The Three Conditions

"What? Losing confidence already?" Hua Buyi asked.

Huo Xuan forced a bitter smile. ​"Master, even the world's richest only have assets in the hundreds of billions. A trillion is... a tall order."

"True." Hua Buyi nodded. ​"It is difficult. But the trials you'll face later will be ten times harder. If you can't clear this hurdle, there's no point considering the rest."

Gritting his teeth, Huo Xuan asked, ​*Master, what's the third condition?"

"The third is tied to your medical skills and influence. Once you become the world's strongest and a trillion-dollar tycoon, you must establish your own circle. So the final task is this—forge a powerful interest group. Whether in politics, military, business, or the underworld, you must wield decisive influence."

Huo Xuan paled slightly. ​**"Master, are you asking me to become the world's supreme ruler?"**

Hua Buyi threw back his head and laughed. ​"Supreme ruler? A bold title! But you hold the Buddha's Eye Relic—you perceive past and future, discern fortune and calamity. If anyone can claim that title, it's you!"

Fire surged through Huo Xuan's veins. ​"Master, a man only gets one life to gamble everything. I won't disappoint you!"

"Good!" Hua Buyi patted his shoulder warmly. ​"Truthfully, before learning of your relic, my expectations weren't this high. But with great power comes great responsibility. This burden must fall to you."

Mention of responsibility reminded Huo Xuan of Prison No. 4. ​"Master, should I take over the Dragon Head's network first? It'd accelerate my wealth accumulation."

Hua Buyi waved dismissively. ​"No rush. That's a mess best tackled once you've established your own dominance. But do secure the computer he left—it holds formidable power."

When Huo Xuan pressed for details, Hua Buyi deflected. ​"I'll return in three months. Use this time to settle your affairs. Your apprenticeship ceremony will then be held—expect allies and enemies alike. Don't embarrass me."

Huo Xuan straightened. ​"You have my word!"

With that, Hua Buyi boarded his flight to the capital, revealing only that he'd treat several high-ranking officials—their identities left unspoken.

After seeing Hua Buyi off, Huo Xuan returned to his Jiangzhou residence, his mind heavy with thoughts. Coincidentally, Lin Yue was staying at the villa. Her face lit up when she saw him. "Little brother, you've lost weight."

At the sight of this gentle and lovely woman, warmth flooded Huo Xuan's heart. He pulled her into a tight embrace, planted a firm kiss on her lips, and said, "Sweetheart, did you miss your husband?" As he spoke, his hand gave her plump backside a playful squeeze.

Lin Yue let out a delicate huff. "You're terrible! Aunt Liu and the others might see."

"Who cares? A husband doting on his wife is only natural," he laughed, stealing another kiss from her tempting lips.

Arm in arm, they entered the living room. Just as Huo Xuan was about to continue their affectionate reunion, Lin Yue pushed him toward the bathroom, insisting he wash up first. Freshly showered and ready to resume their intimacy, he suddenly remembered something and hurried outside to retrieve a cardboard box.

Lin Yue eyed the box curiously, a playful smile on her lips. "Little brother, is this a surprise for me?"

With a mischievous grin, Huo Xuan lifted the lid—prompting a small lion to leap out with a thud. Lin Yue shrieked in alarm, startling the cub, which bared its teeth and growled low in response.

Meanwhile, the little black dog that had been lounging in the living room trembled violently before darting under the sofa, barking hysterically and refusing to come out.

Huo Xuan sighed inwardly. So much for a grand entrance. "Don't be scared, Yue-jie," he reassured her. "This little guy came back with me from Africa. He's tame—won't bite."

Gradually calming down, Lin Yue studied the cub and found it rather adorable. Tentatively, she reached out to pet it. The lion, obedient to Huo Xuan's command, stayed still under his grip, allowing her touch.

After a few strokes, Lin Yue giggled. "Only you would bring home a lion! How are we supposed to raise it?"

Huo Xuan chuckled. "Easy—just treat it like a dog."

The housemaid, equally terrified, hid in her room for a good while before emerging. Eventually, everyone realized the cub was indeed well-behaved, trailing after Huo Xuan like a shadow without showing aggression toward anyone.

Even the little black dog eventually mustered the courage to peek out from under the sofa, observing the lion from a safe distance.

With the cub settled, Huo Xuan whisked Lin Yue to the bedroom and pulled six dazzling gemstones from his pocket—each unique: a red diamond, a pink diamond, an emerald, a pigeon-blood ruby, and two sapphires.

Lin Yue's jaw dropped at the sight of the uncut, radiant stones. "Good heavens! Where did you get these?"

"Didn't buy them—found them," Huo Xuan said with a grin. "And these are just a sample. There's more where they came from."

Picking up the red diamond, Lin Yue examined it closely before gasping. "This is a top-grade red diamond—at least fifty carats! It's practically priceless!"

Huo Xuan blinked. "That valuable?"

Lin Yue, her excitement palpable, shook her head. "Not just valuable—it's beyond valuation. Three years ago, a three-carat blood diamond sold for $40 million at a French jewelry exhibition!"

His eyes widened. "So this one's worth over a billion?"

Lin Yue shrugged. "Forget about selling it—gems like this belong in a museum."

Next, she lifted the pink diamond. "This one's no slouch either—around thirty carats, a centerpiece for any collection. It rivals that giant bicolor jadeite we saw last year."

One by one, she marveled at each stone before fixing him with an incredulous look. "You said these are just a sample? Exactly how many gems do you have?"

Huo Xuan pondered. "Roughly three to five hundred pounds."

Lin Yue's eyes nearly rolled back. "You—since when are gems measured by weight?!" Then the number registered. Her voice trembled. "Did you say... hundreds of pounds?"