CHAPTER 228: CHAPTER 218: WINNING HEARTS AND BUILDING A TEAM

Above the clouds.

Red Luck Demon Saint stared deeply at Hong Yuan before he left.

Hong Yuan was currently accepting the allegiance of various clans from the Zero Desolate Sea Region.

With the help of Gui Qu, a Wisdom Tao Great Demon, one beneficial alliance pact after another was being signed by the Demons.

Where the Demon heart directs.

Clearly the Zero Desolate Sea Area is the region with the weakest foundation, but looking at it this way, there might actually be a chance for Xuan Guangqiao to dominate.

Perhaps, I can use Xuan Guangqiao to let Jianqiu borrow momentum and gather strength. And then, with a sudden strike, become the true ultimate winner!?

Red Luck Demon Saint pondered in his heart.

Even though he soared through the sky, with biting Cold Wind in his face, Red Luck Demon Saint’s mood grew hotter and hotter.

His pair of crimson pupils shone brightly, barely concealing his excitement.

The battle for supremacy among the Ten Thousand Domains was a grand melee that involved Saints of the Demon Clan. It was not just young Demons participating but also old-guard Demon powerhouses.

Those old-guard Demon powerhouses were only an opportunity away from reaching the Demon Saint Realm.

There are many capable hands. But if Jianqiu relies on Xuan Guangqiao, then she will have enough time to grow.

With Jianqiu’s talent, it will definitely not be difficult for her to challenge the Green Dragon Heavenly Scenic Tower Demon Realm. At that time, I can also obtain the Holy Artifact!

Thinking this, Red Luck Demon Saint once again spurred his Immortal Nuance and activated his Divine Power.

He transformed into a red divine rainbow, crossing hundreds of miles in the blink of an eye, leaving leisurely.

They had to take action too.

「...」

The decrepit Bright Moon Archipelago creaked under its unbearable burden before finally sinking into the depths of the sea.

As time passed, the sea surface gradually became calm, leaving only a giant ice ship drifting in this place.

Inside the giant ice ship, Hong Yuan sat high on the main seat, occasionally welcoming guests.

On the deck of the ice ship, Huan Shuangmeng watched batch after batch of strong Demons with various expressions, clenching her silver teeth in secret.

Damn Xuan Guangqiao, definitely opening its greedy maw to each clan, demanding the sky.

As she fumed with seething frustration, she suddenly saw her master—Island Master Huanyuelong of Spirit Fox Island, hastily rushing to meet with Hong Yuan along with clan members.

Huanyuelong, dressed in a blue palace dress, regal and elegant, exuded a cool and detached temperament like the moon.

No way! Could it be that Master intends to completely submit to this Evil Python and become his accomplice?

Huan Shuangmeng’s complexion turned dull, staring blankly as her master Huanyuelong and the clan elders headed into the interior of the ice ship.

Inside the ice ship, among a forest of ice pillars, stood only one White Snow Palace.

Several Tao Soldiers of the Black Dragon Palace stood guard outside the White Snow Palace, wary of outside Demons.

After Huanyuelong handed over the visitor’s card, she and a few clan elders waited respectfully outside.

"Island Master Huan, come in."

A deep voice came from inside.

Huanyuelong took a deep breath, lightly stepped forward, and walked in gracefully.

Inside the White Snow Palace, there sat Hong Yuan in a white robe on the main seat, looking down at Huanyuelong as she walked in.

Upon seeing Huanyuelong, Hong Yuan’s eyes involuntarily brightened.

Her face was pure, her figure graceful, exceedingly charming.

One had to admit, the number one beauty Demon of the Zero Desolate Sea Area was indeed very pretty.

"Taoist Zhenyi," said Huanyuelong in a soft voice, "Spirit Fox Island also wishes to follow Taoist Zhenyi in joining the battle for supremacy among the Ten Thousand Domains and hopes for your grace and favor."

After speaking, Huanyuelong bent her body, drawing a beautiful curve.

TAP. TAP.

Hong Yuan’s right index finger lightly tapped on his chair, weighing his options.

To lead an army into a battle, I must have my own central army and personal guard.

The central army’s position undoubtedly belongs to that group of Black Dragon Warriors who fought desperately in the sea area’s border defense battles.

This group of Black Dragon Warriors is mainly composed of the Winter Roaring Lion Clan, the Flame Tiger Clan, and Spirit Monkey Mountain. I need to tightly control these three forces.

As for the personal guard, that will be Taoists drawn from the Black Dragon Tao Palace.

These Taoists are either the Master of a certain clan within the Zero Desolate Sea Area or a Clan Leader.

Spirit Fox Island...

Hong Yuan glanced at Huanyuelong.

Being openly scrutinized by Hong Yuan, Huanyuelong’s body trembled, feeling as if she were being stared down by a ferocious beast, and a sense of fear blossomed in her heart.

Huanyuelong found Hong Yuan’s growth unbelievable.

To think, the first time I saw Hong Yuan, he was just a minor second-rank Demon.

In just a few years, Hong Yuan has risen from a second-rank Demon to a fourth-rank one, and his strength is even greater than mine—this is too abnormal!

Fox Cultivators generally practice Illusion Tao, and Illusion Tao is a branch of Soul Tao.

"So, you will be under Gui Qu’s command, responsible for managing matters of battle merit rewards and punishments."

"Work hard. If you perform well, I will give you a fitting reward and also allow you to expand your influence."

Hong Yuan offered several comforting words, promising grand prospects in his speech, and within those words, he decided the fate of an entire clan.

Accounting for military achievements and related matters was a logistical affair.

As long as no major catastrophe occurred, logistics were far safer than the front lines.

Seeing Hong Yuan’s generosity, Huan Yuelong’s eyes brimmed with joyful tears.

"Thank you, Taoist Zhenyi. I shall be willing to die a thousand deaths in servitude."

THUMP. THUMP. Huan Yuelong kowtowed heavily to Hong Yuan, expressing her gratitude.

At this moment, Huan Yuelong, the peerlessly beautiful Demon of the Zero Desolate Sea Area, was humbly kneeling before Hong Yuan with none of her usual pride and self-possession.

"You may leave now."

"Yes, Taoist Zhenyi."

Huan Yuelong wiped away the tears at the corner of her eyes, regained her composure, picked up the hem of her dress, and carefully made her exit.

「Outside.」

Huan Shuangmeng and the elders of Spirit Fox Island occasionally glanced towards the White Snow Palace, fearful of any major disturbances.

When Island Master Huanyuelong emerged with a smile on her face, they immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

"Master, what did that Xuan... Sir say?" Huan Shuangmeng quickly corrected herself.

"Everything is proceeding smoothly. Spirit Fox Island has been assigned to serve under Master Gui Qu as logistical officers," Huan Yuelong happily reported.

The other elders immediately lit up with smiles of relief and joy.

The members of Spirit Fox Island, all Fox Cultivators, were not adept at direct combat. They were definitely suited to matters of strategy and logistics.

Hmph, that Xuan Guangqiao does have some discernment, thought Huan Shuangmeng to herself, her opinion of Hong Yuan slightly improving.

「...」

Inside the White Snow Palace, Hong Yuan was frequently accepting the allegiance of various forces.

Although nearly thirty years remained before the start of the battle for the Ten Thousand Domains, Demon lifespans often counted in the hundreds of years. Thirty years would pass quickly for them.

Moreover, the standing of a force was fixed.

Those who arrived late, no matter how talented, could only occupy lower positions. They would have to work twice as hard to achieve even a little recognition.

On the other hand, securing a position early allowed for an earlier fortune.

"Rest assured, Taoist Zhenyi, the Winter Roaring Lion Clan will shed the last drop of blood for your great cause," declared the Winter Roaring Lion Clan Leader.

"The Flame Tiger Clan feels the same!"

The Winter Roaring Lion Clan Leader, Winter Roaring, and the Flame Tiger Clan Leader, Yan Chong, both knelt on one knee, showing their respect for Hong Yuan.

These two clans provided nearly half of the Black Dragon Warrior battalion’s forces, and with their allegiance, Hong Yuan had nearly secured the Black Dragon Warrior battalion.

He now truly held the power that belonged to him.

"Haha, please rise," Hong Yuan exclaimed, quickly descending from his throne to help the two clan leaders to their feet.

"We’ve been through trials together. With the support of the two clan leaders, what difficulties should we fear?"

Hong Yuan exerted his strength and lifted both clan leaders up.

Winter Roaring and Yan Chong exchanged glances, both seeing the astonishment in each other’s eyes.

After shedding their ancestral grudges, they had both advanced to become fifth-rank Demons, their bodies incredibly heavy.

Yet just now, Taoist Zhenyi had lifted them with his mere physical strength alone.

What kind of power is this!?

Even after leaving the White Snow Palace, they had not yet grasped what had just happened.

「...」

After seeing off the clan leaders of the Winter Roaring Lions and the Flame Tigers, Hong Yuan welcomed an unexpected visitor.

The Lord of Spirit Monkey Mountain, a Taoist Zhenyi of the Black Dragon Palace, a fifth-rank, peak Power Tao Great Demon — the Arm-length Monkey, Yuan Tongtian.

Yuan Tongtian, dressed in a blue Taoist robe and wearing a black cap, exuded an air of sage-like refinement.

"Master Xuan, Spirit Monkey Mountain also wishes to follow Master Xuan and join the battle for the Ten Thousand Domains," Yuan Tongtian said warmly, with a calm and remote demeanor.

Hong Yuan was surprised in his heart.

Within the Black Dragon Palace, only fifth-rank Great Demons acknowledged by the Black Dragon Demon Saint could become a Taoist Zhenyi.

Each of these Taoist Zhenyi was incredibly powerful, and in the past ten-plus years, only a few Demons had received this title.

In the past, these Taoist Zhenyi had been indifferent towards Hong Yuan, maintaining a neutral and distant attitude.

Power, power! Hong Yuan silently repeated in his heart. Fortunately, once the core team is established, I can legitimately absorb the essence of flesh and blood through various battles to grow.

Hong Yuan accepted Spirit Monkey Mountain.

With this, the strongest battalion of the Zero Desolate Sea Area was already under Hong Yuan’s control.

After spending half a month, Hong Yuan had just managed to put together a foundation for his forces.

His influence had grown considerably, so much so that even the Black Dragon Demon Saint reminded Hong Yuan not to reveal his strength too soon.

Tens of thousands of Demons, millions of Ferocious Beasts...

And this was merely the cream of the crop, not even taking into account the initial state of the Nine Poison Sea Area!