The forest trembled.
Leaves shook violently as the massive beast stepped forward, its presence alone crushing the surrounding air.
The Mountain Core Beast towered over them.
Its body was like living stone—thick, jagged armor fused with flesh. Crimson veins pulsed beneath its rocky hide, glowing faintly with violent energy.
Each breath it took sounded like grinding boulders.
Lin Ye's eyes narrowed.
"…Level 8."
Beside him, Gu Chen exhaled slowly.
"Don't hold back."
Lin Ye smirked faintly.
"I never do."
The beast roared.
ROOOOOAR!
The ground cracked beneath its feet as it charged.
⚔️ First Clash
It was fast.
Too fast for its size.
Lin Ye moved instantly—
Blood Shadow Step!
FLASH!
He vanished—
Reappearing to the side—
But the beast reacted immediately.
A massive claw swept across—
BOOM!
The air exploded.
Lin Ye barely dodged, skidding across the ground.
"…Fast and strong."
Gu Chen moved next.
BOOM!
A palm strike slammed into the beast's side—
But—
It barely flinched.
"…Its defense is insane."
The beast turned—
Targeting Gu Chen now.
Lin Ye's eyes flickered.
"…Opportunity."
🧠 Coordinated Attack
Without words—
They moved together.
Gu Chen attacked head-on.
Drawing its attention.
Lin Ye disappeared into the shadows.
Circling.
Waiting.
Watching.
"…There."
A gap.
Small.
Near the neck.
Lin Ye moved.
FLASH!
He struck—
CLANG!
His attack hit—
But barely pierced.
"…Not enough."
The beast roared in fury.
Turning violently—
BOOM!
Its tail slammed into Lin Ye.
"—!"
He was sent flying.
Crashing into trees.
Pain surged.
His ribs—
Cracked.
Blood spilled from his mouth.
"…Still too weak."
⚠️ Pressure Mounts
Gu Chen shouted—
"Don't die now!"
Lin Ye laughed weakly.
"Not planning to."
But reality was clear.
They were losing.
The beast grew more aggressive.
Stronger.
Faster.
Each strike—
Deadlier than the last.
🔥 Desperate Strategy
Lin Ye stood slowly.
Breathing heavy.
Mind racing.
"Defense too high… direct attacks useless…"
Then—
His eyes sharpened.
"…Inside."
Gu Chen dodged another strike.
"What?!"
Lin Ye pointed.
"Mouth. Eyes. Internal damage."
Gu Chen understood instantly.
"…Risky."
Lin Ye smiled.
"…Everything I do is."
⚔️ Final Plan
Gu Chen nodded.
"I'll create the opening."
Lin Ye's body tensed.
"…I'll finish it."
The beast charged again.
Gu Chen stepped forward—
BOOM!
His full power exploded.
A massive strike—
Slamming into the beast's head.
It staggered.
Just for a moment.
That was enough.
🩸 Kill Strike
Lin Ye vanished.
Blood Shadow Step!
FLASH!
He appeared directly in front of the beast—
As it roared—
Opening its massive jaws.
"…Now."
Lin Ye stepped in.
Inside.
Darkness.
Heat.
Blood.
"—?!"
The beast thrashed wildly.
But Lin Ye—
Didn't stop.
He drove his fist forward—
Again.
Again.
Again.
Smashing internal flesh.
Breaking organs.
"DIE!"
🔥 System Frenzy
[Ding!]
[Critical Damage Dealt]
Blood surged around him.
Hot.
Violent.
"…More!"
Lin Ye activated everything.
[Blood Absorption – Maximum Output]
The beast screamed.
Its massive body trembled.
Energy—
Blood—
Life—
All being drained.
⚠️ Outside
Gu Chen watched in shock.
"…He went inside it?"
The beast staggered wildly.
Then—
Collapsed.
BOOM!
The forest shook.
Silence followed.
🩸 Devouring Power
Inside—
Lin Ye was covered in blood.
But his eyes—
Burned.
"MORE!"
The beast's essence surged into him.
Stronger than anything before.
Overwhelming.
Painful.
Addictive.
🔥 Breakthrough
[Ding!]
[Massive EXP Gained]
[Level Up: 7 → 8]
[Body Tempering Enhanced]
[Bloodline Awakening Progress: 15%]
Lin Ye's aura exploded.
Dark.
Heavy.
Demonic.
🌙 Aftermath
Minutes later—
Lin Ye stepped out of the corpse.
Covered in blood.
Like a demon reborn.
Gu Chen stared at him.
"…You're insane."
Lin Ye smiled faintly.
"…You're still alive."
Silence.
Then—
Gu Chen laughed.
"…Interesting."
But his eyes—
Sharpened.
"…Now."
The temporary alliance—
Was over.
⚔️ Round Two Begins
Both stood facing each other.
Wounded.
Exhausted.
But stronger than before.
Gu Chen spoke—
"Now we finish this."
Lin Ye cracked his neck.
"…I was waiting."
The air grew tense.
Killing intent filled the space.
Two predators.
One outcome.
🔥 Cliffhanger
Just as they moved—
A cold voice echoed.
"That's enough."
The air froze.
Both stopped instantly.
A figure descended slowly—
White robes.
Cold aura.
Su Qingyue.
Her gaze swept between them.
"…This isn't your battlefield."
Lin Ye frowned slightly.
"…Interfering again?"
Gu Chen's expression darkened.
"…Inner sect interference…"
Su Qingyue ignored both.
Her eyes landed on Lin Ye.
"…You've grown."
Then—
"Don't die before I test you."