The forest changed again.
Not gradually.
Not subtly.
It shifted.
From life—
To dominance.
Han Chandu moved forward.
Beyond the deep zone.
Beyond Sacred territory.
Into the core.
The air felt different.
Heavier.
Denser.
Not from pressure—
But absence.
Because something had ruled here.
For a long time.
And now—
It was gone.
A faint panel appeared.
[ Panel ]
Fitness:
Taijutsu → 40
Skills:
Jade Skin → 99 / 100
Dongxuan Sutra → 99 / 100
Another panel appeared.
[ Sanctuary Panel ]
Status:
Evolution → Not Evolved
Life Span → 200 Years
Genes:
Ordinary → 100 / 100
Primitive → 100 / 100
Mutant → 100 / 100
Sacred → 100 / 100
Super → 5 / 100
Beast Souls:
Armor → Shadow Armor (Mutant)
Weapon → Mutant Blade (Mutant)
Weapon → Mutant Sword (Mutant)
Weapon → Sacred Beast Soul (Sacred)
Mount → Golden Jade Lion (Super | Evolvable)
Pet → Crystal Back Turtle (Sacred | Evolving)
Pet → Silver Spine Serpent (Mutant → Sacred)
Pet → Flame Crest Bird (Mutant → Sacred)
The panels faded.
Han Chandu stood still.
Because now—
The core zone was quiet.
Too quiet.
The ruler—
Was gone.
The Golden Jade Lion.
King of the First Sanctuary.
Its absence—
Created imbalance.
Han Chandu moved forward.
Calm.
Controlled.
Dongxuan Sutra expanded.
Everything—
Clear.
Then—
A presence.
Heavy.
Direct.
No concealment.
A Black Iron Rhino.
Super.
It stepped forward.
Without hesitation.
Because now—
There was no king.
Han Chandu observed.
Not attacking immediately.
Because now—
This fight had purpose.
Not survival.
Not urgency.
Measurement.
The rhino charged.
Suddenly.
Direct.
Han Chandu moved.
Minimal.
Clean.
The charge passed.
Jade shattered behind him.
He stepped forward.
Blade formed.
Strike.
Joint.
Impact—
Connected.
A mark appeared.
Immediate.
Han Chandu's eyes didn't change.
Because now—
The difference was clear.
Compared to the lion—
This—
Was weaker.
Still dangerous.
Still Super.
But not absolute.
The rhino turned.
Attacked again.
More aggressive.
Less controlled.
Han Chandu moved.
Forward.
Inside.
Closer.
Safer.
Blade moved again.
Same point.
Precise.
The cut deepened.
A dark line spread.
Damage.
Real.
The rhino roared.
Angry.
Unstable.
Han Chandu stepped forward.
Calm.
Controlled.
Because now—
The fight was understood.
Not like the lion.
No need for full power.
No need for assistance.
No need—
For the mount.
The rhino charged again.
Han Chandu didn't move away.
He stepped forward.
Meeting it.
Blade moved.
Joint.
Deep.
The cut landed.
The rhino staggered.
Balance—
Broken.
Han Chandu stepped back.
Not finishing.
Because now—
The conclusion was complete.
He could fight Super—
Alone.
The lion—
Was not required.
He turned.
Calm.
Because now—
The path forward—
Was confirmed.
Super—
Was no longer unreachable.