Chapter 772: Viper Flood Dragon, Bait, General!

Under the setting sun, the banners were like blood.

Spirits, monsters, dragon kinds……far too many living beings lay dead across the vast mountains and rivers.

Warfire and weapons left indelible marks upon this heaven and earth.

Shattered bones, lingering obsessions, spoke of the battle's cruelty.

Even the Bird Master squad sent to collect corpses was shaken by this.

"Dragons battle in the wild, their blood dark yellow……Dragon Masters have become this fierce!"

A spirit sighed, complex expression: "With such a weak force, they achieved such results……despite heavy losses, it was tragic and glorious."

He looked around, speaking and speaking, then fell silent!

A Dragon Master warrior general's skeleton, its bones stark, faint traces of blood still present, bearing the mark of burning……this was after burning flesh, fighting to the last breath, leaving only bone!

Even so, when the wind blew, the bones silently crumbled, shattered, turned to dust, falling upon these mountains and rivers.

Such heroism, the achievements of this warrior general were also stunning……hundreds to thousands of ferocious, strange demons and divine corpses lay scattered, covering the surrounding blood-soaked, dark earth, each death gruesome to behold, heavy killing intent and malice howling, all turned into formless evil heads, not yielding even to the Sea of Blood, the stronghold of the demonic path.

And this was merely a corner of that boundless battlefield.

"Yinglong the Great Sage……it is said she was once the teacher of Yandi, and indeed it is true."

Another deity whispered, "Able to command the Dragon Masters whose morale had long been broken, he renewed their spirit, fighting to the end, achieving such glorious victories……"

The deity's emotions surged, complex.

Although their positions differ, now they are foes, yet before becoming gods, he too was a member of humanity; for such a renowned human great deity as Yinglong, he still held respect and awe.

"What a pity……" a deity shook his head, lowering his voice, "Yinglong the Great Sage's strategy is extraordinary, moreover able to raise morale and strengthen fighting spirit……but ultimate strength still falls far short of our Bird Masters."

"Majesty Chonghua overwhelms with force; she has been dancing in others' palms from beginning to end, constantly having her paths blocked, only able to shift battles to one place, vitality ever more bleak."

"It is said that upon reaching a certain place, there will be an ultimate encirclement, ten deaths, no life!"

The deity spoke with solemn conviction.

"Alas……a generation's great deity will meet a sorrowful end……thinking back when we were all on the same side, my heart feels sad."

"What can we do about it?" the earlier deity sighed, "This era's founding epic is too grand, too splendid……yet it does not belong to us."

"In this era's tide, all we can do is go with the flow……not being the chess player, no matter how many objections, we will be blown away by wind and rain, leaving only a fleeting shadow."

"Majesty Chonghua proposes to turn to the Divine Path, enfeoff ten Divine Nations, end centralized work, free competition, thus we can only follow……fortunately the new treatment is no worse than before, even better……just that the distance between people gradually grows, feelings become indifferent, the atmosphere of mutual exploitation and profit‑seeking intensifies……"

"I feel……for now, looking back, there seems no problem, yet inside I sense something is off……if this continues, things will feel strange……"

The deities clearing the battlefield whispered to each other.

The great era's surge swept over them; they could not resist, only able to go with the flow.

Perhaps this is the sorrow of the small folk?

No.

They are not small folk!

Because, countless sentient beings, constitute the greatest existence in the Honghuang heaven and earth——

The Human Dao!

But they lack a clear awareness of their own worth.

Once awakened, fully comprehended, persevered to the end……

Then there will be a heaven‑shaking, earth‑overturning ultimate scene!

May the Human Dao flourish forever!

This is the greatest romance hoped for by idealists.

Of course.

This romance, however, is now insulated from Yinglong……she is in dire straits, chased about like chickens and dogs, unable even to gaze at the stars, the ground before her almost impossible to behold.

"I am so miserable……"

When Yinglong commanded the remnants of the Dragon Masters, after the 174th breakthrough of the Bird Masters' encirclement, her breath was low, her whole body wretched beyond compare.

Ideals are plentiful.

Reality is skeletal.

Even if Yinglong knows she has people behind her!

Victory waves to her from ahead!

But before that, she will not lack any of the hardship she must endure.

Even if she clearly understands that a big shot already holds the Heaven‑opener……the Mountain‑opening Divine Axe, ready to meet her.

Yet she must still personally lead her troops, break through layer after layer of blockade, rushing into battle at the constant risk of death!

That is an encirclement by forces tens to hundreds of times larger, masters springing up endlessly, equipment superb, logistics ample, surrounded on all sides—simply no way up to heaven, no way down to earth!

Only because she is bait!

A piece of bait to maneuver the enemy!

Yinglong deeply understands her mission……this grand march across mountains and rivers, darting back and forth under the Bird Masters' eyelids, is to draw fire and draw eyes!

To let some being's gaze fall upon her, considering using her as material, as bait!

Double bait!

Wenming wants to lure Chonghua, yet does not wish Chonghua to be wary, desiring him to relax, to make some mistaken moves, then use Yinglong's existence to lure Wenming into taking the bait.

Two emperors full of schemes, pitted against each other……Yinglong is that fuse!

Yinglong is fully aware of this.

Moreover, Yinglong believes she should have succeeded.

She neither undervalues herself nor is arrogant——being able to break out so many times is certainly due to her vigilance, wisdom, and extraordinary military talent, but behind this there must also be Chonghua's indulgence!

Chonghua is no simpleton……setting aside positions, he is one of the utmost figures of the present age!

Perhaps one day, Responding Dragon could match Chonghua in strength, but now?

Yet it is still far off, appearing overly immature!

Escaping from such an enemy once, or even ten or several dozen times, is barely manageable.

Over a hundred times…… that's somewhat exaggerated.

Put bluntly, at this moment the remnants of the Dragon Army are more valuable alive than being wiped out cleanly.

And being alive…… what value could that have?

Nothing more than being fish bait!

The remnants of the Dragon Army are fish bait, while the Xiahou clan…… is the big fish!

But, fishing!

We can't just keep waiting idly.

If the fish never bites, the bait…… is no longer necessary to keep.

Replacing it with new bait is only natural.

"The fisherman's patience is gradually fading…… my breakout's cost is greater……"

Responding Dragon swallowed the blood in his throat, his gaze firm and bright: "When it's certain that His Majesty Wenming won't take the bait, that's when this remnant of mine will be destroyed……"

"However, that's impossible…… His Majesty Wenming won't let this chance pass, will surely act, putting on a show……"

"Chonghua…… although his patience is waning, he still keeps hold of the rhythm……"

"Every encirclement site is full of subtlety, most suitable for pinning and reinforcing…… even if I manage a lucky breakout, I'm forced to flee along the prearranged route……"

"If we keep running like this, we'll eventually reach…… the Huai River!"

"That is the former base where Wuzhongqi once raged rampantly, and also this Yao Marshal's greatest stronghold!"

"If I'm not mistaken…… the Huai River will be the place that decides the life or death of this remnant of mine!"

Responding Dragon pondered, gradually coming to understand.

In the Huai River region, Chonghua will no longer hold back…… then, the peak Yao Marshal will descend and carry out the Absolute Kill!

After all, having come this far, the Xiahou clan's inaction itself is an attitude—showing they don't care about the Dragon Army's survival!

If the big fish doesn't bite, why keep the bait?

"However……"

"In the end, who dies and who lives…… remains unknown!"

Responding Dragon gritted his teeth, bearing his wounded body, leading the great army forward toward the final point.

The Nine Sons of the Dragon Ancestor guarded her.

During this age of blood and fire, she basically subdued these dragon gods.

Even if the Nine Sons still refuse to acknowledge her status as Dragon Ancestor, deep down they don't want to place Responding Dragon on the same level as the Dragon Ancestor for comparison.

But…… the battlefield is the strongest proof.

The Nine Sons acknowledged.

Compared to them, at this time and place, Responding Dragon has greater qualification and ability than all of them to lead the Dragon Army and open a bright future.

Even if they don't acknowledge it, there's no way around it.

Because many Dragon Army soldiers acknowledge it!

Those dragon breeds also acknowledge it!

Gradually, Responding Dragon embedded his own lineage within the Dragon Clan, on the path of the myriad beings transforming into dragons, he re-established the hierarchy.

From snake to viper, in five hundred years it becomes a flood dragon; a flood dragon after a thousand years becomes a dragon; a dragon after five hundred years becomes a horned dragon; after another thousand years it becomes a Responding Dragon!

This is an astonishing transformation!

From then on, "Responding Dragon" is no longer merely a mutant within the Dragon Clan, but possesses a complete, clear evolutionary lineage——equivalent to directly obtaining the founding shares and fundamental speaking rights of the Dragon Clan Group!

Responding Dragon led the remnants of the Dragon Army, time after time charging ahead, breaking through encirclements, eventually earning his own charisma, etched into the Dragon Clan, respected and acknowledged by all.

The Nine Sons watched, sighing inwardly…… such upright and glorious methods, even they could find no fault with.

"Wait for Father Emperor to return, let him decide……"

"As for now, the Dragon Army's survival…… is more important."

Holding the same thought, they rushed to the Huai River, prepared for a life‑and‑death battle.

That is the key for the Dragon Master to break free of his shackles.

Success means the true dragon enters the sea.

Failure means the entire clan will be wiped out!

……

"I! Fei Lian! Have reached the designated point! Repeat, Fei Lian has reached the designated point!"

By the Huai River, Wind Earl's form is faint, yet he truly exists in this space-time, reporting to his not-so-distant superior.

Yinglong, the Dragon Master—this stirs the hearts of many.

Around their life and death, players set their pieces on the board one by one.

Similar judgments were made, focusing on the Huai River.

After all, this is none other than Wu Zhi Qi's main base—the Heavenly Court's nest that invaded and overturned the Dragon Master back then!

Within it, countless troops are stationed, forming an impregnable war fortress!

The Dragon Master's expedition and advance have reached this crucial point……Even if the Bird Master is fishing, he will not let them break through this pass.

Because when that time comes, it truly is——the sea wide for fish to leap, the sky high for birds to fly!

So……

Wu Zhi Qi has openly arrived!

Chong Hua arrived secretly!

Chong Hua arrived secretly!

Fei Lian sneaked over stealthily.

"Fei Lian sneaked over, lurking stealthily." Could be: "Fei Lian crept over, lurking stealthily." We'll produce: "Fei Lian crept over, lurking stealthily."

The girl sneaked closer.

"Nüwa crept up furtively!" We'll translate: "Nüwa crept up furtively."

Unlike Chong Hua and Wen Ming, who are merely fishing, the girl is fishing too, but she genuinely wants to rescue the Dragon Master... even though she isn't particularly fond of the Azure Dragon.

We need to keep meaning: "Compared to Chong Hua and Wen Ming, who were fishing, Nüwa was not only fishing at the same time but also genuinely wanted to rescue the Dragon Master… even though she didn't particularly like the Dragon Ancestor." Let's craft: "Compared to Chong Hua and Wen Ming, who were fishing, Nüwa was not only fishing at the same time but also genuinely wanted to rescue the Dragon Master… even though she didn't particularly like the Dragon Ancestor."

But now, hasn't Yinglong taken control of the Dragon Master?

But now, isn't it that Yinglong has taken control of the Dragon Master?

Then we must rescue him!

Then we must rescue him!

However, compared to the scheming Chong Hua and Wen Ming, the girl is far more pure-hearted.

"However, compared to Chong Hua and Wen Ming, who were full of scheming, Nüwa was much more straightforward." We'll translate: "However, compared to the scheming Chong Hua and Wen Ming, Nüwa was far more straightforward."

In her mind, she has a hierarchy of priorities: rescuing the Dragon Master comes first, while things like ambushing Emperor Jun are relatively less important.

"In her heart, she had a ranking of importance; rescuing the Dragon Master came first, while assassinating Di Jun and such was relatively secondary." We'll translate: "In her heart, she had a ranking of importance; rescuing the Dragon Master came first, while assassinating Di Jun and such was relatively secondary."

Keep watch on Wuzhi Qi; if anything goes wrong, you must act decisively.

"Keep an eye on Wu Zhiqi… if things go awry, strike decisively." We'll translate: "\"Keep an eye on Wu Zhiqi… if things go awry, strike decisively. \""

Exactly.

"Right." We'll translate: "\"Right. \""

After you're exposed, how could you lie... you understand, right?

"After you're exposed, how do you lie… you understand, right?" We'll translate: "\"After you're exposed, how do you lie… you understand, right? \""

The girl asked.

"Nüwa asked." We'll translate: "Nüwa asked."

"Of course I understand!" Fei Lian replied righteously, "It is the Empress of the Earth from the realm of reincarnation who has permitted my return; there is no claim that Princess Nüwa herself personally came to help."

"Of course I understand!" Fei Lian replied righteously, "It is the Empress Houtu of the Realm of Reincarnation who has permitted my return; there is no such thing as Princess Nüwa personally lending a hand!" We'll translate: "\"Of course I understand! \" Fei Lian replied righteously, \"It is Empress Houtu of the Realm of Reincarnation who has permitted my return; there is no such thing as Princess Nüwa personally lending a hand. \""

Hmm, that's good!

"Hmm, that's good!" We'll translate: "\"Hmm, that's good! \""

The girl nodded in satisfaction.

"Nüwa nodded in satisfaction." We'll translate: "Nüwa nodded in satisfaction."

Get ready... try to ease Chong Hua's vigilance so I can later assassinate him more easily.

"Get ready… try to relax Chong Hua's vigilance so I can later assassinate him more smoothly!" We'll translate: "\"Get ready… try to relax Chong Hua's vigilance so I can later assassinate him more smoothly! \""

The girl lowered her gaze and saw that both horizons were filled with boundless killing intent, sweeping in.

"Nüwa lowered her gaze and saw killing intent filling the horizons on both sides, sweeping in." We'll translate: "Nüwa lowered her gaze and saw killing intent filling the horizons on both sides, sweeping in."

On one side, Wuzhi Qi's fierce might shakes the ages.

"One side was Wu Zhiqi, whose formidable might shook ancient and modern times." We'll translate: "One side was Wu Zhiqi, whose formidable might shook ancient and modern times."

On the other side, the Xiahou and Jiuli clans answer each other from afar, each bringing their elite forces, marching together to form a special assistance unit aimed at breaking through the Huai Shui Pass and freeing the Dragon Master.

"On the other side, the Xia Clan and the Jiuli Clan responded to each other from afar, each bringing their elite forces, marching together to form a special relief unit, aiming to break through Huai Shui Pass and free the Dragon Master from his bonds!" We'll translate: "On the other side, the Xia Clan and the Jiuli Clan responded to each other from afar, each bringing their elite forces, marching together to form a special relief unit, aiming to break through Huai Shui Pass and free the Dragon Master from his bonds!"

"This is the best opportunity..." the girl murmured, "Chong Hua wants to fish, so he naturally assumes the posture of fishing... although I don't know how he will act or where he is now... but one thing is certain: the forces guarding him now are not at their strongest."

"This is the best opportunity…" Nüwa murmured, "Chong Hua wants to fish, so naturally he must assume the posture of fishing… although I don't know how he will act or where he is now… but one thing is certain: the forces guarding him now are not at their strongest." We'll translate: "\"This is the best opportunity…\" Nüwa murmured, \"Chong Hua wants to fish, so naturally he must assume the posture of fishing… although I don't know how he will act or where he is now… but one thing is certain: the forces guarding him now are not at their strongest. \""

Success or failure... hinges on this one move!

"Success or failure… hinges on this one move!" We'll translate: "\"Success or failure… hinges on this one move! \""

After this, I will make everyone look at me with new eyes!

"After this, I will make everyone look at me with new eyes!" We'll translate: "\"After this, I will make everyone look at me with new eyes! \""

The girl clenched her fist and struck the air, boosting her own fighting spirit.

"Nüwa clenched her fist and struck the void, boosting her own fighting spirit." We'll translate: "Nüwa clenched her fist and struck the void, boosting her own fighting spirit."

……

We need to output the line exactly as given: "……". So translation: "……" (the ellipsis). We'll output: "……"

A bloody battle, as everyone had foreseen, has arrived.

"The blood-soaked battle arrived, as everyone had foreseen." We'll translate: "The blood-soaked battle arrived, as everyone had foreseen."

At the Huai Shui Pass, the remnants of the Dragon Master, inspired and brave, assault the immortal fortress, seeking to carve out a path to heaven.

"At Huai Shui Pass, the remnants of the Dragon Master's forces, rallied by lingering courage, assaulted the immortal fortress, striving to carve out a patch of sky." We'll translate: "At Huai Shui Pass, the remnants of the Dragon Master's forces, rallied by lingering courage, assaulted the immortal fortress, striving to carve out a patch of sky."

Here, fresh blood has gathered into an ocean; killing intent and murderous aura dance together; the grim spectacle of war is reflected in the starry sky, turning into blood-red omens of death that shine upon the world, announcing to all beings that an endless, brutal war has erupted.

"Here, fresh blood had already pooled into an ocean, murderous aura and killing intent dancing together; the grim spectacle of war was reflected in the starry sky, turning into blood‑red omens of death that shone upon the world, announcing to all beings that an endless, brutal war had erupted." We'll translate: "Here, fresh blood had already pooled into an ocean, murderous aura and killing intent dancing together; the grim spectacle of war was reflected in the starry sky, turning into blood‑red omens of death that shone upon the world, announcing to all beings that an endless, brutal war had erupted."

Dragon blood and demonic energy surge to the heavens; strange-shaped demon souls and the fierce, fiery dragon spirits—even if their bodies have fallen in battle, their souls' obsessions continue to fight, and the principles of reincarnation here have been thrown into chaos.

"Dragon blood and demonic energy surged to the heavens; grotesque demon souls and blazing yang dragon spirits—though their bodies had fallen in battle, their souls clung to the fight, and the principles of reincarnation here were thrown into chaos!" We'll translate: "Dragon blood and demonic energy surged to the heavens; grotesque demon souls and blazing yang dragon spirits—though their bodies had fallen in battle, their souls clung to the fight, and the principles of reincarnation here were thrown into chaos!"

Is this the yang world?

"Is this the mortal realm?" We'll translate: "Is this the mortal realm?"

Or is this the underworld?

"Or the netherworld?" We'll translate: "Or the netherworld?"

Foolishly, they can't tell the difference.

"Hard to tell the difference." We'll translate: "Hard to tell the difference."

Many of the Nine Sons of the Dragon Ancestor have fallen in battle; the divine general Yinglong roars heaven and earth, having already torn apart numerous demon gods in her campaigns so far.

"Many of the Dragon Ancestor's nine sons have fallen in battle; Yinglong the Divine General roars across heaven and earth, having already torn apart numerous demon gods in her campaigns!" We'll translate: "Many of the Dragon Ancestor's nine sons have fallen in battle; Yinglong the Divine General roars across heaven and earth, having already torn apart numerous demon gods in her campaigns!"

But soon, the demon commander Wuzhi Qi descended!

"But soon, the Yao Marshal Wu Zhiqi descended!" We'll translate: "But soon, the Yao Marshal Wu Zhiqi descended!"

He engulfed the boundless power of the Huai River, flooding this land and mountains, and confronted Yinglong.

"He wrapped himself in the boundless might of the Huai Shui, flooding this land and mountains, and confronted Yinglong." We'll translate: "He wrapped himself in the boundless might of the Huai Shui, flooding this land and mountains, and confronted Yinglong."

How can the weary Yinglong resist?

"How could the weary Yinglong possibly resist?" We'll translate: "How could the weary Yinglong possibly resist?"

Constantly coughing blood, showing signs of defeat.

"He coughed up blood continuously, showing signs of imminent defeat." We'll translate: "He coughed up blood continuously, showing signs of imminent defeat."

"Surrender!" Wuzhi Qi said calmly, "Or perhaps you can hope for reinforcements?"

"\"Surrender! \" Wu Zhiqi said calmly, \"Or you can look forward to reinforcements. \"" We'll translate: "\"Surrender! \" Wu Zhiqi said calmly, \"Or you can look forward to reinforcements. \""

However, I advise you not to pin too much hope... who would still come to save you?

"\"However, I advise you not to get your hopes up… who would still come to save you? \"" We'll translate: "\"However, I advise you not to get your hopes up… who would still come to save you? \""

You have long been abandoned!

"\"You've long been abandoned! \"" We'll translate: "\"You've long been abandoned! \""

He, representing Chong Hua, is the general!

"He represents Chong Hua, the Marshal!" We'll translate: "He represents Chong Hua, the Marshal!"

(End of chapter)