Tower of Heaven

Atlas followed the group of six through the forest. They followed it lengthwise to the east until they reached a rocky area. There, they started to take a much stranger path to reach the treasure in question.

In the meantime, the man, who introduced himself as Jason, explained the nature of the beast they'd faced.

"It's black just like everything else in this realm, but it's a little different. It has these green veins running across its body that look like they're filled with qi. It looks like someone stuck the wings of a dragon and the tail of a scorpion onto a lion."

If this was a place where sentient beings had frequented, Atlas would have believed that he was describing a chimera of some sort. However, chimeras were not naturally formed. If this creature matched the man's description, then it was a unique species found only in this realm.

They found their way to a clearing hidden between several large boulders. Standing inside one of the small cracks that revealed it to the outside world, the group looked at the beast beyond.

"Me and Farrah are close combat fighters. Gionnis, and Ian can attack from range. Winter is a wood practitioner who can heal us, and Nadia is good with barriers."

Jason clearly told Atlas all of their strengths. Taking in the information, Atlas used the [Eyes of One] to glance at the beast.

'It is definitely more powerful than the beasts I've seen so far.'

It was at least on the same level as him, if not somewhat stronger.

Looking at the group of six behind him, Atlas nodded.

"The two of you close combat fighters follow me. Hang back and attack when you see good openings, but don't be too active and ruin my flow. Just watch and you'll see where you're needed. The two of you that like to attack from the back, wait for instructions. You'll mainly be laying down cover fire, so prepare martial skills that are good for that."

The healer and the person named Nadia who was "good with barriers" did not need to be told what to do. Their jobs were the same in every battle. They would watch the scene and provide support where support was needed.

The plan had Atlas at its center, naturally. He would be the one doing most of the fighting. He was just giving the rest of them roles for convenience.

Currently, the beast was lying down in front of the treasure chest that the group was chasing. It was not asleep, and it had certainly noticed their presence at the entrance, but it did not move.

It silently watched them, waiting for them to make the first move.

'It is very concerned about the treasure in that chest, but it cannot reach it. It believes it can reach it given enough time, so it is protecting it ferociously until that moment comes.'

Understanding its intentions wasn't hard. It was a beast with a simple mind, after all.

'It should prioritize protecting the treasure over killing the ones who come here. That's why these six were able to run away and find me.'

"Okay. I'm going in first. Follow me whenever you wish."

Without another word, Atlas shot forward. Two chain sickles appeared in his grasp and shot out even faster than him.

[Twin Serpents' Dance]

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They spun around each other and did a beautiful routine in the air as they approached the beast. It stood up, growled, and bared its fangs, facing the weapons without fear.

Bang!

That was until they made impact.

The blunt side of the right chain sickle slammed into its face and the left swept down and cut a scar into its nose. The beast took several steps back and shook its head, glaring at Atlas.

In response, he grinned so widely that it could read his expression through his eyes. This was more than enough for provocation.

ROOOAR–!

With a powerful war cry, it shot forward, meeting Atlas where he stood.

He did not avoid it. Rather, he raised his fists and faced it head-on.

'This is the perfect opportunity to test the extent of my body.'

Boom!

It raised its paw and struck out. Atlas met it with his own fist. The two created a shockwave that struck the surrounding boulders, but did no damage to each other.

The beast turned around and whipped its tail, which was tipped with a sharp stinger. It cut towards Atlas and was met directly with a sickle blade that parried it and shoved it into the ground.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Subtly, Atlas connected to a separate energy within his body, one that he had not paid quite as much attention to.

Astral Energy was different from qi but the same. It was stored near the heart rather than in the dantian. During the Mortal Realms of Body Cultivation, it could not be exerted outside of the body.

Then again, it didn't necessarily need to be. Astral Energy was always meant to strengthen the body and originally came from the body in a sense. It would eventually become much more powerful, to the point where it could even match Spiritual Energy, but that was not the point where it was in Atlas' body.

In Atlas' body, Astral Energy was still difficult to even move.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

As he slowly moved the energy from the area of his heart and into his limbs, he battled the beast directly. Its claws and stinger were met by his blades. Its paws and maw were met by his fists. He dashed around the beast, using his mobility to his advantage, but it wasn't so weak.

That tail decorating its rear wasn't for show. Any weakness it had in dexterity it covered by using it. Somehow, the beast could see around its entire body despite having forward-facing eyes. It was just one of its many advantages.

However, Atlas wasn't alone. Soon enough, six more people entered the clearing.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

A wave of flames crashed into the beast from above. Their techniques took different forms, but Gionnis and Ian were flame cultivators who came from the same doctrine. Their attacks had the same purpose.

The beast reared back onto its hind legs as it was met with the flames. Jason and Farrah took the opportunity and charged in from the sides. A sword and a spear stabbed into the beast's underbelly before it came crashing down.

One could feel the qi radiating from its movements. Without trying to continue their attack, Jason and Farrah retreated in time for Nadia to throw up a barrier.

Boooom!

The force of the beast's impact slammed into the barrier. A cloud of dust was contained inside and disallowed from spreading. The beast slammed its claws into the barrier, but it refused to break.

Atlas raised an eyebrow.

'Wow. She really is good with barriers.'

Without doubting the abilities of this group any longer, Atlas rushed back in.

Having his first real battle with a worthy opponent in some time, Atlas felt excited. He was also paying attention to the skill level of the people around them.

They were sensible cultivators, or at least that was the impression they gave off.

Perhaps in the future…

Atlas shook his head and put his thoughts away.

The only thing he needed to focus on now was the beast in front of him.

It would be screeching its death throes soon enough.