The Ancient Beast of the Azure Forest

The Azure Forest had long been a place of both beauty and danger. Its towering trees stretched high into the sky, their branches heavy with mist, while beneath the canopy, an oppressive silence prevailed. The forest was known to hold secrets—some whispered among the cultivators who passed through, others hidden in the shadows of the forgotten realms. But none of the rumors were as chilling as the stories surrounding the Thunder Wyvern.

The beast was an ancient creature, older than the forest itself, a terror that had ruled over the land for centuries. It was said that the Wyvern could command the storm, summon lightning at will, and wreak havoc across entire regions. Many sought to slay it, either for the prestige or the valuable resources its death would provide, but none had returned from the Azure Forest after venturing into its heart.

Zhang Xiaofan's journey had brought him to the forest while tracking down rare herbs and spiritual stones. However, his arrival was not unanticipated. Whispers had reached his ears that the Wyvern's rampage had reached new heights— terrorizing cultivators, and even attacking travelers who strayed too close. Xiaofan, ever calculated and opportunistic, saw an opportunity: not only to test his growing abilities but also to acquire the beast's heart, which was said to have unparalleled power.after the breakthrough he has reached 9 star dou shi but it could be helpful for breakthrough further.

He made his way into the forest, keeping to the shadows, as was his way. The ring on his finger—his connection —helped him blend into the environment, allowing him to move almost undetected.

Xiaofan ventured deep into the forest, his instincts sharp. The deeper he traveled, the more unnatural the atmosphere became. The trees seemed to shift, and the air grew thick with an almost tangible energy. As he neared the heart of the forest, the storm began—a crackling energy that felt like the world was about to break apart.

The Thunder Wyvern emerged in a flash of lightning—a massive beast with scales that shimmered like polished jade and wings that spanned wide enough to block the sun. It had the appearance of a serpent mixed with dragon-like features, its eyes glowing with a fierce, electric blue. The beast's roar split the air, a thunderous sound that sent birds scattering and the earth trembling beneath Xiaofan's feet.

Before he could act, the Wyvern's tail whipped through the air, crashing into the trees and sending debris flying. The force of the attack made the ground quake. Xiaofan leaped into action, to propel himself out of the way just in time, but the sheer force of the beast's power was staggering. He knew this would not be a simple battle—this was a fight against an higher, primal force.

Xiaofan was no stranger to battles, but fighting a creature of this magnitude required more than brute strength. His instincts told him that he couldn't engage the Wyvern head-on—it would overwhelm him with its lightning and sheer power. Instead, he relied on his mind and his extensive training in formations.

While evading the Wyvern's attacks, Xiaofan began to create a series of intricate formations beneath his feet, using the environment to his advantage. The forest, though dangerous, was also his ally—its dense trees could be used to funnel the beast's movements, and the natural energy in the area could be harnessed. His hands moved swiftly, drawing runes in the air with his fingers, and as the formations activated, they distorted the very space around him, creating illusions and traps that would confound the Wyvern.

However, the beast was not so easily deceived. It swiped at the air with massive talons, tearing through the illusions with ease, its heightened senses allowing it to detect Xiaofan's movements even within the fog of the formation. Xiaofan quickly realized that to win, he needed to turn the Wyvern's strength against it.

Knowing that the Wyvern's power was tied to the storm, Xiaofan decided to manipulate the very essence of the creature's lightning. Using the formation and his own mastery of the elements, he drew the surrounding energy toward him, creating a vortex of wind and electrical currents. The storm began to intensify, feeding into the Wyvern's power, but also making it harder for the beast to control. The lightning arced unpredictably, blasting through trees and disorienting the creature.

Xiaofan then employed the serpent form from the ring, channeling the power of the ancient serpent shadow and used formation with steps to enhance his speed and power. His form shifted, becoming sleeker, more fast, and much more smooth. The Wyvern, now disoriented by the amplified storm, roared in frustration, attempting to fly above the chaos.

But Xiaofan was ready.

As the Wyvern attempted to ascend, Xiaofan used the last of his energy to manipulate the lightning itself, creating an electric web that snared the beast in mid-air. The Wyvern's wings flapped wildly as it tried to escape, but the web held it in place. Using his serpent form, Xiaofan quickly scaled the beast's body, avoiding the claws and teeth that sought to tear him apart.

He reached the Wyvern's head—its eyes crackling with fury—and with a well-placed strike, Xiaofan plunged a dagger forged from divine energy into its skull, aiming directly for its heart. The moment the blade struck, the Wyvern's body convulsed in a violent display of lightning, but Xiaofan held firm, using his own energy to anchor the strike.

In that moment, the storm around them exploded in a final, deafening crash as the Wyvern fell to the ground, its body dissolving into smoke and energy. Xiaofan stood over the beast, panting and bloodied, but victorious. The energy he had drawn from the storm surged into him, further amplifying his already formidable power.

The forest fell silent. The once-furious storm cleared, and the oppressive atmosphere dissipated. Xiaofan, exhausted but triumphant, surveyed the remains of the Wyvern. He had claimed its core—a valuable treasure that would greatly enhance his cultivation—and its scales, which would make for potent materials in forging armor or weapons.

Yet, Xiaofan knew that this victory was not one to be celebrated openly. The beast's death would attract attention—both from factions who desired its power and from those who sought to avenge the creature. It was a reminder that his journey, though marked by triumphs, was also fraught with dangers from all sides.

With his prize in hand, Xiaofan vanished into the shadows, leaving the Azure Forest behind. He knew that his path was fraught with both visible and unseen enemies. But with the power he had gained, he was no longer the hunter. He was becoming something far more dangerous—a force that would reshape the realm, one step at a time. After Leaving the place he decided to master lightning technique which he found before that ring mysterious as he gained core with lightning nature.

Thus, the tale of the Thunder Wyvern came to an end, but Xiaofan's journey—one of cunning, power, and shadow—was only just beginning.