Chapter 31: The Crimson Trials (2)

The ground trembled as an enormous creature emerged from the shadows of the forest. Its size was nothing short of monstrous, towering over the trees as its glowing red eyes fixated on Feng Lin and Yan Mei. Its body was covered in thick, black scales that shimmered with chaotic energy, and its sharp claws dug into the earth with each step.

"This is the second part of the trial?" Feng Lin muttered, tightening his grip on the Chaos Binding Bracelet.

Yan Mei's face was set with grim determination, her blade gleaming as she stood beside him. "It's called the Crimson Devourer. It's the guardian of this forest and one of the deadliest creatures on this continent."

The creature let out a deafening roar, shaking the ground beneath their feet. Feng Lin's system responded instantly.

[System Notification: Crimson Devourer Detected – Level: Unknown. Danger Level: Extreme.]

[Objective: Survive the encounter and defeat the Crimson Devourer.]

[ Reward: 12,000 EXP, Crimson Devourer Core, 50 Chaos Points, and ???]

Feng Lin's eyes narrowed. "Unknown level? Great. Looks like we'll be winging this one."

Yan Mei smirked slightly, though her gaze never left the beast. "It's not unbeatable. But we'll need to work together if we want to survive."

Before Feng Lin could respond, the Crimson Devourer lunged at them with terrifying speed, its massive claws slashing through the air. Feng Lin barely managed to dodge, rolling to the side as Yan Mei dashed forward, her blade slicing at the beast's exposed flank. Her strike was precise, but the creature's scales were tougher than she anticipated. Her blade barely made a scratch.

"Those scales are a problem," Yan Mei muttered, jumping back to Feng Lin's side.

Feng Lin could feel his Qi surging through his body, the chaotic energy inside him screaming for release. "We'll have to find a weak point. Its eyes, maybe?"

The Crimson Devourer roared again, swiping at them with its tail. Feng Lin activated his Chaos Manipulation skill, sending a wave of chaotic energy to deflect the blow. The force of the impact still sent him stumbling back, but he managed to regain his footing quickly.

"We won't last long if we keep playing defense," Yan Mei warned, her eyes darting across the beast's body, looking for any vulnerabilities.

Feng Lin nodded. "Agreed. Let's try something else."

He summoned the Chaos Core from his inventory, feeling its immense power flood his body. The air around him crackled with energy as he directed it towards his right hand, forming a concentrated blast of pure chaos.

"Let's see how you like this!" Feng Lin shouted, releasing the blast directly at the Crimson Devourer's head.

The energy struck the beast with a resounding boom, causing it to stagger back. The force of the attack cracked the scales around its face, revealing the raw, pulsing flesh underneath.

"There!" Yan Mei called, her eyes lighting up. "The scales are weaker there!"

Feng Lin grinned, his adrenaline pumping. "Let's finish this!"

Yan Mei dashed forward, her blade slicing through the air with deadly precision. Feng Lin followed, unleashing a barrage of chaotic energy blasts, each one aimed at the exposed flesh. The Crimson Devourer howled in pain, its massive body thrashing as it tried to fend them off.

But they were relentless. With every strike, more of the beast's defenses crumbled. Feng Lin's chaotic energy flowed through him like a raging river, each attack stronger than the last.

Finally, with one final coordinated strike, Yan Mei's blade pierced the creature's skull, and Feng Lin unleashed a devastating blast of chaos energy that tore through its core. The Crimson Devourer let out one last, ear-splitting roar before collapsing to the ground, its body dissolving into shimmering dust.

[System Notification: Crimson Devourer Defeated.]

[Rewards Acquired: 12,000EXP, Crimson Devourer Core, 50 Chaos Points, Chaos Beast Essence.]

Feng Lin stood over the creature's remains, breathing heavily as the system's notifications filled his vision. The battle had been brutal, but they had survived—and the rewards were worth it.

Yan Mei wiped her blade on her sleeve, a small smile playing on her lips. "Not bad, Feng Lin. You're tougher than I thought."

Feng Lin chuckled, though he was still catching his breath. "I could say the same about you."

Before they could exchange more words, the ground beneath them began to shift again. The air grew thick with energy, and the trees around them seemed to come to life, their branches swaying unnaturally.

"Looks like the next trial's already starting," Yan Mei said, her smile fading.

Feng Lin glanced around warily. "I thought we had some time after the first trial."

Yan Mei shook her head. "Not on the Crimson Star Continent. The trials come one after the other. It's designed to wear you down. And the next one… it's worse."

Feng Lin frowned. "Worse how?"

Yan Mei's gaze darkened. "The next trial is a test of will. It forces you to face your deepest fears. Most people don't make it through."