After extracting every usable talent and looting the vault of the Dima Loan Sharks, Sogen left the mansion and made his way back toward the workshop.
On the road, he spoke inwardly.
"Hey, System. Something feels wrong. I didn't receive a single new talent from all those people—only these cubes called Talent Fragments."
"Host, those fragments can likely be used to upgrade your acquired talents. There are two possible explanations. First, there may be a limit to the number of talents you can hold. Second, talents of a grade lower than your current cultivation are automatically converted into fragments. The second option is more probable."
Sogen rubbed his chin.
"If I can upgrade talents, that's good news. But if there's a limit… I'll need to be more selective in the future."
He walked a few more steps, then suddenly changed direction.
No need to return to the workshop just yet.
"I've heard the Pilaaf Estates Association is the largest real-estate guild in this region. If I want to cultivate Vola trees properly, I'll need land—good land."
He began calculating in his head.
How much should I buy? I earned a decent sum from the Loan Sharks…
A strange sound echoed in his mind.
The System was laughing.
Not a polite chuckle—actual suppressed laughter.
Sogen's expression turned icy. "What's so funny?"
"Nothing, Host. I simply find it amusing to hear you speak so confidently about wealth. Have you forgotten the exchange rate? One system coin equals one hundred gold coins."
His steps halted.
A vein pulsed on his forehead.
"You trash System… are you mocking me?"
"I am merely describing reality."
Sogen fell silent for a moment. Then, in an unusually serious tone, he asked:
"…System. Am I really that poor?"
"Yes."
The answer was immediate and merciless.
Sogen stared at the sky, defeated.
Then a sly smile crept onto his lips.
"Don't worry. Soon—we'll be filthy rich."
The System chose not to comment.
After some time, Sogen arrived at the Pilaaf Estates Association.
The building was elegant, built with polished stone and decorated with carved reliefs of mountains and rivers—an obvious display of wealth. He stepped inside and approached the counter, where a neatly dressed girl greeted him with a professional smile.
"Welcome, sir. How may I assist you today?"
"I want to buy a large piece of flat land with a normal-sized house. Can you show me the options?"
"Of course."
She opened a drawer and retrieved a small, carefully bound book.
"This is our land registry. It contains the available plots, their locations, and detailed sketches. Please take a look and tell me which one interests you."
Sogen flipped through the pages.
These sketches are too precise… either drawn by someone with an innate talent or by a true professional.
After browsing for a while, he pointed to one page.
"I'll take this piece of land."
The girl nodded and was about to prepare the documents when—
"I also want that land."
A voice interrupted from behind.
Sogen turned.
The speaker was a young man around twenty-three, accompanied by a beautiful girl of about twenty. Both wore red robes embroidered with a large golden phoenix.
Anyone would be struck by the girl's beauty at first glance.
The counter girl bowed slightly. "Sir, I'm sorry, but this land has already been chosen by this gentleman. I can show you other excellent options."
The young man looked at Sogen and cupped his hands.
"Brother, I am Gale, and this is my sister Siana. We are from the Felix Mercenary Group. For the sake of our reputation, could you allow us to purchase this land?"
Felix Mercenary Group
One of the largest organizations in Hamar Town. Though called a "group," it functions more like a small clan with deep roots and considerable influence.
Sogen shook his head calmly.
"Sorry. I chose this land first, and I have no intention of giving it up."
"You—!" Siana's brows shot up in anger, but Gale raised a hand to stop her.
"Alright, brother. The land is yours," Gale said with a smile. "But I would still like to befriend you. May I know your name?"
He extended his hand.
Sogen glanced at it but did not shake.
"My name is Sogen."
At that moment, the counter girl returned.
"Sir, your documents are ready. Please come inside to complete the procedures."
Sogen followed her into the inner office.
Outside, Siana frowned.
"Brother, why did you let him take it so easily?"
Gale's expression turned serious.
"Siana, if we rely on power to seize everything, one day we will be destroyed by that same power."
He lowered his voice.
"You know my D-Grade Innate Talent: Blood Perception. When I observed him, I felt an incredibly dense blood aura—he has killed many recently. And he showed no fear when I mentioned our group. That man is not ordinary."
He looked toward the closed door.
"Making a friend is better than creating an enemy."
Before they could ask the counter girl for another plot, several mercenaries in red robes hurried in.
"Young Leader, Young Miss—the commander has summoned you both immediately."
Gale nodded. He and Siana left with them.
A Path to Growth
A while later, Sogen exited the association and headed toward the workshop.
Good. No unnecessary trouble from the Felix Group. Now I have land for the Vola trees.
But another problem remained.
"The trees will take years to mature," he muttered. "System, do you have any solution?"
"Host, formations can solve this issue."
Sogen raised an eyebrow.
"All things in this world rely on energy—cultivation energy, spiritual energy, elemental balance. If you establish one formation to supply cultivation energy to the trees and another to regulate temperature and soil conditions, their growth can be accelerated dramatically."
"That sounds promising. But I'd need an Array Master."
"Correct. Either hire one—or become one yourself."
The system began explaining.
Array Masters
Experts who study and create formations.
Capable of defeating many cultivators through arrays alone.
Require immense resources and deep knowledge.
Rare, though not as rare as Spiritualists
Support-oriented rather than direct fighters
Valued highly by major sects.
Sogen sighed.
"Finding one in this town is nearly impossible. So… how do I become an Array Master?"
"Ding! Would the host like to purchase the Ancient Array Formation Manual and Ancient Array Formation Techniques?"
Sogen gave a dry laugh.
"So this was your plan all along—to sell me your products."
"Host, this is called providing timely assistance."
He rubbed his temples.
"I don't have much choice. Buy them."
"Transaction completed."
Two ancient tomes appeared in his inventory.
Sogen looked at them with mixed feelings.
Another long road ahead.