'They finally did it!' Jasper felt pleased. Although he was expecting them today, it still felt great knowing that his friends didn't betray his expectations.
'Yes'
[Receiving rewards…]
[User Jasper received Body Tempering Cultivation Technique Wild Card x1, Enslavement Seal x5, and 100 Privilege points.]
[Follower slots increased: 3 -> 5]
'Another set of Enslavement Seals…'
Jasper kept a solemn expression outside but was excited within. He then looked at the next rank up condition.
—
Rank Up Condition ' High Baron':
- Cultivation Stage of Seventh Stage Body Tempering Realm
- 4 Followers at the Fourth Stage Body Tempering Realm
- 10 Slaves
Rank Up Reward:
Follower slots 5 -> 10
Body Tempering Cultivation Technique Wild Card x2
Body Tempering Mystery Chest x5Enslavement Seal x10
Privilege +200 pts
—
'Four followers, huh…'
This was problematic. Jasper has to somehow circumvent his dilemma of getting followers without exposing his strength. He already has a plan, but it would take some time before it bears some fruit.
While he was thinking about his next rank up, Jasper received another notification.
[Mission Completed: Reach Baron Rank within three months.]
[Receive rewards?]
'Of course, when will I ever say no?'
[User Jasper received the Baron's Ring of Authority.]
Jasper looked into what this item could do.
—
Baron's Ring of Authority
Increase the speed of cultivation of followers by 1%-20% and power level by 0.5%-10%. Multiplier is dependent on the user's authority.
Cultivation speed: +20%
Power level: +10%
Can exceed the limit by Domination.
—
'Domination?'
This was the first time he encountered this keyword. There are mysterious concepts such as authority and will, now there's this term called domination.
Jasper's thoughts were then interrupted by a system notification.
[New missions have been added.]
He looked into them by going into the mission section.
—
Mission #1: Reach High Baron Rank within five months. (5 months remaining)
Reward: Baron's Ring of Authority - Superior
Mission #2: Reach First Stage of Qi Refinement Realm
Reward: Qi Refinement Qi Stone x10
Mission #3: Dominate 10 individuals. (10 remaining)
Reward: Dominator's Crown
—
'Again, what the hell is the meaning of domination?'
—
Domination
A Sovereign rules allies and dominates enemies. An enemy will be dominated when the user completely destroys their willpower.
Total Domination: 0
—
'Interesting…'
Soon, the two reached their station and separated. Jasper went through an alleyway and coming out, he already had his second original face, the more refined one. With that, he got home.
Jasper gathered a lot of information today. With his secondary eyes and ears, such as Alex and Cassandra, he mapped out the whole school in just one day.
In every organization of cultivators, there is always a 'grand elder' of some sorts. They are the protector and is usually has the highest cultivation within the organization. They are the real decision-makers. However, they are mostly secluded from matters.
Gedan Ivon, for example. He is the strongest with Peak Stage Golden Core Realm cultivation in their family business. Although he has the last say, he doesn't concern himself with the business matters. Strong cultivators are focused on cultivation rather than learning other fields.
In other words, the principal of Brukmere Public High is not necessarily the school's protector. Sure, the principal has a great cultivation base at the Peak Stage Golden Core Realm, but if Jasper were to guess, the school's protector should at least be at the Nascent Martial Spirit Realm.
It's not far-fetched since the governor of the Elshed province is said to be on the Third Stage Nascent Martial Spirit Realm. As the top public school in the whole province, their protector should just be slightly below the governor.
This means that to take over the whole Brukmere Public High, Jasper's greatest obstacle is not Erica Tonder, but the school's protector, a Nascent Martial Spirit Realm Cultivator.
Jasper was never afraid of Erica as he still have his greatest ace yet, Nyx. However, against a Nascent Martial Spirit Realm Cultivator, Nyx is far from enough.
As Jasper returned to his apartment, he was greeted by Janice with a lowered head. Her face grimaced as her body forced her to. Meanwhile, Jasper has a beaming smile, liking what he sees. He entered and asked.
"Anything happen today?"
Janice glanced at Liam at the corner. He has regained some awareness, from his listless expression, when Jasper has finally returned.
"Nothing, he just stayed like that all day."
"Tell me the truth."
"That was it."
"Full truth."
"No, that was really it. He didn't do anything but that."
"I didn't expect him to have low willpower. I thought he would try anything, like gain information."
"... is there even a way?" Janice carefully asked.
"I don't know. Even if I did, why would I share that?"
Jasper laughed. Janice and Liam, who were listening, didn't know whether he was lying or not.
"Also, M-master, there are some guys who are asking about you."
Janice added her report, which pleased Jasper that she would talk without being asked.
"They didn't tell who they are, but I didn't speak with them. I didn't know what to say."
"Great choice of action."
Jasper commended, but it's mostly because of his orders to Janice not being able to betray him that she chose the safest option.
From what he gathered, he can assume that the Ancestor is confident that he is gone or is no longer a threat. Why come to this assumption? 1. The sentient book has returned. 2, the clone witnessed him being eaten by a Nascent Martial Spirit Beast as reported by the beast itself. 3, they shouldn't be just asking if they are not sure.
Therefore, it shouldn't be the Ancestor.
As for who those inquisitive people are, Jasper has some clues. They are most likely sent by Erica Tondar. This aligned with her words that she will investigate the incident with 'Jasper's disappearance'. Other than her, he doesn't have any alternative suspects.
"Surely, they'll return."
Jasper thought for a while before looking at Janice up and down. Janice felt goosebumps as she pulled her short skirt down.
"Relax, will you? If I want to do something, I would've done it already. Nothing's stopping me."
"Y-yeah…" Janice doubted those words and thought, 'You could be taking your sweet time for all I know!' but she knew that worrying about these things does not help and will only ruin her mental health.
At that moment, there was a knock on the door.
Moments earlier, when Jasper received the notification that he had ranked up, he invited his two friends to his apartment. It seemed that they had arrived. Martin and Justin are outside waiting by the door. They wore bright smiles as they had just entered the second stage of Bthe ody Tempering Realm in less than a week!
Who would believe them if they were to tell this to somebody else?
"I have to kiss Jasper! It's the only way I can show my gratitude!"
"Shh! Don't get too excited!" Justine said while hopping like a bunny.
They look like fangirls who are about to meet their idol in person.
The door to Jasper's apartment opened, and what greeted them was an older woman in a skimpy maid's outfit. In contrast to her cute outfit is her dejected expression, looking at them with spite and embarrassment.
"Uhh… S-sorry!" Justine blabbered, thinking they got the wrong room. He then looked at the other doors and found that they were before the correct one. In this shabby apartment, there are no room numbers as there are only six apartments close to each other. Three on the first floor and three on the second floor. They shouldn't have chosen the wrong room. Was their memory wrong?
"Come in…" the woman in the maid's outfit looked down on them. Although her tone says otherwise, she invited them in, "He's expecting you."
"He? Jasper?"
Janice only nodded and gave way as it was a small room.
Martin and Justine looked at each other with confused expressions. Since they were invited, they entered the room and immediately found Jasper in his new, finer body.
This was the second time they saw him in this form, so they were not quite used to it yet. This is the same as Janice. When she first saw this second appearance, she was startled, thinking Jasper kidnapped a model, but then, it turned out it was his second original appearance and not an imitation. She still doesn't get it, but she would be lying if she says she doesn't find Jasper's appearance very attractive.
'If only he's not despicable!'
"Hi, Jasper…" Martin greeted while scratching his head. They wanted to ask about the woman in the room when their eyes landed on Liam sitting on the corner.
"Shit, he's here!"
"I made him stay here whenever I'm in his form." Jasper casually replied. He then invited them to sit while Janice brings them refreshments and snacks.
"Umm…"
Janice saw Jasper's glance and took the initiative to introduce herself.
"Apologies for not introducing myself earlier. You can call me Janice. I'm Jasper's sl-... servant."
"Slave." Jasper corrected bluntly, "She's my slave."
Janice's face crunched up but didn't rebuke.
Martin and Justine's jaws dropped as their eyes jumped from Janice and Jasper back and forth.
They greatly doubt the situation because slavery was far from the common norm. They were waiting for Jasper to say it's a joke and tell them she's actually he's girlfriend who likes to roleplay or something.
But there was no follow-up.
"No fucking way…"