205: Enlighten the Demon Soldiers

Having broken through to the fourth rank and successfully transformed, Gao De did not linger in the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range.

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Concealing his aura, he transformed into a purple shadow and sped toward the Qian River in the northwest.

Now that his cultivation had broken through and his speed had greatly increased, he could sweep past many areas he previously had to bypass cautiously. Occasionally, if a blind Yao Beast blocked his path, he would usually resolve it with a casual strike of his Thunder-Flame Sword Qi.

However, he did not focus solely on traveling.

His newly born power needed familiarity and integration. After reaching the fourth rank, more Legacy information was naturally unlocked within the Purple Heaven Dragon Transformation Art, including several innate secret techniques unique to the Dragon Clan.

What interested Gao De the most was a secret technique called the dragon blood Enlightenment Spirit-Opening Art.

This method was not a combat Divine Ability, but rather a supportive Legacy.

Using one's own pure dragon blood as a medium, combined with a Divine Sense brand and special runes, one could open higher intelligence for Yao Beasts or Essence Spirits with unawakened or low intelligence, and plant a brand of loyalty, much like 'enlightenment.'

Those enlightened would see their potential, Comprehension Ability, and adaptability to cultivation improved. They would naturally feel closeness and awe toward the practitioner, as if facing the source of their Bloodline. Furthermore, it could help the enlightened Demon Soldiers transform into human form earlier. Gao De immediately thought of the group of Shrimp Soldiers and Crab Generals in his Water Mansion.

“Isn't this the perfect method for cultivating a core team for my Qianjiao Cliff and improving our overall strength?” Gao De realized in his heart.

Although Turtle Three Thousand, Green Edge, and Iron Pincer were loyal, their racial talent was limited after all, and their growth speed was gradually failing to keep up with his pace.

With this method, he could improve the potential of his old subordinates and also subdue some potential wild Yao Beasts along the way to bolster his forces. In the future, whether managing his power or dealing with changes, he would have more confidence.

“I'll use this trip to test it out, familiarize myself with the method, and add some followers and an entourage for the Dragon Palace trip,” Gao De decided.

Going to the Dragon Palace alone to celebrate the birthday might seem free and easy, but it also looked a bit thin.

If he could bring several Demon Soldiers of decent strength and training, it would not only display his strength and influence but also serve as eyes, ears, and helpers on certain occasions.

He slowed down, spreading his Divine Sense like mercury flowing over the ground, carefully searching for suitable 'targets.'

He had three requirements for his targets: first, their Bloodline or Aptitude could not be too poor, having at least the potential to reach the third rank; second, their Heart-Nature could not be too violent or untamable, preferably wild Yao Beasts that were relatively simple or hadn't been branded by other powerful existences; third, it would be best if they were aquatic or had indirect connections to the Dragon lineage, as the enlightenment effect would be better.

After searching for several days, while passing through a huge lake filled with Spiritual Qi called 'Hidden Dragon Marsh,' Gao De finally found a suitable target.

The Hidden Dragon Marsh was vast with misty waves and many underwater undercurrents, home to numerous aquatic Yao Beasts.

Gao De landed on a hidden cliff by the marsh and sent his Divine Sense deep into the lake water.

Soon, he locked onto a Black Iron rock cave located in a deep depression at the bottom of the lake.

A small Yao Beast group resided in the cave—Iron-Spined Dragon Crocodiles!

These crocodiles possessed a thin Dragon Clan Bloodline, had massive bodies with iron-colored bone plates on their backs, and incredible bite force. They were skilled at manipulating water and earth elements, and their intelligence was quite good among second-rank Yao Beasts. There were about twenty in the group, and the leader was a big fellow close to the Peak of the second rank.

More importantly, Gao De observed that although this group of Iron-Spined Dragon Crocodiles was fierce, their internal order was disciplined, they collaborated in hunting, had a strong sense of territorial defense, and showed no signs of being subdued or controlled by other Demon Kings.

“They're the ones.” Gao De’s figure flickered, and he dove directly into the water.

The Dragon Clan was originally the Supreme of the aquatic tribes. Now that his Bloodline had advanced further, entering the water was like returning home; his aura blended perfectly with the lake water, and the group of Iron-Spined Dragon Crocodiles failed to notice him at all.

He quietly arrived above the cave. Instead of attacking directly, he slowly released a wisp of pure Dragon Might belonging to a Fourth-Rank Flood Dragon!

This Dragon Might was noble and majestic, carrying the judgment of thunder and the intensity of fire. For aquatic creatures with thin dragon blood, it was like facing an ancestral deity!

“Roar—!”

Inside the cave, all the Iron-Spined Dragon Crocodiles were instantly startled awake, letting out low growls mixed with terror and awe.

The leader crocodile, with the largest body and strongest aura, trembled all over. It struggled to swim out of the cave, lowered its massive head toward the source of the Dragon Might, and exposed its most vulnerable belly to show absolute submission.

The rest of the dragon crocodiles followed suit.

Gao De revealed himself in human form, but the dragon horns on his forehead and the Dragon Might around him proclaimed his identity.

He floated in the water, his gaze sweeping over the trembling dragon crocodiles.

“This King is passing through this place and sees that your Bloodlines have merit and your spirituality is not yet lost. I shall grant you a transformation,” Gao De’s voice transmitted clearly through the water ripples into the Soul of every dragon crocodile.

“Relinquish your Soul's resistance and accept my enlightenment. You shall gain a great Opportunity, your path forward will broaden, and you may follow me to witness a wider world. If you do not comply, then continue your muddled existence, or... turn into ashes.”

Coercion and enticement, simple and direct. For these Yao Beasts with low intelligence, reasoning too much was useless.

A flash of struggle appeared in the leader crocodile's eyes, but facing that abyss-like Dragon Might and the Opportunity before it, instinct soon overrode everything.

It let out a low growl and was the first to completely release its Soul defense, signaling submission.

Seeing their leader do so, the other dragon crocodiles followed suit one after another.

Seeing this, Gao De no longer hesitated.

From his fingertips, he forced out three drops of natal Essence Blood that shimmered with purple-gold light, with thunder-flame and sword-light swirling inside.

As the Essence Blood left his body, his face turned slightly pale, but he quickly recovered thanks to his powerful Physique.

He had already reached the fourth rank, so the consumption for this enlightenment wasn't a very heavy burden, even if it meant enlightening an entire group at once, especially since the strongest among them did not exceed the third rank.

He formed hand seals and chanted ancient dragon tongue. The three drops of Essence Blood transformed into countless tiny purple-gold runes in the air, like living tadpoles, dividing into over twenty streams and accurately sinking into the foreheads of every dragon crocodile!

“Buzz—!”

As the runes entered their bodies, the frames of all the dragon crocodiles shook violently!

They let out muffled groans of pain as the thin dragon blood in their bodies was stirred and boiled. Under the catalysis of the Essence Blood runes, it began to slowly purify and grow!

Within their brains, their chaotic consciousness was forcibly opened, and spiritual light was born. Countless fragments of instincts and battle array knowledge regarding water element manipulation, power usage, and even simple cultivation merged into their Souls along with the rune brands!

This process lasted for about half an hour.

When the rune light gradually faded into their bodies, the temperament of the twenty-odd Iron-Spined Dragon Crocodiles had undergone a heaven-turning change!

Their eyes were no longer filled with pure bestial ferocity, but had gained clear wisdom and agile spirit.

Their bodies also seemed to have expanded slightly, and the iron-colored bone plates on their backs shimmered with a faint metallic luster; their auras had all improved to varying degrees.

Especially the leader crocodile; the Bottleneck that had stuck it at the Peak of the second rank was suddenly loosened, showing a faint trend of stepping into the third rank, though its accumulation was not yet sufficient.

“Greetings, Lord! Thank you, Lord, for the grace of enlightenment!” The leader crocodile's Divine Thought came through awkwardly but clearly, filled with excitement and piety.

The other dragon crocodiles also expressed their submission and gratitude through Divine Thoughts or low growls.

Gao De nodded slightly; his consumed Essence Blood was rapidly recovering.

The first time he performed the dragon blood Enlightenment Spirit-Opening Art, the effect was even better than he had anticipated.

The potential of these dragon crocodiles was stimulated, their intelligence was no longer inferior to ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivators, and they held a dual loyalty to him originating from both Bloodline and Soul.

“Since you have received enlightenment, you shall be the 'Mysterious Crocodile Guards' under my command. You,” he pointed at the leader crocodile, “shall be the commander of the Mysterious Crocodile Guards, and I bestow upon you the name 'Iron Profound.' I am about to head to the Qianjiang Dragon Palace for a banquet. Are you willing to accompany me as my guard of honor?”

“I am willing to die for my Lord! I will go through fire and water without hesitation!” Iron Profound responded excitedly. To be able to follow his Lord to a water tribe Holy Land like the Dragon Palace was a dream-like honor!

The other Mysterious Crocodile Guards also let out low growls in agreement.

“Good.” Gao De waved his hand, and a purple-gold radiance enveloped all the Mysterious Crocodile Guards. “These are the techniques of 'Size As Desired' and 'Concealing Traces.' I will temporarily bless you with them to facilitate our travel.”

With a flash of light, the twenty-odd massive Iron-Spined Dragon Crocodiles quickly shrank to about ten feet in length, and their auras were completely concealed, looking like ordinary first-rank Yao Beasts. Furthermore, their auras were linked, and they moved in unison, already showing the prototype of an elite force.

Gao De left the Hidden Dragon Marsh with his newly recruited Mysterious Crocodile Guards and continued north.

Along the way, he enlightened several other types of potential Yao Beasts: a group of 'Shadow Scale Water Snakes' skilled in stealth and scouting, which he named 'Shadow Guards'; a pair of Green Feather Thunder Sparrows with thin Luan bird Bloodlines, capable of gliding on the wind and possessing excellent eyesight, to serve as aerial reconnaissance and messengers; he even found a Treasure-Seeking Jade Carp in a cold pool that had just opened its intelligence and was extremely sensitive to Spiritual Qi.

Gao De did not keep all these enlightened Yao Beasts by his side. Instead, he selected the ten most elite Mysterious Crocodile Guards, five Shadow Scale Water Snakes, the pair of Green Feather Thunder Sparrows, and that Treasure-Seeking Jade Carp to accompany him.

He ordered the rest to remain in the Hidden Dragon Marsh and its surrounding areas to develop secretly, gather intelligence, and serve as a secret outpost for Qianjiao Cliff.

Through his blood enlightenment, he taught them simple combined attack formations, patrol and sentry methods, and secret channels to transmit information to Qianjiao Cliff or himself through specific means.

A land-sea-air tri-phibious Demon Soldier force belonging to Gao De, which had a preliminary scale and decent potential, was quietly taking shape.

Taking this small 'guard of honor,' Gao De finally crossed the most dangerous section of the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range and entered a relatively flat hilly area.

Several tens of thousands of miles further north was the vast Qian River basin, and the location of the Dragon Palace was already visible in the distance.