Confronted with the Steel Mane Dog before him, Peng Gengkun didn't hesitate to strike.
With no mercy, Peng Gengkun unleashed the Vajra Worshipping Moon technique. Against a mutated beast that could easily take his life, he couldn't afford to hold back.
The Steel Mane Dog crouched low and let out a roar at Peng Gengkun. Then, with a powerful kick of its hind legs, it lunged at him.
A foul, fishy stench wafted from the Steel Mane Dog's mouth, its teeth menacingly sharp. It snapped at Peng Gengkun's throat!
In an instant, the Vajra Worshipping Moon met the Steel Mane Dog in a fierce collision.
The Leviathan-roc Astral Energy erupted with immense force, sending the Steel Mane Dog hurtling backward.
Leaves and grass fluttered around Peng Gengkun, the shadows of trees shaking.
It took a moment for Peng Gengkun to take in the scene before him. The Steel Mane Dog's head had been crushed by his blow, clearly not long for this world.
"This Great Vajra Palm is formidable, truly befitting of Grade Four Martial Arts! But it seems I may have overexerted myself; the chaos around me is a testament to that! I've heard that Warriors at the Martial Disciple Stage can attack with precision. I hope to achieve that level of control someday!"
Peng Gengkun approached the Steel Mane Dog and collected its body.
He could trade the corpse for something of value.
But as he gathered the Steel Mane Dog's remains, a glowing orb appeared on the ground and drifted into his body.F0lloww new 𝒄hapters at nov/(e)l/bin/(.)com
Peng Gengkun couldn't help but cry out, "Could this be a curse?"
The next moment, a soft chime sounded from the Leviathan-roc System. Upon closer inspection, he noticed subtle changes within the system.
"You have gained one evolution point. Your current total is 1100 evolution points!"
"Evolution points have reached their limit. The Leviathan-roc will now evolve! Successful evolution will unlock a new form and new functions!"
Peng Gengkun paused, then recalled that the system indeed possessed this feature. By vanquishing his foes, the Leviathan-roc could absorb them and evolve.
Peng Gengkun could gain Growth Value by consuming items infused with Spiritual Energy, which he used in lieu of the Qi Sea that typical Warriors cultivated with. However, it now appeared that the evolution points he earned from devouring his enemies were meant for the evolution of the Leviathan-roc!
Upon closer inspection, Peng Gengkun noticed that the system now displayed an egg. After evolution, it resembled a young, unidentified creature. He also saw a slight increase in his own Growth Value.
"This is fantastic!" Peng Gengkun exclaimed in delight. "Not only do I gain levels from slaying monsters, but I can also evolve the system! Right now, I have just a Leviathan-roc egg. I wonder what it will turn into after evolving? First, I should scout the area for any mutated beasts."
Peng Gengkun shifted his focus from searching for Flying Shadow Grass to hunting mutated beasts within the Cloud Connecting Mountain Range. He would swiftly dispatch any ordinary mutated beasts he encountered, but if he came across a formidable demonic beast, he had no choice but to withdraw.
Days flew by, and Peng Gengkun had now spent a full ten days in the mountain range. During this time, the quest for Flying Shadow Grass slipped from his mind as he relentlessly hunted various mutated beasts, steadily increasing both his evolution points and Growth Value.
"Vajra Worshipping Moon!"
Confronting a wolf-shaped mutated beast, Peng Gengkun unleashed the Vajra Worshipping Moon technique. The beast sustained injuries but miraculously survived.
"You're quite formidable," Peng Gengkun remarked, arching an eyebrow, yet he wasn't taken aback.
Despite not knowing the exact distance he had traveled, he was confident that over the past ten days, he had ventured deep into the Cloud Connecting Mountain Range. Encountering some of the more powerful mutated beasts was no longer surprising.
Taking a deep breath, Peng Gengkun executed Vajra Worshipping Moon once more. His time spent cultivating in the mountain range had significantly enhanced his combat skills. Having honed Vajra Worshipping Moon to near perfection, he found it effortless to handle a mutated beast whose only notable trait was its high defense.
"Your head's been bashed in by me, so you're probably not worth much," he mused. "But I'm in dire need of Spirit Stones right now, so I might as well take you back with me."
Peng Gengkun stowed the corpse of the mutated beast into the Leviathan-roc Space as he pondered his next move.
"Having slain so many mutated beasts in the Cloud Connecting Mountain Range, I could make a tidy sum by selling their bodies. Converting that cash into Spirit Stones, I reckon I could net over twenty," he mused.
Finding a dry boulder, Peng Gengkun settled down cross-legged, nibbled on some dry rations, and began to replenish his Astral Energy.
After some time, he opened his eyes, a trace of elation flickering across his face. "The sheer number of beasts I've defeated has yielded a substantial amount of Growth Value. I'm on the cusp of leveling up! Even though I failed the mission, my advancement to the High Rank of Qi Refining and the multitude of beasts I've vanquished should spare me from any punishment upon my return."
Yet, a twinge of frustration lingered. "It's unfortunate I couldn't complete the mission and show up the disciple who assigned it. I'll likely face some ridicule when I get back."
Despite his regret, Peng Gengkun acknowledged the futility of the situation. The elusive Flying Shadow Grass wasn't going to be found easily, especially since he had spent several days hunting beasts to level up.
"Well, it's time to let it go. It'll take me two days to make it back to the Flying Cloud Sect, and by my calculations, I'll arrive right on the fifteenth day. Best to head back now."
He rose to his feet, determined to return to the Flying Cloud Sect. But as he did, a sudden crack resounded within him, as if something had broken.
Peng Gengkun froze, alarmed. "What's happening?"
Startled, he immediately closed his eyes to investigate internally. To his astonishment, he discovered an odd transformation within himself. Unlike most, Peng Gengkun lacked a Qi Sea, having only an egg-shaped object in its stead.
And now, that egg had split open!