As Atticus delved deeper into the forest, the dense foliage cast heavy shadows around him, obscuring the path ahead. He pressed on, mindful of every rustle of leaves and snap of twigs, his senses heightened by the recent encounter with the Moonshadow Stalker.Suddenly, the air grew thick with the acrid scent of sulfur and smoke. A guttural roar echoed through the trees, alerting Atticus who was close by. He quickened his pace, drawn towards the source of the commotion by an unseen force.Emerging into a clearing, he was met with a scene of utter chaos. Four figures, clad in the familiar blue and white robes of outer court disciples, were locked in a desperate struggle against six monstrous creatures. The beasts resembled giant lizards, their scales shimmering like molten obsidian in the dim light, their eyes burning with an infernal glow. Each lizard stood taller than any man, their razor-sharp claws flashing as they lunged at their prey.The outer disciples, clearly outmatched and ou
Atticus resumed his hunt, his body feeling lighter and stronger after the recent battle. The System had finally registered his complaint and refrained from passively absorbing the core of the beasts he had just slain. He reached into the pouch on his waist where six cores now resided, pulsing orb of fiery energy from the fire breathing lizards he had slaughtered. A smirk played on his lips. These cores would normally be worth a significant amount of contribution points, enough to finally purchase the strengthening pills and several other cultivation resources from the alchemy pavilion in the sect but most of the cores with him will probably be going to the sect in return for not being punished for solitary confinement.Atticus wasn't bothered about this though since he could already feel his body getting stronger and more resilient. The rate at which he absorbed and consolidated qi had increased too, once more pushing his cultivation base to the peak of the 3rd level of foundation e
Atticus, unaware of the brewing storm both amongst the beasts and the cultivators, continued his hunt, his senses heightened by the recent exertion. As he stalked through the dense undergrowth, a strange notification flashed across his mind.[Qi dispersion detected, traces of void energy detected.][Master Atticus, this energy source is very important in the potential upgrading of the system which will also benefit you.]Atticus's brows furrowed in curiosity. Void energy? He had never encountered anything like it before and he wondered what it would look like. The System's message, however, was clear – this energy was crucial. He adjusted his course, following the faint traces of energy like a compass guiding him north.Meanwhile, within the heart of the Forbidden Forest, Gorgon and the other beasts watched with grim satisfaction as the distant sounds of a Qi constantly churning echoed through the trees. Their plan was working. The chaotic spirit qi, generated by the ripening of the f
Panic erupted in the clearing as the disciples, caught off guard by the sudden appearance of the beasts and the horrifying scene of their fellow disciple being devoured by unseen insects, scattered in all directions. The clearing, once bathed in an eerie green glow, descended into chaos, echoing with screams, roars, and the clash of steel against flesh.Atticus, his instincts honed by years of training, remained rooted to the spot for a fleeting moment, assessing the situation. A monstrous wolf lunged at him, its eyes burning with predatory hunger. This beast emanated an aura of power, indicating it was at least in the early stages of the Spirit Gathering realm, far exceeding most of the disciples present.However, Atticus, despite being one cultivation realm lower, felt a surge of confidence. After killing his way through the forbidden forest and having several battles with peak Foundation Establishment and early stage Spirit Gathering beasts, he had regained his confidence. Reincarn
The air crackled with tension as Jing Hao and Gorgon stood facing each other amidst the chaos in the clearing. Gorgon's sinister smile widened as he welcomed Jing Hao."Welcome, I've been waiting for a while. At some point, I was afraid you wouldn't show up," Gorgon sneered, his eyes glinting with a malevolent gleam.Jing Hao, her expression stern, responded, "What gave you the confidence to slaughter the cultivators? Today is the day we cleanse this forest of your malevolence.""Hypocrites! Fools!" Gorgon spat. "You think you can stand against the tide of change? This forest has suffered for too long. It's time for a new era, a rebirth."Before Jing Hao could retort, a sudden disturbance emanated from the red plume tree. The entire tree shivered as if awakening, and all the fruits on it burst simultaneously. A surge of spirit qi filled the air, making the space in the area volatile. A large barrier suddenly appeared all around the area, it seemed that its intent was to seal them him.
Atticus knew that he wasn't going to remain safe for long if he kept being in such a passive position. Li ming who was in his arms had long since passed out, this can be seen as a small blessing for her as she would not have to experience whatever catastrophe occurred next."Rhea, isn't there something I could do. I mean I was brought back for a reason and I refuse to believe that I would just die this fast!"[Void energy has long since been detected, the spatial crack is fueled by it, its source being the peculiarity of the mutated red plume spirit tree][Master Atticus just needs to absorb this energy, and this will lead to the closure of the crack.]"Wait, so all this time I could just have absorb the energy?"Atticus stared at the waves of power that flowed all around the red plume spirit tree, it was so dense that trying to absorb something like this was akin to madness.[You had imposed restrictions on the system on absorption master Atticus] Rhea retorted, referring to Atticus'
The casualty of this years hunt was unprecedented and no one would ever have guessed that something like this would have happened. In fact sect had tried to make sure something like this never happened and it could be said that their very act of trying to prevent this also led to the very thing they were trying to prevent.Every year before the traditional sect hunt, Core formation experts would scout the entire forest pruning the beasts and reducing their numbers if it surpassed the amount they had set in stone.This led to the beast breeding immense hate for the cultivators and they and their offspring were being used as a whetstone to temper their young cultivators.Gorgon and the others had tried to fight back but they could not hope to win against the cultivators. The bloodhound sect isn't the only one they would have to face even if they won. The sect was built near the forest for the sole purpose of keeping the beasts in the forbidden forest in check and that was how this tradi
Atticus found himself in a dimly lit hall, surrounded by elders. The cold chains held him in a kneeling position, triggering an unsettling wave of déjà vu. The stark resemblance to his past life, where betrayal led to his beheading, struck him with an intensity that made his breath erratic. Flashes of memories, both from his current and previous life, haunted him."Atticus, I would have to apologize for the chains and awkward position you are in, but we have to take precautions," Elder Chen said, feeling complicated with how Atticus was being treated as a criminal immediately, even though it was not voiced. He didn't know what happened, but it was certainly clear that his granddaughter was only alive due to Atticus's interference, as that was the only logical explanation."Unchain me!" Atticus, whose breathing had become erratic, screamed loudly. This caught everyone off guard as they did not expect Atticus to immediately take an aggressive stance. But the position Atticus found himse
As Atticus left the underground ring, the cheers and bloodthirsty roars of the crowd still echoed in his ears. His steps were steady, his expression calm, but beneath the surface, his body thrummed with a strange energy. The soul essence of the Bone Crusher, the life force of his defeated opponent, lingered within him, fueling his every step. The system was doing its work, absorbing the essence and converting it into raw power. His mind was flooded with the sensation of strength—a heavy, suffocating weight that both thrilled and disturbed him. The Reaper Points tally flashed in his vision, now at a staggering 50,000."All that from one fight," Atticus muttered to himself as he crossed through the dark, winding corridors. The weight of the negative emotions he had absorbed—the fear, the hatred, the malice of the crowd and the Bone Crusher—pressed down on him like a suffocating cloak. It had fueled his victory, his current profit. It was a dark, addictive power, one that came at the co
The next day came by with a flash and tonight was the night his request would be answered. He spent the days leading up to this moment in a haze of fights, each victory further solidifying his dominance in the Bloodfist Arena. But it wasn’t enough. The thrill of victory, once intoxicating, had dulled. He craved more—something darker, more dangerous. He needed it...he needed to kill.That desire led him here, to the bowels of the Bloodfist Arena, where Grimlock had agreed to take him to the underground ring. The hidden arena was a myth whispered among fighters—a place where death was certain, but the rewards were even greater.As the evening began, Grimlock appeared in the training hall, his face grim and set as always. "You ready, kid?" he asked, his voice rough with experience.Atticus wiped the sweat from his brow and gave a curt nod. "Lead the way."Without another word, Grimlock motioned for Atticus to follow. They descended into the depths of the arena, passing through dimly lit
Atticus could barely feel the thrum of his pulse through the haze of exhaustion as he emerged from the arena. The demon’s death had bought him the Reaper Points he needed, but it had also left him with a gnawing emptiness. The shadows of the arena’s blood-soaked ground seemed to cling to him as he made his way through the labyrinthine corridors to Grimlock’s office.The arena manager’s quarters were a stark contrast to the brutal spectacle of the arena. Lined with opulent furnishings and trinkets from across the realms, the room was a testament to Grimlock’s status. It was here that Atticus found him, hunched over a desk cluttered with papers and gambling receipts.“Grimlock,” Atticus began, his voice steady despite the turmoil within.Grimlock looked up, his eyes narrowing. “Atticus. You look like hell. But that's the point uhn. Gunning for more fights?”“Actually,” Atticus said, leaning against the doorframe, “I’m here to talk about something similar.”Grimlock’s interest piqued. He
Atticus stood alone in his quarters, the heavy silence pressing in around him. His thoughts churned as the system’s cold voice echoed in his mind. 'Two choices. Both deadly.'Facing Xar'gath, a 'Nascent Soul-level demon', was as good as a death sentence. The demon lord’s power was unrivaled in this realm, and Atticus knew he wasn’t strong enough to take him on. But the alternative was just as dangerous. The **Gate of Oblivion**—a forbidden technique that could tear open space itself, allowing him to escape. Yet the system’s demand for more death, more souls, was a price Atticus wasn’t sure he could pay.His chest felt tight as the weight of the decision bore down on him. The system was relentless, pushing him to act. But what would be left of him after? His chaos meridian was already fragile, weakened by the demonic qi that coursed through him. If he used the Reaper System too much, if he harvested too many souls, he risked losing control—risked losing everythingBut he couldn’t stay
Days turned into weeks, each one bleeding into the next as Atticus fought battle after battle in the Blood Fist Arena. Every day, the same routine: wake, fight, survive. The dim corridors and oppressive heat had become his world, and the echoes of the roaring crowd were a constant reminder of his captivity. For Atticus, time had lost all meaning, every fight just another step in a seemingly endless cycle of violence.Each day felt heavier, his muscles aching more as the constant combat began to take its toll. But it wasn’t just his body that suffered—the stagnant energy in his cultivation gnawed at him. He was stuck, unable to break through to the next realm, and the weight of his situation began to settle in like an immovable burden.Weeks had passed since he last thought of his purpose, of the Reaper System and the mission that had brought him here. His days had become a haze of blood and battle, and his nights were haunted by restless dreams of a life he barely remembered. It was a
Atticus returned to the arena lodge with Kraul's words still echoing in his mind. 'I will just have to find an alternative I guess'Tomorrow's fight loomed ahead, but his thoughts were consumed by the plan Kraul had laid out. Allowing Xar'gath to breach the veil and invade his world was a prospect that gnawed at him, yet he knew he had to stay focused. His mind swirled with conflicting emotions as he entered the lodge. The familiar scent of sweat, blood, and metal filled his senses, grounding him in the reality of the moment. The arena was where he had honed his skills, where he had survived against all odds. But now, it felt like a distraction from the larger conflict, a cruel reminder that his true battle lay far beyond these walls.A few fellow fighters nodded in acknowledgment as he passed, their respect for him evident. He had earned his place among them through sheer dominance in the arena, his reputation growing with each victory. But there was no camaraderie here, only a sha
As night fell over the Bloodfist Arena, Atticus felt a tension building within him. The day had been grueling, with hours spent preparing for tomorrow's fight, but his thoughts were elsewhere. He couldn't shake the feeling that something pivotal was about to happen, something that would change the course of his journey in this cursed realm. As the shadows deepened, he heard a familiar rustling outside his quarters. Before he could react, Vex slipped into the room like a wraith. The wiry man’s sharp eyes glinted in the dim light, his usual cautious demeanor even more pronounced."It’s time," Vex whispered, his voice barely audible over the sounds of the arena. "The meeting's happening tonight. We need to leave now."Atticus nodded, already prepared. He had been expecting this, though he hadn’t anticipated the urgency in Vex’s voice. They left the arena under the cover of darkness, navigating the winding streets of the demon city with practiced ease. The tension in the air was palpabl
Atticus pressed onward, the towering monolith before him radiating an ominous energy. As he approached, the pressure around him intensified, like invisible hands gripping at his very essence, trying to squeeze the life from him. He gritted his teeth, every step becoming harder as the weight on his soul grew unbearable.When he reached the base of the monolith, a deep vibration coursed through the ground, and the ancient runes etched into the stone glowed a fierce crimson. Without warning, a pulse of energy shot out from the monolith, slamming into Atticus and sending him staggering backward.His breath came in ragged gasps as he fought to remain on his feet. The pressure was no longer just physical—it was attacking his soul, probing for weaknesses, for any crack in his resolve. His vision blurred, and his knees buckled as the crushing force intensified, threatening to tear his spirit apart.But Atticus was no stranger to pain. Gritting his teeth, he forced himself upright, defying the
The air was heavy with anticipation as Atticus stepped into the heart of the forest, the shadows deepening around him as if the very trees were conspiring to trap him. The memory of the voice still echoed in his mind, a grim reminder that Haven was far from finished with him. He knew that another trial awaited, one that would test the very core of his being.As he walked, the forest seemed to close in around him, the trees twisting and gnarling into unnatural shapes. The path beneath his feet became uneven, roots curling up to trip him, forcing him to remain vigilant with every step. The melody in his mind had grown softer, a distant hum that was barely perceptible over the rustle of leaves and the occasional creak of branches.Ahead, the trees parted to reveal a narrow pathway, lined with stones that glowed faintly in the dim light. There was something deliberate about the path, as if it had been placed there for him, guiding him deeper into the heart of Haven. He hesitated for a mom