The cacophony of the Whispering Woods reached a crescendo. Anya, her initial calm replaced by a determined focus, wove through the dense foliage. The illusion of the swamp creature had shaken her, but it had also served as a harsh lesson. Brute force, as Elara had discovered, was ineffective against the forest's mischievous magic. Anya needed subtlety.Drawing upon her connection to water, she focused on the faintest tremors in the ground, the minute shifts in the flow of sap within the trees. Every rustle, every gurgle whispered a story to her attuned ears. Slowly, a pattern emerged. There were subtle disruptions in the natural flow, almost imperceptible ripples, emanating from a specific direction.Following this invisible current, Anya navigated the treacherous terrain with renewed confidence. She sidestepped hidden pits filled with churning mud, her movements a silent dance with the forest's illusions. The air shimmered before her, conjuring the image of a shimmering artifact. Any
Atticus couldn't help but be impressed by the display that each participant had put on. There, the power they wielded due to their cultivation base was enough to awe most students. But for Atticus, it was their ingenious use of spells that truly resonated. He watched, captivated, as Elara attempted to conjure a miniature sun, Anya nurtured the scorched earth back to life with water magic, and Kai sculpted a miniature world with precise air manipulation. Each showcased a unique approach, a testament to their strategic thinking and deep understanding of their chosen element.However, Atticus couldn't afford to be swept away by the spectacle for long. The Task Force training in the combat faculty beckoned, and with a final glance at the arena, he weaved through the dispersing crowd.The familiar bustle of the combat faculty greeted him. Sunlight streamed through the arched windows, illuminating training dummies and students locked in mock combat. A figure detached itself from the edge o
The unearthly shriek echoed through the dense foliage, sending a ripple of disquietude through Atticus. Master Wei, his weathered face grim under the flickering lantern light, raised a hand for silence."That," he stated, his voice low and gravelly, "is the sound of a spectral demon. Remember your training. Remain focused, maintain composure, and eliminate the threat."Atticus nodded curtly . Fear was a luxury he couldn't afford in these tenebrous woods and he doubted that such low level spectral demons could actually incite such reaction from him, but he still stayed alert either way, in case of any unexpected occurrence. He glanced at Xu Hua, her expression unreadable in the dim light. "Split up!" boomed Master Wei, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Cover more ground! Eliminate as many demons as possible!"Understanding the advantage of a pincer attack, the students divided into their several teams.Atticus looked at the team and ordered."Chen yi, move with Li Wei to the North
The brawl between the creature and the spectral demons intensified. The clearing became a whirlwind of claws, fangs, and spectral energy. Despite being outnumbered, the creature remained a whirlwind of destruction. Its massive claws ripped through spectral forms with sickening ease, the air thick with the stench of burnt flesh and otherworldly essence.Xu Hua, perched on the rock formation, watched in morbid fascination. The sheer brutality of the fight was both horrifying and strangely captivating. But as the battle raged on, she noticed a shift in tactics. The spectral demons, previously content with swarming the creature, began to target specific areas – its exposed flanks, the gaping wound on its neck. Their attacks, though still ineffective in terms of damage, held a newfound precision.This confirmed her suspicions. These weren't mindless puppets. They were being controlled by an unseen entity, one that was analyzing the creature's fighting style, searching for weaknesses. A col
"So you see," the Harbinger boomed, its voice echoing off the damp walls of the chamber, "you can't escape what's coming. Why don't you just surrender yourself to me? You possess something I desperately need." Its crimson eyes glowed with an insatiable greed.Atticus gritted his teeth, the pain from the ordeal with the spectral demons a dull throb in his muscles. His dantian, the wellspring of his power, felt like a parched desert. He had nothing left to fuel his spirit qi or demonic energy techniques. All he had was his sword and his unwavering will."There's no reason for me to believe you blindly," he retorted, his voice hoarse but defiant. "And even if I did, you give off some serious bad vibes, dude."The Harbinger's rage crackled in the air. With a flicker, its form shifted, solidifying into a hulking monstrosity with obsidian skin and horns that curved back from its brow. Its eyes, once two points of crimson light, now burned like miniature suns in its shadowed face."Fool!" it
"I'm okay master Wei" Atticus reassured the professor."That's good, so can you explain what the hell was that?" Master Wei questioned him in a grim voice.Wei Lin wouldn't admit this anywhere but the time he spent in this chamber had to be one of the most apprehensive he had ever been.The demonic energy present in the chamber gave him a different feeling, and felt more volatile with its intense suppression.Normal Human cultivators are not able to absorb or use demonic qi as if they tried too, the energy will corrupt their dantian and cripple their spirit root which supports their meridian veins.So when a human cultivator is in the presence of vast amount of demonic qi they have go constantly push away the energy with their qi to avoid invasion but this particular nether demonic energy was different as it seemed to swiftly corrupt spirit qi at a much faster rate than regular demonic qi and also possesses a more aggressive nature that makes guiding against its invasion a bit harder.
Before the group could delve deeper into the labyrinthine ruins, a blur streaked through the air towards them."Look! It's Master Wei!" Li Wei exclaimed, her voice tinged with relief. The emerald glow emanating from the approaching figure confirmed her words. Master Wei landed gracefully in front of them, his expression grave. In his arms, he cradled two students, their faces pale and bodies limp.A collective gasp rippled through the group as their classmates were gently deposited on the ground. Relief washed over them as their teammates rushed forward, offering words of comfort and checking for injuries. Despite the weariness etched on their faces, a glimmer of pride shone in their eyes. They had faced a trial by fire and emerged victorious.Master Wei, his emerald aura pulsing faintly, addressed the group. "You have all done exceptionally well," he said, his voice gruff but laced with admiration. "I scouted the entire ruin and eliminated the remaining demonic remnants. Consider thi
Dust swirled around Atticus's feet as he unleashed a whirlwind of attacks. His blade, a blur of silver, whistled through the air, each strike carrying a force that seemed to defy his usual agility. Xu Hua watched, mesmerized and wary, from the edge of the arena. This wasn't the same Atticus she sparred with before. His movements were sharper, his strikes infused with a power that sent shivers down her spine.Hesitantly, she stepped onto the training floor, drawing her own sword. "Alright, Atticus," she called out, her voice echoing in the vast arena. "For some reason you asked for a spar, I'm here to whoop your ass. I hope you are prepared."A glint of amusement flickered in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a predatory focus. "Always," he replied, his voice a low rumble.Xi Hua didn't waste any more time talking and swiftly took out her weapon and approached Atticus.The clang of steel marked the start of their duel. Xu Hua lunged forward, her blade flashing in a practiced seq