NTR: Choice Based System

The desert sun beat down mercilessly, reflecting off the sand in blinding flashes. Ye Yang, his skin already parched, pressed on.

He'd managed to collect a few fire beast cores, but the hunt was proving to be more arduous than he anticipated. The creatures were cunning, their movements swift and unpredictable.

He spotted a cluster of volcanic rocks in the distance, a plume of smoke curling upwards. With a surge of adrenaline, he quickened his pace, his senses on high alert.

As he approached, he saw it – a grotesque creature, resembling a scorpion with the head of a dragon, perched atop a jagged rock.

The creature, sensing his presence, let out a deafening roar and lunged. Ye Yang, agile despite the heat, rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding its venomous tail.

He drew upon the insights gleaned from his alchemical studies, visualizing the flow of Qi within his body. With a focused burst of energy, he unleashed a powerful kick, sending the creature reeling back.

The battle was fierce and prolonged. Ye Yang, his body aching, fought with a ferocity born of desperation. He dodged, weaved, and countered, his movements becoming more fluid with each passing moment. Finally, with a well-aimed strike, he managed to pierce the creature's tough hide, sending it crashing to the ground.

Panting heavily, Ye Yang collected the glowing core, a small, pulsating orb of energy. He knew this was only the beginning. 100 days. 500 cores. It was a daunting task, but he wouldn't give up.

As he continued his hunt, he encountered other fire beasts – winged serpents, sand-dwelling scorpions, and even a monstrous creature that resembled a bull with fiery horns.

Each encounter tested his skills, his endurance, and his resolve. He learned to anticipate their attacks, to exploit their weaknesses, and to conserve his energy.

He discovered hidden oases, where he could replenish his water supply and recuperate from his exertions. He befriended a group of nomadic tribesmen, who shared their limited resources and provided valuable information about the fire beasts and the hidden dangers of the desert.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. Ye Yang, his body hardened by the trials, his mind sharpened by the constant vigilance, became a formidable hunter. He learned to move silently through the dunes, to blend into the harsh landscape. He became one with the desert, its rhythms and its dangers.

He collected core after core, each one a testament to his perseverance and his growing mastery over his own body and mind. The 100-day deadline loomed closer, but Ye Yang remained undeterred. He had come too far to fail now.

With a final surge of determination, he faced the most challenging fire beast yet – a colossal creature, its body covered in scales that shimmered like molten gold. The battle was a gruelling test of his physical and mental fortitude. But in the end, Ye Yang emerged victorious, the glowing core of the beast clutched tightly in his hand.

He had done it. He had collected 500 fire beast cores within the allotted time. Exhausted but exhilarated, he awaited the elder's verdict.

The desert sun beat down mercilessly, reflecting off the sand in blinding flashes.

Ye Yang, his body hardened by weeks of relentless hunting, pressed on. He had collected all 500 cores, a sense of accomplishment washing over him. With two days remaining, he felt a surge of confidence.

Suddenly, his heightened senses alerted him to a strange presence. He scanned the horizon, spotting a small group of four figures – two men and two women – approaching from the distance. Their eyes, glinting with a predatory gleam, were fixed on him.

Ye Yang's instincts screamed at him. These were no ordinary participants. They were scavengers, preying on the weaker participants. He knew they were after his cores.

A cold dread gripped him. He had faced ferocious beasts, navigated treacherous terrain, and pushed his body and mind to their limits. But facing human opponents, especially those driven by greed and ruthlessness, was a different kind of challenge.

He had to be vigilant. He couldn't afford to let his guard down. He quickly assessed the situation. He was outnumbered, but he had the advantage of surprise and the element of the desert to his favour.

He was exhausted and looked at the four people with vigilant eyes. One of the women smiled, her tone filled with seduction, "Oh, this handsome, cute brother, can't we just solve this matter without any fighting? I can't bear to see a handsome face like yours suffer because of some few monster cores."

Ye Yang's tone was stern, "Then what do you suggest?"

She replied, "Isn't it obvious? We just want you to hand over your things to us, everything including the beast cores."

Ye Yang narrowed his eyes, suspicion hardening his gaze. "And what makes you think I'll simply hand over everything I've worked so hard for?"

The woman's smile faltered, replaced by a predatory glint in her eyes. "Oh, we can always persuade you," she said, her voice laced with a chilling menace. "We have our ways."

The two men beside her stepped forward, their hands hovering near the sheathed weapons at their hips. Ye Yang felt a surge of adrenaline, his senses alert. He knew he couldn't afford to underestimate them.

He took a deep breath, calming his racing heart. He had faced down fire beasts, navigated treacherous terrain, and emerged victorious. He wouldn't let these opportunists rob him of his hard-earned success.

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"You're mistaken," Ye Yang said, his voice low and dangerous. "I won't be intimidated. I've earned these cores. They are mine."

The woman scoffed. "Stubborn, are we? Very well, then."

She signalled to the men, and they lunged. Ye Yang, anticipating their attack, sidestepped the first blow, his movements a blur of motion.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

He fought with a ferocity born of desperation and a newfound confidence. He had learned to channel his inner energy, to move with the grace and fluidity of a desert wind.

The battle was fierce, a whirlwind of motion and sound. Sand kicked up, obscuring the vision of the attackers.

Ye Yang, agile and unpredictable, used the terrain to his advantage, dodging their attacks and countering with swift, calculated moves.

He knew he couldn't afford to tire. He had to conserve his energy while finding an opportunity to strike. He noticed a loose rock lying near the feet of one of the men. With a swift kick, he sent the rock flying, striking the man in the face.

The man staggered back, clutching his face. Blood streamed from his face as one of his eyes was impaled by the pointy rock.

"AHAAAAAAA!"

The man yelled in pain and channelled his Qi to stop the bleeding. He then hurled his weapon at Ye Yang while the other man was engaged in close combat with Ye Yang.

Ye Yang, his blood now boiling with a cold fury, dodged the flying weapon. This wasn't a mere competition anymore. These scavengers, blinded by greed, had crossed a line. They had attacked him with killing intent.

A chilling calm descended upon him. He moved with a chilling grace, now viewing them not as fellow participants, but as the very beasts he had been hunting for days.

He saw an opening, a fleeting moment of hesitation in the attacker's eyes. With a swift, decisive move, he struck. His palm, infused with Qi, connected with the man's chest with the force of a thunderbolt.

The man's eyes widened in disbelief before he crumpled to the ground, lifeless. Ye Yang didn't flinch. He had killed a man. It was a grim reality, a harsh truth of this world.

The remaining three scavengers, witnessing the swift and brutal demise of their companions, were paralyzed with fear. The woman, her seductive facade shattered, whimpered, her eyes wide with terror.

Ye Yang moved towards them, his gaze cold and unwavering. He had no intention of showing mercy. These were ruthless individuals who preyed on the weak. They deserved no compassion.

With a chilling efficiency, he dispatched the remaining male scavenger. The two women, despite her initial attempts to plead for mercy, met the same fate as her companions.

For the first few seconds, he wanted to stop and even let them go. But feeling a sudden chill in his heart, he decided to end their lives. "If you want to kill me, then be prepared to die by my hands."

In front of his eyes, the bodies of the four people vanished, as they were eliminated. He knew that they weren't dead in reality and that he might face them again in the next test or face their retaliation.

But he wasn't afraid or affected. Instead, he felt a surge of new motivation and waited for the remaining two days of the test to end so he could get out of this place.

The air shimmered, and Ye Yang found himself back in the main gathering area.

He stood amidst the other participants, some celebrating their victories, others mourning their failures. He looked at the remaining portals, a grim determination hardening his resolve.

He had faced his fears, shed blood, and emerged victorious. Now, he would face the remaining trials, not just to pass, but to prove to himself that he could overcome any obstacle, any challenge.

He stepped towards the next portal, his gaze unwavering. The voice of the elder boomed, "Welcome to the trial of the Mind. This test will push your mental fortitude to its limits. Prepare yourselves..."

Ye Yang took a deep breath, his heart pounding. He was ready. He had faced death, both physical and mental. He was ready for whatever challenges awaited him in the realm of the mind.