The reason Fang Yuan's Awakening Serum could gradually enhance the human body was that, at its core, it was Kryptonian human-genetic optimization fluid.
Krypton's hundred-thousand-year tech tree held every imaginable technology; it was only because Kryptonian civilization later ossified that many breakthroughs were left to gather dust in warehouses.
But to Fang Yuan, these cast-offs were pure treasure.
Tweaking out a genetic optimizer humans could tolerate was child's play—though he was hardly a merchant with a conscience.
Everything was diluted, of course.
Even if someone drank the serum every day for ten years, it would boost physical performance by thirty percent at most.
Still, for ordinary people, that was already terrific.
With this product alone, Fang Yuan could rake in mountains of cash.
But he wanted more than profit; what mattered was using the serum to leash the upper crust.
So he added a second feature—super-powers!
That was the hook that would keep these social elites firmly on the line.
Seeing the crowd's excitement, Fang Yuan finally called out the price.
"These vials of Awakening Serum will be open to all Outer Disciples; one per week is enough to see results."
"But don't skip doses—stop and the body's enhancement resets, plus your odds of manifesting a super-power drop."
"And the cost… one thousand U.S. dollars a bottle."
"Whoa!"
The entire audience gasped in shock at the price.
A thousand dollars a bottle? Too… cheap, surely?
One bottle a week, about fifty-two a year, so a person's annual outlay would be only fifty-two grand.
Everyone here was tycoons or top officials used to throwing money around.
Fifty thousand—was that even money?
It was practically being given away.
Some impatient voices were already asking where to buy, but those with a few more brain cells had caught on.
The real catch wasn't the price; it was that the serum was reserved for Outer Disciples!
Sure enough, Fang Yuan continued, "However, these serums are brewed from priceless materials, so Kamar-Taj can't supply everyone."
"Therefore the Sorcerer Supreme has divided Outer Disciples into four tiers; each tier has a monthly purchase quota."
Good things always come with a gatekeeper.
Every elite present understood that and listened with bated breath.
"Tier one: Probationary Outer Disciple—twelve bottles per month."
Groans rippled through the hall.
Twelve bottles sounded generous, but interruption risked losing your super-power chance, so you had to keep drinking; twelve bottles barely covered three people.
Who here didn't bring a whole entourage?
Three measly slots weren't even enough for their mistresses.
Fang Yuan went on, "Tier two: Full Outer Disciple—fifty-two bottles a month."
Enough for thirteen people; many heads nodded—this met their needs.
"Tier three: Senior Outer Disciple—two hundred bottles per month!" Gasps and commotion exploded.
Two hundred bottles covered fifty people; you could supply your entire family and still have spares to trade for favors.
All eyes were now fixed on Fang Yuan, waiting for the final quota.
"Tier four: Elite Outer Disciple—two thousand bottles every month!"
Boom!
Everyone was stunned; one Elite Disciple could buy five hundred people's worth of serum—hand that to even an idiot and he could bankroll an entire interest bloc.
The serum could grant health and super-charge their careers.
Now there was only one question on their minds—
"How do we become an Outer Disciple?" someone finally blurted out.
The hall fell silent; you could hear a pin drop.
They waited for Fang Yuan's answer.
"Not just anyone can join as an Outer Disciple."
"Kamar-Taj's vetting is strict—applicants need exceptional talent, sterling character, correct ideology, and keen insight."
Many brows furrowed at that.
They all believed in themselves; no one doubted their own character could pass.
Fang Yuan pivoted: "But the Sorcerer Supreme knows these demands are harsh, and this is, after all, only the Outer Disciples, so the bar has been lowered."
He smiled. "As thanks for attending today, everyone here is directly promoted to Probationary Outer Disciple!"
Cheers!
Fantastic!"
They all exhaled in relief; they'd feared the conditions would be brutal.
"May I ask how to advance in rank?" someone immediately followed up.
Entry achieved, they now wanted bigger benefits.
Three measly monthly slots were nowhere near enough.
You asked for it.
Fang Yuan launched into his pitch.
"Outer Disciples operate on a contribution-point system—any deed that benefits Kamar-Taj earns points."
"Probationers need 2,000 points a year to stay, full members 10,000, veterans 50,000, elites 200,000."
"When your score reaches the threshold you may apply for a promotion quest; finish it and you rank up, but fall short the following year and you're demoted."
Contribution points?
Everyone present found the model familiar; many already used something similar to run their own businesses.
"Chief Sorcerer, if I donate ten million dollars, how many points would that bring?"
"One hundred," Fang Yuan answered.
An instant commotion: ten million for a measly hundred points—so an Elite Outer Disciple would cost twenty billion?
A voice suddenly rang from a box: "Chief Sorcerer, I'm willing to donate industries worth twenty billion—may I apply for elite status?"
"What?"
The whole theatre gasped, craning to see who was throwing money around.
Oh, they all knew him—surname Rockefeller.
Never mind, then.
Two hundred billion is a fortune to them, but pocket change to the Rockefeller consortium.
Yet Fang Yuan surprisingly replied, "That earns eighty thousand points; to promote you'd still need to clear the advancement quest. For a jump in rank, only the highest-tier quest is required."
The crowd, already stunned, turned even more incredulous.
"Only eighty thousand? And still a quest?" The Rockefeller rep scowled.
That's twenty billion dollars!
He wondered if this sorcerer had holed up so long in the mountains he no longer grasped what twenty billion meant.
"Kamar-Taj's needs change over time, so identical deeds may yield different points."
"Cash is fine, but Kamar-Taj doesn't care about money—two hundred billion or twenty billion makes no difference."
"We value your influence: help us find rare items or provide conveniences. Trust me, earning points that way is far more cost-effective."
Fang Yuan smiled as he explained.
Joking aside—between Stark Industries, S.H.I.E.L.D. and Athena—money was just digits to him.
Trying to buy him off?
If he wished, Fang Yuan could crash World finance in minutes.
So cash gifts bored him; what he wanted was for these elites to serve as his hounds.
What? Refuse?
Plenty were eager to take their place.
Sure enough, the moment he finished, eyes below lit up.
Many couldn't outbid conglomerates, but serving as lackeys was their specialty.
In modern society, who isn't already someone's dog?
Being capital's dog risks sudden death; licking Kamar-Taj buys longevity.
"But anyone harming Kamar-Taj will be penalized—points docked, privileges revoked, repeat offenders expelled outright."
Seeing enthusiasm reignite, Fang Yuan dashed cold water again; the push-and-pull was an art he'd mastered.
All understood: Kamar-Taj wanted obedient helpers.
In the U.S. even cults come with rules; compared to them, Kamar-Taj looked lenient.
Fang Yuan concluded, "Awakening Serum slots are only the basics; when benefits arise, higher-ranked disciples get first pick."
"Contribution points measure your sincerity in standing with Kamar-Taj—so perform well!"
The words sent a ripple of excitement; everyone hoped to be the lucky one to awaken superpowers.
Failing that, the serum would still grant robust health—something they craved just as much.
"Of course, choice is mutual."
Finally, Fang Yuan added considerately, "I've emailed each of you a link; if you wish to join, click it within ten days to register on the Outer Disciples' Portal."
Without lingering, he opened a Portal to a Snow-Capped Mountain; smiling through the howling wind and snow.
"I'll await you at Kamar-Taj!"
He shot Thor a glance; Thor snapped out of it and followed, both vanishing into the rift.
Though Fang Yuan left, the clamour had only just begun.
Every conversation centred on how to become his dog.
"Fang, Kamar-Taj has few sorcerers—can you really brew that much Awakening Serum?"
Thor meant well; if supply failed, the Outer Disciple system would collapse overnight.
Fang Yuan clapped his shoulder confidently. "Relax—I've a full production line for the serum."
Namo of Talokan gave a silent thumbs-up.
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