Longevity Martial Arts: I have a Mysterious Water Snake Avatar-Chapter 682 - 473: The Eternal Glory of the Human Race

In the empty sky, Xiao Yuan's entire being flickered with a pitch-black divine radiance. Every pore on his body spewed forth thick demonic flames—grotesque and savage, sowing seeds of terror throughout the world.

Facing the combined attack of Hua Menghuang and Shang Yaoqin—their first, yet perfectly synchronized—Xiao Yuan let out a deafening roar. The entire Eastern Wilderness Divine Continent seemed to shudder, as if the heavens were tearing asunder and the earth splitting apart.

He threw a punch, impossible to meet head-on, pressing down towards the Phoenix Creek Sect. This punch silenced all creation. It carried the domineering, unparalleled might of the Soul Killing lineage's Holy Son; his aura surged to the heavens, his black robes billowing. His killing intent, like a boundless, hellish ocean, completely enveloped the Phoenix Creek Sect.

He seethed with hatred. Even facing a desperate, life-or-death struggle, he would drag Hong Yuan down with him!

"Seeking death!" A glint of icy light flashed in Shang Yaoqin's eyes.

If it weren't for ensuring her Senior Sister, Ye Zhuyin, could live a happy and blissful life after the battle for Destiny, she wouldn't have needed to lay such extensive plans concerning Hong Yuan.

The importance of Ye Zhuyin to her was self-evident!

Now, Xiao Yuan's actions were undoubtedly prodding her most sensitive nerve repeatedly.

A clear, resonant phoenix cry suddenly echoed through the world.

The colossal Divine Appearance of a phoenix materialized once more, its strong, powerful wings spread wide, completely shielding the Phoenix Creek Sect.

Phoenix Creek Treasure Skill!

Shang Yaoqin was using the Phoenix Creek Treasure Skill against Xiao Yuan!

Seeing his opponent dare to employ such a divine secret technique, a flicker of mockery crossed Xiao Yuan's eyes, but an instant later, he was dumbstruck.

Endless light shimmered as if a galaxy from beyond the heavens had collapsed. It converged at the storm's center, rapidly sweeping outward and scraping away vast swathes of the void.

Yet, Xiao Yuan saw the Phoenix Creek Sect remained utterly unharmed!

How is this possible? Xiao Yuan's throat tightened.

Shang Yaoqin retorted with a cold sneer, "If you didn't possess the status of a Great Dream Seed, do you truly believe you could have defeated Senior Brother Hong Yuan?"

「Meanwhile.」

Hua Menghuang paid no heed to the grudge between Shang Yaoqin and Xiao Yuan.

Just as Shang Yaoqin confronted Xiao Yuan, a vast, dreamlike radiance slowly emerged on the Dream Sword.

CLANG!

The cold sword was unsheathed, its brilliance illuminating the nine provinces.

She forcibly dragged them both into the Dream World.

In the Dream World, Xiao Yuan's chances of survival were even slimmer...

"GASP..."

"Xiao Yuan is likely gone for good this time..."

"All his scheming has backfired; too clever for his own good, and now it's cost him his life."

"The Killing Tao is indeed formidable, but which Great Emperor was ever a simple figure? Let alone mere Divine Powers of the Killing Tao."

"Alas, it's not that Xiao Yuan was too clever, but that Hong Yuan is too extraordinary. To think he withstood Xiao Yuan's hunt for so long."

"It's just a pity that Hong Yuan's foundation of the Great Taoism has collapsed. He'll likely find it difficult to achieve Sainthood."

"That's a surprising claim! Once Hong Yuan reshapes his foundation, he will surely shine even more brilliantly."

"Heh, didn't he receive the profound favor of Book Mountain? Perhaps... he will achieve Sainthood through the Human Tao?"

"No, Yuan'er!!"

Voices of regret, mockery, and anger surged like crashing waves. On this day, correspondence within Treasured Yellow Heaven was incredibly intense.

All the Saints paid close attention to this battle.

Even the Demon Clan Saints were employing every means possible to obtain firsthand information.

The favor of Book Mountain?

Achieving Sainthood through the Human Tao?

Between Heaven and Earth, there always exist some exceptionally unique factions. These factions, often delineated by race, contained infinite profundities.

For instance, the Demon Tao, the Human Tao...

「At this moment.」

In the Phoenix Creek Sect's Grand Hall.

Hong Yuan, slumbering in Ye Zhuyin's embrace, had escaped the brink of death but was still in a precarious condition.

Yet, under the incredulous gazes of the Martial Arts Heavenly Talents and Sect Elders, the Heaven Earth Secret Realm, Book Mountain, reappeared.

A stream of ink-like Immortal Qi surged within Book Mountain, pouring into the tome inscribed with the character 'Gong', then slowly enveloping Hong Yuan's form.

「The next moment.」

Hong Yuan's figure drifted from Ye Zhuyin's embrace, hovering in mid-air.

HUM...

HUM... HUM...

It was as if an invisible presence in the world was treating Hong Yuan's body like a blank sheet of paper, dipping a brush in ink.

Dot, horizontal, vertical, left-falling stroke, right-falling stroke...

"Supreme Elder, what is this?" Deep within the Heavenly Palace, Flower Yingying asked the East Supreme Saint, a hint of surprise in her voice.

The East Supreme Saint, clad in an elegant blue scholar's robe, wore a complex expression. "That is Book Mountain reshaping Hong Yuan's foundation of the Great Taoism..."

A flicker of amazement shone in Flower Yingying's eyes.

Truthfully, Hong Yuan's performance today had already astounded her.

Who was Xiao Yuan? A Great Dream Seed, a descendant of the Soul Killing Demon Emperor; it was no overstatement to call him divinely gifted. Yet, Hong Yuan had still managed to push Xiao Yuan into a corner, even towards a dead end. And now, Xiao Yuan was being besieged by the Heavenly Talents Hua Menghuang and Shang Yaoqin, all due to Hong Yuan's counterattack. So, if Hong Yuan's foundation of the Great Taoism were to be reshaped by Book Mountain, it would surely lead to a breakthrough after destruction. His future would become even more unimaginable.

Flower Yingying said hesitantly, "The... Human Tao Executor?"

It was well known that all who could become Human Tao Executors were ancient sages. Although these ancient sages might not have been as powerful as the Great Emperors, their contributions to the Human Race were universally acknowledged! From now on, could Hong Yuan truly be cultivated as a future Right Way Leader?!

「Fifteen minutes later.」

Within the Sect's Grand Hall, a soft moan was heard as Hong Yuan slowly regained consciousness.

The inky Immortal Qi dispersed, and Book Mountain vanished from sight.

Hong Yuan gently descended from mid-air and was caught in Ye Zhuyin's embrace.

His face was still pale, and he looked utterly drained, yet anyone could see the formidable power of his current aura.

Once he resumed his cultivation, he would undoubtedly grow at an astonishing pace.

For an existence like Hong Yuan, recultivation was merely a matter of one or two years. If circumstances allowed, it might not even take a month; it wouldn't be an issue at all!

In that instant, everyone seemed to glimpse the moment of Hong Yuan's triumphant return, and they couldn't help but draw a sharp breath.

"Yuan..."

"Peak Master Hong..."

"Senior Brother Hong Yuan..."

A series of names and titles rang out as everyone looked at Hong Yuan with concern.

Hong Yuan nodded slightly, acknowledging them.

Just then, he felt soft hair brush his nose, a fragrant scent wafted over him, and a gentle warmth pressed against him.

He glanced to the side and met Ye Zhuyin's gaze, her limpid autumn eyes filled with affection.

He sighed inwardly, lamenting another emotional debt incurred. Then, Hong Yuan roused his spirits and smiled. "Zhu Yin, it seems I'll have to trouble you a little more. I hope you won't find me a burden..."

"No, I don't mind! I don't mind at all," Ye Zhuyin rushed to say before Hong Yuan could even finish.

A moment later, realizing her own forwardness, Ye Zhuyin's ears turned slightly red.

Hong Yuan merely smiled, offered his thanks, then closed his eyes to sense the changes within his body.

Even a cursory examination shocked him.

The foundation of this body had completely transformed. It was no longer dominated by the Water Tao; instead, it was suffused with the profound essence of the Human Tao.

It was more fitting to call it a Human Tao Incarnation than a Water Tao Incarnation!

Hong Yuan silently assessed his condition, his mind racing.

Switch paths? Follow the Human Tao and become the Right Way Leader?! Also, to be prudent, I must guard against any ulterior motives from Book Mountain. This body will have to be independent from now on; it must not come into contact with my Original Body or the Demonic Body...

Thoughts flashed through his mind with lightning speed.

Hong Yuan quickly made his decision.

「A short while later.」

Hong Yuan slowly opened his eyes. Along with the others, he silently gazed towards the horizon, awaiting the conclusion of the final battle.

Unlike the complex emotions of those around him—some hopeful, others anxious that the struggle for the Human Race Destiny might end with this battle—Hong Yuan's heart was remarkably calm.

He still believed that this battle would not decide the Human Race Destiny, and the Dream Tao Master would not appear so soon.

He had unshakable confidence in his judgment of character!

Rivers and mountains may change, but a person's fundamental nature is difficult to alter.

He didn't believe he had misjudged Hua Menghuang and Shang Yaoqin.

After all, although Xiao Yuan himself had created this situation, the one truly manipulating its course from behind the scenes was him, Hong Yuan!

「The Dream World.」

SPURT—

A mouthful of dark heart blood erupted from Xiao Yuan's lips.

He had long since reverted to his normal appearance, but he was now in a wretched state.

"Human Tao! Damn you, Hong Yuan!" Xiao Yuan roared in a low, resentful voice.

If Hong Yuan hadn't, with a willingness for mutual destruction, created for him a minuscule opening—one that barely counted as a flaw—he wouldn't have been so quickly and thoroughly routed by Shang Yaoqin and Hua Menghuang, left to flee like a beaten dog.

BOOM!

Hua Menghuang pressed her advantage, attacking fiercely. Her movement technique was as swift as lightning, each sword strike more vicious than the last, every blow aimed at Xiao Yuan's vulnerabilities.

Shang Yaoqin was no less formidable. Her presence was overwhelming, like a force engulfing mountains and rivers. Her dark imperial robes surged with majestic lightning, crashing forward with the force of toppling mountains and overturning seas, completely cutting off Xiao Yuan's escape.

「Fifteen minutes later.」

The setting sun was the color of blood, the mountain wind as sharp as a blade.

Xiao Yuan stood in his tattered black robes, his hair disheveled. His exposed skin was covered in wounds, beyond the help of even his time-sensitive Innate Divine Ability to heal.

He stood alone atop the mountain, glaring defiantly at Hua Menghuang and Shang Yaoqin.

But with his nemeses surrounding him, all paths to survival were severed.

He was at the end of his rope; death today was certain.

In this desperate moment, Xiao Yuan's mind surprisingly cleared. Reason regained control.

His spiritual altar, his sea of consciousness, which had been muddled and ceaselessly trembling due to the Devouring Soul Kill, was now completely serene.

At this moment, Xiao Yuan had much to say, but as the words reached his lips, none would come out.

As a Great Dream Seed, who wouldn't have dreamed of becoming the Great Dream Emperor and how they would protect the Human Race? But precisely because of that, one also imagined what kind of defeat they might suffer.

Silence.

After a moment, Xiao Yuan faced Shang Yaoqin and Hua Menghuang directly.

He said with resignation, "Be it strength or Tao Heritage... take everything I have. Become the Great Dream Emperor, and ensure the eternal glory of the Human Race."

SQUELCH—

SHINK—

Two distinct piercing sounds rang out.

Xiao Yuan was utterly dead, all signs of life extinguished!

This Supreme Talent, who so strongly resembled his distant ancestor, the Soul Killing Demon Emperor, had met his end.

「An hour later.」

Two figures, locked in an intense struggle, burst out of the Dream World, only to swiftly part ways and fly in different directions.

Shang Yaoqin and Hua Menghuang were present—but Xiao Yuan was conspicuously absent!

At this point, even the dullest observer understood: Xiao Yuan was dead.

"Xiao Yuan... is dead?!"

"GASP..."

"He's finally dead! HAHA, the heavens have eyes!"

"I can't believe it... Wasn't Xiao Yuan said to possess unparalleled talent, his brilliance surpassing even the Soul Killing Emperor?"

"Yuan'er! Yuan'er! Please come back! Wuwuwu..."

Within the Sect Alliance, especially among the Phoenix Creek Great Saint and their allies, there was an atmosphere of unrestrained joy and elation.

In the Human Clan Sky Palace, many Great Saints were in an uproar, finding it difficult to believe that Xiao Yuan's end had come so swiftly.

And at the seat of the Soul Killing Demon Emperor's Tao Heritage, within a magnificent, resplendent grand hall, a group of Saints stood dumbfounded, staring in stunned disbelief at the distant figures of Shang Yaoqin and Hua Menghuang.

Defeated? Had their proud and esteemed Holy Son truly been defeated?

SPURT!

SPURT!

A series of sickening coughs, as people spat blood, echoed, causing a wave of panic.

Several venerable Elders of the Soul Killing lineage couldn't withstand the shock and fainted on the spot.

Among them, Xiao Shuqing, an ancient figure from the same generation as the Soul Killing Emperor's Son, Xiao Zhanxian, even stiffened and died on the spot.

One lives for their pride, for that breath of resolve.

Since ancient times, the unwavering spirit that Xiao Shuqing had held deep within his heart completely crumbled and dissipated with Xiao Yuan's death.

Henceforth, the name of the Soul Killing Demon Emperor would be passed down, but it would carry an eternal stain.

Because he was the only Great Emperor to have been worn down and outlasted by an unconventional cultivator who achieved the Tao by leveraging lifespan.

He would be ridiculed for eternity, cited as a cautionary tale of the Human Race's inferiority to the Demon Clan.

The only one!

Hate! Such bitter hatred! It was hard to breathe...