???

100m.

90m.

70m.

50m.

30m.

It seemed that the chimera was truly betting everything on this battle as its wounds kept increasing.

15m.

*Fwoosh*

Seeing the approaching chimera get closer, Tang Lin closed the gap and sent out a huge sword containing a rampant aura, which aimed at the chimera's heart.

'It doesn't matter if I have to sacrifice my current body. As long as I can reach him in time and possess him, my victory will be set in stone', thought the chimera as it showed no signs of dodging.

In the face of Tang Lin's attack, the chimera lifted its right claw in front to confront it.

*Pwoo*

The two forces collided as the chimera flinched from the impact. It was actually being pushed back!

Although it was a God-tier beast, that was just a level created by the guardian spirit and was not a good reflection of its current or real strength.

*Crack*

Small lines rapidly spread throughout its claw as the chimera felt its heart skip a beat.

*Boom*

Unable to endure the reckless output of energy within the attack, the chimera's claw was destroyed. Tang Lin's sword continued to descend, severing its right arm.

'Dammit! If only there weren't so many restrictions placed on me. Then I would be able to utilise my full power and end this in an instant', the chimera thought frustratingly.

Yes. For Tang Lin to be able to push the chimera this far, there were multiple factors. Such as, Tang Lin's temporary surge of power, qi restriction from the trial and its cultivation base being suppressed.

Despite that, the chimera wore a grin, disregarding its severed arm.

"Checkmate!" said the chimera.

In the first place, its claw was used only to deflect Tang Lin's sword strike from reaching its heart. Now that Tang Lin failed to finish off the chimera, it was finally in range to possess his body.

*Huff, huff*

'Great. One crisis after another', thought Tang Lin, who had just managed to discharge enough energy within his body to not explode.

'Checkmate? What is it this time? Why's it now just standing frozen in front of-...' he wondered before feeling a cold, pervasive sensation enter his mind, forcing him to blackout.

***

Inside Tang Lin's mind.

In a dim place, ripples formed on the surface of the tranquil ocean as a streak of light came charging in.

*Inhale*

"This is it! This is the smell of victory!" the chimera muttered.

Black ooze started to pour out from the chimera, diluting the spiritual ocean's purity.

At this point, the chimera had completely relaxed as it strolled around Tang Lin's mind.

"Now you won't be able to hide anything from me. Let's see what mysteries lie within your body!" said the chimera as it flew across the ocean in its soul form, while rubbing its hands greedily.

It didn't take long before the chimera came to a stop; hovering above the surface of the water after discovering something unusual.

'An egg? What's it doing here?' thought the chimera, while detecting a very faint life force from it.

"Whatever, it's in the way", the chimera complained as it took a step forward onto the surface of the ocean, causing ripples.

Perhaps the egg could sense the chimera's malicious intent, because the chimera suddenly felt an overbearing aura suppress him.

"Eughk! What's this power?!" exclaimed the chimera.

Although it was extremely weakened inside the trial, the chimera was still a proud, divine beast that had a powerful soul that not many could suppress like this.

Death. This ominous thought suddenly popped into his mind.

'Something's wrong! I need to get out of here!' thought the chimera, before feeling a sudden urge to look down.

In the black, diluted ocean, the egg's reflection was reflected in the chimera's eyes. The chimera saw something move, but what?

Crouching down to lean closer, the egg's reflection in the water was pitch-black, because of the dilution from the chimera's powers.

An abyss.

The chimera stared into that abyss; an eye appeared. This time the abyss truly did stare back.

*Snarl*

"Y-Y-You're-..." muttered the chimera in a trembling voice as it stared at a manifestation of the egg's true form.

*ROAR!*

Before the chimera could even finish talking, the egg's shadow had literally engulfed the chimera in darkness.

"A-A-AHHHH! NOT LIKE THIS!" screamed the chimera as it looked up at the roof of Tang Lin's mind one last time before the shadows covered his vision completely.

The chimera was slowly dragged down and devoured silently by the egg. Soon, even the chimera's cries had become faint, drowned in the depths of the spiritual ocean.

*Silence*

Tang Lin's spiritual ocean finally returned back to normal as silence befell his mind once more.