Supreme Intelligence

Wu Chen ventured deeper into the forest, his senses heightened and his mind razor-sharp. The air was thick with an eerie stillness, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves or the distant cry of an unseen creature. Moonlight filtered through the dense canopy above, casting ghostly shadows that danced across the forest floor like restless spirits. Every step he took felt like a step into the unknown, but Wu Chen pressed on, driven by a potent mix of curiosity, determination, and the faint glimmer of hope that he might uncover the secrets of his Destiny.

As he walked, an unsettling feeling crept over him—a prickling sensation at the back of his neck, as though unseen eyes were tracking his every move. The forest seemed alive, its ancient trees whispering secrets to one another in a language he couldn't understand. He glanced around, his eyes scanning the darkness for any sign of movement. Suddenly, a low growl echoed through the trees, sending a shiver down his spine. Wu Chen froze, his hand tightening around the jagged spearhead he carried. He knew that sound—it was the same growl he had heard before encountering the demonic wolf.

"Not again," he muttered under his breath, his heart pounding like a war drum. But this time, something was different. The power he had gained from absorbing the demonic core pulsed within him, a steady thrum of energy that filled him with a strange, newfound confidence. He was no longer the helpless boy who had barely escaped with his life. He was stronger now. Ready.

The growl grew louder, reverberating through the trees like a warning. From the shadows emerged a pair of glowing eyes, burning with malevolent intelligence. A demonic panther, larger and more menacing than the wolf he had faced before, stepped into the moonlight. Its fur was a deep, inky black, and its muscles rippled with predatory grace. Wu Chen could feel the creature's power radiating from it, a palpable force that made the air around him feel heavy and oppressive.

But Wu Chen stood his ground, his mind racing. He couldn't afford to make a mistake. The creature lunged at him with terrifying speed, its claws slashing through the air like blades. Wu Chen dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack. He could feel the wind from the creature's claws as they passed inches from his face, close enough to make his skin crawl.

The battle was fierce, the panther's strength and speed pushing Wu Chen to his limits. But he had learned from his previous encounter, and he used his newfound ability to predict the creature's movements. He dodged and weaved, his body moving with a fluid grace that surprised even him. The creature's attacks were relentless, but Wu Chen's determination was unyielding. He fought not just for survival, but for something greater—a purpose he was only beginning to understand.

As the fight dragged on, Wu Chen began to notice something strange. The creature's movements were becoming more erratic, its attacks less coordinated. It was as if the creature was losing control, its power waning with each passing moment. Wu Chen seized the opportunity, striking with precision and landing a blow that sent the creature reeling.

With a final, desperate lunge, Wu Chen plunged the spearhead into the creature's chest. The panther let out a deafening roar, its body convulsing as it collapsed to the ground. Wu Chen stood over the fallen beast, his chest heaving with exertion. He had done it—he had defeated another powerful foe.

But before he could catch his breath, the familiar voice echoed in his mind once more.

[ You have slain a Special Mortal Creature Level 2: Demonic Panther Master. ]

[ Do you wish to absorb the Special Demonic Core? ]

Wu Chen hesitated, his mind racing. He had just absorbed a demonic core, and the power it had granted him was undeniable. But he also knew the risks—the potential for corruption, the danger of losing himself to the demonic energy. Yet, the thought of gaining even more power was tempting. It called to him, a siren song of strength and dominance.

After a moment of contemplation, Wu Chen made his decision. "Absorb," he said, his voice steady.

The black smoke rose from the creature's corpse, swirling around him before being absorbed into his body. The surge of energy was even more intense this time, and Wu Chen felt his strength increase exponentially. His muscles bulged with power, and his senses sharpened to an almost supernatural level.

[ Demonic Core Absorbed. ]

[ Power Level Increased: Mortal 1 Intermediate. ]

Wu Chen's eyes widened in surprise. He had advanced to the next level of Mortal energy. The realization filled him with a sense of accomplishment, but also a growing awareness of the challenges that lay ahead. If he continued to absorb demonic cores, he would grow stronger, but he would also attract more powerful enemies.

As he stood there, basking in the afterglow of his victory, Wu Chen's thoughts turned to the future. He knew that he couldn't stay in the forest forever. He needed to find a way out, to complete the trial and uncover the secrets of the Trinity Palace. But first, he needed to gather more information.

Wu Chen decided to explore the forest further, hoping to find clues that would lead him to his next destination. As he walked, he noticed that the trees were beginning to thin, and the ground was becoming more uneven. The air grew colder, and a faint mist began to creep in, obscuring his vision.

Suddenly, he heard a faint sound—a voice, barely audible over the rustling of the leaves. Wu Chen strained his ears, trying to make out the words. The voice grew louder, and soon, he could hear it clearly.

"Help... please... help me..."

Wu Chen's heart skipped a beat. It was a human voice, weak and desperate. He quickened his pace, following the sound until he came upon a small clearing. In the center of the clearing, lying on the ground, was a young girl. Her clothes were torn and bloodied, and her face was pale and drawn.

Wu Chen rushed to her side, kneeling down beside her. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.

The girl looked up at him, her eyes wide with fear. "Please... help me... they're coming..."

Before Wu Chen could respond, he heard a rustling in the bushes behind him. He turned just in time to see a group of shadowy figures emerge from the trees. They were humanoid in shape, but their features were twisted and grotesque, their eyes glowing with a malevolent light.

Wu Chen's heart sank. He had stumbled upon a group of demonic humans, creatures that had been corrupted by demonic energy. These were not mere beasts—they were once people, their humanity stripped away by forces beyond their control. And they were far more dangerous than anything he had faced before.