"Hum?" Zar raised a brow, having completely forgotten about the potential Unique Beast that could emerge from a Core Formation Realm breakthrough. "I wonder what this thing will be like. Hopefully, powerful."
Making a mental note to check on the Unique Shadow Beast later, Zar resumed upgrading the Shadow Beasts. More and more of his Lifespan drained away, but he was certain it would all be worth it in the end.
[You have spent 200 years of Lifespan advancing the cultivation of all 114 of your Shadow Beasts. The 3 who previously failed their Tribulations have succeeded, meaning that all your Shadow Beasts have successfully broken through to the Core Formation Realm!]
[300 years of Lifespan have been invested in the progression of your Shadow Beasts' cultivation: 111 have broken through to the 2nd Layer of Core Formation; 3 have tremendously progressed within the 1st Layer, reaching its peak. As for the newly awakened Unique Shadow Beast, it has begun to deviate from the equivalent cultivation talent of the basic Shadow Beasts, nearing the peak of the 2nd Layer of Core Formation.]
'A deviation? Intriguing.'
[350 years of Lifespan have been invested in the progression of your Shadow Beasts' cultivation: 3 have broken through and settled in the 2nd Layer of Core Formation; 110 have neared the peak of the 2nd Layer; the Unique Shadow Beast has broken through the 3rd Layer and advanced to the middle of the stage.]
[500 years of Lifespan were spent advancing your Shadow Beasts' cultivation: 113 have broken through to the 3rd Layer of the Core Formation Realm; the Unique Shadow Beast has reached the later stages of the 4th Layer.]
[750 years of Lifespan have been deducted, all going into the advancement of your Shadow Beasts' cultivation: 113 have broken through to the 4th Layer, nearing its peak; the Unique Shadow Beast is an inch away from breaking through to the 6th Layer of the Core Formation Realm!]
[After reducing your total Lifespan by 1,200 years, 113 of your Shadow Beasts have broken through the 5th and 6th Layers of the Core Formation Realm! Meanwhile, your first Unique Shadow Beast has reached the very pinnacle of the 7th Layer of the Core Formation Realm—the same as the Host!]
[Average Shadow Beast Level: Half-step Core Formation → Core Formation (6th Layer)]
OOOM!
As the various Shadow Beasts underwent rapid evolutions, Zar felt the barriers he had been holding back begin to crack. Then, like the flooding of the Nile River, both he and his Shadow Beasts began their breakthroughs!
RUMBLE—!
"What is that sudden surge of aura in the distance???" Grandmaster Nero gripped his armrest, his immense surprise causing it to splinter. "Why does it feel like someone is undergoing a Core Formation Realm Heavenly Tribulation!? And not just one—but dozens!?"
What in the hell was going on!?
The other two Grandmasters stationed in Verndale also turned toward the source of the mountain-shaking disturbance, their eyes widening in shock.
It was unlike anything they had ever felt before!
Core Formation Realm – Achieved!
2nd Layer Core Formation – Achieved!
3rd Layer Core Formation – Achieved!
4th Layer Core Formation – Achieved!
By this point, all three Grandmasters felt their souls tremble. Their astonishment was so great that it transitioned into pure dumbfoundedness, leaving them and every single Foundation Establishment Realm Therian in the closed-off area staring with their mouths agape.
They had no idea that their conceitedness in not placing enough severity on a growing weed while they had the chance was what allowed something like this to happen…
Fools!
Over a hundred filamental auras—each equal to or surpassing the 4th Layer of the Core Formation Realm—suddenly appeared in multiple locations within the forest outside Verndale. More terrifyingly, they were all newly formed auras, meaning that over a hundred beings had broken through to the 1st Layer of the Core Formation Realm and beyond in mere seconds.
It was simply… incomprehensible…
"Now, what is this?" The Lion Therian who had killed Zar turned toward the overwhelming surge of Core Formation auras, his confusion palpable. "Some sort of illusion? But they feel too distinct… too real."
After a moment of contemplation that led nowhere, the Lion Therian vanished from his spot.
Without any of the Grandmasters realizing it, he became the first Therian in history to come into contact with an army that would one day bring the entire continent to its knees.
"You're here," said Zar, his vast aura already consolidated after spending a bit more Lifespan. "I thought you'd never show up."
'7th Layer of Core Formation,' the Lion Therian noted, his eyes narrowing.
Yet, he wasn't particularly worried. More than that, he wondered how someone of such high cultivation had managed to slip past his vigilant gaze.
"Who are you?" he asked plainly. "Which faction do you come from? And why have you invaded our Trial… with these undead forces of yours?"
"Huh?" Zar tilted his head. "What faction? Trial?"
"Don't tell me…" The Lion Therian's eyelashes flickered. "Do you hail from the Seven Underworlds Sect? That would explain these unusual undead, but even then, I've heard that having just ten undead near one's cultivation level is enough to qualify someone as an Elder. With so many under you, you should be the same, but your cultivation… Elders are always in or above the Divinity Transformation Realm—which you are not."
"So then," the Lion Therian paused. "What exactly are you?"