Lucas sat on the edge of his bed, deep in contemplation. The soft light of the setting sun filtered through the window, casting long shadows across his modest room. His thoughts were consumed by the kind of mask he should create first.
The world he lived in wasn't a typical magical fantasy realm. It was a unique fusion of a magic fantasy world and a wuxia world, a place where ancient arts and mystical powers coexisted.
In this world, cultivation manuals were as common as they were essential. Unlike the wuxia novels he had read in his first life, where cultivators harnessed qi, here they used mana. The system of cultivation was divided into two main paths: warriors and mages.
Warriors were formidable fighters who used weapons and mana to cultivate their bodies, enhancing their physical strength and resilience. Mages, on the other hand, cultivated their mana hearts, enabling them to cast powerful spells and control the elements.
In essence, mages were akin to elemental qi cultivators, while warriors were similar to body cultivators.
Lucas's gaze drifted to the horizon, remembering his past life. Occasionally, there were also magic warriors—an elite class of cultivators who could harness both physical prowess and magical abilities.
However, magic warriors were rare, requiring not only a top-tier cultivation manual but also an exceptionally talented body.
In his second life, Lucas had been one such rare magic warrior. Known far and wide as the Demon King, he had fought, killed, and plundered countless enemies.
Among his spoils was a transcendent-tier cultivation manual for magic warriors, a rare and powerful artifact. Though he had forgotten its exact name, he remembered it was a thunder element cultivation manual.
Recalling the powerful transcendent-tier cultivation manual he had obtained in his previous life, he decided to consult the system about its potential use.
"System," he called out, breaking the silence. "Can the mask learn any cultivation manual?"
A familiar, mechanical voice echoed in his mind, [Affirmative. The mask can assimilate and cultivate any type of cultivation manual.]
Lucas's face broke into a wide smile, his eyes sparkling with newfound hope and determination. "Perfect," he murmured to himself. He closed his eyes, recalling every detail of the thunder element cultivation manual, a relic that had granted him unparalleled power before. With focused intent, he began the process of creating his first mask.
Energy swirled around him as the mask started to materialize. It was a blank canvas, waiting to be filled with the power he would bestow upon it. The room seemed to hum with anticipation.
The system's voice interrupted his thoughts.
[Instruction: Wear the mask and commence cultivation as per the chosen manual. The mask will autonomously integrate the cultivation progress.]
Taking a deep breath, Lucas picked up the newly formed mask. It felt cool and smooth in his hands. He put it on, feeling a slight tingle as it adhered to his face. Immediately, he could sense a connection to the mask, a conduit for his cultivation.
He began to cultivate, drawing mana from the air around him into his body. The air crackled with energy as he channeled the mana, following the intricate methods outlined in the manual. He could feel the raw power of the thunder element flowing through him.
"Just like old times," Lucas whispered to himself, a hint of nostalgia in his voice.
He concentrated on converting the ambient mana into thunder mana, a process described in the manual. The exchange rate was harsh—ten units of regular mana for a single unit of thunder mana. Despite the slow pace, Lucas knew the effort was worth it. Thunder mana was exponentially more powerful, providing strength that far surpassed ordinary cultivation.
"Focus," he told himself. "Slow and steady."
Lucas directed the thunder mana into his cells, feeling them invigorate and strengthen. The mana coursed through his veins, reinforcing his very essence. His muscles, bones, and skin absorbed the energy, becoming denser and more resilient—the hallmark of a warrior's path.
At the same time, the thunder mana in his blood worked to enhance his heart and veins, boosting his internal mana flow. This was the essence of a mage, the ability to wield powerful magic. The dual cultivation method of the magic warrior allowed him to harness both physical and magical strength.
He remembered his days as the Demon King, using this very manual to dominate his foes. "The power to crush my enemies... It's all coming back," he mused, a grin forming on his lips.
Hours passed as Lucas continued his cultivation. The room was filled with a faint, electric glow, evidence of the thunder mana he was absorbing. Eventually, he felt a shift as the mask began to draw the cultivated mana from his body.
[Notification: The mask has successfully assimilated the foundational techniques of the Thunder Element Magic Warrior cultivation manual.]
Lucas felt a sudden and intense drain on his mana reserves as the thunder mana he had painstakingly cultivated was absorbed into the mask. The sensation was both disconcerting and fascinating. He placed a hand on his chest, feeling the residual warmth and power that still lingered within him.
"What just happened?" he muttered, glancing down at the mask. "It absorbed everything so quickly."
Despite the unpleasant feeling of losing his hard-earned mana, Lucas could sense that his body had retained the benefits of the cultivation process. His muscles felt denser, his skin tougher, and his veins thrummed with newfound strength.
"It's like my body has been tempered," he thought aloud, a smile slowly spreading across his face. "Even though the mana was absorbed, the strengthening effects remain. This means my foundation will be incredibly solid when I start my own cultivation in earnest."
The system's voice broke through his thoughts once more.
[Prompt: Please assign a designation to the newly created mask.]
Lucas held the mask up, studying its blank, smooth surface. He could feel the potential within it, a power waiting to be unleashed. "This cheat is the Divine Mask - God Clone System," he said thoughtfully. "I need a name that reflects its strength and potential."
He thought back to his first life, remembering the myths and legends that had once fascinated him. "The famous god of thunder," he murmured, a grin forming. "From my first life... Zeus."
He looked at the mask with determination. "I shall name you Zeus," he declared. "With this power, I'll ensure no one can harm those I care about ever again."
Holding the mask named Zeus, Lucas felt a renewed sense of purpose. The room seemed to hum with energy as he envisioned the many possibilities this cheat offered.