As Iguro lost consciousness, the four instinctually stared at Luck, whose nonchalant demeanor belied the turmoil brewing within. His eyes gleamed with amusement, but his posture betrayed a hint of tension, a subtle crack in his stoic facade.
"I have an idea," Lucid said, his voice dripping with sly intent, like a serpent slithering through the shadows. "Let's vote for the possession of Iguro."
Dark and Haven nodded in unison, their faces impassive, like stone statues guarding ancient secrets. Luck's expression darkened, a bad feeling creeping up his spine like a chill on a winter's night.
"We'll vote by calling names," Lucid continued, his voice weaving a web of intrigue. "When I say the name, you repeat it if that's who you wish to control Iguro."
Dark and Haven nodded, their eyes glinting with anticipation, like stars bursting to life in the night sky. Luck groaned, reluctantly nodding in affirmation, his reluctance palpable.
"Dark," Lucid called out, his voice echoing through the cave like a challenge.
"Dark!" Luck shouted, his voice reverberating off the walls. However, Dark and Haven silently stared at him, their faces unyielding, like an unforgiving mountain range.
Luck's eye twitched in irritation, a spark of frustration igniting within. "Lazy arseholes."
With a mental sigh, Luck took control of Iguro's body, shouldering the weight of responsibility. It wasn't that they hated controlling him, but limiting their own power wasn't ideal, like a wild stallion bridled and tamed. Expending energy without replenishment was foolish, a recipe for disaster.
Though Luck was the strongest, he still felt drained from frequent possession, like a well running dry. Tamashi's programming suppressed them, regardless of Iguro's consciousness, a constant, gnawing presence.
"Luckily, you don't require limbs," Dark chuckled, his voice a low rumble.
"Uh huh, very funny," Luck retorted, his tone dry.
Iguro's countenance shifted to that of the Space King Luck. His eyes shone silver, like moonlight on a cloudless night, and his body floated, surrounded by stardust, a celestial spectacle.
A new Starry Sky Robe materialized, its fabric shimmering like the cosmos. With a thud, Iguro's body fell to the ground, limp, like a puppet with cut strings.
Another week passed, and Iguro regained consciousness on the dusk of the seventh day. He checked his dantian, smiling faintly, a sense of accomplishment washing over him.
The crystal dragon stood in the energy pool, enveloped by a glowing white orb, like a beacon of hope. Old Dragon's lessons sparked in Iguro's mind, illuminating the path ahead.
His eyes turned reptilian, and his head began to morph, like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon. A raspy growl echoed through the cave, a primal declaration.
Scales formed on his body as he stood up, like armor forged in the depths of the earth. With a grinding sound, his throat bulged, and ravaging flames burst from his mouth, like a volcano erupting.
Tamashi's machines melted into molten slag, inching towards Iguro's corner, like a relentless tide. His shoes burned to ash.
Laughing triumphantly, Iguro leaped over the slag puddle and reverted to his normal self, feeling like a phoenix rising from the ashes.
Following Old Dragon's lessons, Iguro moved his Qi in a specific path, like a master conducting a symphony. A warm white glow enveloped him, a soothing balm.
The crystal dragon resonated actively, boosting Iguro's action, like a harmonious duo.
"At least those stones went to use," Iguro said, agony etched on his face.
In his sea of consciousness, Iguro met a surprising sight: Luck, Lucid, Dark, and Haven slumbering away.
This was their form of cultivation, addressing their power sources. Iguro realized they weren't truly asleep but withdrew into their worlds. Their souls were attached, with Iguro's at the top, like a pyramid. Tamashi had cut out major portions of their Qi. They probably slumbered to fix. Soul energy took decades to replenish, like a slow-growing tree.
Iguro wished he could transfer soul energy to other life forms, however, Old Dragon's, as he had dubbed the dragon within him, voice echoed in his mind.
"It's not possible," Old Dragon's voice echoed in his mind. "Soul Energy possesses a specific imprint exclusive to other life forms."
I'll reduce the similes to create a more balanced narrative.
"It's not possible," Old Dragon's voice echoed in his mind. "Soul Energy possesses a specific imprint exclusive to other life forms."
Iguro felt a pang of disappointment. He understood the intricacies of soul energy.
"Besides," Old Dragon continued, "the soil energy you're so proud of here is akin to mud in those higher realms."
Iguro's eyes widened in realization. "Of course," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
As he realized this, he felt bad for Luck, who expended the most energy since their creation. Luck's power came at a great cost.
Iguro's urge to grow stronger intensified. Their symbiotic relationship relied on his cultivation.
Tapping into their powers came with risks. One mistake could have devastating consequences.
Determined, Iguro focused on his cultivation. His Qi flowed smoothly, and the crystal dragon resonated actively, boosting his action.
Iguro's energy expanded, and his connection to Luck, Lucid, Dark, and Haven grew stronger.
In the depths of his consciousness, they stirred, their presence growing more pronounced.
Iguro sensed their power and resolve. Together, they would overcome the challenges ahead.
Their bond strengthened, and Iguro's resolve solidified.
He would grow stronger, and the universe would witness their ascension.