Chapter Summaries

Su Changsheng struggled to master the Stone-Shattering Art, injuring himself as he trained, then turned to the Purification Talisman to earn survival points. After two days of study, he successfully mastered the rune.

• Su Changsheng reached the beginner level in the Stone-Shattering Art after nearly three days of practice, but its unstable power and his poor aptitude made him set aside digging to train.
• Su Changsheng practiced until the Stone-Shattering Art shattered a large section of rock, leaving his hands injured and his body exhausted.
• Su Changsheng ate blood food and frozen blood clots to recover, reflecting on his childhood and lamenting that he could not obtain salt stone.
• Su Changsheng checked his status, saw that he had 48 survival points, and decided to study the Purification Talisman to gain more.
• Su Changsheng spent two days studying the Purification Talisman and successfully mastered its rune.

Su Changsheng successfully learned the Purification Talisman Rune and used his survival points to advance the Stone-Shattering Art to the practiced tier. He discovered its powerful ranged and weapon-channeling attacks, leaving him with a formidable new skill but a need to manage its strain and recovery time.

• Su Changsheng crafted a Purification Talisman Rune after two days and hundreds of failed attempts.
• At midnight, Su Changsheng received twenty survival points and raised his total to seventy-three.
• Su Changsheng spent survival points to advance the Stone-Shattering Art from beginner to practiced tier.
• Su Changsheng tested the art and found he could blast rock from a distance, channel it through a weapon, or increase its power with a direct punch.
• Su Changsheng determined that he could use the art ten times before exhausting his demon power and needed about three minutes of rest between uses.

Su Changsheng strengthened his body and expanded his tunnel while learning more about the Black Mountain Demon Stockade and longing to reach the Great Yao realm. A Werewolf arrived to collect dues on Wolf Yao’s behalf, raising questions about the Black Tiger Yao’s territory.

• Su Changsheng dug a winding tunnel, set Ice-Fire Talisman traps, and traded more Concealment Runes for blood food as the winter worsened.
• Su Changsheng grew stronger through cultivation and studied rumors about the Black Mountain Range, the Wilds, and the Great Yao.
• Su Changsheng’s cultivation reached 467 out of 500 toward level three, and he worried about the Black Tiger Yao’s continued absence.
• A Werewolf came to collect last month’s dues for Wolf Yao, and Su Changsheng questioned why Wolf Yao had taken over the Tiger Lord’s territory.
• Su Changsheng gave the Werewolf a Hair-Shedding Talisman, and the Werewolf admitted he did not know what was happening before beginning to explain further.

Su Changsheng investigated the Black Tiger Yao’s disappearance, reassured his frightened neighbor, and prepared to advance to level three. After gathering supplies and securing his home, he entered his tunnel to begin the breakthrough.

• Su Changsheng learned that a neighboring Wolf Yao had taken over the Black Tiger Yao’s territory and speculated that the Black Tiger Yao was cultivating the uncanny beast hides.
• The Bird Woman asked Su Changsheng whether he had seen her husband, and he advised her to wait at home because a group of half-demons had gone hunting.
• Su Changsheng reflected on surviving alone in the Wilds, then cultivated until he reached 499 of the 500 experience needed to advance.
• Su Changsheng stopped cultivating until noon and planned defenses, traps, and extra food in case his breakthrough caused trouble.
• Su Changsheng bought enough flesh, checked that no yao followed him, sealed his home and tunnel, and went into the tunnel to advance to level three.

Su Changsheng prepared a hidden tunnel and spent nearly three days cultivating in a sealed cave to break through to level three half-demon. His increased power gave him greater confidence in the Wilds, but his poor aptitude made further progress painfully slow.

• Su Changsheng sealed the tunnel entrance, prepared a concealed escape route, and waited in darkness before beginning his breakthrough.
• Su Changsheng ate ten pounds of flesh and began practicing the Green Snake Breathing Method, stopping to eat more when his reserves ran low.
• After nearly three days of cultivation, Su Changsheng broke through to level three half-demon and saw his body, strength, demon power, and vital blood improve.
• Su Changsheng tested the Stone-Shattering Art and found that it had become much stronger, with more uses and a shorter recovery interval.
• Su Changsheng resumed his breathing exercises but gained only one point of realm experience in two hours, leaving him frustrated by his poor aptitude.

Su Changsheng considered ways to earn cultivation experience and survival points before receiving a warning that the nearby Wilderness had become much more dangerous. He decided to sell his stored runes while their value was still high and stock up on flesh and blood before prices rose.

• Su Changsheng cultivated until midnight and earned 300 survival points, then decided to save them for cultivation methods and demon-art techniques.
• The next morning, Su Changsheng asked the Bird Woman's husband about conditions in the Wilderness and learned that mutants, dead wild yao, and dangerous Wraith Beasts were widespread.
• Su Changsheng gave the bird yao a Hair-Shedding Talisman in thanks for the warning.
• Su Changsheng predicted that dangerous conditions would drive up the price of flesh and blood and lower the value of runes and materials.
• Su Changsheng decided to sell most of his stored runes and buy flesh and blood before its price rose.

After adjusting to his breakthrough, Su Changsheng went to the crowded Yao Market to trade his Concealment Runes and learned that yao were scavenging remains in the dangerous Wilderness. He failed to find the Eagle Yao, but encountered the Fox Woman who had tried to scam him before.

• Su Changsheng finished adapting to his level three half-demon strength and prepared runes for his second shedding.
• Su Changsheng reached the bustling Yao Market and noticed that Concealment Runes had become expensive while Purification Talismans and blood food had become cheaper.
• Su Changsheng learned that yao were using Concealment Runes to collect remains in the Wilderness after wraith beasts killed wild yao and mutants.
• Su Changsheng decided to trade away his Concealment Runes instead of risking a trip into the Wilderness, but could not find the Eagle Yao.
• The Fox Woman appeared before Su Changsheng, studying him with her fox eyes.

Su Changsheng met the Fox Woman at the Yao Market and concealed his advancement by claiming he had merely shed his skin. After she pressed him to discuss his Concealment Runes, he agreed to let her act as his agent under limits on their trades.

• The Fox Woman recognized Su Changsheng after his transformation, but he said he had only shed his skin and tried to leave.
• The Fox Woman released her level-three aura to stop Su Changsheng and brought him to the Spirit Plant Shop to talk.
• Su Changsheng introduced himself as Xi, and the Fox Woman showed him one of his Concealment Talismans and asked to buy his runes.
• The Fox Woman offered to pay the Yao Market's highest price, reduce his exposure, and give him the Little Venomous Dragon Shedding Talisman method.
• Su Changsheng agreed to trade with her every half month, supplying seven to ten runes for blood food at the current price.

Su Changsheng traded fifteen Concealment Runes to the Fox Woman for blood food, intermediate rune crafting methods, and materials, then left the Yao Market with his haul. After taking a winding route to a secluded forest, he convinced himself no one had followed him and hurried on with the blood food.

• Su Changsheng agreed to trade fifteen Concealment Runes to the Fox Woman for blood food and rune crafting methods and materials.
• The Fox Woman delivered two hundred and eighty jin of blood food, the Little Venomous Dragon's Shedding Talisman method, the Healing Art method, and talisman-making materials.
• The Eagle Yao suggested following Su Changsheng, but the Fox Woman refused because he seemed dangerous and she wanted to maintain their reputation as honest traders.
• Su Changsheng carried the trade goods away from the Yao Market and took a circuitous route through secluded areas of the Yao Stronghold.
• At a snowy forest, Su Changsheng called out to a supposed pursuer, then concluded that no yao had followed him and hurried onward with the blood food.

Su Changsheng killed a demon that had secretly followed him through the snow, then took precautions to hide his trail and move his supplies home. He ended the chapter planning his preparations for his second shedding, which was approaching at the end of the month.

• Su Changsheng sensed a demon underground and killed it with repeated Stone-Shattering Arts, sealing its blood in ice without checking the body.
• He covered the disturbed snow and sealed his supplies to prevent scents or tracking methods from revealing his trail.
• Su Changsheng cleaned himself, changed his appearance between trips, and carried his supplies home in four loads.
• In his tunnel, Su Changsheng planned additional chambers and escape routes but prioritized preparing for his second shedding.
• Su Changsheng resolved to study more runes, including the Little Venom Dragon Shedding Talisman, the Healing Talisman, and additional Purification Talismans.
• Su Changsheng reflected on his first battle and recognized that he had not been cautious enough.

After reflecting on his first battle, Su Changsheng stayed in his tunnel, cultivated, and stocked up as the Half-Demon Grounds grew more chaotic. He anticipated his coming shedding period and ended the chapter savoring a warm meal, declaring that this was life and civilization.

• Su Changsheng reviewed mistakes from his fight with the underground yao and received fifty survival points for his decisive, cautious victory.
• He stayed home studying runes and restrained himself from returning to check the buried corpse, while the Wolf Yao tightened his control over the Half-Demon Grounds.
• Su Changsheng used his Half-Demon White Snake disguise to trade Concealment Runes and buy talisman materials as blood food grew scarce and prices shifted.
• He counted his growing supplies, noted that his shedding period was near, and continued working on the Healing Talisman and Little Venom Dragon Shedding Art.
• Su Changsheng warmed frozen blood food with a Flame Rune, ate it with hot water, and savored the warmth of his meal.

As blood food grew scarce in the Half-Demon Grounds, Su Changsheng witnessed Wolf Yao’s subordinates kill a Snake Yao and learned that she had become contaminated after eating her own little snake. He exchanged a Hair-Shedding Talisman for the Bird Yao’s news and remained wary of the increasingly lawless demons around him.

• Su Changsheng continued cultivating as the end of the month approached and blood food prices soared.
• Su Changsheng watched a small Wolf Yao and two Werewolves tear apart a wounded Snake Yao and threaten the other demons.
• The Bird Yao told Su Changsheng that the Snake Yao had been unable to pay her dues, and the small Wolf Yao had tried to take her little snake as payment.
• The Bird Yao revealed that the little snake had vanished and that the mother snake’s stomach contained snake-bone fragments, indicating she had eaten her own kind and become contaminated.
• Su Changsheng gave the Bird Yao a Hair-Shedding Rune in exchange for news, and the Bird Yao agreed to share useful information with him.

After chaos spread through the Half-Demon Grounds, Su Changsheng worried about the dangers of contaminated flesh and used survival points to advance three demon art runes to the skilled level. He discovered that mastering intermediate runes subtly strengthened his body and began preparing to make more talismans before his shedding.

• Su Changsheng stayed home cultivating as chaos in the Half-Demon Grounds worsened, with indebted demons seized and residents attacked by hidden predators.
• Su Changsheng considered how eating Mutant or Wraith Beast flesh could cause contamination and decided he needed more Purification Talismans.
• Su Changsheng spent 280 survival points to raise the Little Poison Dragon Shedding Rune, Healing Talisman, and Purification Talisman from beginner to skilled.
• Su Changsheng felt rune patterns merge into his scales and realized skilled intermediate runes could improve his body.
• Su Changsheng set aside his satisfaction and began making the three types of runes before his shedding period arrived.

Su Changsheng prepared talismans and defenses for his imminent shedding, then endured the excruciating process with shedding talismans and a Lesser Venomous Dragon Shedding Talisman. After his old skin came off, he healed his wounds and swallowed purified Wraith Beast Blood Food, leaving the result of consuming it unknown.

• Su Changsheng successfully crafted a high-quality Lesser Venomous Dragon Shedding Talisman and a skilled-level Healing Talisman, adding them to his stock of runes.
• Su Changsheng purified the Wraith Beast Blood Food, set traps throughout the tunnels, blocked the entrances, and prepared supplies before beginning to shed.
• Su Changsheng activated several Shedding Talismans and a Hair-Shedding Talisman to accelerate his shedding despite the unbearable pain.
• Su Changsheng's shedding reached his tail, and he activated Hard Skin Talismans before using a Healing Talisman to recover.
• Su Changsheng swallowed the Wraith Beast Blood Food, with its effects still unknown.

After completing his shedding, Su Changsheng slept for half a month before waking to a Mutant Rat Demon invading his tunnel. He discovered that his snake saliva ice talent had evolved into minor poison breath, adding corrosion to his freezing attack.

• Su Changsheng finished shedding, swallowed the Wraith Beast Blood Food, and fell into a deep sleep as changes spread through his body.
• After half a month, Su Changsheng woke to a Mutant Rat Demon emerging from a hole beside him and froze it with his freezing breath.
• Su Changsheng pulled out the frozen Rat Demon, blocked the tunnel entrance with a rock, and considered why the creature had entered his home.
• Su Changsheng noticed that his ice had turned black and corroded the Rat Demon’s body.
• Su Changsheng checked his attribute panel and found that snake saliva ice had evolved into minor poison breath.

After shedding, Su Changsheng discovered that his body and cultivation had improved dramatically, making his larger form difficult to conceal. He destroyed the contaminated mutant rat demon, then went to the Yao Market, where Eagle Yao reacted with fear to his imposing presence.

• Su Changsheng found that shedding had enlarged and strengthened him, nearly doubled the effectiveness of the Green Snake Breathing Method, and advanced his Concealment Rune to proficient.
• Su Changsheng tested his minor poison breath and decided to claim publicly that he had advanced to a second-level half-demon to explain his changed size.
• Su Changsheng burned the contaminated mutant rat demon's corpse and used a Purification Talisman to cleanse the cave and himself.
• Su Changsheng went to the Yao Market to trade Concealment Runes with Fox Woman and waited for her to hear that he had arrived.
• Eagle Yao approached Su Changsheng with a message that Sister Little Four was waiting at the Spirit Plant Shop, then stammered in fear at his enormous appearance.

Su Changsheng met the Fox Woman at the Spirit Plant Shop, where she learned he had reached level three and mastered the Lesser Poison Dragon Shedding Talisman. They traded runes and supplies, and she ordered her Eagle Yao to investigate Su Changsheng and try to recruit him into her organization.

• The Fox Woman invited Su Changsheng to share broth and meat, then asked about his increased size and whether he had advanced to level three.
• Su Changsheng confirmed his advancement and showed her an inferior Lesser Poison Dragon Shedding Talisman, leading her to believe its power had caused his transformation.
• After examining the talisman, the Fox Woman recognized Su Changsheng's talent and offered to sell his runes.
• Su Changsheng demanded precious resources or equivalent goods for the Lesser Poison Dragon Shedding Talisman, and the Fox Woman agreed to trade.
• Su Changsheng exchanged ten proficiency-tier Concealment Runes and one Lesser Poison Dragon Shedding Talisman for wraith beast scalp and ordinary blood food.
• After Su Changsheng left, the Fox Woman canceled her plan to ambush him and told the Eagle Yao to discover his identity and try to recruit him.

Su Changsheng used his proficient-level Concealment Rune to escape the Eagle Yao and return safely to his tunnel, where he recognized the rune as a powerful new survival tool. At the Spirit Plant Shop, the Fox Woman and the stallholder realized the Eagle Yao had taken a worm carcass that Su Changsheng had deliberately left as bait.

• Su Changsheng evaded his pursuers with a proficient-level Concealment Rune, and the Eagle Yao found a shattered Worm Monster carcass where he had vanished.
• The greedy Eagle Yao took the carcass and abandoned his search for Su Changsheng.
• Su Changsheng completed his return routine, secured the Wraith Beast hide, and ate fresh meat in his tunnel.
• The Fox Woman showed the spirit plant stallholder a Lesser Venom Dragon Shedding Talisman made by Su Changsheng and explained that her elder sister faced pressure from the Yao Stronghold's higher-ups.
• The Eagle Yao reported losing Su Changsheng and taking a worm carcass, prompting the stallholder to point out that it had likely been bait and warn him against greed.

After receiving a perfect settlement for surviving his second shedding, Su Changsheng sold a large batch of shedding runes to make his advancement look plausible. He emerged as a second-level half-demon, and the Bird Yao couple accepted his explanation that the runes had helped him advance.

• Su Changsheng received 400 survival points for his successful second shedding and decided to keep saving for the Green Snake Breathing Method’s advancement.
• Su Changsheng made and sold more than two hundred Shedding Talismans and Hair-Shedding Talismans through the Fox Woman, claiming he no longer needed them after shedding.
• Su Changsheng used some of the runes himself and emerged from his stone house noticeably larger, prompting the Bird Yao to ask if he had advanced.
• Su Changsheng told the Bird Yao couple that the runes had helped him reach the second level, and they praised the runes’ quality and low price.
• Su Changsheng returned to cultivate, confident that the Bird Yao would spread the story of his natural-looking advancement through the Half-Demon Grounds.

Su Changsheng concealed his advancement to the third level and continued cultivating in a deep, trapped underground tunnel. As rumors spread that the stronghold would conscript half-demons to clear snow from the surrounding mountains, he suspected conditions in the southern wilderness had worsened and resolved to learn more demon arts before land-opening assignments began.

• Su Changsheng's advancement went unnoticed amid rumors of other demons breaking through, and he resumed secluded cultivation after achieving his goal.
• Su Changsheng built a deep underground tunnel beneath his stone house, set rune traps along it, and moved into the safer quarters without lighting a fire.
• After more than five months in the stronghold, Su Changsheng had reached the third level, while months of snowfall buried the region and triggered repeated avalanches.
• Rumors spread that the stronghold's upper ranks planned to conscript half-demons for dangerous land-opening work clearing snow from nearby peaks.
• Su Changsheng wondered why the stronghold was expanding into the mountains instead of the southern wilderness and suspected that the wilderness had become too dangerous.
• Su Changsheng decided to study more demon arts so he would be prepared for the expected land-opening assignments.