Longevity Martial Arts: I have a Mysterious Water Snake Avatar
Chapter 39 - 38 Whoever Blocks My Way Shall Die - Part One (Seeking Investment, Seeking Follow-up Reads)

Chapter 39: Chapter 38 Whoever Blocks My Way Shall Die - Part One (Seeking Investment, Seeking Follow-up Reads)

In the dark depths of the riverbed cave, Hong Yuan opened his serpent eyes. They shone like bright lamps, aiding him in inspecting his surroundings.

This cave was Hong Yuan’s shelter, but as he slowly grew, the cavern seemed increasingly constricted.

SPLASH.

Hong Yuan whipped his tail, parting the water, and his form slowly glided forward.

Upon his appearance, fish, shrimp, crabs, and turtles scattered in a frantic escape. Some fled toward the shore, while others dared to venture into deeper waters, all fleeing in disarray.

To the shore?

Hong Yuan looked toward the blurred orb of light above, pondering thoughtfully.

However, due to his massive size and the difficulty of concealing himself, Hong Yuan had always been hesitant about going ashore.

After this period of accumulation, Hong Yuan’s body length had reached a staggering six meters. His towering form was now that of a terrifying gigantic snake.

If not for the limitations imposed by that green giant crocodile, Hong Yuan’s growth would likely have been even more astonishing!

[Avatar: Mysterious Water Snake (Ice Armor Python 127/10,000)]

[Level: Second Order Elementary]

[Innate Abilities: Water Gun, Water Fluctuation, Extreme Poison, Water Flow Tail, Black Fog, Tiger Shadow, Crazy Plants]

"HISS!"

Thinking of that damned green giant crocodile, Hong Yuan couldn’t help but let out a piercing hiss.

While his human main body enjoyed a comfortable life, this Mysterious Water Snake avatar was constantly caught in a cycle of hunger and fleeting satiation. Such a miserable existence nearly drove Hong Yuan mad.

Not to mention, the Mysterious Water Snake had to aid his human main body in enhancing [Talent] and [Life Span] through devouring and evolution. Without enough to eat, how could there be any growth in [Talent] or [Life Span]?

What Hong Yuan found most intolerable was that he had to live a life on the run, his potential for growth stymied by a mere crocodile!?

All of this made Hong Yuan yearn to tear that green giant crocodile to shreds.

Unfortunately, relying on its advantage of thick skin and tough flesh, the green giant crocodile had Hong Yuan crying out in pain whenever they fought.

WHOOSH.

The water swished gently as he propelled himself forward.

Hong Yuan didn’t swim toward the deeper areas. Instead, he arrived at the place where he trained his innate abilities.

He needed to evaluate the power of [Crazy Plants] before considering how to deal with that accursed green giant crocodile.

Soon, Hong Yuan swam to an empty spot on the muddy riverbed, where only Goldfish Algae grew.

This place used to be inhabited by a school of goldfish. However, they had wisely fled upon Hong Yuan’s arrival, ceding this flat terrain for him to hone his innate abilities.

"HISS~"

Hong Yuan flicked out his forked tongue, which swayed left and right, gathering residual information from the surroundings. No abnormalities!

Hong Yuan’s cold serpent eyes stared intently at the Goldfish Algae below. This terrified several small crabs that were playing dead among the algae; they almost jumped out of their shells and promptly scurried away.

Ignoring the small crabs, Hong Yuan silently activated his newly acquired innate ability.

[Crazy Plants]!

In that instant, Hong Yuan felt a warm surge emerge from his belly, growing hotter as it extended towards his tail.

Meanwhile, his gaze was locked firmly on the Goldfish Algae.

THUD!

Hong Yuan suddenly slapped his massive tail against the ground. The warmth flowed out from his tail, smashing into the ground and creating a deep pit.

A thick root immediately bulged from the riverbed’s surface, extending toward the Goldfish Algae and spreading rapidly, like a python striking forward.

BOOM!

The riverbed silt was instantly disrupted, and a thick root, nearly as long as Hong Yuan himself, emerged menacingly.

Hong Yuan looked at the shattered riverbed mud and the robust root, a hint of satisfaction on his face.

The destructive force of this strike was enough to breach the thick hide the green giant crocodile was so proud of.

The only flaw was that it had to be deployed on land. However, it was more than sufficient to handle that clumsy green giant crocodile.

Treat me like a free fish ATM, snatching away the fruits of my labor and even trying to devour me to enhance its own strength!?

Brazenly block my path in the Longevity Martial Arts, preventing my advancement?!

Green giant crocodile, your Master Hong Yuan is here for revenge!

A fierce light flashed in Hong Yuan’s eyes, as sharp fangs dripped with venom.

...

...

Yellow waves washed the mountain wilderness; white surf swept the riverbanks.

Leaves traced waning crescents; robe hems flew toward the horizon.

Accompanied by a cool autumn breeze, Hong Yuan returned to work at the A06 Workshop.

He had requested leave at the beginning of the month but only returned in the middle of it.

Moreover, Hong Yuan’s vacation was paid; he still received three Energy Stones each day. This uniquely preferential treatment made numerous disciples envious, jealous, and resentful of Hong Yuan.

When Hong Yuan stepped into the A06 Workshop, the other disciples simultaneously slowed their work, highly anticipating what was to come.

Last week, Zhao Gonghe had been absent for a day and was scolded so severely by Zhu Wushang that he was utterly humiliated.

And Hong Yuan had been missing for half a month!

"Hehe, do you think Hong Yuan will be scolded to tears by Zhu?"

"Scolded to tears? I doubt it..."

"I think he will. Wanna bet one Energy Stone?"

Two bare-chested official disciples whispered among themselves, betting whether Hong Yuan would be reprimanded.

The other disciples near the furnaces in the A06 Workshop weren’t as dramatic. However, they also felt that Hong Yuan was likely to be severely scolded by Zhu Wushang.

There was no reason Zhao Gonghe would be scolded for a day’s absence while Hong Yuan, also a disciple under Master Lin, would escape scolding after being absent for half a month.

By now, Hong Yuan’s reputation in the A06 Workshop was very high, exceptionally so.

Especially after he became a First-rank Casting Master, the attention Hong Yuan received in the A06 Workshop was second only to that of Zhu Wushang.

Every move Hong Yuan made garnered the attention of everyone in the A06 Workshop, particularly those official disciples who had entered with him.

"Yuan, what have you been up to this past half-month?"

Watching Hong Yuan enter the small room, fire seemed to dance in Zhao Gonghe’s eyes.

The Zhao Gonghe of now was completely different from who he was three months ago.

The former Zhao Gonghe had delicate skin and a fair, beardless face, the very picture of a young nobleman. Now, Zhao Gonghe was broad-shouldered and burly, his skin tanned dark; he looked entirely like a blacksmith.

In the small room.

Zhu Wushang walked around Hong Yuan, eyeing him up and down, nodding occasionally.

"Hmm, not bad. You seem to be in good shape, all in one piece. I’ve heard about your deeds in the Ten Thousand Beast Cave Heaven; you performed very well."

"Yuan, have you thought about participating in this year’s end-of-year Sect Competition? You could definitely achieve a good result!"

The Sect Competition... Hearing about it yet again, Hong Yuan felt no ripples in his heart.

He wouldn’t act without a clear benefit. Participating in the Sect Competition seemed more disadvantageous than beneficial to him. He had no wish to rush around for some honor, wasting his time.

"No, I don’t feel my strength has reached that level yet," Hong Yuan replied with a smile.

"I see... Well, never mind then. Yuan, for the time being, just stay in the Refining Equipment Hall. Try not to go out much unless it’s necessary."

"Alright, I understand, Brother."

"Go on then. You still need to complete your tasks for the first half of the month."

When Hong Yuan walked out of the small room, safe and sound, the disciples working in the Refining Equipment Hall were greatly surprised.

Zhu Wushang’s favoritism towards Hong Yuan had actually reached such an astonishing extent!?

"Yuan, you really make people jealous!" Zhao Gonghe snorted inwardly.

His heart filled with anger, Zhao Gonghe lifted his hammer and violently struck a high-quality Miao Blade, as if to shatter all his frustrations.

Hong Yuan noticed the astonishment, shock, and various other emotions of the onlookers, but he didn’t care in the least.

After taking off his shirt and revealing his bulging muscles, Hong Yuan began forging a First-rank Miao Blade.

As long as they don’t hinder my path in the Longevity Martial Arts, they can do whatever they please.