Chapter 89 Earth Element Manipulation

Chapter 89: Chapter 88: Earth Element Manipulation

The Tri-Colored Crystal Scale on its forehead was also undergoing a transformation.

A dense yellow light rippled, eventually forming a stable, earthen-yellow core within the Crystal Scale. A tri-colored halo slowly rotated around this core, achieving a bizarre equilibrium. The entire molting process lasted for about a dozen seconds. When the light gradually receded, Snow Cake’s physical form stabilized once again.

It now measured approximately 4.5 meters in length, with a shoulder height approaching 1.8 meters. While its size hadn’t increased drastically, it brimmed with a profound sense of power, carrying the solid, imposing weight of the earth. The earthen-yellow patterns were most concentrated across its limbs and back, faintly exuding a steady, dominant aura.

[Animal Companion: Three-Color Gemstone Crocodile Lizard]

[Level: Lv5 (1/1500)]

[Mental Power: 1.2]

[Skills: Spiritual Scream, Crystal Stream Breath, Earth Element Manipulation]

[Earth Element Manipulation (Basic Level): The Three-Color Gemstone Crocodile Lizard communes with the Power of Earth. It can finely manipulate dirt, rocks, and even certain minerals within a specific range to create complex obstacles, traps, or powerful attacks. Its perception and control over earthen structures are massively enhanced.]

"ROAR..."

Snow Cake let out a low growl. Its voice was deeper and richer than before, carrying a heavy, robust resonance like a booming subwoofer. Seemingly fascinated by its newfound strength, it subconsciously raised a front paw covered in thick earthen-yellow patterns and gently pressed it against the underwater mud.

HUMM!

An invisible ripple expanded outward from Snow Cake’s paw in concentric circles. The mud within a two-meter radius seemed to come alive. Under Snow Cake’s mental command, the soft sludge hardened, and several sharp, brown-black earth spikes—each slightly over two meters long—thrust out from the muck. Because the floodwaters were deep, however, they didn’t breach the surface.

THWACK!

The spikes pierced through the mangled corpses of several Black Snake Monsters, smashing them further into a bloody pulp.

Snow Cake continued its manipulation. The water’s surface in a nearby area began to bubble. Han Ning looked down and saw the underwater mud softening into a viscous bog trap over two meters in diameter. Furthermore, a thick Rock Spear comprised of hardened mud and gravel materialized out of thin air beside Snow Cake, poised to strike.

While Snow Cake was manipulating the mud, a strange Energy transmitted to Han Ning through the Soul Link between them.

"Huh? Is this... Snow Cake’s ability?" Han Ning’s expression shifted in surprise. He subconsciously raised his tiger paw—still in his half-man, half-tiger form—and mimicked Snow Cake, tentatively pressing it against the mud beneath his feet.

HUMM...

A faint fluctuation emanated from Han Ning’s palm. Though far less refined than Snow Cake’s control and much smaller in scale, the mud within a half-meter radius around his paw began to respond to his will. He could feel the softness of the sludge and gently guided it to flow and gather. He even managed to solidify the surface of a small patch of mud, hardening it just enough to form a tiny foothold.

[New Skill Acquired: Earth Element Manipulation (Basic Level)]

[Earth Element Manipulation (Basic Level): ...Acquired a companion’s ability through the Animal Companion Contract (High Level).]

"What a welcome surprise. I didn’t expect the Animal Companion to grant this kind of effect upon breaking through to the High Level," Han Ning thought with emotion. Strictly speaking, he had received the blessing of the Earth, but that hadn’t come with Earth Element Manipulation; rather, what he had gained was primarily the Earth’s vitality.

Since Snow Cake had just completed its molting, Han Ning was eager to test out its new abilities. They continued deeper into the northwest. Before long, they encountered another group of over a dozen Black Snake Monsters swimming through the murky floodwaters.

This time, Han Ning wasn’t in a hurry to attack. Instead, he issued a command through their Spiritual Link: "Snow Cake, I’m leaving this to you!"

"ROAR!"

Snow Cake responded and silently crept closer. Within the Tri-Colored Crystal Scale on its forehead, the earthen-yellow core lit up faintly, and an invisible ripple spread outward.

HUMM!

Over a dozen brown-black mud balls materialized out of thin air above Snow Cake’s head. Each was the size of a human head, their surfaces churning with tiny bubbles.

SWISH SWISH SWISH SWISH!

With a mere thought from Snow Cake, the mud balls shot out, hurtling toward the unsuspecting Black Snake Monsters.

SPLAT SPLAT SPLAT!

Caught completely off guard, the Black Snake Monsters were struck by the projectiles. The balls exploded against their bodies, turning into incredibly viscous sludge that slid down their scales like molten lava.

"HISS?"

The struck Black Snake Monsters let out furious, startled shrieks and aggressively swam toward the direction of the attack. But a second later, to their horror, they discovered that this seemingly ordinary mud was unusually heavy and sticky, clinging stubbornly to their scales like leeches. Creatures that usually glided effortlessly through the water now struggled to move an inch, as if they were carrying a ton of bricks.

"ROAR!"

A vicious glint flashed in Snow Cake’s eyes as it closed the distance to the snake swarm. It whipped its thick, long tail, viciously lashing it against the head of a mud-trapped Black Snake Monster.

THUD!

Amidst a muffled impact, that Black Snake Monster’s skull shattered instantly. Its spine contorted, and its body went completely limp.

Simultaneously, Snow Cake opened its maw and fired a concentrated Tri-Colored Beam, piercing cleanly through another Black Snake Monster’s head.

SQUELCH!

Its muscular front paws were enveloped in an earthen-yellow halo. Every swipe produced a heavy, explosive crack, easily tearing through Scale Armor and crushing bone. Burdened by the sluggish mud and battered by Snow Cake’s frenzied assault, the dozen or so Black Snake Monsters were like lambs to the slaughter, utterly defenseless.

The battle ended in a mere minute or two.

"Well done, Snow Cake!" Han Ning swam out of his hiding spot, praising the majestic beast as he looked at the snake corpses littering the floor.

"GURGLE!"

Snow Cake proudly raised its large head, a satisfied rumble vibrating from its throat.

[Druid Growth Progress +150, Current Lv5, 1701/2000]

[Three-Color Gemstone Crocodile Lizard Growth Progress +100, Current Lv5, 100/1500]

"I’m less than 300 points away from breaking through to Level 6," Han Ning calculated inwardly. "I still have plenty of Spiritual Power left, and Snow Cake has just broken through, so we’re both in peak condition."

He decided to push straight through to Level 6 before doing anything else. Without lingering, they swiftly left the scene.

Meanwhile, a few hundred meters away from the site of Han Ning and Snow Cake’s recent battle, lay the depths of an underground parking garage completely submerged by the murky floodwaters. The lighting here was incredibly dim, and thick sludge and vehicle wreckage coated the floor in dead silence.

Suddenly, unusual ripples disturbed the water.

SPLASH!

A colossal figure, far surpassing the size of an ordinary Black Snake Monster, slowly opened its eyes. Its body exceeded six meters in length, entirely covered in dense, pitch-black scales. At the end of its muscular front limbs, it gripped a pale white, forked Bone Fork!

The Big Black Snake Monster’s vertical pupils flickered slightly. It flicked its dark red tongue, tasting the water.

"HISS..."

Then, locking onto the direction in which Han Ning had left, it let out a piercing shriek. The hiss was dripping with cold, murderous intent.