The Ink Maker Association

In this world, Ink Makers are numerous, but those at three stars or above account for less than 10%. This disparity exists because in the cultivation of Mental Power in general, and for Ink Makers in particular, there are three great walls: three stars, six stars, and nine stars.

One-star and two-star ranks belong to the common class; those with a bit of talent can break through very quickly. Those with less talent, or even none at all in this field, can still reach these levels with enough effort, though it takes more time. But three stars marks the transition to the intermediate class, which not everyone can achieve. Not only does the difficulty of cultivating Mental Power increase several times over, but the amount of knowledge required for three-star ink making compared to two-star is exponential, and the danger involved is incomparable to the two-star level.

Because of these reasons, two-star Ink Makers do not hold high social status. However, every three-star Ink Maker is a talent welcomed by various organizations. After all, without Card Ink, there are no Cards, and without Cards, one cannot recruit Card Cultivators.

Two-star Card Ink is not worth mentioning in the eyes of a three-star Ink Maker; they can produce piles of it with a wave of their hand. But for the past few months, Ink Makers from two to five stars have been driven into a frenzy over a new type of two-star Card Ink that appeared on the market.

This type of Card Ink isn't anything revolutionary in name—it's Zi Jin Mo, specifically used for making two-star Energy Cards. However, its properties are shockingly good, making it highly coveted.

Card Crafters want this ink to create their own special Cards.

Card Cultivators want a Card that can recover energy.

And Ink Makers, especially high-level ones, want to buy it for research. They have been analyzing and experimenting relentlessly, trying to find the method to create Card Ink with self-absorption capabilities; this is the feature that fascinates them most.

However, for several months, no one has succeeded. Every possible ratio and combination of ingredients has failed to produce the same effect. What drives the Ink Makers even crazier is that this Card Ink is becoming increasingly difficult to buy. Only 30 bottles are sold each month—one per day—and half are prioritized for Star Academy. Outsiders who want to buy it must pre-order at high prices. Consequently, the progress of analysis has been significantly delayed.

Many factions have begun trying to control Cao Dat, the exclusive seller of this Card Ink. But Cao Dat didn't prioritize Star Academy for no reason; the two sides had an agreement: the academy would ensure the safety of Cao Dat and the Ink Maker behind the product.

Nowadays, when Tung Lam goes to sell his ink, he doesn't show anything unusual. He mixes one bottle of Zi Jin Mo into ten bottles of one-star ink. Although this trick significantly reduces his income, it helps him deceive those watching. Before he becomes powerful, he doesn't want the secret of his mutated Mental Power to be exposed.

However, once people start paying attention, the truth is bound to come out sooner or later. Several organizations eventually discovered that the person concocting the special Card Ink was Tung Lam, an obscure two-star Ink Maker. Someone was immediately dispatched.

"Hello, are you Tung Lam?"

"Yes, do you need something?" Tung Lam replied, a bad premonition rising in his heart.

"I am Liao Guan, from the Ink Maker Association. Oh, aren't you going to invite your guest inside?"

"Ah, sorry, please come in."

Liao Guan entered. When he saw Chen Ling, he was slightly surprised; the files clearly stated Tung Lam lived alone, yet now there was another person. However, he didn't care much; the main business was about to begin.

"I won't beat around the bush. I'm here today to invite you to join the Ink Maker Association. Normally, only three-star Ink Makers can join, but because the Card Ink you concoct is so special and you are still young, we are making an exception," Liao Guan said slowly. "You must know that the Ink Maker Association is established specifically for Ink Makers. Here, we have complete knowledge of ink making from one to six stars, a rich material trading system, and you can take on ink-making missions to earn contribution points. With points, you'll receive higher benefits, access to specialized knowledge, your own laboratory... many, many things."

Tung Lam said nothing, appearing to be in deep thought.

It wasn't that he didn't want to join; if someone had invited him like this before, he would have accepted without hesitation. But now, he couldn't. Because once he joined, he would be forced to reveal the ink-making methods from the old book. At that point, his mutated Mental Power would be exposed, and he would be treated like a lab rat. The Association is a government organization, after all!

"I don't know why you're hesitating, but you should know that many factions are targeting you right now. They won't be as friendly as us; they will threaten and coerce you into joining their organizations. There might be benefits, but the restrictions will be immense. Once you join, it's very hard to leave unless you become extremely powerful and hire powerful Card Cultivators for protection. That is very far off for you right now," Liao Guan said, seeing Tung Lam’s long silence.

Tung Lam was in a difficult position. He didn't want to be a lab rat, but the Ink Maker Association was undoubtedly the best choice right now. As for Star Academy, it was a government-run school; becoming a student there wouldn't solve anything.

"I will agree to join on one condition," Tung Lam decided.

"Speak."

"Aside from delivering 15 bottles of Zi Jin Mo to you every month, I will not reveal any information regarding my ink-making methods. You can research the ink all you want, but you cannot force me to hand over the method."

Liao Guan pondered for a moment. He went outside, activated his communication Card, and called the Association.

A moment later, he returned with a smile on his face.

"Congratulations. From now on, you are a member of the Ink Maker Association. This is your Identity Card; through it, you can work online on the Association's network, and it also serves as proof of membership. Keep it safe," Liao Guan said as he handed a Card to Tung Lam. The Card was purple, featuring the insignia of the Ink Maker Association. "We will announce that you have joined the Association; no other factions will come looking for you anymore."

"I see. Thank you," Tung Lam said. He knew his value to the Association lay in the method of creating Card Ink with self-absorption capabilities. He hadn't expected the Association to compromise to this extent.

In truth, Tung Lam’s thinking was a bit extreme. Not everyone with unique traits is taken away to be a lab rat. How many people in the world have mutations! If the government actually did that, they would lose an important force of talent; as they say, a genius is good, but a freakish talent is better.

After Liao Guan left, Tung Lam breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, things were settled; the issue of keeping his secret had caused him a lot of worry.

"Brother Ling, from now on, I don't need to concoct one-star Card Ink anymore," Tung Lam said to Chen Ling with a smile.

"Yeah, congratulations, kid," Chen Ling congratulated him, but his smile seemed forced, as if he were deep in thought.

"Brother Ling, what's wrong?" Tung Lam asked worriedly.