Tang Xan stood still, his mind racing.
One trial… one level… is complete, he thought.
A faint sense of relief crossed his face.
Now… level two—
But before the thought could settle, the ground trembled once again.
His eyes widened.
The bodies of the two beasts lay motionless… yet the trial had not ended.
A cold realization struck him.
This wasn't level two
Those two beasts were only the first wave
His breath grew heavy.
One trial… one level… two waves…
And ten beasts must be defeated.
Shock froze him in place.
Slowly, he lifted his head.
From the shadows ahead, massive figures began to emerge.
One… two… three…
Ten.
Each beast was larger than the last, their bodies towering, their eyes filled with hunger. Their long tongues slid out, licking their lips as if savoring the thought of tearing him apart.
They had already decided—
He was their prey.
Tang Xan clenched his fists, but before he could move—
They surrounded him.
From every direction.
No escape.
Then—
Attack.
One beast lunged forward.
Tang Xan barely dodged, his body moving on instinct.
Another followed.
Then another.
The attacks came one after another, relentless, giving him no time to breathe.
He dodged again… and again…
But his movements were slowing.
His energy… draining.
Then—
A shadow loomed behind him.
Too late.
A massive claw wrapped around his body, lifting him off the ground.
Tang Xan's eyes widened in shock.
Before he could react—
Slash.
Another beast struck.
Its claws tore into his body.
Pain exploded through him.
"Argh!"
His scream echoed across the battlefield, raw and uncontrollable.
The beasts roared in response, their grip tightening, their hunger growing.
And in that moment—
Tang Xan's energy was nearly gone.
His body felt heavy, his movements slowed, and his strength was fading fast.
End of Chapter 23