Everything Grandmaster Orion said made perfect sense, leaving no one with any grounds to argue.

  After all, throughout the history of Awaken, how many had chosen a weak Seed Origin?

  Venix’s situation was extraordinarily unique. The presence of the Seed of Chaos brought him an unwelcome sense of threat.

  And coincidentally, Vulture was the only entity bold enough to approach the Seed of Chaos!

  "With all that you've mentioned, do you have a solution to enhance the Meditation Technique?" Grandmaster Ardyn asked seriously.

  "Yes, but this Meditation Technique will only benefit new Awaken who have yet to form their first Seed Origin," Grandmaster Orion replied, then continued, "The young woman’s idea—Luna, I believe her name was—is quite good. We must incorporate additional abilities into the Meditation Technique and various variations that could aid the chosen Seed Origin."

  "Luna?" Venix paused, recalling her figure. "She’s doing well, isn’t she?"

  Grandmaster Ardyn smiled meaningfully, turning to look at Venix. "She’s fine. In fact, she’s observing us from outside right now. Venix, do you have feelings for her?"

  "No. I just wanted to ensure she’s doing well," Venix replied, shaking his head slightly and exhaling in relief.

  "In that case, allow me to offer some advice. Luna may be more interested in Leoric, but with a little assistance from me, you could—" Grandmaster Ardyn began laying out his plan to Venix.

  But Venix covered both his ears with his hands, unwilling to listen to what Grandmaster Ardyn had to say next.

  "There are more important matters to discuss, Ardyn. Save the talk about women for later," Grandmaster Orion's voice cut sharply.

  "At least Venix knows how to be a real man—unlike you, living like a monk!" Grandmaster Ardyn retorted, his eyes narrowing in mockery as he crossed his arms. A faint smirk played on his lips, as though he felt superior.

  "And what’s wrong with that?" Orion countered coolly. "Not having a partner doesn’t make me any less of a man."

  Everyone was puzzled as to why the discussion had veered into personal territory.

  Then, Grandmaster Orion turned to Venix with an appreciative glint in his eyes and a smile on his face.

  "Good, kid!" Grandmaster Orion smiled in satisfaction. "Don’t waste your time chasing love. Being single is a blessing—focus on becoming stronger."

  Venix shook his head firmly, his expression showing deep disagreement. He restrained the urge to voice his feelings further.

  After all, Venix had no desire for romantic relationships with anyone in this world, which was, in essence, a Virtual World!

  Despite appearing real, Venix maintained clear boundaries with this world.

  Even as Venix shook his head forcefully, Grandmaster Orion’s smile remained intact.

  For some reason, Grandmaster Orion felt Venix was a suitable candidate to become his personal disciple.

  Unfortunately, with the threat of the Seed of Chaos, this couldn’t happen now.

  After some private conversation, Grandmaster Orion returned to the main topic, presenting his ideas for developing the Meditation Technique.

  It was impossible to force others to choose weak Seed Origins like Venix, even with certain advantages. Doing so would only limit the abilities and uniqueness they could achieve.

  For instance, Venix’s Seed of Vulture. While it appeared strong and had achieved Mythic quality, the abilities and uniqueness gained by its user were limited and not particularly plentiful.

  Thus, in Grandmaster Orion's plan, they needed to create a situation where the chosen Seed Origin felt like the weakest predator in that world.

  To create this situation, Grandmaster Orion mentioned Luna’s plan—creating a barrier to restrict the movement of Seed Origins.

  In Luna's plan, it was akin to setting up a Battle Royale among the Seed Origins, making each victor a strong prey to be conquered rather than weak prey for others.

  However, Grandmaster Orion’s approach was different. His idea was to use barriers to confine the chosen, initially strong Seed Origin and allow the others to grow first, thereby making the chosen Seed Origin weaker in comparison to the others.

  Once the chosen Seed Origin lagged far enough behind the others, this was when the Awaken’s role would become more valuable to their chosen Seed Origin!

  "I call this trick: 'Fooling the Rich Until They Believe They're Poor,'" Orion concluded with a satisfied tone, a faint smile on his face.

  Everyone who heard him was stunned.

  It sounded like a cheap trick, but theoretically… it might actually enhance the bond between a Seed Origin and an Awaken!

  Grandmaster Ardyn applauded. "Brilliant! It wasn’t a waste to call you here."

  Hearing this comment, Grandmaster Orion frowned in displeasure. Since when had his help ever been useless to others!?

  However, Grandmaster Orion simply gave Grandmaster Ardyn an annoyed glance, too lazy to argue further.

  "Sit before me, Venix," Grandmaster Orion instructed.

  "What are you doing? What about those two?" Grandmaster Ardyn asked, pointing to the two Awaken who were still meditating.

  While meditating, they couldn’t hear or feel anything happening outside their bodies.

  To communicate with someone meditating, the simplest and most common method was telepathy.

  Grandmaster Orion cast a brief glance at the two. "There’s not much else I need to focus on with them. Let them meditate a bit longer—perhaps they’ll discover something important."

  Grandmaster Ardyn looked at the two meditating Awaken and sighed slightly. For some reason, they seemed neglected ever since Venix arrived.

  Hesitantly, Venix sat across from Grandmaster Orion.

  "Prepare Formation #61 for me," Grandmaster Orion said casually.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  "Understood!" replied the three individuals standing behind Grandmaster Orion in unison.

  The three Orion’s assistants began moving swiftly. One took shimmering blue crystal powder and sprinkled it across the floor, drawing intricate patterns. Another dipped a small brush into glowing red liquid, leaving trails of what looked like tiny flickering flames.

  A soft etching sound echoed, each stroke forming geometric patterns like ripples of energy radiating outward, emitting a mystical aura that filled the room.

  Venix watched curiously, trying to understand what they were doing, but the materials were unfamiliar to him.

  A faint metallic scent filled the air as the circle slowly began to glow.

  "Watch closely. This technique is simple, but you need to understand its details," Grandmaster Orion said.

  He began explaining the steps slowly, his voice calm yet authoritative. Venix listened intently, committing every detail to memory.

  "Hm, this seems simpler than the Mortal Cloak Technique," Venix thought.

  But despite its simplicity, he knew the technique served a greater purpose.

  The explanation of the technique lasted for five minutes, after which Venix began to slowly comprehend its contents.

  In just a few minutes, Venix had grasped the technique's essence—it was indeed simple.

  "This is a straightforward technique I created, an auxiliary to the Meditation Technique. This technique is called the Soul Invasion Technique, but the part you’re learning is merely the gateway for me. This way, I don’t need to exert extra effort to enter your soul," explained Grandmaster Orion.

  Venix nodded softly. No wonder the technique seemed simple.

  "Soul Invasion? From the name alone, it sounds terrifying," said Grandmaster Ardyn, casting a doubtful look at Grandmaster Orion.

  "If I intended to harm him, a single breath of mine would suffice!" Grandmaster Orion snorted, his raspy voice brimming with suppressed fury.

  Moments later, Formation #61 was swiftly completed.

  Following Grandmaster Orion’s instructions, Venix sat at the center of the formation.

  He then quickly entered a meditative state again. The more often he used the Meditation Technique, the more adept Venix became at utilizing it.

  Within his soul, Venix’s consciousness entered the body of the Seed of Vulture. Using the guidance provided earlier, Venix practiced the simple technique Grandmaster Orion had taught him.

  Though doubts lingered in his heart, as Orion had said, if he intended harm, such elaborate steps were unnecessary.

  Even if Orion’s goal was to destroy Venix’s soul, Venix doubted that the Grandmaster would resort to such complicated measures.

  Grandmaster Ardyn had once told him that the Seed of Chaos could not die. After experiencing death in the real world and receiving confirmation from the system, Venix could verify this truth.

  Destroying or annihilating his soul wasn’t a solution; instead, it might hasten the complete emergence of the Seed of Chaos, which would then rapidly take over Venix's body.

  \---

  In the outside world, after Venix entered meditation, Grandmaster Orion began to use the Soul Invasion Technique.

  Grandmaster Orion closed his eyes, and a green glow radiated from his body.

  A small figure, resembling a hazy shadow with Orion’s facial features, slowly emerged from his forehead.

  The figure was not physical—it looked like a luminous mist hovering in the air, yet every movement exuded authority.

  As the Soul Body approached Venix’s body, the air around them seemed to tremble, as though unable to withstand the energy emanating from Grandmaster Orion.

  Inside his soul, Venix, now in the form of the Seed of Vulture, felt a chilling cold piercing to his bones. His soul trembled as Orion’s presence entered his mind, bringing a dominating aura.

  Only a Primecore possessed a Soul Body, incomparable to the frail and vulnerable Astral Body.

  If an Astral Body ever left its main body, it would disintegrate instantly.

  Grandmaster Orion’s Soul Body hovered closer to Venix’s meditating body.

  After a moment’s pause, Orion’s Soul Body entered Venix without resistance.

  \---

  A soul is a mysterious thing. Even for Grandmaster Orion, entering another person’s soul was extremely dangerous if not done carefully.

  Thus, an auxiliary technique was necessary to ensure Orion’s Soul Body was welcomed as a guest within Venix’s soul.

  In the form of the Seed of Vulture, Venix saw Orion’s Soul Body entering his soul and approaching him.

  "Can you truly control the Seed of Vulture entirely?" Orion asked, gazing at the Seed of Vulture intently.

  "I can," Venix replied briefly, his beak moving as he nodded slowly.

  Orion smirked slightly. "Interesting... I never thought such a thing was possible. This is truly extraordinary."

  As someone renowned for his expertise in techniques and innovation, Grandmaster Orion was deeply intrigued by new, unexplored phenomena.

  "Hm?" Feeling something unsettling, Grandmaster Orion turned to the side.

  When Orion looked over, his gaze met the Seed of Chaos.

  There it was, sitting atop a black throne that floated, shrouded in pulsating dark mist like a beating heart. Its pair of glowing red eyes stared intensely, radiating searing hatred.

  The throne itself seemed crafted from dark matter, faintly shimmering like a dying star in the void. Each second felt elongated, the air around them grew heavy, binding Orion’s soul with the entity's mere presence.

  Orion's heartbeat quickened, his body warning him of an unimaginable danger.

  Yet, he showed no weakness, holding his ground while the Seed of Chaos remained silent, observing with deadly calm.

  This was the very Seed of Chaos that had haunted him for the past year!

  "This Seed of Chaos appears mature," Orion thought, his sharp gaze measuring the latent threat. His typically calm eyes now narrowed slightly as he assessed. "However, compared to the form it took in my dreams, this is like an infant, not yet fully grown."

  Shaking his head slightly, Grandmaster Orion returned to the matter at hand.

  "I will examine the Seed of Vulture. Do not resist or try to push me away," Orion commanded firmly, his eyes locking onto Venix.

  Venix felt his chest tighten.

  "How\... painful will the process be?" Venix asked softly.

  Orion raised an eyebrow. "If you resist, it will be excruciating. If you comply, it will feel like a chill running through you. Your choice."

  Venix hesitated for a moment before nodding slowly. "Alright, I’ll trust you, Grandmaster."

  Orion allowed a small smile. "Trust is the first step. But remember, this is not without risk."

  Orion’s Soul Body emitted green energy that enveloped the Seed of Vulture. This allowed him to examine the Seed of Vulture more thoroughly and feel its essence directly.

  While Numan World’s technology was advanced enough to monitor someone’s soul and gather data, machines were still machines. For a master like Grandmaster Orion, a direct examination was the simplest way to assess the situation.

  After all, soul monitors couldn’t capture auras or other unique qualities perceptible only to living beings, much like robots couldn’t understand human emotions.

  \---

  Without resistance, Grandmaster Orion examined everything freely.

  Venix felt a cold sensation creeping through his body, like being dragged under a sharp light that laid every part of him bare. His soul’s essence felt powerless, exposed to something much larger and stronger.

  A chilling sensation crawled across his form, like icy needles slowly piercing from within. Even the beak of his Seed of Vulture form trembled slightly, reflecting the discomfort seeping into his mind.

  Swallowing his shame and frustration, Venix forced himself to stay composed. Yet his heartbeat quickened as Orion’s intense scrutiny continued unabated.

  This research would greatly benefit Numan World and, simultaneously, help Venix confront the Seed of Chaos in the future.

  The process lasted a full hour before Grandmaster Orion finally withdrew from Venix’s soul.

  \---

  Using telepathy, Orion instructed Venix to end his meditation, bringing his consciousness back to his body.

  Opening his eyes, Venix saw Grandmaster Orion stroking his chin in deep thought.

  "There are many factors allowing Venix to merge with the Seed of Vulture. Without certain fortunes and numerous other elements, it would be impossible for other Awaken to achieve the same result," Orion remarked after a moment’s thought.

  Grandmaster Ardyn, who had been waiting for the entire hour, frowned. "So, is it impossible for other Awaken to merge with their Seed Origin?"

  If so, it meant they had lost a significant opportunity.

  "To achieve what Venix has, yes, it’s almost impossible. However..." Orion paused before continuing, "While it’s impossible at the Awaken level, over time, at the Seedbound, Rootbound, and higher levels, we can continue forging their bond with their Seed Origin until they fully merge."

  Grandmaster Ardyn scowled. "Speak plainly!"

  Venix glanced at Ardyn in confusion. Why did he seem so impatient around Grandmaster Orion?

  "Merging with the Seed Origin takes time. Achieving results like Venix in a short span is impossible!" Orion replied with an irritated expression.

  Only then did Grandmaster Ardyn nod in understanding. Achieving Venix’s results in over a month was unthinkable.

  If Venix’s unconscious state wasn’t counted, it meant that within just a few weeks, he had reached this outcome since becoming an Awaken.

  \---

  "We will continue to develop the Meditation Technique, progressing from the Awaken level to Seedbound, Rootbound, and beyond," Orion stated confidently.

  "Don’t forget us Primecore. Make one for us too," Ardyn added, his tone serious yet slightly demanding.

  "Get lost!" Orion waved dismissively. "If you want one, you’ll have to buy it from me!"

  "Damn! You hoard treasures at home and still want to charge others!?" Ardyn growled angrily.

  Venix quickly stood and distanced himself from the two, retreating to a far corner of the room.

  If not for his manners, Venix might have already bolted out, away from the ticking time bomb created by the two Grandmasters.