In the Painting World Treasure Mansion space, the Five Elements Spirit Mountain constantly sprinkled Five Elements spiritual light.
A spiritual rain suddenly fell, irrigating the spiritual plants in the spiritual fields on the mountainside.
Li Mu's Divine Sense swept over them one by one, revealing a satisfied expression. Except for some high-tier spiritual plants that required special Materials to continue growing, most spiritual plants had already adapted to growing in the Painting World Treasure Mansion.
However, after the spiritual rain fell, Li Mu detected a slight decrease in the Spiritual Qi concentration within the Painting World Treasure Mansion, and he sighed inwardly.
The Painting World Treasure Mansion was in the process of upgrading from a seven-tier Immortal Cave Spirit Treasure to an eight-tier one, consuming a massive amount of spiritual power. Additionally, it needed to meet the demands of the spiritual plants and Spirit Beasts in the Immortal Cave world, making it somewhat difficult to make ends meet!
Could it be that he needed to find a few more Spiritual Veins and bring them into the Painting World Immortal Cave?
Thinking of the last time he seized a Spiritual Vein for the Painting World Treasure Mansion, which attracted Heavenly Dao Lightning Tribulation, Li Mu reluctantly gave up on this idea. The last time, the Lightning Tribulation triggered by the Painting World Treasure Mansion was averted by replacing it with a seven-tier spirit ore - meteorite crystal nucleus.
Now, the meteorite crystal nucleus had been refined into the base of the Myriad Swords Mountain and had given birth to an Artifact Spirit, so it could not be used to block the tribulation again.
The Painting World Treasure Mansion was at a critical juncture in its upgrade, so he couldn't take any risks.
Li Mu gritted his teeth, somewhat reluctantly taking out a jade box from his storage grid, a Spirit-Sealing Jade Box containing seven-tier earth vein spirit marrow.
【earth vein spirit marrow (Earth)】
【Rank: Seven-tier Ore Spirit】
【Properties: Essence of Spiritual Vein, Embryo of Earth Spirit, Reassembling Spiritual Vein, Essence of Earth, Gathering Spirits from All Directions, Self-Contained Earth Domain.】
【Status: Marrow Spirit dormant, spirituality not apparent.】
【Seven-tier earth vein spirit marrow nurtured from an extreme grade Great Earth Spiritual Vein, containing a massive amount of spiritual essence, a hundred drops in total, spirituality not yet formed, dormant for ten thousand Years. Consuming one drop can completely transform one's body and change one's Spiritual Root attribute. If it's a matching Earth-element Spiritual Root, it will elevate the Spiritual Root's Rank. It is an excellent Material for Soul Transformation to forge a Dao foundation, refine Earth-element Spirit Treasures, and refine Earth-element Pills.】
Li Mu opened the Spirit Jade Box, and under his Heavenly Talent - Identifying Myriad Spirits, the attributes of the spirit marrow were revealed.
Just then, the entire Painting World Treasure Mansion space suddenly vibrated violently, and a five-colored small snake flashed out of thin air, coiling above Li Mu's head, its pair of emerald vertical eyes staring intently at the earth vein spirit marrow in the jade box.
"Little fellow, your nose is really sharp!" Li Mu looked at the Artifact Spirit of the Painting World Treasure Mansion and scolded it with a smile.
The five-colored small snake was naturally the Artifact Spirit of the Painting World Treasure Mansion. Ever since it was refined into the Five Elements Spirit Mountain and devoured the extreme grade 'Dragon Vein', and the Painting World Treasure Mansion began to upgrade, its form had changed. A pair of small horns grew on its head, its body also grew a circle larger, and its skin color became more vibrant.
"Ying ying!"
The five-colored small snake was full of spirituality, pressing its head against Li Mu's face, urging him anxiously.
"I know! It's for you, eat!" Li Mu scolded with a smile and handed the earth vein spirit marrow to it.
The five-colored small snake didn't know what politeness was. It opened its bloody maw and swallowed the entire Spirit-Sealing Jade Box in one gulp.
"Ying ying!" The five-colored small snake greeted Li Mu, and the next moment, it darted into the Five Elements Spirit Mountain, its figure disappearing.
Not long after, a large surge of spiritual power suddenly permeated the entire Treasure Mansion Space. The spiritual power concentration increased several times. The Five Elements Spirit Mountain and the entire Immortal Cave world seemed to be growing. The Spirit Beasts and spiritual birds in the space all cried out in celebration, their voices filled with joy.
Li Mu released all his Divine Sense and looked nervously at the Five Elements Spirit Mountain, his expression of anticipation gradually turning into disappointment.
The Painting World Treasure Mansion, after devouring the earth vein spirit marrow, did not successfully advance in one go. However, judging by the growth range of the Five Elements Spirit Mountain and the Immortal Cave Space, even if the Painting World Treasure Mansion hadn't completed its upgrade, it was close.
Li Mu adjusted his mood, flew into the Immortal Cave built on the Five Elements Spirit Mountain, entered the Artifact Refining Room, summoned the Extreme Yang Heavenly Fire, and prepared to refine a six-tier spirit treasure.
"Chirp chirp!"
As soon as the Purple-Gold Little Fire Phoenix appeared, it started chirping at Li Mu as if demanding payment.
"I know! Here, the reward I promised you before!"
Li Mu ungraciously took out a fire-element six-tier spiritual item, the Blazing Flame Spirit Crystal, from the nine storage spiritual pearl.
The Purple-Gold Little Fire Phoenix's eyes lit up. It flew out, swallowed the Blazing Flame Spirit Crystal, and in the blink of an eye, it was digested into a pile of gray ash, scattering down.
"Chirp chirp!"
The Purple-Gold Little Fire Phoenix flew in front of Li Mu, circling discontentedly, not satisfied with this bit of 'food'.
Li Mu couldn't help but smile bitterly. The Painting World Treasure Mansion needed to be supported, the Extreme Yang Heavenly Fire also needed to be nourished with high-tier fire-element spiritual Materials, and there were several Spirit Beasts to raise. Cultivating spiritual plants also required various high-tier auxiliary spiritual Materials... a whole host of demands. If he didn't have his skills in Artifact Refining and Alchemy, he really wouldn't be able to afford to support them.
"First, help me refine a Spirit Treasure. I'll give you another portion after you're done!"
Li Mu transmitted his Divine Thought, persuading it kindly.
"Chirp chirp!"
The Purple-Gold Little Fire Phoenix chirped discontentedly, as if bargaining.
"Two portions? No, these kinds of spiritual items are very hard to get. One portion for refining one item! Old rules, no cheating!" Li Mu refused with a firm attitude.
Refining a Spirit Treasure would indeed consume the fire source power of the 'Extreme Yang Heavenly Fire', however, one portion of six-tier fire-element spiritual Material was enough to replenish it, and even have quite a bit left over for its advancement.
Giving it one portion of six-tier fire-element spiritual Material for refining a six-tier spirit treasure was a rule set before, and Li Mu would not allow it to bargain.
"Chirp chirp!"
Unable to get any benefits from Li Mu, the Purple-Gold Little Fire Phoenix angrily chirped at Li Mu, and then, it disintegrated into a ball of purple-gold flame, floating in front of Li Mu, emitting high temperatures in a fit of pique.
Li Mu was startled, almost getting burned.
"You stinky fellow, when I find the next Heavenly Fire, see how I deal with you!" Li Mu's teeth ached with anger, and he quickly circulated the Eightfold Heavenly Fire Tempering Method to condense the Skyfire Refining Furnace.
A Skyfire Refining Furnace condensed from purple-gold flames appeared. Li Mu pondered for a moment, then his Divine Sense entered the nine storage spiritual pearl, summoning one six-tier Artifact Refining spiritual Material after another into it.
Having accepted ten commissions to refine six-tier spirit treasures, plus the pre-paid rewards, the quantity of six-tier spiritual Materials stored in the nine storage spiritual pearl was immense.
According to the Artifact Refining commission request from the client, Revered Lingwu, Li Mu began to refine a pair of gauntlet-style Spirit Treasures.
Revered Lingwu was of the Metal element, achieving Dao through Body Refining, primarily Cultivating the White Tiger Roaring Heavenly Absolute, condensing the true meaning of the White Tiger... Li Mu's expression became serious, and he formed hand seals, controlling the Skyfire Refining Furnace to forge the Artifact Refining spiritual Materials that had entered the furnace.
Six-tier White Tiger Demon Emperor Bone, six-tier Heavenly Fiend Profound Gold... seven or eight kinds of six-tier Artifact Refining spiritual Materials rapidly melted and spiritually fused under the terrifying high temperature of the Extreme Yang Heavenly Fire Refining Furnace.
...
Cultivating in seclusion, Years passed in a flash, three months went by.
Li Mu devoted himself to the refining of Spirit Treasures. Occasionally, when he finished refining a Spirit Treasure, he would come out to rest, take care of spiritual plants, summarize his Artifact Refining insights and gains, and accumulate experience for refining a Time Spirit Treasure for himself.
"Lord Li, there are guests, guests have arrived!"
Xue'er trotted to the edge of the spiritual field, excitedly reporting to Li Mu.
"I know! You go make spiritual tea, I'll go greet the guests!" Li Mu nodded with a smile and instructed.
Xue'er happily accepted the order and ran to the stone pavilion to prepare spiritual tea.
Li Mu's figure flickered, transforming into a cloud of dust and disappearing near the spiritual field.
"Senior Qing Wei, Senior Xuan Ling, Junior has failed to greet you from afar, please forgive me!" Li Mu appeared before Revered Qing Wei and Xuanling Venerable, greeting them with a smile.
"Haha, Great Master Li, you really know how to choose a place! This Spirit Valley has sinister winds and evil Qi outside, with no grass growing, yet inside it's full of Life Qi. Yin gives birth to Yang, it's a place where Yin and Yang flourish!" Revered Qing Wei's Divine Sense permeated the entire Yin Yang Valley, exclaiming in surprise.
"Indeed! Setting up an illusion array within the valley would definitely make it an excellent place for secluded Cultivation." Xuanling Venerable nodded in agreement.
"You two Seniors flatter me, please enter the valley!" Li Mu smiled politely and invited them.
The two nodded and followed Li Mu into the valley, sitting down in the stone pavilion. Xue'er respectfully offered spiritual tea, then stood behind Li Mu, like a maid awaiting instructions. Her dark, round eyes fell on the two Seniors, and she only felt that the old man in the green robe had an unfathomable Aura.
Revered Qing Wei, sensing Xue'er's gaze, recognized her true form at a glance, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. As the Grand Elder of the Yu Ling Sect, he possessed unique skills in assessing the Aptitude and potential of various Spirit Beasts and spiritual birds.
"Great Master Li, this little maid's identity is not ordinary, is it? Is she from the Snow Fox Clan?" Revered Qing Wei looked at Li Mu, asking tentatively.
"To be honest, Senior, I have some acquaintance with Senior Jin Ling, the Clan Chief of the Snow Fox Clan. This is Senior Jin Ling's only daughter, staying by my side to learn for a period of time." Li Mu smiled and introduced her.
Revered Qing Wei looked at Li Mu in surprise, not expecting him to have such a wide circle of friends. First the Kun Family, and now even the Snow Fox Clan had formed an acquaintance.
The Snow Fox Clan was inherently proud and never tolerated any slight. While not mortal enemies with the Human Race, they had never shown a good face to Human Race Cultivators. However, the Clan Chief of the Snow Fox Clan had entrusted her only daughter to Li Mu's care; this acquaintance was truly extraordinary!
Li Mu seemed to notice the doubt in Revered Qing Wei's eyes and quickly explained: "Senior, the Clan Chiefs and Elders of the eighteen Great Yao Race Tribes have all suffered at the hands of the Nine Demon Sect. The situation on the Southern Desolate Yao Race side is not stable right now, don't you know this news?"
"Is that so?" Revered Qing Wei's expression changed dramatically.
"It's the Nine Demon Sect again. What exactly are they planning!" Xuanling Venerable's eyes flashed with deep hatred, and he said angrily.
"We and the All-Demon Tribes already have animosity. Now that their Clan Chiefs and Elders have been injured by the Nine Demon Sect, and their high-tier combat power is damaged, they must be afraid that we will take advantage of their misfortune. They're too busy keeping it a secret, so they definitely wouldn't actively inform us!" Revered Qing Wei's eyes flashed with a hint of worry as he analyzed.
"Indeed! The Undying Devilish Qi cultivated by the Nine Demon Sect is extremely extraordinary. After being attacked, the Devilish Qi enters the body and is difficult to remove." Li Mu continued to explain.
"Lord Li, didn't my mother say that she had already been cured by you? Is she lying to me?" Xue'er heard something, her face paled, and she pressed for an answer.
Hearing this, Li Mu couldn't help but smile bitterly, not expecting to have accidentally let it slip.
"The Extreme Yang Heavenly Fire did indeed burn away a large amount of Devilish Qi from Senior Jin Ling's body, and the Too Profound Clear Spirit Pill also has a certain demon-expelling effect. However, it still cannot completely remove the Undying Devilish Qi from Senior Jin Ling's body." Li Mu looked at Xue'er and answered truthfully.
"How could this be? No, I want to go back!" Xue'er said anxiously, and then she was about to leave the Spirit Valley.
"Little girl, don't worry too much. Jin Ling, no matter what, has the power of seven tails. Since a large amount of Devilish Qi has been removed by Heavenly Fire, she has a way to suppress the remaining. A hundred Years will definitely not be a problem. You rushing back now won't help, don't be too hasty." Revered Qing Wei reached out and gently touched Xue'er, stabilizing her, and comforted her.
"Indeed, you going won't help. He who tied the bell must untie it. If the Cultivator of the Undying Demon Art can be eliminated, perhaps Senior Jin Ling can be freed from the entanglement of Devilish Qi. Moreover, Yin Yang Valley and Snow Cloud Mountain are separated by a hundred thousand li. How will you get there? If you encounter danger on the way, how can I explain it to your mother? Don't be willful!" Li Mu said earnestly, also persuading her.
Hearing this, Xue'er's expression relaxed, and she was persuaded by Li Mu, no longer insisting.
"Before, we had a confrontation with Wu Tian Demon Ancestor. It seems he, who originally cultivated the Blood Nerve Scripture, has now switched to cultivating this Undying Demonic Technique!" Revered Qing Wei frowned slightly, analyzing.
"Is that so? I, on the other hand, think it's that demonic armor acting up; the Undying Devilish Qi is spawned by that demonic armor!" Li Mu expressed a different opinion, looking at Revered Qing Wei and asking curiously, "Senior, what Demonic Technique exactly Cultivates this Undying Devilish Qi?"
"Undying Devilish Qi! It's one of the ten Great Devilish Qi of the Demon Abyss World, on par with Yellow Springs Devilish Qi. It's a unique ability of those who have achieved Major Achievement in the Undying Demonic Divine Art. Life and death cycle, undying and Eternal. Except for being countered by a few extremely Yang and extremely righteous Cultivation Techniques and spiritual items, there are few rivals in the world, and it's extremely troublesome!" Revered Qing Wei sighed and introduced it to Li Mu in detail.
"Heavenly Fire is the bane of Undying Devilish Qi! The reason we came to find Great Master Li this time is, firstly, to commission Great Master Li to refine Spirit Treasures, and secondly, to tell Great Master Li the whereabouts of the Purple Rhythm Heavenly Fire." Xuanling Venerable suddenly interjected, looking at Li Mu and introducing.
"Where is the Purple Rhythm Heavenly Fire?" Li Mu's spirits lifted, and he asked excitedly.
If he could obtain the Purple Rhythm Heavenly Fire, he would be able to continue increasing the Rank of the Eightfold Heavenly Fire Tempering Method. At that time, the success rate of refining six-tier spirit treasures could be increased to eighty or ninety percent, and refining Seven-Order Dao Weapons would also be within reach.
"The Purple Rhythm Heavenly Fire is in the Yin Soul Sect, in the hands of Flame Underworld Demon Venerable!" Xuanling Venerable answered definitively.
After speaking, Xuanling Venerable took out a round disk-shaped Spiritual Artifact from his In arms and handed it to Li Mu, introducing: "This is the tracking spiritual disk that can track the Purple Rhythm Heavenly Fire. Within a thousand li, the Purple Rhythm Heavenly Fire has nowhere to hide."
"Thank you, Senior Xuan Ling! I wonder what kind of Spirit Treasure Senior wants to refine, and if the Materials are all gathered!" Li Mu happily accepted the spiritual disk, returning the courtesy by asking.
"I have naturally gathered the Artifact Refining spiritual Materials. I primarily Cultivate fire-element Cultivation Techniques, so I want to refine a fire-element Spirit Treasure and a defensive Spirit Treasure. I'll trouble Great Master Li!" Xuanling Venerable handed a storage bracelet to Li Mu, indicating.
"You're too polite! Refining these two Spirit Treasures is expected to take two months. If you two Seniors don't mind, why not stay in the valley first?" Li Mu took the storage bracelet, indicating.
"We're afraid of disturbing Great Master Li's Artifact Refining! It's rare to come to Barren Ancient City. Shall we go and take a look at Barren Ancient City?" Xuanling Venerable politely declined, then looked at Revered Qing Wei to solicit his opinion.
"Indeed, Barren Ancient City is bustling now, with many fellow Daoists to exchange ideas with. We can also see if we can gather the Artifact Refining spiritual Materials that this old man Cultivates. We will come back to disturb Great Master Li in two months!" Revered Qing Wei nodded in agreement.
"Barren Ancient City is indeed lively now! Wanbao Pavilion is about to hold an Auction, perhaps there will be spiritual Materials that Senior Cultivates." Li Mu had no choice but to agree, then changed the subject and chatted with the two while drinking spiritual tea, discussing observations from Barren Ancient City.
