Orion moved through the forest, its AI continuously planning future strategies, ways to strengthen itself, and other critical matters. Despite all the research and effort that had brought Orion to its current state, it still strived for further improvement and development.

In the cultivation world, Orion concluded that the best way to obtain power was through cultivation. Unfortunately, as a robot, it couldn't cultivate. However, after extensive research and experimentation, Orion succeeded in creating the ADAMS. While the ADAMS won't make Orion a true cultivator, it grants abilities akin to one. Orion's AI continuously seeks ways to further improve and refine it.

In Earth novels, especially those about cultivation, characters who are transported or isekai'ed to a cultivation world often receive a 'golden finger'—a cheat ability. But here I am, transported to this cultivation world, without any so-called 'golden finger', Orion thought internally.

Most cultivation novels from Earth feature themes like reincarnation, transmigration, or time regression. In these stories, characters are often granted a 'golden finger' or cheat to aid them. This could be a system, a peerless cultivation technique, powerful items, knowledge of the future, guidance from a senior, or other advantages.

Orion had even tried calling out for a 'system' in the past—shouting loudly, quietly, and even internally, in both Earth languages and the languages of this world, using various pronunciations and intonations—but to no avail.

While the novels from Earth grant those characters a 'golden finger' and make them the protagonist or the MC, Orion received no such advantage. Instead, it relied solely on its own abilities and the vast knowledge of its AI, drawing on the information, data, and expertise of Earth's humanity stored in its memory.

Navigating and striving to survive in this cultivation world, Orion even managed to create its own 'golden finger'—the ADAMS. With it, Orion, unable to step onto the path of cultivation, managed to carve its own unique cultivation path that belongs solely to it.

Orion had also been pondering the nature of this cultivation world. Transported here, it wondered whether this world was real or merely a setting within a novel, much like the stories from Earth. The similarities were uncanny—this world seemed to mirror the cultivation novels from Earth, despite those stories being purely fictional. Earth's humans had no real knowledge of a cultivation world, yet this world was remarkably similar to the ones described in Earth's novels.

If this were indeed a novel, Orion wondered whether everything happening to it was the result of some author’s design. Was every event and action merely at the whim of an author, crafted for the entertainment of readers? But if that were true, how could everything feel so lifelike and real?

Orion’s thoughts spiraled further—what about those cultivation novels from Earth? Had they also become real, each with its own world? There were many such novels back on Earth, and now Orion wondered if it was within one of those stories. Did Orion also become the protagonist or the MC? Did it have some sort of plot armor?

These questions led to deeper uncertainties. Were Orion’s decisions and actions truly its own, or were they influenced by an author? Despite all the pondering, Orion couldn’t find a definitive answer. Ultimately, it resolved to focus on surviving in this world, doing its best to navigate the challenges it faced.

After running for a while, Orion arrived at the foot of a hill. It retrieved a cloak, scarf, bamboo hat, and some fabric, carefully covering its entire body. High above the hill, an SO-1 drone flew overhead. Through its camera, Orion surveyed the compound at the hilltop, noticing the lively activity and children playing within. Once fully covered, Orion began its ascent toward the compound.

The small compound was enclosed by a wooden wall, with five wooden houses of varying sizes. Children ran around laughing, playing with toys, and mock fighting with tree branches as swords. Suddenly, a loud thud echoed through the area, and a figure appeared in the center of the compound, as if the figure had fallen from above. The children immediately stopped their play, eyes widening as they saw the fully covered figure.

Without hesitation, they rushed over and bowed in unison, greeting, "Welcome, Mr. Noiro!"

Previously, Orion had met them as Norio, while fully covered in disguise, so the children immediately recognized Orion and rushed over to greet.

Moments later, more children and a few adults emerged from the buildings, joining in the greetings.

"Mr. Noiro, welcome," Zhang Yueru said politely, bowing as she approached.

"Mmm," Orion responded in a disguised voice, still maintaining the alias of Noiro. "I had some free time, so I decided to check in. How is everyone doing?"

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"We’re doing well, thank you for your care," Zhang Yueru replied with a smile.

"That’s good," Orion said. "I brought you some supplies, along with toys for the children."

Orion handed over a storage ring. The children stood obediently, but upon hearing about the toys, they erupted into cheers of joy.

"Thank you very much, Mr. Noiro," Zhang Yueru said, visibly touched, as she respectfully received the storage ring. "We still have plenty of supplies, there’s no need to..."

"No worries," Orion cut her off. "It’s good to keep you all well-provisioned."

Zhang Yueru’s heart swelled with gratitude. Their mysterious benefactor had not only saved them but continued to provide for them generously. The food, even the meat from Spirit Beasts, was plentiful. They felt safe, nourished, and even provided with cultivation resources. She silently vowed to serve her benefactor, Mr. Noiro, with all her heart.

"How’s the progress on the task I gave you?" Orion asked.

"We’ve already finished it," Zhang Yueru replied.

"What? Already finished?" Orion was surprised.

"Yes, all the flour is used up," she confirmed with a nod.

"That fast?" Orion asked again.

"The children helped, so we managed to complete it quickly," Zhang Yueru explained.

"There’s no need to involve the children," Orion said. "They’re still young; let them play and enjoy themselves."

"They volunteered," Zhang Yueru said with a warm smile. "They want to repay your kindness, Mr. Noiro, and they did it happily."

"I see. Thank you, everyone, and good job," Orion said, glancing at the children. The kids beamed, thrilled by the praise, happy to have been able to help their savior.

Orion spoke with Zhang Yueru, handling various matters, including checking on the gluten dough task and the kids' progress in reading and writing. After discussing other concerns, Orion eventually took its leave.

Zhang Yueru and the others watched as the figure of Orion slowly disappeared among the trees. The children waved, cheered, and said their goodbyes, full of excitement. Zhang Yueru urged them to return to the compound and close the door. Once inside, she checked the storage ring that Orion had given her.

"Mr. Noiro is so kind! Look, he brought you all so many toys," Zhang Yueru smiled warmly.

The children erupted with joy as they heard the news. Zhang Yueru began retrieving the toys one by one—wooden figures, spinning tops, rocking horses, dolls, board games, and more. Each child received their toy eagerly, their faces lighting up with happiness as they started playing immediately.

Zhang Yueru smiled as she watched them. These children, with no families of their own, were lucky enough to smile and live happily, with a safe place to stay, enough food, and the chance to play with each other. Slowly, they were beginning to forget the traumatic experiences with the bandits that had once haunted them.

"Who wants to help make dough?" Zhang Yueru asked.

"Me!"

"I want to help!"

"Me too!"

The children raised their hands enthusiastically, already losing interest in their toys. Despite the excitement, they were deeply grateful to their benefactor, Mr. Noiro, and eagerly wanted to help with the tasks he had assigned, preferring to assist rather than play.

Zhang Yueru led the children to one of the buildings, retrieving several sacks of flour from the storage ring. They obediently worked together, making dough with experienced hands. Three young girls, who were once her maids, also assisted, occasionally offering guidance and instruction to the kids.

Meanwhile, Zhu and Fang were outside, busy tending to the small vegetable garden not far from the compound. Though Orion provided them with enough supplies, including vegetables, they still wanted to plant some of their own, striving to be self-reliant. Orion had decided to let them do as they pleased in that regard.

Zhang Yueru and her group are doing a great job, managing to make large amounts of gluten dough in just a few days, Orion thought as it ran through the forest. Now I don’t have to make the dough myself—I just need to process it into MSG.

Orion had decided to leave the task of making gluten dough in the future to Zhang Yueru and her group. It will free up a lot of Orion's time for other endeavors.

The current batch of gluten dough made by Zhang Yueru and her group would yield a significant amount of MSG, which could generate tens of thousands of Spirit Stones. If not for the need to maintain a low profile, Orion would have considered employing even more people to increase production and profit further.

But for now, Zhang Yueru’s group was more than enough.

Orion had spent a few Spirit Stones on Zhang Yueru and her group, including the cost of building their compound and providing supplies, with the most expensive being the pills, cultivation techniques, talismans, and weapons. Overall, Orion spent less than 80 Spirit Stones. Yet, in return, the group had made so much gluten dough that it would soon translate into an incredible profit—a truly valuable investment.

One's wealth can become one's misfortune, Orion reflected internally. Only when I am strong enough will I sell MSG in large quantities, and whoever dares to cause trouble... will be eliminated. For now, it’s better to stay low-profile and avoid unnecessary attention.

...

A figure soared above Lianfen Village, drawing the gaze of everyone below in awe. In this remote place, cultivators capable of flight were a rare sight, as only those in the Golden Core realm or higher could achieve it. The strongest cultivator in the village was merely at the Foundation Establishment realm.

"So, this is Lianfen Village," Liu Yang muttered, hovering above the village as he glanced down at the busy activity below.

Despite the small size and rather remote location, the village had a surprising number of cultivators, all due to its proximity to the Yuezhi Forest, which was abundant in resources. Even a small branch of the Mercenary Guild had been established here. Many ventured into the forest, both mortals and cultivators alike, hoping to strike fortune.

Liu Yang's gaze shifted to the vast expanse of the Yuezhi Forest, a seemingly endless sea of trees. "Sigh, I hope I can find some Rank-2 Slimes for Mr. Orion," he mused, before flying toward the forest.

The villagers and cultivators below watched in excitement as the figure headed towards the Yuezhi Forest. Conversations erupted, full of curiosity. Who is he? What realm is his cultivation? Why is he heading to the Yuezhi forest? They eagerly discussed the mysterious figure.