Evelyn's grip on her staff tightened as the beast prowled closer, its low growl rumbling like distant thunder. The creature was massive, its body covered in dark, shaggy fur that gleamed faintly under the swirling sky of the secret realm. Its glowing red eyes locked onto her, filled with predatory intent.
Calm down, Evelyn told herself, forcing her breathing to steady. It's just a beast. I've trained for this.
The beast lunged without warning, its claws slicing through the air with terrifying speed. Evelyn rolled to the side, the sharp edge of its attack grazing her sleeve. She didn't have time to think—she swung her staff in a wide arc, aiming for its legs.
The blow connected, but the beast barely flinched. Instead, it turned with shocking agility, swiping at her again. Evelyn ducked, her heart pounding as the claws narrowly missed her.
It's fast, but it's relying on brute force, she realized. If I can outmaneuver it, I might have a chance.
Drawing on her cultivation, Evelyn channeled spiritual energy into her staff. The weapon glowed faintly, its strikes growing faster and more precise. She darted around the beast, aiming for its joints and weaker points. Each hit slowed it down, its movements becoming sluggish under the continuous assault.
Finally, with a surge of energy, Evelyn delivered a powerful strike to the beast's head. The creature let out a deafening roar before collapsing, its body dissolving into shimmering particles that scattered into the air.
Panting, Evelyn lowered her staff, her body trembling from the adrenaline.
As the particles faded, a small, glowing crystal was left behind where the beast had fallen. Evelyn picked it up carefully, the warm energy radiating from it soothing her aching muscles.
"System, what is this?" she asked.
"Beast core," the System replied. "A condensed form of spiritual energy found within magical creatures. It can be absorbed to enhance your cultivation or used as a resource for crafting."
Evelyn studied the crystal for a moment before tucking it into her satchel. This place might be dangerous, but the rewards are worth it, she thought.
Moving cautiously, Evelyn ventured deeper into the secret realm. The landscape was both beautiful and eerie, with glowing plants and strange rock formations casting shifting shadows. She kept her senses sharp, listening for any signs of movement.
She soon encountered a group of disciples ahead of her. Finn and Marcus were among them, their faces lighting up as they spotted her.
"Evelyn! You're alright," Finn said, relief evident in his voice.
"Not just alright," Marcus added, grinning. "She's got a beast core already. Looks like someone's been busy."
Evelyn smiled faintly. "Let's just say the welcoming committee was a bit aggressive."
Finn chuckled. "You're not the only one. We've all had our share of run-ins."
The group decided to stick together for safety, their combined strength giving them an edge against the realm's dangers. As they explored, they encountered more beasts, each one stronger and more cunning than the last.
Evelyn quickly proved herself to be a valuable asset, her sharp instincts and quick thinking helping the group navigate tricky encounters.
Hours later, the group stumbled upon a clearing where a cluster of glowing herbs grew around a small, bubbling spring.
"Are those… spirit herbs?" Marcus asked, his eyes widening.
Evelyn nodded. The herbs were unmistakably valuable, their vibrant colors and strong spiritual aura a testament to their potency.
"We should harvest them," Finn said. "But we need to be careful. There's no way something this valuable is unguarded."
The group spread out, scanning the area for threats. Sure enough, as they approached the herbs, the ground began to tremble.
A massive serpent burst from the spring, its scales shimmering like polished metal. Its eyes glowed with intelligence as it coiled itself protectively around the herbs, hissing menacingly.
"Great," Marcus muttered. "A guardian beast."
Evelyn stepped forward, gripping her staff tightly. "We can handle it. Stick to the plan—distract and strike."
The battle that followed was intense. The serpent's speed and cunning made it a formidable opponent, its strikes unpredictable and deadly. But working together, the group managed to wear it down.
Evelyn delivered the final blow, her staff striking the serpent's head with a burst of spiritual energy. The beast let out a final hiss before collapsing, its body dissolving into particles like the previous creature.
As the serpent vanished, it left behind two rewards: a larger beast core and a small, glowing orb.
Finn picked up the orb, his brow furrowing. "What is this?"
"It's a spatial key," Evelyn said, recognizing the artifact from her studies. "It can unlock hidden chambers or storage spaces within the secret realm."
The group exchanged excited looks. Hidden chambers often contained the rarest treasures.
"We need to find where this leads," Marcus said, his earlier fatigue replaced by eager anticipation.
Evelyn nodded, her determination renewed. The secret realm was full of mysteries, and she was ready to uncover them all.