After the grand ceremony concluded, Li Mu was about to quietly leave when Sword Master Feng’s warm and strong hand gently rested on his shoulder, keeping him there.
"Elder Li, wait a moment, please stay!" Sword Master Feng's voice, tinged with a smile, cut through the clamor of the crowd, clear and warm in Li Mu's ears.
Hearing this, Li Mu's figure paused slightly, then he turned around, facing the gazes of Sword Master Feng and the surrounding Sword Elders and Sect Ancestors, some familiar, some strangers.
Under the scrutiny of so many people, it was incredibly difficult to slip away, and a wry smile appeared on Li Mu's face.
"Sword Master, I've just formed my Law Domain, and my cultivation is unstable; I was hoping to sneak away and go into seclusion to consolidate it!" Li Mu responded with a smile, a hint of self-deprecation in his words, apologizing.
"Haha, Elder Li, that's not quite right. While cultivating in seclusion is important, interacting and sparring with others is also indispensable on the path of cultivation. Besides, I won't delay you for too long; it won't make much difference!" Sword Master Feng laughed heartily, looking at Li Mu and gesturing, "You usually keep a low profile and rarely show your face. At today's grand event, how can you easily miss this excellent Opportunity to meet fellow Daoists? Allow me to introduce you to a few Sword Masters."
With that, Sword Master Feng elegantly turned, as if guiding a distinguished guest, and introduced the four exceptional Sword Masters standing behind him one by one.
The four Sword Masters stood, three men and one woman, each with a distinct demeanor, appearing before Li Mu like four Immortal figures.
First to catch the eye was a gaunt old man with silver hair, dressed in a flowing cloud robe that seemed ready to carry him away on the wind, transforming him into an Immortal in the clouds. His deep eyes held the wisdom of accumulated Years and the profoundness of the Sword Dao, inspiring involuntary reverence.
Next was a robust middle-aged Sword Cultivator clad in dark armor. He had a square face, and his brows revealed his dedication to the Sword Dao. Though the heavy sword on his back remained sheathed, the powerful aura of one capable of supporting mountains and rivers already made hearts sink.
Following him, a refined young Swordsman entered view. He wore an Azure-Clad robe, with sword-like brows and starry eyes, exuding an elegant scholarly aura in every gesture. The bone fan he lightly swayed in his hand seemed no ordinary object; every gentle breeze appeared to contain Sword Intent, and the faint smile on his lips made one feel as if bathed in a spring breeze, fostering goodwill.
Finally, a female Sword Master in a light gauze skirt slowly entered everyone's sight. Her skirt swayed gently with the wind, her steps light and graceful, her face gentle yet not lacking in dignity, like a Fairy descending to the mortal Realm under the moonlight. A faint Sword Intent enveloped her, both soft and sharp, allowing one to subtly perceive her profound Sword Dao cultivation.
"This is Qi Sword Master, who primarily Cultivates the Grand Profound Sword Art. He usually garrisons the Northern Region, protecting the peace of the Xuantian Sword Sect's northern frontier!" Sword Master Feng introduced the silver-haired Elder's identity to Li Mu, smiling and gesturing, "Qi Sword Master is not only exceptionally skilled in swordsmanship but also possesses extraordinary insight, excelling in sword formations. Elder Li, you also specialize in sword formations; you can ask him for guidance if you have the Opportunity."
Upon hearing this, Li Mu quickly stepped forward, cupped his hands in a bow, and said, "I have long admired Qi Sword Master's great name. To meet him today is truly a blessing. Li has many unresolved questions regarding sword formations, and I hope Qi Sword Master will not hesitate to enlighten me."
"Hahaha! Elder Li, you are too polite. I am very fond of the Dao Artifact you refined for me, and it is truly rare to finally meet you today. Since you are interested in sword formations, I will naturally do my best to help." Qi Sword Master laughed heartily, stroking his silver beard, his eyes sparkling with wisdom, then took out an exquisite storage ring from his sleeve and handed it to Li Mu.
"Within this storage ring are the classics and insights on the Dao of sword formations I've collected over the Years, as well as some Artifact Refining spiritual materials. It contains high-grade Artifact Refining spiritual materials I gathered in the Northern Region, including rare 'Frigid Jade Marrow' and 'Thunderfire Crystal Stone,' etc. I hope they can add strength to your Artifact Refining journey." Qi Xuanming smiled and gestured.
"This, Qi Sword Master, this great gift, Li!" Li Mu was startled and quickly tried to refuse.
"Elder Li, please do not decline." Seeing this, Sword Master Feng smiled and interrupted, gesturing, "You and Qi Sword Master are kindred spirits in the Sword Dao. His gift to you is out of his support and expectations for you. If you can thoroughly comprehend these classics and insights, it will not only be an improvement in your personal cultivation but also a great contribution to our Xuantian Sword Sect. Furthermore, the Dao Artifact you refined has already earned Qi Sword Master's high praise, and the Artifact Refining spiritual materials in this storage ring are also an acknowledgment of your Refining Skill."
"Take it, Elder Li, this is what you deserve." Chen Daojun walked over and joined in persuading Li Mu.
"Thank you for your generous gift, Qi Sword Master!" Li Mu accepted the storage ring gratefully, going along with their advice.
Qi Xuanming smiled with satisfaction. He had witnessed Li Mu gifting Chen Daojun that top-grade Dao Artifact today. By offering this favor and forging a friendship with him today, he naturally wouldn't suffer a loss in the future.
Next, Sword Master Feng continued to lead Li Mu towards the robust middle-aged Sword Cultivator clad in dark armor, introducing him, "This is Lin Sword Master, who guards the Xuantian Sword Sect's Eastern Region, suppressing myriad demons. He is renowned for his 'Thunderous Might' Sword Domain, and his swordsmanship is as swift as lightning, unstoppable. Lin Sword Master is not only exceptionally skilled in swordsmanship but also Cultivates body techniques; his Physical Body is so strong it can almost rival Magic Treasures, making him one of the rare all-rounder Sword Cultivators in the Xuantian Sword Sect."
"Lin Sword Master's name is like thunder in my ears. To meet him today is truly Li's good fortune." Li Mu bowed slightly to Lin Sword Master, greeting him with a smile.
"Elder Li, you are too polite. Thank you for refining 'Thunder Spirit' for me. This is my prepared thank-you gift, and I hope Elder Li will accept it with a smile!" Lin Sword Master's voice was deep. After speaking, he gently waved his hand, revealing a storage ring to present, and introduced with a smile, "This storage ring contains unique Artifact Refining treasures from my Eastern Region, such as 'Crimson Flame Gold Sand' and 'Thousand Vein Crystal Stone.' I hope you like them."
"I am Feng Wuhen, Elder Li. While the spiritual materials in my storage ring may not be as breathtaking as those from the previous two Sword Masters, they have all been carefully selected. Please accept them!" The Azure-Clad Sword Cultivator smiled slightly, gently shaking the bone fan in his hand. A gentle breeze swept by, and a storage ring shimmering with a green light appeared before Li Mu.
"Elder Li, this storage ring of mine contains spiritual materials such as 'Cloud Dream Dew' and 'Moonlight Silver Sand.' They are not only suitable for Artifact Refining but also contain a trace of natural Dao principles. I hope you can incorporate the unique aura of these spiritual materials when refining, to create even more perfect works." Yun Sword Master introduced with a smile. Before her words finished, an exquisite storage ring appeared before Li Mu.
"Thank you, Lin Sword Master, Wind Sword Master, and Yun Sword Master. Li is unashamed to accept such generous gifts!" Facing such substantial gifts from the Sword Masters, Li Mu expressed his gratitude and reached out to accept the three storage rings.
"Haha, Elder Li, just accept them! No need to be polite. It's a pity that Qiu Sword Master was delayed by something, otherwise, he would definitely have come in person to offer you a token of his appreciation. However, his absence doesn't mean his sincerity is lacking. When he returns, I will certainly make him make up for this courtesy." Sword Master Feng laughed heartily, alleviating the slight regret caused by Qiu Sword Master's absence.
"That's right, Elder Li, there's no need to be polite. The Dao Artifacts you refined for us have already far exceeded their value. These spiritual materials are just a small token of our appreciation!" Lin Sword Master laughed heartily, expressing his gratitude.
"That's right, 'Heavenly Frost' is extremely compatible with me. With its help, my Breakthrough to that next step is just around the corner." Yun Sword Master looked at Li Mu, expressing her gratitude, and then she looked at Chen Qingxuan, asking with concern, "Senior Brother Chen, did your Mahayana advancement happen because of your Gengjin Dao Sword?"
Hearing Yun Sword Master's question, Sword Master Feng showed a strange expression, while the three Sword Masters all looked concerned.
Chen Qingxuan's cultivation Realm was at the bottom among their seven, yet he had later surpassed them, which made them incredibly curious, eager to understand the reason and emulate his path to Mahayana advancement.
Chen Qingxuan frowned. His Breakthrough of the 'bottleneck' to Mahayana was due to a trace of Opportunity and Epiphany gained from sparring with Li Mu, who had embarked on the Chaotic Great Dao, and had little to do with the Gengjin Dao Sword.
However, he had already promised Li Mu not to reveal his cultivation of the Chaotic Great Dao to others. At this moment, it was difficult to explain the reason to Yun Sword Master's question.
The Sword Masters, like him, had been stuck at the Peak of the Combined Body Realm for many Years, and they all harbored a great desire to cross that final chasm and enter the Mahayana Realm.
Facing Yun Sword Master's direct inquiry, Chen Qingxuan quickly calculated in his mind, needing to uphold his promise to Li Mu while also providing a reasonable explanation to his companions, lest they be misled by misunderstanding.
Chen Qingxuan looked around. The distinguished guests attending this grand ceremony, the various Sect Ancestors, and Clan Chiefs, were all watching intently, eager to join them if they weren't already surrounding Li Mu, to forge connections with Elder Li.
Chen Qingxuan waved his hand, a somewhat perfunctory smile on his face, and said, "This matter is complex, and many details cannot be explained in a single sentence. When the time is right in the future, I will certainly explain it to you in detail."
Then, Chen Daojun showed a gentle smile, looked at Li Mu, and gestured, "Elder Li, you have only recently condensed your Law Domain and need to go into seclusion for a period to stabilize your cultivation. It's time for you to go back and Cultivate properly!"
Hearing this, Li Mu's eyes lit up, as if granted a great pardon. He looked at Chen Qingxuan gratefully and said, "Daojun, you are absolutely right. Li will certainly Cultivate diligently in seclusion and strive for an early Breakthrough."
Li Mu eagerly bowed deeply to all the Sword Masters, Sword Elders, and all the distinguished guests present, apologizing, "Everyone, Li has had an insight and urgently needs to go into seclusion to stabilize his cultivation. Therefore, I will take my leave now, and I hope you will forgive me."
With that! Li Mu, accompanied by Xue'er, flew away, hastily leaving the grand ceremony venue.
"Alas, Master Li, wait a moment, I, Kun, have something to ask of you!"
"Master Li, please wait a moment."
...
Seeing Li Mu fly out of the encirclement of the Xuantian Sword Sect's Sword Masters, a chorus of calls immediately erupted. Those who were familiar with Li Mu, or had long heard his name, including Clan Chiefs and Sect Ancestors, eagerly tried to stop him.
Some held Jade Slips, others carried exquisite storage rings, clearly having come with sincerity and generous gifts, hoping to seize this Opportunity to forge a connection with Li Mu.
"Everyone, Elder Li of our Sect needs to go into seclusion for a period. If you wish to commission Artifact Refining, you can discuss it with Elder Qiu of our Sect. Do not disturb his cultivation!"
Watching Li Mu's departing figure, Chen Qingxuan smiled slightly, looking at the Sect Elders and the distinguished guests invited to attend this grand hall, and gestured with authority.
The words of the Great Vehicle Dao Lord echoed like thunder throughout every corner of the venue, not only stopping the eager calls but also filling the hearts of those present with an indescribable reverence. Chen Qingxuan's words conveyed both his full support for Li Mu's secluded cultivation and his high regard for him.
Upon hearing this, the Clan Chiefs and Sect Ancestors all restrained their urgency, looking in the direction Li Mu had departed, their eyes filled with regret.
Disappointment spread across the faces of the Old Ancestors and Clan Chiefs. Chen Qingxuan's words completely extinguished their desire to have an in-depth conversation with Li Mu. However, on second thought, if they could achieve their Artifact Refining commission through Elder Qiu, they wouldn't return empty-handed. It was just a matter of what additional price they would have to pay.
At this moment, Qiu Yuanhong stepped forward appropriately, smiling as he cupped his hands to everyone, gesturing, "Everyone, rest assured, during Elder Li's seclusion, I will handle all Artifact Refining matters on his behalf and ensure that you will not have to wait long. It's no problem for you to commission Elder Li for Artifact Refining. If you have any special needs or questions, just come to me."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone felt much more at ease, expressing their thanks to Elder Qiu and their wishes for Li Mu's successful seclusion.
On their way back, Li Mu and Xue'er walked side by side, traversing through the clouds, enjoying this rare moment of tranquility. The afterglow of the setting sun cast upon them, adding a touch of warmth to their return journey.
Xue'er, with eyebrows like jade, stared at Li Mu's handsome face, her eyes sparkling with admiration and pride.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Li Mu asked, sensing Xue'er's gaze.
"Li Dage, today truly opened my eyes! So many Sword Masters and Sect Ancestors showed you such respect and praised you endlessly, even gifting you so many precious high-grade Artifact Refining spiritual materials. You are truly amazing!" Xue'er praised him sincerely, proudly.
"It's alright! However, too much prominence can bring both blessings and misfortune!" Li Mu's smile flickered and then faded. He sighed softly, looking into the distance with deep eyes, replying with some worry.
Xue'er immediately caught Li Mu's negative emotions, gently moved closer, and comforted him with concern, "Li Dage, don't worry too much! We have the Xuantian Sword Sect backing us; they shouldn't dare to harm you, right?"
"Relying on others is not as good as relying on oneself!" Li Mu gave a wry smile, looking at Xue'er and earnestly instructing her, "Xue'er, your True Spirit Thunder Tribulation is imminent, and I need to make some preparations for you to ensure you can pass through it smoothly!"
Xue'er felt the power in Li Mu's words, and a warm current surged in her heart. She tightly held Li Mu's hand and firmly said, "Li Dage, I will work hard! With you by my side, I'm not afraid of anything."
As they spoke, the two returned to the Seven Profound Sect, immediately entering the Cultivation chamber in the Sect Leader's Mansion and going into seclusion within the Treasure Mansion Space. (End of Chapter)
