Lian was familiar with the sensation he was experiencing now. Many years had passed since then, and it was almost nostalgic for him. However, the group of young ones was completely disturbed and terrified. They felt disgust, fear, and other similar negative emotions. Their instincts urged them to keep their distance, and they longed to turn around and run as far as possible.
A true demon was near them. Lian still had some doubts, but now he was convinced. This continent harbored a very strong dark power that had given rise to a Dark Willow Tree and pure demons.
In an instant, a giant lizard came flying as all the trees in its path were crushed.
The demonic giant Lizard had an imposing physical structure, with hard and dark scales covering its entire body. These scales were as tough as steel and reflected an iridescent glow in dark shades of black, gray, and deep green. They were marked by sinuous and gleaming veins, resembling chains of black energy pulsating beneath their skin.
Its eyes, deep and piercing, were intensely red, shining with an infernal flame that denoted its demonic nature. These burning eyes were capable of seeing through the darkness, conveying a sense of relentless predator.
Lian waited for a moment, wanting the whole group to feel the fear and danger emanating from it. A demon was a merciless creature that instilled terror in the hearts of those who dared to challenge it.
Just as it seemed their minds were about to crumble, Lian slowly rolled up his sleeves in front of the Lizard, which was a dozen times larger than him. In his hands, a small crystal appeared, containing a powerful thunderous force. Divine lightning surrounded Lian before he launched himself toward the demon. His speed increased and multiplied in the blink of an eye.
The demon noticed his approach but soon lost sight of Lian as his spiritual presence disappeared. Lian was one meter above the Giant Lizard, and then the power of the laws of the earth exploded from within his body.
Lian decided to use a technique from his past as Zeke, The Earth Dragon King style. This technique was named as such because it contained some similarities to a real dragon. However, these similarities were not just superficial, as in the Divine Plane, there existed a powerful realm ruled by dragons.
In this place, there was a mix of dragons and humans, resulting in the creation of a technique that aims to fully harness the abilities of a human who masters the laws of the earth. This technique was inspired by the power of true dragons.
The group was stunned, watching as Lian's aura expanded on the horizon. A colossal shadow of an Earth Dragon emerged around him, announcing its imposing arrival. Its shimmering scales displayed earthy tones, symbolizing its strength and ancestry. With a deafening roar, its wings opened majestically, challenging the very heavens.
With a swift movement, the Earth Dragon's claws projected downward together with Lian's fist, slamming on the back of the Giant Lizard.
*CRASH!*
The space seemed to crumble under the impact of this devastating blow, and the gigantic Lizard fell from the sky like a meteor. A strong gust of wind blew through the surroundings while the smell of blood permeated the air, leaving the young ones completely stunned.
As a devastating result, a huge hole opened in the ground, and the demon's body contorted for a moment before finally ceasing as its aura dissipated.
Riria ran towards the spot, followed by the others, though a bit more slowly. As they watched, the immense body began to shrink and gradually disappear. The small divine plant, eager for power, began devouring the demon's Qi even before Lian gave any orders.
Within minutes, only the bones and skin remained, leaving everyone astonished at the sight. Lian made a strange expression as he realized that the plant had a voracious appetite, and he had missed the opportunity to preserve a little of the demon's blood essence for the future.
Lian decided to keep the demon's bones, though. Meanwhile, the small Gnome was completely exhausted and peacefully slept next to the plant in the small world. The powerful ability that Lian used consumed little of his own Qi, as it was the Gnome who possessed the laws of the earth and bore the brunt of the impact. The lived power of that dragon-shaped shadow demonstrated the immense potential of this technique when combined with a spiritual being.
It was almost nightfall, and Lian preferred not to take the risk of encountering another demon. He erected an illusory barrier so that everyone could rest safely.
During the silent night, everyone in the group remained with their eyes open for a long time. They were tired and filled with pain as they fought against the memories of that demon that haunted them relentlessly.
Sleep became an unattainable refuge, lost amidst the shadows of trauma echoing in their minds. The night was a labyrinth of disturbing thoughts, trapping them in an endless cycle of insomnia and agony.
Seeing that, Lian crushed a calming pill, and within a few minutes, everyone fell asleep. Nightmares continued to haunt them for a while, but Lian knew that this trial would be beneficial to strengthen their minds. Right after, he allowed himself to sleep as well.
---
The night continued to pass...
Startled, Rumi woke up from the nightmare, his heart racing, but the comforting image of Lian and his sister enveloped him like a protective embrace. His trembling hands found stability as serenity gradually settled in, dissipating the remnants of fear that plagued him.
He turned his gaze to a nearby tree and found Lian leaning against it. Around him, three girls were sleeping, but another girl was closer to him. Wei was tightly clinging to his chest, holding onto him firmly. This sight was strange for the young man, who didn't understand her feelings.
Suddenly, with a distressed sob, Wei awakened from the nightmare, her body trembling with anxiety. As she felt Lian's presence and breath, she calmed down, feeling safe and protected. She closed her eyes and nestled in his arms, grateful to have someone to trust.
Quickly, Wei felt the gazes on her and startled, she separated herself from Lian and turned her face towards the three girls who were staring at her. Her face turned completely red, and like a gust of wind, she quickly disappeared from everyone's sight.
Her assassin skills seemed to be evolving rapidly.
As for Lian, he was already in the realm of dreams, completely unaware of all of that. Even if he was aware, he wouldn't care anyway. Unless danger approached, his rest would not be disturbed.
---
Days passed, and no other demon appeared so far. The group was making rapid progress, going through days of pain and joy. The techniques taught by Lian were being refined, and through this intense training, they themselves were surprised by the gains they were achieving.
As their talent and potential were awakened more and more, they could feel progress happening. Although Lian's training was difficult to endure, everyone understood that it was their only chance to change their destinies. Losing this opportunity would mean losing it forever. Moreover, it wasn't just their physical bodies that were transforming, but also their souls. Their thirst for power grew as they became stronger.
In the blink of an eye, ten days had passed, enough time for a complete transformation in these disciples. Their auras were now heavy and solid, their gazes sharp and determined.
During these ten days, they devoted themselves to killing their opponents, and the Blood Qi of their victims still lingered in their bodies. This aura began to taint their souls, giving them a trace of the aura that only an expert should possess.
As they advanced, they arrived at a massive mountain where Lian abruptly stopped. The Gnome appeared by his side immediately.
The Gnome, who had never shown itself to the others before, was an adorable and affectionate earth spirit with a small, rounded body. Its face was soft and delicate, with bright eyes. It exuded an aura of tranquility and connection with nature, conveying a sense of calmness.
All five of them quickly thought of a single adjective to describe it: extremely cute.
Lian fixed his gaze on the spirit, which showed great excitement, and a smile lit up his face. He had discovered something extraordinarily rare, something for which even in the Divine Plane, there would be fierce competition. It was as if rivers of envy and greed were flowing toward him in the face of this unique discovery, a precious gem that could unleash a bloody battle.