Chapter 299: Chapter 289: Battle of the Holy Realm, I Am Submissive; Battle of the Demon, I Strike with Heavy Fists!

The struggle for dominance in the Vermilion Bird Heavenly Scenic Tower Demon Realm sector was vastly different from the one in the Green Dragon Heavenly Scenic Tower Demon Realm sector, where Demonic Body Hong Yuan resided.

In the Green Dragon Heavenly Scenic Tower Demon Realm sector, thanks to the unrivaled presence of Hong Yuan, dominant seeds like Lang Fanyun and Zhu Jiushi had no choice but to join forces against him. After these dominant seeds were defeated by Hong Yuan, there were no longer any contenders in the Green Dragon Heavenly Scenic Tower Demon Realm sector that could threaten him. Therefore, Hong Yuan was able to rapidly pacify the Sea Area Monarchs of the Green Dragon Heavenly Scenic Tower Demon Realm sector with the force of an irresistible thunderbolt.

However, the Vermilion Bird Heavenly Scenic Tower Demon Realm sector was stuck in a drawn-out cold war due to the existence of two opposing poles!

「 」

The vast ocean, where thousands of warships set sail with their sails unfurled. Zhang Fan’s Nine Poison Troops took the lead as the vanguard. Li Jianqiu’s Red Luck Troops followed at the rear, while Hong Yuan and his Black Dragon Army occupied the central area. It was a mighty torrent, presenting a grand spectacle of thousands of ships vying on the water.

The fleet sailed through a hurricane zone. After more than a month, Hong Yuan finally arrived with his subordinates at the Vermilion Bird Heavenly Scenic Tower Demon Realm’s Contention Zone.

On the Monarch’s Grand Ship, Hong Yuan, who had long ceased his work of converting Blood Tao Marks into Food Tao Marks, stepped out of his cabin and onto the deck, standing silently. The fresh sea breeze blew as seagulls shrieked amid the white clouds. Feeling a moment of peace, a relaxed smile appeared on Hong Yuan’s face.

"In the struggle of the Holy Realm, I acted with compliance, but in the battle of Demons, I strike with force," he mused aloud. "This is the battlefield where I belong. What I detest most are those who, lacking martial virtue, rely on their realm to bully others." He paused, then added with a grin, "Of course, I’m the exception!"

Hong Yuan lazily stretched, the restlessness in his heart dissipating slightly. He scanned the horizon, observing the morale of his forces.

His appearance was also deeply taken to heart by the Demon Soldiers and Demon Generals of the Zero Desolate Army. Instantly, this group, which had experienced numerous violent battles, straightened their backs, their expressions solemn.

In the Snow Moon Brigade, Ji Qingxue saw that just a small gesture from Hong Yuan was enough to make thousands of Demons comply with his will. For a moment, her spirit wavered. She became infatuated with Demonic Body Hong Yuan’s authority and heroic countenance; even her gaze toward him was somewhat unusual.

Xuan Guangqiao... Ji Qingxue whispered under her breath. Her Original Body was a Yin Snow Rabbit, a variant seed of the Ice Tao. The Snow Shadow Rabbit clan was quite special. Certain unique Snow Shadow Rabbits could dual-cultivate with other Demon Cultivators, helping each other to safely advance their cultivation while also progressing themselves.

Back during the Heart-questioning Trial, Ji Qingxue had already developed a fondness for Hong Yuan. During the struggle for dominion in the Ten Thousand Domains, this ambiguous emotion mixed with self-interest surged even more quickly, especially after Hong Yuan displayed his overwhelming Heavenly Talent and charisma.

Regrettably... Ji Qingxue felt somewhat annoyed. Alas, is Xuan Guangqiao that dense? Why doesn’t he ever notice my hints?

Elsewhere, after inspecting his army and finding nothing unusual, Hong Yuan returned to his training room. He also had important matters to attend to: converting various scattered Tao Marks into Food Tao Marks.

Normally, Tao Marks could only be added through Divine Powers, Holy Artifacts, or by overcoming tribulations. But Hong Yuan was different. His purple-golden Food Tao Marks were Extraterrestrial Tao Marks, naturally transcending the rules of this world and possessing all kinds of incredible powers.

Refining Tao Marks could also forcibly convert Blood Tao Marks. However, for Hong Yuan, their efficiency paled in comparison to Food Tao Marks. Currently, Hong Yuan could convert nine Blood Tao Marks into one Food Tao Mark, and he had already accumulated over a hundred Food Tao Marks. As for Blood Tao Marks, Hong Yuan could obtain them by using the Flood Gathering War Banner to absorb the Essence of Demon Beasts on brutal battlefields. The Flood Gathering War Banner was already a Holy Artifact, and its enhancement of the Sub-banners was even more formidable.

「 」

In the Wind Swallow Sea Area, an intermediate sea region of the Vermilion Bird Heavenly Scenic Tower, not belonging to the "Two Poles" forces.

"Great General, terrible news! A multitude of unfamiliar Demon Soldiers have appeared on the border defense line, and they are currently besieging the Energy Array!" a Wind Swallow Demon Soldier reported urgently, handing over an intelligence Jade Simple.

The Wind Swallow Great General took the white Jade Simple. Upon perceiving the detailed intelligence, his complexion instantly turned deathly pale. Emblazoned upon the white Jade Simple was the emblem of the Zero Desolate Army!

Xuan Guangqiao has come!? 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Who was Xuan Guangqiao? The top-ranked individual on the Heavenly Ranking, the Green Dragon Overlord, a terrifying figure who had seized a Holy Artifact. Knowing that such a character had arrived, the Wind Swallow Great General suddenly felt overwhelmed by dizziness. He had barely managed to survive under the "Two Poles" forces, only for an overpowering Flood Dragon that could engulf the seas to arrive!!!

At this moment, merely by his reputation, Hong Yuan made a Great General—one who controlled the lives of a million Demon Clan members—utterly panic-stricken.

"This shouldn’t be, it shouldn’t be happening..." the Wind Swallow Great General muttered. He then suddenly flew out of the military camp, exhausting all his strength and dashing towards the border defense line as if his life depended on it.

He had just reached the border defense line when he witnessed a chilling scene. Zhang Fan, leading the Nine Poison Troops, had formed a battle array, summoning a Poison Fog Squid that blotted out the sky. This Poison Fog Squid was immense, its talons razor-sharp, and the sweeping purple fog it emitted was deeply toxic. With just a slight movement, it swallowed all sorts of attacks from the Energy Array light waves on the Wind Swallow Sea Area’s border defense line. This included Demon Skill attacks, light beams, Frost, and meteors, all neutralized effortlessly.

CRACK—

The Poison Fog Squid touched the white protective shield of the border defense line’s Energy Array. With just a slight brush, this seemingly impregnable shield shattered into countless white specks, its final light flaring before vanishing.

It’s over, it’s all over. For even a single battle formation to possess the power of a Tao Species... what on earth did they acquire from the Green Dragon Heavenly Scenic Tower Demon Realm?

The Wind Swallow Great General stood there dazed, utterly stunned, as he watched battalion after battalion of the Zero Desolate Army infiltrate and take control of this sea area. Even when captured by Zhang Fan, he remained in a state of shock.

Exaggerated, truly too exaggerated!

In previous years, the final overlord of each battle zone would lead their army into the Heavenly Scenic Tower. After absorbing resources, they would firmly remain active within their own battle zone. They would generally not trespass, so as to avoid mass discontent. But this year, Hong Yuan had led his army to break this unspoken rule. And the Zero Desolate Army, having absorbed the Green Dragon Heavenly Scenic Tower Demon Realm and grown stronger, now displayed a level of power that was truly startling!

Ultimately, the Wind Swallow Great General could not suppress his curiosity and asked Zhang Fan, "Vanguard Zhang Fan, by acting this way, aren’t you afraid that the other three battle zones will join forces, break through your defenses, and divide your Green Dragon Heavenly Scenic Tower region?"

Zhang Fan scoffed disdainfully, clenching his fist before the Wind Swallow Great General. "Heh," he said arrogantly, "we would welcome it!"

Around Zhang Fan’s fist, fierce wind currents surged, a fearsome sight. The Wind Swallow Great General’s eyes widened. He was shocked by both the Zero Desolate Army’s ambition and Zhang Fan’s strength.

If even this Zhang Fan possesses the strength of the Lower Three Tao Species, then the stronger Li Jianqiu must surely have the capabilities of the Upper Three Tao Species. And what of the legendary Xuan Guangqiao?

A Demon Saint, or even stronger than a Demon Saint!?

GULP.

Thinking this, the Wind Swallow Great General silently swallowed.

It seems the heavens above the Vermilion Bird Heavenly Scenic Tower Contention Zone are truly about to change!