C20 Punishment Mission

Lin Yuan had no choice but to pick up his pace, following the river downstream in hopes of finding a better moment to strike. Lingering wasn't an option; the tremors and the encroaching forest fire were closing in.

The battle between the Forest Elephant and the Golden Lion was far from a quick resolution, and neither would easily abandon the pursuit of Lin Yuan. The allure of the Cold Stone Grass was irresistible to any demonic beast below Level 10. Such an opportunity to level up was worth fighting for.

In the midst of the chase, Lin Yuan attempted several underwater ambushes on the twin wolves. Yet their keen senses thwarted him; his attacks resulted in nothing more than superficial wounds.

Deciding against further entanglement with the white wolves, Lin Yuan committed to swimming with full force, quickly putting distance between them. But then, in an unexpected twist, the wolves leapt into the river, desperate to keep up with him!

Lin Yuan was taken aback. It was only with a flick of his tongue that he sensed the Blood Moon's influence; the wolves had lost their sanity. His burst of speed had been the final push over the edge.

Surprisingly, the wolves were swift in the current. If they could move this fast in water, why hadn't they chased him with such vigor before? The realization dawned on him: their combat abilities must be significantly hampered in the water, which explained their earlier hesitation.

With a newfound understanding and a grimace that betrayed his typically stoic serpentine nature, Lin Yuan watched the frenzied wolves. His expressions had grown more animated since his advancement to a level four demonic beast, shedding the image of a cold-blooded snake.

The wolves were gaining on him. Lin Yuan tuned into the distant vibrations and reassured himself, "There's still time."

In a split-second decision, without a second thought, he expelled the Cold Stone Grass from his mouth. The sight drove the white wolves into a frenzy—one lunged for the precious grass while the other hurtled toward Lin Yuan.

Lin Yuan had anticipated the wolves' breakdown. Observing their descent into madness, he recognized them as beasts reliant on brute strength. This was precisely why he had released the Cold Stone Grass.

With agile movements, Lin Yuan evaded the assault and clamped down on the throat of the lunging white wolf, pumping the remainder of his venom into its body. The wolf shuddered, its strength draining away as dark blood oozed from its mouth and nose.

Despite being level four demonic beasts, these white wolves lacked sufficient power and had a weak resistance to Lin Yuan's poison. Had they combined forces and cunning intelligence, they might have posed a challenge. But their loss of reason and separation made them easy prey for Lin Yuan.

Indifferent to the white wolf's fate, Lin Yuan stretched out and retrieved the Cold Stone Grass bobbing in the river. The other wolf, in a reckless attempt to attack, was effortlessly ensnared by Lin Yuan. Underwater, his actions were even more fluid.

Upon entwining the wolf, he executed a Strangulation, unleashing immense power that instantly crushed the weaker creature. The river ran red with its blood.

"Host, congratulations on slaying two white wolves. You've earned 2 attribute points."

"Mission received: Mutated Moon, 10 points. Your total mission points now stand at 16."

Without a second glance, Lin Yuan allocated the points between attack and speed. Sensing the nearing vibrations, he swiftly made his way downstream.

In the pre-dawn gloom, Lin Yuan checked his status panel:

Host: Lin Yuan

Status: Big Black Snake (Evolving)

Level: 4/10

Talents: 1. Identify enemy positions by scent. 2. Create a precise map within a 500-meter radius based on scent.

Speed: 5

Defense: 4

Attack: 5

Points Available: 0

Martial Arts: Golden Body Technique

Skills: Strangulation, Venom Enhancement

Mission: Mutated Moon, current points: 16

Temporary Mission: Grass in Mouth, countdown: 2 hours.

Approaching the status of a Fifth Level Demon Beast, Lin Yuan felt an urge to hunt another Fourth Level Demon Beast. Ascending to a Fifth Level would not only enhance his abilities but also ensure better protection for the Cold Stone Grass. He could then save it for future use.

As Lin Yuan entertained the thought, the system's alert chimed in, "Special mission activated: Greedy Heart."

"Mission requirement: Preserve the Cold Stone Grass while eliminating all hunters."

"Mission reward: 3 attribute points and one skill draw opportunity."

"Mission failure penalty: Lose one level from your current rank and a random deletion of an acquired ability!"

The fleeting idea that had just crossed his mind was daunting, and he was well aware of the challenge it posed.

Yet, in an unexpected twist, the system had crystallized Lin Yuan's transient thought into an actual mission, complete with a daunting penalty for failure.

In that moment, Lin Yuan couldn't shake the feeling that the system was out to get him.

But his options were limited. With the situation at hand, he had to commit to completing the mission. He had no means to defy the system, and the thought of losing an ability as a penalty was unbearable.

Besides, given the current circumstances, taking down a Fourth Level Demon Beast wasn't beyond his capabilities. Should he fail the mission, however, standing a chance against the likes of the Golden Lion and the Forest Elephant would be out of the question.

Lin Yuan's mind raced. Just one more attribute point and he would ascend to a Fifth Level Demon Beast.

He was eager to locate his prey when suddenly, he sensed a piercing presence swiftly closing in from beneath the water.

The vibrations behind him grew more distinct, the river water carrying a tinge of searing heat. The occasional roar that split the air was a clear sign—the Golden Lion and the Forest Elephant were drawing nearer by the second.