This is definitely the prodigy of the Mingjiao Clan

"Don’t do it!"

Wu Dameng was utterly shocked, his gaze toward Li Mo filled with terror.

This young man looked refined and scholarly—how could such ferocious words come out of his mouth?

Seeing his reaction, Li Mo couldn’t help but feel puzzled.

Didn’t Elder Qian say this phrase was a friendly greeting?

"Ahem, that was just a joke."

Li Mo waved his hand and continued,

"My friend and I came from beyond the Southern Border to the Blackwater Marsh to search for relatives. We just wanted to ask you about the situation in the territory of the Roaring Flood Dragons."

"What do you want to know? I can’t say anything about our clan’s secrets."

Wu Dameng grew wary. "Besides, you’re both clearly human. How could you have relatives in the Roaring Flood Dragon territory? You must be mistaken."

"No mistake."

Li Mo pondered for a moment.

Suddenly, he activated the Seventy-Two Transformations, his figure shifting amidst swirling mist until he transformed into a Roaring Flood Dragon several zhang long.

Though his body wasn’t as massive as Wu Dameng’s, his aura was far more ferocious.

"Impossible... impossible..."

Wu Dameng couldn’t believe his eyes, yet the suppression from his bloodline made him tremble slightly.

"How could there be another Roaring Flood Dragon outside the Southern Border?!"

"Because I possess an exceptional transformation technique. You couldn’t tell my true form earlier, could you?"

Li Mo puffed up with pride.

See that?

This is why I was crowned the Qingyuan Sect’s first Best Leading Actor—well-deserved, no doubt...

"So... you’re one of us?"

Wu Dameng froze for a moment, then turned to Huang Donglai:

"Is he also a Roaring Flood Dragon?"

Huang Donglai: "......"

He didn’t have Li Mo’s transformation skills.

Just as he was at a loss for words, Li Mo quickly improvised:

"He’s my mount."

"Huh?"

Huang Donglai stiffened.

Murong Xiao stroked his chin, deep in thought.

Wu Dameng hesitated:

"A mount? I’ve only heard of human prodigies taming flood dragons as mounts. But you..."

"Exactly. If human geniuses can ride demon beasts, why can’t demon beast geniuses ride humans? What’s wrong with that?!"

"......"

Wu Dameng leaned back in shock, his pupils trembling as a glimmer of wisdom gradually filled his eyes.

Right!

Why should demon beasts always be the ones serving as mounts?

Recalling the fierce scene of Li Mo charging toward him while riding Huang Donglai, Wu Dameng was now completely convinced.

A prodigy.

This must be a prodigy of our Roaring Flood Dragon clan!

No wonder he has such a bold and unyielding spirit!

No wonder his strength is so overwhelming!

"So... this human is also your mount?" Wu Dameng glanced at Murong Xiao.

Murong Xiao exchanged a look with Li Mo before releasing the white jade relic and no longer suppressing his bloodline.

In the next moment, the traits of a flood dragon emerged on his body.

"So you’re a half-demon?!"

Wu Dameng exclaimed.

Li Mo: "......"

Murong Xiao: "?"

Huang Donglai: "Pffft—"

"Humans are born from human mothers, demons from demon mothers. If a human and a demon have a child together, that’s a half-demon."

"Half-demons are incredible—they can use demon bloodlines and also cultivate human martial arts."

Wu Dameng didn’t understand why the others had suddenly fallen silent.

He thought the term "half-demon" was very fitting.

"Mount-brother, stop laughing for a second."

Li Mo motioned for Murong Xiao to calm down, then said, "We came here to help our friend Murong Xiao find his parents. They’re in the Roaring Flood Dragon territory."

"Murong..."

Wu Dameng’s massive eyes rolled as if recalling something.

He gasped:

"You’re Third Grand Uncle’s child?"

"Third Grand Uncle?"

"Yeah, Uncle Murong married Third Grandmother—so of course he’s a grand uncle. Which means..."

The scene fell into awkward silence.

In other words, Wu Dameng would have to call Murong Xiao... uncle?

Talk about family turning against family.

Why mention this?

Because Li Mo was thinking—if Old Man Murong had proposed becoming sworn brothers with him that day, and he had agreed...

What would Wu Dameng have to call him?

"Are my parents... doing well?" Murong Xiao asked nervously.

"Well... things in the clan are a bit complicated lately."

"Alright, let’s set off then."

Li Mo transformed back into human form but retained some flood dragon traits.

"Before we go... could you untie me?"

Tears welled up in Wu Dameng’s eyes.

Being tied up like a ball—how could he ever show his face as a flood dragon again?

Once freed, he reverted to a half-human, half-flood dragon form—a human body with a flood dragon’s head, a sign that his transformation skills were still lacking.

Watching Li Mo return to human form while keeping only subtle flood dragon traits, he couldn’t help but feel envious.

They boarded a bronze carriage and headed south.

As Li Mo adjusted to his flood dragon traits, he checked the recent feedback from his investments.

[Nine Flood Dragon Strength Pill]: "Refined from the purified souls of nine ferocious flood dragons. After consumption, permanently increases strength. Those with weak physiques should exercise caution—the medicinal power is too intense and may damage the body."

This was a fierce and potent pill.

Judging by the description, even martial artists in the Observation Divine Realm who specialized in body refinement might struggle to digest it.

But then again, no one in the Observation Divine Realm had ever perfected a supreme body-refining technique.

"I’ll take this in a secluded place later."

Li Mo withdrew his thoughts from the system space.

Across from him, the burly Wu Dameng spoke up:

"Hey, bro, since we’re family, why did you attack me earlier?"

"That’s how Roaring Flood Dragons greet each other outside the Southern Border."

"No wonder you survived outside the clan’s territory—truly fierce."

"By the way,"

Li Mo gazed at the approaching Roaring Flood Dragon territory and asked,

"You mentioned earlier that things in the clan are complicated. What exactly is going on?"

"Well..."

Wu Dameng let out a heavy sigh.

"Our Roaring Flood Dragon clan has lived in the Blackwater Marsh for generations. But in recent years, our territory has been shrinking."

"The Roc Clan is our sworn enemy. For decades, they’ve been encroaching on our land."

"All because, sixty years ago, they obtained the Heavenly Jade."

Heavenly Jade...

Li Mo knew this was likely the demon race’s name for the Jade Phoenix Deity.

"Every sixty years, the Heavenly Jade returns to the Southern Border, and each clan sends their younger generation to compete for it."

"The clan is currently in chaos over who gets to compete for the Jade. Just glimpsing it is a tremendous opportunity."

"Third Grand Uncle and Third Grandmother have faced a lot of pressure and blame from the others."

Wu Dameng sighed helplessly.

Murong Xiao’s breathing grew heavier.

Li Mo frowned. "What does competing for the Jade have to do with pressuring Murong Xiao’s parents?"

"Half-demons have an easier time gaining insights from the Jade."

"So they’re being forced to... what?"

"To have a second child. Naturally, they have to do what you said earlier."

"Huh?"

"Make babies..."

"......"

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