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

After receiving Liu Xing's call, Jiao Jiao rushed to find Yin Sha. Yin Sha was anxiously waiting for it, and seeing Jiao Jiao's return intact, it rushed out with it.

"This time it was too dangerous! How dare you go back?" the silver shark complained, a wave of fear lingering in its wake. Jiao Jiao was now in high spirits. His master had returned safe and sound, having successfully completed his mission. Although he had taken advantage of the silver shark, he had also avenged it. They owed each other nothing, and it was time to part ways.

As the two demons left the Silver Sharks' area of ​​influence, Jiao Jiao excused herself, saying she was leaving for a while and would return to play with them later. She also reminded the Silver Sharks to stay safe and stay away from the group to protect themselves. Tears welled up in the Silver Sharks' eyes. This friend had been so kind to them, helping and caring for them in every way. Little did they know that they had been exploited during this time. They expressed their gratitude and said a long, affectionate farewell to Jiao Jiao. Jiao Jiao gracefully turned and headed north, leaving them at arm's length.

Ten days later, the master and servant, exhausted from their flight, stopped on a small island to rest. It wasn't really an island, but rather a larger reef. It was covered only with green moss and vegetation. The waves pounded against the reef, creating layers of white foam.

After landing on the island, Liu Xing was surprised to find it incredibly rich in spiritual energy. He dived to the seabed to investigate, only to discover a massive mountain beneath the surface, with only its peak visible above the water. A significant spiritual vein ran through the mountain, contributing to the abundant spiritual energy. Perhaps it was hidden beneath the water, which was why it remained undiscovered. This was a very secret place perfect for retreat, and Liu Xing was immediately delighted. He decided to retreat here for a while to review his findings.

So, he carved out a cave on the mountainside below the sea and set up several magic arrays. He then released Jiao Jiao, allowing her to roam freely in the sea. He also gave Jiao Jiao the flesh of the Silver Shark leader to eat, but warned her not to leave the thousand-mile range. He himself retreated into the cave, closed the restrictions, and began to practice in seclusion.

Summarizing the past six months of monster hunting, he was extremely satisfied. The intelligence from the two locations he had been searching for was accurate. This was thanks to Nie Xiaoqian's dedication, which made him even more excited about the next few targets. He now fully grasped some of the key factors for his success, which no one else could achieve. For example, his mana and spiritual awareness were comparable to those of a cultivator in the late Foundation Establishment stage, yet he appeared to be only at the early Foundation Establishment stage. This was a key factor in his ability to play the pig and eat the tiger, easily lulling his targets into complacency. Furthermore, Jiao Jiao, a dragon with exceptionally rich dragon bloodline, was a crucial secret weapon for luring monsters. As a fellow sea creature, he could interact with the monsters, giving him an innate advantage in obtaining certain information. These were all unique factors that made his success possible, so he would continue to develop these strengths to achieve his goals.

The core combat principle is ambush and destruction, so every step of the "set trap - lure the enemy - encirclement and annihilation" strategy must be meticulously planned, adapting to local conditions and adapting to changing circumstances. Liu Xing meticulously reviewed the details of both battles, addressing any imperfections, such as the need for an additional trap. Both times, they were shattered by the monster's final, fatal blow. If the monster still had some secret techniques or remaining strength, while they wouldn't be killed, they would likely escape, leaving them vulnerable to regret.

Although there were some flaws and a significant risk involved, the end result was still positive. He pulled out three fourth-level demonic pills, each brimming with spiritual energy and brimming with demonic energy. He was very pleased. He planned to refine them into elixirs immediately, then retreat for a while to improve his cultivation as much as possible, giving him a better chance of success in the upcoming battles.

Liu Xing unloaded the alchemy furnace, prepared various spiritual herbs, and, after adjusting himself, began refining the elixir. He was extremely cautious, as the fourth-level demon elixir was extremely precious and hard to come by. However, his alchemy skills had greatly improved, and with his experience successfully refining the Soul-Sustaining Pill, it was no surprise that all three demon elixirs were successfully refined, yielding eighteen Soul-Sustaining Pills. Liu Xing was overjoyed, and after refining the elixir, he began to take drugs and practice.

Time passed day by day. After a year and a half, Liu Xing emerged from seclusion, shaking his head in frustration. Consuming all eighteen Soul-Enriching Pills only raised his cultivation to the peak of the early Foundation Establishment stage, still not enough to break through to the middle stage. The revolution wasn't yet a success; Liu Xing had to work harder, continuing to hunt monsters and obtain pills. After calming himself down and packing his belongings, he prepared to recall Jiao Jiao and continue his journey north.

At that moment, Jiao Jiao's desperate cry for help sent Liu Xing into a state of panic. Jiao Jiao was being pursued by a sea monster five hundred kilometers from him. He immediately launched his assault boat and sped off to the rescue, not even having time to disarm the restrictive formations outside the cave. He pushed the boat to its maximum speed, a speed that even a cultivator at the peak of the late Foundation Establishment stage would not be able to match. Half a day later, his spiritual sense finally detected a massive black shadow ten kilometers away, hot on Jiao Jiao's heels. Jiao Jiao, now covered in wounds, was on the verge of collapse.

Liu Xing didn't dare hesitate, charging forward and simultaneously raising a spear—a truly supreme magical weapon. He thrust the spear fiercely into the monster, the force of a full-strength attack from a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator. The monster, only at Level Four, didn't dare underestimate this devastating blow. The monster flapped its massive wings, sending a powerful gust of wind toward the spear. The spear immediately seemed to sink into a quagmire, its movements slowing. But it continued its slow progress toward the monster, and then, with a bang, it exploded. Seeing the spear approach the monster's core, Liu Xing unhesitatingly detonated the supreme magical weapon, sending the monster flying dozens of feet.

Liu Xing seized the opportunity to scoop Jiao Jiao up. Seeing Jiao Jiao covered in wounds and bleeding, he felt heartbroken. He immediately gave it a few healing pills and put it back in its pet bag. Only then did he settle down and examine the monster in front of him.

The sea monster's body was flat, its wings enormous, bat-like, covering the sky and sun, stretching a full ten feet wide. Its maw yawned, revealing shark-sharp teeth. Its snout was wide and flat, as if it was about to devour anyone. It lacked pectoral fins, but instead had two prominent cephalic fins, like a pair of sharp horns, emitting a dim glow and clearly possessing immense offensive power. Its tail, slender as a whip, could whip and curl, a full twenty feet long. Its small, scarlet eyes shone with a bloodthirsty gleam. Liu Xing finally recognized it: it was the legendary "devil fish," the manta ray, a sea monster that preyed on humans.

Liu Xing gasped. Manta rays are incredibly powerful, rivaling silver sharks. Their powerful wings allow them to swim in the sea and soar through the sky at incredible speeds. No wonder Jiao Jiao couldn't escape their pursuit and nearly lost her life.