Nemesis glided across the thick snow, his mane fluttering. It had been a long time since he could run so freely, so to say that he was happy was an understatement. Though there was a lot of space in the Incubator, it ultimately had defined edges.
Ryu held Guiot under his arm tightly, his gaze narrowing with an extra bit of seriousness.
He knew that his actions were incredibly reckless. There was a reason he had been proceeding so slowly to this point. However, he knew that there was something Ailsa left out of her story: the death rate amongst Griffins who had to take this trial was obscenely high. Not even 1% would survive.
The blood of Ancient Beasts was a delicacy to normal beasts and even others of their kind. Running into an infant Griffin was a lucky windfall for even a Tenth Order beast. There was no way they'd let the baby Griffin go after it hatched. Especially since…
A pillar of light shot into the sky, separating the perpetual cloud cover that snowed year 'round.
Ryu's own birth had come with an auspicious sign that covered the whole of the Shrine Realm. The birth of a Sovereign beast in such a small world would have no less of a profound impact.
Ryu's gaze kept shifting from Guiot who was in his arms to the path before him and back again. Gritting his teeth, he made a decision and finally threw Guiot into his Incubator's world. The tradeoff of handing over this secret versus the value of a baby Griffin was more than worth it.
Ryu knew that even if he got lucky and no Ninth and Tenth Order beasts appeared, it was a foolish wish for him to desire the same to occur for Eighth and Seventh Order beasts. Existences of that level were too ubiquitous in this world.
If he didn't pull out all the stops, he would have no chance. And this was especially so if he had a burden like Guiot by his side.
However, he did have three advantages. For one, he was relatively close, or else Ailsa wouldn't have been able to sense it. Second, he had moved first. Other beasts would have to either luck into the egg or converge after its birth phenomenon, but Ailsa's sharp senses had caught onto it just as the hatching process began. And, finally, his Ice Jade Crystal Body's 'Friend of Beasts' ability would most definitely come into play.
Any beast with Ancient Blood would have an eversion to him due to his Bloodline. After all, even Little Rock battled him before becoming his partner. However, he just might be able to mitigate this with his Bone Structure.
Ryu patted Nemesis' neck, sending him back into the Incubator and shooting forward himself. Nemesis simply wasn't a beast known for his speed. Ryu had only been using him to mask his scent as a human, but now it wasn't necessary anymore.
A cloak covered his body as he crossed over several mountain ranges. His speed was blinding, it felt that even without his cloak, it would be almost impossible to lay eyes on him.
'… My eyes… are more powerful than I thought…'
Ryu weaved around territories that had lingering qi from beasts far stronger than himself. He could see their residual energy hanging in the air, flickering with the dark sinister aura of yin attributed energy. It was as easy as reading a map.
Barely five minutes later, Ryu finally crossed into the mountain peak looking down on the valley the egg had been left in.
He suddenly realized that he had another advantage he hadn't thought of until now. Natural Phenomena had a certain level of protection that came with them. Those with lineages too weak would never be able to approach one so closely. However, the suppression they felt was entirely shrugged off by him!
'There are others…' Ryu's gaze narrowed, a halberd slowly making its way into his hands.
'Others' was an understatement. There were hundreds of beasts of all shapes and sizes all around. They had furs of deep blacks and blues, some soared through the skies with a flap of their wings, and others growled on the ground as though to prepare themselves for the coming battle.
There was nothing more ingrained in the bestial psyche than evolution and progress. Even if it cost them their lives, they would fight to the bitter end for a chance at rising to the top of the world. It was this mentality that both made them among the strongest and most scarce species in all of existence. At least, the most powerful of them were rare, anyway.
Ryu wasn't surprised by this result. Though he was 'close', he couldn't have possibly been so lucky to be the closest. Considering how long it took for him to get here with his level of speed, there were most definitely several beasts between him and the egg.
It seemed that despite the fact he had only been in this world for a few days, he would already have to put his life on the line for the second time…
'This is really the phenomenon of a beast they discarded? Beasts are indeed cruel in their pursuit of evolution…' Ryu's gaze narrowed.
The birth of a Sovereign Grade talent was celebrated even on the Shrine Plane. Yet, the Griffins had tossed it aside. If humans had to face such an enemy again one day…
Ryu's jaw set.
He jumped, free falling from the mountain's peak.
Ryu knew he couldn't allow this stalemate to continue. The more chaotic it was, the better chance he had. He was certain that not only were far more powerful beasts on their way here, but the human experts wouldn't allow such an event to go without their interference either.
His aura surged.
With so many beasts on edge, the sudden addition of Ryu's actions were like a spark to a powder keg.
His halberd slammed down with the fiery rage of crimson flames. Smashing tens of Fifth Order beasts into meat paste.
A powerful heat violently expanded outward, melting the snow beneath his feet to the point dust and soil shot into the skies into a tall mushroom cloud.
If Yin Beasts had any weaknesses to list off, there were two that would be at the top of the list. One was Yang Lightning and the other… was Yang Flames!
There would come a day where Ryu tapped into his Lightning Qilin lineage. But for now, this would have to do.
That said… Ryu's Rage Flames weren't just considered normal Yang Flames, they were among the very strongest in all of existence. And, not only were they powerful, but they had already entered the Ruler Realm, a level normally exclusive to Immortals.
Simply put, even Seventh Order Yin Beasts could not easily survive beneath his might.
Roars of pain and anguish filled the skies.. The chaos had begun.