After half a year of bitter cultivation, Lin Chen's aura had long been forged as solid as steel.
On this day, as usual, he ventured deeper into the Forbidden Land to hunt, targeting a Late True Martial beast lingering on the inner perimeter. Using Traceless Snow Tread and Blood Shadow Art to conceal himself, he slipped past several groups of beasts and quietly approached the inner region.
Before he reached his target, a deafening roar and violent energy collision suddenly erupted from deep within the inner zone.
Boom!
The earth trembled, the thick fog scattered by a savage shockwave. A terrifying pressure spread outward like a tide, freezing the very air.
Lin Chen's expression changed slightly. He immediately suppressed his aura, hid behind a giant tree, and stared intently.
Two enormous figures were locked in a frenzied battle deep inside, their demonic auras soaring. Each collision sent monstrous waves rippling outward. One was an iron‑scaled giant crocodile; the other a bird‑like beast with wings spanning over ten feet. Both were terrifying existences at the Spirit Sea Realm!
The aftershocks of a Spirit Sea beast's battle were enough to instantly kill a True Martial cultivator!
A chill ran down Lin Chen's spine. He dared not stay and was about to retreat quietly.
At that moment, the winged beast let out a shrill, mournful cry. It was bitten in the wing by the crocodile, blood spraying wildly. Its massive body shot backward like a broken kite, crashing directly toward the outer perimeter.
The crocodile did not pursue—it was clearly injured as well. It roared a few times and retreated into the depths of the inner zone.
The wounded winged beast collapsed in the outer woods, struggling to stand. Its left wing was a bloody mess, its aura withered to the extreme, clearly on the verge of death.
Lin Chen's eyes instantly lit up.
A Spirit Sea beast!
Even gravely injured, its demon core, flesh, and bones were priceless treasures!
"Fuck! This is heaven‑sent luck!"
His heart pounded wildly as he suppressed his excitement.
Normally, he wouldn't even dare approach a Spirit Sea beast. But now, the creature was mortally wounded—a once‑in‑a‑lifetime chance to kill it!
"Strike while it's weak!"
Lin Chen's gaze turned ruthless. Without hesitation, he activated Traceless Snow Tread and silently closed in like a ghost.
Sensing danger, the winged beast weakly lifted its head. Its blood‑red eyes brimmed with violence and vigilance as it let out a low, threatening snarl.
But its injuries were too severe. It could barely stand, let alone mount an effective counterattack.
"Die!"
Lin Chen roared. His true essence erupted completely. The power of the Savage Bull Bloodline surged into his right arm, and he unleashed Mountain‑Splitting Fist at full force, punching straight for the beast's skull.
The fist wind howled, powerful enough to split mountains!
He was confident this punch would severely wound the already dying Spirit Sea beast!
However—
Thud!
Just as his fist was about to connect, the winged beast suddenly raised its uninjured right wing and swatted lazily.
A terrifying power far beyond his imagination exploded instantly.
"What?!"
Lin Chen's pupils shrank, disbelief written all over his face.
He felt an irresistible force slam into him. His entire arm instantly went numb, his bones emitting a crisp sound as if on the verge of breaking.
Boom!
His body was sent flying like a ragdoll, slamming into a rock several feet away. He coughed up a mouthful of blood.
"Ugh—"
It felt as if his internal organs had been displaced. Agony swept through his entire body in an instant.
"Fuck! This beast… is still this strong even after being wounded!"
Lin Chen's face paled. An overwhelming terror surged within him.
He had vastly overestimated himself!
Even a mortally wounded Spirit Sea beast possessed a foundation and power far beyond what he, a peak Middle True Martial cultivator, could resist!
Enraged, the winged beast locked its blood‑red gaze onto him. Dragging its broken body, it advanced step by step.
Each step shook the ground slightly. The innate bloodline pressure made Lin Chen's hair stand on end, his breath growing heavy.
"Run!"
Survival instinct overwhelmed everything. Gritting his teeth against the pain, Lin Chen scrambled to his feet. He channeled every last drop of his remaining true essence, pushed Traceless Snow Tread to its limit, and fled toward the outer perimeter like a madman.
"Screech—!"
The winged beast let out a furious roar. Despite its crippled left wing, it gave chase with shocking speed.
Sharp wind howled. Its claws, reeking of blood, grazed Lin Chen's back several times, narrowly missing him.
"Fuck! Fuck! Faster! Faster!"
Lin Chen screamed inwardly. Terror drowned his reason. He could clearly feel the deadly killing intent closing in behind him.
He ran desperately, his true essence depleting rapidly. His wounds split open, blood soaking his robes. Every breath felt like tearing flesh.
Up ahead lay a green lake—the Spirit Lake within the Forbidden Land.
Water before him, pursuit behind!
A dead end!
"I'll risk it!"
A flash of resolve appeared in Lin Chen's eyes. Without hesitation, he leaped and plunged into the icy water.
He hoped to use the lake to hide and escape the beast's pursuit.
What he never expected—
This winged beast was amphibious!
Seeing Lin Chen jump in, the beast's eyes flickered with mockery. Without hesitation, its massive body also plunged into the lake.
Splash!
The water exploded.
The beast was even more agile underwater than on land. Its huge body shot after him like a torpedo, quickly catching up to the desperately diving Lin Chen.
"No—!"
Lin Chen's pupils dilated, despair written all over his face.
He twisted around frantically, trying to resist.
But it was too late.
The beast's sharp beak, carrying immense force, suddenly pecked at his left arm!
Crack!
A crisp, horrifying bone fracture echoed clearly underwater.
"Ah—!"
Lin Chen let out a heart‑wrenching scream. Agony shot straight to his brain, and his vision blurred, nearly causing him to faint.
His left arm, from the shoulder, had been snapped clean off!
Blood instantly dyed a large area of the lake red, the sharp stench spreading through the water.
The agony of losing a limb, the weakness from blood loss, and bone‑deep terror completely broke Lin Chen.
He floated helplessly in the icy water like a broken reed, his consciousness fading.
"Fuck… I… I'm gonna die here…"
Those were his last thoughts before blacking out.