Chapter 592: The North Flood Arrives, and the Demon-Devils Are Pushed Once More

West Flood, Long Wang's Hall.

The Qi clan had held dominion over these waters for hundreds of thousands of years — even before Hongze Daxian descended upon this place, they were already the lords of the West Flood.

They continued to rise through the calamity of slaughter, devouring countless cultivators and heavenly materials and earthly treasures, and only thus forged the unshakeable, noble standing they enjoy today.

Yet, possessing such a stable position.

Of the seven dragon sons, two had died for no apparent reason, their corpses still unfound… along with the slightest trace of any enemy.

At this moment, a thin figure draped in a golden-yellow ceremonial robe leaned back upon the throne. He did not look as towering and domineering as the South Long Wang, but the silver-scaled face above wore a pair of half-lidded eyes that gleamed with a sinister, bone-chilling cold.

"So you mean to fob me off with those three words, Wan Yao Dian?"

His hoarse voice echoed through the hall; his cold gaze swept in turn over the four dragon sons present, so that none of these Heavenly-realm great demons dared meet his eyes and could only obediently bow their heads in silence.

In the midst of his questioning, the West Long Wang's gaze finally came to rest, beyond the dragon sons, upon a figure behind them — a full-figured silhouette that looked gentle and nobly radiant.

"…"

Princess Ziling felt an immense pressure bearing down on her, yet her expression remained composed; only the five fingers hidden within her long sleeves slowly tightened a little.

No matter how many benefits she had promised the demon soldiers and fierce generals, no matter how imposing the dignity of the East Long Gong might be, the instant the West Long Wang awoke, all of it became useless effort.

This old dragon demon at the peak of the Heavenly realm held absolute control over the West Flood.

The other party had long since investigated clearly who truly called the shots among the West Flood's water clans nowadays. The reason he had not openly quarreled with her was simply that he did not wish to tear face with the East Long Gong.

Still, to try to keep controlling the water clans right under the West Long Wang's nose was, undeniably, a touch too fanciful.

Damn that Wan Yao Dian—

Thinking that all her efforts had so inexplicably come to nothing, Princess Ziling felt a dull ache in her chest.

In any of the four Floods' dragon palaces, it was the Crown Prince who wielded power, while the Long Wang sat enthroned in the Dragon Lair.

According to the original plan, so long as they sidelined Qi Zhaoyi and pushed him into the position of Crown Prince, Princess Ziling would successfully seize the West Palace's great seal, taking the most crucial step in her father's design.

Then, by Xu Xu plotting against the South Long Gong, the matter would be half done.

But now, things had gone badly awry — the West Long Wang had been startled awake, and unless Wan Yao Dian was dealt with, he plainly would not let the matter rest.

That alone would not be so bad; after all, he would eventually have to return to the Dragon Lair, and at worst it would only cost a little more time.

She had already waited all these years; a few more years hardly mattered.

What she feared was that, because of this incident, the old dragon had seen through Qi Zhaoyi's worthless nature, or even caught wind of something amiss — and when that day came, even with the East Long Gong's backing, the Crown Prince's seat would hang by a thread.

"Reporting to Father."

After a long silence, Princess Ziling finally stepped out from the crowd and said softly, "Wan Yao Dian is not something we fabricated to shirk responsibility. Throughout the entire West Flood, at the very least thousands upon thousands of cultivators have witnessed them strike. As for being unable to track them down… that truly is our incompetence…"

"Xian'er, I do not mean to blame you. Your husband is in the South Flood, and the fact that you could watch over these waters on his behalf is already no small feat. Now rest well, and do not fret."

It was clearly the West Long Wang who had questioned her first, yet the moment Princess Ziling actually answered, he put on a gentle face.

Only the warning edge in his words was now plain beyond all plainness.

Among the four dragon sons, the two who had originally sided with Princess Ziling, upon hearing this remark, also lifted their heads thoughtfully.

"Thank you for your concern, Father."

Princess Ziling sighed within her heart. No matter how anxious she was, for now she could only lie low in silence and not let the West Long Wang see the East Palace's true purpose.

So long as she could obtain that great seal, any amount of waiting would be worth it.

After all… it was the only means by which the creatures of Hongze could pose a threat to an immortal.

"Your husband is presently working in the South Flood. I know you are on good private terms with the Qi Sect, but you have, after all, married into my West Palace. Everything must still put family affairs first. I will not make things hard for you — you need not involve yourself any further."

The West Long Wang slowly lowered his hand.

At these words, Princess Ziling's face shifted almost imperceptibly. She had indeed been planning to find a moment to slip away to the South Flood.

During this period, she had watched with her own eyes just how many great demons the West Long Gong had driven into the south, and could well imagine the headaches Lady Yushan and the others were suffering right now. At a time like this, the Qi Sect was in greatest need of reinforcement.

One must remember, she had once pledged to Yu Nanhong with full confidence that nothing major would go wrong in the South Flood.

Thinking of this, Princess Ziling could not help cursing Wan Yao Dian viciously in her heart once more.

This band of vicious beings, who acted without rules or reason, seemed to act with no purpose at all — like a stick stirring up filth — yet they possessed a fearsome strength that no one could afford to ignore.

Whether offering benefits in exchange, borrowing power to intimidate them, or quietly forming alliances beneath the surface — none of it seemed to work.

She did not even possess the ability to find them.

With that thought, she sighed: "Ziling understands. I am somewhat weary and wish to return to Lady Yushan to rest for a while."

"Go."

The West Long Wang gave a gentle wave of his sleeve, a smile of deep meaning playing at the corner of his lips. Only after the woman had completely left the Long Wang's Hall did that smile swiftly fade, replaced by a look of grim cold.

"Planting a spy right beside me — what exactly is your East trying to do?"

One had to admit, the East Long Gong's strength was truly something to fear — but that depended on who the comparison was with. Against an immortal, it was hardly enough.

You really think that just because you have a daughter up in the heavens you can do as you please? Who knows whether that Princess Ziling even acknowledges you as her father.

The West Long Wang let out a cold laugh.

This strike against the South Flood also served as a slight warning to that far-married purple-maned white dragon — behave yourself from now on. Out of consideration for the East Long Gong's face, even if he did not touch her, he could still touch the things she cared about.

"All of you, return. Be ready to march south at any moment."

"That Wan Yao Dian — it's about time they showed their face."

The West Long Wang calculated on his fingers. Based on his estimate of the South Flood cultivators' strength, given the great demons he had let loose in there, they ought by now to have caused quite a stir.

He would wait only for Zhaoyi's report, and then let that so-called Wan Yao Dian see just what the West Flood Overlord's fearsome name had been built upon.

Just at that moment.

The West Long Wang suddenly froze, then abruptly rose to his feet and looked toward the north.

As a great demon at the peak of the Heavenly realm, his control over this stretch of land and water far exceeded anyone's imagining — so much so that the slightest change allowed him to sense it in advance.

And besides… this was no "slight" change.

The sudden surge of auras flooding into the West Flood made even his heart jolt with dread!

How did this group of northern demons suddenly turn south?!

The four dragon sons sensed their father's strangeness, hurriedly raised their heads, and followed his gaze.

The next moment, a haughty voice echoed through the Long Wang Hall.

"Close your eyes, hold your tongues. Do not look at what you should not, do not ask what you should not."

These auras invaded the waters and lands under Western Hong's jurisdiction, then issued orders to the master of this place in a tone that brooked no negotiation.

Such a thing would be unbearable for anyone.

Yet the Western Long Wang merely pondered for an instant, truly withdrew his gaze, then sat back on his throne as if he had seen nothing at all.

If these two factions were dispatched together, who issued their decree required almost no thought to figure out.

Even if it was curious, it dared not ask another word.

At the same time.

In another part of the sky over Western Hong, amidst swirling clouds and mist, a massive black shadow rolled and churned; occasionally revealed sharp dragon claws seemed to possess the power to tear apart this canopy of sky.

Beside this black shadow, three figures in magnificent embroidered long robes stood with hands behind their backs.

The two in front were older; though no mighty aura leaked outward, their entire beings radiated an unmistakable nobility. The one who had previously warned the Western Long Gong was among them.

To their side and slightly behind stood a tall young man with an heroic countenance; though clad in robes of the same style, he carried an extra edge of sharpness and vigor.

"Sect Master Xue, this is your first time leaving Northern Hong. How does it feel?"

Hearing this, the young man casually glanced at the waters and lands below and said flatly, "Seeking novelty, but nothing much to it."

The two old men smiled silently. This youth had opened the Four Cities, cultivated the Immortal Arts, and taken over a precious land; his fame had spread far across the Four Hongs. He indeed bore much of their own youthful style. A bit of arrogance was only natural, especially since what the other said was simply the truth.

Apart from the north, Eastern Hong still held some interest. As for the remaining two... they were truly lands forgotten by immortals, stirring not a shred of interest.

"Let this pass for now; we have duties. Once we escort the Merit Immortal back to Northern Hong, we will certainly return to investigate the whereabouts of Sect Master Situ. At that time, Sect Master Xue can take a closer look; perhaps you will find some interest."

As the few spoke, there was little tone of worry in their words.

Situ Junrui had surely encountered some trouble, but it would not endanger his life. After all, even though he was among the sect masters of the Liangdaohuang Sect with the least profound foundations, his Earth Realm power, unmatched by any, was solid and real.

Even if he met a Heaven Realm expert, relying on the methods of the Liangdaohuang Palace, at least his life would be secure.

Those who truly possessed such power lacked the courage; the Liangdaohuang Sect's reputation was like a great mountain, enough to break the spines of those barbaric wild cultivators.

Southern Hong, Nanyang Nanyang Baodi.

After returning to the sect, Shen Yi went to the hall atop the mountain peak.

Before him stood three silent Hall Master Stabilizing Stones.

Among them, Ke Laoqi was so excited his shoulders trembled. He knew the reason his master had left this time, and the earlier heavenly and earthly anomalies that had swept across all of Southern Hong could be felt even within the Nanyang Nanyang Baodi.

After Ke Laoqi, he finally had the chance to meet his own clan members.

Moreover, the first to arrive was a heavyweight like the Crown Prince.

He could hardly imagine what level he might reach after devouring the Crown Prince and Qi Zhaoyi; perhaps he would have the chance to become a great demon comparable to his grandfather!

Shen Yi did not make him wait long.

He directly drew out two dragon corpses and transformed them into a river of blood, pouring it into Ke Laoqi's body.

In this situation, every second counted; for every bit of improvement, the success rate of slaying the Southern Long Wang would increase.

One could say that if anything went wrong this time, everything he had done since leaving the Nanyang Nanyang Baodi would be washed away, utterly meaningless.

"Give me some hope."

Shen Yi felt that long-unseen tension once more.

After all, the gap between the mid and late Heaven Realms was too vast. Moreover, Qi Zhaoyi was a Jade-Horned Silver Dragon, so his bloodline would suffer considerable loss; even with both combined, they might not help Ke Laoqi cross this threshold.

Perhaps because these two demon dragons were both outstanding among their peers in the same realm, and both were eldest sons, inheriting the most pure bloodlines.

The process went much smoother than Shen Yi had imagined.

Only as the river of blood poured in did Ke Laoqi's body tremble uncontrollably; golden scales shed, revealing his stone essence. As the stone skin crumbled and fell away, his appearance grew less like the Yellow Fiend Poison Dragon and more like the five-clawed True Dragon Shen Yi understood.

That dense bloodline power emitted an alluring fragrance.

Ke Laoqi's body began to swell violently; even maintaining a human form, he stood over ten zhang tall, his broad shoulders like a small mountain piled up. This towering figure even surpassed his grandfather.

"Huff."

Shen Yi began to condense the demon essence and feed it in, helping this Eastern Hall Master stabilize his demon soul, gradually mastering this new body, and allowing him to better conceal his aura.

This was the trump card; if it could remain hidden, it was best not to expose it.

Finally, Ke Laoqi opened his eyes, and a terrifying sharp light surged within those pupils.

He remained seated cross-legged; to onlookers, he now subtly carried a hint of the Southern Long Wang's flavor.

Late Heaven Realm!

Shen Yi did not rush to excitement but observed carefully.

After a moment, he gently exhaled.

Though in the same realm, the Southern Long Wang's foundation was clearly far deeper; even compared to Senior Ye, he still fell short.

Still not stable enough.

After all, what Shen Yi wanted was not to surpass that old dragon king, nor to suppress him, but to slay him, and without causing too much commotion, to avoid the news leaking out.

"I can only find a way within myself."

Shen Yi signaled Ke Laoqi to transform back into a Stabilizing Stone and sit again, then sat on the cushion in the middle of the hall.

His current strength was actually equivalent to the mid Heaven Realm; yet whether it was the Divine Mountain Suppressing the Blue Sky or the Supreme Netherworld Mansion, both were far stronger than ordinary divine arts, placing him among the stronger ones within the mid Heaven Realm, still a long distance from these late Heaven Realm experts.

To continue improving, there was nothing but divine arts or immortal techniques.

The former required a vast number of Dao-Integration Realm demon Stabilizing Stones to fill the Ten Thousand Demons Hall; currently, there was no suitable opportunity, and time was also insufficient.

"Immortal techniques..."

Shen Yi summoned the panel, his gaze falling upon the Ten Thousand Calamities Blood God Great Art.

This was an introductory fragment Long Yuetian had taken from the Liangdaohuang Sect; to obtain the subsequent techniques, he would certainly have to travel to North Hong.

"Where would I find the leisure for that?"

Shen Yi took a deep breath; since becoming Shen Zongzhu of Nanyang, he had not worried about techniques for a long time.

Now, suddenly having to resume deducing demon techniques, he found himself somewhat unaccustomed to it all at once.

That torment etched into his very bones, merely recalling it, sent shivers down his spine.

He reached out and condensed a demon treasure crystal.

Such a thing, requiring merely a thousand years of demon lifespan, Shen Yi had not touched for a long time.

But the demon souls this could now awaken were incomparable to those of the past.

He lowered his gaze to his palm.

The demon blood stained upon these hands, counting only those at the Harmony Dao realm and above, would have to be calculated in double digits.

Adding several Hall Masters, all were taken into the panel.

【First Year: You open the fragment of the Ten Thousand Calamities Blood God Great Art, casually swallow a demon treasure crystal, and the slumbering demon remnants begin to awaken...】

As vast amounts of demon lifespan poured in.

In an instant, roars from tens of thousands of demons echoed in Shen Yi's ears; the resentment that gathered rose up, nearly bursting through the clouds!

(End of Chapter)