Cultivation Through Artifacts

As the arena was filled with noticeable stillness, Khal's body slowly underwent great changes that made everyone's eyes open extra wide.

Khal's fair skin gradually turned rigid and shiny akin to his crystal black weapon while his Second Stage Cultivation Presence got gradually mixed with a kind of presence that only Beasts had; Beast Presence! And on top of that, the more Khal's body became rigid crystal black the more his Beast-like aura got closer to the Fourth Cultivation Stage!

"This... How the hell did he obtain a Beast Core?!" Alde who was calm until this very moment and even looked pleased because of Khal's misfortune now couldn't hold himself back any longer and stood up while thick bluish-green veins bulged out on the side of his neck; he couldn't understand how, a weak and trash Cultivator like Khal had such luck to obtain a Beast Core.

But then suddenly he realized what Moras told him before he accepted the offer to kill Khal for him a few days ago; he informed him he will kill Khal but before that, he will use him to help him kill a creature and obtain a Beast Core.

"Don't tell me he even was able to steal that..." groaned Alde with clenched teeth while his face blackened terrifyingly dark.

The guy on his side looked at him and with a confused face asked, "Beast Core? What is that?"

Alde, who was struggling to control his anger sat back down and while clenching his fingers into a fist began to explain, "Beast Cores are exceptionally rare 'items' that after consumption bestows the individual a power almost like a second Talent. They can only be obtained through slaying the Alpha and even like that isn't 100% sure you will receive one."

The guy listening to Alde's explanation nodded from time to time and asked, "So for example, if I kill the Alpha of a group of Mist Wasps and obtain its Beast Core I will be able to obtain an ability that similar to theirs?"

"Yes."

To that answer, the guy turned shocked and as his jaw dropped down asked with awe, "Such a powerful thing... Why is it that I never heard about something insane like this? Also, from which creature did Khal obtain his Beast Core? It looks powerful!"

However, Alde simply snorted to that question and said, "As I said Beast Cores are hard to get because not only do you need to slay the Aloha but need the luck to obtain it. Also, even if one obtains one the chance they will sell it are extremely low. Just who in their right mind would sell an opportunity to obtain a second Talent huh? You need to be brain dead to do something so foolish like that!"

"As for what Creature did he kill to obtain his Beast Core, if I am right it should be from a Diamond Beetle King. Plus, considering his presence, it was on the Fourth Cultivation Stage."

"!?"

And just like how Alde's friend reacted to that, people began to murmur between each other with shock and alarm the very moment they learned the truth behind Khal's new appearance and presence.

"Beast Core? What? He killed an Alpha?"

"And not a normal one, but a Diamond Beetle King on the Fourth Cultivation Stage! Do you realize just how hard is that!?"

"This daddy here doesn't believe he killed it alone. He definitely must have got the help of a powerful expert!"

"This guy... Why God doesn't love me that way? His luck is heaven-defying!!"

Jane who stood still all this time on the top now couldn't handle herself but frown while Logan on the side started to grin; this kid, his choice to give him the Moon Robe wasn't a waste at all!

"Tsk... And what if you have a Beast Core? You are still at a disadvantage!" sneered Marx with a cocky grin and lifted his axe, "And I will show you right away!"

With a loud roar, Marx appeared at Khal's side and swung his weapon downward at his head with so much momentum that the ground around his feet cracked and formed a deep pit!

"MOUNTAIN DIVIDER!!!"

Akin to the manifestation of a heavenly punishment from the Gods, Marx's Mountain Divider fell toward Khal's skull ready to chop him into two altogether with the earth below him! And even though the huge axe looked hard to control and move around, with a speed that looked like a flash, it appeared above Khal's head in a flash!

"Why don't the teachers move?" asked Liza with worry in her eyes as she tightened her tiny fists on her side. Even Nate looked confused and a bit anxious, finding it strange that neither of the two instructors tried to move and stop Marx; the attack that Marx was now using wasn't any weaker than the previous one, but instead was extremely strong! It was evident he put greater strength behind his swing this time than before!

"..." Khal on the other hand didn't look nervous at all but instead an unnoticed curve formed on his mouth.

*KA-BOOOOM!!*

*CRACK!*

*TREMBLE!!*

With an enormous explosion that was similar to detonating a mass amount of bomb at once, the middle of the platform cracked and split apart, forming a massively huge and deep crater, filling the air with flying chunks of rocks, debris, and dust in the very next instant!

"!?" every single Cultivator watching this sight sucked in a mouthful of cold air while the sensation in their abdomen turned slightly numb.

"Did he... Just..." in everyone's mind the thought of 'did he just kill?' appeared, but even before they could have thought further, an even greater sight emerged.

"Hmm... Not bad at all. But..."

The very moment as that voice sounded in the entirety of the arena, the dust cloud vanished revealing Khal's figure as he held the edge of Marx's weapon with a tranquil complexion like nothing happened at all!

"!?" Marx noticed this and his pupils instantly shrunk to the size of a needle, not believing what he was just watching.

Khal who stared at the edge of the axe all this time that was inches away from his eyes tilted his gaze at Marx and said, "Unfortunately against skin harder than diamond it's nothing!"

*Swish!*

"!"

In a flash, Khal's figure appeared behind Marx in the air, and with a powerful punt, kicked Marx right on the face.

*BAM!*

"MARX!" Merlin, who immediately came back from her shock as she watched her brother's figure flying away once again, charged at Khal, but even before she could have taken a step forward a huge storm appeared out of nowhere blowing her figure away in an instant!

*BOOM!*

On Asur's indifferent face a slight surprise appeared after noticing the sudden change of events and was about to use his Talent to heal his friends, but just as he opened his mouth a crystal weapon appeared right before his throat with a black flash.

"Don't," said Khal with terrifying calmness, but the coldness in his eyes was quite apparent.

Asur locking gazes with Khal in silence for several seconds straight sighed and lowered his hand, "You won..."

In that very instant as his voice fell, the whole arena exploded with loud cheers and shouts, while inside Khal's head a single voice appeared.

[Warning! 'Body Essence' dropped below 10%!]