The speed of the transformation far exceeded expectations.
In just a single hour, Wang Teng could already sense demonic power flowing throughout his entire body.
Explosive strength surged through his limbs, and Space-element magical energy drifting within the void was effortlessly captured by him.
This was merely the act of transforming into a demon—he hadn't even finished consuming the Space Magic Crystal in his hand.
"At this moment, I can finally be considered a true Servant-class Space-type demon."
"But I can still grow stronger."
Wang Teng withdrew from his deep meditative state and opened his eyes. Demonic power surged around him as he began to domineeringly absorb the remaining energy from the Space Magic Crystal.
As the absorption continued, his aura rose in waves. Unlike the gentle, gradual growth of a mage, this increase was fierce and overwhelming.
Before long, his aura surged straight into the Servant Advanced Stage.
With sufficient resources, the terrifying speed of demon cultivation was fully revealed.
As his realm increased, magical energy from the void was also drawn in and absorbed, strengthening his demonic power and indirectly enhancing his vitality and physique.
Before the transformation, his body could still be described as human.
After the transformation, it was closer to copper skin and iron bones.
Calling him a humanoid demon was more accurate.
He lacked the flight of avian demons, the scale armor of armored types, and the monstrous strength of giant-class demons.
There were no overly outstanding traits—but likewise, no obvious weaknesses.
How far he could go would depend entirely on his mastery of demonic arts and combat techniques.
This was also one of the reasons Wang Teng favored the Space Element.
It was universally adaptable, extremely versatile, and possessed an exceptionally high upper limit.
As time passed into the depths of the night, the Space Magic Crystal was finally completely exhausted under Wang Teng's violent absorption.
His realm, as if suppressed for a long time, suddenly broke through.
The density and refinement of the demonic power throughout his body rose by an entire tier.
"Huff… Warrior-level."
After letting out a breath, Wang Teng glanced at Tang Yue, who was still watching nearby. He ignored her for the moment and focused on restraining his aura.
Several minutes later, everything completely settled.
"Want a drink?"
Tang Yue jumped down and walked up to him, a relaxed smile on her face. Clearly, she had already adjusted her emotions.
"Sure."
Wang Teng also wanted to know her thoughts. This matter could be big or small—it all depended on how the two of them handled it and what attitude they chose.
Inside the tenth-floor hall, warm-colored lighting naturally put people at ease.
"Go on. What do you want to know?"
Wang Teng picked up his glass and downed it in a few gulps. He discovered that this level of alcohol no longer affected him, though at least the taste was still there.
"How did you do it?"
Tang Yue didn't hesitate at all and went straight for the core issue.
"You saw it yourself."
Wang Teng narrowed his eyes and smiled.
Even if he trusted someone, he would never reveal the details.
Though the preparation process seemed difficult, once even a few key steps leaked out, someone would inevitably deduce the entire method.
This world never lacked intelligent people.
You couldn't tell anything just by looking at him. His answer made his stance clear—don't ask further. Even if you do, I won't tell.
Now that he had succeeded, even if he withdrew from society, given enough time, he would still grow.
A Space-type demon feared no one.
If he couldn't win, couldn't he at least escape?
Were Space-type demonic arts really that inconvenient?
That was why he could calmly sit here and talk with Tang Yue. He now had the confidence.
As for potential pursuit—frankly speaking, even the Black Vatican could thrive under constant pressure. Why couldn't he?
Tang Yue's gaze flickered. She understood what he meant, but the curiosity gnawed at her.
She thought to herself that if it weren't her—if it were anyone else—this would have already been reported.
At that point, he'd be facing Forbidden Curse Mages standing at the very pinnacle of the nation.
That was precisely why she was being so straightforward.
"Forget it. If you don't want to say it, then don't."
"I won't leak this matter."
"Just pretend I didn't see you at all this month."
Gulp, gulp.
She raised her glass and drained it in one go, as if venting all her pent-up frustration.
"Haha… Sister Tang Yue, you won't regret this decision."
"Come on—cheers!"
Wang Teng laughed freely and immediately refilled her empty glass.
Clink.
They touched glasses, signaling that the matter ended there.
Tang Yue rolled her eyes at him and downed another glass. A flush began to appear on her face.
Wang Teng looked cheerful, but in his heart, he had already elevated the development of demonic arts to the highest priority. Even Space magic cultivation could be put on hold.
Demonic arts were different from magic. They didn't require layers of rules.
At their core, it was simply "I think, therefore it is."
Like an innate talent—use it however you want.
"Oh right. I saw you were cultivating nonstop earlier. Since the semester is about to start, I already applied for leave for you."
"Whenever you feel like going back to school, just go."
Tang Yue didn't pry into his secrets anymore and instead mentioned the leave, so he'd know about it.
"Alright. I really don't have time these next few days anyway. I'll go when I'm free."
"Okay. I'll head out then. Call me if something comes up."
Tang Yue stood up, preparing to leave. She also needed time to think about how their relationship should develop from here on.
Wang Teng's future was unquestionably bright.
He was cautious, level-headed, and steady. As long as he didn't encounter overwhelming danger, his rise was inevitable.
She had already helped as much as she could.
From now on, who would be helping whom was uncertain.
All she could do was bury this secret in her heart.
At his current rate of growth, it wouldn't be long before he became someone others relied on—a true pillar.
That would also greatly benefit her work. If she couldn't win, she could always call for backup.
Wang Teng didn't try to stop her, but he did escort her downstairs.
He watched her graceful figure leave, until it disappeared from sight.
Then he returned to the rooftop and continued cultivating.
Sleep was no longer necessary.
He had shed human weaknesses. From now on, sleeping would probably just be a hobby.
"It's time to begin demonic arts."
"The first one—Void Stealth. This was the core of the demonic art framework I set from the very beginning."
"Only by staying alive can I continue to grow."
"Only by being able to hide and remain unseen can I obtain more resources."
Wang Teng sat cross-legged, sensing space itself while familiarizing himself with his demonic power.
Ripples of space appeared around him, rolling outward in concentric waves.
He carefully controlled the range, limiting it to two or three meters around his body, preventing it from spreading uncontrollably.
As he refined his demonic power, he continuously disturbed the dimensional space and attempted to squeeze into deeper spatial layers.
If an outsider were present, they would see his figure flickering in and out of visibility—an extremely strange sight.
This was the precursor to Void Stealth.
Once fully mastered, even reaching the point of instinctive use, he believed he could achieve instantaneous disappearance.
Anyone with inferior spatial mastery wouldn't even be able to detect him.
Among demons, only those at the Monarch level touched upon spatial abilities.
But mastery?
Inferior to his.
Naturally, they wouldn't be able to find him.
At that point, demon territory would be nothing more than his personal playground.
And resources?
They would come flooding in like an endless stream.