C8 Spirit Stone Mine

However, Zhang Fann wasn't fazed in the slightest.

With his formidable strength and an arsenal of powerful skills at his disposal, he was more than capable of completely overpowering the Rank Nine Demon Soldier.

Leaving the cave behind, Zhang Fann leaped through the forest, making his way eastward until he reached a small mountain teeming with exotic flora. On one side of the mountain lay an enormous cave, its entrance towering eight or nine meters high. The Spirit Stone mine, along with the Rank Nine Demon Soldier, were both situated here.

Zhang Fann's gaze sharpened as he ascended the mountain and soon found himself at the cave's threshold. A rich surge of Spiritual Qi mixed with the pungent scent of Demonic Beast blood hit him full force.

There was no doubt in his mind; the Spirit Stone mine was here, and so was the Rank Nine Demon Soldier!

Awooo!

As Zhang Fann was about to step inside, a thunderous roar shook the air. The roar was so powerful that it caused the nearby boulders to quiver, and countless rocks to burst apart.

Before he could process the thought, a massive purple-black tiger came into view. The beast was enormous, its body adorned with dark purple stripes, its claws glinting dangerously, and its eyes exuding an aura of sheer terror.

Zhang Fann squinted, recognizing instantly, without any need for a system prompt, that this formidable tiger was the Rank Nine Demon Soldier that had claimed the Spirit Stone Mine.

The tiger's presence was overwhelming, indicative of a creature at the pinnacle of Rank Nine, teetering on the edge of ascending to Rank Ten.

Moreover, the bloodline of this purple-black tiger was incredibly potent, far surpassing the Moon Wolf Zhang Fann had previously encountered. Yet, compared to Zhang Fann, it was still leagues behind.

Aoao!

In response to the purple-black tiger's angry roar, Zhang Fann let out a roar of his own, one that was even more fearsome. His prolonged hunts had endowed him with the air of a seasoned hunter.

His roar carried an immense pressure as he lunged at the massive purple-black tiger.

The tiger's mind went blank, its body paralyzed by the force of Zhang Fann's presence. It was as if it could see Zhang Fann's lifeless body, surrounded by the corpses of countless Demonic Beasts.

Furthermore, Zhang Fann possessed a trace of dragon blood in his veins, adding to his already formidable presence. With the dragon lineage coursing through him, his aura was imbued with a commanding dominance that compelled all creatures to submit.

The overwhelming presence left the purple-black tiger utterly defenseless.

In a brief moment, Zhang Fann seized the chance to merge "Berserkness" with the Lotus Purifying Demonic Fire, causing his muscles to bulge and his body to expand dramatically, flames engulfing him fiercely.

With a swift leap, he obscured the purple-black tiger's vision with his massive form.

A thunderous "Bang!" echoed as his colossal claw came crashing down.

The head of the purple tiger shattered like tofu, instantly falling apart.

He hadn't even resorted to his bloodline powers before meeting his end.

"Dang!"

[Congratulations, host, for slaying a Rank Nine Demon Soldier. You've earned 700 experience points.]

Zhang Fann wiped the blood and gore from his hands, feeling immensely satisfied with his newfound strength.

"My power, having undergone relentless consumption and metamorphosis, now exceeds my cultivation level. Ordinary Rank Nine Demon Soldiers can't threaten me in the slightest."

"I could even defeat a Rank Ten Demon Soldier with ease."

His eyes ablaze with fervor, Zhang Fann could hardly wait to take on a Rank Ten Demon Soldier.

He reined in his excitement and approached the carcass of the black tiger.

"Dang!"

[Congratulations! You, the host, have ascended to the Ninth Grade Human Rank—Dark Moon Dragon Demon Tiger. A successful promotion.]

[Congratulations! You have mastered the Eye of Darkness!]

...

In that instant, Zhang Fann's eyes transformed, with patterns like windmill blades spiraling out from his pupils in an eerie fashion.

He examined his bloodline and, as expected, found no evolution. He sensed that only by devouring a Rank Ten Demon Soldier could he advance to the Yellow Rank.

Feeling the power of the Dark Demon Eyes once more, his face lit up with excitement.

These Dark Demon Eyes were an unexpected boon!

"He can actually create illusions with his own eyes!" exclaimed Zhang Fann, thrilled.

It's well known that on the battlefield, falling prey to an illusion spells doom, leaving one as vulnerable as a fish on a cutting board.

With just a glance, the Dark Demon Eyes could induce powerful illusions. How formidable indeed!

It's no surprise that a Rank Nine Demon Soldier could claim a Spirit Stone Mine for itself. With such an eerie ability, it could even devour a Rank Ten Demon Soldier.

Now, armed with his Dark Demon Eyes, Zhang Fann was ready to take on a Rank Ten Demon Soldier in battle!

His excitement mounting, Zhang Fann hurried forward into the cave, where a vast collection of Spirit Stones awaited.

Upon entering, his eyes grew wide with amazement.

Milky-white Spirit Stones were strewn throughout the cavern, easily numbering over a hundred.

"This is a treasure trove of experience!"

With fervent eagerness in his gaze, Zhang Fann lunged at the Spirit Stones, his claws digging fiercely into the earth.

Quickly, he unearthed a gleaming white stone.

Without a moment's pause, he began to consume it.

[Congratulations, host, for gaining 400 experience points.]

400 points!

Considering a Rank Nine Dark Demon Tiger was worth about 700 points, one Spirit Stone was worth half that beast!

Zhang Fann was ecstatic. With over a hundred Spirit Stones here, devouring them all could elevate him to a Rank Ten Demon Soldier, bypassing Rank Nine entirely.

"Keep going!"

He dug further.

[Congratulations, host, for earning 398 experience points.]

[Congratulations, host, for earning 412 experience points.]

[Congratulations, you've earned 403 experience points.]

[Ding!]

[Congratulations, host, for advancing to Rank Eight Demon Soldier!]

At the system's prompt, Zhang Fann ceased his digging and closed his eyes to savor the transformation within.

Demonic power surged from his core, cascading through his limbs and filling him completely, growing exponentially like a snowball rolling downhill.

Zhang Fann let out a satisfied groan.

Moments later, he opened his eyes, a spark of thrill flickering within.

What a rush!

His cultivation had soared to Rank Eight in such a brief span, faster than if he'd been strapped to a rocket!

Other warriors and Demonic Beasts had to absorb the power bit by bit, a process that could take weeks.

But for him...

In just a second, he could swallow a Spirit Stone whole!

For Zhang Fann, this Spirit Stone mine was nothing short of perfect.

But what thrilled him even more...

The cave was brimming with Spirit Stones!

Zhang Fann could nearly picture the Rank Ten Demon Soldier beckoning to him.

As Zhang Fann prepared to absorb more Spirit Stones, a disturbance echoed through the cave.