Project Gilded Lily
Xie Ruolan watched the entire process from a safe distance. What could be seen from her expression was a controlled mixture of scientific fascination and deep apprehension. Also, a little hint of awe.
"You're essentially hot-wiring its digital soul with raw spiritual energy channeled by… whatever that system is," She observed quietly, her voice barely disturbing the silence. "Standard tech integration protocols for interfacing hardware this disparate would take days, possibly weeks, requiring specialized diagnostic tools, clean room environments, and licensed techno-shamans. And yet, you…"
"I don't have days. Remember. I only have a little more than a day before my soul and whatever my existence is gets repossessed by the CRB." Li Fang grunted, wiping sweat from his brow with a grimy sleeve as he forced a final data connection.
The RH-7 core beside him cranked louder as a series of diagnostic lights flickered irregularly across its surface before settling into a steady, rhythmic green pulse.
"Furthermore, standard protocols…" He added, echoing the QFS's earlier assessment, "don't account for repurposed military-grade drone brains being integrated by rogue AI copilots."
[Logic Core Integration: 78% Complete... 85%... 92%...]
[Establishing Secure Handshake with QFS Mainframe via encrypted subspace channel…]
[Encrypting Local Data Storage using Quantum Entanglement Key Pairs…]
[Repurposing RH-7 Threat Assessment Algorithms and Heuristic Learning Matrix for Network Security Perimeter…]
[Environmental Scan Initiated via salvaged sensor array…]
[Power levels stable via Geothermal Node Auxiliary Coupling... Success!]
[Lilypad-01 Node is Online. Project Gilded Lily Network Initialized. Awaiting Operational Parameters. ]
A complex, multi-layered holographic interface shimmered into existence above the now steadily humming drone core. Visible only to Li Fang, it glowed with a soft, golden light, displaying a nascent network structure.
A central hub with secure communication channels branching outwards, data storage partitioned with formidable quantum encryption algorithms, and integrated security protocols already actively scanning the immediate environment using the repurposed drone sensors. It felt solid and real. They now have the digital heart of their nascent operation.
"Project Gilded Lily is live," Li Fang announced, straightening up, feeling a sense of accomplishment mixed with exhaustion. He wiped his brow properly this time. "Phase one: secure platform established."
Xie Ruolan peered intently at the empty space above the drone core where Li Fang was clearly seeing the interface.
She tilted her head slightly, perhaps trying to sense the energy signature of the projection.
"Impressive," She conceded, "Your 'associate' is remarkably proficient at unconventional hardware integration. And you have the skills too. Is that something a mere scavenger does?"
"Will you believe me if I tell you I'm being guided through all of it?" He answered.
Xie Ruolan stared at him, clearly skeptical. "Impossible. You still need some technical knowledge to accomplish all that. Your 'associate' isn't guiding you by hand."
She then walked closer, examining the physical connections Li Fang had made. "Anyhow, now for the difficult part. Phase two: populate it. We need borrowers. Assets. A portfolio. And we need it structured properly from the outset."
She tapped the data-case resting on her lap again.
"I've been running preliminary simulations based on the parameters of your 'Ascension Spark Loan' for IronOx_7. The core model – breakthrough-contingent repayment – is viable for early-stage Qi Condensation cultivators, yes. But it's too narrow, too high-risk profile on its own. We need diversification to ensure consistent cash flow and mitigate losses."
She began pacing again, her earlier energy returning. The strategist was taking over.
Li Fang couldn't help but wonder if she was also this passionate in her job before. Within the polished floors of the Bank of Reincarnation.
"Consider other underserved niches. Cultivators between gig contracts – Spirit Exterminators waiting for the next infestation report, Bodyguards needing to maintain peak condition between assignments. They often need short-term Qi boosts or small Qi-Credit loans just to survive, usually resorting to predatory lenders. We could offer 'Bridge Fuel Loans'. Small Qi-Credit amounts, repaid with modest interest plus a small percentage of their next contract payout."
She didn't stop there. "What about skill acquisition? Many independent cultivators possess aptitude but lack the resources for specific technique manuals or the necessary catalysts. Rare herbs, elemental crystals, and purified Qi of a specific resonance. A 'Technique Catalyst Loan' could provide both the Qi principal and digitally transmitted foundational data or resonant attunement for the technique, with repayment tied to a verifiable increase in their skill proficiency or successful application of the technique."
Li Fang listened intently, impressed by the speed and precision of her thinking. The QFS immediately corroborated her ideas, flashing potential product structures on its interface.
[Affirmative. Expanding Loan Portfolio reduces overall risk concentration and increases potential revenue streams significantly.]
[Host Partner Xie Ruolan's proposals align with optimal growth strategies.]
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[Proposed Product Structure: 'Technique Catalyst Loan'.]
[Principal: Pure Qi Manifestation + Specific Elemental/Technique Attunement Data (Sourced via QFS analysis of public/dark net cultivation archives).]
[Repayment: Percentage of measurable Technique Proficiency Increase (Verified via remote resonance scan upon completion) OR Collateralization against future earnings utilizing learned technique.]
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[Proposed Product Structure: 'Gig Fuel Advance'.
[Principal: Short-Burst High-Purity Qi Manifestation (Tailored to contract duration/energy requirements).]
[Repayment: Fixed Flat Fee + Percentage of Contract Payout (Verified upon successful completion via escrow release or client confirmation).]
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[Additional Suggestion: 'Deviation Insurance Micro-Policy'.]
[Low premium paid by borrower (Qi or Credits) provides partial compensation (Qi Infusion/Minor Credit Stipend) in case of documented, non-negligent Qi deviation during training funded by the Ascension Spark Loan.]
[Reduces borrower risk perception, potentially increasing uptake.]
"Deviation insurance..." Li Fang murmured, reading the QFS suggestion. "That's clever. Makes the loans seem safer, more responsible. Many desperate cultivators will cling onto it because of the lower risk of getting turned into a bond slave."
"Exactly. Perception management is crucial. However…" Xie nodded sharply before turning to him, a serious expression lining her pretty face, "... developing these products requires far more sophisticated risk assessment than your first loan. Algorithms alone aren't enough, no matter how advanced your AI claims to be."
She gestured towards the bustling city far above their hidden node. "We need qualitative analysis. We need to understand the people behind the applications. Their true desperation level versus their competence. Their existing affiliations, their known rivalries, their psychological stability, their karmic baggage."
She locked eyes with him. "This requires accessing… less public data streams. Deeper dives than simple forum scraping. We need reliable black market information brokers. People who trade in secrets, hacked corporate databases and compromised Sect personnel files. We may even need discreet karmic resonance analysis on potential high-value borrowers. But only if your system is capable of that without triggering CRB alarms."
Li Fang hesitated. This felt like a significant escalation. Or something that should be handled down the line.