A thunderous crash echoed through the forest as Wu Cong reappeared, his massive form materializing out of thin air like a glacier given life. In his enormous hand, struggling weakly, was a crimson mantis.
Alex's mouth curled into a smile that held absolutely no warmth.
The mantis was beautiful in a horrific way. Deep red carapace gleaming like fresh blood, serrated arms that could slice through steel like paper, multifaceted eyes reflecting the moonlight in a thousand tiny prisms. A planetary level monster. A creature that could level small planets.
And Wu Cong held it like a child holding a troublesome insect.
"Bastards," Alex whispered, the word dripping with old anger. "You gave me so much pain. Now it's time for payback."
He let the transformation rip through him again. Scales erupting across his skin, eyes shifting to vertical slits, aura flaring to emperor level nine.
