The world of beasts was vast, ancient, and ruled by time.
There existed twelve levels of beasts, and each level represented a terrifying leap in power.
From Level 1 to Level 6, they were considered common beasts—dangerous, but still within the reach of cultivators.
But beyond that… the true monsters began.
To step into Level 7, a beast required at least 100,000 years of cultivation.
From Level 7 to Level 9, they were called Supreme Beasts.
At Level 10, the threshold rose to a terrifying 10 million years of cultivation—these beings were known as Heavenly Beasts.
At Level 11, with 100 million years, they became Supreme Heavenly Beasts.
And finally…
At Level 12…
With over 1 billion years of existence…
They were no longer beasts.
They were called Celestial Beings… Gods of Beasts.
Under the roaring waters of the Baspian Waterfall, Alex stood silently, his breathing steady.
His control over the water element had improved.
Not perfect.
But no longer unstable.
Yi Zhau's voice echoed in his mind.
"Now… it is time you learn your first technique."
Alex's eyes sharpened.
"What technique?"
"Gathering Split Palm."
The air around Alex trembled slightly as Yi Zhau continued.
"Gather the elemental energy into your palm… compress it… then split its force upon release."
Alex raised his hand slowly.
Water energy began to gather.
Unstable at first.
Shaking.
Breaking.
Reforming.
Again and again.
His expression hardened.
He focused.
The water condensed.
For the first time… it did not scatter.
A faint pressure formed in his palm.
Yi Zhau spoke, his tone carrying a hint of arrogance.
"Do not disappoint me. A disciple of mine failing at the first step would be an insult."
Alex didn't reply.
He stepped forward.
Facing the waterfall.
And struck.
The moment his palm released—
A split force burst forward.
The waterfall shook.
Not just water…
The entire ground beneath it trembled.
A deep vibration echoed from below.
Alex's eyes narrowed.
"What was that…?"
Yi Zhau's voice turned serious.
"There is something beneath."
Without hesitation, Alex moved forward.
Diving into the water.
The pressure increased as he descended.
Darkness surrounded him.
But then—
A faint glow appeared.
At the bottom…
There was a shell.
Large.
Ancient.
And within it—
A glowing pill.
Blue in color.
Radiating pure water energy.
Yi Zhau's voice carried a rare tone of approval.
"A natural treasure… formed by time itself."
Alex approached slowly.
"What is it?"
"An Ocean Shore Pill."
Yi Zhau continued.
"It is naturally formed once every hundred years… absorbing water essence from the surroundings."
"It is extremely beneficial for water cultivators."
Alex's gaze sharpened.
"What does it do?"
"It enhances elemental affinity… strengthens the body… and stabilizes energy."
He paused.
"And this one… though only a 3rd grade pill… holds the potential of a 4th grade pill."
Alex's eyes flickered slightly.
"Grade?"
Yi Zhau explained.
"Pills are divided into eight grades."
"As the grade increases… so does the power."
"And more importantly…"
"The protector of the pill becomes stronger."
Alex looked at the glowing pill again.
"So how do I take it?"
Yi Zhau's tone turned confident.
"Do not worry."
"When I am here… nothing can stop you."
Suddenly—
Yi Zhau unleashed his energy.
But something felt different.
Weaker than before.
The water trembled as a massive figure emerged from the darkness.
A beast.
Its massive body moved slowly, its presence heavy.
Its eyes glowed faintly.
Yi Zhau spoke.
"A Crown Whale."
"It is called so because it guards treasures like a crown."
"A Level 4 water-type beast."
The whale roared.
The entire water shook.
Yi Zhau moved forward.
Distracting it.
"Go. Take the pill."
Alex didn't hesitate.
He rushed forward.
His hand extended toward the pill.
Just as his fingers were about to touch it—
A violent roar exploded from behind.
Before he could react—
A massive tail struck toward him.
Alex stepped back instantly.
The attack barely missed him.
The water split apart from the force.
He turned.
Another whale.
Its body darker.
Rougher.
Covered in thick, rugged skin.
Yi Zhau's voice cut through.
"That one is not the protector."
"It is a Drraky Whale."
"It came to steal the pill."
Alex misunderstood for a moment.
Thinking it was another guardian.
But there was no time to think.
The Drraky Whale attacked again.
This time—
Alex moved.
His palm gathered water energy.
Condensed.
Compressed.
He struck.
"Gathering Split Palm!"
The attack hit the whale directly.
But—
Nothing happened.
The whale didn't even react.
Its body absorbed the impact like it was nothing.
The next moment—
Its tail slammed into Alex.
The force sent him flying.
His body crashed into the waterbed.
Pain surged through him.
Yi Zhau's voice echoed sharply.
"Brat… that is not the protector."
"It is like you… a thief."
"Watch carefully."
At that moment—
Yi Zhau's soul stood still.
Perfectly upright.
The Crown Whale opened its massive mouth and rushed toward him.
It swallowed Yi Zhau whole.
Alex's eyes widened.
"Master!"
"Turn around."
The voice came from behind.
Alex froze.
He turned slowly.
Yi Zhau stood there.
Completely unharmed.
"But… inside—"
"That was merely a projection."
At that instant—
A burst of light exploded from within the Crown Whale.
The beast trembled violently.
Meanwhile—
The Drraky Whale seized the chance.
It struck the shell.
The pill fell out.
The Crown Whale reacted instantly.
It slammed into the Drraky Whale.
The two beasts clashed.
Water exploded around them.
The entire space trembled.
Yi Zhau spoke calmly.
"This is your chance."
"Take it."
Alex clenched his teeth.
He gathered energy into his legs.
Then—
He pushed backward with force.
The recoil launched him forward.
He reached the pill.
And grabbed it.
The moment he did—
The Crown Whale turned.
Its massive tail struck toward him.
But before it could hit—
The Drraky Whale intercepted.
Blocking the attack.
The two beasts continued their fight.
Alex retreated immediately.
Swimming upward.
Breaking through the surface.
He reached the shore.
Breathing heavily.
The pill still in his hand.
Without thinking—
He tried to consume it.
But suddenly—
Yi Zhau stopped him.
"Stop."
Alex frowned.
"Why?"
"This is a natural pill."
"You cannot consume it directly."
"It must be refined."
He continued.
"Pills created by alchemists are already refined."
"But this…"
"This is raw power."
"Consume it like this… and your body will collapse."
Alex slowly lowered his hand.
His breathing steadied.
Behind him—
The waterfall roared endlessly.
Yi Zhau's voice echoed again.
"Strength is not just about obtaining power…"
"It is about understanding how to use it."
Alex looked at the pill in silence.
His grip tightened slightly.
For the first time—
He realized…
Power alone was not enough.
Control…
Was everything.