“That spiritual beast is nearing its limit.”
The powerful observers below also noticed the situation by now.
“Based on the previous attempts at climbing Bone Mountain, the pressure and Evil Qi at the seventh bone joint is something even a Seventh Transition Golden Core expert can barely withstand. The fact that this spiritual beast has made it this far already puts it above most of us here.”
“Indeed, if it were outside, this spiritual beast would definitely attract the attention of a Primordial Spirit Great Power!”
“Look, they’re almost at the eighth bone joint.”
“Considering the speed of that spiritual beast, it might not make it to the eighth bone joint.”
Amidst the discussions, Lu Qing and Little Li slowly arrived at the junction of the seventh and eighth bone joints.
“Little Li, are you sure you want to go on?”
Lu Qing asked as he watched Little Li, whose limbs were trembling but still desperately trying to steady itself.
“I want to try, Ah Qing.” Little Li’s tone was very determined.
“Alright, let’s continue upward, but if you can’t hold on, I’ll immediately take you into the Leaving Fire Tripod.”
Lu Qing felt Little Li’s resolve; he didn’t stop it but preemptively spoke to it.
“Mm.”
Nodding to show understanding, this time Little Li took the lead with difficulty, jumping onto the stairs of the eighth bone joint.
In the next moment, its legs gave way, and it collapsed onto the steps.
Dense substantive Evil Qi instantly shrouded it.
Lu Qing followed closely behind and stepped up.
His body was steady as a mountain, and a layer of faint white light emanated from him, blocking all Evil Qi from entering.
Lu Qing didn’t pay attention to these; his eyes were tightly fixed on Little Li.
However, he did not immediately take it into the Leaving Fire Tripod.
Because he could feel that Little Li was still holding on and hadn’t given up.
The shrouding Evil Qi, though terrifying, hadn’t fully invaded its body yet.
As long as Little Li didn’t give up, he would respect it and wouldn’t immediately take it into the Leaving Fire Tripod.
Under Lu Qing’s watch, Little Li lay on the steps for a while until it had somewhat adapted to the pressure of the eighth bone joint and then began trying to get up.
Initially, Little Li’s attempts were not smooth; after several efforts, it still struggled to support its limbs.
Ultimately, perhaps the surrounding environment forced its potential out.
On the fifth attempt, it finally stood its legs tremblingly and steadily.
“Ah Qing, I did it!”
When Little Li completely stood up, it couldn’t hide its joy and shouted to Lu Qing.
“Amazing!” Lu Qing generously praised.
“It was all thanks to you, Ah Qing. At first, I couldn’t stand up, but the bloodline refinement from a few days ago left some residue inside me. Just now, under the pressure of the eighth bone joint, it fully integrated into my body, letting me gather more strength.”
“I see.”
Lu Qing suddenly realized he was wondering why Little Li suddenly became stronger.
“However, I’ve truly reached my limit. I can’t make it to the next step.” Little Li said regretfully.
“There’s nothing to regret. You’ve surpassed your limits this time. By the time we get out, your realm will likely increase, which is quite a gain.” Lu Qing smiled.
“Mm, I can feel it. Once outside, I should be able to enter the Golden Core Third Transition realm.”
Thinking of this, Little Li also felt happy.
“Ah Qing, please take me into the Leaving Fire Tripod; I can’t accompany you further up the steps.”
“No worries, let senior ‘Yan’ activate the restriction of the Leaving Fire Tripod, so you can still watch my ascent while inside.”
Lu Qing moved his Heart and Spirit, about to take Little Li into the Leaving Fire Tripod.
However, at that moment, Little Li suddenly’s ears twitched and it shouted, “Ah Qing, wait a moment!”
“What’s wrong?” Lu Qing was stunned.
“The voice warning me earlier has appeared again; it says I’ve passed the test and can enter something called the Purification Pool.”
Little Li tilted its head, trying hard to repeat the words told by that voice in its mind.
“What did you say?” Lu Qing was greatly shaken.
“Ah Qing, what is the Purification Pool, should I agree to it?”
“Little Li actually passed the test? Could it be that the test of Bone Mountain doesn’t necessarily require reaching the summit to pass but has other criteria?”
Lu Qing took a deep breath, recalling information from the notes he’d found on Bone Mountain, having a faint guess in his heart.
But he didn’t rush things and instead told Little Li, “Don’t hurry; first try asking it what benefits there are in entering the Purification Pool to see if it’ll respond.”
Little Li concentrated, trying to inquire within.