From Sword to Slaughter: Evolution

"So now the sword is called 'Demon Slayer'?" Ye Fan pondered as he examined the new active skill, [Blood Burst], and the passive skill, [Menacing Aura], that appeared after the sword's evolution. The sword had undergone a transformation, now exuding an eerie and menacing aura, with its blade even sharper than before.

"It really evolved!" Zhang Xiaoming approached the Demon Slayer sword, his eyes filled with joy and disbelief. This was beyond his expectations.

"And it has become so powerful," he thought as he stood there, feeling the immense power emanating from the sword. The residual electric currents on the blade began to dissipate.

Zhang Xiaoming reached out and grasped the sword, his eyes widening as he felt a surge of strength course through him. The power was overwhelming, far more potent than the boost he'd felt before.

"Full Attribute Boost has reached A-grade. With this level of amplification, it's no surprise," Ye Fan observed, amused by Zhang Xiaoming's reaction.

"Wait," Ye Fan noticed something peculiar. The sword's name had changed. [Demon Slayer (Dark)] now appeared where it previously had [Dark & Light].

"It seems the system has determined that Zhang Xiaoming is more suited to 'Dark'," he mused. "Makes sense."

"I can relay some information to the sword bearer," Ye Fan realized. After considering it for a moment, he decided to transmit information about the sword's active skills.

"The sword is named Demon Slayer and possesses a powerful sword technique, [Phantom Dance]..." Zhang Xiaoming, still marveling at the sword, suddenly widened his eyes as this information appeared in his mind. It was as if the sword was communicating with him!

"It's transmitting information to me!" Zhang Xiaoming thought, astonished. "Could this be... a divine sword acknowledging its master?!"

His excitement grew, feeling as if he was on the brink of achieving greatness.

"Haha, you're overthinking it," Ye Fan chuckled coldly. "I'm just giving you the sword technique so you don't die too soon. The more beasts you kill, the more I can evolve."

He had no intention of serving anyone.

"Divine sword, I'll feed you blood right away," Zhang Xiaoming muttered as he approached the corpses of the Golden Fang Boars, plunging the sword into them.

With a thud, the sword pierced the beast's body, and its blue blood was swiftly absorbed by the sword. As the Demon Slayer sword drank the blood, it seemed to grow even sharper.

"It's getting sharper," Zhang Xiaoming murmured to himself. After draining the blood from the beasts, he sliced their bodies open to extract crystalline objects from within—their [Beast Crystals]. These crystals were the source of the beasts' energy and could be absorbed by warriors to enhance their cultivation.

"Five second-rank Beast Crystals, not bad," Zhang Xiaoming said as he placed them in his bag and continued deeper into the Great Serpent Forest.

Boom, boom—he had not gone far when he heard loud crashes, and the ground beneath him trembled.

"Hmm?" Zhang Xiaoming frowned but decided to move closer. Soon, he spotted a massive bear in the area ahead.

It was a black bear, spewing fire from its mouth as it attacked a group of warriors!

"Damn it!" the five warriors cried out in frustration as they struggled to fend off the beast.

"A third-rank Flame Black Bear," Zhang Xiaoming identified the creature immediately. "A third-rank beast's blood should enhance my divine sword quite a bit."

He smirked sinisterly.

"We can't keep up! This beast is too fast, and its defense is too strong. Our weapons aren't doing much damage!" the warriors shouted in panic.

"Pathetic," Zhang Xiaoming muttered, rushing forward without hesitation. With a single thought, he infused his energy into the Demon Slayer sword, causing it to darken ominously.

Roar!

Sensing the threat, the Flame Black Bear turned and swung its massive paw at Zhang Xiaoming. "Foolish," Zhang Xiaoming sneered as he slashed downward. The bear's right paw was severed cleanly, and blue blood splattered onto the blade, only to be absorbed instantly.

[Absorbed blood of a third-rank beast, energy points gained: 0.3]

"Not bad, a third-rank beast!" Ye Fan was pleased. Killing one third-rank beast should yield 300 evolution points! But reaching the next evolution would require 100,000 points—a daunting goal.

"But once I evolve again, I'll become an S-grade weapon. That's a level even top-tier warriors use!" Ye Fan thought, filled with anticipation.

Roar—the Flame Black Bear, enraged by the loss of its limb, opened its mouth to unleash a torrent of fire at Zhang Xiaoming. But Zhang Xiaoming swiftly dodged to the side.

Boom—the flames scorched the ground, leaving it blackened. Zhang Xiaoming dashed forward, closing in on the bear, and slashed again. The blade sliced through the bear's tough hide, severing its neck. The massive creature staggered before collapsing to the ground.

"It... it's dead?!" The warriors stared in disbelief. The Flame Black Bear's hide was incredibly tough, yet Zhang Xiaoming had decapitated it in an instant. How sharp was that sword?

Zhang Xiaoming smirked, watching their astonishment. "This is a divine sword—far beyond your pitiful weapons."

He plunged the sword into the bear's body, allowing the Demon Slayer to drink its blood.