Chapter 115: Crocodiles Flying in the Sky

“Mutated Bull Shark, true shark species, genus Carcharhinus, provides 3,896 energy points...”

After finishing digesting his meal and glancing at the system panel’s recent notification, Lu Chen suddenly found the flesh of the Bull Shark King incredibly enticing.

Goodness, one pound of its flesh could yield seven energy points. This was the highest energy yield among all the prey he had hunted so far, roughly equating to mid-stage Level 4 power.

Lu Chen had recently devised this evaluation system for ferocious beasts based on his own experience.

The criteria were straightforward: starting from whether the creature possessed mutation abilities, combined with its overall strength and the amount of energy its flesh could provide, each level was divided into early, mid, and late phases.

Level 4 was the baseline; anything below was considered an ordinary beast, far inferior to Lu Chen’s Insight.

By this standard, Big Croc was early Level 4. When Black Spot first evolved its fire-spitting mutation, it was also early Level 4, but presently it ranked around late mid-Level 4.

The mutated water python Lu Chen had hunted earlier was either late Level 3 or early Level 4.

This rank evaluation was admittedly rough and simplistic, but for Lu Chen, it served its purpose, giving him a rough estimate of his enemies’ strength.

As for how the human world classified mutated beasts, that was not his concern.

Originally, Lu Chen had planned to share the Bull Shark King’s flesh with the other estuary crocodiles for a taste, but after reading the system’s assessment, he immediately abandoned the idea. Feeding those creatures such a treasure would be a waste.

He had just swallowed over five hundred pounds and still had more than two tons left.

With the weather hot, the flesh would spoil within a few hours at most.

Lu Chen decided to use his previous method: burying the remains underwater to preserve it.

Bidding farewell to the estuary crocodile group, he dragged the massive Bull Shark carcass into the deep sea without feeling any strain. As his body continuously evolved and upgraded, his strength soared qualitatively.

Each swipe of his claws unleashed several tons of force.

Since the Bull Shark pack occupied the nearby waters, other predatory marine creatures had been driven away.

Lu Chen dived deep, the surrounding blood scent thick in the water, yet no reckless creatures dared to approach and steal his meal.

After burying the carcass, he returned to the estuary.

A true estuary crocodile never shied away from flying.

Earlier, the Bull Shark King had glided through the air using water currents, inspiring Lu Chen with new ideas.

If water currents could achieve this, then what about the muddy swamp?

In theory, it should be possible, only the density would be greater for the same volume.

There was a saying from the past life’s Mr. Lu Shuren: “If the engine is strong enough, even a brick can fly.”

Translating that to Lu Chen’s current situation: with enough energy, he could hold his own tail with his claws and fly!

Filled with excitement, Lu Chen entered the estuary swamp and sprinted wildly on all fours.

In a flash, he covered over ten meters...

Step, step, step!

His dark, massive body sped across the mud, startling countless animals along the way.

With every claw striking the ground, Lu Chen consciously released energy from within.

Regarding his two mutation abilities—“Compressed Energy Orbs” and “Swamp of the Earth”—he now had a deeper understanding.

He wasn’t merely releasing raw energy, but a kind of rule or energy law, akin to spells or magic in human legends.

Of course, the precise workings of these energy laws remained a mystery to him; he only knew how to wield them.

The initial test was disappointing.

As he dashed forward, the swamp mud beneath his feet swirled turbulently, roaring like a massive earthen dragon chasing from behind.

It looked impressive but was useless.

The problem was the claws’ contact with the ground was too brief, so the swamp formed too slowly, failing to keep pace with his running.

If so, he might as well try a different approach.

He could stand still and let the swamp lift his body, similar to how Gaara controlled sand with chakra to fly in an anime from his past life.

After some thought, Lu Chen believed this idea was highly feasible.

He stopped, placed his limbs on the ground, and infused the energy law again.

The tranquil swamp churned violently, quickly forming a solid mud platform several meters across.

This was another application of the “Swamp of the Earth” mutation.

Simply put, it removed moisture from the swamp’s soil, compressing it into rock-like hardness.

Lu Chen leapt onto the platform.

He continued pumping energy in, controlling the earth to churn upward.

With a rumble, the mud platform wobbled, lifting Lu Chen’s body gently off the ground.

Loose soil crumbled and fell from beneath.

But indeed, he was flying!

Five meters, ten meters...

“Roar!”

Lu Chen let out a bellow.

Though only at a height of a dozen meters, he was ecstatic.

At least this proved his idea was sound and workable.

With enough energy law infusion, strength could create miracles.

Then, why not try for greater heights?

He increased the energy input; the mud churned inside the platform, rising steadily.

Next, he tried accelerating.

Just as he soared forward over ten meters, the platform collapsed with a crash.

Lu Chen’s massive body lost support and plummeted rapidly from over twenty meters.

Just as he was about to hit the ground, the remaining mud suddenly formed a sphere, enveloping him completely.

Boom!

The impact carved a pit four or five meters deep into the earth.

Lu Chen shook his head and stood up, feeling his body mostly unscathed but with significant energy depletion.

It wasn’t mere physical exhaustion; his spirit felt drained, as if he had just emerged from a fierce battle.

Since evolving to Level 4 estuary crocodile, he hadn’t faced such a situation.

Clearly, the use of the energy law involved not just the body but also the soul.

After resting a full half hour and fully recovering, he attempted a second try.

No surprises; it was successful again.

Using the mud platform, Lu Chen shakily rose over twenty meters and moved slowly forward.

Though slow, he silently praised his own ingenuity.

This meant he had gained a new means of travel.

Whether for journeying or combat, it was extremely useful.

And in the face of overwhelming danger, it could serve as a life-saving escape.

With the Bull Shark King’s carcass as his food reserve, Lu Chen had no worries for now.

The following days, he stayed near the estuary, diligently practicing flying.

He could now reach nearly fifty meters high and cover several kilometers.

Meanwhile, the estuary crocodiles admired him utterly, gathering daily to watch their leader soar through the sky.

Indeed, though Lu Chen never openly acknowledged it, these beasts had already accepted him as their chief.

Knowing his limits, Lu Chen didn’t linger longer at the estuary.

After bidding a final farewell to the crocodile group, he ventured alone into the deep ocean.