The forest had grown denser the deeper Alaric ventured. Shafts of sunlight barely pierced the canopy, and every step stirred the lingering scents of wild beasts. His senses, sharpened through months of cultivation and dual-path mastery, detected the subtle vibrations of the ground — the telltale rhythm of a coordinated predator.
Ahead, a pride of lions emerged from the shadows. Eight peak advanced-tier beasts, massive and muscular, their golden manes shimmering like molten metal in the faint light. Their eyes glinted with intelligence and cruelty, and the aura radiating from them pressed against Alaric's senses, forcing him to take a deep, measured breath.
Alaric's hands glowed faintly with earth energy as he assessed the terrain. Earth magic allowed him to sense every root, every stone, every subtle incline. Using it, he raised low stone walls and manipulated the soil to create narrow chokepoints, ensuring that the pride could not surround him completely. Then, he exhaled, letting his flame magic surge in controlled bursts, igniting dry leaves to create smoke and small walls of fire that separated the lions in packs of two or three.
The first lion charged, its roar shaking the surrounding trees. Alaric pivoted, using Lightning Steps to evade the swipe of its claw by mere inches. He retaliated with Sky Rendering Sword, a flaming, earth-infused strike that cleaved through the lion's shoulder. The beast yelped but remained standing, its movements more cautious now.
Another lion lunged from the side, teeth snapping toward his arm. Alaric sidestepped with a burst of speed, feeling the heat from its body close enough to singe his skin. He unleashed Phantom Strike, a rapid, precise series of slashes that left shallow cuts along the lion's flank, disrupting its momentum.
Despite his careful planning, the pride pressed relentlessly. One lion lunged simultaneously as another circled from behind, forcing Alaric to leap over a fire wall, feeling the heat scorch his back. Another swipe grazed his leg, tearing through his clothing and leaving a deep, bleeding gash. Pain lanced through him, but he gritted his teeth and stabilized himself using earth magic, manipulating the ground beneath him to absorb the impact and maintain balance.
The battle became a brutal dance. Alaric anticipated the lions' pack tactics, striking first at the rear-most beast to prevent flanking, while manipulating fire and earth to control their movements. He sent flames crawling along fallen logs, creating barriers, and spiked the soil to impede charging lions. Yet, despite his mastery, every strike required precision — a single miscalculation could overwhelm him.
Three times he narrowly escaped death:
1. A lion leapt from an unexpected angle, claws tearing across his shoulder. He countered with a ground-shockwave enhanced by earth magic, staggering the beast long enough to retreat.
2. Another lion pinned him against a tree, jaw snapping inches from his face. He activated Phantom Strike, phasing through space-momentum briefly to break free and deliver a retaliatory slash.
3. Two lions coordinated an attack from both sides, forcing him to use Lightning Steps consecutively, dodging a swipe that would have crushed his ribcage.
Alaric's mind raced as he fought, constantly assessing which lions to target first. His dual-path cultivation allowed him to channel mana and qi simultaneously, fusing fire and earth in devastating synergy. The ground cracked under explosive strikes; walls of molten stone erupted from the earth, sending lions tumbling backward.
After nearly an hour of relentless combat, Alaric finally subdued the last of the eight lions. Exhausted, bloodied, and scorched, he surveyed the battlefield. Eight peak advanced-tier cores, claws, teeth, and thick golden furs lay before him. The forest smelled of smoke, blood, and scorched earth — the aftermath of a duel that tested every ounce of his skill and endurance.
Alaric knelt and absorbed the lions' cores carefully, integrating their energy into his own dual-path cultivation. Each core strengthened his connection to both mana and qi, refining the earth and flame elements now deeply embedded in his combat style. He felt a subtle shift within himself — stronger, faster, and more attuned to elemental synergy.
As he rose, he massaged the bruises along his ribs and shoulders. Every step sent a reminder of the battle's intensity. The lions had been fierce, coordinated, and intelligent, but they had been no match for the blend of strategy, dual-path cultivation, and elemental control that Alaric now wielded.
Yet, even in victory, a low hum of dread echoed in his mind. He could sense something far stronger nearby — a presence so overwhelming that it made the forest tremble subtly. His headaches from the battle intensified; it was a prelude to the true king-tier beast that awaited him.
Alaric's eyes narrowed. One hand rested on the hilt of his sword, the other hovered over the earth at his feet, sensing every shift in terrain. He would need all of his skills — Lightning Steps, Sky Rendering Sword, Phantom Strike, and the full mastery of fire and earth magic — to survive what came next.
With a final glance at the carnage behind him, he stepped forward into the deeper forest, every nerve taut, ready to face the ultimate challenge.