Moments after their discussion about a potential clock prototype, Usato's gaze swept across the clearing. The tribe members were working diligently, but a thought struck him about the urgency of their situation. They were still essentially on a battlefield, albeit one they had just won. Organization and timely actions were crucial for their immediate safety and efficiency.
Sky, he thought, forget about building a clock right now. That's not practical in our current situation. We need a way to tell time here, now, something simple and effective for the troops on the move.
'Acknowledged, Host,' Sky responded. 'You are correct. For your immediate needs on the battlefield, a more readily implementable method is required. We can look to the practices of early human civilizations on your home planet for inspiration. They developed ingenious ways to track the passage of time using readily available natural elements.'
Like what? What would work best right now? Usato pressed.
'One of the most straightforward methods would be the observation of the sun's position, Host. By noting the height and direction of shadows, even without a formal sundial, you can roughly gauge the time of day. This requires no tools beyond a simple reference point.'
Usato considered this, glancing at the position of the sun in the sky. Yeah, that makes sense. We're already naturally doing that to some extent. What about when the sun goes down?
'For nighttime, Host, focusing on prominent stars and their positions relative to the horizon would be the most practical approach in this environment. While not as precise, experienced observers can discern the passage of several hours based on the movement of constellations.'
Right. Simple, efficient, and doesn't require us to build anything elaborate right now, Usato thought, a sense of practicality settling over him. Okay, Sky. Let's go with that for now – using the sun during the day and the stars at night. We can revisit the idea of a more formal clock once we're back at the temporary settlement and have more time and resources.
'Understood, Host. Utilizing these natural indicators will provide a functional way to track time for your immediate needs on the battlefield.'
After they agreed on implementing ancient ways of telling time, Usato's thoughts lingered on his experience during Ren's totem awakening. The fleeting glimpse of something profound within the young warrior stayed with him. He mentally reached out to Sky.
Sky, he began, his thoughts filled with a sense of wonder, during Ren's awakening, I felt like I glimpsed something fundamental within him. It made me wonder…is it possible that all beings in this world have a soul?
There was a moment of processing from Sky before it responded. 'Based on my analysis of the Totem Awakening process and the unique energy signatures I've observed, Host, it is highly probable that sentient beings on Kharon possess a soul – an individual, persistent consciousness beyond the physical form.'
So, if Ren has a soul…and all of us do… Usato paused, a new idea forming in his mind. It makes me think, just like we train our bodies and learn new skills, is there also a way to nurture this soul, to make it stronger?
'The connection between the soul and the manifestation of power through the Ancestral Totems strongly suggests that this inner essence is not static, Host. Just as the physical body can be trained and strengthened, it stands to reason that this fundamental aspect of being could also be nurtured and grown,' Sky affirmed.
Usato felt a thrill of possibility wash over him. The realization that there might be an avenue to develop this inner essence, this soul, alongside their physical prowess, opened up a whole new dimension to their training and their future potential. That's a fascinating thought, Sky, he pondered. It means our growth might go far beyond just mastering skills and techniques. There could be an even deeper level of power to unlock.
'Indeed, Host. The exploration of that potential could hold significant implications for the future strength and resilience of the Evergreen Tribe.'
Usato nodded to himself in the dimming light. The existence of a soul and the dawning realization of its potential for growth added a profound layer to his understanding of this world and their journey.
After hearing that exploring the potential of this inner essence, or soul, was worthwhile, a memory flickered in the depths of Usato's mind. This whole idea…it reminds me of those groups back on Earth, he thought, a curious expression forming on his face even in the dim light. There were always people claiming they could transcend their human limitations, that they could achieve incredible things by cultivating their spirits or their inner energy.
He focused back on Sky. Sky, you mentioned that the cultivation of this inner essence is a known concept in this world. It just reminded me of something from my old life. Back on Earth, there were…practices, beliefs, where people would try to cultivate their spirits, aiming to go beyond the limitations of their physical bodies.
'Roger that, Host,' Sky replied. 'Spiritual cultivation is indeed rumored to be practiced on Earth, especially in regions like Asia where belief systems such as Buddhism, Taoism, and various other spiritual disciplines have historically flourished.'
That's it! Usato replied mentally to Sky, a spark of determination igniting within him. If people on Earth could explore these practices, even without the tangible power systems we have here, then why couldn't the inhabitants of Kharon? We have totems, mana, and all sorts of energies around us. There has to be a way to tap into something deeper.
He then voiced his next thought to Sky. Sky, I want to try and develop methods for soul cultivation, along with energy cultivation. I've focused mostly on body tempering so far, which seems to be the most straightforward, but there has to be more to it. Can you help me with that?
'Affirmative, Host,' Sky responded, its internal processing whirring with calculations. 'Exploring these advanced forms of cultivation aligns with maximizing your potential and the potential of those under your leadership.'
Great, Usato thought, a wave of excitement washing over him. So, where do we start? Soul cultivation sounds…complicated.
'Indeed, Host. The soul is the most abstract and least understood aspect among the three. Progress in soul cultivation will likely be a more gradual process, requiring extensive trial and error. Given your recollection of spiritual practices on Earth, particularly within religions like Buddhism and Taoism, we could begin by studying those methodologies and adapting their core principles to the context of Kharon.'
Trial and error with ancient Earth religions…interesting approach, Usato mused. Okay, I'm willing to try. What about energy cultivation? This world seems to be brimming with different kinds of energies.
'That is also a promising avenue, Host. The existence of mana users and aura users here suggests that the manipulation and harnessing of internal and external energies are already a part of this world's natural order. We can draw inspiration from the vast amount of fictional literature you consumed on Earth – the fantasy novels with their detailed systems of energy manipulation, often referred to as 'ki,' 'chi,' or other similar terms. We can analyze those concepts for theoretical and logical frameworks that might be adaptable to Kharon's unique energetic landscape.'
Usato's mind raced, recalling countless hours spent engrossed in those very novels. You're right! Those stories often had intricate and well-defined systems for energy cultivation. We could use those as a starting point, a theoretical foundation to build upon. Okay, Sky, he thought with newfound determination. Let's devise a plan. Soul cultivation through studying Earth's spiritual practices, and energy cultivation based on the principles from my old fantasy novels. This is going to be…fascinating.