The sun set in the west, and the sea of clouds was vast.
Li Mu rode his Flying Sword, searching for the legendary Huanlang Spiritual Mountain.
Having left the Qingxuan Sect for over a month, Li Mu quickly flew near Huanlang Spiritual Mountain with the speed of the Celestial Shuttle Spirit Ship, searching for the true Huanlang Spiritual Mountain.
Li Mu stood ramrod straight, his hands clasped behind his back, his gaze deep, as he looked at the Spiritual Mountains passing below, his brows tightly furrowed.
Huanlang Spiritual Mountain was vast, with several Loose Cultivator cities and some high-tier Loose Cultivator Immortal Caves located there. However, finding an unknown Immortal Cave with just one Formation plate was no ordinary feat.
Li Mu could only search aimlessly, using the Formation plate to sense for possible Spiritual Mountain Immortal Caves.
After several days of fruitless searching, Li Mu decided to find a nearby Loose Cultivator city to settle down.
Along the wide, winding Ling River, with its surging waters, and the gentler terrain of the riverbanks, numerous small villages and larger stockades were scattered. Looking out, the entire land was filled with an ancient, primitive aura.
Li Mu landed his Flying Sword in a Loose Cultivator city called Silver Peak City to settle down.
Overlooking from above, Silver Peak City was a small city built in a relatively low-lying area between two high peaks, divided into inner and outer cities, plus a large shantytown where many Loose Cultivators resided.
Li Mu surveyed Silver Peak City, lost in thought for a moment, when a figure on a Flying Sword flew up from the inner city, heading directly towards him.
Li Mu composed himself and looked at the approaching person.
"Senior, hello. May I ask what brings you to my Silver Peak City? Junior is very willing to be of service to Senior." A Golden Core cultivator, about forty years old, flew before Li Mu and respectfully inquired.
Li Mu was not old, yet he exuded the aura of a Nascent Soul True Lord, which compelled the Golden Core cultivator to be cautious.
"Are you the master of this city?" Li Mu did not answer the other party's question, but instead pressed on.
"Yes, I am Xu Yingpeng of the Huanlang Spiritual Mountain - Loose Cultivator Alliance. This city is currently under my management. May I ask where Senior comes from, and what brings you to Huanlang Spiritual Mountain? If you have any needs, Junior is willing to be of service." The forty-year-old Golden Core cultivator introduced himself and looked at Li Mu, asking with concern.
Li Mu furrowed his brow, thinking, and glanced at the other party, calmly replying, "Nothing special, just passing by and stopping to rest."
"I see. If Senior needs to rest, please come inside. Xu is willing to fulfill his duties as a host." Xu Yingpeng gestured an invitation to Li Mu, inviting him warmly.
"May I ask, what is the structure of this Huanlang Spiritual Mountain Loose Cultivator Alliance?" Li Mu nodded, his Divine Sense sweeping through the city as he walked and asked.
"Huanlang Spiritual Mountain spans a million li, infested with high-tier Yao Beasts. Our Human Race is at a disadvantage. For survival, three Venerable Deity Transformations and twelve Nascent Soul True Lords jointly formed the Loose Cultivator Alliance Mutual Aid Society…" Xu Yingpeng meticulously introduced the situation of Huanlang Spiritual Mountain to Li Mu.
Humans, being social creatures, tend to form organizations wherever they go.
Huanlang Spiritual Mountain was no exception. Besides the Loose Cultivator Mutual Aid Society, there were also some small sects and factions, like the Greenhorn Gang, Heaven's Fiend Sect, and Black and White Gate. However, the Loose Cultivator Alliance ultimately held the most sway in Huanlang Spiritual Mountain.
At Xu Yingpeng's warm invitation, Li Mu accepted and went to his residence for tea.
"Senior, please have some tea. This is the exclusive Spirit-Awakening Spirit Tea from Buling Valley, which has the effect of strengthening the Divine Soul and calming the spirit." Xu Yingpeng brewed a cup of Spirit Tea for Li Mu and introduced it with a smile.
"Oh! Then I must have a good taste!" Li Mu said nonchalantly, smiling as he picked up the teacup and drank the hot tea in one gulp.
The Spirit Tea, upon entering his mouth, transformed into a warm current that coursed through Li Mu's body. Finally, it divided into tiny threads that flowed into Li Mu's Sea of Consciousness. This faint spiritual charm quickly dissipated without a trace in his boundless Sea of Consciousness.
The Nascent Soul Divine Soul opened its eyes and felt this faint trace of spirituality. It indeed had the effect of refreshing the mind and calming the soul, successfully causing a faint tremor in Li Mu.
However, this spirituality was too faint. If it could be a million times stronger, it would indeed have the effect of a Breakthrough for a Nascent Soul cultivator.
"Not bad! Good tea!" Li Mu put down the teacup and praised with a smile.
"Isn't it! If you like it, I'll give Senior some." Xu Yingpeng looked at Li Mu and said politely.
"No need to bother!" Li Mu smiled and politely declined, then asked, "If it's convenient, I have a few things I'd like to ask you about."
"Mm! Senior, please ask. Xu will tell you everything he knows, without holding anything back." Xu Yingpeng put down his teacup and said solemnly to Li Mu.
Silver Peak City was located in a remote corner of Huanlang Spiritual Mountain, and high-tier Cultivators rarely passed by. Today, to be able to host a Nascent Soul True Lord, who also didn't seem like an evil person or a rogue Cultivator, was a good opportunity. If he hosted him well, he might gain some benefits. Xu Yingpeng's hospitality was very warm and sincere.
"Has Huanlang Spiritual Mountain ever produced any relatively famous Formation Cultivators? Or high-tier Cultivators who are particularly skilled in Artifact Refining? Which Spiritual Mountains are relatively famous?" Li Mu looked at Xu Yingpeng, asking with concern.
The four-tier Formation plate Li Mu obtained required mastery of both Formations and Artifact Refining techniques to be forged. Even now, it would be extremely difficult for him to forge it. If he couldn't find the location of the Spiritual Mountain Immortal Cave, Li Mu could only inquire about Cultivators skilled in Artifact Refining and proficient in Formations.
"High-tier Cultivators proficient in Formations and Artifact Refining, Senior, you must be talking about Divine Lord Tianyan! This Senior is most proficient in the Dao of Artifact Refining and Formations!" Xu Yingpeng quickly responded.
"Oh! What's the situation with this Divine Lord Tianyan? Please tell me. I'm new to Huanlang Spiritual Mountain and not very familiar with the people and events here." Li Mu's heart stirred, and he asked with a smile.
"No problem. This Divine Lord Tianyan is the most legendary figure in our Huanlang Spiritual Mountain. It is said that he came from the Heavenly Evolution Sect, but he is a Divine Being who originated from our Huanlang Spiritual Mountain, proficient in both Artifact Refining and Formation arrangement, excelling in both…" Xu Yingpeng spoke voluminously, introducing Li Mu to the legends surrounding Divine Lord Tianyan.
This Divine Lord Tianyan was indeed a Divine Being. It is said that he could already forge six-tier spirit treasures and Seven-Order Dao Weapons. His cultivation was heaven-defying; he had already made a Breakthrough to Soul Transformation and achieved Body Integration. He was skilled in the Dao of Formations and was the most legendary Cultivator in Huanlang Spiritual Mountain.
Divine Lord Tianyan himself had not appeared for a thousand years, but his deeds still circulated throughout Huanlang Spiritual Mountain.
The Loose Cultivator Alliance was personally founded and led by Divine Lord Tianyan. He was kind-hearted and made many friends…
Li Mu's heart stirred, and his Divine Sense entered the Formation plate in his storage compartment. The lower right corner of the four-tier Formation plate had a faint 'Yan' character carved on it. If there were no accidents, this Formation plate was indeed an Artifact forged by Divine Lord Tianyan.
"Hmm, where is the Immortal Cave where this Divine Lord Tianyan cultivated in seclusion on Huanlang Spiritual Mountain, Fellow Daoist Xu, do you know?" Li Mu's heart pounded, and he looked at Xu Yingpeng, inquiring.
"Divine Lord Tianyan's whereabouts and origins have always been mysterious. He never took disciples nor left behind a Legacy, so his Immortal Cave for secluded cultivation has always been the target of many Cultivators' exploration. There are many theories; some say his Immortal Cave is on Wen Ling Mountain, others say it's in Red Immortal Ridge, Hundred Immortal Mountain… However, Divine Lord Tianyan is skilled in Formations, so his old Immortal Cave for secluded cultivation must be concealed by Formations. How could we mortals possibly glimpse it?" Xu Yingpeng introduced voluminously.
Li Mu nodded, committing the Spiritual Mountains Xu Yingpeng mentioned to memory, preparing to verify them one by one at a later time.
Huanlang Spiritual Mountain was too vast; it would take an unknown number of years to search it thoroughly. Now that he had some specific locations, he could use the Formation plate to sense and, before long, find the true Immortal Cave location.
Next, Li Mu casually chatted with Xu Yingpeng about the customs and traditions of Huanlang Spiritual Mountain and Silver Peak City, then bid him farewell and began to wander around the city.
The city was bustling: hunter Cultivators carrying their prey, herb gatherers with their medicine baskets, Loose Cultivators browsing the market… People came and went. Most of them were Cultivators carrying blades, with more or less injuries on their bodies. Occasionally, a few accompanying female Cultivators were not empty-handed either, carrying Yao Beast corpses or herb baskets. Some were even carried away, covered in injuries…
Li Mu concealed his cultivation, transforming into an ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator, and quietly settled down in the city, continuing to inquire about the deeds of Divine Lord Tianyan and his most likely Immortal Cave for secluded cultivation.
After seven or eight days of inquiries and exploration.
It was much like what Xu Yingpeng had said; there were too many legends about Divine Lord Tianyan circulating in Huanlang Spiritual Mountain, and Li Mu easily found out clearly.
Li Mu could roughly confirm that Wen Ling Mountain and Red Immortal Ridge, these two large Spiritual Mountains, were the most likely former Immortal Caves for secluded cultivation of Divine Lord Tianyan.
Li Mu rode his Flying Sword, first heading to Wen Ling Mountain, using the Formation plate to activate the Formation light, searching and exploring for Divine Lord Tianyan's Immortal Cave for secluded cultivation.
After half a day, Li Mu had searched all over Wen Ling Mountain, confirmed nothing, and continued riding his Flying Sword to Red Immortal Ridge.
Red Immortal Ridge, a desolate wilderness filled with large Spiritual Veins, located at the southern end of the Huanlang Spiritual Mountain Spiritual Vein, was teeming with various high-tier Yao Beasts and venomous insects.
Fortunately, Li Mu already possessed the cultivation of a Nascent Soul True Lord and was proficient in the Five Elements Escape Technique. When encountering some high-tier Yao Beasts and venomous insects, he would dodge if he could and avoid if he could. His search in Red Immortal Ridge was efficient and swift; nothing could stop his steps.
Two days later, Li Mu stopped his figure in a quiet Spirit Valley.
"Found it!" Li Mu suddenly said with a smile. The next second, with a "whoosh," his figure transformed into a red streak and drilled into the earth, disappearing from the spot in the blink of an eye.
When Li Mu's figure reappeared, he was precisely in front of a giant spider. The four-tier Formation plate in his hand emitted a dazzling spiritual light, which corresponded with the flickering Formation patterns of the passage behind the giant spider.
He finally found it. Li Mu's face was filled with joy; his hard work had finally paid off.
However, the underground passage leading into the Formation was occupied by a giant spider, which used it as its nest, filled with cobwebs, various skeletons, and exuding a foul stench.
"Hiss, hiss!"
As soon as the giant spider saw Li Mu, it immediately bared its fangs and claws, letting out terrifying roars, trying to scare the enemy away.
The sudden appearance of Li Mu startled the giant purple-bellied spider. Although the opponent was small, he exuded a dangerous aura and was by no means an easy enemy to provoke.
Li Mu ignored the giant purple-bellied spider's intimidation, glanced at it, and obtained its information.
【Nine-Eyed Purple Poison Spider】
【Grade: Fifth-Tier Yao Insect】
【Characteristics: Highly Toxic Fangs, Foul-Smelling Silk Web, Earth Element Assault, Shadow Ambush】
【Status: Pregnant, awaiting birth, filled with hostility】
【A Nine-Eyed Purple Poison Spider queen carrying a large number of offspring, fond of consuming any living creature and living souls, skilled at summoning spiderlings to fight. Weaknesses: Fire, Thunder. Characteristics: Skilled in Earth Escape, keen eyesight, fangs carry potent venom…】
Under the effect of the Heavenly Talent - Identifying Myriad Spirits Divine Ability, all information about the giant purple-bellied spider, which was over one zhang tall, walked on eight long legs, and had a body like a small house, blocking the passage, was presented in the character's virtual frame.
"Let's discuss something. I need to pass through. Would you mind letting me through?" Li Mu looked at the Nine-Eyed Purple Poison Spider blocking the way and asked in a negotiating tone.
Before Li Mu finished speaking, with a "whoosh," a ball of white silk web spewed forth from the Nine-Eyed Purple Poison Spider's abdomen, launching a sneak attack on Li Mu.
Li Mu's figure flickered, dodging away from his original spot in advance, emerging from the earth behind it.
Amidst the "clanging, clanging…" of Sword Qi, four-tier Spirit Swords flashed out from Li Mu's nine storage spiritual pearl, then spun in the air, instantly transforming into a Sword Dragon that lunged towards the Nine-Eyed Purple Poison Spider.
With the sneak attack, there was no room for negotiation, and Li Mu immediately launched a counterattack.
The Nine-Eyed Purple Poison Spider transformed into a black light, burrowed underground, and ambushed Li Mu's location.
"Puff, puff…" The Sword Dragon suddenly disintegrated, turning into sharp Sword Rain that pierced into the ground, and streams of green, viscous venom spewed out.
"Hiss!"
The Nine-Eyed Purple Poison Spider shrieked repeatedly, scrambling out from underground. Thick green liquid flowed out, staining the earth and emitting a pungent smoke.
The sharp Sword Qi easily pierced its body.
The Nine-Eyed Purple Poison Spider's ambush failed, and it was covered in wounds from the Spirit Swords. Its crimson compound eyes stared hatefully at Li Mu, filled with animosity.
The Nine-Eyed Purple Poison Spider spewed a large amount of silk web, blocking the Flying Swords.
Li Mu waved his hand, and a large amount of Five Elements Spiritual Fire surged forth, effortlessly burning the white silk webs to ashes.
Li Mu beckoned with his hand, and the Flying Swords turned, flying up from the ground, poised to strike at the Nine-Eyed Purple Poison Spider.
The Nine-Eyed Purple Poison Spider burrowed underground again, keeping its distance. Its crimson compound eyes stared fixedly at Li Mu, not daring to advance, yet unwilling to leave.
"I didn't even plan to kill you. Can't you just let me pass, make it easy?" Li Mu met the Nine-Eyed Purple Poison Spider's hateful gaze and asked faintly.
The Nine-Eyed Purple Poison Spider stopped its charge. Having just suffered a great loss, it determined that the enemy before it was absolutely not someone it could contend with.
Upon hearing Li Mu's words, the Nine-Eyed Purple Poison Spider decisively burrowed underground and vanished in a flash.
Li Mu was slightly stunned, looking at the Nine-Eyed Purple Poison Spider that fled without a fight. His Divine Sense swept around, and it had indeed, as he said, abandoned its nest and fled.
This was something Li Mu had never expected; this Nine-Eyed Purple Poison Spider was quite intelligent and hadn't been blinded by hatred.
However, this was good too, as it avoided an unnecessary conflict.
Li Mu's Divine Sense swept around, confirming that he hadn't found any trace of the Nine-Eyed Purple Poison Spider, then he walked towards the Formation pattern passage with the Formation plate.
If there were no surprises, Divine Lord Tianyan's Immortal Cave for secluded cultivation would be revealed today.
