CHAPTER 122: DANCE OF BEASTS AND BLOOD

The forest no longer whispered; it roared. From every shadow came the sound of claws tearing earth and teeth gnashing. Crimson eyes dotted the darkness like a sea of fireflies, but these were no harmless lights—they were hungry predators, converging on the lone figure in white.

Li Tian stood still, one hand clasped behind his back, his robe swaying in the eerie wind that swept through the trees. The corpse of the Firefang Wolf at his feet still smoked, its blood steaming against the cold forest air. But he paid it no mind. His eyes gleamed with excitement.

[Warning: Hostile entities detected. Estimated number: 36.]

[Combat Scenario Initiated. Secondary Trial of the Ancient Forest Activated.]

Li Tian chuckled. "Only thirty-six? I was hoping for a hundred."

The first wave descended—three wolves, their fangs glowing with condensed qi flames. They darted forward in perfect synchronization, flames trailing behind like comets streaking through the night.

Li Tian’s body blurred. The Shadow Serpent Step

wove him between the attacks, his figure flickering like a phantom. One wolf lunged at his throat, but his palm struck upward, crushing its jaw and snapping its neck in a single motion. The second slashed at his side, but he twisted, catching its leg and swinging the beast into the third, both crashing into a tree with a sickening crack.

[Beast Essence Absorbed: Minor Flame Resistance Acquired.]

Li Tian’s veins tingled as a faint warmth spread through him, his body adapting to the wolves’ essence. "So that’s how this works," he mused, flexing his hand. "Interesting."

But the forest wasn’t merciful. More shadows surged from the treeline—boars with tusks like swords, panthers cloaked in darkness, birds screeching lightning as their wings crackled with storm energy. The night exploded into chaos.

Li Tian dove into the storm with laughter on his lips. His qi surged outward, weaving into the Heavenly Dragon Palm. Each strike of his hand sent beasts flying, bones shattering like dry twigs. He spun, ducked, leapt—an elegant dance of death, his white robes soon stained with crimson.

A panther pounced from above, its claws shimmering with dark qi. Li Tian let it fall, then pivoted, driving his fist into its ribs with enough force to rupture its heart.

[Beast Essence Absorbed: Shadow Affinity Acquired.]

Suddenly, shadows bent unnaturally around his body, clinging to him like loyal servants. His grin widened. "Now this is a gift worth keeping."

A thunderbird screamed from the sky, hurling a spear of lightning. Li Tian thrust out his palm, qi spiraling to meet it. The clash shook the trees, branches splitting apart. Before the bird could retreat, he launched upward, body propelled by explosive qi bursts. His hand clamped around its neck, and he dragged the screeching beast to the ground. One twist, one snap—the thunderbird fell silent.

[Beast Essence Absorbed: Lightning Burst Technique Acquired.]

Crackles of electricity now danced across his fingertips, singing the air.

The battlefield grew slick with blood, the scent of death choking the forest. Still, more came. The Ancient Forest was endless in its fury.

But Li Tian didn’t falter. His movements only grew faster, sharper, as he tested his new powers. Shadows flickered around him like a cloak, his body shrugged off flames, and arcs of lightning burst forth with every strike. Each beast that fell only made him stronger.

[System Alert: Assimilation Energy reaching overload threshold. Recommend cooldown after current engagement.]

"Not yet," Li Tian muttered, his eyes flashing. "There’s more to take."

He stood amidst the carnage, dozens of corpses scattered around him, the ground a pool of steaming blood. His aura had shifted—no longer merely human. The beasts’ power had woven into his, transforming him into something unnatural, something more.

As the last wolf whimpered before him, trembling under his gaze, Li Tian crouched and stroked its head almost tenderly. "Run," he whispered. The wolf fled into the night, the forest suddenly falling silent.

Only then did Li Tian exhale, the shadows dispersing around him. His eyes gleamed with triumph.

[Secondary Trial Complete. New Ability Gained: Beast Assimilation (Intermediate).]

[Warning: Greater danger lies ahead. Prepare yourself.]

Li Tian smirked, lifting his gaze to the endless dark of the forest. "Good. I was starting to get bored."

And with that, he walked deeper into the abyss, where an even greater presence stirred.