CHAPTER 408: CHAPTER 361: WATER DRAGON FIRE PHOENIX, DRAGON AND PHOENIX CHIME TOGETHER

Hong Yuan didn’t spend all his time at the Ji Family residence, limiting his activities to LuoYing City. Teaching Hua Menghuang didn’t consume much of his energy. Occasionally, he would venture out to explore the landscapes and local customs of the Southern Border.

「On this day.」

The sunshine was warm, and a gentle breeze drifted by.

Hong Yuan waved goodbye to the Butterfly Sword Martial Saint and Hua Menghuang. Under their watchful eyes, his Sword Light flashed. He instantly transformed into a sword rainbow, dissolving into the vast sky. His flying speed was truly such that he could reach Cangwu by morning and the North Sea by dusk, embodying the grace of a carefree Sword Immortal.

WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH...

The biting Cold Wind swiftly cut through the air. Hong Yuan’s figure vanished in a flash, as swift as a shooting star.

Before long, Hong Yuan had left the Ji Family’s territory. Gradually, he slowed his rapid pace, leisurely enjoying the mountains and rivers with great pleasure. Soon after, he reached a mountain stronghold and paused briefly. This stronghold was named Qing He Mountain and was home to three major clans: Xiong, Bai, and Guyue. This was precisely the reason Hong Yuan had stopped.

Qing He Mountain, the Xiong, Bai, and Guyue families.

Hehe, I wonder if this Guyue clan has a branch with the Fang surname.

Hong Yuan’s eyes deepened thoughtfully. A flash of blue light suddenly emitted from the Heavenly River Sword, flowing over Hong Yuan. Soon, Hong Yuan’s form began to change. He transformed from an accomplished Sword Immortal into a blue-robed teacher.

With this disguise, even if I’m discovered, I probably won’t attract too much attention from the people here.

After inspecting his attire, Hong Yuan nodded in satisfaction. Then, he followed Greenstone Avenue towards the Guyue Clan.

The Guyue Clan was currently holding its youth competition, its gates wide open, welcoming Martial Artists from neighboring strongholds to watch.

"Long Gui and Long Ju are blood brothers. Who would have thought their aptitudes would be so drastically different!"

"Indeed! The younger brother possesses a one-in-ten-thousand Class A aptitude, while the older brother only has D-rank aptitude. The difference is truly staggering."

"TSK TSK. I heard the Clan Leader intends to take Long Ju as a Disciple and cultivate him with the privileges of a young clan leader. It’s truly enviable..."

At the Guyue Clan’s Martial Arts Field, several guests were engaged in lively discussion, the main topic revolving around the Long brothers.

In a corner, Long Gui clenched his fists tightly, grinding his teeth.

Long Gui, Long Ju? Hong Yuan mused, narrowing his eyes as he watched Long Gui in the corner. Without hesitation, Hong Yuan activated his Luck Tao Divine Power.

The next moment, Long Gui’s fortune appeared before Hong Yuan’s eyes:

A bleak, greyish-white aura of luck signified that even if he became a Martial Artist, he would likely only be a low-level one, his future prospects not exceeding the fourth rank. Yet, within this aura, a speck of murky black water lay hidden at the very bottom.

Neither black nor white... could this be his chance to turn his luck around? Hong Yuan pondered.

After a moment, Hong Yuan’s fingers twitched subtly. Almost invisibly, a Soul Dragon drifted out from the Heavenly River Sword, heading straight for Long Gui.

Just as the Soul Dragon invaded Long Gui’s body, a sense of loss washed over him. He suddenly looked up, scanning his surroundings. But Hong Yuan’s mastery of Soul Tao was at the Grandmaster Realm, a rare achievement. Long Gui, a mere rank-one Martial Artist, stood no chance against such a technique. In no time, the Soul Dragon latched onto Long Gui, making its way stealthily towards his mind.

Not an Extraterrestrial Demon.

Hehe, I was indeed overthinking things.

How could he possibly be the Temporal Tao practitioner I’m searching for? I’ve been overthinking this! Hong Yuan laughed, relieved.

However, he didn’t completely retract the Soul Dragon. Instead, he had it leave a faint imprint on Long Gui, allowing Hong Yuan to effectively track his whereabouts.

DONG...

DONG DONG...

On the arena stage, the referee struck the gong heavily and announced the next match.

"Long Gui, Long Ju, step forward for your match!"

A pair of youths, ninety-nine percent identical in appearance but with entirely different demeanors, stepped onto the stage. One wore luxurious Martial Artist attire, brimming with confidence and energy. The other was dressed plainly, a look of resentment on his face.

"Moonlight Worm!"

Long Gui immediately unleashed his strongest technique. A cool, water-like blade of moonlight materialized in his hand and slashed towards Long Ju.

"My foolish brother, you revealed your trump card too early," his younger brother Long Ju sneered disdainfully. With a backward leap, he easily dodged the attack. A closer look revealed a pair of Flea Worms on his feet!

The Southern Border is renowned for its Worm Masters. It seems to be true, Hong Yuan, observing from the sidelines, nodded. However, Long Gui is about to lose.

As expected, Long Ju, superior in Worms, information, and aptitude, held the upper hand in all aspects. A single sprint and a direct punch were enough to make Long Gui double over, cutting a sorry figure.

Amidst the cheers of the audience, Long Ju basked in glory. Long Gui, however, was as dejected as a stray dog, utterly crestfallen.

Watching the dispirited Long Gui, Hong Yuan was reminded of himself.

If I hadn’t awakened my Mysterious Water Snake Avatar back then, even with the aid of the proficiency panel, I probably would have struggled to become a Saint, let alone pursue the Path of Immortality.

However, Long Gui’s appearance had sharply reminded Hong Yuan of the Temporal Tao lineage and its legendary Divine Power—Year Recede. Hong Yuan suddenly found himself much more invested in cultivating Temporal Tao.

No matter what, this river of time I, Hong Yuan, am in must be solidified. It must become forbidden ground.

A realm that absolutely cannot be touched!

...

The days of travel were fleeting; the days of teaching, however, were long.