Chereads / Heavenly Ascendant: A Journey to Immortality / Chapter 26 - Chapter 26: The Spirit Beast King

Chapter 26 - Chapter 26: The Spirit Beast King

Exhausted but undeterred, Lei Chen and Qing Yuan pressed deeper into the Abyssal Wastes. The land was eerily silent, with no sign of life except for the occasional gusts of qi-infused wind. The air crackled with spiritual energy, and the landscape felt like it was waiting, watching them.

It wasn't long before they reached a secluded valley. At its center lay an ancient temple, half-buried under the earth. The structure radiated a strange, pulsating energy. Lei Chen could feel it, a deep connection between the temple and the natural qi surrounding it.

"This place," Lei Chen murmured, "it feels alive."

But before they could approach, the ground rumbled. From the shadows of the temple emerged a massive beast, its fur as black as the abyss itself and its eyes glowing a deep crimson. The creature's aura was overwhelming, a combination of raw physical power and ancient spiritual energy.

The Spirit Beast King.

Qing Yuan stepped back, his eyes wide. "That thing… it's been here for centuries, guarding something important."

Lei Chen clenched his fists. "We don't have a choice. If we want to move forward, we have to face it."

The Spirit Beast King roared, shaking the valley. Its massive claws dug into the earth as it charged toward them. Lei Chen moved swiftly, his body reacting with the speed and power of the War God's techniques. He could feel the weight of his cultivation—the third sub-stage of Essence Gathering—surging within him, but this beast was no ordinary opponent.

Their battle was fierce. The Spirit Beast King's movements were deceptively fast for its size, and its strength was enough to shatter mountains. Lei Chen dodged and countered, every strike of his infused with essence qi, but the beast's hide was tough, absorbing much of the damage.

It was clear that brute force alone wouldn't be enough.

"Qing Yuan!" Lei Chen called. "I need you to distract it!"

Qing Yuan, though battered from the earlier storm, nodded. He unsheathed his sword, its edge glowing faintly with dark energy. With a quick movement, he charged at the beast, slashing at its side. The Spirit Beast King growled in annoyance, turning its attention to Qing Yuan.

This was Lei Chen's chance.

Focusing all his remaining energy, Lei Chen tapped into the core of his War God cultivation. He felt the power of his essence gathering at his fingertips. His hands glowed with a brilliant golden light as he prepared to unleash his most powerful technique yet—Heaven's Wrath Fist.

The ground cracked beneath his feet as he charged forward, his fist colliding with the Spirit Beast King's chest. The beast howled in pain, the impact sending shockwaves through the valley. For a moment, it seemed as though the beast might fall.

But instead of delivering a final blow, the Spirit Beast King spoke.

"You… are not like the others," it rumbled, its voice deep and ancient. "I see the power within you. The power of the War God."

Lei Chen froze, his heart pounding. The beast was sentient, far more intelligent than he had realized.

"I can offer you something greater than victory," the Spirit Beast King continued. "Spare my life, and I will teach you the ancient ways—techniques long forgotten by your kind."

Lei Chen hesitated. The offer was tempting. The beast's knowledge could be invaluable, but could he trust it?

"Don't be a fool," Qing Yuan hissed. "We need to move forward. Finish it."

But something in Lei Chen's gut told him otherwise. The Spirit Beast King had seen through him, recognized his connection to the War God's legacy. This could be the key to unlocking a deeper level of cultivation.

"I accept your offer," Lei Chen said, lowering his fists.

The Spirit Beast King's eyes gleamed. "Then let us begin."