The Dawn of the New World

*Beep*

A series of green lights flashed passed the screen.

"I have narrowed it down to the following energies. All of them are at the top of their fields and have several branches that you can choose to focus later on."

"Great. Show me!" Hao Xuan propped himself up as much as he could before the waves of pain started emanating from his body. The hologram appeared in front of his eyes.

"1. Support Type: Azure Soul Flame.

Researcher Note: A type of ether flame usually found in the crevices of natural space fractures.

Usage and Effects: Has the ability to significantly increase the user's soul power. Can also be used to launch soul attacks or buff other soul-type techniques. Numerous other uses.

2. Attack Type: Crimson Sun Flame

Researcher Note: The most basic and natural flame in existence. Created naturally during the birth of new planets and suns. Has the most evolution paths in the flame-type category.

Usage and Effects: Has the ability to create and destroy life. Can augment attacks, techniques, abilities, etc. Can also be incorporated into certain physiques to give birth to new ones.

3. Attack Type: Chaos Lightning

Researcher Note: Naturally found at the edge of the universe or in certain places in the void. One of the most difficult energies to cultivate due to the inaccessibility to the source and the pure destructive power.

Usage and Effects: One of the most destructive energies in its natural form. *In-depth information not available due to lack of data.

4. Attack/Defense/Support Type: Gravity (Derivative of Force energy> Forces of Attraction and Repulsion).

Researcher Note: If you don't even know what gravity is then just kill yourself, seriously.

Usage and Effects: Let your imagination run wild. Make opponents slow down by increasing gravity in their surroundings, make yourself faster, attract opponent's faces to your fists, increase the density of your physique, and make yourself as heavy as possible, etc.

5. Attack/Defense/Support Type: Light

Researcher Note: Straight up light energy. Pick up a book if you don't know, I'm not about to explain what it is.

Usage and Effects: Move at lightspeed, rip through space, become invisible, literally turn into rays of light to escape or close distance, what have you. A lot of possibilities but also the hardest to understand.

6. Attack/Defense/Support Type: Space

Researcher Note: The thing that is all around you.

Usage and Effects: Twist, break, cut, or strengthen space. Open rifts and portals by connecting different places with one another, teleportation, etc.

7. Attack....."

The list had more than a hundred different energies. Hao Xuan took over an hour to go through them all.

He closed the hologram with a deep frown and rubbed his temple upon feeling the upcoming headache, "Baracus..."

"Yes?"

"Why do your "Researcher Notes" keep getting more and more offensive and less and less helpful down the list?"

"Those are just my personal thoughts. You don't have to take them seriously."

"You literally told me to go "kill myself" in the 4th one. What's up with that?"

"As I said, those are just my own thoughts. And I earnestly believe that if a sentient being, especially one such as yourself, does not even know what gravity is then suicide is a very good alternative for them. It would solve almost every problem."

"...you really wouldn't make a good teacher."

"Thank you.

"That...wasn't a compliment...."

"Nonetheless, I will take it as such."

"..."

Hao Xuan sat on the bed, speechless. Were all AIs so snarky?

He was going over the list over and over again when he felt something move from the corner of his eyes. He turned around to see a fat little white octopus sneakily making its way towards him from the side window.

Upon being discovered prematurely, Fortis froze for an instant before letting out a bellow, "MINE!" and jumped, firmly planting himself onto Hao Xuan's head.

Hao Xuan's right eye twitched from both amusement and vexation. He wanted to tell him that there was no need to sneak attack him every time and that no one was going to steal his "spot", but held back in the end.

"Where were you?" Hao Xuan inquired absentmindedly while narrowing down the list.

"Playing!" Fortis happily reported.

"With whom?"

"Friend!"

"Which friend?"

"MINE!"

"....alright, keep your secrets then."

A few more minutes passed and Xu Qing returned with a tray full of dishes.

There were over 10 of them. From eggs, steaks, soups to even something that looked like sushi.

Hao Xuan didn't hold himself back and started eating. He had used up a lot of vitality dealing with the poison and was very hungry as a consequence.

Fortis as usual laid claim to over half the dishes but Xu Qing gently pulled him away. She picked up a bowl of soup and started feeding him like a baby.

She didn't ask any questions like what type of beast Fortis was or where he came from either and simply embraced him so he wouldn't disturb Hao Xuan.

Fortis wasn't one to complain either and even though the quantity he was receiving was much less, his conditions were much, much better. He didn't make a fuss and obediently stayed in Xu Qing's arms while being spoonfed.

Hao Xuan glanced at him several times in envy. Thinking that it wouldn't be so bad if they traded places. He even offered Fortis the giant steak but the little octopus shook its head, slowly consuming spoon after spoon from the beauty's hand.

A couple of hours later Hao Xuan was feeling well enough to stand up on his own. He took a shower and cleaned himself up.

Yangdi's call came again.

Hao Xuan made Baracus strengthen the security of Yangdi's spirit band, making it much more sophisticated. They would know if anyone was eavesdropping on their conversations.

He picked up and saw Yangdi in a much better condition. He was sitting outside under the sun with a cup of tea in his hands.

"I have news," Yangdi didn't dilly-dally and got to the point, "It seems Princess Yin has managed to get the support of two of the great generals. They are making some movements. Rumor is that they will be meeting with her in-person in a few days to decide what to do in the near future. Although we haven't suffered any major defeats other than the attack on the first stronghold, it's still a losing battle. The Jia's partnership with the Wu clan is a major threat."

"Is the meeting taking place in the capital?" Hao Xuan inquired.

"No, the Crown prince is in the capital. The Princess is right here, in Fortuna. I believe she might be paying a visit to your Red Legion's founder as well."

"Hoo, is that right..." Hao Xuan rubbed his chin in deep thought.

"Anything else?"

"No, that's it."

"Alright. By the way, be careful. Someone tried to poison me last night on the way back from your place. They probably don't know our connection but still."

"What?!" Yangdi jumped up from his seat.

"When was this? How did it happen? What kind of poison was it? Are you okay?" he fired off one question after another.

"Yeah I'm fine, don't worry..."

He explained the whole situation to Yangdi which somehow calmed him down quite a bit.

"Poisoned tea from a roadside stall....huh?"

Hao Xuan frowned looking at the Yangdi's thoughtful expression, "What? Does that sound familiar?"

Yangdi looked up at the camera to meet Hao Xuan's gaze before slowly nodding once, "Yes, I believe....."