CHAPTER 21

This is the first time I went to sleep dry when I had a good ass pussy beside me. When Lily left, I headed to the gym. Bullied Ashton and his crew before heading back home for shower and food.

When I stepped into the office, Kimiko and two other nerdy girls were adjusting the map. I dropped down behind my desk and booted up my pc.

Pulling up a city building app, I began organizing how the outside layer would look. Basic needs such as hookup to the enchanted aquifer, sewage system, electricity, and a really beautiful wall. Then came the plaza and parks and residential housing. Big three types and duplicates. Not the hardest work ever but just annoying.

Greenhouses are necessary. With winter coming in three to four months, we will need it. Everything else could be empty plots and sold. Like before, they can utilize credits to buy plots.

Speaking of which, I had an email from the org about transitioning into a digital currency. It would be more solid than paper money of the old system.

I approved it and Kimiko group began the distribution. After all, one credit was ten bucks. So it was an easy transfer, just tedious.

Looking over the large city, I nodded happily. This community could hold six thousand but the outer layer will be able to hold five hundred thousand. With enough greenhouse to feed four hundred thousand if we use the old seed stock. With the new magical seeds, it should take less time to grow crops.

So the estimated crop feed will jump to over two million if done right. The only problem is the meat source.

Well it isn't the only problem, I am infinitely scared that the portals will drop an army down on us. We can handle non sentient beings but I'm worried about strong intellectual magical creatures.

Digressing from my task, I forward the city plans to the construction crew. Leaning back in my chair, I wanted to celebrate a job well done. Yet, Alana came in with Gracelynn and they didn't look happy.

"A few mages reached out to us and wished to talk about a non-aggression pact. How should I reply?" Alana said and I considered it.

"Forward them to Cambria. She will handle any negotiation."

"I can do it if you want it."

"No need. Just tell Cambria about it and she will handle it accordingly." I stated firmly.

Alana gave me a look like I wasn't believing in her but didn't she complain about work? Now she wanted more. How foolish she thinks I am?

Grace left with her and I sighed. People use you and leave you in an instant. But it's fine, I wasn't emotionally type.

The damn clock said it was still morning. I had absolutely nothing to do. Well not true, I could work on improving my skills. I could go watch TV, hunt a beast, or just watch the news for two hours. I picked tv.

***

Interestingly enough, I started watching a weird army of the dead TV show when Kimiko told me some suspenseful news.

"We found them!"

Frowning, I paused the show and looked at her bouncing in her seat.

"Found what?"

"The elves! We followed the tracks they left when fighting creatures and the cleared areas. They have a camp between lindero camp rd and kanan rd. As for specifics, we don't have a good view over there to pinpoint them."

I rushed over and took a look with a smile burning on my face. "Good job. Send a few drones out there and let me know when you get a smaller area."

Those goddamn elves have been way too quiet and I knew they couldn't be doing well in that war. All news stated that they and the humans on their side were losing ground slowly but surely.

"Yes sir." They all said and I decided to reward them.

"Give yourselves a fifty thousand bonus."

That got a better response and I dropped down into my chair. A couple news reports popped up on my second monitor. Other groups were doing similar things and clearing lands around them. The government finally showcasing their power by researching evolvers and their own personal army. It was a bit one dimensional but allowed them to exert stronger force the stronger they got.

Unlike us, shifters who had to go through stages. I'm jealous.

***

Day 1 for my hoes that never made it. Day 2 for my brothers that still act like hoes. Day 3 for shit I never got to do. Day 5.. day 6.. 7..

Okay, I tried to rap but as days really flew by. I couldn't help but count the days she wasn't feeling like fucking. On her day off, I had a couple doctors check her up but she was normal. The child was developing normally.

In the end, I really was missing good sex. I mean, the twins and Jessica were fine. Even Tinashe was okay but they weren't all that great. It was like eating at a four star hotel then going to pick up a two dollar burger. The difference is stark.

Okay, okay. So sex life isn't great but it's normal, right? Other people have this problem, right? I just have to be satisfied. I'm still living my best life, right?

I leaned back and looked at the guys working hard. They really made me proud with the effort they put in. I could send them tasks and they could handle it.

My phone rang and I picked it up. "Yes?"

"I have something interesting to show you but I have too much work. Come to my office." Remy's voice left me puzzled.

I shadow stepped to a tree in front of his lab and walked in. He had a nasty barrier that prevented my style of teleportation. A secretary met me and led me straight to his office.

Remy met me halfway and led me straight to where the magic happens. It was interesting seeing so many different types of mages learning, researching, or just procrastinating around. He created a little haven for his kind here.

"I am sure you know that the organization has to be some kind of alien group or time travelers. So I am going to skip to the main points. One, they have developed a teleportation array but it requires a lot of rare and before Tony brought back ores, unknown resources." Remy swiped his badge at a door. "Anyway, we can build a teleportation array but we don't have the space. Secondly, it will probably be one way teleportation. Not really worth it currently."

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I nodded, "okay, I have an outer layer map already made. The construction guys have already made a move to start."

Remy eyes lit up. "Okay, the second thing is that someone in the organization managed to kill a lord level creature. I bought the body at a very high expense. Plus I borrowed a lot of money from you. Thanks for that but the good news is that from studying this Lord, I have broken down the path for shifters."

He did another swipe and we walked into an elevator. "The major thing is that it has developed a magic core like we mages have. But the core was its heart, well the second heart."

"So you are saying my next step should be building this second heart? But how?"

"Mm, yes. As for how? The second heart is composed of a type of element. Just a single type. I think that the more elements you add in will make the heart stronger but you are the actual shifter."

I shook my head, "even though we have access to elements. I can at most control anything my dark element can corrupt. Plus this is just a basic level. Elements themselves have symbolic concepts attached to them that makes using them a lot more advanced. I believe that the lord might have made his core around a concept or even revolved a bunch of concepts together to create a law."

Remy eyes widened as he probably was reassessing his theory. "So are you saying these concepts can create a principle? Like words put together form a sentence?"

"Exactly!"

"If that is the case then once you form your core and turn your chi from gas to liquid. You will be the equivalent of a golden core expert from wuxia. But manifesting principles, that will be hard. How do we know which set can become a foundation? How can we know if they are able to grow?"

"Yes, that is an issue. But all pioneers have the disadvantages of figuring out the road forward. By the way, how did they kill the lord?"

The elevator opened and Remy led me to a large cavernous lab with a giant spider hanging in mid air. I could tell right away that the elements that it cultivated were water and dark.

However, the body was filled with numerous wounds. Some similar to beam rifles, others to spells and a few to blade like attacks. So they obviously had a huge group and probably lost just as much.

"You can see for yourself how they took it down. They brought a group of almost a thousand with the majority being normies using beam rifles and beam cannons. It was a joint operation between three groups."

Rubbing my chin, I walked around the creature before turning to a giant floating dark blue heart in a tube. My theory felt more concrete just from me trying to sense the outer edge of the thing. Yet, I now knew that I could achieve the same.

Thinking about it from my angle, I had dark and light blended forming twilight. Yet, if I form twilight and fire, I could produce lightning. This was just the basic building blocks. Yet, was this enough to build a heart with?

The spider could form numerous concepts with just dark and water. Corrosion and water could create poison in a way. I'm sure it had more complex concepts but that is all I can think of at the moment.

I have also used speed and particles to teleport around but this was all from twilight. Not to mention, healing which is combined from nature's vitality and light nourishment. I could think of so many different concepts that are of a simple compound.

Yet, taking wuxia into effect, the deeper the complexity, the stronger the power output.

Remy looked at me as I played with black lightning as I pondered on this. Having also power would be outright sick but having too many options can make you indecisive when you are the one first stepping onto the path.

So I will just use my three blocks to build a deeper foundation.

"Have you made a decision?" Remy woke me up.

Nodding like a chick, "yeah but I need to go back and experiment. Do you have any idea how they created the core?"

Remy shook his head, "no but I made mine by compressing mana into a ball. As the ball got bigger, so did my power."

I think I replied as he led me back up but I was just thinking on concepts. Like fire had so many. Explosive force, burning, hot, warm and so on. Let's not even forget that light has been given so many different perspectives.

I need to go to the gym. No, it's better to train and learn while fighting for your life. It's the wuxia standard way of life.

Calling Lily, I headed home to pack a bag.

"What, Lonnie?"

"I'm going to be gone for a bit. Remy showed me a new path."

"Okay."

The phone hung up and I touched my nose in embarrassment. Maybe I am the problem. Trying to go from hoe to husband material. I should just go back to what is easier. Maybe she will realize what she is missing.

Feeling a little put off, I walked into the elven world with the intent to begin a slaughter. However, the first thing I did was blend the light of the sun around me. Effective camouflage.

Thinking for a bit, I channeled lightning towards my legs and feet. Similar to how I would form phantom step movement without the illusion, I took a step and moved ten yards instantly. A whole six more yards than I am capable of with phantom steps. However, there was a loud clap and flash of light.

I feel like it should be silent and not so flashy. Plus it wasn't all that draining on my overall chi but I could see it being a huge drain if I left it like it was.

Repeating the same thing over is nothing but tedious. It took me literally three days using my new footwork which I am going to name, treading clouds. I moved up to thirty yards per step but it was like I was stepping in the air and not on the ground.

So I wasn't interrupted by the terrain. Yet, upon it was now silent but still flashy.

Anyway, it took three days to reach a forest that had a mixture of smells but the biggest was something I was familiar with, humans.

Before meeting up with any humans, I carve three swords out of a tree. Why? It wasted so much chi on creating a chi sword versus wrapping chi around an object. Secondly, it can help me refine my sword's intent.

I traveled through the forest, my steps were as silent as a prison cell. I switched to using twilight mana and there was no flashing. I felt like I was floating on clouds with how I moved through the jungle. Sadly, the drain was drastically higher.

Relying on smell alone, I quickly came upon a camp of humans. They were dressed just like one would expect of ancient times. Warriors in leather or chain mail. Mages with expensive jewelry. Servants were in loose grey shirts and pants. The shoes look like boots.

Listening in, I couldn't hear anything they said. No, I couldn't understand them. However, I could use the concept of devouring and suck down their memories.

Making my choice, I set down the extra stuff and gripped my sword tightly. Lightning was too loud but water wasn't and if I mixed it with twilight I could have a mixture of four building blocks.

So I didn't hesitate to move forward, my blade pierced through the first mage's throat while he was spooning down some kind of heavy broth. Ice sealed the wound as I phantom stepped towards the next mage who barely got up a barrier.

I switched targets and sent six sword beams at the six chainmail guards' forehead. My empty fist punched forward and a silvery dragon that looked like a diamond slammed into three guys going for their bows.

Not having a second to miss, I moved back to the mage who tried to shoot fireballs at me. My fist was covered by a silvery gauntlet and I power punched the barrier. I didn't know if my strength was just higher or what but the barrier pop and the mage chest dented inward with a solid crack.

Blood flooded out the guy's mouth as he crashed into a tree. I turned to the only living mage or well, he could have been a rich man's son. He dressed a little more finely than the mages but he was fleeing.

I rushed towards him as sweat fell into some of the cuts from the trees and freaking thorny vines. When I arrived at the imbecile, I gave him a light slap which put him out. Planting my paws on his head, I began trying to direct the devouring mana into his mind. My idea was on point but I felt like I turned this kid's brain into mana and absorbed it all.

However, the theory worked and his memories had me standing still looking mighty stupid. I went through the kid's entire life story. I knew the kids' parents better than I knew my own.

Digressing, I did gain a great understanding of the world I was in. Humans and elves had fought a mighty cult of demon worshippers before the Orcs capitalize. However, with the assistance of the dwarves, the losses weren't as great as they could have been. Thus only the elves who have less people due to the chances of having kids being lower than a lame fuck getting a dime in bed.

No wonder they were retreating into my world. Yet, I fear they will eventually bring Orcs with them. My world still wasn't ready for such an invasion from a war like race.

I tossed the kid aside and moved towards the battlefront. I wanted to test the different combinations before settling on one to make my core with. After all, I needed something with a high compatibility.

On the way, I didn't encounter many people but I did feel a stronger presence the closer I got to the Frontline. To the point that a mage appeared before me as I stared out over no man lane like a ghost.

"Are you here to join the fight?" The old man asked while floating just above the ground.

I nodded and he led me to a group who gave me a badge and tent. They settled me down in a company without much effort. I kind of thought of fleeing but more than eight existences that could swat me like a bug, had eyes on me, metaphorical.

It wasn't a big deal, I trained, slept, and ate with a group of random people. I am saying randoms like this company were made from different warriors from all walks of life. There were even kids with swords and shields. I had absolutely no faith that they could protect me but I came for entirely different reasons.

On the morning of the eighth day, I decided to stick with twilight plus water. The enemy war drums sounded and we lined up. I was placed in the middle of the line but that was fine.

What wasn't fine is that there were two shrimps on either side of me. I mean, I might have been a bit foolish using wooden swords but they look absolutely ridiculous in their shoddy leather and iron armor. The kind of shit you would find super cheap in games like monster hunter.

It was like starting gear in wow. I mean to the fact it would be quickly replaced with better every other second.

The army began moving towards each other and I felt a bunch of emotions. One, this is definitely what some kids dream about when reading about how the British waged wars in the past. Being that heroic knight slaying tens of enemies and bringing glory back.

Two, I felt fear. Not of death, I had no confusion about my ability to avoid death but of the watchers mistaking my moving about desertion. I had no doubt in my mind that those eight mages could easily slaughter me.

I prick my ears up as the sound of orcs in black heavy armor got louder the closer they got. It was honestly impressive as fuck.

Yet, within twenty yards, we ran at each other. I could feel the orc disdain as it swung a massive battle axe at me, the last ten steps. Sadly, a sword beam pierce through its eye and I step past his falling body.

My opponents felt like I was playing in casual mode. I deflect the enemy weapon with my hand while piercing their eyes. It wasn't hard or even troublesome. It was to the point that I had stepped upon my enemies corpses and entered their formation.

Even surrounded, I was able to direct attacks of my enemy into their comrades. However, easy mode slowly became normal mode as the sky brightened and sweat dripped into my eyes. My hair slapped at my face as I made fast movements.

By the time my stomach started growling, I was back in line with my comrades. Allowing the pressure to fade as I kept the left and right of me alive.

My lips were dry and my head was swimming but my sword intent domain kept me alive as I made a few imperfect strikes. My chi was at the lowest level but it was enough to keep me on my feet.

That moment that the horns for retreat sounded over my heavy breathing, I was more than ready to collapse. Instead, I used the last of my chi to kill those orcs around me and return back.

I didn't even bother with changing out of my blood soaked clothes. I just crashed into my tent and enjoyed the great release of sleep.