THE BLACK CULTIVATOR

THE TEN BEASTS GAUNTLET

The ground split open with a deafening c***k, and ten massive beasts emerged from the swirling crimson light. Each one was bigger, more ferocious, and far more imposing than anything Chris had faced in the first two trials.

[Host Has Encountered Multiple Powerful Beasts.]

A flaming lion with a mane of pure, roaring fire. A bone-armored rhino that shook the entire hall with every thunderous step. Twin ice serpents that froze the air around them, leaving trails of frost. A stealthy shadow leopard, a majestic thunderbird crackling with electricity, a venomous spider queen whose legs clicked menacingly, a colossal rock titan, a wind blade eagle with razor-sharp feathers, a blood wolf pack leader, and finally a humanoid golem of condensed void energy that twisted and warped with swirling black nothingness.

With a unified, earth-shattering roar that sent dust cascading from the ceiling, all ten beasts charged at Chris simultaneously. The hall's stone floor cracked and splintered under their combined, overwhelming weight.

Chris's lips curled into a fierce, fearless smile. His eyes burned with pure battle excitement as he exploded forward at blinding speed. The air itself bent inward around him, creating visible ripples and a low sonic boom that echoed through the chamber.

[Undying Courage Activated.]

"Core Qi Blast!" he roared.

A brilliant beam of concentrated golden energy erupted from his outstretched palm, blazing like a miniature sun. It tore straight through the flaming lion's chest before the beast could even unleash its fiery roar. The lion froze mid-strike as cracks spread rapidly across its fiery body like shattering glass. A moment later, it exploded into a spectacular shower of fading embers and ash.

[Rhythmic Combat Intuition Engaged.]

Next came the bone-armored rhino, charging like a derailed freight train with its massive horn lowered to impale. Chris met the colossal beast head-on without hesitation. With perfect timing, he seized its enormous horn, twisted his body powerfully, and used the creature's own unstoppable momentum to flip it high over his shoulder.

The rhino slammed violently into the approaching rock titan with a bone-jarring crash, sending both massive creatures skidding across the floor in a chaotic cloud of debris and dust.

"Omo, this rhino get weight oh! Damn!" Chris laughed, shaking out his arms from the impact. (Omo, this rhino is heavy oh! Damn!)

The twin ice serpents reared back and spat deadly freezing beams, turning the surrounding air frigid enough to burn the lungs. Chris instantly activated Core Protection. A faint, protective golden glow enveloped his body as the icy rays washed over him, leaving only a layer of frost on his skin but failing to penetrate deeper.

"Core Shockwave!"

He thrust both palms forward. A powerful ripple of Core energy exploded outward, smashing both serpents into the far wall with devastating force. The entire hall quaked violently, and large chunks of stone rained down from the ceiling like deadly hail.

[Adrenaline & Willpower Surge Engaged.]

Seizing the momentary chaos, the shadow leopard and blood wolf struck from behind — silent, deadly shadows. Razor-sharp claws and savage fangs tore deep into Chris's side before he could fully turn. Hot blood sprayed across the cold stone floor.

[25x Recovery Online.]

Pain flared through his nerves as blood soaked his robe and pooled on the tiles.

"Hahahaha!" Chris's wild, defiant laughter echoed through the ruined hall. He spun with lethal grace and unleashed a spinning kick infused with swirling Core Qi. The kick connected solidly with the blood wolf's ribs in a thunderous c***k that reverberated like a gunshot.

The massive wolf was launched backward, carving a deep crater into the ground as dust exploded upward. Its eyes rolled white, foam bubbled from its jaws, and blood poured from its ears.

The shadow leopard, having cleverly leaped aside at the last moment, darted back in. Its sleek body dissolved into the surrounding darkness, becoming nearly invisible.

"Playing tricks are for children, bastard!" Chris growled, his voice low and dangerous. His Qi Sense expanded like an invisible radar, cutting through the shadows effortlessly.

"No dey hide from me like Naija thief!" (Don't hide from me like a Naija thief!)

He fired another Core Qi Blast. The golden beam pierced the darkness like a spear of divine light. The leopard burst out in a swirl of reforming smoke, its body flickering back into solid form.

*i***t, you for continue to dey hide na.* (i***t, you should have continued hiding.)

It charged straight at him, jaws stretched impossibly wide, rows of teeth spinning like a living chainsaw.

"Naija Heritage: Pressure Of Tinubu!"

A crushing spiritual pressure descended upon the hall like the weight of an entire nation. A colossal brown sword materialized high in the air and began its slow, unstoppable descent. The other beasts froze mid-motion, their primal instincts screaming in warning.

The shadow leopard howled in defiance, its eyes turning pitch black as it summoned every ounce of its power. A massive shadow shield erupted above it, slamming violently against the falling sword.

**Boom!**

The collision sent powerful shockwaves rippling through the hall. The air grew scorching hot as the leopard poured its entire being into holding back the blade.

From the rubble behind, the blood wolf rose once more, shaking dust and stones from its matted fur. It let out a guttural howl. Invisible claws of dark energy slashed through the air, ripping fresh, deep gashes across Chris's back and chest.

He groaned through gritted teeth, more blood soaking through his torn robe. Yet a defiant, savage smile spread across his face — the leopard was still locked in its desperate defense.

[No Pain-No Gain Engaged.]

Chris summoned his katana from the system screen with his left hand, gripping the hilt tightly. The blood wolf charged again, its powerful paws shattering the stone tiles beneath it.

"Blade Art: One Blade, Ten Thousand Cries!"

The ground rippled outward in waves of destructive force. The wolf skidded to a halt halfway, dark Qi flaring around its body like a protective shell.

**Boom!**

When the dust settled, blood dripped heavily from the wolf's ears and nose. Its breathing came in ragged, labored gasps.

"You survived? Sharp! But you go fit perform that miracle again?" (You survived? Sharp! But can you perform that miracle again?)

Chris held his katana with both hands now, flooding it with torrents of Core Qi. Sparks of golden lightning crackled violently along the blade as the sheer energy tore visible rifts in the surrounding atmosphere.

"Blade Art: One Blade, Ten Thousand Cries!"

This strike was faster — almost imperceptible. The wolf's eyes widened in pure terror in its final second before the blade turned its body into nothing but shredded meat and bone.

"Now, your turn."

Chris's gaze snapped back to the shadow leopard. He clenched his right fist and slammed it into the ground with explosive power. Cracks spiderwebbed outward instantly.

The leopard's shadow shield shattered like fragile glass, and the giant sword came crashing down, splitting the beast cleanly into two halves. A massive crater formed where it landed, hurling huge boulders in every direction.

"Alright, the rest of you, come make I return una to your maker!" (Alright, the rest of you, come let me return you all to your maker!)

The Naija youth grinned savagely, raising a single finger in bold challenge.

The thunderbird dove from the rafters like a bolt of living lightning, wings crackling with electric fury. Chris leaped to meet it mid-air, grabbing its talon in an iron grip and slamming the massive bird down with earth-shaking force.

**Bam!**

"Naija Heritage: Pressure Of Tinubu!"

The spiritual pressure pinned the thunderbird to the earth.

He followed through, crashing down on one knee directly onto its skull. The entire hall vibrated violently. The thunderbird's head was completely obliterated. Chris rose slowly, drenched in glowing blue blood, his teeth flashing in a wide, predatory grin.

The bone-armored rhino charged once more, cloning itself into three identical beasts halfway through its assault.

*Three rhinos, hm. Well, the bigger they are, the harder they go fall like iroko tree.* (Three rhinos, hm. Well, the bigger they are, the harder they fall like an iroko tree.)

"Naija Heritage: Shield Of Shege!"

A glowing palm-shaped energy shield materialized. The three rhino clones smashed into it with terrifying force, horns cracking and hooves gouging deep trenches into the stone floor as they pushed with raw, desperate power.

Behind the unyielding shield, Chris gripped his katana in his right hand. His Core Formation aura surged outward like a golden storm, his eyes blazing bright gold as he advanced with measured, deadly steps. He swung the blade once in a clean, decisive arc and sheathed it back into the system.

The rhinos continued their futile push.

Then the ancient pillars behind them suddenly collapsed with a deep groan. Razor-sharp ice erupted violently from the fallen stones. The rhinos' eyes rolled back in agony as ice spears tore through their bodies from within, leaving only frozen carcasses and rivers of crimson ice.

By the 28-minute mark, only four beasts remained: the rock titan, the wind blade eagle, the venomous spider queen, and the void energy golem.

Chris exhaled slowly, walking through the field of ice spears. The glowing runes on his body pulsed with power as his Core Formation aura continued to climb steadily.

[Host Body Status: All Injuries Sustained Have Been Completely Healed.]

[Absorbing All Five Beast Cores.]

[Core Formation Early Stage: 35% Progress.]

"Now, who wan collect next?" (Now, who wants to collect next?)

Chris smirked, fists clenched tightly. A single, steaming drop of blue thunderbird blood traced a path down his jawline, but his temporarily golden eyes never wavered.

The thick smell of blood, dust, cold mist, and sweat soaked the air.

The Naija youth's aura flared powerfully. The remaining beasts advanced slowly, their auras clashing against his like a fierce tug of war.