Even more serious, it might cause irreparable damage to its foundation and future potential.

If so, trying to break through again in the future would be extremely difficult, almost an impossible task.

...

Meanwhile, outside the cave abode, the cultivators who had been paying attention to the commotion here also noticed the anomaly.

Because the spiritual vortex above the cave abode showed signs of collapsing, indicating a clear lack of follow-up strength.

As expected, this breakthrough attempt should have failed again!

"What a pity, it was so close!"

In the top floor of Luoyun Studio, the hook-nosed man stood by the window, his gaze fixed on the spiritual vortex showing signs of collapsing.

A mocking smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, filled with schadenfreude.

Seeing this demon beast, much like his own spirit pet, about to fail at a critical moment of breaking through to the third stage, a feeling of satisfaction flashed through his heart.

Hopefully, the failure would be even more dramatic!

However, just as he was gloating, thinking the outcome was determined, an unexpected turn of events occurred.

The vast spiritual vortex that had originally formed around the cave abode suddenly stabilized under the astonished gazes of onlookers.

Not only that, this vortex seemed to have been bolstered by some mysterious power, becoming even larger and more violent.

Spiritual Qi frantically surged towards the interior of the cave abode, as if forming a storm of Spiritual Qi.

As the Spiritual Qi poured in wildly, an overwhelmingly powerful pressure from a third-stage great demon spread out from within the cave abode like raging waves.

This pressure carried an innate grandeur and majesty, instantly enveloping the entire area.

Nearby cultivators, feeling this pressure, turned pale. Some lower-cultivation cultivators even couldn't help but go weak in the knees, almost collapsing to the ground.

"How... how is this possible?"

The hook-nosed man widened his eyes, his face full of disbelief.

He had been convinced that this breakthrough attempt would fail, but the situation unexpectedly took a significant turn, completely outside his expectations.

After regaining his composure, his expression quickly turned dark, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"Someone, come!"

He took out a jade pendant and sent a message.

A moment later, Lin Xiao hurriedly arrived.

He stood respectfully before the hook-nosed man, slightly bowing as he asked, "Elder Jia, what brings you to me?"

Elder Jia cast a cold glance at Lin Xiao, his gaze carrying the authority and scrutiny of someone in power, then spoke in a deep voice:

"Who rented this Cave Dwelling No. B20?"

Lin Xiao was slightly startled; he knew well that it was against the rules to casually disclose customer information, but facing the Golden Core cultivator before him, he lacked the courage to refuse.

After a brief hesitation, Lin Xiao respectfully answered, "It is a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator with the surname Li."

"A late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator?"

Elder Jia's brows slightly furrowed as he pressed on, "Any other information?"

Without hesitation, Lin Xiao revealed everything he knew to Elder Jia.

Listening to the account, Elder Jia's eyes couldn't help but flicker.

...

Inside the cave abode.

"Demonic power crystallizing!"

Xu Ping watched with joy, his eyes alight with uncontrollable excitement.

He saw the liquid demonic power within the Water Lake Rat undergoing a miraculous transformation, gradually turning into tiny sand-like crystals.

These crystals were as lively as mercury, appearing like bamboo shoots after a rain, densely filling the rat's dantian.

Under the immense spiritual pressure and the power of the rat's own bloodline, they were continually compressed.

Each compression made the crystals tighter and the power contained within more intense.

Gradually, within the Water Lake Rat, a nascent inner core woven with purple and blue began to form.

Boom!!

At the instant the Demon Core fully formed, a deep and resounding boom erupted from within the Water Lake Rat.

This sound was like a mighty bell, causing the entire cave abode to tremble slightly.

Immediately after, an overwhelmingly powerful pressure from a third-stage great demon spread from inside the cave abode like raging waves.

"It succeeded!"

Xu Ping could no longer contain his excitement, breaking into a wide grin.

With the Water Lake Rat successfully advancing to the third stage, he now had a safeguard for resuming his powers!

At this moment, the Water Lake Rat slowly opened its eyes, excitement and joy shining within them.

It looked inward at the purple-blue inner core forming within, feeling the surging demonic power inside, almost unable to contain its exhilaration.

"Tha... Thank you, Master..."

It looked up at Xu Ping, showing a fawning expression, stammering as it spoke.

If not for the Master feeding it a third-stage Demon Core at the critical moment, it surely would have failed.

Hearing the Water Lake Rat's childlike voice, Xu Ping paused for a moment.

Has it refined its horizontal bone?

According to conventional wisdom, a third-stage demon beast typically needs to be at least third-rank middle grade to refine the horizontal bone and speak.

But the Water Lake Rat had just broken through to the third stage and already refined the horizontal bone?

Upon reflection, it didn't seem too strange.

After all, the Water Lake Rat was capable of Divine Sense transmission at the second stage, so now breaking through to the third stage and refining the horizontal bone to speak wasn't that extraordinary.

"Mm."

Xu Ping suppressed his thoughts, his expression turning calm as he nodded and instructed, "First stabilize your realm!"

"Yes... yes." The Water Lake Rat replied and began to operate its demonic power to stabilize its cultivation.

Seizing the opportunity as the Water Lake Rat stabilized its cultivation, Xu Ping turned and went to the entrance of the cave abode.

At the entrance, within the restriction, seven or eight communication talismans of various colors were buzzing around like headless flies.

Upon seeing this, Xu Ping raised an eyebrow, took out the restriction token, and uttered the word "Collect," causing the communication talismans to fly into his hand as if granted a reprieve.

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