Time moved strangely as I floated within the void, the essence of fire trying to consume me as it changed my body. It felt like both an eternity of waiting while holding my meditation and mere moments. It took every ounce of my will and concentration to protect my mind from the ravaging inferno.

Eventually, however, the flames gradually died down. Once they settled down into mere embers that refused to go out, I tentatively released my mental construct and brought myself out of my meditation.

Congratulations Sapient, you are among the first 100 Sapients on your planet to attain Elemental Body Refinement Rank 1.

You have received the Title “Forged from Fire”

Do you wish to equip the Title “Forged from Fire”

Y/N

I minimized the prompt with a groan of pain. My whole body ached, like a horde of elementary school kids had beaten me with flaming baseball bats. My muscles were spasming. Every twitch released a wave of heat. The room around me felt as hot as an oven, and it was difficult to breathe.

A few minutes passed as I just existed. Gradually, my exhaustion faded away and the pain slightly lessened. With the reduction in pain, I cracked open an eye and saw the indicator of multiple prompts waiting for my attention. I pulled out a cold bottle of water first and drained it in one go. My sandpaper like throat greedily absorbed all the moisture I could give it.

My mouth tasted like copper, and my lungs convulsed briefly. A thick globule entered my mouth, and I spat it on the floor. A thick, congealed mass of blood hit the ground with a loud splat, leading to a few more hacking coughs. Once it subsided, I drank another bottle of water, rinsing my mouth out first, and sat up. My head swam for a moment before everything settled and I could focus.

Congratulations, your skill Ki Smithing has increased.

Ki Smithing Rank 6

Congratulations, your skill Weapon Smithing has increased.

Weapon Smithing Rank 6

Congratulations, your skill Ki Formations has increased.

Ki Formations Rank 6

Congratulations, your skill Meditation has increased.

Meditation Rank 15

Bloody hell. How did my meditation skill rise so high? It was much lower last time I checked, wasn’t it? Yeah, it was something like six or seven before.

Constitution +1

Endurance +1

Congratulations Sapient, you have integrated enough Fire Elemental Essence to refine your body.

Checking Path…

Path found: Path of Ki

Analyzing Cultivation…

…

Body Rank 8 Cultivation

Assessing Soul Element…

…

Compatibility with Fire elemental Body rank 1: 90%

Quantifying Benefits…

…

At least I didn’t have to sit through the message populating itself in real time, like the first messages we all received. That first message seemed to take forever for the System to process it.

Congratulations Sapient, you have attained the Fire Elemental Body Refinement Rank 1

+50% health Regeneration

+50% Stamina Regeneration

+25% Ki Based Fire Elemental Damage

+25% Fire Elemental Resistance

+50% Nutritional Requirements

To advance your Fire Elemental Body Refinement, integrate more Fire Elemental Essence.

After all that pain and suffering, I was kind of disappointed with the results. I mean, it provided decent passives. Increasing my health and stamina regeneration by fifty percent, and the extra fire damage would be useful once I opened my Middle Dantian. And who would say no to fire resistance? Getting burned hurt like hell. But an increased food requirement? Did that cancel out my bonus from the Stomach Meridian? Or was it fifty percent more than I needed now? I didn’t even get any stat points besides the constitution and endurance I got from surviving the experience.

Congratulations Sapient, you are among the first 100 Sapients on your planet to attain Elemental Body Refinement Rank 1.

You have received the Title “Forged from Fire”

Do you wish to equip the Title “Forged from Fire”

Y/N

I clicked on the Forged from Fire Title to see what it granted.

Forged from fire

By being in the first 100 people who achieved this notable feat so soon since System Initialization, 25% of the fire damaged stopped by your Fire Elemental Resistance will be absorbed in the form of Fire Elemental Essence instead of being resisted so long as this Title is equipped.

So, twenty-five percent of twenty-five percent gets converted into Fire Elemental Essence and integrated into my body to improve its rank. That’s what, about six percent or so of all fire damage. How much do I even need to advance a rank?

I took a minute to go through my status and tried to find the answer to my last question.

[i] [Johns character sheet Chapter 33]

It didn’t take long. Under the “Special” portion of my main character screen, it was listed right above my Berserk Bloodline ability. After listing the bonuses, it had an entry for progress to my next rank. It would require one thousand points of Fire Elemental Essence to Progress to rank two. I didn’t know exactly how much each natural treasure would give; the guide only gave percentages for rank one. But I knew with only six percent of fire damage going towards it, it would take sixteen thousand fire damage to get me there. That was an insane amount of damage to take, even if twenty-five percent of it wouldn’t hurt me. Although, if I could increase my fire resistance, the percentage absorbed would go up. Maybe I should find some item with fire resists built in.

I equipped the new title, then noticed how low my Ki was. I must have been using the Ki to restore my body as it was infused with fire. I settled down and refilled my Ki pool. I didn’t want to draw from the forge again. I had been using it heavily today, and it refilled slower than I could restore my pool on my own.

As I finished refilling all of my Ki, I checked the time and saw that it was just past seven in the evening. It wouldn’t be long before the High Priestess would begin her series of soul binding rituals. I got up and set myself to complete the Formations on my second axe.

Two hours of careful engraving later, with frequent pauses to make sure they matched up with the first axe, I finished. I now had a matched pair of beaded hand axes shaped to look like long fangs. The power in them resonated slightly with each other, like they wanted to be linked. It wasn’t strong, but I was sure the Soul-Binding would enhance that and they would become one.

I used my Ki reserves to fill each of the axes. I had to pause between each to refill my own pool, but by the time I was finished, they were both ready for action. They felt good in the hand and slipped easily into the loops I had Cody fashion for me when I last saw him, so each sat nicely on my hips, ready to be drawn at a moment’s notice. I had considered just storing them in my inventory, but this way I could have them in hand without the extra focus needed to pull things out of my ring.

I left my smithy and went to the admin building. The moon was just rising over the horizon with the sun setting in the west. For the next half hour or so, both celestial bodies were present in the sky.

Infront of the admin building, the rest of my group had gathered. The village had logs set up in a ring around a fire pit and my party was all sitting around the fire waiting for the High Priestess to be ready. Koda lay in front of Magnus, already grown from the last time I saw him, getting scratches from Magnus. Rowan and Kiara sat next to each other, and Cody sat on the other side of Magnus.

Kiara was sporting a freshly polished staff resting on her shoulder. It had leaves and vines carved in relief with a three-inch-long light blue, clear quartz point set on the top. Cody had the Embersteel shield we looted from the dungeon. Everyone but Rowan had something in hand. He was wearing his blue silk robe with new golden spider silk thread stitched in forming glyphs and lines connecting them together.

I settled down on an open log. “So, you all figured out what you wanted to get Soul-Bound?” I asked.

“You already know I’m Soul-Binding Koda here,” Magnus answered first. He had a gentle smile as he looked fondly at his bear.

“I’m getting this shield, Soul-Bound. My Paladin’s armor, from my mace, grows with my rank already. So, I figured getting the shield Soul-Bound might be smart, especially with an increase in its abilities,” Cody said next.

“That Juanita chick shaped me this staff and molded the wood around the crystal on top. Rowan enchanted it for me, and Soul-Binding will make it more powerful,” Kiara said with a shrug. With her bringing it back to my attention, I checked out its properties.

Gardner’s Staff

Quality: Exceptional

Rarity: Rare

Durability: 50/50

Damage: 25

Weight: 3lbs

Traits: Mana infused Ash Wood, Mana Crystal

Magic effects: +35% plant magic spell effect, +35% mana regeneration, +35% durability

Mana Pool: 260/260

Mana Pool Regeneration: 10/min

After looking it over, I asked a question. “No active spell effects on it?”

“Nah, I wanted to stick to a plant theme, and any active spell effect Rowan could have put in it, I already knew. So, some passives and an extra mana pool to draw on is enough for me. Plus, whatever the Soul-Binding give it.”

I nodded and turned to Rowan.

“I’m getting my robes Soul-bound,” Rowan said simply.

I nodded and pulled up its stats as well.

Robes of Abundant Mana

Quality: Exceptional

Rarity: Rare

Durability: 26

Defense: 0

Weight: 1lb

Traits: +20% enchantment effect

Magic effects: +41% Mana Regeneration, Self-Mending, Self-Cleaning

Restores durability at a rate of: 1.65 per hour

“Well, more mana recovery never hurts,” I said. “And at least someone here will never have to worry about torn or dirty clothes. I wonder what the Soul-Binding will add to it.”

I showed everyone my matched pair of axes before we fell silent, waiting for the High Priestess to call us in, one by one.

We didn’t have to wait for too long. One of the High Priestess’s aids came out and took me into the Ritual Chamber first. The set up differed from the last time I was in here. They removed the pillar with its wide bowl. The pentacle seemed to be larger now, with the center area big enough for an adult to lie in without touching the inlaid silver lines. One thing hadn’t changed, the High Priestess was still doing her ritual, Skyclad.

“Come in,” she said. “Please, pass me that which will be bound to your soul, remove your armor and bare your chest, then lie down here in the center.”

I did as instructed. It took a few minutes to undo all the straps holding my leathers in place, then I removed my shirt and passed over my Dragon’s Fangs. After I laid down on the cold stone floor, the High Priestess drizzled a sharp scented oil over my chest and a bit over my forehead. The oil was at least warm. It felt weird to have a naked woman pouring oil on me, and I had to turn my mind away from the various videos I’d watch on my phone when hundreds of miles away from my wife. That wasn’t what we were here for, and I wouldn’t even if she was willing.

I was brought out of my distracting thoughts as she placed my crossed axes on my chest. I felt a subtle vibration within the weapons I crafted. The High Priestess started her chant, but I couldn’t focus on the words she uttered. All of my focus and attention were drawn into the Dragon’s Fangs. The resonance I felt between them gradually grew stronger until they were humming with the power passing between them.

The humming vibrations sank deep into my chest, deep inside of me and passed beyond to something far more ephemeral. The feeling resonated throughout my entire being. At first there was a discordant tune that refused to be quiet, but over time, the discordance shifted. Ever so slowly, the discordance shifted its vibration and fell into tune, vibrating as one. I felt a sudden deep resonating click within my soul and everything fell silent. Like with Rukia, I could feel the Dragon’s Fangs. Not just the Ki held within, but their very essence. It was like I could reach out to them from anywhere in the world and they would be there, in my hand.

I opened my eyes. When had I closed them? I could see Laura, the High Priestess, kneeling by my side, sweat slicked her body and her bosom heaved from the effort she put in. “It is done, until your Death or their destruction, you are bound. They will grow as you will grow; they will change as you will change. Forever and a day, they will be by your side.” She said with the weight of her goddess.

After a deep exhalation, she relaxed. While handing me a towel, she said, “All set, can you ask the next person to come in, in about five minutes? I need to reset the ritual room and restore some stamina.”

I wiped off most of the oil. Some had already soaked into my skin and put on my shirt. Before leaving, I thanked her profusely before walking out and letting the group know she would be ready in five minutes for the next one. They could sort it out between themselves who would go when.

I sat down on the log, feeling quite strange. I didn’t feel this way when the System Soul-bound Rukia and I. it felt deeper, more personal. I shook myself and had a look at the changes the Soul-Binding caused.

Dragon’s Fangs

Matched Set, Soul-Bound

Quality: Masterwork

Rarity: Epic

Durability: 234/234

Damage: 45

Weight: 2 lbs.

Traits: +3 Binding slot, Ki infused haft and head +150% durability, +170% Ki flow, +169% Material Ki Capacity, 46% fire resistance

Ki effects: any Ki technique passed through this Blade gains the Fire attribute and +66% effect.

Burning Blade: 1 Ki per 4 points of fire damage (+66% material effect)

Bindings: Sharpness +43% damage, Protection +43% Durability, Projection +43% damage and range, Storage Socket x2 +150 Ki pool, Ki Condenser x2 1 Ki regenerated per 2 minutes in normal Essence density area

Ki Pool: 0/286

Soul-Bond Traits: Returning, Twin Ki strike, +2 damage per body rank. Cannot be wielded by any but the Soul-Bonded

So, it got sixteen extra damage on each axe, not too bad. Should go up a good bit once I hit the Elemental Stage of my cultivation. I clicked on Returning and Twin Ki Strike.

Returning

At any point, the Sapient soul bound to this weapon can call it to his hand. The axe will not cross any intervening distance, but will instead simply appear in the wielders hand.

Twin Ki Strike

When these weapons are used together to project a Ki technique, the damage dealt is increased by 50%. Twinned Soul-Bound blades are greater than the sum of their parts.

Well, fuck. I may be undergoing a change in my fighting style with these. I was using my spear as my primary weapon, almost from the first day. But with weapons like these, I would be a complete baka to not use them instead. I slid them into their loops and stood up. They felt right, moving with me perfectly. They felt fine sitting there before, but now it was like I had been wearing them on my hips all my life.

After checking in with the others and my communicator, the ritual took nearly an hour to perform. It would be at least another four hours before everyone made it through their own rituals. I wanted to be there for everyone when they came out to congratulate them. With plenty of time on my hands, and a full Ki pool, I took my reward from defending the village and set to work expanding my Dantian.

[i] Johns character sheet Chapter 33

John Baker c6165

Sapient (Human)

Cultivation Rank: Body 8

Strength 23

Dexterity 19

Agility 20

Constitution 27

Endurance 26

Intelligence 23

Wisdom 22

Health points: 135/135

Health regeneration: 57/day

Stamina: 338/338

Stamina Regeneration: 47/minute

Ki: 32/225

Defense: 42

Debuffs:

Resistance:

Disease 30%

Mental Resistance 30%

Airborne Toxin 30%

Fire Resistance 25%

Meridians:

Bone: +6 Agility, +5 Defense, +5 unarmed damage

Dermis: +6 Dexterity, +10 Defense, +30% disease resistance

Stomach: +3 constitution, +3 Endurance, -50%food and water requirements

Muscle: +6 Strength, +5 Defense, +30% stamina pool

Brain: +6 Intelligence, +6 Wisdom, +30% mental resistance

Lung: +6 Stamina, +30% cultivation speed, +30% Airborne Toxin Resistance

Heart: +6 constitution, +30% stamina regeneration, 30% health regeneration

Spleen: +30% disease resistance, +30% poison Resistance, +30% health regeneration

Skills:

Acrobatics Rank 8

Athletics Rank 8

Axes Rank 9

Deception Rank 1

Evade Rank 10

First Aid Rank 6

Grapple Rank 5

Identify Rank 10

Meditation Rank 15

Perception (sound) Rank 4

Polearms Rank 15

Ride (Bicycle) Rank 3

Sense Motive Rank 1

Small Blades Rank 1

Spiritual Sense Rank 10

Spiritual Sense range: 264 feet

Stealth Rank 5

Unarmed Combat Rank 6

War Leader Rank 2

Weapon smithing Rank 5

Ki Skills:

Ki Smithing Rank 6

Ki Healing Self Rank 2

Ki Formation Mastery Rank 6

Special:

Fire Elemental Body Rank 1

+50% health Regeneration

+50% Stamina Regeneration

+25% Ki Based Fire Elemental Damage

+25% Fire Elemental Resistance

+50% Nutritional Requirements

Progress to Rank 2: 0/1000

Bloodline Ability: Berserker

Berserker Bonuses: (+16) +2 Str, Con, End per cultivation rank. x3 Stamina Regeneration. Rapid healing: Restore 1hp/5sec, injury Debuffs end after 5 seconds. Combat speed x2, +50% damage on all physical attacks. Duration: 5 minutes

Berserker Fatigue: Make Mental save to avoid attacking allies. 1/2 combat speed for 1 hour. -25% Damage on all Physical attacks for 1 hour. -2 Str, Con, End per body rank for 6hrs. All healing effects reduced by 50% for 12hrs. 1/3 stamina regeneration for 12hrs

Unarmed attacks deal +5 damage

Ki Techniques/ability:

Bone Knuckle Duster: Rank 1

Cost 5 Ki, +10 damage from unarmed attacks

(Cost is held, Ki returns to pool when technique ends)

Ki Healing (self) 1hp/Ki

Ki Bullet Rank 2

Type: Attack (External). Ki: 15. Damage: 30. Range: 50 feet

Duration: instant. Area: Target

Effect: compress your Ki into a small sphere and shoot it forth with the speed of your Cycling meridian.

Grace in Combat: Rank 5

Type: internal, movement. Range: Personal

Duration: concentration/5minutes. Cost: 0/50 Ki per 5 minutes

Effect: Grace in combat has 2 stages.

Stage 1: While cycling the movement Technique, movement speed increased by 20%, coordination, proprioception and reaction times and reaction increased by 30%. No other technique may be used while at stage 1

Stage 2: at a cost of 50 points of Ki for every 5 minutes, the 30% increase to coordination, proprioception and reaction times increased to 100%. Other Ki techniques are useable at this time for a 50% increase in Ki expenditure.

Jade Dragon’s Scale Armor

Rank 3

Type: External Armor

Ki cost: 30

Defense bonus: 30

Duration: 5 minutes

Effect: Create condensed and hardened Ki plates that overlap and cover your skin. Reduces damage received by thirty points, extreme damage may cause protection to crack or shatter.

Combat Arts

Critical strike: +25% critical strike chance, -15% attack speed, -15% damage. Cost: 70 stamina

Piercing Attack: Ignore 50% light armor, 30% medium armor, or 20% heavy armor. Cost 60 stamina (only usable by piercing attacks)

Bloodline Ability: Berserker

Berserker Bonuses: (+16) +2 Str, Con, End per cultivation rank. x3 Stamina Regeneration. Rapid healing: Restore 1hp/5sec, injury Debuffs end after 5 seconds. Combat speed x2, +50% damage on all physical attacks. Duration: 5 minutes

Berserker Fatigue: Make Mental save to avoid attacking allies. 1/2 combat speed for 1 hour. -25% Damage on all Physical attacks for 1 hour. -2 Str, Con, End per body rank for 6hrs. All healing effects reduced by 50% for 12hrs. 1/3 stamina regeneration for 12hrs