This time, he didn't swing the iron rod to strike but instead used it like a spear, pouring all his strength into driving the meter-long rod deep into the gaping maw of the marine iguana, thrusting it down its throat.
Most of the meter-long iron rod vanished into the creature's mouth. Su Li let out a low growl, his arms straining as he lifted the rod, impaling the marine iguana and hoisting it into the air.
With a thunderous crash, the marine iguana he had lifted slammed onto the ground, producing a deafening noise.
Blood gushed wildly from the creature's unclosable mouth.
As it hit the ground, the marine iguana convulsed and writhed incessantly. Though not dead instantly, the iron rod piercing through its mouth into its body had damaged vital organs, inflicting a fatal wound. It was clearly beyond saving.
Having just dealt with one, the marine iguana he had dodged earlier turned and charged to bite. Su Li smoothly yanked the iron rod from the dying creature's mouth, pushed off with both feet, and leaped diagonally to the side.
But then the marine iguana's attack suddenly shifted. It braced its four legs against the ground, hunched slightly, and its tail lashed out like a massive whip.
Caught off guard, Su Li was struck by the unexpected tail swipe. He grunted and fell, a sharp burning pain spreading across his thigh where it hit, but fortunately it was only painful, not injurious.
Realizing the danger, Su Li reacted swiftly, rolling on the ground. He immediately sensed a foul stench as the marine iguana's gaping maw appeared before him.
Cursing under his breath, with no time to dodge, Su Li quickly raised the iron rod to block. The marine iguana's jaws clamped down on the rod, grazing past his face, sending a chill of cold sweat down his spine.
What he feared most was the venom in the marine iguana's mouth, which had made him hesitant and cautious in their earlier exchanges, reluctant to get too close. Now forced into close combat, he found the bulky marine iguana less agile than him.
As it bit down on the iron rod and tried to release and bite again, Su Li clenched his left fist and landed a solid punch on the left side of the creature's head.
The four ten-centimeter-long "Gluttony Fangs" sank deep into its flesh. Though the marine iguana had tough skin and hard muscles, it couldn't withstand the "Gluttony Fangs."
Seizing the advantage, Su Li used all his strength to drag the fangs downward, splitting half of the marine iguana's head open.
Only then did Su Li exhale in relief. He kicked the creature away and scrambled to his feet, only to see that Ding Longyun had also succeeded on his end.
As Su Li took down two marine iguanas in quick succession, a fourth appeared, prompting Ding Longyun to change his tactics.
Like Su Li, he had been wary of the marine iguana's venom, avoiding close contact and relying on his steel shovel to strike. But the creature's defenses were formidable—he could injure it but not deliver a fatal blow.
Seeing the fourth marine iguana charging toward him, Ding Longyun knew he was in trouble. Forced into action, he retracted his steel shovel and, for the first time, actively closed in on the creature. He sidestepped as it lunged past, then slammed his right hand down hard.
Extending his hand toward the venomous monster's mouth took courage; one bite or scratch could mean poisoning.
Fortunately, this attack didn't miss. His right hand struck the marine iguana's head squarely, a faint, almost imperceptible substance shimmering in his palm—his special ability, "Soul Devour."
"Soul Devour" activated instantly. The marine iguana staggered forward a few steps after the blow, then its eyes rolled back, and it collapsed heavily. Its head showed no external damage, but internally, it was wrecked, with red and white matter slowly seeping from its mouth and nose.
Just as he finished off this one, a fourth marine iguana charged from behind. With experience now, Ding Longyun was calmer. He swung the steel shovel in his left hand horizontally.
With a sharp crack, he batted away the oncoming marine iguana.
By now, Su Li had killed both of his marine iguanas. Two spirit sources flowed into his body, accompanied by two messages.
"Level 2 Spirit Source User: Spirit Source 9/20" "Level 2 Spirit Source User: Spirit Source 11/20"
"Huh? Killing above my level—each marine iguana gives two spirit sources." Su Li felt a flicker of joy. Without pausing, he gripped his iron rod and charged toward Ding Longyun.
Ding Longyun had just knocked the fourth marine iguana away when Su Li came from behind, gripping the iron rod with both hands and swinging it down.
With a thud, the rod struck the marine iguana's back solidly. The creature roared and whipped its tail.
Forewarned by his earlier experience, Su Li easily leaped aside to avoid it. Ding Longyun stepped forward, and as the marine iguana turned to roar at Su Li, he struck its head with his right hand, unleashing "Soul Devour."
"Soul Devour" was a special energy that could penetrate skin and muscle, directly invading the brain to destroy its internal structure, causing instant death.
The marine iguana, hit by Ding Longyun's "Soul Devour," swayed and collapsed limply.
"Six more to go." Ding Longyun's eyes gleamed with excitement.
Su Li knew he meant six more spirit sources, enough for another evolution.
"How many more do you need?" Ding Longyun asked, spotting two more marine iguanas emerging at the rooftop's edge. He dashed toward the left one. "I'll take the left!"
"Nine more." Su Li replied, charging toward the right marine iguana, a thought crossing his mind: though Ding Longyun was a Level 3 Spirit Source User, one level above him, his strength didn't seem much greater.
From their recent kills, Su Li sensed this.
He had initially thought Ding Longyun could easily crush the marine iguanas, but that wasn't the case. His victory wasn't any easier.
"Could it be because I strengthened my muscles, and he didn't?" Su Li mused.
After all, his muscle enhancement directly boosted his strength by a hundred pounds, along with better muscle control, improving his power and speed. Ding Longyun, on the other hand, had chosen to strengthen his lungs and stomach, skipping muscle enhancement.
Xu Xuehui, still hiding at the stairwell entrance, suddenly heard a dense rustling sound from the dark stairs behind her.