186: Development Strategy

Gao De solemnly put away the deep blue Dragon Lord's invitation, placing it inside his personal Storage Pouch.

Inside the spirit cave, Gao De gathered the core members, including Turtle Three Thousand, Green Edge, Iron Pincer, and Lin Xiaofan.

Rainbow coiled near the nijiuan nest, curiously extending its two bird heads to listen.

"Everyone," Gao De's voice was low and clear, echoing through the spirit cave, "the Qian River Dragon Lord has sent an invitation, inviting this King to attend his Longevity Feast thirty years from now."

His gaze swept over the crowd: "Starting today, the strategy for Qianjiao Cliff needs to be adjusted. Externally, we can spread word that this King will be traveling from time to time to search for rare treasures in preparation for the celebratory gift, and that my movements will be unpredictable. Turtle Three Thousand will be in overall charge of Qianjiao Cliff's affairs, and the gates will not be easily opened unless there is a major incident."

"Internally, there are two core priorities," Gao De continued. "First, accelerate the transfer of resources and focus. The outposts within the marsh, such as Lesser Qingqiu's Peach Blossom Spring, the depths of the Giant Demon Beehive plain, and the Gloomy Corridor, need further development and construction to serve as future extensions and backup Foundations for Qianjiao Cliff."

“Lin Xiaofan, you are responsible for screening spirit plant and Spirit Fish species suitable for transplantation, gradually shifting part of the cultivation focus."

"Green Edge, Iron Pincer, you two must ensure the security of the transfer routes and set up sufficient defensive measures at the new outposts for self-protection."

"Second," Purple Lightning flickered within Gao De's dragon eyes, "and this is the top priority for the next thirty years—this King needs to venture deep into the Yunmeng Great Marsh to continue hunting Dragon-Blooded Creatures, purifying my Bloodline and increasing my strength."

"Only by being strong enough can I gain a firm foothold at the Dragon Palace Banquet and deal with any potential risks."

"Turtle Three Thousand will have full responsibility for the daily defense and internal affairs of Qianjiao Cliff, with Green Edge and Iron Pincer assisting. The external intelligence network will remain silent, but you must keep an eye out for news of any abnormal activity from Dragon-Blooded Creatures within the marsh."

The demons solemnly accepted the orders.

They understood that the Dragon Lord's invitation meant their lord was about to step onto a more dangerous and broader stage, making it imperative to increase his strength.

Moreover, unless he was willing to abandon this Foundation, even hiding would be impossible.

After the meeting concluded, Qianjiao Cliff began a new round of operations like a precision machine.

Externally, news that the "Purple Lightning Flood Dragon King is traveling to dangerous lands to find rare treasures for the Dragon Lord's birthday" quietly spread; internally, the resource transfer and outpost reinforcement work proceeded in an orderly fashion.

As for Gao De, after making the initial arrangements, he devoted more energy to his own Cultivation and the exploration of the marsh.

Gao De did not rashly venture into the dangerous areas of the marsh. Instead, using the Peach Blossom Spring as the center and combining his past hunting experience, he sent Demon Soldiers to slowly explore the surroundings.

He first cleared out some Dragon-Blooded Yao Beasts around the Second-tier that he hadn't had time to deal with within a radius of thousands of miles... On this day, Gao De was reviewing intelligence on prey sent by his subordinate Demon Soldiers inside the beehive on the Flower Burial Plain.

Finally, his gaze stopped on a heavily marked entry:

"Black Mud Pond, located about two thousand eight hundred miles southeast of Qianjiao Cliff. Originally a swamp formed by the subsidence of an ancient battlefield, it is shrouded year-round in foul-smelling toxic miasma. The mud is bottomless and contains Yin-Fiend Qi."

"Over the past century, there have been sporadic reports from demon hunters and passing Cultivators claiming the suspected existence of a 'One-Horned Giant Python' in the pond. It has dark scale patterns, spits poisonous saliva, and can manipulate the mud to trap enemies. Its aura is fierce, it possesses the Poison Flood Dragon Bloodline, and its strength is estimated to be around the Early Stage of the Third-tier."

"This python seems to regard the Black Mud Pond as its private domain and is extremely aggressive toward intruders, but it rarely leaves the core area of the swamp. Due to the harsh environment of its habitat and limited output, few high-level Cultivators specifically go there to clear it out."

"Black Mud Pond... Marsh Poison Dragon Python..." Gao De mused.

Third-tier Early Stage, strength not too high, strong sense of territory, and a relatively fixed range of activity.

Although the environment was a harsh swamp with toxic miasma, which would be an obstacle for ordinary Cultivators or Yao Beasts, it could instead be utilized by him and Rainbow—his Heaven-Confusing Illusionary Mist could merge with and strengthen the toxic effects, while Rainbow's light-and-shadow body was less affected by the physical environment, and the miasma itself could provide some concealment.

Most importantly, its ability to "manipulate mud" might provide some unique Bloodline characteristics or resistance supplements.

"This is the one."

Gao De made his decision.

Ten days later, Black Mud Pond.

Most of the time, this place was deathly silent, with toxic miasma churning.

However, during three specific periods—when Yin Qi was strongest at midnight, when Yang Qi slightly suppressed Yin Qi at noon, and during the transition of Yin and Yang at dusk—there would be noticeable churning of mud in the central area of the pond, accompanied by a low, thunder-like rumbling sound. Occasionally, a section of a dark, thick torso, covered in sticky mud and dark patterns, could be seen flashing past in the sludge.

During Gao De's observation, two Second-tier demon birds that accidentally flew into the range of the toxic miasma fell silently into the mud, never to be seen again.

The toxic miasma of the Black Mud Pond primarily corroded flesh and mana, with a side effect of nerve paralysis; the mud had extremely strong suction and cold properties. A Golden Core Cultivator had once entered to investigate but returned empty-handed due to being unable to adapt to the environment and being harassed by the Yao Beast.

"Good at hiding and utilizing the terrain..." Gao De calculated the information gathered over these days, a cold smirk playing on his lips. "Then let's see who is better at hunting in the dark."

He was in no hurry to act, instead taking another three days for targeted preparations.

To ensure no accidents, he specifically procured some Medicinal Pills designed to neutralize rot-poison and stabilize the mind for emergencies, even though his own resistance should already be sufficient.

He experimented with combining the Heaven-Confusing Illusionary Mist with the toxic miasma environment, trying to turn the terrain into his own home field, even if it only served to level the playing field of geographical advantage.

After communicating and testing with Rainbow, its concealment and scouting abilities in the mud environment were completely unaffected. Although Gao De didn't expect it to be of much use, he hoped it would start adapting to the situation of Third-tier combat from now on.

Although Rainbow's intelligence was only beginning to develop, its combat instincts were extremely strong. It quickly understood Gao De's intention and was eager to try.

On the night before departure, Gao De reviewed the plan one last time: "Target: Black Mud Pond's Marsh Poison Dragon Python. Purpose: Combat integration and obtaining Bloodline benefits. Strategy: Stealthy approach, locate the nest and habits, create a favorable environment, and end the battle quickly. Rainbow will lead scouting and interference, while I will lead the attack. If things are not feasible, prioritize withdrawal."

The next day, before the sky lightened.

A very subtle purple streak of light, carrying a wisp of Rainbow colors that almost merged into the morning mist, headed toward the depths of the Black Mud Pond.

Gao De's targeted hunt had officially begun.

At this moment, the Marsh Poison Dragon Python hidden deep within the foul-smelling mud pond had no idea it was already on someone's prey list.

Gao De soon located the nest of the Third-tier Early Stage Marsh Poison Dragon Python entrenched in the Black Mud Pond.

In mid-air, the concealed Gao De and Rainbow gazed down at the black mud swamp below, as the colorful toxic gas gradually rose under the sunlight.

Below was the prey's nest. Even without using Divine Sense to lock on, the prey's powerful blood vitality still exposed its position.

This python contained a thin Poison Dragon bloodline, and its blood vitality far exceeded other Yao Beasts of the same tier. Even if it only excelled at manipulating rotten mud and toxic miasma for stealthy ambushes with a very simple attack pattern, it could still crush most Yao Beasts of the same tier with its powerful body.

Gao De did not choose a frontal assault. Instead, utilizing Rainbow's light-and-shadow concealment ability, he quietly lurked above, waiting for the fixed time when the prey would come out for air.