Joshua looked out over the bustling city of Sunset Breeze Pass, his eyes reflecting the flaming sunset.

  The city was a whirlwind of activity, with people moving to and fro, carrying supplies and materials for the construction efforts.

  The air was filled with the clanging of hammers and the scent of freshly cut stone. It had been a week since the siege had been lifted, and already the city was showing signs of rebirth under his leadership.

  "Junior brother," a soft voice interrupted his thoughts. He turned to see Wu Rei, his elder martial brother, standing before him with a tentative expression.

  "What brings you here, Elder brother?" Joshua asked, his voice firm yet kind. He noticed the young man's gaze lingering on the knights that moved with purposeful grace among the citizens, their crimson eyes gleaming in the fading light.

  Wu Rei took a deep breath, steeling himself before speaking.

  "I... I wish to become one of your knights," he said, his voice trembling with a mix of awe and determination.

  Joshua studied him for a moment, the weight of the request sinking in.

  "Why do you wish to bear this burden and where did you learn it from?" he asked, his tone measured as he invited the elder brother into a private chamber within the newly fortified city walls.

  The room was sparse but functional, with a large wooden table dominating the space, laden with maps and scrolls detailing the city's defenses and plans for future expansion.

  Wu Rei stepped inside, his eyes widening slightly as he took in the evidence of the city's transformation.

  "I've seen what they can do," he said, his voice filled with awe.

  "How they fight, how they protect. I want to be a part of that. And Mei was the one who told me."

  Joshua nodded thoughtfully. He understood the desire of his brother and Mei considering having one of the clan in this city to be deeply tied to my cause.

  "What is it you wish to know?" he asked, his eyes never leaving the elder brother's face.

  Wu Rei swallowed hard, his eyes shining with hope and fear.

  "I want to know... if I can become like them?" he whispered.

  The room was silent for a moment, the only sound the crackling of the fire in the hearth. Then, with a slow nod, Joshua made his decision.

  "Very well," he said.

  "Tell me, what is it that you believe you can offer to the order?"

  Wu Rei's eyes lit up with excitement, his chest swelling with pride.

  "I am a quick learner, junior, and I am strong. I will fight for you and for Sunset Breeze Pass until my last breath."

  Joshua leaned back in his chair, his expression contemplative.

  "Strength and loyalty are indeed valuable traits," he mused.

  "But there is much more to being a Blood Knight than just fighting skill. There is a bond that must be forged, a commitment to a cause that is greater than any one man."

  The Wu Rei's expression grew solemn as he took in Joshua's words.

  "Did you not train to be your sword and shield?," he said, his voice steady.

  "If you did not train them for that, then what is their true purpose?."

  Joshua leaned forward, his gaze piercing as he met Wu Rei's eyes.

  "Yes I did," Joshua replied, his voice low and thoughtful.

  "But their purpose goes beyond mere combat," he continued, his eyes distant as he gazed into the flickering candle flame.

  "The 'Blood Knights' are the embodiment of unity and progress. They are not just my weapons; they are the catalyst for a new era of prosperity and enlightenment. With the power of the Bioengineering, we can enhance not just their strength and longevity but also their intellect and strategic thinking."

  Joshua's words hung in the air, each syllable imbued with the weight of his conviction.

  Wu Rei blinked, his eyes reflecting a mix of confusion and fascination. The concept was foreign, yet it resonated with something deep within him.

  "Elder brother, they're the next step of evolution of mankind," Joshua explained, his voice filled with passion and conviction.

  "Their enhancements are not just for the battlefield; they're for the betterment of society."

  Joshua's words were met with a silence that spoke volumes of the gravity of the revelation. The concept was indeed grand, a vision that went far beyond the scope of traditional martial arts and knighthood. Wu Rei felt his heart racing as he tried to comprehend the magnitude of what was being proposed.

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  Finally, the quiet was broken as Joshua leaned back in his chair, his gaze still intense.

  "If you wish to become a 'Blood Knight', you must understand the full weight of the decision," he said solemnly. "This is not just about personal power or glory. It's about committing your life to a higher cause."

  Wu Rei nodded, his voice firm. "I understand. I've spoken to my father, and the Wu clan is prepared to offer its loyalty to you, Lord Joshua."

  Joshua's eyes narrowed, scrutinizing the person before him.

  "Is this truly your decision, or are you merely following your clan's will?"

  Wu Rei's eyes searched his junior's face, seeking understanding.

  "Both, Joshua. The clan sees the potential in this alliance, but I also believe in the future you speak of."

  Joshua nodded slowly, his expression unchanging.

  "Very well, Elder brother," he said.

  "You must first prove your worthiness and dedication. Your training will begin in the Hidden Village."

  Wu Rei felt a jolt of excitement at the mention of the fabled place.

  "The Hidden Village," he murmured, the words a whisper of awe.

  Joshua nodded. "Mei, my most trusted advisor, will guide you there. She will also be your mentor and guide in this new chapter of your life."

  Joshua currently occupied with the administration of the city, had little time to personally oversee the transformation of his martial brother. He knew the gravity of the decision and the need for focused attention and training that such a transition required.

  So he ask Nexus to perform the surgery through the 'Noble Knight's'.

  The current version of the [Bio Chip] was stable, having undergone rigorous testing and refinement. The 'Blood Knights' themselves had been the primary subjects, ensuring that any potential flaws were ironed out before it was offered to others.

  The process was swift and precise, the advanced medical technology of the Noble Knights working in harmony with the AI's meticulous instructions.

  In the Hidden Village, nestled deep in the mountains, Wu Rei was greeted by a squad of 'Blood Knights' who were to become his new family. Their eyes gleamed with the same intensity that had once burned in his own, and he knew that he had made the right choice.

  The training was rigorous, pushing the boundaries of what he thought was humanly possible. The AI's guiding him through the process were relentless in their pursuit of perfection, but they were also fair, offering guidance and encouragement when he faltered.

  The physical challenges were only part of it; he was also schooled in the advanced tactics and strategies that set the 'Blood Knights' apart from regular soldiers.

  Wu Rei's body began to change, adapting to the new [Bio Chip] that now pulsed within his veins. He felt his senses sharpen, his reflexes quicken, and his strength double.

  Yet, it was not just the physical enhancements that surprised him; his mind felt clearer, more focused, as if he had been granted a glimpse into a realm of knowledge that had been previously obscured by a fog of ignorance.

  The 'Blood Knights' around him were not just trainers; they were his brothers-in-arms, each one a living testament to the potential of humanity. Their camaraderie and shared purpose became his solace during the grueling hours of training.

  Days turned into weeks, and the Hidden Village became a bustling hub of activity. The once-secretive location was now a bastion of innovation and learning. Under Nexus and Joshua's watchful eye, had transformed it into a state-of-the-art laboratory where the 'Blood Knight' and other technology was studied, improved, and taught.

  Joshua's vision grew clearer with each passing day. He knew that the Sunset Breeze Pass City was only the beginning. With its walls standing tall and the people's trust restored, it was the perfect surface base to conceal the true revolution happening in the shadows.

  The Hidden Village, once a secretive retreat for the elite, now buzzed with a newfound purpose. It was transformed into an advanced laboratory and training ground for the 'Blood Knights'. The very essence of the place was changing, evolving from a secluded sanctum to a bastion of progress. The air was thick with the scent of ambition and the hum of technology.

  There he saw Wu Rei in the Arena fighting a beast that resembled a 5-meter wide, 2-meter tall tiger. The creature's fur was a wild mix of black and gold stripes, and its eyes burned with a fiery rage that could only be matched by the 'Blood Knights' themselves.

  Much bigger than the one he met and killed back then, when he just first got here.

  Wu Rei's eyes gleamed with the light of the setting sun, a stark contrast to the fiery gaze of the colossal beast before him. His muscles, now a testament to the advanced Bioengineering, rippled under his skin as he readied for the fight of his life.

  The creature lunged, its massive paws swiping through the air with a sound that could split boulders. But Wu Rei was ready. With a grace that belied his newfound power, he dodged, his movements fluid and precise.

  With a roar that echoed through the arena, he leapt into the air, his blade singing as it sliced through the beast's fur and into its flesh. The tiger's roar of pain was music to his ears, a symphony of triumph and validation.

  Wu Rei's movements were a dance of death, a ballet of precision and power that had been honed by weeks of relentless training. The beast's claws swiped and its teeth snapped, but each attack was met with a parry or dodge that spoke of a mastery beyond human limits.

  With a final, decisive strike, the tiger fell, its fiery eyes dimming to a dull glaze as the life drained from its massive body. The arena erupted in applause, the 'Blood Knights' in the stands saluting their newest member.

  Wu Rei standing 6.5 feet tall already was a sight to behold, but now with the further 'Blood Knight' enhancements, he was growing taller. Because of the enhancement he was able to breakthrough to core-level martial artist barrier with ease.

  Joshua watched with pride as Wu Rei emerged victorious from the arena, the defeated beast lying at his feet. The transformation was clear; his martial brother had become a living weapon, a symbol of the evolution he sought to bring forth. Yet, as the cheers of the 'Blood Knights' filled the air, a cold notification sounded out to his mind.

  Nexus, ever vigilant, had detected an intrusion.

  [Master] the AI's voice was calm yet urgent.

  [We have apprehended spies in the city. They seem to be operating under the guise of traders] Nexus informed him telepathically.

  Joshua nodded calmly, his gaze never leaving the triumphant figure of Wu Rei in the arena. He knew that with power came responsibility, and with the rise of the 'Blood Knights', the eyes of the world would be upon them.

  "Maintain the illusion," he murmured to himself, his mind already racing with the implications of the spies. The city was to remain a bastion of peace and prosperity, a beacon that would draw more to their cause.

  He ordered Nexus, his expression steely.

  "Interrogate them. Find out what they know and who they serve. But do so quietly. We don't want to alarm the populace."

  Nexus also informed him that the spies were not the only problem they faced here.

  On Terra, the Escalar Country, a small nation on the rise, had recently reported a significant increase in spy activity and cyber attacks.

  Joshua took a deep, weary sigh as he turned away from the arena, his eyes reflecting the burdens of his new responsibilities. The weight of the world seemed to bear down on his shoulders as he considered the news of the spies. He knew that the path ahead was fraught with challenges, but he remained undeterred.