The Meditation Chamber lay deep beneath the Ordix estate, sealed by layers of ancient formations that muted sound, suppressed excess aura, and isolated the cultivator from the world above. Cold stone walls shimmered faintly with runic lines, reacting to the elemental fluctuations within.
Shadow sat alone at the center of the chamber.
His small frame was motionless, legs crossed, spine straight, palms resting on his knees. His breathing was slow and controlled each inhale drew ambient elemental essence into his body, each exhale refined it into something purer, denser.
This was a closed cultivation session.
No attendants. No guardians. No interruptions allowed.
Or so it was supposed to be.
Beyond the sealed chamber door, a faint presence lingered.
Mey.
She moved silently, her steps trained and precise, her aura carefully restrained. As the future successor of her lineage, she had learned long ago how to conceal herself from ordinary cultivators.
Yet the moment she approached the chamber.
Shadow knew.
She's here, he thought calmly, without opening his eyes.
Inside his body, multiple elemental cores rotated in quiet harmony. Fire burned steadily. Water flowed calmly. Wind fragments drifted at the edges, still incomplete. Darkness lay deep at the center, silent… watching.
Mey leaned against the stone wall outside, arms crossed lightly.
"I want to know how strong you've become, Shadow," she murmured under her breath. "When you attacked grandfather… the aura I felt…"
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"…It was almost equal to my personal guards."
That realization alone sent a chill down her spine.
"That means… Shadow is already close to Tier 2."
She clenched her fist unconsciously.
Mey herself had already awakened two out of three elemental affinities:
Fire Element – Foundation Cycle(Recently awakened, still unstable)
Water Element – Foundation Cycle(Recently awakened, still unstable)
Wind Element Fragment(Not yet awakened)
She was talented. There is no doubt about that.
But the aura leaking faintly from behind that sealed door…
It was on another level.
Inside the chamber, Shadow's consciousness plunged inward.
He guided his focus toward his Water Elemental Core.
Cool essence gathered, flowing like a river through his meridians. The water element responded obediently, but something was wrong. No matter how much essence he refined, the core refused to compress further.
Minutes passed.
Then hours.
Sweat formed along his brow.
Still not enough, Shadow thought. It's stuck.
The Water Element hovered stubbornly at its current limit, refusing to advance.
Shadow's expression remained calm, but his thoughts sharpened.
Do I need… support?
He hesitated only briefly.
"I'll try it… with Fire."
Slowly, carefully, Shadow guided his Fire Element outward. Unlike the flowing calm of water, fire surged with intensity, hot, aggressive, eager to dominate.
He did not allow it to clash.
Instead, he wrapped the fire around the water.
Heat met cold.
Steam hissed silently within his meridians.
The Water Core trembled.
Then, It began to rotate faster.
Shadow's lips curved slightly.
"It's working."
Encouraged, he continued refining.
"Now… Wind."
This time, his expression turned serious.
Wind was unstable. Fragmented. Incomplete.
Controlling three elements simultaneously was not something even adult cultivators dared to attempt lightly.
Shadow inhaled deeply.
Focus.
Wind fragments spread outward, thin and sharp, weaving between Fire and Water. He guided them carefully, using wind as a medium, dispersing pressure evenly and redirecting excess force into the Water Core.
Pain bloomed instantly.
His temples throbbed.
His breathing faltered.
This is heavy…
Three elements. Three different natures. Three opposing wills.
If I lose focus for even a moment—
He tightened his mental grip.
Hours crawled by.
Time lost meaning.
Finally—
The Water Core compressed violently.
A deep resonance echoed through his body.
The surrounding elemental essence surged inward like a tide answering a call.
Shadow's eyes snapped open.
Cold mist burst outward from his body, coating the chamber floor in frost.
"Success."
His Water Element had advanced.
Elemental Water — Convergence Cycle(Almost Breakthrough: Ascension Cycle)
It now stood equal to his Fire Element.
Shadow exhaled slowly, steadying his breathing.
"Good… now."
His gaze hardened.
"Darkness."
The deepest core stirred.
The Dark Element was different.
Silent. Devouring. Unforgiving.
Shadow gathered Fire and Water together, fusing them into a refined, neutral energy stream. Carefully, he guided it toward the Dark Core, intending to nourish it, to push it past its bottleneck.
For a moment....
Everything seemed fine.
Then....
The Water Element shuddered.
It was new. Unstable. Not yet fully harmonized.
The moment it fed into Darkness....
The balance shattered.
Fire flared violently. Water recoiled. Darkness surged hungrily.
The three elements repelled one another.
"...!"
Shadow's body jerked.
A sharp pain exploded from his chest.
Blood surged up his throat.
"Cough—!"
Blood splattered across the stone floor.
His meridians screamed.
The fused energy collapsed inward, detonating inside his core network.
Shadow's vision blurred.
Too fast… I rushed it....
The chamber shook.
Then....
Everything went dark.
Outside the chamber....
Mey's eyes widened.
The aura she had been sensing…
It was fading.
Rapidly.
"Shadow?"
Fear crept into her voice.
She rushed forward, ignoring stealth entirely, and forced the chamber door open.
Inside,
Shadow lay motionless atop the cultivation platform.
Blood stained his lips.
His aura fluctuated wildly, then weakened further.
"Shadow....! Why is there blood?!"
Her heart slammed painfully against her ribs.
She turned sharply.
"Vista! Go....now! Call my father and Uncle Bolan!"
A blur of blue flashed past.
Vista, Mey's personal guard, clad in blue armor, black hair flowing behind her, vanished down the corridor in an instant.
Moments earlier, elsewhere in the estate,
Bolan, Floryn, Mervis, Gel, and Elder Suyun sat gathered in discussion.
The atmosphere was tense.
"Elder Suyun," Bolan said gravely. "Have you noticed the recent movements of the Lightning Clan?"
Elder Suyun's eyes darkened.
"I noticed long ago," he replied slowly. "Ever since one of their Ancestors reached Tier Three....Half-Step Transcendent Mid Stage several decades ago, their preparations have become… deliberate."
Gel nodded.
"When their ancestor broke through, the pressure from his aura reached even the Ordix lands. At that time, our own Ancestor was still one step away from breaking through to the Half-Step Transcendent Early Stage realm."
His fists clenched.
"It felt… intentional. Like a warning."
Bolan sighed.
"Even though Ancestor Kinlin reached Half-Step Transcendent Mid Stage later on, stabilizing that realm takes time. Right now… all the major clans are watching us."
Floryn and Mervis fell silent, their expressions heavy.
Then....
Vista burst into the hall.
Her breath was steady, but her eyes held urgency.
"Lord Bolan. Lady Floryn. Lord Gel. Lady Mervis"
They all turned.
"Young Master Shadow collapsed during cultivation. Elemental rejection."
Silence.
Then....
Shock.
They got up immediately.
Because everyone in that room knew the truth.
Failure during breakthrough did not simply mean injury.
It could mean crippled cultivation.
Or worse.
Without another word, they rushed toward the Meditation Chamber.
The doors of the Meditation Chamber burst open.
A wave of chaotic elemental pressure spilled into the corridor like an unstable storm, heat and frost colliding, darkness pulsing erratically at the center.
Floryn was the first to reach Shadow.
Her expression changed instantly.
"Get back."
She raised her hand.
A soft Green Light glow blossomed from her palm, spreading outward like living vines of light. The air vibrated as Elemental Restoration activated, wrapping around Shadow's fragile body.
Cold and heat clashed beneath his skin.
Water surged wildly.Fire roared without restraint.
Floryn's brows knit tightly.
"The rejection is severe…"
Bolan clenched his fists.
"Shadow....hold on."
Mervis stood rigid, eyes locked on the boy's pale face.
Elder Suyun's voice was low.
"If the elements spiral further, even Restoration won't be enough."
Mey stood frozen beside the platform, her hands trembling.
"This is my fault…"
Her voice cracked.
"If I hadn't followed him....if I had stopped him...."
"Enough." Floryn said sharply, without looking back."This has nothing to do with you."
Shadow groaned faintly.
His aura flared, then dipped.
The temperature of the chamber shifted violently, oscillating between scorching heat and bone-chilling cold.
Floryn's breathing grew heavier.
"I can stabilize him… but barely."
She turned her head.
"The Fire and Water inside him are attacking each other."
Shadow's lips parted weakly.
"I'm… fine…"
A weak attempt at reassurance.
Bolan stepped forward.
"Shadow, don't force yourself.""Tell us....how do you feel?"
Shadow swallowed.
"Hot…""…and cold."
At the same time.
Floryn's eyes darkened.
"As expected.""Your Fire and Water Elements are unstable and clashing."
She placed both hands over his core region.
"Lie still. I'll suppress them—"
Before she could finish—
The air froze.
Not metaphorically.
Literally.
A bone-deep chill swept through the chamber, extinguishing the violent fluctuations like a hand pressing down on a raging storm.
Footsteps echoed.
Slow.
Measured.
Each step carried pressure.
A presence descended, not overwhelming, not explosive, but absolute.
A deep voice spoke.
"Do not attempt stabilization with your current strength."
Everyone stiffened.
The pressure sharpened.
"If your suppression fails," the voice continued calmly,"the elemental backlash will devour you instead."
Floryn froze mid-motion.
She turned.
Standing at the chamber entrance was an elderly man with long white hair, his eyes calm yet piercing. His robes fluttered gently, though no wind existed.
The temperature around him hovered unnaturally low.
Ice formed beneath his feet.
The room fell silent.
Everyone dropped to one knee instinctively.
"Respectful greetings to Ancestor Zouyu!"
Zouyu of Clan Ordix.
An existence spoken of only in reverent whispers.
Elemental Affinities:
Wind
Lightning
Water
All at Tier 3.
Elemental Realms:
Plasma Element — Ascension Mid Stage
Tornado Element — Convergence Cycle
Blizzard Element — Half-Step Transcendent Early Stage
Shadow's eyes widened.
That old man…
The one from before…
He's...
"Kid."
Zouyu's gaze shifted.
A faint smile curved his lips.
"Didn't expect to see me again, did you?"
Shock rippled through the room.
Bolan's eyes widened.
Floryn stiffened.
Gel inhaled sharply.
Mervis blinked.
Elder Suyun frowned.
Mey stared.
"Ancestor… you know him?" Elder Suyun asked cautiously.
Zouyu chuckled.
"Of course I do.""This brat is one of my regular customers."
Shadow twitched.
Customers…?
"He's got good taste in artifacts," Zouyu continued casually."And more importantly...."
His gaze sharpened.
"He's the future of both Clan Verdic and Clan Ordix."
Silence crashed down like thunder.
"…Because of his talent."
"…And because of his five elemental affinities."
The chamber erupted internally, though no one dared speak.
Five.
Elementals.
Mey's breath hitched.
Bolan's pupils constricted.
Floryn's hands trembled.
Gel's heart skipped.
Mervis froze.
Elder Suyun's expression twisted into stunned joy.
"Five…how?" Bolan said hoarsely."Ancestor....how could you possibly know this?"
Zouyu waved a hand dismissively.
"After this brat was born, your Ancestor Kinlin sealed his aura.""He told me personally and said it was good news.""And that it needed to stay hidden."
He paused.
Then grinned.
"Oops.""Guess I let it slip. Too many people here."
He laughed openly.
"Hahahahaha!"
Bolan and Gel exchanged glances, both rubbing their temples.
Elder Suyun burst into laughter.
"Hahahahaha!""My grandson-in-law is a true genius!""The other clans will choke with envy when they find out!"
Gel snapped sharply.
"Father.""This cannot be known outside.""If the major clans learn of this, war is inevitable."
Elder Suyun snorted.
"Hmph. Let them envy.""They've always hated seeing Verdic and Ordix rise."
Mervis turned sharply toward Floryn.
"You knew?"
Floryn lowered her gaze.
"I'm sorry.""Ancestor Kinlin forbade anyone from revealing this.""The punishment… would have been death."
Gel nodded.
"I intended to tell you, after everything settled."
Mervis exhaled slowly, then nodded.
"I understand."
His eyes flicked toward Gel.
Sharp.
Gel swallowed.
Did I mess up…?
Bolan noticed and chuckled softly.
Gel forced a stiff smile.
Mey stared at Shadow.
Her emotions tangled.
All this time…
She smiled sweet, but edged with irritation.
"Congratulations, Shadow.""But you didn't tell me."
Zouyu clapped his hands once.
"Enough chatter."
His gaze returned to Shadow.
"Kid.""I'll stabilize your aura."
He raised a hand.
"You focus on separating Fire and Water.""I'll suppress them."
Shadow nodded weakly.
Zouyu's aura expanded.
Cold pressure descended, precise and overwhelming.
Fire quieted.Water calmed.
Hours passed.
Slowly.
Painfully.
Finally.....
The chaotic aura inside Shadow stabilized.
Then....
Something stirred.
Darkness pulsed.
Shadow's eyes snapped open.
"Ancestor...."
"Calm." Zouyu ordered."Focus only on Darkness."
Shadow obeyed.
The Dark Core rotated violently.
Then....
BOOM.
A surge of power erupted.
Shadow forcibly suppressed his other four elements, sealing them temporarily.
Darkness expanded.
Condensed.
Transformed.
Elemental Dark — Ascension Cycle
Zouyu burst into laughter.
"Hahahahaha!""Five years old—Tier 1 Ascension!""You monster."
"But remember," his tone hardened."Stabilization comes first.""Tier 2 is far more difficult."
Bolan and Floryn bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Ancestor Zouyu."
Zouyu waved it off.
"I was just passing by.""Oh....and I've got something to give this kid."
Shadow's heart jumped.
An artifact…?
Zouyu smirked.
"Don't dream.""Win a competition in ten years.""Then we'll talk."
Everyone froze.
Gel swallowed.
"What artifact…?"
"Curious?" Zouyu laughed."Wait ten years."
He reached into his sleeve.
A golden-yellow stone emerged, glowing softly, not mana, but purer.
"This was meant for Mey.""But she's incompatible because she can't use Lightning Element."
He tossed it gently.
"Lightning Elemental Stone."
The room went silent.
Low Tier.
Equivalent to Gold-Class Artifact Rank 3.
Shadow's Lightning Element roared.
"If that is your will," Shadow said calmly,"I accept."
Zouyu folded his arms, a faint grin tugging at the corner of his lips as he looked at Shadow.
"Good," he said casually. "After all, in the future, you will be the one guarding both Clan Verdic and Clan Ordix once you marry Mey. So I don't think I'm losing any inheritance at all."
He paused, then added with a sigh that sounded almost… sentimental.
"And Kinlin has always been like an older brother to me. That part… I do feel a little regret."
The moment his words fell, the atmosphere inside the hall tightened.
Every elder, every guard, every clan leader stiffened.
Their gazes snapped toward Zouyu with alarm.
Kinlin… regret…?
For a split second, many of them believed something terrible had happened to Ancestor Kinlin.
Zouyu raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by their expressions.
"What?" he asked. "Why are you all looking like that?"
Before anyone could speak, he waved his hand dismissively.
"I just didn't get to beat him properly after I stepped into the Half-Step Transcendent Early Stage," Zouyu said with a click of his tongue. "Because that old monster was already one step away from Mid Stage."
Silence.
Then....
Several people let out helpless sighs.
Others rubbed their temples.
Gel closed his eyes, shaking his head slowly.
As expected.
This was exactly like Ancestor Zouyu....reckless, shameless, and completely unconcerned with dignity.
Someone muttered under their breath, "So that's what he meant by regret…"
Zouyu laughed.
"You should know this, Shadow," he continued, his tone unexpectedly softer. "When I was your age, Kinlin and I… and many others… we fought together, trained together, bled together."
His gaze drifted upward, as if peering through the ceiling and into the past.
"Back then, the great clans were locked in constant rivalry. Clan Verdic still stood at the peak. Every step forward felt like a battlefield."
He exhaled slowly.
"But now… all of that is nothing more than history."
The hall grew quiet.
Even Shadow felt the weight behind those words.
Then Gel stepped forward respectfully.
"Ancestor," he asked, "does that mean… even a Half-Step Transcendent Early Stage cultivator cannot withstand a Mid Stage opponent?"
Zouyu turned to him, expression serious for once.
"The difference between those realms," he said, "is like heaven and earth."
He continued, voice steady.
"This is not like the Foundation, Convergence, or Ascension realms. Every single stage within the Half-Step Transcendent realm is terrifying."
Zouyu's eyes narrowed slightly.
"I have spent dozens of years in the Early Stage, and even so, I will still need hundreds more years to reach Mid Stage, if I'm lucky."
A pause.
"It all depends on talent," he added, "and how mercilessly one tempers their elemental power."
No one spoke.
The hall sank into deep silence.
Finally, Zouyu yawned.
"Enough talking," he said lazily. "I'm going to rest. I'm sleepy."
Without another word, he turned and walked away.
Gel and the others could only stare at his retreating back before collectively facepalming.
Not long after, one of Gel's guards hurried into the hall and knelt.
"Clan Leader," the guard reported, "the preparations for the defensive barrier are complete. We request both Clan Leaders, Lord Bolan and Lord Gel to inspect it and give further instructions."
Gel nodded.
"Bolan, the preparations are finished. Let us depart for the border fortress."
Bolan inclined his head in agreement.
Floryn, Mervis, and Elder Suyun chose to remain behind to continue their training and recovery.
As the hall gradually emptied, Shadow and Mey left together.
They headed toward a lake situated beneath Gel's palace, several hundred meters away.
The night air was calm.
Moonlight shimmered across the water's surface.
They stopped at the edge of the lake.
Mey hesitated.
Then she spoke softly.
"Shadow… would you mind… marrying me in the future?"
Her voice trembled slightly.
"I'm not a genius like you."
Shadow blinked, clearly surprised.
He turned to her and answered calmly, without hesitation.
"We've known each other since we were little," he said. "Our families are close. And we're both still under Fifteen years old."
He shook his head gently.
"There's no need to think about marriage now."
Mey lowered her gaze.
"When we're older," Shadow continued, "if you still wish to marry, then we'll prepare properly."
His eyes sharpened.
"For now, this is the time to focus on cultivation."
Then, softer....
"If you want, I'll help you train."
Mey looked up, relief washing over her face.
Before she could respond....
BOOOOM!
The lake exploded.
A massive figure surged from the water, scales glistening with dark green light.
Its aura slammed into the surroundings like a crushing wave.
Shadow's pupils shrank.
"A beast....!"
The creature roared.
A Mid Rank Beast — Dominant Stage.
Lower Rank – Blue Mana Stone
Awakening Stage – pale blue
Stability Stage – bright blue
Dominant Stage – deep blue
Mid Rank – Green Mana Stone
Awakening Stage – pale green
Stability Stage – bright green
Dominant Stage – dark green
High Rank – Yellow Mana Stone
Awakening Stage – pale yellow
Stability Stage – bright yellow
Dominant Stage – dark yellow
King Rank – Red Mana Stone
Awakening Stage – pale red
Stability Stage – bright red
Dominant Stage – dark red
Emperor Rank – Orange Mana Stone
Awakening Stage – pale orange
Stability Stage – bright orange
Dominant Stage – dark orange
Legendary Rank – Black Mana Stone
Awakening Stage – gray-black
Stability Stage – pure black
Dominant Stage – deep black with aura (shadowy)
Mythical Rank – Gold + Crimson Mana Stone
Awakening Stage – pale gold + red glow
Stability Stage – shining gold + bright crimson
Dominant Stage – deep gold + crimson aura
Shadow's eyes locked onto the dark green mana core embedded in its skull.
Mid Rank… Dominant…
He stepped forward immediately.
"Mey," Shadow said firmly, "stay behind me. I'll handle this."
Mey nodded without hesitation.
Darkness surged from Shadow's body.
He activated his Dark Ascension Cycle.
A massive ten-meter cube of darkness formed instantly, sealing the beast inside.
The creature slammed against the walls, roaring in fury.
Shadow raised his hand.
Fire and Wind erupted simultaneously.
The two elements twisted together, compressing....
Fusion.
A blazing spear formed, flames roaring as air pressure skyrocketed.
Shadow hurled it.
The spear pierced straight through the beast's skull.
But....
The wound began to regenerate.
Shadow clicked his tongue.
"Tch… regeneration."
His eyes hardened.
"Don't forget my Dark Element."
He clenched his fist.
"Compression Hole."
The cube shrank violently.
Pressure crushed inward from every direction.
The beast screamed as its body deformed.
Lightning flared.
Shadow fused Lightning and Fire into his sword.
"Flame Shock."
He struck.
A thunderous explosion erupted as lightning pierced and fire consumed.
The beast's body burned, charred, and collapsed into ash.
Silence returned.
Shadow walked forward and retrieved the dark green mana stone from the remains.
His brows furrowed.
How did a beast reach the palace area?
He turned to Mey.
"Mey," he asked, "does this lake connect to the outside of the fortress?"
She nodded.
"I've been to the end before. It does connect. There are guards and a gate that blocks large objects, only water can pass through."
Shadow's expression darkened.
"I need to go there."
He looked at her seriously.
"Return to the palace. Inform Elder Suyun, Aunt Floryn, and your mother."
Mey grabbed his sleeve anxiously.
"Don't go alone, Shadow. What if something happens again?"
Shadow shook his head.
"Don't worry," he said calmly. "I won't be alone."
Darkness rippled behind him.
A shadow clone formed.
"Cris," Shadow said softly, activating his Dark Element call.
"I'm heading out."
The moon hung low above the lake, its reflection trembling over the rippling water. Shadow moved silently along the forest by the lake, eyes sharp as the night air brushed past his face. His footsteps were light, precise, as though he were merging with the shadows themselves. Every sense heightened, every instinct alert.
Ahead, the trees bore signs of a recent struggle....scratches deep into the bark, splintered wood, and scorched earth. Shadow slowed, his gaze scanning every mark.
Something terrible happened here… he thought. And whoever or whatever was here, it left its mark.
The trail of chaos led deeper into the forested area. Shadow's eyes narrowed as he observed broken branches and scorched leaves. His mind analyzed the scene: elemental fire, wind turbulence… this had been a ferocious battle.
I need to track this beast, he thought, clenching his jaw. It may have been the same creature from the lake… or something worse.
He followed the trail cautiously, moving with the precision of a predator. Then, just as he bent to examine a patch of scorched ground, he sensed a presence above him.
Something loomed a massive mouth opening wide, fangs glinting in the pale moonlight. The jaws aimed straight for him, hungry, deadly.
Shadow's heart didn't skip a beat. His thoughts raced.
Useless… you think ambushing me will work? I'll cut your head off before you even taste victory.
He drew his sword in a fluid motion. Flames erupted along its edge, swirling around the blade like liquid fire. His Elemental Fire surged in tandem with his movement.
"Come on… try me," he muttered under his breath, his eyes locked on the beast.
With a swift step forward, Shadow slashed diagonally, flames lashing outward like a dragon's breath. The beast shrieked, staggered… then collapsed, smoke rising from its body. Its mana stone pulsed faintly....Mid Rank, Awakening Stage.
Shadow exhaled, crouching briefly to steady himself. Another one down, he thought. But the lake… I must hurry.
He sprinted toward the water's edge. The trail had grown darker here; the scent of blood thickened the air. Shadow's eyes narrowed as he scanned the scene.
The shoreline was a horror of carnage. Blood stained the grass and trees, forming a macabre trail that disappeared into the shadows of the forest. Shadow's jaw tightened.
This… this is the work of something powerful, he thought. Mid Rank won't leave this kind of destruction. Not without assistance.
Before he could move further, a resonant roar tore through the night, echoing across the lake. Shadow froze. His eyes darted toward the source of the sound.
There it stood. A massive beast. Its scales shimmered under the moonlight, darker than the night itself. The mana stone embedded in its skull glowed a deep, dark yellow, with faint crimson veins pulsing inside, almost Dark yellow and Red line.
Shadow's eyes widened.
High Rank… Dominant Stage… almost King Rank.
The aura radiating from the creature was suffocating, nearly pressing down on him. Shadow's fingers tightened around his sword. His mind raced as he measured the gap between himself and this beast.
This… this isn't just a threat to me. If it reaches the palace, it could destroy everything in its path.
The beast's gaze locked onto him. Its roar shattered the night, a sound that carried both rage and intelligence, as though it knew exactly who stood before it. Shadow felt the power thrumming from the mana stone, this was no ordinary creature. Every pulse promised destruction beyond imagination.
He clenched his fists, flames flickering along the edge of his sword, his dark aura coiling around him like a living shadow.
I can't let it escape… I have to stop it here. Whatever it takes.
The air itself seemed to thrum with anticipation, carrying the tension of what was about to unfold. Shadow took a deep breath, centering his elemental energies. Fire, Water, Dark, Lightning, Wind… all fused within him, waiting for the command.
The beast lowered its head, claws digging into the earth. Its yellow mana stone glowed brighter, veins of crimson running through it, an ominous signal of its immense strength.
Shadow's heart raced. He did not speak aloud, but his thoughts were sharp and clear:
This is different from the High Rank I've faced before come at Clan Ordix, that one is at Awekening stage. This one… almost touches King Rank. I need to be precise. I cannot fail. Not here. Not now.
The beast emitted another guttural roar, shaking the very ground beneath Shadow's feet. Its eyes burned with primal fury as it lunged forward, massive claws leaving deep gouges in the earth.
He narrowed his eyes, calculating every angle, every potential attack.
This will be the test. If I fail… the lake, the palace, everyone will pay the price.
And then, with the quiet determination of a child carrying the weight of two clans' futures, Shadow prepared to face a High Rank Dominant stage almost evolve to King Rank beast for the first time.
The night held its breath. The air pulsed. And the battle that could determine the fate of the Ordix and Verdic clans… was about to begin.