Time flew, and in the blink of an eye, three years had passed.
Inside the Painting World Treasure Mansion, across ten thousand acres of spiritual fields, Fourth Order Purple Yao Spiritual Plants were thriving, a vast expanse of tender purple seedlings, with light purple Spiritual Qi swirling around them, covering the large area of Top-Grade Spiritual Fields with a mysterious and tranquil purple glow.
Fourth Order Purple Yao Spiritual Plants, known as the purest and cleanest high-order Spiritual Plants in the world, are characterized by faster growth than other Fourth Order Spiritual Plants, reaching maturity in about ten years, with low growth requirements; most importantly, once they mature, the harvested Spiritual Plant Light Orbs can provide free proficiency points.
Li Mu walked among the spiritual fields, and with a wave of his hand, the weeds in the spiritual fields were pulled out.
Soon after, a fine spiritual rain fell; this was the spiritual rain Li Mu commanded the Painting World Treasure Mansion to release, nourishing the Purple Yao Spiritual Plants with spiritual water to promote their more robust growth.
As the spiritual rain fell, the Purple Yao Spiritual Plants seemed to be infused with new vitality.
They swayed their leaves, absorbing the nutrients from the spiritual rain to their fullest, and the purple Spiritual Qi became even denser.
Li Mu smiled with satisfaction; with the help of the Treasure Mansion Space Spirit Artifact, tending to ten thousand acres of Fourth Order Spiritual Plants was just a thought away.
Advancing to the Void Refining Middle Stage and upgrading the Yin Yang Five Elements Scripture - Void Refining Chapter consumed most of the billions of free proficiency points, so Li Mu had no choice but to start widely cultivating this type of Spiritual Plant that provides free proficiency points, in preparation for future advancements.
Upon entering the Void Refining Realm, the number of Spiritual Plant Light Orbs obtained from cultivating Fourth Order Spiritual Plants would definitely decrease significantly; however, there was nothing Li Mu could do, as he had not yet found any Fifth Order Spiritual Plants that could provide free proficiency points from Spiritual Plant Light Orbs.
Soon, Li Mu appeared in the Sect Leader's Mansion and immediately flew to another spiritual field to tend to the Yan Yuan Spirit Grass and Mou Xing Spirit Grass.
With seven Soul Transformation Clones sent to seven Secret Realm locations to tend to Spiritual Plants, Li Mu had to personally tend to the Spiritual Plants in the Seven Profound Sect and the Painting World Treasure Mansion.
Fortunately, the higher the order of the Spiritual Plant, the simpler it was to tend to them; only sufficient auxiliary spiritual materials were needed, and maintaining the stability of the great array, tending to them every three or four months, or even half a year, was quite easy.
Just as Li Mu was busy in the spiritual field, a figure rushed over, breaking the tranquility.
The person who came was none other than Elder Fang Shixin of the Sect; his face was solemn, and he arrived on his sword, seemingly having important matters to report to him.
Li Mu finished what he was doing, and his figure flickered, appearing in the courtyard next to the spiritual field.
"Sect Master, Fang requests an audience," Fang Shixin stopped outside the spiritual field's protective array, his voice low and powerful as he transmitted.
"Elder Fang, there's no need for formalities, come in!" Li Mu smiled slightly, waving his hand to remove the protective array.
Fang Shixin nodded slightly, stepped into the protective array, and saw Li Mu brewing tea and waiting for him in the courtyard.
"Sect Master, you truly have a leisurely and elegant disposition!"
Fang Shixin looked at Li Mu with a smile, his gaze shifting between the spiritual field and the courtyard, he couldn't help but praise it as a tranquil and harmonious paradise.
"Elder Fang, come, try the Spiritual Xuan Black Tea I just acquired; this tea has the effect of clearing the mind and aiding in comprehending the Dao," Li Mu warmly greeted Fang Shixin, handing him a steaming cup of spiritual tea and gesturing to the table in front of him.
Fang Shixin sat down at the tea table, picked up the teacup, and took a light sip, feeling a warm current flow into his heart, instantly making him feel refreshed and his thoughts clear.
Fang Shixin couldn't help but exclaim, "Good tea! Sect Master truly has refined tastes, to be able to find such precious spiritual tea."
Li Mu smiled and shook his head: "It's just a small hobby in my leisure time. Elder Fang, you must have come for an important matter, right?"
Fang Shixin put down his teacup and said seriously: "Exactly. The Disciple Grand Competition is about to begin, and the entire Sect is busy preparing. The Sect Master hopes that you will personally preside over this Grand Competition to demonstrate the might of our Sect."
"Oh! The Disciple Grand Competition, this matter concerns the Sect's honor, I will go and preside over it!" Li Mu smiled and nodded, preparing to let his Substitute Puppet appear to handle it.
"Elder Fang, did you specifically make this trip just for this matter?" Li Mu's face held a gentle smile as he looked at Fang Shixin, yet his eyes revealed a hint of inquiry.
"Uh, this Disciple Grand Competition is about the ranking of the True Disciples of this Sect.
If I remember correctly, several of the Disciples you took, Zhao Tianchen, Su Hongxiu, Liu Yuqian, they all participated in this Grand Competition, except for Lin Maoshan, who did not sign up," Fang Shixin looked at Li Mu and gestured.
Upon hearing this, Li Mu's brow furrowed slightly, then relaxed.
He couldn't help but think of Lin Maoshan, this convenient Disciple; he had given him a Five Elements Treasure Tome and had him Cultivate diligently in the Five Elements Spirit Mountain, and it seemed he had already successfully advanced to the Golden Core Realm.
It was time to let him show himself.
"Hmm! I'll have him participate in this Disciple Grand Competition then," Li Mu smiled and nodded, then thought of something else and asked Fang Shixin, "How many True Disciples will there be in total this time?"
"Eight in total!" Fang Shixin quickly responded.
"Very good! I will take out eight Spirit Treasures as rewards for the True Disciples in this Grand Competition, to encourage the Disciples to Cultivate even harder," Li Mu decided with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Fang Shixin's face showed pleasant surprise, and he quickly bowed in thanks: "Sect Master is wise! With Spirit Treasures personally refined by the Sect Master as rewards, the Disciples will surely give their all."
Subsequently, Fang Shixin reported some trivial Sect matters to Li Mu, then took his leave to prepare for the Grand Competition.
Watching Fang Shixin leave, Li Mu couldn't help but feel a greater expectation for Lin Maoshan, this Disciple.
Lin Maoshan had the same Five Elements Spiritual Root as him and was regarded by him as the inheritor of his Dao Legacy.
As for the other Disciples, although their Aptitude was also good, they were all taught by Soul Transformation Clones, and he didn't have much emotional connection with them; Li Mu wasn't very clear about their cultivation and Realm either.
Lin Maoshan had now successfully advanced to the Golden Core Realm, it was almost time to let him out for some experience.
Thinking of this, Li Mu's mind stirred, and his figure instantly disappeared from his original spot, entering the Painting World Treasure Mansion, his figure appearing halfway up the Five Elements Spirit Mountain.
The Five Elements Spirit Mountain, standing tall in the center of the Treasure Mansion, rose like a pillar to the sky, with concentrated Five Elements Spiritual Qi, resembling a celestial Realm.
Ancient trees towered on the mountain, with lush green leaves, and exotic flowers and plants were spread throughout, emitting a fragrant aroma.
Most uniquely, the Five Elements Spirit Mountain gathered the purest Five Elements Spiritual Power in the world—Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth.
At the summit, golden light shimmered, as if countless golden threads were intertwined, emitting dazzling rays; halfway up the mountain, it was lush and vibrant, full of the aura of Wood; mountain streams babbled, clear to the bottom, containing rich Water essence; and at the foot of the mountain, there was a crimson canyon, with magma flowing fiercely, and flames dancing as if one could hear the roar of Fire; as for the Earth Spiritual Power, it was omnipresent, nourishing the growth of all things.
The Five Elements Spirit Mountain was the most unique existence in the Painting World Treasure Mansion.
Li Mu appeared at Lin Maoshan's cultivation spot, a simple stone mansion with a large cave entrance.
He saw Lin Maoshan sitting cross-legged in the center of the stone chamber, cultivating with his eyes closed, his body emitting five-colored spiritual light, clearly having entered a deep state of Cultivation.
Li Mu did not disturb him, but simply stood quietly to the side, observing his Cultivation progress.
Lin Maoshan seemed to sense something and slowly opened his eyes, seeing Li Mu standing before him, he couldn't help but be startled.
"Master! Disciple greets Master!" Lin Maoshan quickly got up and respectfully bowed to Li Mu.
Li Mu smiled and nodded, saying, "Rise! A hundred years have passed in the blink of an eye, and you have successfully advanced to the Golden Core Realm.
The Sect Disciple Grand Competition is approaching, and I have decided to let you participate.
Do you have confidence?"
Upon hearing this, a hint of determination flashed in Lin Maoshan's eyes, and he said seriously, "Master, rest assured, Disciple will definitely give his all!"
"Very good, this is the Spirit Sword I used in my early years, it's yours now.
Go and prepare well!" Li Mu smiled and nodded, taking out a Fourth Order Five Elements Spirit Sword from the nine storage spiritual pearl, and with a wave of his hand across the sword body, he erased his Divine Thought and handed it to Lin Maoshan.
As the Fourth Order Five Elements Spirit Sword emerged, Five Elements Spiritual Power automatically gathered, and five colors flowed over the sword body, dazzling brightly.
As Li Mu erased his Divine Thought, the sword body trembled slightly, full of spirituality, as if expressing its disappointment.
Lin Maoshan respectfully took the Five Elements Spirit Sword, feeling the abundant Five Elements Sword Qi resonate with his own Five Elements True Essence, as if it were tailor-made for him.
"Disciple thanks Master!" Lin Maoshan respectfully bowed to Li Mu.
"Go!" Li Mu smiled slightly, waved his hand, and sent him out of the Painting World Treasure Mansion.
Time flew by, and three months later, the day of the Sect Grand Competition finally arrived.
The Seven Profound Sect was adorned with lanterns and streamers, the atmosphere was lively and solemn.
Disciples, dressed in unified Sect Disciple attire, either exchanged Cultivation insights in groups of three to five or prepared silently alone in corners, each person eager to showcase their strength in the Grand Competition.
The martial arts arena was already magnificently arranged.
There were eighteen towering platforms, covered with thick red carpets, and inlaid with Top-Grade Spirit Stones around the edges, protected by powerful arrays, emitting a faint glow, adding a touch of mystery and solemnity.
Li Mu sat in the main seat of the assembly, with seven Sect Elders and Soul Transformation Elders seated in order on both sides.
The atmosphere on site was incredibly solemn.
Although the Seven Profound Sect was a subordinate Sect of the Xuantian Sword Sect, after thousands of years of development, and benefiting from Li Mu's prestige, it attracted many talents to join.
In recent years, it had developed rapidly, boasting ten Void Refinement Elders, nearly a hundred Venerable Deity Transformation, and three to four hundred Nascent Soul True Lords… it was considered a Sect of considerable scale.
As the sun gradually rose, the Sect Grand Competition officially began.
Fang Shixin stood up, surveyed all the Disciples present, and then loudly announced the rules and procedures of the competition.
His voice was clear and solemn, ensuring everyone present heard distinctly.
This Disciple Grand Competition, which would determine the True Disciple positions, would only take place among those in the Nascent Soul Realm and Golden Core Realm.
With Fang Shixin's command, the curtain for the Grand Competition for the True Disciple positions officially rose.
The preliminary rounds commenced first, with one hundred and seventy-eight participants facing off in pairs according to the drawing of lots; winners advanced, and losers were eliminated.
Soon, the participating Disciples flew onto the arenas, and in an instant, Sword Qi crisscrossed and Spells flew across the eighteen martial arts arenas.
Nascent Soul True Lords were already extremely powerful existences in this Realm; their Spells and Martial Skills had reached a considerably high Realm.
On the arena, Nascent Soul Disciples displayed their respective formidable strength and unique combat styles.
"Sect Master, Lin Maoshan's cultivation is only at the Golden Core Late Stage; participating in this True Disciple Grand Competition will put him at a disadvantage!
Had I known, I shouldn't have rashly invited him to participate," Fang Shixin said with a bitter smile as he sat beside Li Mu after the opening ceremony.
"It's fine.
Although Lin Maoshan's cultivation is still shallow, he Cultivates all Five Elements, so the gap between him and Nascent Soul Disciples won't be that large.
It's good to let him gain some experience," Li Mu responded calmly, his gaze fixed on the dazzling Sword Light and Spell light on the martial arts arena.
As the competition progressed, Lin Maoshan's figure appeared on one of the martial arts arenas.
His opponent was a Nascent Soul Middle Stage Disciple, whose cultivation was clearly a cut above his Golden Core Late Stage.
However, Lin Maoshan did not flinch from the fight.
He held a Spirit Sword shimmering with Five Elements light and saluted his opponent.
The martial arts competition began, and the Nascent Soul Middle Stage Disciple attacked first, his sword light like a rainbow, striking directly at Lin Maoshan.
In this critical moment, Lin Maoshan twisted his body, as if merging into the air.
Lin Maoshan performed the Five Elements Escape Technique, disappearing with Earth Escape, effortlessly avoiding the fatal blow.
Immediately after, his figure moved like lightning, instantly turning around, and with a swing of his Spirit Sword, the power of the Five Elements converged into a brilliant Sword Glow, pressing directly towards his opponent.
This sword strike contained Lin Maoshan's profound Five Elements True Essence, and its power was extraordinary.
Although the Nascent Soul Middle Stage Disciple had profound cultivation, he dared not underestimate it.
He quickly swung his sword to block, but was still forced back a few steps by Lin Maoshan's sword momentum.
"Who is that person? His True Essence at the Golden Core Middle Stage is so profound; Senior Brother Chen was actually pushed back by him."
"I've never seen this person.
Is he a Disciple of our Sect?"
"No wonder someone at the Golden Core Stage dares to contend for the True Disciple position; he really has some skill!"
"How did a mere Golden Core manage to condense such profound True Essence!"
...
In the spectator stands below the arena, the Sect Disciples discussed animatedly, exclamations rising and falling.
They watched as the Golden Core Disciple, who was initially not favored, now rendered the Nascent Soul Disciple, who was a whole major Realm higher than him, powerless to retaliate, shining brilliantly like a radiant new star.
Fang Shixin also showed a surprised expression, not expecting Lin Maoshan to be able to contend with a Nascent Soul Middle Stage Disciple, even subtly gaining the upper hand.
"Sect Master, it's still your excellent guidance," Fang Shixin looked at Li Mu and praised, "Although Lin Maoshan's cultivation is still shallow, his Five Elements Escape Technique combined with his swordplay is so perfectly integrated, and his combat power is so astonishing.
He is truly a treasure of our Seven Profound Sect."
Excellent guidance?
He seemed to have not taught him anything.
Looking at Lin Maoshan, who was struggling in a bitter battle with his opponent on the arena, Li Mu's face showed a hint of dissatisfaction.
This Disciple had been cultivating diligently in the Treasure Mansion, but his combat experience and practical training were still too little.
Originally, with the advantage of his Five Elements True Essence and his skilled Five Elements Escape Technique combined with his swordplay, he could have easily won this battle by taking his opponent by surprise.
However, although his Five Elements Escape Technique was nimble and versatile, it had not yet fully unleashed its potential power; and while his swordplay was sharp, it lacked a certain ruthlessness and decisiveness, and now he was caught in a bitter struggle, foolishly trying to out-muscle a Nascent Soul cultivator. (End of Chapter)
