The Supreme God of Martial Arts

The childlike wonder the both exhibited amused and endeared Austin, almost making him forget about their prior objective when a sudden roar bellowed from the innermost part of the valley.

It shook the earth and agitated the leaves into falling around them, the fury derived from its echo shattering the otherwise peaceful environment.

Another wave of tremors befell on them, closely accompanied by a sonic boom as a huge shadow dashed between the thick wooden trunks of trees and overgrown shrubs. Its heavy stamps grew deafening the nearer it got to where they stood, imposing an intimidating presence as it bellowed once more.

Violet drastically changed her demeanor into one of pure wrath the moment she heard the sounds. Her lips trembled, teeth clenching in a strained effort to remain calm and collected.

The spiritual sense enabled Austin to see the rhinoceros from its current position in the middle of the forest. Despite its sturdy body being much bigger than an elephant, he sprinted wildly; smashing everything that posed as an obstacle on his way to their group with a drilling glare marring its face.

His four legs were huge, easily leaving a trail of deep gigantic pits as he advanced.

Without a doubt, this demon heading their way must be the six-grade rhinoceros king Violet had mentioned.

In a span of a few seconds, it appeared before Austin and Violet, looking terribly enraged at their unannounced visit.

He was the color of mud; dark brown with skin so thick and coarse that it already served as his armor. His gigantic form looked much bigger from up close, dwarfing and casting an imposing shadow over them with his towering height.

A sharp, massive horn protruded from the top of his muzzle, the other two snuggled on each opposite side of his head. It glinted under the unforgiving sunlight, highlighting the sharpness of the cone-shaped weapons like that of a knife, driving fear to anyone who was to be on its receiving end.

However, Violet did not cower in fear. Instead, she sported the posture of someone who had the means to defeat this fearsopponent. She had abandoned the weak, demonic fox long ago, and had refined herself enough to even be able to take the form of human beings now.

The beast stopped, appraising the seemingly unafraid humans with confusion lining his features.

He was able to sense any invaders on his property, even at a far distance, and had known of these mortals' existence the moment they had stepped foot on the region.

It was well-known that he had taken the dale under his control, and entrance to the place was to be endowed by him. Defying that rule was tantamount to offending him and challenging his position as the suprruler. The consequences of this treason would be the death of the aggressors—may it be beasts or humans—on his land, as long as they were of lesser status than him in terms of martial arts skill.

And so far, he had proved to be the more superior being.

He looked at them strangely, unable to perceive their intentions, especially since it was very rare for any human beings to be sighted around the Grand Desolation Mountain.

He shook his head, opting to forego any feelings that hindered him in defeating them. Two terrifying sharp teeth were bared as the rhinoceros howled, his pupils turning red to reflect his madness. He moved in a lightning speed, the sharp horn on his head flashing in crimson light.

It grew several times in both length and diameter, mimicking the parameters of a sword that sought for the blood of its enemies.

Unleashing his full strength, the king stamped on the ground and hoofed out clusters of dirt, akin to a rampaging bull before it darted towards Austin and Violet without any prior warnings.

"Letdeal with him, Master." A cold, calculating stare represented the long-rooted grudge of Violet, coaxing her to submit to the impulse of taking revenge in place of her whole clan.

Austin understood her sentiments, hence he stepped aside and gladly took the role of an onlooker.

She closed her eyes, inhaling a deep breath to help her concentrate while murmuring an enchantment to summon purple smoke to engulf her being. It circulated her; growing denser and denser as it took the shape of a ball with Violet being its core.

It obscured her, shielding her from sight as she flew higher and floated in the air.

It was one of her illusions that Austin knew Violet had relentlessly polished.

A thunderous bang resounded when the rhinoceros took the bait and collided with the illusory image.

A piercing noise cfrom where the hit had ensued, but the beast had only ran through a shield of smoke, which was intangible and unharmed from the violent force he exerted.

He was not given a chance to ponder in bewilderment when Violet had taken advantage of the situation to produce a huge, black claw that stretched out inside the fog guarding her.

It aimed at her foe with the power of clustered demonic energies supporting the incoming strike. It flowed with the elegance of stormy sea waves, its aura seething before surging into the sky, filling the atmosphere with hostile, static energy.

Austin had seen her perform this trick many times, yet even he was blown away with the herculean pressure of her magic. What she manifested just now had been ten times more than whatever she had shown during their training.

The claws scratched its opponent's back in a flash, so fast that only a gush of air registered in the monster's mind when it passed his ears and hit its target with hefty and deadly precision.

The rhino king failed to turn around and check the injury.

He realized then, that in front of this combatant he was demoted to creature of sluggish stature.

He struggled to hold himself upright, the extrpain from the inflicted wound darkened his vision and almost lulled him into unconsciousness.

He grunted in agony, his outrage being the only thing keeping him dignified as he weakened to devastating levels.

He ground his feet into the dirt, using the soil as support to his weight.

Heaving deep, labored breaths, the rhinoceros trod and glowered at Violet.