Cultivation Starts from Farming Chapter 944 - 412: Fourth Rank Upper Grade Mouse Lord; Unexpected Situation (2)

"This humble mouse greets Master. Endless thanks for the nurturing grace you've shown over the years, for bestowing such immense fortune and aiding this little one in breaching the heavenly barrier. This profound kindness, this unparalleled virtue, shall never be forgotten throughout all my lives."

Xu Ping appraised him from top to bottom, then gave a nod of approval. "Mm, commendable."

His tone was measured, yet it contained undeniable satisfaction.

Now that this mouse had successfully ascended to Tier Four Top-grade, he could finally offer substantial assistance.

Observing from the sidelines, Shan Tianyou felt a fresh wave of astonishment surge within his heart.

This Water Lake Mouse had already advanced to become a Tier Four Top-grade Demon Beast, its power rivaling that of a grand sect's patriarch. Yet, before Xu Ping, its demeanor remained one of utmost respect and obedience.

That fawning attitude had seemingly become an ingrained instinct...

Truly, Xu Ping's methods of control were unfathomably profound.

Shan Tianyou, however, kept his inner thoughts concealed, a smile gracing his features. He cupped his hands towards the Water Lake Mouse and spoke,

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Water Lake, on successfully concluding your seclusion and attaining the Demon Monarch Dao. From this moment onward, our Outer Sea Human Race has secured another formidable ally!"

In his address, he already accorded the mouse the status of an equal.

The Water Lake Mouse hastily returned the gesture, his face alight with pleasure. "Fellow Daoist Shan, you are too kind. My current achievements are entirely the result of Master's grace and the blessed land of your esteemed sect."

"In the days ahead, I shall continue to rely on Fellow Daoist Shan for considerable favor and guidance."

His words were meticulously polite, crafted with exquisite care, leaving no room for criticism.

The group engaged in further conversation for a while longer in the outer hall, primarily exchanging felicitations and pleasantries.

Noticing that the Water Lake Mouse's cultivation realm had achieved stability, Xu Ping smoothly broached the subject of their departure.

Shan Tianyou personally escorted them on their way.

He accompanied Xu Ping, Duan Shuang, and the newly transformed Water Lake Mouse all the way to the mountain gates of the Mystic Water Sect, his bearing earnest and his etiquette flawless.

...

Three months thereafter, Blood Bone Island.

Xu Ping and his contingent returned without incident.

After exchanging a few concise words with Duan Shuang, Xu Ping led the Water Lake Mouse directly to the subterranean cave dwelling beneath Blood Bone Hall.

"Let me assess your current capabilities."

Xu Ping's request was direct; he intended to personally gauge the Water Lake Mouse's combat prowess following its recent breakthrough.

The Water Lake Mouse accepted the command. Its expression turned serious, and the restrained draconic might radiating from it suddenly surged outwards.

Dark-golden Demonic Power ascended towards the heavens, manifesting as streams of incredibly condensed, dragon-shaped forces that roared and bellowed with untamed power.

Following an exhaustive round of trials, the results left Xu Ping thoroughly pleased.

Although the Water Lake Mouse had only just entered the Tier Four Top-grade realm, its formidable battle strength, bolstered by its refined True Dragon Bloodline, was already equivalent to that of many Late-stage Nascent Soul Cultivators possessing a solid foundation.

It could even contend with some of the more powerful descendants of True Dragon Bloodline among the demon emperors.

In terms of sheer physical resilience and the depth of its Demonic Power, it could be considered absolutely top-tier.

"Excellent."

Xu Ping offered his praise once more. "With such a potent bloodline, should you one day ascend to the fifth rank, you might very well be able to completely abandon your mouse form and attain a true True Dragon physique."

"You could even possess the potential to contend for the Dragon King's throne."

Upon hearing these words, a fervent longing flickered within the Water Lake Mouse's eyes, though it quickly suppressed the emotion and offered a humble laugh.

"Master, you jest. The fifth-rank realm is an abstract and distant aspiration. My reaching Tier Four Top-grade is already a boon from the heavens; I would not dare to harbor greater ambitions."

"Everything still hinges on Master's continued cultivation and guidance!"

It was acutely aware of its own limitations. Advancing to the fifth rank necessitated not only talent and resources but also immense fortune and opportune moments; it was by no means a simple feat.

Xu Ping neither confirmed nor refuted its statement, instead shifting the topic. "Now that you have achieved your breakthrough, this Tier Four Lower Grade Spirit Vein located on Blood Bone Island will offer limited assistance for your continued cultivation."

"For your future training, you will likely need to journey to the Golden Spirit Mouse clan and draw upon the superior-grade Spirit Veins within their ancestral domain."

Hearing this, the Water Lake Mouse not only displayed no displeasure but instead revealed an expression of eager anticipation. It quickly responded, "I shall readily adhere to whatever arrangements Master ordains."

For years, he remained in seclusion, striving to reach Tier Four Top-grade. He longed to reunite with his Dao companion and offspring after such a long absence.

Furthermore, his esteemed position within the Golden Spirit Mouse clan afforded him excellent treatment, making his return a welcome prospect.

"However, you must first leave some of your blood behind before you depart," Xu Ping revealed his true motive.

Now that the Water Lake Mouse had advanced to Tier Four Top-grade, the Dragon Blood Essence within its blood surpassed its previous state. This essence would serve as the perfect fertilizer for the Dragon Blood Fruits, potentially enhancing their medicinal potency even further.

Should this effort succeed in elevating the Dragon Blood Fruit to a higher tier, it could potentially aid him in breaking through his Body Refining cultivation and even grant him access to the threshold of Tier Four Top-grade!

"Very well!"

The Water Lake Mouse readily agreed, not harboring the slightest hesitation.

Half an hour later.

Having generously contributed a large vat of blood, the Water Lake Mouse bid farewell to Blood Bone Island.

Xu Ping approached the Dragon Blood Fruit tree and carefully poured the Water Lake Mouse's essence blood upon it, employing a Secret Technique to accelerate its growth.

The blood permeated the soil, greedily absorbed by the roots of the Dragon Blood Fruit tree.

Before long, the entire tree began to glow with a brilliant crimson aura, its branches and leaves rustling with renewed vitality.

The two Dragon Blood Fruits situated at the apex of the tree visibly swelled, their color deepening with each passing moment, and the blood-energy they exuded subtly intensified.

"It truly works!"

A flicker of delight crossed Xu Ping's features. "I only hope these fruits can fulfill my requirements."

Upon achieving the threshold of Tier Four Top-grade in his Body Refining, he would gain the ability to command the Puppet Array, consisting of ten Tier Four Middle-grade Puppets.

A Puppet Array of such caliber was anticipated to reach the Nascent Soul Perfection Level, possibly boasting even greater defensive capabilities.

Subduing the burgeoning excitement within him, Xu Ping retreated to his secluded chamber to commence his cultivation in quiet contemplation.

...

Time flowed onward, and three years passed uneventfully in the outside world.

Throughout this period, the entrance to the Ancient Demon Hall remained remarkably serene.

Even the Demonic Qi, which had persistently assailed the entrance, appeared to have retreated and diminished in intensity.

This unexpected calm led many Cultivators in the Outer Sea, who had been living under constant tension, to gradually lower their guard.

Some even began to speculate that the peril posed by this demonic calamity might have naturally subsided with the waning period of the Ancient Demon Hall's formidable rules.

However, true dangers often lie hidden beneath the surface of tranquility.

In the remote depths of the Outer Sea, at the primary stronghold of the True Dragon Hall.

This was a breathtaking domain, situated ten thousand fathoms below the ocean's surface and enveloped by an immense, unseen barrier—a resplendent Crystal Dragon Palace.