Chapter 50 – Fighting the Core Formation Eagle
Flux stood still.
Silver qi swirled faintly around him as he watched Lucas sprint , desperate to survive. The Core Formation eagle swooped down behind the boy, its wings slicing the wind and its screech sharp enough to rattle bones.
"Hmm... A Core Formation beast," Flux muttered, eyes narrowing. "Sounds perfect to test my skills."
"Well, Lucas—you're in luck."
He inhaled deeply and released his qi. Silver mist flowed from his body and covered him.
Then, in a flash, he vanished.
---
The eagle was closing in on Lucas when it suddenly flinched. An unnatural chill slithered across its back, sharp as a blade. It twisted in the air instinctively—but it was too slow.
Before it could react, a slash of silver light carved across its wing.
It shrieked and twisted mid-air, confused and enraged.
Another strike followed—deeper, cleaner.
"Who dares!?" it roared, voice thundering across the forest.
Lucas stumbled, nearly tripping as he whirled around. "Huh!? What just—?"
Then someone appeared beside him like a ghost.
"What the—! Who are you!?" Lucas cried out.
Flux tossed something at him.
"Catch."
Lucas caught it on reflex and blinked down at the round pill in his hand. "A healing pill?"
"You're injured," Flux said, voice calm like a breeze before dawn. "Take it. Then leave."
Lucas hesitated, clutching his side. "Wait… why are you helping me?"
Flux paused a moment, gaze distant. "I'm just training."
Lucas blinked. "Training?"
But the eagle shrieked again, cutting off further questions.
---
Flux moved.
The eagle snapped its beak at where Flux had just stood, but caught nothing but mist.
SWISH—SLASH!
Flux reappeared behind it, sword dancing in a crescent arc across the tail feathers.
He didn't fight with brute strength. No—he moved like twilight mist under moonlight: weightless, elusive, serene. His swordplay was elegant and measured—like an artist painting on a living canvas.
Step. Slash. Vanish.
Spin. Parry. Strike.
This was Twilight Dance—an art of grace and stillness.
Each cut was precise. Each step deliberate. The eagle's feathers became frayed, its wings streaked with wounds. It shrieked and flailed, sending gales crashing through the trees—but none of it touched Flux.
The eagle's frustration grew. Golden blood dripped from fresh gashes.
Then—it changed.
It screamed to the sky, a furious, guttural cry.
Flames erupted outward.
Trees ignited. The forest roared with heat.
Its entire body burst into golden fire.
Hovering above, the eagle's body was wreathed in flame. Its eyes burned with rage.
"You dare mock me, human!? Then burn!"
Flames engulfed its form. Its size doubled. Its talons gleamed like molten metal, and the pressure it released turned the very air heavy.
Then waves of flame surged toward Flux.
"…Did it just go berserk?" Flux whispered. "Well, that's new."
Trees exploded into fire. The sky turned gold. A wave of heat surged outward, warping the air.
Flux retreated mid-air, his robe catching fire before he doused it with a layer of mist.
"That was close," he murmured, gaze sharpening. "Now things got a bit complicated."
The beast roared and charged again, its speed now monstrous.
Flux dodged left—but the eagle twisted mid-flight and clipped him with its flaming tail.
Pain seared through his side.
He gritted his teeth and flicked backward, barely avoiding a follow-up strike.
"That's way too close."
His expression remained calm—but there was steel beneath the surface now.
---
The eagle came again—wings tucked in tight, spinning like a fiery drill.
Flux met it head-on.
His sword traced arcs through the air, drawing shifting symbols. Mist met fire. Shockwaves shattered stone and split trees.
Blow after blow.
The eagle's eyes glowed like molten suns.
Flux deflected a burning talon, leapt backward, then used Whirling Crescent mid-air—three slashes in rapid succession.
The eagle screamed, one wing torn and flaring erratically.
Still it fought, relentless.
"This is getting out of hand," Flux muttered, panting. "The flames are limiting my movement."
He hovered for a moment, weighing his options.
"I could try the new technique… but I haven't tested it in real combat. It could backfire…"
He exhaled sharply. "Whatever. I'll do it now."
He took a steady breath, then raised his left hand.
Black and white symbols spiraled into existence, forming a mandala in the air—Yin and Yang, opposites intertwined in perfect balance.
"…Let's see how this works," he said softly.
"Yin-Yang Reversal!"
The sky dimmed.
The firestorm froze mid-motion—as if time stuttered.
Then, in a single breath, it reversed.
Flames turned from orange to blue, then to silver, then vanished.
Heat died.
Ice spread outward like ink across parchment. Fire turned to frost. Trees became crystal statues. Ash drifted into snow.
Frost crawled across the eagle's wings.
It shrieked, panic in its voice. "No—what is this!?"
It beat its wings—but frost shattered them. Flames wouldn't come.
Flux blinked, startled by the result.
"…A bit excessive," he murmured, watching frost coat the surroundings.
He quickly ceased the technique, pulling his qi inward.
Even then, the area remained still and cold. The eagle trembled, grounded.
But Flux only stopped for a moment before floating upward, his expression hardening. His sword shimmered with light as he raised it.
The eagle saw the strike coming.
Before Flux could deliver the final stroke, the eagle shouted in desperation.
"No—wait! Please, I submit!"
Flux froze midair.
"…You surrender?"
"Yes! Please!" the eagle cried. "I yield—just stop!"
Flux hovered, silent, then slowly lowered his sword.
"…That's not what I expected," he said, descending.
Steam curled from frozen branches. The eagle crouched low, shivering, blood steaming in the snow.
Flux didn't attack again. He simply watched. Then he looked around the now icy, snow-covered forest.
"…This technique is too dangerous," he thought. "If I hadn't stopped immediately, the beast would be an ice sculpture. Or if I continued longer, the whole forest might've reversed again—from frozen to burned."
He exhaled slowly. "And the qi cost… it was ridiculously massive. I need to refine and control this later."
Just as he continued thinking, a voice echoed from the edge of the clearing.
"WAIT! Don't kill it just yet!"
Flux turned slightly.
Lucas stumbled out of the trees, panting, face flushed.
"Hm?" Flux murmured.
Lucas skidded to a halt beside him. "I—I was going to ask the eagle something!"
Flux raised a brow. "What were you doing in this forest?"
Lucas scratched his head sheepishly. "I've been tracking rumors about an inheritance site around here for weeks. Got a bit too deep into beast territory, I guess."
Flux nodded, then turned to the trembling eagle. "You want to question him?"
"Yeah," Lucas said. "But seriously—thanks. You saved my life. I thought I was done for."
Flux gave a faint nod. "You're welcome."
Lucas looked at him closely, eyes narrowing. "Wait a minute… you seem familiar."
Flux tilted his head.
"We've met," he said. "At the Mologan City tournament. A year ago."
Lucas blinked. "Wait… what?"
"I'm Flux."
Lucas's eyes widened. "You're—Flux!? No way!"
He stared. "You were Foundation Establishment, same as me! There's no way you could've reached this level already!"
Flux removed his hat, revealing his face.
Lucas gasped. Memories rushed back—the tournament arena, losing focus while fighting Flux, distracted by his appearance.
"Holy… it is you," he breathed. "But how…?"
Flux shrugged casually. "I got lucky. A few good chances while cultivating in a blessed land."
Lucas opened his mouth to question further, then laughed helplessly. "Well, I guess that's the best answer I'll get. Congratulations on breaking through to Core Formation, by the way."
Flux nodded. "Thanks. Now—about your question?"
Lucas turned to the eagle. "Right, of course. Do you know anything about an ancient inheritance site nearby? Left by a human cultivator?"
The eagle hesitated. "…I think I know what you're talking about. But I've never been inside. It's heavily warded."
"Can you tell us where?"
The eagle glanced at Flux, then back at Lucas. "I'll do better. I'll guide you both—if you spare my life."
Lucas looked at Flux.
Flux raised a brow. "An inheritance site, hmm… that does sound interesting."
He looked to Lucas. "Mind if I tag along?"
Lucas laughed. "Please do. I'd rather not face it alone."
The eagle exhaled in relief, then began shifting. His body shrank and morphed into a tall humanoid man, golden eyes gleaming, feathers still clinging to his cloak, burn marks scarring his arms.
"I… can guide you now," he said weakly.
Flux nodded, still calm but alert. "Lead the way."
The eagle lower it's head slightly, then turned to walk.
And with that, the three walked into the forest—frost crunching beneath their feet.