After appeasing Wan Renlang with high-grade Spiritual Plants and high-grade Spirit Pills, Li Mu turned to continue selecting high-grade Artifact Refining spiritual materials in the treasury.
His gaze swept over various spiritual items, searching for high-grade spiritual materials suitable for refining Dao Artifacts.
Besides these high-grade spiritual materials, some special spiritual items also caught his attention.
For example, a seventh-tier Dao Sound Spiritual Bamboo, which could emit heavenly music, helping people Cultivate their minds, nurture their character, and comprehend the Law.
Another example was a demon skin map containing an ancient battlefield map, or a Thunder Paulownia leaf recording a fragmented scripture.
Under the Talent Divine Power - Identify Myriad Spirits, all kinds of rare treasures collected by Wanbao Pavilion for this cross-Realm Auction could not escape Li Mu's discerning selection.
"Great Master Li, are you planning to sweep clean all the treasures of Wanbao Pavilion?" Wan Renlang looked at Li Mu and hurriedly pleaded for forgiveness, indirectly asking him to show mercy.
Although the Dao Artifacts, Spirit Medicine, and Spirit Pills provided were excellent Auction items and would undoubtedly be the highlight of the Auction, what Li Mu took from the treasury were also items carefully prepared by Wanbao Pavilion for the Auction.
With items going in and out, it was as if nothing had changed.
If Li Mu continued to choose so generously, this Auction would only be able to Auction off some Dao Artifacts, Spirit Medicine, and Spirit Pills.
"Chief Manager Wan, you exaggerate." Li Mu smiled slightly, put a high-grade spiritual material into his nine storage spiritual pearl, and nodded with a smile, "Hmm, that's about enough.
I only selected some spiritual materials needed for refining Dao Artifacts.
As for the other treasures, let's leave them for the buyers at the Auction!"
Li Mu had taken almost all the fine high-grade spiritual items from Wanbao Pavilion's treasury, and it was time to stop.
Upon hearing this, Wan Renlang breathed a sigh of relief, and his gratitude towards Li Mu deepened.
Despite his young age, he could become an Artifact Refining Great Master, and his conduct was very measured and experienced, making him very easy to get along with.
"Great Master Li is indeed a man of noble character, Wan is endlessly grateful." Wan Renlang praised him gratefully.
"Great Master Li, this cross-Realm Auction will be held in half a year, on an auspicious day." Wan Renlang looked at Li Mu, gesturing and trying to persuade him to stay, "Next, it will be the Peak time for consigning high-grade spiritual items.
At that time, various high-grade spiritual items will gather from all directions and regions, even from outside the Domain, and it's possible that more rare and uncommon spiritual items will appear.
Great Master Li, are you really not going to wait to participate in the Auction before leaving?"
"I specifically came to deliver the Dao Artifacts this time.
I have other important matters.
As for participating in the Auction, I'll find time for it later!" Li Mu pondered for a moment, then shook his head and politely declined.
If he didn't need to return to the Sect to care for the two sixth-tier Spiritual Plants, Li Mu would have stayed in Wanbao City to participate in this Auction.
Just as Wan Renlang said, Wanbao Pavilion's Auction, besides auctioning the high-grade spiritual items they themselves collected, primarily focused on the high-grade spiritual items consigned by sellers, which was where the opportunities for finding overlooked treasures lay.
Unlike the high-grade spiritual items in Wanbao Pavilion's treasury, each of which had been repeatedly scrutinized and appraised by experienced spirit appraisers, their value already estimated to a great extent, making it difficult for unexpected surprises to occur.
"Since Great Master Li has important matters, I won't insist." Seeing that Li Mu's mind was made up, Wan Renlang no longer tried to persuade him, knowing that forcing him would only be counterproductive.
"However, before leaving, if Great Master Li has time, why not stay for a few more days?
Wanbao City is very lively right now.
Let me fulfill my duties as a host, and let Wenbao take you and Miss Xue Er to tour Wanbao City and rest a bit.
What do you think?" Wan Renlang enthusiastically suggested, wanting to use this opportunity to interact more with Li Mu and deepen their friendship.
"Then I'll trouble Chief Manager Wan." Li Mu pondered for a moment, then nodded with a smile and agreed.
Having had the experience of finding overlooked treasures in Wanbao City last time, Li Mu was quite interested in Wanbao City and wanted to see if he could find a few more.
At the same time, he also wanted to take this opportunity to relax.
After all, although Cultivate was important, if there was time, proper rest and relaxation were equally important.
In the following days, Wan Renlang arranged for Wenbao to act as a guide, taking Li Mu and Xue Er to tour Wanbao City.
It was also at this time that Wanbao Pavilion began to promote the Auction, announcing that several Dao Artifacts refined by Great Master Li would be auctioned, causing a huge sensation in Wanbao City, spreading to various regions, and attracting the attention of countless powerful Cultivators.
This news swept through the major Spirit Realms and top forces outside the Domain like a storm, making even those originally calm and reserved powerful Cultivators unable to remain unmoved.
In a mysterious sea area, above the sky, on a floating island, an old man draped in a black robe slowly opened his eyes.
He was the Island Master of Ethereal Island, Ethereal Child.
"Who is this Great Master Li, who can refine so many Dao Artifacts?" Ethereal Child showed a surprised expression, looking at the invitation card from Wanbao Pavilion presented by his Disciple.
"Master, you don't know, this Great Master Li is extraordinary.
He is the Grand Elder of Xuantian Sword Sect, not only proficient in Artifact Refining but also skilled in Formation..." The Soul Transformation Disciple respectfully replied, detailing Li Mu's information.
"Go, prepare, our Ethereal Island will participate in this Auction." Ethereal Child nodded and instructed.
"Yes!"
...
At the same time, deep in the Misty Forest, tens of thousands of miles away from the Central State Spirit Realm, a burly man was fighting a fierce exotic beast.
Wielding a giant axe, he easily slayed a seventh-tier Profound Bear Demon Emperor in just a few moves.
This burly man was the overlord of this mountain forest, Xiong Batian.
"Dao Artifacts? Where did Wanbao Pavilion get so many Dao Artifacts to Auction?"
Xiong Batian muttered to himself in confusion while wiping the bloodstains from his giant axe.
As a Body Integration Cultivator, he naturally understood such precious treasures as Dao Artifacts.
Dao Artifacts were different from ordinary Spiritual Artifacts; they contained the Law power of heaven and earth, possessing infinite power, and also aiding in comprehending the Dao.
They were crucial auxiliary items for many Body Integration Cultivators to advance to the Dao Lord Realm, and treasures coveted by countless high-level Cultivators.
"If I can obtain these Dao Artifacts, my strength will greatly increase, and I might be able to reach that Realm!" A resolute glint flashed in Xiong Batian's eyes.
This Wanbao Pavilion Auction was key to his advancement.
He instructed several trusted subordinates behind him, "Go quickly and prepare the financial resources.
We will set off immediately for Wanbao City."
"Yes!"
All the confidants responded in unison and went to the treasury to transport the financial resources.
...
The vast influence of Wanbao Pavilion not only spread to every corner of the Spirit Realm but also reached the mysterious Domains outside the Domain.
As the news of Wanbao Pavilion's upcoming grand Auction swept across the entire Spirit Realm like a storm, countless Cultivators were invigorated, gathering in Wanbao City from all directions.
They carried their own hopes and aspirations, looking forward to witnessing this grand event in the Auction world and hoping to acquire desired treasures at the Auction to further their Cultivate.
Among the dazzling array of treasures, several Dao Artifacts particularly attracted the attention of top powerful Cultivators.
These Dao Artifacts not only contained immense power but also the power of the Heavenly Dao Law, making them extremely difficult to refine and not easily available on the market.
They were prepared to acquire them regardless of the cost.
However, compared to these Dao Artifacts, what attracted even more attention was the Artifact Refining Great Master who refined this batch of Dao Artifacts—Li Mu.
Naturally, some forces would directly set their sights on Great Master Li, who refined this batch of Dao Artifacts.
Outside the Spirit Realm, on a barren and mysterious planet, a powerful force known as the "Nether Sect" was hidden.
This force had been one of the overlords outside the Domain since ancient times.
They primarily practiced Demonic Technique, advocating power and conspiracy, and often intervened in the power dynamics of various Spirit Realms through secretive means.
When the news of Wanbao Pavilion's Auction reached the Nether Sect, they were not attracted by the dazzling array of treasures like other forces.
Instead, they directly focused on the Artifact Refining Great Master who refined the Dao Artifacts—Li Mu.
In a gloomy hall within the Nether Sect, an old man with a sinister face, dressed in a black robe, sat on the main seat.
He held a communication Jade Slip, his brows tightly furrowed, carefully reading the information coming from all sides.
Several high-ranking Elders of the Nether Sect also gathered, discussing countermeasures regarding Li Mu's movements.
"This child can actually refine Dao Artifacts; such Artifact Refining techniques are truly rare in this Realm." The old man put down the Jade Slip, looked at everyone, and slowly spoke, his tone carrying a hint of admiration and astonishment, "If he can be brought into our Nether Sect, it will surely greatly increase our Sect's strength."
"What the Sect Master said is very true." A tall Elder echoed, "However, it is rumored that this child is the Grand Elder of Xuantian Sword Sect, with a noble status, and probably won't easily submit to our Sect."
"If he doesn't comply, then we can only..." An old man with a sinister face interjected, his words revealing a hint of ruthlessness and determination.
"This child is the Grand Elder of Xuantian Sword Sect.
Who knows how many Dao Artifacts he has already refined for those sword fanatics." Another Elder with a delicate face interjected, his expression showing caution as he reminded, "Provoking them requires careful consideration."
"Elder Chen, you are mistaken." A beautiful woman suddenly spoke, her face cold and stunning, but her eyes gleamed with greed as she gestured, "Although Xuantian Sword Sect still has its foundation, it is no longer as brave as it once was.
Our Nether Sect is now powerful.
If we can get Li Mu and his Artifact Refining techniques, it will be like adding wings to a tiger.
Furthermore, the preciousness of Dao Artifacts is extraordinary; if we can obtain them, our Sect's strength will surely greatly increase.
This is a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity; how can we miss it?"
As soon as the beautiful woman finished speaking, the hall fell into a brief silence, everyone weighing the pros and cons, considering how to respond to this rare opportunity.
"Sect Master, the two Dao Lords of Xuantian Sword Sect—Profound Heaven Dao Lord and Qing Hong Dao Jun—have been trapped in the 'Nine Nether Secret Realm' for almost two hundred years, haven't they?
If we exert some influence from within, they definitely won't be able to come out in a short time.
This is their weakest moment.
" A shrewd-looking Elder suddenly spoke, breaking the silence, "If we can act at this time, we can not only take Li Mu away but also take the opportunity to weaken Xuantian Sword Sect's strength.
Why not?"
A glint flashed in the old man's eyes, and he frowned, pondering this plan.
"Elder Ji's plan looks good, but the retaliation of two Dao Lords is no joke.
Although Xuantian Sword Sect is no longer what it once was, the foundation and strength of the two Dao Lords are still not to be underestimated.
Once they are free, our Sect will surely face Xuantian Sword Sect's furious retaliation." The old man said in a deep voice, his gaze sweeping over everyone, wanting to see more opinions from their faces.
"The Sect Master's concerns are not unfounded, however, Elder Ji's strategy is still worth trying.
The Nine Nether Secret Realm is a Forbidden Land between heaven and earth.
Profound Heaven Dao Lord and Qing Hong Dao Jun are trapped within, making it difficult for them to escape in a short time.
If we further intervene, it will be even harder for them to get out; trapping them for another two or three hundred years is not a problem.
During this period, we only need to act carefully and ensure no clues are left, then we can successfully take the person away." An old man sitting on the right suddenly spoke, his voice, though not loud, seemed to carry immense weight with every word, making the atmosphere in the hall tense once again.
"Moreover, we don't need to worry too much about Xuantian Sword Sect's retaliation." He paused, then continued, "As long as we can quickly take the person away and do a good job of cleanup, leaving no clues, then even if Xuantian Sword Sect wants to investigate, they will have no way to do so.
What's more, even if they really come knocking, with the advantage of our terrain, we also have enough strength to deal with it."
"The Grand Elder is right.
This is a great opportunity for us.
If we capture that person and have him exclusively refine Dao Artifacts for our Sect, perhaps all the Elders can advance to the Dao Lord position sooner." A hint of greed flashed in the beautiful woman's eyes as she agreed.
Upon hearing this, the breathing of the Elders present quickened, clearly having been touched to their core.
They had been stuck at the Peak of the Combined Body Realm for too long.
However, advancing another Realm to Great Vehicle Dao Lord was like an insurmountable chasm.
The Dao Lord Realm was not just an improvement in Cultivate, but a profound comprehension of the Heavenly Dao Law.
And the Dao Artifacts refined by Li Mu contained the essence of the Heavenly Dao Law.
If they could deeply study them, use them daily, and assist their Cultivate in comprehending the Law, perhaps they could point them to the path forward, which held extremely significant meaning for their Realm Breakthrough.
This was also the reason why Wanbao Pavilion's promotion of auctioning multiple Dao Artifacts at this Auction attracted the attention of countless powerful Cultivators.
"I agree with the Grand Elder's view." A middle-aged man in a yellow brocade robe spoke next, "Our Nether Sect is now powerful and has enough resources and manpower to plan this operation.
As long as we can seize this opportunity, we can not only obtain Great Master Li and his Artifact Refining techniques but also weaken Xuantian Sword Sect's strength, laying the foundation for our future expansion."
"That's right, but we need to ensure the success of the operation?" Another Elder raised a question, "This child, as the Grand Elder of Xuantian Sword Sect, must have powerful Cultivators protecting him.
If we are to act, we must ensure nothing goes wrong."
...
The atmosphere in the hall began to grow lively, with the Elders expressing their opinions one after another.
After a fierce discussion and weighing the pros and cons, everyone reached a unanimous decision: they all leaned towards seizing this opportunity to act against Li Mu.
All the Elders' gazes simultaneously turned to the Sect Master's seat, quietly awaiting his decision.
