The days following the incident at the hunting grounds did not bring peace to Lian Shi. The pain from his previous plunder still lingered, gnawing at him like an unhealed wound. His body had become stronger, but with every surge of power, his inner struggle intensified. That sense of emptiness, that unquenchable hunger, seemed to grow inside him, never to be satisfied.He had now come to understand the true cost of his talent. Every time he absorbed the power of a beast, a part of his humanity slipped away, replaced by the very essence of the creatures he had fought. Yet despite this, he couldn't stop. The power, the desire for more, was irresistible. The stronger he became, the more the hunger grew.Lian Shi's thoughts had become fragmented. He could no longer connect with the village, with the people he once knew. They went on with their lives, peaceful and content, but to him, everything felt distant. He began distancing himself from everyone, including Liu Qing. She had been there for him when he needed support, but every time her gaze met his, he felt an indescribable pressure. Her care reminded him of the person he used to be—a person who didn't hunger for power."How long will this go on?" he often asked himself, standing beneath the night sky, staring into the vastness of the stars, his mind restless and troubled. "How much longer can I hold onto myself?"In the following days, Lian Shi continued hunting beasts, enduring the pain that came with every new plunder. He had learned to endure it, but the burning sensation inside him never subsided. It felt as if a bottomless abyss was consuming his soul, and the desire within him never ceased.One afternoon, Lian Shi ventured deeper into the forest, seeking a new prey. This time, he encountered a more formidable beast—a Magic Beast. Its body was massive, its claws sharp, its eyes glowing with intelligence. It did not attack immediately, as if it were assessing the threat Lian Shi posed. For a brief moment, Lian Shi felt a strange, almost magnetic pull between them, as though the beast could sense the power within him.Without hesitation, Lian Shi moved, driven by the impulse within him. His body reacted instinctively as he lunged at the beast.However, this time, the beast's response was far beyond what he had anticipated. It was faster, stronger, and far more cunning than any he had faced before. Lian Shi's attack was easily thwarted, and the beast's sharp claws struck him, sending him crashing to the ground.Pain exploded in his chest. His body, already worn from countless battles, screamed in protest. For the first time since awakening his talent, Lian Shi felt vulnerable. He had underestimated the beast, and it was now closing in for the kill.But as the beast prepared to deliver the final blow, something inside Lian Shi snapped. The power within him erupted in a burst of energy, overwhelming him. His hand shot out, and with a deafening roar, he seized the beast's paw, forcing it into submission. With a loud crash, his body shook violently, the intense pain flooding through him, but he did not relent. The beast's power was soon absorbed, and in the blink of an eye, it turned into a stream of light and merged with his body.
This time, the pain was more excruciating than ever, as if every bone in his body were being torn apart, every nerve burning with fire. Lian Shi could hardly contain his screams. His face turned pale, and sweat poured from his forehead like a spring.
"Plunder…" The cold, detached voice echoed again in his mind. Lian Shi gritted his teeth, enduring the pain that felt as if it would break him. He understood now—this was the process he was destined to go through: pain, consumption, and strength.
But as the pain gradually subsided, Lian Shi finally managed to stand. He took a deep breath, feeling the power inside him stabilize. Though there was a strange sense of satisfaction, the emptiness within him remained.
He looked toward the distant mountains, silently vowing: no matter what, he would become stronger, for survival and to escape the endless pain and confusion.
He knew that his fate had been irrevocably changed.