The Black Panther Demon's growls echoed throughout the cavern, so close Lin Feng could almost feel its hot breath on his face, though the beast hadn't yet appeared. The foul, damp stench of the cave mingled with the demon beast's bloody musk, creating a suffocating atmosphere. Lin Feng had no time for fear. Death was imminent, and the "Omni-Extraction System" that had just manifested in his mind was his only hope.
He gazed at the transparent information panel before him.
[Novice Quest initiated: Escape the danger. Reward: Experience (100), Novice Gift Pack.] [Danger approaching. Host should take immediate action.]
Lin Feng took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. He had extracted "Mass (1)," "Durability (1)," and "Geothermal Energy (0.5)" from the stone slab. What were these for? He tried to focus his thoughts on the word "SYNTHESIZE." Immediately, a new interface appeared:
[SYNTHESIZE Function: Select attributes/materials to combine.]
Lin Feng quickly scrolled through the options. Mass and Durability... If he combined them, could he create something to protect himself? He suddenly recalled stories of body cultivators who used their physical forms to withstand attacks.
"Synthesize... Durability!" Lin Feng thought, focusing his will.
[Synthesizing... Success!] [Consumed: Durability (1). Received: Flesh Reinforcement (Basic) - Enhances skin toughness, reduces physical damage (Effect: 5%).]
A warm energy spread throughout Lin Feng's body, especially over his skin. He felt his skin subtly tighten, becoming slightly tougher, though it was barely noticeable to the naked eye. 5%? It sounded negligible, but in this life-or-death situation, even a sliver of hope was precious.
The Black Panther Demon's roar suddenly erupted directly above him. A massive black shadow plunged down, landing heavily on the cavern floor with a dull thud. Its crimson eyes gleamed with bloodlust, entirely fixated on Lin Feng. The demon beast had no intention of playing; it immediately lunged forward, sharp claws raised, aiming straight for Lin Feng's throat.
Lin Feng couldn't completely dodge. He only managed to twist his body slightly. The Black Panther Demon's claws grazed his shoulder, tearing through his coarse cloth tunic and leaving a deep scratch. A sharp pang of pain shot through him, but it wasn't bone-deep as he had expected.
[Flesh Reinforcement (Basic) activated. Damage reduced by 5%.]
Lin Feng was astonished. It actually worked! Though the wound still stung, it wasn't enough to incapacitate him. The Black Panther Demon also seemed surprised that its prey hadn't died instantly. It recoiled a step, its red eyes growing even more ferocious.
"Damn it!" Lin Feng gritted his teeth. He couldn't just stand there and take hits. He looked around. The cavern wasn't large, but it was filled with jagged rocks. He remembered he still had "Mass (1)" and "Geothermal Energy (0.5)."
[Detected: Cavern Bedrock (Grade: Common). Can be extracted.]
Lin Feng reached out and touched a large rock nearby.
[Extraction successful! Received: Mass (1), Durability (1), Geothermal Energy (0.5).]
He quickly extracted more. The more he extracted, the more Lin Feng felt a small surge of energy flow into his body, making him feel more alert. The Black Panther Demon lunged again, this time faster and stronger. Lin Feng rolled, narrowly escaping the deathly claws. He knew he couldn't match its strength. He needed something to counterattack, or at least stun it.
"Synthesize... Mass and Geothermal Energy!" Lin Feng thought quickly. He didn't know what Geothermal Energy did, but perhaps it could create a push or a shock.
[Synthesizing... Success!] [Consumed: Mass (2), Geothermal Energy (1). Received: Heavy Stone (Basic) - A small stone with increased mass and integrated geothermal energy, capable of dealing physical damage and minor shock upon impact.]
A small, fist-sized stone suddenly appeared in Lin Feng's palm, abnormally heavy and emitting a faint glow. The Black Panther Demon was right in front of him. Lin Feng didn't hesitate, putting all his strength into throwing the stone directly at the demon beast's head.
BOOM!
The stone struck the Black Panther Demon's head with a dull thud, much louder than its size suggested. The demon beast roared in pain, its body staggering backward. Though it didn't cause a serious wound, the unexpected blow and the stone's abnormal weight stunned it.
[Heavy Stone (Basic) dealt (15) damage and caused a minor stun.]
This was his chance! Lin Feng didn't miss it. He lunged forward, not to attack, but to... touch the demon beast. As the Black Panther Demon reeled, Lin Feng grabbed a handful of its glossy black fur.
[Extraction successful! Received: Agility (0.8), Black Panther Demon Fur (1), Demonic Aura (0.5).]
A new notification appeared, accompanied by the sensation of a portion of the demon beast's power being siphoned away. Agility! This was it! What he needed most right now was speed.
[Agility (0.8) can be Synthesized or used directly.]
"Synthesize... Agility!" Lin Feng commanded.
[Synthesizing... Success!] [Consumed: Agility (0.8). Received: Speed Boost (Basic) - Increases movement and reaction speed (Effect: 10%).]
A sensation of lightness and agility spread through Lin Feng's body. He felt faster, his reactions sharper. The Black Panther Demon had regained its balance, glaring at Lin Feng with eyes filled with hatred and wariness. It roared, preparing for a decisive attack.
Lin Feng didn't wait. He darted into a small crack in the cavern wall, a space barely wide enough for his thin frame to squeeze through. Thanks to "Speed Boost," he slipped through the crack with surprising ease. The Black Panther Demon roared in frustration, trying to follow but getting stuck due to its large body. It frantically clawed at the rock wall, creating deafening screeches.
Lin Feng didn't stop. He continued to navigate through the rock crevices, following an upward slope. Guided by the faint glow from the system panel, he could clearly see his path in the darkness. After a few minutes of climbing and squeezing, Lin Feng saw a small opening leading outside. He mustered his strength, pushed aside a blocking rock, and squeezed out.
The fresh, cool air of the Shadowmist Mountain Range washed over Lin Feng's face. The storm had begun, heavy raindrops falling, washing away the blood and grime from his body. Lin Feng gasped for breath, leaning against a large tree trunk, his entire body trembling from exhaustion and adrenaline. He had survived! A mere mortal like him had survived an encounter with a demon beast!
Lin Feng opened the system panel.
[Novice Quest: Escape the danger - Completed!] [Rewards granted: Experience (100), Novice Gift Pack.]
[Host Level increased! Current Level: 1.]
A wave of exhilaration washed over Lin Feng's body. He had not only survived but also leveled up! He looked at his status panel:
[Host: Lin Feng] [Level: 1 (EXP: 0/200)] [Cultivation: Mortal (Accumulating Innate Qi)] [Attributes:]
Strength: 5
Agility: 6 (Increased by 1 due to Speed Boost)
Physique: 5 (Increased by 1 due to Flesh Reinforcement)
Spirit: 7 (Increased by 2 after System activation) [Skills:]
Flesh Reinforcement (Basic): Reduces 5% physical damage.
Speed Boost (Basic): Increases movement and reaction speed by 10%. [Extracted Items:]
Black Panther Demon Fur (1)
Demonic Aura (0.5) [Synthesized Items:]
Heavy Stone (Basic) (1) [System Points: 0] [Novice Gift Pack: Available to open.]
Lin Feng couldn't believe his eyes. He was actually stronger! These numbers, these skills, they were all real. He looked at the blinking "Novice Gift Pack."
"Open Novice Gift Pack!" Lin Feng commanded.
[Opening Novice Gift Pack... Success!] [Congratulations, Host has received: Fundamental Cultivation Technique: Devouring Art (Basic), Low-Grade Spirit Stones (10), System Points (1).]
An ancient leather scroll and ten small, shimmering stones appeared in Lin Feng's hand. Fundamental Cultivation Technique: Devouring Art! This was a cultivation technique! Spirit Stones! These were cultivation resources! And System Points!
Lin Feng trembled as he unrolled the scroll. Ancient characters appeared in his mind, explaining the Devouring Art. This was a fundamental cultivation technique, but it had a unique characteristic: it allowed the cultivator to absorb spiritual energy from all things, including impurities, and convert them into their own spiritual power. This perfectly complemented his "Omni-Extraction System"!
Lin Feng stared at the Spirit Stones in his hand, then at the Devouring Art, and finally at the glowing System panel. He was no longer a wretch incapable of cultivation. He had a path, a completely different path, one that no one else in this world could ever imagine.
The rain continued to fall, but Lin Feng no longer felt cold. A fire ignited within him, not of fear but of an intense yearning. He wouldn't just survive; he would rise! He would extract everything in existence, synthesize his own power, and make even Gods and Demons tremble!
Lin Feng turned his head to look at Qingfeng Town in the distance, where he had endured so much contempt. Then he looked back at the Shadowmist Mountain Range, where he had found his heaven-defying fortuitous encounter.