Chapter 3: The Predator Awakens
The first wolf lunged.
Fangs bared, claws extended—it was a blur of black fur and crimson eyes, closing the distance in an instant. The force behind its attack would have shattered bones, torn through flesh, and crushed any ordinary man.
But Kael was not an ordinary man.
His Unrivaled Combat Mastery ignited, turning instinct into action before thought was even necessary.
Kael sidestepped. A simple motion—fluid, effortless. The beast's claws passed through empty air, and in that fraction of a second, its balance faltered.
Kael struck.
BOOM!
His palm slammed into the wolf's ribcage, and a sickening crunch echoed through the air. The force was monstrous—beyond what a normal human should be capable of. The beast's body bent unnaturally before it was launched backward, crashing into a nearby tree with a violent crack.
Dead. Instantly.
The other wolves hesitated, their predatory instincts screaming at them.
They had been the hunters. Now, they were prey.
Kael slowly exhaled, rolling his shoulders.
This body…
He could feel the surge of power running through him, his every movement crisp, precise—perfect. It was intoxicating. The thrill of battle, the rush of superiority—he had always fought, always struggled, but never like this. Never with such absolute certainty.
The wolves, driven by instinct, growled and fanned out, encircling him.
Kael smiled.
Come.
They attacked.
Three at once.
The first lunged low, aiming for his legs. The second leaped high, claws extended toward his throat. The third circled from the side, ready to strike the moment he evaded.
Perfect coordination. A flawless pack strategy.
And utterly useless.
Kael moved like lightning.
His foot shifted an inch to the right—just enough for the first wolf's bite to snap at empty air. His right arm shot upward, catching the second wolf mid-leap by its throat. His left hand—
BOOM!
A vicious punch shattered the ribs of the wolf trying to flank him, sending it tumbling lifelessly into the grass.
The one in his grip thrashed, claws scraping against his skin, but his Supreme Bloodline and Body Cultivation Talent had already begun showing its worth. The shallow cuts on his arms healed before they could even bleed.
Kael's fingers tightened. The wolf in his grasp let out a strangled whimper—then, with a sharp crack, its neck snapped.
He tossed the corpse aside.
The final wolf stood frozen.
It had watched its packmates die in the span of a breath. It trembled, its crimson eyes wide with something no Spirit Beast should have ever felt—fear.
Kael locked eyes with it.
A moment of silence.
The beast turned and ran.
Kael let it.
Not out of mercy—but because it no longer interested him.
The battle had already been won.
Kael exhaled, letting the lingering adrenaline settle. He flexed his fingers, rolling his wrists. His strikes had been perfect, his movements effortless. But more importantly—
I barely used any Qi.
His Unmatched Cultivation Talent had already ensured his control over Qi was precise, efficient. Where others would have flared their energy to enhance their speed and power, he had simply used raw technique and physical superiority.
If this was his strength at the lowest level of cultivation…
A slow smirk tugged at his lips.
Then this world will never be able to contain me.
But strength was not something to be wasted. He had learned that lesson before.
Turning to the fallen wolves, Kael's Unreasonable Comprehension activated once more. His gaze sharpened, and within moments, he understood.
Spirit Beasts weren't just mindless animals. They were living repositories of Qi—pure, condensed energy. Their bodies contained Beast Cores, crystallized sources of power that cultivators could refine for their own use.
Kael knelt beside the largest wolf's corpse, pressing his palm against its chest. He focused.
Immediately, his Qi surged outward, sinking into the beast's flesh. He could feel the hidden energy within—the core that pulsed faintly, still filled with untapped power.
With precise control, he guided his Qi inward, wrapping around the core and pulling.
The beast's body shuddered—then, with a faint glow, a small, deep-red Beast Core rose from the corpse, floating into Kael's grasp.
The moment it touched his skin, knowledge filled his mind.
This was a Low-Grade Qi Beast Core—the weakest type, barely useful to true cultivators. But for Kael, it was more than enough.
He closed his eyes, inhaling deeply. Then—he absorbed it.
The moment the Beast Core's Qi entered his body, his meridians flared to life. The energy rushed through him, raw and untamed, but his control was absolute. He guided it, refined it, absorbed it seamlessly into his own cultivation.
Then—
BOOM!
A ripple of power spread from his body. His Qi surged, expanding, deepening. His foundation, already perfect, solidified further.
In mere moments, he had advanced.
His first cultivation breakthrough had taken seconds. His second? Even less.
Kael opened his eyes, feeling the newfound strength coursing through him.
This is too easy.
It was an exhilarating realization. Others had to train for years, face countless struggles just to take a single step forward in their cultivation. But for him?
Progress was inevitable.
He looked at the remaining beasts.
More cores. More power.
Without hesitation, Kael harvested the rest. By the time he finished absorbing them, his cultivation had strengthened once again—still within the First Realm, but at its absolute peak.
One more core. That was all it would take.
And then—he would ascend to the Second Realm.
Kael rose to his feet, dusting off his hands. The forest around him was quiet once more. The scent of blood lingered in the air, but his mind was already focused on the path ahead.
This was only the beginning.
He had glimpsed his own potential, felt the terrifying speed at which he could grow.
And now—he hungered for more.
More battles. More power. More domination.
This world was built on strength. And soon, it would kneel beneath his.
With one last glance at the fallen wolves, Kael turned and strode deeper into the forest, his gaze locked on the horizon.
His journey had only just begun.
And already—he was unstoppable.