Mira, now in her human form, gracefully rose from the water. The sensation of her human skin caressed by the sacred waters felt ethereal, almost otherworldly. Her once vibrant fox ears and flowing tails had vanished, replaced by long, silver hair that cascaded down her back. Each strand shimmered with a subtle sheen, reflecting the moonlight from above.
The serene environment of the Moon Temple only magnified the change she felt within. No longer did she possess the primal instincts of a fox; her mind felt clearer, sharper, and just overall, more in control.
Waving her hand, she created a cascade of elements around her. Yin Fire, Earth, Water, Wind, Yin Lightning, Ice, and Darkness. All seemed to flow just a tad smoother, and the efficiency was definitely higher.
'So, my beast form enhances my physical strength and senses, while my human form amplifies my Qi and control.' Mira thought while clenching her fists. She did feel that her physical strength was a little lacking compared to before.
However, she felt like she had endless stamina as if she was in energy conservation mode.
Mira then closed her eyes to check her soul.
Inside was still the same Nascent Soul she remembered, but there were a few subtle differences.
For one, her entire soul seemed to have gotten bigger, with the various elements inside more potent.
Ner Nascent Soul was also covered in faint runic tattoos while exuding more power.
Lastly, the World Core seemed to produce slight amounts of Primal Energy, making everything a bit stronger but more chaotic.
'I'm also on the cusp of breaking through to the 8th Stage.' Mira commented. However, she would never break through in such an open place like this.
While she was going through her transformation, she had already sensed multiple people coming in and out of this room. Since she had to give 100% focus to her breakthroughs as they were quite painful, she would be at her weakest point and, thus, susceptible to assassinations or sneak attacks.
'But still…' She gazed at the water, which was basically ultra-dense Qi, 'Isn't this the perfect place to cultivate? I could probably reach the peak of the Nascent Soul Realm if I stayed here!'
Mira's thoughts raced as she considered the idea of staying within the Moon Temple to cultivate further. The appeal of rapidly increasing her power was undeniable. But, considering her current situation and her drive to climb higher, staying here might not be the best choice.
She bent down and procured a few empty crystal vials from her Storage Space. With great care, she scooped up the precious moonlit water, sealing the vials tight.
'If I can't stay here, I'll bring a part of it with me.' Mira thought, satisfied with her decision.
Taking a deep breath, she left the temple. The enchanting luminescence of the Moon Temple faded, replaced by the dimly lit stone corridors of the spire. Each step took her higher, the weight of the ancient energy pressing against her.
***
Meanwhile, Elenei, who had stepped on the same floating island as Mira, was getting stronger in her own right.
Unsurprisingly, her path forward was a bit different compared to Mira's or other beasts. She didn't need a beast form like Mira, nor was she all that interested in obtaining a human form.
Upon reaching Rank 8, she would be able to transform into one without much issue. Since most of her power came from the uniqueness of both species and she already had great Qi control, her natural human form would be different than other beasts.
Instead, what she wanted was to become a progenitor just like Mira.
She was currently in this in-between state where she was almost at progenitor status, but since her Dracophoenix bloodline was still tied to the Dragon and Phoenix Clans, she wasn't quite there.
Fortunately, this Secret Realm was all about 'ascendance', in every sense of the word.
Elenei's form, a majestic combination of a dragon and phoenix, radiated an aura of unmatched grandeur. Her sleek, ruby-scaled body was contrasted by brilliant icy white and crimson feathers, creating a beautiful blend of fire and ice.
Walking her path was neither easy nor straightforward, considering she was a completely unique species. However, the Primal Energy she gathered from the first island had helped her immensely.
Not only did she have more power at her disposal, but she had a better understanding of the steps she needed to take in her cultivation.
Which ultimately left her dissatisfied.
'I want more! No, I NEED more power!' Elenei yelled internally. 'This is all Mira and that stupid dog's fault! If those two weren't so abnormally strong, I'd be perfectly content with what I have! But, no~o! Those two just have to be crazy monsters!'
She was on the cusp of being the weakest and least talented in the group.
How could she, a combination of a Dragon and a Phoenix, be the least talented?!
'Mira's a progenitor, right? Then, I'll become one too! No, I'll surpass that and become something new entirely!' Her eyes burned with an unwavering spirit as she promised herself that by the time they left this place, she would at least be more talented than Rhydian.
As Elenei advanced through the stone corridors, ascending the spire, she felt an intense energy emanating from the floor ahead. The very air seemed to hum with an ancient, primordial force. She stepped into a vast chamber, which immediately transformed into an expansive grassland, and what she saw left her breathless.
Spread out before her were statuesque forms of magnificent creatures – a behemoth with the body of a bear, a magnificent bird with the eyes of a sapphire gem, and an undulating serpentine figure, each of them radiating a formidable aura. And those were just to name a few
These weren't just statues like they were on the first island; they were the encapsulated forms of past Progenitors. She could feel it.
They gave off the same bloodline aura as Mira.
However, it seems like these were the primordial beasts that either died in the wars for power or were unable to surpass their natural limitations.
Of course, that didn't mean they were weak.
With a rumbling echo, the behemoth stirred, its once-stony form crumbling as it came to life.
Massive claws and piercing eyes fixated on Elenei. The chamber's atmosphere grew thick with tension as a voice, ancient and deep, boomed, "To embrace the Progenitor's essence, first prove your worth!"
Elenei's heart raced, not from fear but anticipation.
As the behemoth lunged, its roar vibrating the very ground she stood upon, Elenei's instincts took over.
The air around her shimmered with heat as a torrent of flames poured from her maw, clashing with the behemoth's charge in a dazzling display of power and ferocity.
The resulting shockwave sent ripples throughout the chamber, stirring the other creatures from their stony slumber.
As Elenei and the behemoth exchanged blows, the sapphire-eyed bird took to the air, circling above like a vulture waiting for the right moment.
And in that moment, it struck.
Beams of intense cold shot from its eyes, creating a stark contrast with the fiery clash below.
Elenei, sensing the change in temperature, spread her wings and took a sharp upward flight, narrowly evading the chilling beams that frosted the very stones where she stood moments ago.
But as she ascended, the serpentine figure shot out from the shadows below.
Its shimmering scales seemed to disappear and reappear, making it a challenge to track. Elenei felt the cold, sleek coils attempting to wrap around her leg, trying to drag her down into its grasp.
With a ferocious cry, she ignited her wings, the intense heat forcing the serpent to retreat momentarily. But the reprieve was short-lived, as the behemoth, now more agile than before, sought to corner her, working in tandem with the other two creatures.
The chamber became a whirlwind of fire and ice, light and shadows, each moment a dance between life and death for Elenei. With every dodge, parry, and counterattack, she learned more about her adversaries and herself.
The battle raged on, a seemingly eternal struggle. Fatigue threatened to creep in, but Elenei's resolve was unwavering. With a final, powerful burst of flame, she managed to subdue the behemoth, its massive form crashing to the ground, causing the chamber to shake.
The other beasts, sensing the fall of their kin, grew more relentless, but Elenei's spirit burned brighter. With a flurry of wings and flames, she subdued the serpent and then, with a powerful dive, tackled the bird creature, grounding it.
Panting heavily, Elenei surveyed the chamber. The ancient beasts, once menacing and fierce, now returned to their dormant statue-like state. Yet, before they could complete the transformation back to their original states, they melted into pools of liquid.
Elenei hesitated, observing the shimmering pools. Each liquid seemed to exude an energy that called to her, reminiscent of the primal aura she'd felt within Mira. She felt an overwhelming urge to approach and connect with them.
Walking cautiously, she reached the first pool, the residue of the behemoth. Tentatively, she dipped her claws into the viscous liquid.
A jolt of raw energy coursed through her, filling her body with strength.
Memories of battles long past and glimpses of the behemoth's life filled her mind. It was as if she was absorbing the very essence and history of the creature.
She repeated the process with the other two pools, gaining more knowledge and strength from the bird and the serpent. Their experiences, their strengths, their essence now became a part of her.
'I'm not just assimilating their energy,' she realized. 'I'm inheriting part of their legacy.'
Elenei could feel her power grow, not just from her physical strength but from something else. Something more profound.
She didn't quite understand what was happening, but she knew that if she kept killing these creatures and absorbing their blood, something good would happen.
'Perhaps, this was what I was looking for.' Elenei's eyes shined like two orbs as she stared into the distance.
There were other beasts and humans here, but she didn't care. As long as killing these beasts could make her stronger, she would destroy anything that got in her way.
