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Chapter 852 Dominating a Region, the Thunder Swamp Water Mansion
Thunder flashed in the heavens.

As the Xuan Shui Crocodile unleashed its incredibly fierce killing intent, a terrifying aura swept across the entire island.

He was surrounded by thunderous lightning, his entire body crackling with countless arcs of electricity, his power was extremely terrifying.

The terrifying power of the thunderous strike instantly caused the great demon who had dominated the Golden Scale Water Palace for ten thousand years to perish.

It's simply terrifying.

Chief Jinlin didn't even get to utter his last words before his body crashed heavily into the water below.

See this scene.

A deathly silence filled the air.

Xuan Shui Crocodile hoisted the black wolf-tooth club back onto his shoulder with one hand, his gaze fixed coldly ahead.

It seems that for him, killing the Golden Scale Clan Chief was just a matter of snapping his fingers.

The Golden Scale Clan, who had come with great momentum to attack, saw that even their clan leader was no match for them, and their morale immediately collapsed, with many fleeing for their lives.

"Hmph! You came, and you think you can escape?"

Xuan Shui Crocodile frowned, and its towering body suddenly trembled. Countless dense arcs of lightning spread and exploded, moving through the void.

Like countless dragons, they pursued the fleeing Golden Scale Clan, and soon many demon cultivators were annihilated by the lightning.

Not far in the sky, the other two Golden Scale Clan elders who had originally dared to come to their aid showed expressions of horror upon seeing their clan leader killed by the Xuan Shui Crocodile's lightning.

"Where did this peerless, ferocious demon come from?"

"We are no match for them, run!"

The two of them turned around and tried to escape.

next moment.

In a flash, a giant iron tower appeared out of thin air in front of them, its explosive muscles covered in dragon scales bulging.

Immediately, a ball of black lightning condensed on the black spiked club in his hand and relentlessly bombarded the two of them!

The two elders of the Golden Scale Clan turned pale. Even the clan leader, who was at the late stage of the sixth rank, could not withstand the attack of Thunderous Eight Desolations.

They had absolutely no chance of winning against a supernatural power containing such might.

boom! Click!
Amidst the roar of thunder, the entire void distorted as the great club was swung, unleashing a torrent of violent power that swept towards the two of them.

The two elders of the Golden Scale Clan, both at the early to mid-stages of the sixth rank, were simply unable to withstand such a terrifying bombardment.

The two used their life-saving methods to reveal the true form of the Golden Scale Beast, which was a giant shark-like monster covered in golden scales.

The golden scales shimmered and sparkled in the sunlight.

The moment the bloodline divine power was activated, a layer of golden, misty spiritual light shield appeared around the Golden Scale Demon.

The next moment.

The terrifying lightning devoured everything, piercing through the protective aura with overwhelming force and striking the two golden-scaled demonic beasts.

The golden protective aura shattered and dissipated like bubbles.

The two beasts couldn't even struggle before their physical defenses were shattered by a single blow, and they fell from the sky, spitting blood.

Their fate was almost exactly the same as that of their clan chief.

"Spare their lives for now; I have other uses for them."

Qin Ming's voice came softly.

Xuan Shui Crocodile immediately withdrew ninety percent of his power, sparing the lives of the two elders of the Golden Scale Clan.

However, after being struck, he lost most of his life and fell onto the sea surface.

"To surrender, or to choose death?"

The Xuan Shui Crocodile stood tall in mid-air, its icy eyes lowered as it looked down at the two demons soaking in the water, and asked in a low voice.

The elders of the Golden Scale Clan were completely subdued by the Xuan Water Crocodile, their faces filled with fear as they repeatedly begged for mercy:
"Please, Your Excellency, show mercy! We are willing to submit!"

He was terrified that if he spoke too slowly, the black spiked club in the other party's hand would fall on his head.

The Golden Scale Clan's massive army pressed in, preparing to seize the nameless island, and then the Xuan Shui Crocodile appeared with lightning speed, annihilating the Golden Scale Clan Chief and forcing the entire Golden Scale Clan to submit to its feet—all of this was achieved in just two blows.

In the small spiritual realm.

When the Devouring Rat saw the Xuan Shui Crocodile unleash its full power, its strength after advancing to the sixth rank was so exaggerated that it was speechless with astonishment.

Even the late-stage sixth-tier Golden Scale Beast couldn't withstand a single blow; it was beyond its comprehension.

"Has this second son been possessed by that ancient true spirit?"

"How did it become so powerful?"

"I think it's necessary to have the owner give the second child a full check-up."

the other side.

The three demons, including the Bull Demon King, were also shocked. They stared at the peerless ferocious demon who had suddenly appeared before them, and were filled with fear and trepidation.

They never expected that, on this obscure island, besides the mysterious and powerful White Ape, there was someone else.

There are even experts here!

Even a sixth-order ferocious demon exists; it seems there are truly hidden dragons and crouching tigers. Thinking back to those three demons, they were really quite audacious.

He was immediately filled with a sense of relief followed by lingering fear.

The scene where the Xuan Shui Crocodile killed the Golden Scale Clan Chief with a single blow is a famous one, and it has been deeply imprinted in their hearts.

"Could this peerless demon be the protector of Fellow Daoist White Ape?"

"I've heard that when the scions of those ancient noble families go out to gain experience, they are always accompanied by a powerful servant to ensure their safety. It seems that this is true."

The pig demon seemed to suddenly realize something.

"Yes, that's very likely the case." The tiger demon rarely agreed with the pig demon.

The fact that the three of them escaped death this time can be attributed to the black water crocodile in front of them.

Next.

Following Qin Ming's instructions, the Xuan Shui Crocodile quickly brought the Golden Scale Clan under control.

From now on.

The Golden Scale Waters, this territory of the demon race, has completely changed hands and has a new master.

Qin Ming intended to have the Xuan Shui Crocodile appear in public on his behalf and handle matters within the Ancient Demon Realm.

After all, his current identity is sensitive, and he is still a typical outsider cultivator, so it's better for him to stay behind the scenes and direct things.

The demon race's cultivation world also follows the law of the jungle; once a pillar of the race falls, a new force will immediately take its place.

The Golden Scale Water Palace is extremely vast and rich in resources, making it a prime target among the surrounding major water palaces.

The Xuan Shui Crocodile became famous throughout the demon cultivation world after its attack, gaining renown in a single battle.

Furthermore, it reigns supreme in the Golden Scale Water Palace, becoming a newly emerging great water demon.

With the fall of the Golden Scale Clan, the leading power, and its submission to the Black Water Crocodile, other forces living in the Golden Scale Water Mansion followed suit, none daring to disobey.

This situation is common among the demon race; it's just that the objects of tribute from those demon forces have changed from the Golden Scale Clan to the Xuan Water Crocodile.
This is also one of Qin Ming's important objectives.

After all, this area is unique in producing gold ore, so naturally we must make sure we get everything we need before we leave.

Qin Ming had no psychological burden in the ancient demon realm.

Soon after.

The news of the change of ownership of the Golden Scale Water Palace swept through the surrounding demon realm forces like a hurricane.

It should be noted that the Golden Scale Clan is not weak overall. They not only have three sixth-tier great demons, but their clan leader is also a late-stage sixth-tier being.

Even so, it was still captured by other powerful demons, which is enough to demonstrate its terrifying nature.

They began to inquire about the origins and background of the Xuan Shui Crocodile.

But they found nothing, as if this ferocious god had appeared out of thin air.

……

Under Qin Ming's instructions, the Xuan Shui Crocodile directly took over the Golden Scale Water Mansion and began to control the situation there. It displayed the aura of a powerful overlord of the demon race, with influence reaching far and wide and the power to manipulate events.

Many surrounding demon clans submitted to him and submitted to his powerful reputation.

With him in charge of the situation outside, Qin Ming also gained a lot of intelligence information about the ancient demon realm.

It turns out that around the Golden Scale Water Mansion where they were, there were three other major water mansions: Cangyuan Water Mansion, Tongming Water Mansion, and Bibo Water Mansion.

These four water palaces are adjacent to each other, and their territories are extremely vast, comparable to the human world of the past.

The four major water palaces are all ruled by powerful sixth-order forces, and the most powerful demons have already reached the late sixth-order realm.

These four water palaces are all under the rule of a demon race overlord power called the 'Wanze Demon Kingdom', which even has seventh-order demon race members comparable to the Integration Stage.

The four great water palaces are but a drop in the ocean among all the myriad waters.
The territory of the demon kingdom is vast and boundless, often ruled by powerful demons of the seventh rank or above, who control the mountains, rivers, lakes, and spiritual lands within their domain.

It is home to many true spirit races, and even has a demon emperor at the Mahayana stage who oversees the overall situation of the demon race.

Qin Ming needs to make some plans before he can return to the Spirit Realm.

The other three major water palaces surrounding the Golden Scale Water Palace are also directly controlled by late-stage sixth-order demon races.

After a period of time.

In addition to the many offerings, Qin Ming also collected a considerable amount of gold ore.

The results were remarkable.

……

at the same time.

In the Cangyuan Water Palace, one of the four great water palaces, the sixth-level demon cultivators in charge of the other three clans were gathered together to discuss the recent situation.

"A sudden change has occurred in the Golden Scale Water Palace. A newly emerged great crocodile demon with the lightning attribute has appeared. This creature must have an even more profound background."

"What does this have to do with that fifth-tier white ape?"

"A great water demon capable of controlling thunder must possess some extremely special bloodline inheritance; otherwise, everyone here would surely be very clear about Fellow Daoist Golden Scale's strength."

"Even among cultivators of the same level, he is considered a formidable one."

"This fiend has great ambitions. He actually plotted to take control of the Golden Scale Water Palace. Even we failed to do it, but a fellow cultivator from outside the sect accomplished it."

"If this fiend is not satisfied with the status quo, its next target for annexation will probably be our other three water palaces. Therefore, we must watch out for each other and help each other!"

"If one of the water palaces is attacked, the other water palaces must rush to its aid immediately, otherwise, when the nest is overturned, no egg remains unbroken!"

"Our three great water palaces must join forces to prepare to confront the ambitions of the Xuan Shui Crocodile."

"..."

This can be seen.

Just how much fear did the other water palaces have of this newly emerged Xuan Shui Crocodile Demon?

……

An unnamed island, inside a cave.

Qin Ming browsed through the intelligence information in his hand; he only had his eye on the Taijin Stone of the Golden Scale Water Mansion.

They had no interest in constantly expanding their territory or controlling the four major waterways.

As time went by, the Golden Scale Water Palace was renamed the Thunder Swamp Water Palace, named after the ferocity of the Black Water Crocodile.

As Qin Ming completely took control of this territory, the status of the Three Saints of Bull Demon Mountain rose dramatically, soaring among the surrounding demon forces.

Furthermore, these three demon clansmen were the closest to Qin Ming on a daily basis.

Qin Ming was also curious and wanted to see what was so special about places where Taijin Stone veins could be formed.

Therefore, at the enthusiastic invitation of the three demons, he made a special trip to visit Bull Demon Mountain.

When he arrived, he found himself in a massive black rock mountain range. As its name suggests, the mountain was shaped like a giant bull demon skull, standing silently on the coastline, gazing at the distant waters.

Deep within the Bull Demon Mountain, members of the Liao Mountain Demon Pig Clan, the Sword Tiger Clan, and the Bashe Clan are jointly mining a large area of ​​minerals.

Qin Ming only observed from the outside and did not go in. Listening to the three demons' continuous introduction, he roughly understood the situation inside.

"Fellow Daoist White Ape, you may not know this, but we have only occupied this Bull Demon Mountain Range for a few hundred years."

"But it is said that its history can even be traced back to a powerful clan in the ancient demon realm, which is said to have originated from this place."

"And the Taijin Stone we mined is just a drop in the ocean compared to the total value of this place, since the stone is extremely difficult to mine."

After saying that, the three demons led Qin Ming deep into the mine and gave him a tour.

It was discovered that only demons with high-level cultivation could perceive subtle spiritual minerals through their bloodline talents.

As the mining progressed deeper, the hardness of the rock exceeded Qin Ming's expectations; even he was unable to break through the strange black rock layer in one go.

"Alright, I'll take a look myself. You all go about your business."

Qin Ming's eyes flickered slightly, and he immediately gave instructions to the three demons who had been accompanying him.

The three demons were taken aback at first, then wisely retreated.

"Yes, if Fellow Daoist White Ape needs anything, just call us and we'll be waiting upstairs."

After Qin Ming dismissed the three demons, he summoned the Devouring Sky Rat, wanting it to explore the existence of the Taijin Stone vein.

"Devouring Rat, I'll give you a chance to prove yourself. Help me explore the depths of Bull Demon Mountain and see if there are any large veins of Taijin Stone."

Having witnessed the Xuan Shui Crocodile's unparalleled power and great achievements, which made it famous throughout the demon realm, the Devouring Rat had long been itching to possess it.

But to its utter surprise, the first thing Qin Ming did after leaving home was to mine!

The difference in treatment is truly enormous.
However, faced with Qin Ming's orders, the Devouring Rat dared not complain at all, and immediately patted its chest and agreed without hesitation.

It first used its innate treasure-hunting ability, nuzzling its exceptionally sensitive nose, and then its eyes suddenly lit up as it said:

"Master, you must know, there's actually a strong aura of treasure here."

Immediately, the Devouring Sky Rat sprang into action. The spirit ores that were previously impossible to mine were quickly disintegrated under its sharp claws, as easily as cutting tofu.

Only half a day later.

The Devouring Rat unearthed a fist-sized piece of gold ore deep underground in the Bull Demon Mountain, which excited it for a long time.

Qin Ming was also slightly surprised, not expecting that the reserves of spirit ore in this place were so large.

It is estimated that the Golden Scale Clan did not value talent as much at the time due to the difficulty of mining.

"Very good, keep digging for me."

After giving instructions to the Sky-Devouring Rat.

Qin Ming immediately activated the Primordial Poison Flame and began refining the Primordial Gold Ore that the Devouring Sky Rat had mined.

They began to continuously refine the Taijin Xuanjing contained within it.

With a mythical beast like the Devouring Sky Rat possessing true spiritual bloodline searching for minerals, Qin Ming's speed in collecting Taijin Xuan Essence increased several times over.

Just as the Devouring Rat was digging with great enthusiasm, it felt a chilling aura begin to seep into its fur, and a bone-deep coldness enveloped its entire body.

It made it shudder involuntarily.

Moreover, the deeper it went, the harder the rock strata became, making it impossible for it to dig anymore.

This was a situation that the Sky-Eating Rat had never encountered before.

"Hiss~ What's going on?"

"It's really too cold, we can't dig anymore."

The Sky-Eating Rat rubbed its little paws together and quickly retreated from the long, winding pit.

Qin Ming frowned upon learning of this situation.

He immediately followed the passage dug out by the Devouring Sky Rat to the lower level and discovered that even his powerful divine sense could not penetrate the rock layers below.

Furthermore, this type of rock layer is almost impervious to water and fire, and cannot be broken by weapons.

A chilling cold swept over him, even covering his powerful body with a layer of frost.

(End of this chapter)