Chapter 101: Encountering a Dangerous Woman

The system had already issued warnings, so Solon was well aware that many were currently keeping tabs on him.

Yet he couldn't care less. The universe was vast, and he had long wanted to explore it.

As long as he hadn't reached the level of an Emanator, he planned to keep laying low.

As for his real estate on the Xianzhou Luofu, he had entrusted it to the Xianzhou branch of the Interastral Peace Corporation to handle the sale.

The IPC's reputation was terrible in most aspects, but their economic credibility was still somewhat reliable.

At the moment, Solon was on a famous vacation planet operated by the Corporation, basking in the warm sunlight, sandy beaches, and an eyeful of bikini-clad beauties.

With a large parasol set up, a beach chair unfolded, and a specially crafted alcoholic cocktail placed on the small table beside him—life couldn't get more comfortable.

Women of all shapes, sizes, and races strolled across the beach in alluring swimsuits, swaying enticingly before him.

Solon clearly gave off the aura of a wealthy man, and many women even took the initiative to strike up conversations with him.

But he rejected every single one.

These ordinary, dime-a-dozen background characters were no different from NPCs in his eyes—not even worth a single strand of hair from an actual female character. Whether that strand was leg hair or that hair was left to the imagination.

After a leisurely day, Solon finished dinner and began wandering around the resort hotel.

This planet was a tourist destination meticulously crafted by the IPC. If not for Penacony's unique status overshadowing it, this planet would have been the most famous. But the world only remembers first place—the runner-up is quickly forgotten.

As part of the supporting facilities, the hotel was naturally extravagant, offering every imaginable entertainment amenity. Guests could easily enjoy themselves for an entire year without ever stepping outside.

An indoor swimming pool? That was nothing. There was an indoor water park, an indoor aquarium, an indoor zoo, an indoor artificial beach, indoor racing tracks, sports courts—everything one could desire.

Even Solon's luxury suite came with a temperature-controlled swimming pool spanning over 200 square meters.

Of course, the price matched the quality—a single night's stay cost a staggering million credits.

Rumor had it that the top-tier "Emperor" suite was even more outrageous, offering fully customizable experiences based on guest preferences.

For example, a purely natural, rustic theme—where all furniture and food were handmade from raw materials. Sleeping on beds of leaves and straw, dining on wild game, and drinking from mountain springs.

This wasn't about suffering for no reason. The so-called "natural" materials were actually genetically modified products engineered by scholars from the Intelligentsia Guild. The leaves and straw used for bedding were softer and more comfortable than the finest goose down, while also providing warmth.

The animals, fruits, and plants served as food were also genetically enhanced, making them even more delicious than farm-raised alternatives.

Even the mountain spring water's source and flow were meticulously designed by geologists to ensure it remained "natural," pollution-free, and rich in beneficial minerals.

If guests preferred a space-themed experience, the hotel also had special rooms constructed in low orbit, offering a breathtaking view of the entire planet through the windows.

Or perhaps an underwater suite built over 10,000 meters deep, with mysterious abyssal scenery right outside.

There were even rooms built inside active volcanoes, where guests could gaze out at churning lava lakes.

It just went to show—when people had money, they'd try any extravagant, thrilling novelty to flaunt their status.

Of course, none of this concerned Solon.

He was here to "hide from debt."

But one detail did catch his attention.

This planet was the IPC's flagship vacation spot. Since the Corporation's higher-ups couldn't openly visit Penacony (given their competitive relationship and the political correctness of boycotting rival businesses), this planet became their preferred getaway.

It wasn't uncommon to encounter corporate executives ranked P40 or above, or even IPC shareholders.

In other words, if Solon stayed here long enough, he'd eventually run into familiar faces.

Speak of the devil.

As Solon wandered around, he stumbled upon a stylish bar and decided to stop for a drink.

But the moment he stepped inside, he immediately spotted a familiar figure sitting at the counter.

A woman with long pink hair and gray-blue eyes. She wore a black top hat with blue lining, an elegant black, blue, and white dress, and was adorned with a circular jade necklace, jade bracelets, and a jade waist ornament.

But the most striking feature was her plunging neckline, which boldly revealed part of her ample bust and black lace bra.

99% of men who saw her would inevitably be drawn to that seemingly bottomless cleavage.

She exuded grace and intellect, yet her figure was like a ripe, dripping peach—a downright seductive enchantress.

Yet even someone as lustful as Solon instantly tensed up like a cat facing a predator the moment he saw her.

Beneath that elegant exterior lurked a venomous serpent who delighted in toying with people's minds.

Jade of the Ten Stonehearts—the cold, elegant loan shark, a master at exploiting human psychology.

Among the Ten Stonehearts, she was one of the last people Solon wanted to deal with.

Though "Diamond" granted each of them a "Cornerstone," their powers manifested in entirely different ways. Some, like Aventurine, transformed to gain immense strength; others enhanced allies' abilities, while a few even possessed mind-reading capabilities.

Based on in-story hints, Solon strongly suspected Jade's Cornerstone ability was precisely that—mind-reading.

Even if it wasn't, this woman was undoubtedly a psychological mastermind, a virtuoso at manipulating hearts.

For someone still weak and burdened with secrets, running into someone like her was the worst kind of trouble.

The moment he saw Jade, Solon's step faltered as he entered the bar. Then, he immediately "pretended" to be a lecherous man, ogling her shamelessly as he walked in.

Backing out now wasn't an option. Someone as perceptive as Jade would notice his abrupt retreat and grow suspicious.

But he also couldn't pretend not to see her.

A seductive older woman like her would naturally draw every man's lingering gaze.

So Solon instantly decided to play to his "strengths"—acting the part of a horndog staring openly at her.

Sure enough, Jade merely glanced at him briefly before looking away.

Solon relaxed slightly and took a seat at a table far from the bar counter.

He then casually ordered a low-alcohol drink and sipped it slowly.

But then, an unexpected situation arose in the bar.

Two blond-haired young men, unable to resist temptation, actually approached Jade and tried hitting on her.

Watching these two doomed idiots, a flicker of pity flashed in Solon's eyes.

Faced with their obvious ulterior motives, Jade didn't show the slightest impatience. Her lips remained curled in that faint, enigmatic smile.

Men who frequented bars to pick up women usually had thick skin. Seeing that she didn't outright reject them, they assumed they had a chance.

Little did they know, the worst was yet to come.