When the new month arrived and the return option refreshed, he once again imparted his understanding of Lightning Force and Lightning Force Circulation Art. But this time, the feedback was somewhat underwhelming.
Cedric painstakingly lectured for a long time, but in the end, he didn't even trigger a critical reward. All he received was the basic 10-fold return, which was like a drop in the ocean. It didn't make any difference at all.
Compared to the astonishing windfalls he'd received before, this harvest felt utterly insignificant.
Even so, this experience made Cedric finally understand that the system's critical rewards were not something that could be triggered so easily. The reason the first few returns had exploded into critical hits was because, every time, he gave Lior something that Lior truly needed. What is more, those were the things Lior had never even thought of receiving in his lifetime.
From this, Cedric could only conclude that if he wanted to trigger critical hits more often, he had to keep changing the gifts and ensure that the bound person felt surprise every time.
Over the next stretch of time, Cedric continued cultivating.
Three months passed just like that. However, during this period of time, Cedric didn't get an opportunity to use the Enlightenment Period.
He had either been troubled with Mining Station 12 or welcomed a few guests every month.
The only good thing that happened was that he was able to advance again, becoming an Intermediate Awakening Realm warrior.
On this day, Old Blue came again. But this time, he was not here to provide Cedric with monthly resources, but to take him away.
---
In front of a towering castle, Cedric stepped off the spaceship and glanced around in curiosity. Through telepathy, he quietly asked Old Blue at his side: "Old Blue, why did Young Master Julian summon us?"
Old Blue answered, "Young Master will soon return to his family, and most of the personal guards are to accompany him."
"His family?" Cedric blinked in surprise. "Does that mean we're leaving the Bright Bolt Zone?"
"Correct." Old Blue nodded, his eyes shining with deep respect.
"Young Master's home is not located in the Bright Bolt Zone but in the Soft Breeze Zone. Both of these zones fall under the Falling Star Region."
"As you already know by now, but the Voltis Family is the true controller of the entire Soft Breeze Zone. More than half of the Voltis Family's elites live there. There are multiple Earthen Soul Realm warriors here, and the Soft Breeze Zone is renowned throughout the Emerald Bay Domain because of the Voltis Family."
As Cedric listened, a strange light flickered in his gaze.
Since he was going to the Soft Breeze Zone, he may have a chance to escape.
Currently, a grand banquet is being held inside this magnificent castle.
Julian was already sitting at the place of honor.
Across from him sat a beautiful woman clad in red battle armor. Her expression was cold and sharp. There was a plump young man with curly hair, dressed in black, present as well.
At this moment, the plump man in black was busy devouring the delicacies on the table, speaking between mouthfuls as he praised Julian, "Haha, Ninth Brother, you really know how to live well. All these delicacies here must be worth at least a million Credits, right?"
"As expected of a wealthy lord who owns all mines in the Bright Bolt Zone! Haha, this is how life is meant to be lived!"
Julian swirled the wine in his glass, took a slow sip, and grinned in self-satisfaction.
"Haha, what's there to fuss about? Stay a while longer, and I'll even let you taste meat from a beast in the Advanced Stage of Awakening Realm!"
The black-clothed youth's eyes immediately brightened when he heard Julian's words.
"Seriously, Ninth Brother? You mean it?"
"Of course, I..."
"Both of you, be quiet."
At this moment, the woman in red armor shot them a sharp look and interrupted them. Her voice was filled with impatience.
"All you think about is food and drink. Especially you, Ninth. You don't have a shred of focus on cultivation!"
Her gaze locked sternly on Julian, seated at the head.
"Mother worked hard to secure all the mines available in the Bright Bolt Zone for you, yet instead of using its resources to train, you waste time on nonsense. Have you forgotten what you promised to our mother?"
"C-cough…"
Julian was clearly intimidated. He hunched his shoulders and hurried to defend himself.
"Third Sister, that's only because you and Ray are visiting. I'm not usually like this… And I haven't stopped cultivating. Look, I've already reached the Advanced Stage of the Awakening Realm."
"Hmm… in just a year, you climbed from the Elementary Stage to the Advanced Stage of the Awakening Realm. It seems you have worked hard. But…"
Hearing this, the icy expression on the woman in red armor eased slightly, though her tone remained strict.
"Mother went through great trouble to secure all the mines in the entire Bright Bolt Zone for you. You must manage it properly and use its resources to raise your strength as fast as possible. You don't want a repeat of what happened last time, do you?"
"Got it, Third Sister. I remember everything. Don't worry about that. I'll never forget that humiliation, ever!"
Julian bobbed his head eagerly, then hurried to steer the conversation elsewhere.
"Moreover, I bought a batch of excellent slaves from Thunder Region. With their helping hands, Skybolt Crystals' output has already risen a lot!"
"And among those slaves, the leader I chose is truly a genius. He stood out among them all. When I purchased him, he was only Nine Stars warrior. It has only been six months, yet he broke through consecutively. Now, he is already an Intermediate Stage Awakening Realm warrior. If I sell him now, I can easily make at least ten million Credits!"
"Oh? From Nine Stars to the Intermediate Stage of the Awakening Realm in just half a year?"
As expected, the woman in red armor finally showed some interest. "You actually found such a genius on the slave market? How much did he cost?"
"Hehe. I purchased him and all hundreds of his tribesmen in just one million credits." Julian grinned with quiet pride.
"Mm. Seems your luck isn't bad." She nodded slightly. "Alright then. Wrap up the affairs in Bright Bolt Zone. We have to leave soon. If we're late, who knows what schemes those people will try again."