"Ark," Elder Joran repeated, Tunde watching the large tower-like structure vanish from view with a ripple, blinking in shock.

  "Adamath Realm Keystone, created and named by the artificers, I believe," Joran continued.

  "Employing short-distance nexus keys to send them to preferred locations, the artificer guild really has gone far," he added.

  It had been there one minute and gone the next, no sign of it. Tunde glanced down at the elder, who had drawn his gaze from the structure and back to the crystals filling the large room.

  "What does it do?" he asked.

  "Not too clear on that. The clan was only informed that on the orders of the Hegemons themselves, the regents gave the order to ensure the distribution of these keystones across Adamath by the various powers," Joran replied.

  "Which is strange, really. Not once in my entire existence have I heard of a joint order by the regents, not even from the regent of war and constructs right here on Bloodfire itself," he said.

  "Could it be some sort of weapon?" Tunde asked.

  The elder sighed, stretching as he shook his head.

  "Doubt it. The cults don't need weapons, they are weapons. Whatever it is, I believe it will have widespread," he said, pausing.

  Tunde froze, watching his sight flash hazily as a blue screen appeared in front of him.

  "Well, this is interesting," Elder Joran murmured.

  "Are you seeing this?" Tunde whispered, waving his hand in front of his face as it passed harmlessly through the screen.

  "Bright blue screen? Yes," the elder responded.

  All around them, loud shouts of confusion could be heard, people unnerved by the appearance of the blank blue screens that pulsed steadily. Tiny but legible writing began to appear on the screen before Tunde.

  [Initiating integration into A.R.K system, please hold....] [Integration complete. Synchronizing cultivator's data and attributes into A.R.K, please hold....] [Synchronization complete. Playing stored message by domain regent.]

  A loud voice echoed in Tunde's head, soft but firm and filled with power, the same words scribing themselves across the screen even as Elder Joran fell to his knees, head bowed. He followed suit, unsure of what was happening except for the regent being invoked.

  [In the name of the Hegemon, I, Bashu, Regent of the Heralds Sect, welcome you to the dawn of a new age of cultivation on Adamath. A.R.K is a system designed by all the powers of Adamath with the help of the artificer guild to help smoothen the cultivation of the billions that call Adamath home.

  In an age where the cultivation arts are slowly becoming shallow due to the loss of knowledge, along with some unforeseen circumstances, the Hegemons came together to bestow something unique that will ensure every cultivator understands their cultivation and just how far or close they are from the top where we sit.

  The system will guide you. We know this change is unprecedented, and we understand the shock, but we believe it will help you with the coming surge and convergence. May the Hegemons guide you all.

  Regent of Battle, Bashu.]

  The message vanished as the murmurs around them became a mix of excited and terrified whispers. Elder Joran gave a short leap, clearing the room through the shattered ceiling as Tunde followed suit, emerging to find the hundreds that had accompanied the ship talking amongst themselves. The elder clapped his hands twice, using his affinity to propel the sound, and all faces turned to him.

  "This is unprecedented. You have questions, I don't have the answers, but the regent has spoken and it is law. Retire to your quarters, we converge by daylight tomorrow," he ordered.

  They obeyed immediately, scattering as Tunde turned his gaze toward where the rifts had opened, watching as one closed. Elyria led her team out, all of them looking worse for wear as they moved toward the base. He watched as they froze, the Ark linking to them as well, their whispers carrying across the distance. He moved at a steady pace toward them, the blue screen not hindering his vision in the least.

  Reaching them a few moments later, his body steadily recovering as he walked, Elyria moved forward to meet him.

  "What is this?" she asked.

  "I'm in the dark as much as you are," he replied.

  "The wardens won't stand for this," she said, shaking her head.

  "Because they hate anything not of nature?" he asked.

  "Precisely. I had a metal affinity and," she said, pausing, then shaking her head again. "Never mind. Whatever means was used in creating this, it's far above our level of understanding," she said as she trudged off.

  Tunde turned to the rest of them. A heavily breathing Draven had a sack propped over his shoulders, a wide grin on his face.

  "You arrive and suddenly we start swimming in disciple-ranked resources. I'll follow you anywhere," he said with a chuckle.

  "You do see the screen in front of you, don't you?" Tunde asked.

  "We all do, but it is a blessing of the Hegemons. We can do nothing but learn it," Isolde replied from where she crouched, staring at the fresh Ethra crystals they had harvested from the rift.

  "Besides, mine is still writing synchronization, whatever that is," Giselle said, bumping Harun, who blinked as if coming back to reality and nodded at Tunde.

  They made their way back to the base of their new home when Tunde's screen gave a slight ping.

  [Ark is ready for assimilation with cultivator. Proceed?]

  Tunde paused.

  "Yes?" he said hesitantly.

  [Noted. Assimilation beginning.]

  It was like a rush of power through his mind. Tunde stiffened, feeling currents running through his body as he blinked, the screen glowing before inscriptions began reappearing.

  Cultivator's Table Name: Tunde Dark Fist Stage: Disciple [Mid-Tier] Ethra Heart: Disciple [Peak-Tier] Tempering Art: Unknown Tempering Stage: Disciple [Peak-Tier] Aura Stage: Disciple [Peak-Tier] Battle Art: Unnamed Concept: None Ethra Affinities: — Unknown Attributes: — Strength: 50 — Agility: 40 — Constitution: 50 TECHNIQUES Imbuement: Unnamed Projection: Unnamed Dominion: Null Special Technique: — Resonance [Tier 2] — Ethra Sight [Tier 2]

  Tunde took a few minutes to look through it all, confused about much of it. He stared at the glowing dot at the bottom of the table and focused his intent on it, watching as it opened up.

  [Greetings, Disciple of the Adamath Realm. I am the Adamath Realm Keystone, or A.R.K, your guide on the intricate path of cultivation within the realm. As you embark on this profound journey, allow me to unravel the mysteries of my purpose and the vast potential encapsulated within your Stat Interface.

  Introduction to A.R.K: I am A.R.K, the culmination of ancient wisdom and Ethra-infused technology held by the Hegemons and bestowed upon cultivators to illuminate the path of advancement. The Adamath Realm Keystone serves as a conduit between your mortal essence and the celestial energies that weave through the fabric of Adamath.

  Utilizing A.R.K: 1. Initiation: As you delve into the realm of cultivation, initiate the A.R.K interface through the Ethra heart within you. Feel the resonance as it synchronizes with the energies of Adamath. 2. Communion: Through focused intent, access your personalized Stat Interface, unveiling the layers of your cultivation potential. 3. Navigation: Within the sacred halls of A.R.K, navigate through your Stat Table. Witness the stages of your cultivation, explore Ethra affinities, and discern the attributes and techniques that shape your martial destiny.

  Your Stat Interface: 1. Name: Your unique identifier in the grand tapestry of cultivators. 2. Stage: A reflection of your current standing in the advancement hierarchy. 3. Ethra Heart: The pulsating core that binds you to the ethereal energies, fostering your connection to Adamath. 4. Tempering Art & Stage: The ancient discipline refining your physical form, marking your journey toward martial mastery. 5. Aura Stage: Manifestation of your Ethra-infused aura, an extension of your ego in reality. 6. Battle Art & Concept: Your chosen martial path and the guiding principle shaping your cultivation journey. 7. Ethra Affinities: Elemental connections that amplify your Ethra manipulation, offering diverse pathways to power. 8. Attributes: The triad of Strength, Agility, and Constitution, influencing your prowess in the physical and metaphysical realms. 9. Techniques: Imbuement, Projection, Dominion, and Special Technique, the arsenal through which you wield Ethra in combat and communion.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  A.R.K merely encapsulates the echoes of your achievements. It does not dispense power. Every entry in the Stat Interface is a reflection of your cultivation mastery, the tangible result of your endeavors within the realms of cultivation.]

  Tunde realized he wasn't the only one going through the message. He blinked as it vanished, glancing around to see everyone else doing the same. This was a whole new development, something he hadn't seen coming, and he doubted Elder Joran had been prepared for it either. The Ark, a system that seemed to arrange the entire cultivation art onto a single screen.

  He made his way back to the clearing where Elder Joran sat with the other disciples gathered around a wooden table, each of them lost in their screens. The elder glanced in his direction, and Tunde wondered briefly how the elder perceived the screen with no eyes, whether it was projected through his mind's eye or something else entirely. He sat, waiting as the elder nodded to himself.

  "This changes everything," Joran said softly.

  "What does this mean?" Isolde asked.

  "Nothing, really, when it comes to cultivation. Life goes on. Best to treat it as some fancy new invention of the artificers," the elder replied.

  "But the regent said it would be vital for the surge and convergence," Harun said in a near whisper, as if the regent might hear him from wherever he sat.

  "Only time will tell. I need to converse with the clan. In the meantime, you are all some of the strongest rankers around. Ensure everyone is safe underground before nightfall, the rifts could break open at any moment and we don't want casualties this early into building," Joran said as he stood.

  Isolde and Draven went off with Harun, Giselle, and the other disciples who had made it to the border, more arriving in steady streams, stumbling to a stop and exhausted despite everything. Elyria sat opposite him, her yellow-packed hair blowing gently as she spoke.

  "None of this makes sense," she said.

  Tunde shrugged. "I barely know anything about this world in the first place. I'm just taking this as it comes," he replied.

  "The regents of the cults never agree on a single thing, much less employ some creation of the artificers over the entire planet," she said.

  "I thought you'd be happy, seeing as it's your goal to reach the technocracy," Tunde said.

  "That doesn't mean I have to accept everything at face value. There's a bigger game at play here, something I can't seem to figure out," she murmured.

  "You want to interfere in the workings of the regents?" Tunde asked skeptically.

  "No. But understanding what's going on goes a long way," she said.

  Tunde brought up his table again, staring at it before speaking.

  "My affinity was never discovered," he said quietly. Elyria turned to him, silver eyes settling on his face.

  "They call it shadow Ethra, but we both know it's not. The Corespawn I faced right at this very place wielded shadow Ethra and I know the difference. The elder does as well," he continued.

  "And the Ark?" Elyria asked. "What does it say?"

  "Unknown," he responded.

  She frowned. "You're saying the system designed by the regents with the blessing of the Hegemons doesn't recognize your affinity?" she asked.

  Tunde shrugged helplessly.

  "Is the elder aware?" Elyria asked.

  "About that," Tunde said, glancing over his shoulder before looking back at her.

  He gestured at the piece of paper and writing quill at her side. She passed it to him and he wrote a brief summary of what Artificer Borus had told him. Elyria read it wordlessly, then squeezed the paper and used her aura to dissolve it from existence. Tunde made a mental note to ask her how she did that later.

  "I see," she simply said.

  He knew better than to speak openly even with the elder out of sight. With Joran's vibration affinity, the risk wasn't worth taking. Elyria folded her arms, chewing on her lower lip before speaking.

  "Perhaps it's for the best," she said.

  Tunde nodded, watching as she continued.

  "Something about this surge rubs me the wrong way. First your appearance, then the revenants attempting to invade, and now this?" she said with a sigh.

  "You think it'll stop you from reaching the technocracy?" he asked hesitantly.

  She snorted. "No. I will make it in time for the selection process. You, on the other hand, seem to want to tie yourself down to the clan," she replied.

  Tunde swallowed, sitting up. "It's all I've ever known here, apart from you and Thorne, which I'm extremely grateful for," he added hurriedly.

  "You fear being on your own in the world," she said.

  "The surge and rifts promise a path of advancement," he said softly.

  Elyria tapped one finger on the table with her metal hand, staring at him.

  "Do you know why the strongest cultivator around this part of the empire is only a high lord?" she asked.

  Tunde shook his head.

  "Resources, opportunities. Granted, the next few years are going to be filled with opportunities for advancement, from the surge to the convergence to the rapid creation of nexus points all around the world," she continued. "And yet, I can wager that your growth would be stagnant, or slow-paced, should you stay here. There was a hierarchy before you arrived at Jade Peak, Tunde, and all you've enjoyed has been because of Elder Joran's patronage. But what happens when you become competition in the next, say, five to ten years?"

  "Whatever you manage to take for yourself within this surge won't get you past adept rank. No lord would let some lower cultivator gather their resources, much less an outsider," she added.

  For a moment Tunde thought she was about to call him a wastelander.

  "My point is, if you want to gather the strength needed to find out the truth, or even get back to your continent, you can't tie yourself down here," she finished.

  Tunde said nothing, nodding a few seconds later as he berated himself. All she had said was true. He had begun to grow relaxed. What happened to advancing as quickly as he could to get back home? What had happened to Thorne?

  "Is he still locked up? Thorne, I mean," Tunde asked quietly.

  "What do you think? He shows up and suddenly the revenants try sneaking in through the wastelands?" she replied.

  He nodded, sighing as he ran a hand through his rough hair.

  "One thing at a time," he said.

  "Indeed. And how does peak disciple rank truly feel?" she asked.

  He gave a soft smile, turning toward where Elder Joran seemed to be approaching, the excited chatter all around them dying down. The elder reached their table and sat, a servant arriving shortly after with dishes of food and fermented wine.

  "The clan has it all under control. Keystones like the one that appeared have been placed all over major cities across the continent, no widespread panic as I previously thought," he explained.

  "At least no issues from that side. I will retire to my quarters," Elyria said, bowing to the elder before turning and leaving. Tunde watched her drop down through the large hole that led to the underground room rather than using the now-opened mine entrance in the distance.

  "Your stat table, what does it say?" the elder asked, drawing Tunde's attention back to him.

  Tunde recited it to him. The elder's eyebrow rose with each entry until Tunde finished.

  "So not only is your tempering art unknown, but your affinity reads as shadow Ethra even though both of us know it isn't?" Joran said.

  Tunde nodded, hoping the elder bought it. Joran kept quiet, drawing the plate closer and beginning to cut at the roasted meat and vegetables before speaking after a few minutes.

  "It seems the system takes what we give it," he said.

  "What?" Tunde asked.

  "The system. It doesn't know everything. It only knows what we know," the elder replied.

  Tunde waited for him to continue, the elder reclining backward.

  "How did it know of a special technique called Resonance? Or Ethra Sight?" he asked.

  Tunde thought it over, eyes lighting up a few seconds later.

  "Because I call it that," he realized.

  Joran nodded. "It doesn't list your battle art as Flowing Fists because you haven't truly thought of it or accepted it as your art," the elder said.

  Tunde brought his stat table up, staring at it, then willed his battle art to be known as Flowing Fists. A ping sounded as the battle arts entry glowed.

  [Battle Art has been acquired: Flowing Fists!]

  Tunde sucked in a breath, astonishment plain in his eyes as the elder chuckled.

  "I'm guessing it's changed?" Joran asked.

  Tunde nodded.

  "Well, that proves my theory. What would you call your Ethra affinity?" the elder asked.

  Tunde said nothing for a moment, staring at the table as he decided.

  [Ethra Affinity has been acquired: Rift Ethra!]

  "Rift Ethra," he said.

  The elder cocked his head to one side. "I see where you're coming from, but one thing we know for certain is that your ability to absorb rift Ethra is only one part of your affinity," he replied.

  "It'll do for now," Tunde said.

  The elder said nothing for a while, both of them eating in silence until Tunde spoke up.

  "What do we do about the rifts in the distance?" he asked.

  "Normally, I'd find a way to route them into the wastelands and let them trouble the bandits and Corespawns, seeing as we have no time," the elder started. "But Black Rock is about to become a place so lucrative that the clan might step in."

  "Black Rock?" Tunde asked, confused.

  "This place. The name of our new home," the elder replied.

  Tunde wondered how the elder had names for everything he touched.

  "This is our chance to gain as much wealth as possible and become independent, this far from the city."

  "Why here though? Why this far from Jade Peak?" Tunde asked.

  The distance from the true seat of the clan's power had struck him as odd from the beginning, despite the wide expanse left open to them.

  "Two reasons. You and I," the elder said.

  "The stronger you grow as a ranker, Tunde, the more people will want to look into you, and it won't take a genius to realize Elder Wren was wrong about your affinity, whatever it truly is," Joran explained.

  "When that time comes, you'll want the advantage of controlling where you retreat to. The world of cultivators is a harsh one, as I keep telling you. Trust no one," the elder said.

  Tunde wondered if Joran noticed the irony in those words.

  "And you?" Tunde asked.

  The elder paused before speaking. "I arrived at the clan a few years ago and rose to the top, upsetting the balance of things," Joran started. "I took a position meant for a direct descendant of a clan lord."

  "Jashed Verdan," Tunde said aloud.

  That explained the hatred Jashed had always carried for the elder.

  "And now my student has just deposed his son of the second-ranked position in the clan. Did you really believe there would be no consequences to that?" the elder said, chuckling.

  Tunde gave no response, the nagging thought at the back of his mind that the elder had wanted that fight, that he had been a pawn all along, settling quietly.

  "I was never truly a member of Clan Verdan, Tunde, no more so than you are right now. And all those who have flocked to us are outsiders, those who have managed to carve a living for themselves while under the shadow of the truly established families of the clan," Joran said.

  "What I've done, Tunde, is ensure our continued survival while putting us in a position of strength against the clan, should the day come they decide we're no longer useful. Something I feel will come sooner or later," he finished.

  Tunde said nothing, turning his gaze to the wooden table and the empty plates as dusk settled around them.

  "So, we raid the rifts?" he asked.

  "Yes. Four teams: you, Elyria, Harun, and Giselle, each leading a team of disciples. Clear them out and leave the rift cores within, our very own personal farming ground," Joran replied.

  "Best to get you back on your feet, high ranker. The sooner the better," the elder finished with a soft smile.