Supreme Intelligence

Wu Chen fought with a ferocity that left the villagers speechless. The Level 3 creatures, which had seemed invincible moments ago, fell one after another. Their attacks were swift and coordinated, but Wu Chen's ability to predict their movements and weaken them over time gave him the upper hand.

As the battle raged on, Wu Chen continued to absorb the cores of the fallen creatures discreetly. He made sure to do it in moments when the villagers' attention was elsewhere, ensuring they wouldn't fully understand what was happening. Each core brought him closer to his next breakthrough.

[ Demonic Core Absorbed. ]

[ Power Level Increased: Mortal 2 Intermediate. ]

The surge of energy was intoxicating, but Wu Chen knew he couldn't stop. The horde was thinning, but there were still too many of them. He needed to reach the next level if he was going to end this once and for all.

With a final, desperate push, Wu Chen unleashed the full extent of his power. His spearhead became a blur, cutting through the remaining creatures with ease. The villagers could only watch in stunned silence as the last of the Level 3 creatures fell, their bodies collapsing to the ground in lifeless heaps.

[ Demonic Core Absorbed. ]

[ Power Level Increased: Mortal 2 Master. ]

Wu Chen stood amidst the carnage, his chest heaving as he absorbed the final core. The villagers stared at him, their expressions a mixture of awe, gratitude, and fear.

"You... you saved us," Li Mei said, her voice trembling.

Wu Chen nodded, his expression calm but weary. "For now. But this might not be over."

The villagers exchanged uneasy glances. They knew he was right. The creatures had been relentless, and there was no guarantee they wouldn't return.

"Stay with us," Li Jian said, stepping forward. "At least for a while. If they come back, we'll need your strength."

Wu Chen hesitated, then nodded. "I'll stay. But I need to know more about this place. How did the creatures come to be? What is the connection to the Trinity Palace?"

Old Man Zhang stepped forward, his expression grave. "That is a long story, young man. But for now, let us tend to the wounded and prepare for what may come. We will answer your questions in time."

Wu Chen agreed, and the villagers quickly set to work. They cleared the bodies of the fallen creatures and tended to their wounded, their spirits lifted by Wu Chen's presence.

As the night wore on, Wu Chen found a quiet moment to absorb the remaining cores of the slain creatures. He did it discreetly, ensuring no one saw the black smoke rising from the corpses. The energy from the Level 3 cores was immense, and he could feel himself growing stronger with each one.

[ Demonic Core Absorbed. ]

[ Power Level Stabilized: Mortal 2 Master. ]

Wu Chen clenched his fists, feeling the power coursing through him. He knew he was reaching the limits of what these cores could offer. To advance further, he would need to face stronger foes or a large number of lower-level creatures.

As the villagers prepared for the possibility of another attack, Wu Chen's thoughts turned to the future. He needed to uncover the secrets of the Trinity Palace and complete the trial. But for now, he would stay with the villagers, protecting them and gathering the information he needed.

*Atop the Hill

Unbeknownst to the villagers and Wu Chen, a fearsome creature watched from the top of a nearby hill. Its eyes glowed with a malevolent light, and its massive form radiated an aura of power far beyond anything Wu Chen had faced.

The creature had observed the entire battle, its expression unreadable. It was the boss of the demonic horde, a being of immense strength and intelligence.

With a final glance at the village, the creature turned and disappeared into the darkness, its plans for the future already taking shape.

The village, once a place of chaos and despair, now buzzed with a cautious sense of hope. The villagers worked tirelessly to rebuild what had been destroyed, their spirits lifted by Wu Chen's presence. He had become their protector, their hero, and though they didn't fully understand his abilities, they were grateful for his strength.

Wu Chen, however, remained vigilant. He knew the battle they had won was only a temporary reprieve. The creatures they had faced were not mindless beasts—they were organized, led by something far more powerful. The thought of the boss creature lingered in his mind, a shadowy figure he had yet to encounter but could feel watching from the darkness.

As the days passed, Wu Chen took the opportunity to learn more about the village and its connection to the Trinity Palace. He spent hours speaking with Old Man Zhang and the other elders, piecing together fragments of information.

"The Trinity Palace is an ancient place," Old Man Zhang explained one evening as they sat by the fire. "It is said to be a trial ground for those chosen by fate. The demonic creatures you've faced are part of its test, but they are also a curse that has plagued our land for generations."

Wu Chen frowned. "A curse? What do you mean?"

The old man sighed, his eyes distant. "Long ago, our ancestors in pursuit of strength and power encountered a mystery called Trinity Palace. They sought power to protect the village, but in doing so, they unleashed something terrible. The demonic creatures began to appear, and the forest became a place of darkness. We have been fighting them ever since."

Wu Chen's mind raced. If the creatures were tied to the Trinity Palace, then defeating them might be the key to completing the trial. But he needed more information.

"Is there a way to break the curse?" he asked.

Old Man Zhang shook his head. "We do not know. The secrets of the Trinity Palace are beyond our understanding. But if anyone can find a way, it is you, Wu Chen."

The weight of the old man's words settled on Wu Chen's shoulders. He had come to this place seeking power and answers, but he was beginning to realize that his journey was about more than just himself. The villagers were counting on him, and he couldn't let them down.