash his crows and bats. Instead, he engaged empty-handed.
Liu Sandao didn't think much of it and countered each move.
However, the approaching one's strength had significantly increased compared to their previous two encounters.
His palm strikes were fierce, and every move was exceptionally powerful. After Liu Sandao dodged, the table behind him was reduced to dust by the impact.
The golden light in the air did not disappear immediately but lingered for a long time.
Unable to intervene in the fight between the approaching one and Liu Sandao, Fu Ruhai simply stayed by the unconscious Mei Ziqi.
Although the approaching one could not physically stop the golden light, he clearly felt the change in his own strength during his fight with Liu Sandao.
It seemed that these Fortune Fruits were equivalent to immortal elixirs for him. If he could obtain enough Fortune Fruits, not only would Liu Sandao be no match for him, but even many great deities in Heaven would not be his opponents.
As they stalemated, the golden light grew smaller and smaller until it finally vanished, and two Fortune Manuals clattered to the ground.
The approaching one's intentions suddenly shifted, and he went to snatch the Fortune Manuals.
"Hahaha, approaching one, don't even think about it. Even if I wanted to give them to you, you wouldn't be able to take them," Fu Ruhai laughed heartily.
He spoke with such certainty because he was very confident.
These Fortune Manuals were bound to their masters. Those who were not their owners could not obtain them.
Therefore, when the approaching one reached for one of the manuals, it instantly vanished into nothingness.
Looking at the ground again, two Fortune Manuals lay neatly arranged.
"Scram! All of you, get out!"
The approaching one shouted in anger.
Liu Sandao said nothing, scooped up Mei Ziqi, and left the top-floor company.
Setting aside the Fortune Fruits, they were now part of Ying Bafang and had to abide by company regulations.
When Mei Ziqi woke up, he found himself back in his rented accommodation. He couldn't recall how he got there, and looking around, nothing was with him.
He had gone for the money, yet he woke up with nothing.
How could he face Zhao Xiaoying now?
Before he could think further, his phone rang.
"Ring ring! Ring ring!"
Mei Ziqi glanced at his phone; it displayed "Fang Huiran."
He hesitated, his hand that had reached for the phone retracting.
But the phone kept ringing and ringing.
After about forty to fifty seconds, it finally stopped. Mei Ziqi felt a little relieved, no longer needing to immediately think of an excuse to reply to Fang Huiran.
However, merely a minute later, the phone rang again.
Mei Ziqi didn't want to answer and felt a bit lost.
But Fang Huiran's calls kept coming one after another. He had no choice but to answer:
"Hello!"
"Mei Ziqi, how is it? Did you gather the funds?"
Anticipating that Fang Huiran's first question would be this, Mei Ziqi replied calmly:
"No, I wasn't feeling well today and couldn't go."
"Not feeling well? What's wrong? We'll come and see you!" Fang Huiran said.
"No, no, no! I'm fine, just feeling a bit weak. A good sleep will fix it."
Mei Ziqi politely refused. Although the excuse was a bit far-fetched, it was plausible.
After a few pleasantries, Fang Huiran finally hung up the phone.
...
Learning from Fang Huiran that Mei Ziqi had not managed to raise the money, Zhao Xiaoying had to think of another plan.
But where could she borrow it now?
As she walked aimlessly on the street, she unexpectedly ran into Hu Tianhan.
Hu Tianhan, seeing it was Zhao Xiaoying, took the initiative to greet her. He was well aware of Zhao Xiaoying's predicament.
Due to his outstanding business acumen, he had become a junior supervisor in the first department of Shenfeng Credit just a few months after graduation.
For clients who urgently needed money, he couldn't ask for more.
Shenfeng Credit earned a commission when extending loans, and another commission when recovering debts.
Earning twice from a single transaction.
Hu Tianhan was careful with his words and didn't bring up money right away.
Zhao Xiaoying had never had a good impression of Hu Tianhan, but as former classmates meeting for the first time after graduation, she chatted with him casually.
"Where are you working now?"
Hu Tianhan asked inadvertently.
"I... I don't have a suitable job at the moment," Zhao Xiaoying said softly.
Hu Tianhan inherently looked down on those wealthy young ladies who relied on their family's money or status.
Although his own family's financial situation was decent, he had achieved career success through his own efforts.
This had even led his usually strict mother to relax her control over him.
She had said, "I was strict before hoping you would have a promising future. But now, seeing how excellent you are, Mother is at ease."
Hu Tianhan's face was full of smiles as he spoke of these changes.
This made Zhao Xiaoying feel the boy's success and youthful vigor, a presence she hadn't encountered in a very long time.
Hu Tianhan didn't dwell on this matter and instead changed the subject.
Perhaps it was because she hadn't confided in anyone for a long time, or perhaps Hu Tianhan was very tactful, Zhao Xiaoying gradually began to talk more.
In her eyes, Hu Tianhan, who was now so successful, could still tolerate her lack of achievement and patiently listen to her ramblings. He was a definite good man.
And just as she was getting into it, Hu Tianhan appropriately mentioned he had something to attend to and would talk later.
This left Zhao Xiaoying with a slight sense of disappointment, but she was already content, especially given her current dismal mood.
As Hu Tianhan was leaving, he gave her a business card, saying he had a new phone number and she could contact him if needed.
Zhao Xiaoying looked at the new business card, which read: "As long as you wish, you will have as much money as you want!"
...
After his encounter with the approaching one, Liu Sandao pondered how to sever the avenue through which the Ancestor's Spiritual Root could be exploited.
If this path could be cut off, then in Sandong City, no immortal, except for himself and Fu Ruhai, would be able to steal Fortune Fruits from mortals.
When discussing this matter with Fu Ruhai, Fu Ruhai suggested reporting it to Zhao Qiansun.
Liu Sandao agreed, but only on the condition that they first figure out how the Ancestor's Spiritual Root had fallen into the approaching one's hands.
To understand the ins and outs of this matter, Fu Ruhai decided to make another trip to Heaven.
This time, he would directly seek out Ancestor Fuling to demand an explanation.