Daniel began to emanate a majestic light, enveloped in a radiant and chaotic aura that seemed to illuminate the surroundings. Wyrmcleaver, once lying on the ground, ascended and melded seamlessly with his missing forearm, merging with him to form a completely new limb. The sword's integration crafted a novel forearm, distinguished by a small sword icon etched into the center of his palm. Simultaneously, a restorative energy enveloped him, mending his spine, healing his legs, and repositioning his shoulder blades.
Upon complete recovery, Daniel dedicated his time to cultivating within the Celestial Haven. During this period, he discovered a new cultivation technique bestowed upon him by Judgement Man's will, along with an extensive array of skills and abilities.
In the tranquil atmosphere of the Celestial Haven, Daniel honed his newfound talents, feeling an unprecedented connection with his transformed self. As he delved deeper into his cultivation, he could sense a profound shift in his capabilities, guided by the teachings imparted by Judgement Man's essence. This period of introspection and growth became pivotal in Daniel's journey, propelling him towards unforeseen heights of power and understanding.
Far Away In An Office
Daniel's boss observed the scene with a satisfied smile, seated before a triple monitor arrangement that dominated his desk. To his right, Daniel's activities were under vigilant scrutiny, while on the left, surveillance footage from JacQuarius's residence played out. Between these two screens, a third monitor displayed nothing but a serene, blank desktop.
With a decisive press of a button, he summoned an Agent to his office.
"Everything has proceeded as planned. Daniel has inherited one of Judgement Man's inheritances. I will personally ensure he is prepared for our next move. Meanwhile, return to Fort Irwin and maintain surveillance on JacQuarius. It's imperative he does not emerge victorious in the tournament," the boss declared, vanishing from his chair in an instant.
Back To Echo Of Eternity
The man materialized abruptly at the concealed entrance, positioned before the shimmering pool that concealed Daniel's cultivation within the Celestial Haven. With a flicker of energy, he whisked Daniel out of the tranquil realm, appearing directly before him.
"Hello, Daniel. How was your time in there?" the boss inquired.
"Hey boss, it's been enlightening. I've discovered a lot about myself and received an important inheritance. You were right about JacQuarius—he's my archnemesis. I'm ready to kill him by any means necessary. He killed my mother, my master, broke my arm, paralyzed me from the neck down, and harmed my girlfriend on multiple occasions. I believe I can defeat him now, but my Holy Qilin died, I'll need a new Heaven Animal to match his, or else I'll be at an extreme disadvantage." Daniel disclosed candidly.
The boss sensed the earnestness in Daniel's words, realizing that his manipulation had succeeded. Leaving Daniel to confront his past self within the Echo Of Eternity was part of his strategy to sever ties with his past traumas. This, coupled with receiving Judgement Man's inheritance, now rendered Daniel fully within his control.
"Good, I'm pleased that you've found a new purpose. JacQuarius has his own ambitions, and we need to reshape your perspective. Instead of being his stepping stone, you'll become his rival. We'll bring you back to our warehouse for intensive training and preparation over the next week. Then, we'll send you to enlist in the Japanese Military. JacQuarius is joining the US Military, so you two will likely meet on the battlefield. Let's get going!" the boss declared before teleporting both himself and Daniel away.
Together, they vanished, leaving behind the Celestial Haven and setting their sights on the challenges that lay ahead.
Mount Blackie
JacQuarius emerged triumphant from the opening round of the enlistment tournament, where all participants were Gold Rank Cultivators vying for a coveted spot in the US Military's specialized force. The tournament, designed with a double-elimination format, provided losers the chance for redemption in subsequent matches.
Having eliminated his first opponent, a lower-tier Gold Rank cultivator, with relative ease, JacQuarius awaited his next challenge against David Garcia, another formidable contender. Meanwhile, over the following days, bouts between low-tier cultivators ensued, resulting in the advancement of two skilled participants to the next rounds.
Among the recent winners were Kiyomi, Adalina, Tela, and a mysterious cultivator named John Doe, each showcasing their prowess and securing progression in the tournament.
As the competition intensified, the losers' bracket filled with determined low-tier cultivators eager to forge ahead. In the winners' bracket, decisive matchups were set for the upcoming rounds: JacQuarius versus David, the two victorious low-tier cultivators facing off, Kiyomi pitted against Adalina, and Tela poised to challenge John Doe in a test of strength and strategy.
With anticipation building and the stakes escalating, JacQuarius focused on the path ahead, driven by the desire to excel and claim his rightful place in the elite ranks of the Cultivator army. The ensuing battles promised thrilling clashes and strategic maneuvers as competitors vied for supremacy in pursuit of a shared goal.
JacQuarius eagerly anticipated the upcoming challenge, knowing that his next opponent would pose a considerable test of his abilities. After the conclusion of John Doe's match, JacQuarius withdrew to his residence with his companions, maintaining a deliberate distance from the other tournament participants whom he regarded as expendable pawns.
In JacQuarius's eyes, the cultivators competing alongside him were mere puppets destined to serve and perish for a nation that he believed would not honor their sacrifices. He harbored no intention of becoming entangled in such a fate, viewing his association with the Military solely as a means to achieve personal gain. His post-war plan involved orchestrating his own disappearance to live off the grid.
Returning home, JacQuarius was met by a Platinum Rank Cultivator awaiting his arrival.
"Black Dragon, sir, I bring another message from my superior. He desires your victory in the tournament for a specific purpose—to confront and defeat Adalina, an alleged Russian spy embedded within the US Military tasked with espionage," the emissary declared openly.
JacQuarius then thought about what he said, it made sense as Adalina had been acting strangely the entire time and had no fear of JacQuarius or even his sneak attacks and then still remained calm during a fatal situation. But he personally didn't think she was a Russian spy, maybe a spy from the FBI or the CIA, it would make more sense.
"I'll do it, but my work obviously isn't free. What will I get in return for her death?" JacQuarius inquired, his tone tinged with menace as a sly grin spread across his face.
The Platinum Rank emissary responded promptly, matching JacQuarius's demeanor with a smile of his own. " Boss is prepared to reward you with a Sacred Rank Dragon artifact known as '1000 Years of the Dragon.' I will personally deliver it to you following her defeat."