On the outskirts of Sunset Breeze Pass City, where the dirt streets gave way to dusty trails, two figures trudged through the relentless heat of the afternoon sun.

  The first, Bi Lan, was a towering presence, his muscular frame and stern features speaking of a life spent in combat. A scar, a jagged line from neck to chin, served as a stark contrast to his otherwise stoic demeanor, a constant reminder of battles past and the price of power.

  "Sister Tao," Bi Lan called out, his voice carrying across the dusty landscape as the two approached the gleaming gates of Sunset Breeze Pass City.

  "We're getting closer," he said, his eyes narrowing against the glare of the sun.

  The second figure, carrying herself with a grace that belied the lethal sword slung across her back, was none other than the second martial sister, Hu Tao. Her porcelain skin was kissed by the sun, a stark contrast to her flowing black hair. Her eyes, a piercing shade of amber, scanned the horizon with an intensity that matched the blade she wielded.

  As they approached the city gates, the towering figures of the 'Blood Knights' came into view. Their height and formidable presence were a sight to behold. The knights' enhanced bodies, each armed and fully equipped with metal armors, stood as silent sentinels and rarely make a wasted movements, their eyes unblinking as they scrutinized every traveler who dared to pass by.

  For a brief moment, Bi Lan and Hu Tao felt a chill run down their spines, their hands instinctively hovering near their weapons. But then reality set in - these were not the savage Northern Barbarians they had once feared, but rather, the new guardians of the city.

  The 'Blood Knights', with their unyielding stance and piercing gazes, were a stark reminder of the power that Mei now wielded. Their presence was intimidating, but it also brought a sense of security that was palpable.

  Bi Lan and Hu Tao exchanged a look, the memories of their battles with the Northern barbarians still fresh in their minds. But these were not the same brutes they had faced before. These 'Blood Knights' moved with a precision and coordination that spoke of rigorous training and discipline.

  The guards' eyes swept over the newcomers, assessing them with the cold efficiency of machines. Bi Lan felt a shiver of unease, despite knowing they were on a peaceful mission.

  "Halt!" One of the 'Blood Knights' boomed, his voice echoing off the city walls.

  Bi Lan and Hu Tao froze, their hearts pounding in their chests. Despite their good intentions, the sight of such formidable figures coming was unnerving.

  "State your business," the 'Blood Knight' at the city's gate demanded, his voice resonating with a power that seemed to rumble through the very earth beneath them.

  Bi Lan and Hu Tao stepped forward, their hands raised in a gesture of peace.

  "We come from Tri Body Hall, bearing a message from the Su Empire" Bi Lan announced, her voice steady despite the knot of tension that had formed in her stomach.

  But in the next moment a 'Blood Knight' at the back of the line stepped forward, his hand firmly grasping the arm of a figure that had been hiding in the shadows behind Bi Lan and Hu Tao.

  Bi Lan and Hu Tao spun around in unison, their eyes widening as the 'Blood Knight' revealed a cloaked figure with a dagger tucked into their belt. The spy's eyes darted around in panic, looking for an escape route that did not exist.

  The 'Blood Knight' had moved with a speed that defied their hulking size, his grip on the spy's arm like a vice, not allowing even a whimper of protest to escape. The knight's gaze was cold and unforgiving, his loyalty to the Lord doesn't allow him to neglect his duty.

  Bi Lan and Hu Tao, caught off guard by the sudden turn of events, felt a flush of embarrassment creep up their necks. They hadn't even noticed the spy trailing them, so focused on their own mission and the 'Blood Knights' that they had become complacent.

  The 'Blood Knight' in front of them look at both Bi Lan and Hu Tao weirdly as the spy was dragged away, a whirlwind of confusion and embarrassment swirling in their eyes. The spy's attempted infiltration had been swiftly dealt with, leaving them feeling both foolish and vulnerable.

  "You guys can enter and if you can send the message of the Su Empire to the Government building at the center of the City." the 'Blood Knight' spoke, his voice a low and soft.

  Both Bi Lan and Hu Tao thanked the 'Blood Knight' for his understanding, their cheeks flushed with a mix of relief and embarrassment. They didn't dare look back at the commotion, quickly making their way into the city that had once been their home. The sight that greeted them was nothing short of astonishing.

  The Sunset Breeze Pass City had indeed transformed under Mei's rule. The narrow, winding streets of their childhood had been replaced with wide boulevards that stretched out like welcoming arms, free of the usual carts of merchants and piles of refuse that clogged the streets of other cities.

  Bi Lan and Hu Tao walked through the gleaming avenues, their eyes wide with wonder. The buildings that once stood hunched and cramped together had been torn down and replaced with structures that reached for the sky, their facades gleaming with a cleanliness that was almost unheard of in the backward world of Di.

  They passed by a sprawling complex that seemed to serve multiple purposes. The large red cross on one of the buildings identified it as a hospital, the advanced medical equipment within clearly visible through the large windows. The sight of patients and medical staff moving efficiently through the corridors was a stark contrast to the makeshift clinics they had seen in other cities.

  Nearby was a school, its walls adorned with murals that depicted scenes of unity and learning. The sounds of children reciting lessons and the gentle guidance of their teachers filled the air with a sense of order and purpose that was almost unheard of in the chaotic lands of Di.

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  Bi Lan and Hu Tao exchanged glances, a silent acknowledgment of the profound change that had swept over their homeland in just three short years. The city buzzed with an energy that was palpable, a stark contrast to the poor and oppressive atmosphere they had left behind before.

  They approached the Wu estate, their memories guiding them through the now unfamiliar streets. The mansion was as grand as they remembered it, yet the air of opulence was replaced by an austere practicality that reflected the new order of Sunset Breeze Pass City.

  Calling out to one of the guards, Hu Tao spoke with the confidence of someone who had once called this place home.

  "We are here to see Wu Rei, we are his martial brother and sister of the Tri Body Hall." she announced, her voice firm despite the shock of their surroundings.

  The guard nodded and stepped aside, allowing them to pass through the grand entrance into the spacious foyer.

  "Wait here," he instructed before disappearing into the depths of the mansion.

  The room they were left in was minimalist and clean, a stark contrast to the cluttered and opulent rooms in the past. The scent of sandalwood incense filled the air, calming their nerves. They glanced at each other, unsure of what to expect.

  The door creaked open and their eyes widened in disbelief as a figure loomed in the doorway. It was a man, yet his height and build surpassed that of any mortal they had ever seen just like the 'Blood Knights'. He had to be at least 7 feet tall, with muscles that bulged like boulders beneath his tight-fitting garments.

  As he stepped closer, Mei and Bi Lan could make out the features of their host, and they realized with a start that it was indeed Wu Rei. His transformation was astonishing, his once-ordinary stature now towering over them, and his eyes gleaming with a fierce intelligence that seemed almost inhuman.

  "You're...Wu Rei?" Bi Lan asked tentatively, his voice laced with incredulity.

  The giant of a man chuckled, his smile wide and welcoming.

  "Indeed, I am," he said, his voice a deep rumble that filled the room.

  Wu Rei look at them with a smile, his teeth gleaming in the candlelight. It was a smile of understanding, as he knew the sight before them was not what they had expected.

  Just like the time when he had first laid eyes on Joshua's towering 8-foot frame, Wu Rei knew that his own transformation would leave his guests speechless. His newfound size and power were a stark reminder of the evolution he had undergone since receiving the [Bio Chip].

  "What the hell? How did you become like this?" Bi Lan managed to stutter out, his eyes wide with astonishment.

  Hu Tao circled around Wu Rei, her eyes taking in every inch of his transformed body, her gaze a mix of fascination and wariness.

  "It's a long story," Wu Rei said with a chuckle that seemed to resonate through the very air around them.

  "But I can say that the reason for my transformation came from Joshua, our junior martial brother."

  Wu Rei's voice was calm, a testament to the confidence and control he had gained with his newfound power.

  Both Bi Lan and Hu Tao looked at each other with a mix of awe and suspicion.

  "Well anyways, I want to know why you sent a letter saying you had a proposal for Joshua?" Wu Rei questioned, his curiosity piqued by their sudden visit.

  Hu Tao's gaze grew serious as she spoke.

  "We've come a long way, and our journey has not been without its challenges," she began, gesturing for Bi Lan to take a seat beside her.

  Wu Rei nodded, his gaze intense as he had taken a seat near the wall, his newfound bulk seemingly unphased by the weight of his own body.

  "Please, tell me everything," he urged.

  Hu Tao took a seat, her gaze drifting to the floor before she began her tale.

  "We had established our Tri Body Hall near the border city of the Su and Jo Empire," she said, her voice measured and calm.

  "It was a place of peace and tranquility, where we could train without fear of interference."

  Hu Tao spoke with a hint of nostalgia in her voice as she recounted the history of the Tri Body Hall's relocation to the Su Empire's border city. The simplicity of their life there was starkly contrasted by the sudden shift to the chaos of war.

  "We had lived two years in peace," she began, her gaze drifting to the floor as if she could see the images of the past playing out before her eyes.

  "But peace is a fickle thing in times of war. The Jo Empire and the Federal Alliance launched an unprovoked assault on the Su Empire, and our quiet corner of the world was no longer safe."

  Hu Tao's words brought a solemn silence to the room as she recounted the tumultuous events that had led her to Sunset Breeze Pass City. The tranquility of the Tri Body Hall had been shattered by the clang of swords and the roar of battle.

  Wu Rei nodded solemnly, his newfound understanding of the gravity of the situation etched in the lines of his face.

  "It is quite ironic that running away from battle still led you into the heart of war," Hu Tao said, her voice filled with irony.

  "We fought valiantly, but we were outmatched and outnumbered, only with my father Hu Bin and other grandmasters we were able to hold them back." Hu Tao continued, her eyes reflecting the turmoil of the battles she had witnessed.

  "The Su Empire, desperate for allies, approached us with a proposal. They knew of our relationship with Joshua and the powerful forces he commands. They hoped that by aligning with him, we could turn the tide of the war."

  "Why not just leave to another place again?" Wu Re ask.

  "Why did we not escape again, you ask?" Bi Lan said, looking at the towering figure of his junior brother.

  "The war had engulfed the lands by the time we realized the true extent of its horrors. There was no escape for us. Every direction we looked, we saw the fires of war consuming everything in its path."

  Bi Lan's quiet voice filled the room, the gravity of his words weighing on everyone present.

  "We cannot escape just like before," Bi Lan said, his eyes filled with a mix of regret and determination.

  "Our reputation as the Tri Body Hall would be in tatters if we were to flee again. We must stand firm and fight, for the honor of our name and for the lives of those who have placed their trust in us. Unlike before when we had move out the city before things got messy, this time, we are deeply entangled in the political web," Bi Lan explained, his voice carrying the weight of his decision.

  Wu Rei nodded solemnly, understanding the gravity of the situation.

  "Then what is your next move?" Wu Rei asked.

  Hu Tao's expression remained stoic.

  "Our mission is to meet with Lord Joshua and deliver the proposal of our empire personally," she said, her voice firm and unyielding.

  Wu Rei nodded gravely, his eyes reflecting his understanding of the delicate situation.

  "Joshua is currently away, as he is deeply engaged in matters of strategy and research," he informed them.

  "However,you can meet with Mei tomorrow," Wu Rei continued, his gaze unwavering.

  "She is the leader in charge of the city in Lord Joshua's absence. She has the authority to either accept or decline the proposal on his behalf."

  Hu Tao nodded, a hint of appreciation flickering in her eyes.

  "Thank you, Wu Rei," she said, her voice measured.

  "It's ok, but a word of advice," Wu Rei offered as he led them to their quarters.

  "Mei is not one for political theatrics. She expects the same straightforwardness from you."

  "Hmm." Hu Tao nodded.

  "Wu Rei, can I ask you how you transformed into such a... formidable warrior?"

  Hu Tao's question hung in the air as the three of them walked through the corridors of the estate.

  "I can't tell you that," Wu Rei replied, his voice echoing the seriousness of the situation.

  "The specifics of my transformation are a closely guarded secret, unless you are willing to join us and swear loyalty to Lord Joshua," Wu Rei said, his voice low and measured.

  Hu Tao and Bi Lan exchanged glances, their expressions filled with curiosity.

  "Well like to think it through first," Hu Tao said, a hint of skepticism in her voice as she glanced at the towering figure of Wu Rei.

  "I'll lead you guys to your rooms and I will guide you guys to Mei tomorrow," Wu Rei said, his tone firm yet welcoming.