Following his memory and the signs on the wall, Tasin soon found himself outside the office designated for Instructor Ben Carter, Basic Cultivation Theory, Year 1 & 2. He took a breath and knocked politely.
"Come in," a familiar voice called out.
Tasin pushed the door open and entered. Uncle Ben looked up from a datapad covered in student records, his face breaking into a warm smile upon seeing Tasin.
"Ah, Tasin! You made it. Come in, sit down." He gestured to a simple chair opposite his cluttered desk.
"Thanks, Uncle Ben," Tasin said, taking the seat.
"So," Ben leaned back, setting the datapad aside. "How's life really treating you? Heard you left that restaurant job. Any plans for the future?"
"Still figuring things out," Tasin admitted honestly. "But I've actually made some progress on the cultivation front recently. Feeling a bit more optimistic."
Ben's eyebrows rose in pleasant surprise. "Oh? That's wonderful news, son! What level are you sensing now?" He knew Tasin had been stuck for a long time.
"Managed to push through to the Peak Stage of Sense," Tasin said casually.
"Peak Stage? That's fantastic!" Ben beamed, genuinely happy for him. "See? I told you persistence pays off! What changed?"
"Just... found a better way to focus, I guess," Tasin deflected. "Anyway, Uncle Ben, while I was walking over here, I overheard some students talking about... someone named Fang Hao? Sounded like quite the drama."
Ben sighed, his expression turning slightly pitying. "Ah, young Fang Hao. Yes, there's been unfortunate talk. He's in my theory class. A very hardworking lad, truly dedicated, pushes himself harder than anyone. But his innate talent... it's just not there. Stuck at Sense stage despite years of effort. Then this whole business with his girlfriend, Jin Li... it's been rough on him. Why do you ask?"
"Just curious," Tasin shrugged. "Gossip travels fast on campus, seems like."
"That it does," Ben nodded. "Well, Tasin, whatever you decide to do next, remember you've got potential. Don't let past struggles define you. And if you ever need help, advice, or just someone to talk to, my door is always open."
"Thanks, Uncle Ben. I really appreciate that." Tasin felt a genuine warmth towards the man.
"Now," Ben picked up his datapad again, "forgive me, but I'm absolutely swamped. The preliminary screenings for the big Academy Admissions are starting soon, and the paperwork is mountains high. You're welcome to walk around campus as much as you like, though."
"No problem, Uncle Ben. You focus on your work," Tasin said, standing up. "Maybe I can visit you and Aunt May at home sometime soon when you're less busy?"
"We'd love that, Tasin. Just give me a call beforehand."
Tasin thanked him again and walked out of the office, feeling a mix of gratitude and strategic calculation. Uncle Ben had unknowingly confirmed Fang Hao's profile. Now, to find the boy himself.
Where would a hardworking but frustrated cultivator likely spend their free time? The public practice halls.
Tasin navigated the familiar corridors towards the largest training facility accessible to general students. Pushing through the doors, he entered a huge, cavernous hall filled with the sounds of grunts, energy impacts, and shouted instructions. Dozens of students were scattered around, practicing basic forms, meditating, or sparring lightly.
"Alright, Iris," Tasin thought, scanning the room visually. "Keep the Gaze active. Notify me if you lock onto Fang Hao."
He began walking slowly around the perimeter, subtly observing the practicing students. After a few minutes...
[Target Lock Acquired: Fang Hao. Designated High-Luck Individual.] Iris's voice was calm, but the notification sent a jolt through Tasin.
He followed Iris's internal guidance, his gaze settling on a lone figure in a corner, relentlessly punching a reinforced training dummy. The boy looked around 18, lean but wiry, his cheap training clothes soaked with sweat. His movements were powerful, focused, each punch delivered with grit, though Tasin's newly enhanced senses could detect minor flaws in his energy circulation, hints of inefficiency.
[Target Scan Initiated...]
Name: Fang Hao
Age: 18
Cultivation: Tier 1 Sense (Peak Stage)
Talent: Dim [Potential Latent Transformation Detected - Linked to Luck Fluctuations]
Skills: [Basic Fist Style (Journeyman)], [Endurance Training (Master)], [Basic Meditation (Expert)]
Technique: [Torrent Circulation Method (Intermediate - Flawed Execution)]
Identity: Student, Xylos City Cultivation College
Affiliation: None Noted
Luck Value:Extremely High (Fluctuating - Currently Rising Rapidly)
Tasin's eyes widened. Peak Sense? The gossip said he was stuck much lower. That 'Luck Influence' on his talent and the 'Rapidly Rising' luck value... Something had clearly happened recently to boost the kid. And look at those skills! Journeyman Fist Style, Mastered Endurance, Expert Meditation – this guy was hardworking, squeezing every ounce of potential from his limited resources and talent.
Just as Tasin was processing this, the main doors to the practice hall opened again. Two figures entered, drawing glances from nearby students – a strikingly beautiful young woman with an air of cool confidence, and a young man beside her, dressed in expensive clothes, carrying himself with obvious arrogance. They walked directly towards Fang Hao's corner.
Must be Jin Li and Alex Chen, Tasin guessed, immediately focusing his Gaze. "Iris, detailed scan on both."
[Target Scan Initiated... Detailed Analysis Active...]
Name: Jin Li
Age: 22
Cultivation: Tier 1 Channel (Peak Stage)
Talent: Bright
Skills: [Energy Flow Control (Proficient)], [Basic Meditation (Adept)], [Social Maneuvering (Expert - Passive)], [Basic Water Manipulation (Adept)], [Appearance Enhancement Aura (Minor)]
Technique: [Clear Stream Circulation Method (Advanced)]
Identity: Student, Xylos City Cultivation College; Designated Primary Antagonist/Stepping Stone (Early Stage)
Affiliation: (Current Associate: Alex Chen - Status: Exploiting for Resources/Status)
Relationship Value (Alex Chen): 0/100
Luck Value:High (Fluctuating - Currently Suppressed in Protagonist's Proximity, increases significantly when pursuing independent goals beneficial to plot progression)
[Target Scan Initiated... Detailed Analysis Active...]
Name: Alex Chen
Age: 24
Cultivation: Tier 1 Channel (Initial Stage)
Talent: Standard
Skills: [Basic Energy Blade (Rudimentary)], [Wealth Display (Master)], [Intimidation (Minor - Situational)], [Sky-Car Piloting (Intermediate)], [Basic Meditation (Novice)]
Technique: [Jade Pillar Circulation Method (Standard)]
Identity: Heir Apparent, Chen Interstellar Logistics (Xylos Branch); Student (Nominal), Xylos City Cultivation College; Designated Minor Antagonist/Rival
Affiliation: Chen Interstellar Logistics (Major Shareholder Family); (Current Associate: Jin Li - Status: Actively Pursuing - Infatuated)
Luck Value: Medium-Low (Stable - Slight negative trend exacerbated by association with Primary Antagonist)
Tasin absorbed the flood of information, stunned. Jin Li... Peak Channel? Advanced Technique? 'Bright' Talent confirmed. But the tags! 'Primary Antagonist/Stepping Stone'? 'Exploiting for Resources'? Relationship Value ZERO?! This girl wasn't just a gold digger; she was actively using the arrogant fool beside her! And her Luck was High but suppressed near Fang Hao, only rising when she acted according to her 'plot role'?
Alex Chen was less surprising – lower cultivation despite his age and resources, Standard talent, skills focused on showing off wealth. A classic rich young master type, tagged as a 'Minor Antagonist'. His declining luck made sense if he was tied to Jin Li's antagonistic role.
"Iris," Tasin thought urgently, "Jin Li... her Luck Value is High, fluctuating... Is she also a Child of Luck? Or something else?"
[Negative,] Iris replied promptly. [Jin Li is classified as a necessary catalyst for the designated Protagonist, Fang Hao. The planar consciousness often grants significant initial advantages – resources, talent, connections, and corresponding high Luck – to such antagonists.]
[These advantages serve two purposes: First, to provide a credible challenge and impetus for the Protagonist's growth through conflict and overcoming adversity. Second, the antagonist's Luck and resources are essentially pre-allocated assets destined to be directly or indirectly plundered or negated by the Protagonist during their rise, thus fueling the Protagonist's own destiny.]
[Think of them as 'experience packs' or 'loot drops' provided by the world itself. Their Luck allows them to conveniently appear when the Protagonist discovers opportunities, thereby creating conflict and narrative tension. However, their destiny is subordinate; their Luck is ultimately forfeit. Jin Li's current high Luck is temporary plot armor.]
[Do you comprehend the dynamic, Host?]
Tasin nodded slowly, falling into deep thought as he watched Jin Li and Alex Chen stop a few feet away from the still-punching Fang Hao. So, villains aren't just obstacles... they're pre-packaged stepping stones, their initial strength and luck just fuel for the protagonist's fire. The whole world is rigged in Fang Hao's favor... This realization was both daunting and incredibly useful. He wasn't just dealing with individuals; he was potentially dealing with the narrative mechanics of this world itself.
This is the finish of chapter