MTLNOVEL Chapter 93: Demonic Body Breaks Through to the 2nd Stage Peak, Preparing to Depart for Nanyang Government
Through the enthusiastic hospitality of Spirit Fox Island Master Huan Yuelong, Hong Yuan established a good initial friendship with her.
Naturally, Hong Yuan's purse bulged significantly as a result.
Hong Yuan had no intention of keeping the rest for himself. From the rewards he received for the 'calling a deer a horse' incident, he took ten percent. Hei Jiang and Bai Ge shared another ten percent, and the remaining ten percent was distributed among the other Tao Soldiers and Taoists.
The remaining seventy percent of the resources, of course, had to be respectfully offered to the Black Dragon Demon Saint. Whether the Black Dragon Demon Saint was aware of it or not, they had to do so.
After resolving matters on Spirit Fox Island, Hong Yuan led his team to other defiant territories, such as Lion Tiger Island and the lands of the Blood Shark Tribe.
It took several days, but they finally quelled all disputes and ensured these powerful Demon Clans established Dragon God Temples within their respective territories.
Hong Yuan actually did not understand why Flood Dragon Xuan Qi insisted on establishing Dragon God Temples, and Flood Dragon Xuan Qi did not explain much either. He merely instructed Hong Yuan to closely supervise the establishment of Dragon God Temples among the various clans in the Zero Desolate Sea Area. This task seemed even more important than strengthening the Mysterious Water Snake Clan itself.
The Mysterious Water Snake's cave was completely sealed by ice; even the entrance was blocked by a thick ice wall.
Without sufficient mastery of Ice Tao, breaking through the ice wall would require at least the strength of a third-rank superior. It would also create an uproar, alerting Flood Dragon Xuan Qi.
At this moment, Hong Yuan had returned to his own territory.
He stood before the ice wall, carefully inspecting its condition.
Hmm, almost perfectly intact. It seems those seven Mysterious Water Snakes are still in the Black Dragon Palace and haven't come to my territory. Hong Yuan nodded slightly, very pleased with the discretion of the seven Mysterious Water Snakes.
His territory was a large river. A fourth-rank great Demon Beast named Xueluo guarded its front, while his godfather, Flood Dragon Xuan Qi, watched over its rear.
The only ones capable of reaching his territory and coveting his collection of treasures were his fellow Mysterious Water Snakes.
Hong Yuan focused his mind and activated two innate abilities that enhanced his control over Ice Tao.
"Myriad Silence Realm, activate. Ice Snow Body, activate."
Instantly, Hong Yuan felt as if he had transformed into an ice python. His perception of Ice Tao Essence Qi became incredibly sharp; he felt like a favored child of ice and snow.
Hong Yuan gazed at the thick ice wall. With a mere thought, the wall began to melt, its water merging into the river.
Gradually, the entrance to the Mysterious Water Snake's cave opened wide. Hong Yuan flicked his tail and returned inside.
After dealing with these matters, Hong Yuan deactivated both the Myriad Silence Realm and the Ice Snow Body, then resealed the ice surface.
"Medium-sized Tao Enlightenment Stone, small-sized Tao Enlightenment Stone, Purple Smoke Fruit, Moon Qiong Paste..."
Gazing at the pile of treasures before him, Hong Yuan contemplated which one to assimilate first. Soon, his gaze fixed on the Purple Smoke Fruit.
The Purple Smoke Fruit was an extremely precious and exotic treasure. It could help low-rank Demon Cultivators establish a solid foundation. The fruit was priceless. As soon as one appeared on the market, it would be purchased by all major Demon Cultivator clans.
For Demon Cultivators aspiring to become Demon Saints, or even Demon Emperors, the Purple Smoke Fruit was invaluable!
"You're the one!"
Hong Yuan opened his python maw and swallowed an ice-sealed Purple Smoke Fruit, ice chunk and all.
Before Hong Yuan could even register the taste of the Purple Smoke Fruit, he sensed a change in his body.
He understood the Purple Smoke Fruit was taking effect, enhancing his body's potential.
Hong Yuan was about to crawl to a corner, intending to assimilate the Purple Smoke Fruit through slumber.
Suddenly, a rumble echoed from his stomach, and his aura surged dramatically. His Python Shield was now also adorned with intricate, mysterious snowflake patterns.
"..." Hong Yuan remained silent, his crawling ceasing. So, I've broken through to the peak of the second rank without much fuss.
Hong Yuan's perception shifted towards the proficiency panel.
[Avatar: Mysterious Water Snake (Ice Armor Python 9999/10000)]
[Rank: Peak of the second rank]
This change left Hong Yuan somewhat taken aback.
He was growing too quickly; he had only consumed a single Purple Smoke Fruit. If he assimilated the remaining four Purple Smoke Fruits, wouldn't he be forced into the Ice Armor Python's Bloodline Dream Realm, compelling him to become an Ice Armor Python? Yet, he currently had no confidence in defeating that towering, giant python.
It seems I need to consume the medium-sized Tao Enlightenment Stone first, striving to master the third layer of the Ten Thousand Heavy Water Divine Power as soon as possible. Only then would I stand a chance against that towering, giant python.
No, the third layer of the Ten Thousand Heavy Water Divine Power is still not enough; I need the fourth layer to be certain.
Having made his decision, Hong Yuan crawled towards the medium-sized Tao Enlightenment Stone.
The medium-sized Tao Enlightenment Stone was an ancient stele inscribed with various peculiar runes. A single glance at it exuded a wild, primordial aura.
White Demon Essence flowed from Hong Yuan's body, connecting him to the medium-sized Tao Enlightenment Stone.
At that moment, Hong Yuan felt his mind become incredibly clear, his thoughts flowing with unprecedented smoothness.
Aspects of the Ten Thousand Heavy Water Divine Power that were once vague and hazy, he now understood completely.
Comprehending the Ten Thousand Heavy Water Divine Power became as simple as switching from advanced calculus to basic arithmetic. In this state, Hong Yuan's understanding of the Divine Power increased substantially.
"Winds do not last through the morning, and sudden rains do not last the day."
"Nothing in the world is as soft and yielding as water. Yet for attacking the solid and strong, none can triumph over it."
"The ultimate softness and ultimate hardness exist in one's heart."
Inexplicably, Hong Yuan recalled ancient Taoist teachings on the nature of water from his past life.
While the Demon Beast Hong Yuan was immersed in secluded cultivation, his human counterpart was in a courtyard, packing his luggage and preparing to travel to Nanyang Government.
Nanyang Government had originally been under the jurisdiction of Qinglu Taoist Temple. However, due to severe internal conflict between the disciple and aristocratic family lineages within the Taoist Temple, their governance grew negligent. This allowed the Phoenix Creek Sect to seize a large portion of their territory.
Nanyang Government administered one Class A city, three B-rank cities, and nine C-rank cities.
Hong Yuan's fifth senior brother, Mo Jiuyou, was currently leading the Black Wolf Corps, stationed in Pengcheng, one of the C-rank cities. Pengcheng was precisely the destination for Hong Yuan's 'gold-plating' trip!
Currently, Hong Yuan was checking if all his equipment was prepared.
"Mask, black clothes, extra-large boots..."
"Paralyzing powder, sleeping powder, well water poison powder..."
"White Bull Bow, arrows, Tang Sword, flying ropes..."
"Rapid Bee Worm, Sting Bee Worm, Tiger Head Bee King..."
"Fourth-rank Meteorite Talisman, fourth-rank Sea of Fire Talisman..."
"..."
One by one, Hong Yuan packed an array of terrifying weapons, dreadful poisons, and other tools into his storage bag and Beast Control Bag.
Finally, a hint of regret touched Hong Yuan's expression.
It wasn't because he had yet to master talismans and formations, but because he still hadn't learned Disguise Skills or bone-shrinking techniques!
How can a mature and steady martial cultivator travel the world without six or seven disguises? Departing the sect like this feels a bit precarious. Hong Yuan stroked his chin, pondering.
However, a smile touched his lips when he felt the large storage bag, hidden within his blue robe, against his skin.
Since this 'gold-plating' trip was to last a year, Zhu Wushang had very generously advanced him 60,000 Energy Stones, making Hong Yuan suddenly wealthy again.
Hong Yuan used these 60,000 Energy Stones to purchase various self-defense tools, such as fourth-rank talismans and second-rank formation flag sets. Even after these purchases, he still had a hefty sum of 10,000 Energy Stones remaining.
Just then, the sound of a bell rang out.
DANG! DANG! DANG!
It was the Deacon Hall of Phoenix Fire Peak, ringing the bell to remind disciples heading to Nanyang Government that it was time to gather.
"Whew! After preparing for so long, the time to depart has finally come," Hong Yuan mused aloud. "I hope everything is as Zhu said—that in the outside world, it's only Phoenix Creek Sect disciples who get to bully others.
"I won't bully others; I just hope everyone can live their own lives quietly and peacefully."
Hong Yuan swept his gaze over his courtyard one last time, then locked the main gate and headed towards the Deacon Hall.