The crimson sky had faded into a pale, misty dawn, and Nie Yong stood at the edge of a dense forest, muscles still tingling from the fierce skirmish the night before. His breath came steady, though the thrill of victory still coursed through his veins. The taste of power — stolen, yet undeniable — was intoxicating.But the world of Martial Peak did not wait for the indecisive.As the forest awoke, so did its dangers. Creatures both natural and unnatural moved in the shadows, seeking prey or challengers. Nie Yong had survived the bandits' attack, but this was only the beginning.The translucent system interface hovered steadily before his eyes. Lines of energy pulsed with the rhythm of his heartbeat, syncing his will with the strange covenant Lilith had bound to his soul.[Acquisition Available]An icon blinked, representing a nearby prey. Nie Yong squinted into the treeline and caught sight of the massive silhouette lurking between thick trunks — a Stone Fang Beast, known for its crude ferocity and iron-hard scales.His mind raced. The system offered power, but nothing came without risk or effort. He could attempt to kill and absorb the beast's unique skill — but to do so, he would have to survive a brutal fight.Nie Yong bowed his head briefly, the weight of his new fate settling deep within. "For power, for survival," he whispered, tightening his grip on a jagged rock — his only weapon for now.The beast charged with thunderous steps, the forest trembling beneath its weight. Its jaws opened wide, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth, and saliva dripped like molten venom.Nie Yong's eyes narrowed. He recalled the copied Sword Intent skill from the bandit leader and mentally prepared to mimic its fluid precision with whatever he could wield.The Stone Fang Beast, however, was a challenge of pure strength and raw fury. With a thunderous roar, it lunged, slamming its armored paw toward Nie Yong.The boy rolled instinctively, barely evading the bone-crushing blow. The ground cracked and splintered as the beast turned to face him again.Using the jagged rock, Nie Yong struck upward at the beast's exposed underbelly. Sharp but ineffective against its iron-hard scales. Pain blossomed in his palm as the rock shattered beneath the blow.Breathing heavily, Nie Yong activated the system's Growth Multiplier—a surge of power coursing through his veins that multiplied his physical attributes tenfold for a fleeting moment.With enhanced speed and strength, he dodged the next paw strike and clawed upward, aiming for the soft membranes beneath the beast's limbs.Pain echoed in the beast's roar. Nie Yong's gamble paid off. The creature staggered back, blood oozing where skin met scale.The battle raged for agonizing minutes, neither yielding. The System's interface flickered warnings: "Energy levels critical," and "Corruption residue increasing." The cost of power was more than fatigue.Nie Yong's vision blurred—blackened at the edges, the world tipping toward chaos. Lilith's whisper curled in his ears."Use the Void Surge. Embrace the darkness, and destroy."Torn between instinct and caution, Nie Yong clenched his fists and unleashed the unknown force within him. Void energy exploded like a storm around him, warping space and time itself.The Stone Fang Beast howled in terror as its body was engulfed in shadows, its strength draining in an instant. With one final strike, Nie Yong shattered its skull.Exhausted and trembling, he dropped to one knee. The void surge had saved him — but it left a stain on his soul, a shadow he could not shake.As the beast's essence melded into the system, a new ability unlocked:[Stone Fang Resilience – Passive]
Reduces physical damage by 15%.
Increases endurance during fights.Nie Yong's breaths grew shallow. He was stronger, but the whispers of corruption nagged relentlessly — a reminder that every gift came with a price.The forest suddenly fell silent, the oppressive quiet pressing closer than before. From the shadows, a feminine voice purred like silk on steel."You have power, mortal. But do you understand what it costs?"Nie Yong's body tensed. From the mist stepped a figure, cloaked in white and silver, her crimson eyes glowing faintly — Lilith herself, no longer just a distant voice but a presence beside him."I control the thread that binds your soul," she said, voice calm, almost maternal yet tinged with danger. "You grow stronger by devouring others — but each stolen talent leaves a mark. Corruption will consume you if left unchecked."He met her gaze, unyielding despite the dread curling in his gut. "How do I fight it?"Lilith smiled darkly. "Control is an illusion. You must learn to balance power and purity. Or be devoured by your own weakness."Her form began to shimmer and fade like a dream slipping away. Before she vanished, she left him with a final warning:"The Martial Peak is more than a mountain. It is a crucible for souls. Your trial has just begun."