The night descended, and the moonlight cast its pale glow over the ruined village, illuminating the remains of everything. Lian Shi stood in the center of the wreckage, his eyes fixed on what was once a familiar place, his heart swirling with complex emotions. The village had long been reduced to ashes, his home now only remnants of broken walls, as though his former life had been consumed by the ruins.
"Uncle…" His voice was low and hoarse, filled with endless pain. That destruction, the man who had once saved him, was never coming back. The death of his uncle had hit him hard, but it also strengthened his resolve for revenge.
He remembered his uncle's last words: "Remember, don't let hatred consume you." But those words grew increasingly blurred in his ears, swallowed by the endless fire of rage. The thought of vengeance was like a fire that burned hotter and stronger. Every time he thought of his uncle's death, it felt as though a thousand knives had pierced his heart, blending pain and fury together.
"I will make the Apocalypse Beast pay for Uncle." Lian Shi clenched his fists, his eyes flashing with determination. He knew that his strength was now enough to challenge any monster, but this path was fraught with immense danger. The power of the Apocalypse Beast was not something to be underestimated, yet for Uncle, he had no choice but to walk the path of revenge.
He understood that there was no turning back. Every step would be drenched in blood and pain, and every absorption would push him further from his true self. But he couldn't stop; the fire of hatred had reached its peak, and reason had been cast aside.
Just as he was about to leave, a familiar voice suddenly called out, "Are you really ready?"
Lian Shi spun around, seeing his uncle's figure appear before him. But he knew it couldn't be his uncle returning; it was just an image conjured from his deep longing and memories.
"I'm ready." Lian Shi's tone was filled with resolve, but his heart felt empty. He was no longer that naive boy, no longer someone who sought a simple life. His goal had become singular and clear: revenge.
"Revenge will not make you stronger; it will make you lose more." The image of his uncle spoke slowly, his voice still gentle, as if unchanged.
Lian Shi's heart trembled violently. He was no longer the ignorant youth, yet his uncle's words still stirred ripples in his heart. He clenched his fists tightly, lowering his head, unwilling to face the fleeting figure. He knew his uncle was right, but the flames of vengeance made it impossible for him to turn back.
"You will lose yourself." The image of his uncle grew more and more blurry, and eventually disappeared into the air. Lian Shi stood still, unmoving, his heart a turmoil of confusion.
"Will I lose everything?" he whispered to himself, questioning his own path. He didn't know if he was still pursuing revenge or if he had already lost his way on that path.
The next day, Lian Shi decided to continue his journey. He knew his goal was clear: find the Apocalypse Beast and avenge Uncle. Though his heart was filled with unease and fear, there was no reason for him to stop.
He traveled through dense forests, crossed steep mountains, growing stronger with each battle. Yet with each painful absorption, he became more numb. The fire of revenge had consumed him, and his heart was no longer that of a rational and emotional young man.
He encountered many monsters and plundered more abilities. Each beast bone fused into his body made him stronger, but it also made him more unfamiliar. Each increase in strength was followed by a deeper descent of his soul.
"What am I becoming?" Whenever he felt his strength growing, he would ask himself, but soon the thought would be swept away by the flames of vengeance. There was no time to stop; he had to move forward, for Uncle, for his revenge.
Finally, he found the trace of the Apocalypse Beast. It was in a vast wasteland, as if the entire world had been consumed within it. Lian Shi stood at the edge of the ruins, gazing at the massive monster in the distance. He felt the power within him stir. It was so enormous, so terrifying, like a towering mountain blocking out the sky.
"This is the ultimate goal…" Lian Shi whispered to himself, his heartbeat quickening, his fists clenched. He knew that the battle he was about to face would decide life or death, and this battle would determine everything for his future.