Li Mu's speed was extremely fast; in a flash, a majestic and towering Ling Peak already stood in his line of sight.
Clouds and mist swirled around the Ling Peak, as if reaching straight to the sky, giving it a solemn and mysterious feeling. In the core area of the Ling Peak, on the central mountainside, stood a grand hall. The hall exuded a magnificent Aura, inspiring awe, and within it was enshrined an enormous ancient sword. Ancient and mysterious Aura flowed around the sword's body—that was the legendary location of the Sword Heart Hall.
Behind the Sword Heart Hall was the Formation platform of the Ancient Teleportation Array.
Li Mu's heart stirred with excitement, and he hastily urged his Flying Sword, speeding towards the Sword Heart Hall. Not long after, he arrived before the Ancient Teleportation Array's platform. At this time, two Soul Transformation Disciples were on duty there, their gazes vigilant and their expressions serious.
Li Mu gently landed beside the platform, his gaze immediately drawn to the enormous jade stone wall behind the Ancient Teleportation Array. The jade wall emitted a faint glow, with complex patterns and designs carved upon it, giving a sense of unfathomable depth.
Li Mu took a deep breath, his gaze fixed upon it. His Heavenly Talent—Identifying Myriad Spirits, took effect, and instantly, the attribute information of the jade stone wall clearly appeared in his eyes.
Spirit Gathering Jade Wall
Grade: Fifth-rank Spirit Item
Characteristics: Spatial Rift, Eternal for Ten Thousand Years
Status: Spirit Gathering Completed, Spirituality Not Manifest.
Sealed within the jade wall is a Saint-Grade Spatial Legacy cultivation method. The jade wall's Legacy energy has been fully gathered; by investing Divine Sense, one can comprehend the mysteries of this cultivation method.
Upon seeing this information, Li Mu's heart couldn't help but stir. Ten years had passed, and this jade wall, located beside the Ancient Teleportation Array, had finally gathered its Legacy energy. This meant he had the opportunity to comprehend the mysteries of this Saint-Grade Spatial Legacy cultivation method. However, with two Soul Transformation Disciples present, it was inconvenient to do so. Moreover, with Myriad Swords Mountain's Undergoing Tribulation imminent, accepting this Legacy would have to wait until he returned.
“The Teleportation Array is a vital area of the Sect. If you have no urgent business, please leave.” The Soul Transformation Disciple on duty looked at Li Mu and spoke impolitely, urging him away.
Li Mu smiled faintly, unfastened the Elder token from his waist, and indicated, “I have urgent business to use the Teleportation Array and go to the Ten Thousand Stars Sea Region. This is my token. Next, I plan to inspect the Formation patterns of both Teleportation Arrays to prevent any unforeseen incidents.”
Upon seeing this, the two Soul Transformation Disciples on duty immediately focused their Divine Thought on Li Mu's token, carefully sensing the information recorded on it. Soon, they learned Li Mu's identity. It turned out that this young Cultivator was actually an Elder of the Sect, and furthermore, he was Elder Li, who excelled in both artifact crafting and Formation. They immediately stood in awe, and their attitude towards Li Mu became even more respectful.
During this period, Li Mu had refined a vast quantity of six-rank Spirit Swords and was skilled in setting up Formation. The Ancient Teleportation Array could be reused thanks to his Formation abilities. His reputation had long spread throughout Xuantian Sword Sect; almost no one was unaware of him.
“So it is Elder Li who has graced us with his presence. We have failed to welcome you properly; please forgive us, Elder.” The Soul Transformation Disciple on the right showed a respectful expression and hastily bowed to Li Mu, apologizing, secretly Rejoice that he hadn't offended this esteemed Elder of the Sect due to oversight.
“Elder Li, whatever you need to do, please feel free!” The other Soul Transformation Disciple quickly lowered his posture and made an inviting gesture.
Seeing this, Li Mu smiled faintly and put away his Elder token. He walked directly onto the Teleportation Array, each step appearing calm and firm. Standing on the platform, he looked around, feeling the mysterious power of the Teleportation Array surging around him.
Then, he formed hand Seals and began to activate the Teleportation Array's power. His fingers danced rapidly on the platform, each Seal precise, as if conversing with the Law between heaven and earth. On the platform, light began to flicker, forming a complex pattern that emitted powerful energy fluctuations.
As time passed, the light on the platform grew increasingly bright—a sign that the Teleportation Array was about to activate. Li Mu took a deep breath and injected the last bit of power into the platform.
With a whoosh, the light on the platform suddenly flashed, and then the space near the Teleportation Array seemed to twist. On the Teleportation Array, Li Mu's figure vanished in the light, leaving only the lingering ripples of light on the platform and the two Soul Transformation Disciples watching the Elder's vanishing figure.
In the Ten Thousand Stars Sea Region, Li Mu's figure emerged from the Ancient Teleportation Array. Stepping out of the Ancient Teleportation Array, he swayed slightly, trying to steady himself. Only after the dizziness gradually disappeared did he feel the sea breeze on his face, carrying the salty taste of seawater and a faint fishy smell.
Li Mu looked up and saw Xuantian Sword Sect's island outpost, which was even more prosperous than ten years ago. Tall buildings were scattered across the island, exuding rich Spiritual Qi. People came and went on the island; Cultivators conversed or Cultivated, a busy and orderly scene.
Li Mu was filled with emotion. Ten years had passed, and Xuantian Sword Sect's influence in the Ten Thousand Stars Sea Region had grown daily, and the construction of the island outpost was also progressing rapidly.
“Senior Brother, did you teleport from within the Sect? What urgent business brings you here?”
The Soul Transformation Disciple guarding the Teleportation Array looked at Li Mu and asked curiously.
Li Mu came back to his senses, looked at the Soul Transformation Disciple in front of him, smiled faintly, and showed his Elder token, saying, “Indeed, there is some unusual matter, which is inconvenient to disclose.”
“Understood! Elder, please proceed!”
The Soul Transformation Disciple saw the Elder token Li Mu displayed, and a hint of awe flashed in his eyes. He immediately understood Li Mu's identity, dared not ask further, and respectfully bowed.
Li Mu smiled faintly, rose into the air, and sped towards the distant sea region.
Li Mu specifically took out the Earth Element Spirit Ship and activated it. The Spirit Ship shimmered with spiritual light, transforming into a streak of light that swiftly cut through the sky, speeding towards the remote sea region.
After a thousand li of rapid travel, Li Mu finally arrived at an unfamiliar sea region. Here, the sea and sky merged, and waves surged. Within a two-hundred-li radius, there were no high-rank Cultivators or high-rank Yao Beasts.
Immediately, Li Mu released his Divine Sense, carefully probing this sea region, searching for a suitable island.
Soon after, Li Mu discovered an unfamiliar island in this strange sea region. The island was not large, but its terrain was treacherous, surrounded by dense forests, giving it a mysterious and unfathomable feeling.
Li Mu decided to set up an illusion Formation on this island to conceal the power of the Lightning Tribulation. He took out Formation Flags and a Formation Plate and began to set them up on the island.
Li Mu's movements were swift and precise; every Formation Flag was accurately inserted into its designated position. As the Formation Flags were inserted, the power of the Formation gradually became apparent, and soon the entire island was enveloped in a layer of illusory mist.
After setting up the illusion Formation, Li Mu took out the Painting World Treasure Mansion, activated its Artifact Spirit, and released Myriad Swords Mountain.
As soon as Myriad Swords Mountain appeared, it stood majestically in the center of the island. Countless Flying Swords rushed out from its body, accompanied by sharp sword cries, circling and dancing in the sky. These Flying Swords emitted sharp Sword Qi, as if to tear the entire sky apart.
At the same time, the Tribulation Lightning between heaven and earth also began to gather. The originally clear sky was instantly covered by dark clouds, and Tribulation Lightning rolled and surged within the dark clouds, like a group of angry giant beasts roaring. They emitted a powerful destructive Aura, seemingly wanting to devour everything.
At this moment, the entire island was plunged into a murderous Aura. Sword Qi and Tribulation Lightning intertwined, forming a breathtaking scene. Li Mu stood aside, his eyes shining with firm light. He knew that this was Myriad Swords Mountain about to usher in its artifact Tribulation to advance to a seven-rank Dao Artifact, and it was also an essential path for its transformation.
The dark clouds grew thicker and thicker, and the Tribulation Lightning became denser and denser. They continuously gathered in the sky, as if to form an endless sea of lightning. Each bolt of Tribulation Lightning contained powerful destructive power, as if it could destroy everything. However, Li Mu was full of confidence in Myriad Swords Mountain; he believed that this Spirit Treasure, refined from the seven-rank spiritual material meteorite crystal nucleus, would surely safely pass this artifact Tribulation.
The hardness of the meteorite crystal nucleus was beyond imagination; it had once withstood the Heavenly Dao Lightning Tribulation for the Painting World Treasure Mansion. Using the meteorite crystal nucleus as the Foundation of Myriad Swords Mountain was like adding wings to a tiger. Li Mu believed that with the solidity of the meteorite crystal nucleus and the Sword Qi power of Myriad Swords Mountain, it would surely be able to withstand the bombardment of the Tribulation Lightning.
However, Li Mu also had a hint of worry in his heart. Among the ten thousand Spirit Swords, most were five-rank bamboo swords refined from Taiching Moon Bamboo. Although these bamboo swords were also outstanding among many Spirit Swords, they seemed somewhat fragile in enduring Tribulation Lightning. He wondered how many Spirit Swords would survive this Lightning Tribulation.
However, Li Mu also understood that this was an essential path for Myriad Swords Mountain's growth. Only by undergoing the baptism of Tribulation could it sharpen and transform into a Dao Artifact. He believed that after this artifact Tribulation, Myriad Swords Mountain would surely become even stronger, becoming one of the most capable Magic Treasures in his hands.
Suddenly, a deafening roar echoed between heaven and earth—"Boom!" This loud sound seemed to shake the entire sea region, even causing the entire island to tremble. Amidst this shock, a thick, incomparably silver lightning bolt suddenly descended from the sky, like the wrath of a Heavenly God, carrying the power to destroy everything, fiercely striking towards the peak of Myriad Swords Mountain.
Facing this sudden attack, Myriad Swords Mountain's Artifact Spirit showed no sign of panic. It was well-prepared, controlling ten thousand Spirit Swords, which quickly converged into a massive Sword Dragon in the Void Realm. This Sword Dragon radiated sharp Sword Qi, as if it could tear through all obstacles.
At the Artifact Spirit's command, the Sword Dragon fiercely charged towards the silver lightning bolt, unleashing boundless Sword Qi. These Sword Qi were like a materialized storm, carrying destructive power, colliding violently with the lightning.
Immediately, the entire island was plunged into a deafening roar. Sword Qi and lightning intertwined, erupting in brilliant light, as if illuminating the entire sky. Every collision was accompanied by earth-shattering sounds, as if the entire world trembled.
In this fierce battle, Myriad Swords Mountain showed no signs of decline; instead, like an unyielding warrior, it increasingly revealed its tenacity and power. With each strike of lightning, the Sword Qi released by Myriad Swords Mountain's control of ten thousand Spirit Swords became sharper, as if in its confrontation with the lightning, it was constantly being tempered and growing. Those silver lightning bolts, despite their astonishing power and world-destroying force, gradually showed their disadvantage before Myriad Swords Mountain's endless Sword Qi. Ten thousand swords released sharp Sword Qi, cutting the lightning snakes again and again, dissipating them into countless tiny electric sparks, finally vanishing into the air.
Li Mu floated suspended in the distance, his eyes shining with shock, staring intently at the fierce battle between Myriad Swords Mountain and the Tribulation Lightning. He couldn't help but marvel, seeing Myriad Swords Mountain's tenacity and unyielding spirit, and also seeing its power constantly being tempered and growing in its confrontation with the lightning. However, a hidden worry lingered deep in his heart.
“Myriad Swords Mountain is too rigid; it's actually resisting the Tribulation Lightning head-on.” Li Mu secretly worried in his heart. The Heavenly Dao Lightning was by no means something ordinary beings could withstand head-on. Although Myriad Swords Mountain had the indestructible meteorite crystal nucleus as its Foundation and the assistance of ten thousand Spirit Swords, fighting the Tribulation Lightning head-on like this might not end well.
The Heavenly Dao Lightning is the most mysterious and majestic power in the world. It is not merely a natural lightning phenomenon but a direct manifestation of the Heavenly Dao's Law. Every lightning bolt contains the will and power of heaven and earth; they guard the balance and order of the natural world, not allowing any living being to challenge them easily.
Because of this, any attempt to resist the Heavenly Dao Lightning head-on could be seen as a provocation to the Heavenly Dao's Law, thereby triggering an even sharper and more violent Tribulation Lightning counterattack. This counterattack not only doubles in power but also carries unpredictable consequences, often making the challenger pay a heavy price.
Li Mu was well aware of this, so when he saw Myriad Swords Mountain resisting the Tribulation Lightning head-on again and again, he couldn't help but start to worry. Although Myriad Swords Mountain possessed the indestructible meteorite crystal nucleus as its Foundation and the assistance of ten thousand Spirit Swords, the power of the Heavenly Dao Lightning was by no means something ordinary beings could easily contend with. He was afraid that in this Lightning Tribulation, Myriad Swords Mountain would suffer irreparable damage, or even be destroyed.
As expected, Li Mu's worries soon became a cruel reality. The Tribulation Lightning seemed to be enraged by Myriad Swords Mountain's head-on resistance; it was no longer content with single and direct attacks. Suddenly, the thunderclouds rolled, and strong winds howled; the entire sky seemed to change color. The thunderclouds abruptly shifted, continuously gathering strength, and the originally silver lightning began to deepen in color, gradually condensing into a rich purple.
Within this purple lightning, the power contained had reached a completely new level. A lightning bolt thicker and more powerful than before condensed, as if all the power between heaven and earth had gathered in this single strike.
With a loud boom, this purple lightning, like a giant Dragon, launched a fatal strike towards Myriad Swords Mountain.
Facing this sudden attack, Myriad Swords Mountain also displayed its unyielding side. The Sword Dragon composed of ten thousand Spirit Swords met the purple lightning, each releasing brilliant sword light, attempting to resist the lightning's attack.
However, the power of the purple lightning was simply too immense. The sword light released by the Sword Dragon shattered under the lightning's attack, and the Sword Dragon composed of ten thousand Spirit Swords also completely disintegrated under the lightning's bombardment, falling onto the Ling Peak of Myriad Swords Mountain.
“Crack, crack, crack…” As the Sword Dragon disintegrated, ten thousand Spirit Swords fell onto Myriad Swords Mountain's Ling Peak, making crisp sounds.
Although the Sword Dragon disintegrated, the ten thousand Spirit Swords were not completely destroyed. They still emitted sharp Sword Qi, attempting to unite with Myriad Swords Mountain's main body to contend with the lightning. However, the power of the purple lightning seemed endless; each bombardment made Myriad Swords Mountain tremble incessantly, as if it could be completely destroyed at any moment.
Li Mu looked at the scene before him, his heart filled with anxiety, knowing that if this continued, Myriad Swords Mountain would likely find it difficult to withstand the endless power of the Tribulation Lightning. (End of Chapter)
