Chapter 11 – Resource ProblemKai Verdan discovered the greatest truth of cultivation exactly twenty-three days after awakening his Mindspace.
Power cost money.
Not metaphorically.
Not spiritually.
Literally.
"Scientist," Kai said solemnly while staring at his bank balance, "I believe destiny may be financially predatory."
Inside the endless white laboratory, Elias Mercer adjusted a holographic display without looking up.
"That is called economics."
Kai pointed accusingly at the floating ingredient list.
"Silverleaf fungus. Ironroot extract. Refined bone ash. Why does strengthening the human body sound like necromancy?"
"Because biology is inefficient."
The laboratory hummed softly around them. Endless white walls stretched beyond visible distance while transparent screens floated through the air like silent ghosts. Somewhere beneath the floor, ancient machines pulsed with enough energy to power entire cities.
And somehow all of it existed inside Kai's Mindspace.
Three weeks after awakening, Kai had learned several terrifying truths about the laboratory.
First:
the facility possessed effectively infinite energy.
Second:
the machines inside were indestructible.
Third:
the laboratory could analyze and refine nearly anything.
Unfortunately—
the laboratory could not create physical matter.
Meaning Kai still needed actual resources.
And resources required money.
Which was deeply unfortunate because his current financial status resembled emotional damage.
Kai collapsed backward into a chair dramatically.
"Three hundred forty-two credits cannot support greatness."
"It barely supports nutrition."
Kai clutched his chest.
"Your words wound me."
"They are mathematically accurate."
Elias enlarged Kai's latest body scan.
Compared to awakening day, the improvements were obvious.
Mana circulation efficiency increased.
Muscle density improved.
Reaction speed stabilized.
Even Kai's physical endurance showed measurable growth.
Most importantly—
his academy ranking rose from 217 to 184 in less than a month.
Normally impossible progress.
Unfortunately, everyone else improved too.
Cultivation was basically competitive suffering.
Elias activated another projection.
LEVELS 1–10.
Then another.
IRON
BRONZE
SILVER
GOLD
PLATINUM
DIAMOND.
"Your world categorizes strength through two primary systems," Elias explained.
Kai nodded.
"Levels and Grades."
"Yes. Simplified terminology designed for educational institutions."
Kai looked offended.
"The academy would never oversimplify knowledge."
"The academy exists to produce functional soldiers."
"…Continue."
A holographic beast appeared above the table.
Massive.
Wolf-shaped.
Covered in crystalline armor.
Three glowing diamond symbols floated beside it.
"A Legendary Tridiamond beast," Elias said.
Kai stared.
"That sounds like a final boss invented by emotionally unstable game developers."
The scientist ignored him completely.
Again.
"Levels represent total mana refinement, energy output, and physical reinforcement."
The hologram shifted.
"Grades represent skill quality."
Another beast appeared.
Two diamond symbols.
"A Double Diamond."
Then another.
One symbol.
"A Single Diamond."
Kai crossed his arms thoughtfully.
"So lower-level cultivators with stronger skills can defeat higher-level opponents."
"Correct."
Elias enlarged another screen.
"However, long-term compatibility matters more than temporary strength."
That part mattered enormously.
Every cultivator could absorb Beast Crystals after awakening.
Most civilians only absorbed one or two during their entire lives.
Three crystals created professional combat cultivators.
Five created elites.
Beyond six…
people became national strategic assets.
And somewhere beyond normal logic existed the legendary ten-crystal absorber.
Most believed the tenth crystal destroyed the Mindspace entirely.
Others believed governments secretly hid successful cases.
Cultivation forums online were deeply unstable places.
Kai leaned back quietly.
"So everybody fights for better crystals because weak compatibility ruins future growth."
"Yes."
"And academy rankings determine crystal access."
"Yes."
That was the reason Greyhaven Academy's graduation ranking mattered so much.
The Top 100 graduating students received access to the Academy Beast Vault.
However, rewards varied heavily by rank.
Ranks 51–100:
Common Bronze-grade crystal selection.
Ranks 31–50:
Rare Bronze-grade selection.
Ranks 21–30:
Unique Bronze-grade selection.
Ranks 11–20:
Common Silver-grade selection.
Ranks 6–10:
Rare Silver-grade selection.
Ranks 2–5:
Unique Silver-grade selection.
Rank 1:
One guaranteed Gold-grade crystal.
Kai stared quietly at the list.
Even the lowest reward tier was enough to change lives.
Bronze-grade crystals normally cost fortunes for ordinary families.
Iron-grade crystals alone were already expensive enough to financially injure middle-class households.
Kai knew that better than most.
His parents were ordinary cultivators.
Not weak.
But not powerful enough to escape normal life.
They worked long hours.
Saved constantly.
Avoided unnecessary expenses.
Everything they earned went toward survival and Kai's education.
Buying a proper first crystal after graduation would devastate their savings.
Which was why Kai's original goal had simply been entering the Top 100.
A free Bronze-grade crystal alone would remove enormous pressure from his family.
That had already felt ambitious when he ranked above 200.
But now…
things were changing.
Slowly.
Dangerously.
For the first time in his life, Kai could actually see progress.
His body improved faster every week.
His Mindspace stability exceeded expectations.
And with the laboratory…
he possessed opportunities nobody else could imagine.
Top 100 no longer felt impossible.
Neither did Top 50.
And recently—
a newer thought had started appearing in his mind.
Top 20.
Silver-grade access.
Kai stared quietly at the reward list.
A Common Silver crystal…
Even elite students fought desperately for those.
Silver-grade skills possessed real combat value.
They could shape entire cultivation paths.
A Silver-grade first crystal would completely change his future.
The idea felt ridiculous.
Which honestly made it more attractive.
Elias interrupted his thoughts.
"You are comparing yourself to elite cultivators again."
Kai looked away.
"…Is that wrong?"
The scientist paused for several seconds.
Then finally answered.
"No."
Kai blinked.
That response genuinely surprised him.
Elias folded his hands behind his back.
"Comparison becomes harmful only when it replaces progress."
Kai narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"That sounded almost motivational."
"I regret the phrasing."
Character development.
The emotionally radioactive immortal scientist was slowly evolving social skills.
Humanity remained doomed, but progress existed.
Unfortunately—
reality resumed attacking Kai financially.
He reopened the ingredient pricing list.
Then suffered spiritually.
"WHY does strengthening medicine cost more than rent?"
"Because cultivators are willing to pay."
"That feels morally corrupt."
"So is survival."
Again.
Fair point.
Dungeon resources formed the backbone of the global economy.
Mana herbs.
Beast organs.
Rare minerals.
Ancient relics.
Crystals.
Everything valuable came from places actively trying to kill people.
Governments regulated dungeon access heavily.
Students needed permits.
Combat certifications.
Registered teams.
Kai possessed none of those.
Mostly because his combat evaluations resembled workplace safety incidents.
Elias activated another display.
"Alternative economic paths exist."
Kai narrowed his eyes immediately.
Whenever Elias sounded calm, morality usually became negotiable.
"What kind of alternatives?"
"You possess unique laboratory access."
Kai slowly sat upright.
"…Continue."
The scientist enlarged several machine schematics.
"Modern refinement methods in your world are primitive compared to this facility."
Kai froze.
Then smiled slowly.
Dangerously.
"Oh no."
"You already developed a reckless idea."
"We could refine medicine."
"Yes."
"Better than commercial products."
"Correct."
"We could make money."
"Yes."
Kai stood dramatically.
"Scientist."
"Yes?"
"We are about to become economically unethical."
Elias considered this carefully.
"Statistically accurate."
Kai immediately began pacing around the room.
"There are problems."
"Several."
"People will ask questions."
"Likely."
"I cannot explain miracle-quality medicine."
"Correct."
Kai stopped suddenly.
Then grinned.
"Anonymous distribution."
Elias sighed quietly.
"You already planned this."
"Students are desperate," Kai said triumphantly.
Which was true.
Greyhaven Academy contained thousands of exhausted cultivators.
Injured students.
Overworked fighters.
People desperate for faster recovery.
The market practically existed already.
Kai's grin widened further.
For the first time in his life…
he possessed a genuine advantage.
Not talent.
Not destiny.
Not overwhelming power.
A system.
A method.
A chance to cheat reality intelligently.
And maybe…
just maybe…
a path toward the Top 20.