The surface of the lake broke as the three smaller turtles charged.
The first struck, its mouth clamping down on Ourobouros's side, leaving a deep, bleeding wound. Another bit into his tail, while the third slammed into his coils.
A roar rumbled in Ourobouros's throat, a sound he had not made in some time. he was enraged. He had not used venom for a long time, but now it was needed.
He lashed forward with fangs sinking deep into the paw of the nearest turtle. The taste of flesh filled his mouth, the turtle let out a scream, thrashing wildly.
The others drawed back in caution, but the venom was already working. The bitten turtle's movements slowed.
The battle dragged on for long minutes. Ourobouros's scales now had cuts and deep wounds. Of the three turtles, one lay unmoving, probably dead, while the other two struggled under the venom.
He struck to swallow the fallen turtle whole. Warmth spread through his body, mending the wounds, but he felt no breakthrough.
As expected… weak prey can no longer work.
His eyes shifted to the big turtle at the lake's center. The ancient beast's gaze was filled with fury.
Ourobouros's bloody mouth opened and he surged forward, striking at one of the turtle's limbs.
The turtle roared, snapping back with jaws powerful enough to crack stone. This time it did not try to avoid him and instead, locking onto his body, it bit back, with a sudden surge of strength it began to roll towards the water.
They plunged into the lake's depths.
For a normal snake, the deep water would mean a death. But Ourobouros had no fear, his race could breathe underwater.
For three long minutes they grappled.
Then, slowly, the turtle's movements weakened. The muscles in its limbs went slack. Ourobouros's coils constricted one last time.
He dragged himself ashore and without pause, he devoured the two smaller turtles healing himself.
When the pain went away, his gaze returned to the lake's, there was the most precious treasure, the turtle's lair.
Inside, the cave smelled of moss. And there, rooted was a stalk of grass, a hundred-year-old Spirit Grass.
it was likely cultivated by the turtle for its own breakthrough.
Now it was a bargain for him.
Ourobouros coiled in preparation. The Second Realm of cultivation, Foundation Establishment awaited him. In this realm, gas Qi condensed into liquid, and the soul could sense the surroundings. Beasts in this stage could speak human words and have true wisdom.
For ordinary creatures, the danger was the raw force of liquid Qi that could tear a body apart. But Ourobouros was no ordinary beast. All he needed was enough energy.
Adjusting himself he felt the time had come.
He consumed the Spirit Grass in a single gulp yhen he swallowed the turtle, the Heaven-Swallowing Sutra started to run to life within him.
One drop of liquid Qi… then two… then five…
When the tenth drop formed the barrier shattered.
The Foundation Establishment Realm.
Power surged and his body grew until he spanned twenty meters from head to tail, already at the peak of the First Stage of his new realm because of the excess energy.
A demonic beast at this level could own a territory and command subordinates.
Feeling the new power Ourobouros truly felt that his reign was only beginning.