For most cultivators, this would be an annoying obstacle. The sheer size is enough to make them either divert their path and go around the whole pool, or outright be forced to fight with it. Both choices will result in the loss of time.
And since I've been traveling for hours and have yet to have a target designated, it means I've yet to even make it past a tenth of the distance and I'm already facing the first hurdle.
This creature had its legs planted deep within the pool and still was huge enough to emerge fully out of the pool. On its forehead was a red jewel. Maybe that was its core, but it is too obvious of a location.
The conditions of the test didn't mention anything about collecting anything from these trials. But seeing how that jewel is standing out, it gives it a feeling of importance.