Longevity Martial Arts: I have a Mysterious Water Snake Avatar

The endless sea teemed with a well-organized group of Demon Cultivators heading straight for the Lion Tiger Shark Island Archipelago.

Compared to their previous chaos and ferocity, the Demon Cultivator army had become more orderly and silent, yet possessed an even graver, more murderous aura.

This fellow has some real skill. I wonder if he's willing to share his Wisdom Tao Demon Skills. Hong Yuan thought, observing Turtle Prime Minister Gui Qu more closely and silently memorizing his method of troop deployment.

The way Demon Cultivators arranged their formations differed from Martial Artists; chaotic arrangements could lead to severe problems. Thus, Hong Yuan had generally allowed the proud and fierce warriors following him on this expedition to act as they saw fit.

However, under the command of the great Wisdom Tao Demon, Gui Qu, this motley crew now bore the semblance of a disciplined regiment, a truly startling transformation.

"Hold the Zhen position steady, maintain formation!" Gui Qu bellowed, enforcing military discipline.

His commanding presence drew several sharp glances from Hei Jiang and Bai Ge, who were also fourth-tier cultivators, their expressions tinged with resentment.

Ever since Gui Qu's arrival, Demon Beast Hong Yuan had conspicuously refrained from consulting them on any significant matters.

The implication that they were being pushed out of the core circle of power was deeply irritating to them.

Damn Gui Qu, flaunting his status as a Wisdom Tao Demon Cultivator and acting so arrogantly. Just wait, I'll strip that shell right off your back! Black Dragon Carp Hei Jiang fumed internally.

Wisdom Tao Demon Cultivators are indeed as formidable as their reputation suggests. It seems I must continue to endure. White Seagull Bai Ge counseled himself.

Due to his identity as a Wisdom Tao Demon Cultivator, everyone, Hong Yuan included, instinctively held Gui Qu in higher esteem.

Amidst their various hidden schemes, the contingent arrived at the Lion Tiger Shark Island Archipelago, entering the vast island chain.

Hong Yuan gazed at the distant islands, a strange mixture of ice and fire, and took a deep breath. Before he could ponder further, a sea breeze carrying complex scents washed over his face.

The wind was alternately scorching and chilling, at times even feeling sharp.

It was exceedingly strange!

"The fire of the Flame Tiger, the ice of the Winter Roaring Lion, and the steel of the Golden Tiger Shark, which demons tend to subconsciously overlook!"

"These three dominant clans are the Demon Clans that control this super-archipelago, engaging in constant strife and forming shifting alliances..." Gui Qu explained, giving Hong Yuan a general overview of the situation.

Hong Yuan nodded slightly, his own thoughts already in motion.

He always kept a mental ledger.

At the last 'Transformation Party,' both the Flame Tiger Clan and the Winter Roaring Lion Clan had shown him considerable respect and offered substantial benefits. The Golden Tiger Shark Group, however, had been a great disappointment to Hong Yuan.

Even before their arrival, Hong Yuan had begun to formulate a strategy to resolve the immense conflict between the Flame Tiger and Winter Roaring Lion factions. Now, that strategy crystallized.

The plan was to drag the Golden Tiger Shark Group into the conflict, sacrifice them, and create a three-way chaotic battle!

BOOM! BOOM!

Sudden, earth-shattering rumbles erupted from the black-and-white islands ahead. The shockwaves alone churned the sea into colossal waves, a hundred zhang high.

The surrounding Heaven and Earth Essence Qi was thrown into turmoil, rendering it unabsorbable. It would take at least several hours for calm to be restored.

"Ice Tao, Fire Tao."

Sensing the intense elemental Essence Qi, Hong Yuan instantly understood: the Flame Tiger and Winter Roaring Lion forces were battling fiercely once more.

Judging by the chaotic Essence Qi, the battle was exceptionally intense, comparable to a minor skirmish in a full-scale maritime defensive war.

The great demons Hei Jiang and Bai Ge exchanged a look but kept their forces stationary, waiting for Gui Qu to propose a course of action to Hong Yuan.

They intended to seize the initiative the moment Gui Qu erred, pursuing their own agendas under the pretext of completing the mission.

The Black Dragon Demon Saint didn't mind his subordinates seeking personal gain, but he was extremely particular about them accomplishing his tasks. If the mission was completed, all was well; if not, well…

「Meanwhile, on the seabed of the battlefield.」

The Demon Cultivators of the Golden Tiger Shark faction, witnessing Demon Beast Hong Yuan leading his legion towards them, instinctively circulated their demonic power, preparing for confrontation.

"Master, that commander in white armor, who's all show and no substance, is Xuan Guangqiao," Jin Yu of the Golden Tiger Shark clan reported.

He, along with a few other Demon Cultivators from the Golden Tiger Shark faction, had attended the last 'Transformation Party,' so he recognized Demon Beast Hong Yuan.

"I know," Jin Qiang said, nodding slightly as he observed Hong Yuan from afar.

"Xuan Guangqiao's Original Body is an Ice Tao Variant Seed, an Ice Armor Python; he is exceptionally talented and powerful. His arrival likely means he'll favor the Winter Roaring Lions, who are also Ice Tao Demon Beasts. What should we do?" Jin Yu asked worriedly.

Jin Qiang craned his neck, deep in thought.

To be honest, Xuan Guangqiao's arrival was unexpected.

Based on his original prediction, the Black Dragon Demon Saint had long procrastinated in dealing with the affairs of the Flame Tiger Clan and the Winter Roaring Lion Clan. Consequently, no great demons from the Black Dragon Palace should have been assigned to handle the situation.

Even if someone were to be assigned, it shouldn't have been a greenhorn like Xuan Guangqiao.

Unless… this was a test for Xuan Guangqiao, using this matter to temper him.

Jin Qiang's mind raced, recalling crucial events within the Zero Desolate Sea Area, important matters concerning the Black Dragon Demon Saint…

A flash of insight struck Jin Qiang, and his gaze towards Demon Beast Hong Yuan turned envious.

"The Heart-questioning Realm assessment!" Jin Qiang bit out each word.

"Heart-questioning Realm assessment? Master, why do you bring up the Dragon God Sacred Land's Heart-questioning Realm assessment?" Jin Yu asked, puzzled.

While the Golden Tiger Shark Clan's Demon Cultivators were deliberating, Hong Yuan had already led his subordinates plunging into the battlefield.

As soon as they entered the periphery of this island of intermingled black and white, Hong Yuan's brow furrowed slightly.

The sky was dim, the earth parched.

Magma and frost interwove across mountain peaks, forests, and riverbeds. Severed limbs from the original bodies of various Demon Cultivators were strewn everywhere.

What an incredibly brutal scene!

"Gui Qu, proceed as you see fit," Hong Yuan said solemnly.

If he went all out, Hong Yuan was confident he could quell this conflict, freezing both the Flame Tigers and Winter Roaring Lions solid.

But would he deliberately display his prowess just for the empty glory of defeating an opponent beyond his cultivation level?

"Yes, Taoist Zhenyi," Gui Qu replied eagerly.

Although he was a rare Wisdom Tao Demon Cultivator, he had never commanded such a well-equipped force.

Nine fourth-tier Demon Cultivators, dozens of third-tier, and hundreds of second-tier…

"Generals, heed my command! Follow the movements of my Array Flag!" Gui Qu shouted.

As Gui Qu cast down the Array Flag, the legion of Demon Cultivators unleashed their power in unison.

Wind Tao, the Art of the Hurricane!

Boundless wind power converged above the legion, coalescing into a colossal tornado. Beside it, Gui Qu looked like an ant trying to lift a rice bowl.

Cloud Tao, the Art of Dark Clouds!

Pitch-black, profound Demon Clouds merged into the tornado, instantly triggering a qualitative change. The entire gigantic vortex turned an abyssal black.

Ice Tao, the Art of Ice Sealing!

The mighty tornado exploded with a deafening roar, transforming into a deluge of icy water. Each droplet seemed like a shard of eternal ice marrow, chilling to the bone.

Wisdom Tao Demon Skill—Wind Cloud Ice Dragon!

Rivers of ice surged, and immense waves swept downwards, cascading from the mountain peaks into the forests and valleys below.

The harsh, unyielding cold froze everything in its path. The island became a stark white expanse, and countless Demon Cultivators squinted against the biting chill.

One after another, the battling Demon Cultivators were encased in ice.

After executing this move, Gui Qu let out a roar of satisfaction, then immediately began gasping for breath, collapsing into an extremely weakened state, resembling a dead turtle.

"I didn't expect other Demon Cultivators to also possess such devastating moves—no, I should call them Demon Skills," Hong Yuan muttered to himself, glancing at Gui Qu.

By exerting his full strength, Hong Yuan could also achieve this, perhaps even surpassing Gui Qu.

But that was due to his unique opportunities; his abilities weren't easily replicable. Gui Qu's technique, however, clearly was, and Hong Yuan felt a flicker of interest.

Witnessing Gui Qu's display, the many Demon Cultivators from the Golden Tiger Shark Clan fell silent, their faces etched with solemn respect.

This was already within the realm of a fifth-tier great demon!!!

「A quarter of an hour later.」

The Demon Cultivators from the Flame Tiger Clan and the Winter Roaring Lion Clan were released and stood separated on two sides. Hong Yuan initiated the mediation process, acting as a junior adjudicator to decide the ownership of the island beneath their feet.

However, both sides vehemently argued their case, each insisting they were in the right, leaving Hong Yuan increasingly frustrated.

Although he already had a method in mind to resolve the dispute, it wasn't as if he couldn't change his approach.

"Evidence! I want to see evidence!!!" Hong Yuan roared.

Winter Sword and Yan Dao, the two fourth-tier great demons, were startled by Hong Yuan's shout and flinched back in fear.