The serpent moved.
Stone scales shimmered with runes, grinding with unnatural grace. Its eyes—pure jade orbs—glowed with malice, and its jaw split wider than any natural beast's. Though it was made of rock, it moved with terrifying speed, lunging across the chamber like a predator born of earth and ancient magic.
Li Chen didn't hesitate.
His tail lashed sideways, slamming into the coiled stone body just as the serpent's fangs lunged for his throat. The force sent tremors through the ruined chamber, dust falling in sheets. A chunk of the serpent's outer stone cracked, but not enough. It retaliated immediately, whipping its body around and coiling tightly.
> [Warning: Force Restriction Detected – Crushing Strength: High Emperor Rank]
[Durability Threshold Exceeded – Bleeding Risk Imminent]
Shit! It's that strong?
Li Chen's massive crocodilian form was tough, armored, and empowered by regeneration. But even he could feel his ribs groaning under the pressure. The serpent was a construct—fueled not by flesh, but by residual beast will and divine inscriptions. In this chamber, it was home, and Li Chen was prey.
But he wasn't ordinary prey.
He opened his jaws wide and bit down on the serpent's neck, his teeth infused with raw force. With a violent twist of his head, he ripped a chunk of stone loose—revealing a glowing, blue-green core within.
> [Core Fragment Detected – Element: Stone Qi + Beast Spirit Residue]
[Devour Now? Y/N]
"Devour."
He didn't even hesitate. Energy flooded his system—thick, gritty, but ancient in essence. The serpent shrieked with a soundless wail, its body unraveling as the animating force began to fade.
> [Ancient Essence One Devoured – +150 Evolution Points]
[Stone Serpent Trait Acquired: "Earth Coil Binding"]
[Sub-trait Sampled: "Stone Carapace (Passive)" – Absorb or Store?]
"Absorb the carapace. Store the coil."
> [Stone Carapace (Passive): Scaled armor reinforced with natural stone qi. Increases defense by 40%.]
[Trait Integrated.]
[Total EP: 377]
The serpent's shattered remains crumbled to dust.
Li Chen slumped for a moment, his massive body panting. His blood pumped fast through his enormous heart. Every breath stirred the dust of the ruin. But there was no time to rest. The system pulsed again.
> [Trial Progress: 1/3 Essences Devoured]
[Next Target Awakening: "Winged Flame Jackal" – Estimated Combat Level: Late King Rank+]
Li Chen's golden eyes narrowed.
Flame. Speed. And flight.
A cruel combination.
High above the chamber, old stone cracked, and a circular seal glowed. From it emerged a sleek, crimson jackal with six feathered wings and a halo of flickering fire around its head. Its eyes locked onto him with divine hatred—born not of instinct, but something older. It was a guardian, and it had waited millennia for this fight.
> [Winged Flame Jackal – Construct Class – Possesses Fragment of Phoenix Flame Essence]
[Devouring Estimate: +200 EP | Trait Potential: "Blazing Dash" / "Fireheart Howl" / "Skyfire Regeneration"]
The jackal roared, and fire descended.
Li Chen dove behind one of the broken beast statues, stone melting around him. Even with his thick armor, the heat singed his scales. The system hummed with alerts, but he ignored them.
This wasn't just a trial—it was a chance to leap forward. He couldn't waste it.
If he wanted to rule this world… if he wanted to become more than a beast…
Then he had to earn it.
Through blood. Through evolution. Through devouring everything.