After hiding for a few days.

  The hidden cave behind the waterfall had named the 'Hidden Village'.

  The villagers thought of the name come up by Joshua was because he is making the village hidden from outsiders. But in truth he had other meaning for it, it was the name from his favorite anime in Terra and ever since that day he wanted something like the protagonist of the anime.

  He knows it was a bit lame, but so what.

  Since the people of the Quinse village offered they're loyalty to him, he had arrange people from training and modifying the cave to his liking.

  He will make this into a fortress so that even if the enemy found this place, they will be very prepared to defend it.

  Touching the wound on his chest that had almost taken his life was now gone, Joshua marveled at the rapid healing. The [VOID]'s mysterious power had worked its magic, knitting his flesh and bone back together at an unprecedented rate.

  It was a stark reminder of the mysterious force that flowed through him, a force that could make him stronger.

  It seems when he is in the [VOID] he can quickly heal both body and soul, but in truth only the soul was healed while the body to him was just a damage vessel he needed to fix. His true body is now the [VOID] a energy type higher dimension entity and the physical body he has now is more like a puppet he controls.

  He thought of using this as a way to make use of this. Since his physical body is just a vessel he controls, can he modify it to make himself stronger like an Asura that has six arms and three heads?

  The idea was ludicrous yet intriguing. He had to experiment, push the boundaries of his newfound powers. He had to ensure the safety of his group in the Hidden Village.

  He even thought of making clones if this body dies. He ask Nexus to start forming the third plan in this direction.

  "Nexus, I want you to develop something like a [Sub Bodies]. A piece of my soul, or rather a piece of the [VOID] that can inhabit a new body, making it a copy of me. If something were to happen to this one, I need a way to keep fighting, to lead these people," Joshua instructed, his mind racing with the possibilities.

  Nexus, ever the eager learner, agreed.

  [Understood]

  [Suggesting making a copy of the spirit weapon naming it Bio Chip]

  Nexus offered to make sub body for the both of them and may even apply the [Bio Chip] on other people. It would make them connected to him, making sure they are loyal to him just like the one before Nexus was remade.

  Joshua shuddered from the memory of him nearly turning into a slave in that day and now he was also doing it to others.

  How fate play with life.

  He look into the plan and learned how Nexus would make sub bodies for himself.

  By using the [VOID] to manipulate both him and the spirit weapon's flesh and blood, he can regenerate to a new complete entity called autonomy.

  Just like a some jellyfish species on Terra, which can create a whole new body from a severed part of themselves.

  He fears that clone might gain independent and rebel from the creator just like in the movies, and it was a valid concern.

  The concept of creating a sub-body was fraught with potential dangers, especially when it came to the nature of the soul and free will. But the stakes were high, and the need for protection and strength was undeniable.

  With a heavy heart, he nodded in agreement.

  After he given full authority to Mei, he went to the [VOID] to experiment with Nexus.

  The first step was gathering the materials, which was more challenging than he anticipated.

  He had to find a variety of beasts and plants, each with unique properties that would enhance or possibly make other types of sub-bodies. For the blood and blood, he chose from other human to animals he can get.

  The second step was the actual creation process, which took place within the [VOID].

  Joshua watched as the material float in the [VOID], his eyes saddened as he studied the samples. He couldn't manipulate the materials directly, but Nexus could copy their genetic makeup.

  The process was a marvel of biological engineering, as Nexus broke down the samples into their constituent parts, then meticulously reconstructed them into a blueprint.

  The third step was the most grueling.

  Joshua had to allow Nexus to manipulate his flesh and blood, inserting the copied genes into his own cells. It was a painful and disorienting experience, as his body began to change on a fundamental level. He felt his cells stretch and reorganize, his bones growing denser, his muscles more elastic, his eyesight sharper. It was as if he was being reborn, piece by piece.

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  When he emerged again in the [VOID], his body was coated in a fine layer of fur, his eyes glowed with a predatory light. He had taken on the traits of a werewolf, a creature of myth from his former world, Terra. His senses were heightened, and he could feel the power of the beast within him, ready to be unleashed.

  The experiment is mostly successful.

  He was intending to transform into a four legged beast 'the wolve' but instead transformed into a half beast half man. It seems he can't change much of what he use to be, a human.

  Looking himself using his soul the [VOID].

  Ehh not a great look.

  He order Nexus to refine the changes, removing the fur and converting his digitigrade feet back to plantigrade.

  Nexus went to work, the fur receding from his body as the bones and muscles of his legs shifted. The pain was intense but brief, and when it was over, he found himself standing on two human-like legs, his feet flat on the ground.

  The transformation was not perfect, as there were still some aspects of the werewolf left in his physiology, but it was a significant improvement.

  "Good experiment one works," Joshua grunted, his eyes scanning the [VOID] for any signs of trouble.

  "Now, let's proceed with the cloning."

  Nexus began the delicate process of separating flesh and blood from Joshua's essence, the [VOID]'s energy swirling around them like a maelstrom. The procedure was as much art as science and magic, requiring precision and a deep understanding of the soul and flesh.

  Joshua could feel the tug of his own being as Nexus pulled away strands of his soul, a sensation both painful and déjà vu.

  Asking Nexus, he learn it use [Blood and Spirit Attachment] in this experiment.

  His flesh and blood float as Nexus manipulated it.

  In the [VOID] the embryo grew before his eyes, a tiny spark of life that was a mirror image of himself. He could feel the bond forming, a tether connecting them that grew stronger with every passing moment.

  Joshua watched the embryo, feeling a strange mix of excitement and trepidation.

  The creation of a sub-body was a delicate process, one that required a significant portion of his soul and flesh to animate the flesh.

  The embryo grew at an astonishing rate within the [VOID], and he can further lessen the gestation time of the clone if he offer more blood and soul. But if he offer more part of his soul it would weaken him and might lead to a split personality he cancan't control or damage his soul. He can offer more flesh and blood from time to time while he recover it by eating more.

  As he watched the embryo grow one last time and call it a success, Joshua felt a pang of excitement and trepidation.

  He ordered Nexus to proceed with the next experiment, creating a sub-body for the spirit weapon.

  He felt pain at the back of his neck as a piece of flesh broke out of his skin, forming into a tiny blob, which grew rapidly into a miniature version of his spirit weapon. The blob quivered, taking in the new form of energy around it, and then, with a flash of light, it transformed into a small perfect copy of the spirit weapon. The copy hovered in the air, pulsating with the same blue light that was now synonymous with the [VOID].

  [Bio Chip created]

  [Connecting to the main body...]

  [Successful]

  [Scanning and Assessing Bio Chip]

  [No found anomalies]

  [Bio Chip is now at 1/10th of the host's strength]

  [Growth potential is high. Requires time and nutrients]

  Holding the little the [Bio Chip] in hand. It look like a small ball with tentacles with a blue crystal edge.

  "Nexus, what are the chances of implanting this to a target?" Joshua asked, his voice filled with anticipation.

  [Theoretically, it is possible to implant the [Bio Chip] into a living host...but the success rate and potential side effects are uncertain without further testing] Nexus replied.

  He can try to test it on beast on different worlds but on other hand, the human subjects would be hard to find. He can't just use it on some random guy, what if the subject dies.

  Joshua's thoughts drifted to the survivors of the explosion, the soldiers who had been left behind by the chaos. They were in dire need of medical attention, but they were also a potential resource for his experiments. He knew it was cruel, but the since they are ruthless in killing innocent people he would not be burdened with too much guilt.

  Teleporting back to Di, he quickly made his way to the city, he walk into the alley where the information broker who sold him out was.

  The broker was a slimy man, his eyes always darting around as if he was expecting trouble. He didn't see Joshua coming, not until the shadow of the figure fell over him.

  In a swift motion, Joshua's arms wrapped around the man's neck, lifting him off the ground. He struggled, his eyes bulging as he was silently dragged away from the alley and into the shadows of a nearby abandoned building.

  The broker's eyes were wide with terror as he was pinned against the wall, the cold steel of a knife pressing against his throat. He dared not struggle as he might get stab accidentally or intentionally.

  Joshua leaned in close, his eyes with a blue glow that sent a shiver down the broker's spine.

  "I have a few questions," he whispered, his voice a low as he cast [Hypnosis] on him.

  The broker's eyes glazed over turning dull, his struggles ceased.

  "Where are the survivors of the explosion?" Joshua demanded, his voice a low growl.

  The broker's eyes remained vacant as he spoke, his voice a monotone recount of the information he had gathered.

  "The survivors... they're in the old city hospital and left behind," he said, his words slurred under the spell. "The second prince has ordered his men to avoid this place. After the explosion, he fears a trap. He believes someone... or something... powerful is responsible."

  Joshua nodded, his grip tightening slightly. The hospital was a perfect place for his needs; it would be less guarded and filled with materials he needed.

  "Now, tell me everything you know about the current situation in the city," he ordered, his eyes boring into the hypnotized man's soul.

  The broker recounted the aftermath of the explosion, his voice monotone and emotionless.

  The second prince had indeed abandoned the hospital, leaving the survivors to fend for themselves. The city was in a state of panic and confusion, with whispers of a mysterious hooded figure that had brought down the mighty Li Clan and the prince's army.

  The four princes had sent their spies to investigate, but none dared to claim the territory for themselves. Fear had become a palpable force in Sunset Breeze Pass, a stark contrast to the tyranny that had ruled just days before.

  Joshua's grip on the broker loosened slightly as he digested the information.

  The plan had worked better than he had hoped; the chaos was just what he needed to push forward.

  With the city's attention diverted, he could move more freely and continue his preparations without fear of interference from the nobility. He knew that he had to capitalize on this opportunity to grow, if they dared to send someone here.

  "Hmm" with a sneer, they should expect to die.