Chapter 271: Chapter 261: Picking Generals for Deployment, the Battle for Ten Thousand Domains Begins!

Time flies, seasons change.

In the blink of an eye, the eve of the Competition for the Ten Thousand Domains had quietly arrived.

The final victor of the Competition for the Ten Thousand Domains would be able to preside over the Green Dragon Heavenly Scenic Tower Demon Realm, aiding the Demon Saint behind them to obtain the Holy Artifact, whose importance went without saying.

The Competition for the Ten Thousand Domains was extremely important to the Demon Saints!

Hong Yuan had intended to just do his duty, but when he learned of the existence of the Demon Slaying List, his mindset underwent a huge transformation overnight.

If he could no longer hide in secret, it was time to show his indispensable value!

This time, he aimed not only to be the big winner but also to advance towards the Demon Saint Realm in one fell swoop, in hopes of gaining protection from the Demon Clan.

...

「That night.」

The night breeze was gentle. Hong Yuan stepped out of the Ice Armor Python’s cave with measured steps.

He lightly tapped the void, heading straight for the Black Dragon Palace.

At this moment, Hong Yuan, in his Demonic Body, wore a Purple-gold Dragon Robe. His complexion was fair, his features handsome and cheerful.

But his calm and deep scarlet pupils added an enigmatic and domineering charm to his demeanor.

A person’s aura is shaped by their environment, just as their physique reflects their cultivation.

Ever since obtaining jurisdiction over the Zero Desolate Sea Area, the Nine Poison Sea Area, the Red Luck Sea Area, and the Snow Moon Sea Realm, Hong Yuan had clearly developed a bit of a sovereign’s bearing.

After the Competition for the Ten Thousand Domains starts, Demon Saints can only intervene through means like material support. This should be an advantage for me, Hong Yuan mused.

As he contemplated and strategized, he arrived at the Black Dragon Palace.

Under the night sky, the Black Dragon Palace was brightly lit, but compared to the past, it now seemed slightly less lively.

"Taoist Zhenyi," "Brother Guanqiao."

The Demons of the Black Dragon Palace saluted Hong Yuan one after another. Hong Yuan nodded slightly and made his way towards the Palace Lord’s Main Hall.

「Palace Lord’s Main Hall.」

The Black Dragon Demon Saint had his back to Hong Yuan, gazing thoughtfully at the sea area distribution map above the southern wall, his eyes filled with reminiscence.

"Guanqiao, I too once participated in the Competition for the Ten Thousand Domains. But back then, I did not join as a Monarch; I joined as a great general for a certain Monarch."

"In the end, I mysteriously became one of the six Tao Species of the Dragon God Sacred Land, while the Monarch to whom I had pledged loyalty had long since been eroded by the long saber of time and scattered to the winds."

"For this Competition for the Ten Thousand Domains, just do your best. I’ve heard about the Bridge-Claiming Army; it’s perfectly normal if you can’t defeat them."

"It’s my fault for exposing your strength too early. You haven’t become one of the six Tao Species, so you are not one of them."

"..."

The Black Dragon Demon Saint tirelessly shared his experiences, instructing Hong Yuan.

The more he shared, the more his eyes glistened with tears, and his face glowed with a brilliant smile.

He was reminded of his brother Xuanqiao, and of the days when the two brothers relied on and supported each other.

What he didn’t tell Hong Yuan was that the Monarch he had served was his very own brother, Xuanqiao.

Watching Hong Yuan grow stronger step by step, he felt extremely gratified. It was as if his brother Xuanqiao had been resurrected in the world, accompanying him by his side.

But in the end, Hong Yuan was not his real brother.

"Godfather, rest assured. Your son will fight with all his strength and live up to your expectations."

Hong Yuan knelt on one knee, performing a solemn bow, making his promise resolutely.

Even though he didn’t understand why the Black Dragon Demon Saint showed him such excessive favoritism.

But one should be judged by their actions, not their intentions; if judged by intentions, then no one is perfect.

Without the Black Dragon Demon Saint, his Demonic Body would not have developed so quickly; it was uncertain if he could have even survived.

This debt of gratitude, Hong Yuan etched into his heart.

"Mm, I believe you. You may leave now. Tomorrow, you must begin to rally your generals and set out for battle."

The Black Dragon Demon Saint still didn’t turn around, waving Hong Yuan off with his back still to him.

This left Hong Yuan thoroughly perplexed, but he eventually acknowledged the dismissal and departed.

After Hong Yuan had gone, the Black Dragon Demon Saint summoned a Water Mirror.

In the Water Mirror appeared a handsome figure. Though different in temperament from Hong Yuan, his appearance was astonishingly similar to Hong Yuan, by about seventy percent!

...

RUMBLE!

Hong Yuan had just returned to his Ice Frost River when he heard a tremendous noise erupt from the direction of the Black Dragon Palace.

He turned to look closely and discovered that the Black Dragon Demon Saint had retracted the Black Dragon Palace into his own Demon Realm, eliminating any trace of his presence as a Demon Saint.

During the Competition for the Ten Thousand Domains, the four Great Holy Lands did not permit Demon Saints to personally involve themselves, a measure to ensure basic fairness.

Of course, if necessary, Hong Yuan could still communicate with the Black Dragon Demon Saint and request material support.

From now on, in this demonic life, I truly have to strive and struggle on my own.

Hong Yuan turned and walked toward the cave, his steps firm.

...

... 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

「The next morning, as dawn broke and the crimson sun gradually rose.」

In and around the Ice Frost River and the outer sea regions, thousands upon tens of thousands of Demons and Ferocious Beasts had gathered. They were densely packed and stretched as far as the eye could see, roughly numbering a million strong.

This million-strong army was roughly organized into five great legions, all composed of strong soldiers and formidable beasts.

These were: the Nine Poison Legion led by Zhang Fan, the Red Luck Legion led by Li Jianqiu, and the Snow Moon Legion led by Ji Qingxue.

Additionally, there were the native forces of the Zero Desolate Sea Area and powerful factions from other sea domains that had pledged allegiance to Hong Yuan.

Their ranks spread out as far as the eye could see; almost every spot was taken.

The types of soldiers were numerous: those that flew in the sky, swam in the sea, and walked on land.

Under the coordination of their respective commanders, these formidable warriors could, with but a breath, stir winds and clouds and conjure tsunamis.

Xuan Guangqiao, I hope you can help me avenge myself against Zhang Daoliu, Zhang Fan thought.

"Guanqiao, you have to win! I’ve staked everything on you; don’t let me down," Ji Qingxue murmured, gently biting her lip, her pair of snow-white rabbit ears twitching slightly.

With such immense destiny, this Xuan Guangqiao might truly accomplish something grand, Li Jianqiu’s carp-like eyes narrowed, his pupils contracting sharply as he stared in shock at the manifestation of collective destiny summoned by the assembled Demons—a colossal white Flood Dragon.

The Demons harbored various thoughts, but all silently watched the location of the Ice Armor Python’s cave.

Only a Monarch like Hong Yuan could make a million Demons wait.

...

Inside the Ice Armor Python’s cave, Hong Yuan wore a suit of azure battle armor. A pale yellow token hovered faintly in his hand.

This token was none other than the Deputy Water Order of Huangqu River!

Refining it would make him second in command only within the Huangqu River, bestowing upon him the favor of the Huangqu River’s will and allowing him to plunder the destiny of a sea region.

Heaven and Earth Movement... Perhaps by refining this Water Order, I can seize destiny and contend for the title of the current era’s chosen one of the Demon Clan, Hong Yuan mused.

Hong Yuan gently closed his hand, and the Deputy Water Order of Huangqu River instantly vanished.

He slowly stood up, displaying an imposing stature and great presence.

THUMP... THUMP...

Hong Yuan walked out slowly. The million-strong army waiting outside reacted as if witnessing the apocalypse, every Demon tensely staring towards the Ice Armor Python’s cave.

At that very moment, a hurricane surged, thunder boomed, and white clouds billowed majestically for thousands of miles.

The Flood Gathering War Banner materialized behind Hong Yuan. Beside it, it was as if ten Cave Heavens were exhaling Immortal Qi, while the Nine Beasts of Dragon Sons roared and bellowed.

This was an astonishing phenomenon. All Mortal Demons were awestruck, believing that the formidable Destiny of this era truly rested upon Hong Yuan.

"Great King!" "Great King!"

The million-strong army roared, their cries thunderous and imposing, reaching several nearby sea regions and shaking the area with their might.

Expressionless, Hong Yuan strode directly to the commanding platform.

He seized the Flood Gathering War Banner, raised it high, and immediately began to issue his commands.

"Generals, heed my command!"

"AYE!!!"

"Li Jianqiu, hear my order!"

"Aye!"

"I appoint you as Vanguard General. Lead the Red Luck Division to advance upon the Morning Star Sea Area. Depart this very day!"

"As you command!"

"..."

High in the Green Heaven, the Black Dragon, Snow Moon, and the other two of the Four Saints watched the imposing figure of Hong Yuan, their hearts filled with mixed emotions.

Among them, the Black Dragon Demon Saint’s heart swelled with gratification.

My child... you’ve grown up.

Under the watchful eyes of the four Demon Saints, the divisions under Hong Yuan’s command set off one after another.

The torrent of war was about to be unleashed...