**Chapter 3: Explosive Strength Continued**
To Damon, the unfolding chaos resembled a grotesque game. He watched the Vulccan ape king hurl its subordinate to the ground, each thunderous beat of its chest echoing like a war drum, shattering ribs with a merciless ferocity. With a primal roar, it sank its hands into the fallen beast's chest, tearing out its heart with jagged teeth, dark fluid streaming from its eyes in a macabre display.
"It consumed its subordinate's heart," Damon mused, a flicker of intrigue igniting within him. "This is something now!" The thought barely settled in his mind before a powerful punch catapulted him through the air. Yet, just as he braced for impact, a massive hand seized him, slamming him into the ground with relentless force. When the assault ceased, the Vulccan ape king realized that its hand had vanished, now firmly grasped by Damon.
"Hahaha! Did you think there would be no consequences?" Damon taunted, his voice dripping with confidence. With a swift execution of crazed steps, he unleashed "Void Flow," his palms aglow with void spirit energy, surging forward with a furious determination. The Vulccan ape spewed molten lava in a desperate attempt to defend itself, but each move was futile. Damon landed squarely on its chest, raining down blows that caved in the beast's ribcage.
Despair enveloped the Vulccan ape as it witnessed other demonic creatures watching from a distance, their eyes wide with horror at the sight of this child overpowering a creature of such magnitude. It pondered the nature of his skin, marveling at its resilience as Damon prepared to deliver the killing blow. With a fierce elbow strike infused with spiritual energy, Damon shattered the ape's skull, the impact echoing through the air as the creature succumbed to an agonizing death.
As he sat beside the lifeless body, Damon bowed his head, drenched in a bloodlust that pulsed through him. In an explosive surge, his energy erupted skyward, casting a radiant light that sent shivers down the spines of every beast, entity, and human who bore witness. The ancient power radiated through the realm, sending the strong into seclusion, for the weight of such evil pressed heavily upon their hearts. Tombs of past champions stirred, awakened by the resonance of Damon's triumph.
Damon felt the shifts within this realm, excitement bubbling within him. "I can hardly wait—how many shall I consume in this life?" he exclaimed, rising with renewed vigor. He plunged his hand into the carcass of the Vulccan ape, extracting the demon core, eager to cultivate his heart demon. Fear had never been a companion of his; he swallowed the core whole, noting its refusal to dissolve, resting atop his spirit core, which supplied him with spiritual energy. Dismissing the thought, he brushed it aside and walked back toward his sister.
Upon reaching the tent area, Emily brandished her sword, pressing it against Damon's throat. "Who are you? Why do you look like my brother?" Her question caught him off guard, igniting a surge of anger within him. "Are you playing with me right now? If this is a joke, stop it!" he retorted, casting a wary glance at her.
Emily recoiled, sensing an aura of danger surrounding him. "Why do you wield such pure demonic energy?" she asked, her voice tinged with fear.
"Oh, so you can even perceive the purity of energy, can you?" he replied, surprised yet intrigued by her insight. "I acquired another core during my stroll. If I hear anything from our mother or father , the abyssal creatures you're hiding, I will hunt them down." Each word dripped with an undeniable truth, resonating in the air as Emily felt the weight of his promise, a chilling reminder of the power he now possessed.
Damon settled onto the ground, a growl of hunger echoing within his stomach, yet his pride held him back from asking his sister, Emily, for food. "I suppose all this food is intended for me, then," Emily remarked with a smile, reaching for a piece of meat, her lips glistening in anticipation. Just as she opened her mouth to take a bite, Damon snatched it from her grasp, leaving only the bone in her hand. "How dare you starve this young lord?" he declared, brandishing the bone toward her. In response, Emily shot back with a punch that landed firmly on his head. "I am your older sister, not your maid! Why take my meat when there is so much available?" she exclaimed, irritation bubbling beneath her surface. Yet, unbeknownst to her, Damon had discovered a newfound passion that illuminated his face like the sun.
Emily recognized that her little brother no longer harbored any worries, but a thought nagged at her. "What could have troubled this little devil?" she pondered. She picked up a piece of meat, clearing her mind. Meanwhile, Damon leaned against a tree, circulating his energy. He noticed that his spiritual energy was cultivating at a slower rate, yet in its purest form, as if the demon core acted as a filter for untainted spiritual energy. However, this posed no issue; Damon consumed energy at an astonishing pace.
Suddenly, Emily jolted him from his reverie. "Damon, let's leave!" she urged, boarding the mist raven. They had all rested and were ready for their journey. Damon felt the remarkable improvement in his body; he could sense farther distances than before, drawing closer to the realm's energy. He felt the essence of his spirit sea, his soul being drawn into the depths. As he stood upon a blood-red lake, he admired the place, envying the soul that claimed ownership of this realm. Ahead loomed a massive willow tree, its roots adorned with scattered skulls. A surge of joy filled his heart as he recognized the very willow tree he had planted in a past life. He took tentative steps, gradually quickening his pace, and reached out to touch the tree of his imagination. It felt the same, yet something was amiss; it did not respond to its master's touch.
"Saddened, Damon murmured, 'Is this how you greet your master? Fine, I will help you.'" He extended his hand, slicing it open, and pressed it against the tree. It absorbed his blood and energy, drawing life from him. "Take what you want," he urged, feeling the tree consume his essence. The energy drained from him, yet he remained an inexhaustible well, as if his spiritual power knew no bounds. Suddenly, the tree cried out, its colors reviving as a figure emerged from its center—a strikingly beautiful woman with flowing green hair. As she opened her eyes and gazed at Damon, disbelief washed over her; her master stood before her. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she reached out to touch his face, and Damon grasped her hand, overwhelmed by nostalgia.
The willow tree of imagination, recognizing Damon's rapid aging, gently laid him down and dripped her nectar into his mouth, revitalizing him. "Master, I have missed you dearly, but time is of the essence," she spoke with urgency. "I will give you a fruit containing my clone seed. This will allow my body to materialize in your world. Split the fruit in two; your current body cannot withstand the power contained within a single fruit." The willow tree instructed, and Damon nodded, a smile illuminating his face. Genuine happiness washed over him as he realized that his most cherished treasure had followed him into this world. In that moment, he understood he possessed everything he needed in this life: his sanity, a family, and now, his treasure.