The Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range is vast and boundless, stretching for ten thousand miles, with ancient trees reaching the sky and grotesque rocks among the mountains.
The Celestial Shuttle Spirit Ship sped through the air.
Inside the cabin, Li Mu focused on multiple tasks, his Divine Sense extended outwards, constantly monitoring the movements within a hundred-mile radius. Huge pythons, mighty lions and tigers, mysterious Yao Birds… various high-rank Yao Beasts continuously appeared in his Divine Sea.
Li Mu was tallying his post-battle gains.
He had collected the storage rings of Venerable Tianyin and Venerable Linhai, and even Fire Tian Venerable’s storage ring was given to him. Adding the high-rank Artifact Refining Spirit Materials gifted by Tianshang Honored One and Kunling Honored One, his nine storage spiritual pearl had fattened up considerably.
After organizing the spoils, Li Mu placed everything outside. The Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range was fraught with danger, making it unsuitable for distracted Artifact Refining.
Li Mu took out a Jade Slip and immersed his Divine Sense into it to examine its contents.
The Jade Slip came from Tianji Pavilion and recorded the distribution of existing high-rank wood-element Yao Beasts in the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range.
Li Mu had already gathered four of the Five Elements high-rank Yao Beasts: Fire-element - Seven-rank Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix, Water-element - Six-rank Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon, Metal-element - Five-rank Green-Eyed Golden Ape, and Earth-element - Five-rank Iron Armor Rock Lizard.
Although Little Gold and Little Tile were only Five-rank, their Bloodline, refined and catalyzed by Net Blood Spirit Zhi and Mystic Celestial Beast Transformation Pill, had all gained the potential to advance to Six-rank.
Li Mu spared no expense, investing a large amount of Spirit Medicine to feed them and helping them refine a Lifebound Treasure of the same attribute to aid their Cultivation. Their advancement to Six-rank was only a matter of time.
One of the Five Elements Yao Beasts was missing.
High-rank wood-element Yao Beasts were relatively difficult to find.
Wood-element Yao Beasts were generally Spiritual Roots of plants and trees; it took an extremely long time, often thousands or tens of thousands of years, for them to develop sentience, and they also required special Opportunities.
The Tianji Pavilion provided information on three types of high-rank wood-element Yao Beasts:
Ghostwood Old Yao of Black Mist Mountain, Peachwood Yao of Wan Tao Mountain, and Wood Spirit Yao Emperor of Cangmu Forest.
As he was deep within the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range, all three locations were extremely dangerous, and Li Mu hesitated, unsure where to go first.
Just then, Li Mu’s Divine Sense detected in advance that dozens of miles away, a group of Thunder Rocs in the sky were rapidly approaching the Celestial Shuttle Spirit Ship with the speed of lightning.
Seeing this, Li Mu couldn't help but sigh. The Celestial Shuttle Spirit Ship was only Three-rank, so its stealth ability naturally couldn't hide from Four- or Five-rank Thunder Roc Yao Birds.
Li Mu flew out of the Celestial Shuttle Spirit Ship, stored it in his nine storage spiritual pearl, and with a flash of his figure, swiftly flew downwards. He cast the Five Elements Escape Technique, quickly vanishing from the Thunder Roc Yao group's sight.
Li Mu's figure emerged from a hidden forest via earth escape, and his eyes already held a decision.
According to the information from the Jade Slip, specifically the Yao Race power distribution map, Li Mu decided to first go to the Snow Fox Clan to send Xue'er home, and then visit the Ten Thousand Miles Peach Blossom Mountain.
The Snow Fox Clan was active in a place called ‘Snow Cloud Ridge’, about five to six thousand miles from his current location. At Li Mu’s pace, he could reach it in three days, but along the way, he would pass through Spirit Mountains occupied by various high-rank Yao groups.
Several high-rank Yao Race territories even had Seven-rank True Yao present. Their relationship with the Human Race was like a taut string, ready to snap at any moment.
To avoid unnecessary trouble and consumption, Li Mu thought for a moment and immediately had an idea, deciding to proceed by ‘hiding’ his presence.
Li Mu immersed his Divine Sense into the Painting World Treasure Mansion and summoned Xue'er and the Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon.
With a 'whoosh', Xue'er and the Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon appeared simultaneously. They respectfully looked at Li Mu, awaiting his instructions.
“Xue'er, I’m sending you home now. You should know the way, right?” Li Mu looked at the Three-Tailed Fox Yao, Xue'er, and asked, gesturing.
“If you don’t want me to send you, I’ll just leave you here!” Li Mu glanced at Xue'er, saying coldly.
Xue'er glanced around. The dense ancient forest was filled with the aura of high-rank Yao Beasts. Sunlight was blocked by thick leaves, and in the dark places, who knew what terrifying existences lurked. As a mere Four-rank little fox Yao, if she were left alone here, she certainly wouldn't survive for more than a few days.
Xue'er’s small mouth pouted, not daring to talk back anymore, tacitly agreeing to Li Mu’s decision.
“Qing Yue, I will enter the Immortal Cave. You will fly with her to the Snow Fox territory. With your strength, the Yao groups along the way will not dare to trouble you two!” Li Mu handed the Painting World Treasure Mansion to the Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon, deciding to enter the Immortal Cave himself and let the Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon lead the way.
“Yes, Master!” The Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon readily accepted the order, looking somewhat displeased at the little fox Yao, Xue'er.
“Very good! Xue'er, you’re responsible for leading the way.” Li Mu nodded with satisfaction and instructed Xue'er.
With a 'whoosh', Li Mu's figure entered the ‘Painting World Treasure Mansion’.
The Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon hooked with its claw, and a blue light gleamed from the green scales on its chest. It solemnly put away the Painting World Treasure Mansion.
“Come up quickly! Don’t make Master difficult!” The Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon swayed its massive body and invited the little fox Yao, Xue'er.
Xue'er sighed, then lightly leaped, jumping onto the Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon’s head and grasping its twin horns.
“Roar!”
The Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon let out an earth-shattering Dragon roar towards the sky, flicked its tail, and ascended on clouds, its figure soaring away like the wind.
The Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon had consumed the nine-leaf azure lotus, Dragon Transformation Spirit Grass, Net Blood Spirit Zhi, and a large quantity of Mystic Celestial Beast Transformation Pills. The essence of these Heaven And Earth Treasures had long since fully activated its Bloodline Power. That inherited Bloodline, originating from the ancient Azure Dragon, caused it to continuously evolve towards a True Dragon.
The Awakening of its Bloodline Power also caused the Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon’s strength to advance by leaps and bounds. It had now reached Six-rank Peak. If it were to clash with an ordinary Seven-rank True Yao, even if it couldn’t win, it could fight for hundreds of rounds.
The Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon was like a hurricane, speeding towards its target like lightning. No matter what obstacle, it could not stop its advance.
Many Yao Beasts along the way sensed the aura of the Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon and retreated far away. That Dragon might was like an invisible pressure, preventing them from approaching.
The Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon charged straight through, naturally attracting the attention of many high-rank Yao Emperors. Its presence threatened the safety of their territories. Only when it quickly departed did they withdraw their gazes.
In less than half a day, the Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon, carrying Xue'er, arrived at ‘Snow Cloud Ridge’.
Inside the Painting World Treasure Mansion, Li Mu released a portion of his Divided Soul to monitor the outside movements. After confirming there were no issues, his figure flashed, and he emerged from the Immortal Cave world.
Before his eyes were towering snow-capped mountains, reaching high into the clouds. The white snow on their Peaks shimmered with a mysterious brilliance under the sunlight, and the air around the mountains was filled with rich Spiritual Qi.
At the foot of the mountains lay a glacier eroded by wind and snow. For thousands of years, these glaciers had continuously moved, forming strange ice caves and ice pillars. Under the sunlight, the ice crystals within the ice caves sparkled with colorful light, appearing majestic and magnificent.
“Master, something feels off here!”
The Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon scrutinized the snow-capped mountains before it, looking at Li Mu with a frown.
“Hmm? What’s off?” Li Mu frowned tightly, looking around vigilantly.
“Why did we stop? My home is at the mountain top’s Heavenly Pool Pond, hurry up and go! I’m finally back!” Looking at her home from memory, Xue'er urged impatiently.
“Master, it seems we’ve been locked onto by an aura, but we don’t know where it is?” The Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon looked solemn, gazing at Li Mu and transmitting through the Spirit Control Contract Seal.
Li Mu understood, looking around without success. He didn’t dare to underestimate it.
Li Mu waved his hand, summoning Little Gold, Little Tile, Little White, Little Phoenix, and the Gibbon Ape, all to guard the surroundings and search for potential enemies.
The Seven-rank Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix, after hatching, and having been nurtured for over ten years, with the blessing of Extreme Yang Heavenly Fire and its Lifebound Treasure, the skyfire cauldron, had already passed its infancy and entered its growth phase. Its strength was stable at the initial Realm of a Seven-rank True Spirit.
The Azure-Eyed White Ape had broken through to Six-rank, and after passing its transformation Lightning Tribulation, it stabilized at Six-rank Middle Stage.
As for Little Gold and Little Tile, there was even less to say. Their Bloodline was gradually Awakening, their strength at Five-rank Peak, and with the might of their Lifebound Treasure, their combat power was directly comparable to a Six-rank Yao King.
It could be said that with this Yao Beast team, even if a Seven-rank Yao Emperor arrived, Li Mu would have the confidence to fight.
“Little White, any discoveries?” Li Mu’s gaze fell on Little White, asking with concern.
Little White floated to Li Mu’s side and whispered, “Master, I sensed it. It seems there is an existence secretly observing us.”
“Hmm? The feeling is correct!”
“Yes! I sensed it, but I cannot pinpoint its exact location. It's lingering around us. Although it cannot be seen or touched, its Divine Soul aura genuinely exists.” Little White said with certainty in its voice.
Li Mu's mind was greatly shaken, but he maintained a calm expression, pondering countermeasures.
Although both Cultivators and the Yao Race are skilled at using Divine Sense to perceive danger, sometimes Divine Sense can be ‘misleading’. Some existences possess special Cultivation Techniques or hidden means that can block Divine Sense detection.
However, as an insect spirit, Little White's perception in the Dao of Divine Soul far surpassed that of humans. No life with a Divine Soul could ever escape its notice.
The problem is a bit tricky!
What exactly is this unknown existence that can even hide its Divine Soul, preventing Little White from tracking and locating it?
Li Mu frowned slightly. ‘Snow Cloud Ridge’ was the Snow Fox Clan’s habitat Spirit Mountain, and the Yao Beasts living here were mostly Five-rank to Seven-rank Yao Beasts, but the possibility of higher-level areas existing could not be ruled out.
Eight-rank Yao Beasts could also appear. An Eight-rank Yao Beast is equivalent to a Body Integration expert of the Human Race, having already achieved the Fusion of Dao, Soul, and Body Realms.
Only experts of this Realm can truly be called integrated with the Dao, Awakening their Heavenly Talent. Their combat power is extremely astonishing, and having touched the Realm of ‘Dao’, they become unfathomable.
Could it be that this unknown existence, which even Little White couldn't detect, is an Eight-rank Great Yao?
Li Mu's heart pounded, and he felt a little uneasy.
If there truly was an Eight-rank Yao Beast lurking nearby, then their combined strength would probably be as good as nothing in its eyes, completely useless.
Li Mu’s heart rate instantly accelerated, preparing to enter the Painting World Treasure Mansion at any moment.
“Master, what do we do now?”
Little White rarely showed signs of tension, guarding Li Mu's perimeter closely, constantly on alert.
“What happened? What’s wrong with all of you?”
Xue'er frowned, looking at Li Mu's solemn face and the anxious Spirit Beasts, asking in confusion.
Li Mu glanced at Xue'er, but didn't respond. At this moment, he had to remain calm and not let himself fall into disarray. Once he showed a flaw, he might invite a fierce attack from the opponent.
The opponent had been hiding for so long, perhaps not having absolute certainty of killing them. Maybe the situation wasn't as bad as that, and there was still a glimmer of hope.
A decisive look flashed in Li Mu's eyes. If he truly encountered an Eight-rank Great Yao, he would unleash all his trump cards; even if he died, he would bite off a piece of its flesh.
“Qing Yue, let’s go. We’re going up the mountain.” Li Mu glanced at the Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon, gesturing.
The Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon nodded, carrying Li Mu and the beasts, and continued to advance towards Snow Cloud Mountain.
The Double-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon flew forward slowly, maintaining vigilance all the way, and its speed decreased significantly.
“Little White, did you sense wrong?”
Little Gold looked down at Little White, who was attached to its body, and asked in a very low voice.
“I didn’t sense wrong, it’s still near us. This is the first time I’ve encountered such a situation. You all must be careful! Remember not to let your guard down.” Little White responded with a solemn tone through Divine Sense transmission.
Upon hearing this, the Spirit Beasts’ expressions tightened, and their nerves were taut.
Seeing this, Li Mu sighed, cupped his hands towards the void behind him, and said, “Senior, you’ve been following us for so long, aren’t you tired? How have I offended you? Why not show yourself?”
After Li Mu spoke, the surroundings remained utterly silent.
Time passed by minute by minute, and all the Spirit Pets present felt their heart rates accelerate, remaining vigilant for any movement around them.
Li Mu, however, maintained a smile. At this moment, there was a subtle change in his expression. Just now, when he spoke those words to the Void Realm, he keenly felt a gaze fall upon him, but it quickly vanished.
It was only for a fleeting moment, but Li Mu was a seasoned veteran of countless battles and keenly perceived it.
“Young man, bringing so many lackeys up the mountain, who gave you the guts!”
Suddenly, a somewhat lazy voice echoed between heaven and earth.
“Who is it!”
The Spirit Beasts, who were already on edge, instantly ‘exploded’. Their auras burst forth, and they flashed to Li Mu’s side, surrounding him.
“All so loyal? What Spirit Control method did you use?”
The lazy voice came again, imbued with boundless disgust and anger.
Li Mu and the Spirit Beasts observed their surroundings with taut nerves, searching for the source of the voice, constantly on guard for a sudden attack from the opponent. However, Xue'er blinked her dark, round eyes, then suddenly leaped onto Li Mu’s body.
“Xue'er, what are you doing? Quickly hide!” Little Gold urged anxiously.
Xue'er ignored him, pouting her nose at the Void Realm, sniffing continuously.
Li Mu was not in the mood to pay attention to Xue'er. He was on high alert, his heart sinking directly to the bottom. He only heard the voice but saw no one. This person’s Cultivation far exceeded his estimation; even Tianshang Honored One had not given him such a feeling.
Just as Li Mu was at a loss, unsure how to handle the situation before him, a hand suddenly reached out from behind him and lightly patted his shoulder.
“Hmm?”
A strange sensation came from his shoulder, startling Li Mu. He turned his head and saw a man in white, with an alluring and exceptionally handsome appearance, who had appeared behind him at some unknown point.
Li Mu was immediately startled and quickly tried to dodge.
But in the next second, Li Mu found that the surrounding Void Realm had solidified, and his body was unable to move.
In Li Mu’s terrified eyes, the white-clothed man’s fingertip, as if piercing through the Void Realm, lightly touched his face.
