"Though its power is limited by my cultivation level, it is still a great aid!"

Amidst his joy, a thought naturally arose to test the might of the sword array.

Xu Ping’s mind moved, and he waved his sleeve.

Clang clang clang clang...

Seventy-two Cyan Locust Wood Thunder Swords and the Canghua Divine Wood Sword shot out simultaneously.

In an instant, the sword light was like a forest, and Sword Qi soared to the sky.

With the greatly enhanced Canghua Divine Wood Sword as the core, the seventy-two supplementary swords as wings, the sword array formed instantly.

The sword light flowed incessantly, evolving into the creation and destruction of chaos.

Its smooth operation, condensed Sword Qi, and powerful pressure improved nearly twenty percent compared to before!

Within the Sword Domain, space was sliced by the fierce Sword Qi, producing a sizzling sound, and countless deep, bottomless fine sword marks appeared silently on the ground.

Xu Ping felt the outsurging destructive power of the sword array, and a satisfied curve appeared at the corner of his mouth.

The enhancement of the core magic sword significantly benefited the overall sword array!

However, following the joy, a clear sense of resistance and heaviness also came.

The power increase of the sword array greatly burdened the seventy-two magic swords, which were only at the "half-step Spirit Treasure" level.

They trembled, emitting faint moans, as if they had reached their limit of endurance.

Xu Ping could feel that if he fully activated the sword array at this moment, these supplementary swords might risk damage.

"Moreover... my mana consumption has also increased significantly," Xu Ping slightly furrowed his brows.

Operating a sword array of such power is also quite a burden on his mana, which far exceeds that of the same tier.

"Ah, the troubles of happiness," Xu Ping shook his head and chuckled.

Upgrading the supplementary swords couldn’t be rushed, and it also wouldn’t be accomplished overnight for the Mystic Water Sect to help collect materials.

As for the mana issue...

He thought for a moment and tapped open the proficiency panel that only he could see:

[Cultivation Technique: Ten Thousand Woods Evergreen Scripture (Nascent Soul Chapter) Great Accomplishment: 1420/1600]

...

"Nearly a hundred points of proficiency gained after a decade of hard cultivation."

"At this rate, in another twenty years or so, this cultivation technique will break through to... perfection!"

A trace of burning anticipation flashed in Xu Ping’s eyes.

Once the Ten Thousand Woods Evergreen Scripture reaches perfection, not only the cultivation speed and mana recovery speed will greatly increase, but the quality of the mana will also become even more pure and majestic, and lifespan will be greatly nourished.

More importantly, this will lay a tremendously solid foundation for his future breakthrough to the late-stage Nascent Soul realm.

By then, the issue of mana consumption when controlling a stronger sword array will also be greatly alleviated.

After getting used to the new power of the sword array, Xu Ping retracted it.

Sitting cross-legged on the Cold Jade Platform, he operated his cultivation technique to restore his mana, and began to plan his subsequent arrangements in his mind.

"It’s unexpectedly quiet over at the Ancient Demon Hall."

"However, for me, it’s a good thing, giving me time to plan the breakthrough item for the Water Lake Rat."

"As for the Nirvana Blood, just one more late-stage Ancient Demon left to gather. This time, when making a move for the Water Lake Rat, I shall handle it together."

...

Time flies like an arrow, and two more peaceful years passed quietly.

In the direction of the Ancient Demon Hall, a deeper silence prevailed, with even the Fourth Rank Ancient Demons rarely appearing, as if those ferocious demonic creatures had vanished into thin air.

Although the major forces of the outer sea were filled with doubts, they were naturally pleased with this rare period of peace.

Moreover, the longer the time drags on, the more advantageous it is for them.

Blood Bone Island, beneath the Dragon Blood Fruit tree.

The Dragon Blood Fruit matured on schedule, surrounded by crimson clouds, releasing a peculiar fragrance, and the mighty power of blood and Qi resonated with Xu Ping’s own blood and Qi.

Xu Ping plucked it, swallowed, and refined it.

Half a month later, the sound of surging blood and Qi within the cave gradually subsided like a mighty river.

Xu Ping opened his eyes, feeling the increasingly substantial and fiery blood and Qi in his body and the further enhanced physique, feeling quite pleased.

"The body refining cultivation has stably ascended to the top tier among Fourth Rank Middle Grade, and not far from the peak."

Xu Ping estimated inwardly, "The more vigorous the blood and Qi, the more Tier Four Middle-grade Puppets I can simultaneously control."

"Once I achieve the peak of Fourth Rank Mid-stage Body Refining, I should be able to control six Tier Four Middle-grade Puppets...."

"Its power will be enough to rival the top late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators."

....

Xu Ping spent a few more days refining all the remaining medicinal power, then strolled to Duan Shuang’s cave ’Listening Tune.’

Since Duan Shuang’s breakthrough, Xu Ping’s frequency of listening to tunes has increased significantly compared to before.

Although the growth of his Divine Sense was slow, Xu Ping was very satisfied.

When his Divine Sense grows to its late-stage peak, the Soul-Breaking Needle can even threaten Nascent Soul Perfect cultivators.

Two more months passed.

On this day.

A familiar Demon Qi appeared outside Blood Bone Island, belonging to Jin Yuxuan of the Golden Spirit Mouse tribe.

Inside Blood Bone Hall, Xu Ping personally poured him a steaming cup of Spirit Tea.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Xu."

Jin Yuxuan took the teacup, sipped, and felt the abundant spiritual energy, filling him with emotions.

The person before him constantly refreshed his understanding time and again.

Resisting the possession of a Divinity Transformation demon and slaying a late-stage Ancient Demon... such achievements have already spread across the outer sea.

Although he was of the Demon Race, he had heard the rumors as well.

Previously, there was surprise and trepidation towards the True Monarch, but now there was only admiration.

Moreover, the stronger Xu Ping becomes, the more confidence they would have in their current plan, and the bolder they could be.

After some brief pleasantries, Jin Yuxuan’s expression turned serious as he got to the main point: "Fellow Daoist Xu, I came this time regarding the breakthrough of the Water Lake Rat."

"The time is ripe now, and the number of Ancient Demons roaming the outer sea has accumulated sufficiently; it’s time to exchange for the earth vein blood marrow on the exchange list!"

The earth vein blood marrow is an extremely precious item for Demon Beasts, capable of tapping into their bloodline, increasing the success rate for a Tier Four Middle Grade Demon Beast to break through to the Upper Grade.

Xu Ping nodded, "I have long intended to do so, how should we arrange the specifics?"

Jin Yuxuan explained in detail, "Given Fellow Daoist’s current strength, our target this time is directly set as a small elite group led by a late-stage Nascent Soul Ancient Demon."

"Killing such a target grants high contribution points, allowing us to swiftly gather what is needed to exchange for the earth vein blood marrow."