The Earth Element Spirit Ship flew into Yin Yang Valley.
Li Mu meticulously cared for the Purple Jade Ganoderma and Yin Soul Fruit, then plunged into the Artifact Refining Room.
He took out the Painting World Treasure Mansion, which had not yet been fully upgraded, from his storage compartment and suspended it in front of him. Li Mu gazed at it, examining its current state.
Under the Heavenly Talent - Identifying Myriad Spirits, the detailed information of the Painting World Treasure Mansion appeared.
【Painting World Treasure Mansion (Upgrading)】
【Grade: Seventh-tier Grotto-Heaven Spirit Treasure】
【Features: Size as desired, Imprisonment and Trapping Foes, Spirit Gathering (Self-contained Small World), Essence Devouring and Spirit Refining, Five Elements Spirit Domain,…】
【Status: Devouring Dragon-shaped Spiritual Vein, earth vein spirit marrow, speeding up upgrade.】
【This Spirit Treasure was refined from Mystic Mother Divine Stone, Myriad Splendor Divine Marrow, Ethereal Boundary Stone, and fragments of an eighth-tier Dao Artifact using Eightfold Heavenly Fire. It forms a self-contained Small World, consumes massive amounts of spiritual materials, produces a hundredfold Spiritual Qi, can lure enemies into its world, suppresses cultivation, seals spiritual power, refines their spirits, integrates into the Five Elements Spirit Mountain, devours large quantities of high-tier spiritual materials, forms its own Laws, and is self-upgrading. Continue to devour high-tier spiritual materials, and it can advance to an eighth-tier Grotto-Heaven Dao Artifact within a hundred Years.】
Li Mu looked at this information, feeling a mix of emotions. After the Painting World Treasure Mansion, this supreme treasure, began upgrading, he had fed it a massive amount of high-tier spiritual materials, even a sixth-tier Spiritual Artifact—the Five Elements Spirit Mountain—which was refined within it, as well as seventh-tier earth vein spirit marrow and vast quantities of fifth and sixth-tier Five Elements spiritual materials.
However, decades had passed, and its upgrade still remained in a half-dead state.
The requirements for the Painting World Treasure Mansion's upgrade far exceeded Li Mu's imagination.
At this moment, the Painting World Treasure Mansion's status showed that it had devoured a Dragon-shaped Spiritual Vein and earth vein spirit marrow, and was in a state of accelerated upgrade. However, if there wasn't a continuous supply of large quantities of high-tier spiritual materials, its advancement speed would inevitably stagnate.
Li Mu sighed helplessly. The Painting World Treasure Mansion was crucial to him. Its space, with tens of thousands of acres of spirit fields and a large number of spiritual plants, was key for him to continue improving his cultivation and laying the foundation for his Dao in the future.
No matter how great its consumption was, he needed to satisfy it with all his might to help it advance as soon as possible.
After a slight contemplation, Li Mu's figure flickered, and he entered the Painting World Treasure Mansion.
Inside the Painting World Treasure Mansion, the spiritual power was abundant. In the center, a Five Elements Spirit Mountain radiated Five Elements spiritual light. Below the Five Elements Spirit Peak, patches of Five Elements spirit fields had various spiritual plants growing.
These spiritual plants all belonged to the Five Elements, and each contained the essence of creation. However, at this moment, these spiritual plants looked somewhat listless, clearly due to Li Mu's neglect and lack of water during this period, while others suffered from the absence of auxiliary growth materials, and so on.
Li Mu waved his hand, casting the Qingfeng Huanyu Technique.
Soon, a spiritual cloud gathered, and drizzling spiritual rain fell upon every spiritual plant. The spiritual rain contained a rich, extremely pure essence that nourished all things, and it was quickly absorbed by the spiritual plants. As time passed, the previously listless spiritual plants slowly began to regain their vitality.
In the Painting World Treasure Mansion Space, the Spiritual Qi concentration was several times that of Yin Yang Valley. The efficacy of the earth vein spirit marrow was still present, with layers of dense Spiritual Qi surrounding it, and the high-tier plants cultivated in the spirit fields on the Five Elements Spirit Mountain were growing remarkably well.
After casting the Qingfeng Huanyu Technique, Li Mu continued to inspect the spirit fields. A thousand acres of heavenly phoenix grass had already matured. He harvested them, gaining tens of millions of free proficiency points.
Li Mu rapidly formed hand seals, transforming into a skilled spirit rice farmer, sowing spiritual seeds, planting a thousand acres of heavenly phoenix grass, and tending to patches of well-growing spirit fields.
After spending a day caring for the spirit fields in the Treasure Mansion Space, Li Mu flew up and landed in the spiritual mansion located at the peak of the Five Elements Spirit Mountain. He summoned the Skyfire Refining Furnace and began dismantling the azure wood ritual staff to extract its mystic wood essence.
Before refining artifacts, Li Mu first dealt with 25 ancient artifacts. He either re-refined them, refined them further, or extracted their spiritual materials and the power of Years to nourish the Azure Jade Ginseng King, or to feed back into the Painting World Treasure Mansion.
“Chirp, chirp!”
This crisp cry, like a Phoenix's call, echoed in the Void Realm. The sound was not loud, but it clearly entered Li Mu's ears.
Immediately, a blazing purple-gold light condensed in the Void Realm. In the blink of an eye, a fire spirit had formed, which was precisely the Fire Phoenix transformed from the Extreme Yang Heavenly Fire!
As soon as the Purple-Gold Fire Phoenix appeared, it cried out to Li Mu, its voice filled with urgency and prompting, seemingly urging Li Mu to give it benefits.
“This fellow, still hasn't changed!” Li Mu gave a bitter smile, having long expected this scene. He then threw a prepared portion of fire-element spiritual materials towards the Purple-Gold Fire Phoenix.
The Extreme Yang Heavenly Fire had a volatile temperament. As its master, he could command it, but he could not overwork it. He could only appease it in this manner.
The Purple-Gold Fire Phoenix spread its wings, swallowed all the spiritual materials, then its figure flickered, and it obediently condensed a purple-gold flame Artifact Refining Furnace in the air.
This Artifact Refining Furnace emitted scorching golden flames, as if even the Void Realm trembled, showing its high temperature.
Li Mu beckoned, and from the nine storage spiritual pearl, he summoned an ancient artifact—the azure wood ritual staff.
The azure wood ritual staff, having endured the erosion of tens of thousands of Years, had clearly become an ordinary wooden staff, resembling a withered piece of wood. Its surface was pitted and covered with cracks, evidently from its ancient age.
However, with the Heavenly Talent of Identifying Myriad Spirits, Li Mu could discern the precious spiritual materials contained within it.
This time, Li Mu was not refining the ancient artifact itself, but the special spiritual material contained within it—the mystic wood essence.
Li Mu threw the azure wood ritual staff into the Skyfire Refining Furnace, rapidly forming hand seals. Streams of spiritual power surged from his fingertips and entered the Artifact Refining Furnace.
At the same time, the ritual staff, refined from seventh-tier spiritual materials—Profound Wood Crystal, Essence of Extreme Yin, and Azure Wood Spiritual Root—was extremely durable. The Extreme Yang Heavenly Fire took quite some time to refine it, burning off the ancient patina on its surface, but for a moment, it couldn't shake it in the slightest.
Feeling the difficulty of this refining session, the Extreme Yang Heavenly Fire seemed anxious. There was nothing it couldn't burn. It revealed its Heavenly Fire Origin, and the temperature of the flames in the Artifact Refining Furnace suddenly soared.
Seeing this, Li Mu seized the opportunity to inject a large amount of spiritual essence, boosting the Extreme Yang Heavenly Fire.
Soon, the azure wood ritual staff in the Skyfire Refining Furnace showed signs of burning, and wisps of light green mystic wood essence escaped from it.
Li Mu's spirit was invigorated. His Divided Soul took out a Qi-absorbing bottle and remotely controlled it above the Skyfire Refining Furnace to collect the mystic wood essence.
Just then, a five-colored small snake appeared out of thin air and flew over. Its dark, glistening eyes stared intently at the mystic wood essence being absorbed by the Qi-absorbing bottle.
Seeing this, Li Mu couldn't help but smile bitterly. This Artifact Spirit of the Painting World Treasure Mansion truly had a keen nose! It never showed itself normally, but whenever he took out something good, it was always the first to appear.
“I still need this mystic wood essence. I’ll give you the rest after I’m done using it!” Li Mu helplessly transmitted his Divine Thought, signaling.
The five-colored small snake glanced at Li Mu, unwilling to leave just yet. It flew and landed on Li Mu's head, coiling up, its gaze fixed on the mystic wood essence, looking as if it wouldn't leave without a share.
Li Mu was both annoyed and amused. Fortunately, the quantity of mystic wood essence this time was considerable. After satisfying the Azure Jade Ginseng King's needs, there would still be plenty left for the Painting World Treasure Mansion.
Half an hour passed.
The mystic wood essence stored within the azure wood ritual staff was completely squeezed out, yielding two hundred and eighty thousand wisps of mystic wood essence, which was less than Li Mu had originally anticipated. He suspected it had been secretly swallowed by the Extreme Yang Heavenly Fire, and the entire staff was also burned and absorbed by the Extreme Yang Heavenly Fire.
Wood fuels fire; this time, by dismantling a seventh-tier damaged Dao Artifact, the Extreme Yang Heavenly Fire also gained considerable benefits.
However, without evidence, Li Mu could only let it go.
Putting away the Qi-absorbing bottle, Li Mu continued to dismantle the remaining ancient artifacts in one go.
...
Time flew by, and half a month passed.
Li Mu emerged from the Artifact Refining Room, invigorated and beaming with joy, having reaped abundant rewards. He planned to tend to the two spiritual plants before continuing his Artifact Refining.
Just then, two figures swiftly approached above the Spirit Valley.
Li Mu's smile vanished, and he stopped tending to the spirit fields.
“Xue’er, boil water for tea to entertain the guests!” Li Mu called out to Xue’er, who was preparing spiritual meals in the kitchen.
“Aye!” Xue’er responded.
Li Mu formed hand seals, lifting the protective array of Yin Yang Valley to allow them to enter.
Before long, Celestial Venerable Kun Ling and Tianshang Honored One of the Kun Family flew into the valley and slowly landed before Li Mu.
“Great Master Li, long time no see!”
Celestial Venerable Kun Ling looked at Li Mu and greeted him warmly.
“Seniors, long time no see!” Li Mu stepped forward to greet them, leading the two into the pavilion to reminisce.
The three sat down in the pavilion. Xue’er promptly served spiritual tea. The two of them glanced at Xue’er, their expressions somewhat strange. However, Xue’er wore a spirit fox mask, disguising her appearance, making it difficult for them to discern her true nature.
“Great Master Li, we plan to head to Central Realm soon. Are you interested in coming along?” Tianshang Honored One turned to Li Mu, getting straight to the point.
Hearing this, Li Mu looked at Tianshang Honored One and Celestial Venerable Kun Ling with confusion, asking, “Seniors, what unexpected turn has occurred that you must go to the Central Realm Domain? Is the Kun Family planning to abandon the Southern Wilderness?”
Hearing this, Tianshang Honored One and Celestial Venerable Kun Ling exchanged glances, surprised by Li Mu's keen intuition.
“Great Master Li has sharp insight, that’s indeed the case! The Kun Family intends to abandon the Southern Wilderness,” Celestial Venerable Kun Ling nodded, admitting directly.
“Great Master Li, you have been living in seclusion in Yin Yang Valley, so there are some things you may not know. The forces behind the Nine Demon Sect are extraordinary. The Demon Abyss Channel is currently not open, and the Xuantian Sword Sect and Taiyi Sect can still hold on for now. Once the Demon Abyss forces step into the Southern Wilderness, it will probably be too late to retreat!” Tianshang Honored One said with a solemn expression, introducing the situation in a deep voice.
“Indeed! Great Master Li, the Kun Family plans to evacuate a portion of its Family Disciples first. The two Domains are separated by thousands of miles, and the journey is long and extremely perilous. If Great Master doesn't mind, please leave with the Kun Family fleet!” Celestial Venerable Kun Ling looked at Li Mu, his eyes sincere, as if inviting him to overcome the difficulties together.
“Thank you for your invitation, Seniors. May I ask how long the current stalemate can last?” Li Mu looked at the two, his eyes firm, but his words revealed deep concern.
How could Li Mu not be tempted by the Kun Family's invitation? He also wanted to leave this dangerous Southern Wilderness as soon as possible. However, his four spirit beasts were still out exploring and had not yet returned, and the two Yin and Yang spiritual plants were still some time away from maturing.
These two matters were things Li Mu could not temporarily give up. He couldn't easily extricate himself; otherwise, he would have long ago agreed to the Taiyi Sect and fled the Southern Wilderness Continent with their fleet.
“Well, the situation isn't very clear. Currently, seventy percent of the immortal cities and Sect forces in the Southern Wilderness have suffered attacks from the Nine Demon Sect. Several Sects and immortal cities have already fallen. Although the allied army formed by the Xuantian Sword Sect, Taiyi Sect, and Southern Wilderness forces can resist them, their The power of follow-up is difficult to maintain. If we are lucky, perhaps it can last for another hundred or eighty Years. If the situation deteriorates, perhaps within a few Years, the Nine Demon Sect will be able to invade the entire Southern Wilderness Spirit Domain.” Celestial Venerable Kun Ling looked at Li Mu and explained in detail.
“Indeed! The current situation is extremely perilous, Great Master Li, do not hesitate. It is best to leave this dangerous place as soon as possible.” Tianshang Honored One’s mood was heavy, and he stroked his beard, urging again.
Li Mu nodded silently in understanding. The situation in the Southern Wilderness was indeed grim, and he knew he couldn't stay there for long, but...
Li Mu gave a bitter smile, looking at the two Venerables and helplessly responding, “Thank you for your concern, two Venerables. For now, I cannot leave the Southern Wilderness. When is the Kun Family’s last batch scheduled to evacuate? If there’s an opportunity, I’ll take a later ride. I still have a few companions who need to return!”
“So that’s how it is!” Tianshang Honored One nodded understandingly, comprehending Li Mu’s decision. If not for the compelling circumstances, the Kun Family would also be unwilling to abandon this treasured land in the Southern Wilderness, which they had managed for hundreds of Years.
“Roughly, there should be several batches evacuating successively within the next few Years, with the last batch probably in ten Years. Great Master Li, ten Years should be enough time to wait for your companions to return, right?” Celestial Venerable Kun Ling knew that Li Mu had several spirit beasts with good Aptitude, so he specifically asked this.
Li Mu chuckled softly, glanced in the direction of the spirit fields, and replied, “It shouldn’t take that long!”
Given the cultivation progress of the Twin-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon and Little Gold, they wouldn't need ten Years to emerge from that mysterious Secret Realm. Moreover, Little Gold had already passed its Lightning Tribulation, so its return should be soon!
“Then it’s settled. We’ll depart in ten Years. Once we reach the Central Realm Domain, the Cang Yuan Secret Realm should be about to begin. At that time, the Kun Family is willing to invite Great Master Li as a Guest Elder to join our Kun Family and explore the Cang Yuan Secret Realm together.” Celestial Venerable Kun Ling looked at Li Mu with firm eyes, once again expressing his sincerity and extending a warm invitation.
Li Mu frowned slightly, feeling a bit hesitant. He knew this was the Kun Family’s good intention, but he couldn’t easily agree.
The Xuantian Sword Sect and Taiyi Sect had also extended invitations to him. Going to Central Realm and being caught between many forces, such a problem was truly difficult to decide.
“Well, it’s still early, so let’s discuss this later!” Li Mu finally shook his head, responding somewhat awkwardly.
Seeing this, Celestial Venerable Kun Ling and Tianshang Honored One exchanged glances, communicating through their eyes, a bit helpless.
The news of the strong dispute over Li Mu between the Xuantian Sword Sect and Taiyi Sect a while ago had inevitably reached them, which was also the reason for their sudden visit to Li Mu.
This matter was destined to not be forced.
“Indeed, it’s still early. Perhaps there will be some variables. Let’s discuss everything when the time comes!” Tianshang Honored One quickly spoke up to smooth things over.
“Thank you for your understanding, Seniors!” Li Mu looked at the two gratefully, expressing his thanks.
Soon, the three continued to chat over spiritual tea, with the main topic revolving around the war between the Xuantian Sword Sect, Taiyi Sect, and the Nine Demon Sect. The two introduced the course of the war and its hidden inside stories to Li Mu, who had been living in seclusion in Yin Yang Valley, oblivious to outside affairs. (End of this chapter)
