After returning to the bottom of the Bone Sea, Leon harvested more tier-5 spirit herbs from the region before replanting them in the Sacred Garden.
Then, he took out some water-attribute spirit herbs ranging between tier-1 to tier-4 quality from the Sacred Garden and replanted them on the seafloor.
'The environment around here is unique. If I keep taking without giving back, it'll destroy the environment formed around this place,' Leon mused.
Nevertheless, after harvesting and replanting a few hundred stalks of spirit herbs, Leon shifted his attention to the tier-6 divine herbs on the seafloor.
He found that out of the several tens of thousand spirits herbs growing on the seafloor, there were no more than two dozen tier-6 divine herbs.
'Tier-6 divine herbs with recovery properties are capable of regrowing limbs and organs if used right, but some types are evidently stronger in the field than others. I should find the most suitable herb for refining the Tier-6 Divine Returning Spring Pill…' Leon thought.
Since he was going to return to the Infertile Plains afterward, it would not do if he did not help his adopted little sister regain her missing kidney.
Leon surfed through the two dozen tier-6 divine herbs on his list before finally settling on the Tier-6 Divine Winterdew Grass.
'If I recall, the Tier-6 Divine Winterdrew Grass was around here… There it is!'
Leon navigated his way along the field of spirit herbs on the seafloor before finding the Tier-6 Winterdew Grass recorded in his memory.
After he carefully harvested the Tier-6 Winterdew Grass, he placed it in an icebox he created to seal it.
Then, he dropped by the nine towering Godly Divine Needles to collect more samples of the Black Turtle God Beast's blood essence for his flesh tempering phase.
'Last time, a few drops was all it took for me to advance in the Black Turtle Heavenly Guard and reach Rank 1 Body Transformation in the flesh tempering phase… I should take enough blood essence to Rank 4 Body Transformation at the very least this time…' Leon mused.
Considering the Black Turtle God Beast's blood essence was of the divine quality and wouldn't degrade with time, the unique environment on the seafloor would be affected if he took too much at once.
Once Leon collected the estimated amount of the Black Turtle God Beast's blood essence to reach Rank 4 Body Transformation, he prepared to leave after thoroughly cleansing himself of any residual filth on his body.
"Are you just going to take my blood and leave like that without saying anything to this Old Turtle? What a rude and inconsiderate junior you are."
The Black Turtle God Beast's voice suddenly resounded in Leon's mind just as he was about to leave.
'Why didn't Senior ask the Peak-rank Arch Demon-level sea monsters whenever they take your blood essence as well? Why single me out?' Leon retorted.
'You…' the Black Turtle God Beast became noticeably irked by Leon's lack of respect.
However, the Black Turtle God Beast recalled that it had already lost all of Leon's respect for it after showing unreasonable hostility.
Even so, it was still a Half-step God Beast.
Why does a Half-step God Beast need to show some respect to a mortal just to earn some respect back?
The Black Turtle God Beast's pride wouldn't allow it.
If anything, it was the mortal's stubbornness that made them at odds with each other.
Any other mortal wouldn't have the chance to act so impudently in front of it if the nine Godly Divine Needles didn't seal its movements.
However, the Black Turtle God Beast was aware that if it mentioned this, Leon would reply something like, "For the sake of your dignity, you can violate other people's dignity?"
As such, the Black Turtle God Beast did not steer the conversation in that direction.
'Haiz, I'm not here to fight with you this time, so can we put aside our difference and have a normal conversation?' the Black Turtle God Beast sighed before saying, 'There's something I want to ask you.'
'Oh?' Leon uttered with surprise.
It came to his attention that the Black Turtle God Beast had calmed down and could control its emotions.
At the very least, the Black Turtle God Beast didn't fly into a rage at the slightest irritation.
'What does Senior want to ask?' Leon inquired with a more respectful tone.
'Hah… Look at you; so you can be pretty respectful—Ahem, never mind,' the Black Turtle God Beast suddenly cleared its throat before saying, 'What are you doing with my blood? I can feel my aura on you.'
The Black Turtle God Beast was puzzled by it.
At the same time, Leon immediately realized why the Black Turtle God Beast seemed a bit more accommodating than before.
The Black Turtle God Beast's aura on his body made the Black Turtle God Beast view him like its kin instead of a human.
Unexpectedly, Leon had established some common grounds for them to communicate.
'I used Senior's blood to temper my flesh with the Black Turtle Heavenly Guard method,' Leon answered honestly.
'Oh? The Black Turtle Heaven Guard, huh?' the Black Turtle God Beast uttered with surprise before saying, 'How unexpected… This Old Turtle didn't expect you would have such a method.'
'Senior is not angry?' Leon wondered.
'Haha, why would this Old Turtle be? Since you absorbed this Old Turtle's blood into your body, you've practically become my descendants,' the Black Turtle God Beast said joyously.
However, Leon furrowed his brows with confusion.
'I don't think that's how it works, Senior…' Leon mentioned with a wry look.
'Haiz, don't sweat the details,' he Black Turtle God Beast brushed it off.
'My Black Turtle Clan is very few in numbers. Thus, we are happy to welcome any new addition to our ranks, even if you are a human.'
That being said, Leon still noticed the spite in the Black Turtle God Beast's tone when it mentioned the human part.
'This Old Turtle ought to praise you, boy,' the Black Turtle God Beast shortly added.
'Not just anyone can perfectly fuse with this Old Turtle's blood like you did.. It must be due to the True Grandmist Energy you used with it.'