First Battle
After pondering for a while, Lu Shen asked about the realms of beasts and demonic monsters, trying to understand their differences.
He soon learned that "beasts" were low-level animals that had undergone mutations from their original forms.
For example, a normal dog could mutate, developing a bloodthirsty nature and attacking anything it saw. However, it wouldn't be considered a demonic beast because it hadn't formed a "core" in its body.
Demonic beasts, on the other hand, had cores, making them significantly stronger and more intelligent. They could use spiritual energy to enhance their abilities, setting them apart from regular beasts.
Their ranks ranged from Rank 1 to Rank 9, with Rank 9 demonic beasts developing intelligence comparable to adult humans. At this stage, they could even rule over entire regions as overlords.
Lu Shen had asked about this because he knew that ignorance in battle meant certain death. Understanding the creatures of this world was crucial to his survival.
Moreover, he realized that the Origin Bracelet granted him a game-like interface, allowing him to check the attributes of people, treasures, techniques, and skills, each categorized by level.
Curious, he decided to check his own status.
---
[Status]
Host: Lu Shen
Age: 18
Race: Human
Beast Bloodline: Fire Snake (Top)
Strength: 8 (Normal person: 10)
Endurance: 8 (Normal person: 10)
Agility: 7 (Normal person: 10)
Luck: 30 (Above average)
Warrior Realm: None
Cultivation Technique: None
Skill: Inferno Strike (Bloodline Skill)
Equipment: Origin Bracelet
---
After awakening their bloodline, every warrior gained a unique bloodline skill.
Lu Shen's bloodline skill was Inferno Strike, allowing him to coat his fists in flames, significantly boosting the power of his punches.
However, seeing his status, he couldn't help but feel disheartened. Even after receiving the Origin Bracelets help, his overall stats were still below average compared to normal people.
He sighed bitterly. If not for the bracelet, his physical condition would have been even worse.
But at least... his luck was exceptionally high!
Moreover, on the bright side, he also discovered that he could access the bracelet's functions without physically removing it from his Sea of Consciousness.
Checking the Origin Bracelets abilities, he focused his mind on it.
[Artifact: Origin Bracelet]
Grade: ???
Abilities:
Celestial Insight: Allows the host to see attributes of individuals, treasures, techniques, and skills.
Teleport: Instantly transports the host to the Origin Land's entrance.
Storage: Stores unlimited non-living items.
---
Seeing these abilities, Lu Shen felt as if he had hit the jackpot.
"An interface that lets me see other people's stats... and unlimited storage? This is basically a cheat!"
But he knew the harsh reality, in this dangerous world, power was everything. If he didn't grow stronger, he would live in fear or worse... become a slave.
Determined not be a slave of strength, Lu Shen chose the first door and stepped into the Low-Level origin land.
---
The moment he stepped through the gate, Lu Shen found himself in a vast forest with towering trees and thick vegetation.
Taking a deep breath, he felt the fresh air fill his lungs, and he admired the beautiful scenery. In the distance, majestic mountains and rolling hills stretched endlessly, covered in lush greenery.
However, the peaceful atmosphere was soon shattered.
ROAR!
The terrifying cries of demonic beasts echoed in the distance, sending a chill down Lu Shen's spine.
"Lu Shen, be cautious" the spirit warned. "The deeper you go into the Origin Land, the stronger the monsters become. In this Low-Level origin land, creatures up to Rank 3 can be found."
" Each level of the Origin Land is divided into Outer, Inner, and Core Areas , with monsters growing stronger the closer one ventured to the center. "
Lu Shen nodded and cautiously began his hunt for low-level beasts.
---
After searching for a while, he finally spotted his first monster, a Rank 1 demonic beast.
The creature resembled a wolf, but its tail was engulfed in flames, and its fiery red fur gleamed under the sunlight.
Its fangs glowed crimson, and saliva dripped from its mouth.
Instinctively, Lu Shen hid between tree and activated Celestial Insight to analyze the beast.
[Demonic Beast: Inferno Hound]
Rank: 1 (Early)
Affinity: Fire
Strength:100
Endurance: 70
Agility: 80
Skill: Bite
[Bite: Its powerful fangs can tear through low-rank armor and kill a low-level warrior in one bite.]
"..."
Lu Shen's face turned pale.
"Oh my god... my strength is only 8, but this thing's is 100?! If it lands a single hit, I'm dead!"
Without hesitation, he turned and ran for his life.
"Didn't you say the outer area had low-level monsters?!" Lu Shen shouted at the spirit while running away.
"I said low-level monsters are here. I never said Rank 1 was weak" the spirit replied mockingly.
"...."
Lu Shen was speechless. He finally understood, he was so weak that even the weakest demons could easily kill him.
After shaking his head, he continued his hunt for an easier opponent.
----
Soon, he found a low-level beast feasting on a pile of dead animals.
The creature resembled a large dog, its size twice that of a normal house dogs.
Checking its stats, Lu Shen felt slightly relieved.
[Beast: Mutated Dog]
Affinity: None
Strength: 10
Endurance: 7
Agility: 8
The difference was clear. Mutated Beasts only had strong physical bodies but no skills, whereas even a Rank 1 Demonic Beast was ten times stronger.
Additionally, Lu Shen had learned that demonic beasts gained an extra skill per rank, a Rank 1 beast had one skill, Rank 2 had two, and so on.
The same applied to Bloodline Warriors. These things were learned during bloodline awaken day form teacher Tang.
After carefully looking around Lu Shen decided to attack head on and he try to get closer to mutated dog from its blind spot.
But the mutated dog reacted instantly noise produce by Lu Shen nurvqes steps, mutated dog sensing danger. It turned sharply and jump at Lu Shen try to bite.
Lu Shen barely dodged by squatting down and looking at mutated dog in air, he retaliated with a punch to its chest, which sending the beast flying. Seizing the opening, he used Inferno Strike skill.
Flames erupted around his fists as spiritual energy surged through his body.
With all his strength he jump at howling mutated dog, Then, he smashed his fiery fist into the dog's head.
BOOM!
The creature howled in agony before collapsing. Blood pooled around its lifeless body.
Lu Shen let out a deep breath.
"Finally... I killed it."
Then, the spirit spoke.
"Now, use your ability to devour it."
Lu Shen nodded, but a lingering fear remained in his heart. He had barely escaped death.
Even just remembering the bloody fangs of the mutated dog sent a shiver down his spine. This was his first real battle and he almost lost his life.
However, he was quick-witted. The moment the mutated dog was in mid-air, he had seized the opportunity and landed a solid punch, securing his victory.
If he had hesitated.
If his attack had failed.
He might not be standing here now.
Fortunately, he lucked out and His first prey had fallen.
Otherwise....
Taking a deep breath to calm himself, he shook off the disturbing thoughts.
Then, steadying himself, he extended his hand...
"Devour!"
A vortex engulfed the corpse, and a white light appeared in place of the mutated dog. Spiritual energy slowly flowed from Lu Shen's hands into his body, absorbing its pure energy.
His muscles tightened, and he felt a surge of pure energy rushing through his body like a flood. A warm sensation spread across his body, and he could clearly feel his strength increasing.
After some time…
Lu Shen opened his status window and was shocked by what he saw.
[Status]
Host: Lu Shen
Age: 18
Race: Human
Beast Bloodline: Fire Snake(Top)
Warrior Realm: None
Strength: 20 → (+12 increase!)
Endurance: 18 → (+10 increase!)
Agility: 16 → (+9 increase!)
Luck: 30
Technique: None
Skill: Inferno Strike
Equipment: Origin Bracelet
"Damn! My strength increased this much just from devouring a single low-level beast?!"
The spirit chuckled. "Enjoy it while it lasts. As you grow stronger, weaker beasts will give you low returns(pure Energy)."
"..."
The spirit splashed cold water on Lu Shen's head, even so he became happy by just increase in small strength.
Lu Shen's excitement faded.
"...Does that mean I have to start devouring higher-level monsters?"
"Exactly."
Lu Shen was shocked to hear a voice in his mind, but after thinking for a moment, he slapped his forehead.
Of course! The Origin Bracelet was resting in his sea of consciousness, naturally, the spirit could communicate with him this way.
-----
Lu Shen continued exploring. The landscape remained unchanged, dense trees, rolling hills, and the distant sounds of creatures lurking in the shadows howl echo from distance.
Suddenly, he encountered a new low-level beast, a cat-like creature with its entire body covered in pure black fur.
Had it been night, Lu Shen doubted he would have seen it at all.
[Half Demon Beast: Shadow Cat]
Affinity: None
Strength: 10
Endurance: 10
Agility: 15
Skill: Stealth
[Stealth: Hides its presence, making it harder for Rank One and below monsters to detect.]
As Lu Shen read the Shadow Cat's status, pain suddenly shot through his leg!
He looked down, blood was trickling from a fresh wound on his right leg.
What?!
He hadn't even seen the cat move!
At that moment, he realized the truth, it had attacked him using Stealth.
Gritting his teeth, Lu Shen quickly jump, narrowly avoiding the cat's next razor-sharp claw.
The Shadow Cat was fast and relentless, its piercing eyes glow with murderous intent.
Although Lu Shen had increased his speed, endurance, and strength by devouring a mutated beast, this cat's Stealth skill made it hard to hit.
Swish!
The Shadow Cat suddenly leaped, its claws slashing toward his neck!
Lu Shen dodged again just in time, countering with a fierce punch.
But
The cat's swift movements made landing a solid hit extremely difficult!
Again, the Shadow Cat launched a vicious attack, aiming straight for Lu Shen's head, it intended to end his life in one swift strike.
Swish!
However, Lu Shen this time was quit lucky, allowing him to dodge just in time. Even so, he felt a sharp pain on his right cheek, blood trickled down from a fresh wound.
He stumbled back, realizing something.
"Killing a beast isn't as easy as I thought."
The Shadow Cat crouched low, its muscles tensed, it was preparing to pounce again.
But this time, Lu Shen was ready.
He had observed its attack patterns and learned its fighting style.
Swish!
The shadow cat lunged.
Lu Shen dodged effortlessly, his footwork swift and precise.
And then.
"Inferno Strike!"
Flames erupted around his fist, the heat waves heating the air around him.
With his bloodline skill activated, Lu Shen charged forward.
His speed now surpassed that of the shadow Cat!
Boom!
He closed the distance in an instant, the shadow cat tried to evade, but Lu Shen was too fast!
His flaming fist slammed into the cat's side, sending it flying into a nearby tree.
Thud!
The Shadow Cat struggled to stand, its movements sluggish from the impact.
Seizing the moment.
Lu Shen rushed in and delivered a final, crushing blow to its head.
"Meoooww!!!"
The cat let out a final, pained cry before collapsing lifelessly to the ground.
Breathing heavily, Lu Shen stood over the fallen beast.
His right leg still bled, but he had won.
"Fighting is indeed tough" he muttered.
"Devour!"
A vortex formed, engulfing the Shadow Cat's body.
Once again, pure spiritual energy surged into his body, strengthening him further.
But this time
Something felt different.
Suddenly, new information appeared in his mind.
Lu Shen quickly checked his status.
Host: Lu Shen
Age: 18
Race: Human
Beast Bloodline: Fire Snake (Top)
Warrior Realm: None
Strength: 35
Endurance: 30
Agility: 28
Luck: 30
Technique: None
Skills:
Inferno Strike (Bloodline Skill), Stealth (New!)
[ Stealth: Conceals breath and presence, making it difficult for Rank One and below monsters or refinement bloodline warriors to detect the user. Effect increases as the host's realm improves. ]