Just as Michael was about to close his eyes and upgrade his cultivation, Gaya's shout interrupted him.
"Human, I just remembered that I can't show my face to anyone. If someone sees me here, the entire Nagaland army will descend upon us, along with that woman."
Michael responded with a hint of disappointment, rolling his eyes mockingly. "Jeez, I have to take care of everything for you, and you can't even give me a kiss on the cheek."
Gaya was not in the mood for his playful banter. "Stop playing around, human! This is serious. Do you want me to protect you or not?"
In response, Michael turned to the system for a possible solution. After a few seconds, a marble face mask materialized in front of him.
Name: Chameleon.
Class: Rare.
Function: Enables the wearer to change their face to look like someone else.
(Cultivators at or above the Soul Refining stage would see through the effects of the mask.)
Cost: 800 badass points.
[Does the host wish to buy the Chameleon?]
[Only the host and his subordinates can use the Chameleon!]
"Yes, I'll buy it," Michael decided, given his substantial stash of badass points.
Gaya noticed the marble mask in his hands and frowned in confusion. Without explaining, Michael tossed the mask to her. "Wear it."
"But-"
The marble mask didn't appear particularly special, and its appearance didn't sit well with Gaya. She was reluctant to wear the seemingly ugly mask, thinking that Michael wanted her to hide her identity by covering her face.
"Just wear the damn thing!"
Michael's patience was waning, and he raised his voice slightly. Gaya decided to put the mask on, intending to curse him afterward.
As she moved to place the mask on her face, something unexpected happened. The mask adhered to her skin with a sharp, painful sensation spreading across her face.
"AH!"
She screamed in agony and tried desperately to peel the mask away, but her efforts were in vain. After a few seconds, the pain subsided, and she cautiously opened her eyes. A mirror held by Michael was placed before her.
"That's better."
The mask had completely altered her appearance, diminishing her beauty significantly. Yet, she still looked attractive, with a resemblance to Margot Robbie, albeit with black hair.
"How?! Where?! Forget it."
Staring at her transformed face in the mirror, she ran her fingers over her features, half-expecting to revert to her original appearance. She wondered where Michael had acquired such a precious item.
Once she finished examining her new look, Michael placed a knife in her hands and said, "Use this only if you absolutely have to."
"Okay."
He didn't want to take any chances. After she consumed the pill, she would regain some of her powers. With the knife, she could defend herself until he woke up. After settling everything with her, he jumped onto the bed, crossed his legs, and prepared to start the upgrading process.
"Let's begin."