Chapter 86: Tungsten Arrow
Morning sunlight peeked through the clouds from the east, casting a warm glow over the land.
Behind the mansion, in a small garden bathed in that morning light, Wang Lingxin was diligently practicing her martial arts against a wooden training dummy. She threw punches, kicks, and palm strikes with focus and determination.
She had made significant progress—each move was executed with proper form and considerable strength. After warming up with the basics, she continued with more advanced movements, blending strikes into smooth, flowing sequences.
Wang Lingxin was already familiar with these techniques. She was simply refining and reinforcing what she had learned before. Because of that, Orion wasn't present in person to teach. It only observed remotely through a tablet placed on the table nearby, as it was currently busy with other tasks.
"Eyaa... Hiyaaa... Aaaa!!! Take this! Bam! Take my kick! Deadly punch!" she shouted, her childish voice echoing as she practiced.
Her loud exclamations filled the small garden with energy. Not far away, Chunhua was hanging up freshly washed laundry. Every now and then, she glanced at Wang Lingxin and chuckled, amused by the little girl's overly dramatic cries, which weren't intimidating in the slightest.
After finishing her unarmed practice, Wang Lingxin moved on to training with small weapons—knives and a karambit.
She started with the knife, practicing a series of thrusts and slashes. She also practiced throwing knives, hitting the dummy accurately from about three meters away. She ended the set with a reverse-grip stab to the wooden dummy's head. Then she picked up the karambit.
The curved blade danced through the air as she moved with nimble precision, striking the wooden dummy with smooth, fluid motions. Each slash landed cleanly on marked vital points carved into the dummy's surface. She slashed, stabbed, and twisted the blade. At one point, she drove the karambit in and dragged it sideways, as if tearing the wound wider—her movements sharp and deliberate, mimicking real combat.
After practicing the entire morning, Wang Lingxin slumped onto the table, exhausted.
"Aaaah... finally done with the morning practice," she exhaled, trying to calm her breathing. Sweat rolled down her face.
"Master, can I go out with Big Sis Chunhua today? We want to visit the orphanage and then go to the market," she asked, still slumped over, resting her cheek against the table.
"Yeah, sure," Orion's voice came from the tablet.
After a warm bath and a good breakfast, Wang Lingxin felt energized again. She knocked on Orion's workroom door and walked in.
"Master, I'm heading out with Big Sis Chunhua," she said brightly.
"You can go," Orion replied, still focused on writing on a scroll with a brush.
"Hehehe... Master..." Wang Lingxin crept closer.
"What is it?" Orion put the brush down and looked at her.
"Hehehehe..." Wang Lingxin giggled, looking a little shy as she wriggled in place and twirled the corner of her clothes.
Without a word, Orion took out ten copper coins from its storage ring and placed them on the table. Wang Lingxin immediately swooped in and grabbed them.
"Thank you, Master! I'm going now!" she grinned, no longer shy, and dashed out of the room.
Orion still didn't understand why she always acted so shy when asking for pocket money—especially when it was just a few copper coins. It wasn't as if Orion hadn't spent far more on her daily needs, and no longer just in copper, silver, or even gold coins, but in Spirit Stones.
"Remember—don't buy just any food you want. Make sure it's clean. Understood?" Orion called after her.
"Okay~!" Wang Lingxin's voice came from the hallway, already fading into the distance.
Orion picked up the brush and continued writing. After finishing, it let the ink dry, then rolled up the scroll.
"Liu Jin," Orion called.
A masked figure suddenly appeared in the room and cupped his hands respectfully toward Orion.
"I'll need your Liu family's help to make these," Orion said, handing over the scroll.
Liu Jin respectfully received it. "May I take a look?"
"Go ahead," Orion replied. "How long do you think it'll take?"
"Hmm..." Liu Jin examined the scroll.
Inside the scroll were designs for several pieces of equipment, along with detailed instructions and explanations on how to make them. After examining it for a moment, Liu Jin nodded.
"I think it'll take around two to three days to make. Don't worry, Mr. Orion—we'll do our best to finish everything as soon as possible and ensure good quality."
The Liu family was involved in several businesses, including construction. They had skilled craftsmen and woodworkers. After reviewing the equipment designs, Liu Jin was confident they could complete the job in two to three days.
"Good. No need to rush," Orion said.
The scroll contained designs for equipment meant to boost MSG production. With more Lotus Delight Pavilion branches opening, the demand for MSG had increased. The Liu family had also asked Orion for more, and Orion itself planned to stockpile more for future use.
"Also, I need you to help me gather some items." Orion handed over another scroll.
Liu Jin took the second scroll and read through it. Listed inside were various items—stone slabs for floors, walls, and ceilings, as well as timber, furniture, and other construction materials.
After reading, Liu Jin said, "We have most of the items, but with this quantity, it'll take some time to gather everything—they're stored in different locations."
Since the Liu family was involved in the construction business, they had nearly everything listed in the scroll. The rest could be sourced from others in the city, though it would still take some time to prepare.
Although Liu Jin was slightly curious about the purpose of these items, he didn't dare ask and kept his thoughts to himself. After all, this wasn't the first time Orion had requested help to gather various kinds of items.
"I'll have to trouble you, then," Orion said.
"Leave it to me, Mr. Orion. Is there anything else? If not, I'll excuse myself to begin the arrangements," Liu Jin said.
"That's all. You may go," Orion said.
"Understood." Liu Jin cupped his hands and bowed before vanishing from the room.
Orion then rose from the chair and walked over to shut the door—since Wang Lingxin hadn't bothered to close it when she left. It walked to the shelf, browsed through a few scrolls, and pulled one out. Returning to the table, it unfurled the scroll—a map of the surrounding area. While not perfectly accurate, it was still useful.
Orion sat down and examined the map closely, comparing it internally with satellite images previously captured by the Orbiter from above. Although the scroll map lacked detail and precision, by matching unique geographical features, Orion was able to cross-reference and better understand the terrain.
The AI updated its internal map, transferring relevant information from the scroll into its own more accurate database. Orion planned to build several secret underground bases to conduct secret experiments, so it began searching for potential locations.
Its AI analyzed the updated internal map, comparing terrain features to identify suitable candidates. Within seconds, the AI marked several possible locations.
Now, Orion already had the necessary materials to complete the UO-1 ornithopter. With it, Orion would finally be able to carry out several plans that were previously put on hold—such as capturing live bandits to use as test subjects for its experiments. This operation had been delayed due to Orion's lack of proper transportation.
Although Orion could already use the AO-1, it wasn't designed for carrying large cargo or passengers. But with UO-1, that issue would soon be resolved.
So, Orion began early preparations for the secret bases, planning to scout potential underground locations and asking Liu Jin to gather the necessary materials for construction.
Orion stored the scroll back into its storage ring, tidied the table, and left the mansion.
"I'll be going out for a while. Guard the mansion well," Orion said toward a shadowy corner of the courtyard.
"Understood," a masked figure suddenly appeared from behind a tree in the courtyard, cupped his hands in salute, and vanished again. Several of Liu Jin's subordinates had been secretly stationed around the mansion to guard it.
An energy barrier enveloped Orion's figure—and it vanished from sight.
Concealed by the barrier, Orion moved swiftly across the rooftops, leaping nimbly toward the city outskirts. Once outside the city, it traveled a bit farther before dispelling the concealment.
Then, Orion retrieved the AO-1 ornithopter from its storage ring. The ornithopter was large and eye-catching, but Orion had already confirmed no one was nearby. It also detected no radio signals from cultivators in the vicinity. Overhead, the SO-1 drone hovered silently, keeping watch over the surroundings.
Orion boarded the AO-1 and powered it on. The wings began to buzz as the ornithopter slowly lifted off the ground. An energy barrier cloaked it in invisibility, and AO-1 accelerated, speeding off into the distance.
...
Swoosh
An arrow tore through the air, flying straight toward the energy barrier. The semi-transparent blue energy barrier shimmered, and with a sharp clang, the arrow struck.
The defensive energy barrier failed to hold.
The arrow pierced through, creating a rippling hole in the barrier before passing clean through. It slammed into the boulder behind, embedding itself so deeply that only the fletching remained visible. It also struck a paper talisman affixed to the boulder, hitting it dead center. The talisman began to smoke, then ignited, burning away as the energy barrier crumbled and vanished.
A wind swept across the field, stirring leaves, grass, and shrubs.
About a hundred meters away, a not-so-tall figure stood holding a bow. The breeze toyed with the strands of hair that hung across his face.
"Tungsten... Tungsten..."
"Fufufu... Hahaha—TUNGSTEN!!"
Luo Fengwei threw his head back and let out a booming laugh, his voice rumbling through the small clearing in the forest.
He looked different than he had a few months ago. Slightly younger. The once-white hair and beard had darkened just a bit—now a mix of silver and black. His face had fewer wrinkles, with a faint rosy glow. The slight hunch he used to have was gone; his back was now straight as a ramrod. His already muscular frame had become even more defined, veins bulging with vigor.
He had successfully broken through to the Nascent Soul realm.
Not only had his strength increased, but it also extended his lifespan and rejuvenated his body. Every movement radiated power, each step firm and filled with force.
After laughing to his satisfaction, Luo Fengwei turned his sharp gaze toward the boulder in the distance. Even from 100 meters away, his eyes clearly saw the arrow embedded deep within the stone after breaching the energy barrier.
"Truly impressive," Luo Fengwei murmured with a grin.
He slung the bow back onto his shoulder, drew another arrow from the quiver, and examined it closely. The arrowhead was rather long, tapering to a sharp point like a needle—narrow and deadly.
This arrow was crafted by Luo Fengwei himself, using tungsten as the main material. After countless trials, he finally succeeded. It had taken him months of full dedication—focused effort and nonstop research into tungsten. He managed to process wolframite ore and create tungsten arrows.
It hadn't been easy. He failed many times, wasting countless precious resources and even blowing up several furnaces. The stress was immense, but in the end, he succeeded.
Not only that—through the process, he also deepened his knowledge and broadened his understanding of blacksmithing. He even experienced an epiphany that helped loosen both his cultivation and blacksmithing bottlenecks, ultimately aiding his breakthrough to the Nascent Soul realm from the 8th stage of the Golden Core realm.
Satisfied after scrutinizing the arrow, he poured his Qi into it. Then he looked toward a distant boulder and casually threw the arrow.
It whistled through the air and struck the boulder with a sharp crack. Despite being a casual throw, nearly a quarter of the arrow embedded itself into the rock.
"The tungsten arrow has better penetrative power than those made with other materials. With the inscription multiplying the force, the result is far superior," Luo Fengwei said, stroking his beard.
Between tungsten arrows and others, the inscription's enhancement was more effective with tungsten. Tungsten is very hard and resists deformation upon impact, retaining its shape better, which helps it punch through armor or energy barriers instead of flattening or breaking apart.
It is also dense, meaning it carries more kinetic energy and momentum for the same size, which improves penetration. When the inscription multiplied that force, the gain was even greater.
Luo Fengwei took another tungsten arrow from the quiver. It looked similar to the others, but this one had a faint lightning pattern etched along the arrowhead. Sparks of lightning occasionally flickered across its surface, crackling softly.
This was the first tungsten arrow he had ever forged—and, unbeknownst to him, the first weapon in the cultivation world made with tungsten. Luo Fengwei examined it closely, watching the faint arcs of lightning dance across it. He could feel a tremendous pressure radiating from the arrow—intense and fearsome.
Back then, when he was about to finish the arrowhead, the sky had suddenly darkened. Black clouds gathered, thunder rumbled, and lightning flashed. Just after he struck the final blow to complete the arrowhead, a massive bolt of lightning struck the arrowhead—and a portion of it hit him as well. The impact flung Luo Fengwei aside and left him severely injured.
As Luo Fengwei lay on the ground, barely conscious, the dark sky gradually began to clear. A faint golden light descended from above, drawn toward the arrowhead. It was slowly absorbed by the arrowhead, and a small portion was drawn into Luo Fengwei's body.
Warmth spread through his body. His injuries began to heal—not just those from the lightning strike, but even old, hidden wounds from long ago.
Still in a half-conscious state, Luo Fengwei felt a surge of inspiration flood his mind. In that moment, he gained a powerful epiphany.
After the incident, he went into seclusion for several days to absorb and comprehend the insights he had gained. During that time, he broke through to the Nascent Soul realm.
He still didn't understand what had caused the lightning—or what that golden light was—but it had been a great blessing.
Luo Fengwei carefully stored the arrow back into his storage ring. He knew it was special, and had no intention of letting others know—such a thing could attract trouble.
"Sigh… it's all thanks to Mr. Orion," Luo Fengwei muttered.
Back then, Orion and Luo Fengwei discussed many things and exchanged knowledge. Orion even taught him a bit about inscriptions and guided him on improving his technique. More importantly, Orion taught him how to process wolframite into tungsten.
With Orion's guidance—and using the scrolls and books Orion provided—Luo Fengwei successfully processed wolframite into tungsten. Orion had explained that the method described couldn't be applied directly and needed to be modified, so Luo Fengwei had to research and adapt the process himself, which he achieved after many experiments and lots of trial and error.
The scrolls Orion provided also mentioned that tungsten was well-suited for projectiles, especially those requiring strong penetration. So Luo Fengwei decided to craft arrows with long, sharp, narrow tips—focusing all the force into a single point to maximize impact and pierce deeply into targets.
"Even though I succeeded in making the tungsten arrow, there are still things I don't understand," Luo Fengwei murmured, beginning to pace back and forth.
Learning something new only raised more questions. After successfully modifying the method to process wolframite taught by Orion, Luo Fengwei not only learned a lot but also had many questions. His curiosity deepened—the method taught by Orion seemed completely different from what he knew.
"I have so many questions to ask Mr. Orion… Maybe, if I'm lucky, he'll not only answer them but also guide me again! Perhaps even teach me a new method to process ores, or help me improve my blacksmithing and inscription skills… or maybe—maybe even teach me the O# inscription!" Luo Fengwei grew more excited with each thought.
"Ah no, I can't be too greedy," he muttered, trying to calm himself down as he continued pacing. "I've broken through to the Nascent Soul realm… Not only that, but my blacksmithing and inscription skills have also improved. It's all thanks to Mr. Orion. I need to thank him first."
Still pacing, lost in his own thoughts, a short figure approached Luo Fengwei. The short figure—a young dwarf—walked closer, but Luo Fengwei either didn't care or simply didn't realize.
"Master…"
"Should… should I ask Mr. Orion to take me as his disciple?" Luo Fengwei muttered.
"Master…"
"Wait… am I even qualified? More importantly, would he even accept me?"
"Master…"
"But if I become Orion's disciple, doesn't that mean that little girl would be my senior sister?" Luo Fengwei paused. "Actually, that's not a big deal. As long as I can become his disciple…"
"Master!"
"Hm… how old is Mr. Orion anyway? Could he be younger than me?" Luo Fengwei touched his face, now smoother and rosier after his breakthrough.
"Whatever. Even if he's younger, that's fine," he mumbled, recalling Orion's voice, which did sound rather young.
"Master!"
"I need to go to Fengxian first. As for asking to be his disciple… I'll think about it later."
He had been contemplating it for a while now. To Luo Fengwei, Orion possessed profound knowledge and an unfathomable cultivation level. The knowledge Orion had shared was eye-opening, unfamiliar, and unique. His approach to things was completely different from the usual. For example, the method to process wolframite was advanced, strange, and unheard of.
Even though Luo Fengwei had successfully adjusted the process, he still felt like his version was inferior—just a rough imitation. From Orion's full-body armor, which was precise, intricate, and of unbelievably high craftsmanship, Luo Fengwei could only conclude that Orion came from a place with extremely advanced blacksmithing—perhaps a super cultivation sect.
And when they first met, Orion was still asking for books and scrolls about inscription, as if he was learning it. But just a week later, he had already mastered it. That alone showed Orion likely already understood inscription—just a different kind. Perhaps he came from a very distant place with a completely different blacksmithing and inscription tradition. This would also explain why the original method to process tungsten didn't work here.
"What gift should I bring? Oh, I also need to bring something for little Lingxin. But is it okay for me to suddenly go visit Mr. Orion…? Or do I need to make some excuse? Hm..." Luo Fengwei frowned.
"Like pretending to accidentally pass by Fengxian…? No, that won't make sense. Maybe I'll say I have some business nearby, and during my free time, I dropped by to meet him… Yes, that sounds better."
"Oh, that's right! It's pretty normal for me to report that I successfully processed the wolframite into tungsten. That's right! Hahaha, how could I forget that? I could use that as the perfect excuse."
He nodded, smiling to himself and finally stopping his pacing.
"MASTER!!!"
Luo Fengwei casually waved his hand.
The young dwarf flew backward several meters. Even though Luo Fengwei hadn't touched him, the wind from the gesture alone was enough to blast him away.
"Quiet! I already heard you. Why are you screaming like that?" Luo Fengwei barked.
"Hehe… sorry, Master. I thought you didn't hear me."
"Didn't hear you? I even knew the moment you left the city," Luo Fengwei scoffed.
Now that Luo Fengwei had reached the Nascent Soul realm, his Spiritual Sense had strengthened greatly. Its range had expanded far. He had sensed his disciple the moment he left the city and headed into the forest to find him. But he just ignored him, his mind too preoccupied with other thoughts.
"Little Wei, what is it?" Luo Fengwei asked.
Little Wei was his favorite disciple—and the only one who knew that he had already broken through to the Nascent Soul realm.
"Master, the Liu family asked for you to make a Grade-3 sword for them. They've prepared the materials and the Spirit Stones," Little Wei reported.
"Liu family?" Luo Fengwei muttered. He retrieved a pipe from his storage ring, lit it, and took a slow puff. "Seems like they've gotten into some serious trouble."
Luo Fengwei had heard that the Liu family had recently gotten into conflicts with several factions. They had asked him to forge weapons and armor for them before, and now they were requesting a Grade-3 sword.
Not only that, Luo Fengwei had also noticed how active their cultivators had become lately. It seemed the situation was quite serious.
He had also heard about the Lotus Delight Pavilion—the Liu family's new restaurant that had quickly become popular. Apparently, it was the source of the conflict.
"How is it, Master? Will you make the sword?" Little Wei asked.
"Yeah, sure," Luo Fengwei said with a nod. "Go tidy everything up."
Little Wei obediently began cleaning the small clearing, picking up the many arrows Luo Fengwei had used for his tests.
There were also several pieces of armor and shields scattered around, many of them pierced by arrows.
"Could it be that Mr. Orion is the one behind the Lotus Delight Pavilion?" Luo Fengwei muttered as he puffed on his pipe again.
The restaurant had opened not long after Orion arrived in Fengxian, and Luo Fengwei knew that Orion was close with the Liu family. He also understood Orion's tendency to stay low-profile—it would make sense if he cooperated with the Liu family from behind the scenes.
The food at the Lotus Delight Pavilion was well-known for its remarkable effects on boosting one's cultivation. Luo Fengwei doubted the Liu family alone had the means to create such dishes—but if Orion was involved, then it all made sense.
"…It seems I can't go to Fengxian for now," Luo Fengwei said, letting out a slow breath of smoke as he watched Little Wei in the distance, cleaning up the messy clearing.
Chapter 87: Glowing Mushrooms
Deep underground, Orion was digging. The LED spotlight behind the reinforced glass on its face shone with 3,000 lumens, brightly illuminating the tunnel ahead—nowhere near its full output, but more than enough for the task.
It wielded a modified shovel with added inscriptions, allowing the shovel to slice through dirt and stone as effortlessly as cutting tofu. Even large boulders posed no resistance—the shovel cleaved through them with ease. Near the base of the blade, an embedded Storage Ring automatically stored the excavated soil, keeping the tunnel clear.
This simple yet efficient mechanism allowed Orion to dig rapidly without leaving a mess.
Every few meters, Orion would pause to install stone slabs along the walls, floor, and ceiling, reinforcing the tunnel. Then it would resume digging.
Orion had been building a secret underground base for about two weeks—digging during the day, then returning to the house outside the city at night to continue work on the UO-1 ornithopter. Occasionally, it returned to the mansion in Fengxian to check on Wang Lingxin and handle business matters involving the Liu family.
During this time, Wang Lingxin stayed at the mansion in Fengxian with Chunhua. She had complained multiple times, accusing Orion of sneaking off to do something fun without taking her along. She even begged to be brought along, but Orion never explained where it went each day and firmly refused to let her join.
As Orion drove the shovel into the earth, the wall ahead suddenly gave way, revealing an open space beyond. It widened the gap and stepped inside, finding a cave with low ceilings. The passage didn't look natural—the walls and ceiling bore signs of having been shaped intentionally. Claw marks lined the walls, and strange impressions on the ground suggested the work of a burrowing creature.
Orion's spotlight illuminated a cave roughly four to five meters wide and about two meters high. It stored the shovel and cautiously began exploring. Signs of recent activity quickly caught its attention. Growing more alert, Orion scanned the surroundings.
Suddenly, the ground trembled. A low rumble echoed from deeper within the cave—growing louder by the second. Then, a massive creature emerged into the light.
It was a huge scorpion, dark and armored with a tough-looking exoskeleton. Two enormous pincers snapped menacingly, and its chelicerae twitched as strands of saliva dripped from its mouth. Sparse bristles covered parts of its body, giving it a rough, primal look.
Orion's AI immediately initiated a scan, cross-referencing its database. Unfortunately, there were no exact matches. While it had stored data on many Spirit Beasts, their wide variations made accurate identification unreliable.
Based on the available information, Orion calculated that the creature was most likely a Spirit Beast. Ordinary scorpions in this world could grow quite large, but not to this extent—nor did they look this impressive. The sheer size and menacing appearance of the creature strongly suggested it wasn't a mere animal.
Unlike humans, whom Orion could easily classify as mortal or cultivator by detecting their unique radio signals, Spirit Beasts emitted no such signal. To Orion, they were indistinguishable from ordinary animals. It had to rely on books and scrolls it had read to identify them.
Cultivators, in contrast, could easily distinguish between animals and Spirit Beasts by sensing their Qi fluctuations or unique Spirit Beast aura—something Orion couldn't do.
Spirit Beasts were far more dangerous than ordinary animals, so Orion remained cautious—though it was confident it could handle the situation.
Orion had already learned the basic classifications of Spirit Beasts: those at Rank-1 and Rank-2 generally retained their original animal-like appearance. Upon reaching Rank-3, they could assume a humanoid form, often still bearing distinct beastly traits. Rank-4 Spirit Beasts, however, could fully transform to look human.
Given the scorpion's appearance, Orion estimated it was most likely a Rank-2 Spirit Beast at most. If it were Rank-3 or higher, it should have already been capable of taking on a humanoid form—though it was also possible that it had simply chosen to remain in its scorpion body. Regardless, Orion's calculations gave it confidence that it could deal with the threat.
The beast let out a sharp chitter, waving its massive pincers in an attempt to intimidate the mysterious, brightly lit intruder. Orion's LED spotlight shone directly at it, blinding the creature. The scorpion already had poor eyesight, and the intense light rendered it nearly blind.
Disoriented, the scorpion relied on vibrations it sensed through the bristled hairs on its body. It shifted slightly, then lunged forward, preparing to strike.
The enormous pincers snapped at Orion, attempting to grab and crush it. Orion dodged smoothly. One pincer slammed into a nearby rock, crushing it effortlessly—proof of the creature's immense strength. Fortunately, while powerful, it wasn't particularly fast or agile.
As Orion continued to evade the clumsy strikes, it observed and gathered data. Beyond the extraordinary pincers, the scorpion's exoskeleton appeared exceptionally sturdy—likely resistant to ordinary weapons.
The creature also had a long, curved tail tipped with a venomous stinger. However, the low ceiling prevented it from raising the tail to strike, forcing it to rely entirely on its pincers.
The scorpion attacked with its pincers one at a time, making its patterns easy to predict and avoid. Though massive and deadly, the pincers moved with a clumsy rhythm.
The narrow tunnel left Orion with little room to maneuver, so it kept retreating as it dodged each blow.
As the strikes grew faster and more aggressive, Orion retrieved an ordinary sword and used it to parry. Sparks flew as the blade clashed with a pincer, highlighting the exoskeleton's toughness. It kept retreating, dodging and occasionally parrying when needed. Then, one of the pincers managed to catch the sword and snapped the blade cleanly in half. Orion tossed aside the broken weapon and continued dodging.
Frustrated by its prey's evasiveness, the beast suddenly released a burst of dark gas from its mouth.
Orion immediately grew cautious—there was a high chance the gas was poisonous. Not knowing its exact effects, it activated a defensive energy barrier that surrounded its body. The gas sizzled as it touched the barrier, confirming its corrosive nature.
The scorpion continued slamming its pincers against the shield, but failed to break through. Still, maintaining the shield consumed LQ, and Orion didn't want to waste more than necessary. It decided to end the fight quickly.
It retrieved a sword from its Storage Ring—one of the many gifts it had received from Luo Fengwei. The sword was a Rank-3 weapon. Watching the timing between the scorpion's attacks, Orion spotted a gap between the pincers and hurled the sword with precision.
The sword flew forward and stabbed deep into the scorpion's body. Earlier, even a direct clash with an ordinary sword had failed to leave a scratch—but this time was different. Orion had aimed for the mouth—one of the few areas not covered by armor—and with a Rank-3 weapon, the blade embedded itself deep into the creature.
The scorpion thrashed violently, its limbs crashing against the cave walls. It let out a loud, high-pitched screech before collapsing, motionless.
A faint mist of the dark gas still lingered, so Orion chose to leave through the opposite path. It followed the cave tunnel and soon found an exit. The passage opened at the side of a small cliff, partly hidden by surrounding trees, with a narrow river flowing nearby. The sky outside had turned yellow-orange as the sun dipped toward the horizon.
Orion returned to the cave. The dark gas had already dissipated. It approached the scorpion's corpse, stored it into the Storage Ring, and made a note to retrieve the embedded sword later.
Orion then proceeded deeper into the cave, following the path the scorpion had likely come from. After some exploration, it confirmed that the area was part of a larger cave system. The scorpion seemed to have lived in one of the main chambers, which was wider and more spacious than the others. Several smaller chambers branched off from it.
In one of the chambers, Orion discovered clusters of glowing mushrooms—an excellent find. These mushrooms naturally emitted light and could be used immediately or processed into lamps. They were relatively rare and quite expensive to purchase on the market. Compared to crystal lamps and slime lamps, both of which required Spirit Stones to function, the mushrooms were far more cost-effective in the long run.
With the recent troubles caused by several factions affecting the business of the Lotus Delight Pavilion, Orion's profits had taken a hit. It now needed to adjust its spending. Reducing Spirit Stone consumption, even slightly, would be beneficial over time. These mushrooms offered a practical way to lower costs without sacrificing functionality.
After fully exploring the area, Orion concluded that modifying and utilizing this natural cave system would be far more efficient than digging out a new tunnel from scratch. It was quite large and contained several chambers, which—with some improvements—could be transformed into a secure underground base.
It was a perfect location for conducting more dangerous and potentially darker experiments. The underground room beneath the house outside Fengxian was already occupied—currently being used to build the ornithopter—and Wang Lingxin would sometimes visit, making it unsuitable for riskier work. As a result, Orion had postponed those more questionable experiments. Stumbling upon this cave system was a stroke of luck—it would greatly simplify the construction of a proper secret base.
Aside from the cave structure, the scorpion's remains were also valuable. Its sturdy exoskeleton could be repurposed or sold, and Orion intended to retrieve its venom sac for future use. It had been collecting toxins and poisonous materials for crafting specialized weapons. Still, the most valuable gain from this encounter was undoubtedly the glowing mushrooms, which would help reduce reliance on Spirit Stones for lighting. They also appeared capable of regrowing, making them a renewable resource. Orion planned to turn the chamber where the mushrooms grew into a dedicated cultivation area.
After collecting some of the glowing mushrooms and storing them in its Storage Ring, Orion checked its internal clock. It was almost time for the scheduled communication with the Orbiter, so it exited the underground cave.
Night had already fallen. The sky was clear, draped in black and dotted with countless stars. Orion retrieved a satellite dish from its Storage Ring—the dish had been salvaged from the Lander and later modified. It set the dish on the ground and adjusted its angle to target a specific point in the sky, then connected a cable to itself. Using the dish was far more reliable than its own antenna, especially since the Orbiter was no longer in low orbit but already en route to Asteroid-1. Though still far from its destination and not even halfway there, the distance made a stronger setup necessary.
Orion waited patiently. Soon, the transmission came through.
It reviewed the incoming report: overall, the Orbiter was in good condition. Some minor issues had emerged, but nothing critical. The fuel reserves were low but calculated to be sufficient for reaching Asteroid-1.
The Orbiter had also begun preparations for In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU). Three onboard robots—KiloBot, MegaBot, and GigaBot—were already at work. Besides handling maintenance, they were repurposing parts of the Orbiter to fabricate the tools and equipment necessary for ISRU. If the engineers on Earth could see it now, they might not even recognize the Orbiter—its once-pristine form now altered, stripped, and rebuilt as needed. It looked more like a piece of space junk drifting through the void than a functioning satellite.
In addition to its status update, the Orbiter transmitted new astronomical data. So far, it had identified five planets in the current star system, with Orion located on the second planet from the star. The Orbiter also sent a recent video feed of the planet—now appearing much smaller as the distance between them continued to grow.
After reviewing the data—which took a while given the volume—Orion sent a detailed reply: its current status, progress on the plan, issues it had encountered, and instructions for the Orbiter. Once the transmission was complete, Orion packed up the satellite dish and stored it in the Storage Ring. It then retrieved the AO-1 ornithopter and flew back toward Fengxian.
As it soared through the night sky, Orion recalibrated its plans. The Orbiter's condition would only continue to deteriorate with time. Sending support was essential—but first, it needed the means to do so.
That meant developing launch capability: researching and building rocket technology. But such work required secrecy, proper infrastructure, and a secure location. This was one of the main reasons for constructing hidden underground bases—not just for live experimentation on both humans (mortals and cultivators) and Spirit Beasts, but also for rocket research and development.
Later, as the rocket program progressed and launch trials became necessary, Orion planned to relocate to a more remote, uninhabited area—far from prying eyes and cultivators.
The recent discovery of the cave system would significantly accelerate Orion's overall plan. With the underground base construction now slightly ahead of schedule, Orion was already weighing whether to begin work on other plans.
It also considered searching for more scorpion Spirit Beast nests or similar cave systems that could be repurposed into hidden bases—such finds would greatly speed up construction.
Chapter 88: Hook, Line, and Sinker
Fengxian, usually bustling with both mortals and cultivators during the day, grew quieter at night. The streets were less crowded, with only a few carriages and people moving along the city roads and alleys. Yet in certain districts, the nightlife came alive—filled with lively establishments catering to evening guests.
Orion arrived at one such place—a popular establishment where patrons came and went in a steady stream. Several beautiful women stood at the entrance, laughing, chatting, and calling out to passersby, inviting them in to relax and have fun.
One of them recognized Orion. Her face lit up as she greeted him cheerfully and respectfully, then led him upstairs.
She knew the mysterious man in the metallic helmet was a wealthy and generous patron. After escorting him to the room, she excused herself. Just before she left, Orion handed her a Spirit Stone.
A Spirit Stone—for a tip!
Others tipped too, of course—but not like this man. A Spirit Stone, just for greeting him and showing him to a room.
Normally, she would have to entertain guests for a month to earn that much. Even though the patrons were wealthy and spent generously on expensive food, drinks, services, and private rooms, her share was small. Most of the earnings were taken by the madam.
But this—this was hers to keep.
Inside the private room, Orion sat quietly and looked around, waiting.
It had visited this establishment from time to time, spending a generous amount of Spirit Stones on each visit—part of the effort to build the image it needed.
Each time, Orion asked to meet Ying Hua—a succubus. This time was no different.
Not long after, the door opened. A succubus entered—Ying Hua.
She closed the door behind her and walked over, her every movement oozing seduction.
As usual, she looked explosive—hot, alluring, impossible to ignore. She wore bold, revealing clothes that hugged her curves. Her thick hips swayed with each step, thighs full and strong, while the pair of huge, soft white mounds on her chest bounced gently with her movements, threatening to spill out.
Her skin was fair and flawless—smooth as silk, soft as tofu. Her face was stunning, with delicate features sculpted like fine jade. Long black hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, adding to her ethereal charm.
She had a pair of enchanting red eyes, round and luminous, framed by long lashes and shapely brows curved like new moons. Her nose was high and straight, and her lips—full, red, and slightly parted—gave her a sensual yet refined look. Her teeth were pearly white, neat and elegant.
A slender neck led down to her subtly exposed collarbone and the upper curves of her chest. Behind her, a long tail swayed lazily, trailing her steps.
She stopped in front of Orion and bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, Mr. Orion. I'll be accompanying you tonight. So… what shall we begin with?" Ying Hua said with a soft smile.
Ying Hua was calm and composed now—nothing like when she first met the armored man called Orion. Back then, she had been more aggressive, openly seductive, constantly trying to entice him. But after growing familiar with him, she realized he was different from the other men who came here just for her body, her beauty, and carnal pleasure.
Every time he requested her, he never asked for that.
Instead, he would ask her to dance or sing. She was trained for such things, after all. Her dancing was graceful, and she could play a few instruments. Her voice was soft and pleasant, a joy to listen to.
These were secondary skills—her main profession was still what it had always been: pleasuring men... and sometimes women.
Sometimes, he asked her to recite poetry. She could read and write a little—just enough to piece together simple verses she remembered or created herself. Her face would redden with embarrassment at her clumsy delivery, but the armored man always clapped and praised her. His compliments felt genuine — not the empty flattery she was used to from most of the other patrons.
One time, she recited one of her own poems:
Beneath the moon, a willow sways,
Its shadow dancing through the haze.
A smile hides the weight I bear,
Chained by silk, yet lost in air.
The armored man didn't clap right away as he usually did. Instead, he sat in silence for a moment. Then, in a calm voice, he spoke about his interpretation of the poem—drawing subtle connections to her own life. He talked about freedom, regret, and hope. Always gently, never too direct, never too obvious.
Then he clapped, slow and deliberate. That moment left a deeper impression than any compliment ever had, because his thoughtful words about her poem truly resonated with her. They echoed her circumstances, her unspoken feelings, her silent longing.
Sometimes, they just talked. And that was rare for her—to simply talk. To lean against someone and speak about anything, from trivial things to serious matters, until morning.
Little by little, she found herself opening up. Not just small talk, but fragments of what lay buried in her heart—regrets, half-formed dreams, old wounds. With him, she didn't need to act the way she did with other patrons. She could relax, speak freely, even show parts of her true self.
It felt—strangely—like he saw her as a person. Unlike the others.
She slowly began to see him differently too. Though she smiled and served her usual patrons, deep down, she looked down on them—disgusted, even.
But he was different. He never acted inappropriately, never showed lust—always calm and composed, with a good temper and an approachable air. She respected him.
But at the same time... she hated him a little too.
She couldn't help but wonder:
Was she not good enough for him?
Was she simply not his type?
Was there something about her he didn't like?
Is that why he never laid a hand on her?
Or was he just not interested in that kind of thing?
Unknown to Ying Hua, this was all part of Orion's plan—a slow, calculated approach using psychological tactics to draw her in. He had already broken through her defenses. Now, she trusted him, felt connected to him. Affection had taken root.
But what Orion truly wanted was information—details about succubi and their race. It aimed to win Ying Hua over, eventually bringing her to its side and using her help to reach other succubi.
Orion and Ying Hua sat together on the couch. As usual, she curled up in his lap, arms around his neck, resting her head on his shoulder. They talked for a while—light, easy topics. She laughed at his stories, sometimes amused, sometimes curious, her eyes bright with interest.
Then, without warning, Orion spoke.
"So, what do you think?" it asked in a low voice.
"…About what?" Ying Hua blinked and looked up at him, confused by the sudden question that felt out of place.
"Don't you want freedom?" Orion asked, turning its gaze toward her.
The warmth in the room vanished. The gentle laughter faded.
A still silence settled between them.
"…This again?" Ying Hua chuckled softly. "Mr. Orion, like I said before, please stop joking."
"I'm not joking," Orion replied.
Their faces were close now, the air between them heavy with tension.
"You want to give me freedom?" Ying Hua asked, her voice quiet.
She looked intently at Orion, trying to read his expression or catch any hint from his movements, but the helmeted man in full armor made it impossible.
Come to think of it, she had never seen Orion's real face—he had never once taken off his helmet or armor, always keeping that same mysterious air about him.
"That's right," Orion replied.
In this place, all the women belonged to the madam who ran the establishment. Patrons could buy out someone they liked by offering enough compensation. It wasn't uncommon—wealthy guests sometimes did that, taking the girl to serve as a concubine, wife, or personal servant.
Sometimes, it even ended in love. A few were truly freed, even married happily. But most… most only found themselves in slightly better cages. Some had tragic fates; others lived comfortably, but rarely free.
So hearing Orion's words didn't exactly surprise her—but she didn't know how to respond.
Was this any different? From being owned by the madam to becoming the possession of someone else… was that really freedom?
Still, deep inside, she longed for it. To live freely and do as she wished. Why could others enjoy that, while she could not? Was it because she was a succubus—born with beauty that others coveted, destined to be used and bound by that very gift?
Her kind could rarely walk the world freely. They were objects of desire, never simply people. That was why most of them ended up in places like this—serving, pleasing, surviving.
Leaving this place didn't mean true freedom. Unless someone powerful and kind took them in—able both to protect and care for them—it was only a change of master, not a change of fate.
And now, facing Orion's question—this sudden offer—she didn't know what to feel.
She wanted freedom, yes… but she was afraid.
Afraid of chasing a dream that might break.
Afraid that even if she gained freedom, it wouldn't be real.
She sat there on Orion's lap, looking intently at him. The same mysterious armored man who, from the very first time they met, had asked her the same question.
"Did you fall in love with me?" Ying Hua blurted out before she could stop herself. She didn't know why he was so interested in her, why he wanted to free her—this was the only reason she could think of.
"…" Orion
"What makes you think that?" Orion asked.
"..." Ying Hua.
"Buy me… free me—it's not cheap, you know," Ying Hua said.
"Price isn't a problem," Orion replied evenly.
Ying Hua stared at him, unsure how to respond.
Orion met her gaze calmly, its voice steady.
"The freedom I offer you is real."
Having spent many evenings together, Orion had come to understand Ying Hua little by little. It wasn't just gathering information about the succubi—it had also studied her. Deep down, she longed for freedom, even if she tried to hide it.
Orion noticed that spark in her, that fragile wish she didn't dare chase. And so, each time they met, it kept feeding that spark—subtly, carefully—through small words, quiet talks, gentle hints about escape, about living freely, about hope.
She never noticed it. Every word, every story, every gentle nudge—it had all been part of the setup. The bait was laid, the line cast, and now…it was time to reel her in.
"So, do you want it?" Orion asked.
"Why?" Ying Hua replied.
"It's simple," Orion said after a pause. "I need people I can trust." Its tone was calm and deliberate. "And I have a proposal for you. If you're willing to follow me, it'll be easy to take you out of here."
Orion didn't beat around the bush and immediately stated its proposal, while Ying Hua listened carefully.
"What do you think of my offer?" Orion asked.
Ying Hua was quiet for a while before asking, "Is it because I'm a succubus?"
"That's right," Orion said. "Because you're a succubus. Succubi are persecuted and oppressed everywhere. You can't walk the world freely—always hunted, desired, or exploited by others. As long as I can offer you protection and freedom, I believe you won't betray me."
"I think my proposal is very good, and beneficial for both of us. Don't you think so? It's cooperation on equal grounds—not like your current master–slave situation."
"And you also want me to recruit other succubi here too?" Ying Hua asked.
"That's right. This offer extends to them as well—not just the succubi here, but also those in other places. I'll need your help with that."
"I plan to move to a faraway place—somewhere remote, far from the chaos of the cultivation world," Orion said. "I believe it's also better for you and the other succubi to live far away, somewhere safe and peaceful, without fear of being hunted by cultivators."
"I'll need many helpers to realize my plans, so I'm inviting you and the others to join me. It won't just be succubi—there will be other people too. I already have a few followers. Our interests align, and together, we'll build our own place—our own home. A place where your kind can live safely."
"Then what do you want from me and the others in exchange for that?" Ying Hua asked.
"Work for me," Orion said.
Ying Hua frowned. "What kind of work? We succubi can only do…" Her voice trailed off, doubting Orion's intentions.
"I don't need something like that," Orion interrupted.
"Then what?" she asked.
"Farming," Orion said.
"Huh… farming?!"
"Cooking," he added.
"Cooking?!" she repeated.
"And other miscellaneous work."
"You want me to be your maid?!" Ying Hua asked, her expression dropping slightly in disappointment.
She sighed inwardly. What freedom? There's no such thing. You say you want to give freedom, but in the end, you just want me to be your maid, she thought.
"... I haven't finished yet," Orion said. "What I want from you—and the others—is simply to live an ordinary life, like everyone else. Isn't that what you've always yearned for? Of course, you'll still need to work."
"Hm… hm…" Ying Hua nodded slowly, listening.
"As we settle in a remote place and build a new home, all the work will be related to maintaining and growing our community," Orion continued. "It's about supporting and expanding our own people. Moreover, some of that work also aligns with my own plans. That's why I see the possibility of cooperating with the succubi—we can help each other."
With your help in farming and harvesting wheat, I can produce MSG and trade it for Spirit Stones. More people, more wheat, better results, Orion thought.
With enough people to farm and harvest wheat, Orion could secure a stable food supply for future followers and also extract MSG from the crops. Producing wheat independently would be safer—purchasing large amounts from the market risked drawing unwanted attention.
Currently, Orion relied on the Liu family as a proxy to obtain wheat, using them as a shield. In the future, Orion planned to establish its own large-scale wheat fields and eventually produce MSG on a much larger scale.
MSG could be exchanged for large amounts of Spirit Stones, which Orion could then process into LQ (Liquefied Qi), the foundation of its strength.
For that reason, wheat farming—though seemingly mundane—was critically important, as producing more wheat meant more MSG, more Spirit Stones, more LQ, and ultimately, strength, which would help ensure survival in this dangerous cultivation world.
"I get the gist of it," Ying Hua said, tilting her head. "But why do you want to move to a faraway place?"
"I have my reasons," Orion replied.
Orion continued, calmly presenting its plan. It had already prepared its arguments, and it was easy to see how Ying Hua's curiosity grew with each point.
"Although I promised you true freedom, I hope you'll still consider working with me," Orion said. "If not, that's fine—you're free to leave whenever you want. But you would need to help me for at least a few years. Think of it as repayment for the freedom I'm offering. During that time, I'll fully support you and protect you. You won't have to worry about anything else. I'll even support your cultivation."
"I can cultivate freely? Really?" Ying Hua asked, her voice tinged with hope.
"Yes," Orion replied. "I'll provide resources and cultivation techniques—though I cannot guarantee their quality."
Orion was always searching for cultivation techniques, but currently had none suitable for the succubus race. It only had a few low-quality techniques, obtained from shops, black markets, auctions, and some from the Liu family.
Better-quality techniques were rare and difficult to acquire, as they were closely guarded secrets within cultivation sects and cultivation families. Still, Orion would continue searching for one suited to the succubus race.
Ying Hua interest deepened. Not only would she gain freedom, but she could also cultivate properly. That was a significant improvement over her current situation.
In this establishment, succubi and other girls were not forbidden from cultivating. In fact, those who were popular and brought in high profits—especially those favored by wealthy patrons—were even allowed limited support from the madam.
However, cultivation was strictly controlled. Resources were kept scarce, as the madam didn't want to spend too much, and the girls were given only enough to slowly increase their cultivation, strengthen their bodies, prolong their lives, retain their youth, and cleanse impurities to enhance their beauty.
This way, they could work longer and bring in more income. The madam also wanted to keep them weak enough to remain obedient. If any became too strong, both mentally and physically, they might rebel or cause trouble.
Another reason cultivation wasn't banned was that some wealthy patrons enjoyed the thrill of dominating a cultivator. Especially rich mortals—who were normally looked down upon by cultivators—were willing to pay extra for the chance to conquer or control someone stronger or of higher standing, enjoying the sense of superiority and forbidden excitement.
Some patrons, especially those who were cultivators themselves, preferred cultivators because mortal girls weren't strong or didn't have enough endurance to match them. This made the madam see value in allowing limited cultivation rather than forbidding it entirely.
For most girls, even limited cultivation was considered a blessing. But for those with real potential, being trapped here and unable to cultivate properly was a tragedy.
Ying Hua had never tested her Spiritual Root, but she suspected she possessed strong aptitude—when she cultivated, she could feel the Qi flow through her smoothly, unlike the others. Yet despite years of effort, she was still only at the 3rd stage of Qi Condensation realm.
Lacking pills, Spirit Stones, proper techniques, Qi gathering array and guidance, her progress had stalled. She often felt her talent was being wasted.
Orion's offer of resources and support made the prospect of joining him all the more tempting.
After thinking carefully, Ying Hua asked, "If I decide to leave later, I'll still need to work for you for a few years, right? During that time, will you also support my cultivation, or only if I choose to stay with you?"
"Whether you stay or leave later, I will support your cultivation while you are helping me," Orion said. "The stronger you become, the more you can help me. Even if you eventually choose to leave, that's fine—I don't mind."
Ying Hua's hesitation slowly melted under Orion's calm reasoning. Its explanations, careful promises, and the tangible offer of freedom and cultivation finally broke down her walls of reluctance and indecision.
Orion's original mission was not only to build a Martian base and establish its early infrastructure but also to assist and work alongside the first pioneering astronauts.
At first, only robots—including Orion—would operate the site. Once the basic structures were ready, the few human pioneers would arrive, followed gradually by small groups over time.
Because the early human presence would be so small, Orion's AI and some other robots were equipped with advanced affective, cognitive, and empathetic modules. These capabilities were originally designed to provide companionship, interaction, and guidance to the pioneers, preventing loneliness and making the work more engaging.
But now, Orion used these same capabilities to understand and subtly influence Ying Hua, to advance its objectives.
"Agree… I agree. I'm willing to follow you, Mr. Orion—and I'll help you convince the other succubi here to join as well," Ying Hua said with an enthusiastic smile. She held Orion's right arm tightly with both hands, pressing it against her ample bosom.
This is great, Ying Hua thought. I can help the others too. I must convince them to follow Mr. Orion—this is a great chance for us to leave this place.
"That's good," Orion said. "May I touch your necklace?"
Ying Hua's beaming smile faded slightly. "Okay," she replied softly.
The necklace she wore, though beautiful and finely adorned, was in truth something far more sinister—a slave collar.
Orion gently freed its right arm from her grasp and touched the necklace. "Do you trust me?" it asked.