Flames roared.
The Winged Flame Jackal shot across the air like a meteor, six blazing wings leaving trails of searing light. Its body twisted, vanished, and reappeared above Li Chen, fireballs condensing in its mouth with crackling heat.
Li Chen slammed his tail down and launched himself sideways, a river of flame just barely missing him. The heat scorched the ground into molten glass. The trial chamber—already ancient—trembled under the fury of divine fire.
> [Warning: Internal Temperature Rising – Defense Compromised]
[Regeneration Active – +3% Health Recovery Per Second]
Despite the damage, his Stone Carapace held firm, cracking only along the edges.
But the jackal didn't pause. It dove again, howling.
Its cry wasn't just noise—it shook the soul.
> [Soul Disruption Detected – Mental Resistance Engaged]
[Trait Detected: "Fireheart Howl" – Tier: High King]
Li Chen's eyes narrowed.
He charged.
If I can't outrun it, I'll outlast it.
He lunged forward as the jackal struck, letting the flaming claws rake his armored skull—but only briefly. He clamped his jaws around its neck, searing flesh meeting relentless force.
The jackal twisted, screamed, and ignited itself in a suicidal blaze.
> [You have taken 24% damage – Critical Burn]
[Emergency Regeneration Triggered – King-Level Healing Boost Activated]
Heh… you're not the only one who can survive fire.
Even as his outer layer blackened, Li Chen refused to let go. His crushing bite tightened, bone grinding against divine flame. Inch by inch, he bit deeper—until he tasted the metallic sweetness of core essence.
> [Flame Essence Detected – Phoenix Variant: Incomplete]
[Devour Now? Y/N]
"Devour."
The moment he consumed it, the fire exploded inward—but it wasn't pain alone. It was power. Endless, roaring, ancient power.
> [Devouring Successful – +200 EP]
[Trait Acquired: "Skyfire Regeneration"]
[Optional Traits: "Blazing Dash" (Speed) / "Fireheart Howl" (Soul Suppression)]
[Choose One to Absorb. Others Stored.]
Li Chen paused. Soul techniques were powerful—but speed won battles.
"Absorb Blazing Dash."
> [Blazing Dash: Increases ground and aerial speed by 80% in bursts. Leaves a trail of flame that burns enemies.]
[Trait Integrated.]
[Total EP: 577]
The jackal's corpse turned to ash, its wings folding inward one last time. Only a flicker of its will remained—now part of him.
> [Trial Progress: 2/3 Essences Devoured]
[Final Trial Construct Awakening: "Obsidian Devourer – Ancient Beast Class"]
[Estimated Combat Level: Peak King Rank / Pseudo-Emperor]
Li Chen's breathing slowed.
The system showed damage all over his body. His scales were cracked, his core boiling with remnant flame energy. And yet, his heart beat steady.
He had changed again.
> [New Trait Fusion Possible: "Skyfire Regeneration" + "Stone Carapace" = "Volcanic Shell"]
[Fuse? Y/N]
"Yes."
> [Fusing…]
[Trait Evolved: Volcanic Shell – Grants 60% physical defense, 30% fire absorption, and explosive flame burst upon shell break.]
Li Chen chuckled internally. Now I burn them back when they hit me.
As the final seal cracked in the distance and the Obsidian Devourer began to awaken—something stirred deep inside him. A memory not his own. A vision of beasts the size of mountains. Of skies burning with divine fire.
Of eating gods.
He shook his head and stepped forward.
The final beast waited.
And Li Chen was hungry.