Dealing with info-brokers meant spending precious Credits they didn't have. Accessing compromised data carried huge risks. And performing karmic scans? That sounded dangerously close to the CRB's own methods.
It felt like crossing another line, moving deeper into the shadows. But Xie Ruolan's logic was undeniable.
They had to scale up their operation if he wanted to realize that spiritual financial empire, especially with diversified, potentially more complex loan products, which required better intelligence.
Flying blind, relying solely on QFS algorithms and forum posts, would be suicidal in the long run.
"Okay," He agreed reluctantly as he let the weight of the decision settle on him. "Better risk assessment is necessary. But we do it carefully, alright? Incrementally. One step at a time."
He checked the ominous red foreclosure clock projected in his QFS overlay. It glowed starkly: 25 hours, 12 minutes remaining. "Right now, the absolute priority is generating enough immediate positive Qi-Credit flow to stop that damn foreclosure notice hanging on my head.
These new loan types sound good, but they take time to vet, disburse, and repay. We need something faster…"
They spent the next few intense hours transforming the chamber into a functional, albeit crude, operations center.
Li Fang, using the repurposed Repo-Hound sensor array now linked to Lilypad-01 and guided by the QFS, set up a basic perimeter alert system around the chamber and its main access points.
He focused the sensors to detect electronic signals, unusual Qi fluctuations, and even minute seismic vibrations, creating overlapping fields of coverage.
The QFS integrated these feeds, establishing automated threat analysis routines based on the drone's original target-acquisition algorithms.
Meanwhile, Xie Ruolan connected her heavily encrypted personal comm unit directly to the Lilypad-01 node and began the painstaking process of securely accessing fragmented public data archives and specific low-level dark net forums.
Shielded by Lilypad's nascent security protocols and her own formidable expertise in navigating treacherous data streams, she started compiling a preliminary list of potential borrowers who fit the profiles for their planned new loan products.
She cross-referenced user handles from cultivation forums, leaked rosters from gig economy platforms, like the Spirit Pest Exterminators Guild or Hazardous Alchemy Reclamation Crew, known associates of IronOx_7 extracted from his forum post history, and flagged individuals recently dropped from minor Sect training programs due to lack of funds.
Each potential name was tagged with available data points. Estimated cultivation level, expressed needs, known affiliations, recent activity, and public Qi-Credit score, which were usually abysmal.
It was slow and meticulous work, building their target list from the scraps and whispers of Neo-Tian's digital underbelly.
After nearly three hours, Xie had a list of roughly twenty potential candidates, categorized by loan type suitability and preliminary risk assessment.
"Here's a promising one for the
The image showed basic public data overlaid with her own annotations.
"User handle: StaticBlade. Real name registry likely Jian Hao based on cross-referenced gig work permits."
The profile details flashed up.
[Qi Condensation Stage 4]
[Primary Occupation: Freelance Hazardous Material Reclamation (Specializing in unstable alchemical residue cleanup)]
[Notes: Seeking resources for breakthrough to Stage 5 – specifically requires Qi Purity Pills Grade 3 for meridian cleansing, estimated cost prohibitive (~80 Credits)]
[Documented History: Reliable contract completion record via Haz-Reclaim Guild until three months ago.]
[Recent Activity Gap: Correlates with public medical record fragment indicating Minor Limb Regeneration Therapy (Right Arm), likely work-related injury.]
[Estimated Cost: 70 Credits.]
[Current Status: Likely had reduced income due to recovery, preventing savings for the necessary pills.]
Li Fang studied the profile intently. The Quantum Fortune System's overlay instantly added its own layer of analysis, scraped from other public and semi-public records.
[Subject Analysis: Jian Hao (Alias: StaticBlade)]
[Age: 28]
[Sector Residency: Phi-8 Hab-Block Cluster C]
[Affiliation: None Registered (Independent Contractor)]
[Qi-Credit Score: 215 (Rating: Poor). Recent Medical Debt Servicing Flag Detected.]
[Social Network Analysis: Minimal connections to major Sects or Syndicates.]
[Psychological Profile (Inferred from Forum Posts): Determined, Frustrated, Prone to calculated risks.
[Probability of Loan Repayment (Technique Catalyst Model): 71% [Recommended Principal: 80 Credits equivalent Pure Qi + Embedded Grade 3 Qi Purity Attunement Data Resonance.]
"Mhm. This guy fits the profile perfectly," Li Fang agreed.
Independent, skilled, facing a specific resource bottleneck directly hindering advancement and recently hit with medical costs. He's a prime target for loan sharks, making their 'fairer' terms appealing.
"How do we approach him? Discreetly."
"Subtly, obviously. We cannot just show up in front of his door. Not with our current situation," Xie Ruolan answered as she started drafting the contact message. "We will use an anonymous relay through the Lilypad network. No direct mention of loans or Qi infusion initially. We will frame it as a 'Performance Enhancement Partnership Opportunity' from an anonymous benefactor group seeking to invest in promising independent talent."
She typed rapidly. "We're offering resources tailored to his specific and stated needs. Assistance in acquiring Grade 3 Purity Pill equivalence, contingent on a future success-based return agreement. And then… we will send the message containing basic contract parameters. We'll let him review it first until he expresses interest."
Once again, Li Fang could only be put in awe at how efficiently she worked. At one point, she only flicked her fingers to convey her need for a drink.
Li Fang naturally shared his resources with her. Any activity from her that could trigger the movement from her account would send the Void Sect to their location again. He took her in, now, he had to ensure she wouldn't be sniffed out easily. Or else, the 50,000 Qi-Credit worth of bounty 'Asset' would vanish with a poof.
After that, they initiated the contact sequence, routing the message through layers of anonymizing proxies managed by Lilypad-01.
The response, when it came several minutes later, echoed IronOx_7's initial reaction almost exactly. Deep skepticism mixed with desperate curiosity. "Who is this? What kind of 'partnership'? Is this a Crimson Abacus trick? I told you I'm not going to sign that contract! Find someone you can rip-off off!"
Reading that, Xie Ruolan was challenged. She folded her sleeves and began typing away.
After a tense back-and-forth exchange, facilitated entirely through the secure, anonymous platform, clarifying the success-based repayment and the lack of upfront collateral, Jian Hao, alias StaticBlade, agreed to the Technique Catalyst Loan terms. His desperation clearly outweighed his suspicion.
Li Fang couldn't help but throw some praise in the woman's direction. If it were him, he'd once again offer a demonstration like what he did with IronOx_7. That's how inefficient he was… Or inexperienced.
Li Fang felt a familiar surge of nervous energy as he authorized the QFS to proceed. This time, the process was more complex than the simple Qi infusion for IronOx_7. It was going to be done without them venturing out of the geothermal node.