C2 Life Countdown

A sudden screech sent shockwaves through the two colossal beasts locked in fierce combat.

Their eyes narrowed at the sight of the massive Snake Demon that had materialized seemingly from thin air, a mix of caution and malice gleaming within.

Demonic beasts possess an innate instinct for sensing danger.

Though these two weren't the brightest, they could feel an ominous threat emanating from the Snake Demon's presence.

Meanwhile, Zhang Lingfeng, somehow shackled to a mysterious system, felt his size surge. A potent force flooded his being.

In that instant, he was aware of the immense power coursing through his veins, his heightened senses, and his vision sharp beyond measure.

By chance, he spotted a cliff a mile away, crowned with a fruit tree bathed in a kaleidoscope of light, bearing an oval-shaped fruit.

The fruit, a vibrant red and clearly ripe, shimmered enticingly, its sweet fragrance signaling its rarity.

In a flash, Zhang Lingfeng pieced it all together.

The ferocious battle between the Scarlet Flame Fire Lion and the Armored Rhinoceros was undoubtedly over that fruit.

Avid reader that he was, Zhang Lingfeng knew well that treasures worth dying for in the eyes of demonic beasts were exceptionally valuable.

"I have to have it!"

This conviction took hold in Zhang Lingfeng's heart.

His burgeoning size and burgeoning strength bolstered his confidence.

Now, as a fireball crashed against him, it left him unscathed, fueling his rage instead.

Damn it all, he had been at the mercy of those two behemoths, humiliated and battered.

It was time to reclaim his honor and turn the tables.

With resolve, Zhang Lingfeng readied himself for battle, his body coiled and primed.

His tail, akin to a steel whip, lashed out, cleaving ancient trees in half as if they were mere twigs.

Its impact on the ground left a gaping fissure in its wake.

Across the way, the Crimson Flame Lion and the Armored Rhinoceros, recognizing the formidable adversary in the Snake Demon, launched a coordinated assault.

"You're seeking your own demise!"

Witnessing the scene before him, Zhang Lingfeng's serpent eyes gleamed with a deadly light. He channeled all his strength into his tail, transforming it into a lethal weapon, and lashed out with ferocity.

A howling sound pierced the void, and faint ripples of space trailed behind the sweeping Snake Tail, a testament to the sheer terror of Zhang Lingfeng's strike.

Boom!

With a sound akin to thunder, the two once-majestic demonic beasts were sent hurtling through the air by Zhang Lingfeng's tail, suffering grievous injuries.

"Holy smokes, I'm way too powerful!"

Zhang Lingfeng was momentarily dumbfounded by the turn of events. Once he snapped out of it, his excitement soared to new heights. The rush of wielding such immense power was intoxicating.

Not too far off, the two beasts that had been flung aside were now petrified with fear. They were considered tyrants on the fringes of the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range, yet they stood no chance against the formidable Snake Demon before them. Overwhelmed by his absolute power, they cowered in defeat.

Feeling Zhang Lingfeng's menacing stare, they wasted no time in turning tail and fleeing.

"Run? Where do you think you're going? Didn't I say I was going to roast you? Now, I'm going to make good on that promise. You're as good as dead!"

Though he couldn't speak in his serpentine form, Zhang Lingfeng's thoughts were brimming with bravado. His colossal body surged forth, striking with the speed of lightning.

The outcome was inevitable. Empowered by the "Devastating Python Form," Zhang Lingfeng's combat prowess far surpassed that of the two beasts, allowing him to effortlessly catch and dispatch them.

As the bodies of the two beasts thudded to the ground, Zhang Lingfeng's tension melted away.

[Ding! The system has detected the host's danger has subsided. 'Devastating Python Form' protective function is now deactivated.]

[Ding! Due to the host's insufficient strength, the forced activation of 'Devastating Python Form' has caused a backlash, reducing lifespan by ten years.]

[Ding! Given the host's species, a Flower Snake, the lifespan is a mere ten years. Commencing life countdown: ten seconds, nine seconds...]

"What? A life countdown? Does this mean I'm about to kick the bucket?"

Hearing the icy mechanical voice echo in his mind, Zhang Lingfeng, who had just slain two savage beasts, was caught off guard before he could even revel in his victory.

"Damn it, what's with this 'Devastating Python Form'? I didn't choose to use it, so why the hell is it taking ten years off my lifespan?"

As the realization set in, Zhang Lingfeng's composure shattered, and he erupted into a tirade of curses.

He hadn't anticipated that, despite overcoming the immediate danger, he couldn't dodge the grim fate of death.

His ranting cost him precious seconds.

Now reduced to palm size again, Zhang Lingfeng could feel his life force slipping away.

Breathing grew laborious, his eyelids leaden.

"Is this the end for me? I can't accept it! If only the heavens granted me another shot at life, I'd grow stronger, ensuring nothing could ever dictate my fate again."

Hope had barely flickered before despair set in once more. Zhang Lingfeng had abandoned all thoughts of recovery, yet his innermost being seethed with defiance.

[Ding! Host's intense will to survive detected. System Notification: Consuming the bloodline essence of a demon beast may restore a portion of your lifespan. Will you devour the Scarlet Flame Fire Lion?]

As the system's countdown reached three, and Zhang Lingfeng braced for the inevitable, a divine-like notification chimed in his mind.

"What? Devouring bloodline essence can extend my lifespan? Damn it, you've really screwed me over. Why didn't you mention this sooner? Devour! I absolutely must!"

With his spirit reignited, Zhang Lingfeng realized only a second remained on the countdown. He bellowed his command mentally.

[Ding! Successful devouring of the Scarlet Flame Fire Lion. Lifespan increased by twelve hours.]

Accompanied by the notifications, Zhang Lingfeng felt his condition surge back to its peak, his injuries from the ordeal completely healed.

The once-massive fire lion lay reduced to dust beside him, leaving only a thumb-sized, oval bead radiating intense heat.

Zhang Lingfeng, spared from death's clutches for now, let out a deep breath of relief.

His attention turned to the mysterious oval bead, and just as he pondered its nature, the system's unfeeling mechanical voice resonated in his mind once more.

"Ding! A second-tier fire attribute Demon Core has been detected. Do you wish to consume it?"

"System Alert: Consuming the Demon Core can boost your strength, enabling limitless evolution. Conquer all demons and ascend to supremacy!"

Zhang Lingfeng tuned out the system's grandiose promises. Yet, the revelation that this inconspicuous Demon Core could enhance his power piqued his interest.

The rush of formidable power he experienced during his "Python Transformation" was intoxicating.

But such power was, after all, borrowed.

A single use of Python Transformation had nearly cost him his life.

Thus, bolstering his innate strength was paramount.

Realizing the Demon Core's potential to fortify him, Zhang Lingfeng didn't hesitate to devour it.

"Ding! Second-tier Demon Core successfully consumed. Fire attribute essence acquired. Evolution has commenced, and the attribute panel is now active."

As the system's voice echoed in his mind, Zhang Lingfeng sensed a surge of demonic energy within him. It was faint but growing steadily.

Simultaneously, an attribute panel materialized in his thoughts.

Name: Zhang Lingfeng

Race: Cauliflower Snake (Evolving...)

Lifespan: Twelve Hours

Level: Tier One Demonic Beast (Enhancing...)

Strength: 50 Jin (Increasing)

Innate Skill: Python Transformation (Passive, One Month Cooldown)

Items: None

Attributes: (Evolving...)

Energy Points: 1,000 (Depleting...)

Mission: Not yet initiated

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