WebNovels

Chapter 4 - Chapter 4: I need Resources

Victoria Strathor's Penthouse - 11:30 PM

The drive through the city's upscale district gave Ryven time to refine his approach. His aunt Victoria lived in a luxurious penthouse that served as both her personal residence and informal headquarters for managing the family's martial arts academy chain. As someone who often worked late coordinating business operations across three states, she'd definitely still be awake at this hour.

Victoria Strathor was one of the family's most successful members, having built their martial arts business from a single struggling dojo into a regional chain of premium training centers. More importantly for Ryven's current needs, she was also the family's most accomplished cultivator outside of the elder generation—currently at the ninth level of Fusion Realm and preparing for her breakthrough into Soul Realm.

As his father's younger sister and someone who had always encouraged his cultivation efforts, Victoria would not only understand the significance of his advancement but would have both the resources and motivation to help him succeed. She'd quietly supported him during his years as the family disappointment, providing training materials and encouragement when others had written him off as hopeless.

Ryven parked his car in the building's underground garage and took the elevator to the penthouse level. The hallway was elegantly appointed with artwork and ambient lighting that spoke to Victoria's refined tastes and considerable wealth. He pressed the doorbell and waited, hearing the soft chime echo through the apartment beyond.

Footsteps approached the door, and Ryven sensed Victoria's energy signature through his enhanced perception. Her cultivation was indeed at Fusion Realm's peak—a swirling vortex of perfectly harmonized qi that radiated power and control. What surprised him was how clearly he could analyze her energy patterns, detecting subtle fluctuations that indicated she was on the verge of a major breakthrough herself.

The door opened to reveal Victoria Strathor in all her striking presence. At thirty-four, she possessed the kind of timeless beauty that successful female cultivators maintained well into their later years. Her shoulder-length auburn hair was perfectly styled despite the late hour, and her emerald green eyes sparkled with intelligence and barely concealed amusement at his unexpected visit.

She wore an elegant black silk robe over what appeared to be cultivation attire, suggesting she'd been in the middle of her own training session when he'd arrived. Her figure was perfectly proportioned—the result of decades of martial arts practice and cultivation—and Ryven found his attention drawn to her more than he'd ever noticed before. His awakened Ancestral Chaos Bloodline was definitely influencing his awareness of attractive women, even family members.

"Well, well," Victoria said with a knowing smile, "if it isn't my favorite nephew making surprise late-night visits. Come in, Ryven. I was just finishing my evening cultivation session."

She stepped aside to let him enter, and Ryven was immediately struck by the apartment's sophisticated atmosphere. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of the city skyline, while expensive furnishings and carefully chosen artwork created an environment that was both luxurious and tasteful. The subtle presence of cultivation arrays woven into the decor indicated that Victoria had spared no expense in creating an optimal training environment.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything important, Aunt Victoria," Ryven said, settling into one of the leather chairs in her living room area.

"Nothing that can't wait," she replied, moving to a well-stocked bar cart and pouring two glasses of what appeared to be expensive whiskey. "Though I have to admit, I'm curious about what brings you here so late. And more importantly..." She turned to face him, her eyes narrowing as she extended her spiritual senses to examine his cultivation level. "What in heaven's name has happened to you?"

Victoria's expression shifted from casual interest to complete shock as she registered his cultivation advancement. When she'd last seen him three weeks ago at a family gathering, he'd been stuck at Body Refinement's first stage—a source of quiet frustration for the entire family. Now, her spiritual perception detected that he'd not only advanced but had reached the absolute peak of Body Refinement with a foundation so solid it defied belief.

"Ryven," she said slowly, setting down both glasses and moving to sit across from him, "you need to explain exactly what's happened to you. Three weeks ago, you could barely gather qi, and now... now your cultivation foundation is stronger than some Fusion Realm practitioners I know. This level of advancement isn't just unprecedented—it should be impossible."

Ryven had prepared for this moment during the drive over. Victoria's cultivation expertise meant he couldn't hide his progress, but he also couldn't reveal the full truth about his inheritance. He needed a story that would satisfy her curiosity while securing her help with resources.

"Remember the old stories grandfather used to tell about the Strathor bloodline?" he began carefully. "About how certain family members would experience sudden awakenings under the right circumstances?"

Victoria nodded slowly. "The ancestral memories claimed that our bloodline carried dormant traits that could manifest during times of great need or emotional stress. But those were just stories, Ryven. Even if there was truth to them, nothing like this has happened in living memory."

"Well, it happened to me," Ryven said, injecting just enough vulnerability into his voice to make the lie convincing. "Three weeks ago, something triggered inside me. Suddenly, I could perceive qi as clearly as visible light. Cultivation techniques that had been incomprehensible became obvious. My body started changing, strengthening, adapting. Within days, I'd advanced further than I had in eleven years of trying."

He gestured to himself, letting Victoria's enhanced senses confirm the dramatic improvements to his physique and energy levels. "But the awakening came with a price. My body now requires constant yang energy supplementation to maintain this advancement rate. I've already spent every dollar of my savings on resources, and I need more if I want to breakthrough to Qi Condensation."

Victoria stared at him for a long moment, her analytical mind processing the implications of what he'd revealed. Finally, she stood and moved to a secured cabinet, withdrawing several jade boxes that radiated potent yang energy.

"If what you're saying is true," she said, returning with the containers, "then you're going to need more than just basic yang resources. These are mid-grade materials I've been saving for my own Soul Realm breakthrough attempt."

She opened the first box, revealing crystallized fire essence that glowed like captured sunlight. "Solar Heart Crystals—each one worth about five thousand dollars on the black market. I have six of them."

The second box contained dried herbs that emanated waves of pure yang energy. "Thousand-Year Phoenix Grass, harvested from the forbidden zones in the Rocky Mountains. These three stalks cost me twenty thousand dollars through underground channels."

The third box held what appeared to be liquid flame contained in crystal vials. "Concentrated Yang Essence, refined from volcanic springs in active cultivation sites. Each vial represents fifty thousand dollars of processing costs."

Ryven's eyes widened as he calculated the total value. Victoria was casually offering him resources worth over two hundred thousand dollars—enough to fuel his cultivation for months of intensive advancement.

"Aunt Victoria, I can't accept this," he protested, though his voice lacked conviction. "These resources are for your own breakthrough. I can't let you sacrifice—"

"Nonsense," Victoria interrupted, waving away his objections. "I've been at Fusion Realm's peak for three years, Ryven. I can wait a few more months to gather replacement resources. But you... if your bloodline has truly awakened, then every day you delay proper supplementation risks permanent damage to your foundation."

She closed the boxes and pushed them toward him. "Besides, investing in your potential is the smart play. If you can advance as rapidly as you claim, then having a Soul Realm cultivator in the family within the next few years would benefit all of us."

Ryven accepted the boxes with genuine gratitude, feeling the weight of both the resources and Victoria's faith in him. "I won't forget this, Aunt Victoria. When I reach higher realms, I'll make sure the family benefits from my advancement."

"See that you do," Victoria replied with a smile that was both affectionate and calculating. "And Ryven? Next time you make this kind of breakthrough, call me immediately. The cultivation world is full of dangers for those who advance too quickly without proper guidance. You're going to need allies who understand what you're going through."

As Ryven prepared to leave with his newly acquired resources, he couldn't help but feel that this conversation had changed his relationship with Victoria in fundamental ways. She was no longer just his supportive aunt—she was now a crucial ally in his cultivation journey, someone whose own ambitions aligned with his rapid advancement.

The resources she'd provided would fuel his breakthrough to Qi Condensation and beyond, but more importantly, he'd gained a family member who truly understood the significance of his transformation. As he drove home through the empty streets, Ryven allowed himself a moment of satisfaction.

His cultivation journey was accelerating beyond his wildest dreams, and with Victoria's support, he had the resources to pursue advancement without limitation. Tomorrow, he would attempt his breakthrough to Qi Condensation, skipping Qi Awakening entirely and proving that his comprehension talents could overcome traditional cultivation boundaries.

The inheritance had awakened something extraordinary within him, and with each passing day, Ryven was becoming more confident that his potential had no limits.

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