The forest closed in around Kellan and Big Bone as they sprinted deeper, the chilling cries of the [Frostfang Spider] echoing behind them.
Each pounding step against the frozen earth felt like a countdown, urging them to escape the monster's icy grip.
They darted between ancient trees, their gnarled branches casting long shadows that danced in the dim light.
Kellan glanced back, heart racing.
"It's gaining on us! We need to hide!"
Big Bone nodded, his expression grim as he surveyed the dense undergrowth.
"There! That thicket!"
He pointed to a cluster of trees with thick trunks, their leaves whispering secrets in the cold wind.
Without hesitation, they dove into the foliage, pressing their backs against the rough bark, hearts pounding in unison.
They held their breath, listening intently as the sound of the spider's pursuit grew nearer.
The [Frostfang Spider] skittered through the trees, its legs slicing the air like frozen blades.
Kellan could feel the chill radiating from the creature, seeping into the ground, threatening to freeze them where they stood.
"Don't move," Kellan whispered, his voice barely a breath.
Moments felt like hours as they crouched in silence, praying the spider would lose their scent.
The creature paused, its icy-blue eyes scanning the area, glinting with malicious intelligence.
It hesitated, sensing something was amiss, before continuing its search.
Kellan's heart sank as the sound of its claws faded.
"We need to move, Big Bone," he murmured, scanning the area for a potential escape. "But where?"
"Over there!" Big Bone pointed toward a jagged rock formation peeking through the underbrush.
"There might be a cave or something we can hide in!"
Kellan nodded, adrenaline surging once more.
"Let's go!" They bolted from their hiding spot, racing toward the rocky outcrop.
The cold air nipped at their skin, but the promise of safety pushed them forward.
As they reached the rocks, they ducked inside a shallow cave, its entrance hidden by a curtain of hanging vines.
The darkness enveloped them, a welcome reprieve from the biting cold outside.
Kellan pressed his back against the cool stone wall, gasping for breath as he listened for any sign of their pursuer.
"Think we lost it?" Big Bone asked, his voice low.
Kellan shook his head, trying to quell the tremor in his hands. "Not yet. We need to be ready."
In the dim light, they took a moment to gather their thoughts, the urgency of their situation weighing heavily on them.
Kellan pulled out the demonic cores they had collected from the giant spiders, their dark surfaces glimmering with residual energy.
"We should try to break through," Kellan said, his voice steadying as he focused on the cores.
"If we can harness this energy, we might stand a chance against that spider."
Big Bone frowned, contemplating the suggestion.
"It's dangerous, Kell. Didn't you just break through a little while ago? Forcing another like this can make your foundation unstable."
"We have to try," Kellan insisted. "We can't keep running. If we face it again, we need to be stronger."
Big Bone looked scared, but he steeled his resolve.
"Alright. But I'll eat all the demonic cores, and you take my monthly Qi gathering pill."
He pulled out the Qi gathering pill, its surface shimmering with a vibrant glow. "You'll have two pills in total. You cultivate faster, so it'll give you the edge."
Kellan's heart swelled with gratitude. "Thanks, Big Bone. I won't let you down."
With a determined nod, Big Bone began to swallow the demonic cores one by one, each bite eliciting a sharp intake of breath as the raw energy surged through his body.
Kellan watched in awe as his friend's muscles twitched with the influx of power.
The shadows of the cave flickered, reflecting the raw energy coursing within Big Bone.
Kellan felt a surge of hope as he closed his eyes.
He took a deep breath, steadying himself as he prepared to take both of his Qi gathering pills together.
He could feel his heart racing, the weight of their dire situation pressing heavily on his shoulders.
Clenching the pills tightly, he focused on the swirling energy within him and swallowed them together.
Warmth flooded his being, igniting a fire that spread throughout his body.
The cave around them dimmed as their energy began to fluctuate, the air thickening.
The atmosphere felt electric, almost alive, as the forces within them began to collide.
He kept his eyes closed, centering himself, envisioning the energy from the Qi gathering pills merging with his blood.
Big Bone, already feeling the effects of his cores, let out a roar that reverberated through the cavern, shaking the very ground beneath them.
The intensity of his energy began to manifest, rippling like waves across the cave floor.
Kellan couldn't see the transformation happening to his friend, but he could sense Big Bone's form starting to shift,
Growing more imposing as he broke through to the first level of the Blood Solidification Realm.
The air around him crackled, as if his blood Qi alone was enough to put pressure on his body.
Kellan could sense his own Qi stirring, thrumming in response to Big Bone's surge.
However, he knew he had to push harder. Digging deep, he summoned all the resolve and determination he could muster.
The walls of the cave pulsed with energy, illuminated in shades of blue and gold as he focused on the [Temporal Breathing Technique].
Each breath became a lifeline, resonating with the flow of time around him, guiding him deeper into the swirling energy.
Yet he felt like it wasn't enough; if he had one more Qi gathering pill, he could break through right now.
But there wasn't enough Qi to saturate his blood sufficiently to reach the second level.
Just as self-doubt threatened to creep in, Kellan felt something within him stir
A primal force awakening, beckoning him to draw in the Qi from the surroundings.
Time seemed to move faster. It was as if the essence of the cave itself resonated with him, lending him strength.
He envisioned himself as a vessel, opening wide to absorb the power, and a surge of energy coursed through him, sending shockwaves of light spiraling around the cave.
With each pulse of energy, Kellan's blood essence solidified and expanded, filling the cavern with an intensity that seemed to reach out beyond its walls.
As the energy peaked, Kellan opened his eyes, feeling an exhilarating rush sweep through him.
He stood taller, feeling more powerful.
He glanced at Big Bone, who stood transformed, a fierce glint in his eyes.
"Did it work?" Kellan gasped, breathless, unable to contain the anticipation bubbling inside him.
Big Bone flexed his muscles, the sound echoing through the cave as he smiled widely, the transformation evident in every line of his body.
"I'm in the first level of the Blood Solidification Realm!" His voice boomed, filled with happiness.
Kellan's heart swelled with pride and excitement as he felt the pulsating energy within him settle into place.
"I'm in the second level!" he exclaimed, exhilaration coursing through his veins as he embraced his newfound power.
"Could it be that we're actually geniuses, Kell?" Big Bone laughed, brimming with joy.
"I don't know what it is, but I hope it helps us stay alive in this situation," Kellan replied, smiling.
The thrill of their breakthrough provided a brief relief, but the chill of the cave reminded them of the danger still lurking outside.