Chapter 941: Chapter 411: The Water Lake Rat Breaks Through to Fourth Rank Upper Grade (Part 2)

He waved his hand, storing away the remnants of the ancient demon bat and its scattered magic core.

The last piece of Nirvana Blood was now in hand.

"Although the contribution points from a late-stage ancient demon are abundant, they are probably still insufficient to exchange for the Earth Vein Blood Essence."

Xu Ping’s gaze swept over the battlefield below, which had been mostly cleared by the Golden Spirit Mouse clan, "We need to hunt down a few more."

Jin Yuxuan suppressed the turbulence in his heart and smiled upon hearing the words, "Of course, I’ve already prepared information on the next target.

"This time, we must gather enough resources for my son-in-law’s breakthrough."

Two years passed in the blink of an eye.

During these years, the collaboration between Xu Ping and the Golden Spirit Mouse clan became increasingly seamless, forming a highly efficient ancient demon hunting team.

Their record was incredibly impressive.

A total of two powerful late-stage Nascent Soul ancient demons, along with over a dozen early and middle-stage Nascent Soul ancient demons, had successively fallen at their hands.

A vast quantity of ancient demon cores and precious materials was collected and exchanged for a substantial amount of "Contribution Points."

Per their agreement, Xu Ping only required the Nirvana Blood from the ancient demon’s heart and some special materials.

The rest of the massive ancient demon corpses were handed over to Jin Yuxuan to exchange for that pivotal Earth Vein Blood Essence.

"Fellow Daoist Jin, please tally it up."

Xu Ping sealed the Nirvana Blood extracted from the heart of the last late-stage ancient demon and handed over the entire body to Jin Yuxuan.

"With so many ancient demon corpses, exchanging for the Earth Vein Blood Essence is more than sufficient. Within half a year at most, I’ll have it exchanged," Jin Yuxuan said with a smile.

"Thank you." Xu Ping nodded with a smile.

After exchanging a few more words, both transformed into escape light, disappearing over the horizon.

Xu Ping needed to return to Blood Bone Island to prepare, while Jin Yuxuan had to immediately head back to True Dragon Hall to exchange for the treasure.

...

Two months later, at Blood Bone Island.

The eerie sea wind persisted as Xu Ping quietly penetrated the restrictions, returning to his cave dwelling.

The first thing Xu Ping did upon returning was to sweep his divine sense, finding the Water Lake Mouse who was in closed cultivation.

Through years of accumulation and refinement, the aura of the Water Lake Mouse had reached the limit of Fourth Rank Middle Grade.

Its aura was solid and extremely stable, with a faint golden dragon might emanating, clearly just needing one last push and a crucial treasure to break through the barrier.

"Master."

The Water Lake Mouse jolted awake, immediately revealing a flattering smile, and approached.

"Mm."

Xu Ping responded indifferently, "Everything went smoothly. In another half a year at most, the Earth Vein Blood Essence will be in hand."

"Thank you, Master, your kindness is like creating anew," the Water Lake Mouse said with great excitement upon hearing the news.

"I’ve chosen Mystic Water Sect for your breakthrough," Xu Ping interrupted its flattery.

"Mystic Water Sect?"

The Water Lake Mouse paused, but quickly reacted, nodding vigorously, "I will follow Master’s arrangements."

It was not picky about the breakthrough location as long as there was ample Spiritual Qi to meet the breakthrough conditions.

Xu Ping said no more, stepping into the depths of his cave where a medicinal garden was covered by special restrictions.

A peculiar flower emitting an enticing yet unsettling aura was quietly growing there.

It was the Sky Demon Yin Flower.

The flower had not yet fully matured, with its outermost petal still bearing a hint of greenness.

Its successful maturation would require at least several decades of cultivation techniques.

Xu Ping’s gaze was steady and without further delay, he directly used the secret technique to hasten its growth.

Using his lifespan as fuel, he hastened the Spirit Medicine’s growth.

As the years of lifespan quietly dissipated, the Sky Demon Yin Flower changed rapidly, visible to the naked eye.

The last green petal completely turned into deep black, the whole flower suddenly trembled, and all the petals simultaneously expanded, fully blooming.

In an instant, an indescribable fragrance, capable of awakening the demon beast’s primal desires and evolutionary impulses, permeated the entire cave dwelling.

"Hiss!"

The Water Lake Mouse’s eyes widened, drooling profusely, almost unable to resist charging forward to swallow it, but it restrained itself.

Xu Ping picked the fully matured Sky Demon Yin Flower and placed it into a cold jade box covered with sealing talismans, finally handing it to the eagerly awaiting Water Lake Mouse.

"Keep this well."

"Remember, consume it at the most critical moment when you trigger the power of the Earth Vein Blood Essence and impact the bottleneck."

"Only then can you maximize your bloodline potential, purify your Dragon Blood, and increase the breakthrough chances!" Xu Ping advised sternly.

The Water Lake Mouse carefully received the jade box and pledged sincerely, "Master, rest assured, I will remember."

Xu Ping nodded slightly and, after another careful reminder, sent the Water Lake Mouse off.

Now with everything ready, just the Earth Vein Blood Essence was needed for the decisive moment.

...

In the following half-year, Xu Ping did not venture out, remaining on Blood Bone Island for quiet cultivation.

Besides his daily practice, he devoted part of his energy to the study of the Magic Fiend True Words.

One day, in the underground cave dwelling.

A third-rank lower-grade "Wind Howling Beast," bound by restrictions, crouched on the ground, its eyes filled with terror and despair, gazing at the figure in front of it like a demon god.

Xu Ping’s expression was solemn, his eyes deep like the sea of stars, while his Sea of Consciousness and Magic Fiend True Words skill operated simultaneously, and the Power of Divine Sense pulsated, gathered with a peculiar rhythm.

He slowly opened his mouth, uttering a strange and obscure syllable containing an indescribable majesty and oppression:

"Command!"

The true word came forth silently, yet it felt like an invisible heavy hammer, fiercely pounding into the deepest part of the Wind Howling Beast’s Sea of Consciousness.

The Wind Howling Beast’s body stiffened suddenly, its eyes filled with terror reaching its peak.

Subsequently, its pupils blurred, and blood began to trickle from its mouth, nose, and ears, its massive body convulsed a couple of times before becoming silent... mind shattered and dead.