Chapter 273: Chapter 263: Rely on all beings, rely on heaven and earth, it’s not as good as relying on oneself.

East of the monumental stele, to behold the vast Cang Sea.

Murky waves crest the sky, fierce waves smack the shore.

The ancient site of the Morning Star Palace at night is like the Milky Way touching earth, splendid and magnificent.

The Monarch’s main camp of Hong Yuan is situated here, founded upon this very location. His legions also spread out around the Morning Star Palace, lined up in order. Outside the camp, strong soldiers stand guard; secret agents and visible sentinels cover for each other. Inside the camp, bonfires burn, illuminating everything brightly.

Regarding the various specific implementations of military orders and regulations for the Zero Desolate Army, Hong Yuan did not "consult on matters, big or small." He merely held firmly to the general direction and his top generals, like Li Jianqiu, as well as the most elite Black Dragon Warrior Legion. Other specific matters were mostly carried out in accordance with the existing system established by several Demon Saints. He had no thoughts of reform or enhancement.

After all, this is a world where great power converges into one. If it were not for the need to consider the game rules of the Ten Thousand Domains Competition, a Demon like Hong Yuan could single-handedly slaughter his way through any of the six Great Taoism Species.

These are the natural treasures I requested to be set aside.

I wonder if there’s material here to refine the Great Moon Virtual Mirror, or to help the Flood Gathering War Banner ascend to a Holy Artifact...

Within the Monarch’s main camp, Hong Yuan sat alone inside the tent, checking several storage bags. A sweep of his consciousness, and a pleased smile immediately spread across his face.

Today’s haul is good. I’ve unexpectedly acquired precious items such as the Star Soul Core and Thousand-year Wasteland Vine Wood.

The Star Soul Core is one of the main materials in the refinement of the Great Moon Virtual Mirror Tao Species and is extremely rare. Over the years, Hong Yuan had always been searching for it, but to no avail. Unexpectedly, his luck changed, and he managed to acquire it in one go.

Now that I’ve obtained the Star Soul Core, I’m only short of nine materials for the current refinement of the Great Moon Virtual Mirror Tao Species. There’s no rush; this is just the first day.

Hong Yuan set aside the Star Soul Core and grasped the Thousand-year Wasteland Vine Wood, earnestly feeling the unique aura of time belonging to the wood. The Thousand-year Wasteland Vine Wood is mostly found in ancient forests, situated in extremely yin locations, and never sees the sun or the moon all year round. Since they possess rich Wood Tao Marks, they are usually discovered by Demon Beasts after only growing for a hundred years, making it extremely difficult to grow for a thousand years.

Thousand-year Wasteland Vine Wood... If only I had a Demon Realm, then I could use the Treasured Yellow Heaven to buy materials sold by Bo Qing at a low price, and I wouldn’t need to be so worried.

Hong Yuan slowly put away the storage bags, took a deep breath, and set his gaze on the blazing bonfire.

CRACK—

A crisp sound rang out as the Purple Gold Cauldron appeared out of thin air, towering mightily on the ground.

Hong Yuan rose from his throne and approached the front of the Purple Gold Cauldron. With a sweeping motion of his hand, black Refining Tao Marks spread from his hand, covering the Purple Gold Cauldron. Above his head, the Luck Giant Dragon roared, swinging its tail non-stop, treating all the luck of living beings obtained in the Morning Star Sea Area that day as celestial materials and throwing them into the Purple Gold Cauldron. The Refining Tao Marks wrapping around the Purple Gold Cauldron swiftly transformed, and Hong Yuan’s ten fingers danced back and forth with nimble grace, like butterflies flitting through flowers.

He was refining the Ocean Water Order of the Morning Star Sea Area!

When the timing is right, the entire world shares the same energy; when luck departs, even heroes are not free.

Once the Ten Thousand Domains Competition is over, this luck of living beings will also slowly disperse.

Since that’s the case, I’d rather burn most of the luck of living beings and refine my own personal luck.

Relying on others or the world is not as good as relying on oneself!

Hong Yuan’s eyes were deep, expressionlessly watching the dreamlike starlight inside the Purple Gold Cauldron. The Refining Tao Marks were in constant motion, and the dreamlike starlight began to take shape little by little. In a vague moment, it seemed to Hong Yuan that he could hear countless wails from within the dreamlike starlight, sorrowful and plaintive, desolate and heartrending. Hong Yuan turned a deaf ear, his face showing no change.

It was only in the latter half of the night that the wailing and crying stopped. Within the dreamlike starlight, a token made of starlight was unexpectedly refined!

CRACK—CRASH!

A breaking sound was heard, and the Ocean Water Order of the Morning Star Sea Area naturally crumbled, turning into drifting starlight. And Hong Yuan quickly invoked his own Luck Tao Divine Power, Destiny Lamp High Illumination. A green ancient lamp floated above Hong Yuan’s head, greedily absorbing the shattered Ocean Water Order of the Morning Star Sea Area.

It failed, yet it also succeeded.

Hong Yuan, with his eyes closed, silently felt the changes. Although the refining of the Ocean Water Order of the Morning Star Sea Area had failed, meaning he couldn’t control the Morning Star Sea Area, Hong Yuan could distinctly feel that he had established a tenuous, one-way relationship with it; the world of the Morning Star Sea Area now favored him.

Hong Yuan then observed his luck situation and had to abandon the thought of refining the Water Order again. He was not in a hurry because he, Hong Yuan, would have plenty of refining opportunities during this Ten Thousand Domains Competition.

The night was cool like water, and the interior of the Monarch’s tent was tranquil.

「The next day.」

The Zero Desolate Army moved forward again under Hong Yuan’s will. This terrifying war machine, like a rumbling invincible chariot, brutally overthrew everything that did not comply with Hong Yuan’s will.

「Screw Eel Sea Region, at the border of the sea area.」

Gazing at the waiting Screw Eel defensive army, Li Jianqiu decisively gave the command, "Form the Water Dragon Array, charge!"

The Orderly Officers quickly shook the Flood Gathering Sub-banners to convey the orders from their superiors.

"Form the Water Dragon Array, charge!" "Form the Water Dragon Array, charge!"

Order after order was passed down via the Flood Gathering Sub-banners swiftly and with precision to the lower ranks. This was a situation beyond belief because even a Slave Tao master couldn’t coordinate a million-strong army so quickly, let alone Li Jianqiu, a Luck Tao and Blood Tao Demon.

"The Flood Gathering Sub-banners... what a great idea! Xuan Guangqiao is truly remarkable," Li Jianqiu murmured in admiration, looking at the small blue flag in his hand.

RUMBLE!

The Red Luck Legion quickly switched formations, forming the Water Dragon Array. They charged forward fiercely, exhibiting devastating power, brutally crushing through various defense lines.

"How is this possible!?"

"Oh my god, I can’t fight anymore, I can’t fight anymore."

"Dammit, don’t run! If you run again, I’ll treat you as a deserter and execute you right now!"

"..."

The Demon Soldiers of the Screw Eel Sea Region’s defensive army changed their expressions upon seeing the quickly transforming Red Luck Legion. Even the highest commanding officer, Luo Qisen, had an ashen face. Such a formidable army—how could they possibly fight it? There was simply no way.

"Hold the line, all of you motherf***ers hold the line!" Luo Qisen, the highest commanding officer of the Screw Eel Sea Region, cursed loudly. Luo Qisen’s hysterical attitude was terrifying, prompting his subordinates to diligently relay orders and urge the Demon Soldiers under their command to launch a counterattack.

BANG.

BANG. BANG.

Rapid, explosive sounds echoed at the sea region’s border as the Demon Soldiers on both sides wore each other down. Ultimately, however, the Red Luck Legion steadily gained the upper hand, pushing towards the center of the Screw Eel Sea Region.

Blood flowed and bodies floated, and a million corpses lay across the battlefield. The sight on the battlefield was extremely cruel, with the rich, pungent stench of blood filling the air, and countless lost souls lingering.

The specially made Flood Gathering Sub-banners of Hong Yuan still played an important role, emitting a faint white light and absorbing the essence of the blood and flesh of the dead Demon Beasts.

[Life Span +132]

[Life Span +157]

[Talent +1]

[...]

[Life Span: 2561/56,743 → 2561/61,342]

[Talent: 75 → 76]

Hong Yuan’s proficiency panel attributes were quickly updated; not just his Life Span, but also his long-stagnant Talent began to climb.

With so many souls, perhaps I can optimize the Flood Gathering War Banner and the Sub-banners. Hong Yuan mused, looking up into the gray sky. As a Grandmaster of Soul Tao, he could certainly sense the presence of souls.

"AHHH—"

"Xuan Guangqiao, don’t take your bullying of Demons too far!!!" A roar echoed from afar. It was Luo Qisen, the highest commanding officer of the Screw Eel Sea Region; unable to contain himself any longer, he had personally entered the fray.

Hong Yuan glanced over, uninterested.

A man who isn’t even a match for Zhang Fan is not worthy of my involvement.

"Stop being so presumptuous, your opponent is me!" Zhang Fan leaped forward, taking the initiative to engage in battle.