The tri-color crystal scale between Han Ning's brows had also undergone changes.
A dense yellow light rippled within, eventually forming a stable earthen core inside the scale.
The tri-color halo slowly revolved around the earthen core, creating a peculiar balance.
The entire transformation lasted about ten seconds.
As the light gradually receded, Snowflake's form stabilized once more.
It now measured approximately 4.5 meters in length, with a shoulder height nearing 1.8 meters.
While its size hadn't increased dramatically, its body radiated a sense of power and the weight of the earth.
The densest patterns of earthen yellow covered its limbs and back, faintly exuding a steady, grounded aura.
[Animal Companion: Tri-color Jewel Alligator Lizard]
[Level: Lv5 (1/1500)]
[Mental Power: 1.2]
[Skills: Mental Shriek, Crystal Stream Breath, Earth Element Manipulation]
[Earth Element Manipulation (Beginner)]: The Tri-color Jewel Alligator Lizard communicates with the Earth Power, allowing it to precisely manipulate soil, rocks, and even certain minerals within a certain range. It can create complex obstacles, traps, or powerful attacks, with greatly enhanced perception and control over earthen structures.
"Grooowl—"
Snowflake let out a low growl, deeper and more resonant than before, carrying a solid, almost bass-like quality.
It seemed fascinated by its newfound abilities, instinctively raising a forelimb covered in thick earthen patterns and pressing it lightly into the muddy riverbed.
Vrrrm—!
An invisible ripple spread outward from Snowflake's claw, expanding in concentric circles.
Within a two-meter radius, the mud seemed to "come alive." Under Snowflake's mental guidance, the soft sludge hardened, and several brownish spikes—each over two meters long with sharp tips—erupted from the muck.
However, the water was deep enough that they didn't breach the surface.
Thwack! Thwack!
The spikes impaled the mangled remains of several Black Serpent Monsters, reducing them to even mushier pulp.
Snowflake continued its manipulations.
Nearby, bubbles began gurgling up from another patch of water.
Han Ning peered beneath the surface.
The riverbed there had softened, forming a sticky, two-meter-wide quagmire trap.
Meanwhile, a thick "Rock Lance"—composed of hardened mud and crushed stone—materialized beside Snowflake, poised and ready to strike.
As Snowflake manipulated the mud, a strange energy flowed through the soul link between Han Ning and his companion, transferring into his own body.
"Huh? Is this Snowflake's ability?" Han Ning's expression shifted in surprise.
Instinctively, he raised his half-human, half-tiger claw and mimicked Snowflake's motion, experimentally pressing it into the mud beneath him.
Vrrrm—
A faint tremor emanated from his palm.
Though far less refined and with a much smaller range than Snowflake's, the mud within half a meter of his claw responded to his will.
He could sense the sludge's texture, gently guiding its flow, gathering it, and even compacting a small patch into a slightly firmer surface—just enough to stand on.
[New Skill Acquired: Earth Element Manipulation (Beginner)]
[Earth Element Manipulation (Beginner)]:Gain an ability from your Animal Companion through an advanced Animal Companion Contract.
"What a pleasant surprise. I didn't expect an advanced Animal Companion to have such an effect," Han Ning mused inwardly.
Come to think of it, he had received the Blessing of the Earth but lacked the ability to control earth elements. What he gained was more of the earth's vitality.
As soon as Snowflake completed its transformation, Han Ning couldn't wait to test its new abilities.
They continued deeper into the northwest and soon encountered a group of over a dozen Black Serpent Monsters swimming in the murky water.
This time, Han Ning didn't rush to act. Instead, he issued a command through the Mental Link: "Snowflake, they're all yours!"
"Roar!"
Snowflake responded and silently approached. The earthy-yellow core within the Tri-color Crystal Scale on its forehead glowed faintly.
An invisible ripple spread.
Whoosh!
Over a dozen clumps of brown mud, each the size of a human head, materialized above Snowflake's head, their surfaces bubbling slightly.
"Swish, swish, swish!"
With a thought from Snowflake, the mud clumps shot out, striking the unsuspecting Black Serpent Monsters.
Splat, splat, splat!
Caught off guard, the Black Serpent Monsters were hit.
The mud clumps exploded on impact, transforming into thick, viscous sludge that flowed down like lava.
"Hiss?~"
The struck Black Serpent Monsters let out furious hisses and began swimming toward the source of the attack.
But the next moment, they realized in horror that the seemingly ordinary sludge was unnaturally heavy and sticky, clinging to their Scales like a persistent curse.
Creatures that usually swam effortlessly through water now struggled to move, as if weighed down by an immense burden.
"Roar!"
Snowflake's eyes flashed with ferocity as it closed in on the serpent group. With a powerful swing of its thick tail, it smashed the head of a sludge-trapped Black Serpent Monster.
Thud!
A dull impact echoed as the serpent's skull shattered, its spine deformed, leaving it limp.
At the same time, Snowflake opened its jaws, and a condensed Tri-Color Beam shot forth, piercing another serpent's skull.
Crunch!
Its massive forelimbs, shrouded in an earthy-yellow glow, struck with thunderous force, easily tearing through scales and crushing bones.
Under Snowflake's relentless assault and the debilitating sludge, the dozen Black Serpent Monsters were like lambs to the slaughter, utterly defenseless.
The battle ended in just a minute or two.
"Well done, Snowflake!" Han Ning emerged from his hiding spot, praising the triumphant Snowflake amidst the scattered serpent corpses.
"Purr!"
Snowflake lifted its large head, emitting a satisfied rumble from its throat.
[Druid Growth Progress +150, Current Lv5, 1701/2000]
[Tri-color Jewel Alligator Lizard Growth Progress +100, Current Lv5, 100/1500]
"Just under 300 points left to break through to Lv6."
"Plenty of Spiritual Power left, and Snowflake just leveled up—perfect condition."
Han Ning decided to push straight to Lv6.
They didn't linger, quickly leaving the scene.
At the same time, several hundred meters away from Han Ning and Snowflake's battle site...
Deep within a flooded underground parking lot, completely submerged in murky floodwaters.
The light here was extremely dim, the bottom layered with thick silt and the wreckage of vehicles, a dead silence reigning.
Suddenly.
The water's surface rippled with unusual waves.
Splash!
A massive figure, far larger than an ordinary Black Serpent Monster, slowly opened its eyes.
Over six meters in length, its body was entirely covered in thick black Scales. At the end of its muscular forelimbs, it gripped a pale white Bone Fork with a forked tip!
The Great Black Serpent Monster's vertical pupils flickered slightly as it flicked out a dark red tongue, tasting the water.
"Hiss——..—"
Then, locking onto the direction Han Ning had left, it let out a sharp, piercing hiss.
The hiss carried a chilling intent to kill.