Rising Beyond Limits
Chapter 20: Rising Beyond Limits
Jin Wei's breathing was uneven, his body battered and bruised. His once-pristine robes were now torn, stained with both his blood and that of the countless beasts he had slain. But none of them compared to the mutated Shadow Wolf standing before him now.
The wolf was massive, its fur like flowing darkness, pulsating with ominous energy. Its crimson eyes glowed with killing intent, and sharp fangs gleamed under the pale moonlight. It was a beast far stronger than anything Jin Wei had encountered before—one that could easily kill a 4th-layer Body Tempering cultivator like himself.
Yet, there was no fear in his eyes.
Instead, he tightened his grip around his sword, wiping the blood trickling down his forehead. "If I can't defeat this thing, I have no right to dream of the path ahead."
The wolf lunged.
BOOM!
Jin Wei barely dodged, rolling to the side as the wolf's claws tore through the ground like paper. The sheer force of its attack sent a shockwave through the area.
"Too fast!" Jin Wei's mind raced. He had faced tough opponents before, but this thing was simply on another level. He wouldn't be able to last much longer if he kept fighting defensively.
He needed more power.
The system's voice echoed in his mind.
[Warning! The host's energy is depleting rapidly.]
[Emergency recommendation: Initiate forced breakthrough to the 5th layer of Body Tempering.]
Jin Wei's eyes widened. A forced breakthrough? That was risky. If his body couldn't handle the impact, he could cripple his foundation permanently. But looking at the approaching wolf, he realized—
He had no choice.
He took a deep breath, focusing his remaining strength inward. His dantian trembled, and the energy within him surged like a roaring tide.
---
A Desperate Breakthrough
[Initiating breakthrough…]
A sudden, burning sensation exploded from his core, spreading through every inch of his body. His muscles tightened, his bones hardened, and his qi burst outward, expanding wildly.
"AGH!" Jin Wei gritted his teeth, feeling his body being pushed beyond its limits. This pain—it was far worse than his last breakthrough. His veins burned as raw energy coursed through him like wildfire.
CRACK!
Something shifted inside him. His qi doubled in intensity. His aura expanded, growing more forceful. The air around him trembled.
[Breakthrough successful! The host has reached the 5th layer of Body Tempering!]
The moment his breakthrough stabilized, everything changed.
His body felt lighter yet stronger. His once-exhausted limbs were now brimming with power. His senses sharpened, allowing him to perceive the Shadow Wolf's every movement.
The beast lunged at him again—but this time, he didn't dodge.
Instead, he met it head-on.
BOOM!
Their clash shook the forest. Jin Wei's fist collided with the wolf's claw, creating a shockwave that sent the beast staggering backward for the first time.
Jin Wei's lips curled into a smirk. "Not so tough now, are you?"
The wolf growled, enraged, but Jin Wei no longer felt pressured. The battle had shifted.
It was time to end this.
---
The Final Strike
The Shadow Wolf's crimson eyes locked onto Jin Wei, fury burning within them. It crouched low, its muscles tensing. A moment later—
SWOOSH!
The beast vanished.
Jin Wei's eyes widened. It's faster than before!
A blur of darkness shot toward him, its razor-sharp claws slicing through the air. But this time, Jin Wei could see everything clearly.
BANG!
His body moved on instinct. He sidestepped at the last moment, avoiding the wolf's deadly swipe.
Then—
"Thunder Palm!"
Jin Wei's right hand flashed with crackling energy, a surge of qi focusing into his palm. With all his strength, he slammed his palm into the wolf's ribs.
CRACK!
A loud snapping sound echoed through the air as the wolf yelped in pain, its body skidding backward and crashing into a tree. The force of the impact shattered the thick trunk, sending splinters flying everywhere.
The wolf struggled to stand, but its ribs were clearly broken. It growled, eyes burning with desperation. A dark mist began rising from its body.
"It's using a desperate technique!" Jin Wei's expression hardened. He couldn't let it recover.
Taking a deep breath, he gathered all his remaining qi. His sword trembled in his grip, its blade glowing with a sharp, white light.
"If one strike can end this… then let it be this one!"
He stepped forward, vanishing from sight.
Swoosh!
The next moment, he appeared directly above the Shadow Wolf.
His sword descended.
"Heaven-Splitting Slash!"
SHIIIIING!
A dazzling arc of light cut through the night—
SLASH!
The wolf's head separated from its body.
A moment later, its massive form collapsed.
Silence fell over the battlefield. The only sound was the rustling of leaves in the wind.
Jin Wei stood still, breathing heavily. Then—
Ding!
[Congratulations! The host has defeated a Tier 2 Shadow Wolf!]
[Experience gained: 2500 points]
[Host has obtained Shadow Wolf Core!]
Jin Wei's lips curled into a triumphant smile. "Finally… it's over."
He looked down at the glowing black crystal in his hand—the Shadow Wolf Core.
A rare treasure.
Perhaps… this was the real reward of the battle.