Published at 24th of September 2024 8:20 am

Chapter 12: Awakening the Beast

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The days in the hidden valley passed like a blur. Wei Long was submerged in his cultivation, lost in the flow of spiritual energy that surrounded him. The wild, untamed power of the land surged through his veins, pushing him to his limits with each meditation session. His connection with the earth deepened, and he could feel the plants and soil resonating with his core, as if they were living extensions of his own spirit.

But something else lingered in the valley—a darkness that Wei Long could feel growing closer. It was a subtle presence at first, a quiet hum at the back of his mind. But as his cultivation intensified, so did the feeling of being watched, of something lurking just out of sight. Each time he opened his eyes, the mist hung heavily in the air, cloaking the valley in an eerie silence.

One evening, as Wei Long sat cross-legged in the heart of the valley, drawing on the energy of the land, the presence finally revealed itself.

The ground trembled.

Wei Long's eyes snapped open as the very earth beneath him quaked. He shot to his feet, his senses alert as the spiritual energy in the valley shifted violently. From the dense mist came a low, guttural growl, vibrating through the air like the rumble of distant thunder.

It was close—too close.

Wei Long took a defensive stance, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword. His breath was steady, but his heart pounded in his chest. He had known the valley held dangers, but nothing had prepared him for this. Whatever beast lurked within the mist was no ordinary creature. The spiritual pressure it exuded was immense, far stronger than the demonic beasts he had faced before.

Suddenly, from the mist, a pair of glowing eyes appeared—fiery red, burning with malevolent intent.

The beast stepped into view, and Wei Long’s eyes widened. It was a monstrous creature, its massive body covered in dark, sinewy fur that shimmered with spiritual energy. Razor-sharp claws extended from its paws, and its mouth opened to reveal rows of jagged teeth. But it was the aura that truly unsettled Wei Long. The beast was not just a demonic creature—it was a spirit beast, a rare and powerful entity born of the land’s untamed energy.

The beast let out a deafening roar, the sound reverberating through the valley like an avalanche. The force of it shook Wei Long to his core, but he didn’t falter. He had faced danger before, and he wasn’t about to back down now.

He quickly assessed his options. Fighting the beast head-on was risky—its strength was formidable, and Wei Long wasn’t sure if his current level of cultivation was enough to defeat it. But he couldn’t afford to retreat. Not now. He had come to the valley to grow stronger, and this battle was part of that process.

Summoning his spiritual energy, Wei Long drew his sword and focused on the land around him. The technique he had been practicing—the one that allowed him to draw power from the earth—would be his key to victory. He could feel the energy pulsing beneath his feet, waiting to be harnessed.

The beast charged.

In an instant, it crossed the distance between them, moving with terrifying speed for something of its size. Wei Long barely had time to react as the beast’s massive claws came crashing down. He dodged to the side, the ground splitting where the claws struck. The force of the impact sent a shockwave through the valley, but Wei Long remained calm, his mind focused.

He moved with precision, channeling spiritual energy into his sword. The blade glowed with a faint light as he slashed at the beast, aiming for its flank. But the creature was quick, its thick fur deflecting the blow as it twisted its massive body to avoid the strike. It retaliated with a vicious swipe, and this time, Wei Long wasn’t fast enough. The beast’s claws grazed his side, tearing through his tunic and drawing blood.

Wei Long gritted his teeth, feeling the sting of the wound. He couldn’t afford to let this beast overwhelm him. He had to find a way to turn the tide.

Drawing a deep breath, Wei Long planted his feet firmly on the ground and extended his senses. He reached out, connecting with the earth beneath him, feeling the raw power of the land surge through his core. Slowly, he began to draw that energy into himself, letting it flow through his body like a raging river. His cultivation base responded, growing stronger with each pulse of power.

The beast snarled, sensing the shift in Wei Long’s energy. It lunged forward again, but this time, Wei Long was ready. He sidestepped the attack, then slammed his hand against the ground, sending a shockwave of spiritual energy through the earth. The land responded to his command, and a jagged spike of rock shot up from the ground, striking the beast in the side and knocking it off balance.

The creature howled in pain, its glowing eyes narrowing with rage.

Wei Long pressed the advantage. He channeled more energy into his sword, and this time, when he struck, the blade bit deep into the beast’s flesh. Dark blood sprayed into the air as the creature staggered back, wounded but not defeated.

The battle raged on, each side refusing to back down. The beast was relentless, its attacks growing more savage as the fight continued. But Wei Long had grown stronger, his connection to the land allowing him to draw on reserves of energy he hadn’t known he possessed. With every blow, he felt his cultivation deepening, his core strengthening.

And then, as the fight neared its climax, Wei Long saw his opportunity.

The beast charged once more, its massive jaws open wide as it prepared to deliver a fatal blow. But instead of retreating, Wei Long stepped forward. In a single, fluid motion, he drove his sword upward, channeling all the spiritual energy he had gathered into the strike.

The blade pierced the beast’s chest, sinking deep into its heart.

For a moment, time seemed to stand still.

The beast’s fiery eyes flickered, its massive body trembling as the life drained from it. With a final, guttural growl, the creature collapsed to the ground, its body dissolving into a cloud of dark energy that dissipated into the mist.

Wei Long stood over the fallen beast, breathing heavily, his body aching from the strain of the battle. But as the last traces of the creature’s energy faded, he felt something else—a surge of power flooding into him.

The beast had been no ordinary spirit. It had been a guardian of the valley, a creature born of the land’s raw energy. And by defeating it, Wei Long had not only gained a victory—he had absorbed a portion of the beast’s strength.

His cultivation surged.

Wei Long could feel the change within him, his core expanding, his spiritual energy becoming more refined. He had broken through—he had reached the next stage of cultivation.

But even as he reveled in his newfound power, Wei Long knew that this was only the beginning. The battle had awakened something within him—something deeper, more primal. The path ahead would be even more dangerous, but he was ready for whatever came next.

As he turned to leave the valley, Wei Long cast one last glance at the place where the beast had fallen.

There were greater battles yet to come. And he would face them head-on.

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