Predator or Prey?

"It looks like I'm first." Gu Yuena said simply, her body appearing at the edge of the elementary area of the platform in a flurry of silver sparkles. It was a natural result as somebody with the spatial element.

Xie Xie also possessed the space element so he would be arriving in a few minutes after he finishes gathering the necessary coordinates. In that time Wulin should appear even if he took it easy on the way over. Regrettably, Mu Xi would be dead last in this small competition.

'I wonder when I'll be able to meet his comrades.' Gu Yuena thought to herself absentmindedly as she walked past the line separating the elementary and intermediate area of the platform. It was a small divider, barely noticeable really, yet it made a world of difference.

In the elementary area the limit of one's rings was four rings so Mu Xi was already starting to push that limit at rank 37. However, it was different in the intermediate area, a whole new world if you will.

The max cultivation one can have in the intermediate area is that of a soul saint, or seven rings. Even if battle armor wasn't allowed it was a world of difference that rivaled that of heaven and earth.

From rank 40 and above the difference between every ten ranks grew because of the difference in energy quality. For her, a mere rank 20, it was something she shouldn't even consider doing let alone actually daring to do.

Yet that was in the normal cases. For them, it wouldn't be much of a challenge as long as they didn't enter the core of the region. It may be difficult but it was far from impossible for them, even Mu Xi could do it without issue.

That wasn't all though. There was a large difference between the elementary and intermediate areas, not only in danger but also effect. The effect of the intermediate area was much higher making it much more worth entering.

This came at the cost of it being more expensive to upkeep for the Spirit Pagoda as each virtual spirit beast needed to be created and formed by the Spirit Pagoda themselves. That's why, to protect the entrance to the intermediate area…

A loud step rang throughout the area yet there was no creature in the surroundings that could have created it. It appeared as though the loud step that rattled the earth was a mere figment of their imagination.

'Pephomemore Seto, he'll be my biggest challenge.' Gu Yuena thought to herself, deep in thought. The second in command of FUG was no easy challenge, to prove herself to him would be not only difficult but also risky.

Above all else, FUG was a cult. If Seto believed she was a threat to Wulin, their greatest god, she doesn't doubt that he would erase her. In the future she may be able to stop such a thing however at the moment she couldn't even dream of such a thing.

Wulin had gone out of his way to explain the Slayer's martial souls, with their permission of course, and not a single one of them was weak in any way. Seto's, in particular, was dangerous as it didn't rely solely on his own strength.

The stronger the opponent was the stronger he was. No matter what level she was at, he would always be a threat as long as she is a mortal. She may have Wulin to protect her but she doesn't want to rely on him, much less for something including his subordinates.

If at all possible, she would earn their respect and alliance herself, not by being close to their leader. It was a tiny bit of selfishness that she wouldn't give up on. Of course, it helped that it was a good move to make her seem more serious about it.

From behind her, a large figure rose from a shadow, its fur darker than the night itself. It stood at an astounding four meters tall and nearly twice as long, its dark green eyes locking onto its silver haired target with the intent to kill.

The creature was a Shadow Leopard King, a young one but it was still of that race. It was the spirit beast the Spirit Pagoda had decided to entrust the role of barrier patrol onto due to its stealthiness and skill in assassination.

Its size indicated that it was roughly eight thousand years old, much higher than any spirit beast in the elementary area. Truthfully, the Spirit Pagoda would have made it a fifty thousand year beast if they had the option but their hands were tied.

Part of their marketing was that anyone could enter the area above their own without the need to pay for the extremely expensive ticket if they could defeat the spirit beast in charge of defending the border.

It was a simple tactic that frequently caused those with a little too much arrogance to 'die' an early 'death' and be ejected out of the main severer. If all went well, the spirit beasts they defeated would amount to less than what they paid to enter.

Yet to make sure people actually fell for such a scheme the spirit beast would need to seem defeatable yet not actually be so. It was a fine line to balance however in the end they decided on the creature before them.

A high ranking spirit beast with a powerful bloodline and high skill in taking out targets before they even realized it existed at the cost of a relatively low cultivation base. So far, it had existed for hundreds of years and never been defeated, not by any four ring or less cultivator.

Swiping it's paw down with extreme speed and precision, the wind didn't even make a noise as it moved. Arrogance from countless victories and confidence that such a blow would not be dodged flared in the beast's erie green eyes as its paw swung toward its enemy.

However, a wall of ice appeared in mid air and blocked the strike, not even a single crack marking its exustite figure. The ice was perfectly clear and no thicker than a single finger yet contained the power of mountains all the same.

"Don't interrupt me pup." Gu Yuena threatened the beast, her purple eyes glowing in annoyance. For the first time in its long life, the young Shadow Leopard King felt… fear, true fear emerging from his virtual soul.

Behind the small figure of his foe, no his superior, there was a large figure towering over him, silver scales that shined like jewels and terror inducing purple eyes. The figure stood thousands of meters long, its scales practically blotting out the sky.

In front of him was no prey… it was a hunter.