The soft hum of the preservation dome still lingered in the air, its shimmering surface casting a gentle light across the underground chamber. Spirit stones glowed faintly in their inlaid grooves, the containment array pulsing with a rhythm of harmony and stability.
Kaito took a slow breath, stepping back as the dome sealed the core materials. His father, arms crossed, gave a satisfied nod. "Impressive. Now, enough admiring. We've barely scratched the surface. Time to get to work."
With that, he turned and moved toward the racks of sealed crates, beckoning the others to follow.
Kaito, still watching the dome flicker gently, took a single step back and turned toward his second uncle. "That slope behind the villa... we'll need it."
Second Uncle's brow lifted in subtle understanding. "We'll plan the funds to acquire it."
"And the ridge near our farmland," Kaito added quietly. "Please note both. I'll send the amount after this week ends."
The older man nodded once, saying nothing more.
Meanwhile, at the far end of the chamber, Grandfather stood before a shelf of glowing tomes, his eyes sharp. "Come," he called to the others. "Let's classify these properly."
As the elders gathered around the central table, Grandfather carefully lifted a golden-edged manual from its casing. "This one—Astral Godbody Incantation—has the framework of a peak-tier cultivation technique. A clear path to Rank 9 and perhaps even beyond. We'll reserve this for direct bloodline descendants. Those who carry the Ren name must wield the highest possible potential."
He set it aside, then picked up another: Ninefold Vein Shatter Manual. "Also peak-tier. Violent in nature, not suitable for all. But in the right hands..." he glanced briefly at Kaito's third uncle, who grinned and raised a hand in mock claim.
For the trusted inner circle—elders, commanders, and warriors who had served the family faithfully—he selected several high-tier techniques, each with refined aura-control paths and sturdy foundational progression. Manuals such as Azure Thunder Meridian Art and Phantom Qi Spiral Technique were placed in a separate crate, marked for inner distribution.
"These will be reserved," Grandfather stated firmly, "for those who have earned our trust over the years. But they must remain within the family compound. No technique leaves our grounds without authorization."
From a lower shelf, he picked out a few simpler scrolls—less radiant, but still carrying decent cultivation structures. "And these..." he paused, weighing the pages, "...are ideal for those we bring in."
Kaito's father stepped forward. "You mean the next generation?"
Grandfather nodded. "Yes. We will not wait for talent to come to us. In the coming month, we expand our numbers—adopt from orphanages, bring in young hopefuls with decent roots. Train them, test them, guide them."
Kaito offered a small nod. "With our current resources, even those without special talent can grow strong. We're no longer limited by scarcity."
His grandfather gave a rare smile. "Precisely. Talent is no longer the gatekeeper. Effort, loyalty, and structure will define their rise."
A moment passed.
Then, Grandfather turned slightly toward Third Uncle. "When recruiting, don't limit yourself to boys. We'll form a women's martial team as well—trained and outfitted properly."
Third Uncle blinked, then grinned. "Understood. I'll find suitable candidates, no matter their background. As long as their hearts are loyal."
"Start discreetly," Grandfather added. "No flashy announcements. And train them separately, especially at the beginning."
From another set of manuals, he picked one with a silver flower engraved on its cover. "Moonflow Petal Arts—designed specifically for women cultivators. Gentle yet lethal. Effective in group formations. Give this to the new female team."
They continued sorting through the texts. Some were ancient and brittle, their pages requiring special gloves to handle. Others were carved onto jade slips, glowing softly with compressed spiritual script.
Kaito crossed the room and paused beside the butler, Grandpa Gou, who had just arrived with a cart of additional crates. "Your years of experience will be invaluable in managing the maids' training. We'll gradually introduce cultivation into their daily regimen."
The elder servant bowed deeply. "With honor, young master."
As more manuals were sorted and the preserving crates sealed, the air buzzed with anticipation. Plans began forming—teams, formations, ranking structures. Kaito could already envision it: servants sparring in the training fields, new disciples wearing the Ren crest, a hundred warriors rising beneath their banner.
Just as Grandfather was sealing a scroll into a protective casing, Kaito walked over to him.
"We should build an auxiliary training ground in the slope behind the villa," he said quietly. "Make it look like an extension of the existing grounds."
Grandfather gave him a long look, then simply nodded.
A little later, once the elders had dispersed toward the martial wing, Kaito once again approached his second uncle. "Once the funds arrive at week's end, I'll forward them to you."
"For the slope and the ridge?"
"Yes. Discreet purchases only. Expansion under the guise of farm reinforcement."
"Understood. I'll prepare contracts in advance."
Kaito watched the flickering dome of light one more time before turning away. The true foundation of the Ren family had finally been laid—not on blood alone, but on knowledge, foresight, and unity.
After the quiet conversation with his second uncle, Kaito returned to his room. The room was dim and silent, a calm contrast to the whirlwind of planning unfolding in his mind.
He sat down, opened his holo-tab, and activated the AI module once again. This time, it wasn't for defense protocols, excavation data, or stock transactions—it was for preparation. It was time to begin laying the groundwork for the future Studio "Genesis".
He pulled up a private note and began entering names—each one typed manually, from memory.
He didn't need algorithms or forecasts. He had lived through the future.
Each name belonged to someone who had risen to fame and glory over the next ten years—players from his own city, Silvercrest. While the world boasted titans of Glory across continents, these top 100 from Silvercrest had carved out their own legend in the competitive circuits. And Kaito had once studied them all, obsessed with understanding their skills and strategies.
Now, he would gather them—before anyone else recognized their potential.
Just as he saved the last name on his 100-member draft list, his holo-tab lit up with an incoming call.
[Incoming: Mei Rin]
Kaito paused, heart thudding unexpectedly. A familiar warmth fluttered in his chest, mixed with a tight ache of memory. He took a breath and answered.
"Hey," he said, voice level.
"Oi, Kaito! I heard you're home early?" Mei Rin's voice chimed playfully. "You didn't tell me anything. I had to hear it from Auntie!"
Kaito blinked, then chuckled softly. "Yeah... things moved faster than expected."
"Hmm? What are you plotting now?" she asked suspiciously, a teasing smile hidden in her tone.
Kaito leaned back, eyes gazing up at the ceiling. "Nothing too big yet. Just... preparing a little team."
"Oh?" she said quickly. "For what?"
"For Glory," he replied simply.
There was a pause on the other end.
"You're finally going to play? Seriously this time?" Mei Rin asked, voice rising in excitement.
Kaito smiled faintly. "Yeah. I've got some things in motion. I'm building a studio. Small for now—just a hundred members."
"Only a hundred?" she huffed. "What if I bring a few friends? You better not have already filled all the spots!"
His eyes softened. "You'll always have a spot, Mei."
A moment of silence passed.
"Then I'll join," she said brightly. "No backsies. Don't replace me with some top-tier assassin or whatever."
He laughed quietly. "You're better than all of them."
"I know," she shot back. "Anyway, you better come visit soon. I've got something to show you. Don't vanish into your studio plans without telling me."
"Alright," he said gently. "I'll call you again soon."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
The call ended. The room returned to silence—but this time, there was a subtle warmth lingering in the air.
Kaito leaned forward, fingers tapping lightly on the desk.
His plans were growing. Glory was just beginning. His family was preparing. His future allies were being gathered.
And now, Mei Rin was by his side once more.