"Use money to buy internal strength?" Kingpin, also known as Wilson Fisk, leaned back, his hulking frame filling the luxurious leather seat of his limousine. The glint of realization in his eyes matched the golden rings on his thick fingers. Noah's proposal had sparked something in him. He wasn't just looking at another way to grow his empire; he was seeing an entirely new economy—a world built on internal energy as currency.
Noah, sitting across from him, exuded an air of calm confidence. His face, marred from his earlier experiments with sulfuric acid, added a strange sense of gravity to his words.
"Not just money," Noah began, his voice deliberate and smooth. "We're talking about a resource more precious than gold. Imagine it: a world where people trade vitality—inner strength itself. Everyone becomes a cultivator, generating value with every breath, every movement of their meridians. And you, Wilson Fisk, can control the flow."
Kingpin's jaw tightened as the weight of the idea settled. The scale of what Noah proposed was staggering. "You're saying this Zixia Divine Art… it's the key to all this?"
Noah nodded. "Exactly. The Zixia Divine Art allows anyone, regardless of their background—mutants, humans, even vampires—to cultivate internal energy. Think of it like electricity: endlessly renewable but scarce in its raw form. Now, imagine selling not just the method to generate it, but the ability to exchange it freely, like cash."
The possibilities spun in Kingpin's mind. He envisioned backroom deals carried out with a handshake, transferring power instead of cash. No paper trails, no risks of counterfeit. A network of internal energy that flowed through the world like veins of gold. The sheer scarcity would drive demand to unimaginable heights. He could tax every transaction, ensuring a constant revenue stream. And then there was the appeal of longevity—a commodity even billionaires would pay anything for.
"But what if it becomes too common?" Kingpin asked, always the shrewd businessman. "If everyone has it, doesn't that reduce its value?"
Noah's lips curled into a sly smile. "That's where the brilliance lies. The transfer process itself isn't perfect. Every exchange creates a loss—say, 20%. The more it's used, the scarcer it becomes. A self-sustaining cycle. As for longevity…" Noah's eyes glinted with amusement. "That's a prize only a select few can afford, no matter how widespread the technique becomes."
Kingpin drummed his fingers on the armrest, his mind racing. He saw not just profit, but power—true, undeniable power. This wasn't just about money or territory. It was about reshaping the world itself.
---
"Of course," Noah continued, his tone growing sharper, "the version I showed you is the standard one. There's also a weakened version and an upgraded version."
Kingpin raised an eyebrow. "What's the difference?"
"The weakened version," Noah explained, "shortens the flow of energy through the meridians, reducing the purity and strength of the internal energy it produces. It's a good starting point for the masses—simple, effective, but limited."
"And the upgraded version?" Kingpin leaned forward, clearly intrigued.
Noah's smile widened. "The upgraded version allows the user to directly absorb Zixia Qi from others through physical contact. It's a game-changer for anyone ambitious enough to go beyond their natural limits."
Kingpin's eyes widened slightly. "You mean… it can take energy from others? Like… draining their life force?"
"Only their cultivated energy," Noah clarified. "It's not lethal—unless you overdo it, of course. But it's not perfect. The upgraded version is less versatile and can only absorb Zixia Qi. Introducing foreign energy can cause… complications."
Kingpin nodded thoughtfully. "So, the weakened version for the masses, the regular version for dedicated cultivators, and the upgraded version… for the elites."
"Precisely," Noah replied, his tone dripping with satisfaction. "And we market them accordingly."
---
"We'll release the weakened version as part of an autobiography," Noah continued. "A rags-to-riches story with a mystical twist. It'll spark curiosity, create demand. The regular version, we sell through pre-orders. As for the upgraded version… that's invitation-only. Exclusivity drives value."
Kingpin frowned. "But won't the book leak? Piracy could ruin the entire operation."
Noah waved a hand dismissively. "Let them leak it. The real money isn't in the books—it's in the reputation. Once the world associates me with this art, the rest will fall into place. People will pay for seminars, for personal instruction, for access to higher tiers. The books are just the bait."
The more Kingpin listened, the more he was convinced. He could see the headlines now: "The Martial Arts Revolution: Unlock Your Potential!" With his media connections, he could turn Zixia Divine Art into a global phenomenon.
"Alright," Kingpin said finally, his voice resolute. "I'm in. I'll handle the media, the distribution, the PR. You just focus on making it work."
Noah nodded. "Good. We'll start in a month. In the meantime, I'll need a team—engineers, mechanics, people who can build and modify machinery."
Kingpin looked puzzled. "Machinery? For what?"
"Training," Noah replied simply. "If I'm going to be the face of this revolution, I need to back it up. I'll show the world what true cultivation looks like."
---
As the car pulled up to Noah's destination, Kingpin couldn't help but ask, "Why trust me with all this? You barely know me."
Noah turned to him, his expression unreadable. "Trust you? No, I trust my own fists. But you're useful—for now."
Kingpin chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound. "Fair enough. Tomorrow, you'll have your team and anything else you need. Just don't forget who's backing you when you change the world."
Noah stepped out of the car, the night air cool against his skin. As Kingpin's car drove away, he allowed himself a rare moment of reflection. The world was about to change, and he was at the center of it.
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Trust the process!