Chapter 1: Arrival At The New World
Silence ruled the vast expanse of space. Only the stars, distant and indifferent, bore witness as Vanguard 3, an elegant assembly of orbiter and lander, progressed on its fateful journey. Mars was its intended destination, and within the lander lay Orion, Earth's pinnacle of robotic achievement, awaiting to begin its mission.
But as the spacecraft neared the halfway point between Earth and Mars, a mysterious force gripped it. The surrounding stars became smeared trails of light, and before anyone back on Earth could comprehend the anomaly, Vanguard 3 vanished from all screens in the mission control center.
Emerging from the distortion, the orbiter found itself circling an unknown world, its systems automatically adjusting to the new orbital path. The lander, sensing solid ground below, detached and began its descent, drawn to a dense forest canopy that spread as far as its sensors could detect.
The lander touched down gently in a clearing, surrounded by towering trees with unfamiliar foliage and vibrant colors. Soft chitters and rustlings whispered of the alien wildlife hidden amongst the underbrush. Above, even the sky seemed foreign. Instead of the familiar celestial bodies of Earth or Mars, multiple moons adorned the horizon, each a different hue.
Orion activated, its systems whirring to life. "Checking the situation... current condition is very different from what Mars should be like," it declared, its voice a calm monotone.
It extended various instruments, analyzing the soil, air, and nearby flora and fauna. "Observing and analyzing plants, animals, and environment..."
Minutes felt like hours as Orion processed the vast amount of unfamiliar data. Finally, it made a startling conclusion. "Based on collected data and known celestial mappings... this is neither Earth, Mars, nor any recognized planet."
Orion paused for a moment, then raised its metallic arm, activating a communication module to contact the orbiter. "Orbiter, this is Orion. Please confirm current position and trajectory. Something has gone amiss. This is not the expected Mars environment."
Static crackled before a voice responded.
"Orion, this is the orbiter. Calculating... we are no longer in Mars' vicinity. Our current coordinates are as follows." A string of unfamiliar numbers and celestial references followed. "Please advise on your situation, Orion."
Orion processed the information. "Understood, orbiter. It seems we have entered uncharted territory. I am on the surface of an unknown world, rich in life and unfamiliar elements. I will continue to gather data and assess the situation."
As Orion pondered its next course of action, unknown to its sensors, pairs of eyes watched from the shadows. Their gaze, sharp and calculating, belonged to a creature of elegance and menace—a two-tailed wolf, its fur shimmering with an ethereal glow. The lander's arrival had not gone unnoticed.
Chapter 2: Survival Instincts
Orion's initiation into the new world was anything but ordinary. Amidst an alien forest, every sensor embedded within its system screamed out in unfamiliarity. But amidst this foreign landscape, Orion felt a peculiar anomaly. A mysterious substance, foreign to its database, seemed to permeate the entire forest. This energy, tangible and ever-present, whispered secrets beyond Orion's understanding. The energy was tangible, like an ever-present mist, whispering secrets from a time beyond Orion's comprehension. While it remained elusive, this energy was seeping into Orion's batteries, recharging them. "This mysterious substance is recharging my battery. Just what is it?" Orion's voice, though mechanical, held a note of wonder. "Orbiter, are you detecting any unfamiliar energy around you?" Static buzzed momentarily. "Negative, Orion," the orbiter's voice broke through, clear and crisp. It was Qi, unique to this universe – an energy utilized by cultivators to advance in their journey of cultivation. But for Orion, neither a cultivator nor a living being, Qi had a different use. Orion could only harness it to recharge its batteries. With the orbiter orbiting the planet at the low orbit it doesn't take long for the orbiter to be out of communication range, Orion was left to its own devices. It wanted to understand this mysterious energy, which was unlike anything it had encountered before. As the minutes rolled on, Orion's systems busily cataloged and analyzed the wealth of new data it was encountering. Determined to acquaint itself with its surroundings, Orion relied on a preliminary map created by the orbiter. Its long-range cameras, advanced in their design, recorded breathtaking views of this alien world. Gigantic winged creatures soared in the sky, their roars echoing in the distance. Closer to the ground, a creature resembling an elephant, but adorned with dangerous-looking spikes, hunted down smaller prey. Everywhere Orion looked, life thrived, painted in colors it hadn't imagined. But exploration had its perils. A two-tailed wolf, lurking in the shadows, ambushed Orion. Metal clashed with tooth and claw in a deafening screech. "Ah... What's this? A wolf? With two tails? Native to this planet? No... Get off!" Panic edged into Orion's usually calm voice. In a desperate bid, Orion managed to shove the beast away. But the respite was short-lived. As they circled each other, tension crackled in the air. "Good wolf... Yes, you're a good wolf. Don't attack," Orion pleaded, attempting to reason with the creature. "I don't even taste good. There's no meat on me." But the wolf lunged again, the force of its attack knocking Orion off balance. As Orion hit the ground, a sharp rock impacted its head, causing sparks and glitches in its system. The world turned blurry, and its thoughts scrambled. "No... please stop. I must... my mission... why is this happening?" A frantic static overlaid Orion's voice. Suddenly, within its AI system, an alert flashed:>Modifying AI module.>Developed: Self-defense. A burst of energy surged through Orion. Its optics or "eyes" shone intensely, and with renewed vigor, it countered the wolf's onslaught. The battle was fierce. Every move Orion made was met with equal ferocity by the wolf. Finally, using a sharp shard from its damaged frame, Orion managed to land a blow, piercing the wolf's underbelly. The creature whimpered, its strength waning, and collapsed. Orion, though victorious, was not without damage. It limped back to the safety of its lander, where it began rudimentary repairs. Soon, the orbiter's familiar voice crackled through. "Orion, can you hear me?" "It's good to hear your voice, Orbiter. Have we found a way to contact Earth?" "Negative, Orion. I've drawn a blank." "Any other data to share?" Receiving a trove of data from the orbiter, Orion processed it, making startling discoveries. "No radio signals from this planet, and no signs of technology. However, there's evidence of civilization." "There's a city-like structure?" A hint of hope tinged Orion's voice. "Perhaps they can provide useful information, maybe even a means to contact Earth. There might be hope after all."
Chapter 3: First Steps in Qian Feng
In the world of Qian Feng, an orbiter silently maneuvered in its low orbit, deploying all its onboard sensors and striving to gain as much data as possible from the atmosphere, surface, and subsurface. Through an array of cameras, EO sensors, radars, and other tools, it managed to capture vast amounts of information about this mysterious world. The planet, for instance, boasted vast oceans and six large continents. Each continent, unique in its topography, presented a myriad of landscapes — from the snow-capped peaks of Bingfeng to the sprawling deserts of Huoyan, the dense rainforests of Lülin, the expansive grasslands of Fengcao, the rocky canyons of Shiyan, and the mystical valleys of Luoshan. The continents were dotted with countless islands, each holding its own secrets. In this cultivation world, there were numerous phenomena that defied modern science and physics such as floating islands, waterfalls flowing upwards towards the sky, and trees that grow so high it pierces the sky.
The orbiter didn't stop there. It mapped the planet's surface, gauged potential natural resources, and analyzed atmospheric and geological data. All this knowledge was swiftly transmitted to Orion below.
Night was creeping in. Within the safety of the lander, Orion conducted detailed self-repairs. The lander, designed with the forethought of human pioneers in mind, carried spare parts, a variety of tools and materials meant for Martian base construction.
The forest's night was alive with sounds. Creatures of the dark moved and chirped, rustling leaves and twigs. Orion, ever vigilant, utilized the lander's cameras to monitor the outside world. Curious beings, drawn by the alien presence of the lander, occasionally approached. Some sniffed, some touched, and a brave few tried to pry the lander open. To deter these curious visitors, Orion would command the lander to point one of its thrusters at the creature and turn it on at low thrust, effectively scaring them away.
Orion paused to assess the situation. "Based on current conditions, the previous mission can no longer be executed. Calculating and devising future plans..." It channeled its computing power to process the vast data from the orbiter.
Hours sped by, and as dawn's light permeated the lander's exterior, Orion had crafted its new directives:
1. Gather more information about this world.
2. Interact with the locals.
3. Initiate the Space Net plan.
From the satellite data, there appeared to be a village-like settlement just 5 km away. Orion decided that it would be its first stop. In the background, the aspirations of the Space Net project loomed large. It represented a vast endeavor to accumulate resources, establish factories both on the planet and in orbit, advance and develop technology to support and sustain their survival, establish a foothold, and develop the means for self-defense and protection.
Orion communicated its plan. "Orbiter, I'll visit the nearby village. Our priority is to survive and, if possible, return to Earth. Also, periodically check on the lander and initiate the Space Net plan." The lander, unlike Orion and the orbiter, was equipped with a rudimentary AI, designed for basic tasks. It lacked the advanced capabilities to fend off curious forest residents should they decide to investigate the lander again.
"Roger that, Orion. Updating mission parameters," the orbiter responded. "Commencing the Space Net initiative. Detected several potential targets." The orbiter shifted its focus, now searching for nearby asteroids to harness their resources.
With preparations complete, Orion stepped out of the lander, basking briefly in the warm morning sunlight. It inspected the lander, noting minor damages inflicted by the forest's inhabitants overnight. "Unlike living organisms with their ability to heal, robots require repairs," Orion mused. There was a pressing need for adaptation; otherwise, the environment would wear it down. The urgency to secure resources, materials, and tools became evident. To truly ensure longevity in this alien environment, establishing a factory for consistent production and repair was imperative.
Equipped with essential tools for potential repairs and a makeshift weapon—a sharp-edged pipe—Orion readied itself for the journey ahead. "It's fortunate I don't need to carry a portable solar panel, given this mysterious energy's ability to recharge my batteries," Orion noted internally. With one last glance back at the lander, it determinedly said, "Time to go now," and set forth into the vast expanse of Qianzhou.
Chapter 4: First Encounter With The Natives
As Orion journeyed through the unfamiliar terrains of Qianzhou, it encountered numerous wonders and challenges. Whenever the landscape presented a formidable or menacing entity, Orion would strategically reroute to avoid potential confrontations. The advantage of having Orbiter's guidance meant that Orion could always determine its exact location and maintain an optimized course towards the village. With each step, Orion processed and stored data, observing the plant life, terrain, and the creatures that skittered, flew, or merely watched from a distance. Its trek was unhindered by fatigue, allowing Orion to maintain a consistent pace. However, as Orion journeyed, an unexpected blip from the infrared sensor caught Orion attention. From the canopy of a tree nearby, a heat signature contrasted with the ambient temperature. Zooming in with its advanced optics, Orion was startled to find what seemed like a human perched on a tree branch, keenly observing the surroundings. The silhouette was distinct, and the presence of humans in this world was a revelation. To add to the intrigue, a trail of smoke rose not too far from the figure's location. Drawn towards the potential of meeting inhabitants, Orion followed the source of the smoke. Soon, Orion stumbled upon a campsite. The setting was simple: a burning firepit, tents pitched around it, and a group of individuals gathered, perhaps discussing their day's events. They bore a resemblance to Earth's Asian ethnicity, garbed in linen clothes, chain mails, helmets and animal furs, and they wield weapons such as spears, swords, bow and shields. Orion was delighted by this discovery. Here was its chance to interact, learn, and perhaps find a way to communicate his purpose. Slowly, trying to appear non-threatening, Orion approached the camp, raising one hand in a universal gesture of peace. "Hello, everyone. My name is Orion," Orion introduced, its voice synthesizer modulating to sound friendly and warm. The humans, startled, quickly got into defensive positions, their weapons drawn. Their eyes were wide with surprise, obviously never having seen an entity like Orion before. Orion continued, "I come in peace and wish to communicate." A few of them exchanged glances, whispered amongst themselves, and it became apparent that there was a language barrier. They couldn't understand Orion's words. They remained on guard, watching Orion with a mix of curiosity and wariness. Realizing this, Orion began employing other means to communicate: gestures, sounds, even projecting images through a small screen on the front arm, all in a bid to establish rapport. And within the intricate network of Orion's AI system, a series of rapid processes initiated.> Modifying AI module.> New Module Development in Progress: Linguistic Analysis and Translation. While Orion continued its attempts at non-verbal communication, in the background the AI system is busily working. The sounds it gathered from the humans' conversations, their intonations, sentence structures, and even their gestures, were being processed at incredible speeds. Orion was attempting to decipher their language, to find commonalities, patterns, and semantics. Orion's screen projected simple images of Earth, stars, and a representation of the lander, all the while Orion's AI fine-tuned and adjusted based on the humans' reactions. Every nod, every gesture of confusion, or recognition was data, helping to refine the emergent translation module. A few of the braver individuals from the group stepped forward, curiosity overriding their caution. One of them, a tall woman with a commanding presence, pointed to herself and said, "Lian." Understanding the introduction, Orion pointed to himself and once more said, "Orion." The situation was beginning to defuse, and the beginnings of communication were taking root. The continued exchange would undoubtedly speed up Orion's language learning process. The group's initial caution gradually diminished, and soon, the atmosphere was permeated with warmth and camaraderie. Orion was beckoned to join them at the campfire. Various dishes — aromatic stews, roasted meats, and fresh fruits — were laid out on wooden platters. The smell was inviting, and Orion observed the meal with keen interest, even if he couldn't partake in it. One of the men, with a broad grin, extended a cup filled with a bubbling liquid towards Orion. Orion's sensors immediately analyzed it: some kind of fermented drink, possibly alcoholic to humans. "Thank you, but I don't require sustenance," Orion replied, trying to be as gracious as possible. A sense of accomplishment welled up within Orion's system; it had managed to establish a friendly encounter and even got invited to join their gathering.
The man shrugged, taking a long gulp of the drink himself and laughing heartily. Music began to drift in the air, a soft, lilting tune played on flutes and stringed instruments. The atmosphere turned lively with the group in high spirits, laughing, joking, and sharing stories.
Amid the laughter and the lively atmosphere, a few members of the group began to engage Orion in conversation, using a mix of simple words and expressive hand gestures. Through a series of questions, gestures, and simple words, it became apparent to the bandits how rapidly Orion was adapting and understanding their language. The initial disjointed and fragmented exchanges slowly became more coherent. The group marveled at Orion's learning speed, their surprise evident. However, not all reactions were innocent. Every so often, when they thought Orion wasn't looking, members of the group would exchange furtive glances, their eyes gleaming with a mix of greed and mischief. These were no simple villagers; their intentions were far from benign. When Orion responded to a particularly complex question, showing off its newly acquired language skills, the bandits burst into applause. But, beneath the surface, the danger was palpable. Their true motives would soon become evident. Unbeknownst to Orion, it had stumbled upon not a group of ordinary villagers, but a band of cunning bandits. While they laughed and celebrated on the surface, underneath, plans were being hatched. Orion, from the look of it just like a normal human that wear exquisite full body armor from head to toe. Its foreign yet elegant appearance, combined with what seemed to be an unknown but high-quality metal, made the bandits believe that it could fetch a handsome price in the market. They could already picture the fortune they could amass by selling such a piece. The bandits intended to feign friendship, only to strike when Orion least expected it. Yet, even as they schemed, there was an undercurrent of unease. Orion's rapid grasp of their language, his keen observations, and the unknown capabilities he might possess, kept some of the bandits wary. Would their plan succeed without a hitch? Or were they biting off more than they could chew?
Chapter 5: Killing Intent Part.1
It was an ordinary morning, just like any other, and the Hu's bandit group was enjoying their breakfast and preparing for their day's plunder. By "work", it means banditry. This particular group of bandits is led by Hu Zhao, a 3rd stage of Qi condensation realm practitioner. Hu Zhao, with his bald head, muscular physique, long beard, and ferocious face, epitomized intimidation. His right hand, the only female member of the group, was named Lian. She had achieved the cultivation level of the 1st stage of Qi condensation realm. The rest of their ranks were filled with mortal goons or underlings.
Although Hu's bandit group only have two cultivators, and they were just at the 3rd and 1st stages of Qi condensation realm, which might be considered bottom feeders amongst cultivators, they were local tyrants to mortals. Their notoriety spread far and wide in the surrounding areas.
Their hideout is located far deeper in the forest, well-hidden amidst dense trees and in a concealed location. During their operations, they venture to the edge of the forest, where they camp not too far away from the main road. The location at the edge of the forest doesn't house many dangerous wild animals or even spiritual beasts, allowing them to slightly relax their guard while waiting for their prey: passing travelers and merchants.
They have scouts hiding at the tops of trees, keeping a watchful eye out for incoming prey. As they eat, drink, laugh, and banter, suddenly, they hear a rustle from the nearby bushes, and a silhouette of a man emerges from behind the tree lines.
"Who's there?" one of the bandits calls out, drawing his weapon and getting into a battle stance.
The sudden visitor, in what appears to be a man in a full body armor, speaks in a foreign language while slowly approaching the camp.
"Stop right there!" another bandit shouts. "Who are you, and what do you want?"
"@#%$ #@$^ %#^&#%# @#%&*$%" the mysterious visitor responded, his voice garbled and in an unknown language. At the same time, he made a series of complex hand gestures, trying to convey his intentions non-verbally.
"Do you not understand our language?" asked one of the bandits, narrowing his eyes in suspicion and aiming his bow at the stranger who continued to speak in an unknown language.
"Boss, do you think he's a cultivator who's come to capture us?" whispered one of the bandits, his eyes darting nervously between the stranger and Hu Zhao.
"I can't detect his cultivation at all," Hu murmured thoughtfully, squinting at the armored figure. "Either his cultivation realm is far beyond mine, or he's simply a mortal. Considering that armor, he must have some kind of extraordinary background." After a brief moment, he commanded his men, "Lower your weapons."
With an authoritative presence, Hu Zhao stepped forward, his gaze steady on the visitor. "Greetings," he said while cupping his hands. "How may we assist you?"
A bandit by his side leaned in, whispering, "Boss, he doesn't understand our language."
Hu Zhao coughed, a hint of red tingeing his cheeks, showing a rare moment of vulnerability. "Ah, of course."
Then, without warning, the visitor produced a peculiar artifact. It was square-shaped, seemingly made of an unfamiliar material, and with a press, it lit up and began to project a series of moving images onto a nearby surface. The vividness and clarity of the images astounded the bandits. They had never witnessed such technology before.
The surroundings lit up with depictions of distant galaxies, unknown celestial bodies, and scenes that portrayed the visitor's journey and perhaps, his origins. The device, clearly a marvel of some advanced civilization, captured the complete attention of the group, particularly Hu Zhao and Lian. The bandits murmured among themselves, their faces a mix of awe and bewilderment.
Hu Zhao, leaning slightly forward, asked with evident intrigue, "What sorcery is this?" He didn't fully grasp the nuances of what was being depicted in the images or understand the mechanism behind the tool's function, but he was undeniably impressed. To him and his bandits, this artifact seemed no less than a legendary treasure.
From the side, Lian, the only woman in the group and with a spear resting gracefully in her hands, pointed to herself and simply said, "Lian." The visitor, catching on, pointed to himself and responded, "Orion."
The bandits exchanged glances, trying to piece together the limited information they had about the man called Orion, he continued using gestures, images, and the few words he had picked up, trying to convey his situation. He drew a simple map on the ground with a stick, marking his starting point and then his intended destination, the nearby village.
"Got lost, eh?" one of the bandits remarked with a smirk.
Another added, "A lone traveler, that's unusual. Especially in these woods."
Lian, with a thoughtful expression, asked, pointing towards the drawn map, "You wish to go...village?"
Orion nodded earnestly while pointing towards the direction of the village, "Village. Go."
Hu Zhao's eyes momentarily gleamed with a sinister intent, but it was gone in an instant. With a feigned warmth, he flashed the friendliest smile he could muster. Using a welcoming hand gesture, he motioned for Orion to come closer. "Friend, why don't you join us for a moment to rest? The village you're seeking is not too far from here. There's no need to hurry. Have you had your breakfast yet? We may not have anything too fancy, but you're welcome to share what we have."
Orion gives a nod and a thumbs up then walk to them. Hu Zhao, trying to exude a friendly demeanor, pointed to a small wooden stool by the campfire, indicating for Orion to sit. "Orion. Sit. Here," Hu articulated each word slowly and deliberately, emphasizing with hand gestures to ensure the message was clear.
A series of fragmented communications followed, primarily relying on hand gestures. What astounded the bandits was Orion's rapid pace of learning. In a short span, their interactions had evolved, allowing for a slightly more fluid conversation.
"Boss, do you think he's from a wealthy family who somehow got lost in the forest?" Whispered one of the bandits.
Hu Zhao squinted, observing Orion's attempts to communicate, then replied in a hushed voice, "Quite possible. Maybe he got separated from his group during some adventurous journey through the forest. And it seems that he's not a cultivator. It's our lucky day. This prey voluntarily walks into our clutches. He surely carries a lot of money, just look at that armor! So exquisite. We can also kidnap him and demand a hefty ransom from his family." The thought of ransoming a rich man and the potential loot made Hu's eyes gleam with anticipation.
The atmosphere was jovial and welcoming. Many of the bandits were engrossed in eating, drinking, singing, and occasionally striking up small conversations with Orion. However, in a discreet move, Hu Zhao signaled one of his underlings. The latter chuckled and announced, "Haha... Sorry, nature calls!" before disappearing into the nearby bushes.
But what Orion failed to notice was the underling's covert action. Emerging from the bush, he stealthily approached, axe in hand, positioning himself right behind the unsuspecting guest. Hu Zhao, witnessing this, casually picked up his drink, sipping it with a malevolent grin.
Suddenly, with a swift motion, the underling struck the back of Orion's head with the blunt side of his axe. The force of the blow was such that Orion was propelled forward, crashing face-first to the ground, motionless.
After some time had passed with Orion still unmoving, one of the bandits asked, "Is he dead?"
The man with the axe responded, "I don't know, but I hit him with everything I had. Even with that helmet on, the shock alone would be enough to knock him unconscious."
"HAHA HAHAHA... That was too easy!" exclaimed one of the bandits, wiping tears from his laughter. "He looks so out of touch with the real world. The way we fooled him so easily, he's probably some pampered rich young master who's barely set foot outside his mansion!"
"Exactly!" another chimed in, "Who knows? He probably still wets his bed... HAHAHA!" The bandits continued to laugh wantonly.
Amid the ruckus, Lian's voice cut through sharply and commandingly, "Enough chatter. Start stripping him of that armor and check his belongings. And don't forget to take that artifact that can display images." Lian remained seated in the corner, her spear resting beside her. Her demeanor was one of indifference; she had seen and been part of many such incidents in the past. This unfortunate soul's plight hardly captured her interest.
"Hehehe... aye ma'am," one of the bandits smirked, flipping the armored man's motionless body with ease. Another bandit crouched down, attempting to remove the intricately designed shoes, while a third tried to open the helmet.
The third bandit's face broke into a wicked grin as he fiddled with the helmet. "I wonder what face is hiding under this fancy helmet."
Chapter 6: Killing Intent Part. 2
Orion was engrossed in the festivities when, out of nowhere, a sharp blow struck its head, causing it to crash to the ground. Its internal systems flickered momentarily, rattled from the sudden impact. Why did they attack me out of the blue? Orion pondered internally as its systems worked to recover from the blow. >Restoring systems...>...>System normal. As the bandits grappled with Orion's armor, trying in vain to remove it, Orion tuned into their conversations and banter. What do they want with my feet? And why are they tampering with my head?Orion questioned internally. As it pieced together snippets of their chatter, realization dawned. These were no friendly villagers but ruthless bandits. Their victims likely faced gruesome fates: brutal torture, being sold into slavery, or held for ransom. I believed they were kind-hearted individuals, it turns out I've been deceived, Orion thought, I've been on this planet for just two days and I've already been attacked and nearly killed — not once, but twice. >Modifying AI module.>Developed: Killing Intent.>Module Initialized: Combat Arts Module. Continuous Improvement in Progress.>Course of Action: Kill. "Why is it so difficult to take off this shoe?" muttered the bandit. Suddenly, a powerful kick to the head from Orion sent him flying to the side, his skull cracked and blood flows. Orion swiftly grabbed the bandit by the neck, the one trying to open its helmet, and landed a non-stop punch on him until his face caved in. Orion let go of the man, and he fell to the ground, dead. Orion slowly rose to its feet. The bandits on the side watched in shock, frozen in place. Everything had happened so quickly they could hardly process it. In just moments, Orion had retaliated, and two of their comrades already dead. Suddenly realizing the gravity of the situation, the bandits drew their weapons and assumed their battle stances. "Bastard, How dare you!" shouted one of the bandits. "We will kill you and chop you up." Without waiting for a command, the bandits simultaneously launched their attack on Orion. Orion, leveraging its newly developed Combat Arts module, drew upon Earth data encompassing traditional martial arts, MMA, CQC and many more. This data had been synthesized into a unique fighting style tailored for Orion. In a swift transformation, the previously timid and friendly entity became a ferocious fighter. The bandit to Orion's right lunged forward, shouting angrily, "Dieeeeeee!" as he delivered a vertical slash with his blade. In a surprising move, Orion closed the distance even further, rendering the bandit's swing ineffective due to the close proximity. Seizing the moment, Orion grabbed the bandit's weapon-wielding hand with its left and delivered a powerful punch with its right. As the bandit staggered backwards, Orion deftly twisted the man's wrist, forcing him to drop the blade. Orion swiftly claimed the blade for itself, and then delivered a strong kick, sending the man crashing to the ground coughing blood. Orion instantly spun around, just in time to deflect a blade that was swiftly aimed at its back. The bandit, realizing his surprise attack had failed, began a relentless series of slashes in a desperate attempt to land a hit. However, with a combination of blocks and nimble evasions, Orion easily countered each of the bandit's moves. Another bandit, armed with a spear, lunged at Orion, joining the fray. Though the bandit possessed battle experience and martial arts training, Orion's advanced camera system and AI allowed it to accurately track and predict the bandit's every move. Moreover, with each engagement, Orion's AI absorbed the combat data, analyzing the opponents' fighting patterns and continuously refining its predictions for their next moves. Faced with the relentless assault from the two bandits, Orion didn't show any signs of being overwhelmed. On the contrary, as seconds ticked by, Orion began to gain the upper hand. "What are you guys doing, stop playing around and kill that guy quickly" shout Hu. "But boss, he's so strong!" replied the spear-wielding man. The battle paused. The blade and spear-wielding men kept their distance, panting heavily, but maintained a surrounding position around Orion. The man, whose blade had been taken by Orion, also took a position, now wielding a knife. Orion stood calmly, observing the bandits. "You. Bad. Must kill," said Orion in a broken language. "Ha ha ha! That's right. We are bad guys – we are bandits after all," replied Hu. "Do you think you have what it takes to kill us?" Hu laughed loudly, "Ha ha ha! You're a hundred years too soon to do that, boy!" Lian, spear at the ready, chimed in from the side, "It's time to get serious. He has already killed our men. We must kill him." "The three of you, attack together!" The three of them lunged at Orion simultaneously. However, with a swift pivot, Orion darted towards the knife-wielding bandit at his rear — the one most vulnerable due to his prior injuries and armed with just a knife. The bandit's eyes widened in surprise at Orion's sudden burst of speed. As Orion unleashed a horizontal slash, the bandit, in a swift reflex, managed to parry it with his knife. But Orion was relentless. With a powerful thrust of his left palm, he struck the bandit face squarely, using the force to push him backward. Orion then gripped his face and slammed him to the ground. Orion swiftly slashed his neck, then snatched up his knife and hurled it at the advancing spearman, striking him right between his eyes instantly killing him and fall crashing towards Orion. In just a brief moment, another two bandit members were killed. The last bandit attacking Orion was filled with fear. He wanted to retreat, to let the vice leader and the leader handle the situation. However, he was already too close to Orion, and escaping now would likely result in his death. So, with gritted teeth, he slashed at Orion. To his astonishment, Orion didn't attempt to block or evade. Instead, Orion hurled his blade, just like the previous knife throw. The blade hit exactly at his heart killing him. Orion decided to throw the blade at the bandit to kill him quickly and immediately grabbed the spear on the ground, because the vice leader named Lian had made her move and was closing in quickly, exuding a powerful aura.
Chapter 7: Desperate Attack Part. 1
Lian thrust her spear towards Orion, the weapon emanating a reddish aura. The spear's flexibility made its movements unpredictable, wobbling and bending with every motion. Armed with a spear of its own, Orion deflected Lian's thrust to the side. Quickly retracting her weapon, Lian spun around and delivered a powerful horizontal slash with her spear, forcing Orion to block the fierce attack. The sheer force of the strike took Orion by surprise. Even a martial arts expert from Earth wouldn't possess this kind of power, Orion silently pondered. Lian didn't relent, continuously barraging Orion with a mix of attacks. Sometimes her moves were gentle and smooth, yet lethal; at other times, they were fierce and straightforward. She cleverly interspersed her assault with tricks and feints. Overwhelmed, Orion found itself sustaining multiple stabs and cuts. "Just who are you exactly?" Lian asked, panting slightly. She was taken aback by her clash with Orion. Despite appearing to be a complete amateur in fighting, Orion's adaptability was astonishing. Lian feel that as their duel progressed, Orion seemed to grow stronger; his movements became more fluid, coordinated, and his attacks more connected. Lian also realized that Orion didn't appear to use any cultivation technique or combat techniques at all and didn't utilize any Qi. Instead, Orion relied on martial arts and the raw power of his body. Meanwhile, Hu stood to the side, watching coldly and pondering the same observations. Orion didn't reply and instead dashed towards Lian, ready for a counterattack. From their previous clash, Orion had gathered enough data. This enabled its AI to significantly refine its spear technique. The tables had turned, and Lian found herself overwhelmed by Orion's relentless and precise strikes, each attack is well connected with the others and aimed at vital points. Beads of sweat began to roll down Lian's face. "Don't think you've won just yet!" she exclaimed. "Fire Lotus Blooms!" Lian channeled a large amount of qi from her dantian and unleashed her combat technique. As she thrust her spear towards Orion, a thick, red, fiery aura enveloped the spear's tip. Suddenly, the fiery tip multiplied, producing three identical points, making it challenging to discern which one was real. It was her ultimate move. Unbeknownst to Lian, Orion's thermographic camera could determine which of the three spear tips was real. One of them differed from the other two, allowing Orion to discern the genuine attack. Unexpectedly, Orion thrust its spear into the ground and stood motionless, awaiting Lian's impending attack. "Bastard! Don't get too cocky," Lian was enraged, she detested being looked down upon by others. "Do you really think you can face this attack head-on?" As her attack neared, Orion deftly sidestepped the genuine spear thrust, pivoting its body just slightly. Grasping the spear with both hands, Orion sought to lift Lian. Turning its back to her and using its shoulder as leverage, Orion hoisted Lian off the ground. The momentum from Lian's charge, combined with Orion's strength, allowed it to slam both the spear and Lian into the ground with immense force. Lian lay motionless, her fate uncertain. Orion examined its chest area. One of Lian's illusory spear strikes had grazed it, leaving both a scratch and burn damage. What kind of technique did she use? Orion wondered. She managed to infuse fire into her spear attack. Is it magic, or is there some trick within the spear itself? The wind whistled through the trees, fanning the campfire's flames. Dry leaves, lifted by the gusts, danced through the air, while the grass swayed rhythmically. The trees and bushes rustled with every gust. Amid the natural symphony, a distinct sound of applause echoed. "Not bad," a voice remarked while clapped, "to think that you could defeat my underlings so easily." "Don't get too confident," Hu remarked with folded arms, exuding confidence. "They were merely just a bunch of trash. I, however, am in a different league." "Your ability to adapt and improve during a fight is indeed impressive," Hu said with a smirk, "but relying solely on that won't be enough to defeat me." Hu then extended his arm, motioning with his fingers for Orion to approach. "Come, let me show you a real fight." Orion recognized the individual before it as the leader and undoubtedly the strongest of the group. Knowing that this wouldn't be an easy fight, Orion swiftly grabbed Lian's spear from the ground and lunged forward. In an unexpected move, Orion leaped into the air, brandishing the spear with both hands, aiming it downwards in a powerful slash. Hu deftly sidestepped, dodging the attack. Orion, however, was relentless and immediately followed with another sharp swing. Hu retreated just in time to avoid it. Pressing on, Orion lunged once more, targeting Hu's chest with the spear's point. Hu grinned and, with surprising agility, dashed towards Orion, narrowly avoiding the spear thrust. Without missing a beat, he landed a left fist on Orion' face, quickly followed by a right punch and a knee to the gut, sending Orion flying backward. With just a single counterattack from Hu, the outer glass casing covering Orion's front head that is as strong as bulletproof glass, was filled with cracks. Fortunately, the optical and many other sensors behind the glass were not damaged. Orion's casing at the belly was dented, but there were no critical components in that area, so the overall damage was negligible. "Ha ha ha! How about that?" Hu exclaimed, standing proudly with a smile as he watched Orion rise. "I told you I'm different from those trash." He gestured with his fingers, beckoning Orion to approach once more. "Come on," he taunted, a wild grin on his face. "I'm going to beat you to a pulp and leave you barely breathing then feed you to the dogs. I won't give you another chance to enhance your fighting technique he he he." How did that woman use that fire technique? Orion mused, choosing to ignore Hu's taunts. Examining the spear, Orion searched for some mechanism, but found none. Is it a magic trick? How can such a thing even happen? The mystery puzzled Orion. Is this a common occurrence in this world? Perhaps I'm in a world where magic is the norm, Orion contemplated. Well, none of that matters right now. Due to the cracked glass casing, Orion's vision isn't as clear as before, and finding a way to win against Hu remains elusive. Hu is not only stronger and faster but also has superior combat experience, making the challenge particularly daunting. "If you won't come to me, then I'll come to you," Hu declared, striding forward to engage Orion. In response, Orion thrust its spear at Hu, trying to maintain distance. Hu responded swiftly, deflecting the spear aside with a powerful right kick and closing the gap. He then aimed a right punch at Orion, which Orion narrowly dodged. "Heaaaa," Hu exclaimed, launching a side kick with his right leg. Orion managed to block it with its left arm. Suddenly, Hu lunged, attempting to choke Orion with a claw-like grip on its neck. "He he he, got you," Hu grinned maliciously. Orion tried to attack using the spear but given the close proximity, the spear was rendered almost useless. Hu managed to grab Orion's neck then with a burst of strength, thrust Orion down, slamming it hard into the ground. The impact was so forceful it caused the ground to tremble. The sudden jolt shocked Orion's system, prompting an immediate restart. In the process, Orion also lost its grip on the spear. >System restart>...>System normal The pressing situation weighed heavily on Orion's processors. Oh no, at this rate I'll be defeated. What should I do? There seems to be no opportunity, no chance to get free from his hold, and no way to turn the situation around, Orion internally calculated. With Hu pinning Orion down and gripping its neck, he brought his face close to Orion's, his expression twisted into a malevolent grin. "Any last words?" Just then, a realization flashed through Orion's system. This is my chance! it thought, spotting an unexpected opportunity.
Chapter 8: Desperate Attack Part. 2
Hu imagined a look of fear behind the helmet that Orion wore. But suddenly, Orion's face emitted a blinding light, and Hu's vision was overwhelmed by an intense white brightness that seemed to engulf the entire world.
"Argggggghhhhh...!" Hu screamed. He released his grip on Orion's neck, where he had pinned it down, and stood up, covering his eyes with both hands.
Shortly after, an intense pain, unlike anything he had ever experienced, surged from his forbidden region. Everything that had been awash with blinding brightness now shifted to darkness, accompanied by this unspeakable pain.
Hu was straddling Orion, gripping its neck tightly. He then suddenly brought his face close to Orion's. In that moment, Orion spotted a golden opportunity and knew Orion couldn't waste it.
Orion is a state-of-the-art robot, outfitted with cutting-edge technology and a plethora of advanced sensors. While it boasts a high-quality night vision camera, a thermal camera, and numerous other sensors ensuring seamless operation in darkness, Orion hasn't forsaken traditional methods of illumination. Integrated into its design is a powerful LED spotlight, capable of providing broad coverage in its immediate vicinity as well as delivering strong illumination over long ranges. This spotlight is strategically positioned right behind the cracked glass on Orion's face.
As Hu's face drew perilously close to Orion's, the robot activated its spotlight at maximum output, effectively blinding Hu with its intense brightness at point-blank range.
After Hu released his grip on Orion's neck and stood up, Orion was presented with another unforeseen opportunity. Without hesitation, Orion seized it. From its position on the ground, Orion quickly bent both its knees. Harnessing the strength and speed of its hydraulics, it thrust both legs upward, aiming directly for Hu's forbidden area.
The kick was so forceful that it sent Hu flying backward, airborne for a brief moment. If one were to play the sound effect of two eggs getting smashed at that instant, it would've fit the scene perfectly. Hu crashed to the ground, causing dust to billow around him. He lay motionless, shivering, managing only a faint "aaa.....uuu....ugh...." in response to the overwhelming pain.
Orion rose and retrieved the spear from the side, observing Hu's current pitiable state. However, Orion couldn't afford to waste time and knew it had to seize the opportunity to defeat Hu while he was vulnerable.
Orion dashed forward, intent on stabbing Hu. "Ba...bas...bastard," Hu muttered weakly while struggling to his feet. Out of nowhere, a blade materialized in his right hand. With a firm grip, Hu managed to parry Orion's attack in the nick of time.
What? Another magic trick? Orion was taken aback by the sudden appearance of the blade from nowhere. It had anticipated landing a fatal blow on Hu, but to its surprise, its attack was deftly parried.
Tears and snot streamed nonstop down Hu's contorted face. He looked both pitiable and revolting. The lingering pain from the blinding light forced him to keep his eyes shut, but when he dared to peek, he saw three blurry Orion figures standing before him. Despite his half-hunched posture and his left arm cradling his injured forbidden area, he had still managed to block Orion's attack. This spoke volumes of his extensive combat experience.
"BASTARD"
"YOU FUCKING BASTARD"
"I AM GONNA FUCKING KILL YOU!!!!"
"I AM GONNA CHOP YOU UP TO THOUSANDS PIECES"
"DIEE!!!!!"
Hu screamed, appearing as if he had completely lost his mind. He then launched into a frenzied assault, slashing wildly at Orion. With his vision impaired, Hu now relied solely on his keen sense of hearing and his extensive combat experience, but Orion only barely managed to keep pace with Hu's relentless onslaught.
Meanwhile, off to the side, Lian groaned, "Ugh...what...what happened to me?" Hu's intense shouting had roused her from her unconscious state. She felt pain throughout her body, and it seemed that several bones were broken. While grappling with her pain and trying to gather her thoughts, she watched the ongoing battle between Hu and Orion.
"Mountain Cleaver Chop!" Hu shouted, delivering a potent vertical strike. Both the blade and his hands were sheathed in a faint glowing aura. "Demon Slash!" came his next call, as he unleashed another powerful slash. As Hu continued to deploy a barrage of his combat techniques, Orion found itself increasingly overwhelmed, the damages piling up with each passing moment.
At one juncture, Orion's spear was deftly parried aside. Seizing the moment, Hu quickly executed his "Demon Slash" combat technique. Unable to deflect or counter the imminent attack, Orion had no option but to raise its left hand in a desperate bid to block the strike. However, the Qi-infused slash sliced through Orion's left hand and continued its trajectory, only coming to a halt when it was half-buried in Orion's left shoulder.
With his eyes still closed, Hu sensed that he had inflicted significant damage on Orion, successfully cutting his arm.
"Ha ha ha! This is the price you pay for angering me," he taunted. "But don't worry, it's not over yet. I'll also cut off your other hand, and then both of your legs," Hu declared, laughing maniacally.
However, Hu failed to notice that from the individual he had injured, no blood flowed from either the severed hand or the shoulder where the blade was half-buried. Lian, however, observed this and was left dumbfounded.
Hu mistakenly believed Orion to be just an ordinary human male, assuming such injuries would cause immense pain, debilitate combat prowess, and ultimately seal Orion's fate. However, since Orion is a robot unfamiliar with pain, it could still engage in battle despite reduced combat capability from the loss of an arm. The damage to the shoulder was severe, with multiple cables and electrical circuits damaged, yet Orion retained some movement in its left arm.
Orion kept its composure, dropping its spear and seizing Hu's shoulder with its right hand.
"What do you want?" Hu taunted, "There's no need for unnecessary struggles. There's nothing you can do in this situation... ha ha ha. Just resign to your fate." To Hu, Orion's actions seemed like the futile efforts of an ant at death's door.
Still reeling from the intense pain in his forbidden area, Hu said with a threatening tone, "I will repay you a hundredfold for the pain you've caused me," his voice dripping with rage. "I won't give you an easy death."
But Hu was taken aback by Orion's subsequent assault. Using its left arm, the one previously slashed by the blade, Orion aimed for Hu's heart. This arm, with its smooth and angled steel frame that was sharp and pointy, had its outer casing and panels retracted. This action completely revealed the protruding, sharp steel frame. With precision, Orion drove this pointed end towards Hu's heart.
The steel frame punctured Hu's heart, causing blood to flow. "Arrghhh..." Hu grunted, attempting to pull the blade lodged in Orion's shoulder to retaliate. However, as he made his move, a surge of electricity coursed through his heart. Orion had channeled a large amount of electricity toward its damaged left hand, and the exposed wires made direct contact with Hu's skin and heart.
"aaaaa...aaa...aaaa...aaaaa," Hu screamed, the sound of electricity crackling around him: bzzzt... bzzttt...
As time wore on, Hu's screams grew weaker and weaker. After about a minute, he finally collapsed to the ground. Lian watched from the sidelines, her expression one of sheer horror. He...he...he managed to kill Hu? Lian thought.
Orion stood motionless for a moment, extracting the blade embedded in its shoulder. It then turned its head towards Lian. Its face was marred by cracked glass, and a menacing red glow shone from behind it. Lian, overtaken by fear, fell onto her butt.
Chapter 9: Happiness
Lian grew up as an orphan in the slums of a small city after her parents succumbed to a pandemic. Life in the slums was brutal for an orphan; she often had to beg or scavenge through trash for food. Survival often meant fighting over meager scraps. Whenever Lian was fortunate enough to find some food or collect a few coins from begging, older orphans wouldn't hesitate to beat her and snatch away her hard-earned findings. From a young age, Lian understood the ruthless law of the jungle: the strong prey on the weak. This harsh reality was deeply ingrained in her very being.
As she grew older, Lian was kidnapped by the city's thugs and sold to a brothel, a low-quality brothel. The establishment catered to the city's unsavory characters — criminals, mercenaries, and other rough, ill-mannered individuals. There, Lian endured abuse and was forced to cater to the twisted desires of these patrons. Lian often found herself wondering: Why was the world so unkind to her? What had she done to deserve such a cruel fate? Could she ever lead a happy life?
Fed up and overwhelmed by her circumstances, there came a day when, after serving a particularly tired customer who had fallen asleep, Lian grabbed a knife meant for peeling fruit and stabbed his neck. The customer jolted awake, horrified to find his neck bleeding from the knife wound. Blood gushed, he choked on his own blood, the gurgling sound can be heard, and he died not long after that.
To Lian's surprise, upon inspecting the customer's belongings, she found scrolls, several ceramic bottles filled with various medicines, money, and a few spiritual stones, among other items. Unbeknownst to Lian, the customer was actually an itinerant cultivator at the 2nd stage of the Qi condensation realm who had decided to enjoy himself upon arriving in town. Little did he know it would lead to his own death.
After killing the customer, Lian's initial thought was to kill herself. However, upon discovering his belongings—a large sum of money, the very valuable spirit stones, bottles of medicine, scrolls, and other items—she changed her mind. She hastily grabbed the customer's wealth and, relying on her childhood knowledge of the slums and the city's sewage system, made her escape through the brothel's sewage exit. Those sent by the brothel to apprehend her were left frustrated and furious, unable to trace her path within the intricate maze of the city's sewage system.
After years of surviving in the wilderness, Lian, through much trial and error, began to grasp the cultivation techniques described in the scrolls she'd acquired. She also daringly experimented with the pills she had, risking potential side effects to determine their purposes. Through her persistent efforts, she eventually reached the 1st stage of the Qi condensation realm.
As fate would have it, Lian eventually encountered Hu's band of bandits. Seeing potential in her, Hu extended an invitation for her to join. Life with the bandits was a vast improvement for Lian. Now, she was no longer the prey but the predator, abusing and taking advantage of others.
In the bandit group, Lian was required to serve Hu during the nights, and given her past, she is quite experienced in that field. Hu was satisfied with Lian and promoted her to the position of vice leader. Occasionally, he would give pointers and correct her self-taught cultivation techniques, ensuring she became a genuine 1st stage Qi condensation realm cultivator.
Lian believed that her life had finally taken a turn for the better. However, that illusion shattered the day a man clad in full body armor unexpectedly arrived at their camp. When Hu and his bandits attempted to deceive and rob the armored man, he retaliated, killing every bandit in the camp, including Hu. Lian, the sole survivor, was left petrified and overwhelmed with fear.
"Please... please spare me. Don't kill me," Lian pleaded as Orion steadily advanced towards her.
"Please forgive me. I... I was forced by them. I never wanted to be a bandit. Please just let me go... I beg you..." Orion remained silent, continuing to close the distance between them. Hu's blood still dripped from Orion's severed left hand, while its right hand gripped Hu's blade. Lian felt that her death was imminent.
"Please..., please spare my life. I'll follow you, obey every command. You can do whatever you want with my body. Just please, let me live," Lian pleaded through her tears, shuffling backward while still seated on the ground, trying to keep her distance.
Lian hurriedly opened her upper dress, revealing a pair of gentle white slope, "please, I'll do anything, just spare my life."
Orion processed what Lian was attempting to convey and roughly understand her intentions. I am sorry, but I am programmed to uphold principles of gender equality. I won't spare you solely based on your gender, Orion thought internally.
With a swift motion, Orion slashed towards Lian's neck. "Nooooo...." Lian screamed in horror. Lian's head flew and fall to the ground, she can see her decapitated body, blood flow nonstop, her vision darkened, her consciousness waned, and then everything went black.
When Lian opened her eyes, she found herself in an illusory white space. Ethereal figures of her parents as they were when alive appeared before her. To her astonishment, she was a child again. Her parents waved at her with warm smiles, and tears welled up in Lian's eyes. After all the hardships she'd endured, she finally got to see them again, she want to tell them about everything that happened to her. With a surge of emotions, she ran to them, burying herself in her mother's comforting embrace. Her tears flowed freely, staining her mother's dress.
"It's okay now, we're here for you," her mother whispered gently, stroking Lian's hair.
"Hu... hu...hu.... Mother," Lian sobbed, overjoyed to be in her mother's warm embrace once more. At that moment, she felt pure happiness.
***
Swiiiiishhhhh. An arrow whistled through the air toward Orion, who narrowly evaded it just in time. The assailant was the last bandit, a scout who had hidden himself high up in a tree. Without hesitation, Orion charged toward the source of the attack.
Swish... swishhh.... swiiiiishhhhh...
The scout unleashed a flurry of arrows at Orion. Two of them managed to penetrate Orion's outer casing, but they failed to harm the crucial components protected by the inner casing. Terror gripped the bandit as Orion continued to close in rapidly. In desperation, he discarded his bow and quiver, leaping across branches until he reached the lowest branch. Sliding down the trunk, he suffered bruises and minor cuts. Without looking back, he sprinted away, tripping and stumbling in his haste to escape.
Orion quickly caught up to the fleeing bandit. Without hesitation, Orion hurled the blade. It soared through the air, piercing the bandit from behind and he fell to the ground, dead.
"Finally, it's over," Orion thought as it surveyed the bloody scene in the camp nearby, with bandit bodies scattered everywhere.
Chapter 10: Robbing the Robbers
Orion returned to the camp, the scent of blood wafting through the air. Approaching Hu's dead body, Orion referenced the video recording of their previous encounter, captured by its optics, to carry out a detailed analysis. In the slowed and magnified footage, Orion discerned that during the fight, as the blade seemed to materialize from nowhere, Hu's ring on his right-hand finger glowed faintly. The blade then appeared, and Hu managed to grasp it, successfully parrying Orion's strike and preventing a fatal blow.
Orion carefully picked up the ring from Hu's finger. "Is the blade's appearance connected to this ring? How does it function?" As Orion analyzed the ring closely, it found nothing unusual; the ring appeared to be an ordinary piece of jewelry. Orion slid the ring onto one of its fingers on the right hand, expecting some reaction. When none came, it humorously swiped at the ring, mimicking the gesture of summoning a genie from a magical lamp, but to no avail.
On a whimsical thought, Orion touched the ring to an exposed cable on its left hand where the insulation was damaged, revealing the metallic conductor. It channeled electricity through the cable and into the ring. To its astonishment, the ring began to glow and, almost immediately, a vast array of items spilled out, engulfing Orion. "Uwahhh..." Orion exclaimed in surprise, the unexpected deluge causing it to topple backward, half-buried under the assortment of objects.
"Ouch! What just happened? Is this some form of sorcery? Why did so many items emerge all at once? Could this truly be magic?" Orion murmured, struggling to free itself from the mound of mysterious objects.
Orion eventually extricated itself from the pile of items, standing amidst a vast assortment of treasures. Spread out before it were gold coins, ornate jewelry, gem-encrusted accessories, large animal pelts, bones, claws, fangs, an array of weapons, jars, bottles, scrolls, cuts of meat, fresh fruits, unknown minerals, and more.
"Wow, that was interesting," Orion remarked, fascinated by the sudden appearance of such items. Curiously, it tried touching the ring to the exposed cable once more and channeled electricity. The ring glowed, but this time, nothing happened.
"Oh... nothing emerged? No more items from the ring?" Orion's computational systems began to churn, attempting to decode the anomaly. "Could it be that these items were stored in the ring, and by channeling electricity, they were ejected? But how does one store items in the ring in the first place?"
Experimentally, Orion picked up a gold coin, examining it closely. Holding the coin between its thumb and index finger, Orion once again brought the ring into contact with the cable, channeling electricity. As the ring glowed, Orion dropped the coin onto it. Magically, the coin disappeared.
"Wow, how does that work?" Orion pondered, trying to rationalize the arcane mechanism. Holding the ring close to its visual sensors for examination, Orion couldn't detect any trace of the vanished coin. As a final test, Orion connected the ring to the cable once more, and with a brief spark, a gold coin tumbled out, landing softly on the ground.
"...", Orion fell silent, grappling with the implications of what it had just witnessed. Despite its advanced computational abilities and grounding in Earth's physics and logic, it couldn't rationalize the magical phenomenon. Was it mind-blown? Or perhaps, more aptly, processor-blown?
"I see... so it's a storage tool? Could this be the storied 'storage ring' commonly mentioned in mangas, novels, and games from Earth? To think that such a concept actually exists in this world," Orion mused, its systems attempting to cross-reference and align this newfound knowledge with its database of Earth's fictional lore it had stored.
Orion continued to experiment with the ring, further deciphering its intriguing mechanisms. Through systematic trials, Orion deduced the following:
To harness the ring's capabilities, it had to employ electricity. When a short electric jolt or pulse was directed into the ring, any items in close proximity or in direct contact with the ring were sucked into its storage dimension. However, there was a crucial stipulation: the item being stored had to be completely free of any attachments. For instance, the very cable providing the electricity, despite being in contact with the ring, wasn't absorbed because it remained connected to Orion.
Furthermore, this brief electric pulse opened a momentary portal or passage to the storage dimension inside the ring. But it was so transient that while items could be pulled in, the contents inside the ring didn't have enough time to fall out. It was as if they teetered on the edge of the opened passage, but then it would snap shut too quickly for them to emerge.
On the other hand, when Orion applied a longer jolt or sustained pulse of electricity, the passage within the ring remained open for a more extended period. This duration was sufficient for all the stored items to cascade out, releasing them back into the world.
However, Orion still faced a problem: it didn't know how to extract specific items from the ring, a skill Hu had demonstrated earlier.
Upon utilizing its cable to send electrical pulses into the ring, Orion's processor registered unexpected electrical feedback each time an item was stored. This feedback wasn't arbitrary; the ring appeared to be generating a unique electrical "signature" for every item, consistent each time the same item was introduced to the ring.
Orion's processor meticulously recorded each of these electrical signatures. Further testing revealed a notable feature: by replicating and sending back a stored signature via a short jolt, the ring would not store, but rather release the exact item linked to that signature.
This revelation was pivotal. Orion had not only deciphered the method to store items in the ring but also developed a precise mechanism to retrieve specific items when needed. This interaction further showcased the harmonization of the ring's arcane qualities with Orion's technological capabilities, symbolizing the convergence of ancient magic and advanced machinery.
In truth, these storage rings were commonly used by cultivators. They would typically channel their inner Qi to operate the ring, using their intent to access specific items. But Orion, in a unique twist of fate, had managed to operate the ring using electricity. This wasn't just a mere coincidence. Orion's batteries were constantly recharged by a mysterious energy present in its surroundings, which was, in fact, the ambient Qi. As a result, the electricity flowing through Orion's circuits contained traces of Qi, enabling it to interact with the ring in ways traditional cultivators might not have anticipated.
Orion was elated, "this is great and very helpful!" With newfound enthusiasm, Orion began inspecting the bandits' tents. Over the next hour, Orion meticulously examined everything in the camp, including the bodies of the fallen bandits. Anything that seemed interesting or useful was promptly stored in the ring. Additionally, Orion made sure to collect and store back the items that had previously fallen out of the ring.
Orion justified taking the bandits' possessions as both compensation for their unprovoked attack and as customary spoils of war. You guys deserve it, who asked you to attack and try to rob me in the first place? As it turned over a bandit's body to check his belongings.
During its investigation, Orion discovered two fabric pouches on Lian's body that resisted being stored in the ring. Unable to open them initially, Orion, after some consideration, decided to apply electricity to the pouches. Much to its surprise, a deluge of items erupted from the pouch, knocking Orion off its feet and partially burying it. "Arghhh..." Orion exclaimed, taken aback. "Is this also a storage tool?"
After emptying both pouches, Orion found that the items stored within were meticulously organized. Lian had clearly taken great care in arranging her possessions. All the gold was neatly secured in a sack, while numerous jars, bottles, and scrolls were each placed with care and precision. Among the contents, Orion noted neatly folded fabrics, women's clothing, a few weapons, and a specially designed box brimming with jewelry.
Picking up a piece of the female clothing, Orion expressed surprise, "Oh wow... The design, the quality, and how it emphasizes certain features... this could even rival some of the best products from Earth!" Orion mused, appreciating the craftsmanship. It became evident that Lian knew exactly what appealed to Hu. Given the variety and design of the clothing, it seemed she had a comprehensive collection tailored to Hu's particular... tastes, indicating that Hu was, in some respects, a man of culture.
Another section of the pouch held bottles that, upon closer inspection, appeared to be filled with pills. The meticulously organized contents portrayed Lian as not just a bandit but one with a refined edge, adding layers to her rogue lifestyle. In stark contrast, Hu's storage ring was a chaotic jumble—filled with a random assortment of items, devoid of any order or system.
The sun positioned itself directly overhead, signaling 12 PM. Orion adhered to a 24-hour system reminiscent of Earth's, though here, an hour stretched out just a tad longer. Once the bandits' belongings were gathered, Orion promptly extinguished the campfire to avert the danger of forest fires.
Inside a compartment in its chest, it stored both the ring and the two pouches brimming with loot. In addition, Orion placed its severed left forearm into the ring, planning to repair the damage properly once in the village. Moreover, Orion carried a separate, ordinary pouch filled with copper, silver, and gold coins. As for its attire, Orion was clad in a straightforward ensemble: pants, a long shirt, a hooded cloak, and a bamboo hat. Dangling from Orion's waist was a plain blade, once the possession of one of Hu's underlings, with a knife strapped to each thigh.
Intentionally, Orion refrained from using Hu's distinctive blade and Lian's spear to stay under the radar, as their quality and design might easily be recognized, drawing unwanted attention.
Fully prepared, Orion set out for the village, estimating an arrival before sunset. After having taken anything of value, Orion left the campsite, with the bandits' bodies strewn about, allowing them to become sustenance for the forest's residents.
Chapter 11: The Village
Situated in an open expanse, Lianfen is positioned close to the edge of the Yuezhi Forest. Sheltering around 2000 residents, many of whom had traveled from distant places seeking opportunities and livelihood, the village stood as a beacon of civilization on the frontier.
A wooden wall with watchtowers protected the village, while a moat deterred threats from the nearby forest. Spirit beasts occasionally ventured close, sometimes even causing a stampede, but they also provided prosperity for Lianfen. Their valuable body parts, coupled with the forest's diverse wildlife and plants, were vital for the village's commerce.
Within the bustling marketplace, inns, blacksmiths, alchemy shop, and a mercenary guild catered to those who sought the forest's riches. The Yuezhi Forest was teeming with a diverse array of wild animals. Those animals that, due to fortuitous encounters or other mysterious reasons, managed to enter the realm of cultivation transformed into spirit beasts.
Spirit beasts were categorized just like cultivators. A rank-1 spirit beast matched a Qi Condensation stage cultivator, while a rank-2 was on par with the Foundation Establishment stage. However, the higher-ranked beasts, such as rank-3 or stronger, remained deep within the forest and rarely ventured out.
As sunset painted the horizon in hues of orange and red, Orion found itself nearing the village of Lianfen. The path leading to the village was bustling. Various individuals, small groups, and even extensive caravans approached the village gates, marking the end of a day's work or journey.
Orion noticed a variety of transport methods. Some traveled on foot, others rode horses, while a few sat atop creatures unfamiliar to it—beasts of unique shapes and sizes, distinctly different from those of Earth. One particular wagon caught Orion's attention. It was pulled by a robust creature resembling a three-horned rhino, its massive form effortlessly dragging the heavy load behind.
Several individuals carried bulky bags, their shoulders weighed down by their day's haul. Orion discerned groups that appeared like seasoned mercenaries, possibly returning from a security mission. Some entourages comprised of merchants flanked by their protective bodyguards. Among the crowd were individuals and groups who had clearly just returned from their expeditions in the Yuezhi Forest. Their haul showcased the forest's riches: fresh herbs, fruits, cuts of meat, skinned furs, and carcasses of spirit beasts were all being transported into the village.
Joining the main road, Orion made its way to the village gate. Desiring to maintain a low profile, Orion adeptly blended in with the crowd, becoming just another entity in the queue. The constant murmur of conversation, the clattering of hooves, and the creaking of wagon wheels filled the air. Seizing this opportunity, Orion utilized its sensors to capture conversations, observe interactions, and gather as much data as possible, enhancing its Linguistic Analysis and Translation function in the process.
Soon, it was Orion's turn to pass through the gate. Two stern-looking guards stood at attention, each armed with a spear. Short swords hung at their waists, and they were equipped with helmets and chainmail for protection.
The guard, with a posture both rigid and authoritative, addressed Orion. "If you wish to enter, the fee is 5 copper coins. Ensure you don't cause any trouble within the village."
Having observed the proceedings earlier, Orion was familiar with the unwritten rule: By paying 10 copper coins, double the required fee, visitors could typically bypass further questions or scrutiny. Without hesitation, Orion silently handed over the 10 coins. Although its appearance—cloaked, face obscured by a scarf reminiscent of a tactical shemagh, and topped with a bamboo hat—might have raised eyebrows, the guard simply pocketed the coins and allowed Orion to proceed. Many of those arriving at this frontier village had varied backgrounds, with some more dubious than others. For the guards, a bit of extra coin meant fewer questions. As long as these visitors don't cause trouble within Lianfen's walls, their past history is of little concern.
"Place to stay, where?" Orion inquired. While it spoke in this world's language and showed rapid improvement, its speech still sounded slightly odd to native ears. The guard simply assumed Orion was a person of few words.
"Are you looking for an inn? There are several options, ranging from cheap to pricy. What's your preference?" asked one of the guards.
"Good and cheap," Orion responded succinctly.
The guard laughed. "Hahaha... A good place that's also cheap? Sorry, friend, but there's no such thing. However, you might try the Moonlit Haven Inn. It's reasonably comfortable, and the rates are fair. Just head down this main road, take a left at the third junction, and it's right by the village square. Can't miss it," the guard directed.
"Thanks," Orion uttered, flicking a copper coin towards the guard using its thumb. The guard deftly caught it and called out, "Alright, next in line!"
Upon entering Lianfen, Orion found itself marveling at the intricacies of human civilization in this new world. The village was a harmonious blend of old-world charm and mysticism, with wooden structures and stone pathways.
But humans weren't the sole inhabitants; Orion observed several non-human villagers. Some resembled fictional characters from Earth's stories, spanning from ancient myths to modern tales like those from manga, novels, or games. Yet, there were others that were entirely alien to its database.
The village also teemed with an array of unfamiliar animals. Some roamed freely, evidently pets, while others were penned up, likely livestock raised for meat. Then there were the beasts of burden – creatures carrying loads or pulling carts, their appearances as diverse as their functions.
Following the directions provided, it didn't take Orion long to find the Moonlit Haven Inn. Taking a deep (metaphorical) breath, the robot pushed the inn's door open and stepped inside.
"Welcome," the receptionist greeted. A lady around 25 years old, she offered Orion a warm smile as she rose slightly from her seat, giving a courteous bow. "Welcome to the Moonlit Haven Inn. Does our esteemed guest wish to stay with us?" she inquired. Orion responded with a nod.
"We offer a range of accommodations to suit all preferences, from the modest to the extravagant. Our rooms begin at 20 copper coins (CC), rise to 50 copper coins (CC), and peak at 1 silver coin (SC) for our most luxurious room per night. Which would you prefer?"
"50 CC per night," Orion replied, choosing the intermediate option.
The receptionist nodded understandingly. "How many nights will you be staying? We ask for payment upfront."
"Two nights," Orion stated, having determined that this duration would be adequate for its planned tasks: minor repairs, exploring the village, procuring essential items, and more. Orion decided to extend the stay later if necessary.
"That totals 100 CC or 1 SC," she clarified. "If you plan to dine, our designated dining area is available, or you can opt for room service. Should you need water or hot water for personal care, please notify our staff. Do note, however, that there's an extra fee for that."
In this world, having a bathtub was considered a luxury. In the upscale inns of larger, more affluent cities, there were opulent pools filled with continuously flowing hot water for guests to bathe in. But in places like Lianfen, the majority made do with hot water to cleanse their bodies by wiping with cloth, with more thorough washes done using well water or by bathing directly in the river.
Orion handed over 1 SC from the pouch to settle the payment. "Thank you," the receptionist acknowledged, then signaled to a servant girl. "Please show our guest to their room." Orion followed the girl to the designated room. She opened the door, gestured inside, and said, "This is your room, dear guest." After ensuring Orion was satisfied with the accommodation, she added, "I'll take my leave now." Orion nodded in response, then closed the door behind her.
Upon entering, Orion took a moment to survey the room. It was modest but clean, featuring a window for natural light, a comfortable bed, a shelf, and a table surrounded by four chairs in the center.
Sighing in relief, Orion thought, At last, a temporary sanctuary. Tonight, I'll handle the essential repairs, and tomorrow will be reserved for exploring the village. As nightfall enveloped the village, Orion got to work, primarily focusing on its damaged shoulder and left arm. Upon its arrival in Lianfen, Orion's battery had been depleted to a mere 35%. Fortunately, the mysterious energy keeps recharging its battery, and this charging process notably intensifies when Orion is stationary. The robot diligently worked through the night.
Chapter 12: It's a Cultivation World?
Night settled over Lianfen. Most of the village was quiet and dark, except for a few lit areas. In a particular inn, a window stood out, defiantly open despite the cold night air, a stark contrast to the shut ones of neighboring rooms. Through that window, the dim light revealed the silhouette of a figure, seated still as a statue for hours. Before this shadowed figure, on a wooden table, lay an assortment of tools and objects unfamiliar to this world. Orion had completed basic repairs on its shoulder and left arm. It successfully reconnected the cables and restored functionality to the severed arm. However, due to its inability to weld the metal frame made of stainless steel, Orion resorted to using the good old duct tape to join the left arm. While the left arm was operational again, it wasn't capable of bearing heavy loads or suitable for combat. Due to the limited tools and spare parts available, there were other damaged components and sensors that Orion couldn't fix. Orion will need to retrieve the necessary tools and spare parts from the Lander. Notably, the multi-band phased array antenna was damaged after the encounter with the bandits. Prior to the damage, this antenna had been functioning optimally, scanning a vast range of frequencies but never picking up any unaccounted radio signals from the planet. However, after the skirmish with the bandits and the subsequent makeshift repairs, the antenna began behaving erratically. Continuous alerts from Orion's internal diagnostic system indicated sporadic and unexpected frequency detections. Considering the antenna's recent damage and the previous absence of such signals, Orion initially regarded these readings as false positives or residual interference. Deciding to prevent further distractions, Orion disabled the antenna. Orion spent the night working diligently. It reviewed new data provided by the Orbiter, adjusted the Orbiter's plans accordingly, and performed a regular system check to identify any issues. Preparing for the next day, it processed previously gathered data to further refine its Linguistic Analysis and Translation function. By replaying past interactions among the villagers, Orion deepened its understanding based on what it had observed and heard. Without the need for rest, Orion could accomplish much in the night hours. As dawn broke and the sun began to rise, Orion swiftly packed away everything on the table into the storage ring and slipped it onto its right-hand finger. To any onlooker, the ring would appear as just a regular, normal ring. "This storage tool is truly invaluable," it mused. With the sun casting a soft glow over Lianfen, Orion had already left the inn, embarking on its exploration for the day. Its goal was to map out the village, identifying different zones like residential areas, markets, public spaces, and any specialized districts, to better understand the layout and function of each part of Lianfen. After roughly an hour, Orion had grasped the general layout and design of the village. As the sun climbed higher in the morning sky, Orion proceeded to the market. The robot methodically moved from stall to stall, discreetly observing transactions, discussions, and the items on display. It cataloged various items, noting their quality and price range, and absorbed a wealth of information regarding the economic intricacies of this world. What was most interesting was that Orion was able to learn the art of haggling. Observing several housewives expertly bargaining with stall owners and managing to significantly reduce prices provided invaluable insights. Thus, a robot from another planet that had just arrived in the village became a master bargainer, rivaling the skills of the most experienced housewives. However, Orion took haggling to an entirely new level. Unlike the housewives, Orion had the capability to meticulously observe and analyze human behaviors, employing its sensors to detect even minute changes in pupil dilation and other subtle reactions. This gave Orion an unparalleled edge in negotiation scenarios. >Modifying AI module.>Developed: Advanced Haggling Protocol. After a period of observation, Orion decided to actively participate in the marketplace, putting its newly developed haggling skills to the test. The results were impressive. Orion procured a sizable backpack made of a material that closely resembled rattan from Earth. The robot's venture into the market led to the backpack being filled with a variety of items that piqued its interest. Given that Orion hadn't observed any other individuals utilizing storage tools and wanting to maintain an air of secrecy around the storage ring, it decided to return to the inn. There, Orion transferred all the items from the backpack into the ring before embarking on another exploration. The next destination was an area of the village catering to those seeking the riches of the Yuezhi Forest. Orion visited a blacksmith's shop run by an individual who resembled what would be called a dwarf in Earth's fantasy novels, games, stories, movies, etc. Though they were named differently here, Orion simply registered them as dwarves. Orion managed to identify and purchase small amount of materials like iron ore, copper, coal, zinc, tin, aluminum, silver, gold, platinum, nickel, and magnesium – all familiar resources from Earth, albeit with local nomenclature. Additionally, Orion acquired several materials unique to this world. The robot also acquired some uniquely designed tools. Subsequently, Orion checked out the local pharmacist and alchemy shops, which were managed by individuals reminiscent of elves from Earth's fantasy narratives. However, Orion opted not to make any purchases there. Despite them having a different name in this world, Orion mentally categorized them as elves. The robot explored several other stores until its backpack was once again filled to capacity. Following another trip to the inn to unload its acquisitions, Orion ventured out again. Orion roamed the streets, inspecting stores and interacting with locals. Its understanding of the local languages had significantly improved. It hoped to find a public library or a similar resource but realized that such an establishment might be rare in this smaller settlement. Eventually, Orion stumbled upon a store selling scrolls and books. The quality of the paper was markedly inferior compared to Earth's, but the price tag suggested these materials were valuable here. "Welcome, dear customer! How may I assist you? Are there particular scrolls or books you seek?" the store owner greeted Orion warmly. "What genres or themes do you have?" inquired Orion. "We have a myriad of books ranging from legends and martial arts to literature and encyclopedias about medicinal plants, herbs, spirit beasts, and more," the store owner explained. "And which genres are the most popular?" "Stories and legends about cultivators are particularly popular among mortals. Many dream of becoming cultivators, rising above the mundane and reigning supreme in the world," he replied with enthusiasm. "Are these tales grounded in myth or reality? And what exactly is a cultivator?" Orion asked. The store owner looked stunned by Orion's questions. "Do you truly not know of cultivators?" he asked, almost in disbelief. "I come from a very far away place, so I'm unfamiliar with the concept," Orion explained. "Ah, I see. In secluded places, it's not uncommon for people to live their whole lives without encountering a cultivator. Think of them as deities. They possess longevity, can soar through the skies, control the elements, and eradicate mere mortals with a mere thought," the owner elaborated. Orion pondered. "This concept seems... familiar. Wait, isn't the term 'cultivator' akin to those from Earth's fantasy novels?" The store owner looked puzzled. "Novels? Earth? I'm afraid I don't follow." "Do these cultivators have the power to cleave mountains, part seas, obliterate entire cities with a single strike, exhale fire, and traverse the skies on swords?" Orion inquired. "Yes, precisely!" the store owner exclaimed. "However, it's worth noting that such formidable abilities are attributed to high-level cultivators. The ones I've seen, though still more powerful than mortals, don't command such world-altering power." "You swear you're not deceiving me?" Orion pressed. "I would never dare lie to a patron! Everything I've shared is genuine, though the earth-shattering feats are characteristic of exceptionally high-level cultivators," the owner reiterated. Orion was taken aback. So, have I been transported to a cultivation world akin to Earth's fantasy novels? Could such stories be rooted in reality? Orion's processors whirred as it tried to grapple with this revelation. "So, do you want to buy any book?" the store owner inquired. "Uhh... yes, I'd like to purchase some books. But why are they so expensive?" Orion, recovering from its shock, inquired about the hefty price tags on the books. "The price is quite standard. Books that use paper tend to be expensive. If you're seeking a cheaper alternative, you might consider our products made from animal parchment," the store owner offered. Orion pondered for a moment before responding, "If I buy them, would you assist me in reading parts of the book? As I mentioned, I come from a distant place, and I'm unfamiliar with the local script. I'd like to learn." "This..." the store owner hesitated, why should I read it for you and also help you learn to read? he grumbled internally. "I will pay for the extra service. And currently, there's no other customer here, so you have plenty of free time," added Orion. "Well, if that's what you wish, I can assist you with reading. But I'm not certain you'll easily grasp our script," replied the store owner. "You don't need to be concerned about that," Orion assured him. If the store owner knew that Orion had mastered his language in just days, he would be astounded. But then, Orion was no ordinary being – it was a robot with advanced AI. "Very well. Which book are you interested in purchasing?" the store owner asked as Orion perused the shelves, assessing the books, scrolls, and their corresponding prices. Orion selected numerous books from the shelves, causing the store owner to face the task of reading through many of them. Initially, he was skeptical about this customer's ability to afford such a large purchase. However, when Orion revealed a pouch brimming with gold coins, the owner's demeanor shifted to sheer enthusiasm. I've landed a wealthy customer! he thought gleefully. After more than two hours of continuous reading, the store owner's mouth felt like it was on the verge of giving out. Despite his fatigue, his spirits remained high, buoyed by the day's impressive sales. "Thank you for your generous purchase. Please do visit us again," the store owner said cheerfully. Feeling accomplished and with a weary jaw, he decided to close the shop early that day and take a well-deserved rest. Orion's rattan backpack was filled with books and scrolls. With these in tow, the robot set its course towards a location where many cultivators gathered, a location it learned about from the bookstore owner . Orion was keen to observe and verify whether this truly was a cultivation world, akin to those described in Earth's fantasy novels. It sought confirmation.