Chapter 60: Expansion and Six Billion Mid Grade Spiritual Stones

The success exceeded all the expectations.

The line stretched around the block by mid morning, and even with extended hours, they simply couldn’t accommodate everyone who wanted to dine. By the month end, Heaven’s Table was turning away customers daily.

Yu Liang stood in the restaurant’s office with Lin Meihua and Master Chen, studying a map of the surrounding area.

"We need more space," Master Chen said. "I’ve added six cooks and we’re still overwhelmed. Our kitchen cannot deal with this amount of work."

Lin Meihua traced her finger along the street. "There are twelve other buildings on this block. Most are older establishments like tea houses, general stores, and quite few residences. If we could acquire even three or four of them..."

Yu Liang made his decision almost quickly. "Buy the entire street."

Both of them looked at him.

"The entire street?" Lin Meihua repeated carefully.

"Yes, all twelve buildings. We’ll convert them into an interconnected complex multiple dining halls, specialized kitchens, private rooms, entertainment venues. All arranged but on a scale to handle larger volume."

Master Chen’s eyes widened. "Young Master, that would cost..."

"How much?" Yu Liang asked Lin Meihua directly.

She pulled out her ledger, fingers moving rapidly as she calculated. "The properties vary in value. Some are owner occupied, others are rented. Taking into account negotiation costs, relocation compensation, legal fees..." She paused, double checking her numbers. "Approximately six billion mid grade spirit stones. Possibly more if anyone holds out for premium prices."

The number hung in the air.

Master Chen looked physically pained. That sum represented the entire cultivation budget of a low sized family for several years. It was the kind of wealth that Foundation Establishment elders spent lifetimes accumulating and still can’t do it.

"That’s acceptable," Yu Liang said calmly. "Begin negotiations immediately."

Lin Meihua stared at him for any sign of doubt which he had none. "Are you sure? It’s no small sum even to—"

"I’m certain." He simply didn’t consider the amount worth hesitating over.

She nodded thoughtfully and began taking notes. "I will have to convert quite a large amount of spiritual stones from low grade to mid grade for the exchanges. It will take the money changers several days to process such a large amount."

Yu Liang nodded.

They had discussed exchanging spiritual stones before, so Lin Meihua already knew he had access to a considerable amount of low grade spiritual stones. What surprised her was why he couldn’t simply use the mid grade stones.

Then again, Yu Liang had always had his peculiar habits.

And one of his particular request was especially unusual. He had made it clear that the number of mid-grade stones didn’t matter to him. Whether the money changers could provide thousands or only a single spiritual stone, he was willing to accept it.

It was strange.

But by now, Lin Meihua had learned not to question every strange thing about him.

"Use whatever resources you need. I want this completed within two weeks."

After Master Chen excused himself to return to the kitchen but Lin Meihua remained seated .

"Six billion mid grade stones," she said softly. "That’s six trillion low grade stones."

She paused, looking at him with a trace of concern. She already knew what his answer would be, but she still felt the need to say it.

"That’s not a small amount, Young Master Yu. Most cultivators will never even come close to seeing that much wealth in their entire lives."

Yu Liang smiled faintly. "Perspective is interesting that way."

Lin Meihua sighed inwardly. She had expected that reaction.

"Yu Liang." Her voice was serious now. "I need to ask directly. Exactly how wealthy are you?"

He met her gaze. "Wealthy enough that this expansion doesn’t concern me single bit."

Lin Meihua looked at the figure again, then let out a small laugh.

"Six billion mid grade stones for expanding restaurants. You really do spend money differently from normal people."

Yu Liang glanced at her. "You’re one to talk."

She blinked and pointed at herself. "Me?"

"Your family is practically the king of the business world, considering how casually you talk about owning businesses. I doubt numbers like these impress you anymore."

Lin Meihua’s lips twitched. "So now you’re blaming me for your spending habits?"

"I learned from the best."

She couldn’t help but laugh. "Flattery won’t work."

"I’m not flattering you. I’m stating facts."

"Right." She shook her head, still smiling. "And here I thought you were finally becoming sensible."

Yu Liang gave her a helpless look. "That was never part of the plan."

Over the next few days, Lin Meihua managed to conduct the negotiations effortlessly. The property owners agreed easily since the offers were sufficiently high for comfortable relocation elsewhere. The few who showed reluctance agreed when additional sums were added.

Yu Liang converted the necessary funds through multiple money changers to speed up process. Six trillion low grade spirit stones became six billion mid grade through a dozen transactions.

When the final property deed was signed familiar notification came into view.

[ Ding! Host has spent total of 6,000,000,000 Mid Grade Spiritual Stones ]

[ Multiplier Triggered: 160x ]

[ Host receives 960,000,000,000 Mid Grade Spiritual Stones ]

Nine hundred and sixty billion mid grade stones materialized in his system inventory. Nearly a quadrillion low grade spiritual stones.

Yu Liang closed the interface and allowed himself a small smile. The money spent was already returned one hundred and sixty times over. At this rate, his wealth would increase faster than he could reasonably priced unreasonably spend it.

Money had never felt quite the same to Yu Liang since he obtained the system. Spending it was no longer something he needed to fear. The more ambitious his plans, the wealthier he became.

If there was one thing Yu Liang couldn’t complain about, it was having this system.

Three days later, a large notice appeared outside Heaven’s Table:

**EXPANSION ANNOUNCEMENT**

HEAVEN’S TABLE — EXPANSION NOTICE

To Our Valued Customers:

Heaven’s Table is pleased to announce the expansion of its operations across the entire Azure Merchant Street.

Construction will begin immediately, with the expanded establishment scheduled to open within two months.

The expansion will include:

- Multiple dining halls

- A wider selection of specialized spiritual cuisines

- Enhanced entertainment facilities

- Private dining and event spaces

Our commitment remains unchanged: Quality spiritual cuisine at fair prices.

Our current establishment will continue operating as usual throughout the construction period.

The announcement caused immediate excitement among regular customers. The promise of maintaining quality while dramatically increasing capacity meant shorter wait times and more availability.

The notice spread quickly through Azure Merchant Street.

Some sect disciples were among the first to celebrate while others had already started discussing what they wanted to try once the new halls opened.

Independent cultivators were just as pleased. Heaven’s Table had always treated them fairly, and knowing there would soon be more places to eat and other new things will be added was enough to put smiles on many faces.

The other restaurants weren’t nearly as happy.

A couple of the store owners gave the notice a suspicious glance. More branches meant more people getting attracted to Heaven’s Table. Nonetheless, they did not seem very worried about it.

"Let them expand," some said.

They couldn’t believe those prices would last forever.

The larger merchant families barely reacted at all. To them, it was simply another business opening more locations on Azure Merchant Street.

Unless Heaven’s Table did something that caught the attention of the truly powerful cultivators, there was little reason for them to care.

For now, it was just a restaurant.

A successful one, perhaps. But still just a restaurant.

Which suited Yu Liang perfectly.

He stood on the street as construction crews began clearing the first building, watching workers move with efficiency. Lin Meihua stood beside him, reviewing architectural plans.

"This is really happening," she said with a note of wonder in her voice. "Two months ago, this was just an idea we discussed over casual tea."

"And two months from now, it will be fully operational."

She glanced at him and shook her head with a faint smile.

"You know, sometimes I really don’t understand you."

Yu Liang raised an eyebrow. "Is that a complaint?"

"Not yet." She looked back at her notes. "I’m still deciding."

He chuckled. "Well Young Lady, please take your sweet time."

She pouted."I intend to."

Yu Liang smiled slightly. "You know, perhaps I’m just good at managing expectations."

"Perhaps." She didn’t sound entirely convinced, but she let it go. "Well, mysterious benefactor or not, I’m glad you’re doing this. A lot of people are going to benefit from what we’re building."

"That’s the goal."