The morning sun had barely risen when the twins were already awake.
Their courtyard was quiet, the only sounds coming from birds resting on the tall plum trees near the wall.
Michael stretched his arms.
His muscles felt sore from the previous night's cultivation attempt.
But something else felt different.
Stronger.
Matthew sat nearby with his eyes closed, carefully sensing the energy flowing inside his body.
A few moments later he opened his eyes slowly.
"Michael."
Michael looked over.
"Yeah?"
Matthew's voice was calm but slightly excited.
"Our Qi… it's different."
Michael frowned.
"Different how?"
Matthew lifted his hand.
A faint stream of energy gathered in his palm.
But instead of the thin, unstable aura most beginner cultivators produced, Matthew's energy looked unusually dense.
It moved slowly like flowing liquid.
Michael's eyes widened.
"That looks… heavy."
Matthew nodded.
"That's exactly the feeling."
He concentrated again.
The energy condensed further.
Even though it was only a small amount, the pressure it released was surprisingly strong.
Michael immediately copied him.
Within seconds the same strange energy appeared in his palm.
The twins stared at it.
"This must be the Origin Qi mentioned in the manual," Matthew said quietly.
Michael whistled softly.
"If this is the lowest stage…"
"I wonder how strong it becomes later."
Matthew smiled slightly.
"Probably terrifying."
Suddenly—
A faint ripple passed through their minds.
Both twins froze.
The sensation was strange.
It felt like a voice echoing inside their thoughts.
Deep.
Ancient.
Children…
Michael jumped to his feet.
"Did you hear that?!"
Matthew nodded slowly.
"Yes."
The voice returned again.
Your cultivation has finally begun.
It seems my gamble was correct.
The twins looked at each other nervously.
Michael whispered.
"Are we going crazy?"
Matthew shook his head.
"I don't think so."
He closed his eyes and focused on the strange connection inside his mind.
Slowly… an image appeared.
A massive creature resting in darkness.
Its body resembled a colossal turtle.
But its shell carried the symbol of Yin and Yang.
Two ancient dragons circled around it, one made of dark energy and the other of brilliant light.
Michael gasped.
"What… is that thing?"
The creature slowly opened its enormous eyes.
Its voice echoed in both their minds.
I am what remains of the Primordial Yin–Yang Dragon Turtle.
The courtyard suddenly felt much smaller.
The twins stared in shock.
"A… dragon turtle?" Michael muttered.
Matthew swallowed nervously.
"How are you inside our minds?"
The ancient spirit remained silent for a moment.
Then it answered calmly.
Because when you were born… my soul fragment fused with yours.