CHAPTER 227: CHAPTER 217 GREAT MOON SAINT’S TRADITION, YOUNGER BROTHERS BOW AND WORSHIP

The purple mist surged like a sea, instantly illuminating the dim world.

Once Zhang Fan’s Innate Divine Ability activated, it devoured the Essence Qi of heaven and earth. The Bright Moon Archipelago immediately collapsed, its myriad islands turning to ash and sinking into the silent sea.

At that moment, a vast toxic gas churned as if a poisoned dragon were awakening and roaring. An air of corruption spread, threatening to wither all life in the area.

"What is this!?"

The demons were horrified. Wherever the purple mist reached, it was as if touched by the long scythe of time.

Every inch of flesh decayed, and every bone grew soft.

Whether they were Demon Cultivators from the Zero Desolate Sea Area or those from other sea regions, every Demon Cultivator felt as if doomsday had arrived.

Fortunately, Zhang Fan had only just awakened the Innate Divine Ability "Calamity of Evil Poison" of the Nine Poison Octopus, and his control over this power was not yet very strong.

SWOOSH! SWOOSH!

The Demon Cultivators scrambled to flee the Bright Moon Archipelago, only managing to ensure their safety after retreating tens of miles.

Such a powerful divine ability! Xuan Guangqiao, let’s see what you do now, Huan Shuangmeng was secretly delighted.

She would not forget the harm Hong Yuan had inflicted upon Spirit Fox Island.

Even now, Spirit Fox Island remained under Hong Yuan’s control, forced to regularly offer precious resources like Tao Enlightenment Stones as tribute.

This Zhang Fan is quite formidable. Unfortunately, he is savage as a demon, believing that a single general’s success is built on the bones of ten thousand soldiers, the Black Shrimp Clan Leader mused. His eyes lit up for a moment, then he sighed softly.

Xuan Guangqiao, you mustn’t lose to that ugly monster Zhang Fan! Ji Qingxue clasped her hands to her heart, her eyes filled with worry.

The commotion from Zhang Fan’s Innate Divine Ability made many powerful demons break out in a cold sweat for Hong Yuan.

Islands collapsed, storms rose, and giant waves scraped the sky...

Each scene of destruction showcased Zhang Fan’s extraordinary strength.

"Xuan Guangqiao, today I’ll show you that in the face of a cultivation realm disparity, all your so-called extraordinary talent is useless!" Zhang Fan sneered, determined to wash away the shame of being defeated by Hong Yuan despite being at a higher rank.

The vast purple mist compressed, forming a colossal octopus.

This colossal octopus was hideous, its tentacles menacing, its aura terrifying.

It had already reached the absolute peak of the fifth rank, just shy of wielding true Divine Power.

The colossal purple octopus surged toward Hong Yuan. Anything it touched, be it massive trees or seawater, instantly turned into toxic gas and dissipated.

"Demon Skill—Frost Lightning Speed!"

Hong Yuan activated his Demon Skill, boldly hurling the Gallbladder Bright Silver Spear.

As it flew, the spear emitted a white light, transforming into a bolt of frost lightning that violently struck the colossal purple octopus.

BOOM!

A deafening sound reverberated as invisible shockwaves violently erupted, spreading outwards.

Many Demon Cultivators failed to react in time. They were knocked off their feet by the shockwave and plunged into the salty seawater.

"HYAAAH!" Zhang Fan roared, his purple hair whipping wildly.

Reinforced by his Demon Essence, the colossal purple octopus easily swatted the Gallbladder Bright Silver Spear aside and charged toward Hong Yuan with even greater speed.

Drip, drip.

Rain continued to fall from the sky. A streak of lightning cleaved the void, illuminating Hong Yuan’s figure.

At this moment, Hong Yuan held the Flood Gathering War Banner, his expression calm.

Facing the purple fog octopus, which was now close at hand, he swung the Flood Gathering War Banner without haste.

"Water Manifestation—Cold Moon Dragon!"

The Flood Gathering War Banner emitted a strange ripple. A ferocious, dark-bodied Flood Dragon, three hundred and sixty meters long, rose before Hong Yuan and crashed into the colossal purple octopus.

The two beasts clashed, each collision terrifying enough to make hearts tremble.

The tremendous roar of their impact, accompanied by surging black and purple shockwaves, echoed through the heavens.

Zhang Fan was still roaring, recklessly unleashing his Innate Divine Ability. The purple octopus’s aura steadily intensified, drawing ever closer to Saint-level power.

"Fellow Daoist, aren’t you going to stop this child, Zhang Fan?" the Snow Moon Demon Saint asked with a worried expression. She could see Zhang Fan was burning his life potential to fuel his Divine Power.

"Young demons... they never listen," the Poison Chapter Demon Saint sighed helplessly.

"Wait! What!?" the Red Luck Demon Saint suddenly exclaimed.

「Below.」

A blue light burst forth from the Myriad Silence Realm Divine Power within Hong Yuan’s body, enveloping the Water Beast Flood Dragon.

The Water Beast Flood Dragon’s aura immediately broke through the absolute peak of the fifth rank, touching upon true Divine Power.

ROAR!

The Water Beast Flood Dragon roared and charged at the purple fog octopus.

Before Zhang Fan’s astonished eyes, the purple fog octopus was torn apart by the Water Beast Flood Dragon in an instant. It dissolved into mist, allowing the Water Beast Flood Dragon to rampage unimpeded.

"This can’t be..." Zhang Fan’s eyes widened, an instinctive plea for mercy escaping his lips.

However, the Water Beast Flood Dragon, devoid of emotion, slammed into him, shattering his bones and rupturing his organs. Blood gushed from his wounds.

Zhang Fan’s consciousness blurred. A purple glow enveloped him as he was forcibly reverted to his True Body, that of the Nine Poison Octopus.

He was barely clinging to life.

The outcome was decided.

A streak of golden light flashed across the sky. It struck Zhang Fan, enveloping him in a golden cocoon, and he entered a state of healing.

HISS~

The Demon Cultivators observing from outside the archipelago all gasped, shocked by Hong Yuan’s strength.

GULP~ The heavens must be blind to let a tyrant like Xuan Guangqiao become so formidable! Huan Shuangmeng secretly swallowed hard.

That was Divine Power, and from a fourth-rank being at that! We must ally with Xuan Guangqiao! We absolutely must!! the Black Shrimp Clan Leader thought, his eyes wide with terror.

Xuan Guangqiao, so heroic!

Ji Qingxue’s heart fluttered, her gaze entirely fixed on Hong Yuan.

In contrast to the demons’ shock, the four Demon Saints in the clouds fell into a profound silence.

This was especially true for the Poison Chapter Demon Saint, the eldest among them, and the Red Luck Demon Saint, renowned for his extensive knowledge of ancient texts.

After a moment of silence, the Poison Chapter Demon Saint looked at Hong Yuan and said gravely, "If I’m not mistaken, that war banner in Xuan Guangqiao’s hands isn’t just some demon artifact. It’s a Tao Species."

The Red Luck Demon Saint added, "A Tao Species—the Flood Gathering War Banner! The very one used by the Great Moon Saint Han Jiuming in his youth!"

Now the Red Luck Demon Saint understood why Xuan Guangqiao could always suppress Li Jianqiu. It turned out Xuan Guangqiao had received a portion of the Great Moon Saint’s legacy and benefited from its shelter!

"Unless a Tao Species becomes a Holy Artifact, it’s ultimately useless. Besides, Guangqiao is already on the Dragon God Sacred Land’s list of disciples!" the Black Dragon Demon Saint interjected, breaking the other Saints’ reverie.

"Indeed. For us, Holy Artifacts are fundamental!" the Snow Moon Demon Saint immediately concurred.

The Demon Saints tacitly changed the subject, turning their discussion to the Battle of the Ten Thousand Domains.

Yet, they occasionally cast glances at Hong Yuan, their eyes filled with complex emotions.

Although a Tao Species wasn’t of great use to them directly, the information it might contain was worth investigating, especially one used by the Great Moon Saint. The Great Moon Saint Han Jiuming had come incredibly close to shattering the world’s suppression and becoming a Demon Emperor. The Flood Gathering War Banner might very well contain his True Transmission, elucidating his Tao and principles. The True Transmission of a being who had nearly ascended to emperorship was immensely valuable! Unfortunately, Xuan Guangqiao was listed as a disciple of the Dragon God Sacred Land and thus under its protection.

...

The rain continued its gentle patter.

Hong Yuan stood amidst the ruins of the Bright Moon Archipelago, absorbing the myriad rays of moonlight.

In Hong Yuan’s sight, strands of purple karmic fortune emerged from Zhang Fan, who was still inside the golden cocoon, and drifted towards him.

The little white dragon perched on his head eagerly struck out, swallowing the purple karmic fortune in a single gulp as if it had just had a hearty meal.

"Great One," the Black Shrimp Clan Leader said, standing just off the island and smiling obsequiously at Hong Yuan.

Seeing Hong Yuan look his way, the Clan Leader continued, "I am Hei Xiaoxia, Clan Leader of the Black Shrimp Tribe from the Chenye Sea Area. I wish to follow you, Great One, and participate in the Battle of the Ten Thousand Domains."

Hong Yuan didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he glanced at the various unfamiliar Demon Cultivators who were stirring restlessly.

"Great One, I am from the Bright Day Sea Area’s Water Wing Wolf tribe..."

"Great One, I am from the Minghui Sea Area’s Golden Arrow Gryphon tribe..."

"..."

The foreign Demon Cultivators all knelt, hoping Hong Yuan would accept their tribes as vassals and shelter them through the calamity of the Battle of the Ten Thousand Domains.

This single battle had made Hong Yuan famous!

"Hmm, Hei Xiaoxia, you are quite astute," Hong Yuan nodded slightly.

Hei Xiaoxia’s face lit up with elation, and he hurriedly responded. The other Clan Leaders could only stare at him with envy and resentment.

It was a classic case of "offering a thousand gold for mere horse bones"; the first to pledge fealty often gained the most.