Chapter 56: Morning, Martial-Uncle!

A massive floating vessel departed from Tiangong Island, bound for the Vast Sea City.

Three months later, it would return to Tiangong Island carrying the spiritual ore Lu Qingyang needed.

Watching the floating vessel recede into the distance, Lu Qingyang's mood could only be described as one of eager anticipation.

"Hopefully Old Huang can return quickly this time…"

Lu Qingyang muttered inwardly.

Then he turned, preparing to return to his cultivation.

But who could have known that at that very moment, not far away beneath Chaotian Peak, within the Grand Sect-Protecting River—

A sudden vortex coalesced out of thin air.

"This… what's going on?"

Lu Qingyang's expression shifted slightly.

Before he could look closely, a series of powerful water columns violently erupted from the river.

"Splash!"

"Plop!"

A colossal creature fully a hundred meters in length burst from the water, revealing a ferocious face.

"ROAR~"

Accompanied by a deafening roar, a Crocodile Dragon soared into the air.

Outside the Grand Sect-Protecting River, countless Outer Gate disciples cried out in shock at the sight.

Even the mortal cities further away could see the terrifying silhouette of this Crocodile Dragon.

Over a hundred thousand mortals all cried out in terror!

"Hm? Where did this demon beast come from?"

Seeing this, Lu Qingyang was also taken aback.

But he quickly understood. After all, this Grand Sect-Protecting River connected to the Seven Stars Sea Region.

It wasn't impossible for a demon beast to swim in along the undercurrents at the riverbed.

He then prepared to strike and kill this late-stage Golden Core Crocodile Dragon.

But before he could act, a streak of sword light suddenly shot out from behind Chaotian Peak.

"BOOM!"

The sword light collided with the Crocodile Dragon, exploding into a sky full of sparks.

Immediately after, a familiar voice reached Lu Qingyang's ears.

"I laugh toward the sky with my blade held across, my gall and guts remain in the two Kunluns!"

"Bold demon, to dare trespass into my Chaotian Sect! Prepare to die!"

Hearing these utterly chuunibyou words, how could he possibly not know who had come?

The newcomer… was none other than Lu Qingyang's Little Martial-Uncle, Jun Moyan!

But who could have known that the crowd of Outer Gate disciples were all just young boys and girls, right at that chuunibyou age.

Upon hearing these words, they instantly erupted.

"That's the Grand Elder's voice!"

"Indeed, only the Grand Elder could be so mighty!"

"So cool! Such heroic spirit, it reminds me of immortals fighting from the books."

"Hahaha, I love it!"

…

Listening to the discussions around him, Lu Qingyang's face was covered in black lines.

The corner of his mouth could not help but twitch.

But then, his playful spirit was also stirred.

Before Jun Moyan could act again, he leaped up, suspending himself above the river.

"Crocodile Demon, you have trespassed into my Chaotian Sect. Your crime warrants death."

"But this seat is feeling merciful. If you are willing to guard my Chaotian Sect's Grand Sect-Protecting River for a hundred years, I shall return your freedom."

"If you refuse, then today is the day you die."

Having said this, Lu Qingyang formed a hand seal with one hand, and a massive phantom of a blazing dragon appeared behind him.

It was his self-created third-tier technique, the "Dragon Flame Art"!

"ROAR!"

Sensing this terrifying pressure, the Crocodile Dragon let out an angry roar, clearly unwilling to submit.

"Since you are stubborn and unrepentant, then do not blame this seat!"

Having said this, a sharp ferocity burst forth from Lu Qingyang's eyes.

In the next moment, the blazing dragon phantom behind him violently rushed forth!

Instantly, sky-covering flames swept across the entire Grand Sect-Protecting River.

"BOOM!"

After a thunderous crash, the Crocodile Dragon was engulfed by the flames.

"ROAR~"

The Crocodile Dragon screamed repeatedly, its body struggling violently, yet it could not break free from the binding flames at all.

"ROAR!"

In its fury, the Crocodile Dragon suddenly raised its head, and a stream of black water spewed from its mouth, shooting straight toward Lu Qingyang.

Seeing this, Lu Qingyang did not even bother to dodge.

He merely formed another hand seal, and an incomparably thick technique shield appeared before him.

"Bang!"

"BOOM!"

The black water crashed against the technique shield, erupting with a heaven-shaking, earth-shattering boom.

But the technique shield did not move in the slightest.

"ROAR!"

Seeing this, the Crocodile Dragon roared in fury, violently swinging its tail and smashing it toward Lu Qingyang.

"Hmph!"

"Overestimating yourself!"

Lu Qingyang snorted coldly. A self-created "Giant Spirit Art" instantly enlarged his form to hundreds of meters in size!

His entire being, like a majestic immortal god, gripped the Crocodile Dragon's tail with one hand.

"Beast, you have cultivated for only a few hundred years, so now you see me as a frog at the bottom of a well sees the moon in the sky."

"If one day you cultivate for a thousand years, then you will know… you see me as a mayfly sees the blue sky."

Just as he finished speaking, Jun Moyan also arrived.

Looking at Lu Qingyang standing atop the river, surrounded by tens of thousands of disciples, gripping the Crocodile Dragon with one hand, his entire being like an immortal god.

Jun Moyan's forehead veins bulged violently, yet he could not help but be dazed.

"Good… good domineering words."

"You have cultivated shallowly… you see me as a frog at the bottom of a well sees the moon in the sky…"

"If you cultivate deeply, then you will know you see me as a mayfly… sees the blue sky."

"This is what true limelight looks like…"

…

By this time, Lu Qingyang had already violently slammed the Crocodile Dragon into the river.

"BOOM!"

"CRACK!"

After the thunderous noise, the Crocodile Dragon sank into the river, churning up endless waves.

"Hm? Trying to run?"

"Hmph!"

Lu Qingyang snorted coldly. One step forward, and his form vanished from where he stood.

Immediately after, he appeared above the Crocodile Dragon's head. A flying sword of pure gold appeared in the air.

It was Zijing, which Lu Qingyang had upgraded to a third-tier flying sword!

As if sensing the crisis of death, the Crocodile Dragon desperately swam toward the depths of the river.

It was just a pity that Zijing, hanging in the air, would never give it a chance to escape.

"Whoosh!"

The flying sword sliced through the sky at extreme speed, appearing above the Crocodile Dragon's head in the blink of an eye.

And at this critical moment, the Crocodile Demon actually lowered its head in an extremely human manner.

Its two thick, short claws also raised up, pressed together, shaking incessantly.

It looked exactly like a person making a bow with hands clasped.

"Buzz!"

"Whoosh!"

In the next moment, Zijing flew back to Lu Qingyang's side.

Lu Qingyang beckoned, and retrieved the flying sword.

"Hmph, you had to suffer a bit before you were willing to submit."

"ROAR~"

The Crocodile Demon let out a low roar, as if in response.

A smile appeared at the corner of Lu Qingyang's mouth. He reached into his storage bag and pulled out a Vajra Ring.

He pressed two fingers together and thrust them forward. The Vajra Ring instantly enlarged and transformed into a streak of flowing light, slipping onto the Crocodile Dragon's head.

"From today onward, my Chaotian Sect's Grand Sect-Protecting River shall be under your charge."

"If any more demon beasts slip into my Chaotian Sect, you will be held accountable."

Having said this, he kicked the Crocodile Dragon's head, sending it into the river.

"Splash!"

The Crocodile Dragon tumbled, splashing up a great expanse of water, and finally disappeared.

And this scene naturally left the crowd of Outer Gate disciples by the river utterly shocked, unable to speak for a long while.

"Tha… that's our Sect Master?"

"So… so powerful."

"This is the legendary third-tier Dharma Artifact, third-tier flying sword?"

"So terrifying!"

…

Watching the Crocodile Demon disappear into the river, the crowd of Outer Gate disciples all wore expressions of reverence.

Lu Qingyang turned his gaze and glanced at Jun Moyan.

"Morning, Martial-Uncle."