The ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE SYSTEM
Chapter 93 - 10 PLUS 1 POTENTIAL

Chapter 93: 10 PLUS 1 POTENTIAL

Chapter: The Beast King’s Court and the Eleventh Star

Chen Yu stood at the massive gates of the Beast Kingdom’s grand palace, the air thick with the scent of wild earth and ancient trees. Towering stone walls etched with carvings of ferocious beasts surrounded him and Nyzelia, whose crimson eyes flicked from the spires to the patrols of armored beastkin warriors moving in disciplined lines.

Nyzelia smirked faintly. "So, this is the Beast Kingdom your disciple Vornark comes from. It reeks of raw power—and old wounds."

Chen Yu nodded. "Yes. And it’s time we settle things here."

They passed through the gate, beastkin guards giving wary but respectful glances—recognizing the man who had helped their royal family reclaim the throne not long ago. Word of Chen Yu’s deeds had spread like wildfire; whispers of his power reached even the farthest tribes.

Inside the palace’s grand hall, the walls were adorned with fangs, claws, and tapestries depicting the royal lineage of the Beast Kingdom. At the far end sat the Beast King himself: a towering lion-headed man with regal golden mane and emerald eyes that glowed with cunning and strength. His aura pressed down on the room with sheer dominance.

[STATUS – Beast King]

Rank: R

Strength: 780

Agility: 750

Stamina: 770

Mana: 760

Charm: 9/10

Energy: 1800

Status: Wise | Fierce | Grateful to Chen Yu

Beside him stood the Beast Queen, a tall, elegant tigress-woman whose icy blue eyes softened only when they fell upon her son, Vornark, who stood at Chen Yu’s side.

Chen Yu stepped forward, Nyzelia following him with languid grace. "Your Majesties," Chen began, voice steady and commanding. "I’ve come today to speak of what lies ahead for Neo-Terra—and the path we must take."

The Beast King leaned forward, sharp teeth bared in a slight grin. "Chen Yu, savior of my throne, you are always welcome here. Speak."

Chen Yu explained the planetary merge, the coming trials, and the necessity of gathering powerful challengers for ascension to the Upper Realm. He detailed how Earth, the Demon Realm, and the Spirit Domain had become Neo-Terra—and the dangers lurking in this new world.

Finally, he fixed the king with a steady gaze. "Your son, Vornark, is already on my list of ascendants. But I seek one more. Is there anyone you know, hidden among your people, with strength or potential worthy of ascending?"

A heavy silence fell. The Beast Queen looked at her mate with quiet sadness. The king exhaled deeply, shaking his head. "Alas... During the years my throne was usurped, we lost many of our brightest warriors. Those who remain are strong, but none possess the exceptional potential you seek. We barely began to rebuild with your help, Chen Yu."

Disappointment flashed across Chen’s face. Nyzelia, watching with interest, said, "Then perhaps it’s time we look for untapped talent instead of the obvious."

Chen Yu inclined his head. "Wise as always, Nyzelia."

He turned back to the Beast King. "Your Majesty, allow me to propose something: organize a gathering of every warrior, mage, and young challenger in your kingdom. Let me meet them all. With my Instructor class, I can see potential that even bloodlines might overlook."

The king’s eyes lit up, his tail swishing. "A grand idea. Tonight, we shall call a Royal Assembly. Every fighter with promise will come."

A Day in the Beast Kingdom

As they waited for the assembly, Chen Yu and Nyzelia explored the Beast Kingdom’s sprawling capital. The city bustled with life: panther-headed merchants selling exotic herbs, children with furred ears chasing one another, and powerful warriors training in wide plazas with enchanted spears and massive axes.

They visited an aerial garden where vines wound around floating rocks, Nyzelia giggling softly when a curious winged squirrel leapt onto her shoulder. Chen watched her, a smile tugging at his lips despite the gravity of their mission. They shared a quiet meal at a riverside terrace, where mist from a massive waterfall kept the air cool and refreshing. For a brief moment, the pressure of destiny lifted, and they were just two powerful beings enjoying the world they fought to protect.

The Royal Assembly

Night fell, and the grand plaza before the palace blazed with torchlight. Hundreds of beastkin warriors assembled: lion-folk with rippling muscles, sleek jaguar assassins, robed shamans channeling elemental power. Children perched on rooftops to watch as Chen Yu and the royal family stood at the dais.

Vornark, in imposing black armor, flanked his father, pride clear in his fierce gaze. The Beast King’s voice boomed across the plaza: "My loyal people! Tonight, Chen Yu—our benefactor and savior—will judge the potential of those among you who dare to ascend beyond the stars!"

One by one, warriors stepped forward. Chen Yu activated his Instructor skill, faint blue rings of light scanning each candidate.

"Potential: 6 stars... 5 stars... 7 stars..."

He gave each a nod or polite decline, offering words of encouragement or advice for improvement.

An Unexpected Light

Hours passed, the torches burning low. Chen Yu was growing tired—until a small figure limped forward: a young cheetah-beastkin boy, no more than sixteen, his fur dull, eyes sunken. He was accompanied by an elderly nurse who whispered, "This is Karo. He suffers from a rare mana-decay disease. He’s never leveled up, but he insisted on coming."

The crowd murmured with pity. The Beast King’s eyes softened. Chen Yu looked into Karo’s eyes—then activated his skill.

[Potential Detected: 10+1 Stars]

Chen Yu’s eyes widened. The plaza fell silent. He had never seen a reading like this.

Nyzelia leaned closer, voice a reverent whisper. "Ten plus one... that’s beyond even your own potential when you were born, isn’t it?"

Chen nodded. "It is."

Karo bowed deeply. "I don’t know why I was born like this, but... I want to protect my people."

Chen knelt to meet the boy’s eyes. "Your disease is the only thing holding you back. If I cure it, will you join me? Fight beside me and my companions?"

Karo’s eyes gleamed with tears. "Yes! Anything! I’ll follow you anywhere!"

The Beast King placed a massive paw on Chen’s shoulder. "If you can truly heal him... you have our eternal gratitude."

The Healer Arrives

That night, Chen Yu summoned Gu Chaewon through his teleportation skill. She appeared beside him in a soft flash of light, clad in white and gold Holy Priest robes, her hair gleaming under the moon.

"You called, Master?" she asked, scanning the crowd.

Chen placed a gentle hand on Karo’s frail shoulder. "He needs your help."

Chaewon nodded, eyes glowing with golden light. Chanting softly, she pressed her hand to Karo’s chest. Holy energy flowed like sunlight. The boy’s sickly fur brightened, muscles thickened, and his eyes snapped open, vibrant with new life. Power exploded from him, a storm of energy swirling as the mana-decay shattered.

[System Alert: Karo has Awakened! Rank: C]

The plaza erupted in cheers. The Beast King roared with joy, the sound echoing like thunder. Karo stood, breathing deeply, strength and mana surging through him for the first time in his life.

The Tenth Member

Chen Yu helped him to his feet. "Welcome, Karo. You are the tenth—and final—member of our team."

Karo’s eyes shone with fierce determination. "I won’t let you down."

The Beast King swept them all into a crushing embrace, mane flowing wildly. "Tonight, we celebrate!"

A Feast and a Promise

The palace held a grand feast: roasted boar stuffed with forest herbs, barrels of honeywine, platters of smoked fish and mountain fruits. Drums pounded as dancers whirled, Karo seated beside Chen Yu and Nyzelia, eyes wide with wonder. Vornark raised a toast. "To Neo-Terra’s strongest!"

Nyzelia laughed, clinking her glass with Chen’s. "You’ve assembled a team of monsters."

Chen smiled, glancing around the table: Meiyun, Ruxue, Hui’er, Vornark, Roman, Ling Ling, Chaewon, Nyzelia, and now Karo. Ten extraordinary beings, each bound by loyalty, ambition—and the promise of a future worth fighting for.

The Beast King stood, cape billowing as he addressed Chen. "Know this: our kingdom stands with you. Whatever comes in the Upper Realm, you will not face it alone."

A New Dawn

As dawn broke, Chen Yu stood on the palace balcony beside Nyzelia, looking over the wild lands of the Beast Kingdom stretching to the horizon. The sky was alight with shifting hues of Neo-Terra’s merged skies: sapphire, violet, and crimson.

He thought of the trials ahead—of cosmic conspiracies, the Upper Realm’s ancient rulers, and the system’s dark secrets.

But for now, with his team finally complete, Chen Yu allowed himself a moment of peace.

"Let’s go home," he murmured to Nyzelia.

And with a crack of space, they vanished—off to reunite with their comrades, ready at last for the ascent to come.

As they stepped away from the palace, Chen Yu glanced once more at the Beast King’s proud figure silhouetted in the sunrise. "This world... will remember today," he thought. Beside him, Nyzelia’s eyes gleamed with shared purpose. Together, they moved forward—two shadows striding toward the future awaiting their team.