Just think, by binding oneself to corresponding beings of great fortune, as their strength increases, so does yours.

Although there might be a risk of backlash, Hong Yuan feared such backlashes the least.

This Saintly Skill, it’s practically the gospel for cultivators of the Daoist immortals’ lineage!

His Demonic Body represents the Destiny of the Demon Clan, and he cannot leave carelessly, or he would be captured and killed by the Human Race.

Moreover, Hong Yuan had already resolved that he wouldn’t leave the Dragon God Sacred Land until he pushed his Demonic Body’s strength to a realm where it could advance no further.

In a way, his Demonic Body was like being confined within drawn boundaries.

But if he were to use Ye Qingcheng’s Saintly Skill to bind with Supreme Talents of the Demon Clan like Li Jianqiu and Wei Qin, wouldn’t that accelerate his own growth once again?

Moreover, Hong Yuan had a Life Span of over seven million years. With accumulation over generations, how fearsomely might that strength grow!?

Terrifying to contemplate!

「Elsewhere.」

Ye Qingcheng was struggling to activate the Green Wood Qi.

Beneath the wide hem of her sleeves, her fair fingers formed complex hand seals.

"Phoenix Paulownia" produced layers upon layers of profound Green Wood Qi, covertly spiraling towards Hong Yuan.

Yet it hardly had any effect!

Sweat beaded on Ye Qingcheng’s brow, and her face turned pale.

Why is he so difficult to deal with? I can’t even establish a single ’rootlet’, Ye Qingcheng thought.

Usually, as long as she activated "Phoenix Paulownia," she would be able to establish "rootlets" quickly.

Even when it came to renowned Supreme Talents, she could erode them bit by bit.

But at this moment, she was astonished to find that her Green Wood Qi had absolutely no effect on Hong Yuan.

Ahead, Hong Yuan, with his back to Ye Qingcheng, his eyes flashed with a divine light. Is this aura a Spirit Plant? It’s not of low rank. Wait, could it be the Divine Charm of a phoenix?

Ever since his intimate encounter with the Butterfly Sword Martial Saint, Hong Yuan had become particularly sensitive to anything related to dragons and phoenixes.

This time, he immediately noticed something was off. He subtly followed a strand of Green Wood Qi, carefully feeling it out.

Observing Ye Qingcheng’s movements, ideas flickered rapidly through Hong Yuan’s mind.

He was using a strand of Qi to deduce Ye Qingcheng’s most precious Innate Secret Skill!

After a while, Hong Yuan’s mental storm was forced to an abrupt halt because Ye Qingcheng had chosen to give up.

How can such a being exist? Hmph, I will conquer you! Ye Qingcheng fumed internally.

She cast a resentful glance at Hong Yuan, took a deep breath, and perked up again.

Hong Yuan, too, was quite frustrated. I had only just begun, and Ye Qingcheng already severed the connection! I’m confident enough to grind out the rest of the Saintly Skill over time, but I can’t guarantee I won’t take a wrong turn. Sometimes, a slight deviation can lead one astray by a thousand miles. Especially for those with strong talent and intelligence; they are more susceptible to taking the wrong path.

But Hong Yuan also understood that this matter could not be rushed.

A gleam of cyan sword light flashed through his eyes as an idea formed in his mind: Give before you take!

He turned his head, his gaze fixed on Ye Qingcheng, and slowly said, "How confident are you in concocting the Violent Blood Pill? I’m in urgent need of it."

Ye Qingcheng was inwardly elated upon hearing this, her scorn for Hong Yuan deepening. A bumpkin will always be a bumpkin, desperate over a bit of resources, willing to fight tooth and nail!

But her face showed a radiant smile, as gorgeous as a blooming rose in spring, incredibly lovely.

She said, "Gu Fan, my Alchemy mainly depends on the integrity of the Blood Gator Dragon carcass. If you can slay it with a single strike, I can concoct three furnaces worth of Violent Blood Pills!"

Hong Yuan nodded, "I understand."

The next moment, the Grass Wood Dragon changed direction in accordance with Hong Yuan’s intent, rushing towards the island where the sounds of battle continued without pause.

...

「The outside world.」

「Ye Family’s main city.」

In the beginning, most people disdained the action of Hong Yuan and Ye Qingcheng abandoning their companions to flee.

"Heh, so a mere Blood Dragon Crocodile could make Ye Gufan flee from battle, he doesn’t seem as divine as the recent rumors suggested..."

"Compared to Ye Gufan, Ye Qingcheng is even more shameful. After all, Ye Gufan simply joined the team temporarily, whereas Ye Qingcheng has always been the leader!"

"What nonsense, it’s all Ye Gufan’s fault. If it weren’t for Fairy Qincheng being busy with Alchemy and unable to extricate herself, how could she let Ye Gufan have his way? This damned brat!"

Two opposing narratives fermented, reducing the Power of Life Fortune afforded to Ye Qingcheng substantially.

But when Hong Yuan and Ye Qingcheng turned around and hurried back to the island, preparing to confront the Blood Dragon Crocodile, opinions shifted again, almost as quickly as the rapid changes in a face-changing opera! 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"Haha, I told you Fairy Qincheng wasn’t like that. Look, under her guidance, Ye Gufan has understood the importance of unity," a plainly dressed uncle declared loudly.

"Ah, it’s a good thing Fairy Qincheng is keeping Ye Gufan in check, otherwise, given Ye Gufan’s nasty temperament, who knows how many people would suffer at his hand," an elderly man with silver hair woefully shook his head.

Guided by these influential remarks, waves upon waves of the Power of Life Fortune wrapped around Ye Qingcheng, allowing her to more easily entangle Hong Yuan and establish "rootlet" connections. Still, this level was ultimately not enough.

In a corner, Ye Xiner gazed up at the water screen, her expression a mixture of deep concern and affection as she watched the figure of Hong Yuan struggling against the Blood Dragon Crocodile.

With her hands tightly clasped as if cradling her heart, she silently prayed, "God, please protect Gu Fan, I am willing to sacrifice my life... "