Longevity Martial Arts: I have a Mysterious Water Snake Avatar

[Shock Frost Thorn: Condenses several ice ridges in front of the body and bombards the opponent]

Hong Yuan slowly opened his serpentine eyes and began to glide through the ice cave. He then shattered the ice layer at the cave entrance and headed outside. He wanted to test the power of [Shock Frost Thorn].

SIZZLE...

Wherever Hong Yuan swam, the Shui Lang were condensed by the chilling aura overflowing from his serpent body, forming irregular small icicles and ice fragments. Hong Yuan's Ice Armor Python transformation had become even more complete!

As Hong Yuan ventured out, the aquatic Demon Beasts in the shallow area all tacitly avoided his path. He was, after all, the overlord of these shallow waters. They were all unranked aquatic Demon Beasts, First-Order at most, and they dared not look at Hong Yuan more than a few times.

Soon, Hong Yuan stopped at the bottom of a muddy river filled with Goldfish Algae, its surface silt cracked and fissured. He slightly shook his tail, suspending himself in the water, a chilling aura spontaneously emanating from his body. Recalling the way the other Ice Armor Python had used [Shock Frost Thorn], Hong Yuan also tilted his head back.

[Shock Frost Thorn]!

As soon as he activated this Innate Ability, Hong Yuan felt a significant warm current flowing in his belly, which then migrated toward his upper body. At the same time, a strong cold current began to form in front of Hong Yuan, quickly solidifying into five large ice ridges. With a mental command from Hong Yuan, the five large ice ridges shot forward like cannonballs.

BOOM!

A huge, deep pit was instantly blasted into the muddy riverbed. River silt surged, churning the Shui Lang and obscuring his vision. Once the water cleared, the surface of the massive pit had already frozen solid.

[Shock Frost Thorn] is indeed a secret technique perfectly suited to the Ice Armor Python species. Although its single-target attack isn't as powerful as [Crazy Plants], this is a multi-target attack. Its cumulative power is definitely far superior to [Crazy Plants], making it one of my trump cards, Hong Yuan thought with satisfaction, though a hint of discontent lingered. However, I remember the other Ice Armor Python condensed dozens of massive ice ridges. I've only managed five, and they're much smaller...

Hong Yuan understood why. Firstly, he wasn't yet a true Ice Armor Python. Secondly, his Mysterious Water Snake Avatar was only mid-Second-Order.

Closing his eyes, Hong Yuan assessed the drain on his Demon Essence and stamina from this single attack.

Five times, he concluded. With my current form and strength, I can only activate [Shock Frost Thorn] a maximum of five times within a two-hour period.

His assessment complete, Hong Yuan headed towards the boundary of the deep-water region. He was ready to unleash his power against the Demon Beasts there and dominate the area. Anyone daring to resist would face a [Shock Frost Thorn]!

SWOOSH!

As Hong Yuan moved, river water and chunks of ice swirled around him.

…

The closer he got to the deep-water region, the greater the resistance Hong Yuan felt while swimming. Not only that, but Hong Yuan also noticed that the rate at which his Ice Armor Python transformation points increased was significantly faster near the deep-water region.

For some reason, many First-Order and Second-Order Demon Beasts have appeared near the edge of the deep-water region recently, Hong Yuan mused. These Demon Beasts would cross over from the deeps and swim into the shallow area, meaning he didn't even have to actively hunt.

Arriving at the edge of the deep-water region, Hong Yuan quickly found a target: a gigantic black carp, excessively bulky and nearly half the length of his own body. Considering his Mysterious Water Snake body was now over seven meters long! At that moment, the nearly four-meter-long black carp opened its maw, full of sharp teeth, and began gnawing on a large prawn, warily observing its surroundings.

Definitely a Second-Order Demon Beast! A fierce light flashed in Hong Yuan's serpentine eyes as he stealthily flicked out his forked tongue. Second-Order Demon Beasts seldom strayed into the shallow region; this was precisely why Hong Yuan had so despised that Iron Armored Saw Crocodile. To Hong Yuan, this large black carp was undoubtedly a prize catch!

[Frost Armor].

Hong Yuan activated [Frost Armor], concealing his aura and minimizing his presence. He closed the distance slowly, careful not to get too close, meticulously calculating the effective killing range of [Shock Frost Thorn]. Upon entering the effective killing range, Hong Yuan didn't attack immediately. Instead, he held back, waiting for the perfect opportunity.

When the large black carp had devoured the prawn, leaving not a scrap, its tail wiggled as if savoring the delicious taste.

[Shock Frost Thorn]!

The moment was ripe. Hong Yuan, like a master chef seizing the perfect moment, struck decisively. Powerful cold currents began to form around Hong Yuan's head, coalescing into five large ice ridges. With a single thought, the five large ice ridges shot forward like cannonballs. Water splashed violently, the commotion immense, sending countless aquatic Demon Beasts scurrying away in panic.

The large black carp, still savoring its meal, shuddered and hurriedly activated its Innate Ability. Its body became even slicker, its tail flicking rapidly as it tried to shoot upwards.

But it was too late!

Hong Yuan, his mind as sharp and cold as an icy peak, had anticipated this. Otherwise, he wouldn't have waited for the perfect moment to strike. The five large ice ridges hurtled forward, converging on the large black carp. While the large black carp managed to narrowly avoid the first and second ice ridges using its Innate Ability, it couldn't evade the third, fourth, and fifth.

SIZZLE! SIZZLE! SIZZLE! The canonical source for this content: M|V|L2EMPYR.

The large black carp, pierced by three ice ridges, was utterly powerless. It died on the spot, its body instantly frozen solid, like an ice sculpture.

Easy, far too easy, Hong Yuan marveled inwardly at the power of [Shock Frost Thorn]. Although this large black carp wasn't as formidable as the Iron Armored Saw Crocodile, its speed was far superior. It wouldn't have been any less difficult to handle through other means. Dealing with this large black carp normally would have required much more time and effort. But against the [Shock Frost Thorn] Innate Ability, it was utterly powerless!

TSK TSK, so I'm already this powerful? Terrifying indeed, Hong Yuan chuckled to himself.

Afterward, Hong Yuan swam forward, wrapped his tail around the frozen black carp, and headed toward his cave. I need to savor this delicacy properly, he thought. Can't end up like that black carp, becoming prey for other Demon Beasts.

However, just as Hong Yuan started forward, he heard two loud WHOOSHING sounds from the Shui Lang breaking behind him. The sound was very familiar; it was the noise Iron Armored Saw Crocodiles made when surging through the Shui Lang. Sure enough, when Hong Yuan looked up, he saw two slender Iron Armored Saw Crocodiles charging toward him. They burst through the Shui Lang, bearing down on him with ferocity.

As he fled from the edge of the deep-water region, Hong Yuan's mind raced, yet he remained calm. More Second-Order Demon Beasts, and two Iron Armored Saw Crocodiles at that. It seems there's an Iron Armored Saw Crocodile Clan in the deep-water region. Could it be connected to an ocean? But something significant must have happened in the deeps. Otherwise, these Second-Order Demon Beasts wouldn't venture into the shallows.

Carrying the large black carp, Hong Yuan's speed was more than halved, allowing the two bulky Iron Armored Saw Crocodiles to close the distance steadily. But this was intentional. If I don't lure these two Iron Armored Saw Crocodiles further from the deep-water region before killing them, I risk other Demon Beasts launching a sneak attack during the fight.

They were getting closer. The two Iron Armored Saw Crocodiles exchanged a glance, both revealing fierce, sinister grins. They chattered at each other for a moment. Having reached a consensus, they both fixed their cruel gazes on Hong Yuan's massive serpentine head. A smile also touched the corners of Hong Yuan's mouth. Because this was the shallow-water region—his turf!

"ROAR!"

"ROAR!"

One Iron Armored Saw Crocodile activated its Innate Ability, its armor glowing with a faint blue light as it roared and charged. The other Iron Armored Saw Crocodile remained stationary on the Shui Lang, gathering power for a ranged attack.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Hong Yuan unleashed five large ice ridges, which impaled the first Iron Armored Saw Crocodile, piercing its prized armor under its incredulous gaze. Another five large ice ridges pierced the head of the second Iron Armored Saw Crocodile, still gathering power.

Gazing at the two dead Iron Armored Saw Crocodiles, frozen solid, a scornful smile touched Hong Yuan's lips. Did you think I was still that ordinary Mysterious Water Snake who had to fight your kind to the death for a slim chance of survival? Heh, Hong Yuan scoffed.

「An hour later, in the Mysterious Water Snake's cave.」

Hong Yuan gazed at the status panel for his Mysterious Water Snake form, his heart filled with immense joy.

[Life Span: 16/290 → 16/295]

[Talent: 32 → 34]

[Avatar: Mysterious Water Snake (Ice Armor Python 3,033/10,000)]

[Level: Second-Order Mid-Rank → Second-Order High-Rank]

Both the Life Span and Talent of his human form had improved again. The level of his Mysterious Water Snake Avatar had also progressed from Second-Order Mid-Rank to Second-Order High-Rank—truly a cause for celebration.

Gazing at the traces left by the Iron Armored Saw Crocodiles on the ice, Hong Yuan recalled the changes at the edge of the deep-water region.

Something significant has definitely happened in the deep-water region. When I get back, I'll exchange all my Energy Stones for the ingredients for the medicinal formula and quickly refine the Innate Ability from the Myriad Silence Origin Skill.

I'm still not cautious enough; I haven't even prepared to go ashore!

A crafty rabbit has three burrows. I can't just remain cooped up in the shallow-water region.