Chapter 67

He also had the confidence to fight them!

Victory or defeat might be hard to predict, after all Huang Yaoshi's martial wisdom and combat experience were far beyond his ability to compare.

But at the very least, he would no longer be like before, only able to passively defend, finding it hard to strike back.

He could even try taking the offensive, looking for openings.

This powerful feeling filled his heart with an unprecedented sense of security and lofty ambition!

At the same time, along with the refinement of his cultivation base, and the continuous awakening of the Black Water Mystic Snake bloodline.

Brother Ning Chuan discovered that his own appearance was also, imperceptibly, undergoing some subtle yet remarkable changes.

His jet-black-as-ink scales had become even more deep, profound, and heavy.

As if they could absorb all light, faintly glowing with a layer of mysterious metallic sheen.

The edge of each scale carried a sharp arc.

His head also appeared more rugged and majestic.

No longer the flat shape of an ordinary snake, but slightly raised, carrying a strange air of nobility.

The small protrusion on his forehead seemed to have grown a bit more.

Already the size of a little finger, hard as jade, faintly showing a tendency to break through the scales and transform into dragon horns.

His pupils, too, had changed from the original pure cold gloom to carrying a touch of indescribable majesty and divine strangeness.

Deep within his pupils, it was as if star rivers flowed, able to see into people's hearts and pierce through all the illusions of the world.

He could clearly feel that the bloodline within his body was, in a slow yet steadfast manner.

Continuously awakening and purifying, evolving toward a higher form of life.

Perhaps, when he successfully stepped into the Grandmaster Realm, or even a higher realm.

He could hope to truly break the shackles of his bloodline and take a great step toward the legendary form of the "Jiao"!

When that time came, he could begin to formally attempt to set about creating a demon-cultivation method truly suited to himself!

That would be a great heavenly path belonging to demons, completely different from the human martial dao!

However, he was also clear.

A demon-cultivation method was completely different in nature from the Water Mystic Snake Method he had previously created, as well as martial arts like the Heavenly Snake Whip.

Those martial arts were mostly created by drawing upon, improving, and innovating on the foundation of human martial arts.

They had a clear lineage to follow.

But a demon-cultivation method required starting from nothing, pioneering an entirely new path.

A cultivation road that perfectly matched his own demonic beast bloodline.

It required comprehending the laws of heaven and earth, drawing upon the power of the stars, condensing a demon core, and tempering a demon soul.

This required more accumulation, more time, and a deeper understanding of the great dao of heaven and earth.

The difficulty, as one could imagine, was far beyond what improving human martial arts could compare to.

But Brother Ning Chuan possessed heaven-defying comprehension!

He had both the confidence and the resolve to pioneer a legend belonging to himself!

……

Once his mind was set, Brother Ning Chuan's massive snake body wound and swam through the deep sea.

Like an emperor of the sea inspecting his own domain, he headed back in the direction of Taohuadao.

He had only just now broken through to the Innate Great Perfection Realm.

The true qi that had surged within his body still needed a period of careful tempering.

To make it thoroughly stable, perfectly fused with his flesh, and reach a realm of inner and outer unity.

For a fairly long stretch of time to come, he would no longer need to frequently go out to sea to hunt.

Unless he encountered one of those rare sea beasts containing extremely vast and pure energy.

He could just make good use of this period to quietly cultivate in seclusion, further enhancing his martial foundation.

Studying the many tomes on Taohuadao, making more thorough preparations for the future assault on the Grandmaster Realm and for pioneering a demon-cultivation method.

When Brother Ning Chuan's figure appeared at the edge of Taohuadao.

Huang Rong had long been, as usual, prettily waiting there.

Her little face bore an expectant smile, and in her hand she carried a small, delicate food box.

Inside were pastries she had made herself.

Seeing that Brother Ning Chuan's snake body seemed to have grown another size larger than before, and appeared even more majestic and divinely strange.

Huang Rong first gave a slight start, then a flash of pleasant surprise and infatuation shone in her eyes.

She knew that Brother Chuan must have grown stronger again!

Every time they met, Brother Chuan seemed to bring her a new surprise.

"Brother Chuan! You're back!" Huang Rong cheerfully came forward to greet him.

She said eagerly, "Big Brother and the others have a gift they want to give you!"

"A gift?" Hearing this, Brother Ning Chuan was rather curious—what had Qu Lingfeng and the others prepared this time?

Under Huang Rong's lead, Brother Ning Chuan soon met Qu Lingfeng, Lu Chengfeng, Wu Mianfeng, and Feng Mofeng.

Seeing Brother Ning Chuan, the expressions on the four men's faces were more reverent than ever before.

Even carrying a trace of awe and fervor from the heart.

They all clearly sensed that the Brother Ning Chuan before them, compared to just a few days ago, seemed to have grown much stronger in aura.

That faint, elusive pressure made even these warriors who had just entered the Innate Realm feel a twinge of palpitation.

Even their breathing was somewhat labored.

"Greetings, Island Master!" The four bowed in unison, their postures lowered to the extreme.

"No need for such ceremony." Ning Chuan spoke in a voice that was slightly halting, yet carried a hint of authority.

His voice also seemed somewhat louder than before.

Qu Lingfeng stepped forward and said respectfully, "Island Master, during this period we have been indebted to your careful instruction."

"The Wu Gong of the four of us has all advanced, and we are deeply grateful, at a loss how to repay you."

"We also know that Island Master does not care for worldly things, so we pooled our efforts to prepare a modest gift for you."

"It is based on the mechanical arts of Taohuadao, along with some artifact-forging methods we found in ancient texts."

"It took several days of painstaking effort to craft. We hope Island Master will not find it beneath you."

As he spoke, he exchanged a glance with the other three.

Then he carefully took out several items from behind him.

They were scales of armor forged from some unknown black metal.

Of varying sizes and shapes!

These scales were pitch-black all over, cold to the touch, and extremely hard in texture.

Fine, dense patterns were inscribed on the surface, gleaming with a faint metallic luster.

They appeared to be some kind of special mechanical construction, full of an air of mystery.

"Island Master, these Dark Iron scales were crafted by us based on the characteristics of your form."

"And the mechanical arts of Taohuadao, taking several days of painstaking effort."

"Fine Dark Iron was used as the main material, supplemented by dozens of rare ores smelted together."

Qu Lingfeng explained in detail.

"These scales can utilize the power of magnets, along with specially made clasps."

"To adhere seamlessly to your serpentine form, forming an additional layer of sturdy protection."

"Its defensive power is extremely strong; ordinary blades and swords can hardly harm it, and even attacks from Grandmaster-level experts can be withstood once or twice."

"Moreover, at the edge of each scale, sharp refined-steel blades are concealed."

"They can be ejected in an instant through the urging of the true qi within your body, along with specific muscle contractions."

"Transforming into weapons to attack the enemy, adding several more folds to your killing power!"

"Whether in close combat or surprise attacks, they can achieve unexpected effects!"

Besides these Dark Iron scales.

They had also prepared several dozen spikes, carefully polished from the same Dark Iron.

Sharp as venomous fangs, each one gleaming with a chilling cold light.

"Island Master, these Dark Iron serpent fangs were crafted by Junior Brother Feng, who expended great effort."