C5 Spiritual Herbs and Plants

Having realized that the cramped cave was no longer a viable dwelling, Zhang Lingfeng had set his sights on finding a new abode. He then accessed his attribute panel, bringing up his personal details:

Name: Zhang Lingfeng

Race: Black-Striped Python

Age: 40 days

Talent: Inferior

Level: Level 8 Demon Beast [Demonic Soldier] (Cultivation Progress: 95%)

Strength: 8,800 kilograms

Talent Ability: Python Transformation (Passive, Cooldown: 1 month)

Robbery Abilities: Explosive Flame, Earth Armor

Items: Rank 1 Demon Core (Quantity: 6)

Attributes: Fire, Earth

Energy Points: 0

Missions: None

In recent days, after hunting down numerous formidable Demon Beasts, Zhang Lingfeng's demonic energy cultivation had ascended to that of a Level 8 Demonic Soldier. His cultivation progress bar was now tantalizingly close to full, at 95%. Just a 5% increase in energy points would catapult him to the status of a Level 9 Demonic Soldier.

During this time, he had also discovered that the enigmatic "Wireless Robbery Evolution System" came with a storage feature. Consequently, Zhang Lingfeng had stashed away some of the Rank 6 and 7 Demon Cores he had obtained, opting not to consume them immediately. He recognized that as his power swelled, so too would the energy required for future breakthroughs. Ample energy reserves were essential for a smooth ascension.

Zhang Lingfeng had been saving these Demon Cores for this very moment—to fuel his breakthrough to a Level 9 Demonic Soldier. With a mere thought, he summoned the Demon Cores from storage. Energy pulsed from the cores, rippling through the air.

[Ding! First Grade Demon Core detected. Host, would you like to devour it?]

[Devour!]

[Ding! Devouring First Grade Demon Core successful. Energy Points increased by 250.]

[Ding! Devouring First Grade Demon Core successful. Energy Points increased by 450.]

[Ding! Devouring First Grade Demon Core successful. Energy Points increased by 300.]

[...]

As the energy from the Demon Cores was steadily converted into demonic energy, Zhang Lingfeng's attribute panel showed his cultivation progress bar climbing rapidly, advancing by increments of 0.1% at a time.

The progress bar surged to 96%, then 97%, 98%, and finally 99%...

Once the energy within the Demon Cores was completely depleted, having transformed into potent Demon Energy, Zhang Lingfeng's cultivation arduously ascended to the Ninth Grade of a Demon Soldier.

With his newfound strength, Zhang Lingfeng's form swelled even further. His girth now matched that of a water bucket, and his length had impressively reached nine meters.

As Zhang Lingfeng unfurled his serpentine body, the modestly sized cave was nearly incapable of accommodating him, leaving him feeling rather helpless.

Days of relentless hunting had resulted in the near extinction of all formidable First Grade Demon Beasts within a hundred-mile radius.

The ordinary beasts and lower-tier Demon Soldiers, ranging from levels one to five, had become almost inconsequential in extending his lifespan or enhancing his strength.

This realization led Zhang Lingfeng to conclude that it was time to venture deeper into the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range.

He had been treading cautiously all this while, avoiding any powerful presences for fear of clashing with a Second Rank Demon General.

But he knew that delving further would inevitably lead to encounters with not just one, but multiple Second Rank Demon Generals.

When that time came, avoiding conflict might not be within his control, even if he wished it so.

Now that his power had reached the pinnacle of a First Rank Nine Demon Soldier, he was not far from the might of a Second Rank Demon General.

Armed with his innate divine powers, he felt confident that he could stand his ground against a lower-level Second Rank Demon General without fear.

Having collected his thoughts and made his decision, Zhang Lingfeng left the cave behind and set out for the heart of the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range.

Dozens of miles into the range, he stumbled upon a swamp and made a significant discovery.

In a shadowy, moist spot, he found a desiccated tree, reduced to nothing but a massive stump.

The stump was so large that it would take over ten people to encircle it with their arms.

What drew Zhang Lingfeng's attention to this stump was the presence of a Ganoderma, the size of a grinding wheel, nestled in its center.

This Ganoderma was a pristine snow white, with a soft glow circulating within, exuding an enticing medicinal scent that clearly marked it as no ordinary item.

Zhang Lingfeng, sensing the rich energy it contained, couldn't resist using his system to check the Ganoderma's attributes.

Spiritual Material: Mysterious White Ganoderma

Level: Second Rank

Age: Three Hundred Years

Quality: High Grade

Effect: Contains abundant energy, can be absorbed to enhance one's cultivation...

"Huh? It's actually a Second Rank Spiritual Material?!"

Zhang Lingfeng was overjoyed upon discovering that the Spiritual Material had reached the Second Rank. Over the past ten days, he had collected various Spiritual Materials while hunting demon beasts, but they were either First Rank or unranked, offering him negligible benefits.

This Mysterious White Ganoderma was the first Second Rank Spiritual Material he had encountered in a long time. Such a material could significantly bolster the power of a Second Rank Demon General.

For Zhang Lingfeng, a First Rank Demon Soldier, consuming it would undoubtedly provide a substantial boost to his strength.

It was at this moment that Zhang Lingfeng realized just how fortunate he had been to come across the Good Fortune Saint Fruit when he first entered this world.

He also understood why the Crimson Flame Fire Lion and the Iron Rhinoceros had fought so fiercely over the Spiritual Fruit. The Good Fortune Saint Fruit, being a Third Rank item, could offer immense benefits to Second Rank Demon Generals.

Striving to regain his composure, Zhang Lingfeng prepared to approach the Mysterious White Ganoderma.

But just then, a sudden surge of danger welled up from the depths of his heart, prompting an instinctive alarm.

With his demonic power at full throttle, Zhang Lingfeng didn't dare to hesitate. He vanished from his spot like a flash of lightning and reappeared several meters away.

"Bang!"

Simultaneously, a thunderous explosion echoed.

A billow of dust rose into the sky from Zhang Lingfeng's original position, his expression turning grave at the sight.

Witnessing this scene, Zhang Lingfeng's gaze grew intense with concentration. The enemy that had launched a stealth attack was formidable, its combat prowess nearly matching his own. It possessed the cultivation of at least a level 10 Demon Soldier, possibly even higher.

As Zhang Lingfeng pondered, the dust in the air began to settle, revealing the landscape with newfound clarity. It was then that he discovered his assailant was actually a thick, emerald-green vine.

The foliage on this vine was lush, radiating a powerful demonic energy that was undeniably impressive. Following the vine's length with his eyes, Zhang Lingfeng noticed a massive vine, requiring the embrace of two people to encircle it, growing beside an ancient tree near the Mysterious White Ganoderma.

The lower portion of the vine grew straight up, while the upper half branched out densely, entwining itself around other ancient trees in the vicinity. At a casual glance, one could easily mistake this vine for an ancient tree itself. It was this deceptive appearance, coupled with the vine's previously concealed aura and demonic energy, that had allowed it to evade Zhang Lingfeng's detection.

But this spirit creature, born from the cultivation of flora, was still too inexperienced to successfully ambush him.

Lost in thought, Zhang Lingfeng was jolted back to reality as the vine, having missed its initial strike, began to thrash its numerous branches wildly. The resulting cacophony was grating, a clear expression of its fury.

Without warning, dozens of vine tendrils, as thick as arms and shimmering with ominous energy, lashed out like serpents, piercing the air and converging on Zhang Lingfeng from all sides.

"Earth Armor!" Zhang Lingfeng's eyes sharpened as he inwardly bellowed the command.

In response, a protective layer of earth and stone enveloped his body, forming a formidable shield against the impending assault.