Volume One, Chapter 8: The Shock of the Chinese Government!

“Professor Wang… it’s all right now. The giant python has left,” Fang Long said as he holstered his pistol, though the large knife in his hand remained ready.

“Professor Wang?” Fang Long glanced toward the nearby professor, only to find that he had somehow fallen to the ground, eyes wide open in shock.

“Professor Wang, are you okay?” Zhang Tianyou instinctively crouched down, reaching out, only to realize the professor had merely fainted from fright.

Muttering to himself, Zhang Tianyou said, “Is this… a biologist? I’m just a soldier, but I’m braver than him.”

“It looks like this mission will have to be called off,” Fang Long said, a wave of relief and fear washing over him. He had never encountered a snake unafraid of bullets. He lifted the unconscious Professor Wang and decided to retrace their steps back.

Zhang Tianyou said nothing, joining Fang Long in carrying the professor as they headed back along the same path.

After more than an hour’s journey, they reached the foot of the mountain before nightfall.

By then, countless police officers and rescue personnel were already waiting, some having even pitched tents.

Upon seeing the two descend, local officials quickly rushed over and placed the unconscious Professor Wang onto a stretcher.

Three days later…

In a secret command room of the Chinese government, several images of the giant python were displayed. A supercomputer called “Genius One” was analyzing the pictures.

The images had been taken by Wang Long on the mountain and developed before being uploaded for analysis.

The command room was filled with over ten people, including a somber-faced, elderly commander in his seventies who studied the images intently.

The commander looked at the images and said to the others, “According to computer analysis, this giant python might be a new species, bearing some resemblance to the Titan giant python.”

“Therefore, the Ten Thousand Mountains should be designated a protected area. As for the villagers at the foot of the mountain, they must be warned not to go up to gather firewood anymore.”

“Understood,” the others agreed.

Professor Wang was also in the command room, having awakened two days prior. Now seated on a sturdy wooden stool, he studied the computer’s analysis and offered his hypothesis: “If only I could organize a team to photograph it again. Just a day ago, after extensive research, I’m almost certain it is indeed the Titan giant python.”

Hearing this, the elderly commander chuckled and said, “Old classmate, you still want to go take pictures? You were so scared you practically wet your pants.”

Professor Wang’s face darkened at the remark. He quickly retorted, “Commander, that was an accident. Besides… we went to the same school back then.”

“Just that you chose military school for college entrance exams, and I pursued graduate studies in biology. Now, both of us are well into our seventies and eighties; let's not wound each other.”

“You used to sneak out to the internet café in high school, and I covered for you plenty of times,” the commander said with a smirk.

Professor Wang was quick to reply, “Nonsense! When have I ever been to an internet café? Besides, it’s all 5G now.”

“Never expected the commander to have such a secret past,” someone joked. “Is this still the same commander I know, who valued discipline above his own life?”

The room buzzed with chatter, though most knew vaguely that Professor Wang and the commander were old classmates.

“You’re as stubborn as ever,” the professor smiled bitterly, his thoughts drifting back to his youthful recklessness many years ago.

The commander recalled his own wild youth. After all, who hasn’t been arrogant in their youth?

The two ceased their teasing and began returning to their respective duties.

The commander instructed his team to verify that villagers no longer ventured up the mountain, while Professor Wang resumed his research, seeking more evidence of the Titan giant python’s existence.

Meanwhile, Wang Long was still prowling the Ten Thousand Mountains in search of prey. Over time, he devoured numerous wild boars, swiftly gliding through the forest with his unique speed.

As he moved, the system’s progress bar neared its threshold. Determined, he transformed into a relentless grinder.

Months passed, and the exclusive profile of the Titan giant python was finally completed.

A chime sounded: “Congratulations, host. You have successfully consumed most of the creatures within a hundred-mile radius, advancing to the Titan giant python stage. Critical reward activated: lightning speed and advanced gliding with dual wings.”

As the electronic voice faded, a mysterious energy surged through Wang Long’s body, crackling with electricity that smoked on his dark scales.

His scales began to gleam, his length reaching twenty meters, with a girth over a meter, and weighing more than a ton.

An electric symbol formed around his body, then morphed into a flowing rune.

“I’ve become stronger,” Wang Long felt the power of conquest within him. Accelerating, he glided across the mountain range.

His once cumbersome giant body gained incredible speed, almost invisible to the eye. Fallen trees snapped everywhere from the gusts generated by his rapid movement.

After traveling for a while, he reached a mountaintop and gazed at the vast white clouds, his heart filled with hope. He had longed to become a true dragon.

The system announced the next stage: “Jiaolong. You can no longer level up by devouring prey. Please collect merits and faith power, or you will fail to survive the heavenly tribulation.”

“Spiritual energy revival has begun. Soon, a group of superpowered humans will emerge. Host, please be cautious.”

Current status:

Host: Wang Long
Species: Crested Snake
Strength: Very strong
Venom: Ten-centimeter fangs with 500 milliliters of blood toxin
Abilities: Deadly venomous bite; advanced gliding; advanced copper skin and iron bones capable of withstanding submachine gun bullets; one bite tear; infinite devouring for two and a half seconds; swift as lightning movement.
Power: Stronger than most snakes.
Next stage: Jiaolong (Flood Dragon)
Total length: 20 meters.

“Jiaolong, huh? No wonder I can’t level up by devouring prey anymore. But this faith power thing is tricky—who would believe in a python?”

Staring at the system page, Wang Long was annoyed. Asking a snake to collect faith power was pure nonsense.

As for merit points, those just meant doing good deeds, which he could manage. After becoming the Titan giant python, his senses had sharpened.

Using lightning speed, he raced toward the mountain’s outskirts. Soon, he arrived at another mountaintop.

Looking down at a nearby village where smoke curled from chimneys, his eyes sparkled with an idea.

“Merit points? Here’s my chance!”

Without hesitation, Wang Long cautiously glided toward the village. Given his speed, he needed to avoid colliding with anyone.

Even if he missed people, the strong winds generated by his rapid movement could easily knock someone over.