Lin Kai walked deeper into the Dark Forest.
His steps were light now.
The new Void Core inside him felt like a hungry beast that wanted more power.
After walking for two hours, he heard voices ahead.
“Senior Brother Chen, this demonic wolf is almost dead! One more strike!”
Lin Kai quickly hid behind a thick tree and peeked out.
There were three young cultivators.
Two boys and one girl, all wearing green robes with a white mountain symbol — the outer disciples of the nearby Cloud Mountain Sect.
The leader was a tall young man named Chen Wei, around 18 years old.
He had a long sword in his hand and looked proud.
Next to him was a short, fat boy called Zhang Hao, who was breathing heavily.
The girl was named Su Mei — she had long black hair and sharp eyes.
She looked about the same age as Lin Kai.
They were fighting a big black wolf whose eyes were glowing red.
The wolf was already injured badly.
Chen Wei laughed loudly.
“This Level 3 demonic beast’s core will help me break through to the next stage. You two, stay back!”
But just as Chen Wei was about to deliver the final blow, the wolf suddenly jumped and bit his arm.
“AHHH!” Chen Wei screamed in pain.
Zhang Hao panicked.
“Senior Brother! What should we do?”
Su Mei quickly pulled out her dagger.
“We have to help him!”
Lin Kai watched everything quietly.
This was his chance to test his new power.
He stepped out from behind the tree.
The three disciples noticed him immediately.
“Who are you?” Chen Wei shouted while holding his bleeding arm.
Lin Kai didn’t answer.
He looked at the injured wolf.
Inside the wolf’s body, he could strangely feel its Soul Core pulsing.
Without thinking much, he raised his hand.
A black tentacle made of dark energy shot out from his palm and pierced the wolf’s chest.
The wolf howled once and then its body started shrinking rapidly.
Its Soul Core was sucked into Lin Kai’s body.
[Devoured Level 3 Wolf Core] [Strength increased by 30%] [New ability unlocked: Shadow Step (Basic)]
The three disciples stared with wide eyes and open mouths.
“What… what kind of technique was that?!” Zhang Hao shouted in fear.
Su Mei stepped back.
“His aura… it’s so dark and strange.”
Chen Wei’s face turned ugly.
Even though he was injured, greed appeared in his eyes.
“That power… it can devour beast cores instantly! Kid, give me that technique and I will let you live.”
Lin Kai looked at Chen Wei coldly.
“You are not in a position to threaten me.”
Chen Wei got angry.
He ignored the pain and attacked with his sword.
“Die!”
Lin Kai used his new ability.
His body turned into a shadow and easily dodged the sword.
Then he appeared behind Chen Wei and punched his back.
Crack!
Chen Wei flew forward and crashed into a tree.
Blood came out from his mouth.
Zhang Hao and Su Mei were shocked.
This weak-looking boy just defeated their Senior Brother in one move.
Lin Kai walked forward.
The Void Core inside him was hungry again.
He pointed his finger at Chen Wei.
A black thread entered Chen Wei’s body and started pulling his Soul Core.
“No! Nooo! What are you doing?!” Chen Wei screamed in terror.
In just ten seconds, Chen Wei’s body became dry like a dead tree.
His Soul Core was completely devoured.
[Devoured Human Core (Stage 2)] [Strength increased significantly] [New ability: Dark Flame Palm]
Zhang Hao screamed and ran away like crazy.
“Monster! He’s a monster!”
Only Su Mei remained.
She was shaking but didn’t run.
Lin Kai looked at her.
“Why aren’t you running?”
Su Mei bit her lip.
“Because… I think you are not completely evil. You could have killed all three of us easily. And that Chen Wei always bullied weaker disciples. He deserved it.”
Lin Kai was surprised.
This was the first person who didn’t call him a monster immediately.
“My name is Su Mei,” she said softly.
“I am an outer disciple of Cloud Mountain Sect. If you want… I can show you a safe way out of this forest.”
Lin Kai thought for a moment.
Having someone who knew the outside world might be useful.
“Alright. But if you betray me, I will devour your core too.”
Su Mei nodded nervously.
As they started walking together, Lin Kai asked, “Do you know about the Lin Clan?”
Su Mei’s eyes widened.
“Of course. They are one of the three big clans in Azure Cloud City. Their young master Lin Feng is very famous. He is already at Stage 4 at only 17 years old.”
Lin Kai’s eyes turned cold.
“Good. I have some debts to collect from them.”