159: Keep fighting the turtle

Deep within the spirit cave of Qianjiao Cliff, Gao De coiled, his body wreathed in Purple Lightning. His aura was more composed and sharp than before he hunted the Ink-Armored Dragon Turtle.

The consumption of the dragon turtle Bloodline brought not just a slight increase in Bloodline concentration, but a polishing of his Foundation, as if the depths of his bones and tendons had been imbued with the steady power of the dragon turtle.

Floating before him was the latest intelligence summary Jade Slip that Turtle Three Thousand had just submitted, along with an updated hunting list.

On the list, the name "Ink-Armored Dragon Turtle" had been grayed out and crossed off, while the intelligence on other targets was more detailed, even noting information on new potential competitors.

"Master, the Silver-Scaled Gyarados King has been extremely active recently. Within a three-hundred-li radius of the 'Cold Crystal Pool' where it resides, squads of Human Cultivators of unknown identity have appeared. The aura of one group matches that of the demons from the Heavenly Demon Cult.

The Demon Soldiers under the Thunder Tiger Demon King are also frequently active in the northwest, about five hundred li from the Cold Crystal Pool, their intentions unclear." Turtle Three Thousand's voice came through the communication Magical Artifact.

"Additionally, rumors about the 'Sea-Covering Legacy' in the Black Tide Market are intensifying, attracting a surge in the number of Loose Cultivator, leading to frequent conflicts. Some of our peripheral eyes and ears have discovered traces of suspected 'Heavenly Sword Sect' Cultivators appearing in the waters closer to the outer edge of the Marsh."

Purple light swirled within Gao De's dragon eyes, endless and ceaseless.

The situation was fermenting rapidly. The Silver-Scaled Gyarados King had a high value and had clearly become the focus of attention for many parties.

The Thunder Tiger Demon King and the Heavenly Demon Cult might not have made a move yet, but their very existence was a variable.

"The next target," Gao De's gaze moved to the list, "Turtle-Backed Alligator Dragon."

The Turtle-Backed Alligator Dragon is located deep within the 'Northern Abyss Fissure' and possesses Early Third-Rank strength.

According to intelligence, although this old Alligator Dragon has the lowest Realm on the list, relying on its hybrid turtle-dragon characteristics and that mutated shell, its true defensive power is likely not inferior to the previously hunted dragon turtle, and its temperament is more ferocious with extremely strong territorial awareness.

The environment of the Northern Abyss Fissure where it resides is extreme, with immense water pressure and bone-chilling cold undercurrents. Ordinary creatures find it hard to approach, which actually makes it even harder to get close to.

"The Early Stage Realm means the hunting risk is relatively controllable.

As a hybrid of the turtle and dragon species, its Essence Blood will be of great benefit to me in consolidating the dragon turtle Origin I just absorbed and further stimulating the concentration of my own flood dragon bloodline.

The dangerous environment is perfect for blocking most unnecessary prying eyes," Gao De weighed in his mind.

"Moreover, its location is near the north of the Eight Hundred Li Dongting Lake, a certain distance from the current hotspots in the Yunmeng Great Marsh, which facilitates our stealthy operations."

"It is the one."

Gao De made up his mind, "Pass the order to Green Edge and Iron Pincer to rest for one day and replenish consumption. At dawn the day after tomorrow, the target is the Northern Abyss Fissure, the Turtle-Backed Alligator Dragon.

This operation will still focus on a quick victory and forcefully breaking the armor. The effect of the 'Dragon Locking Forbidden Domain' is extremely effective against such thick-skinned and brutish blood-qi creatures. It's perfect for practicing on him."

"Understood, Master!" The voices of Green Edge and Iron Pincer came through, carrying the composure and confidence gained after the baptism of the first battle.

One day later, the elites of Qianjiao Cliff set out again.

The Northern Abyss Fissure—although this was just a name Turtle Three Thousand gave to this inconspicuous crevice on the map, it did not stop it from being truly worthy of the name.

This was a massive underwater canyon extending deep into the earth's crust, with steep, knife-like rock walls on both sides. It was pitch black, with only the occasional cold current surging up from the depths, carrying a faint phosphorescent glow that illuminated the outlines of the jagged rocks.

The water pressure was so great that it could cause the bones of ordinary Second-Rank Yao Beast to crack. The temperature was extremely low, and the water flow was viscous and cold, as if it could freeze the Divine Soul. Fortunately, the Demon Soldiers under Gao De had protective Magical Artifacts he had refined, so they could move freely in this environment.

Under the dual shroud of Gao De's [Concealment] Divine Ability and the "Ghost Snake Shadow-Hiding Formation," the hunting team moved like a deep-sea monster fish adapted to the extreme environment, silently diving deeper into the fissure.

The deeper they went, the clearer the violent, turbid, yet dragon-like aura of the Turtle-Backed Alligator Dragon became, warning intruders of the ferocity of the master of this place.

Finally, on a relatively open cliff platform in the middle section of the fissure, they saw their target.

The Turtle-Backed Alligator Dragon was over fifteen zhang long. Its body shape was more like a giant crocodile magnified countless times, with a back shell covered in hideous bone spurs. However, its head was even more ferocious, its snout short and powerful, its mouth filled with jagged sharp teeth, and its limbs thick as pillars, covered in heavy scales.

The most striking feature was its back shell. It was not the arc shape of ordinary turtles, but rather like several thick rock slabs pieced together, rising high. The shell surface was covered in twisted dark golden patterns, vaguely forming a blurred and ferocious design, emitting a heart-palpitating sense of solidity and counter-shock power.

It was lying in the center of the platform like a sleeping ancient Vicious Beast, every breath causing a dull surge of water.

"More troublesome than expected." Gao De's Divine Sense swept over, and his heart tightened slightly.

The defensive strength of this Alligator Dragon's shell was likely even greater than that of the Ink-Armored Dragon Turtle. Moreover, those bone spurs and dark golden patterns seemed to naturally possess some kind of counter-damage or energy-attack weakening characteristic. Breaking the armor by force would not be easy.

"Disperse the Formation and encircle it. First, use the battle Formation to disturb its mind and test its shell reaction and attack patterns.

Iron Pincer, you lead half the men to form the Formation at the front to attract attention and withstand the first wave of impact.

Green Edge, you are responsible for maneuvering on the flanks, looking for flaws in its neck, limb joints, and the connection points of the belly armor. I will wait for an opportunity to launch the main attack." Gao De quickly adjusted the tactics.

As the order was given, the Demon Soldiers dispersed silently. The battle Formation transformed from the "Ghost Snake" into the "Two-Headed Snake Coil" posture, which was more suitable for encirclement and multi-point attacks.

"Attack!"

Several "Poisonous Magical Spheres" shot toward the Turtle-Backed Alligator Dragon from different directions, detonating violently as they approached!

"Boom, boom, boom!"

Eerie green light and roars erupted underwater, and the massive amount of toxins contained within quickly infected the waters near the Alligator Dragon, causing the sleeping Alligator Dragon to wake up instantly!

It let out a heaven-shaking roar, the sound waves turning into violent shockwaves underwater, which actually dispersed much of the explosive power of some of the poison spheres.

However, the paralysis effect against the Dragon species in the poison spheres still worked. A flash of shock, anger, and a momentary daze flickered in the Alligator Dragon's eyes, and its massive body suddenly stood upright!

Just as it stood up, the moment its relatively fragile belly armor was slightly exposed!

"Snake Strike, break!" Iron Pincer roared. The Formation he and ten team members formed shone brightly, like a giant underwater snake, appearing menacingly directly in front of the Alligator Dragon, actively charging and biting at it.

"poison fang, pierce!" Green Edge transformed into a stream of light, leading the other snake head of the Formation, suddenly rushing in from the side and rear, thrusting all the Sharp Weapons in his hands toward the gap between the Alligator Dragon's hind limbs and belly armor!

However, the reaction of the Turtle-Backed Alligator Dragon was shockingly fast!

After the shock and anger, its ferocity was completely ignited.

It actually ignored the "Rock Formation" in front and the sneak attack from the side and rear. Its thick tail, covered in bone spurs, was like a siege hammer, carrying the momentum of collapsing mountains and splitting rocks, sweeping fiercely toward Green Edge on the flank at an incredible speed and angle!

"Watch out!" Gao De was watching from the side, giving his subordinates a chance to train, but he was somewhat surprised that this beast actually knew how to make trade-offs, prioritizing attacks on the most flexible units that posed the greatest threat.

Although Green Edge was shocked, he was not panicked. The perception granted by the battle Formation allowed him to detect the danger a split second earlier, and he shouted sharply: "Scatter!"

The five Demon Soldiers forming the snake head instantly scattered like an exploding school of fish, darting in different directions, while each used their own methods to deflect the terrifying water pressure and impact stirred up by the tail hammer.

Even so, two of them were still grazed by the edge, their protective Demon Qi vibrating violently, and they let out a muffled groan as they suffered some minor injuries.

And the Alligator Dragon's frontal collision followed closely, slamming fiercely into Iron Pincer's "Snake Mouth"!