LRAB Chapter 139 Settling in the City of Angels
Chapter 139 Settling in the City of Angels
Chapter 139: Settling in the City of Angels
Leaving the devastated Yellowstone disaster area, Lin Yan, carrying Xiao Qi, once again applied the invisibility talisman and took to the air on his sword. He maintained a speed of one thousand kilometers per hour and flew southwest towards California.
Beneath his feet stretched the vast Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Mojave Desert, a boundless expanse of land and magnificent landscapes. During the flight, Lin Yan's mind gradually calmed. He recalled the devastating power of the earthquake, and compared it to the freedom of soaring through the heavens, gaining a deeper understanding of the ways of the universe.
"Heaven and earth are ruthless, treating all things like straw dogs." He murmured these words, his fingertips gently stroking Xiaoqi's soft fur. Xiaoqi seemed to sense the change in his mood and obediently rubbed against his palm.
As dusk fell, the endless expanse of dazzling lights in the Los Angeles Basin appeared on the horizon. Compared to the pure, pristine nature of Yellowstone, this was the other extreme, constructed by human desire and creativity—the "City of Angels." Lin Yan landed in a secluded spot on the city's edge, dispelled his cloaking, and, like an ordinary tourist, led Xiao Qi into this bustling metropolis in its golden age.
He chose to stay at the prestigious Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. This landmark building, opened in 1923, is renowned for its Spanish Gothic Revival architecture and luxurious interiors. Marble columns, stained-glass domes, and exquisite wrought-iron decorations exude the opulent grandeur of the Golden Age. After checking in, Lin Yan, weary from his journey, returned to the bathroom in his small courtyard. He heated the spiritual spring water with his true essence and filled two tubs. He then placed Xiao Qi in one of the tubs and moved it to the open space in the center of the courtyard, where Wang Yuling washed Xiao Qi clean. At first, Xiao Qi yelped as Yuling brushed it in the tub until its golden fur and scales were spotless. Yuling then massaged and rubbed its entire body, making it hum comfortably. Lin Yan soaked in the bath, listening to Xiao Qi's whimpers, and closed his eyes with a smile…
The following morning, Lin Yan, dressed casually and looking refreshed, emerged from his spatial dimension and arrived in Hollywood with Xiao Qi. The Hollywood Walk of Fame had only been established for a year, and while there weren't many pink stars on the sidewalks yet, it had already attracted numerous tourists. As Lin Yan strolled along, his divine sense subtly stirred, sensing a unique "spiritual power" permeating the air—the yearning and fantasy of countless dreamers for fame and success, rich and complex, entirely different from the devout faith or spiritual energy of the cultivation world, filled with the warmth and humanity of everyday life.
They paused before the exotic architecture of the Egyptian Theatre and the Chinese Theatre. The concrete ground in front of the Chinese Theatre was already covered with the handprints and footprints of many celebrities. Xiao Qi curiously tried to press his little paws on it too, but Lin Yan chuckled and pulled him back. "You can't just press here randomly," he said. He could feel that the accumulated "starlight" in these places was more concentrated, as if forming a small energy field.
The next morning, as the sun shone on Santa Monica Beach, Xiao Qi couldn't wait to rush into the waves. Lin Yan had just placed it on the sand when the little guy shot towards the shore like an arrow.
"Slow down!" Lin Yan called out with a laugh, but Xiao Qi had already plunged into the shallows. When the waves surged in, it nimbly jumped away; when the waves receded, it chased after the foam. In no time, its snow-white fur was soaked, clinging to its body and making it look exceptionally small.
The most interesting thing was Xiaoqi's "duel" with the seagulls. Whenever a seagull flew low overhead, it would raise its head, bark, and try to jump up and pounce. Once, it almost caught a seagull's tail, but ended up falling flat on its back, which made Lin Yan burst into laughter.
"You little rascal," Lin Yan said, picking it up and gently drying its fur with his true energy. Little Qi whimpered indignantly, its eyes still fixed on the seagulls in the sky.
The afternoon at Disneyland made Xiaoqi extremely excited. As soon as she entered the park, she was attracted by the colorful decorations and cheerful music. She turned her little head around and her eyes widened.
While riding "Dumbo," Xiaoqi clung tightly to Lin Yan's arm. As "Dumbo" slowly rose, it peeked out from Lin Yan's arms to look down. When it realized it was getting further and further away from the ground, it quickly pulled its head back in, making Lin Yan burst into laughter.
What made it happiest was the cartoon character parade. When Mickey Mouse passed by, Xiaoqi wagged its tail excitedly and almost jumped out of Lin Yan's arms. Luckily, Lin Yan caught it quickly and whispered, "Be good, don't scare anyone."
That evening, they went to Ovila Street, the birthplace of Los Angeles. This street, brimming with Mexican charm, was bustling with activity, its colorful buildings, fragrant taco stalls, and lively Mexican street music making it feel like stepping into another country. Lin Yan sampled authentic Mexican burritos and guacamole, while Xiao Qi also got some unseasoned grilled meat, which she ate with great relish.
On the third day, they took the famous Pacific Electric Railway to Beverly Hills. Here, lush greenery and mansions contrasted with the hustle and bustle of Hollywood, exuding an understated luxury. Rodeo Drive was already lined with high-end boutiques, their windows displaying the latest fashions and jewelry. Well-dressed men and women strolled among them, the air thick with the scents of perfume and money.
Lin Yan wasn't particularly interested in shopping, but his powerful divine sense could easily penetrate the glamorous facade, "hearing" the wealthy discussing business, gossip, or the whispers of their inner emptiness. A smile crept onto his lips. This place seemed to be another form of "vanity fair," no different in essence from the cultivation world's competition for resources and the rivalry in cultivation levels, only with a more refined packaging. He even discreetly surveyed several luxury homes for sale, considering whether to buy a place to stay here. Money wasn't an issue; the gold and US dollars in his storage ring were enough to buy an entire street. As for potential racial barriers? He didn't care at all. If anyone dared to provoke him, he had extraordinary methods to make them "willingly" change their attitude.
Back at the Biltmore Hotel that evening, Lin Yan contacted his partners in New York through the Space Imprint.
Lin Gang was the first to respond: "Young Master! You've finally contacted us. I was really worried about you being alone out there all this time." His tone was full of concern.
Lin Er's lively voice followed immediately: "Young Master, you're so unfair! You went to Los Angeles to have fun, leaving me in New York to deal with those boring accounts! Was Disneyland fun? I want to go too!"
Charles finally spoke: "Young Master, I'll arrange the itinerary right away. Is there anything you'd like me to bring?"
Lin Yan smiled and replied, "Come to Los Angeles, everyone! I'm buying a new place in Beverly Hills; we need someone at home. Lin Er, Disneyland is really fun; you can take Xiao Qi there when you come."
When Xiaoqi heard its name called, it let out a "woof" as if to indicate its agreement.
Then he contacted Alexander Winters: "Alexander, I'm in Los Angeles, and I'm planning to buy property in Beverly Hills. I don't want to get involved directly. Does the Americas team have any connections in California?"
Alexander's response came quickly: "Young Master, you told us that California will be the richest and most special place in the United States in the future, so the Americas Group has indeed arranged quite a few members in California."
Lin Yan was very satisfied with the vanguard team's foresight. "We don't need too many people, just two who are useful will do."
"Young Master, the Americas Group has indeed arranged for two important members in California:"
1. Harrison Rockefeller - Chairman of Rockefeller Real Estate Development Company, California's largest real estate development company, with deep ties to local political and business circles.
2. John Stanford – Representative of the Stanford family in the Los Angeles branch, Director of 'United California Bank'.
"Have them come to the Bill & Melinda Gates Hotel to see me tomorrow morning," Lin Yan instructed calmly.
At 10 a.m. the next day, two influential figures in California appeared precisely at the hotel suite door. Harrison Rockefeller, tall and imposing, wore an impeccably tailored suit and exuded the confidence of a business tycoon; John Stanford, on the other hand, appeared more refined, with shrewd eyes behind his gold-rimmed glasses.
"Young Master." The two bowed respectfully.
Lin Yan, holding Xiao Qi, stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the streetscape of Los Angeles, without turning around: "I've got my eye on a few properties in Beverly Hills, but I don't want my Asian features to cause any unnecessary trouble."
Harrison immediately responded, "Please rest assured, sir. Rockefeller Estate can handle the purchase; we will take care of the title issues."
John added, "The Stanford family has a good relationship with Beverly Hills City Hall, and all procedures can be completed in the shortest possible time."
Lin Yan turned around, his gaze sweeping over the two of them: "Not only do we want to buy, but we also want to buy discreetly. I don't want to attract too much attention."
"Understood," the two replied in unison.
In the following days, with the help of two California tycoons, Lin Yan successfully purchased a luxury estate located on the northern slope of Beverly Hills. The estate covers five acres, with the main buildings in the Mediterranean Revival style, boasting spacious courtyards, swimming pools, and tennis courts. Most importantly, it is located in a secluded location with unobstructed views overlooking the entire Los Angeles Basin.
When Lin Yan first stood on the terrace of his new home, holding his curiously peering little Qi in his arms, the City of Angels possessed a charm completely different from the pristine nature of Yellowstone. Here, brimming with desire and opportunity, it was the perfect window into observing American society of this era.