Volume 13 — The Shadow Beast Unleashed
The courtyard trembled under the weight of the shadow beast, its obsidian scales glinting like shards of night. Hei Xu's aura surged around it, amplifying its power. Lin Feng felt the First Bloom pulsing violently, threatening to tear itself apart if he didn't maintain control.
"Caiyi… remind me why I signed up for this?" he shouted, dodging a swipe of the beast's claw that shattered a stone pillar.
"Because I didn't sign up to fight alone!" Caiyi yelled, slashing through a group of shadow minions that poured out from the palace gates.
The Peach Spirit whispered urgently inside Lin Feng's mind: Host, you must harmonize fully with me. Only then can you counter its strength.
Lin Feng inhaled sharply. Okay… flow… don't panic… don't explode… probably… maybe…
He stepped forward, petals spinning faster than ever, forming spirals that wrapped around the beast like chains of radiant light. The First Bloom surged through him, guiding his sword in precise arcs. Each strike peeled away shadows from the creature, forcing it to stagger.
Hei Xu's eyes narrowed. "Clever… but raw power cannot win!"
The beast roared, summoning a wave of obsidian energy that shattered the courtyard floor. Lin Feng gritted his teeth, focusing entirely on the flow. His movements became fluid, elegant, unstoppable. Petals flared outward, spinning like a storm, and his sword struck in perfect harmony with the energy of the First Bloom.
Caiyi leapt alongside him, her strikes synchronized with Lin Feng's, creating a symphony of light and steel. Together, they pushed the beast back, inch by inch.
Hei Xu's fury grew. "Impossible… he's learning in battle!"
Lin Feng's heart pounded. Fear and determination clashed inside him, but he let the Peach Spirit guide every motion. We are one.
With a final burst of radiant energy, the petals enveloped the shadow beast completely. It screamed as light tore through its obsidian body, dissolving it into harmless fragments.
The courtyard fell silent. Lin Feng fell to his knees, panting, exhausted but alive.
Caiyi knelt beside him, brushing sweat from his brow. "You… you did it."
The Peach Spirit whispered softly, proud but firm: Host, this is only the beginning. The Obsidian Root Palace still hides its true strength. Prepare yourself… the next challenge approaches.
Lin Feng groaned. "I'm starting to regret the peach… a little."
Caiyi smirked. "Welcome to the world of cultivation."