Star Odyssey

Chapter 6: The Die And The Cosmic Art

A long time passed before Lu Yin coughed out some more blood, a shockwave rippling out from his body that overturned his tent. The blast destroyed equipment and knocked over trees for hundreds of meters in all directions, prompting the arrival of two captains who were looking for the source of the disturbance.

Are you Lu Yin, the new captain? Feng Hongs voice rang out, a questioning gaze directed at the ruins of Lu Yins tent.

Lu Yin quickly emerged from the ruins, walking with unsteady steps. He was pale as a ghost, but still noticed the woman next to Feng Hong as well as the soldiers who were looking on cautiously, Yes, Im Lu Yin. Sorry for the disturbance.

Why are you so weak? The two captains stared at him in shock.

Lu Yin smiled bitterly, I saw the Executioner display his battle technique a while ago, and it made me want to try mine as well. Unfortunately, I failed and hurt myself.

Feng Hong immediately relaxed and chuckled, Brother Lu, try to hold back a bit. Battle techniques are difficult to train and take patience. We captains have the occasional fortune to train with the Executioner, so I suggest you wait for him.

Lu Yin nodded with understanding, I see. Thanks for your advice, Brother Feng.

Feng Hong waved him off, Youre most welcome. After all, were all brothers in this camp and will need to rely on each other to face future disasters. Ill have someone clear out another tent for you, so get some rest. Right, do you need a doctor?

Oh no, these are just superficial wounds. Im just tired.

Good, then well head out. Rest well, Brother Lu, Feng Hong nodded before sending a glance towards the woman. Nodding herself in acknowledgment, she took one more look at Lu Yin and left.

Lu Yin followed some soldiers to a nearby tent where one soldier saluted him, I will take my leave now, Commander Lu. Just give us a shout if theres anything else you need. He nodded and entered his tent as the soldiers left, eyes sparkling with excitement and anticipation. The formcast model had succeeded, and even given him an enormous surprise. A six-sided die appeared in his palm as he raised his hand, sparkling with starry energy. It looked completely ordinary, but he knew it to be an innate gift, something few cultivators got with their first use of a formcast model.

Innate gifts were odd things that many scholars considered the biggest mystery of existence. no one knew where they came from, and the popular belief that they were connected to ones origin were speculation at best. However, Lu Yin couldnt care less about said origin; he was only concerned with the properties of the innate gift itself.

Before coming to Earth, Lu Yin had heard of many types of powerful innate gifts. Every cultivator with a unique one was a prodigy who would be recruited eagerly all over the universe. Perhaps the most well-known detail about them was the fact that any cultivator with one would gain instant membership amongst the Universal Youth Council. While that was an immense advantage on its own, however, the actual utility of the innate gift was important as well. Lu Yin eagerly poked the die that was gently floating in the air, starting it on a quick spin before it came to a halt. The pips on five sides blanked out, leaving only one visible: hed rolled a five.

He instantly knew that this sides use was Pilfer, its details randomly appearing in his mind. The use of this side could steal any item that a random individual had in their cosmic ring, and before he could react a beam of light formed a passage in mid-air. A crystal fragment fell out from within, after which the die blurred and vanished with the passage.

This is something that was sto—no, recovered for me? Lu Yin stared at the crystal fragment blankly, eventually picking up and studying it. Realizing its use, he grabbed Vestas watch from his cosmic ring and inserted the fragment within. A single ray of light drew two words in front of him: Cosmic Art.