Chapter 296: Spirit Pet Advancement, Broken Mirror Restored

After nine bolts of thunder, the Profound Water Crocodile in the center of the valley was barely breathing.

Just as Qin Ming was about to breathe a sigh of relief.

Boom! The tribulation clouds in the sky churned wildly once more, and a bolt of thunder flashing with purple and gold hues suddenly formed.

"The tenth tribulation bolt!"

"After the tribulation passes, life begins anew."

From afar, merely observing its momentum, Qin Ming knew this Lei Jie possessed extraordinary power, far beyond comparison with the previous thunder bolts.

"It's over, it's over, we're done for."

"I didn't expect Second Brother's Lei Jie to be so fierce."

The Shi Tian Shu also gazed at the Lei Ting in the sky, sighing deeply.

The Lei Jie endured when a demonic beast breaks through to the third tier determines its future strength and potential.

Qin Ming decided not to intervene, letting the Profound Water Crocodile face its tribulation alone.

In the valley, the Profound Water Crocodile dragged its massive body, let out a low roar, opened its huge mouth, and a azure-blue demonic pill floated out, wreathed in an immense radiance of lightning.

In the next instant, the demonic pill suddenly erupted with terrifying demonic force fluctuations at the Jin Dan level; as the demonic force surged, even the nearby space began to distort.

At the same time.

The purple-and-gold tribulation thunder from beneath the sky crashed down! Blinding light enveloped the entire valley.

Roar! Amidst the light, an unwilling, furious roar rang out.

It was seen that atop the Profound Water Crocodile's demonic pill, four colors of Lei Mang—blue, yellow, red, and green—suddenly erupted.

This was the innate bloodline divine ability condensed through years of bitter cultivation by the Profound Water Crocodile, corresponding respectively to the Gui Water Divine Thunder, Wu Earth Divine Thunder, Bing Fire Divine Thunder, and Yi Wood Divine Thunder.

Holding nothing back, the Profound Water Crocodile's aura surged violently; facing this life-or-death Lei Jie, it was prepared to gamble everything.

It mobilized the vast demonic force within its body, continuously injecting it into the demonic pill before it.

Crackle!

Suddenly, the four-colored divine thunders intertwined, rushing up to meet the purple-and-gold tribulation thunder in the sky.

Boom-crack-crack-crack!

The two forces of lightning met and collided in mid-air, unleashing a world-destroying momentum.

Countless silver arcs of electricity burst open in the sky, sweeping out in all directions.

Countless mountain bodies and vegetation instantly evaporated into fine powder under this wave of impact.

A few breaths later.

The smoke, dust, and electric radiance gradually dispersed; within the valley, the figure of the Profound Water Crocodile reappeared, having transformed into a hundred-zhang ancient giant crocodile.

Its aura had also thoroughly stabilized at the early third-tier Demon King realm! After successfully crossing the Lei Jie.

The injuries it had sustained during the Tribulation Crossing were now restored to their original state by the feedback of heavenly and earthly yuan qi.

Having advanced to a third-tier Demon King with a heaven-grade bloodline, the Profound Water Crocodile's innate bloodline divine ability now completed its final component, the Geng Metal Divine Thunder, fusing into a Five Elements Divine Thunder, making the ability's power even greater than before.

The scales and armor on its body were covered in treasure patterns, emitting a layer of dim luster, while its physical defense capability had also undergone a qualitative leap.

Not only was its hide thick and flesh tough, but its divine ability could now slaughter anything! "Congratulations, congratulations!"

"Fortunately, it was a narrow escape; it actually succeeded in crossing the Lei Jie."

The Shi Tian Shu said cheerfully from the side.

After completing the Lei Jie, the Profound Water Crocodile shrank its form, flew toward Qin Ming, and excitedly rubbed against his trouser leg.

Qin Ming also gratifyingly patted the Profound Water Crocodile's massive head.

After a moment.

"Eh? Since you've advanced to become a third-tier Demon King, why can you still not speak?" Qin Ming asked in confusion.

At this, the Shi Tian Shu nearby, upon hearing this, puffed out its chest and said proudly: "Hee-hee! Among third-tier Demon Kings, only a few with greatly opened spiritual intelligence can speak human language, like me, hee-hee!"

"For us demonic races, only upon reaching the late third-tier semi-humanoid form can we speak just like the human race."

Hearing this, Qin Ming immediately understood and nodded slightly.

From this point on.

After the Profound Water Crocodile's breakthrough, Qin Ming had gained another capable general by his side.

His comprehensive strength had once again made tremendous progress.

After feeding the Profound Water Crocodile a medicinal pill, he let it retreat to the side to rest and recuperate.

Immediately after.

Qin Ming released the Yin Yi Shuangfeng as well.

Having sensed the Profound Water Crocodile's successful breakthrough from within, it could no longer contain itself.

Several days later, the aura on the Yin Yi Shuangfeng's body also climbed to its peak.

Above the valley, a spiritual qi vortex spanning ten li began to condense once again.

The demonic pill inside the Silver Wing's body also successfully accumulated enough to advance to the third tier.

The tribulation thunder in the sky began to fall continuously.

However, compared to the Lei Jie encountered during the Profound Water Crocodile's breakthrough, the Yin Yi Shuangfeng's Lei Jie was relatively smaller.

Boom-crack-crack! Deep within the Beast Cry Mountain Range, two consecutive heavenly and earthly anomalies appeared.

This naturally attracted the attention of the great demons stationed nearby.

Several powerful Foundation Establishment great demons, upon hearing the commotion, rushed over in this direction.

But when they drew near, they discovered that two terrifying third-tier Demon Kings were actually guarding the perimeter.

Furthermore, one of those Demon Kings had reached the mid third-tier realm; instantly terrified, they trembled, dared not approach, and scattered like birds and beasts.

Half a day later.

The Lei Jie within the valley completely dispersed, revealing the figure of the Yin Yi Shuangfeng.

Its aura had also thoroughly stabilized at the third-tier level.

Although its bloodline talent was only Earth-grade, far inferior to that of the Profound Water Crocodile, long-term influence from its natal spirit plant, the Yang Xuanteng, had caused its divine abilities to complete their transformation.

Among third-tier early-stage Demon Kings, it belonged to the outstanding few.

Shortly thereafter.

The Yin Yi Shuangfeng's body surged in size, hovering in mid-air like a small mountain, its form covered in profound silver spiritual runes.

These runes were nearly identical to those on Qin Ming's natal spirit plant, the Yang Xuanteng.

After adapting slightly to the surrounding environment, it shrunk its body and vanished from the spot.

When it reappeared, it had already stopped before Qin Ming, fluttering its silver wings and emitting feelings of joy toward him.

Qin Ming discovered with surprise that between its wingbeats, space emitted waves of strange fluctuations.

"Congratulations, congratulations!"

"Silver Wing has also successfully broken through to become a third-tier Demon King."

"From now on, we are a trio united as one sword; humans who block us die, gods who block us die!"

"Hahahaha!"

The Shi Tian Shu, filled with heroic spirit, waved its small hand and spoke with sweeping authority.

Hearing this, Qin Ming felt a surge of anger; how much time had passed, yet this fellow's rebellious nature had been stirred up again.

He flicked the Shi Tian Shu's head and said, "Do you understand the meaning of keeping a low profile?"

"What? Do you still want to defy heaven?"

The Shi Tian Shu chuckled, "Fine, fine, I was just saying that casually; I'll listen to Master, keep a low profile, keep a low profile."

However, what the Shi Tian Shu said was not without reason.

With Qin Ming's current strength, which was no weaker than a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator, plus three third-tier Demon Kings.

Within the scope of the Southern Wild Immortal Realm, this was already ceiling-level combat power.

It must be known that the Profound Creek Valley, which possessed the strongest comprehensive strength in the entire Southern Wild Immortal Realm, had only four Jin Dan Yunxi Laozu.

From now on.

Even if he encountered a Jin Dan late-stage cultivator or a third-tier late-stage Demon King, even if he could not defeat them, he could withdraw safely. "With such a lineup, the sense of security is maxed out."

"In the future, if anyone seeks trouble with me, I will first deploy my three war generals!"

"Let's see who can withstand it!"

Qin Ming reached out and gently stroked Silver Wing's back.

"Creating such a huge disturbance here, I fear those third-tier Demon Kings will rush over upon hearing the wind."

"Let us leave this place first."

Immediately, he waved his hand, storing the Profound Water Crocodile and the Shi Tian Shu into his spirit beast bag, mounted the Yin Yi Shuangfeng, and transformed into a silver rainbow, vanishing instantly from the spot.

In the air, Qin Ming felt the terrifying speed of the Yin Yi Shuangfeng after its breakthrough, comparable to the full-speed flight of a great Jin Dan late-stage cultivator.

In the blink of an eye, they had flown thousands of li away.

Qin Ming had just left the valley.

One incense stick later.

The nearby spiritual energy began to churn like boiling water, followed by ripples spreading through space like water waves.

Two figures with terrifying auras abruptly appeared at the spot where Qin Ming had just stayed.

One of the figures was a green-faced man with two horns growing from his head, revealing explosive muscles all over his body; his arms and torso were covered in a layer of green scales, and his lower body trailed a green serpent tail.

The ancient bloodline aura of a superior being from the Demon Race suddenly descended.

It was precisely the third-tier late-stage Demon King from the Beast Cry Mountain Range—the Green-Faced Poisonous Serpent.

Beside him, a voice like a broken gong rang out.

"Green Face, two third-tier Demon Kings have broken through here consecutively and then vanished without a trace; what is your view?"

Beside the Green-Faced Poisonous Serpent stood an old man with shriveled skin, floating in the void; his entire body was covered in dense protruding dots, making one's scalp tingle with numbness and chill.

This creature was none other than the Golden Toad Yunxi Laozu, whom Qin Ming had seen once in the Taihu ruins, also possessing third-tier late-stage cultivation.

"I seem to smell a faint trace of human aura, but I am not entirely certain," the Green-Faced Poisonous Serpent's cold voice rang out.

Hearing this, the Golden Toad Yunxi Laozu shook his long beard and said in a somewhat strange tone, "Humans? Surely not?"

"Hopefully, I was mistaken," the Green-Faced Poisonous Serpent said.

The Golden Toad Yunxi Laozu said, "By the way, how is that matter progressing?"

"Almost done."

"Don't forget what you promised me."

"Naturally."

Five days later.

Riding the Yin Yi Shuangfeng, Qin Ming traveled with wind-like speed, arriving at the area deep within the Beast Cry Mountain Range facing the Liang Kingdom direction.

Following the map coordinates given by Jin Lingzi, he rushed here without stopping.

But when he arrived according to the instructions, he discovered a cliff ahead, with no path forward.

Nor was there any sign of the so-called Lei Chi.

"Use my mantra, employ your magic power to draw a talisman in mid-air, and strike it toward the sky in the northeast."

Just as Qin Ming was about to speak and ask, Jin Lingzi's voice faintly rang out.

Subsequently, Qin Ming followed the spirit artifact's words, drew a golden talisman in mid-air, and pointed it toward the sky.

Only then did a strange scene unfold; before him, the air suddenly rippled, and a void gate large enough for a person to pass through appeared before Qin Ming's eyes.

He probed it with his divine sense, yet could discern nothing at all.

Qin Ming hesitated slightly, then took out two mid-stage second-rank turtle puppets and tossed them into the void gate.

After a long while, he contacted the two puppets with his will; there were no dangerous anomalies.

Only then did Qin Ming leap forward and fly into the entrance.

After a dizzying spin before his eyes, when he reappeared, Qin Ming had already arrived in a space filled with lightning.

This space was vast; ruins and broken walls made of various green jade stone slabs were visible everywhere.

Qin Ming controlled the two turtle puppets to scout the path ahead.

A moment later.

Qin Ming arrived before a stone pillar, upon which were recorded some accounts of the Qingyuan Sect.

It turned out that this Lei Chi was merely a crucial site of the Qingyuan Sect's Artifact Refining Hall, not a sect ruin.

After passing through a stretch of chaotic, dilapidated buildings, a deep pool twenty zhang in size, flickering with countless blue electric arcs, appeared within Qin Ming's line of sight.

The Lei Chi was bottomless; faint roars of thunder echoed up from the pool's depths.

"This place is the Lei Chi."

"It was nurtured by the creation of heaven and earth; I'm afraid there is only this single one in the world."

"The Qingyuan Sect originally intended to move it within the sect grounds, but unfortunately, it could not be realized."

"In a moment, you will throw the fragments of the Gouyu Jin Guang Mirror into the Lei Chi and refine them using the Treasure Refining Art I taught you."

"Then, add the Butian Hunhuo Liquid to the broken edges."

"Finally, put me inside; after that, simply wait quietly for the fusion and restoration to complete."

Jin Lingzi said lightly.

Qin Ming nodded, immediately taking two bronze mirror fragments from his storage bag.

Controlling them with his divine sense, he threw them into the Lei Chi.

Boom-crack! The instant the bronze mirror entered the pool, electric arcs and Lei Mang several zhang high surged up from within the pool.

Qin Ming formed seals with his fingers and immediately began refining the bronze mirror according to the method the artifact spirit had taught him.

After more than two hours had passed.

The Lei Chi was truly incredibly miraculous; with the power of heaven and earth's creation, it had actually begun repairing the broken surfaces of the bronze mirror.

Under the scouring of the Lei Chi, the two bronze mirror fragments gradually joined and merged together.

Seeing this, Qin Ming's gaze turned sharp; the Treasure Refining Art in his hands shifted rapidly as he formed several complex hand seals.

Seeing that the time was about right.

He took out the Butian Hunhuo Liquid and pointed a finger toward the Lei Chi.

A clump of ink-colored spiritual liquid flew out, landing with pinpoint accuracy into the broken edge of the bronze mirror.

In an instant.

At the site of the crack, countless beams of golden splendor burst forth, dazzlingly brilliant!

The Lei Mang of the Lei Chi poured into it continuously, while a profound energy of heaven and earth flowed across the mirror's surface.

Hum! In an instant, the surface of the Gouyu Jin Guang Mirror was restored to its original state, forming a smooth mirror that reflected the Lei Chi beneath it.

The moment this treasure was repaired, all the energy of the entire Lei Chi was absorbed by it, causing it to tremble violently.

An unyielding will emanated from the precious mirror, attempting to break free from Qin Ming's control.

Even with Qin Ming's powerful Jin Dan cultivation, he nearly failed to control the treasure's resistance.

He was practically breaking out in a cold sweat.

"It is almost done; this is the moment."

Qin Ming immediately took out the emerald-green artifact spirit; its form resembled a hedgehog, flashing once in the air before vanishing into the Gouyu Jin Guang Mirror within the Lei Chi.

With this, the two objects merged into one; only then was the legendary Gouyu Jin Guang Mirror considered fully restored.

Swish! A profound bronze precious mirror inscribed with Eight Trigrams runes was made whole again, radiating immense power from its body.

Even the surrounding lightning was swept away by it.

Suddenly!

The Gouyu Jin Guang Mirror erupted with astonishing, blinding golden splendor, shooting straight toward the sky! The pillar of Jin Guang churned the wind and clouds, as if intending to pierce through this entire space.

This sudden, unexpected mutation startled even Qin Ming! In the next instant.

The Gouyu Jin Guang Mirror suddenly blazed with dazzling light, actually breaking free from Qin Ming's restraint and attempting to fly toward the heavens! (End of Chapter)