Chapter 1576: Speeding Up the Pets! (Part 2)

Although quite frightened, the fish demon’s Life Energy is strong, so it still hasn’t died.

Jiang Yuan came forward and unleashed a Soul-Devouring Demon Skill.

[Lifespan +2 days]

Well, even mosquito legs are meat; it’s better than nothing.

Likewise, thrown into the slaughterhouse, waiting to be automatically disassembled.

Man and divine beast cooperate seamlessly; more than thirty large, system-recognized, delicious high-tier deep-sea ingredients went into the slaughterhouse just like that.

“Did you see the storage box by the kitchen door?” Jiang Yuan was very pleased with the pet’s work attitude and efficiency, pointed at it and said softly, “I placed it next to your Turquoise Pool, there are over ninety dishes inside, take whatever you want to eat. In the future, this storage box is for your own use, let me know when it’s empty, and I’ll replenish it for you.”

Yan Xuan grinned happily, “Thank you, Master! You’re the best!”

If only there could be a few more jugs of Spiritual Wine inside!

Of course, she only muttered this in her mind and didn’t dare to ask her master for them.

Actually, she knew that the master doesn’t let her drink too much wine for the safety of the world. After all, the Outer Heaven Demons could attack at any time, and as the current sole Guardian Divine Beast, she must stay alert and be ready to guard both inside and outside.

So the idea of drinking until she’s completely drunk remained just a thought.

Huo Jun, Shi Hu, Little Lark, you all ought to work harder and ascend to divine beasts soon, then we could rotate duties according to the seasons, wouldn’t that be great!

Almost sensing a connection, she was thinking this when she heard the master ask, “Huo Jun and Shi Hu, have they gone busying in the secret realm?”

“Yes, didn’t you say they had two days off? Huo Jun was impatient and hurried to the Extreme East Secret Realm before the break ended, looks like he’s eager to ascend soon; Shi Hu always thinks about slackening off, but since you gave him leave, he didn’t linger too much. Time was up, and despite being reluctant, he obediently returned to the Extreme West Secret Realm.”

“If so, I’ll speed them up a bit!”

Hearing the master say this, Yan Xuan remembered her past experience of frantically eating ice cubes and her eyes lit up, “Yay! Master, can I check out the secret realm? I’m really curious about what speeding up looks like for them.”

Jiang Yuan waved his hand, “Let’s go, let’s check it out!”

Just reaching the teleportation array, he was searching through a long teleportation list for the Extreme East Secret Realm when a string of prompts suddenly appeared in his vision:

[Special Task: Azure Dragon]

[Task 9: Demon Cultivator Huo Jun clears Extreme East Secret Realm 3/10, completed. Reward: Divinity +100; Divine Bone +100 issued]

[Task 10: Demon Cultivator Huo Jun clears Extreme East Secret Realm 4/10. Reward: Divinity +150; Divine Bone +150]

It seems that his diligent efforts during this period have finally paid off.

Last time, Jiang Yuan received a Task Progress Acceleration Card which he used on Huo Jun, focusing most of its effects on Huo Jun’s transformation into a dragon. The clearing task barely broke through 2/10, highlighting the significant difference between one demon and another.

As a future Azure Dragon who took the path of a late bloomer, Huo Jun is indeed quite far from naturally chosen like Yan Xuan.

But hard work compensates for deficiencies, relying on tireless practice day and night, he finally made another step forward.

“Great!” Watching the dry bark fall off the trunk with a rustling sound, Huo Jun felt he’s overcome a hurdle, not only has the Tree of Life regained much vitality, but his main body is increasingly resembling a dragon!

Winter is about to end, and the earth is nurturing life, waiting for the spring to burst forth.

He believes that by seizing the opportunity and exerting some extra effort, the day of ascension can arrive even sooner!

“So this is the secret realm you need to clear.” Yan Xuan visited the Extreme East Secret Realm for the first time, and although she had learned about it briefly before, seeing Huo Jun’s dragon-like main body coiled around the tree, still felt quite fresh.

“Master, Senior Yan Xuan, you’ve come.” Huo Jun, excited, quickly transformed into human form and stepped forward to salute as he noticed their arrival.

Witnessing this space, from being lifeless to now brimming with lively vitality.

The grass surrounding the Tree of Life is lush and green, covered with various small flowers, spreading across the vast space; the Tree of Life also carries a faint greenness, with new leaves faintly visible sprouting at the tree top.

Gesturing that he need not be overly polite, Jiang Yuan smiled and said, “I’m here to visit you today to lend you another hand.”

Huo Jun’s eyes brightened. The last time he received his master’s assistance, his body almost transformed into a dragon. If he could receive divine power assistance this time, at least the Tree of Life could recover fifty percent, if not more!

“In my original form, I was gravely injured, my lifespan dwindling, my vitality fading. Being enlightened by the master, I coincidentally became the future Azure Dragon, battling and refining the aura of death, sprouting with vibrant life. Looking back at various events of the past, it’s truly a journey from death to life.” He bowed deeply, “Master’s great kindness, Huo Jun will never forget!”

Saying those are but empty words, you are my Death Warrior now, unable to escape my grasp. Jiang Yuan thought inwardly, gesturing with a wave, “Go ahead, I’ll give you a boost and speed up. Strive to ascend and succeed Black Tortoise in guarding the wilderness this spring.”

When that great Azure Dragon coiled around the Tree of Life, he clicked to use the Task Progress Acceleration Card.

“Whoosh~”

A sudden gale!

Huo Jun once again lost control over his body, dry bark and spirit stones mixed within crashed down, countless dead aura leaked from the Tree of Life, desperately drilling into the dragon scale crevices on his body.

Yet he was driven by invisible forces, entwined with the great tree, while resisting the dead aura, divine power within him circulated, strands of vibrant life feeding back. Immersing him once again in a painful yet gratifying confrontation, unable to extricate himself.

“Come on! Huo Jun, you can do it!” Yan Xuan, witnessing the scene, waved, cheerfully rooting for him.

If with the master’s help, this Tree of Life could truly be reinvigorated. When spring comes, and Azure Dragon ascends, I can relax, enjoying the good life, eating and drinking to my heart’s content!

Huo Jun, blessed with mysterious power, heard nothing but a single thought in his mind — I want to ascend! I want to become the Azure Dragon! All the death aura come at me, what doesn’t kill me will become the steps to my victory, after being honed, I will trample them underfoot!

The Tree of Life, once again brimming with vibrant life, nourishing all living beings in the wilderness!

“Boom~”

As if sensing his inner thoughts, the Tree of Life, long awaiting, began to tremble from the root, trunk, flourishing like a canopy of dry branches, gathered the oppressive dead aura to envelop Huo Jun’s body.

“Oh my!” Yan Xuan’s eyes widened, “Master, wasn’t your speed boost a bit intense? Can he bear it?”

Jiang Yuan hadn’t expected such a change, having used the Task Progress Acceleration Card several times without this happening before.

Even back then with Yan Xuan at most frantically eating and eating, how did Azure Dragon almost turn into Black Dragon? It seems the Tree of Life couldn’t wait, condensed and pressed the internal dead aura, throwing it all to Huo Jun to digest!

He was bewildered, just then an alert popped into his vision —

[Task 10: Demon Cultivator Huo Jun cleared Extreme East Secret Realm 4/10, completed. Reward: Divinity +150; Divine Bone +150 issued]

[Task 11: Demon Cultivator Huo Jun cleared Extreme East Secret Realm 5/10. Reward: Divinity +200; Life Origin +200]

“This speed seems a bit fast.” Seeing the progress bar racing forward, with increasing dead aura almost burying Huo Jun, he stepped back a bit, feeling anxious about what might happen if he couldn’t endure.

Yet amidst the rolling ink-like dead aura, soon points of green starlight emerged, carrying the breath of life and hope, emanating from Huo Jun, harmonizing with the Tree of Life.

“I see.” Yan Xuan’s expression turned solemn, after a moment of silence, he spoke softly, “The cycle of four seasons, only spring needs to break through winter’s freeze and thaw, erupting with life force from within. To become Ascendant Azure Dragon, he must have the courage to break through death, an inevitable path.”

Jiang Yuan glanced at him, thinking, you’re a Divine Beast, I’ll believe you!

When the task progress reached 6/10, the rolling dead aura grew even more turbulent, and the new green starlights became notably more apparent than before.

The progress bar continued unswervingly forward, tree roots began to spread beneath the earth, not far away, saplings were emerging.

The air in the Secret Realm Space was fresh, brimming with life, Jiang Yuan could not sense it. Only upon smelling the fresh scent of tree leaves did he feel an inexplicable comfort from head to toe, his mood unexpectedly improved!

“Master’s help is truly timely.” Yan Xuan exclaimed pleasantly, “Huo Jun indeed showed tenacity, perhaps today he might reinvigorate the Tree of Life.”

“I’ll take your kind words.” Jiang Yuan glanced at the Bronze Compass, today’s fortune: Excellent, everything goes smoothly.

Hopefully, as a contract pet, Huo Jun can bask in the master’s luck, clearing Extreme East Secret Realm today, then go home to retreat. Focus on entering the Celestial Palace Holy Realm to purify Spiritual Power, maybe in ten days or half a month, he can succeed in Tribulation Crossing and Ascension, another Divine Beast in the courtyard!