Li Mu kept a close watch on the actions of the Five-Colored Little Snake, ready to lend a hand at any moment.

Unexpectedly, the Five-Colored Little Snake, holding the Taiqing Moon Bamboo, did not immediately devour it. Instead, it gently touched the bamboo with its petite head, as if sensing the aura and texture of the Taiqing Moon Bamboo.

The Five-Colored Little Snake suddenly opened its mouth, and a blue light burst from it. This light instantly enveloped the Taiqing Moon Bamboo, followed by a powerful suction emanating from the mouth of the snake. The ancient bamboo wrapped in blue light began to be slowly drawn into the snake’s mouth.

Li Mu watched this scene nervously, not knowing if the Five-Colored Little Snake could successfully devour the ancient bamboo, and could only quietly hope all went well.

As time passed, the piece of ancient bamboo was completely absorbed into the mouth of the Five-Colored Little Snake and disappeared.

Seeing this, Li Mu breathed a sigh of relief. He knew the Treasure Mansion Spirit had successfully swallowed the Taiqing Moon Bamboo, and now they just needed to wait.

The Five-Colored Little Snake quickly gulped down the ancient bamboo, its body beginning to emit a faint Five-Colored Spiritual Light. After a long while, its body gradually returned to normal, and it wriggled happily, hissing joyfully at Li Mu.

"I understand, go ahead and busy yourself!" Li Mu said with a smile, waving his hand, understanding the awareness of the Treasure Mansion Spirit. It was bidding him farewell, off to digest the power of the Taiqing Moon Bamboo.

With a "whoosh", the figure of the Five-Colored Little Snake vanished into thin air.

Li Mu smiled faintly, thought of something, and immediately summoned a few contracted beasts through the Spirit Taming Contract Seal.

Soon enough, the Cyan Jade Ginseng King, Chi Lian Fire Phoenix, Two-Horned Cyan Moon Flood Dragon, Jade-Eyed Long-armed Ape, Xiaojin, and Xiaowa all flew over in quick succession.

"Greetings, Master!"

The six demon beasts shouted in unison, bowing to Li Mu.

Looking at them, Li Mu felt a deep satisfaction. These contracted beasts all had sixth-tier, even seventh-tier strength, having cost him a significant amount of Spirit Pills and Spirit Medicines. He had even taught them Secret Techniques, meticulously nurturing them himself.

"No need for formalities. I’ve called you over this time to see how you’re doing, and how your cultivation progress is. Everyone, please speak." Li Mu indicated to the six contracted beasts.

"Master, I train diligently every day, but given my bloodline talent, progress is limited." Xiaojin responded to Li Mu, looking despondent.

"Me too, Master. Do you have any Spirit Pills left to improve our talent and enhance our cultivation?" Xiaowa asked pitifully, following suit.

Compared to the other contracted beasts, Xiaojin and Xiaowa had the most inferior talent. After reaching the sixth tier of transformation, their cultivation nearly stagnated, despite their hard efforts.

"Master, I’ve already consumed the body of that Void Refining Cultivator. The Spirit Devouring Body Nourishing Technique progress has improved by two realms. With plenty of Spiritual Objects and high-tier beast corpses as auxiliary material, I can soon reach the Perfection Realm and attempt to cross the tribulation." The Two-Horned Cyan Moon Flood Dragon responded to Li Mu.

"With the aid of the Extreme Yang Celestial Fire, I feel breaking through to the seventh tier won’t be long!" The Chi Lian Fire Phoenix responded to Li Mu.

"I’m currently focused on consolidating my cultivation and managing Spirit Plants; I haven’t rushed to cultivate." The Cyan Jade Ginseng King responded.

"Master, I’ve achieved Perfect Transformation. Look!" the Jade-Eyed Long-armed Ape indicated to Li Mu.

As the words fell, the Jade-Eyed Long-armed Ape transformed into a middle-aged man with Six Arms, showcasing his brawny and muscular physique to Li Mu.

Li Mu laughed silently and tossed a Magic Robe from the Nine Treasures Spirit Pearl to him, to cover his modesty.

"Very well. Xiaojin, Xiaowa, you are both still young, and reaching the sixth tier of transformation is no easy feat. You need to improve your heart, rely on time to sediment experience, and by arduously cultivating day and night, as painstakingly as possible. For now, I will arrange for you to go out with Xue’Er to handle tasks—your duty is to guard the shop’s warehouse." Li Mu stated firmly to Xiaojin and Xiaowa.

His words barely finished when Xiaojin and Xiaowa responded excitedly in unison: "Yes, Master!"

Li Mu nodded and then looked at the Chi Lian Fire Phoenix and the Cyan Jade Ginseng King, arranging, "You two have good talent, so there’s no need to rush your cultivation. I will next teach you the methods of Artifact Refining, Alchemy, and the art of Puppetry. These skills will aid in solidifying your foundation and understanding your inherent laws."

The Chi Lian Fire Phoenix and the Cyan Jade Ginseng King, upon hearing this, revealed a look of realization and responded in unison: "Yes, Master!"

Li Mu then turned to the Two-Horned Cyan Moon Flood Dragon, pausing before saying, "As for you, Qing Yue, the priority is to prepare for the tribulation crossing. I will provide you with the required resources as soon as possible."

Hearing this, the Two-Horned Cyan Moon Flood Dragon gratefully thanked him: "Thank you, Master!"

"What about me, what about me!" The Jade-Eyed Long-armed Ape, having put on the Magic Robe, eagerly asked, looking at Li Mu for answers.

"As for you! Possessing Six Arms, I’ll teach you how to draw Spirit Talismans! If you can master it, you can wield six talismans at once, which will be incredibly powerful." Li Mu smiled slightly, encouraging the Jade-Eyed Long-armed Ape.

"Thank you, Master, I will definitely study hard!" The Jade-Eyed Long-armed Ape was invigorated and replied excitedly.

"Very good. I will now perform the Seal Transmission Skill to pass on these skills." Smiling, Li Mu formed a hand seal and began performing the Spirit Taming Contract Skill, passing on the experience and techniques of various skills through the Divine Soul Seal.

As Li Mu performed it, the Chi Lian Fire Phoenix, Cyan Jade Ginseng King, and Jade-Eyed Long-armed Ape gathered around him, closing their eyes and becoming engrossed.

Through the consensus and transmission of the Divine Soul Seal, Li Mu imparted the techniques of Artifact Refining, Puppetry, Alchemy, and Talisman Making Technique to them, ensuring they fully grasped them.

Xiaojin, Xiaowa, and the Two-Horned Cyan Moon Flood Dragon, who didn’t receive the knowledge transmission, watched enviously as the other demon beasts received the teachings.

Having been with Li Mu for so long, they knew these were the master’s specialty skills, and now he was selflessly passing them on to them, filling them with gratitude.

Unfortunately, due to their talent or other reasons, they were unable to learn this knowledge.

Li Mu opened his eyes, awakening to see the envious, jealous, and disappointed expressions of Xiaojin, Xiaowa, and the Two-Horned Cyan Moon Flood Dragon. With a smile, he reassured them: "Don’t misunderstand, I’m not favoring some over others. It’s just that you currently have more important matters to attend to and no energy to learn these skills. If, in the future, you have spare time and wish to learn, I will teach you then."

Upon hearing Li Mu’s explanation, Xiaojin, Xiaowa, and the Two-Horned Cyan Moon Flood Dragon all showed understanding smiles.

"Understood! Thank you, Master!"

They responded in unison, and the envy and disappointment in their hearts instantly vanished.

Li Mu smiled warmly, waiting until the Cyan Jade Ginseng King and others awoke, then took out the preparation materials for Artifact Refining and Alchemy and personally demonstrated and taught them Artifact Refining and Alchemy.

"Chi Lian, use your brain, will you? Why use such high heat when condensing the Artifact Embryo?"

"Quick, quickly lower the temperature!"

"Not so fast, the Artifact Pattern hasn’t solidified yet!"

"Why are you dawdling! Quickly move to the next step!"

...

"Ginseng King, look at the Puppet Pattern you engraved, couldn’t you follow the Wood Pattern? What about embedded patterns, don’t you understand that? You need to learn flexibly, what’s your brain for!"

"And you, Long-armed, having more arms isn’t enough, the Spirit Pattern requires precision, you’re not drawing it correctly, rushing won’t help!"

...

Watching Li Mu instructing and scolding the three companions, ranting and fuming with anger.

Xiaojin, Xiaowa, and the Cyan Moon Flood Dragon exchanged a glance, feeling fearful. They were glad they hadn’t learned Li Mu’s skills, otherwise, they’d be getting scolded alongside the Ginseng King and others.

At the same time, Xiaojin and the others deeply felt Li Mu’s high expectations for the Ginseng King and others. Not only teaching them skills, but he also cared about their growth and progress. Under his guidance, the Ginseng King and others gradually grasped the essence and keys of various skills.

In the following days, Li Mu continued to instruct them in Artifact Refining and Alchemy, explaining the principles and keys of each, and personally demonstrating various techniques, making it easy to understand and grasp.

He also emphasized the importance and precautions of Artifact Refining and Alchemy, ensuring they paid more attention to safety and effectiveness.

Under Li Mu’s guidance, the Cyan Jade Ginseng King’s skills in Alchemy and Artifact Refining gradually improved, allowing them to independently complete tasks involving Low-Tier Spirit Pills and Spiritual Artifacts, and even attempt some independent exploration and innovation.

Time flew by, and half a month passed.

The Liu’s Spiritual Material Store was transferred, replaced with the signboard of Li’s Treasure Tower. After nearly half a month of renovation and preparation, it was ready for opening.