Chapter 164 – The Mountain Tyrant

Chapter 164: Chapter 164 – The Mountain Tyrant

The northern ravine stretched between two enormous mountain ranges, its rocky slopes covered in ancient trees and scattered boulders. The expedition had travelled for several hours since leaving their previous camp, following the concentration of Origin Energy that Orion had detected the previous evening.

The farther they travelled, the heavier the atmosphere became. Even the experienced researchers began feeling the pressure, while the weaker members of the expedition struggled to circulate their energy properly.

Orion stopped beside a large boulder and examined the readings on his crystal instrument.

"We’re close. The energy concentration ahead is considerably higher than anything we’ve encountered in this region."

Azrael looked toward the distant mountains. His perception extended beyond the ordinary senses, allowing him to detect the powerful presence hidden somewhere within the ravine.

"Something is moving."

Seraphina nodded. She could feel the surrounding vegetation responding to the creature’s presence. The trees were alive, but their roots had spread away from a particular section of the ravine, as though avoiding something dangerous.

"Whatever lives here has affected the entire area."

Orion’s expression became serious.

"Stay alert. Based on the energy readings, we’re dealing with a creature that has reached the Transcendent threshold."

The researchers exchanged uneasy glances.

A Transcendent creature was far beyond an ordinary monster. Even experienced cultivators at the Peak of Mortal Origin would have difficulty confronting one.

Before anyone could respond, the ground shook.

A deep roar erupted from the mountains, sending several birds fleeing from the surrounding forest. Rocks tumbled down the slopes as an enormous creature emerged from behind a ridge.

It resembled a gigantic dragon, although its body was covered in thick brown scales resembling ancient stone. Four powerful legs supported its enormous frame, and two heavy horns extended from its head. Its tail dragged across the ground, carving a deep trench through the rocks.

Orion immediately recognized it.

"The Ancient Earth Dragon!"

His face tightened.

"That’s the Mountain Tyrant. It has dominated this region for years."

Azrael and Seraphina received a private notification.

Creature Identified: Ancient Earth Dragon

Name: Mountain Tyrant

System Level: 43

Power Realm: Transcendent Origin Realm

Cultivation Stage: Early Stage

Classification: Commander Beast

Attributes: Earth, Origin

Threat Assessment: Extremely High

The information appeared only in the twins’ vision. Neither Orion nor the other expedition members could see the notification.

Azrael studied the enormous creature.

"Early Transcendent Origin..."

Seraphina glanced at him.

"That explains the pressure."

The Mountain Tyrant lowered its head and released another roar. A wave of earth energy spread across the ravine, causing massive stone pillars to rise from the ground.

Orion immediately ordered the expedition members to retreat.

"Everyone, move back! Don’t let its attacks reach the researchers!"

The group quickly withdrew toward the safer side of the ravine.

Azrael stepped forward, drawing Astraeus.

"Seraphina, we’ll handle it."

She raised her staff and nodded.

"Let’s finish this quickly."

The Mountain Tyrant charged.

Its enormous body moved with surprising speed, and every step caused the ground to tremble. Azrael moved first, activating Flashstep to evade its initial charge. He appeared beside its front leg and swung Astraeus, releasing a concentrated wave of black energy.

BOOM!

The attack struck the dragon’s scales, leaving a deep crack across its armour.

However, the creature barely reacted.

Its tail swept across the ravine, forcing Azrael to retreat before the enormous limb could crush him. The impact shattered several boulders and sent fragments flying in every direction.

Seraphina raised her staff.

"Genesis Bloom!"

Golden flowers appeared across the ground, and enormous vines erupted from beneath the dragon. They wrapped around its legs and began tightening, restricting its movements.

The Mountain Tyrant roared and released a surge of earth energy. Its scales glowed, and the ground beneath the vines hardened into stone.

The vines cracked and broke apart.

Seraphina quickly changed her approach. Instead of relying on the vines to restrain the creature, she directed their remaining energy into several golden spears.

"Genesis Spear!"

The spears shot toward the dragon’s exposed joints.

Three struck their targets, forcing the creature to shift its weight. Azrael immediately took advantage of the opening.

"Oblivion Judgment!"

Dark energy gathered around Astraeus. Azrael moved beneath the dragon’s raised head and delivered a powerful upward slash.

A black arc crossed the creature’s neck.

The Mountain Tyrant staggered, but its thick scales absorbed most of the damage. It retaliated by slamming both front legs against the ground.

A massive earthquake erupted throughout the ravine.

Stone pillars burst from the earth, forcing Azrael and Seraphina to separate. One pillar narrowly missed Seraphina, but she maintained her balance and raised a golden barrier to protect herself from the falling debris.

Azrael landed on a rocky ledge and examined the creature.

Its defence was formidable, but he could sense that its energy was concentrated around its chest. Beneath the thick scales, something powerful was sustaining its body.

"The core is near its chest!" he shouted.

Seraphina immediately understood.

"I’ll expose it!"

She planted her staff against the ground.

"Genesis Bloom: Radiant Rain!"

Golden light spread across the ravine. Hundreds of luminous petals descended around the Mountain Tyrant, each carrying concentrated Genesis Energy. The petals struck its scales, not attempting to overpower its armour but weakening the earth energy holding the scales together.

Cracks began spreading across its chest.

The creature sensed the danger and released a furious roar. Its entire body glowed with brown light as it gathered energy for another attack.

Orion watched from a distance.

"That beast is preparing an Earthquake Collapse! They need to finish it before it releases that energy!"

Azrael’s eyes narrowed.

He raised Astraeus, allowing Oblivion Energy to gather along the blade. The darkness remained stable, concentrated around the sword rather than spreading uncontrollably.

"Seraphina!"

"I’ve got it!"

Golden roots erupted from beneath the dragon, anchoring its legs to the ground. Seraphina then directed the remaining Genesis Energy toward the cracks in its chest, forcing the protective earth energy to separate.

For a brief moment, the creature’s core became exposed.

Azrael moved.

"Oblivion Judgment: Abyssal Execution!"

He vanished from the rocky ledge and reappeared directly before the Mountain Tyrant. Astraeus descended in a powerful arc, releasing a concentrated wave of Oblivion Energy.

The attack penetrated the exposed chest and struck the creature’s Origin Core.

BOOOOOOM!

A violent explosion of black and brown energy spread across the ravine.

The Mountain Tyrant released one final roar before its enormous body collapsed. The ground shook beneath its weight, sending dust and shattered stones into the air.

Azrael landed several metres away, breathing heavily. Seraphina lowered her staff and approached him.

"Are you alright?"

He nodded.

"Just tired."

She smiled.

"Then we’d better collect our reward before you collapse."

Azrael chuckled.

Behind them, Orion and the researchers cautiously approached the fallen creature. Even dead, the Mountain Tyrant’s body radiated an extraordinary amount of Origin Energy.

Orion examined the remains.

"Remarkable. An Early Transcendent Origin creature defeated by two cultivators who haven’t even completed their Mortal Origin breakthrough."

One of the researchers stared at Azrael and Seraphina.

"Their combat ability is extraordinary."

Orion nodded.

"They’ve reached the very limits of their current realms. Their foundations are considerably stronger than those of ordinary cultivators."

Meanwhile, the twins received another private notification.

Victory Confirmed

Target Defeated: Mountain Tyrant

Creature Power Realm: Early Transcendent Origin Realm

Rewards:

Experience Granted

Evolution Progress Increased

Transcendent Origin Energy Acquired

Evolution Progress:

Azrael Ashbourne: 95%

Seraphina Ashbourne: 96%

Azrael looked toward the enormous corpse.

"There’s something else."

Seraphina followed his gaze.

"The core?"

He nodded.

Together, they approached the creature’s chest. The researchers carefully removed the remaining scales while Orion examined the energy concentration.

Eventually, a large crystalline core emerged from the remains. It was brown at its outer edges, but a brilliant golden light shone from its centre.

Orion’s eyes widened.

"A Transcendent Origin Core..."

He carefully examined it with his instrument.

"This quality is extraordinary. It contains an enormous amount of concentrated Origin Energy. It should be sufficient to support a breakthrough into the Transcendent Origin Realm."

Azrael and Seraphina exchanged glances.

Their private System notifications appeared again.

Rare Resource Identified

Transcendent Origin Core

Quality: Legendary

Origin Energy: Extremely Dense

Compatibility Assessment:

Azrael Ashbourne: 98%

Seraphina Ashbourne: 98%

Evolution Catalyst Confirmed

Seraphina smiled.

"Ninety-eight percent compatibility."

Azrael nodded.

"That’s better than we expected."

Orion carefully stored the core inside a special containment device.

"We should return to camp. Attempting a breakthrough without proper preparation would be reckless, especially when dealing with energy of this quality."

The twins agreed.

They had reached the Peak of Mortal Origin, and their bodies, souls and cores were approaching the limits of their current development. The Transcendent Origin Core could provide the final catalyst they needed, but the breakthrough itself would require careful preparation.

As the expedition began its return journey, Azrael glanced at Astraeus.

His sword had become considerably stronger throughout their journey, and his control over Oblivion had improved. Seraphina had also developed her Genesis abilities, gaining greater control over both healing and offensive applications.

Neither of them was satisfied with stopping here.

They wanted to reach the next realm together.

By the time the expedition returned to camp, Orion had already begun preparing the breakthrough formation. The Legendary Transcendent Origin Core was placed at its centre, surrounded by several stabilizing crystals.

Azrael and Seraphina stood before the formation, ready to begin.

Their next breakthrough would take them beyond the limits of Mortal Origin.