The Azure Wave Turtle Clan Submitted!

The first battle was a victory, but the casualties were considerable.

The entire army at White Cloud Temple rested for more than half a month, repairing the city walls, replenishing the array Spirit Stone, counting the casualties, and settling the wounded.

The remains of the Foundation Establishment cultivators who died in battle were taken back to their respective strongholds by their clansmen for burial. Some people cried, some cursed, but most remained silent.

That's how war is.

Those who survive will have their fortuitous opportunity, while those who die will return to Return to Earth, turning into mud and soil.

This has always been the case in the cultivation world: those below the Golden Core stage are nothing but ants. This statement may be cruel, but it is the truth. They are nothing more than weeds, which can be blown away endlessly by the wind.

Half a month later, all the injuries had been mostly healed.

The southern city defenses were renovated, and the remains of the water dragons in the river were retrieved and sent to the weapon-refining workshop and alchemy pavilion of White Cloud Temple.

Leather, armor, bones, and blood—those are all excellent materials.

The dead are gradually forgotten.

Those who are alive move towards tomorrow.

The cultivation world is cold and hard; a fellow disciple who was drinking with you yesterday is now just a jar of ashes.

No one cried or wailed; at most, they sighed, then went back and divided up their share of the Spirit Stone, and life had to go on.

Sun Chengzu provided a sum of money as compensation to the Lineage of the fallen cultivators.

The Spirit Stone weren't many, but they were enough to show our attitude.

This was to prove that White Cloud Temple was not a sect that used people as cannon fodder and burned them to death, thus winning people's hearts. At least if they followed White Cloud Temple, they would have an explanation even if they died.

After calculating this, White Cloud Temple's storeroom was even more deflated.

Sun Qiming gasped with heartache. "Uncle, if we keep fighting like this, we won't even have taken over Evil Water Marsh yet, and we'll have already bankrupted ourselves."

"Qiming, think long-term."

Sun Chengzu held his teacup and blew away the foam. "The spirit mines in the Northern Region are already shipping out their stock, bringing in thirty to fifty thousand Spirit Stone every month. That's a considerable income."

"It's just that the initial investment is a bit large, but you'll recoup your investment sooner or later."

Sun Qiming pursed his lips and said nothing more.

He knew his uncle never lost out in the accounting, but looking at the casualty figures, he felt somewhat uneasy...

In the blink of an eye, Abundant Water City has been resting and recuperating for over a month.

For the past month, the Venomous Flood Dragon King has not returned, and the Southern Region has been quiet; not even a water python demon has ventured to the northern shore.

But Shi Jian knew that the old dragon had no intention of giving up.

We're just waiting, waiting for a better opportunity.

However, before that, Western Region arrived first—or rather, turtles arrived.

On the shallows west of Abundant Water Lake, three giant turtles slowly crawled ashore. The one in the lead was dark green all over, with moss growing on its shell. It was a turtle demon from the Azure Wave Turtle Clan.

"Ancestor."

"An envoy from the Azure Wave Turtle Clan has arrived, carrying a message from Elder Wanxiang, saying they wish to speak with you, Ancestor."

Not long after, Shi Jian slowly crawled out of a cave. His aura was as deep and powerful as a mountain, and it seemed that he had recovered from the losses of the last battle.

"Let them wait on the island in the middle of the lake."

Upon hearing this, the Lord Rat possessed the body and accepted the order.

In no time, Shi Jian lay down on a large rock on the island, and the three Azure Wave Turtle swam to the edge of the island as well.

The largest end shrank in size, leaving only a tortoise body about ten feet in length.

"Junior Wan Luo pays respects to Senior."

The turtle's voice was old and hoarse, in the same tone as Wanxiang's, suggesting he was an elder of the clan, and sounded exceptionally calm.

"The patriarch instructed me to convey this message: After this battle, all the tribes under the Western Region ' Gui (turtle) banner are willing to submit to Lord Shi Jian's command and submit to his orders."

"I have only one request."

"Explain."

"The patriarch is advanced in years and his cultivation has not progressed at all in many years. He fears that his time is near. He would like to know if the herding system of Abundant Water Lake can benefit turtles?"

Shi Jian didn't answer immediately, but tapped the stone twice with his claws.

That old fellow Wanxiang really did plan his escape route before making a move.

During the great war, releasing water from the western route was his first scheme, deliberately giving him a favorable impression so that he would voluntarily surrender after the war; that was his second scheme.

The proposed system of herding animals is the third level.

He wasn't living for himself; he was finding a long-term path for his community.

After eight hundred years, this old tortoise has finally found a worthy successor and wants to see the limits of Shi Jian's abilities.

Shi Jian was not averse to this.

"Go back and tell Wanxiang that since Abundant Water Lake can be designated as a pasture for beasts, and can be used by crocodiles, then it can also be designated as a territory for turtles."

But there's a condition.

"Please speak, sir."

"He needs to come in person to discuss this. There are some rules that I won't be at ease until he agrees personally."

Upon hearing this, the tortoise nodded repeatedly.

This condition was not excessive, so he retreated into the lake and returned to the Western Region with the message.

Three days later, Wanxiang came to pass.

Shi Jian waited on the island in the middle of the lake, with Golden Crocodile lying beside him.

Upon seeing Wanxiang emerge from the water, the Golden Crocodile didn't mock or ridicule him; in fact, its attitude was surprisingly friendly. "It's been a long time, Senior Wanxiang."

"Young Friend Golden Crocodile."

Wanxiang smiled broadly, his face crinkling with wrinkles. "It's been many years since we last met. Seeing you living so happily these days puts my mind at ease."

"I've taken a stroll around this place, and it seems that what Fellow Daoist Shi said was not unfounded."

The Golden Crocodile nodded slightly, then retreated to the side.

Upon seeing this, Shi Jian then cut to the chase:

"Wanxiang Daoist Wanxiang's request is subject to the same rules as those of the Golden Crocodile. You manage your clansmen; I will not interfere in their internal affairs."

"In important matters, we must obey orders, share resources, and ensure that humans do not offend beasts, nor do beasts offend humans."

"Furthermore, each of your turtle-affiliated tribes, please provide me with a detailed roster, including the number of bloodlines and Foundation Establishment under your command, reporting as comprehensively as possible."

"In this way, I can designate habitats for your Turtle Clan."

Upon hearing this, Wanxiang responded in unison.

"Since there are no further questions, then it's settled."

"I'll have Lord Rat lead some men over there later to survey the Spirit Vein and terrain of your Western Region, and see how we can plan for you."

"Your Majesty has gone to great lengths."

Wanxiang bowed his head slightly, adopting a very humble posture, and even addressed Shi Jian as "King," a title of great significance to the Demon Race.

Normally, only powerful demons that have transformed into human form are called Demon King.

At this moment, Wanxiang proclaimed Shi Jian as king, signifying his acceptance of him and his willing submission...

Eight hundred years is long enough.

He grew so old that he thought he would die silently in the Evil Water Marsh mud, leaving not Root Bone behind.

Now, things have turned out badly, all at the last minute.

Encountering a junior with the potential to become a king actually gave him a glimmer of hope.

After the matter of submission was agreed upon, Wanxiang handed over the foundation of the turtle clan.

The Azure Wave Turtle Clan, along with its subordinate branches, comprises a total of eight branches.

Among them, the main lineage, the Azure Wave Turtle, is personally led by Wanxiang. There are thirty-nine Foundation Establishment Great Demons in the clan, who are skilled in the profound arts of Water Dao.

It has the following members: the Black Armor Turtle lineage, which excels in defense, and seven Foundation Establishment demons.

The Rock-Splitting Turtle lineage excels in Earth Dao defense and comprises six Foundation Establishment demons.

The lineage of the Jade Pool Turtle is skilled in water magic, and five deities Foundation Establishment.

There are also four smaller branches: Mud-Shell Turtle, Gray-Backed Turtle, Thorn Turtle, and Mist-Hidden Turtle. Their cultivation levels vary, and there are more than twenty Foundation Establishment demons in total.

With the eight tortoise veins combined, there are a total of eighty Foundation Establishment Wanxiang Golden Core. This number stunned even the Golden Crocodile.

"Senior, you've kept it well hidden."

A hint of apprehension flickered in the Golden Crocodile's eyes. "Eighty Foundation Establishment demons, with that kind of strength, how could you willingly allow yourself to be suppressed at every turn by the Venomous Flood Dragon King?"

Wanxiang shook his head with a smile, "What's the point of fighting? In the end, we're all Demon Race. There's no need to fight to the death. The Venomous Flood Dragon King might just be a clueless fool."

"But I, an old man, cannot be unaware of the gravity of the situation."

Ultimately, in this era dominated by Human Race, the more heritage we can preserve, the more we can preserve.

"Demons may generally lack human awareness, but there are always some demons who are willing to sacrifice their own families for the greater good."

"For example, right now, our clan's heritage has been reserved for a king who is worth waiting for. Perhaps in the future, this insignificant power will be the final piece of the puzzle to unlock the future."

Upon hearing this, the Golden Crocodile was filled with respect and said nothing more.

Shi Jian sighed softly; he knew perfectly well what was going on.

The turtle species is able to accumulate so much Foundation Establishment because of its Wanxiang to "shrink" all things.

He avoids trouble, doesn't seek the limelight, plays the humble card, and waits patiently. While other groups fight and exhaust each other, he willingly strives for a glimmer of hope...

This sense of righteousness and overall perspective truly makes him a demon of great ambition.

After eight hundred years of barely surviving, they managed to amass such a fortune.

To be honest, Shi Jian really admired this senior. If it were him, without the help of the Enlightenment System, he would have been in a similar situation.

He might spend his entire life trying, but he might not be able to do as well as the other person.

If he possessed the cultivation and talent of the Wanxiang, he probably would have long since been unable to bear the loneliness and might have continued to strive, but he might not have been as good as the other party.

With such righteous Demon Race existing in the world, how can the demon race not prosper in the future?!