Years flew by like a shuttle; twenty Years of time had passed in a hurry.
After returning from the Cang Yuan Secret Realm, Li Mu plunged into the Painting World Treasure Mansion, beginning a long period of secluded cultivation.
During this period of seclusion, Li Mu devoted all his efforts to refining Dao Artifacts, fulfilling his promise to the Eight Great Families to refine Dao Artifacts.
In his leisure time, Li Mu would still patrol the Ling Peak of the Seven Profound Sect and inspect the seven types of fifth-rank Spiritual Plant cultivated on the seven main peaks.
Under the care of the seven Soul Transformation Clones, these Spiritual Plants grew robustly, passing through their fragile juvenile stage and entering their growth period, gradually advancing towards maturity.
One day, Li Mu emerged from the Painting World Treasure Mansion, appearing atop Golden Sword Peak, standing beside thousands of Spiritual Plants.
As far as his eyes could see, a golden expanse of sword chrysanthemums filled his vision; the Golden Edge Sword Chrysanthemums surged like golden waves, emitting bursts of sword cries as they swayed in the wind, as if countless sharp swords were dancing.
Under the Talent Divine Power - Identify Myriad Spirits, the attributes of the Golden Edge Sword Chrysanthemum were fully displayed in Li Mu's eyes.
【Golden Edge Sword Chrysanthemum (Growth Stage)】
【Rank: Fifth-Rank Spiritual Plant】
【Characteristics: Golden light resplendent, capable of breaking through hardness and sharpness, golden origin restrained, Sword Qi self-generated】
【Status: Sword Qi accompanying, Golden Edge Sword Intent following, rapid growth】
【Golden Edge Sword Chrysanthemum, a fifth-rank Spiritual Plant, naturally contains gold-element Sword Qi, with resplendent golden light and accompanying Sword Qi. Its plant age is 72 Years. Its growth requirements are: a place where golden origin Qi converges, accompanying Sword Qi, and abundant Spiritual Qi. After twenty Years of growth, Sword Intent begins to appear; after thirty Years, its sword-like leaves become sharp; after fifty Years, the sword chrysanthemum blooms, and a Sword Intent essence is nurtured within its stamen. A Golden Edge Sword Chrysanthemum with a hundred-year medicinal age is one of the core Materials for refining Golden Soul Pills.】
Li Mu bent down and gently stroked one of the sword chrysanthemums, feeling the Sword Qi it contained, and a ripple stirred in his heart.
In another twenty-eight Years, this batch of Spiritual Plants would mature, and the other Spiritual Plants cultivated on the remaining six Ling Peaks—Fire Scale Flame Fruit, Blue Spirit Moon Lotus, yellow vein essence fruit, Green Vine Spirit Sunflower; Phantom Yin Grass, and Jade Yang Spirit Fruit—would also mature in batches around the same time.
Once this batch of Spiritual Plants matured, it would be time for him to advance to the Void Refining Realm, and Li Mu couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation.
At this moment, a figure quietly appeared behind Li Mu; it was precisely the Soul Transformation Clone guarding Golden Sword Peak, his eyes sharp as an eagle's, his demeanor as cold as ice.
Li Mu turned around, his gaze meeting that of the Soul Transformation Clone; there seemed to be an invisible bond connecting the two of them.
This Soul Transformation Clone was not only an extension of Li Mu's power but also an embodiment of his will, possessing a partial independent consciousness.
However, he always faithfully guarded Golden Sword Peak, protecting this land of Spiritual Plants.
“You've arrived,” Li Mu said softly, his voice revealing a hint of relief and gratitude.
The Soul Transformation Clone looked at Li Mu, silent for a moment, then indicated, “The Disciple you asked me to bring has already advanced to Golden Core. How should we arrange him next?”
Upon hearing this, Li Mu was momentarily enlightened, then frowned, trying to recall the name of the Disciple he had given to the gold-element Clone.
He struggled to remember the Disciple's name, but it was somewhat blurry for a moment, as if his name was Zhao Tianchen!
“Hmm… that Disciple… if you don't want to keep him, then let him go out for some tempering!” Li Mu pondered for a moment, looking at the Soul Transformation Clone, and indicated.
“Understood!” The Soul Transformation Clone nodded slightly, then his figure flickered and disappeared from the spot.
Watching the gold-element Clone depart, Li Mu's figure flickered, and he too left, returning to the City Lord's Mansion.
As Li Mu entered the main hall, a distinguished middle-aged man walked towards him; it was precisely Celestial Evolution Divine Lord.
When Celestial Evolution Divine Lord saw Li Mu, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes; he quickly stepped forward, his face beaming with a cordial smile, and asked with concern, “Sect Master, why do you have time to come out today? Aren't you in seclusion? Is there something important?”
“The time is almost right; I'm preparing to go out for a trip. After I leave, the Seven Profound Sect will be entrusted to you,” Li Mu looked at Celestial Evolution Divine Lord and indicated.
Upon hearing this, Celestial Evolution Divine Lord paused slightly, immediately understanding what Li Mu meant.
“Sect Master, are you going to explore Lingxu Blessed Island? This is so sudden. To think that my main body fell precisely because of exploring this island…!” Celestial Evolution Divine Lord's face showed a solemn expression, and he quickly spoke to remind him.
Lingxu Blessed Island is far from the Central Plains Spirit Domain and is a mysterious place full of unknown dangers.
Celestial Evolution Divine Lord's main body had perished exploring this place, and now that Li Mu intended to seek it out, this journey was likely to be extremely perilous.
Li Mu smiled slightly, reassuring him with full confidence, “Fellow Daoist Celestial Evolution, please rest assured. Although there are some risks in going to Lingxu Blessed Island, I am not unprepared. I already have a detailed plan and will act cautiously.”
Lingxu Blessed Island was about to appear, and no matter how great the danger, Li Mu had to find a way to overcome it, unwilling to give up easily.
Currently, he was only three places away from gathering all seven Extreme Realms—the Extreme Earth Realm, the Extreme Fire Realm, and the Extreme Yang Realm.
As for the other four Extreme Realms, Li Mu had successfully mastered them, either by setting up small teleportation arrays within them or by having free access, firmly holding them in his grasp.
The Extreme Fire Realm is located in the Southern Wilderness Spirit Domain, an area currently in chaos.
Sword Master Feng, Sword Master Chen, and the Demon Abyss forces have been fighting for decades, with both sides evenly matched and in a stalemate.
The Seal of the Extreme Fire Realm, as the core of their contention, naturally became the focus of their struggle.
The difficulty of obtaining the Extreme Fire Realm is imaginable.
There are still no clues about the Extreme Yang Realm. Li Mu has already entrusted the Eight Great Families, Xuantian Sword Sect, and even Wanbao Pavilion and Tianji Building, asking Li's Treasure Pavilion to mobilize a large number of Loose Cultivators, to search for its whereabouts with all their might.
However, it seems as if this Extreme Yang Realm is shrouded by a mysterious power, and no matter how powerful the investigative methods, not a single trace of it can be glimpsed.
The remaining Lingxu Blessed Island is very likely where the Extreme Earth Realm Seal is located, and Li Mu absolutely cannot miss it.
The seven Extreme Realms will be crucial for Li Mu's future cultivation of high-rank Spiritual Plants.
These Spiritual Lands will carry his hope of advancing to higher Realms.
For Li Mu, they not only represent abundant resources but also form the foundation of his future Dao path.
Currently, all seven main peaks of the Seven Profound Sect are planted with a large number of fifth-rank Spiritual Plants.
To nourish these Spiritual Plants and make them grow quickly, not only does it require a large consumption of Spirit Stones, but also massive amounts of high-rank auxiliary Materials.
In just a few decades, Li Mu has spent an astronomical sum of Spirit Stones, almost enough to meet a medium-sized Sect's consumption for a century.
In recent centuries, to acquire these high-rank auxiliary Materials, Li Mu has almost exhausted everything, investing his entire fortune into this vast project.
This is all thanks to Li Mu's extraordinary ability—the ability to earn Spirit Stones by refining seven-rank dao tools.
It is this ability that has enabled Li Mu to continuously provide the necessary nutrients for the Spiritual Plants to grow rapidly; if it were anyone else, they would probably have been unable to sustain it long ago.
However, as his cultivation increased, Li Mu's demands also continuously grew.
When he steps into the Void Refining Realm, fifth-rank Spiritual Plants will no longer be able to satisfy his needs; he must cultivate sixth-rank and seventh-rank Spiritual Plants to continue providing him with plant spirit attributes and rapidly enhance his cultivation.
But the auxiliary growth Materials required to cultivate these sixth and seventh-rank Spiritual Plants will be a terrifying expense, far beyond what Li Mu can bear alone.
At this point, the importance of the seven great Extreme Realms becomes particularly prominent.
If he can cultivate Spiritual Fields in the Extreme Realms and plant these sixth and seventh-rank Spiritual Plants, not only will it not require any auxiliary Materials, but it will also be extremely suitable for the growth of high-rank Spiritual Plants.
Therefore, the seven Extreme Realms are now crucial to Li Mu's future Dao path; for him, they are of utmost importance, and he will spare no effort to overcome all difficulties and bring these remaining Extreme Realms into his possession.
Seeing that he couldn't persuade Li Mu, Celestial Evolution Divine Lord could only sigh, then turned to offer his support and blessings, “Sect Master, you are always thoughtful. Since you have already decided, I will not try to persuade you further. I wish you a smooth journey and an early return.”
Li Mu nodded, then ascended into the air, his figure gradually disappearing into the clouds.
Watching Li Mu's fleeting figure, Celestial Evolution Divine Lord's face darkened, his brows tightly furrowed, pondering something unknown.
Celestial Evolution Divine Lord looked up at the array pillars atop the seven main peaks of the Seven Profound Sect, his face showing excitement, as if he had been looking forward to it for a long time, preparing to execute some plan, yet something seemed to hinder him, making his face show a difficult expression.
Celestial Evolution Divine Lord closed his eyes, seemingly concentrating all his mind, and began to make calculations with his fingers.
His five fingers continuously moved in the air, as if drawing an invisible pattern; the pattern flickered slightly in the air, emitting a faint golden light.
“That's not right! Where is it?!” Celestial Evolution Divine Lord murmured to himself, opening his eyes and looking again in the direction where Li Mu had disappeared, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
At this moment, Li Mu was completely unaware of Celestial Evolution Divine Lord's unusual behavior.
After flying out of the Seven Profound Sect, Li Mu released the Earth Element Spirit Ship and controlled it, speeding through the clouds, flying eastward all the way.
Time flew by, and half a Year passed.
Li Mu controlled the Earth Element Spirit Ship, crossing half of the Central Plains Spirit Domain, finally arriving at the East Illusion Sea Region where Lingxu Blessed Island was located.
Li Mu stood still, his gaze like a torch, looking out at the turbulent Illusion Sea ahead, his brows tightly furrowed.
The Illusion Sea is deep, rumored to hide countless mysterious islands, including his destination—Lingxu Blessed Island.
However, finding an elusive island in the vast ocean is like searching for a needle in a haystack.
Li Mu could only rely on a purple Jade Slip and a sea compass to search aimlessly in the Illusion Sea.
He controlled the flying boat, traversing through the waves, extending his Divine Sense, searching for any possible island aura.
Several days passed, but the traces of Lingxu Blessed Land remained ethereal like smoke, and Li Mu still found nothing.
During this time, he did discover many islands, where the Loose Cultivators who resided there made a living by catching sea beasts and spiritual fish.
Li Mu decided to find a nearby island to rest for a while and then inquire about more clues regarding Lingxu Blessed Island.
The sea breeze blew, and by the sparkling Illusion Sea, some simple fishing villages were scattered on the island.
The island's Loose Cultivators made a living by catching spiritual fish and digging for spiritual pearls in the shallow sea, living a simple and rustic life.
Li Mu slowly descended on his sword into a fishing village on the island.
Looking around, he saw that although the fishing village was small, it was clean and tidy, and the villagers were busy and orderly.
Li Mu landed his sword and entered the fishing village; a salty smell of seawater and the fresh scent of sea fish wafted over, accompanied by the high-pitched singing of fishermen from afar, filling the entire fishing village with vitality and vigor.
Li Mu walked along the winding path, with fishing nets drying and freshly caught seafood displayed on both sides of the road.
Children played in the open space, and occasionally women peeked out from their houses, curiously observing the unfamiliar visitor.
Li Mu entered a simple but clean small teahouse, and Xiao Er greeted him warmly, “Guest, would you like tea or wine? We also have spiritual fish soup here. How about a bowl of spiritual fish soup to warm you up? Our island's specialty silver-tailed spiritual fish is delicious and can also nourish your Spiritual Vein.”
“Alright, I'll have a bowl,” Li Mu nodded and sat down at a table by the window.
Before long, Xiao Er brought a steaming bowl of spiritual fish soup and placed it in front of Li Mu.
Li Mu savored the delicious spiritual fish soup while observing the fishing village scene outside the window.
At this moment, several fishermen dressed in coarse cloth sat around a table, talking and laughing loudly, discussing their recent catches and recent happenings on the island.
“Old Wang, that Crimson Flame Spiritual Fish you caught yesterday was really big! You sold it for quite a few Spirit Stones!” an excited fisherman with a full beard exclaimed.
“It was alright, alright, just five medium spirit stones,” the white-haired old fisherman replied with a beaming smile.
“Five medium spirit stones is already very good, Old Wang, you're truly the best fisherman in our village!” a young fisherman next to him said enviously.
“Indeed, the number of spiritual fish in the sea seems to have increased quite a bit recently; we've benefited from it too,” the old fisherman known as Old Wang responded happily.
“That's true, but some strange things have been happening recently,” another young fisherman lowered his voice and said mysteriously, “I heard that over by East Cloud Island, someone saw a yellow ray of light shoot into the sky, lasting for an entire night.”
“Oh? Such a strange thing happened?” All the fishermen showed expressions of surprise.
“Yes, I heard about it too. Some say that light beam is a premonition of an Immortal Mansion appearing, while others say it's some kind of Yao Beast causing trouble,” the young fisherman nodded solemnly, saying gravely, “In short, the Illusion Sea doesn't seem to be very peaceful recently, so everyone, don't leave the island casually if there's nothing important.”
Li Mu's heart stirred.
He put down his bowl, walked forward, and asked, “Young brother, where did you see that yellow ray of light you mentioned? What direction is East Cloud Island in?”
Seeing Li Mu approach to talk, and noting his not-weak cultivation, the young fisherman quickly and respectfully replied, “Senior, I heard about that yellow ray of light from others, and I can't pinpoint the exact location.
I only heard some fishermen returning from the deep sea mention it; they said the light was dazzling, shooting straight into the sky from the seabed, illuminating the entire sea area, as if an Immortal Mansion was about to appear.
As for East Cloud Island, it is located to the northeast of the Illusion Sea.
It is a relatively remote island with abundant Spiritual Qi and a High Grade Spiritual Vein.
Many rare Spiritual Plants and spiritual fish grow around it.
This island is Daoist Huang Yun's Dao field, and ordinary Loose Cultivators dare not easily set foot on it,” the young fisherman quickly added with a detailed introduction.
“Hmm! Thank you for the directions, young man!” Li Mu nodded gratefully, then took out two Mid-Grade Spirit Stones from his nine storage spiritual pearl and handed them to him.
Li Mu mused to himself, if Lingxu Blessed Land were to appear, it would often be accompanied by various unusual phenomena; this mysterious light beam might indeed be related to Lingxu Blessed Land.
Immediately, Li Mu quickly paid his bill, ascended on his sword, and flew towards East Cloud Island. (End of Chapter)
