Soon, under Gongsun Chu's warm welcome, the two sat down in the reception room.
"Master Li, please taste this. This is Qingxuan Sect's most famous Qingxu Spirit Tea, which has the effect of strengthening the Divine Soul and nourishing the Spirit," Gongsun Chu said with a smile, gesturing for Li Mu to drink the tea.
Li Mu smiled, nodded, picked up the teacup, and carefully tasted it.
Li Mu also had ten mu of third-tier Qingxu Spirit Tea planted on Yue Qiong Peak, precisely because he valued its effect of strengthening the Divine Soul and nourishing the Spirit.
However, to meet the growth environment of Qingxu Spirit Tea, Li Mu had to go through a lot of trouble. Qingxu Spirit Tea needs to be planted in a Superior Spiritual Field, filled with green wood Spiritual Qi, and accompanied by a Void Spirit Snake to grow successfully.
The first two conditions were easy to meet. Li Mu set up a Green Wood Yuan Array, and by consuming a large number of Spirit Stones, he continuously replenished the ten mu of Superior Spiritual Field with green wood Spiritual Qi. The Void Spirit Snake is a third-tier special Spirit Beast. Li Mu paid a hefty rent and owed a favor to rent it from a certain Elder of the Sect, which was very difficult.
The Qingxu Spirit Tea, upon entering the mouth, emitted a light Spirit Pill fragrance, incredibly sweet. The Spirit Tea transformed into warm currents that flowed into his Sea of Consciousness, clearing his Divine Soul and making him feel very comfortable. The recent tension from Artifact Refining, array setting, and so on, eased, and his fatigue dissipated.
"Good tea!" Li Mu floated a satisfied smile and exclaimed.
Stimulated by the Qingxu Spirit Tea, as if his Divine Soul had been cleansed, Li Mu also felt that his spirit had been too tense during this period, too eager to achieve things. He hadn't put down his work, rested, relaxed his mind, and truly experienced life.
"If Master Li likes to drink it, you can take some with you later," Gongsun Chu said with a smile, looking at Li Mu warmly.
"Good! I won't be polite then. If there are any Artifact Refining arrangements in the Pavilion, Gongsun Treasurer, just give the order," Li Mu said with a smile, nodding, returning a favor.
"Of course there are. In five days, Wanbao Pavilion will hold its triennial Auction. I was worried about not having high-grade Spiritual Artifacts to hold the fort. Master Li, you've come at just the right time. Could you refine a batch of High Grade Spiritual Artifacts for this Auction? The Artifact Refining commission will be increased by 5% on top of the original. Master Li, if you need any auxiliary Cultivation resources, you can leave it to me to arrange. Wanbao Pavilion will give a 10% discount on the Spiritual Items produced by Master Li, in addition to the existing benefits," Gongsun Chu said, looking at Li Mu and generously offering concessions.
Upon hearing this, Li Mu was moved. This female Treasurer's courage was much greater than Wang Wenbao's. Although Wang Wenbao gave him a 10% increase in Artifact Refining commission last time, he ended up deducting it as Materials, citing cash flow issues.
Gongsun Chu, on the other hand, was different. She slightly raised the Artifact Refining commission by 5% and also offered a discount on Materials. It was a complete concession.
"Alright! What kind of Spiritual Artifacts do you need to refine? Give me the Materials and the list! I'll try my best to finish them in these few days. However, please try to gather the Materials I need," Li Mu nodded, looking at Gongsun Chu and indicating.
"Okay! I'll arrange it later. Master Li, just tell me what Materials you need," Gongsun Chu nodded happily and asked with a smile.
"purple yang jade, Tai Xuan Moon Dew, Heavenly Vein True Water, Illusory Earth Spirit Soil... are these Spiritual Materials available in the Pavilion's inventory?" Li Mu rattled off more than a dozen third and fourth-tier Spiritual Materials and asked Gongsun Chu.
These Spiritual Materials were almost all prepared for the three hundred and thirty mu of high-grade Spiritual Plants on Yue Qiong Peak. Especially the purple yang jade and Tai Xuan Moon Dew, he had already exchanged all of them from Qingxuan Sect's contribution warehouse, so he had no choice but to come to Wanbao Pavilion to procure them.
Gongsun Chu frowned, her expression unusual.
"What's wrong? Is there a problem?" Li Mu asked, looking at Gongsun Chu with concern.
"To be honest, Master Li, these Materials are all in the Pavilion's warehouse. However, several True Disciples of Qingxuan Sect are also seeking purple yang jade and Tai Xuan Moon Dew. These two Spiritual Items are key items for this Auction. If Master is not in urgent need, could you wait a bit longer? purple yang jade is produced from Purple Yang Mountain in the Southern Heaven Region, and Tai Xuan Moon Dew is produced from Moonflower Island in the Ten Thousand Stars Sea Region. We just need to wait for a period of time to get the goods," Gongsun Chu explained, looking at Li Mu.
Upon hearing this, Li Mu was slightly surprised. He didn't expect that those True Disciples would come to Wanbao Pavilion because Qingxuan Sect's warehouse lacked purple yang jade and Tai Xuan Moon Dew.
This situation seemed to be something he had caused himself!
He had already hoarded a lot of goods, so it was not good to compete with those True Disciples anymore.
"Not urgent, I still have some stock available. I can wait a bit longer. However, how long will it take to get these two Spiritual Items?" Li Mu waved his hand and asked with concern.
"About three months. Is that enough time, Master Li? At that time, however much you want, I will try my best to get it for you," Gongsun Chu said, looking at Li Mu and indicating.
"Alright! However much purple yang jade and Tai Xuan Moon Dew you can get, get it for me. I need at least five million medium spirit stones worth. If I don't have enough Spirit Stones, I'll sell myself to Gongsun Treasurer and work for her!" Li Mu said, looking at Gongsun Chu and indicating with a smile.
"Good!" Gongsun Chu's eyes curved into a smile, and she nodded in agreement.
The two chatted about Artifact Refining matters for about an hour. Li Mu then received a batch of Advanced Artifact Refining Materials, left Wanbao Pavilion, and flew back to Yue Qiong Peak on his sword.
Li Mu had to keep an eye on the Spiritual Plants on Yue Qiong Peak every day, so he didn't have time to stay in Wanbao Pavilion's Artifact Refining workshop.
"Treasurer, you just let Master Li take away millions worth of Artifact Refining Materials! What if he doesn't come back...?"
Gongsun Chu and several other Treasurers enthusiastically escorted Li Mu out of Wanbao Pavilion. One of the stewards asked worriedly.
"Don't worry! Master Li's reputation alone is worth those Spirit Stones!" Gongsun Chu smiled, speaking with great resolve.
Through her investigations during this period, Gongsun Chu clearly knew how many high-grade Spiritual Artifacts Li Mu had refined for Qingxuan Sect. The value of those Spiritual Artifacts, just a few of them combined, could easily exceed the Artifact Refining Materials he took away.
Gongsun Chu completely believed that Master Li would not tarnish his reputation as a Grandmaster Refiner for a bit of Materials.
The reality was even more exaggerated than Gongsun Chu's estimation. Li Mu refined a fourth-tier Spiritual Artifact for Qingxuan Sect and received an equal amount of Artifact Refining Materials for free, or even more. This time, if it weren't for the purple yang jade and Tai Xuan Moon Dew, he wouldn't have needed to ask Wanbao Pavilion for help.
A mere bit of Artifact Refining commission income was not worth Li Mu's effort to refine artifacts for Wanbao Pavilion, let alone steal Artifact Refining Materials. On Yue Qiong Peak, the number of Spiritual Artifacts that had developed a spirit was increasing, causing a lot of trouble.
Selling a single fourth-tier Spiritual Artifact with a Spirit to the outside world would probably fetch a higher price than a fifth-tier Spiritual Artifact.
Li Mu returned to Yue Qiong Peak on his sword and immediately planted 90 mu of second-tier Linglong Spiritual Grass seeds and 90 mu of second-tier Heavenly Wind Grass seeds. He cast a Qingfeng Huanyu Technique to water the Spiritual Field and simultaneously inspected the Spiritual Field.
After confirming that all kinds of second and third-tier Spiritual Plants were growing smoothly, Li Mu finally landed in his courtyard with peace of mind.
Seeing Li Mu's figure, Crimson Wolf and Little Gold eagerly ran to him, acting spoiled and cute, begging for food. Every time Li Mu returned, he would bring them delicious food, either Spirit Pills or Yao Beast meat, and they believed this time would be no exception.
Li Mu fed them a Spirit Pill each, Little Gold a Gold Vein Pill, and Crimson Wolf a Spirit Nurturing Pill. Then, he turned and walked to the ice cellar, took out a large piece of third-tier Cloud-Treading Spiritual Deer's hind leg meat, and began to roast it in front of the stove.
Mealtime was often the time to practice the fifth-tier Earth Rank Cultivation Technique, the Spirit Devouring Body Nourishing Art.
After continuous Cultivation with three meals a day, Li Mu now needed to consume third-tier Yao Beast meat to meet the Cultivation Technique requirements of the Spirit Devouring Body Nourishing Art.
While consuming third-tier Yao Beast meat, he simultaneously performed Whale Devouring Spirit Transformation, Whale Devouring Bone Refining, and Spirit Devouring Blood Refining, using all three Body Nourishing Divine Abilities to enhance his Body Refining effect.
Currently, Li Mu's body had been Cultivated to a strength comparable to that of a third-tier Yao Beast, capable of easily unleashing a punch weighing ten thousand jin.
Soon, the large hind leg of the third-tier Cloud-Treading Deer was roasted thoroughly. Li Mu took a small knife, cut off a golden-brown piece of roasted meat, and enjoyed it deliciously.
"Squeak!"
"Woof! Woof!"
Crimson Wolf and Little Gold, smelling the meat, ran to Li Mu, barking incessantly, looking at their master with eager eyes, begging for a bite.
"This is third-tier Yao Beast meat! You won't be able to digest it. Have you forgotten the last lesson?" Li Mu smiled and gently refused, reminding them.
"Woof! Woof!" Crimson Wolf clearly remembered the lesson, but it unwillingly barked a few times towards the ice cellar, gesturing for Li Mu to go to the ice cellar and get second-tier Yao Beast meat and first-tier Yao meat to roast.
"No stock left! The rest are all third-tier Yao Beasts. If you don't believe me, go to the ice cellar and see for yourself!" Li Mu chuckled and replied to Crimson Wolf.
Crimson Wolf understood and walked towards the ice cellar in disbelief. It could distinguish the huge difference in spiritual content between first-tier, second-tier, and third-tier Yao Beast meat.
Not long after, Crimson Wolf returned from the ice cellar with a dejected look, angrily barking "Woof! Woof!" twice at Li Mu, questioning why he didn't buy first or second-tier Yao Beast meat if there was no stock. What would they eat? Were they going to starve to death?
"Stinky dog, you're getting bold! How dare you tell me what to do! Come here!" Li Mu beckoned to Crimson Wolf, both annoyed and amused.
Crimson Wolf was startled. It knew that going forward now would definitely lead to a beating, so it quickly ran away as if fleeing.
Seeing Crimson Wolf wisely run off, Li Mu continued to bury his head in eating meat. At the same time, he fully operated the Spirit Devouring Body Nourishing Art, rapidly digesting the third-tier Yao Beast meat, continuing to nourish his body and refine his Physique, and advance his Cultivation.
"Squeak!"
Little Gold didn't leave. It stared at the piece of meat in Li Mu's hand, seemingly having made some decision, and barked at its master.
"Uh! You still want to challenge? Are you sure?" Li Mu met Little Gold's gaze and felt Little Gold's determination through the Spirit Control Contract Seal.
"Squeak!" Little Gold bared its teeth and responded, seemingly telling Li Mu that Little Gold couldn't be defeated by a piece of meat.
"Alright! Alright! If you want to eat, I'll give you a piece! You're just greedy, don't make excuses!" Li Mu was both annoyed and amused. He cut off a piece of meat about two fingers wide and handed it to Little Gold.
Little Gold took the piece of meat, put it in its mouth, chewed a few times, and swallowed it whole.
A rich and powerful Yao Spirit power burst forth from the third-tier meat, and the veins on Little Gold's face immediately popped out.
"Roar!" Little Gold couldn't help but fall to its knees, clutching its stomach, and let out a painful roar, venting the massive Yao power within its body.
Seeing this scene, Li Mu's heart stirred. Feeling Little Gold's current state through the Spirit Control Contract Seal, an idea suddenly popped into his mind.
Earth Rank Cultivation Technique - Spirit Control Contract, after its Rank was raised to Level 5, several Vassal Soul Divine Abilities were derived: Vassal Soul Possession, Vassal Soul Explosion, Vassal Soul Communion, Vassal Soul Control, and Vassal Soul Transmission.
Because Li Mu was wary of the technique's effect on the Spirit Master's Divine Soul, he had not used any of the Spirit Control derived techniques other than the initial Spirit Control Contract Seal.
However, Li Mu generally knew the functions of these techniques. Vassal Soul Possession, as the name suggests, meant that if his body encountered an accident, he could attach his Divine Soul to his Spirit Beast to barely survive.
Vassal Soul Explosion, on the other hand, involved detonating the Spirit Beast's Divine Soul, allowing it to unleash its full potential before death…
These derived soul techniques could firmly control the Spirit Beast in the Spirit Master's hands, preventing it from ever breaking free.
However, Vassal Soul Transmission, this Divine Ability soul technique was different; it seemed capable of transmitting Cultivation Techniques and experience to the Spirit Beast!
Hmm!
If that's the case, could I transmit the Spirit Devouring Body Nourishing Art to Little Gold through Vassal Soul Transmission?
Little Gold's growth rate would surely accelerate after Cultivating such a Body Refining Cultivation Technique!
If the transmission is successful, I'll teach it some close-combat techniques later!
Relying on a Rank 2 Yao Beast's body, and then learning Human Race close-combat Cultivation Techniques, and then refining a set of Advanced defensive Spiritual Artifacts for it, paired with a Spiritual Staff, it would simply be a humanoid weapon!
Thinking of this, Li Mu's heart pounded.
“Little Gold, I'll transmit a Cultivation Technique to you that rapidly absorbs Yao Beast meat. Study it well!” Li Mu looked at the suffering Little Gold and motioned.
“Squeak, squeak!” Little Gold raised its head and squeaked in response to Li Mu, indicating understanding.
Li Mu closed his eyes slightly, sensing Little Gold's Divine Soul contract with his Divine Soul, and silently activated the Divine Ability Vassal Soul Transmission, transmitting the Cultivation Technique of 'Spirit Devouring Body Nourishing Art' and his Level 5 Cultivating experience.
“Roar!” Little Gold let out a painful wail, feeling a large amount of Cultivation Technique information suddenly surge into its Divine Soul, causing its body and Divine Soul to simultaneously suffer an impact, adding injury upon injury.
Fortunately, this pain came and went quickly.
According to the Cultivation Technique that appeared in its Divine Soul, Little Gold quickly began to Cultivate. Its belly, which had been bloated by the Rank 3 Yao meat Spiritual Qi, suddenly surged with an extremely high digestive power, causing its body to gradually recover.
Li Mu had already opened his eyes, staring at Little Gold, letting out a sigh of relief, and a happy smile appeared on his face.
Little Gold's status bar showed: It was Cultivating the Spirit Devouring Body Nourishing Art.
Li Mu's idea had been realized!
The Cultivation Techniques he learned could be transmitted to Spirit Beasts through the Spirit Control Contract Seal. However, this method of transmission seemed to cause harm to the Spirit Beast's Divine Soul. Li Mu had seen Little Gold's Divine Soul tremor and painful expression just now.
A Spirit Beast's acceptance of the transmission technique must be limited! Moreover, if its Aptitude wasn't good, its Divine Soul could easily collapse.
“Squeak, squeak!” Little Gold looked at Li Mu, whimpering pitifully, and then a series of 'rumble, rumble' hunger pangs came from Little Gold's belly.
Li Mu frowned, cut off a large piece of venison, and handed it to Little Gold.
However, a large piece of Rank 3 Yao Beast meat was eaten clean by Little Gold in no time.
Soon, a massive Yao power erupted. Little Gold continued to Cultivate the Spirit Devouring Body Nourishing Art. Its body visibly grew stronger at a visible speed. However, Little Gold's body quickly shrank back, becoming increasingly solid, and its aura became heavier, giving Li Mu a feeling of having been refined once.
“Spirit Devouring Body Refining!”
“No way! How did Little Gold skip the first two steps? Is it because it's a Yao Beast?”
Seeing Little Gold's condition, Li Mu frowned in confusion.
The characteristics displayed by Little Gold in Cultivating the Spirit Devouring Life Nurturing Art were identical to the 'Spirit Devouring Body Refining' form, and the changes were much more noticeable than his. Clearly, Little Gold's Physique was more suitable for Cultivating this Cultivation Technique.
“Squeak, squeak!” While Li Mu was lost in thought, Little Gold opened its eyes again and stared at the roasted deer leg in Li Mu's hand with pitiful eyes.
“Alright! If you can eat it, I'll give it all to you!” Li Mu said with a helpless expression, handing the entire roasted leg to Little Gold, feeling a premonition that he had found himself a big problem, creating a glutton.
“Squeak, squeak!” Little Gold squeaked gratefully at Li Mu. Then, it began to gnaw on the roasted deer leg in large bites.
Indeed, Li Mu's premonition was not wrong.
Little Gold quickly finished the entire roasted deer leg, then turned its head and addictively began to Cultivate the Spirit Devouring Body Nourishing Art again. Its diligent and hardworking appearance made Li Mu feel ashamed.
However, Li Mu felt that Little Gold wasn't Cultivating to become stronger, but rather to eat more roasted Yao Beast meat.
Watching the aura emanating from Little Gold strengthen at a visible speed, Li Mu sighed helplessly, walked into the ice cellar, dragged out half a carcass of a Rank 3 Cloud-Treading Deer, and began roasting it with his Five Elements Spiritual Fire and Level 10 Drying Technique.
In less than a quarter of an hour, half the Rank 3 Cloud-Treading Deer meat was sizzling with oil and exuding a rich aroma, making the Crimson Wolf lying on the ground drool profusely.
Helplessly, the roasted Yao Beast meat emitted a powerful Spiritual Pressure. The Crimson Wolf, having learned its lesson several times, dared not eat it again and could only watch Little Gold gorge itself.
…
Time flew by, and three days passed.
Li Mu flew on his sword to Hundred Refinements Peak, submitted his Artifact Refining mission to Yin Xianwen, and did not accept any subsequent Artifact Refining missions.
During these past few months, Li Mu had unknowingly refined over seventy or eighty Rank 4 Spiritual Artifacts for the Qingxuan Sect, greatly increasing his reputation within the Qingxuan Sect.
If this continued, he feared it would attract the Sect's attention, leading to an audience with the Sect Master and visits from the Elder Council for condolences. This did not align with Li Mu's strategy of staying low-key and farming on Yue Qiong Peak.
Li Mu was unwilling to befriend the higher-ups of the Qingxuan Sect and was even more wary of True Monarch Qingwen of Wangyun Peak, not wanting to have any contact with him. Therefore, using this opportunity to submit his mission, Li Mu expressed to Elder Yin his intention to enter seclusion for Cultivation and prepare to break through to the next Realm.
Yin Xianwen understood completely. Li Mu was still young and had already reached Foundation Establishment, fully capable of further advancement.
…
After leaving Hundred Refinements Peak, Li Mu flew directly to Qingyun City and delivered six Rank 4 Spiritual Artifacts to Gongsun Chu at Wanbao Pavilion, in exchange for a large amount of growth Materials needed for Spiritual Plants, as well as a batch of purple yang jade and Tai Xuan Moon Dew order forms.
“Great Master Li, this is the participation token for tomorrow's Auction. If you fancy any Spiritual Objects, you can bid for them. The final price will also receive the Guest Elder discount, plus the discount I give you.” Gongsun Chu handed Li Mu a VIP participation token, reminding him with a smile.
“Good! If I have time tomorrow, I'll come and take a look!” Li Mu nodded with a smile.
Soon, under Gongsun Chu's enthusiastic escort, Li Mu left Wanbao Pavilion.
However, Li Mu did not leave Qingyun City directly. Instead, he went to an inn to change his attire, removed his 'Great Master Li' disguise, and blended into the 'Imperial Beast Lodge'.
It was a rare trip to Qingyun City for business, so Li Mu specially brought 'Little Gold', preparing to let it hone its combat awareness in the beast arena.
“Senior, do you wish to buy a ticket to enter, or wager to enter? There are several exciting matches today. Arena 3 is currently hosting a Peak showdown between Golden Core cultivator - Blood Hand and a Rank 3 Red Soul Beast. It's very exciting, I recommend you go watch.” Seeing a customer enter the shop, a quick-witted young attendant swiftly stepped forward to introduce.
“No need, I plan to have my Spirit Beast participate in combat. How do I register?” Li Mu waved his hand, indicating.
“You want to participate in beast combat! Then you need to go through the contestant channel. However, to participate in beast combat, your Spirit Beast's strength must reach Rank 2, and it needs to undergo some strength tests. Not just any beast combatant can participate!” The Imperial Beast Lodge attendant explained.
“However, Senior, if your Spirit Beast can participate in beast combat and continuously win matches, each match can bring you a large amount of income. If it can persist until the end of the season and become a Beast God, it can also receive Advanced Bloodline Spiritual Object rewards. This season's Beast God reward is: a Rank 5 Blood Bodhi. To register for beast combat, please follow me this way, Senior.” The attendant led Li Mu towards the right passage, explaining as they walked.
“Hmm! Can my Spirit Beast bring weapons and armor onto the fighting stage?” Li Mu nodded, asking curiously.
“Absolutely not. Refined weapons and armor cannot be brought onto the stage. However, some Spirit Beasts that use raw Material weapons can bring them, such as Apes, Half-Yao, and Fox Yao. These Human Race Spirit Beasts have weaker bodies and can bring a primitive weapon.” The attendant quickly replied.
Li Mu nodded, feeling a slight regret.
To prevent Little Gold from suffering too much harm in this beast combat, Li Mu had proposed refining a set of armor and a Spiritual Staff for it. If weapons and armor couldn't be brought onto the stage, he could only give it a Blood Ironwood staff.
Soon, led by the attendant, Li Mu was guided to a registration desk behind the beast arena. Many Spirit Masters were already there with various Yao Beasts, registering and testing their strength.
Looking around, various Rank 2 Yao Beasts followed their masters, queuing to be inspected by a Golden Core cultivator.
Violent Bear Yao, Crimson Blood Wolf Yao, Ghost-Tooth Black Snake, Ghost-Eyed Blue Lizard… Each Yao Beast looked fierce and had a huge Physique.
“Senior, you can take out your Spirit Beast and queue up to register.” The Qi Refining Realm attendant looked at the Yao Beast queue with reverence and motioned to Li Mu.
Li Mu nodded, took out his Spirit Beast Pouch, and summoned Little Gold.
With a 'whoosh', a Green-Eyed Golden Ape, half a head taller than Li Mu, appeared beside Li Mu.
“Senior, is this your Spirit Beast? It hasn't reached adulthood yet, has it? Why don't you wait until it grows up before coming back?” The attendant looked at the several burly, powerfully-auraed Rank 2 Yao Beasts in front and kindly reminded Li Mu.
“Squeak!” Little Gold sensed the attendant's disdain, brought its head close to his face, and its pair of green eyes met his gaze.
The attendant's face instantly turned pale, startled by the thick Yao power overflowing from Little Gold.
“Queue up properly, don't mess around!” Li Mu unhappily patted Little Gold's head, motioning.
