Chapter 818 - 404: Comprehension; Second Life: Transforming into a Dragon (1)

Chapter 818: Chapter 404: Comprehension; Second Life: Transforming into a Dragon (1)

But Cheng Zongyang didn’t mind, as long as he could see clearly. With better vision, his maneuverability in avoiding danger improved, making him safer and better equipped to catch prey.

Next, he wanted to enhance his lethality—specifically, his claws and teeth. By improving their destructive power, his Ability to cope with danger would increase, and his hunting success rate would soar. Having already successfully enhanced his vision, Cheng Zongyang was confident.

Consequently, in the days that followed, he began a relentless cycle of eating and Refining. Slowly, his body length reached an impressive thirty centimeters, far exceeding the normal size for his Species.

His body was thick and powerful, and his four limbs were as sturdy as stout little branches. Every stroke he took kicked up noticeable currents. His broad, elastic tail became a potent weapon for high-speed swimming and flexible maneuvering. His skin grew increasingly tough and smooth, while the colored spots on his back dimmed, no longer bright and eye-catching. This actually reduced his chances of being discovered.

His appetite also increased dramatically; he could easily capture small fish, shrimp, and other prey. Whenever he swallowed a small fish, the Refining Ability in his body acted like a highly efficient Energy converter, rapidly breaking down and absorbing the fish’s proteins, fats, and other nutrients without a single drop of waste. It was as if a powerful driving force had been injected into his body, pushing his physique to grow even broader and thicker. His slightly bulging abdomen displayed his immense digestive and storage capacity.

More importantly, his intentionally evolved limbs underwent a drastic transformation. The short, rounded claws typical of a salamander gradually elongated and narrowed. The sharp tips curved slightly, forming an elegant yet highly lethal arc akin to eagle talons. The surface of these claws was covered in a hard, glossy layer of keratin that glinted coldly in the water, looking as though they had been meticulously forged by a master blacksmith.

Each claw was like an exquisite dagger. As he swam, they sliced effortlessly through the water, seemingly announcing their newfound sharpness to the entire lake. When climbing on underwater rocks or submerged branches, the claws sank in easily, providing a secure grip and enhancing his agility and vigor.

His teeth also underwent a remarkable metamorphosis. The previously small, relatively neat rows of teeth grew jagged, uneven, and far sharper. The front row jutted slightly forward like sharp awls, easily piercing through the bodies of his prey and locking them in a vice grip. The back rows became broader with serrated edges, acting like miniature saws. When his prey struggled, these teeth effectively sliced and tore through muscle and bone, making it easier for him to swallow them whole.

Whenever he opened his mouth, that fearsome array of teeth was fully exposed—a spine-chilling sight that marked him as a terrifying predator from the watery abyss, highlighting his steadily rising status and growing power within the food chain.

With his increased size and the completed transformation of his claws and teeth, Cheng Zongyang’s range of available food expanded. He added the large, hard-shelled snails that littered the lakebed to his menu, using his sharp teeth to crush the shells before hooking out the meat with his claws. He would then use his Refining Ability to absorb the snail meat, converting some of the shell’s minerals into essential nutrients to further fortify his skeletal structure. If a snail was small enough to swallow whole, the very essence of its shell would be Refined into nourishment for his bones, leaving only the tiniest amount of residue to be excreted.

However, he was not the only predator in these waters.