Demonic Cultivation: Devouring Ten Thousand Demonic Beasts
Chapter 3: Demonic beast

Chapter 3: Demonic beast

From the shadows, it emerged, a monster on four legs, prowling forward with silent menace.

"What...? A Mountain Wolf?"

Langtian’s face twisted in horror.

No. This was no ordinary Mountain Wolf.

He had hunted hundreds of those during his early years of training in the mountain forests. Normal Mountain Wolves were already big and dangerous, weighing at least 120 jin (72 kg) and often hunting in packs.

But this one... stood alone.

And it was massive.

Easily five times the size of a regular Mountain Wolf, its hulking body loomed as tall as a full-grown horse. Limbs thick like tree trunks carried massive paws that cracked stone beneath every step.

Its body was grotesquely mutated. Muscle cords writhed beneath oily black fur, twitching unnaturally. Jagged, bone-like spikes protruded from its shoulders, spine, and elbows; some were broken, others dripping a foul black sludge.

Its head was twisted, more demon than wolf. A pair of glowing red eyes locked onto Langtian, burning with raw killing intent. Black mist hissed between its bared fangs as it snarled, the sound echoing through the air like a death knell.

Langtian’s instincts screamed at him.

’Run. Get away. You’re going to die!’

His heart hammered against his ribs, his breath catching painfully in his throat.

This was no normal beast.

This was a demonic beast!

In this world, when demonic energy seeped into the land, it poisoned everything it touched. It blackened the soil, turned rivers bitter, and twisted the skies until even the clouds looked sick. Plants grew gnarled and wrong. Birds forgot how to sing. And beasts...

Beasts became monsters.

Demonic beasts were animals corrupted by that vile energy, mutating into something far deadlier. They lost all reason, consumed by madness, bloodlust, and an unnatural hunger.

This wolf... was one of them.

A walking nightmare born of darkness.

And now, it was staring directly at him.

It had likely reached the stage of a Rank 3 Demonic Beast. According to the teachings of demon beast hunters:

Rank 1 Demonic Beasts were those just beginning to feel the touch of corruption. Their bodies were only slightly altered, becoming larger, with heightened aggression and sharper senses. They were more dangerous, yet still recognizable as their original forms.

Rank 2 beasts showed more obvious signs of demonic influence. Dark mist, either black or blood-red, seeped from their bodies like smoke from a smoldering fire. Their presence alone poisoned the land, spreading corruption wherever they went due to the intense demonic energy.

Then came Rank 3, where true horror began.

At this stage, beasts grotesquely mutated. Bone spikes erupted from their flesh. Eyes split or multiplied. Some sprouted venomous tails or grew twisted, extra limbs. Their minds shattered, consumed entirely by bloodlust and hunger. They no longer resembled animals, but monstrous aberrations.

Beyond them were the Rank 4, 5, and 6 Demonic Beasts. They were rarely seen—and for good reason. These creatures were no longer mere beasts, but nightmares made flesh. Some were massive enough to flatten buildings beneath a single step. Others breathed venomous fog or scorching flames. Their mere aura could drive weaker cultivators insane.

The strongest among them could even speak, developing intelligence and the terrifying ability to mimic or understand human language.

There were tales of entire sects wiped out by a single Rank 6 beast, and cities reduced to rubble beneath the wrath of a Rank 8.

Langtian had read the stories. He had seen them in nightmares, but never—not once—had he come face to face with such horror.

Until now.

A Rank 3 Demonic Beast—perhaps even stronger—stood directly before him.

And it had come at the worst possible moment.

Right now, he was broken.

Every breath sent sharp pain lancing through his chest. Bones aching, muscles trembling from blood loss, his entire body felt ready to collapse. His spiritual core was gone. His meridians were dry. The remaining spiritual energy within him was barely enough to fuel one or two desperate moves.

Yet the monstrous wolf continued to circle him.

As its massive paws scraped across the cracked stone floor, its claws tapped a slow, sharp rhythm, like knives being unsheathed. Saliva foamed at its jaws, thick and foul like a rabid animal’s, dripping onto the ground with wet splashes.

Its eyes, glowing crimson, burned like hellfire.

A deep growl rumbled in the wolf’s throat, low at first, then rising like distant thunder.

Langtian’s breathing grew shallow. Every instinct screamed at him to flee, but there was nowhere left to run. With shaking fingers, he drew his sword. The blade felt heavier than it ever had.

Still, Langtian raised it.

Though his body was failing, though death loomed mere heartbeats away, his eyes burned fiercely with defiance.

’No. I will not die here. I refuse to!’

He clenched his teeth, tightening his grip. If death was coming for him, he would meet it head-on! He had no choice but to fight!

The wolf snarled—and then it pounced!

Its enormous frame launched through the air like a bolt of black lightning.

Claws the size of butcher knives slashed toward Langtian’s throat!

SLASH!

Langtian rolled aside just in time. Pain shot through his ribs as he hit the ground hard, the breath violently forced from his lungs.

Behind him, the beast’s claws crashed into the stone, carving deep, jagged grooves where he had stood just moments before. Shards of rock exploded in all directions like shrapnel.

Gritting his teeth, Langtian twisted his body and struck.

CLANG!

His blade smashed against the wolf’s flank. Sparks flew. The beast howled and staggered back, a crimson gash splitting along its side.

But it wasn’t deep enough.

"Damn it!" Langtian hissed, stumbling onto one knee. "Its skin is so fucking thick!"

The cut was shallow, barely drawing blood. Beneath the creature’s fur, muscles rippled like steel cables, its hide tougher than armor.

And now, he had enraged it.

The beast roared, fangs bared, and lunged once again.