The Inner Sect training grounds were nothing like the outer fields.
Ancient trees grew along streams of pure spirit energy; stone pavilions floated on shimmering light arrays.
Here, only strength mattered.
Kael had been an Inner Disciple for a single week when his jade token flashed.
> [Mission Assigned — Hunt the Crimson-Horn Ape]
Difficulty: D-Rank Reward: 2 Spirit Stones + 100 EXP
It was supposed to be simple.
Four disciples, one beast.
Into the Mistwood
They reached the Mistwood Gorge at dusk. The air stank of iron.
Birds fled. The ground trembled.
"Stay alert," said their leader, Senior Li. "Reports say the ape went berserk after swallowing a Blood Crystal."
Kael's eyes narrowed. Blood Crystal? His pulse quickened; his system responded faintly.
> [Resonance Detected – Unstable Blood Energy Ahead]
The creature burst from the trees before anyone could react—three meters tall, muscles twisted with crimson veins, eyes burning red.
"Crimson-Horn Ape!"
The others scattered, launching spells. Bolts of energy struck the beast, barely scorching its hide.
Kael stepped forward silently, dagger flashing crimson.
The Battle
The ape roared, slamming a fist down. The shockwave sent two disciples flying.
Kael slid beneath its arm, cutting deep into its ribs.
Blood sprayed, and the dagger drank greedily.
> [+40 EXP]
[Absorption +3 %]
Still, the beast's wounds closed instantly.
It backhanded Kael into a boulder—stone shattered, pain lanced through his chest.
> [Minor Injury Detected – Pain Resistance +3 EXP]
He coughed blood and smiled faintly. "Perfect test."
He activated Crimson Flow Technique.
His aura burst crimson; speed tripled. He slashed in a blur, carving the beast open—but its heart pulsed with a dark glow.
A blood-red crystal embedded in its chest throbbed like a second heart.
> [Core Identified – Blood Beast Core (Grade 1 Peak)]
The ape swung one last time. Kael leapt straight into the strike, driving his dagger through the core.
Light exploded.
> [Target Eliminated +200 EXP]
[Absorbing Blood Beast Core…]
[Warning: Foreign Energy Unstable]
[Integration Successful — System Evolution Initiated]
System Evolution
Pain flared through every vein.
Crimson markings crawled across Kael's skin; his pupils became slits.
> [New Feature Unlocked: Blood Beast Form – Stage 1]
"Temporarily increases strength +80 %, speed +50 %, and regeneration +100 %."
Duration: 60 seconds. Cooldown: 3 hours.
The remaining disciples stared in awe as Kael rose, crimson aura roaring around him like fire.
He stepped once—appeared beside the beast's corpse—and shattered what was left of its head with a single punch.
Silence.
Then the system's voice returned, calm as ever.
> [Cultivation Level: Body Tempering (Peak) → Qi Refinement (Lower)]
Power coursed through his meridians, pure and wild.
He clenched his fist; air rippled.
Senior Li approached cautiously. "Kael… what are you?"
Kael's eyes faded back to normal. "An Inner Disciple," he said simply, sheathing his dagger.
System Log
──────────────────────────────
Blood Reaper System (Evolved)
Cultivation: Qi Refinement (Lower)
EXP: 120 / 1000
Weapon: Blood-Vein Dagger (Grade 1 – Middle)
Skill: Crimson Flow Technique (Grade 1 – Middle)
Form: Blood Beast Form – Stage 1 (NEW)
Passives: Blood Vein Link, Energy Absorption
──────────────────────────────
The mission token chimed.
> [Mission Complete – D-Rank → Upgraded to C-Rank due to Exceptional Performance]
[Reward: 2 Spirit Stones + 100 EXP + Sect Merit + "Beast Subjugator"
Title
Aftermath
Back at the sect, elders praised the team's success—especially Kael's "decisive strike."
No one mentioned the red light that had lit the valley.
To them, he was a genius who'd broken into Qi Refinement during battle.
That night, alone in his room, Kael opened the system menu again.
> [Blood Beast Form – Stage 1 Ready]
He smiled faintly.
"Now I can hunt stronger prey."
The crimson glow reflected in his eyes as the moonlight poured through the window—
and far below the mountain, the Blood Crystal Vein pulsed in response.