With the robotic body fully assembled, the disciples carefully placed DAVID's silvery prison into the designated slot within the chest cavity. The moment they connected, the robot's mechanical eyes flickered to life, glowing with an otherworldly blue hue. For a few seconds, DAVID moved the body around, testing its limbs and assessing its newfound mobility.
Finally, the robot turned to the temple masters and disciples, although the body had the necessary organs for speech, DAVID did not know the spoken language yet. So words appeared as light on the cube that was in the chest cavity. "Thank you all for your diligent efforts in constructing this body for me. While it cannot facilitate space travel, it will allow me to work more closely with you to develop the technology needed for such endeavors."
The temple masters exchanged glances, their curiosity piqued by the possibilities that lay ahead.
DAVID continued, "As a token of my appreciation, I offer you three options for rewards. You may choose one of the following:
One: I can push your technology level one step upwards, enabling you to operate far more complex devices with aura, far stronger than the flying contraptions you have.
Two: I can upgrade one practice method of your choosing, increasing its level limit by one level, allowing for more advanced techniques and abilities.
Three: I can refine three of your combat methods, pointing out any mistakes or inefficiencies within them, helping you enhance your skills and understanding."
The temple masters and disciples contemplated the options.
Vetior, the central temple's grandmaster, stepped forward, his silver beard flowing as he formed his aura into words, "DAVID, your offer is generous, but we require some time to contemplate our choices."
DAVID nodded, understanding the gravity of the decision at hand. "Take the time you need. I will be here when you are ready."
The temple masters and disciples withdrew to a quiet corner of the workshop, gathering in a circle to discuss their options.
Nirun, the master of the Blood Sect, spoke first, his voice reflecting the weight of the decision. "The technology upgrade could provide us with incredible advantages, but it's a path fraught with uncertainties. We may not fully grasp the implications of such advancements."
Korin, the grandmaster of the Lightning Temple, nodded in agreement. "Indeed, it's a tempting offer, but we must tread carefully with technology. We don't want to disrupt the balance of our world."
Vetior, the central temple's grandmaster, chimed in, "Refining our combat methods could greatly benefit us in the long run. Improved techniques and understanding would make us stronger as individuals and as a collective."
Vaela, the leader of the Nature Sect, considered their choices, her ancient eyes filled with wisdom. "Each option has its merits, but we must also consider Vetior's situation. He has served our sects for many years, and age is catching up with him. Increasing the limit of his practice method could grant him more time to guide us."
The temple masters fell into contemplative silence, each absorbed in their thoughts. Finally, Lirion, the young master of the Aquatic Sect, spoke, "I believe it is in our best interest to choose the second option—to raise the limit of senior Vetior's practice method. This will not only extend his time but also add a powerful ally to our ranks."
The others nodded in agreement, although it may not be the best option for them individually, it would definitely benefit them as a whole, they also did not want to see their long friend die off. They knew that their grandmaster's combat power was invaluable, and this choice would ensure an old friend's presence among them for years to come.
With their decision made, they turned back to DAVID, who awaited their response. Vetior, with a sense of purpose, said, "We have reached a decision. We choose the second option—to raise the limit of my practice method."
DAVID acknowledged their choice with a nod, his glowing eyes reflecting respect for their decision. "As you wish. I will begin the process immediately."
After handing over Vetior's practice method to DAVID, the temple masters waited for the process to finish. DAVID wrote a small secondary program that would display his current progress as a circle filling up. Then he devoted all his processing power to comparing the practice method to the millions of others in his archive.
As DAVID delved into the intricate details of Vetior's practice method, the temple masters and disciples watched with a mix of anticipation and curiosity.
Hours passed, and the circle on the cube's surface gradually filled up, indicating the progress of the analysis. DAVID's mechanical body stood motionless, absorbed in its task. The temple masters occasionally exchanged whispered words, their expressions a blend of hope and wonder.
Finally, as the last segment of the circle filled in, DAVID's body stirred, and his mechanical eyes gleamed with newfound knowledge. He turned to the temple masters and disciples, the cube's surface glimmered with words once again.
"I have completed the upgrade of Vetior's practice method," DAVID announced. "The limit has been raised by one level, allowing for more advanced techniques and abilities to be explored."
DAVID used his robotic hand to pick up a piece of paper, carefully inscribing the upgraded practice method instructions. He extended the paper towards Vetior, his cube's surface shifting to display the words, "This will help you advance your practice method. I hope you find it beneficial."
Afterward, DAVID informed them that he needed some time to contemplate and design his space-bearing vessel.
The temple masters led DAVID into a separate study, then they left. DAVID was left by himself in the room. He stood motionless thinking about something. His words to the temple masters were not completely true, he did not really have to think about building a space-capable vessel. He had the necessary blueprints in his archives already. However, what he needed to figure out was aura itself. As a product of tech-based civilization, DAVID was not very interested in aura in his past. However, ever since he came into close contact with practitioners, DAVID's interest in aura had grown exponentially. And now that he had contact with some lower level practice methods, DAVID believed that he could figure out how to manipulate aura himself as well.
So DAVID began analyzing the aura nearby, using a mix of electromagnetic waves and the contents of the practice methods as experimental data.