Silver flames slowly ignited, flickering like candlelight in the darkness.
Yet those gentle flames gradually began to lick at the Bohemian manager's lifeless body, burning it away bit by bit.
As the fire spread, his body slowly dissolved into wisps of spirit energy that drifted into the air.
But the energy did not simply vanish.
Instead, it was pulled toward a mysterious force at the edge of the oasis.
This was the effect of the Spirit Gathering Array Caine had set up. It could not only attract nearby spirit energy, but also collect and concentrate scattered energy from all directions, permanently anchoring it within the oasis.
The scattered energy was drawn in like iron filings to a magnet.
It surged toward the array and then flowed continuously into the oasis below.
As this process unfolded, the oasis itself began expanding at a visible rate.
Land that had once been dry and barren suddenly burst with vitality.
Green plants spread outward like a rising tide, swallowing the surrounding desert.
Caine stood quietly to the side, watching the transformation with a satisfied smile.
Only now did the managers of the Continental Hotel understand something.
They finally realized how Caine had obtained enough spirit energy in such a short time to complete his Foundation Establishment.
They also understood what had happened to the bodies of the countless people he had killed.
He had turned them into spirit energy.
It was similar to the Great Blood Fiend Art practiced by evil cultivators—but far more advanced, and far more efficient.
The realization filled them with fear.
But beneath that fear, a trace of greed also appeared.
They wanted to learn Caine's method.
"Everyone here is a colleague," Caine said with a gentle smile. "Speak freely."
"Is there anyone else who objects?"
As his calm voice echoed through the oasis, the managers who had previously been full of dissatisfaction suddenly felt their bodies stiffen.
At that moment they remembered something very important.
The man standing before them was not some reasonable old gentleman.
He was a madman.
In a single day, he had slaughtered tens of thousands of people.
He was ruthless enough to kill not only his enemies, but even the pets in their homes and the eggs in their refrigerators.
For them to think about forcing his hand…
They had truly overestimated themselves.
The only reason Caine was speaking politely now was because they had remained neutral during the earlier conflict with the High Table.
If they continued pushing their luck, Caine might very well give them a practical lesson in physics.
So, they hurriedly spoke up.
"No objections!"
"Everything will follow Chairman Caine's arrangements!"
"I agree!"
"I'll buy it! I'll buy everything! Chairman Caine, just name the price!"
As they spoke, the managers hurriedly opened their cases and pushed the boxes of gold spirit coins forward, afraid that any hesitation might provoke Caine's blade.
Seeing this, Caine smiled faintly and pressed his palm downward.
"Alright, alright."
"One at a time. No need to panic."
"Everyone will get their share."
His gentle tone slightly eased the fear in the air.
He then ordered his servants to step forward and collect the coins while distributing the Golden Book Jade Pages that had already been prepared.
"Akira," Caine said suddenly, turning to Koji Shimazu's daughter. "Starting tomorrow, you will take over Opa's hotel."
He glanced briefly at Koji, a trace of trust visible in his eyes.
With a wave of his hand, the ashes nearby stirred.
From within them, a manager's seal ring and a Golden Book Jade Page slowly floated out before landing in front of Akira Shimazu.
The ring represented the identity and authority of a Continental Hotel manager.
The Golden Book Jade Page meant she had obtained the qualification to sell cultivation techniques.
At the same time, it also contained all of Opa's existing spirit energy contracts.
With that jade page in her possession, the spirit energy that had previously flowed to Opa would now automatically transfer to her.
It was worth mentioning that even if the original owner had died, the contracts did not disappear.
Anyone bound by them would simply have to re-record the tribute contract through the Golden Book Jade Page.
In other words—
Those who had already signed contracts would not regain their freedom.
They would merely change masters.
The managers of the Continental Hotel had truly spared no effort in designing systems of exploitation.
Once a name was recorded on the Golden Book Jade Page, it was almost like being listed in the Investiture of the Gods.
There was no escaping it.
"But… I still want to inherit my father's hotel…"
Faced with the ring and jade scroll placed before her, Akira hesitated.
What she truly wanted was to inherit the Osaka Continental and follow in her father's footsteps.
"Baka!"
Koji Shimazu immediately smacked her lightly on the back of the head.
"We've already stepped onto the path of cultivation. We can live for centuries."
"And you're already thinking about inheriting my hotel?"
"Are you hoping your old man dies early?"
His tone was angry, but there was also helplessness in it.
Did this girl even realize what opportunity she was turning down?
The position of a Continental Hotel manager was now second only to the High Table's council members.
In their territory, a manager was practically a local emperor.
Even government authorities would avoid interfering in the hotel's internal affairs.
More importantly—
Opa's jade page contained countless spirit energy contracts.
In the future, spirit energy would become the most valuable resource in the world.
Yet Akira had almost refused such an opportunity.
Reminded by her father's scolding, Akira finally understood.
She quickly took the ring and jade scroll, bowed deeply, and said:
"Thank you very much, Chairman Caine."
"Oh, there's no need to be so formal," Caine said with a warm smile.
"Your father and I are like brothers. Just call me Uncle."
He continued kindly,
"That also means you and Mia are practically sisters."
"You two should spend more time together in the future."
On the surface, Caine appeared to be acting like a considerate elder encouraging the next generation.
But in truth, the situation was far more complicated.
Although Caine had become the new High Table chairman, it was obvious that the managers were only pretending to obey him.
Aside from his personal strength, he lacked truly loyal subordinates.
Faced with that reality, Caine felt deeply troubled.
So, he made a decision.
He would nurture his old allies.
Using the bonds of the past to gather the most capable assassins under his banner.
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