The Sovereign Veil Chapter 6: Chapter 6: The Transaction

Read chapter 6 of The Sovereign Veil by GodEmperor on NovelPedia.

"An incoming transaction? And it's from a High-Energy Realm?" Lucian stood beneath the colossal Aether Spire, staring at the flashing prompt hovering in the air. [Incoming Secure Trade Link: Codename 'Grandmaster Fushan'. Proceed?] He didn't immediately hit confirm. This was critical. Finding an entity willing to negotiate for a miserable 36 Aether Points was a statistical miracle, and he wanted the Primal AI's tactical assessment before he walked into a trap. "Absolute Parity is an Axiom, right? Meaning the trade cannot be fraudulent?" Lucian asked the void. [Correct. All transactions facilitated through the Veil are cosmically bound.] The AI paused, then, surprisingly, offered a tactical projection. [However, entities often exploit linguistic loopholes or withhold secondary information. Proceed with extreme caution.] Good to know, Lucian thought. As the supposed Supreme Leader, leveraging the AI's analytical engine wasn't too much to ask. "Connect," Lucian ordered. The Void twisted, localized reality warping until a projection stabilized before him. It was an elderly man, standing nearly eight feet tall, dressed in simple, unadorned robes. He had long, sweeping white eyebrows and an aura so profound it felt like standing on the edge of an abyss. [Codename: Grandmaster Fushan] [Level: Classified] [Mission Status: Classified] He paid Aether Points to mask his stats, Lucian noted. A paranoid high-tier. Grandmaster Fushan was currently scrutinizing Lucian in return. He saw a human youth, looking no older than eighteen. [Codename: Silent Cold Moon] [Level: Tier 1] Following the AI's earlier advice to maintain operational security, Lucian had utilized a dummy profile for the transaction rather than appearing as 'The Primordial'. "Young friend," Fushan began, his voice echoing with benevolent warmth. "To be a Tier 1 operative in the Main Universe means you are already quite formidable. Why the desperate need for a rapid Awakening methodology?" Lucian had a cover story prepared. He let out a bitter, perfectly practiced sigh. "Grandmaster, I must confess... I inherited this Tier 1 designation by sheer accident when I discovered a dormant Veil token. I am currently an unawakened baseline human." Fushan's eyes glinted with understanding. Inheritance of a Veil token was a known, albeit rare, multiversal anomaly. The AI had briefed Lucian that inheritors usually suffered a severe downgrade in tier and lost the vast majority of the predecessor's currency. It perfectly explained why a "Tier 1" was dead broke. "I see," Fushan said softly. "Grandmaster, are you truly willing to help me forge an Aether-core?" Lucian asked, injecting the right amount of desperate hope into his voice. "You must understand, young friend, that 36 Aether Points is vastly insufficient for such a miracle," Fushan replied slowly. "Then what can I do?" Lucian asked, feigning panic. "Fortunately, this old man walks a benevolent Dao," Fushan smiled warmly. "I possess a profound Aether-Forged martial scripture that requires a fated successor. I am willing to part with it for your 36 points." He produced a weathered, ancient scroll made of beast hide. Lucian's eyes locked onto the scroll, playing the part of the eager novice. Fushan paused, as if making a difficult decision. "Tell you what. I will see this good deed through to the end. I also possess an 'Origin Stone'. It passively gathers and refines ambient Aether, accelerating physical Cultivation exponentially. It will ensure you achieve an Aether-core rapidly." Fushan manifested a massive, cyan-colored stone slab, roughly the size of a meditation cushion. "Grandmaster... I don't know what to say. Thank you!" Lucian beamed, reaching for the items. "A moment," Fushan raised a hand, his benevolent expression hardening slightly. "Before we finalize the pact, I have two stipulations." "Name them, Grandmaster." "First, as you utilize the Origin Stone to cultivate the scripture, the stone will absorb ambient energy and phys