Chapter 75: Unleashing the Hidden Power

The beast snarled, its glowing red eyes locking onto Lin Tian with renewed fury. The ground beneath its claws cracked and splintered, sending tremors through the wasteland. Lin Tian stood firm, gripping his staff tightly, his heart pounding in his chest. This was more than a battle of strength—it was a test of his bond with the Hidden Realm and his resolve to ascend to greater heights.

"You won't take me down that easily," Lin Tian muttered, focusing his energy.

The air around him began to hum with power as the connection to the Hidden Realm deepened. A faint golden light shimmered across his body, signaling the realm's acknowledgment of his resolve. He could feel the distant presence of his beasts, their energies pulsing faintly in encouragement.

The beast roared, charging again with a burst of speed that belied its massive size. Its wings spread wide, casting a shadow over Lin Tian as it lunged. But this time, Lin Tian was ready.

"Hidden Realm: Beast Resonance!" he shouted, channeling the power of his bond. The golden aura around him flared brightly, forming the faint outlines of Baihu, Xinya, and Yue Mei. Though they were not physically present, their spiritual energies surged into Lin Tian, reinforcing his strength.

As the beast's claws descended, Lin Tian dodged with agility, spinning his staff in a fluid arc. The golden energy coalesced into a blade at the staff's tip, and with a sharp slash, he struck the beast's forearm.

The creature howled in pain, black ichor dripping from its wound. But rather than retreat, it seemed to grow more ferocious, its body swelling as dark energy poured from its core. The oppressive aura around it intensified, pressing down on Lin Tian like a mountain.

"It's adapting," Lin Tian realized, his mind racing. "This trial isn't just about defeating the beast—it's testing how far I can push myself under pressure."

As the beast prepared to strike again, Lin Tian closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He focused inward, seeking the core of his connection to the Hidden Realm. He could feel the faint pull of the Pocket World, the ancient tree at its center calling to him.

"Guide me," he whispered.

A sudden surge of clarity washed over him, and when he opened his eyes, the world around him seemed sharper, more vivid. The beast lunged, but Lin Tian moved with a newfound grace, sidestepping the attack and countering with a blast of golden light.

The energy struck the beast square in the chest, sending it tumbling backward. Lin Tian didn't let up. He charged forward, his staff glowing brighter with each step.

"For every challenge I've faced, for every bond I've formed, I will not falter!" he shouted, his voice ringing out across the wasteland.

The beast roared again, but this time, its movements were sluggish, its strength waning under Lin Tian's relentless assault. With a final, powerful strike, Lin Tian drove his staff into the ground, unleashing a wave of energy that engulfed the creature.

When the light faded, the beast was gone, its dark energy dissipating into the air. The wasteland around him began to shimmer and shift, and Lin Tian found himself standing once again in the lush forest of the Hidden Realm.

The ethereal beings reappeared, their gazes filled with approval. The woman with glowing blue eyes stepped forward, a faint smile on her lips.

"You have passed the first trial," she said. "But this is only the beginning. The Hidden Realm has accepted you as its champion, but to truly master its power, you must face the remaining trials."

Lin Tian nodded, his determination unwavering. "I'm ready for whatever comes next."

The woman extended her hand, and a small, glowing orb appeared in her palm. "Take this. It is a fragment of the Hidden Realm's core. It will aid you in the trials to come."

As Lin Tian reached out to accept the orb, he felt a surge of warmth and energy course through him. The bond between him and the Hidden Realm deepened, and he could sense new possibilities unfolding before him.

The beings began to fade, their forms dissolving into the air. The woman's voice lingered as the light around him dimmed.

"Prove yourself worthy, Lin Tian. The fate of this realm—and your destiny—rests in your hands."

As the last traces of light disappeared, Lin Tian stood alone, the glowing orb in his hand. He clenched his fist, his resolve stronger than ever.

"The trials may be tough," he murmured, "but I will conquer them. For my beasts, for my family, and for the legacy I'm building."

With a determined gaze, he turned toward the path ahead, ready to face the next challenge in the Hidden Realm.

End of Chapter 75