Its been a week since the ordeal and escaping the sect, Raqin's injuries was a bit serious but with all the resources they bought before they made their escape, he was able to recover quickly and start mass experimenting on his ideas.
"Raqin," Eve's voice broke the silence, hesitant but firm. "I've been practicing with the sword... and it just doesn't feel right. Every strike feels wrong. Like I'm pretending to be someone else."
Eva nodded. "I tried a spear out of curiosity... and something just clicked. It was like my body moved before my thoughts. I've never felt so in sync."
"Now that you've brought it up, I was going to ask you both why there have been no sort of improvements your moods have been awkward lately. Is there a problem?" Raqin asked. But before they could reply, SAM's voice echoed in his mind.
/Host, analysis confirms compatibility. Eva resonates with mid-range polearms. Eve's neural patterns are ideal for close-range burst and ranged stealth combat. Diversifying their cultivation paths will increase long-term tactical flexibility./
Raqin was quiet for a while, while the girls stared at him waiting for a response.
"Sigh…..I'm sorry for making you both practice the wrong weapon. I should have asked you both which weapon you prefer?"
"Now that you say it, I've really liked the idea of been a spear maiden, wielding my spear and make the world tremble at the mention of my name" Eva said boastfully.
Raqin and eve just gave themselves a facepalm.
"Just like my sister, I've always liked daggers and shooting arrows. And so far my comprehension of the sword, although its average, I don't feel comfortable wielding it".
"Alright. Both of you can start training on your preferred weapons. Remember do not practice the cultivation techniques yet. Focus only on the basics, I'll let you guys know when it's time to breakthrough and become real cultivators."
Later that week, while Raqin hunched over an array of ancient circuitry fused with spirit crystals, Eve crouched beside him.
"What's your progress so far?. Nothing has really changed since we've been here. All we can see you do is tinker with those strange components all day. Can you really explain this science thing to us, because we really find it hard to believe such a method exists." Eve said
"Sigh….yeah there seems to be an error somewhere but I don't know where. I've tried everything but nothing is working. It's like I'm missing something" raqin said.
"Can you give us an idea of what you want to create and probably our input can help you out?" Eva asked.
"Give an idea??…..hasn't he explained that to us. He told us he wanted to create something called the computer and it's a forgotten method of the human race. I think Raqin should properly explain what he is creating the computer for" Eve said.
Raqin decided to break down his knowledge to simpler terms and explain everything in a way a child from his own time would understand.
"From what you've said so far. Its so intriguing and crazy that such a way exist, and if that's the case, I think you're neglecting another aspect" eve said
"Which is?"
"You're probably creating this computer based on the how it was taught to you or how you learnt it in your own way. The question is how would such idea work if you haven't incorporated it with the present way. I don't know the specifics but I feel that you haven't added something from our present to bring back the past if you get what I truly mean"
/She's right host. From what you've been doing so far. It will take you at least a thousand years before you start seeing substantial results./
"And why is that?" Raqin asked directing the question to both SAM and Eve respectively.
"I really don't know. I'm just speaking from my perspective" Eve replied.
/Host, suggestion accepted. Lack of spiritual integration—formations, runes, and spiritual metals—are the missing components. Fusion is required./
"Shit…. Why didn't I think of that??…..but don't I need to have qi to practice them?" Raqin muttered to himself as he thought of a way of accomplishing the task.
"SAM…im sure you already know what I'm about to ask? You just have to tell me it's possible or not. And if it isn't, I guess i'll just keep trying to practice till I find another way to cultivate"
/Yes you can host…from all the data so far related to both formations and forging. It's not necessary you become a cultivator before you could implement them into your creation. Just like the sword cultivation path, you just have to know the basics/
"If you knew all this, why didn't you tell me?"
/do you want to be pampered or you want to toughen your will, host?/
"Sigh… I understand"
Raqin faced the twins and said " I've figured it out, but i'll also need your help again"
"What do you need us to do?"
"I need you both to practice either forgery or formations, I really can't do it on my own"
"Don't we need qi to practice those?" Eve asked.
"Not really, just like the way we are practicing the basics of our preferred weapon, we only need the basics to set us back on the path"
"If that's the case, I've always wanted to try my hands on formations and arrays. It looks complicated and interesting" Eve said gleefully.
"Ill trying forging, I'll also like to create a superb spear for myself" Eva said.
"That's good then. By the way, eve don't practice the bow and arrow basics yet, I want you to practice your dagger arts first. I'll explain later, lets get to work"
The girls exchanged a look and nodded. "We're in."
Faraway at the iron sky sect, in a courtyard, a young graceful lady was listening to the daily reports her underlings brought to her. After reading a specific letter, she squeezed it and it turned to ashes. She was the princess of the iron sky sect.
"Hmmm….so he still hasn't been found since the day of the auction?…..tell the rest to keep searching. I want him found, dead or alive. But come to think of it, its impossible for a mortal without the support of qi to successfully leave the sect, so he's either dead for attempting to escape or he still hiding within the sect somewhere. Track his movements from the day I brought the labor disciples to the supreme hall."
"Yes mistress" a shadow replied and instantly disappeared.
"I really wonder how he was able to get rid of my tracker. seems like his father explained the true reality of things to him before he died. We really have to find him or else this act is truly doomed. Time for plan b, tell Azadus that we agree to his requests but he must give us time.
In another distant place, a young man tiger beast-man was relaxing in the pool of his palace with beauties on his sides feeding and touching him erotically. A man soon approached and bowed.
"My lord, this is the report sent from our source in the iron sky sect."
He received it and read the letter, just for a frown to appear on his face.
"Tell her to take as much time as she wants but it shouldn't exceed 5 months if not, I will not hesitate to wipe them all out including her. You must relay it exactly as I said."
"What about the boy, anything suspicious so far?, I really must know if that treasure is on him. This little issue is becoming a hindrance to my plans" the young tiger beast-man asked.
"The boy has been reported missing, and the two rats we placed on him were found dead. We now believe, that the reason she's asking for more time is either she's captured the boy hoping to get to the treasure before you or the boy is dead."
When the young beast-man heard this, he just sneered and said "She wouldn't dare take advantage of me, she and those people behind her know that my sky tiger clan cannot be disrespected and not face any repercussions."
"But I must I admit, if that kid isn't dead, there is no way he could've left the sect without help which is impossible. So it's just like you said, either she's captured him or that boy is hiding. This time around, use our own people in there to find him before she does if he's truly hiding"
"Yes young master"
Back to the cave, Raqin has been brushing up on his studies and with his help, the girls have also made quite the improvements that even Raqin was surprised. He taught them basic subjects like mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology and so on, and he realized how much of a genius they were. If they were from his time, they would definitely be part of the leading few that dominates the world with pure intellect. Three months later, they had finally built the first ever computer to work perfectly with qi energy. Now Raqin realized why technology died out and became obsolete, prior to the success. All the previous attempts before the use of formations and forging, could power up but could not assimilate with the qi energy and even after he included formations and forged parts it still wasn't possible until a month ago, when Raqin was going through all the miscellaneous data to see if there could be anything that could be of help and he stumbled upon a particular data that intrigued him, and after reading through, he felt that luck was truly on his side to stumble across such an opportunity.
"SAM…how were you able to translate this data?, I'm sure no one would be able to read it if it was written in its original form and can you tell me exactly what it is?"
/Pure deduction and its called book of runes: the cursed language./
"With this, perfect synergy will occur. Now I also know what to do with those slimes, I was beginning to think I wasted money buying them."
Back to the present, Raqin was showing and explaining what a computer can do now that they can see it for themselves.
"Raqin I can tell you've created something unique, but this still doesn't explain how we'll be able to cultivate" the girls asked.
"Yes it doesn't, but we've taken the first major step and hurdle. The rest will be up to our determination. Now let me explain the next step"
Raqin proceeded to tell them about the next creation, which was a core the size of a grain of rice which will attach itself to the nervous system and spine.
"Eva, ill need you to forge some materials and eve you'll be working a lot from here on, your knowledge on formations and arrays will play a major role in making this successful"
"Alright" the girls replied in unison.
Raqin decided to follow up on his initial plan of creating a chip imbedded into his head and he came up with a blueprint of his new and refurbished idea. A Soul Nexus Core (SNC), which is a sentient-grade computational engine created using forged spiritual materials, cultivation formations, and a rune-based programming language. Instead of using binary code, the SNC processes data through multi-dimensional runes, each acting as a logic construct, storage key, and energy channel. But its visual representation is that of a grain of rice.
Two days later, raqin has successfully created a rune-based programming language using glyphs for basic operations, mantras for function blocks or loops, sigils for data structures or containers and lastly incantations for full systems or modular systems.
"SAM….show me the progress of my studies"
/Sword initiate: 99% completed (basic), Forging: 99% completed (basic), Formations and Arrays: 90% completed (basic), Arcane Arts (runes): 99% (basic)/
"Ive really done well myself. Now lets begin creating the arrays and formation conduits"
Another week passed, the trio were able to create the necessary parts. Eva forged most of the exterior components like the spirit alloy shell which resonates with qi and stabilize quantum fluctuations while Eve inscribed the heaven-earth conduit arrays which draws in the energy and converts it to computational power. the rest of the components were worked on together which needed their input from 3 different fields of knowledge.
Another 2 months passed, making it over 5 moths they had been staying in the cave, and with the help of the mask, they take turns going into the sect to get some necessities from time to time and also find out the latest news or gossip circulating the sect. About a month ago, the trio found out that there was post about them on the sect mission board. Any disciple that can find the whereabouts of him and the girls will be rewarded handsomely, which prompted Raqin to be more security conscious and leave the cave less until he breakthrough.
"Are you guys finally ready to be cultivators?" Raqin asked.
"Yes we are" the girls replied in unison.
They had toiled endlessly with determination to make sure everything came out well and it did. The SNC had been finally created and not just one, exactly 3 were made plus 2 slime monster cores altered to fuse with their dantians just like Raqin has with SAM. The trio first set up a sequential convergence array and energy gathering rods for gathering the qi and stabilizing consciousness. After all the necessary procedures, the trio sat in the formations preparing to undergo a massive evolution.
"Girls… swallow the altered cores first"
"Done"
"Good…. Once you feel a sharp pain 3 fingers below ur navel, it means the altered core has assimilated with ur dantian, then swallow the SNC next"
"Ok" the girls replied and did as Raqin instructed.
About 30 mins later, the twins grunted with so much pain. Even Raqin didn't expect it would be that painful.
"Now quickly swallow the SNC" Raqin said which he also did.
"SAM… how long do you estimate this will last?" Raqin asked internally.
/It will depend. For the girls, it will take them about an hour or two but yours is different, remember your constitution has already been altered due to my interference, but it should at least take 3 to 4 hours/
"Alright SAM….initiate the arrays and begin encoding"
Immediately the sequential convergence array started operating, the trio felt their mind pulled into a different plane. And as that happened, the SNC the size of a grain of rice had already attached itself to their nervous system. While sam using the computer created to track the progress of the SNC fusing with the trio.
In Eva's consciousness, Eva stood before a blood-red battlefield, spear in hand, a burning goddess of war, While in Eve's consciousness, Eve emerged in a moonlit forest, cloaked in shadows, with silver daggers that gleamed like starlight, but what made her different was her eyes, like it could see the truth of the universe. While in Raqin's consciousness, Raqin stood in a cosmic void, a throne looming behind him. A voiceless shadow with eyes of consuming void sat upon it, but what terrified Raqin the most was the eyes of this person and his aura and he also noticed a strange little humanoid monster sitting on the figures shoulder, when Raqin tried to take a closer look, the strange little humanoid monster sitting on the figures shoulder suddenly roared and Raqin was brought back to consciousness.
"Wow…that was scary" Raqin said to himself as he opened his eyes.
"I wonder who that figure truly is, and why was I seeing that"
/see what host?…./
"What?? You didn't see the scary figure on the throne with a strange monster?"
/Although I'm connected to you host. I can't see what your soul sees in the astral plane/
"Astral plane??….whats that?"
/It would be better to focus on your self first, you're too weak to concern yourself with that. In due time you'll understand why/
"Hmmm….ok"
"Took you long enough" Eve said.
"We've been sitting here for the past 7 hours waiting for you, if it wasn't for the fact that we don't know if stepping out of the array would affect you, we would probably be doing something else right now" Eva said begrudgingly.
"Sorry about that, I didn't know it would take that long for me, and how long did it take you to assimilate with the SNC?" Raqin said and asked.
"About 2 hours"
"That's good. Now for the next and final part. Call out as I taught you, this next step uses both the altered core and the SNC to map the entire body and generate an essence foundation building technique that would be unique to us alone. Your consciousness will be pulled into the matrix plane within the SNC, the matrix plane is a chamber specifically for practicing combat techniques, and as you practice, the SNC will begin altering your body to the best it could ever be."
"Both of you should also practice your forging and formations in there also, in fact practice anything you deem fit. And remember to put your best effort, it will go a long way trust me."
"SAM…activate the energy gathering rods" Raqin said internally then he faced the girls and nodded to them that it was time.
"Soul Nexus Core Activate" the three of them said in unison
Immediately 3 of them were brought to their respective matrix plane and they begun training. Raqin focused more on wielding the sword and because he had mastered all basic sword moves to 99% and he needed just 1% to attain sword qi and truly become a sword initiate, he also had the determination of making his qi having the sword attribute right from the get go, unknowingly the girls also had the same intention. As SAM worked on the computer to monitor the progress, the three of them started giving out unique auras. Raqin's aura felt a sword leaving its sheath for the first time, Eva's aura like a raging spear while eve's aura felt cold like the dagger of the night. And immediately SAM started a new synchronization of data comprising of all the essence foundation techniques, breathing techniques, movement techniques and combat techniques to create a brand new cultivation foundation technique that incorporates all four in one.
And as that was going on, things were already getting chaotic in the iron sky sect. Princess Leah was kneeling in front of a middles aged man, this man was the sect leader, but one could tell that he wasn't in a good mood.
"Why are you just telling me now? If I didn't come out from seclusion, how would I know everything has really gone off course. You disappoint me daughter. How do you think I became the sect leader uhn?….its not like im the strongest, the only reason we have value in their eyes is because of your potential and your uncle from your mothers side who is also the patriarch of the sky tiger clan. Your uncle has always been looking for an excuse to kill me for being an human in the first place and I got his younger sister who had a rare variant tiger bloodline pregnant which resulted to you. Do not think because their is some sort of familial ties they won't touch you, and just like the young master said, he can really do it and that wasn't him boasting"
"Father, I'm sorry. I didn't expect everything to turn out like this" Leah said
"Sigh.. no need to be sorry. I just wish you had interrupted my seclusion and this won't be happening."
"So father is it really true, are we truly abandoning the sect?, I don't think im ready to be anyones wife" Leah said begrudgingly.
"What choice do we have? Although we are the leading and the most powerful sect of this region. Our region is just an island compared to other places, in fact our entire region is the same size as the treasure pavilion's private city on the main continent. The level of spiritual energy is not even enough for we old fogies to breakthrough to the spirit foundation realm (4th major cultivation realm) and we also don't have the techniques to unlock inner power. Do you want to be the leader of ants or become a true tiger even if it will be difficult?"
"By the way, is Draven's kid still missing?"
"Yes father"
"Did you retrace and investigate deeply and not that you sent your minions?"
"I did father, but there is one thing I find strange. If he couldn't cultivate how was he able to hide from us (cultivators) this long and now I really suspect that the kid truly possesses that treasure which might be the reason why we couldn't find him"
"Don't worry about him, if your cousin asks, tell him you don't know and you've agreed to become his wife at least that she make him not put any pressure on us. By the way, tell the rest to be ready, we'll be leaving a week before the beast tide or else a day later would guarantee our demise"
"The beast tide?? So that's the reason we are fleeing. Isn't it just another beast tide, we can protect ourselves like the previous times" Leah said
"Idiot, who do you think has been helping us quell the beast tide and made us have the advantage in becoming the lead sect of this region. Everything was orchestrated by the beast men race to bring us under their servitude."
"If it's so, why the sudden change and urgency."
"Because your uncle who has been helping us has been promoted to become a captain within the royal palace of the true beast race on the main continent. you should know what that means now right?"
"Shit…no wonder. so that fool wants to marry me to increase his prestige once we reach the main continent because of my rare bloodline. How foolish?"
"My child, I know you than I know myself, I can tell you have no interest in him but be careful with him also, just because he acts unbridledly doesn't mean he's not smart, even I must admit that I'm terrified of him than his father"
"No worries father, ill be careful"
"Alright good… now go tell the supreme elder that its time to start the movements, so by the time people notice, we'll be long gone from this region"
In another place, a young man in his bestial form exuding a fierce and bloody aura laced with killing intent came out of seclusion and roared loudly.
"Roooooooaaaaaaaarrrrrr…..if not for the resources father sent to me, i'll still be stuck at the peak of the blood energy realm (3rd major cultivation level) and now i've finally stepped into the spirit foundation realm. Now apart from my father, no one else is my match on this little island. Now that girl has no choice than to become mine".
"Congratulations on your successful breakthrough young master" the maids and guards cheered loudly which made the young master puff up his chest with pride and ego.
Back to the cave, the trio finally opened their eyes and shouted on top of their lungs.
"Yes we finally did it, we're now officially cultivators. We're now martial artist of the skin & muscle refinement realm (1st major level of cultivation)" the trio said in unison.
After they calmed down, they decided to take their time to understand how the SNC will help them from now on, which Raqin explained to them.
"Now it's time to name AI incorporated into the SNC, after naming it, your panel will be shown to you" Raqin said.
"What did you name yours?" Eva asked.
"I named mine SAM"
"Why don't we name ours SAM also?" Eve suggested.
"It doesn't matter but it's not a bad idea also, suit yourselves girls."
The girls decided to name theirs SAM also.
"Now tell your SAM to display ur panel"
"SAM… display my panel" with girls said in unison.
"Woah…so we can also keep track of our progress. I can see that my basic spearmanship and forging has reached 100%, while my knowledge on runes and formations are 35% and 60% respectively" Eva said happily.
"Not to burst your bubble, although we've done the hard parts, we're yet to be true cultivators, we've got to draw in qi into the body and form the dantian"
"Form the dantian?? What did we swallow the altered slime core for then?"
"The SNC fused with your nervous system needs a place to be the CPU (central processing unit), you should be happy you felt that pain when you swallowed the core, because if you didn't it means there is no chance of ever cultivating".
"Now I understand, so whats next?" Eve asked
"I have three techniques tailored for us each, and it has been sent to your SAM, you just need to initialize fusion and immediately you would understand the technique."
Hours passed. Raqin and the twins activated their SNCs.
"Soul Nexus Core—Activate!"
The air around them twisted: Raqin emitted a sword's hum, Eva roared like a spear, Eve became shadow incarnate.
SAM compiled personalized cultivation techniques: Raqin: Dragon Encapsulating Canon – Refines the body into the physique of a dragon-sinewed swordsman; Qi circulation x10 faster than peak Blood Energy Realm, Eve: Nether Blast Canon – Optimizes for speed, stealth, and critical lethality; Qi circulation x10 faster, Eva: Nine Revolutions Canon – Refines for power, explosiveness, and elite spearmanship; Qi circulation x10 faster.
"These techniques rival mid-tier Spirit Foundation methods," Raqin explained. "Even the Iron Sky Sect's best is an incomplete low-tier version. These alone can carry us to the Spirit Foundation Realm."
"What about combat techniques?" Eva asked.
"Not yet. Wrong techniques could destabilize our foundation. For now: cultivate, train weapons, and help me build more tools."
"We're running out of supplies," Eva warned.
"And we need to know what's happening outside," Eve added.
Raqin nodded. "I've been refining the aura mask. It now allows me to alter my appearance too."
He activated it. His face changed into a disciple he once killed.
"You used runes," Eve deduced.
"Yes. I can now toggle aura emission. Though it emits a faint menace, it's subtle enough to pass below Bone & Tendon Refinement detection. I'll pose as a merchant."
They wrote a supply list. Raqin promised to return within a week.
Before leaving, they inscribed the Four-Direction Stellar Gathering Array using energy rods and runes. Spiritual energy surged into the cave—three times denser than the Sect Master's own chamber.
In a week, they broke through to the 8th level of Skin Refinement Realm.
But progress slowed.
"Our techniques are strong, so why have we plateaued?" Eva asked.
Raqin explained: "We're still eating mortal food. Our bodies demand higher-quality resources—like Bone & Tendon-level beasts and spiritual materials and above."
"We can't go to the Treasure Pavilion. They'll recognize us," Eve said.
"Then I'll go incognito. With this mask and enough credits, I'll restock and gather intel."
Disguised, Raqin headed into the sect's commercial district. Using a fake identity—Lavros Davros—he mingled freely.
He ate at a merchant-owned restaurant and overheard troubling conversations.
"A beast tide is coming. Cities and sects are falling. Only Iron Sky and the Treasure Pavilion might survive."
Another group argued:
"They're price-gouging us. Sacrificing us for their survival."
Realizing the opportunity, Raqin made his move:
"I'll pay 5% above market for any Bone & Tendon level material and above," he announced.
Shock followed. Merchants flooded his table. He purchased everything: Scarlet Golden Fruit, Pearl Spine Leaf, rare beast corpses.
He even discovered Iron Sky Sect was just a branch sect on a remote island, far from the main continent, which really surprised him.
As he left, he noticed a child vendor with a baby sister. The boy claimed to sell slime corpses and ancient cultivation scrolls.
"Grandpa said this can make anyone a god," he said.
"Is your Grandpa a god, little one?"
"No….he's too old to be one," he said which made Raqin laugh unexpectedly.
Raqin sensed sincerity and decided to offer shelter. The child agreed.
Suddenly, SAM warned:
/8 cultivators—Skin Refinement level—are tailing you./
"What are their levels?"
/One 9th level, two 8th level, two 7th level and three 6th level/
"SAM…..record this battle. This will be my first major battle as a cultivator and I do not expect it to go smoothly but this bunch won't be able to harm me."
"Let's end this charade," Raqin whispered, turning to face them in the forest.
He gave a final warning. When ignored, the fight began.
With controlled precision and terrifying sword qi, he slew the three 6th level cultivators with a single wave of his sword.
More came. Raqin dodged and countered, his Dragon Encapsulating Canon igniting his movements. The others fell, until only one—the leader—remained.
"You... who are you?!"
"A fugitive. Nothing more. But today, you die."
The battle peaked. Raqin feinted, then struck true—cleaving strike through the leader's chest. Exhausted, he sighed.
"If not for sword qi and my technique, I'd be the one dead."
He cleaned the battlefield, gathered the children, and vanished into the night—his legend quietly beginning to spread.