As the bear's lifeless body sank beneath the churning waters, disappearing into the murky depths with barely a ripple.
Lucian stood motionless, his fist still extended, marveling at the raw power he now commanded.
As the last bubbles rose from the bear's watery grave, Lucian's mind raced with newfound understanding.
This beast, formidable by mortal standards, was nothing compared to his current strength.
He realized that the bear, in its prime, had likely reached the pinnacle of what was possible for wild creatures in these mortal lands — perhaps the equivalent of the 1st Layer of the Body Strengthening Realm.
The thought sent a shiver of excitement down his spine.
If this apex predator, honed by nature over countless generations, could only attain such a meager level of power, how much further could he, a cultivator, push the boundaries of his potential?