Chapter Ten: Departure
A gray egg appeared on the table, roughly the size of a basketball. Yang Fan found something sharp and cut open his index finger; droplets of blood immediately fell from his fingertip, soaking into the egg. The gray egg then emitted a gentle glow, and after a moment, there was a crisp crack—the egg shattered.
It broke from the very top, and a sturdy head emerged—a python’s head with two small horns and large eyes, which made it appear endearing rather than frightening. This was the juvenile stage of the Devouring Python, known as the Little Devourer. It had no offensive capability and needed meat to replenish its energy and sustain its growth.
The Devouring Python was an aberration of the giant python species. Yang Fan awakened the Little Devourer with his blood; it blinked its large eyes and even smiled at him, then opened its tiny mouth and began nibbling on the eggshell. The shell was rich with nutrients, and Yang Fan watched with delight, urging silently, “Eat more, eat more.”
Once fully grown, this Little Devourer would be formidable; for now, it only needed sufficient meat, free from troublesome growth defects, and was easy to raise.
Several girls stole glances at the creature, watching with a mixture of fear and curiosity. Liu Qiaoqiao was particularly afraid of snakes—even this adorable python unsettled her. She quickly joined the others to prepare the items Yang Fan had instructed. Only Yang Fan watched the Little Devourer devour the eggshell piece by piece, his face full of joy.
Within half an hour, the basketball-sized shell was completely eaten. The Little Devourer’s full form was finally revealed in the air—a gray snake about half a meter long and quite thick, three or four centimeters wide, with no scales and an oversized head. Its appearance was not particularly intimidating to most, though those with a phobia of snakes would still be frightened. The Little Devourer affectionately crawled up to Yang Fan, nuzzling his cheek.
Yang Fan responded in kind, gently stroking its head, which was about the size of a walnut.
Just then, the system’s voice sounded.
“Congratulations, player, on obtaining the Devouring Python. As you are the first to obtain a pet, we will offer a free attribute reconfiguration for your pet. Would you like to accept?”
The system’s announcement pleased Yang Fan greatly. “Indeed, being first is always best,” he thought, and accepted the system’s offer.
[Aberrant Beast]
Devouring Python
Current Grade: E (Black Iron)
Potential Grade: A (Gold)
Current Status: Juvenile
Required Energy: 20/100
Description: This is an aberrant beast of the python family—powerful and not inferior to any insect race. Extremely easy to raise. Please treat it well.
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The Devouring Python’s attributes wouldn’t manifest until it reached maturity. Like weapons, grades were categorized as White, Black Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Purple Gold, Dark Gold, Legendary, and Epic—each tier corresponding to a level, the best possible configuration, though few ever achieved it.
“Growl.”
The Little Devourer let out a low growl, gazing at Yang Fan with its large, pitiful eyes—it was evidently hungry. Yang Fan stroked its head; the Little Devourer was a true glutton, especially voracious during its growth period, craving meat above all else. For now, it could eat a bit and rest.
Yang Fan checked the time—it was already two in the morning.
“I’m going out,” he told everyone.
“What? You’re going out? What about us?”
“Can’t you take us with you?”
“I’m scared, please don’t go.”
These were the worried voices of Liu Xin and the other four women. Yang Fan was their pillar; if he left, they’d be at a loss, and if a zombie appeared, their fate would be grim.
Liu Qiaoqiao stepped forward—not to oppose him, but to say, “I’ll go with you.”
“No need. Zhu Liang, you come with me. Staying here isn’t a solution—you can’t imagine the dangers ahead. Stay put, don’t go out. I’ll arrange everything for your safety,” Yang Fan replied.
“Alright.” Zhu Liang answered unexpectedly quickly, without hesitation.
“Stay here, don’t wander. If anything goes wrong, don’t blame me,” Yang Fan warned sternly—this was a matter of life and death, and he needed to be strict. Even Liu Qiaoqiao received the same warning; if they wandered, death was certain.
“Yang Fan… be careful.”
Knowing he’d made up his mind, Liu Qiaoqiao took a deep breath and kissed him lightly on the lips, like a dragonfly landing.
Yang Fan was stunned. The others were momentarily surprised, but soon accepted it; only Wu Yinmei and Bai Su felt uneasy.
“Don’t worry.” Yang Fan smiled, preparing to leave with Zhu Liang, taking the Little Devourer, which coiled around his right arm, clinging tightly until it transformed into a lifelike tattoo—astonishing to see.
It was a pet space!
Yang Fan wasn’t surprised. Just as he was about to depart, a calm voice reached his ears.
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“Be careful.”
It was Bai Su’s voice. Yang Fan paused, but didn’t respond, instead instructing, “Take turns resting. Keep the printer running—continue printing and copying.”
With that, Yang Fan stepped out the door, using the bright lights to survey the corridor ahead. Finding nothing, he and Zhu Liang disappeared down the hall. Yang Fan placed a few explosive talismans around and warned, “Don’t come out, or you risk getting blown up.”
Only after saying this did Yang Fan leave completely, with Zhu Liang close behind.
They quickly inspected the seventh floor; Zhu Liang found another fire axe in a hydrant, and together they continued their patrol. Once sure the seventh floor was clear of zombies, they approached the iron gate. All the school lights were on, as no one was left to switch off the main power—greatly aiding Yang Fan’s hunt.
At the iron gate, both men suppressed their breathing; Zhu Liang dared not even exhale loudly—a challenge for someone of his size.
“Should I unlock it?” Zhu Liang nervously asked, his body cold with fear.
“No rush,” Yang Fan replied, gently pulling the iron chain, which made a moderate noise, then told Zhu Liang, “Hide behind me.”
Without a word, Zhu Liang retreated to the corridor. Soon, he heard the footsteps of zombies—several, it seemed.
Yang Fan sensed seven or eight zombies approaching. With the preliminary boost from the Emperor’s Heart Sutra, his strength was at 160% of an ordinary person, constitution at 150%, agility at 140%, and intelligence at 130%—a significant enhancement. His senses were keen; while Zhu Liang could hear footsteps, Yang Fan distinguished eight uneven breathing patterns.
He stepped back to join Zhu Liang, waiting against the stone wall.
“Roar.”
The zombies crowded at the iron gate, howling and shaking it. After a while, Yang Fan still detected eight breathing patterns and said to Zhu Liang, “Let’s go—smash their heads with the axes.”
With those words, Yang Fan charged forward. Seeing eight zombies covered in black blood, missing limbs and mangled, he raised his axe and struck through the gap in the iron gate.
“Congratulations, player, on killing a zombie. You’ve earned 2 Apocalypse Coins.”
“Ah!” Zhu Liang roared, rushing out and smashing a zombie’s head through the gate with his axe, then sat sweating on the ground, his hair plastered with sweat, terrified as the mindless zombies growled at the entrance, exuding a chilling menace.
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