Chapter 4: Devouring Strengthening — the Eastern Heretic?!

This was the first self-preservation skill he had created after awakening his Heaven-Defying Comprehension!

The big fish, in pain, began to struggle frantically.

Its tremendous strength dragged Brother Ning Chuan into a violent tumble through the seawater, churning the surroundings into a murky mess.

A faint sensation of displaced bones came through — that was Brother Ning Chuan's snake bones bearing enormous pressure.

The pain stimulated his nerves.

But his will was firm; not only did he not loosen his grip, he coiled his body even tighter!

He could feel the big fish's struggles gradually weakening.

He could feel the big fish's vitality draining away at tremendous speed.

This was a contest of will, and also a contest of strength!

He did not know how long had passed — perhaps a few minutes, perhaps ten-odd minutes.

That originally ferocious big fish finally stopped struggling completely, its massive body floating limply in the water, with only occasional nervous twitches.

Done.

Brother Ning Chuan slowly loosened his coiled body, "breathing," savoring the calm after the battle.

That scene just now had indeed been perilous.

Had it not been for "Heaven-Defying Comprehension" letting him grasp "Death Coil" at the critical moment, his ending at this point would have been hard to predict.

"Heaven-Defying Comprehension… truly powerful!"

Brother Ning Chuan's heart brimmed with admiration and joy for this ability.

This power that turned the rotten into the miraculous was simply tailor-made for him!

As long as one has comprehension, anything is possible!

A tremendous wave of exhaustion surged over him like the tide — strangling this big fish had nearly drained every ounce of his stamina.

At the same time, the hunger in his belly grew ever more intense.

Gazing at the enormous dead fish before him, Brother Ning Chuan's eyes grew focused.

This was not merely food — it was the source for him to replenish his energy.

He swam forward, opened his not-particularly-large snake maw, and tried to tear at the big fish's flesh and blood.

However, the big fish's scales and skin were both quite tough; with his current bite force, the efficiency was poor.

"This won't do — the absorption efficiency is too low, and a lot of energy will be wasted."

Brother Ning Chuan began to think.

His gaze fell on the big fish, and Heaven-Defying Comprehension quietly activated once more.

【You are observing the composition of a creature's flesh and blood…】

【You are analyzing the conversion and absorption efficiency of energy…】

【You are pondering how to maximize the use of food…】

His consciousness seemed to plunge deep into the big fish's flesh-and-blood cells, sensing the pure energy contained within.

A strange impulse rose within him.

If only there were a method to directly draw out this energy and strengthen himself…

【You study the essence of energy, perceive the mysteries of devouring, and awaken to the truth of plunder and strengthening…】

【You combine your own life form, and a spark of inspiration flashes…】

【You have created the skill — Devouring Strengthening!】

Another vast and intricate stream of information flooded into his mind.

Devouring Strengthening: By devouring the flesh-and-blood essence of other creatures, one can rapidly replenish one's own consumption and refine pure energy to strengthen the physical body, elevating one's life tier.

"Wonderful! Another powerful skill!"

Brother Ning Chuan's heart surged with immense joy — the might of Heaven-Defying Comprehension was proven once again!

This skill was simply tailor-made for his current predicament! A timely blessing!

Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately followed the method of "Devouring Strengthening" and pressed his snake maw against the big fish's wound.

A strange suction arose from within his mouth.

Visible to the naked eye, the flesh-and-blood essence at the big fish's wound transformed into streams of faint-red energy, ceaselessly drawn into Brother Ning Chuan's body.

Warm and pure energy, like trickling streams, nourished his exhausted body.

His stamina was recovering rapidly.

He could clearly feel his muscles faintly writhing, growing tougher.

His bones seemed denser as well.

The luster of his scales also seemed to deepen somewhat.

His originally three-meter-long body, after absorbing part of the big fish's energy, seemed to have grown another faint fraction.

This very real sensation of growing stronger left Brother Ning Chuan thrilled, filling him with boundless longing for the future!

"I can survive! And I can grow even stronger!"

"As long as there's enough food, I can keep getting stronger!"

Brother Ning Chuan's heart brimmed with excitement and plans for the future.

He no longer harbored any negative feelings about having become a snake; instead, he regarded it as a unique beginning — a path leading to supreme power!

Possessing Heaven-Defying Comprehension, he could continuously create inconceivable skills.