Arden took a slow step forward and stopped just short of the clearing.

"I won't leave," he said firmly.

His voice was calm, but there was no hesitation in it.

"I want to know the truth."

The air trembled slightly.

The massive black tortoise lowered its head, its stone-like eyes staring straight at him.

The serpent on its shell lifted higher, its body coiling slowly.

"If you dare to block my way," Arden continued, fists tightening, "then I'll break through."

He lifted his head and met their gaze without flinching.

"This isn't just for me," he said. "It's for my fellow disciples in the God Gym."

For a moment, everything was silent.

Then the ground shook.

The tortoise let out a deep roar that rolled through the forest like thunder buried underground.

The serpent hissed sharply, water and mist gathering around its body.

"We warned you, human," the tortoise rumbled. "Turn back."

Arden exhaled slowly.

"…No."

He reached up, grabbed the edge of his shirt, and pulled it off in one clean motion.

He tossed it aside and rolled his shoulders once, muscles tightening as natural energy began to flow through his body.

Green light faintly traced his veins as [Nature Body] activated.

He turned his head slightly. "Dion."

Dion had already taken a few steps back, eyes wide but sharp. "Yeah?"

"Get away," Arden said. "This isn't your fight."

Dion hesitated for half a second, then nodded. "Got it."

He moved back quickly, but before fully retreating, he reached into his bag and tossed something toward Arden.

Arden caught it without looking.

Dion smirked faintly. "Drink that."

Arden glanced down. "Wine?"

"It'll clear your head," Dion said. "And I know you. You overthink when you're scared."

Arden snorted softly. "I'm not a coward."

"You are sometimes," Dion shot back. "That's why you need it."

Arden chuckled, uncorked the bottle, and took a quick drink.

The warmth spread through his chest, steadying his breathing.

"…Thanks," he said.

Dion stepped farther back, eyes serious now. "Don't die."

Arden didn't reply. He simply stepped forward again.

"Come," Arden said quietly. "I'm not turning back."

The serpent's eyes narrowed.

"Then don't say we didn't warn you," it hissed.

The air shifted.

Water mana surged first.

The ground around the clearing darkened as moisture gathered unnaturally fast.

Streams of water rose from the soil, twisting into sharp, fast-moving currents.

The serpent moved its body slightly, and the water followed its motion like it was alive.

Arden's eyes sharpened. "So you're starting."

The water shot forward.

Not one stream, but many.

They came from different angles, slicing through the air with crushing pressure.

Arden jumped back, boots skidding as he slammed his foot down.

"Grow."

Vines exploded out of the ground as his power activated.

Thick roots surged upward, weaving together into a living wall.

Water slammed into it hard, splashing everywhere, cutting deep into the plants.

Arden felt the impact travel through his arms as he braced the barrier.

"Tch," he muttered. "Heavy."

The ground shook.

A deep rumble rolled through the clearing.

Before Arden could move, the earth beneath his feet surged upward.

Massive slabs of rock rose violently, trying to trap his legs and crush him in place.

Arden gritted his teeth as green light flashed across his body.

He slammed his fist down.

Roots burst from his arm, wrapping around the stone, cracking it apart from the inside.

His muscles strained as he tore himself free, stone fragments exploding outward.

He rolled forward and came up on one knee, breathing hard.

"So that's how you fight," Arden said, wiping dirt from his face. "Water to cut, earth to crush."

The serpent didn't answer.

Water gathered again, denser this time.

It did not rush in wildly.

Instead, it flowed calmly, wrapping around Arden's movements, dragging at his legs and arms, trying to slow him down.

At the same time, the earth shifted again.

The ground beneath him hardened, turning uneven and heavy, making every step harder.

Arden staggered once.

"…Persistent," he muttered.

He planted both feet and closed his eyes for a brief moment.

Then he exhaled.

Plants exploded outward in all directions.

Roots dug deep, anchoring him firmly.

Thick vines wrapped around his legs and waist, reinforcing his stance.

Thorned branches lashed out, slamming into incoming water streams and breaking their flow.

Arden charged forward.

Stone rose in front of him.

He did not dodge.

He smashed through it.

His shoulder hit the rock hard, cracks spreading instantly as his reinforced body tore through the barrier.

Blood ran lightly down his arm, but his body healed as fast as it was damaged.

Water slammed into his side, throwing him off balance.

Arden slid across the ground, coughing, then forced himself up.

He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and laughed once, rough and breathless.

"This is the first time I've been pushed back this much," he said. "This is really interesting."

He rolled his shoulders, bones cracking softly as green light pulsed under his skin.

"You're not ordinary Third Realm beasts."

Roots crept along the ground around his feet again, responding to his will.

"Alright," Arden continued, voice steady now. "Time to be even more serious."

Across from him, the massive tortoise and the coiled serpent both stiffened.

They did not roar this time.

They frowned.

The tortoise's eyes narrowed, heavy and confused.

"How," it rumbled slowly, "can a human endure this?"

The serpent hissed sharply, its body tightening. "Normally, one direct strike to a human body is enough."

Its gaze swept over Arden's arms, legs, and chest. "Bones should shatter. Organs should fail."

"But you," it said, voice low and tense, "only suffered small damage."

The tortoise pressed its claws into the earth, the ground sinking slightly beneath its weight.

"You were struck by crushing earth and cutting water."

"And you still stand," the serpent added.

Arden smirked, hearing what they said.

The tortoise spoke slowly. "This human…"

The serpent finished the thought. "…is not normal."

Arden lowered his stance, roots wrapping tighter around his legs.

"Now," he said quietly, "are you going to talk?"

"Or are we continuing?"

The ground trembled.

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