Thank you, Senior, for your help. Your life-saving grace is immeasurable. I have prepared some humble gifts, and I hope you will accept them with a smile!
The Golden Core fatty Cultivator, surrounded by his Soul Transformation guards, flew to the Earth Element Spirit Ship and respectfully asked for instructions.
"Manager Wang, long time no see, how have you been!"
The magnetic shield of the Earth Element Spirit Ship suddenly disappeared, and Li Mu greeted him with a smile.
Wang Wenbao was slightly startled, his gaze falling on the young man's face on the deck, feeling both unfamiliar and somewhat familiar.
That figure stood on the Spirit Ship's deck, robes fluttering, greeting him with a beaming smile. A strange feeling surged in Wang Wenbao's heart, as if he had returned to the past, yet it also felt somewhat unbelievable.
Wang Wenbao rubbed his eyes and looked again. The young man's appearance gradually became clear, his eyes wide as copper bells, filled with disbelief.
"Master Li? Is that you?"
Wang Wenbao's voice couldn't help but tremble, almost shouting the words, his heart surging with excitement like turbulent waves.
Wang Wenbao had already confirmed Li Mu's identity, yet he still couldn't believe his eyes. The Li Mu in his memory was just a Qi Refining Cultivator, although he possessed extraordinary Heavenly Talent and exquisite Artifact Refining techniques, his Cultivation was not profound. However, the aura emanating from the young man before him was so powerful, so powerful that it made his heart palpitate.
After more than a hundred Years of not seeing each other, Li Mu's current Cultivation had actually reached the Nascent Soul Realm. This terrifying strength, spanning several Realms, made Wang Wenbao feel unbelievable. Thinking of how Li Mu had killed a Void Refining Tribulation Cultivator with one sword just now, his heart was even more shocked. That kind of strength, capable of killing enemies beyond his Realm, was absolutely beyond his imagination.
Li Mu smiled slightly, nodded in confirmation, and greeted him, "It's me, Manager Wang, come aboard and let's chat!"
Hearing this, Wang Wenbao was overjoyed, nodding repeatedly. With a movement of his body, he flew directly onto the Earth Element Spirit Ship.
Once on the Earth Element Spirit Ship, Wang Wenbao's gaze remained fixed on Li Mu's face, that once familiar yet slightly youthful face, which had now become resolute. At this moment, Wang Wenbao's heart was filled with excitement and emotion, as if he were dreaming.
"Master Li, it really is you!" Wang Wenbao looked at Li Mu, confirming again in disbelief, his voice involuntarily carrying a hint of awe and uncertainty as he asked this question.
The young man before him was no longer the Master Li he knew, no longer the weak Qi Refining Cultivator, but a true Nascent Soul Realm powerhouse, a terrifying existence capable of killing a Void Refining Tribulation Cultivator with a single sword. This earth-shattering change left Wang Wenbao both shocked and incredulous.
Li Mu somewhat understood Wang Wenbao's reaction and said with a smile, "Manager Wang, why have you become so distant after only a hundred Years? I've always worn the magic realm spirit orb you gave me!"
As he spoke, Li Mu showed his right palm, and the 'nine storage spiritual pearl' ring on his index finger sparkled in the sunlight.
Seeing that Spirit Orb, a trace of nostalgia flashed in Wang Wenbao's eyes, and his doubtful expression dissipated.
Wang Wenbao couldn't help but recall the scene where he gave Li Mu that fifth-rank Artifact Refining Spirit Material—the magic realm spirit orb. Although the Spirit Orb was precious, he felt that compared to Li Mu's Artifact Refining Heavenly Talent, this small investment was nothing.
He hadn't expected that after so many Years, Li Mu would refine it into the powerful storage Spirit Treasure, the nine storage spiritual pearl, and still wear it.
"Master Li, I didn't expect to meet you again, and you are already a Transformation God cultivator, while I have barely advanced to Golden Core. It's truly, truly..." Wang Wenbao's voice trembled slightly, his eyes flickering with complex emotions, lamenting Li Mu's Cultivation achievements and regretting his own negligence in Cultivating over the Years, which had led to his Cultivation stagnating.
"Master Li, I am truly happy for your current Cultivation. Back then, you possessed exquisite Artifact Refining skills at such a young age, and your Cultivation has even broken through to the Nascent Soul Realm, while I am still Standing still, I am truly ashamed!" Wang Wenbao took a deep breath and said with emotion.
Seeing Wang Wenbao's strong reaction, Li Mu smiled slightly, understanding his feelings. After all, their interactions were not many, and the time span was so vast, which was why he felt this way.
After hearing Wang Wenbao's words, everyone present probably understood. They all turned their gazes to Li Mu, their eyes filled with shock and disbelief.
Wang Wenbao's words revealed that more than a hundred Years ago, Li Mu's Cultivation was weaker than his, but now that they met again, he himself was still in the Golden Core Realm, while Li Mu had already crossed two major Realms and achieved the status of a Venerable Deity Transformation. This terrifying Cultivation progress made everyone look sideways, their hearts filled with awe and envy.
"Manager Wang, don't belittle yourself."
Feeling everyone's gaze, Li Mu said with a smile, "Everyone's Cultivation Dao is different. Your Golden Core Cultivation was not easily obtained, and the level of Cultivation does not represent everything. State of mind and experience are what truly matter."
"Master Li is right." Wang Wenbao took a deep breath, calmed his emotions, and then, remembering something, quickly took out three jade boxes from his storage ring. He used his true essence to support them and respectfully presented them to Li Mu, expressing his heartfelt gratitude: "Master Li, thank you for saving my life this time. I have no way to repay such a life-saving grace, so please accept these small gifts with a smile!"
"Manager Wang, you are too polite! My action this time was entirely based on our past friendship. Li is not after your thank-you gifts." Li Mu laughed heartily, gesturing.
"Understood, understood. It's just a small token of my appreciation. Although they are insignificant, they represent my gratitude and respect for you. I hope Master Li will not refuse." Wang Wenbao nodded repeatedly with understanding, pleading.
As he spoke, Wang Wenbao seemed to remember something. With a wave of his hand, he opened the lids of the three jade boxes, revealing the true appearance of the three gifts.
Inside the three jade boxes, there were a mysterious jade token, a purple Spirit Fruit emitting a frosty mist and abundant Spiritual Qi, and a lump of milky white viscous substance.
Li Mu looked intently, and under the Heavenly Talent - Identifying Myriad Spirits, the attributes of the three Spirit Objects appeared one by one on the virtual panel.
"Sky Puppet Spirit Token (One-eighth)"
"Grade: seven-rank dao tool Spirit Treasure"
"Attributes: Heavenly Puppet Manipulation, Puppet Space, Heavenly Puppet Heart Palace, Myriad Puppet Deception, Puppet Spirit Control, Thousand-fold Divine Puppet"
"Status: Incomplete artifact, missing artifact spirit, closed Puppet palace."
"A seven-rank Heavenly Puppet Dao Artifact—the eight-faced suppressing puppet token—refined from various heavenly and life-and-death Spirit Materials such as seventh-rank Spirit Rhino Jade Crystal, seventh-rank Chaotic Beast Emperor Bone, seventh-rank Reincarnation Spirit Spring, and eighth-rank Shura Soul. This Spirit Token contains a Heavenly Puppet Heart Palace. By perfectly passing the Heart Palace - Divine Sense refinement, one can obtain the sacred-tier Puppet Dao Legacy Cultivation Technique within it—'The Heavenly Puppet Crafting Dao Scripture'. By consuming Divine Sense power, one can control thousands of Puppets with this artifact. However, this artifact is a Puppet-controlling artifact, and its Dao principles are bizarre. After long-term dormancy, it carries a certain risk of confusing the mind, so use with caution."
"Mystic Frost Violet Fruit"
"Grade: Sixth-rank Spirit Fruit"
"Attributes: Mystic Frost Tempering Spirit, Condensing Frost into Spirit, Extreme Cold Power, Strengthening Soul and Condensing Spirit."
"A Spirit Fruit condensed from a three-thousand-year-old Mystic Frost Violet Vine, containing powerful extreme cold power. It has the effect of purifying the Soul, enhancing the toughness and purity of the Divine Soul. After consumption, it can strengthen the Divine Soul, improve the compatibility of Aptitude with Heaven and Earth Cold Spirit, and change ice-cold Aptitude. Those with Ice Spiritual Root will have the effect of strengthening the Divine Soul and enhancing the Physique after consumption. Mystic Frost Violet Fruit is also an important Material for refining various high-grade Medicinal Pills, such as 'Ghost Soul Pill', 'Nine Cold Spirit Pill', and many other high-grade cold-attribute Spirit Pills."
"Earth Vein Spirit Milk"
"Grade: Sixth-rank Spirit Object"
"Attributes: Nourishing Origin, Stabilizing Foundation, Expanding Meridians, Reversing Aptitude, Enhancing Bone Structure."
"Status: Crystal clear as jade, rich in spirituality."
"This milk is formed by the convergence of ten-thousand-year-old Earth Veins and the roots of ancient Spirit Trees, gradually taking shape after ten thousand Years of precipitation and nourishment from Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi. It has the effect of nourishing the Cultivator's Origin, enhancing Aptitude, and improving Innate bone structure. This milk can be consumed directly or refined into Medicinal Pills or Spirit Liquids with other Spirit Materials. Whether used alone or in combination with other Spirit Materials, it can exert its powerful restorative and Spirit-replenishing effects, making it a top-grade auxiliary Spirit Material for refining high-grade Spirit Pills."
Looking at the three Spirit Objects before him, a gleam of light flickered in Li Mu's eyes. He knew the preciousness of these Spirit Objects; each one was enough to cause countless Cultivators to fight over them, and they were also extremely suitable for him. Li Mu immediately had no thought of refusing.
One of the three Spirit Objects was actually a Sky Puppet Spirit Token! This filled Li Mu's heart with an indescribable excitement.
At this moment, two Sky Puppet Spirit Tokens were already stored in the nine storage spiritual pearl. One was purchased by Li Mu at a high price at an Auction, and the other was a trophy obtained after killing Venerable Fallenwood. Now, with this Sky Puppet Spirit Token, it meant that he was one step closer to collecting all eight Sky Puppet Spirit Tokens.
As long as he found five more Sky Puppet Spirit Tokens, he would have all eight. At that time, if he could perfectly pass the Heart Palace trial, he would be able to obtain the Legacy of the sacred-tier Cultivation Technique—"The Heavenly Puppet Crafting Dao Scripture."
This Cultivation Technique was undoubtedly a huge temptation for Li Mu. As long as he could obtain this Cultivation Technique and refine a Heavenly Puppet army for protection, then his future Cultivation path would be smoother, and his future achievements would be limitless.
In addition to the Sky Puppet Spirit Token, the other two Spirit Objects also caught Li Mu's attention.
The Mystic Frost Violet Fruit, shaped like jade, with a deep purple, almost black skin, emitted a profound and unfathomable luster. The fruit body contained a large amount of cold Qi Spirit Mist, continuously flowing, as if it contained endless frost power.
This Spirit Fruit was undoubtedly a great help for Xue'er's ice-cold Aptitude.
Xue'er belonged to the ice-cold Spiritual Root, with outstanding Aptitude. However, she was still young and did not Cultivate diligently enough, so her Cultivation had not been able to break through the sixth rank. Now, if she could consume this Mystic Frost Violet Fruit, her Aptitude would be greatly improved, and her Heavenly Fox Bloodline would also be purified. At that time, her Cultivation speed would greatly increase, and undergoing the Transformation Lightning Tribulation would no longer be an unattainable dream.
As for the Earth Vein Spirit Milk, this extremely precious high-grade Spirit Object was valuable enough to move any Cultivator. In the eyes of Cultivators, Earth Vein Spirit Milk was hailed as capable of nourishing all spirits. Whether used for Alchemy or kept for personal use, it could bring great benefits. And for Li Mu, he had an even more special idea—to use the Earth Vein Spirit Milk in the Painting World Treasure Mansion to help restore its spirituality.
The Painting World Treasure Mansion was Li Mu's sharpest strategic weapon, but unfortunately, its rank was too high, and Li Mu was somewhat unable to perfectly control it. If the Artifact Spirit could recover earlier, he would have one more ultimate weapon.
The three Spirit Objects before Li Mu were all exceptionally practical and indispensable to him.
"Manager Wang is truly amazing! These three Spirit Objects are indeed all that I need. I won't be polite with Manager Wang then!"
Li Mu pondered for a moment, then looked at Manager Wang and nodded with a smile.
After speaking, Li Mu waved his hand, and his Divine Sense, like a thought, collected the three Spirit Objects, along with their jade boxes and lids, one by one.
"It's only right, it's only right, Master Li. If there's anything else you need, just ask. I will find it for you as quickly as possible." Wang Wenbao nodded repeatedly with joy, promising loudly.
Hearing this, Li Mu was slightly startled, then smiled and said, "Manager Wang, I do have a few things to trouble you with!"
"Master Li, just say it!" Wang Wenbao's spirits lifted upon hearing this, and he said gleefully.
Li Mu's ability was evident; with his Cultivation advancing to Soul Transformation, his Artifact Refining ability must be extraordinary. Wang Wenbao wished he could curry favor with him and continue their 'past connection.'
"That jade token you just gave me is called the Sky Puppet Spirit Token. There are eight in total. I have already collected three, but I don't know the whereabouts of the other five. So, I hope to entrust Wanbao Pavilion to help me continue searching for the remaining five. Compensation is not an issue." Li Mu smiled slightly, indicating.
"No problem, Master Li!" Wang Wenbao responded without hesitation, sincerely saying, "Searching for Spirit Objects is what Wanbao Pavilion is best at. Leave this matter to me. I will do my best to help you find the remaining five Sky Puppet Spirit Tokens as soon as possible!"
"Thank you, Manager Wang. Also, please help me search for a few high-grade Spirit Plants: reversing death spirit grass, Nine Yang Spirit Grass..." Li Mu nodded and continued.
"reversing death spirit grass, I haven't heard of such a Spirit Plant. I'll go inquire about it. As for Nine Yang Spirit Grass, I do know where it has appeared. Master Li, if I find any clues about these Spirit Objects, how should I contact you!" Wang Wenbao frowned and murmured, then looked at Li Mu and asked inquiringly.
"I am currently a Guest Elder of Xuantian Sword Sect, serving as the Sect Master of Seven Profound Sect. If there's any news, you can send someone to Seven Profound Sect to find me!" Li Mu smiled, not minding Wang Wenbao's ulterior motives, and introduced himself truthfully.
Hearing this, a hint of disappointment flashed in Wang Wenbao's eyes. He had originally thought that Li Mu, like before, had not joined any other Sect, and wanted to use this opportunity to establish a closer connection with Li Mu. But now that he knew Li Mu was already a Guest Elder of Xuantian Sword Sect, his heart couldn't help but feel a little regret.
However, Wang Wenbao didn't show it. Instead, he respectfully nodded and praised sincerely, "So Master Li has joined Xuantian Sword Sect, and is even a Guest Elder, that's amazing!"
Xuantian Sword Sect is renowned in the Central Plains Spirit Domain. Li Mu's ability to join as a Guest Elder and take on the position of Sect Master of a subordinate Sect was enough to prove Xuantian Sword Sect's Importance towards him.
Subsequently, the two chatted and reminisced for a while. Li Mu introduced Liu Yalan to Wang Wenbao, putting her forward as the person in charge of transactions, who would handle future transactions with Wanbao Pavilion and matters such as entrusted Artifact Refining collaborations.
Wang Wenbao greatly appreciated Liu Yalan's business acumen, believing her to be a smart and capable woman, very suitable for this position.
Soon, the two met their match and exchanged ideas enthusiastically.
Not long after, the Earth Element Spirit Ship set off again, transforming into a streak of light, continuing to speed towards the Central Plains Spirit Domain.
Watching the Earth Element Spirit Ship gradually disappear into the distance, Wang Wenbao was filled with emotion, envying Li Mu's Prodigy-like Aptitude immensely. The gap between them had widened significantly. If he hadn't been backed by Wanbao Pavilion, he wouldn't even have the qualifications to speak to him on equal terms. (End of Chapter)
