Han Long stood on shaking legs, his body drenched in sweat and blood. His vision blurred as he struggled to remain conscious, his breath coming in ragged gasps. Before him, a mountain of shattered rock and dust lay scattered—the remains of the beasts he had just slain.

But the trials were far from over.

“You survived. Barely,” the figure’s voice echoed, cold and disdainful. “But survival alone is not enough. You must grow stronger—strong enough to shatter this cave’s barrier and escape.”

“Break the barrier?” Han gritted his teeth, his legs wobbling. “With my fists? That’s impossible!”

The Avatar’s eyes narrowed, his expression like chiseled stone. “Weak words from a weak fighter. If you cannot break the boulder, you will die here.”

Before Han could utter a single word of protest, the shadows around him twisted like living smoke, writhing and stretching into grotesque forms. The air grew thick with an eerie energy, pulsing as if the cave itself had become a living nightmare. Then, from the darkness, they emerged.

First, a pair of glowing crimson eyes. Then another. And another.

The numbers multiplied—ten… twenty… too many to count.

Shadow Panthers prowled the edges of the cavern, their sleek bodies flickering like phantoms, slipping in and out of the darkness as though they were part of it.

Blood Wolves stood snarling, their fangs long and jagged, dripping with a thick, venomous saliva that sizzled as it touched the ground. Their eyes burned with hunger, muscles coiled and ready to strike.

And then came the Stone Apes—towering, monstrous creatures with bodies like carved rock. Their fists, large as millstones, clenched and unclenched, capable of pulverizing boulders with a single blow.

Han’s breath came in shallow bursts. His instincts screamed at him to move, to run, but there was nowhere to go. The beasts had formed a deadly perimeter, sealing him in like prey in a hunter’s trap.

Then, the voice—cold, merciless.

“Survive… or perish.”

The figure before him dissolved into mist, vanishing as though he had never been there.

The beasts roared in unison, the sound shaking the cave walls. They charged at him, eyes filled with bloodlust.

There’s no escape.

Han’s legs tensed, his muscles screaming in pain, but he forced himself to hold his stance. If he was going to die, he would die fighting.

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The Shadow Panthers attacked first, their bodies blurring with incredible speed.

Han’s instincts screamed as he dodged sideways, narrowly avoiding claws that could slice through steel. The second Panther appeared behind him, fangs bared.

Too fast!

He twisted his body, his elbow smashing into its face. The beast howled, bursting into black mist.

The Blood Wolves lunged, moving as a pack. Han leapt upwards, twisting in mid-air, his legs spinning.

“Falling Leaf Kick!”

His kick sliced through the air, his energy infused with the Qi that he circulated. Three wolves shattered in one move, but the others retaliated, claws raking across his back.

Pain flared. Han stumbled, blood spraying. He gritted his teeth, his vision blurring.

If I slow down, I die.

The Stone Apes charged next, their massive fists slamming the ground. Shockwaves rippled through the cave floor, nearly knocking Han off his feet.

He focused his energy, his body blurring as he used Shadow Step, dodging left and right. His fists coated in green light as he drove them into the Apes’ chests.

“Heavenly Destruction Fist!”

Two Apes crumbled into stone, but the rest kept coming. No end in sight.

Han’s body screamed in pain, exhaustion setting in. He could feel his energy draining.

“Too slow,” the figure’s voice taunted. “Too weak.”

“Shut up!” Han roared, his anger igniting his energy. His body glowed with green light, power flooding his limbs.

He charged forward, his fists moving faster than before. One beast after another fell, each strike more powerful, more precise.

But his body couldn’t keep up. His muscles tore, bones creaking under the pressure. Blood dripped from his mouth.

“Faster! Stronger!” The figure’s voice echoed, but his face showed no mercy. “You are weak. You are pathetic. How can you expect to break the barrier when you can barely survive a few beasts?”

Han’s heart raced. I have to get out. I have to survive.

But his body was breaking. His vision darkened, his limbs feeling like lead.

Am I going to die here?

The beasts closed in, jaws snapping, claws gleaming. Han could barely lift his arms.

His eyes glowed with green light as his aura exploded, the cave shaking under his presence.

The beasts froze, their crimson eyes flickering.

Han took a step forward, his body moving faster than before. His form blurred, his fists becoming shadows.

“Heavenly Destruction Fist!”

His punch shattered the ground, a shockwave rippling through the cave. Beasts exploded into mist, their cries echoing as they vanished.

One by one, they fell. Panthers, Wolves, Apes—all destroyed.

The cave fell silent. Han stood in the center, his body still glowing with green light.

He could feel the power coursing through him, his body stronger, faster, more resilient. But something was wrong. The power felt… hungry. Ruthless.

The figure reappeared, his lips curving into a cold smile. “Good. You’ve tasted it, haven’t you? The power that lies dormant within you.”

Han’s eyes narrowed. “What… what did you do to me?”

The figure’s smile widened. “You awakened the power that has always been within you.”

Han’s heart skipped a beat. He looked down at his hands, still glowing with energy. The power was intoxicating.

“This is only the beginning,” the Avatar continued, his voice echoing. “You need more training to master this power. Only then can you shatter the barrier and escape this cave.”

Han’s fists clenched. More pain, suffering, and battle. But if that was the price of survival, then he would pay it.

“I don’t care what it takes,” he said, his eyes burning with resolve. “I will escape. I will become stronger.”

The figure’s eyes gleamed with approval. “Very well. Let us continue.”

The shadows twisted again, forming even stronger beasts—their eyes glowing with malice. They roared, charging at him.

Han charged back, his fists blazing with Qi.

His battle for survival had only just begun.