The Shadow Panther hissed, its muscles tensing as it prepared to lung. It was a Level 4 beast, much stronger than the rabbits Li Fan had just hunted. In the past, Li Fan would have run away, but now he stood his ground.
"Let's test this new skill," Li Fan whispered.
[Skill Activated: Shadow Step]
As the panther leaped, Li Fan's body blurred. He moved like a ghost, appearing two meters to the left. The panther missed, crashing into a tree. Before it could recover, Li Fan lunged forward and grabbed the beast's thick neck.
"Devour!"
The forbidden black energy surged out. The panther struggled violently, but the dark smoke was like a cage. As the system consumed the beast, something different happened. Li Fan felt a cold, hard sensation spreading through his skin.
[Notification: Unique Essence Detected!]
[The Shadow Panther has consumed 'Deep Iron Ore' recently.]
[Extracting Metal Essence...]
Suddenly, a system screen flashed brightly:
[New Ability Gained: The Power of Metal (Level 1)]
[Effect: The host can harden his skin to the density of iron for 60 seconds.]
Li Fan watched in amazement as his arms turned a dull, metallic grey. He punched a nearby boulder, and the rock shattered into pieces. His hand didn't have a single scratch.
"This system is incredible," he realized. "I don't just absorb levels; I absorb the very nature of what I eat. If I devour metal, I become metal."
[System Update]
[Exp gained: 500/1000]
[Current Realm: Body Refining Stage - Level 4]
However, the noise of the fight had attracted attention. From the shadows of the trees, three men in grey robes emerged. They were disciples from his former sect, the Azure Cloud Sect.
"Look what we have here," the leader mocked, looking at Li Fan's tattered clothes. "The trash of the Li family is still alive? And it looks like you found some lucky treasure."
Li Fan looked at his metallic hands and then at the men who used to bully him. A cold smile appeared on his face.
"I was looking for a dessert," Li Fan said, his voice cold. "And you three just arrived at the right time."