Into the Depths

Rudhra and Aelina reached the outer layer of the forest, a place teeming with wild creatures and lesser beasts. Aelina, determined to showcase her skills, quickly took down most of the smaller beasts. However, Rudhra could see she wasn't truly being challenged.

"Is this all?" Rudhra muttered, scanning the area for stronger opponents.

"What do you mean?" Aelina asked, slightly winded from her efforts.

"When I hunt, I hunt beasts stronger than me," Rudhra replied with a hint of disdain, his eyes fixed on the dense foliage ahead.

Determined to find a real challenge, they ventured deeper into the forest. As they moved further in, the beasts grew more formidable. Aelina struggled to handle them alone, forcing Rudhra to step in. With each encounter, Rudhra dispatched the creatures effortlessly, his black spear flashing with deadly precision. He didn't even need to use his Qi; his sheer physical prowess was enough.

Aelina watched in awe as Rudhra skewered a massive wolf-like beast with a single thrust. "How are you so strong?" she asked, breathless.

Rudhra simply shrugged. "I just am."

The deeper they went, the stronger the beasts became. Aelina's initial confidence waned as fear crept in. She realized that Rudhra was far more powerful than she had imagined. No matter the size or strength of the beast, they all fell before him with a single strike of his spear. Even peak Spirit Realm beasts were no match for him.

They finally reached a beautiful waterfall in the heart of the inner forest. It was a serene spot, with crystal-clear water cascading down into a shimmering pool. However, the tranquility of the place was deceptive; it was said to be home to peak Spirit Realm beasts.

Rudhra decided to camp here, despite the potential danger. "I'm hungry," he declared, already gathering wood to start a fire.

"Are you crazy? This is the inner forest! We should be careful," Aelina cautioned, looking around nervously.

Rudhra just laughed. "Relax. If any beast comes, I'll deal with it."

He started roasting some meat over the fire, the savory aroma filling the air. Aelina, despite her worries, found herself drawn to the simplicity and boldness of Rudhra's actions. He handed her a piece of the roasted meat.

"Here, eat. You'll need your strength," he said, a smirk playing on his lips.

Aelina took the meat, her initial apprehension giving way to curiosity. "You're really something, Rudhra. Most people would be terrified to camp here."

Rudhra grinned. "Most people aren't me."

As they ate, a small, cute monkey appeared, drawn by the smell of the roasting meat. It looked at them cautiously, its eyes wide with curiosity and fear.

Rudhra tore off a piece of meat and offered it to the monkey. "Here, little guy."

The monkey, still wary, inched closer and grabbed the meat from Rudhra's hand. It quickly gobbled it up and, seemingly satisfied, climbed onto Rudhra's shoulder.

Aelina laughed. "Looks like you've made a friend."

Rudhra petted the monkey affectionately. "I guess so."

With their new companion, they continued their journey deeper into the forest. The monkey proved to be helpful, guiding them to rare spiritual fruits and warning them of danger. Rudhra's boldness and the monkey's assistance made their venture into the inner forest surprisingly successful.

As they fought more beasts, Aelina couldn't help but be impressed by Rudhra's prowess. His spear moved with such speed and precision that the beasts barely had time to react. Each fight was a display of sheer power and skill, leaving Aelina in awe.

"How do you do it?" she asked during a brief respite.

Rudhra, wiping blood from his spear, looked at her with those deep, endless eyes. "I just do as I wish. No beast or man can stand in my way."

They continued to hunt and explore, with Rudhra leading the way and the monkey perched on his shoulder. The bond between Rudhra and Aelina grew as they faced danger together, each day revealing more of Rudhra's incredible potential and unyielding spirit.