The lottery wheel slowed.
The faint humming sound that had filled the space gradually weakened, each tick echoing like a heartbeat in Su Ning's ears.
Then silence.
A second later, the system's mechanical voice rang out, crisp and emotionless, yet carrying a trace of ceremonial gravity.
'Congratulations, Host. Lottery draw complete. Host has obtained three random drops.'
Su Ning, who had been standing with her arms folded, blinked slightly. A small crease formed between her brows as she tilted her head.
"Three… random drops?" she repeated slowly, her voice carrying a faint note of curiosity. "That's different from the usual single reward."
Her gaze sharpened, interest clearly piqued.
The system responded immediately, its tone steady and precise.
"Correct. Due to the legendary-grade lottery, Host has received a combination reward package."
A translucent panel unfolded in front of her, lines of golden text appearing one after another.
"Rewards obtained: One technique, one skill, and one cultivation manual."
Su Ning straightened unconsciously.
The system continued, each word landing with deliberate clarity.
'Technique acquired: Shadow Feet.
Skill acquired: Telepathy.
Cultivation manual acquired: High Earth-Grade Manual — Supreme Art.'
Su Ning's lips curved upward.
"Oh?" she murmured softly, her eyes lighting up with genuine interest. "That's… quite the combination."
Her attention lingered on the first reward.
"A telepathy skill," she repeated, tasting the name. "Sounds interesting."
As if anticipating her thoughts, the system began its explanation without prompting.
'Shadow Feet is a high-level movement technique.'
With a faint hum, an illusion formed in midair—an indistinct humanoid silhouette flickering like smoke.
'When activated, the user's speed surpasses that of ordinary movement techniques. The user moves faster than wind.'
The silhouette suddenly blurred.
In the blink of an eye, it vanished from its original spot and reappeared several meters away, leaving behind a faint afterimage that dissolved like mist.
'During movement, the user's presence becomes indistinct. The silhouette resembles a shadow rather than a physical form.'
The illusion shifted again, melting seamlessly into a wall. The outline flattened, blending perfectly with the surface as though it had never existed.
'The user may merge with walls, surfaces, darkness, and concealed spaces. Effective for stealth, infiltration, assassination, and escape.'
Su Ning let out a low whistle, unable to hide her appreciation.
"That's not just fast," she said lightly, eyes gleaming. "That's terrifying."
Her gaze drifted toward the pond, where the four figures sat in perfect stillness, their breathing synchronized, spiritual energy flowing steadily around them.
A thoughtful smile slowly spread across her face.
"This would suit them perfectly," she murmured, more to herself than to the system.
The system moved on smoothly.
'Next reward: Telepathy Skill.'
The illusion shifted again, forming two indistinct figures connected by thin threads of light.
'Telepathy allows the user to communicate mentally with another individual.'
The threads pulsed faintly.
'Distance limitations and duration are dependent on the user's cultivation level.'
Su Ning's eyes narrowed slightly, calculating.
"So once my cultivation improves, I won't need devices or signals to give orders," she said calmly. "No sound. No traces."
The system responded flatly.
'Correct.'
She hummed softly in satisfaction.
"Good," she said. "Very good."
The system did not pause before introducing the final reward.
'Final reward: High Earth-Grade Cultivation Manual — Supreme Art.'
The words Supreme Art glowed brighter than the rest.
'Supreme Art is divided into seven cultivation stages, the first to seventh stage.'
As each stage appeared, the surrounding spiritual energy subtly stirred, as if reacting to the authority embedded in the manual.
'With each ascension, the cultivator's body, soul, and spiritual power undergo complete refinement.'
The illusion changed again—showing a figure standing tall amid storms, lightning bending around them rather than striking.
'Upon reaching the later stages, the cultivator gains overwhelming strength and dominance over peers of the same realm.'
The system's voice remained mechanical, but the implication was unmistakable.
'At peak mastery, the cultivator is nearly undefeatable among equivalent grades.'
She crossed her arms slowly, eyes fixed on the glowing description.
"…Nearly undefeatable?" she echoed.
Her brows knitted together as she exhaled softly.
"Why does this sound stronger than mine?," she said after a moment.
She paused, then cleared her throat lightly, an unusually sheepish gesture from someone who rarely doubted herself.
"System," she asked carefully, "between this Supreme Art and my cultivation manual… which one is stronger?"
The system scoffed, it's tone filled with disdain.
It was subtle, but unmistakable.
'Host's question is unnecessary.'
Su Ning blinked.
The system's tone shifted, laced with unmistakable disdain.
'Host's cultivation manual is Divine Grade.'
The words Divine Grade rang with absolute authority.
'A mere Earth-Grade manual cannot be compared.'
The floating illusion shattered like glass.
'Even if the Supreme Art is cultivated to its highest stage, it cannot rival Host's second cultivation stage at its peak.'
The system continued mercilessly.
'Let alone the third.'
Su Ning stared.
Then—she laughed.
A clear, amused laugh echoed through the space, light and unrestrained.
"So you can be sarcastic," she said, shaking her head slightly. "Noted."
She exhaled, her smile softening.
"Well," she murmured, eyes turning thoughtful, "that means this manual is perfect for them."
Without hesitation, she stepped out of her space briefly.
The night air of the villa brushed against her skin, cool and calm, as though the world outside had no idea what kind of storm she was quietly preparing. Ah Wei and Ah Ming were still nearby, carrying out their duties with the same meticulous efficiency they always displayed.
"Come with me," Su Ning said suddenly, her voice light but leaving no room for refusal.
Ah Wei paused mid-movement, while Ah Ming lifted her head at once. Neither of them asked where they were going, nor did they show confusion. Instead, they responded instinctively, voices overlapping slightly as they answered with solemn respect.
"Yes, Young Miss."
The moment her thought shifted, space itself seemed to fold. The world blurred for a fraction of a second, and then reality settled again.
Ah Wei and Ah Ming looked around curiously, before them stretched a tranquil, otherworldly scene—a boundless space that felt detached from time itself.
The air was thick with pure spiritual energy, so dense that it brushed against the skin like a living thing. In the distance, a clear pond reflected the faint glow of a sky that did not belong to any known world.
Near the water's edge, four figures sat cross-legged, unmoving, yet radiating an unmistakable pressure that made one's instincts scream danger.
"Young Miss…" Ah Wei finally managed to speak, his voice lower than usual, carrying restrained shock. "This place is—"
"Welcome to my domain," Su Ning replied calmly, turning back to look at them. Her eyes were steady, unreadable, as if standing in a world like this was no more remarkable than entering a room.
Before either of them could respond, the four figures by the pond stirred. Almost simultaneously, they opened their eyes.
Their movements were synchronized, precise, and eerily disciplined, as though they were parts of a single entity rather than individuals.
They rose to their feet and turned toward Su Ning. Without hesitation, all four dropped to one knee, fists pressed to their chests.
"Young Miss."
The sound echoed faintly through the space, filled with absolute loyalty and reverence.
Then they looked at Ah Wei and Ah Ming, subtle recognition and connection went between them.
"Seniors." They acknowledged.
Ah Wei and Ah Ming nodded, automatically knowing, they were of the same root.
Su Ning nodded slightly in acknowledgment, then gestured toward the two men beside her.
"This is Ah Wei, and this is Ah Ming."
Her gaze shifted briefly to the two she had just introduced, her tone softening by a fraction. "And these four are Ah Fu, Ah Ting, Ah Ling and Ah Mei."
Ah Fu inclined his head deeply. The others followed suit, acknowledging Ah Wei and Ah Ming without hesitation.
Only then did Su Ning step forward, her presence commanding the space without needing force. The spiritual energy around her seemed to respond subtly, as though recognizing its master.
"From this moment on," she said, her voice steady and clear, "you are no longer just puppets, you will be operating as an hidden Organization. What I am about to build will exist in secrecy, beyond the reach of any organization, any nation, or any power in the outside world."
She paused deliberately, allowing the weight of her words to sink in.
"And this place," she continued, sweeping her gaze across the space, "will be your base. It cannot be tracked, invaded, or discovered. Even if the world burns outside, this space will remain untouched."
Ah Wei felt his chest tighten in eagerness.
Ah Ming's breathing slowed, her mind racing as the implications became clear.
Su Ning's lips curved faintly—not a smile of warmth, but one of calculated resolve.
"Our organization will be called ASURA."
The name seemed to ripple through the air.
Violence. Judgment. Ruthless order.
The six before her reacted instantly.
They knelt as one, foreheads lowered, voices filled with restrained fervor.
"We are honoured to work with the Young Miss."
Su Ning studied them for a moment, her gaze sharp and assessing. Then she spoke again, this time with precision.
"Ah Wei and Ah Ming will remain by my side in the outside world. One will continue as my chef, the other as my housekeeper. Your roles will not change publicly, but privately, you will cultivate here and answer only to me."
Both of them straightened instinctively.
"Yes, Young Miss," they replied in unison, voices firm despite the shock still swirling in their minds.
Su Ning then turned to the four by the pond.
"You four," she said calmly, "will be the core of ASURA. Shadow guards, commanders, and executioners when necessary. You will cultivate, train, and prepare. Orders will come directly from me."
Ah Fu hesitated for half a second before speaking, his tone respectful but thoughtful. "Young Miss, should we begin recruiting talent from the outside?"
A slow, knowing smirk appeared on Su Ning's lips.
"No need," she replied. "New members will join soon enough."
The answer sent a ripple of excitement through the group. None of them doubted her words.
She planned to create more puppets once she came back from London.
Su Ning shifted her attention inward, addressing the system briefly before turning back to them.
Then she asked the system how to transfer the skills to them, the system sounded in response.
'Host can choose to absorb before transfer or directly transfer. Host can transfer by touching the subject. Subjects can also choose to transfer any skill, technique or cultivation manual of their choices.'
Su Ning nodded in understanding and spoke to them.
"I will impart three things to you today," she said evenly. "A technique, a skill, and a cultivation manual. You will receive them directly, without deviation."
The six of them straightened, anticipation flickering in their eyes.
She didn't bother to absorb the technique and the cultivation manual but she absorbed the telepathy skill, it would be a shame not too.
Su Ning stepped forward and placed her hand on Ah Fu's shoulder. The contact was gentle, but the moment she initiated the transfer, Ah Fu's body stiffened violently.
Information flooded his consciousness.
Moving shadows. Blurred silhouettes. Footsteps that made no sound. The sensation of becoming part of darkness itself.
Ah Fu let out a restrained groan, his jaw tightening as he struggled to absorb the overwhelming influx. His knees nearly buckled, but he forced himself to remain upright, refusing to show weakness.
Su Ning remained composed, her expression unchanged as she completed the transfer.
One by one, she did the same for the others.
Each reacted differently, some clenched their fists, others trembled slightly but none cried out. Loyalty anchored them, forcing their minds to endure what their bodies struggled to process.
When it was done, Su Ning stepped back and exhaled softly.
They all say crosslegged, absorbing the information, she also left another bottle of Qi gathering pills for them before she turned and entered steadily into the pond.
The water rippled gently as she stepped in, spiritual energy rising to support her body. She sat cross-legged, her upper form hovering just above the surface, eyes slowly closing as she began to cultivate.
The space fell silent once more.
The serene atmosphere of six figures surrounding a pond, one in the middle, all immersed in cultivation created a mysterious image, Qi energy shimmering steadily.