In a region east of the Cascade Range, reality seemed to warp, and in the next instant, four figures appeared out of nowhere. Since the area was rural, the surroundings were deserted, save for a few small animals that fled in fright.
For Daniel, a being in a state of transcendence, breathing was not a vital necessity; still, he took a deep breath of the pure air as he observed the vegetation around him. It was spring in Washington, and the vigor of nature was a visual delight.
Jessica, William, and Estela remained speechless. Their bewilderment was so great that it took them a few seconds before they could articulate anything at all.
— Estela, pinch me — Jessica asked, convinced she was dreaming.
— Ouch! — she cried immediately afterward. — I was joking, you didn't have to go that hard!
Jessica shot an indignant look at her friend's feigned innocent expression.
— I also wanted to make sure it wasn't a hallucination... if it hurt, then it must be real! — Estela justified in a tone of false innocence.
— It hurt me, you bitch!
Jessica was about to retaliate, but William stopped her.
— Guys, the master is here... show some respect!
William felt helpless. Earlier, when fear dominated them, both had been silent; but after signing the contract with the master, they seemed to have cast aside that fear. Despite their bickering, the trio couldn't hide the fascination in their eyes. Just moments ago, they had been on an observation satellite, and now, in the blink of an eye, they stood on American soil. It was surreal.
— Could this be that famous quantum teleportation that only exists in theory? — William murmured, amazed.
Ignoring the girls' argument, Daniel turned to his disciple.
— We merely moved through the intermediary fabric of space.
William blinked, failing to grasp the technical distinction.
— It's not exactly teleportation; it's a shortcut, a "cutting through." True teleportation requires precise coordinates, or you risk materializing inside the ground or fused with objects...
Noticing that the three were still confused, Daniel decided to end the technical explanation and get straight to the point. He fixed his gaze on the young women.
— First, you two!
— Yes! — they replied in unison, immediately straightening up.
Daniel's gaze, held on them for a few seconds, made them break into a cold sweat.
— Don't forget that I'm watching both of you. I hope that, in the future, I won't regret giving you this opportunity.
Jessica and Estela trembled. Only now did the weight of their handsome boss's feats sink in: he was someone who navigated the vacuum of the cosmos with ease and crossed interplanetary distances as if crossing the street.
— We... we understand. We'll do our best so that boss won't regret it! — Jessica exclaimed.
— Y-yes, boss! We'll do everything we can! — Estela agreed.
Daniel held no great expectations for them. If it weren't for the fact that their families—and the girls themselves—reminded him of his former disciples, he wouldn't waste his time. Still, he decided to give them their first directives.
— I know you have satellite communication devices and can manage on your own from here, correct?
They nodded promptly.
— How much financial resources does each of you have?
Their eyes lit up. They might lack confidence in other areas, but financially, they felt secure.
— I have seventy-five million dollars — Jessica revealed.
— I've got a little over fifty million. If boss needs it, just say the word! — Estela added.
— It's not much, but it's enough to start. First, arrange a meeting place unknown to the world.
Pulling out notepads, the two began writing everything down. Daniel appreciated the gesture and continued:
— Look for an uninhabited island and buy it. There, you will build a base for yourselves and for William. Then, construct dormitories to house hundreds of thousands of children.
Clack!
Jessica's notebook fell to the ground. She could almost see her money sprouting wings and flying away forever.
— Uh... boss... that's going to cost a fortune. What's the purpose?
Estela also trembled, alarmed. They were no philanthropists, and watching their wealth vanish like that caused them physical pain.
— Don't worry about the capital — Daniel stated seriously. — In a few weeks, I'll provide a constant source of income to cover the costs. Just obey. As I said, I'm testing your capabilities.
Swallowing their doubts, they silently agreed. They had already witnessed their boss's supernatural power to doubt his word now. If he promised a source of income, he would deliver, regardless of the "how."
Seeing them submissive, Daniel raised his right index finger, and a line of blue energy intertwined with black threads entered their minds. They fell into a brief trance, but soon awakened in astonishment. Countless pieces of information surfaced in their thoughts, bringing smiles to their faces.
— I've granted you martial manuals suited to your profiles. Since you're at the Ki Refinement stage, I know you'll be able to use them.
— Yes, we understand! — they exclaimed, excited.
They were ecstatic. They had only ever seen martial artists capable of destroying mountains in movies; they had never imagined they would become part of that world.
— For you, Jessica: techniques of the Tang Clan, involving poisons and hidden weapons, along with mastery of daggers. Earth's poisons are rudimentary, but sufficient for your cultivation up to Core Formation.
Turning to Estela, he narrowed his eyes. He didn't like the path she would take, considering both had cunning minds, but Daniel merely sighed. His concern stemmed from the fact that these were the same arts used by his former disciples, Sindy and Lúcia; he knew how lethal they could be in the wrong hands. Still, for them to dominate their respective families, such power was necessary.
Daniel had no intention of ruling through tyranny. That might work in the short term, but it would be disastrous in the future. He needed the inhabitants of Earth—the future Azure—to be strong enough for the battles to come. Moreover, he needed to resolve the System's pending issues before fully activating it.
— Estela... these are the arts of the Red Lotus Clan, focused on seduction and mental control. They also use specific poisons for cultivation, along with the same set of daggers.
Their eyes sparkled. If before they had doubts about how to take control of their clans, now they were absolutely certain.
— Jesse, with these techniques... it won't take long for us to reap the rewards — Estela murmured.
— Definitely! — Jessica smiled eagerly. Becoming immune to poisons and envisioning so many possibilities filled her with excitement.
Daniel ignored their whispers and concluded:
— You may learn from each other to cover your weaknesses. As you are bound to me by contract, simply wish to speak to me and I will know.
William observed everything in silence, though his face betrayed his shock. He decided to keep his doubts to himself; his master had already proven capable of impossible feats, and his own growth was living proof of that.
Daniel looked at William:
— I'll depart with you now to resolve your pending matters. Afterward, contact them to decide where you and your family will settle.
— Understood, master! — William replied, determination written across his face.
With that, the space around them twisted once more into invisible spirals, and in a split second, the two vanished, leaving behind only the trace of flattened grass.
Daniel had already spoken with William about his family before leaving the satellite; the disciple wished to retrieve his wife, his parents, and his in-laws.
°°°
Jessica and Estela, heirs of the Walton and Rothschild empires, remained in a daze. It felt like a dream; not long ago, they had been in the vacuum of space, fleeing from their families.
— Who would've thought, Estela, that we'd find such a firm and enticing thigh to lean on like our boss's... I feel like our future will be bright! — Jessica said with a radiant smile as the spring breeze swayed her black hair.
Anyone who saw her at that moment wouldn't imagine how dangerous that woman would become. With an equally charming smile, the red-haired Estela tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
— Indeed... a very firm and gallant support! — she replied subtly.
The two exchanged glances and laughed, sharing the hidden meaning of their words.
Deep down, both wondered if they would ever have the chance to warm the bed of that handsome, powerful, and terrifying man.
Taking out their phones, they made a few calls. Minutes later, the rhythmic sound of helicopter blades cutting through the air could be heard. Two helicopters landed, and each boarded her respective aircraft.
Before departing, they cast one last glance at the place where Daniel had stood, engraving in their minds the image of that supernatural presence.