The ground quaked as the massive beast charged, its crimson eyes glowing with feral intent. Sharp tusks curved outward like jagged blades, ready to gore anything in its path.
The Crimsonhide Ravager is a towering, four-legged beast of primal fury and monstrous strength. Standing nearly ten feet at the shoulder, its muscular frame ripples with power beneath a layer of jagged, crimson-tinted hide that gleams like blood-soaked armor under the forest's dim light. Its skin is unnaturally tough, scarred with countless battles but still impervious to most ordinary weapons. The Ravager's head is broad and brutish, with a snout that looks like that of a wild boar's but far more menacing. Two curved tusks jut from its lower jaw, sharp as forged blades, capable of ripping through stone and steel with ease. Its maw is lined with serrated teeth that gleam with a metallic sheen, stained dark from countless kills.
Fiery red eyes burn with an unholy light, radiating primal aggression and an insatiable hunger. A thick mane of bristling black spines runs from the crown of its head down its back, each spike tipped with venomous barbs that can be launched as deadly projectiles when the beast is cornered or enraged.
Massive, clawed hooves the size of shields stomp with bone-crushing force, leaving deep craters wherever they fall. Jagged, bony ridges protrude along its spine, ending in a spiked tail that swings like a flail, capable of shattering trees and boulders with a single strike.
Despite its enormous size, the Crimsonhide Ravager moves with terrifying speed and agility, driven by relentless bloodlust. Its roar echoes like a death knell through the forest, sending weaker creatures fleeing in terror. Its only known weakness lies deep beneath its armored hide—but getting close enough to strike is a death sentence for most.
"Scatter!" Zhang Wei yelled, pushing Li aside just as the beast's enormous hooves crashed into the ground where they'd been standing. Dirt exploded in every direction, leaving a deep crater in its wake.
The group split, fanning out to avoid presenting a single target. Li rolled to his feet, gripping his sword tightly. His heartbeat quickened, but his mind was steady. He had never faced a monster before, but he could feel an untapped force stirring deep within him—a primal instinct on the verge of awakening that subconsciously directed him on what to do.
The beast whipped its head toward Yu Ling, who had drawn her twin daggers. She moved like lightning, slashing at its thick hide, but her blades barely left scratches.
"It's too tough!" she shouted, dodging its retaliatory swipe.
Lei Yun and Lei Feng circled the beast, each launching precise attacks with their spears. Sparks flew as their weapons glanced off the beast's hardened skin.
"It's like hitting stone!" Lei Feng growled.
The beast roared again, a sound so powerful it seemed to shake the trees themselves. Li clenched his teeth, the intensity of the sound reverberating through his chest.
"Focus on its legs!" Zhang Wei commanded. "Slow it down!"
Yu Ling darted in again, aiming for the tendons of its hind leg. Her dagger found a shallow groove, drawing dark ichor that hissed like boiling acid as it hit the ground.
The beast howled in fury, twisting with unnatural speed. Its massive hoof lashed out, narrowly missing Yu Ling as she flipped backward.
"Keep moving!" Zhang Wei shouted, charging in from the opposite side. His sword cleaved toward its shoulder, leaving a deep gash.
Li darted forward, joining the fray. He channeled all his strength into a sweeping slash aimed at the beast's exposed side. His blade bit deeper than expected, drawing a torrent of black blood.
The beast staggered but quickly recovered, more enraged than ever. Its eyes burned brighter, and its muscles bulged with unnatural power.
Suddenly, thick roots erupted from the ground, twisting like living serpents. They wrapped around the beast's legs, holding it fast.
"What…?" Zhang Wei's eyes widened.
Li lowered his sword, confusion flashing across his face. He hadn't summoned the roots—but something deep within him pulsed in recognition.
"Don't just stand there!" Yu Ling snapped. "Finish it!"
Seizing the opportunity, Zhang Wei dashed forward, his blade flashing in a deadly arc. He plunged his sword deep into the beast's chest, piercing its heart.
The beast let out one final, deafening roar before collapsing with a ground-shaking thud. Its crimson eyes dimmed as its monstrous body went still.
Panting heavily, the group stood in stunned silence, still processing what had happened.
"What... what was that?" Lei Yun stammered, his spear trembling in his grasp.
"A corrupted forest beast," Zhang Wei answered grimly, pulling his sword free. "Something's wrong with this place."
Li knelt by the twisted roots still wrapped around the beast's legs. They felt warm, almost alive. He could still sense a faint hum of power connecting them to the forest itself—connecting them to him.
Before he could dwell on the strange sensation, Yu Ling's sharp voice broke through his thoughts.
"We can't stay here. The noise probably drew every predator in the area," she warned.
Zhang Wei nodded. "We need to move—now."
They quickly harvested what they could from the beast's remains—its tusks, claws, and some of its blood, which could be sold or used for crafting powerful talismans.
'The herb' reminded Zhang Wei as he brought out a spatial ring that had been given to all of them specially designed by the forge-masters to store the herbs. He carefully pulled up the herbs that were glowing faintly with energy, put it in a special container and kept it in the ring.
As they prepared to leave, Li cast one last glance at the twisted roots, still pulsing faintly before retreating into the earth. He felt a sudden sense of desolation as the roots retracted, as if he was loosing a vital part of himself.
Li shrugged off the feeling and followed the others.
Meanwhile…
On the other side of where the fight between the Ravager and Li's group had fought in the Qinghe Forest, Lu Heng smirked as he watched from the shadows. His two lackeys stood nervously nearby, oblivious to the dark energy coiling around him like a hungry serpent.
"So... even he has some hidden powers. I guess this is the secret that the sect master thinks he is keeping about Li," Lu Heng muttered, as he watched the fight and the subsequent twines that entangled the beast, his dark eyes gleaming. He had sensed the strange power Li unconsciously wielded—a connection far more ancient and potent than ordinary cultivation techniques.
A slow, sinister smile spread across his face.
"Interesting... very interesting. The great things I can do with that power if I can absorb his essence"
His lackeys exchanged uneasy glances, unaware of his sinister thoughts but the cruel look on his face was unmistakable., neither dared speak.
Lu Heng's mind raced with possibilities. He had come to the forest seeking power—but perhaps he had found something far more valuable.
'Senior brother Lu, we have not picked any herbs since we came into the forest but watch senior Zhang Wei and his group. We are not going to gain any sect points if we continue like this.' Xiao Chang, the taller of Lu's two lackeys feebly protested.
'Did I ask you to talk?' snapped Lu Heng as he gave the boy a sharp jab with his elbow that made the frail boy bend double in pain
'Showei sssenior brrrroda' he gasped in pain
'just shut up and follow my instructions, trash' snapped Lu Heng as he stealthily followed the departing figures of Zhang Wei and his group.
Nightfall crept over the forest, shrouding everything in shadow. Strange calls echoed through the trees, making every rustling leaf sound like approaching danger.
The group looked around but did not see any other group of disciples. The trudged on, seeing and plucking an occasional medicine plant as they traversed the forest ground. The group of five had gathered many medicinal plants but non as rare or valuable as the Spirit Blossoms. Soon the light was so dim that it was difficult to see ahead into the forest grounds with their bare eyes.
"We need shelter," Zhang Wei said, scanning the darkening woods. "We can't keep moving in the dark."
"There's a cave nearby," Yu Ling offered. "I saw it marked on the mission map before we left."
"Lead the way," Zhang Wei ordered.
Li remained silent, still feeling the lingering pull of the forest's strange energy. He knew something had awakened within him and it was resonating with the forest or the danger that could be sensed all around them.
As they trudged toward the cave, a distant howl pierced the night—a sound far more menacing than anything they'd encountered so far.
Li's grip on his sword tightened. Zhang Wei motioned for them to walk faster as Yu Ling led the way to the cave.
'Demonic beasts will come out to roam the forest at night. We need to move faster' urged Zhang Wei as a roar sounded from much closer to them.