"Chief 007, the blood-red flames on Sky seem quite significant," Lilianna commented, subtly changing her address for Schiso 007.

"I see, let me take a look," Goddess Schiso 007 said as she circled Sky with interest. "Hmm, in just a short period, you've transformed from an ordinary person to a first-grade cultivator in the Foundation Building stage. The technique you obtained through the lottery seems exceptionally powerful."

Lumiya couldn't help but add, "It's more than just powerful; it's defying the natural order. Normally, the first stage of cultivation, the Hundred Days Foundation, takes at least 100 days. It requires immense talent, supreme techniques, and a vast amount of resources like elixirs and spirit stones. And he's achieved this with such ease? When I was training, I endured so much hardship. My master disciplined me numerous times before I finally succeeded in building my foundation."

Recalling her difficult past, Lumiya felt a wave of emotion comparing her experience to Sky's seemingly effortless advancement.

"Effortless?" Schiso chuckled. "There are no easy paths to growth in this world. Every seemingly effortless journey comes with its own significant cost. Here, in this plane, I ensure fairness. Sky's technique, acquired with divine points and luck, required a significant stroke of fortune. But those blessed with great fortune also bear substantial responsibilities."

Looking at Sky, she teased, "You must have had your fair share of hardship just now. How was that experience?"

Sky, having recovered from his ordeal, replied with a wry smile, "It was indeed a torment worse than death. Could I possibly get some clothes? I feel somewhat embarrassed being watched like this."

Lilianna laughed heartily, her attractive black eyes freely scanning Sky.

Schiso 007 calmly said, "Hold on. That layer of blood-red flame on your body is quite peculiar. You need to learn to control it first. Otherwise, its power could even shatter a divinely-enhanced medical pod. I doubt any clothing could withstand it."

Sky looked at the black and red blood-like flame encasing his body, then at his remaining underwear, confused. "How do I control this blood flame, and why..."

"Why is your underwear still intact, right? Your subconscious probably considers anything you're already wearing as part of your body, so it remains undamaged. However, until you can control this new power, if you wear anything else, the outcome will be different." As Schiso 007 spoke, she extended her finger towards Sky and gently pulled a small piece of the blood flame, enveloped in a soft light, into her hand.

Feeling the substance, she said, "This blood-red substance isn't just a flame. As a first-grade cultivator in the Foundation Building stage, you strengthen your physical body. This flame is likely an extension of your body. Feel it carefully, and try to control it as you would your limbs."

When Sky had a small piece of blood flame removed, it felt like a hair being plucked from his body. Following the goddess's instructions, he closed his eyes and focused.

The blood flames, like blood flowing from his pores, formed a net-like layer of tendrils around his body. As a human, Sky had no experience with tendrils, but it felt like if humans could grow tendrils, this would be the sensation.

He began to control the layer of blood flames, like a newborn learning to use their fingers. Initially, his control was unstable, like a baby learning to walk. Gradually, Sky felt the blood flames obeying him, gathering and dispersing on the surface of his body at will.

After a while, Sky retracted the blood flames into his body and then released them again. After several cycles of this process, he opened his eyes and said, "I think I've got a general idea of how to control it, but it will take a lot of practice to master."

Schiso 007 nodded, then with a mischievous grin, said, "Let's test the power of your 'Cosmic Insight | Primordial Blood' technique." She looked up at the ceiling above Sky.

The shattered glass of the medical pod had left a damaged, deformed metal component hanging by a few wires at the top of the laboratory, about 6-7 meters above the ground, creaking ominously.

A second after Schiso 007's gaze landed on the heavy metal component, all support gave way. The component, weighing several tons, plummeted towards Sky with a terrifying force.

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"Damn!" Sky exclaimed in shock, instinctively raising his hands to block. With a thunderous crash, the metal component slammed into him.

Lilianna and Lumiya gasped in unison. While such a massive object wouldn't faze them at their levels of power, for a first-grade cultivator like Sky, it would normally mean severe injury. However, to their astonishment, they found the several-ton metal component suspended in mid-air, steadied by Sky's hands.

Beneath his feet, the divinely-empowered ground cracked with fine lines. The blood-red flames surged rapidly on his body, converging towards his hands, supporting the metal.

Holding the immense weight, Sky felt it was still within his capacity. His flesh and cells seemed to come alive, squeezing out relentless power from every corner of his body, flowing with his blood throughout his frame. This accumulating power needed release. With a loud shout, he instinctively directed this force towards his hands.

In that instant, like gasoline poured into fire, fierce blood-red flames erupted between Sky's palms. The flames, wild and untamed, engulfed the metal component. Accompanied by a deafening boom, the component exploded under the savage force, sending shards flying in all directions in a spectacular display.

Goddess Schiso 007, quietly observing, smiled lightly. With a gentle wave of her hand, a transparent, holy halo emanated from her palm, instantly enveloping the explosive metal shards. Time seemed to freeze, as the previously whirling shards hung motionless in mid-air, then gently fell to the ground under the guidance of the soft light, restoring tranquility.

"Not bad at all, certainly a technique of the highest caliber," Schiso 007 commented. "Next up, you need to continually level up, enhance your proficiency, accumulate vital energy, and strengthen your physique.

"Also, before your next combat mission, I'll recommend a set of martial skills or moves that complement your technique. And, you'll need some light-footed steps as well. But you'll have to earn divine points for these exchanges. I can't reimburse you every time.

"As for your cultivation needs — the heavenly materials, elixirs, spirit stones — you'll have to find ways to acquire them or exchange divine points for them." Turning to Lumiya, she asked, "Does your sect have access to these resources? Discuss with Sky the methods to obtain these cultivation materials.

"He's truly fortunate. The resources consumed for his foundation building have fleeced me considerably. The nutrient solution here, infused with divinity, is more effective than any natural treasure, worth a considerable amount of divine points."

As Schiso 007 spoke, she summoned a light screen to check the consumption: "Let's see how much nutrient solution this boy used for his foundation building. I'm guessing around five or six vats from the medical pod, but I've made a big loss here..." She then widened her eyes in disbelief, blinking and staring at the screen. After a few seconds, she screamed, "What the hell is this situation? A total of 38 vats of nutrient solution, nearly 20,000 divine points! Are you here to bankrupt me? I knew the effectiveness of such a powerful technique had to come from somewhere, but to fleece me like this?"

Sky looked at her innocently. "I... I didn't know. I was unconscious, remember? You can't hold me accountable for this."

The goddess took several deep breaths to calm herself, then conjured a set of clothes and hurled them at Sky. "Put these on and get out. I can't bear to look at you right now."

Sky chuckled ingratiatingly, dressing quickly, "So, about the nutrient solution's cost - the organization will reimburse me, right? And am I officially a Planar Agent now? What tasks do I need to tackle next?"

"Forget about reimbursement. Expecting such a huge expense claim on your first day? Do you want me audited tomorrow?" Schiso 007 massaged her temples, exasperated. "I'll figure out how to balance this account, let the cost be borne by its cause."

"Huh?" Sky was puzzled by her last remark.

Schiso 007 waved dismissively, "Don't worry about it. Your task now is to manage your castle well. As I mentioned, it's temporarily requisitioned as a divine guesthouse. You'll be hosting various guests soon, and it will also serve as housing for our heavenly staff. Plan and refurbish it well - your castle now represents our heavenly realm.

"Also, it's time to think about staffing. The days of going solo are over. As a Planar Agent, akin to a CEO, your first step is to build a core team. Start with recruiting 7 or 8 apostles to support you, delegate tasks, and learn to manage. Take a leaf out of my book - I provide resources and connections, but the operational management and development are entirely up to you. See the trust I place in you?"

Lumiya couldn't help but interject, "Sounds more like a hands-off manager, dumping all the hard work onto subordinates."

Schiso 007 turned to Lumiya with a benign smile, "Stand still, yes, just like that. Let me bestow upon you a goddess's blessing."

Before Lumiya could react, a bolt of lightning struck her from out of nowhere. With a pained "Woof," her hair stood on end like a shocked panda, emitting wisps of smoke.

Maintaining her gentle smile, Schiso 007 looked at Sky, "Do you think what I just said makes sense?"

Sky stood to attention, "I wholeheartedly support your wise leadership, Agent 007."

"That's the spirit," Schiso 007 nodded with satisfaction.

Sky then asked, "After forming the team, what exactly should we do? There must be a specific goal, right?"

Schiso 007 explained, "First, you need to network with various extraordinary forces across the plane, expanding your connections. To achieve significant feats, it's crucial to unify thoughts internally and consolidate your strength. You'll need to develop your personal and team capabilities while also expanding your influence over the existing powers within the plane. When the time is right, I'll guide you on the next steps. Remember, our goal is as vast as the stars and the sea."