C12 Failed Doubleheaded Grey Eagle

The Double-headed Grey Eagle, having plummeted from the sky, suddenly beat its wings, generating a fierce wind that morphed into a tornado, hoisting it aloft to regain its balance.

The river churned violently. The modestly sized river was nearly bisected as the ferocious twister swept away all the water surrounding Lin Yuan, exposing the stark riverbed and leaving him no place to hide.

In the midst of a ruthless yet confident screech, the Double-headed Grey Eagle dove once more, talons outstretched, aiming for Lin Yuan. Its beaks targeted his eyes, threatening to blind him.

Any other level three demonic beast would stand no chance of survival in such a deadly trap. Even the massive wild boar from earlier would likely fall to the Double-headed Grey Eagle.

But Lin Yuan was no ordinary demonic beast. While others of his kind might develop a modicum of wisdom at level three, possessing only rudimentary intelligence, none could match the cunning of an adult human.

In that moment, Lin Yuan's blood surged without a hint of panic. He didn't flee toward the riverbed; instead, he harnessed the gale stirred by the Double-headed Grey Eagle, charging at the creature.

His move defied instinct. The eagle's assured strike crumbled. Its talons missed Lin Yuan's head, grasping instead at the serpent's torso.

The beak's assault was equally thwarted. Lin Yuan swiftly dodged and, before the eagle could react, clamped his jaws onto its wing shoulder.

The Double-headed Grey Eagle shrieked in terror, releasing its grip, desperate to ascend and shake off Lin Yuan. But having secured his bite, Lin Yuan wouldn't allow it to escape. Despite his chest and abdomen scales being torn, bloodied and vulnerable, he used the force from the eagle's talons to coil his massive tail around the bird, ensnaring it tightly.

In the next instant, the colossal black serpent dragged the Double-headed Grey Eagle down into the river depths. The waters roared back into place, submerging them both, and soon the surface regained its tranquility, as if the two gargantuan creatures had never been there at all.

The surface of the water was calm, disturbed only by occasional ripples. The constant tumbling of broken stones along the shore was a testament to the immense forces clashing in the depths below.

Beneath the water's surface, Lin Yuan had the Double-headed Grey Eagle thoroughly ensnared. Victory was within his grasp!

Yet, the Double-headed Grey Eagle fought with a ferocity that belied its predicament. Despite its dire situation, it refused to surrender. Its sharp talons flailed wildly, and its beaks slashed relentlessly, carving horrific wounds into Lin Yuan's body. Had it not been for the enhanced defense of his now massive, scaled form, he would have been shredded by those fearsome claws.

In that moment, Lin Yuan felt a surge of irritation. Why had he become a snake, devoid of even the simplest claws?

But this frustration was fleeting. He maintained his grip, his strength unyielding. With the power of Strangulation on his side, the Double-headed Grey Eagle, despite being a Level 3 demonic beast, was no match for him in the aquatic arena.

Suddenly, a sound like bursting bubbles echoed from the depths. The Double-headed Grey Eagle's struggles ceased abruptly, its body going limp as if all its bones had turned to mush.

Lin Yuan knew he had crushed its skeleton. As he did, the system's notifications chimed in.

"Host, congratulations on slaying the Level 3 Demonic Beast, Double-headed Grey Eagle. You have earned 1.2 attribute points."

"Host, congratulations on your first kill of a flying beast of the same level. You have earned a skill draw opportunity."

"Host, by slaying a top-tier Demonic Beast of the food chain, you have triggered the mission: Nest Fight!"

Lin Yuan was taken aback by the three successive alerts. The Double-headed Grey Eagle was a pinnacle predator?

The rewards were indeed substantial. By his past experiences, this was akin to defeating a minor boss.

Basking in satisfaction, Lin Yuan reviewed his attribute panel, where two full points awaited, filling him with a sense of accomplishment.

Reflecting on the harrowing battle, a shiver of fear ran through him. He had entered the fray with 0.8 unused attribute points—a clear oversight of his combat potential.

With no further hesitation, he began to ponder his next move.

He now possessed the Strangulation ability. Assessing his own strength, he surmised it was slightly inferior to that of the Ashen Wild Boar he had encountered earlier. Consequently, he decided to marginally enhance both his defense and speed.

Just as he was about to take action, it dawned on him that he had one more skill draw opportunity remaining. He thought it best to wait and see what skill he'd acquire before allocating any additional points.

Dragging his battered body, Lin Yuan concealed himself at the riverbed, stealthily moving to another location. He knew he must vacate this perilous area before attempting to draw a new skill. The aftermath of the recent skirmish had left the riverbank drenched in blood, likely to attract numerous fearsome creatures. Should a Level 3 Demonic Beast appear, he feared he would be powerless to confront it.

As Lin Yuan made his departure, the carcass of the massive Double-headed Grey Eagle bobbed to the surface, carried away by the current. Meanwhile, he pressed on toward the headwaters.

Some ten miles from the site of the battle, the river narrowed. Lin Yuan veered into a tributary and came ashore, as his wounds would not heal well in water. His keen sense of smell quickly led him to a dry cave, home to a pack of Lin Wolves. Among them was a male that had attained the status of a Level 1 Demonic Beast, yet it posed no challenge to Lin Yuan. The wolf was dispatched with ease, yielding a mere 0.1 attribute points to Lin Yuan.

In that moment, Lin Yuan appreciated an advantage of his serpentine form: his killings were not marked by excessive bloodshed. In the perilous, terror-filled forest, the scent of blood could be dangerously attracting.

Taking refuge in the cave, Lin Yuan stilled his mind and accessed the system to draw his skill. A vortex of air materialized before him, and as his consciousness neared, the whirlpool vanished, leaving behind three pieces of solidified information.

"Skill — Venom Enhancement: Having sampled a variety of creatures, and thanks to your inherent venomous trait, you are now partially immune to certain toxins. Moreover, you can bolster the potency of your own venom by consuming and digesting various toxins."

"Skill — Venom Breath: Reflecting on the battle, you've recognized the unfortunate limitations of your limbless reptilian form. Acknowledging the inadequacy of your offensive capabilities, you've gained the ability to expel the venom stored in your glands as a gas, three times daily, within a range of ten feet. While it may not rival the effectiveness of fangs and claws, this tactic offers an element of surprise to tip the scales in your favor."

"Skill Mutation: It appears you're fretting over the lack of sharp fangs and claws. By using this skill, you can initiate a mutation. With a bit of luck, you might transform into a fledgling dragon. However, it's more likely you'll sprout some superfluous appendages. But there's also a chance you'll grow the wings or limbs you've been longing for."

Lin Yuan was thrilled to see these three skills. They were exactly what he was in dire need of right now!