...
{3rd Pov}
A few months quietly passed, and during that time, Lisa had already managed to make a name for herself throughout Bo City.
Her performance in the Hunter's Guild was nothing short of impressive—efficient, decisive, and consistent.
She completed missions that many teams hesitated to accept and carried her group to victory more times than they could count.
Naturally, word about her spread quickly among both Hunters and local citizens alike.
Aster, greatly pleased by her dedication and steady progress, decided to reward her efforts.
He provided her with a set of rare cultivation resources, the type that ordinary mages could only dream of touching in their lifetime.
As a direct result of these resources—and of course, her own perseverance—Lisa managed to break through to the Intermediate Tier.
When her teammates found out, their reactions were exactly what one would expect—shock and disbelief.
None of them had ever seen someone advance so quickly in such a short span of time.
The gossip began almost instantly.
"She must be from some powerful family," one whispered.
"Yeah, probably a Young Miss from a rich clan who joined the Hunters just for experience," another added, nodding sagely.
In their minds, they painted an elaborate story—Lisa, the mysterious noble daughter, disguising herself as a common Hunter to gain real-world experience and temper her strength.
It was a common trope among the wealthy, so no one dared question it too deeply.
The only odd thing about their theory was her absence from any university or magic institution, but that too was easily brushed aside.
In this era, the number of people enrolling in universities was still relatively low—far below what it would be in the next decade.
Education was not yet the central path to strength; resources were.
And for those born into strong or wealthy families, education was optional.
As long as someone was a direct descendant of an influential bloodline, resources and opportunities flowed naturally to them.
With that in mind, Lisa's sudden advancement, though astonishing, didn't appear too unrealistic in their eyes.
Of course, they had no idea that Lisa's growth was just beginning, and her rapid progression was going to reach a level far beyond anything they could imagine.
Aster had already equipped her with a Sacred Grade Nebula Magic Tool, an artifact so rare that its name alone would cause even experienced Hunters to tremble.
The tool dramatically enhanced her cultivation efficiency—for her Intermediate-tier elements, the cultivation speed was boosted by threefold, while for her Novice-tier elements, the improvement reached a staggering sixfold.
And that wasn't all.
In the process of using these resources and training under Aster's subtle guidance, Lisa awakened a new element—Space Element for her Intermediate Tier.
Her awakening marked a turning point.
From that moment on, she was no longer just another promising Hunter in Bo City—she was someone destined to rise far above the crowd, a mage whose name would one day be spoken alongside the elites of the world.
Astreo had already devised a clear and thorough plan for Lisa's future development.
His intentions for her were not vague or uncertain—he wanted her to become a true combatant, a powerful fighter capable of standing on the frontlines and dealing devastating blows to any enemy that stood in her way.
To achieve that, she needed multiple methods of attack, not just reliance on one or two elements.
Her Lightning Element would naturally serve as her primary offensive power, her main source of destructive force.
Its overwhelming speed, explosive potential, and raw destructive capability made it the ideal choice for quick and decisive combat.
However, Astreo's foresight went far beyond simple brute strength.
He wanted Lisa to have versatility—the ability to both destroy and survive.
That was where her Space Element came into play.
This element would not only grant her additional means of dealing damage, but more importantly, it would provide her with unparalleled mobility and escape capabilities.
With mastery over space, she could instantly reposition herself, dodge fatal strikes, or even ambush her enemies from unexpected angles.
Because of this, Astreo decided that Lisa no longer needed the Shadow Element.
The stealth and evasion capabilities that Shadow offered were already outclassed by the superior versatility of Space.
Beyond her current abilities, Astreo had also mapped out her future elemental path in meticulous detail.
His plan for her elemental progression was ambitious but perfectly structured:
Lightning Element as her core offensive power.
Space Element for control, support, and survival.
Light Element to be awakened at Advanced Tier for purification, healing, and countering dark magic.
Sound Element to be awakened at Super Tier, which will grant her the ability to manipulate vibrations and disrupt enemy defenses.
Cursed Element and Chaos Element—both to be awakened at Forbidden Tier, they will give her already existing elements huge bonus.
Finally the Summoning Element as her Trump card.
By the time she acquired and mastered all six elements under his guidance, Lisa would become one of the most dangerous and adaptable mages alive—a perfect weapon forged by his hand.
Of course, such blessings would only be granted if she remained loyal, obeyed his every command, and continued to accumulate achievements worthy of his investment.
Astreo had already provided her with a vast number of resources to strengthen both her Lightning and secondary elements, further accelerating her cultivation pace.
Among the items he gave her was a Peak-Grade Spirit Seed of the Lightning Element, one that possessed the Scorching Effect, enhancing the intensity and heat of her lightning attacks to terrifying levels.
Once Lisa absorbed that Spirit Seed, her strength would leap once again, and without any doubt, she would stand as the strongest Intermediate Mage in all of Bo City—a title she would soon make everyone acknowledge.
Now, as for Astreo, his own progress had been steady but deliberate.
He had been slowly advancing in his understanding of Domains, something that even for him required immense patience and focus.
Although the System granted him instant access to vast amounts of knowledge, understanding that knowledge and truly grasping its depth was an entirely different matter—one that demanded time, comprehension, and personal insight.
Astreo considered himself fortunate that the magic system of this world was relatively simple compared to the one he was accustomed to in his previous experiences.
The concepts of awakening, controlling stars, and constructing spell models were all straightforward to him.
He had absorbed that knowledge without much difficulty.
However, things had changed drastically once he began delving into the concept of Domains.
Only after he started trying to comprehend and construct his own Domain did he realize just how truly complex and difficult it was.
The Domain was not merely about power; it was about one's understanding of the world, energy, and existence itself.
It required deep insight into the laws governing one's element and soul resonance.
Even for someone as gifted as Astreo, this was not something that could be rushed.
After several attempts and extensive meditation, Astreo finally came to a conclusion—before attempting to progress any further, he would first need to enhance his Spiritual Attainment to Level 7.
Only with a sufficiently strong spiritual foundation could he properly comprehend and shape a stable Domain.
Any attempt to do so prematurely would only lead to instability and wasted effort.
While this remained his immediate focus, there was another matter that had recently captured his full attention—Qin Yu'er, the original bearer of the Ice Calamity.
Astreo's memory and the information from the System told him that Qin Yu'er and Zhang Kong had participated in the World Tournament approximately twelve years before Mo Fan's era, when Mo Fan himself was around twenty years old during his own participation.
Doing the math, Astreo realized that the timeline was approaching an important point.
At the present moment, Astreo was only seven years old, and the next World Tournament was scheduled to be held the following year.
According to the recorded timeline, it was during that very tournament that Qin Yu'er's true identity as the Ice Calamity bearer would be exposed.
Following her revelation, she would eventually be sealed by the Heresy Judgement Court, marking the beginning of one of the most tragic arcs in this world's history.
Astreo, however, had no intention of allowing that to happen as it originally did.
He wanted to intervene in that event and take Qin Yu'er under his command, just like he had done with Lisa.
His goal was to have her become a direct subordinate, someone who would serve him loyally and stand among his strongest followers.
But that was easier said than done.
To make that a reality, two major obstacles stood before him. First, he would need to convince Qin Yu'er herself—a woman with a strong will and tragic destiny—to willingly follow and serve him which also means Zhang Kong and the love between them needs to be stopped before it forms.
Second, he would need to find a way to deal with the Heresy Judgement Court, the same organization that had sealed her in the original timeline.
Although Astreo's current strength was already formidable, he was still far from being able to challenge the Heresy Judgement Court head-on.
Their influence, resources, and the sheer number of powerful mages under their command made them a dangerous enemy to face.
Until he reached the Super Tier, he knew that direct confrontation was out of the question.
Astreo sighed deeply as he reviewed all of this in his mind.
He was well aware that obtaining Qin Yu'er's loyalty could drastically alter his future plans.
Having her under his banner would mean possessing a future Low Emperor-level powerhouse—someone capable of reshaping the tides of war single-handedly.
But to achieve that, he would also need to secure his own means of protection and create a force capable of standing up to the Heresy Judgement Court.
And for that, Astreo concluded, he would require at least one Low Emperor-level powerhouse under his command—someone capable of facing the Court's judgmental might without faltering.
Only then could his plans proceed without being crushed by the world's oppressive forces.
That was precisely where Xyra came into the picture.
She was the key to solving one of Astreo's biggest limitations.
Although Astreo's current cultivation level placed a restriction on how much of her true strength she could manifest on the Magic Plane, there were still ways to work around that.
Under normal circumstances, her power was automatically suppressed to match the strength of her summoner.
However, once Astreo advanced to the Super Tier as a Summoning Mage, he would gain the ability to summon Xyra in her Evolving Monarch form, a form that could already devastate most Super Tier entities with ease.
But that wasn't the limit of his plans.
With the right preparations and a few forbidden-grade artifacts, Astreo could even summon Xyra at her full, unrestricted power, bypassing the constraints of his current level entirely.
Such a feat would normally be considered impossible, but for Astreo, impossibility was merely a word.
His vast knowledge, system resources, and otherworldly background made him capable of achieving things that no other mage in this world could even imagine.
After all, in Astreo's eyes, the so-called rarest resources in this world were no more valuable than grains of sand or specks of dust.
What others considered priceless treasures, he could obtain effortlessly through the System.
For him, they were simply materials to be used, not relics to be admired.
Without wasting time, Astreo issued a direct command to the System, instructing it to fuse all his existing summoning-related resources—particularly those that had the potential to summon a contracted beast at full power despite a lower cultivation level.
The fusion process would elevate the result to Divine Grade, ensuring that even with his current tier limitations, he would eventually be able to bring forth Xyra's full might when needed.
He could already envision it—her descent upon the battlefield, her aura shaking heaven and earth, her power capable of erasing cities and freezing space itself.
Once that became possible, even the Heresy Judgement Court would think twice before crossing him.
Now, everything depended on time and growth.
All Astreo needed to do was patiently wait while his magic cultivation continued to improve step by step.
The day he reached Super Tier, the entire balance of power in this world would begin to shift—because that would also be the day Xyra would unleash her true, unrestrained power upon the magic plane.
Lisa took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling slowly as she finally completed the process of absorbing the Spirit Grade Lightning Seed.
A faint electric hum filled the air around her, and streaks of blue-white light flickered across her skin, evidence of the tremendous energy that now coursed through her veins.
She already possessed a natural three-times multiplier in her lightning element from the start—a gift of her extraordinary affinity.
That alone was enough to make her a genius among mages.
But after using the Divine Grade Awakening Stone provided to her by Aster, her multiplier had increased even further, reaching an astonishing 4.5 times amplification.
Now, with the absorption of the Spirit Grade Lightning Seed, the results had completely exceeded even Aster's expectations.
Her lightning power had skyrocketed, and the total amplification reached a staggering 13.5 times, something that was already greater than the effect of a Lesser Heaven Grade Seed!
Normally, when a mage absorbs a stronger elemental seed, the effects of the weaker one are replaced rather than stacked, but Lisa's case was unique.
Her natural affinity acted as a permanent multiplier, and thus the seeds' amplifications were cumulative instead of replacing one another.
This meant that once Lisa eventually absorbed a Heaven Grade Lightning Seed, her overall multiplier would soar even further even if it replaced the weaker absorbed Element seeds—making her power no less terrifying than that of a Lightning Calamity Bearer itself.
At the moment, despite being only an Intermediate Tier 1 Mage, her Lightning Element spell strength already equaled that of a Tier 2 Advanced Mage.
The sheer difference in power was monstrous, an almost impossible leap that defied every standard known to magicians in Bo City or even across the Empire.
This was the undeniable proof of what happens when immense natural talent is combined with limitless, high-grade resources.
It wasn't simply progress—it was evolution.
Sparks of lightning crackled and danced around her fingertips as she slowly raised her hand, staring at the raw, destructive power swirling within her grasp.
The air hissed and trembled, faint arcs of electricity jumping between her fingers and the nearby metallic objects.
A small, satisfied smile appeared on her lips.
She could feel it—every pulse of lightning, every vibration of power.
It wasn't just energy anymore; it was part of her, alive and resonating with her will.
The once timid and ordinary girl named Lei Yao was long gone.
In her place stood Lisa, a mage whose very presence carried the scent of ozone and the silent promise of thunder.
'Lord is truly good to me,' Lisa thought as she sat quietly in her room, her eyes shimmering with gratitude and disbelief.
'I checked the Hunter's Guild Catalogue, and just a single Spirit Grade Lightning Seed like the one he gave me costs somewhere between forty to fifty million Yuan… That's a price so unimaginably high that I could have never even dreamed of affording it in my entire life!'
Her gaze then shifted toward a small object resting beside her bed — a pebble-sized Mind Stone, faintly glowing with a tranquil blue hue.
She gently picked it up, her fingers trembling as she held it with care, almost afraid that her touch might taint something so precious.
'And then there's this… this Mind Stone. I've seen its price listed as high as a hundred million Yuan,' she thought, her heart trembling slightly in both awe and disbelief.
'Just how powerful and generous is my Lord to casually bestow such treasures upon me?'
Lisa didn't know who the Star Emperor truly was, nor did she dare to imagine his full extent of power.
All she knew was that he was an existence beyond comprehension — someone whose strength and wisdom surpassed every boundary she could understand.
Every time she compared herself to ordinary magicians, every time she realized how vast the difference was between her and others of her tier, her reverence for him only deepened.
Day by day, that respect and admiration slowly evolved into something far stronger — devotion, bordering on infatuation.
To her, the Star Emperor wasn't just her master or savior anymore — he was the ultimate being, her God, her Messiah, the one who had pulled her from darkness and given her purpose.
'If my Lord ever commanded me to slaughter someone, even if that someone was a helpless child… I would not hesitate,' she admitted to herself, her eyes steady yet filled with a strange fervor.
It wasn't blind madness — it was absolute faith.
(A/N: A cuter way to say that she is goudere)
Because, in Lisa's heart, everything she had — her fame, her respect, her growing strength, even her will to live — all of it existed only because of him.
The admiration people now showered upon her, the praise she received from hunters and magicians alike, all of that stemmed from the power and opportunity her Lord had given her.
These people around her only knew and admired Lisa — the strong, confident mage.
But they didn't know the truth.
They didn't know the weak, broken, and hopeless girl she once was.
Only her Lord — only the Star Emperor — had seen that fragile self, pitied her, and saved her when no one else cared.
And for that, Lisa knew with absolute certainty — she would do anything for him.
Lisa took a deep breath, feeling the familiar surge of energy coursing through her veins as she prepared herself to test her newly enhanced power.
The faint crackle of lightning beneath her skin reminded her of how far she had come, and how much further she was determined to go.
She knew she wasn't far from stepping into Intermediate Tier 2 in her Lightning Element, and with her overwhelming talent and the resources bestowed upon her by her Lord, that breakthrough was only a matter of time.
She had already made up her mind — her Lightning Element would be her core, her main pillar of strength.
She would devote the majority of her time and effort to mastering it, pushing it to the Advanced Tier as soon as possible.
For her, it wasn't just about getting power faster; it was to become capable enough to heed the commands of her Lord, the one who had given her everything.
After making up her mind, she walked out of her room.
The moment the door opened, several maids who were busy cleaning and organizing the hallway immediately turned toward her and bowed deeply.
Their eyes showed both respect and a hint of awe — after all, the "Boss" they served was no ordinary woman.
Lisa didn't speak to them; she simply nodded slightly in acknowledgment, her calm and composed demeanor radiating quiet authority.
Her red hair shimmered faintly under the soft light as she made her way through the mansion's marble corridor and stepped out into the open air.
In the parking area, a sleek black car was waiting for her.
The driver, who had been dozing off inside, immediately jolted awake when he saw her approaching.
He jumped out of the car, quickly straightened his uniform, and bowed respectfully.
"Boss!" he greeted, his voice filled with both nervousness and reverence as he hurried to open the car door for her.
Lisa gave him a small nod — a simple gesture, yet enough to make the man stand even straighter — and then gracefully stepped into the back seat.
Her movements carried a natural elegance, the kind that came from power and confidence rather than noble upbringing.
(A/N: An intermediate tier mage has so much aura, meanwhile Mo Fan as an advanced mage: Monkey)
Once she was seated, the driver quietly shut the door and climbed back into the front seat.
Turning slightly, he asked in a polite tone, "Boss, may I ask where you would like to go today?"
Lisa looked outside the window for a moment before answering, her calm, neutral tone somehow carrying an air of quiet authority.
"To the Hunter's Union," she said, her voice steady yet irresistibly sweet, enough to make even a simple order sound charming.
The driver immediately nodded, "Understood, Boss," and without wasting a second, he started the car.
The vehicle moved smoothly along the mansion's long driveway, passing through the grand gates guarded by uniformed men.
As the car exited the property, the engine's hum deepened, and soon it sped up along the road — carrying the newly transformed mage toward her next step in fulfilling her Lord's will.
Since Astreo had long decided to establish his own force within the human world, he began crafting a suitable identity for Lisa.
To ensure she could move freely and command respect, he planned for her to act as the heir of a powerful family—or at the very least, someone with deep connections to one.
Such a persona would not only shield her from unwanted scrutiny but also allow her to expand his influence under the guise of wealth and prestige.
With the aid of his Infinite Resource System, Astreo effortlessly provided her with a bank card loaded with one billion Yuan.
To anyone else, that amount would be a once-in-a-lifetime fortune, but to Astreo, it was nothing more than a casual investment.
He instructed her to use it wisely—to purchase a luxurious mansion for herself, employ loyal servants, and acquire multiple buildings throughout Bo City and its neighboring cities.
This would serve both as her base of operations and as the foundation for the force he planned to build.
Astreo also had greater ambitions in mind—the establishment of a company that would act as the human-world front for his growing influence.
However, he was well aware of Lisa's limitations.
Despite her current refined demeanor, her elegant posture, and her noble grace, all of it stemmed from Astreo's direct instructions.
He had instructed her to carry herself like nobility because she represented him, the Star Emperor, in the human realm.
Her actual business acumen, however, was far from sufficient to manage large-scale affairs.
For that, Astreo had already prepared a plan.
When the time came, he would use his System's Scanning Function to locate an individual who was in a state of extreme hardship—someone desperate enough to accept a servant contract without hesitation.
Once identified, Lisa would "hire" that person under her command, effectively binding them to Astreo's service through her authority.
It was a practical way to expand his influence while cultivating absolute loyalty among his subordinates.
But that particular plan could wait for now.
At present, Lisa had arrived at Bo City's Hunter Guild.
The sleek black car came to a slow halt in front of the large building, its polished metal exterior reflecting the sunlight.
She elegantly stepped out of the vehicle, her high heels clicking softly against the pavement.
Heads turned immediately—her presence, beauty, and aura of power made it impossible for anyone to ignore her.
She adjusted a strand of her crimson hair, glanced briefly at the building ahead, and then turned toward her driver.
"I'll return later," she said calmly, her tone composed and commanding.
"For now, park the vehicle."
The driver, already accustomed to her authoritative yet graceful demeanor, immediately bowed his head in acknowledgment.
"Yes, Boss!" he replied firmly before getting back inside the car.
Lisa didn't spare him another glance.
Her crimson eyes focused straight ahead as she began walking toward the entrance of the Hunter Guild.
Now all of Lisa's servants held an exceptionally high level of respect and admiration toward her, and there was a very practical reason behind it.
The salary she offered them was a full fifty percent higher than what they could ever hope to earn by serving under anyone else in the city.
For commoners, that amount alone was enough to inspire loyalty.
However, Lisa didn't stop there—she went far beyond what any employer in Bo City would even consider.
In addition to the generous pay, Lisa provided her servants with magic cultivation resources—items that were usually considered luxuries reserved only for mages or academy students.
Under her arrangement, every single servant in her mansion had been awakened as a magician using a Magic Matrix, the same type of artifact used by prestigious schools and noble families for official awakenings.
To most of them, it felt like a dream—an unimaginable blessing that turned ordinary individuals into true magicians.
When questioned about such generosity, Lisa had given them a perfectly crafted explanation, one that strengthened their loyalty rather than raising suspicion.
She told them that it would be a disgrace to her Lord if those serving under his name were not even capable of basic magic.
"It would be an insult to my Lord's dignity," she had said with cold pride, her tone laced with absolute confidence.
The servants believed every word.
The excuse struck deeply within their hearts.
If she had offered them such opportunities purely out of kindness or pity, they might have felt wary or undeserving, perhaps even suspicious about her true intentions.
But since she framed it as a matter of pride and obligation toward her mysterious and powerful Lord, the reasoning felt justified—even noble.
It wasn't generosity, it was duty.
And that made them respect her all the more.
The servants began working with greater enthusiasm and determination, each of them secretly wishing to prove their worth to Lady Lisa and, by extension, to her legendary "Lord."
Many hoped that through loyalty and effort, they could earn higher ranks and stand out enough to be noticed personally by her or even by the unseen master she served.
Meanwhile, Astreo, the true mastermind behind it all, had his own motives for orchestrating this arrangement.
He wanted to run an experiment through Lisa's group of servants—to study and analyze how ordinary humans responded to structured support, resources, and hierarchical contracts.
This test would serve as the foundation for how he would later manage his future subordinates when his forces expanded further.
If these servants proved capable and displayed genuine potential, Astreo intended to elevate them, allowing them to reach at least the level of Advanced Tier Magicians.
However, that outcome depended entirely on their effort and compatibility.
He wasn't going to waste rare or divine-grade resources on them despite having infinite of it.
Every resource they received was standard-grade, including the Magic Matrix used in their awakening—a far cry from what he provided to Lisa.
Lisa, on the other hand, was different.
She was his first subordinate, the cornerstone upon which his human-world faction would be built.
She had earned his full investment—resources, power, and guidance.
Astreo's goal was to make her grow stronger as quickly as possible, to mold her into a powerful figure capable of managing others efficiently.
Once she reached the level he envisioned, she would serve as both his right hand and the public face of his growing influence.
Anyway, Lisa entered the Hunter's Union building, her calm steps echoing slightly against the polished marble floor.
It was a large establishment filled with bustling hunters, clerks, and various magicians handling paperwork, taking missions, or waiting for their teams to assemble.
After glancing around briefly, Lisa soon spotted Mu He, Yi Fei, and the other members of the hunter party she had recently joined.
"I hope I haven't made you all wait for too long?" she asked politely, her voice composed yet naturally commanding attention.
Lisa's outfit contrasted with the other female members—while many preferred combat attire that leaned toward revealing or flexible designs, her clothes were completely practical, crafted for durability and defense rather than for appearance.
Her long coat carried faint metallic traces on its inner lining, offering both resistance and elegance, perfectly fitting someone of her mysterious background.
Yi Fei immediately smiled and shook her head, stepping forward to reply, "No, Miss Lisa, you haven't kept us waiting at all. In fact, we've only just arrived ourselves."
Her tone was cheerful, yet everyone in the group knew it was an outright lie.
In reality, they had been waiting there for well over an hour, too cautious and respectful to complain or even mention the delay.
Their reason for such politeness wasn't mere admiration—it was respect born out of awe and fear.
Until recently, the group had only suspected that Lisa might be backed by a powerful faction or noble lineage, but that assumption had been proven absolutely true in their eyes.
Not long after joining them, Lisa had suddenly purchased a large mansion within Bo City, hired multiple servants, and had even performed Magic Matrix awakenings for all of them—a luxury so extravagant that even many large families couldn't afford it.
The news of her generosity and overwhelming financial strength had spread rapidly across the city, reaching the ears of powerful figures.
Even the head of the Mu Family's Bo City branch, Mu Zhouyun, who was none other than Mu Ningxue's father, personally visited her residence.
His purpose was simple—to uncover which mysterious force or organization Lisa represented.
But even he returned without answers.
It didn't stop there.
The Principal of Tian Lan Magic High School and even the local military commander paid visits to Lisa, hoping to learn of her background or at least form an amicable connection with her.
However, despite their status, they failed miserably in their attempts to trace her origins.
Every investigation led to a blank wall, every inquiry turned up nothing.
There was a reason for that.
Lisa was no longer Lei Yao, the person she once was.
Under Aster's—no, Astreo's—command, her name, identity, and even her physical appearance had been completely altered.
No spell, no document, and no connection linked her to her past.
To ensure this secrecy remained absolute, Astreo had even manipulated Granny Chu's memories, erasing any trace or clue that could reveal Lisa's original identity.
As a result, when all the city's influential forces came up empty-handed in their investigations, they could only reach one conclusion: Lisa must belong to a higher, hidden power—an organization so powerful that it could easily cover her tracks and erase her existence from every record.
This misunderstanding worked perfectly in Astreo's favor.
Fearing to offend such a mysterious background, the influential families, academies, and military units all chose neutrality, deciding instead to build a good relationship with Lisa.
Thus, while Lisa stood before her hunter team with calm elegance and a soft, confident smile, everyone around her treated her not as an equal—but as a noblewoman from a force beyond their comprehension.
That for Mu He's hunter party, which had now begun to treat Lisa with utmost respect and care.
Over the past few months, they had become increasingly mindful of their behavior around her.
It had even become a habit for them to arrive earlier than the scheduled meeting time, just to ensure that Lisa would never have to wait for them.
No one dared to let the young woman, whom they now regarded as someone of high background and influence, stand idle or feel inconvenienced in any way.
"Lisa, we've accepted a hunting mission outside the city perimeter," Yi Fei said with a bright smile, holding the task slip in her hand.
"The mission is to exterminate Cyclops Rats and One-Eyed Demon Wolves. Let's see how many we can take down today."
Her tone carried enthusiasm, and the others nodded in agreement, clearly excited.
Since the day Lisa had joined their group, the team's overall efficiency and combat effectiveness had skyrocketed.
Their success rate in completing missions was almost double what it used to be, and the number of casualties or injuries had dropped to zero.
Lisa's overwhelmingly powerful combat skill had completely changed their standing among other hunter teams in Bo City.
Another reason the group respected her deeply was her generosity.
Unlike other powerful magicians who demanded large shares of the loot, Lisa only took 30% of the total profit from each hunt.
This percentage was far smaller than what someone of her caliber could easily demand.
The remaining 70% was divided among the others, significantly boosting their earnings and allowing them to live far better lives than before.
At first, Mu He and the rest of the team had felt guilty about this division.
They had tried multiple times to convince her to take a larger share, but Lisa always refused firmly.
She would simply say that money wasn't her concern—what she wanted was battle experience.
Moreover, she explained that as her companions and teammates, it was in her best interest that they remained well-equipped and capable, for a stronger team meant greater survival chances during dangerous hunts.
Her words earned not only their gratitude but also a sense of loyalty that grew deeper with each passing day.
Once their preparations were complete, the group departed for the mission site.
Lisa sat beside Yi Fei in her luxurious black sedan, while Mu He and the other members traveled in a large van that carried their supplies and tools.
The short drive through the outskirts of Bo City was filled with light conversation and the sound of the engine humming steadily.
Before long, they arrived at the city perimeter, where the asphalt road ended and the untamed wilderness began.
Parking their vehicles near a designated safe zone, the party began their trek into the dense forest, their boots crunching softly over dried leaves and twigs.
It didn't take long before they encountered their first group of monsters—Cyclops Rats, just as expected.
These creatures were infamous for their fast reproduction rate, often forming swarms that infested the city outskirts.
The Hunter's Union regularly issued extermination tasks to control their population, and this was one such mission.
Lisa observed the area briefly before raising her hand, sparks of crackling lightning forming around her fingertips.
In the blink of an eye, several bolts of lightning shot out, striking the Cyclops Rats directly.
The creatures shrieked and fell lifelessly to the ground before the others could even react.
As they advanced further, the group encountered several One-Eyed Demon Wolves, much stronger than the Cyclops Rats.
Yet, even these beasts proved to be no challenge for Lisa.
With just a simple Novice Tier 2 Lightning Spell, she effortlessly eliminated each wolf in a single strike.
Her precision, speed, and control left the rest of the team speechless.
Although her sudden and overwhelming increase in power left everyone surprised and a little intimidated, none of them dared to question her.
They simply exchanged silent glances among themselves, realizing that Lisa had once again grown stronger—far beyond what ordinary hunters or magicians could achieve in such a short time.
Soon, evening descended over the forest, painting the sky with faint orange hues as the team made their way back toward the city, carrying the spoils of their successful hunt.
The group looked exhausted yet satisfied, their expressions filled with the quiet pride of a day well spent.
Behind them, several carts and a rented truck followed, piled high with monster corpses and materials they had collected.
The Cyclops Rats they hunted were small but numerous.
Their organs held little value, yet their fur and magic crystals fetched a reasonable price at the Hunter's Union market.
The One-Eyed Demon Wolves, on the other hand, were far more valuable—their fangs, claws, pelts, and even bones could be sold for a hefty amount.
Due to their larger size, however, the group had been forced to rent an additional truck to carry the bodies back.
Watching the workers load the last of the Demon Wolf corpses onto the vehicle, Lisa folded her arms and frowned slightly, clearly thinking about something.
After a moment, she turned toward her teammates and spoke.
"Why don't I just buy us a few trucks?" she said casually, her tone calm and matter-of-fact.
"It would be much more convenient than renting vehicles every single time we go on a hunt."
Her words immediately drew everyone's attention. T
he entire group froze for a second, their eyes widening in disbelief.
Even Yi Fei, who was normally quick to respond, blinked a few times, clearly not expecting Lisa to make such an offer so offhandedly.
In truth, the team had long considered purchasing their own trucks, especially since renting one for every large-scale hunt was becoming more frequent.
They had even saved enough funds for it, but in the end, they had always chosen to prioritize magic cultivation resources over equipment.
Trucks, though convenient, didn't improve their strength—while resources did.
From their perspective, renting was simply more cost-efficient.
Yi Fei let out an awkward laugh, trying to keep her tone polite yet firm.
"Lisa, I know that for you, such an expense might not even make a dent in your finances," she said, her lips twitching slightly.
"But we really don't want to take advantage of you. It's fine if we keep renting trucks. It works for us."
Lisa glanced at her, her expression soft yet resolute.
A faint, confident smile formed on her lips as she shook her head.
"Sister Fei," she said gently, her voice filled with calm assurance, "for me, buying a truck is no different than buying a pastry. It's something small and insignificant. Besides, it will only make our hunts smoother and help me grow faster."
She looked toward the distant sunset, her eyes glimmering faintly with conviction.
"And for me," she added, her tone gaining a hint of devotion, "the greatest reward I can offer to my Lord is my growth. Every bit of progress I make, every improvement in strength, is an offering to Him. So don't hold back on my account."
Her words carried an almost divine confidence—simple, yet firm enough to silence any further objection.
Suddenly, everyone in the group noticed something peculiar in Lisa's words.
When she spoke earlier, she had said "My Lord," a phrase that instantly caught their attention.
The way she said it—firm, reverent, and filled with devotion—wasn't casual at all.
It clearly indicated that she was in some form of subordinate relationship with someone, and from her tone, that person held an extraordinarily high position in her heart.
The others exchanged quiet, uncertain glances.
The idea that Lisa—a woman of such grace, beauty, and power—was serving someone willingly and even addressing him with that level of respect was difficult to process.
They couldn't help but speculate among themselves.
'Was this "Lord" her lover? Or perhaps the head of some mysterious organization?
Could it be that she belonged to a powerful hidden faction operating beyond Bo City's reach?'
Every possibility that crossed their minds only deepened their confusion.
However, none of them dared to ask.
Even Yi Fei, who was closest to Lisa, felt an instinctive restraint from prying further.
The sheer reverence in Lisa's tone made them feel that whoever this "Lord" was—he was someone far beyond their understanding or reach.
So, without pressing the matter, they quietly accompanied her back to the Hunter's Guild.
There, they completed their mission report and allowed her to purchase a truck for the team as she had intended.
No one argued this time; the unspoken awe and respect they held for Lisa prevented any further refusal.
Meanwhile, far away in his Dimensional Space, Astreo slowly opened his eyes.
For a moment, the air itself trembled.
Invisible ripples of Psychic and Spatial energy spread outward from him, distorting the space around his form.
His deep, black eyes shimmered faintly with power as he exhaled slowly, his voice calm yet filled with satisfaction.
"Level 7 Spiritual Attainment…" he murmured, a faint smile curling at the edge of his lips.
"I've finally reached it."
The surge of advancement coursed through him like an unstoppable tide.
Every one of his elements felt sharper, heavier—more complete.
The improvement in his spiritual comprehension amplified the potency of his magic severalfold.
Among all his elements, however, two in particular—Psychic and Space—experienced the greatest leap.
Their strength had transcended the limits of what most magicians could even dream of achieving.
Now, with his current spiritual power, even a peak Super Tier Mage, or perhaps even a Half-Forbidden Mage, would find it almost impossible to stand against him.
His control over Psychic energy could crush their mental defences, while his mastery over Space could erase distance and obliterate enemies before they could even react.
And yet, despite all this, Astreo knew it was still only the beginning.
To be continued...
(A/N: I had diarrhea today, vomiting until my throat heart, feeling my bowels go funny.
I didn't write any chap today, you are lucky that yesterday I uploaded two chaps and since this fic has just released I have to try my best to give daily updates for a month.
So I will be uploading this chap for today, I will tell tmrw if I am well enough and can deliver a chap.
That's all)