The spirit beast's warning came too late.
The ground beneath the ruined altar cracked, and a tremor pulsed through the stone as dark tendrils slithered up from the earth like veins of shadow. The air soured, thick with the stench of decay and ancient blood.
From the crater rose a monstrosity—its form a twisted fusion of lion, serpent, and vulture. Its fur was matted with black ooze, and its eyes burned with crimson madness. A Corrupted Guardian Beast, one of the fallen sentinels of Tianlong Keep, warped by time and demonic influence.
> [System Alert: Hostile Entity Detected – Rank: Earth-Tier Beast (Corrupted)]
Recommended Action: Terminate.
The spirit beast beside Chen Yu growled. "This one was once the gate guardian. Now it is only hunger and fury."
Chen Yu's gaze sharpened. Azurefang pulsed in his grip, reacting to the corrupted Qi in the air.
"Then I'll free it… with my sword."
With a flick of his robe, he vanished.
The corrupted beast roared, swinging a claw larger than a wagon through the air. Stone shattered in its wake, but Chen Yu reappeared above it, mid-spin.
"Azurefang Resonance Slash!"
A wave of azure light carved through the beast's flank, cleaving flesh and bone. It howled in agony, black mist spraying from the wound. But its regeneration was unnatural—the wound closed almost instantly.
> "Its core is sealed inside," the spirit beast transmitted. "You must strike its heart."
The beast lunged, maw open, acidic spit hissing against stone.
Chen Yu dashed sideways, his body flickering between three locations.
"Dragonstep Mirage!"
Three afterimages shimmered around the beast, each mimicking Chen Yu's movements. The monster turned in confusion, slashing wildly—only hitting illusions.
Using the opening, Chen Yu dashed underneath the beast's exposed chest. With a roar of his own, he drove Azurefang upward—straight through the soft underbelly.
The blade pierced deep—but it wasn't enough.
The beast snarled, lifting off with a mighty flap of its broken wings. Its blood poured down like cursed rain.
Then the spirit beast moved.
Summoning golden vines from the earth, it entangled the corrupted creature's legs and wings, holding it in place for only a moment.
"NOW, SOVEREIGN!"
Chen Yu narrowed his eyes. He inhaled—and for the first time, his Qi didn't just swirl.
It surged.
> [Heaven's Chronicle: Sovereign Qi Sync – Temporary Access Granted]
Azurefang Unseal: Partial
Skill Boost: Resonance Fang – Empowered
His robe flared with green and blue streaks, and his hairband fluttered in the wind as his essence ignited.
"Sovereign Art – Fang of Judgment!"
He slashed upward. The air itself bent and cracked as a crescent of energy—twice the size of the beast—roared forth.
The impact was cataclysmic.
The corrupted beast screamed as the attack tore through its chest, cracking the core hidden within. Its body exploded into black mist, then silence.
Only the blue glow of Azurefang remained.
> [Enemy Eliminated. Core Retrieved.]
Essence purified. Potential upgrade materials stored.
[Heaven's Chronicle: New Title Unlocked – Ruinsbreaker]
Chen Yu landed on one knee, breathing calmly.
The spirit beast bowed.
"You have proven it. You are the Sovereign reborn."
Chen Yu stood, resting Azurefang on his shoulder. "This is only the beginning."