After several days and nights of unremitting effort, Li Mu not only absorbed much obscure but crucial astronomical knowledge from Qingyang Zi’s vast and profound wisdom, but also refined his unique techniques for calculating star positions and discerning the trajectories of celestial bodies.
At this moment, Li Mu’s heart was filled with longing and anticipation for the unknown Star Domain; he only needed to apply what he had learned to the astrolabe, expend a little effort and time, and he would be able to uncover a corner of Dark Spirit Star’s mysterious veil, thereby finding an opportunity to leave this dark and boundless place.
Seeing that Li Mu had learned the method for calculating and positioning Dark Spirit Star, Qingyang Zi bid him farewell and continued his slumber in the soul world pearl.
“Senior, please wait, I still have one matter I don’t understand, and I humbly request your guidance!” Li Mu quickly transmitted his thoughts to retain him.
Upon hearing this, Qingyang Zi felt weary, but he was currently in a remnant soul state; if he didn’t need Li Mu’s help, he truly wouldn’t want to expend his limited Soul Power.
“Oh? What other doubts do you have, Little Friend Li? Speak quickly. If this old man can answer, I will certainly not hesitate to impart my knowledge,” Qingyang Zi forced himself to rouse his spirits and urged Li Mu with a transmitted thought.
Seizing this rare opportunity, Li Mu laid out his deepest concern and transmitted his question to Qingyang Zi: “Senior, the Spiritual Qi in our world is becoming increasingly thin, and it is prophesied that after a thousand Years, we will enter the Dharma-Ending Age, where all things will wither, and living beings will suffer immensely. I dare to ask, did similar Spiritual Qi depletion disasters occur in ancient times?”
Qingyang Zi’s remnant soul had been in the soul world pearl for ten thousand Years, and he was also a Body Integration Major Achievement existence; he should know something about Spiritual Qi depletion. Li Mu took this rare opportunity to inquire about the information he had obtained from Sword Master Feng.
Upon hearing Li Mu’s question, Qingyang Zi seemed startled and did not react for a long time.
“Senior?”
Li Mu transmitted his thoughts in confusion, as he did not receive a response from Qingyang Zi for a long time.
“Spiritual Qi depletion! Has it already begun?”
Qingyang Zi regained his senses, seemingly touched by ancient memories, and murmured involuntarily.
Qingyang Zi seemed to be organizing his vague and distant memory fragments. After a moment of silence, he transmitted his response to Li Mu: “Little Friend Li, the Spiritual Qi depletion and Dharma-Ending Age you mentioned indeed touched upon some of my memories.”
Upon hearing this, Li Mu became even more eager and transmitted his thoughts, pressing the question: “Senior, did such a catastrophe truly occur in ancient times?”
Qingyang Zi’s transmitted thought was deep and profound as he slowly recounted: “In ancient times, the Spiritual Qi between heaven and earth was indeed abundant, and all things flourished; those were the most glorious Years of the Cultivation world. However, just as all things in the world have their rise and fall, the various domains cannot escape this Law. As time flowed, some domains, due to natural disasters, man-made calamities, excessive resource exploitation, or subtle changes in the Heavenly Dao Law, gradually lost their former balance, and the source of Spiritual Qi began to deplete. This process was long and hidden, and only when it accumulated to an irreversible state did the terrifying scene of the Dharma-Ending Age appear.”
After a slight pause, Qingyang Zi’s transmitted thought sounded again, carrying a hint of emotion for the past Years: “In the era I experienced, although one could already feel that the Spiritual Qi was not as dense as in ancient times, it could still maintain the normal operation of the Cultivation world. However, according to ancient records, in a more distant past, this world indeed experienced two shocking Spiritual Qi depletion events.”
Li Mu’s spirit was roused, and he eagerly transmitted his question: “Senior, please be sure to elaborate! The specific reasons behind these two Spiritual Qi depletions, the countermeasures taken at the time, and the final conclusions are of crucial importance for us, who are on the brink of crisis, in how to deal with this crisis. They should provide vital insights.”
Qingyang Zi sighed deeply, seemingly recalling that distant and heavy history, and transmitted his response: “The reasons for the two rapid Spiritual Qi depletions were different!”
“The first Spiritual Qi depletion, it is said, was because a supreme Dao Ancestor achieved the Dao in this world. The process was earth-shattering, not only causing drastic changes in the Laws of heaven and earth, but also directly drawing out massive amounts of Spiritual Qi within the domain to forge his supreme Dao Foundation. This Dao Ancestor’s path to achieving the Dao was like a grand plunder, causing the already balanced Spiritual Qi cycle to instantly become imbalanced, and countless living beings suffered heavy losses as a result, leading to the gradual decline of this world.”
“And the second Spiritual Qi depletion originated from an anomaly in the Nine Nether Land. The Nine Nether is the most mysterious place between heaven and earth, deeply harboring endless darkness and evil. According to ancient records, a loosening of the Nine Nether Seal caused a large amount of sinister Qi and Nether Qi to pour into this world, leading to a fierce conflict and absorption with the Spiritual Qi between heaven and earth. This power not only polluted the pure Spiritual Qi but also destroyed the source of Spiritual Qi generation, causing the Spiritual Qi of the entire domain to gradually thin, eventually falling into the Dharma-Ending Age.”
Qingyang Zi transmitted the secret of the two Spiritual Qi depletions in ancient times to Li Mu, finally concluding: “These two Spiritual Qi depletion events caused indelible trauma to this world. If another Spiritual Qi depletion occurs, it is unknown when it will be able to recover.”
“Senior, how did those two Spiritual Qi depletions recover later, and how long did it take!” Li Mu couldn't help but become anxious and quickly transmitted his thoughts again, pressing the question.
Qingyang Zi transmitted his response: “For the first Spiritual Qi depletion, the living beings within the domain went through a long period of Years before gradually finding methods to restore Spiritual Qi. Some exceptionally wise Cultivators, by comprehending the Laws of heaven and earth, created Formations and Restrictions capable of guiding Spiritual Qi back; there were also compassionate ancient Cultivators who, with their own power, planted Spiritual Plants and cultivated Spirit Beasts, nourishing this land bit by bit. As for the specific recovery time, ancient records do not have an exact account, but it is estimated to have taken three thousand Years.”
“As for the second Spiritual Qi depletion, its recovery process was even more difficult and prolonged. Because the pollution from the Nine Nether Land was not only at the Spiritual Qi level but also deeply rooted in the Foundation of the domain. To clear this evil force, the powerhouses within the domain spared no expense, and a large number of true spirit races sacrificed themselves, finally completing the Nine Nether Seal to prevent sinister Qi from pouring into this world. However, the recovery of Spiritual Qi was a slow and complex process, requiring not only the accumulation of time but also the entire domain’s ecology. According to records, this Spiritual Qi recovery took fifteen thousand Years.”
Upon hearing this, Li Mu’s heart couldn’t help but feel a few points heavier. Fifteen thousand Years, what an incredibly long period of Years! For them, who were now on the verge of entering the Dharma-Ending Age, it seemed like a distant hope.
Li Mu continued to transmit his question to Qingyang Zi: “Senior, in your opinion, what similarities does the Spiritual Qi depletion we are currently facing have compared to these two historical records? Is there a fundamental solution before the Spiritual Qi is completely depleted?”
“Little Friend Li, do you know the root cause of this Spiritual Qi depletion?” Qingyang Zi asked with a hint of solemnity in his transmitted thought.
Qingyang Zi was still counting on Li Mu to find the reversing death spirit grass for him, to recast his Dao Foundation and gain a new life! Who knew, they were facing the advent of the Dharma-Ending Age. His luck was truly too poor. If the Dharma-Ending Age was truly about to descend, it would be better to continue to barely survive in the soul world pearl as a remnant soul.
“According to a Sword Master of my sect, this Spiritual Qi depletion seems to be related to the Nine Nether Land. Two Dao Lords of my sect went into the Jiuyou Domain to investigate the cause, and are now trapped within, for over a hundred Years, and have yet to emerge,” Li Mu quickly transmitted, informing him of the reason.
“It’s the Nine Nether again! That should be the second reason then,” Qingyang Zi’s transmitted thought was mixed with shock and worry. He continued to transmit: “The Nine Nether Land, since ancient times, has been the most mysterious and dangerous existence in the domain. It is not only the source of sinister Qi but also hides terrifying power capable of overturning the domain’s balance. If this Spiritual Qi depletion is indeed related to the Nine Nether Land, then the Spiritual Qi depletion crisis facing this world this time is probably even more severe than the previous two.”
Qingyang Zi’s transmitted thought carried a deeper sense of melancholy, and he said worriedly: “In ancient times, powerhouses were as numerous as trees in a forest within the domain, and true spirit races flourished. They jointly guarded this heaven and earth, keeping the Spiritual Qi flowing endlessly and the domain prosperous. However, time flies, and the domain is no longer as glorious as it once was. The number of high-Rank Cultivators has sharply declined, and most of the true spirit races have also disappeared. The Spiritual Qi within the domain is becoming increasingly thin. If this Spiritual Qi depletion is truly related to the Nine Nether Land, then with your current strength alone, you may find it difficult to cope with this crisis.”
“So, it seems this Spiritual Qi depletion is inevitable. Senior, is there any way to survive this impending Dharma-Ending Age!” Li Mu asked with a solemn expression, transmitting his thoughts for guidance.
“I have never experienced the Dharma-Ending Age either, and I don’t know how many Years it will take for this world’s Spiritual Qi to fully recover after it is completely depleted. Little Friend Li, if it’s truly unavoidable, why not find a small Secret Realm, prepare ample Spirit Stones and Spirit Medicine beforehand, and practice the Seal Consciousness Return Breath method to temporarily hide?”
Qingyang Zi’s transmitted thought carried a hint of helplessness, pointing out a final retreat for Li Mu: “Although this method is not a long-term solution, in the Early Stage of the Dharma-Ending Age, it might buy you a glimmer of hope, awaiting changes in the situation.”
“The Seal Consciousness Return Breath method is an ancient Cultivation Technique that allows Cultivators to greatly reduce their reliance on Spiritual Qi in extreme environments, even entering a state close to hibernation, maintaining life with minimal consumption, and quietly awaiting the opportunity for Spiritual Qi to recover,”
Qingyang Zi continued to explain via transmitted thought: “I did learn a Cultivation Technique of this type, called ‘Hidden Dragon Hibernation Art.’ This method has the same excellent results as the Seal Consciousness Return Breath method; both can help Cultivators preserve their strength when Spiritual Qi is scarce, and quietly await a turning point. If Little Friend Li needs it, I can transmit it to you now.”
“This method is quite difficult to Cultivate and requires extremely high Heart-Nature Cultivation. A slight carelessness could lead to permanent slumber. Furthermore, choosing a suitable Secret Realm is also crucial; it must be a place with rich Spiritual Qi and relative safety to ensure survival without worries.”
“Thank you for your guidance, Senior. If I need it, I’ll come find you then! The time is not right yet!” Li Mu smiled helplessly and transmitted his refusal.
“Indeed! If Little Friend Li has nothing else, this old man is going to rest,” Qingyang Zi transmitted, bidding farewell to Li Mu.
“Thank you for your trouble, Senior!” Li Mu transmitted his response, expressing gratitude.
Qingyang Zi did not respond to Li Mu again. His Divine Soul fluctuations gradually disappeared, and he fell into slumber within the soul world pearl.
Li Mu’s heart was filled with mixed emotions. He looked at the soul world pearl in his hand, took a deep breath, and carefully placed it in his storage grid.
The massive Nine Nether Kun Whale, like a shadowy floating island, gently swayed its colossal whale tail, capable of shaking the Star River. A chilling Nether Qi permeated its entire body as it silently hovered in the vast, boundless, and star-studded Star Domain. Each breath seemed to resonate with the Nether Qi in the Star Domain, causing the surrounding stars to dim.
Li Mu, dressed in a cyan robe, stood tall and straight on the Nine Nether Kun Whale’s smooth, mirror-like forehead. With a gentle wave of his sleeve, an ancient and mysterious four directions house materialized out of thin air, settling on top of the Nine Nether Kun Whale’s head as a temporary resting place. The soft glow of the night-luminescent pearls inside the four directions house contrasted sharply with the outer darkness, providing him with a tranquil space.
Subsequently, Li Mu took out an exquisite astrolabe from his sleeve. Intricate star patterns and ancient runes were engraved upon it, emitting a faint glow. He closed his eyes and focused his mind, completely immersing himself in the astrolabe. His fingers gently glided over the astrolabe’s surface, and according to the complex algorithms taught by Qingyang Zi, he began to deduce the exact location of Dark Spirit Star.
As Li Mu moved, the star patterns on the astrolabe seemed to come alive, slowly rotating and intertwining according to some mysterious Law, forming flowing astronomical images that mapped the trajectories of myriad stars.
...
Time flowed silently as the stars slowly rotated.
In this vast Star Domain, even the flow of time seemed to become slow and profound. Li Mu’s mind was completely immersed in the astrolabe, isolated from everything outside.
Finally, after countless calculations and deductions, the light on the astrolabe suddenly condensed, and all the star patterns instantly converged to point in a certain direction—that direction might be the location of Dark Spirit Star.
Li Mu opened his eyes and woke up, a hint of worry appearing on his numb face. Then he thought of something, and his figure flickered, disappearing from the spot.
In the Painting World Treasure Mansion, Li Mu appeared beside a large Spiritual Plant field, looking at the growth status of the two sixth-Rank Spiritual Plants—Yan Yuan Spirit Grass and Mou Xing Spirit Grass—and couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.
Having been immersed in the calculation of Dark Spirit Star’s location for so long, Li Mu almost forgot to tend to these two batches of Spiritual Plants again. Fortunately, they were still in good condition, their leaves a vibrant green, emitting a faint glow, clearly having received excellent nourishment in the unique environment of the Painting World Treasure Mansion.
Li Mu waved his large hand, and the Qingfeng Huanyu Technique, at the Major Achievement Perfection Rank, was unleashed.
Instantly, above the Painting World Treasure Mansion, an invisible force seemed to tear open a rift, gathering the purest Spiritual Qi from between heaven and earth, mixed in raindrops, which pattered down, bringing a nourishing feast to the two sixth-Rank Spiritual Plants.
Bathed in this Spiritual Rain, the leaves of the Yan Yuan Spirit Grass and Mou Xing Spirit Grass became even more vibrant, their flickering glow seemingly revealing the immense vitality contained within. They swayed gracefully, as if thanking Li Mu for his meticulous care and attention.
Under the Heavenly Talent - Identifying Myriad Spirits, Li Mu, with a joyful expression, examined the growth status of each Mou Xing Spirit Grass, his eyes filled with eagerness. (End of Chapter)
