Chapter 82: AO-1 (Attack Ornithopter-1)
Wang Lingxin nestled in her warm, soft bed, wrapped snugly in a thick blanket. Her bedroom's design and furniture were noticeably different from the usual style of this world, inspired by Earth instead. The walls and furniture were painted in bright colors, giving the room a cozy and cheerful atmosphere.
Crystals embedded in the room functioned as light sources, capable of generating illumination when infused with Qi. Orion had modified them to operate using LQ, ensuring they could provide bright light for studying at night. Currently, the bedroom was dimly lit, with a soft, faint glow from a small slime lamp at the bedside, creating a relaxing ambiance.
The bed, dresser, and furniture were all crafted by Orion, which had attempted to make them cuter and more girlish. The large, comfortable bed was covered in plush bedding.
Lined up neatly beside the sleeping Wang Lingxin was a collection of dolls of various sizes, from small to rather large. Though their stitching was somewhat crude and their shapes imperfect, they could still be recognized as stuffed animals—each handcrafted by Orion. Orion had used high-quality fabric, stuffing them with kapok to shape them into different animal forms. Since Orion couldn't find a suitable material for the eyes, it had resorted to using precious gems, having deemed carved wood too low in quality.
A dresser, study table, and chair sat to the side, along with a bookshelf filled with various books and scrolls. Another shelf held an assortment of trinkets—random items Wang Lingxin had found while playing outside and decided to keep.
At the center of the room lay a large, luxuriously soft carpet made from the hide of a rare bear Spirit Beast. Its thick, plush fur provided warmth and comfort, making it an inviting spot to sit or lie down. The dense, high-quality pelt not only felt incredibly smooth underfoot but also offered excellent insulation against the cold.
If sold, it would fetch an exorbitant number of spirit stones, as the material was suitable for crafting armor and artifacts. Yet, here it was, serving as an ordinary carpet. A small table sat atop it, where Wang Lingxin often enjoyed tea and snacks while watching cartoons and animated movies on her tablet.
As she slept on her side, only her head peeked out from the thick blanket, the rest of her body fully cocooned in warmth. The night was quiet and cold.
Bzzz... bzzz... crackle... crackle... rustle... rustle...
The sound of trees swaying in the wind and other unfamiliar noises echoed outside, breaking the silence. Wang Lingxin stirred, briefly opening her eyes before turning over and drifting back to sleep.
Bzzz... bzzz... crackle... crackle... rustle... rustle...
Another sound. This time, she slowly opened her eyes, rubbing them groggily. Dazed, she lay still for a moment, staring at the ceiling as her thoughts slowly gathered.
Then—the sound again.
It was like the rustling of tree branches swaying in the wind, but there was another noise mixed in—something unfamiliar. And it was coming from the front of the house.
The sound made Wang Lingxin a little afraid but also curious. She hugged one of her stuffed dolls, sat up, and tiptoed toward the window. The wooden frame made it impossible to see outside directly, but through a small gap, she peeked out. The sky was dark. Tree branches cast eerie shadows. But she could see something—a glow from below.
Because she was small, she couldn't see clearly below her from the second floor. She quickly dragged a small stool over, stepped onto it, and carefully opened the window just a little for a better view. Peering out again, her eyes widened in shock.
In front of the house, several wooden stakes had been driven into the ground, each topped with a glowing crystal light, illuminating the surroundings. But what caught her attention most was the massive, winged creature standing in the middle of the field.
Seeing the mysterious, massive, intimidating creature, she felt a slight fear. Its imposing form, illuminated from below against the dark night sky, made it even more striking.
But then, she noticed something—her master standing near the massive creature, completely calm and preoccupied with something, touching the creature and even hammering it with a tool, while the creature remained still, as if unbothered.
Seeing that her master was unfazed, Wang Lingxin's fear quickly faded.
"Master!" Wang Lingxin swung the window open, waving her arms excitedly.
"Hmm?" Orion, busy with its task, turned its head. "Sorry, did I wake you up? Go back to sleep."
But Wang Lingxin immediately left her bedroom.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
The sound of hurried footsteps echoed as she ran down the stairs. She rushed through the house, grabbed her small sandals from the rack, and pushed the door open, stepping outside.
"Why did you come out here? Go back to sleep," Orion said.
"Master, what are you doing? And what is that big thing? Can I touch it?" Instead of answering, Wang Lingxin fired off a series of questions as she walked toward Orion.
Now fully awake, she stared at Orion, her eyes wide with curiosity. Her hair was slightly messy, one side sticking up from sleep.
"It's an ornithopter I made. I'm currently testing it," Orion said.
"Orni... hopper?" Wang Lingxin tilted her head in confusion.
"An ornithopter. Just like the SO-1 drone, but this one is bigger. You can ride in it and fly into the sky. Didn't I already promise to make you a bigger drone that could take you flying?" Orion explained.
"Hm..." Wang Lingxin tried to recall. Indeed, back then, her master had shown her the drone, and she had asked if he could make a bigger one that she could ride to the sky. That wasn't too long ago, and now he was already making it? Her master was indeed awesome.
"Wow, Master, you already made it? Can I ride it now?" Wang Lingxin asked eagerly.
"Not yet. I'm still doing some testing and planning to conduct the first flight now," Orion replied.
"Master, I want to join! Is there anything I can help with?" Wang Lingxin's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"No need. Just go back to sleep. After I finish testing, I'll take you flying later," Orion said, trying to coax her back to bed.
It was already past midnight, around 1 AM. The night wind blew, and the air was rather cold, yet Wang Lingxin was wide awake. Orion worried she might get sick. It had planned to test the ornithopter at night to avoid attracting attention from the nearby village. But now, somehow, it had woken Wang Lingxin, who kept insisting on staying to watch and join in.
Despite Orion's attempts to persuade her, she ran around the ornithopter, checking every detail up close, touching all over it, and bombarding Orion with questions. Energetic and excited, she ended up disturbing Orion's progress. Orion had to keep watch over her, answering her questions, pulling her away from parts she wasn't supposed to touch, and making sure she didn't trip over the tools, cables, and other things scattered around.
Finally, Orion relented and allowed Wang Lingxin to watch from the side—on the condition that she wouldn't get too close or interfere. Orion went back to the house and returned multiple times, carrying a small table, a straw mat, a thick carpet made from Spirit Beast fur, a jacket, and other items. Since Wang Lingxin had run out of the house in her sleeping pajamas, Orion helped her put on a warm jacket, along with socks and gloves, and tidied her messy hair into a simple bun.
Orion set up a comfortable spot for her to watch. First, it laid down the straw mat, then placed the carpet on top. It set the small table on the carpet, followed by a large umbrella for cover, which it staked firmly into the ground. Orion then drove bamboo stakes into the earth on three sides, draping long fabric over them, while leaving the front open so Wang Lingxin could watch. Now, she was shielded from three sides, with the top also protected from the wind.
Orion then placed a small charcoal brazier nearby to provide warmth and to make tea. After pouring a cup for Wang Lingxin, it placed the pot back on the brazier to keep the tea hot. Once Orion was sure she was warm and comfortable, it resumed its work with the ornithopter.
Wang Lingxin sat on the soft carpet, sipping tea and nibbling on snacks while watching her master work.
She cheered for Orion from the side while also occasionally asking, "Is it done yet? Can I ride it now?"
The ornithopter Orion had been working on for the past month, the AO-1 (Attack Ornithopter), was inspired by Earth's attack helicopter. However, instead of rotor blades, it used wings—four in total, each spanning about 13 meters, taken from a dragonfly Spirit Beast. The ornithopter's Dragonfly Engine was powered by LQ.
The main body was primarily constructed from the exoskeletons of dragonfly and other insect Spirit Beasts, which were light, strong, and durable—materials comparable to Earth's composite materials, with some even stronger.
The AO-1 was designed as a two-seater, with the pilot seated in the back and the co-pilot in the front. The cockpit canopy was crafted from the wing of a rare insect Spirit Beast, which was highly transparent. Orion further processed it to enhance its transparency, making it almost as clear as glass. However, at this stage, the cockpit was still empty, lacking avionics and controls, which Orion planned to install later. For now, it directly controlled the ornithopter by connecting cables to itself.
On both sides of the fuselage, there were stub wings designed to carry weapons. At the rear, the tail section featured a V-tail design.
The ornithopter's fuselage was constructed from various insect exoskeletons, which had been cut, shaped, and assembled in a way that it doesn't show any insect characteristics, avoiding an unsettling or grotesque appearance. Instead, the overall design was sleek and modern, taking inspiration from Earth.
Since the exoskeletons came in different colors, Orion treated them with grey pigments to create a unified, aesthetically pleasing look. The ornithopter's color was a sleek, dark grey tone.
For the landing gear, Orion used the legs of an ant Spirit Beast, modifying them so they could fold and retract into the fuselage for better aerodynamics.
Since the AO-1 was designed for combat, Orion had been conducting R&D and experiments on weaponry in parallel with its development. Although the ornithopter was currently unarmed, several weapon systems were making progress and, after further testing and improvements, would be added to the ornithopter.
Through a long cable connected to the ornithopter, Orion controlled it, testing all onboard control functions. Orion carefully tested the Dragonfly Engine, adjusting the wings' flapping speed and stroke angle while simulating various real-flight conditions and maneuvers. After numerous trials and experiments, successfully completing the test checklist, Orion prepared for the next phase—actual flight.
The four wings flapped faster, stirring up strong gusts of wind, making the nearby trees creak and rustle. The same kind of noise was what woke Wang Lingxin up.
Orion monitored every movement, ready to react if anything went wrong. If the ornithopter lost control or risked crashing, Orion would activate the pre-prepared energy barrier. It would immediately enclose the ornithopter, preventing any damage to Orion, Wang Lingxin, or the house.
Slowly, the ornithopter lifted off, rising steadily until it hovered five meters above the ground. Its six extended landing legs remained deployed.
Seeing the so-called ornihopper? actually take flight, Wang Lingxin could no longer sit and enjoy her tea and snacks.
She had already jumped up, dashing over to Orion, grabbing its sleeve excitedly. "Master, master! It's flying! It's really flying! The ornihopper is flying! Wow!" she exclaimed, pointing at the hovering creature while tugging at Orion's sleeve.
Orion remained calm, continuing the test. The ornithopter performed simple maneuvers—hovering close to the ground, carefully moving forward, backward, and sideways, then slowly rotating.
Having already mastered the controls through its experience with the SO-1, Orion had no trouble piloting the AO-1, only needing minor adjustments. As it recorded test results internally, Orion eventually landed the ornithopter and began fine-tuning it.
Wang Lingxin, however, refused to return to her seat. She stuck close to Orion, practically glued to its side as it worked on the ornithopter. Orion simply let her be.
"Can we fly now, Master?" Wang Lingxin squatted beside Orion, eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Almost," Orion replied, still focused on making adjustments to the Dragonfly Engine, landing legs, wiring, and other components.
"Master, you're so awesome!" Wang Lingxin said from the side, admiration shining in her eyes. As expected of her master—able to create such an incredible flying creature.
Under the vast night sky, two figures crouched beneath the large, winged creature. One figure worked diligently in silence, while the smaller one chattered enthusiastically, breaking the quiet of the night.
Chapter 83: AO-1 First Flight
The AO-1's four wings buzzed, flapping faster. Dust swirled, and dry leaves were blown as nearby trees rustled. Slowly, the ornithopter rose, hovering steadily before gaining altitude. Once high enough, it began moving forward, gradually picking up speed and soaring into the distance.
Inside the cockpit, Orion sat in the back, controlling the AO-1, while Wang Lingxin occupied the front seat. Because of her small size, Orion had modified the chair, raising it so she could get a better view. The seatbelt had also been adjusted to fit her properly, though the end result made it look as if she were tightly bound to the seat.
"Whoa… Master! We're flying! We're really flying!" Wang Lingxin exclaimed, craning her neck to peer below. She pressed her face close to the cockpit canopy, eyes wide with excitement.
She looked left and right, grinning as she took in the vast, starry sky. The dark night stretched endlessly around them, adorned with countless shimmering stars. Unfortunately, since they were flying at night, the ground below was nothing but darkness. Even the nearby village was barely visible.
Orion piloted the AO-1 carefully, keeping its altitude stable. With the lack of sensors and avionics, it was safer to stay high and avoid flying too close to the ground—especially during the first flight, at night, with a child onboard. On Earth, this would be considered reckless, but Orion had made extensive preparations.
The ornithopter had been strengthened with inscriptions, and in case of a crash, it could deploy an energy shield strong enough to withstand the impact. There were also makeshift airbags—crafted from slime skin and filled with slime liquid when deployed—to absorb shocks. Additionally, an emergency parachute system was in place to slow the AO-1's descent if something went wrong. With all these precautions, Orion concluded that Wang Lingxin would be safe, even in an emergency.
As the AO-1 gained speed, Orion began performing simple maneuvers while recording performance data and monitoring flight parameters. Meanwhile, Wang Lingxin was completely immersed in the experience, enjoying every moment.
"Master, can the ornithopter do something else? Like a bird—whoosh, whizz!" Wang Lingxin waved her hands, mimicking aerial movements.
"Of course," Orion replied. "It can do even more than that. But I need to start with some basic maneuvers first. Are you sure you're ready? It might be scary for you."
"Really? Master, then do it! Don't worry, I won't be scared!" Wang Lingxin declared confidently, her eyes shining with anticipation.
"Alright," Orion replied.
After starting with simple maneuvers, Orion gradually moved on to more complex ones. Seeing that Wang Lingxin was not only fine but thoroughly enjoying the experience, and that the AO-1 was performing well, Orion pushed further, executing more advanced aerial maneuvers. Wang Lingxin's excited laughter and thrilled exclamations filled the cockpit.
"AAAaaaaa... hahaha, that was fun! Do it again!"
"Hahaha, weee!"
"Master, master! We're spinning—spinning! Hahaha!"
"Hahaha... Master, we're upside down!"
"Ugh... uhh... hah... hah... wow, that felt weird!" she gasped, trying to steady her breath. The sensation of experiencing high G for the first time was strange but exhilarating.
"It seems you're really enjoying this," Orion noted, controlling the AO-1 as it completed a series of maneuvers. Satisfied with the ornithopter's performance, it observed Wang Lingxin, who showed no fear—only pure excitement.
"Hehehe, that was amazing!" Wang Lingxin cheered.
Orion glanced toward the distant eastern horizon, where the first light of dawn was beginning to break, then checked its internal clock. "Time to head back."
"We should do this again! Also, also—I want to try flying it myself!" Wang Lingxin said eagerly.
"Sure. I'll teach you how to control it later," Orion promised.
The AO-1 turned and accelerated toward home, while Wang Lingxin chattered excitedly about her experience, reliving every thrilling moment of the flight.
The AO-1 descended slowly, landing smoothly in front of the house. Though dawn had begun to break on the horizon during their flight, the world below was still cloaked in darkness. Orion stepped out of the cockpit and helped Wang Lingxin down.
"Today, you don't need to do morning exercise or study," Orion said.
"What? Really?" Wang Lingxin's eyes widened in surprise.
"Yes. Go get some more sleep."
Having been awake since midnight, Wang Lingxin was more than happy to comply. She entered the house, then yawned as she climbed the stairs, heading straight to her bedroom to catch up on rest.
Meanwhile, Orion stored the AO-1 inside its best storage ring—the one with the largest capacity—before heading to the underground workshop. Inside, another ornithopter, the UO-1 (Utility Ornithopter), was taking shape, though it was only about 40% complete.
Orion began working on the UO-1, carefully assembling its components and focusing on refining the structure, ensuring every piece fit perfectly.
Hours later, Wang Lingxin called Orion for breakfast. Setting aside its tools, Orion left the workshop to prepare the meal.
The sun was already high in the sky, and Orion was busy in the kitchen. By the time breakfast was ready, Wang Lingxin had already taken a bath and was seated at the table, eagerly enjoying the spread: freshly grilled fish, Spirit Beast meat stew, steamed buns, stir-fried vegetables, and a bowl of nourishing soup.
Each dish was carefully prepared by Orion. While it had initially relied on restaurant food to feed Wang Lingxin, it had gradually learned to cook—and improved steadily over time.
Orion wasn't sure how good its cooking tasted, but it ensured the meals were nutritionally balanced. According to Wang Lingxin, the food was delicious—though she still preferred restaurant food.
After the late breakfast, Orion planned to bring Wang Lingxin to Fengxian. It was almost out of materials needed to build the UO-1.
Orion moved swiftly through the forest, leaping nimbly from branch to branch. Inscriptions on its body reduced its weight, allowing for long, effortless jumps.
"Master, why don't we fly to the city using the ornihopper?" Wang Lingxin asked while being carried by Orion on its back.
"The ornithopter is still new. There are things that need to be worked on and improved," Orion explained.
More importantly, Orion didn't want others to know about the ornithopter. It also reminded Wang Lingxin not to mention it to anyone.
"Understood! Don't worry, Master—I won't tell anyone about the ornihopper. But you have to promise to teach me how to fly it!" Wang Lingxin grinned.
Above, the SO-1 drone flew ahead, scouting the path and monitoring the surroundings. Through the drone's feed, Orion spotted a skirmish several kilometers ahead.
Two groups of cultivators were locked in a fierce battle. All wore masks and kept their bodies covered. Blades—swords and sabers—clashed fiercely, while daggers, flying needles, and other hidden weapons were thrown in all directions.
Each cultivator executed their own combat and movement techniques. Their weapons were enveloped in various colors of light, slashing and thrusting with incredible speed, leaving behind streaks of afterimages. Wind blades howled across the battlefield. Pillars of fire erupted into the sky. A jet of water shot out, slicing through a nearby boulder.
Talismans were also used throughout the battle, creating protective barriers, triggering explosions, and unleashing fire, lightning, poison, and thick smoke.
Orion activated its multi-band phased array antenna, scanning for signals. Several transmissions came from the direction of the fight—some familiar. It recognized a few as belonging to Liu family cultivators, and others matched signals it had previously detected in Fengxian, though their exact identities remained unknown. The rest were unfamiliar.
Seeing that the fight was nearing its end and that the Liu family seemed to have the upper hand, Orion altered its route, taking a detour to avoid unnecessary attention.
In a clearing deep in the forest, the battle reached a temporary halt. Both sides pulled back, facing each other warily. Blood stained the ground, and injuries marked every fighter, but none had fallen.
One group wore matching black garments, while the other appeared in mismatched clothes, posing as bandits.
"Drop the act. We both know you're no bandits," said the leader of the black-clad group, pulling off his mask. "Wu Zheng—your sloppy swordplay is too easy to recognize."
Wu Zheng smirked and removed his own mask. "Liu Ping, you've got sharp eyes as always."
"What's your Wu family planning? Looking to start a war with the Liu family? If so, we'll gladly accompany you to the end," Liu Ping warned coldly. Behind him, his men tightened their grip on their weapons.
"No no no, not at all," Wu Zheng replied, casual as ever.
"Then explain why your people keep attacking Liu family businesses," Liu Ping demanded.
The Liu family had suffered a string of assaults—on shops, caravans, farmlands and other businesses. In response, they assigned hidden guards to protect their assets. Liu Ping had followed one such caravan from the shadows and intercepted a suspicious group that was about to launch an attack—only to discover they were Wu family cultivators in disguise.
"Actually, our Wu family wants to cooperate with your Liu family—but your side keeps rejecting our offer. Wouldn't it be better to work together instead of fighting?" Wu Zheng said
"So that's why you're attacking us? Do you think my Liu family are a bunch of vegetarians? If it's a fight you want, then a fight you'll get! We'll crush your Wu family—and as for you, I'll chop your head off right here!" Liu Ping growled.
"Hey hey, I'm just following orders here," Wu Zheng said with a shrug. "Well, now that you're here, I guess I don't need to continue my mission. Here—pass this to your patriarch. Our Wu family really does want to cooperate with your Liu family. Let the higher-ups decide. We grunts just do the dirty work."
He tossed a scroll toward Liu Ping, then gave a signal. His subordinates scattered, vanishing into the trees.
"Later," Wu Zheng said with a smirk, disappearing after them.
Liu Ping caught the scroll, clenching his jaw in frustration.
"Leader, should we pursue them?" one of his men asked.
"No. Let's head back," Liu Ping ordered.
...
Wu Zheng and his subordinates moved through the forest.
"Is it really okay to abandon the mission and just head back like this?" one of his subordinates asked, unsure.
"Then what do you suggest?" Wu Zheng replied calmly, almost disinterested. "Or are you confident you can defeat Liu Ping and his men?"
"Ugh..." the subordinate had no answer.
Their original mission had been to ambush the Liu family caravan, but they were ambushed instead by Liu family cultivators, who turned out to be quite strong, thus failing to continue their mission.
"Is it true the higher-ups really want to cooperate with the Liu family?" another one asked.
"How would I know?" Wu Zheng said. "Right now, the Liu family is like a big, fat piece of meat—juicy and tempting. Many factions are eyeing them."
"Yeah, their new restaurant is a huge hit. They must be raking in a ton of Spirit Stones," one subordinate added, eyes gleaming with greed.
"Tsk tsk tsk... So, what if they have a mountain of Spirit Stones?" Wu Zheng said. "What really matters is the secret behind that restaurant. Their food boosts cultivation and has all sorts of benefits. There's got to be something big behind it."
"Damn Liu family... Their restaurant is hurting our business. If we manage to uncover their secret, the Wu family could make a fortune," another said.
"You still don't get it," Wu Zheng said, eyes flashing with a sharp glint. "Think about it—if the food they sell can give such results, then what about the food they keep for themselves? It must be even more potent. The Liu family's elders have shown noticeable improvements in cultivation lately. It can't be a coincidence."
What draws the attention of cultivators more than Spirit Stones is a way to improve their cultivation. Spirit Stones are useful, yes—but strength is what truly belongs to you. No matter how many Spirit Stones you have, how much can you really convert into power? Worse, that kind of wealth attracts envy. And if you don't have the strength to protect it...
The man is innocent, but his wealth is his crime.
Chapter 84: Undercurrent Stirred by MSG
After arriving in Fengxian, Orion went straight to the marketplace, spending a good amount of time visiting various shops to purchase all kinds of materials. It checked one place after another, but some items were still unavailable. Orion made a note to ask the Liu family for assistance later.
Once the shopping was done, Orion brought Wang Lingxin for lunch. After the meal, they headed to the Liu family residence.
In the main hall of the Liu residence, Orion and Liu Mingzhen sat at a table, discussing business, while Wang Lingxin, not wanting to join the boring discussion, played in the flower garden.
Orion requested the Liu family's help in acquiring the materials it still lacked. It also picked up another batch of Rank-2 slimes, apparently caught by Liu Yang. Orion couldn't help but be curious—just how did Liu Yang always manage to gather so many of them. Apparently, he was out again, hunting for more.
"Here—one bottle of MSG for the slimes and materials I requested, and another bottle for your family's use," Orion said, retrieving two small ceramic bottles from its storage ring.
"As for the restaurant supply, this should last around three months, right?" Orion then took out three large ceramic bottles and placed them on the table.
"Wow, that much?" Liu Mingzhen opened one of the large bottles, peeked inside, and smiled brightly.
"I've been able to obtain more lately," Orion replied.
With the help of the former hostages Orion had rescued from the bandits—now assisting with production—it was able to increase MSG output significantly.
"Then… could my family get a bit more for our own use?" Liu Mingzhen asked, hopeful.
"I'll try. Let's see next month," Orion nodded.
Orion still hadn't told the Liu family that it was the one producing the MSG, keeping the MSG's origin deliberately ambiguous.
"Thank you very much, Mr. Orion," Liu Mingzhen said gratefully. "As for the operation of the Lotus Delight Pavilion, leave that to us. No need to worry. This amount of MSG should last about three months, but with the restaurant growing more popular, we might start running short. And if we plan to open new branches, we'll definitely need more."
"That's good to hear. Don't worry about the MSG supply—I'll try to get more," Orion assured.
The Lotus Delight Pavilion had already expanded to several cities, always packed with cultivators. It had become the Liu family's most profitable business. The Supreme Fried Chicken brand was also gaining popularity, with dozens of small stores in both Fengxian and Yanjing—each constantly filled with customers. While not as profitable as the Lotus Delight Pavilion, it still drew attention—and envy—from many factions.
Liu Mingzhen gestured to the steward, Liu Wang, who was standing at the side. Liu Wang respectfully handed a storage ring to Orion.
"The profits from Lotus Delight Pavilion and Supreme Fried Chicken for this month—13,548 Spirit Stones in total. I've also included the payment for one bottle of MSG for our Liu family's use."
Then, Liu Wang handed over another storage ring.
"This contains the materials you previously asked us to find. I apologize, but a few are still unavailable. We're continuing to search for them. As for your new request, we'll need some time to gather those as well."
"Thank you." Orion accepted the rings. Liu Wang also took the MSG bottles from the table and stored them in his own storage ring.
Both Orion and Liu Mingzhen were satisfied. Their cooperation was mutually beneficial and profitable, although not everything was smooth, and there were some issues. Liu Mingzhen shared some of the troubles the Liu family had faced regarding their joint restaurant business.
Orion had been able to earn a large number of Spirit Stones each month through this partnership. If the cultivators in the city found out, they would be green with envy. Most itinerant cultivators only possessed a few dozen to a couple hundred Spirit Stones in total, yet Orion could earn tens of thousands each month—almost on par with the income of a small faction in the city.
To others, this would seem like a massive fortune. But for Orion, it was still not enough. It needed Spirit Stones to create Liquified Qi, the true source behind its strength. That was why Orion constantly sought more.
So, when Liu Mingzhen shared the recent troubles and rising threats from other factions, Orion took the matter seriously. If things escalated further, it might affect its Spirit Stone income.
Many factions in the city had become tempted by the profits the Liu family was making recently. The popularity of the Lotus Delight Pavilion and Supreme Fried Chicken not only drew envy, but also stirred resentment among those whose businesses had been affected.
Several factions had already made their move, both openly and in secret. Some tried to act friendly and cozy up to the Liu family, some requested cooperation, while others attempted to infiltrate and spy on them to uncover the restaurant's secrets. Meanwhile, others resorted to more forceful means—such as sabotage or direct attacks on Liu family businesses.
Orion also asked about the incident in the forest, where Liu family cultivators had been engaged in a skirmish with another group. The Liu cultivators had set up an ambush for a secret group that had been targeting their business, managing to drive them off and uncover the identity of the attackers.
"So, the ones who've been attacking the Liu family's business recently are the Wu family?" Orion asked.
"That's right. It seems they intend to keep making things difficult for us if we don't agree to cooperate with them," Liu Mingzhen said through gritted teeth. He showed a scroll to Orion, a message from the Wu family expressing their "wish" to form a partnership—laced with subtle threats.
"It seems troublesome," Orion said as it read the scroll, its AI calculating multiple scenarios and strategies to handle the situation.
"The SFC business is very profitable and popular, and it has indeed attracted interest from various factions. But that alone wouldn't cause them to act so aggressively against us. It's the Lotus Delight Pavilion," Liu Mingzhen said, sipping his tea.
"Oh?" Orion said, putting the scroll down.
"The dishes there have proven effective in boosting cultivation, nourishing the meridians, improving Qi flow, and other benefits. Cultivators now prefer eating at Lotus Delight Pavilion instead of relying on cultivation pills. That shift is threatening the pill business—especially offending factions like the Wu family, who control a large portion of the pill market in Fengxian and nearby cities."
"Recently, the Wu family has gotten close to the City Lord's Manor. Their business has expanded rapidly, and they've come to dominate the pill market. Now that they're being affected, and with powerful backing behind them, they've started acting brazenly toward us," Liu Mingzhen added with a sigh, recalling how much the Liu family's operations had suffered—both directly and indirectly—with losses totaling several thousand Spirit Stones.
Orion sat quietly, listening, while internally reviewing all data and stored information related to the Wu family.
"They offered to cooperate and open more branches of Lotus Delight Pavilion—with equal ownership and a 50-50 profit split. But of course, they don't know that the secret behind the restaurant's success is the MSG, and that you're the one providing it," Liu Mingzhen said cautiously, trying to gauge Orion's reaction.
But Orion, who appeared to be a man wearing body armor and a helmet, made it difficult for Liu Mingzhen to read its expression or guess what it was thinking.
"Mm..." Orion nodded slightly. "So, what's your plan? What does the Liu family intend to do?"
Liu Mingzhen cleared his throat. "I've already discussed it with my brother through a communication talisman. Regarding our cooperation in Lotus Delight Pavilion and SFC, Mr. Orion, we'll follow your lead. Whatever you decide—even if you wish to end the partnership—we'll comply."
Orion remained silent, its right index finger lightly tapping the table.
"The Wu family dares to act so brazenly because they don't know my father has already broken through to the Nascent Soul realm," Liu Mingzhen added. "If we announce his breakthrough, it will surely deter them—they won't dare cause trouble then."
Both the Liu and Wu families were Golden Core cultivation clans, mid-sized factions with roughly equal strength and a similar number of Golden Core cultivators. However, the Wu family had recently gained backing from the City Lord Manor of Fengxian City, giving them a political edge.
But if the Wu family were to learn that the Liu family now had a Nascent Soul cultivator, even though the Liu family was based in Yanjing, it would greatly increase their influence and standing in Fengxian.
Currently, the only faction in Fengxian known to have a Nascent Soul cultivator was the City Lord Manor. If the City Lord Manor learned that the Liu family's ancestor had reached the Nascent Soul realm, they would need to show respect.
"There's no need," Orion finally said. "It's better to keep your father's breakthrough to the Nascent Soul realm a secret for now."
"Understood," Liu Mingzhen nodded.
"Fifty-fifty split. They're quite greedy," Orion remarked.
"Well, they also said it's negotiable. But I can guess that their main objective is just to uncover the secret behind Lotus Delight Pavilion," Liu Mingzhen replied.
Orion then told Liu Mingzhen the plan it had formulated. For now, they would try to defuse the tension and deal with the current situation.
They discussed the plan. Some concessions would be offered to the other factions—but there would be no direct cooperation in operating the restaurant. Instead, the Liu family would purchase ingredients from the other factions, even if it meant paying an increased price. Other concessions were considered as well.
Although this would reduce the profit, Orion had calculated and deemed it acceptable.
Orion didn't like the Wu family. They were affecting its interests. As for the City Lord Manor, which backed the Wu family, Orion already held an unfavorable opinion of them—especially after discovering their connection to a bandit group it had previously raided. And now, with the City Lord indirectly causing trouble for Orion, that judgment only worsened.
After discussing things further for a while, they finally made a rough overall plan.
"I'll let you handle the negotiation with the Wu family and the other factions," Orion said.
"Don't worry, Mr. Orion. Leave it to me," Liu Mingzhen responded.
"As long as they don't cross our bottom line, it's okay to agree to their demands," Orion added.
"Understood," Liu Mingzhen nodded. "But what will we do if some of them still cause trouble later, despite reaching an agreement?" Liu Mingzhen asked. He was familiar with these factions—especially the Wu family. It wouldn't surprise him if they pulled something like that.
Orion's right index finger stopped tapping for a brief moment before continuing, accompanied by a subtle Qi fluctuation.
"Then, I'll teach them a little lesson myself. And if that's not enough... maybe there's no need for the Wu family of Fengxian to exist anymore," Orion said calmly.
Liquified Qi was very important to Orion. It gave it strength—a guarantee of safety in this world of cultivation. It needed a large amount of Spirit Stones to produce enough LQ. Orion didn't like how the Wu family was affecting its Spirit Stone income.
Liu Mingzhen stood nervously to the side. A bead of sweat rolled down his face. Meanwhile, Liu Wang, standing nearby, remained calm and unaffected—as if nothing had happened.
After finishing the discussion, Orion left the main hall. Liu Mingzhen personally accompanied Orion out, engaging in idle conversation as they walked.
Orion found Wang Lingxin playing in the flower garden, called her, and together they boarded the carriage and left the Liu family residence.
Liu Mingzhen watched the carriage as it departed.
"Master, are you okay? You look pale," Liu Wang asked, a little worried.
Liu Wang had been the steward of the Liu family for a long time. He knew Liu Mingzhen well—they were close. He had watched Liu Mingzhen grow up. So seeing him pale, there was clearly something wrong.
"Don't worry, I'm fine. Quickly arrange everything as Mr. Orion instructed," Liu Mingzhen said, taking a deep breath to calm himself.
"Understood," Liu Wang bowed and left. He didn't press the matter further.
With his Golden Core cultivation and sharper Spiritual Sense, Liu Mingzhen had clearly felt the brief Qi fluctuation that Orion had emitted earlier. Meanwhile, Liu Wang, who was only at the 2nd stage of the Qi Condensation realm, couldn't sense it—thus acting completely normal.
To the Liu family, Orion was a mystery—an enigma. At first, they thought Orion was just a mortal without cultivation. But as time went on, Orion kept surprising them.
The Qi fluctuation that Liu Mingzhen felt was extremely powerful—it made his heart palpitate.
Could it be that Mr. Orion was previously having some problem with his cultivation or recovering from some kind of injury, which is why he looked like a mortal and didn't show any cultivation strength—and is now slowly regaining his power? Even Nascent Soul realm cultivators can't emit such terrifying Qi fluctuations, Liu Mingzhen thought to himself as he walked back to his working room, preparing to get busy.
As a Golden Core cultivator, he had seen and met many Nascent Soul experts and even witnessed their battles. But none of them could emit a Qi fluctuation as strong and terrifying as Orion's. Even though it only lasted for a moment, it was powerful enough to disturb Liu Mingzhen's own internal Qi circulation.
"If Mr. Orion were to personally make a move against the Wu family… wouldn't that mean they're finished?" Liu Mingzhen muttered, the corner of his mouth slightly raised. With all the trouble the Wu family had caused the Liu family, he wouldn't mind seeing them suffer.
For now, we'll back down a little and swallow this humiliation, Liu Mingzhen thought to himself. With the help of MSG, it's only a matter of time before my Liu family grows stronger. We'll lay low for now... bide our time. It won't be too late to deal with the Wu family later.
Liu Mingzhen was confident—with MSG, the Liu family would one day have more Nascent Soul cultivators. As for himself, he believed he could break through to the Nascent Soul realm within a few decades.