Raqin, the two old men—Jekyll and Hyde—and even the timid and easily frightened Meenah could not help but furrow their brows after hearing the projection's words.
"This trial is going to be more intense than the previous one," Raqin said unconsciously.
"Yeah, no shit."
The two old men replied in unison, also unconsciously.
After the projection disappeared, everyone immediately became vigilant. No one wanted to become a victim or be used as cannon fodder by others. Most especially, no one wanted to be around the group from the Mollock Syndicate. Everyone could still vividly remember what they had done to others during the first trial.
The leader of the Mollock Syndicate could not help but snort when he noticed everyone distancing themselves from his group.
"These weaklings actually think they stand a chance of survival."
"Boss, why don't we just leave these weaklings to their fate?" one of his subordinates asked.
The leader shook his head.
"I would have done just that after witnessing and participating in the Stair Climb and the first trial. But after witnessing a miracle—or should I call it an anomaly—I suddenly feel the urge to eliminate a threat before it grows wings."
"Are you talking about that boy with the bizarre breakthrough?"
"Who else?" the leader replied. "His aura is that of a human, yet it carries the breath of an ancient beast. If he survives this trial, I'll invite him to join us. If he refuses, I'll devour him. I have a feeling his essence alone might be enough for me to break into the next realm—or at least take a half-step into it."
"Boss, aren't humans supposed to be weak? Yet we've already met two who aren't weak at all. They're probably on the same level as us."
The subordinate pointed toward Jekyll and Hyde.
The leader smiled, though there was a hint of annoyance on his face.
"Most humans are weak. Those two probably spent their entire lives surviving in the Black Mountain Range. They may be on par with us—or even stronger—in terms of physical strength. However, their cultivation is likely inferior, and besides, their cultivation remains sealed. Don't concern yourselves with them."
His eyes shifted toward Raqin.
"The only one that concerns me is that boy."
While everyone felt agitated and paranoid about how they were going to pass the trial, many could tell that despite sounding easier than the first trial, it was likely far more dangerous. Some participants secretly eyed Raqin, contemplating whether to force him into submission or consume him to obtain whatever secrets he possessed.
Unaware of the growing threat around him, Raqin received a notification from the System.
/Host. Nanite assimilation in both individuals has been completed./
/Shall I begin initialization?/
"Wait. Before you begin initialization, can we include the foundation technique as well? Or do you have any suggestions?"
/Based on available data, it is not recommended that the host personally tailor cultivation techniques for each individual./
/Recommendation: Use the host's foundational technique as the template. This will provide long-term benefits to the host./
"I don't understand. Explain it properly."
/Using the host's foundational technique as the base will ensure that every technique created remains aligned with the host's chosen direction. As for the long-term benefits, that information will remain undisclosed until the host discovers it personally./
"I think I understand."
After a brief moment of thought, Raqin gave his instructions.
"Set Sword Cultivation as the primary path. Determine elemental attributes according to each individual's affinity. Determine Beast Cultivation according to bloodline compatibility. Also, maximize the probability of forming a Spiritual Seed within their consciousness."
/Parameters approved./
Raqin turned toward the two old men.
"Seniors, the nanites I gave you have finally completed assimilation. However, there is a small issue we need to discuss."
The seriousness in his voice immediately caught their attention.
"What is it, kid?" Hyde asked.
"The nanites are about to begin initialization. They'll create cultivation techniques tailored specifically to each of you. The problem is that I don't know whether either of you possesses a bloodline or elemental affinity. Also, the nanites can only make you sword cultivators."
The two old men blinked.
"That's all?" Jekyll asked.
"I thought it was something serious."
"It's fine, kid," Hyde added. "Neither of us knows how to use weapons anyway. Becoming sword cultivators doesn't sound bad at all."
Jekyll chuckled.
"Don't mind him. Since he won't say it, I will. There haven't been weapon cultivators for a very long time. Even at our age, we've never personally seen one."
He pointed toward Raqin.
"You're the first person we've seen wielding a sword. We watched you use it when you killed those two beasts while saving little Meenah."
Raqin frowned.
"Why are weapon cultivators so rare? Are they naturally uncommon, or has the practice simply faded away?"
"A bit of both," Hyde answered.
"To create a decent weapon, you need skilled artifact crafters, valuable ores, and advanced inscriptions."
"Finding ores isn't difficult," Jekyll continued. "There are many who understand inscriptions, though very few possess true mastery. Artifact crafters, however, are rarer than weapon cultivators themselves."
"Only powerful factions possess them," Hyde added. "Even then, you could count them on one hand."
"Over time, people abandoned the path because it became impractical," Jekyll said. "If you've noticed, nobody here uses weapons or weapon techniques. Bloodline Cultivation has become the norm."
"I see."
Raqin nodded.
"Since neither of you has any objections to becoming sword cultivators, the rest should work itself out."
At that moment, the System interrupted.
/Host. Initialization completed./
/Authorization required for activation./
Raqin immediately stood.
"The process is complete."
The two old men straightened their backs.
"The nanites have finished assimilation and initialization. All that's left is activation. Prepare yourselves. This may be more painful than anything you've ever experienced."
The two old men smiled.
"No amount of pain can surpass the despair and grief we've already endured."
Raqin nodded.
"Activate."
The smiles instantly vanished from their faces.
Both men suddenly grimaced.
An unbearable burning sensation erupted throughout their bodies, as though molten metal had been poured directly into their veins.
Without hesitation, they sat in lotus positions and focused on controlling the raging storm unfolding within them.
Meanwhile, Raqin and Meenah automatically assumed guard positions.
Raqin deliberately sat in front of the group, carefully observing the surrounding participants.
His gaze lingered particularly on the Mollock Syndicate.
Their leader seemed to be watching his every move.
"System, how long will activation take?"
/One hour./
"That short? Mine took more than twenty-four hours."
/The host is different./
/The host should not compare himself to others./
/One day, others will use the host's achievements as the standard for measuring the pinnacle./
Hours passed.
Yet not a single person attempted to enter the cathedral.
Only a few minutes remained before the activation process would conclude.
Suddenly—
BOOM!
BOOM!
Two powerful auras exploded outward.
The violent fluctuations immediately drew everyone's attention.
At first, many assumed Raqin was responsible.
"What's he doing now?"
"Did he break through again?"
However, they quickly realized the source wasn't Raqin.
It was the two old men.
Many wanted to ignore it, but after remembering the impossible phenomenon surrounding Raqin's breakthrough, everyone unconsciously chose to watch.
A dense earthen aura erupted from Jekyll.
The ground beneath him cracked as waves of yellow energy spread outward.
ROOOAAARRRR!!
A thunderous bull's roar echoed throughout the plaza.
At the same time, clear sword chimes rang endlessly in the air.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
A gigantic phantom bull materialized behind him.
Its massive body resembled a mountain given life.
Moments later, it stood upright, transforming into a towering humanoid bull wielding an enormous broadsword carved from condensed earth essence.
The mere pressure it emitted caused weaker participants to stumble backward.
At the same time, Hyde's body erupted with blazing crimson flames.
SCREEEEEECH!!
A majestic eagle cry pierced the heavens.
Behind him appeared a gigantic eagle.
Its wings were formed entirely from countless blazing swords.
Each feather was a sword.
Each sword burned with fierce fire energy.
A crown of flames rested upon its head, making it appear like the sovereign of all aerial beasts.
Sword chimes mixed with eagle cries, creating a strange resonance that shook the souls of everyone present.
Then, within the depths of their consciousness—
Crack!
Crack!
The Spiritual Seeds finally broke free from their shells.
Streams of spiritual light erupted from their minds.
At that exact moment, their Martial Spirits awakened.
Jekyll's Martial Spirit manifested as a towering Earth Bull Sword King—a humanoid bull wielding a massive broadsword infused with endless earth energy.
Hyde's Martial Spirit manifested as a Crowned Flame Eagle—a majestic eagle whose wings were forged from countless fiery blades.
The crowd stared in stunned silence.
Two ordinary old men had just awakened powerful Martial Spirits and cultivation paths.
And everyone knew exactly who was responsible.
Their gazes slowly turned toward Raqin.
This time, their eyes no longer held mere curiosity.
They contained greed.
Fear.
Jealousy.
And killing intent.
Meanwhile, the leader of the Mollock Syndicate narrowed his eyes.
For the first time since entering the Bone Lighthouse, he began viewing Raqin as a genuine threat.