Chapter 3: Baptism of Chaos
The cold night wind howled through the Forbidden Region, carrying with it the distant roars of unseen beasts. The corpses of the Shadow Wolves lay scattered around Lin Fan, their blood soaking into the dark soil.
He stood amidst the carnage, his body no longer trembling from exhaustion or pain. Instead, a newfound power surged through his veins—a strength that felt unnatural, intoxicating, and almost… endless.
But he knew this was just the beginning.
The Chaos Primordial System had given him a second chance, but survival in this land required more than just strength. It required understanding.
And so, he focused on the translucent screen before him.
---
System Interface
[Host: Lin Fan]
[Cultivation: None]
[Physique: Chaos-Infused Mortal (Adaptation in Progress)]
[Attributes:]
Strength: 45 (+20 from Adaptation)
Agility: 38 (+15 from Adaptation)
Perception: 32 (+10 from Adaptation)
Endurance: 40 (+25 from Chaos Integration)
[Abilities:]
Instinctual Combat (Passive) – Enhances battle awareness, reflexes, and adaptability.
Chaos Absorption (Passive) – Devours energy from defeated enemies to strengthen the host.
???: (Locked – Requires First Evolution)
[Mission: Survive the Forbidden Region & Unlock Your First Chaos Technique]
[Reward: Evolution Trait – Abyssal Rebirth]
---
Lin Fan exhaled slowly.
His physical strength had increased beyond anything he had ever imagined. Even without Qi, his body was already comparable to a low-tier Martial Disciple, something that should have been impossible for someone who had never cultivated.
But what intrigued him the most was the Chaos Absorption ability.
If he could continue devouring power like this…
Then nothing in this world could stop him.
But first, he needed to understand his limits.
Lin Fan turned his gaze toward the towering trees ahead. The Forbidden Region was vast and filled with dangers beyond comprehension. If he wanted to grow stronger, he needed to hunt.
And tonight, he would not be the prey.
---
The Hunter's First Prey
Lin Fan moved through the forest like a shadow, his steps unnaturally silent despite his newfound strength. His senses had sharpened dramatically, allowing him to hear even the faintest rustle of leaves.
It wasn't long before he found his first target.
A Bloodfang Boar—a hulking beast twice the size of a normal boar, its tusks coated in dried blood. Its red eyes gleamed with primal rage as it feasted on the carcass of some unfortunate creature.
Lin Fan's fingers twitched in anticipation.
A week ago, a monster like this would have killed him effortlessly.
Now?
He crouched low, feeling the raw instinct in his body take over. His heartbeat slowed, his muscles coiled like a spring—
Then he moved.
BOOM!
The ground cracked beneath his feet as he launched forward at terrifying speed.
The boar barely had time to react before Lin Fan was upon it. He twisted mid-air, his leg swinging down like an executioner's blade—
CRACK!
His heel smashed into the boar's skull, sending it skidding across the ground.
It squealed in agony, thrashing wildly, but Lin Fan didn't give it a chance to recover. He landed smoothly, dashing forward again.
The beast attempted to charge, its tusks glowing faintly with an eerie red light—
A Spirit Beast?!
Lin Fan's eyes narrowed. This thing actually had some Qi within its body.
Good. That means more energy for me.
The boar lunged, but Lin Fan sidestepped effortlessly, his instincts guiding him. He grabbed its tusk with one hand, stopping it mid-charge, muscles flexing as he lifted the beast clean off the ground—
Then, with a monstrous roar, he slammed it into the earth with bone-shattering force.
BANG!
The impact cratered the soil, sending a shockwave through the forest. The boar let out a final, pitiful squeal before its skull collapsed inward from the force.
Lin Fan let out a slow breath, standing over his fallen prey.
And then, he felt it.
A rush of chaotic energy surged into him.
The boar's lifeforce was being devoured, absorbed into his very being. His muscles tightened, his mind sharpened, and his body trembled as the system's voice rang out.
[Chaos Absorption Complete.]
[Strength +5, Endurance +3, Agility +2.]
[New Ability Acquired: Predatory Instincts (Passive)]
Lin Fan's breath hitched.
He could feel it.
His reactions had become even sharper. His body lighter. His movements faster.
If this was the result of absorbing just one low-tier Spirit Beast…
What would happen if he continued devouring?
A slow, dangerous grin spread across his face.
He was going to find out.
---
Awakening the Abyss
Night passed, and Lin Fan hunted relentlessly.
Each battle, each kill, pushed his limits further.
He tore through Ironclaw Apes, their thick hides crushed under his strikes.
He ripped apart venomous serpents, their poison useless against his evolving body.
He devoured the strength of every beast that crossed his path, absorbing their lifeforce to fuel his own ascent.
His body transformed with every fight.
His speed became unnatural. His strength monstrous. His perception razor-sharp.
And then—
A notification appeared.
[Mission Complete: Survive the Forbidden Region & Unlock Your First Chaos Technique.]
[Reward: Evolution Trait – Abyssal Rebirth.]
Lin Fan barely had time to react before his body erupted in black flames.
Agony unlike anything before ripped through him. His bones cracked, his flesh burned, his very essence twisting into something new.
He fell to his knees, clawing at the ground as the transformation overtook him.
His heart stopped.
His breath ceased.
Darkness consumed him.
Then—
A new heart began to beat.
A new breath filled his lungs.
And Lin Fan opened his eyes.
Abyssal golden irises stared into the night, glowing with an unholy radiance.
His skin had turned a shade paler, his body leaner yet packed with explosive power. His nails had darkened slightly, almost claw-like.
More than that—he could feel it.
The Abyssal Rebirth had remade him.
And deep inside, something whispered.
Something ancient.
Something hungry.
Lin Fan flexed his fingers, feeling the overwhelming power coursing through him.
Then, he smiled.
"This world will soon understand... what it means to fear chaos."