Chapter 1536 - 596: The Real and Fake Azure Dragon Crocodile
In the river, a colossal creature revealed its form.
The giant was bluish-gray, several dozen feet long, obviously a giant crocodile, yet its body was covered in armor-like scales.
Unlike other demon crocodiles, this behemoth had a flat, wide head, a long, broad mouth filled with a row of menacing white teeth, numbering over a hundred, resembling countless sharp blades that instilled fear at first glance.
Its limbs were like elephant legs, with claws resembling steel needles extending from its palms, emanating a terrifying aura.
"Azure Dragon Crocodile!"
Originally confronting each other, Tang Tiansong and Dongfang Liuli were both shocked upon seeing the giant creature.
They had waited for days and finally encountered the Azure Dragon Crocodile, but upon seeing its true appearance, both Dongfang Liuli and Tang Tiansong couldn’t help but gasp.
Having stayed in Qiyu City for quite some time, they had encountered Azure Dragon Crocodiles before.
Back when Di Shen was in Qiyu City, the Azure Dragon Crocodiles in the river area were almost wiped out by him.
They had seen the corpses Di Shen brought back.
The Azure Dragon Crocodile was known as the Azure Dragon among crocs, its strength considerably higher than ordinary demon crocodiles, but it was only at the Great Demon Peak level, comparable to the Tiger-faced Leopard King.
But this giant in front of them was at least ten times the size of a usual demon crocodile, its body comparable to the overlord whale clan of the ocean.
Moreover, the demonic power it exuded could cause the river to cease flowing; such power likely surpassed the Great Demon Peak level to reach the rank of a Demon General.
Presumably, it gained such strength from consuming a large quantity of Soul-breaking Elixirs and Heart Execution Grass, making it challenging for Tang Tiansong and Dongfang Liuli to handle alone.
Both appeared cautious, forgetting to confront each other for the moment.
The Azure Dragon Crocodile opened its massive jaws upon appearance, and with one swallow, the river water flowed backward, surging like a receding tide.
The helpless children were swept up by the violent currents and swallowed whole into its belly.
"Leave those children!"
Tang Tiansong, witnessing this, was torn with anger, forgetting any hesitation.
The Azure Dragon Crocodile would not listen, submerging in the river like a battleship and dashing forward.
Reluctant to let Tang Tiansong gain the upper hand, Dongfang Liuli gritted her teeth and followed in pursuit.
At that moment, both Tang Tiansong and Dongfang Liuli relentlessly chased after the Azure Dragon Crocodile.
Meanwhile, upstream, as the Azure Dragon Crocodile appeared, Ye Lingyue and Luo Qianche had arrived from the western forest region to the eastern river valley region.
"The entire river stretches dozens of miles. I heard Dongfang Liuli and Tang Tiansong spent four or five days without finding the Azure Dragon Crocodile. Do you have any suggestions?"
Ye Lingyue gazed at the river flowing from south to north, noting how deserted the river was compared to a few months back.
Due to the mutation of the Azure Dragon Crocodile, no longer deterred by Beast Repelling Incense, there were no more ferries to be seen on the river.
Occasionally on the riverbank, one could see the corpses of Demon Hunters and demon beasts. In recent days, quite a few had perished in this river.
Luo Qianche had agreed to cooperate with Ye Lingyue, and the water regions were Luo Qianche’s specialty.
"Let me try."
Luo Qianche murmured an incantation.
The sea-blue Merfolk Pearl flew out from her forehead, casting a gentle light on the river’s surface.
The river water churned, and several vibrant koi leaped out.
Subsequently, Luo Qianche retracted the Merfolk Pearl.
Through demonic pearls, Luo Qianche could communicate with the Water Clan.
She occasionally nodded, frowned, or showed varied expressions; half an hour later, the koi swam away.
"I asked those water beasts, but unfortunately, they don’t know where the Azure Dragon Crocodile is. However, they mentioned a sandbank shrouded in blue light at the junction of the middle and lower river. Though unclear about the specifics, they sense a powerful aura there."
Middle to lower river bank?
Ye Lingyue recalled encountering the Azure Dragon Crocodile months ago; it was near a sandbank with the Mother Azure Dragon Crocodile. Could it be its lair?
"This specified area isn’t far. Let’s investigate."
Ye Lingyue calculated the remaining time: just two days until the public task concluded.
She didn’t want to waste precious time on pointless searching anymore.
They followed the riverbank, reaching the junction of the middle and lower river.
"Look! There’s indeed a sandbank shrouded in blue light."
Both Ye Lingyue and Luo Qianche spotted it; a sandbank a mile away covered in mysterious blue fog. But as they tried to get closer, they found the fog prevented any further approach.
The blue light barred their path forward.
The light was peculiar, mist-like and illusory; drawing too near felt like sinking into a mire, making progress difficult.
"This mist is toxic; we can’t go further."
Ye Lingyue observed dead fish floating on the river surface beneath the fog.
Judging by the symptoms, they appeared poisoned.
"Damn, that Azure Dragon Crocodile is likely inside. We can’t enter; what do we do? If only someone cultivating Reincarnation Wind Power were here." Luo Qianche was frustrated not breaking through the blue mist.
"Even someone with Mutated Reincarnation Power might be powerless against this blue mist. If I’m not mistaken, this isn’t mere blue light but a kind of demon breath."
Ye Lingyue, with an unusually serious expression on her dark face, recalled encountering similar mist before.
During her time in Yunmeng Swamp, when the Fire Phoenix and Ice Phoenix laid eggs, they released a "mist" deep within the swamp.
Reuniting with the Fire Phoenix and Ice Phoenix couple later, she learned the "mist" was actually Phoenix Auspicious Breath.
The breath was mist-like, with a confusing effect, causing even high-cultivation individuals to lose their way within it.
Different creatures released different breaths; Demigod Beasts and demon beasts emitted different types.
This confusing toxic blue glow was likely another form of formidable demon breath.
"Moreover, this isn’t the worst part. Releasing such potent demon breath requires substantial demonic power. Beasts only release such (Auspicious) demon breath under two circumstances. Either laying eggs to protect their offspring, or advancing to a higher level. Unfortunately, the Azure Dragon Crocodile is likely the latter. It’s advancing."
Ye Lingyue barely squeezed this sentence out through gritted teeth.
With the Mother Azure Dragon Crocodile long dead, laying eggs was impossible. It could only mean advancement. An Azure Dragon Crocodile approaching Demon General level advancing further meant...