Starting as a stray dog, I embarked on a journey of cultivation.

[Congratulations on breaking through to the sixth rank of Demon Beast! You have gained fifteen new Demon Power Points.]

You can exchange Hex Points for Hex Arts from the following options.

[Spirit-Devouring Claws: After the sharp claws grip the target's neck, they can absorb the spiritual energy from the target's body. (Exchangeable for Demon Points: 12 points)]

[Demon Aura Missile: Use demonic energy to gather energy projectiles and control the attack at will. (Exchange for Demon Points: 11 points)]

【Nine-Separation Demonic Flame: Capable of releasing high-temperature demonic flames with extremely high adhesion, and can be controlled at will. (Exchangeable for Demonic Points: 10 points)】

[Giant Beast Body: Increases size, strength, and defense. (Exchanges for 9 Demon Points)]

[Hair Needle Shot: After using the Hair Needle Protection spell, you can shoot your body hair out as flying needles. (Exchange for 8 Demon Points)]

【Greedy Wolf Claws: Claws enhanced, sharp as a knife. (Exchangeable for 6 Demon Points)】

[Iron Skin Technique: Skin is strengthened to the point of being as hard as iron, defense skyrockets. (Exchange for Demon Points: 5 points)]

[Chosen Dog King: Has a stronger deterrent effect on its own kind whose cultivation level is lower than its own. (Exchangeable for Demon Points: 4 points)]

[Male Dog Reproduction: Increases stamina and attractiveness to female dogs, allowing for rapid breeding of dog packs (Exchangeable for Demon Points: 2 points)]

[Carrion Eater: Consuming rotten flesh, feces, and other similar items grants more Demon Power. (Exchangeable for 1 Demon Point)]

Seeing that fifteen demon power points were provided this time, Gou An's restless heart finally calmed down a bit.

It seems that more demonic power isn't just a free gift; the breakthrough will also grant more demonic points.

Gou An's gaze swept quickly over these sorcery spells as he carefully considered what choice he should make at this stage.

For Gou An now, he has enough ability to survive, but what he lacks is the means to confront the enemy head-on.

Although I have always adhered to the principle of survival, sometimes direct confrontation is unavoidable.

You can, but not without.

Of these sorcery techniques, Carrion Eater, Male Dog Reproduction, and Chosen Dog King were all directly eliminated by Gou An.

Although the number of magic points exchanged was small, they were of no use to me.

Therefore, they can only choose from the remaining sorcery.

To maximize the use of magic points, only two options remain.

Those are the Nine-Part Demon Fire with ten points of demonic power, and the Iron Skin Technique with five points of demonic power.

One increases one's offensive capabilities, while the other further enhances one's defensive and survival abilities.

Gou An also wanted to learn the other sorcery techniques, but he didn't have enough sorcery points, so he had to leave them for the next time.

The Soul-Devouring Claw skill looks pretty good, but it requires getting close and grabbing the opponent's neck, which annoys Gou An.

Close combat has always been a major taboo in the art of survival.

As Gou An silently recited the two demonic arts, Nine-Separation Demon Fire and Iron Skin Technique, two streams of heat flowed into his body.

This time, Gou An took a long time to process before he opened his eyes again.

"boom!"

With a loud bang, Gou An opened his palm and tried to activate the demonic fire.

In an instant, a light blue fireball the size of a fist materialized in Gou An's palm.

"That's what you call sorcery!"

Gou An's lips curled up, quite pleased with the flames he had conjured.

As for the other sorcery, after Gou An extinguished the fire by clenching his fist, he immediately activated the Iron Skin Technique, which visibly covered his skin with a metallic sheen.

Gou An clenched his right fist and gently tapped a wooden table.

With a loud crash!

The wooden table shattered instantly, as if struck by a hammer.

Gou An was slightly surprised, realizing that he hadn't used much force.

It seems that the sorcery of Iron Skin Technique can not only increase one's own defense, but also use the enhanced physical body for attack.

With these skills, I can practically walk around like a madman now that I'm back in the Monster Beast Mountain Range.

Gou An sighed deeply, feeling refreshed both physically and mentally.

Now that we have offensive capabilities, we should eat more demon cores and other nourishing foods when we get back.

The Monster Mountain Range is full of spiritual herbs. You can refine some pills and slowly accumulate strength.

Just as Gou An was immersed in imagining and planning for the future, his nose suddenly twitched twice.

My body, which had been relaxed, suddenly tensed up.

There's a human scent approaching!

There are quite a few!

Gou An immediately rushed out of the room to determine the enemy's direction.

At this moment, Lai Pi was sitting on a stool in the yard, coughing, with saliva hanging from his mouth, probably having some sweet dream again.

Seeing this, Gou An kicked him to the ground and yelled, "Idiot, someone's here, still sleeping!"

"People? Where?"

Lai Pi jumped up in surprise and looked around frantically.

At the same time, dozens of figures suddenly appeared around the courtyard, surrounding the entire courtyard.

Gou An glanced over and surprisingly spotted several familiar faces.

Several of them were hunters he had seen while hunting in the Monster Mountain Range, including the three who had stolen his storage bag.

"How did they get here?"

Gou An immediately wanted to slip away.

As for Lai Pi... he should be fine. After all, he's in a human body now, so these hunters shouldn't do anything to him.

After making preparations in his mind, Gou An began to think about his way out.

At this moment, the leader of the hunters leaped over the courtyard wall, holding a long knife in his hand, the blade covered with a wisp of spiritual light.

"I've finally found you!" the hunter said. "In recent months, a large number of ten-year-old children have gone missing, and all the clues have converged here."

"And just now, demonic energy was spreading all over this place. I'm sure it was all your doing, you monster."

Gou An was stunned. He realized that there was indeed a dog's head on his head that he couldn't hide.

It looks exactly like a monster.

However, they wronged themselves in one way: they didn't catch those missing children.

Gou An was too lazy to explain these things to them.

Even if I explain, they might not believe me.

"Boss, he still has a hostage!"

Another hunter nearby suddenly spoke up.

Only then did the lead hunter notice the rascal at Gou An's feet.

He was still sitting on the ground, looking aggrieved, just like a bullied human child.

"Don't be afraid, child, this monster is doomed to die today!" The hunter waved his hand, and the other hunters who had surrounded the monster began to slowly close in.

Upon hearing this, Gou An immediately had an idea. He reached out and grabbed the scoundrel from the ground, his sharp claws flashing as he choked him.

"Don't come any closer, or... I'll kill him!"

Gou An bared his sharp teeth and threatened viciously.

Its body hair stood on end, trying to make itself look more ferocious.

"What should we do?" The hunters nearby dared not approach easily.

But the hunter in charge said, "Our mission is simply to capture the culprit, take his head back to collect the reward, the hostages... are not important."

Upon hearing this, Gou An immediately understood the nature of these people; they were all just opportunists.

If you're trying to use shamelessness as a shield, this tactic is probably useless now.

He then threatened, "You think you can capture me with just a few of you?"

"I am a great demon in human form! You lowly Qi Refining cultivators are nothing but fodder; I could wipe you out with a flick of my finger!"