An imposing presence

Though he had gained no new innate abilities, only a mutated evolution, it still meant that this shedding could come to a perfect conclusion.

Next.

Su Changsheng checked over everything he had gained from this shedding.

As expected, his body had grown larger again, increasing in size and thickness by roughly a fifth.

Judging by eye, he had originally been a little over five meters long and stood a little over three meters tall. Now he was nearly seven meters long and over four meters tall. Those figures might have been slightly off in either direction; after all, he had no tools to measure himself.

At first glance, he looked a full size larger, like a giant, a sight enough to frighten any demon. With his current build, he would stand out even among level three half-demons.

Besides that, many other things had changed.

Attributes such as strength, speed, and agility had increased considerably. His scales were harder, larger, and thicker. The largest scale lay directly over his spine, almost entirely covering both the spine and the area behind his heart.

The scales elsewhere were green tinged with black, gleaming with a deep, dark luster. This made Su Changsheng look vastly different from before. Anyone who saw him would feel that this demon was extremely dangerous.

The reverse scale on his neck had also grown by thirty percent, and the demon power stored within it was richer and deeper. His vitality, essence, spirit, demon power, and flesh had all improved to varying degrees.

In short, shedding truly deserved its reputation as the ultimate blessing of serpentkind. A single shedding had effects equivalent to consuming heavenly treasures, strengthening him in every respect.

And, just like his advancement to a level three half-demon, these improvements were subtle and gradual. Once he fully adapted, the results would surely be even better.

However, Su Changsheng soon discovered an even greater surprise awaiting him.

He tried Green Snake Breathing and found that it went exceptionally smoothly this time. His demon power circulated with perfect fluidity, his absorption of the surrounding spiritual energy had accelerated slightly, and his yao body had become considerably more efficient at converting blood qi and spiritual energy into demon power.

Overall, the Green Snake Breathing Method was nearly twice as effective as before! A complete two-hour breathing session could yield two points of realm experience!

Now that was a surprise!

This was the true reward of his body's shedding.

Realm: level three half-demon 330/2500

Cultivation method: Green Snake Breathing Method, proficient 200/2500

Demon arts: Turtle Breath Art, practiced; Stone-Shattering Art, practiced; Purification Talisman, practiced... Concealment Rune, proficient 1/2500.

Innate ability: minor poison breath, beginner 1/100

His realm, cultivation method, demon arts, and innate ability had all improved significantly.

The Concealment Rune had even advanced to the proficient level without his noticing, becoming Su Changsheng's second proficient art or cultivation skill, behind only the Green Snake Breathing Method on which his life depended.

"My natural aptitude actually changed. It's still absolute garbage, but at least now it's battle-ready garbage-the finest garbage!"

"Could a change in my innate ability also affect my yao body's aptitude? And the proficient-level Concealment Rune advanced entirely while I was asleep. I wonder if it produced rune creation power too, just like advancing to an intermediate rune!"

Su Changsheng marveled.

He also tested his innate ability, minor poison breath, and discovered that he could control how much poison he infused. If he deliberately regulated the poison, the resulting ice was no different from his previous snake saliva ice.

Apart from being somewhat better in quality, it did not differ much from before. And he could deliberately make it lower in quality.

That brought him a sigh of relief. At least the advancement of his innate ability would not expose his true condition.

"But the change in my size is obvious. It'll be hard to brush it off as shedding anymore. Even with the Turtle Breath Art's transformations, my size is difficult to change."

"Perhaps I should find an opportunity to spread word in the Half-Demon Grounds that I've advanced to a second-level half-demon."

Outwardly, he was still a first-level half-demon green snake in the Half-Demon Grounds-not a match for those above him, but better than those below.

In secret, however, the white snake half-demon who frequented the Yao Market was a peak second-level half-demon who had shed multiple times and possessed formidable strength.

But his size had changed too drastically now. Compared with before his advancement to level three and his shedding, he was more than half again as large.

With such a massive change, even though he usually left early and returned late, or stayed home without going out, rarely encountered demons he knew, and had not left much of an impression even on his neighbors, something would inevitably slip over time. Thus, "advancing to a second-level half-demon" now was the best choice.

If an old lie risked exposure, he would cover it with a new one.

As for why he had suddenly advanced... he already had a few possible explanations in mind. There was no hurry.

Next, after finishing his examination of his own condition, he turned his attention to the mutant rat demon.

He broke open the ice seal, and an evil aura gradually seeped out. Most of the rat demon's skin had already been corroded, and some of its flesh had been eaten away by the poison as well.

"What a shame. Such a waste!"

Su Changsheng sighed.

Mutants had few edible parts to begin with, and some were completely inedible. This rat demon had also been contaminated by minor poison breath, leaving less than a fist-sized portion fit to eat.

Forcing down his disgust, Su Changsheng managed to scrape together only about a pound of blood food-a pitifully small amount.

He did not intend to eat it, nor did he intend to keep this little bit of blood food.

The mutant rat demon's origins were unknown, and it kept giving him an eerie feeling, like a wailing ghost. To avoid any mishaps, he was better off discarding it until he understood the situation.

Erring on the side of caution, Su Changsheng used a Flame Talisman to burn the rat demon's corpse and flesh to ashes. Then, despite the painful expense, he used a Purification Talisman to thoroughly cleanse and purify the cave's rock walls, the air, and himself, inside and out.

He would strive to leave no trace.

Only then did he breathe a little easier.

Living in the Wilds Yao Stronghold truly offered no sense of security whatsoever. He had to remain cautious at every moment, or the slightest misstep could destroy both his body and soul.

It was hard. Far too hard!

Walking through the Yao Market, Su Changsheng narrowed his eyes slightly, his white snake scales gleaming dazzlingly in the sunlight.

He had not been out in a long time. The colorful assortment of demons before him, especially the uninhibited demonesses, was quite a feast for his eyes.

He had come to trade Concealment Runes with Fox Woman, but their scheduled meeting every half month had already passed. He did not know whether Fox Woman was still in the Yao Market.

That did not matter, though. As long as he appeared in the Yao Market, other demons here would be watching even if Fox Woman was absent. Once she received word, she would hurry over.

Sure enough, less than half a quarter-hour later.

As Su Changsheng stood before a stall in the Demoness Market, thoroughly enjoying the sight of a cat woman striking seductive poses and strutting to attract customers, a low voice came from beside him. "Master Xi, Sister Little Four is waiting for you at the Spirit Plant Shop."

Su Changsheng turned his head and looked down from above. Eagle Yao stood carefully beside him, traces of shock and fear showing in his eyes.

"Are you following me?"

Su Changsheng lowered his enormous yao body slightly. Standing over four meters tall, he cast a vast shadow across the ground.

Demonic wind howled, and demon power surged unchecked.

Eagle Yao instinctively retreated several steps. Even the other demons nearby chose to give way, moving beyond the reach of that shadow.

"N-no! I wouldn't dare!"

"I... I only came on orders."

Eagle Yao stammered, already struggling to speak coherently. He simply could not understand how this half-demon had changed so drastically in a mere half month.

Had he advanced to a level three half-demon?