Chapter 38 Flameborn Lion...
This haul was comparable to defeating a single 9-star Qi Building Realm beast, but with minimal effort exerted. Anos\' dominance was undeniable.
As a 9-star Qi Building Realm cultivator, Anos could annihilate opponents with a mere 20% strength increase. His power was a testament to his rigorous training.
Against 5-star beasts, Anos\' victory was all but guaranteed. A single strike would be enough to extinguish their fragile existence.
With his cultivation level far surpassing these lowly creatures, Anos sought greater challenges. The thrill of battle beckoned.
"Are there no higher-level beasts?" Anos wondered, shaking his head in dismay. He pressed onward, seeking a 1-star or 2-star Spirit Condensation Realm beast.
The experience points from such creatures would be substantial, a prize worth the risk. However, venturing further posed its own dangers.
Anos weighed his options carefully. The allure of valuable experience points was tempered by the uncertainty of safety.
"If I go too far, will I return unscathed?" Anos pondered.
The landscape shifted, shadows deepening as twilight approached. Anos steeled himself, resolve firm.
....
An hour ticked by, yet Anos remained stalled, merely 500 experience points shy of attaining the coveted 6-star Spirit Condensation Realm. His frustration stemmed not from a scarcity of Spirit Condensation Realm beasts, but from the area\'s unusual dearth.
Flower City, a mere seven to eight kilometers away, cast a protective shadow over the region. Martial artists from the city frequently ventured forth, hunting demonic beasts and maintaining a precarious balance between humans and creatures.
This constant activity made the area hazardous, yet still within the realm of martial artists\' influence. Consequently, Spirit Condensation Realm beasts shunned the area, seeking safer hunting grounds beyond the city\'s reach.
Undeterred, Anos pressed onward, his piercing gaze scanning the horizon for the elusive prey that would propel him to the next level. Every step forward heightened his resolve.
With each passing moment, Anos\' determination intensified. He would not rest until he found the beast that would unlock his full potential.
As Anos ventured beyond Flower City\'s limits, a palpable sense of danger settled over him. The threat lurked not only in the shadows of ferocious beasts but also in the unpredictable nature of human martial artists.
Outside the city\'s protective confines, the constraints of powerful factions and organizations held little sway. Here, might made right, and anonymity provided impunity. Those who ventured into this unforgiving landscape did so at their own peril.
A single misstep could prove fatal, for in this lawless expanse, God\'s Blessing experience points became a coveted prize worth killing for. The specter of the notorious Evil Fiend Temple loomed large, its members notorious for hunting down martial artists to exploit their valuable experience.
Anos\' senses heightened, his caution tempered by the knowledge that in this unforgiving realm, survival depended on strength and vigilance.
"I\'ve acquired a martial technique, but it\'s still too weak, and I lack a spirit weapon," Anos thought to himself. "Acquiring a spirit weapon is paramount."
Having left Flower City, Anos recognized the necessity of wielding a spirit weapon. Fighting bare-handed was considered reckless among martial artists, and spirit weapons came with hefty price tags. The most powerful ones were priceless.
Anos longed for a sword as his spirit weapon, but an ordinary blade wouldn\'t suffice. A true spirit weapon needed to resonate with his martial energy.
Ordinary swords couldn\'t harness his spirit power, and even if they could, they\'d shatter against foes slightly stronger than demonic beasts. Anos required a sword forged from rare materials, imbued with ancient energies.
Spirit weapon. Acquiring Spiritual Equipment was now Anos\' utmost priority. Tomorrow, he would seek out Sofia\'s expertise at the Sky Martial Court, hoping her insight would prove invaluable.
As Anos emerged from his contemplation, a ghastly sight greeted him at the field\'s edge. More than a dozen lifeless bodies lay scattered, their youthful faces frozen in eternal silence. Fatal wounds ravaged their flesh, some with chests pierced through, their lives extinguished instantly.
The gruesome scene sent shivers down Anos\' spine. This carnage reeked of a demonic beast\'s handiwork – a powerful one, capable of unleashing devastating blows.
Anos\' instincts screamed warning, his senses heightened. A formidable foe lurked nearby, its strength capable of annihilating multiple martial artists with ease. The air was heavy with tension, and Anos\' gaze scanned the horizon, prepared to face the unknown danger.
With each passing moment, the silence grew thicker, punctuated only by the soft rustling of leaves. Anos\' heart pounded in anticipation, his resolve steeling him for the battle ahead.
In the demonic beast area, corpses were a grim norm. No one bothered to investigate, and the fate of the fallen remained a morbid mystery. Skeletons and bodies littered the landscape, a grim testament to the area\'s unforgiving nature.
Anos\' thoughts were interrupted by a sudden movement. His instincts flared, and vigilance took hold.
A split second of distraction could prove fatal. If Anos hadn\'t stumbled upon the corpses, he would have blindly walked into the demonic beast\'s path.
Holding his breath, Anos froze, senses heightened. The rustling grew louder, and the air vibrated with an ominous presence.
A demonic beast emerged from the shadows, its eyes fixed on Anos.
Before him, beside a towering tree, a majestic lion stood over two meters tall. Its fiery mane blazed like molten lava, and its gaze seemed almost leisurely as it licked the blood from the corner of its mouth, savoring its recent kill.
Anos\' pupils constricted in alarm. This was no ordinary lion – it was a Flameborn Lion, a legendary demonic beast feared for its unyielding ferocity.
The Flameborn Lion\'s esteemed bloodline rivaled the most exceptional martial artists, boasting inherent strength and potential for growth that were unparalleled. Its robust lineage guaranteed formidable combat prowess, striking fear into the hearts of even the bravest warriors.
Anos\' previous encounters with demonic beasts seemed trivial compared to this behemoth. The Flameborn Lion was a noble, destined for greatness, and Anos knew that facing it would be his most daunting challenge yet.
With each passing moment, the air thickened with tension. Anos steeled himself, his senses heightened, ready to face the inferno that awaited him.
....
Anos recognized the Flameborn Lion instantly, thanks to its distinctive feature: a dark blue, ethereal flame flickering on its tail, reminiscent of a will-o\'-the-wisp. This eerie blaze signaled the beast\'s formidable presence.
In battle, the Flameborn Lion\'s entire body would erupt with these dark blue flames, casting an oppressive aura that paralyzed its foes with fear.
Seeking insight, Anos activated his Spiritual Eye to scrutinize the Flameborn Lion. His piercing gaze delved deeper, uncovering hidden secrets.
As his Spiritual Eye probed, Anos discovered:
_Flameborn Lion_
_Realm:_ Soul Focus Two Star
_Level:_ 12
_Attribute:_ Dark Flame
_Attributes:_
- _Strength:_ 187
- _Constitution:_ 177
- _Speed:_ 187
_Crystals:_ 150
_Description:_
A devil beast with a strong bloodline, boasting balanced stats and formidable attacks.
_Martial Skills:_
1. _Flameborn Scorch_: Unleashes a surprise blue flame attack, targeting both the physical body and soul.
2. _Inferno Blast_: Channels the flame\'s energy, releasing a potent burst of flame energy forward.
Additional Abilities:
- Enhanced Strength: Amplifies physical attacks
- Shadow Step: Teleports short distances through shadows
- Flame Shield: Absorbs attacks, redirecting damage to foes
_Assessment:_
Almost invincible within its realm, the Flameborn Lion poses a significant threat to opponents.
....
The disparity between ordinary demonic beasts and those with robust bloodlines was staggering. The Flameborn Lion, a mere two-star Spirit Condensation Level creature, boasted attributes rivaling Anos\'s five-star Spirit Condensation Level.
Its Dark Flame attribute granted it dual capabilities:
- Flame abilities, unleashing scorching attacks
- Shadow abilities, allowing for stealth and evasion
With unwavering resolve, Anos prepared to face the Flameborn Lion, ready to risk everything for a chance to harvest its invaluable Spirit Condensation Level essence.
At that moment, the Flameborn Lion seemed to have lowered its guard, oblivious to Anos\' presence. Seizing the opportunity, Anos unleashed his full strength.
"Spirit Blast!"
A brilliant ball of light, condensed from spiritual force, hurtled toward the Flameborn Lion. The impact was explosive, sending the lion crashing into the tree behind it. The force was so intense that it slid six meters across the ground before coming to a halt.
Given Anos\' five-star Spirit Condensation Level cultivation, an ordinary two-star demonic beast would have suffered severe injuries. However, the Flameborn Lion swiftly rose to its feet, its body bleeding, blue eyes blazing with fury as it locked onto Anos.
The lion\'s recovery was astonishing, a testament to its exceptional vitality and strength.
Anos realized that defeating this beast wouldn\'t be easy.
The Flameborn Lion\'s voice echoed in Anos\' mind, "You dare to attack me?"
"You think this young master is intimidated by your glare?" Anos sneered, condensing his spiritual force as he charged forward.
Suddenly, a ghostly flame erupted before him, its appearance as unpredictable as its master.
Shua!
The ethereal blaze danced with an otherworldly essence, illuminating Anos\' fearless determination.
The Flameborn Lion\'s eyes narrowed, sensing the formidable energy emanating from Anos.
"You\'re no ordinary cultivator," the lion growled, its voice laced with caution.
Anos smiled, his confidence fueled by his Spirit Condensation Level cultivation.
"Let\'s see whose flames reign supreme!" Anos declared.
With a swift gesture, Anos unleashed a wave of spiritual force, merging it with the ghostly flame.