In a certain place shrouded in dark clouds, lay an abyssal ocean unseen by the light of day.

Within it, islands glowed with various lights.

These islands varied in size; some were like biting cold winds, some like wild raging flames, some like sharp golden spears...

This was an exceedingly secret place, one that not even the free winds could discover.

This was the place where the old monsters of the Demon Clan lay dormant, known as the Demon Court!

"The Human Race is making a move. It seems they want to strike at Xuan Guangqiao, who inherited the Tao Heritage from the Great Moon Saint. Shall we alter our strategy and set traps for a counter-attack?"

A will as vast as the boundless sea conveyed these words, causing ripples to spread across the abyssal ocean.

The malice of the Human Race was glaringly obvious, utterly undisguised and overwhelmingly domineering.

However, the Human Race possessed the favor of the world’s will, boasting formidable strength that allowed them to bully the Demon Clan.

The Human Race constantly squeezed the Demon Clan’s living space, even wishing to eradicate their Tao Heritage and reduce their descendants to uninitiated wild beasts and Ferocious Beasts.

"Heh, truly the same despicable tactics as always. Well, the Great Moon Saint brought them too much pain, after all. Who could have expected that such an unconventional Tao achiever could live even longer than a Great Emperor of the current age?"

A carefree will, like a gentle breeze, laughed lightly.

With these words, the previously heavy atmosphere was considerably lightened.

"COUGH COUGH... Worm Roc, be serious. There’s no need to change our strategy; we’ll maintain our defensive stance. Although Xuan Guangqiao is vaguely the Son of Fortune for the current generation, his Destiny has not fully taken hold."

"However, we can’t just give up on Xuan Guangqiao. Have the Dragon God Sacred Land prepare to offer support. Unless absolutely necessary, we will not abandon him."

"If Xuan Guangqiao were to die and there is indeed no other among the current generation of the Demon Clan strong enough to contend, then we’ll have to unseal a Heavenly Talent of the Emperor Clan from the Divine Source Sky."

"Exactly. We absolutely must not start an all-out war with the Human Race over Xuan Guangqiao. That would be playing right into their hands."

"Let’s wait a little longer, until the Great Dream Emperor of the Human Race fully manifests, and then begins to wane. That will be the signal for our counter-attack."

"Yes, at that time, the Human Race will have reached its pinnacle and begun its decline, and the Destiny of the Great Emperor will surely fall to our clan!"

The wills of these old immortals of the Demon Clan transmitted rapidly among themselves, dissecting the Human Race’s intentions for this attack and devising their strategy, one comment after another.

Currently, the value demonstrated by Hong Yuan’s Demonic Body was not sufficient to make these old immortals of the Demon Clan drop everything to protect him recklessly.

Because Hong Yuan’s Demonic Body was replaceable!

Unless... he truly was the Son of Fortune of the Demon Clan for this generation.

...

...

"What!? You want to launch an attack on the Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, and Xuanwu Heavenly Scenic Tower Demon Realms!?"

The Black Dragon Demon Saint looked at Hong Yuan with disbelief; he truly hadn’t expected such ambition from his godson.

"Guangqiao, I am already satisfied with you taking down the Green Dragon Heavenly Scenic Tower Demon Realm. Besides, the moon wanes when full, and water overflows when brimming."

"The gains from the Green Dragon Heavenly Scenic Tower Demon Realm alone are enough to make our Zero Desolate Sea Area one of the top sea areas."

"If we forcibly initiate war with the sea areas of the other three Heavenly Scenic Towers, striving for perfect completion, we will only end up with a tragic outcome," the Black Dragon Demon Saint advised with grave earnestness.

How could Hong Yuan not know that the moon wanes when full, and water overflows when brimming?

But in this mortal world, how many things truly go as one wishes?

Hong Yuan lifted his gaze, his will firm as he said, "Godfather, it’s not that I don’t want to stop, but that I must continue."

"I have a premonition: if I stop moving forward, I will be devoured by darkness."

The Black Dragon Demon Saint pondered upon hearing this. "I see... then you may go."

To be honest, he really did not want his godson to launch another campaign. Once the Energy Array was activated, ten thousand taels of Energy Stones would be consumed. As long as he assimilated the resources acquired from this venture in the Green Dragon Heavenly Scenic Tower, his dream of bolstering the Mysterious Water Snake Demon Clan would reach its pinnacle; it wouldn’t even be out of the question for them to be on par with the top demon clans. However, compared to Hong Yuan’s safety, all of that meant nothing. In this world, top-tier combat power is what truly counts!

"Your son thanks Godfather for his understanding," Hong Yuan said, kneeling on one knee to express his gratitude.

But because of this, Hong Yuan became even more determined to establish his own faction.

As he grew stronger, his will inevitably diverged from that of the Black Dragon Demon Saint, preventing him from exerting his full power. At this moment, Hong Yuan somewhat understood why Zhu Yuanzhang had wanted to break away from Guo Zixing’s influence and start afresh.

...

...

In the Zero Desolate Sea Area, various Saints had arrived personally, lurking all around; the killing intent was chillingly still.

When Hong Yuan’s Sword Tao Incarnation, along with the Lightning Martial Saint and the Green Lamp Buddha, arrived at the Zero Desolate Sea Area, they received an invitation from the Butterfly Sword Martial Saint.

This Butterfly Sword Martial Saint actually held a Heavenly Palace Order!

The Heavenly Palace Order represents the will of the Heavenly Palace.

Ever since the Heavenly Palace was established by the Dragon Sun Emperor, it has been the foremost Martial Saint power in the world. It has been ruled by nine Human Clan Emperors, including Dragon Sun, Soul Killing, and Le Tu!

The selection of Heavenly Palace members is stringent, based on an initial pick by the Five Great Academies, followed by a second selection; the screening mechanism is incredibly strict.

Over millions of years, there has never been a mistake. It is the Human Race’s last and most solid barrier.

Each generation of Five Great Academy Elders automatically becomes a member of the Heavenly Palace.

The Heavenly Palace Martial Saints hold equal status; it is not a one-man show for any eighth-order Martial Saint. They mostly slumber within the Divine Origin, hardly ever taking action, and worldly affairs are typically handled by the Five Great Academies.

「Above the Green Heaven, within a hidden layer of clouds.」

Hong Yuan met the Butterfly Sword Martial Saint and the other Human Martial Saints.

"Lightning, Master, long time no see. This must be Marquis of Dragon Sword Bo Qing, right?" the Butterfly Sword Martial Saint said, her eyes crinkling into a smile as she greeted Hong Yuan.

She was a tall, beautiful woman with delicate features and skin as smooth and fair as suet jade.

She resembled a dreamy, ethereal butterfly, as if she might transform into a gentle breeze and vanish in the next moment.

What most caught Hong Yuan’s attention was the Colorful Butterfly Sword at her waist, a Holy Artifact formed from seven-colored starlight.

Hong Yuan’s heart sank. That sharp aura... an eighth-order big shot!? His expression remained unchanged as he said, "Greetings, Senior Butterfly Sword."

"Haha, I heard you also walk the paths of Sword Tao and Transformation Tao. We truly are destined to meet," the Butterfly Sword Martial Saint laughed heartily, patting Hong Yuan on the shoulder with extreme warmth.

Following the Butterfly Sword Martial Saint’s introductions, Hong Yuan, the Lightning Martial Saint, and the Green Lamp Buddha integrated into this group of Martial Saints and were assigned the northwest side of the Zero Desolate Sea Area to guard.

「That night.」

Under the Butterfly Sword Martial Saint’s arrangements, these Heavenly Talents from the Five Great Academies each took control of a region. Together, they set up a shocking deathtrap, waiting only for Hong Yuan’s Demonic Body to appear.

Once Hong Yuan’s Demonic Body willingly returned to the Zero Desolate Sea Area, they would strike with the swiftness of a thunderbolt that leaves no time to cover one’s ears, aiming to swiftly kill his Demonic Body.

At this time, there was still one month left before the Green Dragon Heavenly Scenic Tower Demon Realm would close on its own.

The storm was coming; it was like the calm before the tempest.