The storm of red needles cut through the air with a deadly hum.
Wu Kai released everything. Dozens, then hundreds of spinning needles flew toward the Iron-Skinned Bear. The monster roared and charged like a living tank, ignoring most of the projectiles that ricocheted off its metallic hide. Some needles managed to pierce softer points like joints, eyes, and snout, drawing roars of fury.
But the bear did not stop.
Its colossal paw struck Wu Kai from the side. The impact was like being hit by a moving log. Wu Kai was sent flying, crashing against a rock. A dry crack echoed as two ribs broke. The pain exploded in his chest, making his vision darken for a moment.
"Argh…!"
He barely had time to get up. The bear was already upon him again. Its massive jaws snapped shut inches from his head. Wu Kai rolled desperately, feeling the beast's hot breath pass by his face. He used blood to form a long, sharp spear, thrusting it with force into the bear's front leg.
The spear shattered against the iron skin, but managed to open a wound deep enough to make the monster step back.
Wu Kai spat blood and staggered to his feet. His left arm was almost useless, the previous cut had reopened and was bleeding profusely. Broken ribs made it hard to breathe. Every movement sent waves of agony through his body.
"You are… too strong…"
Even so, he smiled. A bloody, savage smile.
He would not run. He would not give up.
Wu Kai activated the physique to its absolute limit. His blood boiled like never before. He formed a complete armor of blood around his body, dense and gleaming, and charged straight at the bear.
The clash was brutal.
Claws and dagger danced in a deadly sequence. Wu Kai took a blow that split his chest from top to bottom, another that broke his right shoulder. Blood, his own blood, poured endlessly. But he also struck back. He stabbed the dagger multiple times into the same spots, opening deeper and deeper wounds. He used blood chains to bind one of the bear's hind legs for a few precious seconds.
The moment the bear raised both front paws to crush him, Wu Kai saw the opening.
He jumped between the open paws, drove the dagger to the hilt into the beast's exposed throat, and released all the blood he could through the wound.
"Die!"
The blood invaded the inside of the bear like thousands of living needles, tearing through organs, arteries, and veins from within. The monster let out a deafening roar, its entire body trembling violently.
Wu Kai did not let go. Even with a broken shoulder, even with his chest torn open, he twisted the dagger and pushed more blood inside.
The Iron-Skinned Bear staggered. Its red eyes lost their glow. With one last deep groan, the colossal body fell to the side, making the ground tremble.
Wu Kai collapsed to his knees beside the carcass, panting. His body was a disaster. His chest was ripped open, ribs exposed, one arm almost useless, the other shoulder broken. Blood flowed from multiple severe wounds. He could feel life slipping away.
"Not… yet…"
With his last strength, he placed his trembling hands over the massive wound on the bear's neck.
The flow began.
This time, it was desperate. The beast's blood, dense, powerful, filled with peak rank 1 essence, rushed in like an avalanche. Wu Kai absorbed everything greedily, almost frantically. The vital essence flooded his body, repairing damaged tissues, strengthening broken bones, closing open wounds.
The sensation was both painful and ecstatic.
His bones cracked as they realigned. His skin regenerated at high speed. The deep cuts on his chest and arm closed, leaving pink scars. The bleeding stopped. In minutes, he went from the brink of death to… alive.
But he was still far from well.
Wu Kai fell into a sitting position, leaning against the bear's dried body. He breathed with difficulty. Every movement still hurt. Although the physique had saved his life, the damage had been too great. He would need time to fully recover.
"That was close…" he muttered, looking at the sky that was already darkening.
"Way too close."
He had defeated a beast that, in theory, was three or four stages above him. But the price was high. If he did not have the Blood Spiritual Physique, he would have died without a doubt.
"This is the kind of fight I need to face if I want to grow quickly, but even so, it is extremely dangerous…"
Wu Kai remained there for almost half an hour, absorbing the remaining essence left in the bear's body. When he finished, he felt even closer to the fifth stage. The barrier trembled violently now.
But he could not continue hunting.
His body needed rest. His muscles trembled from exhaustion. His mind as well.
He stood up with difficulty and searched for a safe place. Not far away, he found a small cave hidden among the rocks, with a narrow entrance and a dry interior. He checked that there were no other animals inside and dragged himself in.
He sat leaning against the cold wall, the dagger within reach. His left arm still throbbed, his chest burned with every breath. Even with accelerated regeneration, it would take him at least one or two days to return to normal.
"Enough for today…" he whispered, closing his eyes.
"Tomorrow I continue."
As night fell over the forest, Wu Kai allowed himself to relax a little. The pain was constant, but bearable. More than that, there was a sense of deep accomplishment.
He had killed a peak rank 1 bear. Alone.
"I am changing… fast."
A faint smile appeared on his bloodstained lips, even with his body destroyed.
He adjusted himself as best as he could in the dark cave, keeping his senses alert. Sleep came slowly, heavily, filled with images of blood, claws, and victory.
For the first time in ten days, Wu Kai slept feeling that he had surpassed another important limit.