JacQuarius boarded the high-speed train bound for Los Angeles, his mind racing with plans and possibilities. The Fort Irwin Squad was a battlefield of its own, but now he had a different mission. His destination was Figueroa's Shop of Wonders, a place he had visited before the enlistment tournament known for its rare and powerful artifacts. It was also heavily controlled by one of the most feared gang from Los Angeles called the Hoovers. This time, he wasn't going as a mere customer—he had leverage.
Arriving in Los Angeles, JacQuarius felt a wave of nostalgia wash over him. The bustling city streets, the towering skyscrapers, the BBL bitches, and the endless noise brought back memories from his trip here one month ago. But today, he was on a mission. He pulled out his phone and dialed a number he had been given after earning his Sergeant rank.
"Sergeant JacQuarius," a voice answered. "What can we do for you?"
"I need a SWAT team at Figueroa's Shop of Wonders. There are illegal artifacts inside," JacQuarius said, his tone authoritative.
"Understood, Sergeant. We'll be there in fifteen minutes."
JacQuarius quickly took advantage of his new Seargeant status. He deemed the shop as a black market that sold "illegal artifacts". What are illegal artifacts? Some artifacts are actually deemed as illegal and/or Forbidden in the cultivation world. An item that did incredibly sinister things would be deemed illegal/Forbidden. An example of that could be a gourd from a legendary blood style cultivator called "BloodBane Tyrant". He has a gourd called Tenketsu , it had the power to turn human blood into the user's Qi! Therefore, BloodBane Tyrant occasionally slaughtered humans to keep their blood for his gourd and use it in any intense battle he had!
JacQuarius made his way to Figueroa's Shop, his heart pounding with anticipation. The shop, a small, nondescript building sandwiched between two high-rises, seemed ordinary to the untrained eye. But JacQuarius knew better. Inside lay a treasure trove of mystical items, including the one he dearly sought—the Sacred Rank Heaven Animal Qi Wyrm egg!
He entered the shop, the bell above the door jingling softly. The owner, a wiry old man named Figueroa, looked up and smiled. "Ah, JacQuarius! Back so soon?"
"Just browsing," JacQuarius replied, his eyes scanning the shelves filled with glowing trinkets and ancient tomes.
Minutes later, the sound of sirens pierced the air. The owner's smile faltered as he glanced toward the door. The SWAT team burst in, weapons drawn, shouting orders for everyone to get down. Amidst the chaos, JacQuarius moved with purpose. He navigated through the pandemonium, slipping behind the counter and heading downstairs into the basement where the most valuable items were kept.
There it was, nestled in a glass case—the Sacred Rank Heaven Animal Qi Wyrm egg. JacQuarius smashed the glass and grabbed the egg, tucking it carefully into his storage ring. He slipped out the back door, disappearing into the night as the SWAT team continued their raid.
Breathing heavily, JacQuarius made his way to a nearby hotel, the egg secure in his bag. He checked in under a fake name and hurried up to his room, locking the door behind him. Placing the egg on the bed, he channeled his Dragon Qi, feeling the warmth of his Qi envelop the egg. After a while, the shell began to crack, and a soft glow emanated from within.
Moments later, a tiny Qi Wyrm emerged, its scales shimmering with a celestial white light. JacQuarius smiled, a sense of triumph washing over him. "I'll name you Johny," he whispered.
He then opened his storage ring and gently placed Johny inside. "Jimmy," he called out, summoning his tenfold Dragon, who appeared in a swirl of fiery energy. "Meet your new little brother, Johny. Train him well."
Jimmy regarded the tiny Qi Wyrm with curiosity, then nodded solemnly. JacQuarius felt a sense of satisfaction as he watched the two interact. With his new companion safely stored, he turned his attention to his phone. He opened Instabram and began to scroll through the endless stream of posts.
One headline caught his eye: "Japanese Military Recruits New Prodigy: Majestic Style Cultivator Outshines All." The accompanying video showed a young soldier with his face blurred out, demonstrating incredible power and skill, far beyond that of his peers. JacQuarius watched, fascinated by the display of the Majestic Style.
His phone then rang, pulling him from his thoughts. It was Kiyomi. "JacQuarius, you need to return to Fort Irwin immediately."
"Why? What's going on?" he asked, his mind racing with possibilities.
"The Fort Irwin Squad is leaving tomorrow, and going into secluded training for the next three months. And there's more—rumors are spreading that Japan is rapidly expanding its military. They're enlisting new cultivators constantly. It looks like World War 3 is inevitable."
JacQuarius felt excitement. The tension between the world's superpowers was escalating, and his squad was at the center of it, therefore he had a higher chance to get more gains. "I'll be there soon," he said, hanging up.
He packed his things quickly, stealing all the hotel's complimentary items, and checked out of the hotel. As he made his way back to the base, he thought about the implications of Kiyomi's words. The upcoming training would be crucial, not just for honing their skills but for preparing for the battles to come and being watched or actually training with his current enemies: Adalina and John!
Arriving at Fort Irwin, he joined Kiyomi, Tela, and the rest of the squad. They boarded a military transport, the atmosphere tense with anticipation. The destination was an unknown Celestial Haven, a place of immense Heaven Qi where they would train in isolation.
As the transport landed, JacQuarius stepped out into a landscape unlike any he had seen before. The air was thick with spiritual energy, and the ground seemed to hum with power. The squad gathered, their eyes wide with awe and determination.
John Doe's sinister smile broke the silence. He began to giggle, a sound that sent chills down JacQuarius's spine. "So this is the Celestial Haven?," John Doe asked, his voice dripping with malice. "This is where the real fun begins."
JacQuarius exchanged a wary glance with Kiyomi and Tela. They knew this training would push them to their limits and beyond due to the Military's harsh procedures. But with enemies on all sides and a potential war looming, they had no choice but to embrace the challenge.
As the squad set up their temporary base, JacQuarius couldn't shake the feeling that John Doe had something planned. His giggle, that eerie smile—it all pointed to a deeper, more insidious game at play. But for now, JacQuarius focused on the task ahead. He had new allies, new enemies, and a new trump card: Johny! He would face whatever came his way with strength and determination.
The Celestial Haven then opened! Posing as a crucible that would test their mettle and forge them into the warriors they needed to be. As JacQuarius began walking forward, prepared for the days ahead, he knew one thing for certain: he was going in as the weakest, and was going to exit as the strongest!