Standing amidst the dust motes dancing in the slivers of light piercing the abandoned building's gloom, Tasin looked Jin Li directly in the eyes. The faint, calculating smile returned to his face.
"Forget Alex Chen. Forget scraping by on this backwards planet," he began, his voice calm but carrying an undeniable weight. "I have a proposition for you, Jin Li. Work for me."
Jin Li's carefully maintained composure didn't crack, but her eyes narrowed slightly. "Work for you?" she repeated, a hint of incredulity in her tone.
"Precisely," Tasin confirmed. "Offer me your loyalty, your capabilities, and your discretion. In return, I can provide you with resources, opportunities, and a future far beyond anything Alex Chen or this entire planet can offer."
A delicate, dismissive snort escaped Jin Li's lips. "You? A Tier 1 Sense Peak cultivator? Offer me, a Tier 1 Channel Peak cultivator, resources and opportunities? Senior Tasin," she used the title with faint mockery, "your confidence is admirable, but your grasp on reality seems… tenuous. What could you possibly provide that Alex Chen, with his family's interstellar logistics backing, cannot?"
"Ah, you see, that's where common sense fails," Tasin chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You assume what you see is the full picture. It isn't." He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice as if sharing a great secret. "Let me be blunt. What you see before you is not my true state. I am... let's just say, from a family far beyond Goliath's sphere of influence. A family whose smallest spare change could buy the Chen family's entire Xylos operation ten times over."
He straightened up, adopting an air of weary nobility. "Due to certain… youthful indiscretions… I am currently undergoing a period of familial punishment. Grounded on this Tier 5 planet, my cultivation base sealed at the Sense Peak level, unable to progress further until my probation ends in approximately one month."
Jin Li's eyes widened fractionally. A super-rich second generation from a major off-world power, punished and sealed? It sounded like something out of a cheap space opera, yet... his earlier demeanor, his unusual confidence, the way he spoke of Alex Chen with such utter disdain... it started to click into a possible, albeit outlandish, narrative.
"During this month," Tasin continued smoothly, "I need capable individuals to act as my hands and eyes. Local talent that can handle minor tasks without drawing undue attention. You, Jin Li, possess 'Bright' talent and have reached Peak Channel stage through your own efforts on this resource-poor world. That shows diligence and potential."
He paused, letting his words sink in. "Work for me loyally during this month. Help me with a few simple tasks. Once my restriction is lifted and I return home, I can easily provide you with the resources needed to break through to Tier 2. Perhaps even arrange for you to leave Goliath and pursue greater opportunities elsewhere. What do you say?" He added casually, "In fact, I already possess something right now that could potentially help you solidify your foundation and touch the threshold of Tier 2 much sooner than you expect." That last part was a calculated bluff, banking on his midnight multiplication refresh.
Jin Li fell silent, her mind racing. A sealed, super-rich heir? Resources for Tier 2? A chance to leave Goliath? It sounded too good to be true. Yet, what did she have to lose? Her association with Alex Chen was purely transactional, a means to acquire resources he carelessly flaunted, but his boorishness grated on her, and his actual support was less than his promises. Fang Hao was a sunk cost, a childhood dream soured by stagnant reality. This mysterious 'Tasin Ahmed'... if he was telling the truth, the potential reward was immense. If he was lying? She was a Peak Channel cultivator; he was supposedly sealed at Peak Sense. The risk seemed minimal. Ambition warred with caution.
"Why is your cultivation sealed?" she asked, testing his story. "And why only Sense Peak? Why not sealed at Channel or Core?"
"Family rules," Tasin waved a dismissive hand, improvising quickly. "The restriction is keyed to prevent access to higher Tiers, forcing me to experience the struggles of the foundational levels I supposedly disdained. Humility lessons, you understand. Extremely tedious."
Jin Li considered this. It was flimsy, but fit the 'eccentric powerful family' trope. "And what guarantees do I have? Beyond resources for Tier 2 and leaving this planet?"
"My word," Tasin said simply, meeting her gaze unflinchingly. "And the demonstration of my resources starting tonight. But ultimate success depends on your loyalty and performance. Think of it as an extended job interview. Impress me, and your future is bright. Fail me..." he left the threat unspoken.
After a long moment, a decisive glint appeared in Jin Li's eyes. Ambition won. "Alright, Tasin Ahmed. I accept your proposition. Temporarily. We'll see if your promises hold weight."
"Excellent." Tasin smiled. "Mutual benefit. Exchange communicator IDs." They quickly swapped contact information. "Now, tonight. Midnight. Come to this address." He transmitted the coordinates of his apartment building. "Come alone. We will discuss your first task and your initial... compensation."
Jin Li nodded curtly. "Midnight. I'll be there." Without another word, she turned and walked out of the abandoned building, her stride confident, leaving Tasin alone in the dusty silence.
As soon as she was out of sensory range, Iris's voice popped into his head. [Host, your fabrication capabilities are improving, albeit towards the manipulative end of the spectrum. Are you genuinely planning to support this female? Or is this nascent attraction clouding your judgment?]
"Attraction?" Tasin scoffed internally. "Don't be ridiculous, Iris. This is purely strategic. Did you see Fang Hao's reaction when she spoke? He still has feelings for her, deep down. Having her on my side gives me leverage over him, a way to manipulate his emotional state and potentially harvest more Luck Points."
[Leveraging emotional attachments for personal gain. A classic villainous tactic. Commendable ruthlessness,] Iris noted, her tone unreadable.
"It's not just about Fang Hao," Tasin countered defensively. "You said yourself, the universe is dangerous. I need power, resources, and capable subordinates I can trust. Jin Li has talent and ambition. If I can control her, she's a valuable asset. The start of my own force."
"Speaking of control," Tasin shifted gears, "you mentioned... slaves? Slave chips? Is there a way to ensure absolute loyalty?" The idea felt distasteful, a remnant of his Earth morals clashing with his current desperation, but practicality demanded he explore options.
[Indeed, Host,] Iris replied matter-of-factly. [Slavery is a deeply entrenched institution across vast swathes of the known universe. Interstellar law in many sectors, including this one technically, permits sentient ownership under various conditions. Countless beings are traded daily.]
[Tier 1 entities like yourself are generally considered too weak and resource-inefficient to be worthwhile slaves for major powers. The market primarily deals in Tier 2 and Tier 3 beings, sometimes even higher for specialized roles. Control is typically maintained via neural implants, behavioral conditioning, or specialized 'Slave Seal' techniques. Slave Chips are common technological variants – ranging from basic obedience enforcers (Grade F) to sophisticated models offering skill implantation, remote monitoring, and self-destruct sequences (Grade S and above). Availability depends on technological level and market access.]
Tasin felt a chill despite himself. Tier 3 beings as slaves? It painted a terrifying picture of the power dynamics in the wider universe. He was currently less than insignificant. "Okay... just information for now. Keep it on file."
He pushed the unsettling thoughts aside and started walking back towards his apartment. Entering the familiar solitude, he sat on his bed, his mind buzzing. Control Jin Li... maybe later. For now, he needed to prepare for tonight, and improve himself further.
"Iris, open the Mall. Show me Cultivation Concealment techniques."
The interface shifted.
[System Mall - Technique: Concealment]
[Clouded Mirror Art (Intermediate)]
Description: Blurs cultivator's aura, making precise cultivation level difficult to discern for those 1-2 minor stages above. Susceptible to dedicated scanning techniques.
Cost: 5,000 Recycle Points
[Shadow Veil Breathing (Advanced)]
Description: Actively suppresses and mimics energy signatures. Can reliably conceal true cultivation within the same Tier or fool those one major level higher under passive observation. Requires constant minor energy drain.
Cost: 20,000 Recycle Points
[Void Form Scripture (High-Grade)]
Description: Restructures energy flow to create a false 'surface' layer mimicking any desired level below the user's true cultivation. Highly resistant to scanning below Tier 3 unless specific counter-techniques are employed. Minimal energy upkeep once mastered.
Cost: 50,000 Recycle Points
Tasin didn't hesitate. Concealment was crucial, especially if he was playing the 'sealed heir' role and dealing with potentially suspicious individuals. The High-Grade option offered the best security.
"Purchase the Void Form Scripture."
[Ding! Purchase 'Void Form Scripture (High-Grade)' for 50,000 Recycle Points?]
"Yes."
[Ding! Purchase successful. 50,000 Points deducted. Remaining: 10,050 Points.]
[Ding! Do you wish to learn the High-Grade Concealment Technique: Void Form Scripture?]
"Yes, learn it now."
Another flood of information poured into his mind, less about absorption and more about control, redirection, and subtle masking of his internal energy flow. It was complex but elegant. After several minutes, the integration finished.
He quickly opened his status panel to see the changes.
Host: Tasin Ahmed
Age: 24
Cultivation: Tier 1 Sense (Peak Stage)
Talent: Bright
Skills: [Basic Meditation (Adept)], [Void Form Scripture (High-Grade - Uninitiated)]
Technique: [Nebula Heart Sutra (High-Grade)]
Storage: [Ocular Implant - Gaze of Providence]
Recycle Points: 10,050
Luck Points: 120
He focused on the new skill, "Void Form Scripture", and spent the next hour diligently practicing its initial stages, learning how to consciously manipulate his energy signature. It was tricky, requiring fine control, but his Bright talent made comprehension faster.
Satisfied with his initial grasp, he turned his attention back to cultivation. He still felt the threshold of the Channel stage beckoning. He settled down and immersed himself in the Nebula Heart Sutra once more. Energy surged, pathways expanded, and the final barrier to the next stage seemed tantalizingly close.
Hours passed. Then, a distinct click resonated within his core. Energy flowed differently, no longer just being sensed passively but actively channeling through newly opened meridians.
[Ding! Cultivation Progress Detected. Reached Tier 1 Channel (Early Stage).]
A grin spread across Tasin's face. Finally! He'd broken through the barrier that had defined his mediocrity for so long. He felt stronger, his connection to cosmic energy more profound, his control finer.
But he couldn't reveal this yet. He immediately activated the Void Form Scripture, focusing his intent. He felt his vibrant Channel stage aura dim, retracting beneath a carefully constructed shell that radiated the familiar, weaker energy of Sense (Peak Stage). A quick mental check confirmed the concealment was holding steady.
Perfect.
He glanced at the chrono-clock. Still a few hours until midnight, and still some time before his multiplication charge refreshed. He continued cultivating, solidifying his newfound Channel stage foundation while maintaining the Sense Peak facade, patiently waiting for his guest and his system's daily reset. The game was getting more complex, and much more dangerous.
This is the finish of chapter