Into the Unknown
Standing at the forest's edge, I hesitated for a fleeting moment. This trial was meant to temper my resolve and fortify my will. Exhaling deeply, I stepped into the dense woods.
The forest felt alive, every shadow concealing unseen dangers. I scouted the surrounding area, searching for a suitable place to establish a base. My mission was to eliminate every demon beast in this secret realm. It would take time, and I needed a safe haven. After hours of searching, I found a desolate clearing devoid of animal life—ideal for settling in.
During my scouting, I encountered and slew several beasts of the low and mid Body Strengthening Realm. I checked their corpses for cores, but luck was not on my side.
Sigh.
Frustrated by my misfortune, I harvested their meat and stored it in my newly claimed home. Thus began my daily routine—hunting, killing, and crafting traps from their remains. These creations earned me cultivation points, which I used to ascend through the Essence Gathering Realm. Within a month, I had slain creatures as strong as those in the mid Essence Gathering Realm.
Watching my cultivation grow so rapidly filled me with hope. Perhaps, in two more months, I can clear this realm, I thought, exhilarated. The idea of escaping the monotony of endless battles was a beacon of relief. Yet, a strange part of me felt a longing for this life of endless combat, though I pushed the thought aside for the time being.
Meanwhile, in a dark, ominous cave brimming with malevolent energy, three demon beasts convened in secret.
The bull demon, radiating authority, spoke first:
"Today, I have gathered you here because the time granted by the Lord is nearing its end. If we fail to complete the mission entrusted to us, the power He granted us in exchange for our souls will be reclaimed—and we shall perish."
His tone carried fear, and his reverence for the Lord was evident.
The serpent demon hissed in response, its voice dripping with awe:
"I understand. Rest assured, preparations are already underway to fulfill His will."
The eight-eyed spider demon chimed in, its voice quivering:
"Yes, I, too, have been preparing for the plan."
The bull demon nodded, sensing the truth in their words.
"Good. We shall execute the plan tomorrow," he declared.
The others responded in unison:
"Yes. Tomorrow, we will carry out the Lord's plan."
Unbeknownst to me, while I tirelessly hunted lesser beasts, three demon beasts of the Peak Energy Transformation Realm were plotting. If I had known, I would have been astonished; after all, only beasts of the Core Transformation Realm or higher could communicate intelligently.
The next day, I awoke, ready for another day of hunting. After stretching, I stepped outside and ventured deeper into the forest. Suddenly, the air was shattered by three earth-shaking roars, each brimming with the majesty of apex predators.
I froze, baffled by the sheer power behind those cries. Before I could process it, the ground began to quake. In the distance, a massive stampede of demon beasts charged toward the source of the roars. Tens of thousands of them.
Terror seized me as I realized I was directly in their path. My instincts screamed at me to flee—survival was impossible against such overwhelming odds. Yet, amidst the chaos, a fierce determination welled up within me. A voice inside whispered: Fight.
For the first time in two lifetimes, I embraced the madness. I abandoned my weapons, knowing they would only hinder me, and charged forward with nothing but my body and will. Every step erased my thoughts of life and death, of peace and the world. There was only me and the beasts.
The beasts, enraged by my audacity, surged toward me with even greater ferocity. A single cultivator dared to challenge their overwhelming numbers? To them, it was an insult.
To me, it was my battle.
The air grew thick with the scent of blood and the oppressive aura of the stampeding demon beasts. My heartbeat thundered in my ears, drowning out all other sounds as I met the charging horde head-on. The first beast—a massive, horned creature with glowing crimson eyes—lunged at me with terrifying speed. I sidestepped its attack, channeling my essence into my fist, and struck its skull with all my strength. The force of the blow shattered its head, and the beast collapsed in a heap.
Before I could catch my breath, three more beasts descended upon me. My body moved instinctively, dodging claws, fangs, and tails. My hands, hardened by months of relentless training, tore through their hides. Blood spattered the ground, the metallic tang filling the air as more beasts fell.
I lost count of the kills as I fought like a man possessed. Time seemed to blur. Day and night merged into an endless dance of survival. My body screamed in agony, muscles burning and wounds bleeding, yet I pressed on. Each strike, each kill, seemed to break something within me.
At some point, I became aware of something strange—my essence, which had been steadily growing during my trial, surged with a ferocity I had never felt before. But the feeling of something breaking within me continued. Whatever it was, it felt both terrifying and freeing.
Far away, the three apex demon beasts observed the carnage.
The serpent demon's forked tongue flickered as it hissed, "This one is no ordinary cultivator. His will is monstrous."
The eight-eyed spider demon clicked its mandibles, its eight unblinking eyes fixed on the battlefield. "Indeed. But no matter how strong his will, he is still a mortal. He cannot withstand the combined strength of the horde."
The bull demon's massive form shifted slightly, its golden eyes narrowing. "Do not underestimate him. If we allow him to continue, he may threaten even us. We must intervene soon."
The three demons exchanged glances before nodding in unison. The bull demon spoke with grim finality:
"We execute the Lord's plan now."
Suddenly, the ground beneath me trembled violently, far stronger than before. I looked up to see three massive forms emerging from the shadows of the forest. The bull demon, towering and radiating raw power. The serpent demon, coiled and menacing, its emerald scales gleaming. And the eight-eyed spider demon, its grotesque form exuding malice.
Their combined aura was suffocating. I staggered, my instincts screaming at me to run, but my feet remained planted. Something primal surged within me, stronger than fear, stronger than reason. I clenched my fists, ready to face the towering monstrosities.