Chương 28: Shadow Beast

The massive shadow beast that had attacked the Flaming Saber Sect had broken into countless fleshy shadow creatures and swept through the massive forests of the qi beast region on the east of this smaller continent. The enormous explosion had shocked it, and even when it phased into the shadow realm, extensive amounts of damage were inflicted upon it. The ancient beast known as Xotl had transformed from a simple leech as it began to understand the Dao of shadow.

A Dao was the fundamental understanding of universal principles of different aspects of existence. Through understanding these principles it allowed cultivators to then wield aspects of that Dao to its will. Xotl had spent millennia in the deepest caves beneath the continent, slowly comprehending the nature of shadows—not just darkness, but the spaces between light, the gaps in reality where true power resided.

Its understanding had grown until it could phase between the material world and the shadow realm at will, becoming something that existed in both places simultaneously. The binding that had kept it contained for centuries had been anchored to the Flowing Water Sect's spiritual foundation. When Master Tianlong destroyed that anchor in his final act of defiance, Xotl had been free for the first time in ages. The beast's rage at its long imprisonment had driven it to assault the sect's attackers with devastating fury.

But the reactor core explosion had been unlike anything in its ancient memory. The concentrated qi energy had torn through its shadow form like fire through paper, forcing it to fragment itself across thousands of smaller pieces just to survive. Now those fragments roamed the eastern forests, each one a deadly shadow creature in its own right, while the main consciousness of Xotl retreated deeper into the shadow realm to heal. However, the ancient beast was not idle in its recovery.

Its fragmented pieces swept through the qi beast territories like a plague of living darkness, consuming everything in their path. Each qi beast that fell to the shadow creatures had not only its life force drained, but its very shadow torn away and absorbed. The process was horrifyingly efficient—Xotl's fragments would engulf their prey, draining both the physical qi and the shadow essence that gave form to every living thing. Thousands of qi beasts fell in the first days alone.

Golden Core level spirit wolves, Foundation Establishment thunder bears, even a few level 1 Nascent Soul level beasts. All became fuel for Xotl's rapid regeneration. With each consumed shadow, the fragments grew stronger and began to merge back together, healing the damage inflicted by the reactor core explosion. The beast's fragmented thoughts turned toward the tiny mortal who had somehow acquired one of its offspring—the qi leech now bonded to Lia.

Through that connection, it could sense her location, her growing power, and most intriguingly, the spatial artifact she carried. The snow globe contained something that resonated with Xotl's understanding of the void between worlds. Its offspring sensed Xotl's intrusion through the tiny ethereal connection it shared with its progenitor in the shadow realm.

Xotl was surprised that the small parasite had developed a certain sense of intelligence already—most of its spawn remained mindless feeding machines for centuries before gaining any form of consciousness. Through their shadow link, Xotl tried to push thoughts of rapidly draining its host dry and returning to merge with the greater whole. The ancient beast expected instant obedience, as it had received from countless offspring over the millennia. But the qi leech paused.

It seemed to think for a few seconds, processing the command against its own experiences. The host provided a steady stream of high-quality qi, far superior to anything it might find elsewhere. More than that, there was potential here—this mortal's cultivation method actually benefited from having the parasite, creating a symbiotic relationship rather than the usual predatory one.

Then, to Xotl's complete shock, the offspring severed the tiny shadow thread connection entirely, cutting itself off from its progenitor's influence. Xotl was outraged. No spawn had ever dared to defy it, let alone completely sever their bond. The ancient beast's fury rippled through the shadow realm, causing lesser shadow creatures across the continent to writhe in sympathetic agony. How dare this insignificant parasite choose a mortal host over its own kind?

How dare it prioritize its individual existence over the collective power of Xotl? But beneath the rage was something else—curiosity. What kind of mortal could inspire such loyalty in one of its offspring? What power did this Lia possess that made the parasite willing to commit what amounted to shadow realm treason? A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. Xotl's attention focused more intently on the distant city of Ironhold.

Perhaps it was time to investigate this interesting development personally. Once it finished healing it would amass a large qi beast army and take iron hold. First off though, it had to exact revenge on the Flaming Saber Sect. Only one being had injured it so much and gotten away. Never again, it had promised itself. The memory of that searing pain still burned through Xotl's consciousness—the reactor core explosion that had nearly obliterated its form entirely.

For an ancient being that had existed for tgousands of years, the humiliation was unbearable. The Flaming Saber Sect had dared to wound something that transcended their comprehension, and they would pay for that audacity. Xotl's fragments began to coalesce with purpose, drawing back from their feeding frenzy across the eastern territories. The consumed shadows of thousands of qi beasts had restored much of its power, though it was still far from its peak strength. But it was enough.

More than enough to teach those arrogant cultivators the difference between their petty sect politics and the wrath of a true ancient. The beast's massive form began to take shape in the shadow realm, pieces of living darkness flowing together like mercury finding its level. Each fragment brought with it the memories and essence of the creatures it had devoured, adding their power to Xotl's growing mass. Soon, it would emerge from the shadow realm directly within the Flaming Saber Sect's mountain stronghold.

Their defenses were designed to repel physical attacks and qi-based assaults, not something that could phase between dimensions at will. By the time they realized what was happening, it would be far too late. The sect that had wounded it would become a feast of shadows. Every cultivator, every disciple, every elder—all would have their shadows torn away and consumed. Only then would Xotl turn its attention to reclaiming its rebellious offspring and investigating the mortal who had somehow inspired such defiance.

Revenge first. Curiosity could wait. Flaming Saber sect Varek stood in the sect's treasury, examining the flying sword he'd purchased with his contribution points and 300 spirit stones. The "Crimson Wind Blade" was a mid-tier Foundation Establishment weapon, its sleek design perfectly suited for both combat and travel. The blade itself was forged from flame-attributed spirit steel, giving it a deep red hue that seemed to flicker with inner fire.

Intricate runes ran along its fuller, designed to channel both the wielder's qi and ambient fire energy for enhanced speed and maneuverability. The sword was just over four feet long with a slight curve that improved its aerodynamics during flight. The crossguard was minimalist but functional, while the grip was wrapped in spirit beast leather that would bond with his qi signature over time.

Most importantly for his current needs, it had excellent range and speed capabilities—capable of maintaining flight for hours without excessive qi drain.

"Not bad for a budget purchase," Varek muttered, testing the weapon's weight and balance. It responded well to his qi, the runes glowing softly as spiritual energy flowed through the metal. With only 50 spirit stones remaining in his pouch—plus the 50 Lia owed him—Varek knew he was cutting things close financially. But Lia needed help, and he couldn't just sit safely in the sect while she faced unknown dangers alone. He made his way to the sect's launch platform, a wide ledge that jutted out from the mountainside.

Taking a deep breath, Varek channeled qi into the Crimson Wind Blade and leaped onto its surface. The sword responded immediately, lifting him smoothly into the air with a faint whoosh of displaced air. Banking southwest toward Ironhold, Varek felt the thrill of independent flight for the first time. The landscape blurred beneath him as the sword cut through the afternoon sky, its flame-attributed design leaving a faint trail of shimmering heat in his wake.

The Iron Fist Sect's territory lay several hundred miles away, but at this speed, he could reach Ironhold in 2 days. As he flew, Riku couldn't help but grin through Varek's face. The sensation of soaring through the sky on a sword was every bit as incredible as she'd imagined from cultivation novels. More importantly, she was finally taking action instead of just reacting to events.

"Hold on, Lia," Varek said to the wind.

"Your Hero is coming." Riku sitting back in class had a massive grin Riku sat in her business class with glassy eyes and a massive grin plastered across her face, completely lost in the exhilarating sensation of flying through the sky on a sword in another world.

"Miss Tanaka," Professor Lambert's sharp voice cut through her daydream like a blade.

"Perhaps you'd like to share with the class what's so amusing about quarterly profit projections?" Riku's eyes snapped back into focus, her grin instantly vanishing as she realized the entire class was staring at her. Her cheeks burned bright red as she scrambled for something to say.

"I... uh... I was just thinking about how... exciting... market dynamics can be?" she stammered, sinking lower in her seat. Professor Lambert raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed.

"Exciting enough to make you grin like you've won the lottery, apparently. Try to contain your enthusiasm for spreadsheets and pay attention." A few students snickered as Riku nodded frantically, forcing herself to look down at her textbook. She couldn't help but think that if Professor Lambert knew she was actually flying through the sky as a cultivation warrior in another dimension, he might understand her distraction a little better.

She spent the rest of class desperately trying to focus on supply chain management while part of her consciousness soared through clouds on a flaming sword.