https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-500-On-the-Eve-of-the-Seven-Sons-Assembly/12948061/
Chapter 501: I Am the Hunter, You Are the Prey
Chapter 501: I Am the Hunter, You Are the Prey
The Southern Flood Domain is far more vast and boundless compared to the land.
With the Southern Dragon Palace at its head, its six Dragon Sons and thirteen Dragon Progeny command over a hundred generals comparable to those of the White Jade Capital. Their Demon Soldiers are spread throughout the entire domain, encompassing numerous aquatic races, forming a dense and intricate network.
Add to that the spell arrays constructed over many years.
Trying to infiltrate the Dragon Palace's dominion in the water without being detected is nearly impossible.
"Phew! Rest for a moment!"
The massive Crab Demon dominated the rocky surface, its shell thick and rough. Its fearsome and terrifying large pincers, when gently placed down, caused the underwater area to tremble continuously.
It transformed into human form, its dark red face filled with frustration.
As a White Jade Capital Demon General under the Dragon Palace's command, it had guarded a region for ten thousand years, its prestige beyond words. It had never suffered such a humiliating defeat.
It had mobilized troops to emerge from the water, yet it didn't even get a chance to engage in combat, losing dozens of lives and returning in disgrace.
Though the number wasn't large, one must understand that these were elite soldiers and generals gathered from various aquatic races, including those comparable to the Late Return to Void and even the Perfect Realm.
Even with the combined efforts of the Fifth Prince and the Fourth Young Lord, they could barely muster three thousand troops.
Such a humiliating and discouraging defeat was hardly the work of the Dragon Palace.
"I say we should report to the other princes and take this opportunity to strike back!" The dark red Crab Demon General took out a flask and gulped down a mouthful.
"Sir, please be cautious with your words!"
The deputy general scanned the surroundings warily, noticing that over a hundred soldiers had quickly dispersed and were patrolling tightly. He then looked back at the general and said with a bitter smile, "The Fourth Young Lord is in a lot of trouble now, and the Fifth Prince is also concerned for our well-being, unwilling to sacrifice our lives to cover for the Fourth Young Lord's mistakes."
"..."
The Crab Demon General glanced at it silently and said coolly, "You sure know how to talk."
With that, it threw the flask to the deputy and led it away from the other soldiers, approaching a submerged ravine.
"However, I must say, this situation is really precarious. The Nan Yang Sect suffered a great calamity, which led to the reversal of the Southern Flood situation. The Dragon Palace barely managed to gain the upper hand, and now the other side clearly has accumulated strength over the years, hinting at a resurgence."
"The Dragon Sons and Progeny are indeed noble, but years of comfort have made them forget the frustrations of the past."
"A real combat would settle things, crushing the Nan Yang Sect once and for all, while also giving the Southern Hong Seven Sons a lesson, testing if they have any thoughts of rebellion."
Hearing the words of the Demon General, the deputy could only laugh awkwardly.
These matters were beyond their control, even the Fifth Prince couldn't decide on his own.
Leading an army to attack the Nan Yang Mystic Land, if the Southern Hong Seven Sons submit, it might be easier. But if they suddenly stand firm, the conflict could spread to other parts of the Dragon Palace.
What would they gain in the end?
The Southern Hong Seven Sons already hold their own territory and don't affect the Dragon Palace.
Just for a few pieces of Mystic Land? Those places might not even be useful to the aquatic races. For instance, the princes, with their bloodlines and bodies, can match the Dao Fusion Realm cultivators. Why waste the effort?
A hard bone that might even choke them, with no meat on it. How idle must the Dragon Palace be to provoke them?
"Hah!"
The Crab Demon General, of course, could see through the deputy's thoughts. It was just feeling embarrassed in front of its subordinates and wanted to save face: "It's only because of the Southern Hong Seven Sons' protection. Otherwise, those few vassals, along with a bunch of stinky fish and shrimp in the Mystic Land, wouldn't even have the audacity to stand before me, claiming to be the Nan Yang Immortal Sect."
"They even want to convene the Seven Sons Assembly and announce it to Hongze. Those old fools are truly getting more senile. I can't help but laugh at their shame."
Finally, they moved past that topic.
The deputy's smile became more genuine. As elite soldiers under the Fifth Prince, they truly had the right to look down on a waterlogged Immortal Sect: "The Daoist Priests can protect them for a while, but not forever. Besides, the Seven Sects are not as solid as they seem. Sir, don't worry. You might even get the chance to decapitate a Sect Master yourself."
"Rest assured, I won't hold back." The Crab Demon General laughed coldly, refilled its flask, and smashed it on a coral reef.
To personally crush a Sect Master's head would be a tremendous honor.
"But that's just a joke. With the Daoist Priests protecting him, he wouldn't dare show his face, let alone now. I bet he's hiding in the Nan Yang Mystic Land and doesn't plan to come out."
The Crab Demon General looked at the submerged ravine with a hint of regret.
At that moment, its eyes suddenly narrowed.
"..."
At the top of the ravine, a tall figure stood with its back to them, its ink robe swaying in the green waves, calmly overlooking the ravine bottom.
Like a passing traveler, his thoughts were captivated by the wondrous and fantastical beauty of the watery landscape, paying no heed to the approaching White Jade Capital Demon General behind him.
This kind of situation could occur anywhere in Southern Flood, but never underwater.
"How dare you!"
The deputy general took a heavy step forward, his weapon already gripped tightly in his palm, and roared, "Are you blind? This is not a place for you!"
The deep roar was deafening, yet the youth in the ink-colored robe seemed unaffected.
The Crab Demon General's expression remained indifferent, his eyes slightly narrowed, and at such a close distance, he easily saw through the Concealment Art on the cultivator.
After sensing the Late Return to Void aura, the Crab Demon General did not show any contempt. Instead, he slowly stood still in his original position.
As the Guardian of the Watery Domain Great Demon General, he had been problem-free for so many years, still firmly holding his position. When it came to serious matters, his steadiness was impeccable, leaving no room for criticism.
Mockery and ridicule were things he could indulge in after crushing his opponent's skull.
"I'll give you a chance to explain yourself."
The Crab Demon General spoke in a deep voice, and as he finished, his right arm glowed, transforming into a pair of uneven Crimson Scissors.
At the same time, demonic energy surged into his eyes, and he focused intently, trying to see through the Concealment Art and further probe the opponent's true strength.
However, no matter how he looked, the youth seemed to be pretending to be a god, seeking death.
With his strength, killing the opponent would be as easy as breathing.
The Crab Demon couldn't understand why this fool had the courage to be so brazen and turn his back on him!
"..."
Finally, Shen Yi turned to look back, his fair face showing no emotion.
He silently stared at the Crab Demon General, then lightly nodded, as if signaling something.
In an instant, a pair of sturdy arms quietly emerged from under the Crab Demon's armpits, and then suddenly locked onto his shoulders. At the same time, another person's palm forcefully covered the back of the Crab Demon's head, enveloping it in a thick golden pattern.
"Who!"
The Crab Demon General instinctively tried to lift the Dark Red Scissors, but a third arm forcefully pressed it down!
"Ambush!" The deputy general reacted swiftly and shouted, but before he could finish his sentence, a fourth figure punched and shattered his skull.
Just before dying, it finally smelled a faint blood smell that had passed through the Restriction.
Boom!
The deputy general's skull exploded, but the Crab Demon General remained composed. He immediately summoned his lifeblood, and his skin grew a hard shell, causing his body to swell instantly!
Obviously, these cultivators had come prepared.
He didn't underestimate the situation; instead, his first thought was to create enough noise to intimidate the enemy and then find another opportunity.
"Have you forgotten that I am a Great Demon General?" The Crab Demon General roared, and his demonic aura thickened.
A group of cultivators dared to approach a Great Demon comparable to the White Jade Capital Demon General.
This ill-conceived strategy would leave them with a lifetime of regret.
However, what terrified him was that even with all his strength, whether he wanted to transform into his original form or wield the Crimson Scissors, which were refined from crab claws and comparable to a Dao weapon, he was forcefully restrained.
As a renowned Great Demon General, he was horrified to discover that he was truly trapped in place.
"You..."
The Crab Demon instinctively turned his head, only to see four faces with fierce evil smiles, each one familiar.
"What a coincidence, so am I."
Wu Jun revealed his white teeth and abruptly tightened the golden threads, almost crushing the Crab Demon's shell.
"We all are." The remaining three figures pulled their lips into exaggerated smiles, emitting a low and horrible chittering laughter, like evil ghosts whispering, enveloped by the green waves, as if drowning the Crab Demon.
They were not only demons but also members of the Aquatic Tribes.
More importantly, any one of them was no weaker in cultivation than the Crab Demon, and their concealment methods were bizarre, like silent, lifeless stones, stealthily approaching the opponent from behind.
"You... you dare to betray us..."
The Crab Demon's voice finally trembled, as if seeing something unbelievable.
But with so many factors combined, the only outcome left for him was one.
Crack! Crack! The Water Elemental stomped on his chest, and Wu Jun's fists pounded the Crab Demon's back. The Fish Demon and Winged Silkworm pinned him to the ground, unleashing the power within his demonic body without restraint onto the Crab Demon's shell.
The golden threads tightened around the Crab Demon, who widened his eyes, suffocating, and cried for help: "..."
However, even the qualification to cry for help was taken away by Wu Jun's punch that slammed into his neck.
The vivid red blood splattered, forcing the Crab Demon to quiet down.
Four against one, and it was an ambush.
The Crab Demon couldn't fathom how it had offended such ruthless individuals, who meticulously planned to intercept it on its way back to its guarded territory.
Yet, no one was willing to offer any explanations.
The Crab Demon could only stare helplessly at the solitary youth standing alone, wanting to curse and beg for mercy, but it couldn't utter a sound. The youth seemed indifferent, not even bothering to glance at it, his coldness chilling its heart.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Even as its shell-encrusted body was thoroughly shattered, it still glared with eyes bulging, as if about to pop out of their sockets, filled with resentment and anger.
A Great Demon General guarding the watery domain had died in such a pitiful manner.
Even until now, it didn't know the identity of its assailant.
"..."
From start to finish, Shen Yi stood silently at the edge of the cliff, golden threads dancing on his fingertips, coldly observing this silent farce.
The turbid blood fog drifted in the water, and just before it touched the black-robed youth, it was absorbed by the finger ring.
As the golden threads on his fingertips were fully retracted, the deceptive array was removed, and the once-clear water bottom had already turned into a dark red death domain, like a gaping mouth choosing its prey, emitting a strong stench.
Regardless of the outcome, Shen Yi indeed had the qualifications to confront such a White Jade Capital Great Demon.
But every time he entered the hunting state, he seemed to become a different person, no longer feeling pain for the Guardian Stones' damage and never putting himself in danger.
His mind was solely focused on calculating gains and losses.
Like a true hunter.
And the Dragon Palace was merely his prey.
[Kill Return to Void Green Fin Carp Demon, Total Lifespan 170,000 years, Remaining Lifespan 38,000 years, Absorption Complete]
These elite troops are highly valued by the Dragon Palace for their rich experience, but the cost is that their remaining lifespans are shorter.
It seems insignificant, but when such prompts exceed a hundred, it becomes terrifying.
[Remaining Demonic Essence Lifespan: 323,000 years]
Shen Yi collected all the numerous floating corpses into his finger ring and then transformed the four Guardian Stones into spirit light, returning them to his forehead.
He re-performed the Concealment Art, and his long robe rippled like ink, causing his entire person to vanish like a phantom.
Only the now clear Green Wave Domain remained.
...
In the dark depths of the water, Shen Yi sat cross-legged, wasting no time. He simultaneously gathered the Demonic Essence, reshaping the Crab Demon's soul, and infused his soul into the finger ring, beginning to categorize the corpses of the hundreds of Aquatic Tribes' elite troops.
With the information provided by Xiao Shisan, he had a rough understanding of the Dragon Palace's power structure.
Great Demon Generals like this one led troops supported by several Aquatic Tribes, vying for status within the water.
This situation conveniently provided Shen Yi with an advantage.
After all... he could physically 'gather the strength of the entire tribe.'
These hundreds of Demon Soldiers were likely composed of powerful individuals from three major Aquatic Tribes.
After a simple categorization, Shen Yi excluded a small and weak Fish Demon tribe, which was unlikely to reach the Supreme Dao Pillar level.
Shen Yi swiftly created four Guardian Stones.
Logically, elevating a Guardian Stone like Wu Jun from the Return to Void realm to the White Jade Capital realm was a significant sacrifice, as forcefully elevating their Demon Soul's grade would undoubtedly consume more Demonic Essence.
But the calculation wasn't that simple.
Shen Yi was most lacking in time and manpower. He had to act before the Dragon Palace realized what was happening and maximize the gain of Demonic Lifespan.
One hundred and seventeen Demonic Essences were completely exhausted.
[Remaining Demonic Essence Lifespan: 179,000 years]
Such a massive cost yielded an impressive result.
The Crab Demon General and the three-headed Snake Demon from the Immortal's Cave, along with two newly formed Great Demons, stood quietly behind Shen Yi.
These two forcibly condensed Great Demons, though also at the White Jade Capital realm, had slightly weaker auras, indicating they had only reached the One City level.
However, this was normal. Not every Aquatic Tribe could match the Golden Pattern Turtle Demon in supporting a Dragon Descendant.
But it didn't matter.
They would only be used this once, and after leaving, they would become Palace Seats.
Thinking of this, Shen Yi absorbed them all into his forehead.
He took out the jade slip given to him by Yan Xianqing.
An appetizer couldn't satisfy his appetite.
Shen Yi's purpose for coming here was simple.
He wanted to seize this hard-earned opportunity... and complete the Return to Void journey in one go.
(End of Chapter)
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