Chapter 41: The Video Recording

Meanwhile, at the Atlanta branch of Nathan Sports Group, Jeremy Burt, the chief detective of the Sky Eye Detective Agency, met the latter as promised in Dwight Payton's office.

"Go ahead, what did you find?"

Dwight sat behind the desk, not only showing no intention of standing up, but also not even bothering to lift his head.

"Mr. Burt, my chief assistant said you insisted on meeting me. So I suppose what you've brought me won't disappoint me?"

"Of course!"

Jeremy showed no resentment toward Dwight's neglect; instead, he approached Dwight's desk with utmost respect and caution.

This was the CEO of the Eastern Region of Nathan Sports Group, one of the top dozen figures in the Nathan Sports Group, valued at 940 billion gold shields. Especially in the Eastern Region, he wielded unrivaled power and enjoyed the full trust of the Nathan Group's board of directors.

"I must congratulate you, sir. You may have unearthed a treasure this time, one of infinite value."

Only then did Dwight lift his head, his gaze cutting like a blade toward the opposite side: "Such high praise? You've made me curious. I know the Jeremy Burt I'm familiar with is not a man of limited experience. Bring it out—let me see the reason for your high estimation of that student, Andre."

"There are three video recordings in total."

Jeremy readily took a stack of videotapes from his briefcase: "After you've seen them, Your Excellency, you'll understand everything."

Dwight then gestured to an assistant standing by the door. The latter immediately entered, set up various equipment in the office, and drew the curtains. Soon, a projector displayed the three recordings one by one on the white screen before Dwight.

Just a minute later, the pupils of this Nathan Eastern Region CEO had slightly contracted. After watching them through once, he was still unsatisfied: "Carl, please play them again."

Carl, his assistant, also wore a solemn expression. Without hesitation, he started replaying from the first videotape.

As the first assistant to the CEO of the Nathan Group's regional division, if he couldn't discern the value of that young man from these images, then he would be unqualified for his position.

About ten minutes later, the office was bright again. Dwight asked directly: "I want to know, what meditation method is he practicing? And how did he achieve such speed?"

"Let me answer your first question first. According to what he registered in the Linden Academy Cold Weapon Combat Club, it's the Eighty-Eight Constellations Meditation Method. This should be a variant derived from the Phantom Star Meditation Method, characterized by cultivating with the power of the stars and being adept at simulating combat techniques, training both source power and magic. This meditation method originated in ancient Greece, is very old, holds infinite potential, but very few people can achieve results with it, and it's almost forgotten by the world."

Jeremy explained, "To make matters worse, the foundational constellation for his visualization is Ursa Minor, and the second constellation is Octans. You know how difficult those are, located at the north and south poles respectively. So several coaches at Linden Academy thought his future potential was limited and didn't pay much attention."

"A Level Four at sixteen—that doesn't look like limited potential. He's already mastered Ursa Minor and Octans, hasn't he?"

Dwight mused, "That explains it. Ursa Minor and Octans—that's probably the source of the two completely different, extreme types of energy in his body?"

"Probably. I suspect his Eighty-Eight Constellation Meditation Method is a heavily optimized and improved version of the Phantom Star Meditation Method. At least from the infrared thermal imager and electromagnetic imaging detector results, he's perfectly handled the conflict between the two extreme sources of power."

Jeremy smiled and said, "Then I'll answer your second question. His speed—I suspect what he's simulating through his own meditation method is a supreme secret technique originating from the East."

As he spoke, he placed a stack of stapled A4 paper in front of Dwight. The latter glanced at it and raised an eyebrow: "Immortal Seal? A seal that never dies?"

"We might not be able to translate it accurately. You know, when we translate terms from the ancient Eastern kingdom into British English, all sorts of problems arise. In the East, it's called 'Bu Si Shen Yin.'"

Jeremy pronounced the four Eastern characters precisely: "Unfortunately, this book is currently the property of Linden Academy's private library. I have no right to take it away, only to photocopy a translated version. But I think the content inside will give you a general understanding of this Eastern-derived cultivation method."

Dwight said nothing; he was already immersed in the photocopy of the ancient text called 'Immortal Seal.'

Jeremy waited patiently, sipping the coffee Carl had provided and gazing out the glass window. The view here was the best in all of Atlanta, giving a sense of looking down on all others.

After about twenty minutes, Dwight put down the document with a hint of wonder: "Fascinating. Using the conflict between life and death, the opposition of yin and yang, mutual generation and restraint, and the reversal of extremes—it's a meditation method rooted in Eastern philosophy. But are you sure this student, Andre, can access it?"

"I'm certain of that. Don't forget his father was an Easterner, from a famous sect, a Level Fifteen Outlaw before his death. I also checked Linden Academy's archives; it shows Andre has a pass and borrowing card for the internal library, issued by Vice Principal Georgia on his first day transferring to Linden."

Jeremy replied nonchalantly, "I think that's not the point, right? He has his own channels and inheritance."

"Two more questions."

Dwight tapped the table with his finger: "First, the location in the video—should be the West District? What was he doing there? Second, this kid's swordsmanship has clearly reached master level—no, it's almost grandmaster level for his age. Are the coaches at Linden Academy all blind? Can't they see it?"

Jeremy Burt wasn't surprised by Dwight's thoroughness.

For the Nathan Sports Group, Andre Lee Weldon's significance might be immense. Before making a decision, the CEO naturally needed a complete and thorough understanding of this potential investment target.

"First question: his purpose in going to the West District was, of course, the black market on Laurel Street. Andre sold two pieces of high-purity gold, about one kilogram. Then he bought a gun, some alchemy tools, and medicinal materials, apparently planning to refine his own medicines and artifacts. I don't know if he succeeded. But that's exactly why those thugs targeted him."

"High-purity gold?" Dwight couldn't help raising an eyebrow.