CHAPTER 378: HEADING TO INHERITANCE GROUND

The broker, a middle-aged woman named Serine, with sharp eyes softened by the wrinkles of constant smiles, greeted them warmly as she stepped outside.

"Gentlemen, welcome! What can I assist you with today?" she asked, quickly assessing Orion’s quality attire and Edgar’s... handsome face? She took a few more glances towards Edgar before shifting her gaze back to Orion.

"We’re looking to purchase some large courtyards," Orion replied smoothly. "Ideally, three. Each must have enough space for various workspaces and accommodations."

Serine nodded thoughtfully, instantly pulling out a sheaf of parchments listing available properties. "I have several promising options nearby. Follow me, please."

They toured several potential courtyards, each bustling with life or worn by age. Orion quickly selected three spacious properties, each strategically situated to maximize subtle surveillance while appearing completely ordinary to outsiders.

The final negotiations were quick, Orion’s direct yet generous bargaining earning Serine’s genuine gratitude.

"Fifteen thousand Lesser Grade Mana Crystals total for the three," she announced, smiling broadly at such a significant transaction. "These properties will serve you well, honored customer."

Orion once more drew forth the Banana seal, carefully imprinting each deed under the curious gaze of the broker.

Serine’s eyebrows arched lightly, amused confusion evident in her expression, but she wisely refrained from commenting.

Orion handed over three separate pouches, each brimming with exactly five thousand Lesser Grade Mana Crystals.

"Ensure everything is properly recorded," Orion instructed calmly. "Fix up the courtyards a bit, I have plans for some people to move here."

Serine bowed respectfully. "Consider it done. My sincerest thanks for your patronage, sir."

With business swiftly concluded, Orion and Edgar returned to the carriage, where Lucan waited with a relaxed, curious expression.

"All done here, Young Master?" Lucan asked, flicking the reins gently as the horses pawed impatiently at the cobblestones.

"Indeed," Orion responded. "Three courtyards secured. Brother Lucan, when you drop me off, deliver these documents directly to Magi."

Lucan nodded lazily, his lips curling into an easy smile. "I suppose I could squeeze that into my busy schedule. Will there be wine involved?"

"Ask Magi," Orion chuckled softly. "He’ll certainly have some. Just don’t empty his stash."

Lucan grinned shamelessly as he urged the horses into a trot. "I shall not make such grand promises, but I will try my best, Young Master."

As the carriage rolled back towards the Helstorm Estate, Orion leaned comfortably against the side of the carriage while looking at Edgar with a playful smile, "Looks like Uncle Edgar still hasn’t lost his charm, huh. That poor lady was captivated by you."

Edgar smiled and shook his head, "Merely fleeting feelings. She won’t think twice about me again."

Saying so, he carefully started documenting the day’s transactions, noting down every detail meticulously at Orion’s request.

Silence filled the carriage interior as Orion shook his head and turned his head to look outside.

Upon reaching the Helstorm mansion gates, the familiar, comforting sight of home greeted Orion warmly.

He stepped down from the carriage, inhaling the fragrant air of the estate gardens and feeling the subtle tension of a productive day ease from his shoulders.

"Good work today, Brother Lucan, Uncle Edgar," Orion said appreciatively, his voice relaxed but genuine.

Lucan waved lightly, already turning the carriage back toward the Fourth Ring. "No problem at all. I’ll see Magi about that wine!"

Orion shook his head, smiling faintly. Edgar inclined his head respectfully, a slight smile on his face. "Young Master, rest well."

With a gentle nod, Orion turned and walked towards the mansion. Walking through the hall, he soon entered his room and locked the door behind him and carefully withdrew the Silent Hall Cube from his inventory, placing it on the table before him.

He sent a thread of mana into the cube, activating it swiftly. The familiar shimmer of the barrier enveloped the room.

Orion exhaled deeply and sat down in his chair, savoring the quiet as he gathered his thoughts.

Today marked an important milestone, the formation of his hidden network had officially begun, its foundation quietly laid beneath the unsuspecting gaze of the kingdom.

"Well then," Orion murmured softly to himself, his voice barely audible in the silence, "the pieces are finally moving into place."

[Indeed, Master! (๑˃ᴗ˂)و♡]

Lumi’s enthusiastic voice chimed in gently within his mind.

[We’re one step closer to having eyes and ears throughout the kingdom.]

Orion smiled, relaxing against his chair. "Yes, Lumi. I want to spread this network throughout the kingdom in a few months so I can be prepared if a war breaks out."

[Hopefully it can be established soon. (๑•́‿•̀๑)]

Lumi’s voice softened, the little window bobbing once like a nod.

Orion nodded his head in agreement. "Oh well, we can think about that later. Now that I’ve memorized the Light Element material and the Runic/Mana Circuit theory, it’s time to consolidate the foundation."

He closed his eyes. The Golden Headband appeared onto his forehead with a warm click as it glowed with a soft light. Space around him distorted a little before the scene shifted.

***

He arrived to the soft hum of conversation, the second zone again, where lounges and low tables floated on clouds like islands adrift.

A handful of trial-takers sat calmly while drinking and idly chatting after long sessions of training. Dozens of glances lifted when Orion formed, then fell away just as quickly, recognition without fuss.

A few eyes lingered a heartbeat longer than others; the board had updated, after all.

"Continuum?" Orion murmured, scanning around to look for him. After looking here and there, he realized that he wasn’t here. "Why does he remind me of Magi? Is he really as aloof as he seems, or just like Magi?"

[My bet? Selectively irresponsible. ( •̀ω•́ )✧]

Lumi’s text chirped, drifting in his periphery.

’Hmm, let me see if I can call him with the group chat,’ Saying so, he tried to activate the group chat, however nothing appeared in front of him.

He raised an eyebrow and thought, "Can’t chat inside the tower? Oh well..."

With Continuum nowhere in sight and group chat being inaccessible, Orion headed toward the first zone. The change was as gentle as a breath; the surrounding chatter silenced at once.

The meditation grounds unfolded as a ringed lake suspended in mid-air, water clearer than a saint’s soul, holding strands of light like liquid gold.

Across the lake surface rose vast lotuses. They were in a ring-like formation with a few at the center then more and more at the inner and outer part of the lake.

A lot of lotuses already had occupants upon them: an old elf with jade-green silk robes; a granite-skinned dwarf on another; a dragon woman, silver scales casting crescents on her pale-blue seat.

Orion paused at the border, then stepped onto an open lotus in the outer ring. It softly shook as he calmly stood upon the lotus. Sitting down, he folded his legs and let his hands rest on his knees.

The pressure came instantly, a deep, slow tide descending through head and spine. Not like the suppression of the stairs, not the type he felt while running up Wukong’s staff, but instead it felt as if it was tempering and improving his very soul, even if slightly.

His soul shook briefly before it calmed down; his consciousness gathered like a lens to focus on a single point.

[Oh... this field’s signature is... brute,]

Lumi breathed, the text shrinking as if whispering.

[It’s compressing and polishing your Sea of Consciousness. Not elegant at all but very... Wukong styled? (˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶)]