Chapter 490: The Winner's Reward

Chapter 490: The Winner's Reward

Facing numerous black-robed figures, the nine-headed water demons instinctively transformed into their massive true forms, each with a hideous and distinct appearance, but all sharing the same apprehension.

Such an action was definitely not in compliance with the Seven Dragon Progeny's order to conceal their presence.

After all, they were only facing a Reversion to Void Cultivator, and there was no need to put on such a show.

"..."

Earlier, through the observation of the sword array from a distance, Su Hongxiu's vision wasn't as clear.

But now, standing here, she suddenly realized that Shen Yi's cultivation was only at the Eighth Layer of Return to Void.

He had just killed that Crimson-Eyed Phoenix across four layers of cultivation.

She glanced sideways.

In the empty ocean, the nine-headed water demons were all on guard, staring at the void as if they saw something extraordinary.

Heavenly Derivation Nine-Nine?

As a Heavenly Sword Sect Daoist, Su Hongxiu had heard a little about this spirit art.

But to simultaneously envelop nine demons with far superior cultivation within this spirit art, not only would it consume a significant amount of energy, but it also required an extremely high level of mastery in the Heavenly Derivation Nine-Nine itself.

Just from this display, one could deduce Shen Yi's profound understanding of this art.

His mastery of this technique likely surpassed the Great Accomplishment realm and was very close to the Perfection realm.

Was this the existence that carried the entire Southern Yang treasure land's fortune?

After ten million years, he finally managed to break through the protective array with a human cultivator.

His appearance was likely a manifestation of the Southern Yang treasure land's residual will, or perhaps it was the work of a Dao Unification Realm colossus? This was the only explanation Su Hongxiu could think of.

Roar!

In an instant, the roar of the Azure Dragon Shattering Star Spear echoed through the sky once more!

In this battle involving the White Jade Capital, it was the confrontation between Return to Void Cultivators that created the most formidable scene.

Facing nine opponents alone, not only did he show no fear, but he also took the initiative to launch an attack.

In the desolate blue sky, a massive dragon head emerged from the clouds, indifferently overlooking the mortal realm, its whiskers and claws solid, with strands of purple intent dancing on its azure scales.

This was Shen Yi's first time using Primordial Purple Qi to enhance his physical body and other cultivation techniques.

The next moment, an azure dragon shadow howled and swept out.

At a speed beyond the naked eye, it enveloped a massive water demon.

Its outstretched claws merged with the spear's edge.

Pfft!

A black-robed figure traversed the sky, and as the azure dragon shadow dissipated, Shen Yi appeared behind the water demon. The entire spear was stained red with blood, and the enormous demon's shoulder had a new bloodline, its upper body slanting and collapsing, separating from its lower half submerged in the water.

Boom!

A hundred-zhang-high wave rose.

The remaining eight water demons finally broke free from the Heavenly Derivation Nine-Nine.

Stimulated by the pungent scent of blood, they opened their eyes to see a figure with a sideways glance and the lifeless body of the water demon general behind him.

Clang! Shen Yi slightly flipped his palm, and the dragon spear in his hand trembled, blood splattering as it once again emanated a chilling light.

His gaze swept across these fierce demons one by one.

But not a single one dared to meet his purple-golden eyes, all of them breathing heavily as they remained in their places.

Even when they were hidden underwater, despite the pitiful cries of the Crimson-Eyed Phoenix, the pressure they felt from these black-robed figures was even greater.

In a confrontation, the most dreaded thing is not understanding your opponent.

Not comprehending how they achieved such feats.

Without understanding, there was no way to counter, and the fear in their hearts would only intensify with contemplation.

"You?" Shen Yi casually pointed at one of them, slowly raising the tip of his spear.

The catfish demon he pointed at instinctively tried to avoid it, but finding the spear tip following his movements, he growled, "I'll deal with you later!"

Damn it, he's picking his targets?

This is an encirclement! Not a game! Who would want to fight him one-on-one?

"Then you." Shen Yi turned the spear tip and pointed at a python demon.

"..."

The eight demons exchanged glances, and in the face of an unknown opponent, whoever made the first move would likely be the first to get speared.

Logically, they were all generals who rose through the ranks in the Turtle Army, earning their current cultivation and foundation through merit.

Their courage and spirit were exceptional.

But precisely because of this... after achieving so much, everyone wanted to be the one to receive the reward, to take that extra step forward, not to become the one to be mourned. Moreover, with the Seven Dragon Progeny's cold temperament, they might not even remember them.

In their hesitation, a desperate wail echoed in the demons' ears once more.

That Monster Worm, comparable to the White Jade Capital, had just endured Su Hongxiu's strongest sword strike, relying on its tenacious will to endure. Now, entangled by a fearless Stone Puppet, it couldn't get support, and eventually, its wings were torn off.

"Die for me!" Wu Jun roared, his golden patterns converging like flowing light.

His entire body directly penetrated the wound the Monster Worm couldn't heal, furiously pounding its internal organs until its massive body exploded.

The Dragon Progeny, now wingless, finally lost his strength and crashed into the water.

[Killing the White Jade Capital Monster Worm, total lifespan of 322,000 years, remaining 97,000 years, absorption complete]



The fall of a demon comparable to the White Jade Capital was equivalent to declaring the failure of this encirclement.

"..."

Shen Yi calmly sheathed his spear and exhaled lightly.

Even a wealthy family can run out of provisions.

He had first killed the Crimson-Eyed Phoenix and then, to deter these demons, was forced to use his full strength, aiming to quickly slay a water demon.

It seemed no one remembered that he was just an Eighth Layer of Return to Void cultivator, and while Primordial Purple Qi was powerful, it wasn't infinite.

If he could truly defeat these demons, who would bother wasting words with them?

"You..."

The remaining Twelfth Layer of Return to Void demons seemed to realize something, but when they raised their eyes, they saw a new face covered in scars and a bald head, dazzling under the dense golden patterns.

A familiar face, undoubtedly the Young Master.

However, the aura emanating from him made them feel extremely unfamiliar; it was the same realm as Wu Rongbao.

"Why aren't you kneeling yet, serving my master?"

Wu Jun's voice gently resonated, and before his words could land, he fiercely unleashed a punch, and golden patterns resembling a chessboard covered the head of the great demon.

Crack!

The moment the head exploded, the demon's body slowly knelt down on the water's surface.

The massacre of the White Jade Capital's great demon by a Return to Void Realm cultivator.

Swift and brutal!

Wu Jun's slightly damaged stone body swiftly flew across the sky, reaping their lives.

Over a hundred zhang-tall bodies knelt one after another, blocking out the sky and sun, resembling towering statues as they sank into the dark red waters, surrounding the center where a black-shirted figure gently swayed.

Within Shen Yi's mind sea.

Ke Shi San was dumbfounded, unable to imagine that such shameless and sycophantic creatures could exist within the aquatic races. Even in such a situation, they didn't forget to flatter?

"Huff."

Shen Yi adjusted her breathing.

She stored the pile of corpses in her finger ring and then strode across the sky, grabbing the nine Mystic Ropes.

Even though Su Hongxiu was in a state of exhaustion, holding that white jade sword, she managed to suppress Wu Rongbao without using any techniques, making it hard to believe they were of the same realm.

The Golden Patterned Turtle Demon's innate divine ability seemed like tofu before that sword, easily destroyed.

Within a short time, the old turtle demon was covered in blood, and it seemed to have lost its ability to defend.

Just as Su Hongxiu's killing intent surged, her body stumbled, and she heard a faint voice from behind.

"Save some strength; leave the rest to me." Shen Yi casually tore off the Mystic Rope and stored it in her finger ring.

"..."

This sentence sounded unfamiliar.

Su Hongxiu glanced at the increasingly disintegrating white jade sword in her hand and remained silent for a moment. The opponent was merely a Return to Void cultivator, yet she could tell that Su Hongxiu was at her limit, and continuing the fight would undoubtedly affect her foundation.

For a Heavenly Sword Sect Daoist, it was customary to stand at the forefront, never showing weakness.

But Shen Yi was the Sect Master.

It was reasonable and appropriate for a Daoist to receive the Sect Master's care, and it shouldn't be considered shameful.

Finally, she stopped her movements, and her slightly weak arms lowered, the white jade sword in her palm turned into purple light and returned to the Dragon Han Great City's gate.

"Disciple Hongxiu, thanks to the Southern Yang Sect Master for the assistance."

She lightly nodded and flew downward, landing beside her unconscious sister. Trembling, she pinched her sister's face, leaving a bloodstain with her aged fingertips.

A rare gentle smile appeared on Su Hongxiu's withered face.

She then wiped away the bloodstain on her sister's face with her sleeve and sat in meditation, beginning to resist the backlash of the Cycle Sword Fruit.

"Hey."

Wu Jun flew to the old turtle demon's side, his palms ruthlessly sinking into its shoulder meat. The two equally injured White Jade Capital's great demons, both Golden Patterned Turtle Demons, began a struggle beneath the sky canopy.

"..."

Wu Rongbao's eyes turned crimson, as he desperately activated his golden patterns, only to be mercilessly crushed.

The bloodline within this stone puppet's body had far surpassed the limits of the Golden Patterned Turtle Clan.

Creak, creak.

"Will I... become... a spirit puppet like you...?" Wu Rongbao felt his powerful demon body gradually cracking, and despair and fear emerged in his eyes. Suddenly, he laughed at himself, realizing he was conversing with a lifeless object.

At that moment, he heard a response from the stone puppet.

"In your dreams." Wu Jun curled his lips and tore apart Wu Rongbao's body. The Turtle Clan's bloodline was undoubtedly his, but as for the father, he would serve the master in other ways.

The next moment, he carried the old turtle demon's corpse back to Green Cloud Reef and then entered Shen Yi's mind sea.

【Remaining Demonic Lifespan: One million, ninety-one thousand, and eight thousand years】

Just twelve great demons had offered nearly a million years of demonic lifespan.

However, compared to the demonic lifespan, their flesh, blood, and demon souls were even more precious.

Shen Yi stood up and walked to the other side of Green Cloud Reef. Just as she summoned the Dark Light Mystic Sword, preparing to leave, she heard Su Hongxiu's murmur from behind.

"Heal your injuries first; don't worry about anything else."

"Hmm?" Shen Yi turned to look back.

"A Daoist can be willful and reckless as long as they win." Su Hongxiu opened her eyes; usually, she rarely explained anything to others.

"What if they lose?" Shen Yi seemed to understand something.

"If they lose, replace them with another Daoist."

Su Hongxiu's response was crisp, indirectly revealing the nature of the Sect's Daoists.

To inherit the Converged Dao Site, one must have the power over the lives of its creatures.

This was not about nurturing heirs, playing house, or raising children.

Even an emperor in the mortal world could ascend the throne first and then gradually learn the ways of an emperor, but a Daoist of a sect was different. The moment she achieved Dao Unification, the entire sect's life and death would be tied to her, leaving no room for regret.

A Daoist could make any decision as long as they won, and they must never lose, not even once.

First, seize power, then prove that they have the strength and temperament to hold that power, and finally, truly ascend the throne.

"..."

Shen Yi slightly unaccustomed to the situation, sheathed her flying sword.

Since leaving the Southern Yang Sect, this was his first time experiencing the feeling of not needing to rush away after taking action.

It felt a bit strange.

On both ends of Green Cloud Reef, the two sat in meditation, facing away from each other.

On Shen Yi's finger ring, a river of blood flowed into his mind sea, and foundation stones began to take shape, as a vast amount of demonic lifespan began to dissipate, and the demonic essence merged into the demon souls.

After an unknown period.

A winged silkworm with flesh wings opened its eyes in the boundless night sky.

Due to the presence of the Su sisters, it didn't roar or release its aura, but its slightly moving eyes exuded an indescribable ferocity.

Without the need for the Measurement Pole, just a casual glance was enough to know that it far surpassed a first-grade Dao Pillar.

Nearly thirty Demonic Essences, and Shen Yi gained another White Jade Capital Demon thug.

Among the nine different Demons, only two were Golden Patterned Turtle Demons.

The remaining powerful Demons were all those that the Turtle Army had oppressed and suppressed over the years, finally achieving their dominance and subjugating them into the Turtle Army's ranks as generals.

Another one hundred and forty-plus Demonic Essences were exhausted.

They all opened their eyes in the night, their exaggerated and hideous appearances slowly coming to life.

"Huff."

Shen Yi didn't rush to break through the ninth layer of Return to Void. Instead, he stood up and looked at the old woman whose hair was gradually turning black.

Su Hongxiu also opened her eyes, picked up her sister, and placed her into the Teleportation Sword Array.

She then pinched the spell formation and calmly watched as Su Yushang disappeared from her original spot.

Although her aura wasn't particularly dense, it no longer held the previous trace of weakness that seemed like she would wither away at any moment.

"This disciple still has matters to attend to. Is the Southern Yang Sect Master interested?"

After sending off her sister, Su Hongxiu bowed to Shen Yi. Although she wasn't very familiar with this young cultivator, his previous actions seemed to indicate an interest in the Demon's corpse.

Upon hearing this, Shen Yi turned his gaze towards the waters ahead.

If he remembered correctly, the other party had said they would kill his entire family. Now, not even the Dragon Descendant had shown up, so things were definitely not going as planned.

He was just a little confused. Could it be that he could really enter the water and kill the Dragon Descendant?

Shen Yi retracted his gaze and nodded, "I'm interested."

Seeing this, a barely noticeable smile appeared on Su Hongxiu's lips. This young Sect Master really understood her temperament.

...

Deep within the underwater palace, far from Green Cloud Reef.

The magnificent stone palace was adorned with various treasures, exuding an air of opulence.

This was the territory of the Dragon Descendant's maternal clan.

Even though the Winged Silkworm clan wasn't a top-tier power, as long as they flew the Dragon Palace's banner, they were a formidable force in the Southern Flood waters, and no one dared to provoke them.

Ko Lao Qi leaned against the throne-like seat, tightly clutching a conch shell in his hand.

As time passed, his expression became increasingly gloomy.

There was still no reply from the other side.

Ko Lao Qi finally couldn't bear it and sat up straight, looking at the conch shell in his hand.

Behind him, a graceful lady gently patted his shoulder, "You're a Dragon Descendant, don't lose your composure. With your uncle here, there won't be any problems... Even if there are issues, you must remain calm and composed. Only then will you have a chance to rise again."

Ko Lao Qi took a deep breath, "There's no need to comfort me, I understand the situation."

After making his decision, he cautiously hid himself by his mother.

But even so, the uneasiness in his heart grew stronger, as if it would fill his entire heart.

"Quickly arrange for the guards in the palace to be on high alert, take good care of yourself. I have something important to ask, and I plan to go see my father."

Ko Lao Qi finally stood up and casually replied to his mother.

Even if it meant exposing this matter, he wanted to quickly reach his father's side. Only then would he feel a sense of security.

"..."

The graceful lady fell silent for a moment, feeling a bit regretful. Her son was good in every way, but he just couldn't control his temper like his father, who was much more composed.

"Alright, you may go." She lightly waved her sleeve.

Ko Lao Qi walked straight out of the palace. After taking just two steps, he felt something was amiss.

Instinctively, he picked up the conch shell and began sending a message to that noble Dragon Descendant, his voice slightly trembling, "Father... I'm at my mother's place... Quickly send someone to fetch me... I have something important to discuss with you."

The conch shell seemed to have malfunctioned.

Whether it was to Wu Rongbao or his father, there was no response from within.

At the same time, in the Dragon Palace at the other end of the Southern Flood.

Within the grand and luxurious hall.

On both sides sat four figures, a total of eight people, all dressed in sword robes, indifferently observing the scene.

And on the highest throne sat a vague figure, leaning lazily.

He lowered his gaze towards the figure below.

The Dragon-headed Demon, wearing a golden crown and ornate robes, seemed to be pinned down by an invisible giant hand. Despite struggling to the point of trembling, he couldn't stand up.

In front of him was a water mirror.

The image in the mirror was vivid, as if one were there in person.

The graceful lady, leaning against the stone seat, trembled slightly, staring blankly at the scene before her. Ko Lao Qi, on the other hand, was so scared that he collapsed on the spot, trembling as he crawled backwards.

In front of them.

An aged figure and a man in a black shirt slowly stepped into the hall from both sides.

The pale-faced young man's face was stained with blood, and the dragon lance in his hand glowed with a terrifying blood-red color. He stepped over Ko Lao Qi, and the bald man behind him, glowing with golden light, stomped on the Dragon Descendant's chest.

"Roar!"

In the hall, the lavishly dressed Dragon-headed Demon suddenly raised his head and let out a roar.

On both sides, the sword-robed elders slowly stood up, picked up a jade cup, and smashed it on the lavishly dressed Demon's forehead, saying indifferently, "What are you roaring about? If you lose, you have to admit it. You dare to cause trouble, but you don't dare to take responsibility?"

"Roar again, and I'll finish you off today!"

Hearing this, the lavishly dressed Demon glared at the vague figure above, baring his sharp dragon teeth.

The vague figure seemed to find it amusing, "Try looking at me again."

Before he could finish speaking.

The lavishly dressed Demon clenched his teeth and then closed his eyes in frustration.

A 'puchi' sound came from the water mirror again.

The sharp dragon lance had cleanly pierced the graceful lady's throat.

After an unknown amount of time.

"..."

When the lavishly dressed Demon opened his eyes again, the numerous figures in the hall had disappeared, as if they had never been there. Only his lone figure remained in the empty hall.

The Southern Flood Seven Sons were usually quite gentle.

But this didn't mean they would tolerate the killing of their Daoist Priest.

This was a warning, and it also meant that the matter would end here.

The Daoist Priest had come to the appointment, gambling his life against the Dragon Descendant.

Su Hongxiu had won, and his wife and child were the spoils of the bet.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end