After a patient persuasion, Li Mu successfully convinced the Cultivators.
Time was pressing, so Li Mu found a suitable location and quickly began setting up a teleportation array, summoning nine clear spiritual bamboo swords from the nine storage spiritual pearl.
With his Divine Sense simultaneously controlling them, he rapidly carved complex array patterns onto the ground, forming a magnificent and precise teleportation array.
The high-grade spiritual materials required for setting up the teleportation array all came from his previous surplus while performing Sect teleportation array missions: space boundary stone, Heaven Spiritual Crystal, and other high-grade spiritual materials.
In Li Mu's hands, some turned into powder and merged into the array patterns, while others were embedded into the key nodes of the array to stabilize the energy flow of the teleportation array.
The Cultivators stood by, their gazes fixed on Li Mu's busy figure, impressed by his focused and skilled array-setting technique, and a sense of respect arose in their hearts.
As time passed, a complex, precise teleportation array, filled with the power of space and time, gradually took shape in Li Mu's hands, at an astonishing speed.
"Boss! This teleportation array doesn't seem very big, can we leave with Master Li?" Pang Long, the Void Refining Body Cultivator, walked up to Qian Wantong, lowering his voice and asking cautiously, as if afraid of disturbing Li Mu.
Upon hearing this, Qian Wantong's brows furrowed unconsciously; this question was indeed not to be ignored.
Currently, their environment was extremely perilous; outside the passage, a group of Demon Cultivators and a Combined Body Realm Blood Demon were eyeing them covetously.
If the grand formation was broken, their lives could be taken at any moment.
However, the teleportation array Li Mu was setting up was of limited scale; from its gradually appearing outline, it could at most carry seven or eight people.
Qian Wantong looked around; there were over a hundred people present, and it was clearly impossible for all of them to leave through this teleportation array!
Qian Wantong took a deep breath, and once Li Mu had almost finished setting up the teleportation array, he quickly stepped forward and asked with concern, "Master Li, how many people can this teleportation array carry?"
Li Mu looked at Qian Wantong and replied in a deep voice, "This is a long-distance teleportation array.
To ensure the stability and safety of the teleportation, it can only transport a maximum of five people at a time.
Moreover, due to the limited quantity of space boundary stones and low energy, this teleportation array can only perform about four teleports."
Upon hearing this, Qian Wantong's heart sank, and he gestured around, saying, "Then what should we do? We have so many people!"
The Cultivators instantly showed expressions of shock, looking at each other in silence.
Previously, they had been full of anticipation, wanting to explore deeper into the Dao Lord's Cave, hoping to find more Opportunities and treasures.
However, when they heard that the teleportation array could only carry about twenty people, their spirits instantly plummeted, and everyone became anxious, fearing being left behind in this dangerous place.
Just then, a series of deafening explosions suddenly came from outside the passage, continuous and alarming.
"Oh no! They've started breaking the Restriction!" A Soul Transformation Cultivator couldn't help but cry out, his voice filled with despair.
"It's over! What do we do now!"
...
In this critical moment, everyone's gaze turned to Li Mu, filled with pleading and expectation.
"Master Li, please save us, I don't want to die here!" A Nascent Soul female Cultivator pleaded with Li Mu, her voice choked with sobs.
She was the weakest in cultivation and the most likely to be left behind.
"Don't worry! Everyone can leave safely." Li Mu smiled and comforted the Cultivators, then looked at Qian Wantong and said, "Commander Qian, you and I will teleport first.
We will go together to Xuantian Sword Sect to seek assistance."
Qian Wantong frowned tightly, somewhat hesitantly saying, "Xuantian Sword Sect?"
Qian Wantong's heart was actually unwilling to disclose the news of this Secret Realm to Xuantian Sword Sect.
After all, if Xuantian Sword Sect knew about this news, they might never have the Opportunity to get involved in this Secret Realm again.
Li Mu smiled slightly, seeming to have seen through Qian Wantong's thoughts, and quickly explained, "That's right, the teleportation distance of this teleportation array is limited.
The closest place is Xuantian Sword Sect's station in the Northern Domain, and the teleportation array there happens to be one I set up.
If we can get Sword Master Chen's help, we will have a chance to eliminate that Combined Body Demon Cultivator, completely dismantle the Demon Abyss forces' ambition for this world, and also save the lives of all Fellow Daoists."
Qian Wantong's face showed a complex expression, and he fell into deep thought.
He naturally did not want to leak the news of the Secret Realm to Xuantian Sword Sect, after all, it was a Treasure Trove related to a Dao Lord's Cave.
If a major Sect intervened, it would probably be difficult to get a share of it in the future.
But at the moment, circumstances forced his hand; the threat of the Combined Body Demon Cultivator was imminent, and they alone could hardly resist it.
Moreover, Qian Wantong gradually realized that this Secret Realm was of great significance and seemed to be beyond Wanbao Pavilion's control.
After much deliberation, Qian Wantong finally sighed and nodded helplessly, "Alright! As things stand, this is the only way."
With that, Qian Wantong followed Li Mu and stepped into the teleportation array.
Soon, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Li Mu formed an array Seal with his hand, and a spiritual light struck into the teleportation array.
With a "buzz" of the array, the teleportation array's light flashed and disappeared.
The next moment, Li Mu and Qian Wantong's figures vanished from their original spot, leaving behind a group of Cultivators looking at each other, and the increasingly dense sounds of Restriction breaking from outside.
In the Central Continent Spiritual Domain - Northern Domain Heavenly Pillar Spiritual City, a massive, incredibly sturdy city built against a mountain, it leaned against the majestic Heavenly Pillar Mountain Range, as if it were a part of the mountain range, integrated with the entire Heavenly Pillar Ling Peak.
This city was not only a sanctuary for Human cultivators but also a frontline fortress in the ten-thousand-year struggle against the Northern Domain Yao Beasts.
The city walls of Heavenly Pillar Spiritual City were tall and thick, entirely constructed from special basaltic green rock.
Basaltic green rock was a second-tier spiritual ore, extremely sturdy, and capable of absorbing and storing Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi.
With formations integrated within, the city walls became a seamless, even sturdier whole, and could also activate powerful rebound spell effects.
On the city walls, beacon towers, arrow towers, turret, sword-wielding platforms, and other defensive facilities were all in place, constantly ready to respond to Yao Beast attacks.
Looking from afar, Heavenly Pillar Spiritual City stood majestically, its towering city walls seemingly touching the sky.
Upon the city walls, exquisite array symbols were carved, shimmering with mysterious light, showcasing the city's extraordinary nature and majesty.
At the center of Heavenly Pillar Spiritual City was a towering spiritual pagoda, reaching into the clouds.
This spiritual pagoda was the Soul of the entire city, gathering the Spiritual Qi of the Heaven and Earth, providing a continuous supply of Cultivate resources for the Cultivators.
The spiritual pagoda was the core area of Heavenly Pillar Spiritual City, serving as the Xuantian Sword Sect's station.
At its very center sat a large teleportation array, shimmering with mysterious and profound spiritual light.
Two Sword Cultivators at Spirit Transformation Stage guarded this place, one on the left and one on the right.
Their faces were serious, their gazes like torches, maintaining a high degree of vigilance at all times.
Under normal circumstances, outsiders were forbidden from entering this area.
The teleportation array was surrounded by powerful Restrictions, and only those holding specific tokens or with permission from the Sword Sect's high-ranking officials could pass through layers of verification and enter this core area.
Suddenly, the teleportation array flashed with spiritual light, indicating that someone was about to arrive via the teleportation array.
The two Sword Cultivators at Spirit Transformation Stage immediately became alert.
They gripped their long swords tightly, standing by in full readiness, knowing that anyone who could arrive here via the teleportation array must be an extraordinary existence.
Soon, as the teleportation light flashed and disappeared, two figures appeared within the array: Li Mu and Qian Wantong.
As soon as they appeared, they felt the sharp gazes of the two Sword Cultivators at Spirit Transformation Stage.
"So it's Elder Li who has arrived!"
"Greetings, Elder Li!"
The two Sword Cultivators at Spirit Transformation Stage immediately recognized Li Mu, performed a sword salute, and greeted him warmly in unison.
Li Mu's name was well-known within Xuantian Sword Sect; almost every Sect Disciple took pride in owning a spiritual sword personally refined by him.
Not to mention, Elder Li's unrivaled combat power displayed by challenging the Sword Tower and defeating Prodigies was almost universally known within Xuantian Sword Sect.
The two Sword Cultivators at Spirit Transformation Stage couldn't help but show a hint of respect when they saw him.
"Greetings, two Senior Brothers." Li Mu returned the sword salute, smiling and indicating, "I have an important matter to discuss with Sword Master Chen this time; please inform him."
"Elder Li, you are too polite.
Please wait a moment; I will go inform him for you now." One of the Sword Cultivators at Spirit Transformation Stage responded and quickly turned to leave.
Qian Wantong stood by, witnessing all this, secretly marveling.
He held the position of commander in Wanbao Pavilion's treasure-hunting team and was considered well-traveled, but in front of a behemoth like Xuantian Sword Sect, he still felt somewhat inferior and insignificant.
At the same time, he gained a more intuitive understanding of Li Mu's position within the Sword Sect.
Before long, the Sword Cultivator at Spirit Transformation Stage hurried back, followed by a middle-aged Sword Cultivator walking through the air.
The middle-aged Sword Cultivator, dressed in a green robe with a dignified and smiling face, exuded the aura of a Mortal scholar, yet his return-to-innocence temperament highlighted his extraordinary nature. This person was none other than Sword Master Chen of the Xuantian Sword Sect.
"Haha, what brings you to the Northern Region today?" Sword Master Chen saw Li Mu and greeted him with a hearty laugh.
"Li Mu greets Sword Master!" Li Mu cupped his hands in a bow, his expression a little solemn as he indicated, "I came to the Northern Region this time for an extremely important matter to report to Sword Master."
Upon seeing this, Sword Master Chen put away his smile and said seriously, "Oh? What important matter?"
"This is Qian Wantong, the leader of the Treasure Hunting Team from Wanbao Pavilion!" Li Mu first introduced Qian Wantong beside him to Sword Master Chen.
"Li greets Senior!" Qian Wantong bowed to Sword Master Chen, respectfully greeting him.
"Wanbao Pavilion? Hmm!" Sword Master Chen sized up Qian Wantong, then looked at Li Mu in confusion.
"Years ago, Li was invited by Wanbao Pavilion to explore an Immortal Cave Secret Realm in the Extreme Northern Ice Field, to break the Restriction… Later, Blood Demon Lord - Dana followed a treasure hunting team and arrived…" Li Mu quickly recounted the entire sequence of events to Sword Master Chen.
Upon hearing this, a sharp Sword Qi instantly erupted from Sword Master Chen's body. His originally ordinary scholar's demeanor immediately became filled with formidable Sword Intent, incredibly sharp, like a drawn sword, making people feel awe.
"Blood Demon Lord - Dana! You said he is currently in the Immortal Cave Secret Realm in the Extreme Northern Ice Field?" Sword Master Chen's voice carried a hint of coldness as he looked at Li Mu and pressed.
"Yes! Please accompany me to eliminate this fiend!" Li Mu nodded in confirmation, then continued, "That Immortal Cave Secret Realm seems to be a sub-formation of a Seal Grand Formation, very likely one of the Seal Grand Formations of the Two Realms Seal Passage."
"Passage Seal Grand Formation! That must be it. It is rumored that in ancient times, to Seal the Two Realms Passage, seven Cultivators at the extreme Dao Lord stage jointly set up the Seal Grand Formation. This is recorded in the Scripture Pavilion. Now that the Passage Seal is loosening, the Demon Abyss forces will certainly try to destroy the Seal!" A decisive glint flashed in Sword Master Chen's eyes as he looked at Li Mu and indicated, "Wait for me for a moment!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Sword Master Chen summoned a small golden sword from his body, pointed his hand, and the next moment, the small sword, carrying his Divine Thought, shot towards the west, quickly turning into a streak of light and instantly disappearing into the distance.
Soon after, the small golden sword flew back, with golden Sword Qi flickering on its body, as if transmitting some mysterious information.
Sword Master Chen took the returned small sword, a hint of satisfaction on his face. He looked at Li Mu and smiled, indicating, "To ensure nothing goes wrong, I informed Sword Master Feng. He is on his way. With his help, that Blood Demon Lord will surely have no chance of survival!"
"Sword Master Feng is nearby, that's even better!" Li Mu's eyes lit up, and he said happily.
Sword Master Feng's sword art was superb, and his cultivation was profound. Last time, it was he who severely injured Blood Demon Lord - Dana. With him joining this operation, Blood Demon Lord - Dana would certainly have nowhere to escape.
Not long after, a sharp sword light streaked across the sky and landed steadily in front of Sword Master Chen and Li Mu. The sword light dissipated, revealing the figure of a middle-aged Sword Cultivator in grey, who was none other than Sword Master Feng.
Sword Master Feng smiled slightly and nodded to Sword Master Chen and Li Mu.
"Li Mu greets Sword Master!" Li Mu smiled and bowed in greeting.
"Elder Li, no need to be so polite. Your cultivation has improved again, excellent!" Sword Master Feng raised his hand, and an invisible force stopped Li Mu's bow, responding warmly.
"Senior Brother Feng, you're here!" Sword Master Chen stepped forward to greet him.
"You called me, how could I not come?" Sword Master Feng smiled faintly, his eyes filled with killing intent, and asked with concern, "Blood Demon Lord - Dana has appeared again? Where is he now?"
Last time, Blood Demon Lord - Dana pursued Li Mu, and the previous time, Wanxing Island was destroyed. Sword Master Feng had fought him twice in total, but he always escaped using his blood arts, which was undoubtedly a humiliation and setback for him.
At this moment, Sword Master Feng was filled with killing intent, wishing only to completely settle the score with him.
"Elder Li, everyone is here, let's depart!" Sword Master Chen smiled slightly and indicated.
Li Mu nodded understandingly, then skillfully made hand Seals, gathering all his spiritual power, and forcefully struck a powerful spiritual power into the teleportation array.
As the spiritual power was injected, the teleportation array began to activate, emitting powerful spatial and temporal spiritual light, about to connect and teleport to another place.
Seeing Sword Master Feng and Sword Master Chen standing on either side of Li Mu, the powerful aura of the two Combined Body Realm experts seemed to be protecting Li Mu. From their eyes, one could see their profound regard for Li Mu was evident.
Qian Wantong watched this scene with inexplicably complex feelings. He had only regarded Li Mu as a Great Grandmaster of both formations and artifacts, merely an excellent and highly potential Soul Transformation Cultivator. But at this moment, seeing the two Sword Masters so solemnly lower their status to protect him, Qian Wantong's view of Li Mu instantly underwent a drastic change.
At the same time, Qian Wantong secretly rejoiced that he had treated Li Mu courteously before and had not chosen to attack him to keep the Secret Realm's secret. He was also glad to have met such an extraordinary person as Li Mu.
With a whoosh, the spiritual light of the teleportation array flashed and disappeared, and the figures of the four also vanished.
In the underground world of the Ten Thousand Fathom Ice Abyss, amidst the expectant gazes of the Cultivators, the spiritual light of the teleportation array flashed and disappeared, followed by the appearance of four figures: Li Mu, Qian Wantong, and two powerful Sword Cultivators.
The Cultivators present immediately burst into cheers upon seeing them, and then all their gazes were drawn to the two powerful Sword Cultivators beside Li Mu.
"Greetings to the two Seniors!"
Several Void Refining Cultivators present took the lead, greeting them in unison.
Sword Master Feng nodded slightly, gazing at the Yin Sha Spiritual River above, and exclaimed, "What dense Yin Sha, it has actually condensed into a Yin Sha River!"
"Using the Immortal Cave as the formation eye! As expected of a Dao Lord, what a grand undertaking!" A silver light flashed in Sword Master Chen's eyes, as if he had glimpsed a certain object hidden in the Yin Sha Spiritual River, and he couldn't help but praise.
"Blood Demon Lord - Dana, is he outside the Grand Formation?"
Sword Master Feng's attention was clearly not here. He had already sensed the movement of a powerful being violently breaking the passage Grand Formation, and he quickly looked at Li Mu, asking with concern.
"Yes! If I hadn't used the advantage of this place to set up a formation to isolate him outside, I'm afraid I wouldn't have had time to send a message and ask for help from the two Seniors!" Li Mu smiled humbly and indicated.
"Haha! Little sly one, well done! Let's wait for him to expend some energy first!" Sword Master Feng quickly restrained his aura, looked at Sword Master Chen, and suggested with a smile.
"Waiting for him to exhaust himself is indeed a good idea!" Sword Master Chen's eyes lit up, and he also restrained his aura, returning to the appearance of an ordinary scholar.
"Two Seniors, please make your move quickly! This Seal Grand Formation has endured tens of thousands of Years of erosion, and signs of Restriction loosening and formation power leakage have already appeared. However, the formation I set up to Containment the opponent utilizes the terrain of this place and is mainly maintained by the Yin Sha power here. Blood Demon Lord - Dana's violent breaking of the formation requires the Grand Formation to consume a massive amount of Yin Sha power to counteract him. If the formation power consumption is too great, it might affect the Seal here!" Li Mu gave a wry smile and quickly urged.
"Why didn't you say so earlier! Open the Grand Formation, I'll fight him to the death!" Sword Master Feng's face darkened, and he hurriedly instructed Li Mu, not forgetting to tell Sword Master Chen, "Junior Brother, you hold the line! We must ensure that our combat power does not overflow, to avoid damaging the Seal Restriction here. This Seal concerns the peace of the two realms, and there must be no mishaps."
"Good!" Sword Master Chen summoned four sixth-tier spiritual swords from his storage ring and began to cast his Sword Domain to ensure the battle would not affect the Seal Restriction.
Li Mu nodded, made hand Seals, and prepared to open the Nine Dragons Immortal Slaughtering Formation.
The battle of Body Integration Realm experts was on the verge of breaking out. All the Cultivators looked nervous, both afraid and curious. They all retreated, leaving enough space for the impending battle.
As Li Mu completed the formation Seals, the Nine Dragons Immortal Slaughtering Formation slowly opened, and a powerful energy fluctuation rippled out. Sword Master Feng and Sword Master Chen also made their respective battle preparations, and a shocking showdown was about to unfold. (End of Chapter)
