Traveling through time to cultivate immortality: a life and death test

After packing up everything and erasing all traces of the area, Liu Xing jumped onto Jiao Jiao's back and headed due west. A day and a night later, they arrived at a deserted island. There was a coconut grove, little else but shrubs and weeds, and a mountain of rocks. The spiritual energy was thin, and the island was quiet and devoid of animals. Liu Xing rested on the island to recover his previously depleted mana, then pulled out the information Nie Xiaoqian had compiled and began to carefully research his next target.

About half a month's journey west of this point, deep into the ocean, lies the active waters of a school of silver sharks. According to records, a cultivator in the late Foundation Establishment stage chased a Level 3 silver shark into this area and was about to catch it. Suddenly, a Level 4 silver shark, leading a pack of sharks, charged towards him from afar, its demonic aura so intense that he fled in terror. He later recounted this experience with lingering fear.

Defeating a Level 4 demon beast required Liu Xing's full strength, but now facing a pack of silver sharks, the difficulty was multiplied countless times. Surrounded by them, there was no chance of escape. Liu Xing racked his brains for a way to defeat his enemy. How could he, alone, defeat the powerful with a weaker force? After a long struggle, he couldn't find a better solution, so he sought out Jiao Jiao for advice. One person's weaknesses were matched by two others' strengths. Perhaps Jiao Jiao, a fellow deep-sea demon beast, might have a solution.

"Jiao Jiao, this time we are going to face a group of silver sharks, led by a fourth-level monster. It is not yet clear how many second- and third-level monsters there are in the shark group. We cannot defeat the sharks with force, we can only use our wits to defeat them. The goal is to seize the demon pill of the fourth-level silver shark leader. Do you have any good ideas?" Liu Xing asked.

"Master, you're too kind to me. I'm stupid. If you can't think of a solution, I'm even more clueless." Jiao Jiao looked naive. Making it think was more painful than killing it. Liu Xing was speechless. It was indeed a big but brainless creature.

"Will monsters from different tribes start fighting without saying a word when they meet? Will there be some communication and cooperation?" Liu Xing felt that he had to guide them himself and understand the situation of the monster tribe.

"It's not all fighting, there's also communication, each getting what they need. Among the monsters, those that haven't opened their spiritual intelligence use a special sound wave to communicate, while those that have opened their spiritual intelligence use telepathy." Jiao Jiao answered honestly.

Liu Xing pondered. Just being able to communicate was enough. As long as he could strike up a conversation, he could implement strategies of deception and division. Based on Liu Xing's understanding of social relations, he knew that within a group organization, there would inevitably be differences in closeness and distance, and struggles for power and profit. This was the key to outsmarting them.

"What do monsters generally fear? What do they desire?" Liu Xing was already thinking about the bait.

"I'm instinctively afraid of the suppression of blood and strength, and I'm instinctively craving delicious food and precious materials that are helpful to my magic power and body." Jiao Jiao basically answered without hesitation. These were all common sense of the demon race. He didn't know why his master asked these questions.

"How much do you know about the Silver Shark race?" Liu Xing asked again.

"Silver sharks are one of the top ten clans of deep-sea monsters. They are numerous and powerful. They like to act in groups to hunt their opponents. The group is well organized and no one dares to challenge the position of the leader." Jiao Jiao recalled the relevant information it remembered and picked out some key points to reply to Liu Xing.

"The combat power of a single silver shark is also very strong. It has great body impact force, great tail swinging force, strong bite force, and sharp teeth. It is proficient in water magic and swims in the water at a speed fast enough to rank among the top ten deep-sea monsters." Jiao Jiao added.

It was indeed a bit tricky, but there was still a chance. Liu Xing fell into deep thought. Seeing that his master was fine, Jiao Jiao dozed off on the ground.

He immediately thought of three strategies: the best was to incite internal strife and reap the benefits, the middle was to lure out the Silver Shark leader for a robbery and assassination, and the worst was to attack them at their doorstep. The worst was tantamount to suicide. Challenging a higher-ranked opponent was already his limit; he wasn't arrogant enough to challenge a group of his own or higher rank. The best would take a long time to incite and divide the people, thus starting an internal war, and he didn't have the time for that. The middle, luring out the Silver Shark leader for an ambush, was more suitable for him.

What was the bait to lure the snake out of its hole? Liu Xing searched through his storage bag, remembering that the Nightshade Grass was actually the best bait, but unfortunately, he had used it up in his Beauty Pill. Liu Xing could think of three things that could tempt a Level 4 demon beast: Jiao Jiao's dragon bloodline, Jiao Jiao's spiritual food, the Dragon Scale Fruit, and the Spirit-Awakening Pill.

The next step was to consider how to approach the Silver Shark leader and single him out, which was the biggest challenge. Liu Xing glanced at the sleepy Jiao Jiao, and his only option was to focus on him. His human identity would inevitably provoke strong hostility, making it impossible for him to approach the sharks. Although Jiao Jiao was not of the same race, as a similar demonic beast, there should be a slight chance. This operation was extremely dangerous, with a success rate of less than 10%. Mistakes at any step could lead to failure. Liu Xing thought that if it succeeded, everyone would be happy, but if it didn't, he had to escape with his life. Therefore, he focused more on how to escape after being exposed.

After considering all the questions and information, Liu Xing decided to take a gamble. Fortune and wealth are sought through risk. There were still many uncertainties, so he had to adapt to the situation. After all, his IQ was far superior to that of the Silver Sharks. Ultimately, it was all about luck.

So he woke Jiao Jiao and began to instruct her on the proper course of action. Jiao Jiao listened attentively, nodding repeatedly. The key was to have her betray her true colors, infiltrate the enemy, and find an opportunity and a breakthrough to lure out the Silver Shark leader. It seemed incredibly difficult, being an undercover agent who wasn't of the same tribe was not easy. Liu Xing wasn't entirely sure.

The plan was made and his magic power was restored. So Liu Xing released the assault boat and continued on his journey. The destination was still half a month away, and he needed to get closer before he could implement the plan to lure the enemy. The two of them went deep into the sea slowly and carefully, and their spiritual senses were fully open to prevent any accidents. Although this place is still on the edge of the open sea, you have to be extremely careful. Being alone outside, it is more dangerous to encounter humans. The weather in the sea is unpredictable. Sometimes it rains heavily, causing huge waves. Sometimes it is sunny and cloudless. Jiao Jiao has lived in the deep sea since he was a child. He has long been accustomed to such a life. Liu Xing's ocean travel during this period is an eye-opener. After seeing the true magnificence and boundlessness of the sea, his whole state of mind has become more open-minded and comfortable.

Ten days later, Liu Xing packed up his assault boat and slipped into Jiao Jiao's pet bag. For a long time afterwards, he wouldn't show up, and he shut off his spiritual senses, not emitting even a trace of aura to avoid interfering with Jiao Jiao's undercover plan. Of course, Jiao Jiao would relay any outside information through telepathy between master and servant, keeping it hidden. Liu Xing could also adapt to the situation and constantly guide Jiao Jiao's every move.