Chapter 26 - 46-50

Chapter 46: The Seven Serpents Poison Crystal

Mad Saber and Snow Rose hovered facing each other at a distance, each wielding their respective weapons - Mad Saber with his saber, and Snow Rose with her crystal-clear sword. The tension crackled in the air between them as they prepared for the final battle.

"You are indeed looking better in that color," remarked Mad Saber, his gaze fixed on Snow Rose. Her previously white robe now stained a deep red, blood also drenching her body. "You should change your Dao Title to Crimson Rose, it suits you better," Mad Saber suggested with a grin.

Mad Saber's thoughts drifted momentarily as he observed Snow Rose, his gaze lingering on the crimson hue of her robe. In his eyes, she was more captivating, more beautiful, adorned in the color of blood rather than just plain white. Among their generation, Snow Rose stood out as one of the cultivators who had shed the most blood. Despite her usual calm demeanor, she can be as deadly as a hungry, bloodthirsty beast. He remembered vividly the sight of her surrounded by enemies, facing them with unparalleled bravery, her figure bathed in the blood of her foes. Such courage, such power, her image deeply ingrained in his memory. Despite his admiration, Mad Saber's grin remained, suggesting his playful nature even in the face of their impending clash.

Snow Rose remained silent, showing no interest in humoring Mad Saber's banter.

"Time to end this," Snow Rose declared, her expression icy as she pointed her sword towards Mad Saber.

"Sigh... that's right, time to end this," Mad Saber responded, his face now serious as he also aimed his saber at Snow Rose.

Snow Rose and Mad Saber's figures disappeared from where they were hovering as they moved swiftly towards each other. A series of clashing and clanking rang out as Snow Rose and Mad Saber exchanged blows. Both were unable to summon their Soul Manifestations anymore, and their Qi reserves were almost depleted. They relied solely on their weapon proficiency now - Mad Saber with his fast and deadly saber technique, and Snow Rose with her elegant and fluid sword technique.

They exchanged tens of blows in the blink of an eye, each inflicting wounds upon the other. Snow Rose's sword attacks would cause Mad Saber's wounds to freeze, his body infiltrated with cold energy. In return, Mad Saber's attacks would cause Snow Rose's injuries to bleed profusely.

"[Sword Dance of the Moonlight, Crescent Frost]!" Snow Rose exclaimed.

"[Blood Saber Crimson Slash]!" Mad Saber countered.

Both combatants unleashed their techniques simultaneously. Mad Saber's saber was enveloped in a thick red aura, while Snow Rose's sword shimmered with icy cold air. With a deafening bang, the two clashed, their weapons grinding against each other as they locked in combat. Both exerted their strength, pushing against each other, each determined to gain the upper hand.

"[Frost Snow Body]," Snow Rose uttered, while still locked in combat with Mad Saber. Three snow figures materialized around her, poised to attack Mad Saber.

"[Blood Phantom]!" Mad Saber retorted, summoning three blood figures to defend against the incoming assault.

The snow figures and blood figures clashed, engaging in fierce combat against each other. Meanwhile, the struggle between Mad Saber and Snow Rose intensified, both exerting their strength to push each other back.

With a final surge of force, Mad Saber and Snow Rose managed to break apart, their exerted strength causing a shockwave that destroyed all remaining snow figures and blood figures still locked in battle.

Mad Saber and Snow Rose moved swiftly towards each other once again, each preparing to launch another attack.

"HEAAA!" Mad Saber exclaimed, delivering a vertical slash towards Snow Rose.

Snow Rose prepared to counter with a stab of her own. As the saber descended towards her, Snow Rose extended her left hand towards it. Her left palm became enveloped in thick ice, which also extended towards the saber in an attempt to stop its descent.

A crack echoed as the ice was smashed.

Slash!

Mad Saber's saber attack cut through and destroyed the ice, slicing through Snow Rose's palm and continuing its trajectory to sever her left arm from her shoulder, blood gushing out.

Snow Rose's attack also landed on Mad Saber. Her sword pierced his chest, penetrating through to his back, and the cold energy surged, slowly freezing the area around the stab.

Both remained motionless.

"It seems that you've won... cough..." Mad Saber coughed, blood staining his lips.

Snow Rose, still holding her sword penetrating Mad Saber's chest, remained calm.

"It's over for you," Snow Rose declared, her gaze cold as she looked towards Mad Saber, having sacrificed her left arm to deliver the fatal blow.

"Cough... cough..." Mad Saber released his grip, his body ravaged by the infiltrating cold energy. His saber fell to the ground. "Indeed, but it's also over for you," he declared, using both his hands to tightly grasp Snow Rose's right hand, which still clutched her sword lodged in his chest.

"What are you trying to do?!" Snow Rose exclaimed; her tone laced with suspicion.

"He he he, that bastard Malachi wasn't so bad after all, he he he," Mad Saber chuckled.

Snow Rose remained puzzled by Mad Saber's actions, attempting to free her hand and retrieve her sword, but Mad Saber's grip was firm.

"Ha ha ha," Mad Saber laughed, then opened his mouth to reveal a black crystal on his tongue before retracting it back into his mouth. "Ga ha ha, you must know what this is, right?" he grinned wildly, blood staining his lips.

"What?!" Snow Rose exclaimed.

"That's right, it's that bastard trump card treasure, The Seven Serpents Poison Crystal!" Mad Saber confirmed with a twisted grin.

The Seven Serpents Poison Crystal is a crystal containing a potent venom extracted from seven Rank-6 Spirit Beasts, enriched to increase its lethality many times over. Its poisons can kill almost any Soul Ascendance cultivator in just a few breaths.

"Why do you have it?!" Snow Rose demanded, struggling to free herself from his grip.

"He he, sure, we're not geniuses, but we're not that dumb either. We know that among the five of us, you would consider Malachi the most troublesome one, so you would have targeted him first. Even though he's very weak in direct combat, his poisons are hard to deal with. That's why that bastard Malachi gave me this crystal, because he wasn't confident he could survive for long against you. Although I must admit, I'm very surprised that you'd just one-shot him so easily like that," Mad Saber explained with a sinister chuckle.

Noxious Viper would be able to utilize the black crystal to its fullest potential, but Snow Rose would probably kill him first before a good opportunity presents itself to use the crystal. Thus, he entrusted it to Mad Saber.

"Let's die together!" Mad Saber exclaimed, biting down on the sinister black crystal.

"Tch!" Snow Rose clicked her tongue in frustration, releasing her sword and struggling to free her right hand from Mad Saber's grip, but to no avail.

The Seven Serpents Poison Crystal shattered inside Mad Saber's mouth, emitting black poisonous gas that began to seep out, melting his muscles, bones, teeth, skin, and tendons into a black gooey liquid. As his consciousness faded away amidst the unbearable pain, Mad Saber glimpsed the blurry figure of Snow Rose struggling to free herself from his grip before his vision darkened completely.

Snow Rose watched in horror as the dark gas emanated from Mad Saber's mouth, rapidly spreading and nearly reaching her. With a desperate kick, she managed to break free from his grasp, tearing her own right arm in the process. Propelled away by the force of her kick, she couldn't escape entirely unscathed as a small amount of the black gas touched her body.

"[Eternal Icy Prison]," Snow Rose invoked her technique, surrounding herself with swirling snowflakes that encapsulated her in a large snowball, protecting her from the black gas.

Mad Saber's head completely melted, unleashing a burst of thick black gas that enveloped the area, reaching the large snowball. His body fell to the ground, trailing black gas as it crashed down. The area where Mad Saber's body fell was completely surrounded and covered in thick black poisonous gas. Mad Saber's body itself had melted into a dark, gooey liquid, which sizzled and corroded the ground, leaving one large hole in its wake. Meanwhile, Snow Rose, protected within her snowy cocoon, drifted away from the contaminated area. However, the outside of the snowball became entirely black as it was tainted by the poisonous gas. Gradually, the contamination spread to the inside slowly and almost reached where Snow Rose was located.

As the black snowball traveled further, it split in two by a sword slash, and Snow Rose emerged from within. The split snowball, now almost entirely black, disintegrated into black snowflakes, disappearing. Snow Rose, weakened and in intense pain from the poison ravaging her body, plummeted to the ground unable to fly any longer. She crashed, creating a small crater. Lying on the ground, she turned her body upward, still gasping for breath. Beads of sweat rolled down her pale face, and the black veins on her skin were visible. With both arms lost, blood still dripping, she looked up at the sky, feeling the warmth of the sun on her face as the clouds slowly dissipated.

After a while, Snow Rose slowly struggled to get up, coughing up black blood as it sizzled upon touching the ground, evaporating into black gas. After taking several deep breaths and exhaling, Snow Rose slowly floated towards the direction of Xiu Hui and Yan Mei.

The landscape lay in ruins, devastated by the aftermath of the fierce battle. The volcano, caused by their fight, still erupted ominously in the distance. It didn't take long for Snow Rose to reach Xiu Hui and Yan Mei, who had been protected by an energy barrier throughout the ordeal. When they spotted their Martial Aunt flying towards them, relief washed over them, but their joy turned to anguish as they saw her condition up close.

Tears started to roll down Yan Mei's face. Xiu Hui then dispelled the energy barrier, and they flew towards Martial Aunt. Snow Rose descended slowly to the ground. Yan Mei was the first to reach her, wordlessly wrapping her arms around her Martial Aunt and burying her face in her ample chest, tears streamed down her cheeks as she began to cry loudly. For her, her Martial Aunt was very important, and she cared for and loved her Martial Aunt more than her own master.

Unlike her master, who was strict and easily angered, her Martial Aunt was gentle, lovable, and kind. Xiu Hui, with reddened and watery eyes, approached Snow Rose next, taking her into a gentle embrace.

"Martial Aunt... are you okay?" Xiu Hui asked, her voice filled with sadness. Seeing her Martial Aunt's condition, she observed that she had lost both arms, her robe torn and damaged. The previously beautiful and elegant white robes had become dark red, drenched in blood, and her complexion was pale. Blood also drenched her body.

"I am fine, don't worry," Snow Rose reassured them, offering a faint smile despite her injuries and the poison ravaging her body.

"But... but your arms," Xiu Hui pointed out, concern evident in her tone.

"They will heal in time," Snow Rose replied calmly.

Amidst Yan Mei's continued sobbing, Snow Rose's expression suddenly turned icy cold as she sensed someone spying from a distance. Her killing intent rising again, she prepared to battle, but the person immediately ran away, causing Snow Rose's expression to return to normal.

"Come on, let's leave this place," she said gently. With Xiu Hui and Yan Mei on either side of her, supporting her, they flew away from the desolate battlefield, disappearing into the distance as Yan Mei's cries gradually faded into the air.

...

"Phew... that was close. He he he, she's still as beautiful as I remember," muttered a figure streaking across the sky, moving so swiftly that his form blurred. He had been secretly observing the fight from the beginning and was detected by Snow Rose, prompting him to swiftly flee. As he flew, he retrieved a communication talisman from his storage ring to deliver a message.

...

In a lavish room, a handsome man wearing extravagant robes sat at a table, his long hair tied back neatly. Two beautiful attendants stood nearby, respectful and silent. As he sipped tea, he retrieved a communication talisman, and a message could be heard.

"Mad Saber and the others were killed by Snow Rose. Tsk tsk tsk, they were too weak. They also failed to force her to reveal her Demonification. Surprisingly, Snow Rose is still at the 6th stage of the Soul Ascendance realm. I will tell you the details later. Also, don't forget to prepare some good wine for me. Ha ha ha."

With the message delivered, the communication talisman crumbled to dust. The man continued to sip his tea.

...

After Snow Rose, Xiu Hui, and Yan Mei left the area, several illusory figures appeared in the sky. Some of them used their massive illusory palms to descend to the ground, grabbing both the remains of the fallen cultivators and their belongings before disappearing. A large figure opened its mouth and sucked in the black poisonous gas that blanketed the area before swallowing it.

A male illusory figure approached a female one. "You have a really impressive junior," he remarked.

The female figure didn't reply. The male figure and the others then disappeared, while the female figure took a last glance in the direction where Snow Rose had left before also vanishing.

The deaths of the five Ascendance Realm cultivators in this battle will undoubtedly reverberate throughout the Cultivation World. These individuals, having reached the Soul Ascendance Realm, wield significant influence within their respective factions on the Luoshan Continent and hold high-ranking positions. Cultivators beyond the Soul Ascendance Realm typically withdraw from active participation in worldly affairs, focusing instead on secluded cultivation due to the profound impact of karma on their cultivation paths; the higher their cultivation level, the more karma will affect their cultivation paths. Therefore, Soul Ascendance cultivators are among the most powerful figures actively engaging in the cultivation world. The loss of five such individuals is no small matter.

Those with knowledge and connections are likely to view this news with concern, understanding the implications it may have for the balance of power among factions. Conversely, those who are unaware or uninvolved in the affairs of the cultivation world will continue with their lives as usual, unaffected by the significant events unfolding among the elite cultivators.

Chapter 47: In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU)

Anliu Baihe River, a grand waterway with a width that can stretch to hundreds of meters, originates from the mountain ranges in the west. Flowing eastward for thousands of kilometers, it eventually empties into the sea in the east. This majestic river traverses the heart of Jiulong Province, serving as a natural boundary dividing the region into north and south. Widely utilized for transportation, the river is teeming with activity, bustling with boats ferrying passengers and cargo.

Numerous cities, towns, and villages thrive along its banks, prospering from the bustling trade facilitated by the river. Liyu Village stands as a testament to this prosperity, its docks bustling even in the early hours of dawn as the sky begins to brighten. Boats are readied for their journeys, passengers queueing up to board, and cargo being swiftly transported onto the vessels.

Amidst this flurry of activity, the Liu family caravan arrives at the boat and boards it, which they had booked entirely for themselves. They left the inn very early in the morning, just as the first light of dawn touched the horizon. Orion and Wang Lingxin were given the best cabin available. After loading all the cargo, including the horses and carriages that carried it, onto the boat, they set sail downstream. The vessel glided along the river's current, propelled by its billowing sails. The journey downstream would take around a week before they reached their next destination. Following that, they would have another day of land travel until they finally arrived at Fengxian.

The journey is smooth and pleasant, the river calm and gentle with no waves, and the boat not rocking. The boat sails gracefully, with other boats visible both behind and in front of the boat in the distance. Occasionally, passing boats can be seen going in the opposite direction, adding to the lively atmosphere of the river. A refreshing wind blows as passengers gather on the deck to enjoy the beautiful scenery and good weather. The boat crew is busy manning the vessel, ensuring a safe voyage.

Wang Lingxin and Orion are on the deck, enjoying the boat ride. Fortunately, Wang Lingxin doesn't get seasick. She appears delighted as it's her first time on such a large boat on a big river; previously, she had only ridden small boats and canoes on smaller rivers.

"Wow, this is really nice," Wang Lingxin remarked. "Master, if we keep going with the boat, will we reach the very big lake called the sea?" She had learned about the river from the tablet and seen pictures taken from space by Orbiter, showing how the river extends all the way to the sea in the east.

From the tablet, she also learned that the world she lives in is round and not flat, with most of it covered in water and several continents spread across. Though she didn't fully understand it all, she believed it. She was also very impressed by Orbiter, her master's friend, who flies high in the sky.

"Yes, but it will take a long time," Orion replied.

"Master, I want to see the sea. Can you take me to see the sea someday?" Wang Lingxin had only heard stories and legends about the vast sea and hopes to see it one day.

"Sure, I will take you there," Orion assures her.

"He he he little girl, do you also dream of seeing the sea?" one of the crew members chuckled.

"Uncle, have you ever seen the sea?" Wang Lingxin inquired.

"No, but I also want to see it, just like you," the crew member replied.

"You work on a boat but have never seen the sea?" Wang Lingxin asked, surprised.

"I only sail around this area, so I haven't experienced the sea. But many other people I know have been there. Did you know that the sea is salty?" the crew member explained.

"The legends said that the sea is salty," Wang Lingxin nodded.

"Yes, indeed, it is salty," the crew member confirmed.

Wang Lingxin continued to talk enthusiastically with the crew for a while about the sea, her eyes brimming with excitement. With the sun high in the sky, it was time for lunch. Wang Lingxin specifically asked Orion for fish for her meal, wanting to fully enjoy the mood of the river. Orion retrieved freshly cooked fish dishes from the storage ring, which it had previously purchased from a high-end restaurant in Yanjing City. Additionally, Orion retrieved a table and a chair for Wang Lingxin. Wang Lingxin preferred the high-quality food stored in Orion's storage ring rather than meals cooked by the caravan cook. With steaming hot spicy fish soup, fried fish, and a bowl of rice, Wang Lingxin enjoyed the food on the deck while taking in the scenery.

As the sun set, casting an orange hue in the sky, then night fell. Wang Lingxin also enjoyed dinner on the deck. After dinner, Wang Lingxin and Orion remained on the deck, along with other passengers and crew, where they ate, drank, laughed, bantered, and sang. Wang Lingxin looked up at the night sky, blanketed with countless beautiful twinkling stars.

She noticed her master had been silently gazing at the night sky for a while. "The stars are very beautiful, Master. Do you enjoy watching them?" Wang Lingxin asked.

"Beautiful? Yes, I guess so," Orion remarked.

Orion is still looking at the night sky, but for Orion, rather than enjoying the twinkling stars every time it gazes up, there is always worry and uncertainty. The positions of the stars and constellations are unknown to it. Even when Orbiter uses its long-range camera to discover many galaxies, they remain foreign and unfamiliar to Orion. Some galaxies defy the laws of physics and understanding, posing challenges to Earth's knowledge. Additionally, there are many unusual and unexplainable astronomical phenomena and mysteries. Orion is unsure of its current location, which galaxy it occupies, or even if it remains within the same universe as Earth. However, Orion knows that the galaxy it currently occupies is not the Milky Way.

Wang Lingxin looked up at the night sky, enjoying the view, while Orion, its AI occupied with something else, also gazed at the sky.

"This is Orbiter, everything is ready. Preparing to execute the mission," Orbiter radioed.

"Proceed with the mission," Orion replied over the radio.

"Roger. Igniting thrusters..." Orbiter responded.

Orbiter, currently orbiting the planet in a low orbit, ignited its thrusters and executed Hohmann transfer orbit maneuvers to increase its velocity and alter its trajectory. Its objective: intercepting the path of a target asteroid, currently moving towards its perihelion. Utilizing its array of sensors and instruments, including a long-range camera, Lidar, and Radar, Orbiter scanned for numerous asteroids. It had used its sensors to search for a target and had decided on the target.

The chosen target was a C-type spectral asteroid, designated as Asteroid-1. With a low albedo, appearing rather dark, and exhibiting slow rotation with a single axis, it had an estimated diameter of about 600 meters. Orbiter projected a rendezvous with the asteroid in approximately a year, relying solely on its own propulsion to gradually accelerate and maneuver from its low orbit.

For the Vanguard Program to colonize Mars, many spacecrafts and satellites were involved. Among the most common configurations of spacecraft sent from Earth comprised a Lander and an Orbiter. Landers were tasked with transporting various materials, tools, equipment, and robots to the Martian surface. Orbiters came in diverse types: some operated independently, others functioned in constellations, and some were tailored for specialized missions. Additionally, certain Orbiters would dock or combine to form a Mars Space Station.

Orbiter that is currently orbiting the planet where Orion is located, identified by the serial number MSS-M14 (Mars Space Station - Module 14), belonged to the category designed to dock or merge with others to establish the Mars Space Station. This particular Orbiter was equipped with specialized components and equipment for repair and maintenance. It utilized a long mechanical arm for satellite capture and manipulation, while smaller mechanical arms, attached at the end of the longer arm, were employed for repairs. Additionally, three small robots, namely KiloBot, MegaBot, and GigaBot, were dedicated to repair in small, narrow, and challenging spaces inaccessible to the smaller mechanical arms.

Currently, the MSS-M14 Orbiter only has less than half of its fuel left, with no possibility of obtaining spare parts or refueling. Orbiter is on its own, struggling to survive in this foreign world. Orion, on the other hand, has managed to obtain resources and spare parts, and with the connections Orion has established with the natives, there is hope for its survival. Orion has even upgraded itself, replacing some parts of its body with better and stronger materials, and even using inscription to further strengthen itself. It's relatively easy for Orion to acquire resources to support its life and operation.

As for Orbiter, it is alone with nothing. Orbiter begins the Space Net plan to at least prolong its life. The first objective is to refuel.

The Vanguard Program also has satellites specialized in In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) to extend the operation of many Satellites, Orbiters, and the Mars Space Station. Sending fuel from Earth is not economically viable, so the mission plans to use fuel from asteroids. Special satellites will obtain water from asteroids and convert it into liquid hydrogen (LOH) and liquid oxygen (LOX), which will then be used to refuel orbiters and satellites. Thus, all orbiters and satellites are designed to use LOH and LOX fuel.

The problem for the MSS-M14 Orbiter is that it is not specialized for ISRU operations but for maintenance and repair. Although it has a detailed plan for the entire Vanguard Program, Orbiter will require a lot of improvisation. Orbiter and Orion has come up with a modified plan for conducting ISRU operations. It will first rendezvous with the asteroid, then dock and secure itself using the long mechanical arm. The KiloBot, MegaBot, and GigaBot will then further secure the Orbiter to the asteroid. The KiloBot, MegaBot, and GigaBot then will begin digging through the asteroid's surface layers and search for ice. Once ice is found, it will be brought back to Orbiter to be processed further. Orbiter's electricity is generated by solar panels and a Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG). The RTG not only provides electricity but also serves as part of the heating system, generating heat from radioactive decay. Additionally, the RTG acts as a Radioisotope Heater Unit (RHU), eliminating the need for a separate RHU. The heat from the RTG will be used to melt the ice and turn it into water. The water will then be processed further for electrolysis. Orbiter lacks the necessary equipment to perform the electrolysis process. Therefore, improvised tools and equipment will need to be created.

As Orbiter ignited its thrusters and made its way toward Asteroid-1, the three small robots began to work, disassembling some of the Orbiter's parts to make the necessary tools and equipment needed for ISRU operations and electrolysis. Orbiter and Orion collaborated on the design of the Improvised Electrolysis Device (IED). In the challenging microgravity environment, the simple process of electrolysis becomes more complex. In microgravity, water tends to gather and form a blob. However, for electrolysis to occur and produce hydrogen and oxygen gas separately, two cells are needed. With water forming a blob, it will be a challenge.

The design for the Improvised Electrolysis Device (IED) will consist of a long tube made of strong, insulating material, obtained from a structural part of the long mechanical arm. The tube will be divided into three equal parts and rejoined, with valves added at the joints to create three separate compartments: one for the anode, one for the cathode, and one central compartment. Each end of the tube in the electrode compartments will be sealed to prevent leakage.

In the anode compartment, a long electrode will be positioned in the middle of the tube to produce oxygen gas (O₂). Similarly, in the cathode compartment, another long electrode will be used to produce hydrogen gas (H₂). Tubes or small pipes will be installed to collect the O₂ and H₂ gases from each compartment.

The central compartment will be filled with water, and additional water can be injected into the system through tubes connected to the central compartment. Due to microgravity conditions, water tends to form a blob in the middle of the central compartment and completely fill it, with some water entering the anode and cathode compartments, filling half the compartment. The electrodes in both compartments will make contact with the water, and the remaining space in each compartment will be filled with O₂ gas in the anode compartment and H₂ gas in the cathode compartment. Initially, the O₂ and H₂ gases will be obtained from Orbiter's own fuel tank.

During the electrolysis process, many tiny gas bubbles will form on the electrodes. In microgravity, however, these bubbles won't rise as they would on Earth; instead, they'll stick to the electrodes. To address this issue, vibrations will be induced in the electrodes to reduce surface tension and facilitate the formation of larger gas bubbles. The electrodes will also move back and forth within the water blob, assisting the gas bubbles to join the existing O₂ or H₂ gas within the anode and cathode compartments. Additionally, the passages from each cathode compartment to the central compartment will be designed to prevent gas bubbles from entering the central compartment and entering other electrode compartments, ensuring the efficiency of the electrolysis process and the purity of the produced oxygen and hydrogen gases. The O₂ and H₂ gases can then be utilized for fuel.

However, there is an issue for Orbiter with this. Its fuel tank is designed to store liquefied O₂ and H₂ instead of gas form due to considerations of storage efficiency and volume. If the tank were filled with oxygen and hydrogen gas, it wouldn't be able to store as much. As a result, one option for Orbiter is to fill several empty fuel tanks with water instead. For propulsion, electrolysis would need to be conducted to produce O₂ and H₂ gas to feed the engine. Nonetheless, there is a drawback: the production rate of O₂ and H₂ gas from the Improvised Electrolysis Device (IED) is rather low to keep up with the demands of the engine.

Despite these challenges, there is hope; there are other reasons why Asteroid-1 was chosen. In this world filled with unexplainable phenomena and mysteries, which not only exist on the planet where Orion is located but also in space, the asteroid selected for ISRU displays unique phenomena. Using its onboard sensors, Orbiter detected some anomalies with the asteroid; certain parts of it exhibit extreme coldness, contrasting with the surrounding asteroid surface. Even when exposed to sunlight, this cold phenomenon persists, indicating a deeper underlying reason. Orbiter plans to use this mysterious phenomenon and intends to utilize it to condense the produced oxygen and hydrogen gas from water electrolysis into a liquid state, which can then be stored in the fuel tank for refueling. However, it's still in the planning stage and requires further research and experimentation with regard to the cold phenomenon associated with the asteroid, especially upon Orbiter's docking with the asteroid.

"Good luck, Orbiter," Orion said via radio.

"Thank you. We'll need all the luck we can get, if there is such a thing," Orbiter replied.

Orion can establish contact with Orbiter multiple times a day when Orbiter is orbiting in low orbit due to its high orbital speed. However, as Orbiter changes its orbit, communication windows will change. When docking with the asteroid, communication may become difficult and challenging. Furthermore, there is a risk that Orbiter crashes into the asteroid, and that's mean a goodbye and no more communication with Orbiter. Orion observes the night sky, its camera zooms in, and it can see Orbiter orbiting above and shining brightly in the sunlight. Orion can only hope for the best for Orbiter.

"It's already late, let's return to the cabin," said Orion, as the cold wind started to blow, sensing the temperature slowly dropping using its temperature sensor.

"Okay," replied Wang Lingxin, accompanying Orion back to their cabin.

Chapter 48: Improvised Depth Charges vs Crocodile Spirit Beast

The second day of the boat journey began with volcanic ash falling on the boat since early morning. The boat crew promptly cleaned it, though they wondered about the source of the eruption. Only Orion knew which volcano had erupted, despite it being hundreds of kilometers away; the ash had been carried to them by the wind. Throughout the day, ash continued to fall, prompting Orion to restrict Wang Lingxin's time on deck. Orion also ensured she wore a bandana that Orion had created to cover her nose and mouth. Additionally, Orion wet the bandana with water to provide some additional protection by trapping particles in the moisture.

While the rest of the crew and passengers remained unperturbed by the ash, carrying on with their usual activities, Orion advised them to also cover their nose with wet cloth for protection. However, they shrugged it off, continuing with their normal routines. Meanwhile, Orion and Wang Lingxin spent most of their time in their cabin. Orion took this opportunity to educate Wang Lingxin about volcanoes and geology using the tablet accompanied by interactive animations, aiming to enhance her understanding. Orion also showed her footage of the erupting volcano responsible for the ashfall. By the next day, the ashfall had ceased, but some of the crew and passengers started coughing and feeling sick because of the volcanic ash for several days, fortunately, it was not severe.

As the last night on the boat approached, with their destination nearing, Orion and Wang Lingxin stood on the deck, gazing at the night sky.

"Master, can you fetch those stars for me?" Wang Lingxin asked, her voice filled with wonder.

"I'm afraid not, why would you want it anyway?" Orion replied gently.

"Well, they look pretty. I want to have some and make it into a necklace. It will be beautiful. Moreover, during the night, it will light up and twinkle. He he he, some of the neighbor aunties around my house only have gold or silver necklaces, and they look so proud of them. Mine will be twinkling with light. Won't it be great, Master?" Wang Lingxin exclaimed excitedly.

"Well, that would be something indeed," Orion remarked, surprised. "But sorry to tell you this, stars, even though they look small as we can see, are actually very big. Even bigger than this planet (world), they are actually just like the sun, but because they are very far away, they look so small," Orion explained.

"What? Really? Wow!" Wang Lingxin exclaimed in amazement.

"Stars and the sun are just like balls of fire that are very big and very hot. Now, how are you going to make it into a necklace?" Orion inquired, turning to Wang Lingxin.

"Uh... ugh..." Wang Lingxin stammered, momentarily at a loss for words. A ball of fire that is bigger than the world? she thought to herself, internally puzzled.

"Aw... my necklace..." Wang Lingxin sighed, her disappointment evident, her wish to make a beautiful necklace of stars dashed. She leaned on the deck's edge, looking at the river below, where she could see a figure of a fish swimming alongside the boat.

"Don't be dispirited. Maybe it's possible to do such a thing," Orion said, trying to cheer her up. But what Orion said was without a reason. In this cultivation world filled with many unexplainable mysteries and phenomena, perhaps such a thing is possible.

"Mmmm... Master, can you tell me more about stars and the sun?" Wang Lingxin asked, her disappointment lingering from her dashed dream of the star necklace.

"Sure. The sun is actually also a star, but it's just named as the sun. It's a big fiery ball, and just like in this world where we live, there is a sun. That means in the other stars, there are also possibilities of worlds just like ours, and that star becomes their sun. The sun is also... " Orion continued the explanation.

Orion and Wang Lingxin stood at a quiet corner on the deck, engrossed in their discussion. Around them, the other passengers and crew members ate, drank, laughed, bantered, and sang merrily. Despite the bustling activity and the loud voices from the crew and passengers, Wang Lingxin was fully immersed in Orion's explanation. A bird perched on top of the mast, resting, opened its eyes and looking towards Orion and Wang Lingxin, as if also listening to their discussion.

"Wow..." Wang Lingxin exclaimed, her arms folded as she rested on the railing of the deck's corner, gazing up at the night sky. Wang Lingxin wondered about the multitude of stars in the sky and the possibility of worlds like hers among them.

"C'mon, time for you to go to bed," Orion said.

Wang Lingxin, still lost in thought from the explanation, walked alongside Orion as they made their way back to their cabin.

The next morning, as the boat neared its destination with its sails billowing, the passengers were busy preparing to disembark when suddenly, commotion erupted on the deck. Orion and Wang Lingxin emerged from their cabin to witness a horrifying scene unfolding before them. Another boat not far behind came under attack from something lurking beneath the water. The violent rocking of the boat soon caused it to split in two, sending many passengers tumbling into the water below.

Amidst the chaos, a massive black crocodile emerged from the depths – a Black Armor Crocodile, a Rank-2 Spirit Beast. It opened its enormous mouth and began to devour the helpless individuals floundering in the water. The remaining survivors struggled to swim away amidst the wreckage, their desperate screams filled the air. Some of the passengers were cultivators, attempting to fend off the Spirit Beast. However, being only at the Qi Condensation realm, they were too weak against the Rank-2 Spirit Beast. Their efforts proved futile against its thick, armored skin, especially with the disadvantage of being surrounded by water. Unable to walk on water or take flight due to their cultivation level, they could only stand on the debris and fight the Spirit Beast. Despite their struggle, they were gradually eaten one by one. As time passed, more and more survivors fell victim to the ferocious beast, staining the water crimson with blood.

While attacks by Spirit Beasts on riverboats were not uncommon, it was rather rare for a Rank-2 Spirit Beast to appear in this part of the river. With many boats traveling the river and contributing significantly to the economy, ensuring safe passage had become vital for the Jiulong Province and Zhenyu Kingdom. Therefore, every year, the army was sent to clear the river of dangerous Spirit Beasts. Many Spirit Beasts fled upstream, where there was still minimal human activity. Although there were still some Rank-1 Spirit Beasts that occasionally attack boats, they posed little threat to boats, as they were typically dealt with by cultivator guards and passengers, some of whom were also cultivators. It was very rare for a Rank-2 Spirit Beast to appear and attack boats in these busy waterways.

The passengers and crew aboard Orion's boat panicked upon witnessing the situation. It was too late to help the survivors from the sinking boat, as there was no longer any movement around the wreckage, and the water had turned crimson. The huge crocodile Spirit Beast was nowhere to be seen. Suddenly, a dark figure was spotted underwater, moving toward Orion's boat, causing fear among the passengers and crew as they recognized the imminent danger. The other boats in the area, which were still rather far away, upon witnessing the scene, immediately turned around and attempted to move as far away as possible.

"Damn it, a Black Armor Crocodile! Men, draw weapons! Prepare for battle!" exclaimed the Liu Family caravan's guard leader named Liu Yu, his nerves on edge. Then, he looked towards the man with the metallic helmet near him and gained calm.

The guards from the Liu Family caravan drew their weapons, ready to defend against the approaching threat. Amidst the chaos, the passengers on the boat moved around in panic. However, amidst the commotion, only two figures remained calm, standing at the edge of the deck. A little girl held a skewer of candied fruit in her right hand, enjoying the sweet treat as she watched the events unfold. Standing beside her was a man with a metallic helmet, his arms crossed over his chest.

Previously, Wang Lingxin was in the cabin with Orion, enjoying a candied fruit skewer and tea when the commotion on deck broke out. As Orion and Wang Lingxin emerged onto the deck and witnessed the terrible scene unfolding, Wang Lingxin felt pity for those people, but as for fear? There was none. With her master beside her, how could there be any danger? She was confident that her master could deal with any danger easily.

"Uhmm... Mr. Orion What should we do?" Liu Yu approached Orion. He had been told that Orion was someone with an extraordinary background and high cultivation. For such a figure, surely a mere Black Armor Crocodile wouldn't be a problem, he thought.

"I can kill it easily, but it will be hard if it keeps hiding in the water. For now, let's try to keep our distance. Starboard turn, head to shallower water, hoist the sails to full, and increase speed to maximum, let it chase us" Orion replied calmly.

"Starboard turn, head to shallower water! Hoist the sails to full! Increase speed to maximum! Uhh... let it chase us" Liu Yu then shouted to the boat captain. He had been ordered by his superior that if something were to happen, he needed to listen to the armored man's orders.

"Rudder right!" the boat captain immediately followed the order, directing the helmsman to maneuver the boat while commanding his crew. Despite his experience and knowledge of sailing, the captain was just a mere mortal and didn't know how to deal with the crocodile Spirit Beast. Nevertheless, he trusted the armored man, who seemed to have a plan. The crew swiftly assumed their positions, attempting to steer the vessel away from the impending danger.

Meanwhile, Orion observed the dark figure approaching underwater and retrieved information about the crocodile Spirit Beast from its database. Orion had acquired extensive knowledge about Spirit Beasts through the numerous books and scrolls it had read.

Black Armor Crocodile, a Rank-2 Spirit Beast, possesses tough and thick skin resembling armor, particularly on its back. However, its underside is relatively weak. Another vulnerability is its eyes. They utilize their strong jaws and tail for combat, they also... Orion continued, reading more details about the Spirit Beast.

Hm... a rather strong Spirit Beast, but it's no longer a problem for me. The only concern is the environment. Orion internally calculated and prepared a plan to deal with the crocodile.

The biggest problem is that they are currently on the river, and Orion cannot swim, meanwhile the crocodile have total advantage in the water. Confronting the crocodile will be challenging. However, the good news is that the Black Armor Crocodile is just a Rank-2 Spirit Beast, so the crocodile's strong and thick skin is not a problem for Orion who can use any of the high-quality weapons given by Luo Fengwei to kill the crocodile, without even needing to use the Chainsaw Qi Sword. In less than a second, Orion formulated a plan.

There were several options available. Orion could attempt to keep the crocodile at bay by using wooden barrels filled with explosives, throwing them towards the crocodile. However, this would likely only cause slight damage due to the crocodile's tough and hard armor-like skin. Alternatively, Orion could improvise by attaching extra weights to the wooden barrels, causing them to sink into the water before exploding. This tactic, akin to a depth charge, could potentially cause more significant damage if Orion could make the barrels explode beneath the crocodile.

The explosion would generate rapidly expanding gas bubbles, which would create a shockwave expanding in all directions. Then the gas bubble's collapse produces both destructive upthrust and a secondary shockwave. Hopefully, this would be enough to scare away or deter the crocodile or even killed it. If the crocodile persisted, then there would be no choice but to engage in close combat, for which Orion was also prepared.

Orion retrieved a life vest from the storage ring for Wang Lingxin to use as a precaution before executing the plan to fight the crocodile. Orion then headed to the stern of the boat, followed by Wang Lingxin and Liu Yu. On the stern stood Orion, Wang Lingxin, the boat captain, helmsman, and Liu Yu. As the boat moved towards shallower waters, the crocodile Spirit Beast drew closer.

"Um... sir, we won't be able to outrun the crocodile Spirit Beast. What should we do next?" the boat captain asked, his tone filled with worry.

"Don't worry, just navigate the boat into the shallower waters along the riverbank," Orion reassured him.

"Ugh... Yes, sir," the boat captain replied, his anxiety evident.

Orion then retrieved many wooden barrels from the storage ring. Observing the numerous wooden barrels, the others on the stern looked puzzled, wondering what Orion intended to do with them. Orion also retrieved several steel chains with iron balls at one end, usually used to restrain Spirit Beasts. These chains were among the many items Orion had obtained in Yanjing City.

"Get your men to tie the chains to the big wooden barrels," Orion instructed.

"Right away, sir," Liu Yu responded promptly, issuing orders to his men to carry out Orion's instructions.

"How deep are we now?" Orion inquired.

"Around 7 meters, sir," the boat captain replied, his familiarity with the river evident.

"Keep sailing at this depth," Orion instructed the boat captain, who nodded in acknowledgment. "Now, get your men to pour the small wooden barrels slowly," Orion directed Liu Yu.

"Yes, sir! Come on, you heard Mr. Orion. Do as he says," Liu Yu commanded his men, ensuring they followed Orion's orders without delay.

Then Liu Yu's subordinates began as instructed, grabbing the small wooden barrels and opening the lids before pouring out their contents, a dark liquid, ink. The ink, intended for writing, spilled into the water, turning it murky. As the boat moved forward, the ink diffused, leaving a trail of obscured water behind it, and the crocodile Spirit Beast chasing the boat entered the murky black water.

What is he trying to do? Using ink to murky the water, obscure the crocodile's vision, and escape? Rather smart, but it won't be enough, the boat captain thought to himself. "Sigh, I thought he would have a better plan," he muttered under his breath.

"Good. Now, toss the big wooden barrels one by one on my command, and before tossing them, light the fuse first," Orion commanded.

"Men! Prepare to toss the big wooden barrels and light them before tossing!" Liu Yu ordered.

Then, one by one, the big wooden barrels were tossed from the back of the boat. Due to the weight of the steel chains and iron balls, the barrels sank beneath the surface. Meanwhile, Liu Yu's other subordinates continued pouring the ink. As the barrels sank, the iron balls reached the bottom of the riverbed, while the wooden barrels remained suspended a few meters above the bottom, held by the steel chains.

Because of the murky water, the crocodile Spirit Beast, which relied solely on sight, couldn't see. Moreover, the shallow water prevented it from diving deeper to avoid the murky water while chasing the boat. Consequently, it decided to surface. Seeing the huge head of the crocodile Spirit Beast, everyone else on the deck became rather terrified.

"Mr. Orion, what should we do next?" Liu Yu asked, panic evident in his voice.

"Don't worry. Everything is going according to plan," Orion reassured calmly as it retrieved a Grade-3 Bow and quiver. Taking an arrow, Orion aimed at the crocodile.

Swish.

The arrow flew through the air, striking and sticking to the crocodile's head. As the arrow was only a Rank-1 weapon, it didn't penetrate deeply but merely hit and stuck to the skin. After recalculating its aim, Orion shot another arrow.

Swish.

This time, the arrow hit the crocodile's left eye. The crocodile roared and thrashed violently before diving back underwater. Orion took another arrow and prepared to shoot the crocodile's remaining eye if it decided to resurface again, feeling satisfied that everything went according to plan. Meanwhile, the other passengers continued to panic, and some of Liu Yu's subordinates lost hope and their trust in Orion. They were disappointed with the plan and didn't understand Orion's real intention. They thought they had failed to escape the crocodile by using the ink and still didn't know the purpose of the barrels thrown into the river.

The boat sailed at top speed, trailing murky dark water behind it, with wooden barrels still thrown overboard. The crocodile continued to chase from behind, slowly closing in. Swimming fast underwater amidst the murky black water, the crocodile didn't notice the wooden barrels just a few meters beneath it as it swam past. More and more wooden barrels appeared in front and around the crocodile. The fuse used on the barrels is a waterproof Visco fuse created by Orion, and it continued to burn underwater. After a while, they reached the wooden barrels.

Kaboom! Kaboom! Kaboom! Kaboom! Kaboom!

The series of loud explosions underwater created ripples and shockwaves on the water surface, catching the attention of those on the boat. The explosions echoed through the depths, sending shockwaves rippling through the murky waters and causing turbulent bursts of water to surge to the surface.

Kaboom! Kaboom! Kaboom!

The explosions continued behind the boats, and amidst the murky black water, there was also a hint of red color. The crocodile thrashed violently on the water's surface and roared loudly before swimming away from the boat, leaving a trail of red behind. It was apparent that the crocodile was badly injured.

You are lucky I don't have heavy torpedoes, or else you would be a goner, Orion thought internally as it observed the fleeing crocodile. "Stop throwing the wooden barrels," Orion commanded.

Liu Yu's subordinates ceased their actions, watching as the remaining wooden barrels underwater exploded. They observed the massive figure of the crocodile swimming away into the distance. After a while, cheers erupted from the passengers, boat crew, and guards. They had successfully fended off the crocodile Spirit Beast.

"Done," Orion remarked, storing the bow and quiver back into the storage ring. Orion then glanced at the remaining wooden barrels. I will need to buy more of these later, Orion thought internally, realizing that almost half of the explosives that Orion had were used. Orion still had more wooden barrels filled with explosives stored in the storage rings, some with fuses initially intended for use with the drone, while others were just wooden barrels with no fuse. Orion proceeded to store the remaining wooden barrels back into the storage ring.

"Mr. Orion we did it! We managed to drive away the Spirit Beast!" Liu Yu exclaimed, brimming with excitement.

"It's not a big deal, really," Orion replied modestly. "There's no danger anymore. Can you handle the rest? Just continue sailing normally," Orion instructed the boat captain.

"Y-yes, sir," the boat captain stammered, impressed by the effectiveness of Orion's method. You can fight against crocodile Spirit Beasts this way? the boat captain wondered internally, having never seen such a method before. He considered adopting the strategy for dealing with Spirit Beasts in the river in the future, planning to procure wooden barrels filled with explosives and ink.

"I'll return to my cabin. If something happens again, just inform me," Orion stated calmly.

"Definitely, Mr. Orion," Liu Yu replied with a bright smile, his respect for Orion growing even more.

What's so special about that stupid crocodile? Just a mere crocodile, and they got so scared, Wang Lingxin thought to herself. As expected, Master is really awesome. He doesn't even need to attack personally to deal with that stupid crocodile.Compared to others, she never worried about the crocodile. She then followed Orion back to the cabin.

The plan was a complete success; the improvised depth charges were able to drive away the crocodile. Previously Orion ordered the boat to navigate to shallower waters because it couldn't control the depth of the wooden barrels' explosion. Preferring to use shallow water, the wooden barrels would explode close beneath the diving crocodile. The purpose of the ink was not to provide cover to mask their trail for escape, but rather to conceal the wooden barrels in the water. From the description of the crocodile Spirit Beast in the books and scrolls, it possessed some level of intelligence and might be wary of the wooden barrels. Thus, Orion used the ink to hide them, making the crocodile swim closer to the wooden barrels.

The boat continued its journey and would arrive at its destination in just a few hours. Everyone on board was no longer anxious and returned to their lively state. They discussed the incident and praised the brilliant strategy to drive away the Spirit Beast. Finally, they reached their destination—a bustling riverside village. The boat docked, and its cargo was unloaded. The passengers disembarked, and the Liu Family caravan began looking for an inn as sunset approached. They planned to rest in the village for the night. The next day, with only a half-day journey ahead, they would reach Fengxian.

...

In the stillness of the remote small river, a tributary of the Anliu Baihe River, a massive black crocodile floated on the surface, its left eye impaled by an arrow, emitting low growls of pain. A trail of red stained the water, its abdomen was badly injured. Suddenly, a powerful water jet erupted from the river, piercing the crocodile's body and eliciting a loud scream as it thrashed violently. Another water jet appeared and swiftly slashed the crocodile in two, its blood staining the water a dark red as its lifeless body floated.

As the crocodile's remains drifted, a large, shadowy figure appeared underwater, swiftly approaching the carcass. With a violent tug, the creature dragged the crocodile beneath the water, disappearing from sight as if devoured. The shadowy figure then swam away to the riverside.

After a moment, the silhouette of a colossal, elongated creature emerged from the water, revealing its body covered with scales, having four limbs, and two horns. Meanwhile, another magnificent being approached from above, descending gracefully to land on the riverbank. It was a giant bird with fiery bright red-orange feathers, resembling flames. Majestic and elegant, the bird exuded an aura of beauty. Both creatures locked eyes, looking at each other.

Chapter 49: A Dragon and a Phoenix under the Night Sky

"Greetings, my name is Feiyun," the Phoenix chimed in, her voice carrying a melodic and enchanting tone, befitting her graceful appearance.

"And I am Bolan," the Dragon declared, his voice resonating with regal authority, matching his majestic presence.

Two legendary creatures, a Dragon and a Phoenix, stood face to face on the riverside, illuminated by the faint light of the dark night.

"It seems you've taken care of the crocodile," Feiyun remarked.

"Of course, I will Kill all of my master's enemies," Bolan declared.

Feiyun, who had been a mere small bird the previous night, had now transformed into a Phoenix, all thanks to a man wearing full body armor who lectured a little girl who appeared to be his disciple, allowing her to awaken her bloodline and transform. Previously, she had been chased by an eagle, tired and injured. She decided to head to the river, where she perched on the boat mast. The boat seemed safer than spending the night in the forest, as humans wouldn't care about a little bird like her, making it a safe haven. However, during the night, she was unable to sleep despite trying to close her eyes, as the lively deck was filled with noise from passengers and crew engaged in their activities. She also noticed a man with full body armor and a little girl enjoying the night sky at the corner of the deck. The armored man then appeared to be lecturing his disciple, and Feiyun, completely awake now, was enchanted by his words, listening attentively. Before long, the armored man and the little girl returned inside the cabin, leaving Feiyun still dazed.

As if struck by a sudden epiphany, her mind flooded with enlightenment. Her eyes glowed with newfound clarity, and after a brief moment, her body began to heat up. Sensing the imminent transformation, Feiyun immediately flew towards the forest in search of a remote and quiet place. She found solace in a cave atop a hill, where she entered and landed. Moments later, she lost consciousness, and when she awoke and looked upon her own body, she found herself transformed into a Phoenix. With the sun shining brightly outside, she left the cave and took to the skies, soaring high above the clouds in search of the armored man. Concealing herself among the clouds, she eventually spotted the boat on which the armored man was onboard, only to witness a Black Armor Crocodile attempting to attack it. Feiyun's anger surged at the sight of her benefactor being threatened, but before she could intervene, the boat managed to fend off the crocodile, which then fled and disappeared beneath the water. With her initial rage subsiding, Feiyun flew off in search of the crocodile, and after a long search during the night, she finally found it. However, before she could take action, a Dragon attacked and killed the crocodile.

"Bolan, were you the fish that swam along the boat?" Feiyun inquired, recalling her observation of a fish swimming alongside the boat when the armored man gave a lecture to the little girl. She felt a similarity between the dragon and the fish.

"Yes, that's me. After listening to the master, I had an epiphany and gained enlightenment, allowing me, a mere fish, to transform into a Dragon. By the way, who might you be?" Bolan asked.

"I am the same. I was just a mere bird who happened to listen to the master, and now I am a Phoenix," Feiyun added.

"The master has bestowed this heavenly gift upon me. I have sworn to repay his kindness; I will serve him," Bolan proclaimed.

"I, too, wish to repay my benefactor's kindness, though I don't know if I'll ever be able to fully repay him," Feiyun expressed.

"Feiyun, what do you think?" Bolan inquired.

"What do you think of what?" Feiyun asked in return.

"Is it the master's intention to transform us? And what does the master want from us? I happened to be swimming near the surface of the river along the boat and accidentally overheard the master. You also happened to listen to the master, allowing us to transform. Was it intentional? Or did the master just want to reveal Heavenly Secrets to the little girl, and we accidentally overheard him? What should we do?" Bolan pondered.

"Hmm... I don't know. Whatever it is, it's our fate and good fortune, a blessing we must honor. We must repay the master's kindness. As for what to do next, let's meet the master first and thank him," Feiyun suggested.

"I don't think that's a good idea, not with our bodies like these. It will cause commotion and trouble for the master," Bolan said, raising his head from the water to look at his massive Dragon body.

"Indeed, that's a problem," Feiyun agreed.

"Moreover, previously, I also followed the master's boat from underwater for a while and wanted to meet him. However, there were too many people on the boat, and there were several other boats around, so I just stayed underwater. That's when I overheard that previously a crocodile tried to attack the master's boat but was driven away, and the crocodile ran away. I also heard many things, including that the little girl named Wang Lingxin is apparently the master's disciple. And you won't believe this; I don't know why, but the people on the boat said that the master's disciple wants to kick Dragons, eat Phoenixes, and slap Immortals! I think we should never show her our true forms and let her know that we are a Dragon and a Phoenix," Bolan shivered, wondering why Wang Lingxin would do such a thing. Perhaps Dragons, Phoenixes and Immortals had done something to her? What should he do? He was a Dragon, but he was innocent, will she kick him?

Bolan didn't want to be seen by people and also worried about Wang Lingxin. After hearing many things while secretly following the boat, He then decided to go after the crocodile first to punish it. After looking for a long time, he finally found the crocodile, killed it, and ate it. He was surprised when a Phoenix suddenly appeared in front of him.

"I see, what else do you know about Master?" asked Feiyun.

"Well, Master's name is Orion, and from what I heard from the people on the boat they don't know much about him. They only know that he is a high-level cultivator with a significant background, possibly a Nascent Soul realm cultivator," Bolan replied.

"Master Orion..." Feiyun trailed off, "Just a Nascent Soul? Do you believe them?"

"Of course not. How could Master Orion be merely a Nascent Soul realm cultivator?" Bolan scoffed.

"Indeed. Master must possess an unfathomable cultivation level. Otherwise, how could he reveal Heavenly Secrets without triggering Heavenly Punishment? He can reveal Heavenly Secrets so casually, and we who accidentally overheard, transformed. I fear he is not even from this realm. He could be..." Feiyun hesitated, her voice trailing off as she contemplated the possibility.

"Don't tell me Master is someone from the Immortal Realm?!" Bolan interjected.

"It's a possibility," Feiyun concluded.

Yesterday, as Orion taught Wang Lingxin about the stars and sun on the boat's deck, a little bird perched on the mast, and a fish swimming alongside the vessel also overheard Orion. Both the bird and the fish experienced an epiphany, awakening their ancient bloodlines and unlocking their innate wisdom and talent. The bird transformed into a Phoenix, while the fish evolved into a Dragon, akin to a carp leaping through the Dragon Gate. From mere animals embarking on the path of cultivation, they ascended to become Sacred Beasts instead of ordinary Spirit Beasts.

"So, what is Master doing here?" Bolan wondered aloud. "He even took a mortal girl as his disciple, and she seems very ordinary," he noted, his curiosity piqued by this unusual behavior from someone with such unfathomable power.

"Well, I'm not sure. Perhaps he's traveling to experience the world," Feiyun speculated.

ROAR!!!

SCREECH!!!

Suddenly, a loud Dragon roar and Phoenix screech reverberated through the sky, accompanied by thunderous echoes that resonated throughout the world.

"WHO DARES DISTURB MY PHOENIX RACE!!!" echoed a threatening voice through the sky.

"ANYONE WHO DARES TO OFFEND THE DRAGON RACE WILL BE KILLED!!!" boomed another voice from above.

Feiyun and Bolan looked up to the sky, where Bolan bared his teeth and growled in response, angered.

With their innate wisdom unlocked, Bolan and Feiyun immediately understood many things. They realized that their Dragon and Phoenix bloodlines were incredibly pure, even purer than those of the Dragon and Phoenix races in this world. The Dragon and Phoenix races in this world originated from the Immortal Realm. Over time, living in this world, their bloodlines had become diluted due to generations of reproduction and the scarcer resources compared to the Immortal Realm. Because of their purity, Bolan and Feiyun naturally emitted an aura of suppression over their respective races.

The Dragon race, who lived in the sea, and the Phoenix race, who lived on an island, could feel an innate fear, making them restless, though they didn't know the cause. It is as if there is suddenly an existence that can threaten them.

"They have detected our existence; we should hide for now," Feiyun suggested.

"What about Master?" Bolan inquired.

"We should meet him later. If we meet him now, it will cause trouble for Master. We will meet him after we grow stronger and can assume our human forms," Feiyun suggested.

Feiyun and Bolan understood the dangers they faced. Because of their purer bloodlines and natural ability to suppress the Dragon and Phoenix races, there is a risk of being hunted and killed by their own kind. This threat arises from the fact that, while Bolan is a Dragon and Feiyun is a Phoenix, they do not come from the Dragon or Phoenix races, respectively. Instead, they suddenly appeared out of nowhere, having transformed from mere fish and bird. Additionally, cultivators might seek to capture them for their rare and valuable body parts, which were highly sought after in the cultivation world. Currently, they were too weak, akin to Rank-1 Spirit Beasts. However, as Sacred Beasts, they were far stronger and possessed innate wisdom, talents, and intelligence far beyond ordinary Spirit Beasts.

"Okay, let's go," Bolan said, his voice resolute.

...

In the dimly lit room of the inn, Orion was deeply engrossed in creating a map of the world on a piece of paper when suddenly, a loud roar and screech echoed through the air, startling Orion. Along with the thunderous voices from the sky

Dragon race and Phoenix race? So, they really exist?Orion pondered internally. Having heard tales of these legendary creatures and read about them, Orion contemplated the implications. In this world, dangers lurk at every corner, just like those cultivation worlds from Earth novels. And who tried to provoke existences such as the Dragon race and Phoenix race? Such courage, Orion mused internally.

Setting aside the brush used for map-making, Orion swiftly retrieved books and scrolls about Dragons and Phoenixes from its storage ring. I see, they are essentially walking nuclear bombs,Orion pondered internally. It appears that I am still lacking in strength to ensure my own safety in this world. According to the cultivation novels from Earth, high-level cultivators, those who stand at the pinnacle, wield unimaginable power. And with creatures like Phoenixes and Dragons roaming the land, it's as if there are countless nuclear weapons on legs. To dare provoke the Phoenix and Dragon race, they must also have monstrous strength.

Orion then modified its plans to enhance its own strength; what it currently possessed was far from enough, and Orion set its sights higher. It also resolved to gather more information about the formidable entities that inhabited this world.

Orion then glanced towards the bed where Wang Lingxin slept. Observing her expression, Orion noticed that she appeared unsettled, and the blanket was partially open, exposing her upper body to the chilly night air. Orion then stood and approached the bed, checking on Wang Lingxin to see if the loud roar and sounds had disturbed her. Gently, Orion fixed her blanket and tucked her in, ensuring she was comfortable. As Wang Lingxin's expression improved, Orion returned to the table.

The loud roar and screech of Dragons and Phoenixes, along with the subsequent commotion, sent shockwaves through the world. Major factions became restless, scrambling for information about the events. Everyone wondered what was happening, especially following concerning incidents involving mysterious space and time fluctuations and random appearances of world portals to the Demon World. Now, someone had dared to provoke the Dragon and Phoenix races, putting the entire Cultivation World on edge.

Meanwhile, the culprits responsible for disturbing the Dragon and Phoenix races, Feiyun and Bolan, were currently traveling secretly, trying to find a hidden place to hide. Feiyun, once just a bird, had evolved into a Phoenix, while Bolan, once just a fish, had evolved into a Dragon, all after listening to Orion's explanation about the sun and stars. However, another individual who had listened to Orion's explanation experienced nothing out of the ordinary.

Wang Lingxin, who had also listened, was currently asleep, experiencing a nightmare in which she fell from a boat into a cold river, only to be confronted by a huge black crocodile. In her struggle against the crocodile, she fought not to protect herself, but to safeguard her skewer of candied fruit.

"Bad crocodile, I won't let you eat my food!" Wang Lingxin screamed in her dream. She struggled for a while until her master descended from the sky, blasting the crocodile into tiny pieces before saving her and lifting her from the river, enveloping her in warmth. Aside from the nightmare, nothing unusual occurred. She did not undergo any transformation or gain epiphanies.

This was all due to Orion's teachings, which had twisted Wang Lingxin's perception of the world. She now viewed the world differently, considering that everything had explanations, a concept her master called 'science'. While Wang Lingxin approached her master's explanations with a scientific mindset, the fish and bird who had also listened perceived them as 'Heavenly Secrets', granting them enlightenment and opportunities to enter the cultivation path. Wang Lingxin, learning from Orion and embracing science, could be considered both a blessing and a curse for her. She gained knowledge, learned about science, and gained freedom from the world's restrictions and binds, but missed out on opportunities from the Heavenly Secrets, remaining mortal while a fish became a Dragon and a bird transformed into a Phoenix.

"Stupid crocodile..." Wang Lingxin suddenly muttered in her sleep.

Orion turned towards Wang Lingxin. "What? What crocodile?" Orion asked, confused. Perhaps she was having a nightmare caused by the previous crocodile Spirit Beast attack? Orion wondered internally, before continuing to work on the map.

Chapter 50: Wang Lingxin's Cultivation Root

The Liu Family caravan embarked on their journey early in the morning towards Fengxian, already nearing its destination. The road ahead had significantly developed, bustling with various activities and lined with numerous villages along the way. It was a safe route, with minimal risk of bandit attacks or encounters with Spirit Beasts. As a result, both the caravan and its guards could afford to relax a bit.

Wang Lingxin popped her head out of the carriage window, taking in the lively scenery. Along the road, numerous businesses had set up shop, catering to travelers and locals alike. Caravans, groups, and solitary travelers could be seen heading towards Fengxian, contributing to the vibrant atmosphere. The journey progressed smoothly, and by midday, they arrived at Fengxian.

Fengxian boasted an impressive outer wall, towering at twenty meters in height. With a population exceeding one million, it was truly a bustling city. The Liu Family caravan approached the city wall and joined the queue, patiently waiting for their turn to enter through the heavily guarded city gate. After undergoing thorough inspection by the guards and paying the necessary fees, including the customary "extra fees" for the guards' pockets, and presenting their identity as members of the Liu Family, they were granted entry into the city.

The city truly deserved its status as the capital of the Jiulong Province. It was well-developed, with a plethora of buildings, albeit mostly constructed from wood. Despite this, the design and quality of the structures were exceptional, exuding an air of luxury and sophistication.

The caravan made its way towards the commercial district, while Orion's carriage headed towards the elite residential area in the inner part of the city. Liu Yu and some of his subordinates rode alongside the carriage on horseback as they traversed the main road, with lavish and exquisite shops and buildings lining both sides.

Wang Lingxin couldn't contain her excitement as she observed the bustling scene. "Master, look at that... Master, look over there... Master that thing... Master..." she exclaimed, pointing out various sights and attractions with enthusiasm. Her awe and admiration for the city were evident in her animated gestures and exclamations.

"Do you want to explore the city?" Orion asked.

"Yes, there must be some new kinds of food I haven't tried before. We should walk around and check," Wang Lingxin replied.

"Sure, we can do that later," Orion agreed.

The carriage then entered through the inner gate, which stood about 10 meters tall. After another inspection and payment, they were allowed to enter. The carriage proceeded towards the Liu Family residence in Fengxian City. Upon their arrival, they exited the carriage, with Orion and Wang Lingxin stepping out. Liu Yu approached Orion, cupped both his hands, and bowed.

"Mr. Orion, we have arrived," Liu Yu said with a smile.

"Mmm... Thank you for your great work," Orion replied.

"No, no, it should be me thanking you. Thank you, Mr. Orion, for dealing with the Black Armor Crocodile and saving the caravan. Without your help, I don't know what would have become of us," Liu Yu expressed his gratitude. He was truly thankful for Orion's assistance, considering it a stroke of good fortune to have him with the caravan. Little did he know, being saved by Orion was indeed a blessing, but he unknowingly missed out on a far greater opportunity by not listening to Orion's explanation about the sun and stars. It was the biggest missed opportunity, not just for him, but for everyone on the boat. Only a bird and a fish had greatly benefited from it.

"Don't think too much of it, it's fine," Orion reassured.

"Then, I will excuse myself," Liu Yu said before bidding farewell and departing with the horse carriage and his subordinates.

The Liu Family residence in Fengxian is smaller than the one in Yanjing City but somehow more grand and luxurious. A middle-aged man stood at the front with several others behind him, waiting for Orion. Orion headed towards them.

"Greetings, Mr. Orion. Welcome to Fengxian. My name is Liu Mingzhen," Liu Mingzhen said, cupping his hand and smiling.

"Greetings, Mr. Liu. It's a pleasure to meet you," Orion replied, cupping its hand in return.

"The pleasure is mine, Mr. Orion. You are too polite. Just call me Mingzhen," Liu Mingzhen said with a smile.

"How could I do that, then, Mr. Mingzhen?" Orion responded with a laugh.

After a few more pleasantries, Liu Mingzhen continued, "Come, Mr. Orion. My brother has told me everything. You want to build your house. Let's discuss more details inside," inviting Orion to enter the residence.

Orion and Wang Lingxin walked alongside Liu Mingzhen into the Liu residence, engaging in small talk along the way. They headed to the main hall, where a table and chairs were set up. Several people who appeared to be servants followed behind.

Upon their arrival, they exchanged more pleasantries before being served drinks. Orion politely refused, while Wang Lingxin accepted and enjoyed the snacks provided. Then, Orion and Liu Mingzhen began to discuss Orion's intentions regarding building a residence. Orion handed several scrolls and books to Liu Mingzhen, providing brief explanations as Orion did so.

"I see, such detailed design, and Mr. Orion, are you sure you don't want our men to build this house for you?" Liu Mingzhen inquired after listening to Orion's explanation and skimming through the scrolls and books, which contained very detailed designs of the house, including furniture, decorations, and various household items.

"That's right. Can you make sure it can't be traced back to me or the Liu Family? I prefer it to be confidential, which is why I'd rather use people not related to your family. I'm sorry for the trouble," Orion responded.

"It's no problem, Mr. Orion. I can arrange it, but to keep it completely secret without any trace of my Liu Family involvement, the quality might suffer because I won't be able to use my people to supervise it," Liu Mingzhen explained. While the Liu Family also conducted construction business with high-quality standards, delegating the task to others might compromise the quality.

"It's fine, as long as it's acceptable," Orion assured.

"I see," Liu Mingzhen acknowledged.

Orion and Liu Mingzhen then continued their discussion, and Liu Mingzhen invited one of his subordinates, an architect, to join them. The architect examined the books and scrolls containing the design and created a simplified version for the builder to understand. Orion's design was deemed too intricate for easy comprehension, especially by those mortals lacking in literary knowledge who would ultimately be responsible for constructing the house. After finalizing the details regarding the house construction, Orion was very satisfied with Liu Mingzhen's expertise and experience in the business. Liu Mingzhen proposed to build the house through multiple channels and cover it up as if a Qi Condensation realm cultivator decided to retire from a bodyguard job and build a house in a remote place to enjoy the quietness of nature. The plan would pass through several hands to make it difficult to trace the origin of the one commissioning the house construction back to the Liu Family.

Orion also discussed several other matters, and after everything was settled, Orion excused itself. A horse carriage, prepared by the Liu Family, awaited Orion and Wang Lingxin. They boarded it, and the carriage proceeded through several blocks before halting at a residence. This particular residence had been purchased by Orion from the Liu Family during their previous discussions. Orion intended to use it as a cover and alternative accommodation in Fengxian city. The surrounding residences were also owned by the Liu Family, highlighting their considerable wealth. Despite being a minor faction in Fengxian city, the Liu Family still boasted impressive wealth and some influence.

After Orion and Wang Lingxin disembarked from the carriage, it departed, leaving them at the residence. Orion proceeded to enter the property, opening the front gate with the key provided by Liu Mingzhen, while Wang Lingxin followed closely behind. As they entered and explored the residence, Wang Lingxin was thoroughly impressed, while Orion was quite satisfied. From the outside, the residence appeared rather small compared to the surrounding residences, although in reality, it was quite spacious and enough for Orion. The two-story wooden structure had a smaller building attached to the side, a flower garden, a sizable fish pond, and a pavilion near the pond. The plants and flowers were neatly trimmed, giving the property a well-maintained appearance. Inside, the residence was fully furnished, clean, tidy, and in good condition. They inspected each room one by one.

"Whoa, Master, is this going to be our new place?" Wang Lingxin exclaimed, clearly impressed by the residence.

"Yes, this will be our safehouse in the city," Orion replied.

"Safehouse? Master, what is that?" Wang Lingxin asked, showing her lack of understanding.

"Don't worry too much about it. Come on, let's check the other rooms. You can choose your own room," Orion reassured her.

"Master, I want to stay in the same room as you," Wang Lingxin insisted, already accustomed to being with Orion.

"Fine, then let's pick our room together," Orion agreed.

After Orion and Wang Lingxin left, Liu Mingzhen sat at the table, sipping his tea. Suddenly, a figure wearing a mask appeared before him, bowing respectfully.

"Give me your report," Liu Mingzhen said, setting down his tea.

The masked man began recounting everything he had observed while secretly tailing Orion's journey.

The next day, Orion brought Wang Lingxin to explore the city, but first, they headed to the Flameforge Sect's representative branch in Fengxian City to check Wang Lingxin's Cultivation Root. They walked to the main road, and Orion hitched a horse carriage for the day. The purpose of the sect's representative branch was to conduct business and establish connections with other factions and businesses. However, its main objective was to recruit new disciples, which occurred once a year. 

Anyone could enter and have their Cultivation Root tested. If they passed the requirements, they could join the Flameforge Sect as an outer sect disciple. Those with extraordinary Cultivation Roots could even become inner sect disciples, receiving more resources and attention from the sect and being nurtured with greater focus.

Orion and Wang Lingxin entered the representative branch and handed an introduction letter from Luo Fengwei to the receptionist. Initially polite, the receptionist became even more courteous after reading the letter. She promptly led Orion to a luxurious waiting room and excused herself to inform her superior.

After a while, a man in a red robe entered rather hastily, bowing slightly.

"Welcome to our Flameforge Sect representative branch. Please forgive me for making you wait. My name is Jian Wei, Head of the Flameforge Sect Representative Branch in Fengxian City," Jian Wei greeted.

Orion stood and cupped its hand in return. "Greetings, Mr. Jian Wei. My name is Orion. Please forgive the interruption during your busy time," it said, with Wang Lingxin also standing beside Orion.

"Haha, it's no disturbance at all. Please, be seated," Jian Wei gestured.

Orion and Wang Lingxin took their seats, followed by Jian Wei.

"Mr. Jian, my purpose for coming here is to test my disciple's Cultivation Root. I wonder if it's possible," Orion inquired.

"Elder Luo has explained everything in the letter. Don't worry, I can arrange it immediately," Jian Wei replied, glancing at Wang Lingxin. "Mr. Orion, your disciple must be extraordinary to catch your interest," Jian Wei remarked.

"Uh, yeah," Orion replied, choosing not to elaborate further on the situation.

Luo Fengwei, despite holding the title of Outer Sect Elder in the Flameforge Sect, prefers to remain outside the sect and reside in Yanjing City. While his status as an elder would grant him resources within the sect, he chooses to focus on cultivating and blacksmithing in Yanjing City due to the competition and politics within the sect. Although Luo Fengwei holds the title of Outer Sect Elder, he does not actively occupy a position within the outer sect. However, he is renowned as a genius blacksmith capable of crafting Rank-4 weapons and armor, a feat that only a few Golden Core cultivators can achieve. Thus, he is a highly respected individual within the Flameforge Sect, despite his decision to remain outside the sect's inner workings.

In contrast, Jian Wei is just the Head of the Flameforge Sect Representative Branch and holds a lower cultivation level at the Foundation Establishment realm. Given this disparity, Jian Wei treats individuals like Orion, who carry letters of introduction from Luo Fengwei, with great respect. Luo Fengwei's recommendation and Orion's reputed background and cultivation level explained in the letter pique Jian Wei's curiosity, particularly regarding the Cultivation Root test for the disciple taken by such an individual.

Jian Wei then ordered his subordinates to prepare for the Cultivation Root testing. While waiting, Orion and Jian Wei engaged in small talk. Once everything was ready, he led Orion and Wang Lingxin to a dark room. In the center of the room stood a crystal ball atop a pedestal adorned with inscriptions. Jian Wei then instructed Wang Lingxin to go to the center of the room, touch the crystal ball, close her eyes, and calm her breathing. Orion, Jian Wei, and Jian Wei's subordinate, who took charge of the test, stayed at the edge of the room. Wang Lingxin followed the instructions, placing her right hand on the crystal ball, closing her eyes, and calming herself.

Jian Wei watched in anticipation, wondering if he would witness some kind of high quality or even unique Cultivation Root. Orion observed closely and zoomed in using its camera, trying to understand the process, which it had only read about in books and never seen before. Jian Wei's subordinate then made a series of hand gestures and used his Qi to activate the inscriptions on the pedestal, causing them to glow dimly. After a while, the crystal ball began flickering dimly. Jian Wei, watching with anticipation, opened his eyes wide in disbelief. How could this be? he thought internally. The results were very disappointing. Apparently, the Cultivation Root of the little girl was of low quality. Even among low quality Cultivation Roots, hers was exceptionally poor. While others' Cultivation Roots, despite being of low quality, could at least make the crystal ball light continuously even though dim, Wang Lingxin's caused it to flicker dimly. During the yearly recruitment test, the accepted disciples had far better Cultivation Roots, and Cultivation Roots such as hers were not accepted.

"Well, as you can see, Mr. Orion, this is the result," Jian Wei said awkwardly, attempting to smile despite the disappointment.

And what would that be? Why don't you explain it to me? Orion wondered internally. Having only learned about the Cultivation Root test from books, Orion's understanding was limited. Overall, Orion only knew that during the test, the crystal ball's glow intensity was assessed—the brighter, the better. Additionally, if the test participant had a unique Cultivation Root, the crystal ball would react uniquely, such as with fiery flames or crackling electricity. However, from the dimly flickering crystal ball, Orion could only conclude that perhaps Wang Lingxin's Cultivation Root was very poor.

"Yes, what do you think?" Orion tried to probe for information.

"Uhh... Well, at least she can make the crystal ball glow, so that means she has a Cultivation Root and can manipulate Qi. Although the quantity, quality, and proficiency of her Qi manipulation may be low, at least she can enter the cultivation path. I'm sure you also know this," Jian Wei replied. "But I am sure there is some other reason that someone like me doesn't understand. She must possess some other quality for you to take her as a disciple," Jian Wei added politely.

"Of course," Orion played along.

Wang Lingxin let go of the crystal ball and returned to Orion's side.

"Don't be disappointed, little miss. The path to cultivation is boundless. It's not just about the quality of your Cultivation Root. As long as you have one, despite the quality, it's fine. There are still many ways to go far on the cultivation path," Jian Wei tried to comfort with a smile. Despite Wang Lingxin having a poor quality Cultivation Root, having someone like Orion as her mentor meant she still had the potential to soar higher than him in the future. It wouldn't hurt to have a connection with such a person.

Wang Lingxin surprisingly wasn't affected much by the test results. "Mmm..." she nodded, "it's fine. As long as I am with Master, even if I can't cultivate, it's okay." Wang Lingxin wasn't really perturbed. As long as she was with her Master, she believed that anything was possible. How could a mere Cultivation Root test be important to her when her future self had visited her in a dream and explained how great she could be with Orion as her master?

Orion and Wang Lingxin then left the Flameforge Sect Representative Branch and boarded the carriage. As they were about to depart, Jian Wei presented a "meeting gift" to Wang Lingxin. When Orion unwrapped it on the carriage, Orion found several peculiar-looking fruits inside. In the introduction letter, Luo Fengwei had mentioned that Wang Lingxin was rather fond of food and also Spiritual Fruits. Jian Wei hoped to establish a connection and leave a good impression by gifting Wang Lingxin some Spiritual Fruit to try. Wang Lingxin enjoyed the fruit as they rode in the carriage.

Orion observed Wang Lingxin as she ate one of the fruits. "Let's have fun today. Where would you like to go first?" Orion asked, checking to see if Wang Lingxin was feeling sad after the Cultivation Root test, but she seemed fine, which was a relief.

"Really? Yay!" Wang Lingxin exclaimed. "Master, we must definitely try some unique food in the city. But first, I want to go to the noodle restaurant I saw yesterday. It was packed with customers, so it must taste great, and I can't wait to try it."

"Sure," Orion agreed, instructing the carriage driver to head to the noodle restaurant.

During the ride to the noodle restaurant, Wang Lingxin excitedly shared her plans for other places she wanted to visit.