Roy Sloan

At the same time that Aris was fighting hard to protect his father's life from wild wolves, far from there but still in the same country, a young man and his father lived in peace in their home. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say: in their mansion.

The grand mansion sat atop a hill, surrounded by meticulously manicured gardens and multiple swimming pools. Tall, elegant trees lined the driveway, which was illuminated by ornate lampposts at night. Next to the enormous entrance door, a stunning fountain adorned with a marble sculpture always drew compliments from visitors. The sculpture depicted a majestic eagle with its wings spread wide, symbolizing the grandeur and power of the Sloan family.

It was interesting to think why the house needed to contain dozens of bedrooms just for two people to live in. Still, everything was luxurious, and it contained many special rooms such as a cinema, game room, library, gym, and more.

Now, a middle-aged man was training boxing in the private gym inside his mansion. He had short brown hair, a strong chin, and a crooked nose, adding character to his ruggedly handsome face. Even though he was in his late forties, the tank top he wore highlighted his ripped frame, making him look more like a seasoned military man than a billionaire. 

His muscles rippled with each punch he threw, and the intensity in his eyes showed a man who valued discipline and strength above all else. The gym itself was state-of-the-art, with every piece of equipment imaginable, mirrors lining the walls, and a large plasma screen displaying various workout routines.

The place was so spacious that one might wonder if they were actually in the same house. But yes, it was true, it was a house for only the two of them.

In a secluded corner, a young man sat engrossed in a video on his laptop. His short, curly black hair, long enough to sometimes fall over his eyes, contrasted with the short brown hair of the older man. Despite the different hairstyles, he shared a strong chin with the man and had begun to develop a few sparse beard strands, signaling the onset of manhood.

*BANG!*

*BANG!*

The rhythmic noise echoed through the empty gym, its beats varying from rapid sequences to longer intervals. The sound, though intense, was not from gunshots. Instead, it came from the older man, positioned further down the gym.

James Sloan, the billionaire, was furiously attacking a heavy punching bag, each powerful blow causing the bag to sway and shake violently. The sheer force behind his punches indicated a level of skill and strength equivalent to that of a professional boxer. Observing closely, one could see faint traces of Qi emanating from his hands!

Stopping the video somewhat annoyed, the teenager looked at the man, his father. 

"Have you achieved the First Stage of Body Tempering?" The young man asked, momentarily analyzing his father's punches and noticing the Qi traces with keen interest.

"Not yet!" James replied, wiping sweat from his forehead and taking a brief respite from his training.

"Noob…" The youngster murmured under his breath.

"What did you say, Roy!?" James's voice took on a challenging edge.

"Nothing!" Roy flashed a light smile, shaking his head.

James shrugged and walked over to his son, shifting the focus of their conversation. "So, what do you think about the video?"

They turned their attention to the laptop screen. Despite having watched it countless times, the footage still left Roy incredulous. On the screen was a video of a six-legged black panther, its eyes glinting with a menacing aura. Blood dripped from its sharp teeth, having just severed the head of a soldier. That was the exact same video recorded by Operation Enigma.

"How is that even possible!?" Roy was incredulous, but at the same time his eyes showed hints of fascination!

"I got it from a reliable source, it must be true." James responded, assuming his son was questioning the video's authenticity.

"No, I'm not doubting the video's existence," Roy clarified, nodding as he replayed the footage. "But look here—this man used Qi to fight the beast!"

The recording clearly showed Zander using Qi-infused punches against the beast, and even though it was only a video, Roy could discern the significant difference.

"Yes, I noticed that too. But what's your take on the situation overall?" James asked, his gaze steady.

Since the day his son got that mysterious cultivation book and urged him to acquire more, James had been consulting with him frequently about cultivation matters. He knew that his kid was a genius and was proud of it. Over time, their shared interest had drawn them closer, and their bond has deepened.

Roy locked eyes with his father, his smile growing mischievous, it was a smile commonly seen in a child when going to do something silly. It was a long time since James saw his kid like that as most of the time Roy was way more mature than his age. This change in demeanor made James pause, wondering what his son was planning.

"Father," Roy said, his voice firm and resolute. "I want to go inside."

"What!?" James widened his eyes and looked at his son as if the boy had lost his mind.

"Just think about it!" Roy continued, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Imagine the wonders that could be hiding inside that forest. There could be mystical resources, rare treasures, or even knowledge that could change everything!" Seeing his father's puzzled expression, Roy added, "I'm convinced that the future of humanity could be tied to what lies within that forest!"

"Yes, but it could also mean a painful death! It doesn't matter that you're already at the First Stage of Body Tempering!" James tried to dissuade his son from this perilous idea, momentarily regretting his own idea of showing the video to his son.

"..." Roy fell silent, deep in thought. His father's concern was valid, but Roy felt an undeniable urgency. The world was on the brink of a monumental shift, and he was certain that those who moved quickly would gain a decisive advantage.

Perhaps it was his lifelong dream of embarking on a mysterious adventure, fueled by the power of cultivation, that drove him. Cultivation had already shown him the path to power, and he understood that true strength often required facing danger head-on. Roy knew that the future belonged to those who dared to seize it, no matter the risks involved.

Mistaking that silence for acceptance, James continued:

""Not only that, but now the entire area around the forest has become international territory. It's surrounded by armies from every country. There's no way I can send you in without sparking an international incident…"

Roy's face brightened with sudden realization. "Nice idea, Father! How could I be so dumb!?"

What do you mean?" James asked, his confusion evident. Contrary to his expectations, it seemed that his attempts to deter his son had only fueled the boy's determination.

"How many cultivation books do we have?" Roy instead answered with another question.

"More than fifty I guess… that was everything I could acquire before then gov- Wait, aren't you planning on…" Suddenly, realization struck James.

Building an army, yes!" Roy finished the thought with a confident nod.

James was stunned, staring at his son as if he had truly lost his mind. "Do you have any idea what the government will do when they find out? You think they're just going to hand over the White House and say, 'Here, take the keys, we're done'?" He tried to inject some logic into the conversation, hoping to shake Roy from his madness.

"They won't need to discover anything because we won't be hiding," Roy responded, ignoring his father's sarcasm with a calm smile.

"No way! They're already furious with me for even having those books! How are we supposed to keep an entire army under wraps?" James retorted, rejecting the idea outright. "Wait… not hiding it?"

"Look, Father." Roy realized that words alone wouldn't convince his father. He needed to show him what he meant. Setting his laptop aside, Roy stood up and walked toward the nearest wall. Channeling Qi into his right hand, he clenched his fist and threw a punch.

*BANG!*

The impact echoed through the gym, louder than the sounds of his father's earlier punches. The wall trembled slightly, and when Roy lowered his hand, the imprint of his fist was embedded deep into the concrete.

"That is true power! And I didn't even use all my strength," Roy said, his voice brimming with excitement. "Imagine what someone at the Ninth Stage of Body Tempering could do! Or even better, someone who's reached the legendary Foundation Establishment Realm!"

His eyes burned with passion as he spoke, the possibilities igniting a fire within him. The fantasy books he had once devoured were no longer just stories—they were becoming reality. He couldn't wait to see what the future held for Earth.

"Only those with Qi will be able to explore that forest, and only the strong will survive! Forget about money, forget about governments—what can they do when a single person can surpass the strength of an entire army? The sooner we act, the better!"

James rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Just a few days ago, Roy had been right about the cultivation books, and that foresight had put them ahead of everyone else. In a way, James could also sense that Earth was on the brink of even greater changes, but his thoughts had always been confined to the market and the world of finance. After all, making money was what he had done all his life, mastering the art of navigating power struggles in the corporate world. But now, standing on the precipice of something far greater, James found himself facing an opportunity unlike any he'd encountered before.

He was a billionaire, having reached the pinnacle of what wealth could offer a person, and he knew the intense power struggles that came with it. Yet, here was a chance to build something that transcended money—a chance to seize true power, the kind that could reshape the world.

Would he back down now? The answer was clear.

Definitely not!

"Haha! What are you planning, boy!?" James laughed heartily, the sound echoing through the spacious gym. He could sense a monumental challenge on the horizon, but the thought of it only fueled his determination. His eyes, now blazing with the same passion as his son's, met Roy's as he stepped closer. The resemblance between them was striking—father and son, both driven by ambition.

"We're going to build a new institution," Roy began, his voice filled with excitement and conviction. "A site near the forest, specifically for cultivators. They'll explore the forest, gather resources, and while they risk their lives to do that, we'll buy their resources and develop new technologies to investigate the unique biome. But to make this happen, we'll need your connections at Robotics Alliance and Diamond Pharmaceuticals."

James nodded, already envisioning the possibilities. "And?"

"At the same time," Roy continued, "we'll be building a strong and loyal force in secret. We will pick the best and strongest cultivators and make them loyal only to ourselves! But... I'm not entirely sure how to arrange that part yet."

"That's indeed interesting, but why should we stop there? Why not make this an international institution and then recruit people from all over the world!?" James added, completely hooked by the idea. 

Roy gave a crooked grin. "I'm glad that you understood, father. True power, we'll be able to build an empire with that!"

James nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "If we're going to do this, we're doing it right. But we need to be careful—very careful. We're not just dealing with markets and competitors anymore, Roy. This is a whole new level of power and danger."

"I know," Roy acknowledged, his tone serious. "And because of that, I need to ask you one more thing: You must hire the best martial arts teachers for me and for our loyal force. I'm sure you can find them."

James's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Consider it done. We'll find the best, no matter where they are."

The day passed quickly as the father and son continued to discuss their plans, their excitement and determination growing with each idea. A few days later, a strange movement began around the world, unnoticed by most: the foundations of a new empire were quietly being laid.