Iron Horned Beast

Madlenkosi was astounded by the vast change in his body as the golden flames and glow receded. It was unknown how strong he was after eating the strange fruit but he figured it wasn't important right now.

He had decided it was better to search for people to learn about where he was.

He quickly swam to the surface and crawled out of the water. He crouched by the edge of the lake and marveled at the changes he saw. He had thick eyebrows, a slightly less childish appearance, a more angular face, and golden amber eyes.

His slightly taller and more sturdy build as well as his golden-amber eyes made him quite concerned.

His hair grew longer, healthier, and bouncy. He took the piece of cloth he had and tied his hair back which left a poofy afro at the back of his head instead of a ponytail.

He looked around and then quickly and quietly set off to the forest.

....

Madlenkosi was famished as he continued through the forest floor, his legs parting paths through the tall glade.

Soon he came upon a bovine creature similar to that of a bull but three times as large.

The bull-like creature was tall and muscular with a glossy black hide that had a metallic sheen.

Its long and thick black horns were curled outward similar to a Buffalo.

Unnerving sounds of bones being chewed filled the area as the animal had its head lowered while it ate.

Madlenkosi reached around to his back for his longbow.

To his dismay he realized that it wasn't there, it had been lost in the attack of the wild dog...

Madlenkosi slowly stepped backward...

*CRACK*

The beast raised its head and slowly turn to see Madlenkosi behind it.

Its red bloodshot eyes stared at him as its body raised from what it was eating.

Its muscular body towered over him with it being at least 15 feet tall at the shoulder and 12 feet long.

It was a hulk of a monster, every fiber of its being exuding raw, untamed strength.

Madlenkosi and the Beast stared at each other as if only they existed.

He knew he may not be able to outrun this monstrosity and this may be the last thing he sees before he dies.

The beast snorted and charged at him fully aiming to pierce him with its horn. The beast was surprisingly fast for its size as it was soon upon him.

He made a desperate grab for the bull-like beast's horns. Once his hands grasped those thick black horns his body was hit by an unimaginable force.

The beast continued to charge as it barreled into him, his feet tearing through the forest floor as he tried to stop it.

The dirt continued to crack beneath him as he tried to bring himself and the beast to a halt but to no avail.

He twisted his shoulders to tilt the horns which then threw the beast off balance as it landed on its side.

Jumping onto the beast's neck, he punched it in the head repeatedly which cracked its skull slightly.

Madlenkosi then proceeded to pin the bull underneath him as he slammed his elbow between the beast's eyes continuously as he took advantage of the fact that it struggled to get up.

Blood spurted from the deep gash in the beast's skull as it painted his body red, it dripped from his body as it stained the grass beneath him. The beast twitched as it let out a mournful bellow until its body slowly stopped moving.

He stood up panting as he gripped his fists, the putrid iron-like odor filling his nostrils.

For the first time since he came to this strange land, he had finally released all the pent-up fear, helplessness, and anger.

Afterward, he lifted the bull-like beast's tail and slowly dragged it as he continues to search for humans of any kind.

As he passed by through the forest other beasts hiding in the shadows saw him but dare not attack. His body gave off a wild bloodlust that came from the blood of the bull-like beast that covered him.

As he continued walking he soon came across a human settlement that had high walls with sentries on wooden watchtowers.

"Huh? Shen Xi, what...is that?" A villager said.

"What is what? Shen Xi replied nonchalantly.

"That!" He shouted as he pointed to a human-like being covered in blood that radiated bloodlust which hung around him like a dark red fog. It was dragging the massive body of a Demonic Iron Horned Beast.

Shen Xi and the other guard ran to sound the alarm.

*DONG...DONG...DONG*

The alarm bell was wrung.

The sound rang out throughout the village as everyone ran to the square to find out what was going on.

Shen Xi ran to alert the Village Head of what he saw.

"Village Head! Village Head! Something or someone is coming from the Misty Mountains dragging the Demonic Iron Horned Beast!"

The Village Head got up stunned " Which Iron Horn? The one that was killing our cattle and hunters?"

"I'm not sure but it looks like it" Shen Xi replied.

The Village Head stood in thought before he said " Shen Xi, lead the way"

Shen Xi and the Village Head made their way to the square as they tried to calm the masses and explain the situation fully.

Many villagers feared what type of beast could kill the Iron Horned Beast as it was equivalent to a Body Forging Cultivator at the 4 Layer, the Muscle Tempering layer.

Most of the villagers were only of the 1st layer Marrow Cleansing or 2nd layer Blood Refinement.

Only the Village Head was in the Bone refinement layer, the 3rd layer of Body Refinement with one and a half elephants strength.

With every layer in the Body Refinement layer of Qi Cultivation, a cultivator's strength usually increases by half an elephant's power.

With the Iron Horned Beast equivalent to 4th layer Body Refinement, It had strength slightly above 2 Elephants.

.........

As the villagers were trying to wrap their heads around what was happening...

*BOOM...BOOM...BOOOM*

A loud knocking was heard outside the large gate which was facing the Misty Mountains.

Looking in the direction of the gate everyone could feel their heart squeeze as they found it hard to swallow.