"Absorb."
For a heartbeat—nothing.
Then, a whisper of movement.
Black smoke unspooled from distant flesh, slithering through the night air like a serpent drawn to warmth. It twisted—upward, then sideways, defying the wind as it arrowed toward his window.
The villagers would've been Amazed if they'd seen it.
The tendril of smoke Slipped through the window's gap
Hovered above Wu Chen for a heartbeat, then Plunged into his body with a liquid rush.
[ Demonic Core Absorbed. ]
[ Power Level Stabilized: Mortal 2 Top Tier. ]
Wu Chen clenched his fists, feeling the power coursing through him. He knew he was reaching the limits of what these cores could offer.
When he appeared in the Forest he was at Mortal 1 Low Tier, that was the level of strength he was able to reach in the Slums.
Infact it was quite impressive that he reached that Level as a neglect without a good Cultivation Technique and Guidance from a Teacher.
Surviving the Streets had been a miracle. Most never stepped onto the cultivation path—not when
No one cared if you lived or died,
No one taught you to sense spiritual energy.
No one even spared a coin for meals, let alone manuals
That is the Unfair Life he Lived, him and some few unlucky people among the Population.
That is why you will hardly see A morally good person among the Slums.
Because when the world treat you with Cruelty, you adapt and become cruel yourself.
At least to Survive.
So anyways after appearing in this Trial Wu Chen faced A demonic Wolf which was a Mortal 1 Top Tier Creature, and after defeating it Wu Chen strength stabilized but still remained at Mortal 1 Low Tier.
The he faced A Demonic Panther which was a Mortal 2 Low Tier, absorbed the core and his energy level rose to Mortal 1 Mid Tier.
Then when saving Li Mei he met and fought with three Demonic Humans
Then he became Mortal 1 Top Tier by defeating the mortal 3 low tier and the two mortal 2 Mid Tier Demonic Humans
So after killing the horde his powers had increased one whole realm from Mortal 1 top Tier to Mortal 2 Top Tier
And through all this, Wu Chen has deduced that in order to advance further, he would need to either face stronger foes or a large number of lower-level creatures.
As the villagers settled to rest for the remnants of the night and also prepare for the possibility of another attack, Wu Chen's thoughts also turned to the future.
He needed to uncover the secrets of the Trinity Palace and complete the trial. But for now, he would stay with the villagers, protecting them and gathering the information he needed.
***
Atop the Hill Unbeknownst to the villagers and Wu Chen, a fearsome creature watched.
Its eyes glowed with a malevolent light, and its massive form radiated an aura of power definitely far beyond anything Wu Chen had faced.
The creature had witnessed everything.
The young man's unnatural strength
The way he devoured its underlings' cores
The foolish hope kindled in the villagers' hearts
Amusing.
A paw almost the size of a shield flexed, splintering stone like dried kindling.
'This upstart human thought himself a predator?'
'Let him.'
The beast turned, its matted fur swallowing the moonlight.
The hunt was not over—merely paused. When it returned, there would be no village.
No witnesses.
Only the sweet crunch of bones between its fangs.
.....
The village, once a place of chaos and despair, now buzzed with activity and a sense of hope.
The villagers worked tirelessly to rebuild what had been destroyed, their spirits lifted by Wu Chen's presence.
He had become their protector, their hero, and though they didn't fully understand his abilities, they were grateful for his strength.
Wu Chen, however, remained vigilant. He knew the battle they had won was only a temporary reprieve.
The creatures they had faced were not mindless beasts—they were organized, led by something far more powerful.
The thought of the boss creature lingered in his mind, a shadowy figure he had yet to encounter but could feel watching from the darkness.
As the days passed, Wu Chen took the opportunity to learn more about the village and its connection to the Trinity Palace. He spent hours speaking with Old Man Zhang and the other elders, piecing together fragments of information.
"The Trinity Palace is an ancient place," Old Man Zhang explained one evening as they sat by the fire. "It is said to be a trial ground for those chosen by fate. The demonic creatures you've faced are part of its test, but they are also a curse that has plagued our land for generations."
Wu Chen frowned. "A curse? What do you mean?"
The old man sighed, his eyes distant. "Long ago, our ancestors in pursuit of strength and power encountered a mystery called Trinity Palace. They sought power to protect the village, but in doing so, they unleashed something... something terrible. That was when demonic creatures first began to appear, and soon after a few decades the forest became a place of darkness...We have been fighting them ever since."
He sighed again "But never would we have thought that one day, we would almost face extinction ".
He looked at Wu Chen and smiled "If not for your timely help, am afraid things would have been beyond terrible".
Wu Chen's mind raced. If the creatures were tied to the Trinity Palace, then defeating them might be the key to completing the trial. But he needed more information.
"Is there a way to break the curse or whatever the ancestors unleashed?" he asked.
Old Man Zhang shook his head. "We don't know..... But one thing we came to understand is that....the secrets of the Trinity Palace are beyond our understanding. And if anyone can find a way, it is you, Wu Chen."
The weight of the old man's words settled on Wu Chen's shoulders.
He had come to this place seeking answers, but he is beginning to realize that this journey is about more than just himself.
The villagers were counting on him.
It's seems he has become their hope without even realizing.