Longevity Martial Arts: I have a Mysterious Water Snake Avatar-Chapter 256 - 246: The Display of Power by the Flood Gathering War Banner Sub-banner and the Terror of Amassing the Strength of the Masses
A glimmer of dawn broke through the dark night sky, illuminating the Ice Frost River.
The biting Cold Wind swept past, yet it only caused Hong Yuan’s elegant figure to flutter, making him appear like a banished immortal.
For a moment, gazing at Hong Yuan’s figure, Huan Shuangmeng of the Illusion Heart Fox found herself somewhat smitten, her charming fox eyes rippling with emotion.
Huan Shuangmeng bit her lower lip, her gaze struggling to tear away from Hong Yuan. Heaven truly favors Xuan Guangqiao, as if wanting to bestow all the world’s beauty upon him.
Indeed, after emerging from the dream realm, those thousands of dream years had endowed Hong Yuan with an aura of profound antiquity. Combined with his already striking features, this transcendent aura truly gave him the bearing of a Heavenly Talent. A mere glance at his appearance revealed his extraordinary nature.
At this moment, Hong Yuan was refining the Sub-banners of the Flood Gathering War Banner.
Positioned high above the Ice Frost River, Hong Yuan utilized the prevailing Cold Wind, casually tossing out various materials. Under the Cold Wind’s influence, these materials gathered around the Flood Gathering War Banner, spontaneously linking together and entering the cluster of blue, fiery light it emitted.
Every seven and a half minutes, ten Sub-banners would emerge from this mass of blue, fiery light. Hong Yuan would then toss them to logistics personnel, such as Huan Shuangmeng, for distribution to each small squad in their corps.
And the refining technique Hong Yuan employed was the Natural Worm Refining Skill!
The art of Worm Refining was broad and profound. Beyond the man-made worm refining skill, there also existed the Natural Worm Refining Skill. The benefits of the Natural Worm Refining Skill far surpassed those of man-made methods. It wasn’t just the success rate; its more potent effects alone were enough to captivate anyone.
As a Refining Tao Master possessing Refining Tao Marks, Hong Yuan had no difficulty forging the Sub-banners of the Flood Gathering War Banner using Refining Tao techniques. The primary concern for Hong Yuan was generally the quantity of materials available.
The Ninety-Nine Huangqu Array has been successfully inscribed. Once the Sub-banners are refined, my battle preparations will be nearly complete.
At that point, I can use the connection between the main banner and Sub-banners to fully utilize the flesh and blood essence of Demon Beasts, significantly enhancing my own aptitude and Life Span.
The Great Moon Virtual Mirror Tao Species... no need to rush. Many materials are still missing. I’ll use the Ten Thousand Domains contest to gather all the necessary materials for its refinement, and then I’ll refine it to be my Life Tao Seed.
Hong Yuan’s thoughts churned, but his expression remained impassive.
As time went on, successive groups of Taoists from the Black Dragon Palace arrived at the Ice Frost River, received their Sub-banners of the Flood Gathering War Banner, and departed.
Due to Hong Yuan’s long absence, rumors had begun to circulate throughout the Zero Desolate Sea Area. A few overconfident Taoist Zhenyi from the Black Dragon Palace even schemed to replace Hong Yuan and become the Monarch of the Zero Desolate Army.
The moment Hong Yuan reappeared, the turbulent undercurrents within the Black Dragon Palace instantly vanished, as if sinking to the seabed!
"This Xuan Guangqiao is growing ever stronger," the Mysterious Water Snake thought, clenching his teeth, his eyes filled with resentment. During the years of Hong Yuan’s absence, he had thoroughly savored the taste of power. However, the moment Hong Yuan reappeared, all of it was stripped away. Ultimately, the Mysterious Water Snake could only bow his head deeply, expressing his submission to Hong Yuan.
「Three days later.」
A gilt-edged letter arrived in Hong Yuan’s hands.
[Heavenly Scenery War Letter... The loser must recognize the winner as Alliance Hierarch and serve for three years... Red Luck Sea Area, Li Jianqiu.]
Reading the letter’s contents, Hong Yuan arched an eyebrow, his crimson pupils narrowing slightly.
Hong Yuan felt rather indifferent upon receiving this challenge; he wasn’t particularly interested. The outcome was already predetermined: he was bound to win. If he gained Li Jianqiu’s assistance in the Ten Thousand Domains contest, he would possess an overwhelming advantage.
The issue was that he didn’t need an overwhelming victory. He desired a fierce battle, ideally one that would create a massive meat grinder. That way, he could use the main banner and Sub-banners of the Flood Gathering War Banner to devour more flesh and blood essence. This would maximize his benefits and significantly elevate the Life Span and aptitude of his Original Body.
Li Jianqiu? Just a defeated opponent. Hong Yuan sighed softly. "I really don’t want to accept. Alas, I’m not yet strong enough; I still have to abide by the rules."
Once Hong Yuan accepted Li Jianqiu’s challenge, the Zero Desolate Sea Area suddenly buzzed with activity. Wave after wave of unfamiliar Demon Cultivators entered the Zero Desolate Sea Area, causing some disruption to its public order.
Consequently, the Sub-banners of the Flood Gathering War Banner demonstrated their might by devouring the flesh and blood essence of many Demon Beasts. This allowed Hong Yuan to enjoy an increase in his Life Span even while merely sitting in his Immortal Estate.
One day, a Cloud Soaring Flying Boat descended from the sky.
A group of Dragon God Sacred Land disciples arrived at the Zero Desolate Sea Area. They carried swords on their left and wore precious jade on their right, appearing as brilliant as celestial beings.
"This is the sea area where Elder Xuan Qi resides? The Essence Qi is so thin here. Why would he choose to settle in this place..." a glamorous cat demon remarked with disdain, standing upon the Cloud Soaring Flying Boat, reluctant to disembark.
"Indeed. It’s truly unbelievable that such a desolate place could produce Elder Xuan Qi and that Xuan Guangqiao," a python demon added, shaking his head in bewilderment.
The other disciples from the Dragon God Sacred Land were equally perplexed, Ji Qingxue included.
Typically, any sea area capable of producing a Heavenly Talent of Tao Species Level would invariably be a place where exceptional individuals and Earth Spirits congregated. Such locations would boast dense Essence Qi, as if gathering the very essence of heaven and earth. Yet, this Zero Desolate Sea Area seemed far too desolate. Neither a proper island nor a true sea.
"Enough pondering! Let’s hurry to Xuan Guangqiao’s residence and teach him a good lesson!" the Lightning Python, Reno, bellowed. To him, Li Jianqiu was a goddess, a senior worthy of his lifelong devotion. A fellow like Xuan Guangqiao should just obediently submit!
"Xuan Guangqiao is ranked twenty-fifth on the Heavenly Scenery List and is incredibly powerful. Rushing over like this could be problematic..."
"Yes, perhaps we should wait for Senior Sister Jianqiu to accompany us?"
The other disciples hesitated, shuffling their feet.
"Hmph, a bunch of cowards! Anyone with guts, follow me!" Reno declared, waving his arm grandly.
With that, two purple lightning wings sprouted from Reno’s back, and he shot directly towards the Ice Frost River. Spurred on by his challenge, many young, hot-blooded male Demon Cultivators soared into the sky, following closely behind him.
Ji Qingxue sneered internally. Heh, fools. Xuan Guangqiao isn’t someone just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can meet. She held these disciples in utter contempt.
Watching the group of Dragon God Sacred Land disciples fly off, the accompanying elder, Star Mountain Demon Saint, merely glanced at them before dismissing them from his thoughts.
Ah, youthful arrogance. Such a wonderful time, youth.
BOOM! RUMBLE!
The Zero Desolate Army launched an attack against the Dragon God Sacred Land disciples. Waves of blood-colored light pulsed forth, accompanied by powerful peals of thunder. If they wanted to enter the core area of the Zero Desolate Sea Area, they first had to get past the Zero Desolate Army.
"Stop them! Don’t let a single one escape!" Winter Sword, the Winter Roaring Lion, snorted coldly.
Not everyone possessed near-Saint level combat power. Faced with the Zero Desolate Army’s assault, the Dragon God Sacred Land disciples were unanimously halted at the periphery. Even the most exceptional among them were intercepted by the Black Dragon Warrior legions.
"Damn it! How can such a small sea area possess such formidable strength!?" Reno’s face was etched with shock as he fled in a sorry state.
Who were they? They were disciples of the Dragon God Sacred Land! Outside, each of them was a preeminent figure among the Demon Clan, capable of dominating an entire region single-handedly! Yet now, they were being suppressed by a mob of common soldiers, unable even to catch a glimpse of Xuan Guangqiao. How utterly absurd!
Gradually, Reno noticed something peculiar. Each squad leader wielded a small blue banner, which seemed to consolidate the scattered strength of their units, ensuring no power was wasted.
These banners were, in fact, the Sub-banners of the Flood Gathering War Banner.
