forest did not change.
But the pace did.
Han Chandu moved deeper.
Not cautiously.
Not slowly.
But efficiently.
Because now—
Everything had aligned.
Location.
Strength.
Understanding.
The deep zone—
Was no longer dangerous.
It was productive.
A faint panel appeared.
[ Sanctuary Panel ]
Status:
Evolution → Not Evolved
Life Span → 200 Years
Genes:
Ordinary → 100 / 100
Primitive → 100 / 100
Mutant → 100 / 100
Sacred → 60 / 100
Beast Souls:
Armor → Shadow Armor
Weapon → Mutant Blade
Weapon → Mutant Sword
Weapon → Sacred Beast Soul
Pet → Crystal Back Turtle
The panel faded.
No reaction.
Because the numbers—
Were already expected.
A presence formed.
Immediate.
Close.
A sacred frog
Sacred.
It attacked instantly.
Han Chandu moved.
Minimal.
Clean.
The attack passed.
He stepped forward.
Blade formed.
Strike.
Leg.
Precise.
Second strike.
Same point.
Deeper.
The panther staggered.
Final strike.
End.
"Creature ( King frog— Sacred) killed."
A pause.
"No Beast Soul gained."
A faint drop—
Then gone.
He crouched.
Prepared the meat.
Ate.
→ Sacred Gene +1
→ Sacred Gene +1
→ Sacred Gene +1
→ Sacred Gene +1
→ Sacred Gene +1
→ Sacred Gene +0
Stopped.
Remaining meat—
Left.
Unusable.
He summoned it.
The Crystal Back Turtle appeared.
Small.
Still incomplete.
But no longer unstable.
Its shell—
More defined.
Its movement—
More controlled.
Not an infant anymore.
But not mature.
Early stage.
It moved forward.
Toward the meat.
Then—
Began eating.
Slow.
Steady.
Every piece—
Consumed.
No waste.
A shift occurred.
Subtle.
But real.
Its body—
Stabilized further.
Edges—
Sharper.
Presence—
Heavier.
Still not combat-ready.
But close.
Han Chandu observed.
Because now—
The pattern was clear.
He gained genes.
It gained growth.
Nothing lost.
Everything used.
He dismissed it.
The form dissolved.
Returned.
Another presence appeared.
A Storm King Eagle.
Sacred.
From above.
Fast.
Sharp.
Han Chandu stepped forward.
Breaking angle.
The attack missed.
His blade moved.
Wing.
Cut.
The eagle fell.
Second strike.
End.
"Creature (Storm King Eagle — Sacred) killed."
A pause.
"Beast Soul gained."
A faint presence entered.
Silent.
Stored.
No reaction.
Because gain—
Was normal.
He crouched.
Prepared the meat.
Ate.
→ Sacred Gene +1
→ Sacred Gene +1
→ Sacred Gene +1
→ Sacred Gene +1
→ Sacred Gene +1
→ Sacred Gene +0
Stopped.
Remaining meat—
Again.
He summoned the turtle.
This time—
Its form appeared faster.
More stable.
Its movement—
More natural.
It consumed the meat.
Completely.
Another shift.
Small.
But consistent.
Growth accumulated.
Feeding by feeding.
Han Chandu stood still.
Because now—
Everything had accelerated.
Fights—
Shorter.
Cleaner.
More efficient.
Consumption—
Controlled.
Perfect.
Pet—
Growing.
Steadily.
A third presence appeared.
A Crystal Back Turtle.
Sacred.
Same type.
Han Chandu didn't slow.
Didn't adjust.
Because now—
There was no need.
Step.
Strike.
Joint.
Second.
Final.
End.
"Creature (Crystal Back Turtle — Sacred) killed."
A pause.
"No Beast Soul gained."
A faint drop—
Then gone.
He ate.
→ Sacred Gene +1
→ Sacred Gene +1
→ Sacred Gene +1
→ Sacred Gene +1
→ Sacred Gene +1
→ Sacred Gene +0
Stopped.
Remaining meat—
Again.
He summoned it.
The turtle appeared.
Now—
Clearly stronger.
Still not large.
Still not full.
But no longer weak.
It moved.
Consumed the meat.
Completely.
A visible change.
Its shell—
Thicker.
Its form—
More solid.
Its presence—
Stable.
Early combat stage.
Han Chandu observed.
Calm.
Because now—
The difference was clear.
It had grown.
From nothing.
To something usable.
He dismissed it.
Returned.
Stored.
Han Chandu stood still.
For a moment.
Because now—
Everything aligned.
Deep zone.
Constant targets.
Efficient kills.
Pet growth.
No waste.
His gaze shifted.
Deeper.
Because now—
The end of Sacred—
Was visible.
Not close.
But approaching.
He moved again.
Forward.
Because now—
The process—
Would not stop.