Meng Lin stepped through the next gate and found herself in a dark, underground cave. The air was damp and musty, and she could hear the sound of dripping water echoing throughout the cavern.

Suddenly, she heard a low noise. Looking around, she saw a pair of small glowing eyes in the darkness.

Meng Lin quickly realized what kind of creature it was, a peak stage Rank 2 spirit beast known as a Golden Eyed - Shadow Snake.

The snake was about ten feets long and had a jet-black body with shimmering scales.

The snake slithered towards Meng Lin, its forked tongue flicking in and out of its mouth.

Meng Lin remained calm and focused. She knew that this Shadow Snake was small but venomous and had to be handled with caution.

As the snake approached her, Meng Lin stepped back slowly, keeping her eyes locked on the creature. She could see the venom dripping from its fangs, ready to strike.

With lightning speed, the snake lunged towards her, but Meng Lin was ready. She sidestepped the attack and raised her hand, summoning a burst of corrosive qi.

The energy hit the snake, sending it flying backward with a large mark on its body, the snake hissed in pain as it felt a corrosive fog cover it’s body.

The skin of the shadow snake started to deteriorate at an alarming speed as it thrashed around on the floor.

Meng Lin didn’t let go of the opportunity to strike, raising her arm and sending a powerful qi across her spiritual vains.

“Surge”

A surge of water qi gathered before blasting towards the writhed snake.

Boom!

The impact sent the snake crashing into the cave wall, where it slumped to the ground, motionless before turning into mist.

Meng Lin looked around and saw the gate to the next floor. She walked towards it, thinking about what ancient spirit beast she might see this time.

As she stepped through the gate, the surroundings changed once again. This time, she found herself in a vast, open field with a clear blue sky overhead.

She could feel a sense of calmness here, looking around she saw a massive creature gazing towards her.

It was a giant, serpentine creature with scales as black as night standing on 2 hind legs, with eyes that glowed with an otherworldly light.

Meng Lin quickly analyzed the creature and realized that it was a peak stage Rank 2 ancient spirit beast known as a Night Basilisk.

A creature with a durable body, as well as mysterious abilities, Meng Lin knew that this battle would be her toughest yet.

The Night Basilisk didn’t charge in a frenzy like the rest but rather, opened it’s mouth to gather qi, causing Meng Lin’s expression to change.

A large rarzor sharp energy blade formed in the Night Basilisk’s mouth, and it charged towards Meng Lin with incredible speed.

Meng Lin quickly reacted, summoning her Brute Qi as she realized how much of a threat the attack was.

Peng!!

The energy blade struck, causing a loud explosion. Meng Lin was thrown back by the force but remained on her feet.

The Night Basilisk continued to open its mouth, preparing another attack, but Meng Lin remained calm and focused.

She knew that the Night Basilisk was vulnerable in some areas, and she had to find a way to strike where it matters.

Gathering her brute qi into her arm Meng Lin created a powerful chaotic wave that forced the Night Basilisk to stop and stagger back.

Meng Lin took advantage of the moment and charged towards the beast. She leaped onto its back, gathering a large amount of chaotic qi into her palms which she directed towards the Night Basilisk’s neck.

The brute qi hit the Night Basilisk’s neck, causing it to roar in pain, twisting its body in countless directions, causing small holes to form on the floor.

Meng Lin was not expecting the Night Basilisk to suddenly rear up, throwing her off its back with incredible force.

Boom

Meng Lin hit the ground hard, feeling the impact reverberate through her body, however she quickly got up, ready to face the Night Basilisk once again.

The creature charged towards her, its eyes gleaming with a fierce intensity. It summoned all its strength, with its body suddenly turning red as it lunged.

When the Night Basilisk’s body turned red, its strength, speed and various other attributes increased, causing it to be more ferocious.

Peng

Meng Lin wasn’t fast enough to dodge the attack, and she was struck head-on by the Night Basilisk’s powerful fangs.

She flew backwards, crashing into a nearby boulder, feeling a sharp pain shoot through her body.

Meng Lin got up with little difficulty and couldn’t help but wonder about the next 4 stages, this ancient spirit beast was already this powerful.

Nevertheless she gathered a third of her brute qi into her hand as she didn’t want to be on the defense, she slashed down her her hand while uttering the technique.

“Waterfall Slash”

A massive wave of Brute qi surged towards the Night Basilisk, forming a crescent slash that arrived before it immediately.

Boom!

The beast roared in pain as it was thrown back, crashing into the ground.

Meng Lin took advantage of the moment and charged towards the beast, gathering a large amount of her brute qi onto her hand.

Jumping forward she aimed at the head of the beast as she brought down her fist, covered with chaotic qi.

The Night Basilisk attempted to dodge, but Meng Lin's attack was too fast and too powerful. Her fist struck the beast's head, destroying it instantly, causing its body to turn into mist on the spot.

Meng Lin stood over the disappearing corpse with slight exhaustion, but victorious.

She looked over at the door that appeared before thinking about her chances.

She was pretty confident that if she used her Corrosive bracelets then she could win the next round.

As for the next two after that, she didn’t want to entertain the idea, if what she thinks is correct then the last floor of the pagoda holds a rank 3 spirit beast.

Thinking about her experience with rank 3 spirit beasts Meng Lin couldn’t help but wonder how she would face against them now.

She wanted to try it but she realized that this much was enough, she didn’t want to show all her strength to the sect, it’s always better to have a few hidden trump cards.

Anyways, she had done what she had set out to do, which was to clear the 8 floor, now her strength should be know by the masses as least.