It had been three years since Sadius transmigrated to the Yulan Continent.
Yet, despite his efforts, he had not achieved a breakthrough. However, his combat prowess had grown significantly. Now, he was certain that beneath the Saint-Level, unless his opponent possessed an extraordinary trump card, he was virtually invincible.
But recently, he encountered a strange phenomenon. The Darkness Element within his body had become contaminated. That's right—his Darkness Element was polluted.
Through his spiritual introspection, Sadius noticed that the Rank-Nine Dragon Core within his head had developed some impurities. Whenever he attempted to wield Darkness Element in battle, instability arose, often leading to failed enchantments.
Moreover, the impurities in his Dragon Core were slowly increasing.
As the magical nucleus of a magical beast, the Dragon Core should not accumulate impurities under normal circumstances. Thus, he decided to conduct an experiment.
Eventually, he discovered that as long as he refrained from comprehending the sword intent of the Bloodviolet Sword, the impurities in the Dragon Core would cease to increase.
Sadius found himself in a dilemma.
If he continued training, he was uncertain what unforeseen consequences might arise—would his Dragon Core become completely corrupted by the impurities produced by the sword intent? Would he degenerate into a mindless beast driven solely by slaughter?
Ultimately, he made his decision. He would continue training, but he would stop once the impurities in his Dragon Core reached half its capacity.
Years Passed — A New Threshold Approached
Spring turned to autumn, and another three years slipped by as Sadius trained in his cave.
He never ceased his training for a single day. His strength remained at the peak of Rank-Nine, but he was confident that now, with his full power, he could likely repel a newly ascended Saint-Level warrior.
Although he hadn't broken into the Saint-Level, he had at least escaped the fate dictated by his original trajectory.
However, over these years, the impurities within his Dragon Core had continued accumulating, now nearing the halfway mark. The impurities bore a dark violet hue, adding an eerie undertone to the already black Dragon Core.
"So, I've reached my limit?"
Sadius sighed. Six years spent comprehending the slaughter intent within the Bloodviolet Sword had been in pursuit of just a trace of Darkness Profound Mysteries. Yet, instead of grasping Darkness Profound Mysteries, he had inadvertently begun to tread the Path of Destruction and Slaughter.
It was more difficult than with the Darkness Element, let alone fully comprehending the Laws of Destruction. It seemed that no matter how hard he tried, he could not overcome his bloodline's limitations and ascend to the Saint-Level.
"There's only one option left."
Sadius recalled how, in the original story, Linley's bonded Blackcloud Panther was a Rank-Nine dual-elemental Darkness & Wind beast. Breaking through to the Saint-Level was exceptionally difficult for it.
However, that Blackcloud Panther, Haeru, managed to refine a Saint-Level Magic Core gifted by Linley, allowing it to ascend to the Saint-Level. Later, Linley even bestowed upon it a Divine Spark, enabling it to become a Deity. That panther was, without a doubt, the luckiest magical beast in the entire novel.
And that was exactly what Sadius had in mind.
Right now, he possesses the strength to battle an early-stage Saint-Level magical beast. If he could slay one, wouldn't he be able to refine its Magic Core and ascend effortlessly?
Of course, this was his last resort.
After all, ascending to the Saint-Level by refining a Magic Core would make him the weakest kind of Saint-Level being. If he wished to become a Deity, he would likely have to refine a Divine Spark.
The next day, he finally emerged from his cave.
This time, the two Rank-Eight Raptor Beasts that once fled at the mere sight of him no longer ran away. Instead, they obediently approached.
"Lord Sadius."
The two raptors bowed respectfully, awaiting his orders.
The enormous rift carved into the cliffside near the Misty Valley was his doing. It was safe to say that his combat prowess had already reached the Saint-Level. The only things separating him from true Saint-Level beings were flight, the ability to extend his spiritual power outward, and their near-immortal lifespan.
In every other aspect, he was already their equal. This was why the magical beasts of the valley regarded him with increasing reverence.
"I have no orders. Continue your training. I will be leaving for a while. Guard my cave well—if anyone dares intrude, you will answer to me."
"Yes, my lord!"
The two raptors were curious—since occupying this cave, Sadius had never once left the Misty Valley. Now, for the first time, he was departing. It had to be in preparation for his Saint-Level breakthrough.
With all precautions taken, he departed from the Misty Valley, setting off in search of newly ascended Saint-Level magical beasts.
The Magical Beast Mountain Range spanned nearly a thousand kilometers, with the Misty Valley located deep within, extending over a hundred meters in length.
Despite the presence of numerous Saint-Level magical beasts in the range, none had ever occupied the Misty Valley, a location teeming with dense elemental energy. This was highly abnormal. But Sadius had already figured it out—there was something here that deterred them.
Upon leaving the valley, Sadius immediately began searching for the Violet Tattooed Bear. Now that his strength had grown, keeping that beast alive was a liability. If he could eliminate it early, that would be ideal.
Just then, a Rank-Eight Fire Dragon swooped down from the sky.
"Lord Sadius, we have found no traces of the Violet Tattooed Bear in the vicinity."
Sadius had expected this. That bear would never openly reveal its whereabouts—it was surely hiding in some remote corner, training diligently.
"Alright, return to your posts."
Failing to locate the Violet Tattooed Bear, Sadius set off northward, determined to seek out powerful magical beasts to challenge.
If he still failed, then he would have no choice but to hunt down a newly ascended Saint-Level magical beast—his least desirable option.
Half a day passed. Sadius encountered several Rank-Eight magical beasts, but not a single Rank-Nine one. He suddenly envied those with wings. Flying dragons could cross vast distances with a few flaps of their wings.
Meanwhile, despite being a Rank-Nine magical beast, he wasn't even half as fast as a Rank-Eight flying dragon.
Hours later, he arrived at a small stream, preparing to quench his thirst and rest. Just then, the sound of rustling leaves echoed from the nearby forest.