"Wait a minute, it's only a Core Formation realm?" Karma muttered, his tone shifting from high alert to mild annoyance.
As if sensing the casual attitude, the Magma Horned Drake roared, a sound that shook the stones loose from the cliffs. Heat immediately rolled from its body in scorching waves, distorting the air. Its massive claws left molten gouges in the earth as it charged.
Karma slid his sword free, the blade humming softly with azure light. "You chose the wrong prey, beast."
You still have time to use the concealment cloak and run,Mira advised flatly.
"Too late for that now."
He met the beast's charge head-on.
The ground exploded where they collided, sending sparks and molten rock flying into the indigo sky. Karma's first strike glanced uselessly off the drake's armored neck; its thick, muscular tail whipped around, catching him squarely in the ribs. He flew backward, rolling through ash and smoke before catching himself mid-slide.
His ribs screamed—but they held. The reforged body, courtesy of the Crystalline Lotus, refused to yield.
He vanished, blurring past the beast's vision, and reappeared instantly behind its flank.
"Azure Moon Cleave!"
The blade arced, trailing a silver crescent of light that sliced across the drake's heavily scaled side. Blood hissed as it struck the ground, steaming bright red against the scorched earth.
The drake howled in sudden pain, whipping its massive head around. Its jaws opened, revealing a surge of molten qi gathering deep in its throat, and it unleashed a blinding torrent of fire.
Karma crossed his arms before him, green energy bursting from his body like a shield turning inward.
"Devour!"
The scorching flames met the vortex—and instantly vanished.
The torrent of fire was twisted into threads of pure light, consumed and instantly converted into raw qi that poured into his core. The agonizing pain of the initial impact melted away, replaced by pure exhilaration and surging power.
He moved through the dissipating smoke, faster and sharper than before.
"Iron Serpent Fists!"
His hands blurred into lethal action—each punch a whipcrack of air. He struck the beast's jaw, ribs, and chest—each blow driving a burst of Devour energy deeper into the beast's body, eating away at its core defenses. The drake roared in helpless defiance, but its once-vibrant aura began to visibly fade.
Qi synchronization at 87%!Mira shouted, her system reading his rapidly integrating energy. You're overwhelming it—finish this!
He leapt high into the air, sword raised high above his head. "Devouring Crescent!"
A surge of brilliant green-black light burst from his blade, cleaving straight downward in a deadly arc.
The drake convulsed, a soundless, desperate cry ripping from its throat as the dual-colored light swallowed it whole.
When the dust settled, only a charred husk remained, glowing faintly from within.
Karma landed lightly, his chest heaving as he fought to control his ragged breathing. He pressed his hand to the beast's forehead, closed his eyes, and let Devour finish the final work.
Dense, molten, and intensely alive energy flooded him. His dantian pulsed violently, expanding with the influx. His meridians blazed like rivers of light. The Crystalline Lotus within him glowed brilliantly—the black petal visibly trembling, spreading faint silver-fire veins across its neighbors.
Then, with a sharp internal crack that resonated through his soul, his cultivation surged.
Breakthrough confirmed!Mira announced triumphantly. Foundation Establishment—Late Stage! Qi capacity increased 48%. Physical resilience increased 30%. Congratulations, you terrifying lunatic.
Karma exhaled slowly, feeling the immense power settle cleanly into his core. "It's getting easier to use the feedback loops."
You are adapting rapidly to Devour's mechanics. But be warned: the black petal's influence just grew again. Monitor it closely. If it starts spreading to the core, we might have a severe existential problem.
He nodded, adjusting his stance. "Understood."
Also, for the record, I told you this thing would attack you.
Karma laughed softly, wiping blood from his lip. "And for the record, you were right."
I always am.
A Storm Contained
By the time he reached the border of Veinspire's plains, the horizon had turned gold again. The city's floating terraces shimmered faintly in the distance, like mirages hanging above the earth.
He paused one last time on the ridge, looking back toward the smoking, silent ruins of the Corridor. The wind carried only faint echoes of distant thunder now.
Inside him, the Crystalline Lotus rotated slowly, pulsing with both green and black light—harmony and chaos intertwined. Each beat resonated through his veins like a strong, second heart.
"Two immense forces," he murmured. "Both alive. Both watching me."
Then perhaps you should avoid feeding them random natural disasters, Host.
"Maybe," he said, the corner of his mouth lifting in a quiet, dangerous smile. "But something tells me this world doesn't reward excessive caution."
Just try to reach the next city alive. Preferably without ingesting anything else that glows with primal fury.
He laughed, tightening his cloak around the fresh power in his chest. "No promises."
The wilderness ahead shimmered under morning light. Yet his steps were lighter, his breath steadier.
The world felt like it was no longer trying to kill him—only waiting to see what he would become.
System Status
Name: Karma Hi
Realm: Foundation Establishment – Late Stage
Physique: Astral-Reforged Mortal Body (Enhanced)
Core: Crystalline Lotus – One Petal Corrupted (Black Essence Integration)
Talent: Above Average (Upgradeable)
Devour: Greater Attainment (Evolving)
Battle Sense: Natural (Refined)
Attributes: Qi Recovery +70%; Meridian Elasticity +85%; Elemental Resistance: Fire +40%, Lightning +30%; Beast Deterrence Aura (Passive)
Karma smiled faintly as the status screen faded.
"Still standing," he whispered. "Still moving."
Veinspire shimmered ahead—the beacon of a new chapter waiting to begin.
He adjusted his cloak, the faint green glow under his chest dimming to a heartbeat's rhythm.
Ready to face civilization again, Host?
He grinned, a flash of the predator he had become. "Let's go remind them why the wilds let me live."
And as he walked toward the rising suns, the lotus within him turned once more—green and black petals glinting together like the eyes of something ancient awakening.