The battle began with a lightning-fast attack. The Wind-Splitting Wolf vanished in a gust of wind, only to reappear beside the Black Iron Turtle in an instant. Its wind claws, capable of slicing through steel, slashed with blinding speed. Sreeettccchh! A piercing screech of metal on metal assaulted the ears, like nails on a colossal chalkboard. Yet, as metal dust flew, all that was visible on the turtle's shell was a thin white scratch, like a chalk mark on a tombstone.
The Black Iron Turtle retaliated with a move that was slow but devastating. It slammed its massive body into the ground. BRUUM! A seismic wave rolled out, shaking the ground underfoot, causing debris to vibrate and crack. In the chaos it created, the Steel Serpent Plant moved. Thousands of its shimmering vines stabbed into the earth like wrathful metal serpents, emerging around the Crystal Flame Lion. They tightly constricted its body with lethal force, screeching metallically as they sought gaps to thrust between its crystal plates.
The Crystal Flame Lion roared! Its voice echoed, full of anger and wounded pride. The crystals on its body ignited from within, pulsing with a reddish-orange light that emitted intense waves of heat. The metallic vines instantly glowed red-hot, like forged iron. The smell of hot iron and burning sap filled the air. With a hiss of agony, the plants began to melt, dissolving under the lion's wrath. Flame blazed from within its body, burning the constricting bindings to ash and boiling molten metal.
From within the thick, toxic mist left by the burning plants, a shadow shot out. The Wind-Splitting Wolf came like a tornado, cleaving through the mist with unstoppable speed. It exploited a momentary weakness, charging at the Crystal Flame Lion's side while it was preoccupied. Its deadly wind claws struck the lion's flank with full force. CRACK! A heart-wrenching sound was heard as several of its main crystal plates shattered to pieces. The mighty lion was sent reeling by the force of the blow, its roar turning into a cry of pain.
The Black Iron Turtle, which had seemed passive and defensive until now, suddenly moved. Its head and powerful legs retracted into its shell. For a moment, the jet-black shell only vibrated with a menacing, low hum. Then... BOOOOM! An unexpected internal explosion propelled it. It shot forward, spinning like a giant hellish top, smashing into the Steel Serpent Plant, which was already ravaged by fire and wind. With a terrifying impact, it slashed, crushed, and flattened most of the plant's body into a heap of mangled iron and sap.
The Crystal Flame Lion, severely wounded by the wolf's cunning attack, was breathing raggedly. Shimmering spiritual energy blood dripped from the cracks in its body. In its eyes, which still blazed with proud fire, a final resolution could be read. With its last remaining strength, it gathered every particle of energy it had left. Its body became intensely bright, dazzling, like a small sun about to be extinguished.
BRRZZZZTTT! KRRAK-KRAK-KRAK!
Dozens, hundreds, thousands of giant crystal spears erupted uncontrollably from its body, attacking wildly in all directions. This rain of destruction buried the agile Wind-Splitting Wolf under a mound of sharp crystals, pierced the remnants of the Steel Serpent Plant to utter ruin, and struck the still-spinning shell of the Black Iron Turtle with tremendous force, stopping it abruptly and leaving deep cracks. It was an epic suicide attack, a magnificent symphony of destruction!
As the dust and remnants of shimmering crystal energy finally settled, the scene of devastation became clear. The Steel Serpent Plant was a shapeless pile of metal. The Wind-Splitting Wolf was trapped and dying in a pool of its own crystals, its breath weak and ragged. The Black Iron Turtle was flipped on its back, its short legs flailing helplessly in the air, its shell covered in cracks like a shattered windshield.
And the Crystal Flame Lion? Its body was cracked everywhere, almost broken to pieces. The light in its eyes was dim, flickering on and off like a dying lamp. It was merely waiting for its final moments.
Arthur, with sharp instincts, swooped down followed by Jing Liu. His soul sensed the wave of emotions from the lion: preserved pride, anger at defeat, and a powerful desire not to simply go extinct. From the lion's nearly extinguished eyes, Arthur saw a resolve that made him admire it, an unshakable dignity until the very end. Arthur planned to give it an honorable end after he absorbed the Black Iron Turtle's spirit ring. However, what he never expected was for the Crystal Flame Lion to channel its own remaining energy. A beam of dark, pulsating golden-purple light, brimming with 6,000 years of power, broke free from its body and floated willingly towards Arthur, binding itself to him as a spirit ring.
Due to this sudden and powerful event, the system intervened. The world around Arthur and Jing Liu grew hazy and shifted. They suddenly found themselves inside the system room. To assist in this extraordinary absorption, instead of a neutral field, the system created a cave whose walls were entirely covered in flame crystals emitting pure energy. Arthur, who should only have been able to absorb a 4,000-year spirit ring, felt an immense wave of energy that, strangely, was not destructive. The willingly sacrificed spirit ring welcomed him like an old friend, not an enemy to be conquered.
Several hours later...
Arthur was still grappling with the turbulent energy flowing through his veins. Suddenly, within the ocean of his consciousness, a presence emerged. It was the shadow of the Crystal Flame Lion, no longer dying, but authoritative and full of serenity. The figure began to speak, and its voice echoed in Arthur's mind.
"Young warrior," the voice murmured, deep and authoritative. "Do you know why I chose to sacrifice myself for you?"
"You... you can speak?" Arthur asked back, his mind in turmoil. "Spirit beasts thousands of years old do possess intelligence, but it's usually not like this..."
"My true consciousness awoke precisely within this bond," the lion replied, as if smiling. "I saw the essence of your soul, young warrior. Its form is not like the cunning wolf or the hiding turtle. Within you, I see a lion—a leader's spirit that will not retreat from a fight, yet is not a fool that attacks without preparation. You are balance. I chose to become the foundation that solidifies that soul."
"You make me blush," Arthur replied, moved. "But... what happens to you after this? Will you disappear?"
"Not entirely. I will make one final sacrifice. I sense something locked within you, a dormant potential. Allow me... to open its door."
Before Arthur could answer, the lion's consciousness merged with its energy. In the real world, Arthur's body was suddenly enveloped by a hard, shimmering crystal, glowing from within. The crystals on the system cave walls vibrated, their pure energy being absorbed into Arthur's crystal shell as if pulled by a giant magnet.
"Arthur! What's happening?!" Jing Liu shouted, panicked. Her heart pounded with fear seeing Arthur buried in a crystal block pulsating with dangerous energy.
"Wait, don't approach!" said the Dwarf Master, who was observing with gleaming eyes. "Calm down. This... this is extraordinary. The Crystal Flame Lion didn't just give its spirit ring. It sacrificed its remaining consciousness to act as a catalyst, triggering the awakening of Arthur's hidden potential! This is a rare blessing!"
Hearing this explanation, Jing Liu felt slightly relieved, but her worry did not vanish. She could only trust in Arthur's strength and wait. What she didn't expect was that this process would take a very long time.
From the first to the third day, Jing Liu spent her time training incessantly. Beside her, Lumy, her defense spirit, became more alive and real, as if possessing a mind of its own, perfectly mimicking her every move. She felt her bond with Lumy deepening, a comfort amidst her anxiety while waiting.
On the eighth day, something changed. The crystal enveloping Arthur began to pulse more strongly, and its absorption range widened. Not only the crystal energy from the cave walls, but even the raw iron ore and metal bars stored in the corner of the room—which the system had transformed into spirit iron—had their energy sucked into the crystal shell at a constant and frightening speed.
"What's happening!" Jing Liu exclaimed, panicking again.
"This is the crucial final stage!" shouted the Dwarf Master, his eyes glued to the scene. "His body is being reforged! Hold on, master, you can definitely do it!"
The tremendous absorption process continued until the tenth day. Then, suddenly, everything fell silent. All sound stopped. The crystal encasing Arthur ceased pulsing. Fine cracks appeared on its surface, spreading like a spiderweb before finally... CRACK!
The crystal shell shattered to pieces, scattering like glittering glass snow. And in the midst of it stood a young man.
His body was more solid, fuller with perfectly defined muscles. His skin emitted a faint, healthy glow. His hair, once black, had changed to a golden-reddish hue, and his eyes—when they opened—resembled two fiery golden-red crystal gemstones, filled with a power and ancient wisdom not meant for a young man. It was Arthur.
Jing Liu approached, her hands trembling, almost unable to believe it.
"Art?" her voice quivered, full of hope and wonder. "Is it... is it really you?"
TO BE CONTINUED...