78: test

The warning from Crab Eighteen, transmitted through the internal communication network, was like an ice pick piercing the tranquility of the Deep Pool Water Mansion, instantly shocking Gao De out of his deep cultivation.

His massive dragon body shifted slightly on the jade platform, Purple Lightning flickering in his vertical pupils as his Divine Sense spread rapidly outward like an invisible web.

"Green Wave Sect... so they have finally lost their patience."

Gao De felt no ripples in his heart, only cold, lethal intent silently coalescing.

Since his successful Dragon Transformation, the Spiritual Qi in the Water Mansion had become increasingly abundant, like a piece of fatty meat constantly emitting an alluring aroma, so it was only a matter of time before it attracted covetous eyes.

He just hadn't expected that the first one to reach out their hand would be this "old acquaintance" living right next door.

Without moving his body, his consciousness communicated with the "Xuan Yuan Heavy Water Grand Array" at the core of the Water Mansion, and the invisible force field around the Water Mansion quietly strengthened.

At the same time, he activated the Water Origin Breath Concealment Technique, his aura completely merging with the vast Lake water. His massive dragon body seemed to transform into a faint shadow, sliding out of the Water Mansion without a sound. Under his precise control, the Lightning Evasion Technique stirred only the slightest, imperceptible ripple in the water before he appeared like a ghost in the affected waters a hundred miles away.

Hiding in the shadow of dense water grass, Gao De's cold dragon eyes locked onto his targets.

There were five Cultivators dressed in the standard attire of Green Wave Sect Inner Sect Disciples, all at the Late Stage of Qi Refining.

They were not acting overtly, but rather using a concealment Spell similar to "water mirror refraction," cautiously lurking behind several giant reefs.

One of them held a compass-like Magical Artifact, fully focused on mapping the subtle flow of the Spiritual Vein on the lakebed, while another held a jade tablet, rapidly recording hydrological data and the distribution of Yao Beasts.

Their movements were professional and cautious, yet their gazes flickered toward the direction of the Deep Pool Water Mansion from time to time, their eyes a mix of scrutiny, assessment, and a layer of undisguised greed.

"Mapping the Spiritual Veins, recording Yao Beasts... they are gathering intelligence for a follow-up operation, drafting an attack route." Gao De instantly perceived their intentions.

Green Wave Sect regarded him as a soft persimmon that could be squeezed at will, preparing to first figure out his bottom line before deciding whether to recruit, expel, or... exterminate!

If this had been before his Dragon Transformation, facing such systematic probing from a large human Sect, Gao De might have chosen to avoid the sharp edge or maneuver in the shadows.

But today is different from the past!

He is now a Purple Lightning Flood Dragon who has survived the Heavenly Tribulation and achieved the status of a Demon King!

His strength is comparable to a human Golden Core Cultivator!

His flood dragon pearl has formed, his Bloodline is noble, and he carries the Legacy of two ancient ruins: the Dragon Palace and the Hundred Beasts Sect!

His subordinates, such as Turtle Three Thousand and Crab Eighteen, have grown, hundreds of Demon Soldiers have been drilled into shape, and the Water Mansion's Formation is strict!

How could he tolerate others bullying their way to his doorstep, spying wantonly at the entrance of his home, which he regarded as his Foundation, as if sizing up fish on a chopping board?

For such malicious probing, only the most brutal and unquestionable thunderous methods could completely sever their wishful thinking, using blood and death to declare the sovereignty and taboos of this place!

The last trace of warmth in Gao De's eyes dissipated, replaced by killing intent as pure as ten-thousand-year black ice.

He no longer hid, his massive dragon body suddenly appearing from the shadows!

In an instant, an aura as vast as the sea and as majestic as a prison descended with a boom, like an invisible giant mountain, precisely enveloping the five Green Wave Sect Disciples!

"Thump!"

The few Cultivators were caught off guard and pressed directly to the ground by this terrifying pressure. Their protective spiritual light shattered instantly, blood spilled from their mouths and noses, and the color drained from their faces, leaving only boundless fear and despair! They felt as if they had been thrown into the deep ocean, making even breathing extremely difficult, and their bones groaned under the unbearable weight.

"Demon... Demon King!"

"It's... it's the flood dragon from the deep pool!"

"How... how can he be this strong?!"

They were terrified, wanting to crush the distress jade Talisman in their sleeves or sacrifice a life-saving Spiritual Artifact, but under the absolute strength gap and the highly targeted pressure blockade of Gao De, they found it extremely difficult to even move their eyeballs, and the spiritual power within their bodies felt frozen, unable to be mobilized in the slightest.

Gao De had no nonsense, nor did he need any warnings. Kindness to the enemy was cruelty to himself and the entire Water Mansion.

He raised his massive dragon claw covered in dark green scales and pressed it lightly into the air towards the five Cultivators who were like lambs waiting for slaughter.

Between his palms, the Purple Lightning Thunder Aura erupted suddenly!

It was no longer tiny electric snakes, but a dark purple thunder ball condensed to the extreme, emitting an aura of destruction!

Inside the thunder ball, countless electric lights surged crazily, emitting a low and terrifying hum.

"Boom—!!!"

The thunder ball shot out silently, but the moment it touched the target, it erupted with a deafening roar that could tear eardrums!

The blinding Purple Lightning instantly swallowed the five figures, along with their Magical Artifacts, Storage Pouches, and all their fear and regret.

No screams, no struggles.

After the lightning passed, only a few wisps of curling green smoke remained in that water area, along with the void where they had been instantly purified by the violent Power of Thunder, leaving not even a trace of residue.

It was as if those five Qi Refining Cultivators had never existed in this place.

Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering, cutting the weeds and digging up the roots!

Gao De hovered in place, his cold dragon eyes sweeping over the water area that had returned to "cleanliness," as if brushing away a few insignificant specks of dust.

He knew that letting any one of them go could allow the Green Wave Sect to spy on the reality of the Water Mansion and attract a larger-scale siege.

Only such brutality could make the other side carefully weigh the price they would have to pay before their next action.

He merged back into the water, activated Lightning Evasion, and returned to the Water Mansion silently.

On the core jade platform, Gao De opened his dragon eyes and immediately summoned all core members through the internal communication network.

Today's Water Mansion was strong and well-equipped, far from what it used to be.

In addition to the veterans Turtle Three Thousand (General Manager, Turtle Demon), Crab Eighteen (Demon Soldiers Instructor, Crab Demon), and Shrimp No Shadow (Spy Leader, Shrimp Demon), several second-tier Yao Beast leaders had recently joined, having promoted through the superior environment of the Water Mansion and their own efforts:

· Crab Ironwall: Evolved from another iron-armored crab demon in the Water Mansion. Its shell was even harder than Crab Eighteen's, and it was steady in temperament. Together with Crab Eighteen, it commanded the Crab Soldiers unit and was a pillar of defense.

Turtle Chengye: An old turtle of great age, a close friend of Turtle Three Thousand. Although not skilled in fighting, he was knowledgeable and proficient in various miscellaneous studies. He was invited by Turtle Three Thousand to assist with internal affairs, managing the treasury and allocating resources in an orderly manner.

· Clam Hanzhu: A rare and elegant second-tier clam spirit, attracted by the dense Spiritual Qi of the Water Mansion and the "Nine Abyss Spirit Gathering Formation".

It could gestate Spirit-Nurturing Pearls containing pure water spiritual essence, which were not only beneficial for cultivation but could also slightly purify and stabilize the Spiritual Qi of the Water Mansion. Gao De arranged for it to oversee key nodes of the Spiritual Vein, giving it a special status.

Fish Lifeng: A ferocious needlefish that cultivated into a demon. It had incredible speed, and its snout was like a spear. It led some elite Fish Warriors and was responsible for high-speed assaults and pursuits.

The total number of Demon Soldiers had exceeded three hundred. With Shrimp Soldiers, Crab Soldiers, and Fish Warriors having clear divisions of labor and forming their own units, trained by Crab Eighteen and Shrimp No Shadow, they moved and retreated with order, already a water tribe army that could not be underestimated.

Gao De scanned his subordinates, his voice not loud, but carrying the weight of a mountain, clearly entering the Sea of Consciousness of every demon: "The claws of the Green Wave Sect have already reached my doorstep. This King has already cut them off, but they will certainly not give up. The storm is coming; from this day on, the Water Mansion is entering the highest state of combat readiness!"

Orders were issued immediately, clear and unquestionable:

"Turtle Three Thousand, Turtle Chengye! Coordinate internal affairs, thoroughly check the 'Xuan Yuan Heavy Water Grand Array' and all auxiliary Restrictions and Talisman nodes to ensure the Formation is running smoothly and resources are adequately allocated!"

"Crab Eighteen, Crab Ironwall! Expand the patrol range to three hundred miles outside the Water Mansion, increase the number of guards, and build an outer perimeter alert circle. If there is anything suspicious, regardless of whether it is human or demon, no need to report—kill on sight!"

"Shrimp No Shadow! Send out all your elite scouts, spread them out for a thousand miles, and watch the Green Wave Sect's mountain gate, their affiliated families, and all water and land routes that might lead to my Water Mansion! Report any unusual movement immediately!"

"Fish Lifeng! Reorganize your troops as a rapid reaction force and stand by at all times!"

"Clam Hanzhu! Guard the Spiritual Vein nodes closely and pay close attention to Spiritual Qi fluctuations. If there is the slightest anomaly, consider it a sign of enemy attack and immediately issue a warning through the highest authority of the communication network!"

"We obey the Sovereign's decree!" The demon generals responded with a roar, feeling the unquestionable determination and cold killing intent in Gao De's words. Each one looked solemn, their Demonic Qi erupting, and their Battle Intent soaring to the heavens!

Orders were carried out immediately!

The entire Deep Pool Water Mansion instantly became like a prehistoric giant beast that had been thoroughly awakened, revealing its ferocious fangs and hard shell.

The brilliance of the defensive Formation flickered at the periphery of the Water Mansion, emitting heart-palpitating energy fluctuations.

Squads of Demon Soldiers with bright shells and armor, led by generals like Crab Eighteen, surged toward their respective defense zones like a black tide.

And more "shadows," under the assignment of Shrimp No Shadow, merged silently into the vast and complex Lake, extending the eyes and ears of the Water Mansion to the limit.

Gao De settled back on the jade platform, his body surrounded by Purple Lightning, his flood dragon pearl rotating slowly in his Dantian, breathing in pure spiritual essence.

While continuing to nourish his cultivation and comprehend the deeper Profound Truth of the "Purple Heaven Dragon Transformation Art" and "Ten Thousand Beasts Domination True Spirit Method," he connected his mind to the Water Mansion's Formation, waiting calmly for the possible storm like a dormant Dragon King.

He knew that a direct conflict with the Green Wave Sect had been inevitable since the disappearance of Demon King Fushui.

And the ruthlessness and decisiveness of this initial confrontation was the most direct way for him to prove his strength to the entire Eight Hundred Li Dongting Lake, and even to the various forces watching from the sidelines, after his Dragon Transformation!

A hidden dragon in the abyss might live in peace. But a flood dragon leaving the water will surely stir up storms!

This time, he could not endure; he would use the Green Wave Sect's probing as the cornerstone of establishing his prestige, and use the fear and bones of his enemies to forge the resounding fierce name of the Purple Lightning Flood Dragon King!

Only in this way could he legitimately occupy the position left behind by Demon King Fushui; in this world, at its core, one still has to speak with fists.