ATG: God of Shadows

Narrator's POV

As the first light of dawn pierced through the thick canopy of the jungle, casting a golden hue over the lush surroundings, Alex remained seated in the lotus position, his body and mind deeply immersed in cultivation. The stars that had once adorned the night sky gradually faded, giving way to the morning sun's gentle warmth.

Igris, Beru, and Bellion stood nearby, their postures rigid and their senses keen. Despite the passage of time, they showed no signs of weariness. Their unwavering vigilance was a testament to their loyalty and the sheer strength of their physical forms.

The three shadows had been created to protect and serve, and they took this responsibility with the utmost seriousness, especially when it came to guarding their liege.

The shadows remained silent, each attuned to the faintest disturbance in the jungle, ready to strike at a moment's notice. 

As the sun continued its ascent, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink, a subtle shift occurred in the profound energy surrounding Alex. The once steady and rhythmic flow of energy began to intensify, swirling around him like a gentle vortex. His body, still as a statue, seemed to glow faintly, a sign of the immense power being absorbed and refined within him.

Suddenly, Alex's eyes fluttered open, revealing a deep, almost ethereal calm within them. The air around him seemed to crackle with energy, a testament to the progress he had made during his cultivation. A soft chime echoed in his mind, and a familiar system notification appeared before him:

Ding! You have reached the 10th Level of the Elementary Profound Realm!

The notification brought a satisfied smile to Alex's lips. In just 14 hours, he had ascended from a novice cultivator to the 10th level of the Elementary Profound Realm, an achievement that would have taken others years to accomplish. Even Yun Che reached it after cultivating for 4 months. Due to his physique, he did not need any sort of cultivation technique, all he needed to do was absorb the energy. Combined with the boundless energy refining ability of the Black Heart, had propelled him forward at an astonishing rate.

"14 hours…" Alex mused quietly, his voice tinged with awe at his own progress. "I've already reached the 10th level. At this rate, it won't be long before I break through to the True Profound Realm."

He rose from his seated position, feeling the profound energy coursing through his veins with newfound intensity. His senses were sharper, his strength greater, and his connection to the world around him had deepened. The jungle, once a vast and mysterious expanse, now felt more like an extension of his own being. He could sense the life force of every creature, the flow of energy through the trees, and even the faint tremors in the earth beneath his feet.

As Alex stretched his limbs, feeling the power within him hum with potential, he turned his gaze towards his ever-loyal shadows.

"Igris, Beru, Bellion," Alex called out, his voice carrying an authority that matched the power within him.

The three shadows immediately knelt before him, heads bowed in respect.

"My liege," they said in unison, their voices filled with reverence.

Alex nodded, a sense of gratitude welling up within him. "You have guarded me well. I can feel the strength in my body, the energy flowing through me… it's beyond what I imagined."

Beru, ever the emotional one, looked up at Alex with tears in his eyes. "My liege, your progress is nothing short of miraculous. To reach the 10th Level of the Elementary Profound Realm in such a short time… it is an honor to serve someone as extraordinary as you."

Bellion, more reserved, simply nodded in agreement, while Igris remained silent, his crimson eyes gleaming with pride.

Alex allowed himself a moment of satisfaction before refocusing. "This is just the beginning. There's much more to achieve. But for now, let's prepare to move forward. We have work to do."

"Now, I have tasks for you guys. Firstly, Bellion, I want you to go and find any nearest civilization near us. I know that you can probably sense it but I want you to go and find the name of the place , kingdom or wherever we are."

"Now, Beru, you go and find a place for me to bath, I really stink right now. Also, find me some fresh water to drink and also find some fruits for me to eat. I am really damn hungry."

"As for Igris, you are gonna stay with me and guard me. Any questions or suggestions about your tasks??"

"None, My Lord!"

"None, My Lord!"

Both Igris and Bellion replied simultaneously.

Beru on the other hand raised his hand with a questioning look on his face, making him look like a curious student in a class, ready to ask his teacher a question.

"Yes, Beru, what's your question?" Alex asked.

Beru spoke," My Liege, why do you want to eat fruits?. There are a lot of powerful beasts around us. They would not only feel delicious in taste once cooked, but also strengthen your body as well."

Alex smiled at his curious shadow, seemingly expected the question and replied,

"It's quite simple actually, I do not want to eat them, it just feels kind of disgusting to me to eat another living being. I know that due to the type of powers I have, I will have to kill a lot of beings and beasts in the future."

"But there's nothing that is forcing me to eat them. Moreover, I love fruits and vegetables, cooking them with various recipes. So, if I were to give a clear answer, I simply don't want to. Does that answer satisfies you?"

Beru, looking at Alex with stars in his eyes speaks with utter reverence, "Yes! My Liege!."

"Good. Now, go."

"As you order My Liege!"

"As you order My Liege!"

Saying so both Beru and Bellion left to perform their designated tasks, leaving only Igris and Alex in the vast jungle.