Longevity Martial Arts: I have a Mysterious Water Snake Avatar-Chapter 576 - 428

"Xuan Qi and Wan Xuerou are to become Dao companions..."

"Heh, it seems the Mysterious Water Snake Clan is truly flourishing."

"Indeed. After all, the Heavenly Messenger Xuan Guangqiao hails from their clan, and even the descendants of the Great Moon Saint acknowledge the Mysterious Water Snake Clan’s bloodline."

"For every clan that prospers, there will naturally be others that decline."

Where lies the future for my Nine Poison Octopus Clan?

「Nine Poison Sea Area.」

Inside the resplendent golden palace, the Poison Chapter Demon Saint, seated high upon his throne, gazed down solemnly at the gold-embossed invitation in his hands.

At this moment, the Poison Chapter Demon Saint, his hair entirely white and his skin dry and withered, possessed none of the powerful, vigorous aura of his prime. This was because his heart was failing, and he was clinging to his last breath.

No one could have imagined that Zhang Fan, the Heavenly Talent he had painstakingly nurtured, would perish during the Saint Achievement Immortal Transcending Tribulation!

"Where, indeed, lies the future for our clan?" the Poison Chapter Demon Saint sighed heavily, his face etched with worry.

Once, the Poison Chapter Demon Saint had believed that the Nine Poison Octopus Clan would achieve prosperity and reach a new zenith under Zhang Fan’s guidance. Zhang Fan had, after all, followed Xuan Guangqiao and achieved supreme glory in the War of Ten Thousand Domains, thoroughly making a name for himself. They shared a sovereign-minister relationship. As long as Zhang Fan committed no grave errors in principle, the Nine Poison Octopus Clan’s fortunes were bound to improve.

Unfortunately, all these bright prospects had dissolved into illusory bubbles after Zhang Fan’s unexpected demise during the Saint Achievement Immortal Transcending Tribulation.

The combined tragedies of having no successor and the anguish of an elder outliving the young had utterly drained the Poison Chapter Demon Saint, leaving him profoundly weary.

He was very old now, very old indeed.

「August 15th.」

It was the night of the full moon.

High in the celestial vault, a full moon hung suspended, its cool, clear light piercing the cloud layer and spilling onto the land below. Bathed in moonlight, the Dragon God Sacred Land, already appearing as if situated in the dark expanse of the cosmos, looked even more dazzling and brilliant.

On this day, the Great Moon Star, home to the descendants of the Great Moon Saint Han Jiuming’s bloodline, was exceptionally lively.

Great Divine Power wielders arrived one after another. Some came by boat, others streaked through the sky like rainbows, as if attending a celestial gathering. The gifts they brought were also quite extraordinary.

"Divine General Feng Yan from the Ten Thousand Demon Holy Land arrives to offer congratulations! The gift: a pair of top-grade jade ruyi!"

"From the Dragon God Sacred Land, Cold Rain Great Saint comes to offer congratulations! The gift: a Control Token for the Bright Rain Sea Area!"

"From the Dragon God Sacred Land, Flame Sparrow Great Saint comes to offer congratulations! The gift: a Fire-Attribute Heritage Divine Power Jade Simple!"

...

The announcing lesser demon shouted out the names at the top of its lungs, its voice growing hoarse and its face flushed with excitement.

On this grand occasion of Xuan Qi and Wan Xuerou’s wedding, numerous powerful Saints from the Demon Clan had personally come to offer their congratulations. There were even formidable Demon champions of the Great Saint Level present.

This was a true eye-opener for the disciples within the Dragon God Sacred Land, who couldn’t help but exclaim in amazement. When had they ever witnessed such a scene? This was simply too grand a spectacle.

Clearly, the Black Dragon Demon Saint Xuan Qi was merely a somewhat prominent Saint. Wan Xuerou was also just from a branch family of the Great Moon Saint’s bloodline, not even a direct descendant!

Therefore, there was only one explanation: they were basking in Xuan Guangqiao’s reflected glory!

HISS! Is this the protection afforded by a Heavenly Messenger’s status? Truly, when one person achieves the Way, even their chickens and dogs ascend to heaven! a tall, martial young man mused from a hidden corner. He was none other than the Purple Fate Demon Saint from the inner court of the Dragon God Sacred Land.

"Heavenly Messenger?" The Thunder Eagle Demon Saint’s expression was complex. "No, it’s because Xuan Guangqiao is too powerful; his brilliance is too blinding." He had once personally witnessed Xuan Guangqiao single-handedly withstand a Holy Artifact in the War of Ten Thousand Domains.

"Yes, there are differences among Heavenly Messengers. Xuan Guangqiao is undoubtedly the most powerful among them, in a league entirely his own!" the Time Worm Demon Saint said with a hint of remorse.

The Time Worm Demon Saint had once thought Xuan Guangqiao wouldn’t amount to much, so he had disdainfully rejected Xuan Guangqiao’s attempt to obtain the Time Light Divine Water from him.

"Alas, who would have thought that such a minor clan as the Mysterious Water Snake would produce a ’True Dragon’? That fellow Xuan Qi is truly fortunate!" So remarked one of the other Demon Saints who had little interaction with Xuan Guangqiao, his tone tinged with envy at the Black Dragon Demon Saint Xuan Qi’s soaring status.

Without Xuan Guangqiao, what would this Black Dragon Demon Saint amount to? They wouldn’t have given such a Demon Saint a second glance! But now, they had no choice but to hold the Black Dragon Demon Saint in high esteem.

Thinking of the younger generations within their own clans, these Demon Saints couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

The gap between one Demon and another was truly vaster than the distance between Heaven and Earth!

As time went on, the banquet’s atmosphere grew increasingly festive.

Guest after guest craned their necks toward the main entrance, anticipating the arrival of the Heavenly Messenger Xuan Guangqiao.

Yet, Xuan Guangqiao was still nowhere to be seen.

「In the chambers behind the palace.」

Wan Xuerou was splendidly dressed, breathtakingly beautiful.

At this moment, Wan Xuerou’s heart leaped into her throat as Xuan Guangqiao still hadn’t appeared. She had, after all, boasted to her sisters, close friends, and relatives, "Xuan Guangqiao will definitely come to the banquet!"

"Qi, will Guangqiao really come?" Wan Xuerou asked, her heart pounding with anxiety. Her delicate brows furrowed with worry.

Wearing a grand red robe, the Black Dragon Demon Saint Xuan Qi smiled calmly. He pulled Wan Xuerou into his arms, his expression serene. "You can doubt anyone," he said, "but you cannot doubt Guangqiao."