Mist clung to the violet trunks of the forest, settling in low pools along shattered roots and fractured moss beds. The air trembled from a battle that had already lasted more than two hours. Trees lay toppled like matchsticks, the earth gouged by claw and horn.
Seraphina crouched, compressed form fully active, suppressing her G-cup curves, hips, and most of her demonic beauty. Her demonically sharp, yet angelic face, was hidden beneath her suppressive Qi manipulation, invisible even to divine sense. She watched silently as two Core Formation beasts fought—a horned, molten-scaled monstrosity against a quadruped whose claws could tear mountains.
The beasts' divine senses flicked past her presence, dismissing her as an insect. She smirked under her breath. That arrogance would be her only edge.
> [System Inspect Active]
The golden glimmer of the heavenly treasure lay between the two combatants. Its aura pulsed, promising growth beyond comprehension. The beasts had not noticed her, but their power was immense. One miscalculated swing could have reduced her to nothing but pulverized flesh.
For over two hours, she observed. Every strike, dodge, and angle was a lesson. Blood flowed freely from shattered scales and torn sinews, coating trees and earth. The horned beast landed a crushing blow to the quadruped's shoulder, and the quadruped retaliated, smashing an entire sapling forest. Even compressed form did not make this safe to observe, but it allowed her to remain unseen and unscathed.
Finally, the horned beast collapsed, its shattered horn protruding grotesquely, ribs cracked, blood spraying like crimson waterfalls. The quadruped, heavily wounded, staggered toward the treasure. Its body was torn, scales ripped, and blood streaked its immense form.
Now was the moment.
---
Seraphina slid forward, each step silent. Compressed form minimized her profile. Her palms glowed faintly, Fire Qi already coursing through her veins. Fire Fist. Fire Palm. Fire Step. Fire Guard. Fireball. Techniques, some Intermediate, some Advanced, some edging toward Mastery, all ready.
The quadruped snarled, sensing something. It sniffed the air, and for the first time, its red eyes flicked toward her.
She striked with fire fist, aimed at a weakened flank. Flames scorched through muscle and torn scales. The quadruped roared, swinging blindly. A near miss—one strike could have pulverized her entire torso.
she went again this time using fire palm, precise and devastating. Bone cracked, blood sprayed. The forest shook from the force.
she slid behind the beast, flames trailing behind her, forcing the quadruped to stumble. A tree exploded beneath its weight.
Fire Fist, again,and again, crushing tendons and scales repeatedly.
Her body, compressed and coiled, absorbed the shock of near-death swings. Every strike she delivered required her full strength, agility, and balance. She exhaled slowly, every breath feeding her Fire Qi, integrating flame into muscle, into bone, into every fiber of her being.
---
As she fought, the techniques evolved naturally:
The system pinged after each integration, recording the technique progress:
> [System Notification]
Fire Palm — Mastery (Partial)
Fire Fist — Mastery (Partial)
Fireball — Advanced
Fire Step — Advanced
Fire Guard — Intermediate
---
The One-Hour Struggle
The quadruped, near death, staggered toward the golden treasure. One swipe narrowly missed her. She rolled beneath, Qi reinforcing her bones and compressed muscles. Her hands burned, lungs ached, but she launched Fire Fist, Fire Palm, and a small Fireball, striking broken limbs and scorched muscle.
The beast's blood coated the earth, dripping from every wound, pooling in shattered roots. Branches snapped under its thrashing body, and the forest trembled under each impact.
She pressed on. Every strike was calculated. Every breath, each channeling of Qi, was precise. The Core Formation power threatened to pulverize her with one error—but her compressed form, mastery of body mechanics, and fire integration allowed her to survive.
An hour passed like an eternity. Sweat, blood, and Qi flared along her body. Flames licked her fists, chest heaving, muscles screaming. Finally, with a perfectly timed Fire Palm, she struck the quadruped's heart. Blood exploded outward, scales shattered, and the beast collapsed, gurgling its last breath.
Trees splintered. Earth gouged. Roots uprooted. Flames licked the forest, leaving blackened streaks across moss and bark.
The system pinged repeatedly:
> [System Notification]
Level Up!
Body building Layer 9
Unassigned Stat Points: 4
> [System Notification]
Level Up!
Body Building → Foundation Establishment Layer 1
Unassigned Stat Points: 4
> [System Notification]
Level Up!
Foundation Establishment Layer 2
Unassigned Stat Points: 4
> [System Notification]
Level Up!
Foundation Establishment Layer 3
Unassigned Stat Points: 4
> [System Notification]
Level Up!
Foundation Establishment Layer 4
Unassigned Stat Points: 4
> [System Notification]
stats gained from fighting the beast:
strength +3
agility+5
endurance + 10
balance + 5
Total Unassigned Stat Points: 24
She exhaled, fingers trembling from exertion. The golden orb pulsed between her hands. Carefully, she placed it into her inventory.
> [System Notification]
Inventory Updated:
• Heavenly Treasure
Only killing the Core Formation beast and leveling had unlocked it.
---
Status Update
> [Status Interface]
Name: Seraphina Vale
Height: 5'5"
Cultivation Path: Foundation Establishment — Layer 4
Basic Stats:
Strength: 27+3
Agility: 28+5
Endurance: 28+10
Balance: 28+5
Stat Points: 24 (Unassigned)
Techniques:
• Fireball Technique — Advanced
• Fire Fist — Mastery (Partial)
• Fire Palm — Mastery (Partial)
• Fire Step — Advanced
• Fire Guard — Intermediate
• Qi Infusion Technique (Mastered)
• Compressed Form (Active/At Will)
EXP: 110 / 240
Shop Points: 0 SP
Inventory:
• Heavenly Treasure (Core Strength Amplification)
---
Seraphina leaned back against a shattered tree trunk, sweat and blood dripping from her body. Her compressed muscles throbbed with life, Fire Qi still coursing through her veins. She flexed experimentally. Flames licked along her fingers at thought alone.
The forest lay in ruins: toppled trees, uprooted roots, scorched earth, shattered streams. The Core Formation beasts were gone, leaving only pools of blood and scattered gore. Even compressed, her demonic beauty—hidden but radiating aura—made her seem more dangerous than ever.
Her fire techniques had improved organically, leveled realistically based on usage. Her stats had increased from integration with techniques, and the heavenly treasure now rested safely in her inventory, ready to amplify her cultivation in the coming days.