Chapter Sixteen: Slaying the Spirit Beast!

Under the gloomy sky, Yufan's figure stood resolute and unyielding. Rain mingled with sweat slid down his steadfast face, dripping onto the drenched ground, scattering into ripples. His right leg struck the earth with heavy force, as if to shake the very soil beneath the tempest. His left leg coiled like a drawn bowstring, muscles taut, ready to spring.

He turned his head slightly, and the blood at the corner of his mouth did not diminish his aura; instead, it added a wild, indomitable edge. His eyes blazed like torches, fixed unflinchingly on the colossal spirit beast before him, gleaming with challenge and fearless resolve. The spirit beast seemed momentarily stunned by this fierce aura, its massive body trembling slightly.

Suddenly, Yufan thrust off with his right leg like a leopard poised to pounce, his left leg exploding forward in a blur, slicing through the rain as he charged at the beast. His body traced a graceful arc in midair, rainwater parting like silver streaks under the force of his movement.

With a mighty roar that cut through wind and rain, carrying an undeniable dominance and determination, he declared, “I’m coming!” The sound echoed across the vast expanse, making the surrounding air tremble.

Just as Yufan was about to make contact, a surging wave of spiritual energy, dark as ink clouds, violently pushed him back. Caught off guard, he lost balance midair like a kite with a broken string and crashed heavily onto a moss-covered boulder. The stone quivered under the impact, sending up a spray of muddy water chilled by the rain, soaking his clothes instantly.

Pain radiated through his entire body as if his insides had shifted, spreading fiercely from his back, yet he gritted his teeth, uttering no cry. Struggling to rise, his hands dug deep into the slippery earth, each attempt shaking his muscles with tearing agony.

Rain mercilessly lashed his face, mingling with sweat and blood, blurring his vision but never dimming the steadfast, unyielding light in his eyes. The spirit beast’s deep, cunning eyes gleamed slyly as it opened its massive maw. A thick orb of spiritual energy, accompanied by a piercing howl, surged toward Yufan like a tornado.

Yufan’s pupils constricted sharply; the air around him seemed to freeze under the force. He summoned all his strength to evade, but there was nowhere to dodge. The orb engulfed him instantly. Amid blinding light, his silhouette twisted and blurred before a deafening roar slammed him to the ground.

The impact emptied the surrounding air of all sound and motion, leaving a heavy silence. Yufan rolled several times over the edge of the boulder before coming to rest, his tattered clothes and muddy body dripping with a stream where blood met rain.

Though his eyes were obscured by dirt and blood, a fierce, unyielding light still flickered within them, as if to declare his existence and defiance to the world, even in utter despair.

His battered form struck the cold stone again, splashing mud and stones chaotically into the air. His consciousness shattered like glass, waves of pain threatening to drown him. Yet he refused to surrender. His blood-blurred eyes snapped open, kindling an unquenchable flame of resolve.

Through the swirling stones and weaving sheets of rain, Yufan’s figure appeared lonely yet unbroken. Behind him, an unnoticed shadowy aura quietly emerged—dark as the deepest night, coalescing into rings of profound spirit energy, encircling his battered body.

This dark energy contained an ancient, mysterious power, seeming to devour all light and vitality. As it surged, a trace of shadow crept into the corner of Yufan’s eye, like a star shining strangely from the abyss, flickering with eerie allure.

Rather than instilling fear, this glow bestowed upon him a transcendent pride and resolute detachment from the mundane world. The dark energy raged within him, yet melded into his very being, becoming inseparable.

A cold, sharp smile curled at the corner of Yufan’s mouth; under the rain and blood’s crimson sheen, it appeared both eerie and resolute. In a flash, his figure vanished from sight, reappearing instantly pressed against the massive spirit beast’s face. His speed was so fierce that even the air around him trembled.

His movements were swift and precise, like a leopard in the night, each motion carrying formidable power and determination. The cold, confident smile on his lips grew more enigmatic as it glistened in the rain.

In a blink, he stood firmly before the spirit beast’s leader, whose enormous frame seemed almost diminished in his presence. His right hand clamped down like iron pincers on the beast’s thick neck, muscles taut, force immense enough to tear through hardened skin.

With a low, guttural roar, Yufan summoned all his strength, hoisting the beast’s massive body high before slamming it onto a giant boulder. The collision unleashed a thunderous crash, stones and dust flying wildly, momentarily shrouding everything in a chaotic haze.

The beast leader thudded heavily onto the ground, the earth trembling beneath the blow. Dust and debris swirled in the air, blurring vision, pierced only by the spirit beast’s agonized roar—a haunting, piercing sound.

As the dust settled, a strange glow seeped softly from within the beast’s body—a gentle, pale green light reminiscent of spring’s first tender leaves, imbued with incredible vitality.

The light gathered gradually, crystallizing into a translucent pill suffused with faint spiritual energy—the Spirit Beast Transmutation Pill—resting quietly beside the fallen leader, radiating an alluring brilliance.

The surrounding air seemed purified by this pure energy; the rain softened, droplets falling lightly upon the pill, stirring delicate ripples.

Yufan’s body swayed slightly but, supported by extraordinary willpower, he did not fall. With a graceful yet arduous leap, he descended from the boulder’s edge, kneeling with one knee as the earth and stones trembled beneath his movement.

Blood once again oozed from his lips, mingling with rain to paint a tragic scene. He closed his eyes, inhaling deeply, letting the cold air sting his lungs, as if to momentarily forget his wounds.

His hand reached out, fingertips gently brushing the softly glowing Spirit Beast Transmutation Pill. Slowly, he grasped the crystal-clear pill and without hesitation, swallowed it. A surge of cool, overwhelming spiritual power burst upon his tongue, flowing down his throat into his dantian, like nourishing rain revitalizing a parched land.

He settled into a cross-legged posture, hands resting lightly on his knees, fingers curling into an ancient meditation seal. As his breathing deepened, the surrounding air seemed drawn in, streams of energy swirling around him before merging gradually into his body.

Yufan’s eyes closed softly, brows furrowing slightly as he endured the immense pressure of the spiritual power surging within. Yet the pain did not break him; it ignited a hidden fighting spirit and indomitable will. His skin began to glow faintly—a sign of spiritual energy circulating and strengthening his flesh.

Slowly, he exhaled a final breath, a pure mist escaping from his nose. Then, with a sudden snap, his eyes flew open, shining with a brilliance that seemed to pierce all illusions of the world.

The spiritual energy streams surrounding him receded, forming gentle rings of light that softly encircled him like a protective barrier. Rising to his feet, his posture was tall and unwavering, more resilient than before, radiating an indescribable majesty and power in every movement.

“Finally reached the eighth tier of the Heavenly Stage. This Spirit Beast Transmutation Pill is truly a rare treasure of the heavens and earth,” Yufan murmured softly. Though his voice was low, it brimmed with uncontainable excitement and pride.

He glanced down at his palm, where the faint coolness of the pill still lingered—a mark of power and rebirth.