As Feng Chen darted through the outskirts of the forest, a wicked grin spread across his face. The Demon's Vile was clutched tightly in his right hand, crackling with dark energy, while the Abyssal Devourer Blade hummed eagerly in his left, both demonic weapons feeding off his intense bloodlust.
His appearance... half-drenched in black energy and half-glowing with white... made him resemble a terrifying Asura straight out of legend. His Yin and Yang Divine Body thrummed with power, and wherever his feet landed, the ground itself seemed to quiver beneath him.
He didn't walk, he hunted. Every step was confident, his senses heightened to a razor's edge. His weapons, too, seemed to be alive, rattling in his hands like bloodthirsty beasts eager to kill.
Suddenly, a pack of Silver-Baned Wolves bounded out from the thick underbrush. Their eyes glowed with predatory hunger, and their silver fur gleamed under the dim sunlight filtering through the trees. They circled him, growling and snarling, their sharp claws digging into the earth as they prepared to pounce.
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System Notification:-
Beast: Silver-Baned Wolf
Cultivation Level: Core Formation, Fifth Stage
Description: Known for their speed and pack tactics, these wolves are quite ferocious. Too bad they're completely outmatched... good luck, doggos!
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With a feral grin, Feng Chen lunged forward. One of the wolves pounced, but he sidestepped with ease, swinging the Abyssal Devourer Blade in a sharp arc. The blade cleaved through the wolf's thick neck, spraying blood everywhere. Before the other wolves could react, Feng Chen twisted his body, letting the Demon's Vile tear through two more of them with effortless grace.
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System Notification:-
Silver-Baned Wolves Defeated!
Beast Cores Collected!
Host is too strong for these little pups. Better luck next time, wolves.
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"Hmph, too easy," Feng Chen muttered, flicking the blood off his blade. He stepped over the dead wolves, barely acknowledging their presence as he continued his hunt.
The deeper he ventured into the forest, the stronger the beasts became. Soon, the ground began to rumble underfoot, heralding the arrival of a Steel-Scaled Boar. Its metallic hide shimmered in the dappled sunlight, and its tusks gleamed menacingly as it charged toward him, shaking the earth with each step.
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System Notification:-
Beast: Steel-Scaled Boar
Cultivation Level: Foundation Realm, Eighth Stage
Description: Its hide is nearly impervious to damage, but hey, give it a few whacks. Maybe you'll get lucky and find a weak spot… or you'll just die. That's always an option!
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Feng Chen scoffed at the system's sarcastic tone and braced himself for the boar's charge. When the beast was nearly upon him, he sidestepped quickly, the boar's tusks narrowly missing his torso.
He countered with a powerful downward slash of the Abyssal Devourer Blade, but the blade only grazed the boar's scales, leaving nothing but a shallow scratch.
The boar snorted angrily and whirled around for another charge, its eyes blazing with fury. Feng Chen rolled his eyes and infused his blade with Yin Qi, leaping high into the air.
As the boar charged once more, he twisted in mid-air and brought the blade down with tremendous force. This time, the Qi-enhanced strike pierced through the boar's thick hide and embedded deep into its spine.
With a loud bellow, the boar collapsed, its life force draining away. Feng Chen landed softly on the ground, shaking his head.
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System Notification:-
Steel-Scaled Boar Defeated!
Beast Core Collected!
Impressive! You managed to kill a walking hunk of metal. What's next? Slaying a refrigerator?
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Feng Chen wiped the sweat from his brow and continued on his way, determined to rack up more kills. The forest provided no shortage of prey, and soon a Blaze-Fanged Serpent slithered out of the shadows. Its massive, scaled body glistened with venom, and its fangs glowed an ominous red.
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System Notification:-
Beast: Blaze-Fanged Serpent
Cultivation Level: Core Formation, Seventh Stage
Description: Beware of its fiery breath and venomous bite. On the bright side, it's a little slow… but you know, still lethal enough to turn you into a corpse.
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The serpent struck, its fiery fangs aimed straight for Feng Chen's neck. He dodged, feeling the heat of the flames brush past his skin. With lightning speed, he infused his Demon's Vile with Yin Qi, slashing at the serpent's head. The blade cut through its neck in one smooth motion, and the giant beast collapsed to the ground, dead before it even knew what hit it.
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System Notification:-
Blaze-Fanged Serpent Defeated!
Beast Core Collected!
Congratulations! You've successfully turned a snake into a noodle. Go you!
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Feng Chen snorted at the system's snark and continued on his rampage. Beasts fell before him, one after another. The forest became his hunting ground, and blood stained the earth wherever he walked. The system continued to mock him, each kill accompanied by some sarcastic quip.
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- Earthbreaker Bear:-
A massive, hulking beast whose claws could slice through stone. It roared and charged, but Feng Chen met it head-on, his blades cutting through its thick hide with precision.
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System Notification:-
Earthbreaker Bear Defeated!
Beast Core Collected!
Well done! Now you just need to figure out what to do with a corpse the size of a house. Have fun with that.
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- Bloodthorn Tiger:-
A venomous predator with blood-red fur that blended into the shadows. It ambushed Feng Chen, but he was ready. A quick slash from the Demon's Vile severed its spine, leaving it paralyzed and helpless.
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System Notification:-
Bloodthorn Tiger Defeated!
Beast Core Collected!
You know, killing tigers isn't great for your karma. Hope you weren't planning on reincarnating as anything other than a dung beetle.
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By the time the sun began to set on another day of bloodshed, Feng Chen had slain countless beasts, their cores safely stored away. He found a massive tree... the largest he'd seen so far in the forest... and slumped down beside it, exhausted but satisfied. His muscles ached, and for the first time in days, he felt the weight of fatigue creeping in.
The tree's trunk was enormous, as wide as a house, and its branches stretched high above him, nearly disappearing into the sky. Feng Chen leaned his head back against the rough bark, closing his eyes for a moment of rest.
"I can barely maintain the Yin and Yang Divine Body for more than 30 minutes… No matter how much I try, I can't increase the limit. Guess breaking through another realm is the only way," he muttered to himself, frustration edging his voice.
"And of course, the naggy system doesn't help either."
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System Notification:-
Host has once again failed to extend the duration of Yin and Yang Divine Body. At this rate, you'll be stuck as a weakling forever. But hey, keep dreaming!
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"Seriously, just shut up!" Feng Chen groaned, massaging his temples.
"Can't you be useful for once?"
The system remained silent for a moment, as if contemplating his request. Then, with a smirk in its tone, it spoke again.
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System Notification:-
Of course, I could be useful... but where's the fun in that?
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Feng Chen rolled his eyes and sighed heavily.
"I guess it's time to head back to the cave. Maybe I'll-"
Before he could finish, the ground beneath him rumbled violently. The air around him seemed to vibrate with an immense pressure, and the distant roar of a massive beast reverberated through the forest, shaking the very trees around him.
The roar was so powerful that the birds took flight from the treetops, and the ground beneath Feng Chen cracked as the vibrations grew stronger. His heart skipped a beat as the sound echoed closer and closer.
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System Notification:-
Warning! Host has attracted the attention of a particularly powerful beast. The system would like to extend its deepest gratitude to the gods for this opportunity to watch you get mauled.
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"Oh, come on!" Feng Chen muttered, scrambling to his feet, his blades ready. His eyes scanned the surroundings, his instincts on high alert.