C5 Myriad Venomous Hands!

The Devouring Rune blazed to life, unleashing its fearsome power. The cultivation of the giant centipede surged into Chen Fann's body, visibly quickening with each passing moment.

Qi Condensation Layer Four!

Qi Condensation Layer Five!

Qi Condensation Layer Six!

His cultivation soared, climbing at a breathtaking pace that left onlookers speechless. The warmth flooding from the depths of his soul was so exhilarating that Chen Fann felt on top of the world.

"Amazing!"

"My cultivation has leaped a major realm today, and I've gained a tremendous boost across six minor realms. At this rate, it won't be long before I'm back at my peak!"

With an icy stare, Chen Fann watched the giant centipede deflate, his heart brimming with boundless aspirations for the future.

"From this day forward, I, Chen Fann, will reign supreme as a formidable force in this world!" His voice crescendoed, and his aura intensified with each word. When it reached its zenith, he stomped forward with a thunderous step.

Boom!

The giant centipede's once-durable exoskeleton, now devoid of its cultivated strength, crumbled under the pressure of Chen Fann's overwhelming presence.

"Kid, you've done well. A cultivator lacking the heart of a true warrior is doomed to fail. You've earned a bit of my respect!" Taotie commended Chen Fann without reservation.

Bolstered by the praise from the legendary beast Taotie, Chen Fann's confidence swelled, his fists clenched so tightly they creaked.

"Kid, don't get cocky. Take the venom sac from the giant centipede quickly. It's immensely valuable to you."

"Venom sac?"

Prompted by Taotie's advice, Chen Fann noticed the pitch-black venom sac beneath the shattered exoskeleton.

"Your Highness, this poison is lethal. What good can it do for me?"

"You're smart, so why the sudden doubt?" Taotie sighed, a hint of frustration in his voice. "Use the Devouring Rune to absorb it!"

Chen Fann wasn't dense; he had an inkling of what to do and promptly called forth the Devouring Rune, directing its power at the venom sac in his grasp.

As the sac dwindled, intricate black patterns emerged on Chen Fann's palm.

"What's this?!"

"Try channeling spiritual energy into your hand!" Taotie had barely finished his instruction when he saw Chen Fann already focusing his spiritual energy, prompting a rare smile of approval.

"Hold on, why am I smiling?" Taotie wondered, bemused by his own reaction—a truly rare occurrence.

Despite his confusion, he simply shook his massive head.

Yet, Chen Fann caught every nuance of Taotie's expression.

Taotie's fearsome reputation was known to all—devourer of skies, consumer of earth, the final resting place for countless lost souls.

And now, this mighty being had smiled at someone as ordinary as me. Who would believe it?

"He changed his mindset the moment he accepted me as his host."

Chen Fann understood that this shift was a sincere show of emotion; Supreme Lord Taotie harbored no malice towards him, filling him with a sense of warmth.

Regaining his composure, Chen Fann concentrated, channeling the Spiritual Qi into his palm.

Fueled by the Spiritual Qi, the black patterns expanded rapidly, spreading until his palm turned an eerie shade of black.

"This!!!" Chen Fann was too astounded to speak.

"Do you feel it?"

"Yes, the venom of the giant centipede has now become a part of me!"

"Give it a try!"

Chen Fann didn't need Taotie's prompt; he was already eager to experiment.

He seized a stone tablet, channeling Spiritual Qi into his blackened palm.

Crackle and hiss!

A piercing noise erupted as green smoke billowed from between the stone tablet and his palm.

The smoke thickened, the tablet appearing to corrode, the affected area expanding.

Crash and clatter!

Soon enough, the stone tablet was utterly corroded, breaking apart and tumbling to the ground.

Chen Fann withdrew his hand, his face etched with astonishment.

"Such potent corrosive power!"

"This is just the basic level. As you continue to devour, the power of the Ten Thousand Transformations Hand will only grow stronger!"

"Ten Thousand Transformations Hand? That's a great name!"

Chen Fann pulled back his power, his mind racing with the possibilities. This ability had arrived just in time.

"After devouring runes, I'd leave behind nothing but withered corpses. But with the Ten Thousand Transformations Hand, it'll all change."

Chen Fann narrowed his eyes, a chilling light flickering within.

With the Ten Thousand Poisonous Hand, he could erase someone from existence. Who would then detect any traces left by the Devouring Rune?

Used wisely, it could be a tremendous asset.

"Cough, cough..."

"Daddy, please don't scare Xiao Qin. I can't be without you!"

At the sound of weeping, Chen Fann rushed over to find a man whose body was darkened, his life force faint.

"The poison has struck at his heart; he won't survive."

"You're lying! Xiao Qin doesn't believe you! My dad won't die; he's going to pull through!"

Sobs filled the air...

"Cough, cough... Young man!"

"Little brother, I'm on my last breath and doubt I'll last much longer. Please, I implore you to take my daughter away from this peril!"

"I'll do it," Chen Fann promised with a nod.

He wasn't heartless. Confronted with such a plight, he couldn't just look away.

"Thank goodness I found the Resurrection Lily. If it can save Little Jie, then my own life is a price I'm willing to pay without regret."

Moved by these words, Chen Fann pondered briefly before decisively leading a struggling Xiao Qin away.

After getting directions, Xiao Qin, perhaps exhausted from crying, fell silent. Before long, they spotted smoke curling up in the distance.

"This must be Anning Village?"

"Yes."

"Let's head back."

Chen Fann exhaled deeply. The Resurrection Lily was toxic; it couldn't save Little Jie.

That quack doctor had ill intentions!

As the saying goes, if you're going to do a good deed, see it through to the end. Having come across them, he couldn't just walk away.

"Hey, isn't that Xiao Qin? Where's your dad?"

Entering the village, a mocking voice reached them. Chen Fann instinctively looked in its direction.

He was met with an unsightly visage, features decent but oddly arranged.

Despite his looks, the man was robust.

"Huh? A visitor?"

The burly man showed surprise. Upon seeing Chen Fann, he sensed something formidable about him, an unsettling aura.

"Chao Tianhu, I've no desire to speak with you. I need to get home and help my brother!" Xiao Qin, her spirits low, ignored Chao Tianhu and tugged Chen Fann toward her house.

Chen Fann was far from ordinary, and he didn't miss the flicker of disgust in Xiao Qin's eyes.

Something was off with Chao Tianhu.

"Saving your good-for-nothing brother? So, you've found the Resurrection Lily?" Chao Tianhu's face twisted into a malevolent grin. "Hehehe, looks like your dad met his end there."

"Just as I thought, there was something off about you from the start!" Chen Fann's brow creased. "You're a cultivator!"

"You've seen through me, indeed, I am a cultivator!" Chao Tianhu's expression turned vicious. "Furthermore, I'm a poison cultivator, at the fourth level of Qi Condensation!"

"So, are you frightened now?"

"Frightened?"

Chen Fann couldn't help but laugh, his eyes squinting with amusement.

"Oh yes, I'm terrified!"

"Scared out of my wits!" With that, Chen Fann's eyes snapped open, unleashing a formidable presence that burst forth in an instant.