As they prepared to return to the sect, Rudhra decided to take the monkey with them. He had grown fond of the little creature, and the monkey seemed equally attached to him. As they reached the end of the inner forest, a massive python suddenly appeared before them. Its scales gleamed with an ominous light, and the aura it emitted was undeniably powerful.
Aelina's face turned pale with despair. "Rudhra, that's a beast that's stepped into the Void Realm! It can manipulate space itself!"
Rudhra, however, began to laugh. "Finally, a real challenge," he said, his eyes lighting up with excitement. He felt a life-threatening aura from the beast, but it wasn't enough to make him run. Instead, it ignited a fierce determination within him.
Without hesitation, Rudhra charged at the python with his spear. His Qi began to overload the weapon, causing it to glow with an intense light. The python hissed, its eyes narrowing as it sensed the threat. It struck with blinding speed, manipulating space to launch surprise attacks from every angle.
Rudhra was a whirlwind of movement, his spear a blur as he deflected the python's attacks. Despite his speed and skill, the python's spatial attacks left him with numerous wounds, blood dripping from his body. He covered his vitals instinctively, refusing to let the beast gain the upper hand.
Aelina watched in stunned silence. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. This was a beast with the power of an outer elder, capable of tearing apart even seasoned warriors. Yet, here was Rudhra, fighting it head-on and holding his ground.
The battle raged on, the forest echoing with the sounds of their clash. Rudhra's spear clashed against the python's scales, creating sparks with each strike. The python hissed in fury, its tail whipping around to try and crush him. Rudhra dodged, his movements fluid and precise.
At one point, the python used its spatial abilities to teleport behind Rudhra, its fangs bared and ready to strike. But Rudhra anticipated the move, spinning around with lightning speed. He thrust his spear forward, but the python vanished again, appearing above him and diving down.
Rudhra's eyes blazed with determination. He let go of his spear, allowing it to fall to the ground, and met the python's attack with his bare hands. His fists crackled with energy as he caught the python's head, using sheer strength to hold it back.
With a roar, Rudhra exerted all his power. His muscles bulged as he forced the python's head down, slamming it into the ground. The impact created a crater, and the python writhed in agony. Rudhra didn't stop. He pounded his fists into the beast, each strike infused with his Qi.
Finally, with a bone-crushing blow, Rudhra shattered the python's skull. The massive beast lay still, its life force dissipating. Rudhra stood over it, covered in blood and breathing heavily, but victorious.
Aelina was mesmerized. She had just witnessed Rudhra, a mere outer disciple, defeat a Void Realm beast with his bare hands. It defied all common sense. Even a mid-Void Realm human would struggle against such a foe.
Rudhra bent down and extracted the violet spirit core from the python's body. It pulsed with immense power. He immediately began refining it on the spot, his wounds closing as the core's energy flowed into him. The monkey, sensing the danger was over, stood guard, its small form vigilant and protective.
Aelina couldn't believe her eyes. She had heard of prodigies, but this was something else entirely. Rudhra wasn't just strong; he was a force of nature. As he refined the core, his aura grew even more formidable, and she felt a mix of awe and fear.
By the time Rudhra finished, he was radiating power. He stood up, his eyes meeting Aelina's. "Let's head back," he said simply, as if the monumental battle he had just fought was nothing out of the ordinary.
Aelina nodded, still in a daze. They made their way back to the sect, the monkey perched on Rudhra's shoulder. She knew that what she had witnessed today would be a story told for generations. Rudhra was not just a warrior; he was an inborn king, destined to reshape the world around him