Tail versus Fist, Demonic Beast versus Cultivator, Snake versus Man, there were many ways to describe this clash, but the most apt way would be unchecked ferocity.
The young man punched out again and again, while simultaneously the Snake swung its tail ready to counter at each and every point. For almost 10 minutes the two constantly attacked on another, it was a miracle that the Glowshroom hadn't been destroyed in their intense battle.
Realising that things weren't going to get any better the young man backed off temporarily. 'Getting through its scales is going to be tough.' He thought to himself as he gazed at his bruised fist comparing it to the unblemished scales of the Snake.
Even after getting so much stronger he wasn't comparable to a Demonic Beast physically, but humans were never known for their physical might. Concentrating his Spirit Qi in his feet, the young man moved at speeds so fast the Snake could barely make out an afterimage.
"BANG!"
His fist slammed against the Snake's head before the young man perched himself atop the Snake's head continuing to beat it senseless. Alas his attacks still weren't doing much not to mention now that the majority of his Spirit Qi was concentrated in his feet he was doing even less damage.
But the Snake wasn't having it, enraged the Snake swung its tail towards the young man attempting to crush him where he stood. Seeing this he simply smiled as the tail neared him, he waited until the last possible moment.
"WOOSH!"
"BANG!"
The young man disappeared from atop the snake's head causing the snake to hit itself full force. It would be accurate to say that the Snake was absolutely confused at this moment, dazed and unable to process what was going on.
At this moment the young man could've escaped with the Glowshroom, but he chose not to. Sticking to the roof of the cave directly above the snake, he began to throw rocks at the Snake attempting to provoke it.
In its confusion and rage, the Snake immediately lashed out towards the young man hitting the roof of the cave. Naturally the young man dodged out of the way avoiding the Snake's tail. This happened again and again as the Snake's attacks shook the cave.
Finally after the 10th attack from the Snake, the cave rumbled loudly, as pieces of stone began raining down. Seeing this the Snake was naturally alarmed and immediately pointed all its rage at the young man as it opened its mouth attempting to use its Demonic Ability.
Unfortunately for it, the Snake had already been placed in checkmate.
"BANG!"
"CRASH!"
A large stone fell from the roof of the cave slamming into the Snake's back and pinning it to the ground. This interrupted the Snake's activation of its ability and caused it to flail around unwillingly.
"SWOOSH!"
Amidst its panic it didn't notice the young man quickly stealing the Glowshroom and running away. More and more stones fell and soon the entire cave collapsed in on itself burying the Snake alive, or well dead.
"Haa, haa, haa." The young man exhaled in exasperation, he had just barely managed to escape the cave. But it was worth it in the end, staring at the glowing blue mushroom he was more than happy. 'One step forward.'
He then found a secluded location in less than a minute and consumed the mushroom. The fact that treasures needed to be consumed immediately after obtaining them was a big handicap for the young man, otherwise he would have simply stolen the mushroom and ran away. Eventually he'd lose the Snake after all, but it'd take too long. Because of this he was forced to enact his plan. But that didn't matter anymore.
Having eaten the Glowshroom a strange energy began coursing throughout his body. It was unlike Spirit Qi but every time it circulated throughout his meridians his Spirit Qi became purer and denser, seeing this he was shocked.
While he had recognised the herb and it being generally beneficial towards Spirit Qi he didn't know it enhanced the purity and density of his Spirit Qi. That was simply crazy, denser and purer Spirit Qi would mean he'd be stronger than those at the same level albeit only slightly.
In fact this was especially important for the young man as he used a basic technique found throughout the world. Because of this while his Spirit Qi quality wasn't terrible it was laughable compared to those true geniuses.
Almost an hour later the young man finished circulating the energy from the Glowshroom. Standing up he immediately coated his hand in Spirit Qi. 'Its at least 20% denser, and about 30% purer!' He thought in shock admiring his Spirit Qi.
"Its getting dark, I should find somewhere to rest." The young man muttered to himself. Having not slept in over a week albeit it not physically exhausted due to all the treasures he had consumed, he was definitely mentally exhausted.
After some time he found a nearby cave, and covered the entrance with some shrubbery, before falling into a deep sleep.
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"Wake up! Wake up Atlas!" A voice echoed out, from where the young man didn't know. "We're dying Atlas!" Opening up his eyes the young man saw his City burning to the ground, his friends and family dying in front of him.
"No! No! Stop it!" The young man cried to no avail, the soldiers clad in Blood Red Armour continued to cut down the mortals one after the other, even burning some on the spot or turning them into blood mist with a flick of their finger.
Amidst all the soldiers one stood out the most, he was also clad in Blood Red Armour but unlike the rest his helmet was shaped like a tiger, his body huge standing at 2 meters tall, even with all that armour one could tell he was muscular underneath it.
The horse he rode was similarly mighty, being twice as large as the average horse, with a mane of blood red hair and bulging muscles. Every step it took caused the ground to quake and tremble.
This was the General that the young man so despised. He was known throughout the land, second only to the Emperor himself, General Hu Kai the 10,000 Slaughterer!