Sometimes, even when people clearly recognize a scheme, they still cannot resist it.
Because this was an opportunity to step onto the path of the extraordinary.
Powerful strength.
Evolution of life.
Even immortality.
Even if they knew Caine was exploiting them, reducing them to beggars kneeling before him—
The truth was that countless others wished they could kneel but had no door through which to enter.
So even if they could see the abyss ahead, they would still leap into it willingly.
Fortunately, Caine made one thing clear.
The listed prices were only for buying out the cultivation method.
If it was only for personal use, the cost would be reduced by a hundred times.
However, once a cultivation method was bought out, it would belong entirely to the buyer.
As long as they did not purchase it specifically for resale, Caine would not interfere with how they used it afterward.
In simple terms, Caine's meaning was clear.
Everyone else could run retail.
But he alone controlled wholesale.
From the very beginning, Caine had never intended to monopolize every layer of profit.
Instead, he focused only on harvesting the top tier, leaving the middle and lower markets to operate freely.
When he ate meat, he would still leave some soup for others to drink.
After all, there were still countless "leeks" waiting to be harvested at the bottom of the food chain.
Naturally, those who stood in the middle would not oppose him.
If they felt exploited by Caine, they could simply turn around and exploit ordinary people beneath them.
If Caine sold something for 100, surely, they could sell it for 200, right?
And if someone could not afford it, that wasn't a problem.
Loans could be provided.
Or they could form groups to purchase the method together.
As more and more people began cultivating, the profits of those occupying the second tier would grow steadily.
After all, the ones who always suffered losses were those at the very bottom.
The so-called leeks.
Therefore, once this group successfully obtained their spiritual energy seeds and mastered the cultivation method, they immediately signed a non-proliferation agreement.
After careful negotiation, they decided to establish a minimum selling price.
No one would be allowed to sell the cultivation methods at a lower price than the agreed amount.
They understood one simple truth.
Only by cooperating could they earn more.
If they competed against each other and drove prices down, outsiders would be the only ones who benefited.
At first, they worried about one problem.
What if their exploitation provoked resistance?
What if cultivation methods spread uncontrollably?
But when Caine asked them to swear an oath to the Limitless Cyber Celestial, all their concerns vanished.
As soon as they spoke the oath, a mysterious spell briefly appeared on their wrists before disappearing.
The silent warning was obvious.
Breaking the oath would bring terrible consequences.
At that moment, God was no longer an imaginary concept.
It had become a real existence in another dimension.
A being capable of influencing the real world.
Yet rather than fear it, the managers felt even more reassured.
The existence of the Limitless Cyber Celestial provided them with immense psychological security.
It made them believe firmly that their decision was correct.
Now they could harvest wealth without worrying that the expensive cultivation methods they had purchased would spread freely.
As for the clearly Chinese-style name of the Limitless Cyber Celestial—
No one saw any problem with it.
Caine himself was Chinese.
His abilities were obtained in China.
And the god he worshiped was Chinese.
What was strange about that?
In fact, in their eyes, this only increased the credibility of the cultivation methods.
After all China was renowned for their Kung Fu.
If anything, the Chinese origin made the techniques seem even more trustworthy.
"Excellent, gentlemen."
Caine smiled warmly.
"It seems you have all given this careful thought."
"In that case, let us begin."
"Do not disappoint my expectations."
"Yes, sir!"
Everyone responded in unison.
They bowed respectfully before leaving the newly established High Table headquarters, their hearts filled with excitement.
With the conclusion of that meeting, the curtain on a new era quietly rose.
The era of extraordinary rule.
Like a powerful storm, it would soon sweep across the entire world.
This day was destined to be recorded in history.
Later generations would call it:
Cyber Year.
…
…
After returning to their respective territories, the High Table's core members immediately threw themselves into cultivation.
Thanks to the immortal seeds gifted by Caine, they did not need to sense spiritual energy themselves.
They could directly begin practicing the Soul Acupoint Method.
Time passed quickly.
Although everyone's talent differed, even the slowest among them successfully condensed their first acupoint within two days.
Just like Cain had done before, once they opened their first acupoint, they began practicing the Spirit Absorption Secret Art.
Like newborn infants filled with curiosity, they cast the spell for the first time.
When electricity surged into their bodies—
The overwhelming sense of power intoxicated them.
It felt as if they were floating among the clouds.
The excitement was indescribable.
However, the path of cultivation soon taught them a harsh lesson.
Immortal cultivation is harder than ascending to heaven.
Their cultivation speed moved at a crawling pace.
Everyone quickly felt helpless.
Frustrated.
Even despairing.
Looking at The Art of Alchemy and the Spirit-Infusion Technique in their hands, they sighed.
It became clear.
They too would have to begin harvesting other cultivators.
If necessary, they would borrow resources from Director Caine.
Even if the interest rate was high.
They had to spread the cultivation methods as quickly as possible and harvest spiritual energy on a large scale.
Otherwise, they simply could not endure the snail-like speed of cultivation.
Immortal cultivation was not something a lone individual could accomplish.
Without money—
It was impossible.
"Of course," Caine replied cheerfully when the managers requested loans.
"No problem at all."
Then he asked kindly,
"How about one percent interest per month?"
…
Everyone paused.
Then, gritting their teeth, they accepted.
Caine leaned back in his chair, calmly calculating the profits.
Just from the buyout of the first acupoint method, plus interest, this round would bring him roughly 600 to 650 gold spirit coins.
If the managers delayed repayment longer—
The profit could rise to 700 or even 900 gold spirit coins.
"Indeed…"
Caine rubbed his hands excitedly.
"In the end, harvesting others is still the best business."
This was only the first acupoint, and he had already gained the equivalent of six hundred years of spiritual energy accumulation.
The feeling was exhilarating.
After all—
There were 362 acupoints to open before the next stage of meridian condensation could begin.
In Caine's mind, countless glittering gold spirit coins were already flying straight into his pockets.
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