C13 It Suddenly Accelerated

Zhang Fann led Lee Shiyu deeper into the cave. Verdant moss sprouted from the stone walls, casting a luminous glow throughout the cavern, with only a sliver of red light twinkling at the far end. Without a moment's hesitation, Zhang Fann charged toward the beckoning red glow.

Crossing an underground river, they came upon a pristine Jade Profound Flower and a Blood Orchid. Lee Shiyu approached with excitement, while Zhang Fann, eyes alight with fervor, moved toward the Blood Orchid.

Upon laying eyes on the Blood Orchid, Zhang Fann's excitement was palpable. The entire herb glowed a deep scarlet, its roots radiating a soft red light and exuding a subtle, enchanting fragrance.

Just the scent alone was enough to send Zhang Fann's blood into a frenzy.

In an instant, he could contain himself no longer.

"Devour," Lin Feng commanded in a detached tone.

Zhang Fann bellowed, and a mysterious force began to infuse his being.

"Clang!"

[Congratulations to the host for consuming a Rank Three High-Grade Spiritual Herb, the Blood Orchid, and gaining 9,000 experience points.]

[Congratulations to the host for ascending to the status of a Rank Two Demon General!]

[Detection of host's blood stimulation, initiating self-evolution.]

Before Zhang Fann could fully process the evolutionary transformation, a series of extraordinary phenomena erupted from within him, surging skyward from the depths of the underground cavern.

Simultaneously, the meridians within Zhang Fann's body were invigorated by an extraordinary power.

With a roar, the medicinal effects triggered an intense pain throughout Zhang Fann's body, eliciting an agonized scream from him.

At that moment, Zhang Fann felt every drop of blood in his veins boiling, his body's temperature soaring to scorching heights, steaming with heat.

Then, as his blood surged, scales began to flake off his body. Blood seeped from his pores, forming a cocoon around him, enveloping him entirely.

Zhang Fann's vision blurred as the world around him transformed.

Before him materialized an expanse of endless white fog, within which he found himself adrift. There, a colossal tiger danced among the clouds. Upon closer inspection, Zhang Fann was astonished to see a pair of massive wings unfurled behind the majestic beast.

The wings of the colossal tiger fluttered gently, stirring up a maelstrom, while a commanding demonic aura swept through the area.

"Awesome!" came a booming exclamation.

"A tiger must be a tiger!"

Zhang Fann, overwhelmed by the potent demonic aura, was filled with awe and excitement.

In the midst of his wonderment—

*Roar!*

A massive flying tiger let out a roar, its wings beating furiously as it lunged at Zhang Fann.

The intense demonic presence caused Zhang Fann to furrow his brow. Preparing to rise and evade, he was taken aback as the giant flying tiger transformed into a beam of light and merged into his body.

"Clang!"

"Congratulations, your bloodline has been restored to the first grade of the Mysterious Rank, descendant of the Qiongqi."

[Congratulations, host. The Qiongqi's bloodline has infected you. Your abilities now include: Soul Suppressing Roar, Dragon's Might, and Dark Demon Pupils.]

[Congratulations, host. Infected by the Qiongqi bloodline, your abilities are: Stealth, Berserk, Bloodthirsty, and Origin of Life. Upon fusion, you've awakened a new skill—Yin Yang Transformation.]

[Congratulations, host. Infected by the Qiongqi bloodline, your abilities now encompass: Rock Armor, Dark Nether Shield. After fusion, you've gained a new skill—Qiongqi Blood Armor.]

Just then, the blood cocoon enveloping Zhang Fann burst apart.

He glanced around, puzzled, only to find himself still within the cave, the mist and the massive tiger nowhere in sight.

"It seems it was all an illusion."

"Wait, I'm a descendant of the Qiongqi? Could it have been a vision of the Qiongqi itself?!"

Zhang Fann's excitement surged.

The Qiongqi was a notorious beast of ancient times, on par with the Taotie.

Renowned for its formidable strength and love for battle, the Qiongqi was said to make an appearance in every fight.

And now, he possessed the bloodline of this legendary creature.

Fantastic!

The thought of his newfound potent bloodline prompted Zhang Fann to let out an involuntary roar.

Once the initial thrill subsided, Zhang Fann turned his attention inward.

His body had undergone a radical transformation: atop his head sprouted three blood-colored horns, his skin was clad in black scales etched with enigmatic patterns, and from his back sprouted a pair of immense crystal wings.

The wings appeared almost ethereal, as if carved from translucent jade or perhaps crystal clear. Positioned on either side, one graced his left while the other adorned his right.

His form had shrunk to half its original size, yet it had become significantly more powerful and agile.

"Incredible!" Zhang Fann marveled, unable to contain his awe.

Sensing the transformation within himself, Zhang Fann promptly summoned his attribute panel.

[System: Zhang Fann]

[Qiongqi Descendant]

[Bloodline Level]: 1

[Cultivation]: Rank Two, Demon General Stage

[Techniques]: Chaos Essence Demon God Scripture, "Black Tiger Howls the Heavens"

[Skills]: Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame, Blood Poison Claw, Nether Sense, Soul Shocking Thrust, Qiongqi Blood Armor, Yin and Yang Birth

[Experience]: 3,000/12,000

With the Qiongqi bloodline enhancing his abilities, his skills were set to become even more formidable.

Zhang Fann closed his eyes, attuning himself to the new sensations. The Soul Shocking Thrust, in particular, boasted an attack power far surpassing that of the Soul Suppressing Roar and Dragon's Might, capable of erasing an opponent's soul in an instant.

The Qiongqi Blood Armor amalgamated all of Zhang Fann's defensive prowess into one formidable shield—swift and incredibly resilient. Even his Blood Poison Claw had failed to penetrate this formidable armor.

Empowered by Yin and Yang Birth, Zhang Fann's speed, strength, recovery, and magical power would all receive substantial boosts. He could now hold his own in a battle against a cultivator of the Demon Marshal Stage, even if only for a brief time.

However, such a potent technique came with a considerable drain on his energy. At present, Zhang Fann's mana could sustain the effort for a mere ten minutes at most. It was a move to be reserved as a last resort.

Yet, this limitation did nothing to diminish Zhang Fann's capability to pose a threat to a Demon Commander. Realizing this, his eyes sparkled with determination.

His path forward was unmistakable.

Ascend.

Become more powerful.

Meanwhile, Lee Shiyu, having just secured the Jade Profound Grass, witnessed the radical transformation that had overtaken Zhang Fann.

All he could do now was to put on an impressive front. After all, not even the rare Blood Orchid Grass could induce such a dramatic metamorphosis in a Demonic Beast.

It was clear just how formidable Zhang Fann's abilities were.

Lee Shiyu breathed a sigh of relief in secret, only to notice Zhang Fann's brow furrow abruptly.

"Clang!"

[Scanning Map: A Rank Five Demon General has been detected 1000 meters away!]

The voice of the system echoed in Zhang Fann's ear.

He had anticipated that his atavistic transformation would draw numerous Demonic Beasts, yet he hadn't expected their arrival to be so swift.

Nevertheless, his eyes, large and intense, sparkled with thrill.

It was as if a pie had just dropped from the heavens.

He hadn't even had the chance to test his new powers when this oblivious Demonic Beast came crashing right into him.

With that thought, Zhang Fann hoisted Lee Shiyu onto the Black Tiger's back.

With a shriek, Lee Shiyu bolted out of the cave.

As they moved forward, Zhang Fann sensed a Demon General prowling outside the cave.

Was it possible that it was lying in wait for him?

A cold smile played at the corners of Zhang Fann's mouth as he suddenly quickened his pace.