Longevity Martial Arts: I have a Mysterious Water Snake Avatar-Chapter 245 - 235: Ice Armor Python, 5th Rank Primary, Two Similar Flowers
Ice Frost River.
In the Ice Armor Python’s lair, which resembled a frigid world, Hong Yuan lay on the ground, sound asleep. With each breath he took, a fierce and violent Vitality Storm was drawn from the skies above the Ice Frost River, its momentum grand and mighty. As time passed, a terrifying aura spread from Hong Yuan’s body, expanding in all directions.
In an instant, the sky darkened, and thunder roared. The Zero Desolate Sea Area was plunged from noon into night, and a cold moon appeared, its chilling radiance illuminating all living beings.
"How did the sky suddenly turn dark?"
"What’s that? Why does that moon look so strange!?"
"That direction... it’s Xuan Guangqiao!"
All Demon Cultivators raised their heads, looking towards Hong Yuan’s location with unease and hesitation.
Even the Black Dragon Demon Saint was awoken from his deep cultivation. He stood atop the Dao Palace, gazing towards Hong Yuan from afar.
Astonishment flashed across the Black Dragon Demon Saint’s face. Has he broken through? It’s only been a few short years, and Guangqiao’s cultivation is about to catch up with mine...
For a moment, the Black Dragon Demon Saint felt a sense of wistfulness. When he first met Hong Yuan, Hong Yuan was only at the second stage of cultivation, not even able to speak the demon language. In just over ten years, he had grown so rapidly. A feeling that "the new waves push the old, and the old waves die on the shore" emerged in his heart, striking him profoundly. After all, he was one of the Upper Three Tao Species of the Dragon God Sacred Land, an idolized figure among countless Demon Cultivators.
No, it’s not that I lack talent, the Black Dragon Demon Saint consoled himself. It’s that Guangqiao possesses aptitude and talent rivaling the Heavenly Horned Ant. It seems my foster son is truly born to face this calamity.
BOOM!
A thunderous sound, resonating between heaven and earth, erupted from within the Ice Frost River. The next moment, a vast purple cloud spread across the sky, enveloping three thousand miles. Beneath the purple cloud, an Azure Lotus pierced through heaven and earth, flanked by the faint images of True Dragon Phantoms and accompanied by the divine manifestation of a phoenix.
Incredible visions appeared one after another.
"Th-th-this..." The Black Dragon Demon Saint blinked hard. This phenomenon... is this a breakthrough to Demon Saint rank?
But the Black Dragon Demon Saint was very clear about his foster son’s actual strength and cultivation realm, and for a moment, he was thrown into disarray. Is there really such a vast difference between demons?
Within the Ice Armor Python’s lair, Hong Yuan’s Ice Armor Python form continuously emitted sounds. With these sounds, his aura surged, and his cultivation steadily progressed towards the fifth stage.
A fourth-stage Martial Artist, with their physique stabilized and sufficient True Essence, could utilize signature techniques. A fifth-stage Martial Artist, with a fully developed physique, could refine these signature techniques into Sub-Divine Powers. Since abandoning the Tao Species cultivation method, the cultivation paths of Demons and Martial Artists had become quite similar. At this moment, Hong Yuan was breaking through to the fifth stage.
Unlike fourth-stage Demon Cultivators, fifth-stage Demon Cultivators possessed vast reserves of Demon Essence, allowing them to easily wield Sub-Divine Powers and even Divine Powers. With comparable aptitude, a single fifth-stage Demon Cultivator could defeat dozens of fourth-stage Demon Cultivators!
BANG.
A sharp crack echoed, and Hong Yuan, still slumbering, automatically broke through to the early fifth stage. Afterward, the various extraordinary phenomena gradually dissipated.
However, within Hong Yuan’s body, the Cold Wind Frozen Rain Demon Skill and the Frost Thunder Demon Skill automatically condensed, slowly transforming into Sub-Divine Powers. Subconsciously, Hong Yuan’s body exerted a powerful suction force, "devouring" the various peculiar phenomena!
A short while later, two Divine Skill Talismans, semi-illusory and semi-corporeal, formed within Hong Yuan’s body. Hong Yuan was truly insatiable. Even in his slumber, his instinct was to devour everything!
「Dream World.」
Ever since the news of "Han Jiuming’s" successful escape from the Ten Thousand Demon Holy Land spread, the Demon Saints of the Endless Sea Area were utterly astonished. Even the Five Major Divine Continents of the Human Race were dumbfounded. In recent years, Tianli’s fame had grown with his increasing power, gradually spreading far and wide. Especially after he defeated the Human Race’s seventh-tier Martial Saint—the Happy Deer Martial Saint—Tianli’s renown thoroughly shook the realm. Hong Yuan, on the other hand, had somewhat ridden Tianli’s coattails to achieve his own fame. Even in the mortal world, "Han Jiuming’s" reputation had spread far and wide.
In a certain shop, a few middle-aged women were engaged in animated chatter, exchanging knowing glances.
"Hey, have you heard about Han Jiuming of the Demon Clan?"
"I know, I know! That Han Jiuming showed incredible power and inflicted devastating losses on the immortals."
"..."
In a corner of the shop, a dust-covered bronze mirror lay still and lifeless. This Bronze Mirror was none other than the Great Moon Virtual Mirror!
Hong Yuan passively absorbed the external information, listening to the women’s conversation.
Ten years had now passed since that battle. Throughout these ten years, Hong Yuan had remained safely within the Bronze Mirror, resisting various malicious attempts at scrying while remaining perfectly still. Even though the Great Moon Virtual Mirror could completely shield him from cosmic detection, Hong Yuan never let his guard down and continued to bide his time.
So, Han Jiuming’s fame has spread because of that battle... I must continue to lie low, Hong Yuan sighed softly to himself. Then, he lowered his head and immersed himself in studying painting, formations, and other crafts.
Hiding within the Great Moon Virtual Mirror tested one’s patience immensely, much like being imprisoned. Fortunately, he could endure the solitude, treating this period as a time for secluded cultivation.
Within a mountain pavilion inside the mirror world, Hong Yuan was engrossed in painting, each stroke rendered with intense concentration. He was currently painting the Flood Gathering War Banner, and he vaguely sensed an inspiration on how to elevate it to the level of a Holy Artifact.
Outside the pavilion, Han Kui stood, a delicate figure in the wind, gazing affectionately at Hong Yuan. Will Jiuming grant my request? I also want to contribute and help ease his burdens, she wondered. Her eyebrows furrowed tightly, a worried expression clouding her exquisite face. The Qing Feng wind picked up, causing her white palace dress to flutter. And so, she stood outside the pavilion, watching Hong Yuan for a long, long time.
After Hong Yuan finished his painting, Han Kui mustered her courage and walked towards him.
This girl has finally come to see me. I wonder what she wants, Hong Yuan mused, sipping his tea while glancing out of the corner of his eye at Han Kui’s graceful approaching figure.
Inside the pavilion, Han Kui entered with light steps. Meeting Hong Yuan’s gaze, she instinctively retreated a few steps before bravely advancing again, looking directly into his eyes. As their eyes met, they could both perceive the unspoken feelings held within the other’s gaze.
The clear light in Han Kui’s eyes wavered like ripples on water, yet her gaze remained incredibly resolute.
Facing her directly, Hong Yuan subtly averted his gaze and tilted his head. "What is it? Are you tired?"
A flicker of disappointment crossed Han Kui’s eyes, but it vanished in an instant, replaced by determination. "Jiuming, I want to forge the Sky-connecting Tower and make it my Life Tao Seed."
Her clear, crisp words reached Hong Yuan’s ears. He raised his head and studied Han Kui. Her gaze remained as clear as spring water, firm and serene.
For an instant, Hong Yuan’s mind went adrift; he saw a resemblance to Jiang Nai in Han Kui.
Jiang Nai? Two similar flowers? he wondered.
After a brief pause, Hong Yuan nodded affirmatively. "Forging the Sky-connecting Tower as your Life Tao Seed... that’s good. It will give you something to focus on."
"Thank you, Jiuming!" Han Kui’s eyes instantly lit up, her radiant smile captivating and incredibly beautiful.
