THE MASTER OF TEN THOUSAND REALMS

Chapter 4: Direct Battle

Swoosh!

Tirta stepped confidently toward the depths of the Black Mist Forest. After activating the Shadow Step ability, he felt ready to face any threat that lay ahead. The incredible speed he possessed gave him even greater confidence. However, he knew that within this forest, the greatest danger did not only come from wild creatures, but also from the forces hidden within the darkness of the mist.

As soon as he entered the forest, thick mist began to cover the path, limiting his vision. The rustling of leaves and the movements of wild creatures lurking among the trees echoed in his ears. Tirta remained calm, his eyes focused on every movement that could become a major threat.

Not long after, a terrifying, hoarse sound came from behind the mist. A Mist Beast, a massive creature with skin as hard as stone and a body covered in spikes, emerged from the darkness. Its eyes glowed red like fire, indicating that it was stalking its prey with intense hatred.

Roar!

With astonishing speed, the beast attacked. Its mouth opened wide, revealing sharp fangs ready to destroy everything in its path. The first attack came with unexpected speed, deadly and destructive.

However, Tirta was already prepared. With Shadow Step, his body disappeared in an instant, leaving behind only a thin trail of mist that vanished just as quickly. In the next moment, he had already appeared beside the beast. The creature's sharp teeth only tore through empty air.

Without wasting any time, Tirta immediately counterattacked. He kicked the side of the beast's body with all his strength. The Spiritual Energy condensed within his kick slammed into the beast's body, sending it flying backward until it crashed into a large tree.

Bang!

Crack!

The sound of the breaking tree echoed, but the beast was still able to stand, although it staggered slightly.

"I won't give you a second chance," Tirta said in a low voice, his eyes filled with determination. He knew that if he allowed this creature to remain alive, it could become dangerous.

Roar!

The Mist Beast roared angrily, and its next attack came. This time, the beast swung its massive and heavy tail toward Tirta. With Shadow Step, Tirta easily dodged. In an instant, his body disappeared and reappeared behind the creature, ready to launch a counterattack.

Tirta quickly assessed the opening that had appeared. With lightning-fast movement, he concentrated his Spiritual Energy into his palm and slammed his attack into the back of the beast's head.

Bang!

A loud explosion sounded as the punch landed, and the massive body collapsed, dying instantly.

"Hmph. I need to be more careful," Tirta muttered while looking at the beast's body lying on the ground.

DING...

[Congratulations, you have achieved your First Kill. You have obtained an Absorption Technique.]

Tirta carefully stared at the message that appeared before his eyes. "An Absorption Technique?" he muttered. He could feel a new power that seemed to be connected to the Beast Crystal he had obtained earlier, and the message only increased his curiosity.

He opened it and read the brief instructions that appeared in his mind:

Type: Special Technique

Description: A technique that allows the user to absorb the vital energy of defeated creatures to accelerate the cultivation process. Absorbing energy from stronger creatures can provide a significant boost to physical strength and Spiritual Energy.

"This should be useful," Tirta thought, becoming increasingly interested in learning the technique. However, this was not the time to linger. Other enemies were still lurking in the depths of the forest, and time continued to pass.

With his determination growing stronger, Tirta continued deeper into the forest. The mist became thicker, and the air felt increasingly cold. However, he could sense that something much greater was approaching.

Suddenly, the vibration of the ground grew stronger, as if something enormous were moving toward him. With his sharp instincts, Tirta stopped for a moment and looked toward the increasingly loud sound.

From behind the mist, a gigantic silhouette emerged. A Mist Behemoth, a gigantic creature far larger than anything he had ever imagined. Its body was covered in muscles and coated with skin harder than steel, while its fangs and claws radiated an aura of power far beyond that of the Mist Beast he had defeated earlier.

"This is much larger and stronger," Tirta thought as he assessed the threat before him. The Behemoth walked calmly, but every step caused the ground to tremble, and its voice sounded like rolling thunder.

"Roar!"

The Mist Behemoth roared loudly, its voice echoing throughout the forest. Its eyes glowed red, filled with hatred and ferocity. In an instant, the creature brought down its massive claw, attempting to crush Tirta with a deadly attack.

With incredible speed, Tirta used Shadow Step to evade the attack. The massive claw passed by his body within a split second, destroying the ground where he had been standing moments earlier. The attack left a huge gaping mark in the ground, large enough to bury an entire human body.

However, Tirta was already several meters beside the Behemoth. He wasted no time. Taking a quick step forward, he attacked with all his strength. His left foot kicked forcefully into the side of the Behemoth's body, his Spiritual Energy surging forward and striking with tremendous force.

BANG!

The attack was powerful enough to make the Behemoth stagger slightly, but the creature immediately retaliated with a far more ferocious attack. With incredible speed, the Behemoth's massive tail swept toward Tirta, as if attempting to destroy anything in its path.

Tirta quickly dodged, his body moving like lightning. With Shadow Step, he once again appeared behind the Behemoth and realized that the creature's strength was greater than he had expected. However, at the perfect moment, he gathered his Spiritual Energy and slammed it forcefully into the creature's back.

BANG!

An explosive sound echoed as his attack struck the massive body. However, despite staggering, the Mist Behemoth did not fall. Instead, it turned around angrily, and a counterattack came in the form of a massive and deadly claw, cutting through the air with tremendous force.

Tirta used Shadow Step once again to dodge. The attack was so fast and powerful that even with his incredible speed, Tirta found it difficult to evade.

Seeing a small opening around the Behemoth's leg, Tirta decided to act. With extremely fast movement, he gathered his Spiritual Energy in his palm and struck the vital point on the Behemoth's leg with an incredibly powerful blow.

BANG!

A terrifying explosion of energy shook the entire area, and the Mist Behemoth staggered, nearly losing its balance. However, the creature immediately retaliated with even greater force. Its tail rose high, ready to strike Tirta, who was now in a dangerous position.

Tirta did not have much time to dodge. With extraordinary reflexes, he used all of his Spiritual Energy in a counterattack. He concentrated all his strength into a single point and struck the back of the Behemoth's neck with all his might.

CRACK!

The sound of cracking bones rang out loudly. The Mist Behemoth staggered violently, and in an instant, it collapsed, its massive body shaking the ground as it finally fell.

Tirta stood upright, breathing slightly heavily, but a victorious smile appeared on his face.

"Impressive," he muttered.