"I came from the mountains with orchids…"
In a luxurious Upper East Side villa, Lu Cheng sat comfortably, humming a cheerful tune.
His gaze was fixed on the stock market ticker, where Stark Industries' shares were in freefall.
The news was everywhere—
Tony Stark had just announced the shutdown of Stark Industries' weapons division, and rumors of internal strife with CEO Obadiah Stane were spreading like wildfire.
Investors were panicking, their wallets bleeding, and their faith in Stark Industries shattered.
People were cursing Tony Stark's name, calling him a reckless fool who was throwing away billions of dollars.
But for Lu Cheng?
This was a golden harvest.
---
[Exclamation Value: 123,769.78]
---
Lu Cheng grinned like a farmer celebrating a bumper crop.
"This… is how it's done."
With thousands of Stark shareholders all experiencing shock and outrage, even if each person only contributed 0.01 points, the sheer mass of people had generated an astronomical amount.
This… was profit farming at its finest.
"Alright, let's roll the dice."
Feeling flush with Exclamation Points, Lu Cheng decided to spend big.
"System, open a bronze treasure chest first."
A bronze-colored chest appeared in his system interface.
"Open."
With a flash of white light, the chest unlocked.
---
[Item: Vajra Talisman ×5]
Effect: Covers the body in golden light, granting temporary invulnerability (pseudo).
Description: A low-level talisman crafted by an apprentice immortal cultivator. Enhances physical defense for a short duration.
---
[D-Rank Seven-Star Card – Lu Xiaofeng]
Skills: Nine Heavens Phoenix Dance, One-Finger Consonance.
Description: The protagonist of the Lu Xiaofeng series, a legendary rogue swordsman known for his "four eyebrows". A man of wit, charm, and martial prowess, but also nosy, greedy, and shamelessly thick-skinned.
Note: "Don't call me Lu Xiaoji."
---
Lu Cheng's eyebrows lifted.
"Not bad…"
Still feeling lucky, he pushed his luck further.
"System, open a silver treasure chest!"
Another flash of light.
---
[Item: Sadako's Videotape]
Effect: Anyone who watches the tape will be taken away by Sadako in seven days.
Description: A cursed artifact from The Ring (Midnight Bell). Sadako was thrown into a well and left to die, her hatred transforming her into a vengeful spirit. Those who see the tape will be marked for death.
Note: "Riiing… The phone is ringing. Do you dare to answer?"
---
[B-Rank Card Fragment ×1]
Effect: Can be combined with four other fragments to synthesize a B-Rank card.
---
[C-Rank Six-Star Card – Oya Castle Flame]
Skills: Ninjutsu, Blood Dragon Eye.
Description: A character from Naruto Shippuden, born into the Blood Pond Clan, a sworn enemy of the Uchiha Clan. His Blood Dragon Eye grants powerful illusions and blood-based ninjutsu.
Note: "For my wife, I would kill an entire clan."
---
Lu Cheng grinned in satisfaction.
"Good pulls."
He merged the Lu Xiaofeng and Oya Castle Flame cards into his body, feeling a surge of power spread through him.
A thought flashed through his mind.
"Let's test something…"
He formed a hand seal.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu."
Puff!
Two identical Lu Chengs appeared beside him.
He then extracted the Lu Xiaofeng and Bai Yifei cards from himself—and embedded them into his clones.
The clones shifted instantly.
One transformed into a handsome swordsman in white robes, four eyebrows neatly trimmed, a lazy smirk on his lips.
The other turned into a pale, blood-robed figure, his silver-white hair flowing eerily, his red lips both alluring and sinister.
Lu Cheng smiled.
"This… is getting interesting."
He clasped his hands together in greeting.
"Lu Cheng."
The man in white returned the gesture with a grin.
"Lu Xiaofeng."
The blood-robed figure remained silent for a moment before nodding.
"Bai Yifei."
---
Meanwhile, in a Certain Public Restroom…
"Mmmph! MMPH!"
Inside a remote restroom stall, Tony Stark was tied to a toilet, writhing in frustration.
His muffled curses and grunts echoed in the cramped space.
Suddenly—
Tap. Tap. Tap.
The sound of footsteps approached.
A burly man in a tight vest entered, glancing around.
He frowned, hearing faint noises.
"Is someone in here…?"
Hansen, a self-proclaimed "Stark superfan", walked up to the locked stall and knocked.
Knock knock.
No response.
BANG!
He slammed his shoulder against the door, forcing it open.
The sight of Tony Stark, bound and gagged, made his eyes widen in disbelief.
"No way…"
"Mr. Stark! I—I'm your biggest fan!"
He rushed forward, quickly removing the gag from Tony's mouth.
"Haaa—"
Tony sucked in a deep breath, then shot the guy a deadpan look.
"Yeah, yeah. Thanks, pal. Now, do me a favor—untie me."
Hansen grinned.
"Of course! But… you know… I really admire you."
His smile turned weird.
Tony Stark's eyelids twitched.
"...What?"
"I mean, I've always looked up to you."
Hansen's grin widened as he leaned in uncomfortably close.
"You're… a real inspiration."
Tony's face turned pale.
"...No way."
His stomach dropped as Hansen reached for his belt.
"NO WAY—!"
Desperation kicked in, and with a well-aimed headbutt, Tony smashed his forehead against Hansen's nose.
CRACK!
"AAARGH!"
As Hansen staggered back, Tony delivered a vicious elbow strike, knocking the pervert unconscious.
Panting, Tony slumped against the wall.
"Jesus Christ…"
He shuddered.
"I was almost—"
His expression darkened.
"JOKER, YOU'RE DEAD."