The term Chimera specifically describes a creature that simultaneously carries multiple genetic traits and manifests entirely different physical characteristics.
The ten-meter-tall soul beast on the screen fit that definition perfectly. But for its opponent—the Earthfire Dragon—the feeling was completely different.
The Earthfire Dragon stood around four meters tall, with a body length of ten to twelve meters. In front of the towering Chimera Soul Beast, it looked small and fragile.
"Roar…"
"Roar…"
Two bestial cries erupted from the Chimera Soul Beast—one from its upper body's bear head, the other from the gaping maw on its abdomen that let out a tiger's roar.
The overlapping sounds, coupled with its terrifying appearance, gave the Chimera Soul Beast a truly fearsome presence.
Boom!
Its answer was a fireball. The Earthfire Dragon spat out a massive sphere of flame, trailing an orange-red arc as it smashed into the Chimera's body. The scorching heat made the blood lake below boil and steam, shrouding the area in white mist.
The dragon did not stop there. One fireball after another spewed forth in rapid succession. Each explosion shook the cavern violently with its shockwaves.
Only after a sustained barrage did the Earthfire Dragon finally pause, panting. Nearly all of its energy reserves had been spent on that relentless assault. But if it had to, it would do it again—because from this monster, it felt something it hadn't in a long time.
Fear.
This was not the oppression of bloodline. It was more primal—like the relationship between predator and prey. Instinct told it to annihilate this foe before it was too late.
As the dragon ceased its attack, the thick mist began to dissipate. Its eyes fixed on the densest part of the haze, hoping the creature had been obliterated.
But as the fog cleared, what emerged was a hulking beast now cloaked entirely in dazzling azure light. The dark-golden fur from before had transformed into a crystalline blue sheen.
Why did its fur change color? The Earthfire Dragon had no time to ponder. All it knew was that the monster it had just bombarded stood there, completely unscathed. Impossible!
The truth was simple: this was one of the Chimera's innate abilities.
Crystallization. By layering crystalline energy over its dark-golden fur, it had reinforced its already formidable defense. The fusion of the Crystal Bear's ability with the Darkgold Bear's natural armor made the Earthfire Dragon's bombardment utterly useless.
"Rooaaar!" ×2
The Chimera roared again and, in the blink of an eye, its massive body lunged forward with shocking speed. Powered by the Ghost Tiger's limbs, it closed the distance instantly. Its glowing azure claws slammed down onto the dragon's body.
Crack! Crack!
Sparks flew as the claws shredded scales. The Earthfire Dragon shrieked as the blow sent its massive body flying, smashing into the cavern wall with a deafening crash.
"Rooaaar!"
It staggered back up, roaring defiantly, but its voice no longer carried the same vigor. On its back, where the claws had struck, a deep gash marred its thick scales. Instead of blood, faint azure light flickered from the wound, spreading inward.
The claws carried the crystallization effect. Not only did it enhance defense, but it could also be used offensively, spreading crystalline corruption into its victim.
Though the Earthfire Dragon's vast size and superior cultivation slowed the invasion, and its soul power struggled to push it back, its movements were beginning to falter.
The Chimera did not relent. Its four tiger limbs propelled it forward at blistering speed. In an instant, it was face-to-face with the dragon once more.
The Earthfire Dragon's maw glowed, fire building inside. At such close range, unleashing a fireball would hurt itself as well—but desperation drove it to gamble everything.
But before it could release the blast—
"ROOAR!"
The abdominal maw of the Chimera let out a thunderous bellow, not just a sound but a sonic wave that struck directly into the Earthfire Dragon's skull.
Its head rang. Its body stalled.
In that split-second opening, the Chimera's crystalline claws came crashing down on its head.
Boom!
The dragon's skull slammed against the ground, bounced, then slammed again. It reeled, dazed, unable to recover.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The Chimera hammered its claws down repeatedly, pounding the dragon's head again and again. The mighty Earthfire Dragon thrashed in the blood lake, but its resistance quickly weakened. Soon, its struggles ceased.
Crunch. Crunch.
The sound of tearing flesh filled the cavern. The Chimera lifted the Earthfire Dragon's limp body and shoved it toward the gaping maw on its abdomen. The massive jaws clamped down, shearing the dragon's head clean in half.
Inside the Spirit Transmission Tower, Nan Fusheng watched the feed of the creature devouring its prey, deep in thought.
"Darkgold Bear's body, Crystal Bear's claws, Ghost Tiger's limbs, and now the sonic attack of the Thunderclap Tiger… Among thousand-year beasts, this Chimera can already rival a super soul beast in raw strength."
"Not only that, its various parts have fused seamlessly. As it grows stronger, each of these abilities will evolve further."
Qian Gu Bubai's eyes gleamed as he gestured proudly.
"We've decided to name it Ghost Bear. Because its first fusion was between the Darkgold Bear and the Ghost Tiger."
He went on and on with his explanation. The staff nearby even clapped in support.
But Nan Fusheng cut in coldly.
"Not enough. At best, with this design, it could rival super soul beasts at the ten-thousand-year level—but nothing more. This falls short of my expectations."
Qian Gu Bubai wasn't offended. He simply smirked and pointed to the screen again.
Of course. The Ghost Bear is only one success. But there's another Chimera… and that one is different.