The appearance of Senior Zhuang made Li Mu feel wary.
He had originally thought that taking Wanbao Pavilion's merchant ship to the Central Province Domain was a very safe plan, as Wanbao Pavilion had an extremely high reputation and status, and ordinary Sects and Families would not dare to easily provoke them. However, now, he had to re-evaluate this plan.
His close relationship with Wanbao Pavilion certainly couldn't be hidden from those with ulterior motives. If the Nine Demon Sect set up an ambush midway, things would take a turn for the worse.
Li Mu pondered in his heart, hesitating whether or not to change his travel plans.
Li Mu thought of something and took out the Time Luck Spirit Turtle from the nine storage spiritual pearl, silently looking at this six-tier spirit treasure that could be used for divination and peer into the River of Years.
Under Heavenly Talent - Identifying Myriad Spirits, the attributes and functions of the 'Time Luck Spirit Turtle' were all displayed on the character panel.
【Time Luck Spirit Turtle】
【Grade: six-tier spirit treasure】
【Characteristics: River of Years, Divination and Fate Peering, Instant Time Reversal, Devouring Years, Karma Force, Obscuring Karma.】
【Status: Years power consumption too great, Artifact Spirit damaged, slowly recovering.】
【A six-tier spirit treasure refined from a seven-tier star beast remnant pearl, a seven-tier year star fruit kernel, a six-tier spirit rhyme mysterious tortoise shell, a six-tier withered glory year wood, a six-tier ten-thousand-year black core vine, and many other Years and Karma Spirit Materials. By consuming Years power, this artifact can be used to peer into the River of Years, deduce Karma, and avoid tribulations. However, as an artifact formed by Years and Karma, its Dao principles are profound. Excessive use requires paying a corresponding price, so use with caution.】
Since the last time it peered into the future, the Time Luck Spirit Turtle had suffered from excessive consumption of Years power. Later, it was also used for the recovery of the Azure Jade Ginseng King and during the battle against the Refining Void Demon Ancestor, causing its Artifact Spirit to be damaged.
However, the threat from the Nine Demon Sect forced Li Mu to consider using the Time Luck Spirit Turtle again to peer into the future.
Having made up his mind, Li Mu began to circulate the Spiritual Qi in his body, forming hand seals. A powerful force surged from within him, gathered in his palm, and injected into the Time Luck Spirit Turtle.
The Time Luck Spirit Turtle immediately "came alive." Its eyes, refined from a seven-tier star beast remnant pearl and a seven-tier year star fruit kernel, flashed with a bright light, and then a powerful Years power erupted from within it.
The Time Luck Spirit Turtle suddenly floated up, and the entire space seemed to solidify at this moment. An ancient and mysterious power emanated from the Spirit Turtle, and the surrounding air seemed to tremble because of it.
Li Mu felt as if his Divine Soul had been pulled into another space-time, and everything around him became blurry.
Li Mu watched tensely, knowing that the Time Luck Spirit Turtle was about to open a River of Years... The light flickering on the Spirit Turtle gradually dimmed, and time became much slower at this moment.
In Li Mu's vision, scenes of the future unfolded like scrolls, each depicting different situations and moments.
In the River of Years, Li Mu saw the tragic fate of the Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon during the True Dragon Lightning Tribulation, saw scenes of himself clashing with the Refining Void Demon Ancestor of the Nine Demon Sect, saw moments of his victories and defeats in battles with enemies... These scenes flashed before his eyes like a revolving lantern.
The River of Years flowed, and these future scenes continuously appeared. Seeing the scenes of his own misfortune, Li Mu's mind was greatly shaken, and he felt various doubts and worries about his future fate. He longed to see more scenes, but at this moment, the scenes suddenly became blurry.
As the River of Years flowed, the spiritual light on the Time Luck Spirit Turtle rapidly dimmed. Li Mu was startled, knowing that this was the result of excessive consumption of Years power. He tried his best to continue activating the Time Luck Spirit Turtle, wanting to peer into more future scenes.
However, the Years power could no longer be sustained. Suddenly, with a "crack," the Time Luck Spirit Turtle's shell could not withstand the immense Years power and suddenly cracked in several places.
Li Mu was startled by the sound and immediately stopped operating the Time Luck Spirit Turtle, wanting to avoid further damage.
However, it was already too late. The powerful backlash of Years power eroded his Divine Sense through the connection between him and the Spirit Turtle. The moment the turtle shell cracked, Li Mu also felt an intense pain, as if he had been heavily struck by an invisible giant hammer.
Li Mu's body trembled violently, and a huge impact surged through his mind. He felt as if his Divine Sense was instantly torn apart by a raging storm, and countless thoughts and memories surged into his mind, tearing at him.
Li Mu tried to remain clear-headed and calm, knowing that this was the result of his overuse of the Time Luck Spirit Turtle. He quickly mobilized the Spiritual Qi in his body, attempting to resist this impact.
However, this Years power was too strong, and the Spiritual Qi was instantly torn apart, easily shredded like thin paper.
The next moment, Li Mu only felt a pain in his body, and immediately noticed a small amount of vitality flowing out of him, and the pain in his body eased accordingly.
Li Mu's face instantly turned pale, knowing that this was the punishment he suffered for peering into the River of Years.
From his drooping bangs, Li Mu found a small tuft of silver hair. Looking at the character panel again, his originally long Lifespan had been reduced by thirty Years. This was the price of peering into the River of Time!
Losing thirty Years of Lifespan was a price Li Mu could still accept. He turned his gaze to the shattered Time Luck Spirit Turtle, a bitter smile appearing on his face.
This precious Years treasure no longer glowed with spiritual light as it did before. It still floated in the air, but several cracks had appeared on its body. The powerful Years power just now had caused devastating impact to it.
This Years treasure was probably not far from being scrapped. Li Mu sighed softly, a wave of regret rising in his heart.
The Time Luck Spirit Turtle, this Years treasure, was the Spirit Treasure Li Mu had refined using the most precious and highest-tier Spirit Materials, and it was also the Spirit Treasure that utilized Years power and Karma power most perfectly.
It was now destroyed like this, which made Li Mu feel extremely pained.
If he could find some rare Years Spirit Materials in the future, he might be able to re-refine it and restore it to its Peak. For now! Li Mu could only silently put the Time Luck Spirit Turtle into the nine storage spiritual pearl, to be kept as a hidden treasure.
However, there were gains and losses. Before the Time Luck Spirit Turtle was damaged, Li Mu gained many valuable future scenes through this future-peering.
Taking the 'Wanbao Pavilion' merchant ship had to be abandoned. In the River of Years, Li Mu saw the Nine Demon Sect setting up an ambush to intercept Wanbao Pavilion's merchant ship, with several Refining Void Demon Ancestors precisely attacking him.
Fortunately, the Xuantian Sword Sect and Taiyi Sect arrived in time to provide assistance. He did not perish in this ambush, but the situation was not much better.
Due to the Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon failing to successfully pass its True Dragon Lightning Tribulation, the Five Elements Grand Formation suffered a severe deficiency. Little Gold and Little Tile, the two Spirit Beasts, also perished consecutively in this earth-shattering great battle, paying a heavy price.
It was a pity that the Time Luck Spirit Turtle could not hold on at the critical moment, otherwise the spectacular scenes of the subsequent Demon Abyss Channel opening and the Profound Heaven Sword Formation Dao Lord appearing in the epic battle would not have been able to continue.
Li Mu sighed silently. The most urgent matter at hand was still the issue of the Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon undergoing its True Dragon Lightning Tribulation.
No matter how great the cost, its successful passage through the Lightning Tribulation must be ensured. Otherwise, without it, the Five Elements Grand Formation, this powerful life-saving method, would not be able to exert its full power.
Understanding the urgency, Li Mu's figure flickered, entering the Painting World Treasure Mansion and appearing in the Void Realm above the spiritual pond.
In the spiritual pond, the hundred-foot-long body of the Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon lay horizontally, its eyes slightly closed. With each breath, it absorbed the Spiritual Qi of heaven and earth. Under the nourishment of Spiritual Qi, its Cultivation gradually increased to the Peak state, preparing for the True Dragon Lightning Tribulation.
Sensing Li Mu's presence, the Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon's enormous eyes slowly opened, radiating a majestic light. Its massive figure flipped in the air and swiftly flew towards Li Mu.
"Qing Yue greets Master!"
The Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon's voice was low and respectful. Its enormous body stopped before Li Mu, bowing its head slightly, expressing its respect and loyalty to Li Mu.
"How are your preparations for the tribulation?" Li Mu asked, his gaze revealing concern and expectation.
"Reporting to Master, the medicinal power of the Dragon Transformation Spirit Grass and Dragon Soul Grass has been completely absorbed, and my body has been adjusted to its Peak state. I have a seventy percent chance of successfully passing the True Dragon Lightning Tribulation," the Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon replied, its tone full of confidence.
Li Mu couldn't help but show a bitter smile. If he hadn't peered into the Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon's failed tribulation, he probably would have believed its words.
Li Mu knew in his heart that the Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon had put in great effort and sacrifice to pass the True Dragon Lightning Tribulation. However, the True Dragon Lightning Tribulation was not that simple, and its current preparations were far from sufficient to successfully pass the tribulation.
"Don't be too confident. The True Dragon Lightning Tribulation is different from ordinary Lightning Tribulations; its power is so great that it can easily tear your Physical Body. Although you have Cultivated to the Peak of the Transformation Realm, to pass the True Dragon Lightning Tribulation, you still need more preparation. Have you Cultivated the Spirit Devouring Life Nurturing Art that I imparted to you to Major Achievement Perfection?" Li Mu's expression darkened, and a hint of worry flashed in his eyes.
The Spirit Devouring Life Nurturing Art is an extremely profound Body Refining Cultivation Technique. Not only can it strengthen the Physical Body, but when Cultivated to the Major Achievement Realm, it can achieve various characteristics such as improving Aptitude and purifying Bloodline. However, the difficulty of Cultivating this Cultivation Technique is also extremely high, requiring vast resources and strict Cultivation patience to reach Major Achievement.
Upon hearing this, a hint of shame flashed in the Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon's eyes. It knew Li Mu's worries were not unfounded, but the Spirit Devouring Body Nourishing Art was too difficult to Cultivate, requiring slow and steady effort and the consumption of a large number of spiritual objects. It did not have that patience.
"Master, I have only Cultivated the Spirit Devouring Life Nurturing Art to the third layer. However, our Flood Dragon Clan has a unique Bloodline Legacy, the Azure Flood Dragon Body Refining Method, which I have already Cultivated to Great Perfection. Its effect is not much inferior to the Spirit Devouring Life Nurturing Art," the Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon explained somewhat nervously, facing Li Mu's serious gaze.
Li Mu frowned slightly. In his opinion, the Azure Flood Dragon Body Refining Method Cultivated by the Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon could indeed rival the Spirit Devouring Life Nurturing Art. However, he was even more aware that while these two Cultivation Techniques complemented each other, they each had different focuses. The Azure Flood Dragon Body Refining Method focused more on the condensation of magical power and the Legacy of Bloodline, while the Spirit Devouring Life Nurturing Art leaned more towards nourishing the Physical Body and enhancing physical strength.
"No! Your Bloodline Body Refining Cultivation Technique is not enough to completely improve your Aptitude. Wait until you Cultivate the Spirit Devouring Life Nurturing Art to Great Perfection before considering the tribulation," Li Mu shook his head, saying in a firm tone.
"Master! I've already sensed that the Lightning Tribulation is coming!" The Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon's expression changed slightly, and it said to Li Mu with some urgency.
"Then find a way to suppress your Cultivation. Your current state is not suitable for undergoing the True Dragon Lightning Tribulation!" Li Mu's tone was unquestionable, and he said in a deep voice.
"Ah! How could this be!" The Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon was stunned and asked doubtfully.
"To be honest with you, I just lost thirty Years of Lifespan by divining and peering into the future. Your fate is to fail the tribulation and perish under the Lightning Tribulation. Do you have any questions?" Li Mu looked at the Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon, asking in a grave tone.
"What!"
The Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon was stunned after hearing Li Mu's words. It knew that Li Mu would not tell it this news for no reason; it must be out of concern and worry for it. However, this news was like a bolt from the blue for it.
The Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon believed Li Mu would not easily say such things; he must have had solid confirmation to say such words. Looking at the strand of white hair in his bangs, it must be a sign of reduced Lifespan caused by peering into the River of Destiny.
For a moment, the Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon felt a mix of emotions, its eyes flickering with loss and confusion. It had Cultivated so diligently, hoping to one day pass the True Dragon Lightning Tribulation and become a True Dragon Clan member. However, now it was told that the tribulation would fail, and it found it difficult to accept at once.
Seeing the Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon's lost expression, Li Mu also felt a little unbearable and quickly reminded him, "Don't worry too much. Just trust me. As long as you follow my requirements and Cultivate the Spirit Devouring Life Nurturing Art to Perfection, you will definitely be able to pass the True Dragon Lightning Tribulation."
"Thank you, Master. I know what to do! However, the Spirit Pills and Spirit Medicine required for Cultivating the Spirit Devouring Life Nurturing Art are quite enormous!" The Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon nodded silently, looking at Li Mu with a hint of embarrassment.
Li Mu smiled slightly and said softly, "Don't worry about these trivial matters. You just need to Cultivate with peace of mind. I'll handle the rest."
As soon as he finished speaking, Li Mu gently waved his hand, and immediately a large number of Medicinal Pill bottles appeared in the air. These Medicinal Pill bottles emitted various spiritual lights, some red like fire, some blue like ice, and some green like jade, indicating the attributes and effects of the Medicinal Pills inside.
"These Medicinal Pills should be enough for you to Cultivate for a period of time. However, remember my words, do not rush for success. The Dao of Cultivation requires gradual progress; never be greedy for quick results or act rashly," Li Mu said, sending the Medicinal Pill bottles one by one to the Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon.
"Yes, Master! I will definitely not let you down," the Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon said gratefully, looking at the Medicinal Pill bottles before it.
Li Mu nodded and flew towards the Five Elements Spirit Mountain in the center of the Painting World Treasure Mansion, preparing to refine a batch of tribulation-aiding Spiritual Artifacts for the Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon next.
