Chapter 31: Still Needs Polishing-Você me pediu para fazer um empréstimo para cultivar? Eu elimino a dívida fisicamente!(Quando a caneta toca o papel, a melodia das nuvens surge.)

Under normal circumstances, the expansion of the Red Heart Society would indeed interfere with the academic operations of Cloud City Second University. However, with Cloud City First University offering full endorsement and even actively poaching talent, the president of the Second University abandoned his previous conservative stance and began to fully embrace the presence of the Red Heart Society.

As a professional university supported by the local Cloud City government, Cloud City Second University is, in a sense, a competitor to the First University. Most importantly, the president of Cloud City First University is a renowned mentor who has cultivated over a dozen fourth-rank powerhouses. Since he holds the Red Heart Society in high regard—even serving as the honorary president of its headquarters—it implies that previous perceptions were simply wrong. If you are wrong, you change! Where there is profit to be made, there is nothing that cannot be acknowledged.

You appreciate the fact that both universities are vying for the Red Heart Society. Upon learning of this, the president of Cloud City First University told you to prepare well; if you could secure significant subsidies from the Second University, that would be a testament to your own capabilities. Rest assured, he would not feel slighted. He blocked all dissent from the leadership at his own university for your sake. You need only focus on development; leave the rest to him. The stronger you are before graduation, the happier he is, regardless of the method!

You are deeply moved by his support. You decide that if the opportunity arises, you will help him fulfill his ideal of elevating Cloud City First University to the rank of a top-tier institution.

In October of Transcendence Era 126, you used internal channels to rent two equipment-forging instruments, one inscription-crafting instrument, and a basic life potion production instrument at Cloud City First University. Operating these machines is simple; even ordinary people without awakening, once trained, can handle them. However, the instruments are extremely valuable, and you would not trust outsiders with them. After conducting investigations, you brought over the parents of the Red Heart Squad members, prioritizing them as operators.

The Red Heart Squad has now grown to over three hundred members. With this many people, as long as the system is sound, chaos is avoided. You are very strict with your members: no leave is granted unless there is a necessary event or a health issue. In the morning, you team up to clear dungeons, with materials purchased directly through the squad's internal channels. At noon, you begin to systematically venture out to clear out abyssal monsters.

Unless there is a special mission, you return in the evening to follow the Red Heart Society’s standard routine. Anyone who completes their daily assigned tasks receives one thousand contribution points per day. As the saying goes, if the pay is good, the squad is home! Especially for those who have been part of other squads, working one day in the Red Heart Society is equivalent to working three days elsewhere. Most importantly, the Red Heart Squad also provides jobs for their parents and relatives. The work is light, secure, and well-paid. Who could resist such benefits?

In October of Transcendence Era 126, as the various instruments began formal operation, the costs of equipment, inscriptions, and life potions within the society plummeted. Only then did you realize how much profit those merchant guilds had been siphoning off. While equipment and inscriptions require time for material collection and refinement, the cost of life potions—given that the recipe is public—is shockingly low. At a retail price of 500,000 per bottle, the profit margin is over a thousand times. These profiteers dare to sell potions that cost only a few hundred dollars for half a million! The Federation does nothing about it—or perhaps, it is essentially their own business.

The president also warned you regarding the life potions: never sell them cheaply just because of your own ideals—at least, not until you have the strength to protect yourself. You bought the production instruments not for sale, but for the Red Heart Squad’s own use. After all, members are constantly injured during their continuous exploration. Thus, life potions are treated as daily consumables, distributed to each member before every outing.

In December of Transcendence Era 126, with the assistance of a crystal-refining instrument, you reached level 20. You did not immediately undergo the second rank-up, but instead spent your days in the Battle Qi Tempering Room, carefully refining your Bronze Battle Qi. Although you have been focused on improving your energy, you are still some way from perfection. It requires further polishing!

In January of Transcendence Era 127, you spent a massive sum to purchase a set of level 20 elite-grade gear: the Wolf Fang Set. That same month, with your substantial capital injection, all three hundred members of the Red Heart Squad became first-rank professionals.

This level of strength and scale, combined with the fact that they are all university students, immediately caught the attention of the garrisoned battle corps in neighboring cities. In particular, after thorough investigations revealed that you, the mastermind behind the Red Heart Squad, came from a humble background with no prior connections, their interest piqued. If they could integrate the Red Heart Squad into their own systems, their strength would surely skyrocket.

Of course, that is not the most important thing. What matters most is your enviable ability to generate wealth and gather intelligence. If you joined a battle corps, they might not have to worry about money for a long time.

Not long after, the Golden Hand, Heart of Dawn, and White Dragon’s Fang battle corps sent their stewards to extend invitations. They hope that upon your graduation, you will lead the Red Heart Squad into their ranks. They promise that upon joining, you would start at the rank of squadron leader. Within three years, you would certainly become a brigade commander! As a brigade commander, you would command three squadrons and ten squads, with fifty members under your direct command.

Faced with such an offer, you remain silent. Command fifty people? Is this an insult or a recruitment? In other words, if you bring three hundred people into their corps, you wouldn't even have the authority to command your own subordinates? You are well aware of the true reasons behind the personal visits and honeyed words of these high-and-mighty stewards.

You know that you cannot join these battle corps now. Otherwise, there would have been no need to build such a large organization as the Red Heart Society or train hundreds of professionals. Wouldn't it have been better to consolidate your wealth and buy yourself a set of level 20 epic gear? You had already planned for a future "harvest" when you started spending your profits from stock trading. Now that the fruits you planted are being eyed by these battle corps, how could you let them poach your efforts?

Not only do you forbid it, but the president of Cloud City First University would never allow you to lead your team into another battle corps. Otherwise, wouldn't his recent investments be nothing more than a dowry for someone else?