...

It wasn't long before Darius returned with the information Zastan had requested. Entering the suite, Darius carried a folder in his hand.

Zastan, seated in a plush armchair, gestured for him to sit and share what he had found. "What have you got for me?" he asked, his eyes sharp with focus.

Darius handed him the folder and began his report. "With the help of a few MK3s, they were able to lurk on their residence, and was able to avoid their surveillance. The Xia family is... considerable, to say the least. They're classified as a second-rate family in this nation, but even so, they wield a significant amount of influence."

Zastan raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "How much influence are we talking about?"

"More or less, around one trillion dollars, give or take," Darius replied. "Their wealth is primarily tied up in the catering and food industry. They own several large restaurant chains, food processing plants, and have a strong presence in the wholesale distribution of food products. In short, they control a small portion of the nation's food supply."

Zastan let out a low whistle, leaning back in his chair as he absorbed the information. "One trillion dollars... and they're only a second-rate family?"

Darius nodded. "That's correct. There are a few first-rate families in this nation whose net worth is multiple times of that of the Xias', but the Xia family is still a force to be reckoned with. Their influence isn't just financial, though.

They have strong political ties, connections in various government sectors, and a large voice on certain food-related industries."

Zastan flipped through the pages in the folder, scanning the detailed reports Darius had compiled. There were charts, business flow diagrams, and detailed breakdowns of the Xia family's holdings. It was clear they were entrenched in nearly every aspect of the food industry, from production to distribution to retail.

"They're deeply embedded in the market," Darius continued. "And they see your milk tea business as a threat to their dominance. Eternal Enchantment is a potential disruption to their foothold in the beverage industry, which is why they've resorted to... less ethical means."

Zastan's fingers drummed thoughtfully on the armrest. "So that's why they've been trying so hard to steal from me. They feel cornered."

"Exactly," Darius confirmed. "They know that if your brand continues to grow at this rate, it could eventually outpace their own offerings. Milk tea may seem like a small niche, but it's a fast-growing segment of the market, and you've managed to tap into a 'cake' they've been struggling to capture."

Zastan nodded slowly, piecing it all together. The Xias were powerful, rich, and influential, but they had a weakness, and that is complacency. They had been dominating the food industry for so long that they hadn't seen the rise of a competitor like Eternal Enchantment coming.

"How does their security look?" Zastan asked, shifting the conversation. "If they're this wealthy, they must have some serious protection in place."

"They do," Darius admitted. "The Xia family employs their own private security force, well-trained and well-equipped. They also have deep connections with law enforcement and private contractors. But nothing on the scale of what you have with your biochemicals. Their security measures are formidable, but I'd wager that they aren't expecting the kind of force you're capable of mustering."

Zastan smiled at that. "Good. That gives us an edge." He paused, tapping the folder thoughtfully. "But what about their weaknesses? Every family has them."

Darius hesitated for a moment, then spoke. "Their biggest weakness is their over-reliance on the food industry. Their wealth is concentrated in a single sector. If their food-related businesses were to falter, it would deal a heavy blow to their overall financial stability."

"Interesting," Zastan mused. "So if I continue to expand Eternal Enchantment and introduce new product lines that compete with their offerings, I could slowly chip away at their empire."

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Darius nodded. "It would be a slow process, but yes. Over time, you could erode their market share, especially if you move into other areas of the food and beverage industry."

Zastan sat back in his chair, a plan slowly forming in his mind. The Xia family was powerful, but they weren't invincible. If he played his cards right, he could outmaneuver them in the long run. But first, he needed to focus on protecting his own assets.

Which means... more biochemicals! guns!

...

Later that night, Zastan stood in his private office, staring out at the city lights below. The hotel room was quiet, save for the soft hum of the air conditioning. The security detail outside his suite was alert, with MK2s stationed at key points around the building. He felt safe for now, but he knew that safety was a fleeting illusion in this game of power and influence.

He picked up the ring on his desk, the one that would generate an energy shield if he was ever in danger. Slipping it onto his finger, he clenched his fist, feeling a renewed sense of determination.

The Xia family had underestimated him. They thought they could steal his secrets and bribe his people. But Zastan wasn't some upstart they could crush with a few dirty tricks. He was building something far greater than they could imagine.

He turned back to his desk, pulling up the system interface. There were more decisions to be made, more points to be spent. He needed to continue expanding his defenses, upgrading his production lines, and preparing for whatever the Xia family might throw his way.

"Let them come," Zastan muttered under his breath. "I'll be ready."

He tapped a few commands on the interface, authorizing another purchase. This time, it was for an even more advanced security system—one that would monitor not just physical intrusions, but digital threats as well. He knew the Xia family had resources, but he had something far more valuable.

He had the system.

In the days that followed, Zastan received more detailed reports on the Xia family's activities. They were ramping up their efforts, trying to discredit Eternal Enchantment through a smear campaign. False reviews, fake news articles, and rumors about the quality of his product started to circulate. But Zastan had prepared for this.

With his growing influence on social media and a loyal customer base, he quickly turned the narrative around. His brand was too strong, too beloved by the public for the Xia family's tactics to work. Every attempt to tarnish his name only fueled the hype further.

His mind wandered to the system, the all-powerful tool at his disposal. He had been saving points carefully, but now seemed like the perfect time to make an investment—something that would solidify his dominance in the milk tea market. With a thought, he summoned the system interface in front of him, the familiar blue screen lighting up before his eyes.

[System Mall]

He navigated through the menu options, looking for the product he had his eye on. After a few moments, he found it, a new milk tea formula exclusive to the system, something no other brand in the world could replicate.

[Heavenly Nectar Milk Tea Formula - Cost: 25,000 Points]

Zastan smirked. It was expensive, but it was exactly what he needed to take Eternal Enchantment to the next level. The formula boasted an otherworldly flavor profile, infused with rare ingredients. It was the kind of product that would drive the Xia family insane with envy, a taste that would be impossible for them to imitate or outclass.

Without hesitation, he made the purchase.

[Purchase Successful. 25,000 Points Deducted.]

Zastan glanced at his remaining points which now hold have few thousand left. He didn't mind. The investment was worth it.

The system immediately began the transfer of the formula into his inventory. It came with detailed instructions on how to produce the new milk tea, including the exact ratios of ingredients and the specific machines needed to ensure the taste was consistent across all locations.

"Perfect," Zastan whispered, his eyes gleaming.

He wasted no time. Opening his phone, he called Darius, who answered immediately.

"Yes, Young Master?"

"I've just made a purchase that's going to change everything," Zastan said, a note of excitement in his voice. "I've acquired a new milk tea formula, something no one else will be able to match. I want you to gather the production team and ensure they're ready to implement this immediately."

Darius, always quick to act, responded confidently. "Understood, Young Master. I'll have them ready within the hour. Should we prepare the machines for higher output?"

"Absolutely," Zastan replied. "I want this to be exclusive, but not so rare that we can't keep up with demand. Increase production capacity where necessary, but make sure the quality doesn't drop. This formula needs to be perfect every single time."

"I'll oversee everything personally," Darius assured him. "Shall we roll it out across all locations?"

Zastan paused, thinking strategically. "Not yet. We'll start with selecting some certain locations like the high-traffic ones. Let the word spread naturally. Once the hype builds, we'll release it to all stores."

"Understood, Young Master. I'll have the team prioritize the best-performing outlets."

"Good. Also," Zastan added, "ensure that the packaging for this new product reflects its premium status. I want the presentation to match the taste. The Xia family won't know what hit them."

"I'll have the marketing team work on new designs immediately," Darius said. "Anything else?"

"That's all for now," Zastan said, his tone cool but determined. "Keep me updated on the progress."

"As you wish, Young Master," Darius replied before hanging up.

...