C4 Mess Up!!

Crack!

Abruptly, a blinding bolt of lightning sliced through the brooding clouds, illuminating half the heavens!

Below, in a clearing within the dense jungle, lay a frigid pond nearly two acres in size.

Lin Xuan, standing at the water's edge, peered into the depths below, where numerous fish, each several feet in length, glided through the water. Their bodies were cloaked in darkness, and atop their dorsal fins sprouted slender, white bone spurs, giving them a menacing appearance.

Suddenly, the Black-head Fish, alerted by the disturbance outside the pond, darted out from a cave at the bottom.

With a flick of its tail, it emerged, having detected the presence of the Black Snake Demon. To its surprise, there seemed to be another demon nearby, though this one's spiritual energy was not particularly strong, roughly on par with the Black Snake Demon.

"What's this? Brought in a sidekick, have you?" the Black-head Fish mocked silently.

Within its domain, the cold pond, its power was unmatched. The Black Snake Demon posed no threat; in fact, it had nearly been vanquished by the Black-head Fish on several occasions.

Had the Black Snake Demon not been so swift to flee, it would have met its end long ago!

Huala!

Like an arrow shot from a bow, the Black-head Fish cut through the tranquil depths, reaching the pond's surface in mere moments.

The water's surface rippled gently around its mountainous black form.

Nearly three meters in length, the giant black fish bore a pair of piercing, scarlet eyes that scrutinized the figures of a snake and a frog on the shore.

Hualala!

The Black-head Fish's body began to quiver, sending high-frequency tremors through the water for yards around, causing droplets to dance into the air. Along its back, stout white bone spurs stood erect.

An aura of sheer power radiated from its form.

"Roar!"

With a slight opening of its massive jaws, it issued a challenging growl.

Boom!

Following the Black-head Fish's defiant roar, Lin Xuan, positioned at the edge of the pond, coiled his legs and launched himself forward with swift agility.

An afterimage streaked across the cold pond's surface.

As it moved, the strong winds it stirred up caused massive waves to ripple across the once tranquil waters.

"Amazing speed!"

In that instant, the Black-head Fish's scarlet pupils contracted sharply.

As it attempted to dodge...

Its scarlet gaze locked with Lin Xuan's, which shimmered like a river of stars, and suddenly, its vision twisted and blurred, its divine sense unable to detect its own body.

"Is this an illusion? Does this Demonic Beast possess innate abilities?"

"Could it be a Spirit Beast?"

The Black-head Fish, unable to sense its body, was struck with a wave of astonishment.

But before it could further contemplate, its consciousness was lost to the depths of enchantment.

In the external world.

As Lin Xuan's afterimage swept past, he instinctively raised his right hand.

*Whoosh!*

A nearly six-inch-long claw burst forth, its tip gleaming with a chilling light.

*Puchi!*

Lin Xuan's razor-sharp claws effortlessly penetrated the Black-head Fish's skull, as if its armor were mere tin, and, with an eagle's grip, he hurled the creature towards the shore with force!

Simultaneously.

The two-meter-long black frog form burst through the water like a shell, its powerful wake sending waves crashing with formidable force.

Upon plunging into the cold pond, Lin Xuan shed the massive force of impact and swiftly skimmed back towards the shore, his speed leaving a piercing afterimage. The colossal frog form settled gently onto the soft grass at the water's edge.

A few steps away lay the Black-head Fish, its head shattered.

Lin Xuan then raised his sharp claws and effortlessly dismembered the Black-head Fish before him. A rich scent of blood soon permeated the air from the grass.

Beside him.

Mr. Black Snake, with his purple-red vertical pupils, gazed longingly at the segmented Black-head Fish, drool pooling at the corner of his mouth.

"Toad Boss, is this edible?"

Mr. Black Snake lifted his head, drool dripping from his mouth, and asked, "Boss Toad, can we eat this?"

"Ever heard of barbecue?" Lin Xuan glanced at Mr. Black Snake, adopting a look of inscrutable wisdom, and spoke slowly.

"Barbecue?" Mr. Black Snake, standing a few steps away, was suddenly awash with confusion, his massive head shaking slowly.

Though he didn't grasp Lin Xuan's meaning, the word alone seemed to carry an air of sophistication.

"Go gather some wood!" Lin Xuan commanded. "The meat's best enjoyed when it's cooked!"

Previously, when Lin Xuan had found himself in the body of a toad at the bottom of the food chain, he had little choice but to fight for survival. Now, having ascended to the status of a Spirit Beast, his strength had soared dramatically.

Dealing with ordinary demons was now a breeze for him!

He'd had no choice but to eat raw before, but now, he refused to settle for less than a roasted feast!

Using his keen sense of smell, Lin Xuan had already procured some spices.

Half a quarter of an hour later, Mr. Black Snake, on Lin Xuan's command, breathed out a torrent of scorching demonic energy, drying out the damp wood in no time.

Within moments, a fierce flame burst forth!

Lin Xuan swiftly rigged up a makeshift wooden spit, skewering slices of Black-head Fish onto it. He then seasoned the fish before placing it over the fire.

Soon after, the entire forest was enveloped in a delicious aroma.

The Black Snake Demon at his side couldn't resist slapping its tail, scattering the weeds beneath it in its excitement.

Lin Xuan tossed a piece of the cooked fish towards it, which the demon caught and gulped down eagerly!