The Dragon’s Lair
The Misty Forest loomed around them, its oppressive silence broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant howls of wolves. Tianyang held Yuqing's hand firmly as they ventured deeper, the mist swirling around them like ghostly veils. Though it was daytime outside, the moment they stepped into the forest, darkness engulfed them. It felt like midnight, with only the faint glow of their spiritual energy illuminating their path.
"This place feels alive," Yuqing whispered, her voice barely above a murmur.
Tianyang nodded, his gaze scanning their surroundings. "The energy here is dense—almost suffocating. Stay close."
As they moved forward, the howls grew louder, echoing in the eerie silence. "Seems like we're being watched," Yuqing noted, her hand tightening around his.
"They won't attack unless provoked," Tianyang replied. "But we can't afford to let our guard down."
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After some time, the pair stumbled upon a clearing. In its center stood a massive cave, its entrance flanked by jagged rocks that glistened with condensation. The air here felt heavier, the oppressive aura almost tangible.
Yuqing paused, her eyes narrowing. "Do you feel that? The presence is overwhelming."
Tianyang's gaze sharpened as he observed the cave. "It's a level 7 Azure Dragon," he said, his voice low and measured.
"Level 7..." Yuqing's tone turned cautious. "That's equivalent to a Void Tribulation cultivator. A terrifying opponent."
"And from the aura, it seems to be a guardian beast," Tianyang added, his brow furrowing.
Yuqing glanced at him, her expression softening into a smile. "Then we won't disturb him. Let's just pass by quietly."
Tianyang nodded, returning her smile with one of his own. "Agreed. No need for unnecessary bloodshed."
As they moved carefully past the cave, Yuqing held his hand tighter, her grip warm and reassuring. They exchanged a brief, intimate glance before continuing, their steps slow and deliberate to avoid alerting the beast.
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They were nearly clear of the cave when Tianyang suddenly froze. His sharp eyes scanned the ground beneath them. "Wait."
"What is it?" Yuqing asked, her voice tinged with concern.
"There's a formation here," Tianyang replied grimly. "It's faint, but—"
Before he could finish, the ground beneath them shimmered with golden runes. The formation activated with a low hum, sending a pulse of energy into the cave.
A thunderous roar erupted from within. The ground trembled as the Azure Dragon emerged, its massive frame illuminated by its shimmering blue scales. Its eyes burned with rage, its claws tearing into the earth as it roared again, the sound reverberating through the forest.
"Someone laid this formation to bait the dragon!" Tianyang realized aloud, his voice tight with urgency.
Yuqing's eyes widened. "And we were the bait."
The dragon's gaze locked onto them, its maw opening to reveal rows of razor-sharp teeth. With a deafening roar, it charged.
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Tianyang reacted instantly, pulling Yuqing behind him. "Get ready!"
The dragon's claw came crashing down, tearing through the ground with terrifying force. Tianyang countered with a sweeping slash of his sword, a crescent of golden energy meeting the dragon's attack. The impact sent shockwaves through the clearing, uprooting trees and scattering debris.
Yuqing leaped into action, summoning her Eternal Bloom Sect's signature technique. "Verdant Petal Storm!" she called out, a whirlwind of razor-sharp petals engulfing the dragon.
The beast roared in fury, its scales deflecting most of the petals. It retaliated with a blast of azure flame, forcing Tianyang and Yuqing to dodge in opposite directions.
"This isn't going to be easy!" Yuqing shouted, regrouping beside Tianyang.
"Focus on its weak points—eyes, joints, and underbelly!" Tianyang instructed, his sword glowing with a radiant golden light.
---
The battle raged on, the dragon attacking with relentless fury. Tianyang's sword techniques were precise and devastating, each strike aimed at exploiting the dragon's vulnerabilities. Yuqing's petal-based attacks provided cover, distracting the beast and creating openings for Tianyang.
But the dragon was no ordinary foe. Its movements were swift and unpredictable, its claws and tail striking with the force of a hurricane.
"Tianyang, its energy is increasing!" Yuqing warned as she dodged a tail swipe.
"It's entering berserk mode!" Tianyang replied, gritting his teeth. "We need to end this quickly!"
---
As they pressed their assault, the sound of movement caught Tianyang's attention. From the corner of his eye, he spotted shadowy figures slipping into the cave.
"Shadows!" he shouted, his voice laced with anger.
The dragon, sensing the intruders, let out a blood-curdling roar. Its body pulsed with energy as it fully entered berserk mode. Its attacks became wild and erratic, each strike shaking the earth.
Yuqing barely managed to deflect a claw aimed at her. "It's out of control!"
Tianyang clenched his jaw, his determination unwavering. "Then we fight with everything we've got!"
---
The dragon's berserk state was a terrifying sight. Its azure flames burned brighter, its scales shimmered with an almost blinding light, and its roars echoed like thunder.
"Blooming Lotus Strike!" Yuqing called out, launching a concentrated beam of energy shaped like a lotus. The attack struck the dragon's side, staggering it momentarily.
"Golden Sovereign Slash!" Tianyang followed up, his sword cleaving through the dragon's front claw, leaving a deep gash.
The dragon howled in pain but retaliated with a massive swipe of its tail, sending both of them flying.
---
"Tianyang!" Yuqing called out, scrambling to her feet.
"I'm fine!" he replied, coughing but steady. "We need to find a way to end this!"
Yuqing's eyes burned with determination. "Together, then!"
The two launched a coordinated assault, their techniques complementing each other in a dazzling display of power and precision. The dragon, despite its berserk state, began to falter under their relentless attacks.
But just as victory seemed within reach, the shadows reappeared. Their dark energy swirled ominously, targeting the dragon. The beast, sensing the threat, turned its rage toward the intruders.
"What are they doing?" Yuqing demanded, her voice filled with frustration.
"They're trying to weaken it further—for what purpose, I don't know," Tianyang said, his tone grim.
The dragon, caught between two fronts, let out one final, earth-shattering roar.
"Brace yourself!" Tianyang shouted as the ground beneath them quaked, signaling the battle was far from over.
Important Information!
Demon Beast Levels
Demon beasts cultivate similarly to humans, but their power is derived from their innate bloodlines and their comprehension of the natural laws.
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1. Mortal Beast (Equivalent to Qi Condensation Realm)
Characteristics: Ordinary beasts with no spiritual awareness. They can be domesticated or hunted by low-level cultivators.
Abilities: Basic physical prowess, limited intelligence.
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2. Spirit Beast (Equivalent to Foundation Establishment Realm)
Characteristics: Gained spiritual awareness and the ability to absorb spiritual energy.
Abilities: Basic elemental or physical techniques.
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3. Profound Beast (Equivalent to Golden Core Realm)
Characteristics: Can form a demon core, a condensed source of their energy.
Abilities: Elemental mastery increases; techniques become more refined and dangerous.
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4. Earth Beast (Equivalent to Nascent Soul Realm)
Characteristics: Highly intelligent and capable of complex strategies in combat.
Abilities: Can manipulate spiritual energy outside their bodies and unleash powerful area attacks.
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5. Sky Beast (Equivalent to Soul Severing Realm)
Characteristics: Gains flight capabilities (if not already inherent) and a greater connection to natural laws.
Abilities: Uses spiritual energy to augment physical attacks and unleash devastating techniques.
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6. Heaven Beast (Equivalent to Spirit Transformation Realm)
Characteristics: Begins to comprehend higher laws, often gaining elemental affinities like fire, wind, or lightning.
Abilities: Techniques become destructive and vast, often affecting large areas.
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7. Divine Beast (Equivalent to Void Tribulation Realm)
Characteristics: Recognized as sovereign beings among demon beasts. Rare and feared across the continent.
Abilities: Can use domain-level techniques and unleash spiritual pressure that can paralyze weaker beings.
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8. Saint Beast (Equivalent to Ascendant Realm)
Characteristics: Bloodline abilities start to awaken; they become almost unkillable without significant power.
Abilities: Can manipulate the elements at will and recover quickly from injuries.
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9. Monarch Beast (Equivalent to Immortal Ascension Realm)
Characteristics: Commands legions of lower-tier beasts and rules vast territories.
Abilities: Their techniques rival natural disasters, and their spiritual auras can suppress weaker beings.
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10. Sovereign Beast (Equivalent to Celestial Lord Realm)
Characteristics: Pinnacle of demon beasts within a single continent. Their roars can alter weather patterns, and their presence inspires awe.
Abilities: Fully awakened bloodlines, capable of world-shattering attacks and near-invulnerability.
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11. Ancient Beast (Equivalent to Eternal Immortal Realm)
Characteristics: Ancient beings who have surpassed the limits of the mortal plane. Their existence is legendary, and their powers are incomprehensible.
Abilities: Can manipulate the fabric of space and time; their techniques can affect entire continents.
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12. Primordial Beast (Equivalent to True Celestial Realm)
Characteristics: Born of the primordial chaos, these beasts are mythical entities that represent the pinnacle of existence.
Abilities: Their techniques can reshape the heavens and earth; their very presence warps reality.
Each level reflects a demon beast's increasing power, intelligence, and connection to the natural world. Like human cultivators, their strength is heavily influenced by their bloodlines, comprehension of laws, and opportunities encountered during their journey.
Opportunities for demon beasts often include:
1. Bloodline Awakening: Activating dormant ancestral bloodlines to enhance strength and abilities.
2. Heavenly Treasures: Consuming rare spiritual herbs, fruits, or minerals that boost cultivation.
3. Beast Cores: Absorbing cores of stronger beasts to enhance their own power.
4. Ancient Inheritances: Discovering ruins, sacred grounds, or relics left by powerful ancient beasts.
5. Comprehension of Laws: Meditating in natural environments to grasp elemental or spatial laws.
6. Contracts: Forming bonds with powerful cultivators for mutual growth.
7. Heavenly Tribulations: Successfully passing life-threatening tribulations to evolve into higher forms.