"Perseverance: Passive skill. When physical strength drops below 30%, damage received is reduced by 50%."
"Recovery State: Passive skill. After high-intensity exercise, sufficient rest eliminates accumulated fatigue and returns the body to peak condition."
"Sprint: Active skill. Movement speed increased by 30%."
"Strike Vital Point: Melee attack skill. Identifies enemy weaknesses and inflicts devastating damage."
"Dagger Throw: Ranged attack skill. Hurled daggers deal damage to enemies. Accuracy and damage scale with level."
"This is..." Clutching his head with one hand, the sudden information influx caused his mind to throb. Soon, however, as clarity gradually returned, Cheng Xiao's awareness sharpened.
As Cheng Xiao's compatibility with shadow power deepened, his level would rise accordingly. Like Sung Jinwoo with his system, he would continuously upgrade—and upon reaching certain thresholds, acquire corresponding abilities.
These skills flooding his consciousness were among the many legacies the Shadow Monarch had bequeathed to Cheng Xiao.
Simultaneously, a dark purple spirit ring etched with strange patterns condensed around Cheng Xiao's body. This wasn't a spirit ring from Douluo World—but one formed purely from shadow power within him. Proof of the Shadow Monarch!
Spirit rings condensed from shadow power weren't determined by spirit beast age—but by the maximum threshold Cheng Xiao's body could withstand. In other words, shadow power rings would strengthen as Cheng Xiao's level improved. This was a growth-type spirit ring!
And Cheng Xiao's first spirit ring possessed not century-level strength—but millennium-level power. Though he'd consumed no heavenly treasures to fortify his physique, how could a body nourished by shadow power compare to ordinary spirit masters?
As the first spirit ring slowly manifested on Cheng Xiao's body, the Nether Alpha suddenly felt primal fear surge from its soul's depths. This terror transcended bloodline—complete suppression at the life-level hierarchy. The one-ring spirit master before it should be killable with a single swipe—yet why did this human emanate such unspeakable death threat?
"Awooooo~~"
Realizing inaction meant death, the Nether Alpha threw its head back and howled—as if consoling its troubled spirit. Then its wolf eyes locked onto Cheng Xiao, fangs bared, maw gaping wide as it lunged.
However, facing the charging Nether Alpha, Cheng Xiao raised his arm expressionlessly and extended a single finger. Dark purple light shot from his fingertip.
As the violet radiance discharged, the Nether Alpha's body froze mid-leap. A thumb-sized hole appeared on its forehead—saturated with death's essence.
The next instant, the Nether Alpha's corpse collapsed limply at Cheng Xiao's feet. Profound horror filled its widened eyes. Never had it imagined a mere first-ring spirit master could kill it so effortlessly—so casually.
Of course, what the Nether Alpha didn't comprehend was that the boy standing before it wasn't Cheng Xiao acting alone—but the Shadow Monarch utilizing his body, manifesting the power left dormant within.
BOOM—
All shadow power surged outward. Cheng Xiao felt his body go limp, immediately collapsing to the ground, gasping heavily. The purple luminescence burning in his eyes' depths slowly dissipated.
[BEEP!]
At that moment, a cold, emotionless voice suddenly manifested in Cheng Xiao's mind.
[System Administrator deceased... User lacks System Player privileges... Redefining identity... Third-Generation Monarch Successor... Monarch's gifts distributed... Good luck.]
"Title Acquired: Wolf Slayer. When facing beast-type spirit beasts, all ability values increase by 40%."
"Unknown Skill MAX: Passive skill. Effect unknown."
"Otherworldly Monarch's Descent (Used)"
"Temporary Recovery State: Instantly restore peak condition (Used)"
The next moment, Cheng Xiao felt his depleted spirit power recovering at terrifying speed. Then an indescribable comfort suffused his entire being—a sensation beyond words, like floating among clouds or ascending to some blissful peak. Exquisitely overwhelming.
Time became meaningless in this euphoric state. When Cheng Xiao slowly opened his eyes, darkness had fallen. Rolling over and rising from the ground, he discovered with surprise that his body had undergone changes due to spirit ring condensation. His originally sturdy frame had grown considerably taller, and even his delicate features had matured, becoming more handsome.
Looking down at his arms, even in darkness he could perceive fundamental transformations in his skin. Essentially—complete body refinement.
"Seems the Shadow Monarch's novice gift package has concluded." Cheng Xiao released his martial spirit once more. This time the previous abnormality didn't recur—but in his right palm, dark purple smoke coiled. Within the violet mist seemed to echo countless undead roars and loyal whispers.
Withdrawing his martial spirit, Cheng Xiao immediately sat cross-legged. The massive information influx required proper digestion. Skills like Sprint, Strike Vital Point, and Dagger Throw felt instinctively familiar—yet without practical application, he urgently needed to internalize this knowledge.
Directly before Cheng Xiao, wisps of black smoke slowly rose from the Nether Alpha's corpse slain by the Shadow Monarch. Before fully forming, it seemed drawn by some force—transforming into a black shadow that drilled into Cheng Xiao's own shadow.
As the black smoke merged with Cheng Xiao's shadow, a ring of yellow gradually rose from the Nether Alpha's body. This was the standard yellow century-ring produced by the Nether Alpha—yet its energy proved abnormally thin. From an energy perspective, it seemed inferior even to a ten-year spirit beast's ring.
After complete nightfall, Tang San and the master—who'd abandoned Cheng Xiao to escape—weren't particularly fortunate. Because the master had been running while enduring pain, his stamina rapidly depleted.
Their original plan to exit the Spirit Hunting Forest and summon help was temporarily shelved. Seeing the Nether Alpha hadn't pursued them, they chose to rest beneath a large tree—waiting to recover some strength before departing the forest.
In the darkened woods, a makeshift bonfire first caught the eye. Pale yellow flames consumed firewood with crackling sounds. Tang San and his teacher sat around the fire, faces pallid.
Clearly, their escape had been harrowing. Even having successfully evaded the Nether Alpha's pursuit, they remained utterly exhausted.