C13 There Are Treasures in the Cave

The moment the egg cracked, Yu Kun experienced an odd sensation, as if something connected to his very bloodline was about to emerge.

"Could it actually be my offspring?"

In his astonishment, Yu Kun watched a peculiar little creature emerge from the fragmented egg. It was an indescribable mix of fish and bird, with both wings and scales.

Yet, as he gazed upon it, a name instinctively came to mind.

Baby Leviathan.

"The Leviathan-roc egg has evolved into a baby Leviathan, enhancing its devouring and digestion speeds. It can now sense Spiritual Energy in objects within a hundred-mile radius! Should it evolve once more, it will become a Senior Leviathan."

Everything clicked for Yu Kun.

"I've slain countless mutated beasts, and the accumulated evolution points have triggered the system's evolution! If it was somewhat lacking before, its capabilities are now beginning to show. It has evolved into a baby Leviathan!"

He stared at the diminutive creature, at a loss for words.

"How large will it get once it evolves into a Senior Leviathan? The evolution points required for another transformation are astronomical! A mere hundred points were needed for it to become a baby Leviathan, but to evolve into a Senior Leviathan, it demands a staggering thousand points!"

Yu Kun did the math, feeling a sense of resignation. By the system's logic, he would need to kill and absorb a thousand beings of his own level to amass a thousand evolution points.

"Now that the system has evolved into a baby Leviathan and can detect items infused with Spiritual Energy, I should put it to the test!"

With all his might, Yu Kun activated the system's abilities, attuning himself to his environment.

Within the mental realm crafted by the system, his surroundings were engulfed in darkness, rendering him blind. But soon, he noticed spots of light beginning to appear. Clearly, these illuminated areas were rich with Spiritual Energy.

"Incredible! I never imagined there'd be so many items brimming with Spiritual Energy within a hundred miles of me. Some may not even match up to Spirit Stones, but they're immensely valuable to me! Time is short, though, and I can't take everything. I'll have to select the items with the most Spiritual Energy to take with me."

Yu Kun zeroed in on several bright spots among the many.

If the system's detected bright spots were to be categorized, these would be considered average. Yet, what intrigued Yu Kun was not the presence of just one or two such spots in his perceptual realm, but a whole swath of them.

"Perhaps they're treasures left by those before us! With so many objects imbued with Spiritual Energy, I'm going to take them with me!"

Guided by the Spiritual Energy in his sensory world, Yu Kun broke into a sprint.

At his current level, Yu Kun could run without needing to rest. His stamina wasn't limitless, but he could easily traverse dozens of meters in a single breath, his speed astonishing.

In under fifteen minutes, Yu Kun reached the source of the Spiritual Energy.

"A cave? It seems somewhat perilous, though."

Eyeing the cave with a hint of trepidation, Yu Kun noted its profound darkness and the subtle stench of blood wafting out. It was clear that something exceedingly dangerous lurked within.

"With the strength I possess now, I can surely escape any peril!"

Reassured, Yu Kun plunged into the cave. He ignited a torch and crouched slightly. The ground revealed numerous faint scratches and patches of dried slime.

Yu Kun ventured deeper, yet the mutated beast was nowhere to be seen, leaving him momentarily taken aback.

"Has it not shown up yet? Could it have left the cave?"

While Yu Kun pondered in astonishment, the system emitted a sudden alarm.

Before he could grasp what was happening, a shadow lunged at him. Caught unawares, the torch clattered to the ground.

Yu Kun managed a fleeting glance before being tightly constricted.

In the torchlight, he saw the massive python coiling around him and his eyes bulged. Even as someone nearing the High Rank Qi Refining Stage, the constriction left him gasping for air.

"I cannot die; I have to counterattack!" Yu Kun's mind raced with potential escape plans.

Currently, I'm tightly bound and unable to execute my Martial Arts. Yet, the second technique of the Great Vajra Palm, known as Vajra Subduing Devil, has the power to release a burst of Astral Energy that can blast everything nearby away! But given my present level of Spiritual Energy, I can only manage a single use of Vajra Subduing Devil."

Yu Kun resolved himself to act.

"I've got no other options! If I can't blast this python away with one shot, I'm as good as dead!"

Yu Kun accessed his Leviathan-roc Space, and a Spirit Stone materialized in his hand. Without a second thought, he crushed the stone, and its Spiritual Energy flooded into his body.

Simultaneously, Yu Kun unleashed the formidable second form of the Great Vajra Palm.

Vajra Subduing Devil!

A fierce torrent of Astral Energy burst forth from Yu Kun.

Yet, as quickly as it emerged, the Astral Energy within him began to fade away, depleting rapidly until nothing was left.

It was fortunate that Yu Kun had shattered a Spirit Stone just moments before. Now, the Spiritual Energy from the stone poured into him, frantically replenishing his reserves.

"Nobody would normally use a Spirit Stone to restore Spiritual Energy—it's far too extravagant! But with my back against the wall, I've got no other choice. It's do or die!"

The might of Vajra Subduing Devil was truly remarkable.

At last, Yu Kun sensed the python's grip weakening.

With a thunderous roar, he wrenched himself free from the python's coils and made his escape.