Xian Zhen groaned as he pushed himself off the ground. His body ached, but it wasn't from pain—it was from the overwhelming energy that surrounded him.
The air was different. It was thick with power, something far beyond anything he had ever felt in Silverbrook. The sky above was a deep shade of blue, with two suns shining brightly. Enormous mountains floated in the distance, and the land stretched endlessly, covered in dense forests, rivers, and ancient structures.
"Heh… so this is the world beyond the portal," Xian muttered, brushing off the dust from his clothes.
But before he could admire the scenery for too long—ROAR!
A deafening beastly cry echoed through the air.
Xian turned and saw a monstrous creature charging toward him. It was a Crimson Fang Tiger, its body covered in red scales, sharp claws glowing with energy.
Most people would panic. But Xian?
He smirked.
"Perfect. Let's test this power of mine."
The First Battle
The Crimson Fang Tiger lunged, its fangs aimed at Xian's throat.
But just before it could strike—BOOM!
A surge of dark and white energy exploded from Xian's body. His right hand burned with darkness, while his left hand shone with light. He dodged the tiger's attack with incredible speed, his movements faster than he had ever imagined possible.
"Not bad," Xian said. "Now it's my turn."
He clenched his fists and charged forward. With one swift motion, he struck the beast with his right hand, releasing a burst of dark energy. The force sent the tiger crashing into the ground.
But the beast wasn't dead yet. It stood up, growling in rage, its eyes burning with fury.
Xian grinned. "You're tough. I like that."
The Crimson Fang Tiger roared and leaped at him again. This time, Xian raised his left hand, and a powerful white light shot out, blasting the beast away. The tiger crashed into a tree and didn't move.
Silence filled the air. Then—Ding!
A mysterious voice echoed in Xian's mind.
[Congratulations! You have slain a Crimson Fang Tiger. You have awakened a hidden ability: Devour.]
Xian raised an eyebrow. "Devour?"
Suddenly, the tiger's body dissolved into energy and flowed into Xian's body. He could feel his strength increasing, his muscles tightening, and his senses sharpening.
"Heh… so I can absorb power from the beasts I defeat?"
His smirk widened. "Now that's interesting."
A Mysterious Stranger
Just as Xian was enjoying his new power, he sensed someone watching him.
"Not bad for a newcomer," a voice said.
Xian turned to see a young man standing on a tree branch, his arms crossed. He had long silver hair, sharp golden eyes, and wore a flowing black robe. His aura was powerful—far stronger than anyone Xian had ever met before.
"Who are you?" Xian asked.
The man smiled. "I am Ling Tian, a disciple of the Martial Hall. And you, my friend, have just stepped into a world where strength is everything."
Xian's eyes flashed with interest. "Martial Hall? What's that?"
Ling Tian chuckled. "A place where the strong gather. If you want to survive in this world, you'll need to learn martial arts, cultivate your power, and fight for your place. Otherwise, you'll be nothing more than prey for the beasts… or worse, the people who seek to control you."
Xian smirked. "Is that so? Then tell me… where do I start?"
Ling Tian grinned. "Follow me, and I'll show you the path to power."
With that, Xian took his first step toward a journey that would change everything.
The path to becoming the Absolute Overlord had truly begun.
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