Host property list
Level 3
Bioenergy 0/30
Skill Points 0
Body length 35cm
Diameter 1.2cm
Strength 0.2
Defense 0.1
Speed 0.4
Agility 0.7
Spirit 1.5
Physical strength 1.0
Skills Venomous Saliva (1/5)
Reputation value 0/10000000
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Sure enough, compared to before, Luo Feng's physical attributes had improved all around, a comprehensive enhancement that touched every aspect of his being. What he cared about most was his body length and overall size, and these had the clearest, most dramatic changes. His body length had grown from twenty centimeters to a significant thirty five centimeters, nearly doubling his previous form and making him a much more substantial creature within the undergrowth. He could feel the increased weight and presence of his own body.
His diameter also increased to one point two centimeters, a subtle but crucial change which meant swallowing prey that was two to three centimeters long would no longer be a challenge or a strain. His body could now accommodate larger meals, which was essential for gathering the substantial bio energy required for his next evolution.
As soon as he thought of prey, Luo Feng's hunger stirred again, a deep and gnawing emptiness in his belly. The sensation was powerful and immediate.
He remembered from his first evolution that the process itself burned through a tremendous amount of energy, almost as if he hadn't eaten in days. Now, with his physical strength more than doubled, he needed food quickly to recover, to refuel the new mass he had gained and power his enhanced muscles.
But he stopped himself, his instinct for caution overriding the powerful hunger. He had learned that impulse could be deadly.
Low key development, no unnecessary risks. That was his mantra.
In a jungle filled with constant danger, where death could come from above or below without warning, staying cautious was the key to living longer. A full belly meant little if it made him slow and complacent in the open.
Testing my new strength and venom can wait until tomorrow, he reasoned. Nighttime is full of predators whose senses are far sharper in the dark. Better to conserve my energy now, remain hidden, and hunt when the sun is up and I can see threats coming.
With that thought, he curled up in his nest, making himself as small and inconspicuous as possible within the earthy cavity. He closed his eyes, pushed the hunger into a corner of his mind, and slowly drifted to sleep, his new body coiled tightly for safety.
---
When Luo Feng opened his eyes again, early morning light was spilling into his cave, painting the earth in soft hues. The gnawing hunger returned instantly, far more strongly than the night before, a sharp and demanding ache.
He stretched his body, shaking off the stiffness of a long night spent motionless. His movements felt sluggish and heavy, each muscle protesting.
Lizards, like other reptiles, were cold blooded. Overnight, with the jungle's temperature dropping significantly, his blood flow had slowed to a crawl, making his reactions dull and his mind foggy. He was vulnerable in this state.
So, as he did every morning, Luo Feng crawled out to bask in the morning sun. Raising his body temperature was an essential ritual, otherwise he couldn't hunt effectively or even think clearly. Survival depended on this daily warmth.
Climbing to the entrance of his den, he let the warm rays fall across his scales. A pleasant wave of heat spread through him, and he nearly moaned in relief as the life returned to his limbs. It was a feeling of pure, simple comfort.
Still, he didn't dare expose himself fully. He stayed near the entrance, half in shadow, ready to dart back underground at the first sign of danger, whether a sudden shadow or a suspicious sound.
As the warmth soaked into his very core, his body gradually loosened. His stiff muscles regained their flexibility, and his sluggish nerves sharpened, making the world come into clearer focus around him.
Even while basking, Luo Feng remained cautious, his instincts on high alert. He flicked his tongue from time to time, tasting the air for unusual scents, while his round eyes continuously scanned the jungle, missing nothing.
On his right, an unknown bird perched on a branch, combing its feathers with fastidious care. It looked plump, juicy, and completely out of reach for now. Luo Feng swallowed his drool, storing the image for a future when he might be large enough to consider such prey.
On his left, a palm sized spider clung to its intricate web, patient and still, a silent predator waiting for its own meal.
Not far from his nest, tender grass buds had drawn a cluster of locusts to feed, their bodies hopping lazily in the cool morning air.
Tempting as they were, Luo Feng shifted his position slightly and stayed put, continuing to soak in the sun. He would not move until he was at his full capacity. Discipline was everything.
Five minutes passed. The bird eventually flew away, and by then, Luo Feng's blood had warmed enough for his body to move fluidly again. The jungle temperature was climbing too, making the air more comfortable.
It is time to hunt, he thought, raising his head with a new sense of purpose, his eyes gleaming.
Just as he prepared to leave the clearing and venture out, a faint rustle caught his ears, a sound that didn't belong to the wind or the leaves. His eyes narrowed as he stared toward the bushes three meters ahead, every sense focusing on that point.
The grass shifted. A lizard emerged, around twenty five centimeters long, its gaze locking directly on him with an unsettling intensity. It was an adult, and it knew he was there.
Ding! Target locked.Tree Lizard. Reptile, Squamata. Provides ten bio energy points.
The system's prompt echoed in Luo Feng's mind, but he barely registered it. His entire focus was fixed on the intruder, this challenger in his space.
That guy again!
This wasn't their first encounter. Three days ago, Luo Feng had seen the same tree lizard under a large tree, over three hundred meters away. He remembered it clearly because of a distinctive pale scar on its upper lip, a mark that made it recognizable.
Back then, Luo Feng had avoided confrontation, retreating quietly into the shadows. An adult lizard was far stronger than his juvenile self had been, and at the time, he hadn't dared risk a fight he would surely lose.
But now, here it was, at the very edge of his territory, encroaching on the place he called home.
The tree lizard flicked its scarlet tongue, edging closer in a slow, deliberate crawl. Its throat inflated in a display of aggression, as if trying to intimidate him.
Does it want to eat me? Luo Feng thought, his body tensing for a possible fight, his new venom glands tingling with potential.
Then another realization struck him, colder and more territorial. No. It is after my nest!
The lizard's scales seemed to brighten as it hissed again, a dry, threatening sound. It was not attacking outright, but posturing, trying to assert dominance. Luo Feng understood the language of reptiles. It was trying to scare him off without the energy expenditure of a real fight.
But this was his home, his sanctuary. If he lost it, he'd be homeless in a jungle crawling with predators of all sizes. Sleeping in the open, exposed, meant almost certain death, especially for a creature of his size.
A low hiss escaped his own throat in response as he raised his head defiantly, refusing to back down. He might not match the tree lizard in raw strength and experience, but he wasn't the same weak hatchling anymore. He had grown, and he had a secret weapon.
Last night, he had gained a new weapon, a hidden advantage called Venomous Saliva.
Maybe this is the chance to test my venom, Luo Feng thought, his eyes narrowing with cold determination. And if I succeed, that is ten bio energy points. A substantial meal and a step toward his next evolution.
He crept forward, advancing aggressively instead of retreating, calling the other lizard's bluff.
The other lizard seemed startled by this boldness. Its throat bulged again, but hesitation flashed across its eyes, unsure of this smaller opponent's confidence.
When only half a meter separated them, Luo Feng coiled his muscles, ready to spring forward and test his fangs.
It is now, he thought, focusing his will.
But at that exact moment, the air itself seemed to tear.
Whoosh!
The sudden rush of air tore through the clearing, a violent disturbance from above. From the corner of his eye, Luo Feng caught a black shadow plummeting from the canopy like a meteor, aimed directly at them.
Without a single moment of hesitation, every thought of fight gone, he spun on the spot and bolted for the safety of his nest, survival his only instinct.