"Who!"
"For whom do these thirteen alarm bells ring!"
At the scene, Qi Xuanming, Qiu Yuanhong, Li Mu, a group of Sword Elders, and various high-ranking officials of the Xuantian Sword Sect all looked solemn, their eyes flashing with panic and indignation.
The atmosphere in the hall was extremely tense, as if a string could snap at any moment.
The Xuantian Sword Sect, as a hegemon of the Central Continent Spirit Realm, currently possesses five Great Vehicle Dao Lords. Besides Dao Lord Qi Xuanming who was present, four others were out. The Xuantian Sect Master has been missing for three hundred Years, and the other three went to pursue a Great Ascension Demon Cultivator from the Demon Abyss, destroying the great formation that invaded this Realm.
If it was one of them, then the other two might also be in grave danger!
"Could it be... could it be Dao Lord Chen and them?" Qiu Yuanhong's voice trembled with a hint of disbelief.
Just as everyone was unsettled by the sudden alarm bells, a Disciple with a solemn face hurried into the hall, reporting with unconcealable sorrow in his voice: "Dao Lord Qi, Elders, something terrible has happened! In the Ancestor Hall, Dao Lord Feng's soul lamp has extinguished; he, the Elder, has fallen!"
"What!"
A gasp of shock instantly echoed in the hall. Everyone looked stunned, their eyes filled with disbelief.
"This... how is this possible?" Qiu Yuanhong's voice held a hint of despair. He knew Dao Lord Feng's strength and status well; his fall was undoubtedly a huge blow to the Xuantian Sword Sect.
"Senior Brother Feng!" Qi Xuanming's face instantly turned ashen. He clenched his fists, and the might of a Great Vehicle Dao Lord involuntarily erupted, enveloping the scene in a terrifying pressure that solidified the air.
"How are Dao Lord Chen and Dao Lord Feng's soul lamps? Is there any abnormality?" Li Mu's heart tightened as he asked the Disciple.
"Their soul lamps are normal! In the Ancestor Hall, only Dao Lord Feng's soul lamp extinguished. The situation is urgent, so this Disciple came to report first." The Disciple's face was pale as he answered tremblingly.
"You continue to keep watch! If anything happens, report it immediately!" Li Mu nodded and quickly ordered.
"Yes, Grand Elder!" The Disciple seemed to have received a great pardon, nodding quickly and turning to leave swiftly.
Just as the atmosphere in the hall eased slightly, and the unease in everyone's hearts spread like wildfire, difficult to quell, Qi Xuanming suddenly stood up.
"We cannot sit idly by!" Qi Xuanming's eyes flashed with killing intent, each word like a heavy hammer striking everyone's hearts. He said in a deep voice: "With Senior Brother Feng fallen, Senior Brother Chen and Junior Brother Feng are certainly not in a good situation. I must take the Xuantian Sword to aid them!"
Upon hearing this, Qiu Yuanhong's face turned pale with shock, and he quickly advised, "Senior Brother Qi, you must not be reckless! Although the Xuantian Sword is powerful, only the Sect Master can unleash its full might. For you to go alone to provide support is simply too dangerous!"
"That's right, Senior Brother Qi, this matter requires careful consideration; we cannot act on impulse. Perhaps, we can first dispatch an elite squad to investigate before making a decision," Sword Elder Xiao Shuang suggested.
"Dao Lord Qi, the safety of the seven Sealed Lands is the key right now. You are still needed to oversee them!" Xu Wen, the Vice Sect Master of the Taiyi Sect, quickly advised.
...
The various Sect Masters and Clan Chiefs present all spoke up to dissuade him.
Qi Xuanming shook his head, his gaze firm, and said, "My decision is made!"
"Time waits for no one. Every moment of delay increases the danger for Senior Brother Chen and Junior Brother Feng. Elder Li, the safety of the seven Sealed Lands will be under your guidance," Qi Xuanming looked at Li Mu and said sincerely. Then he scanned everyone present and stated solemnly: "Everyone, this matter concerns the safety of this Realm. You must cooperate fully!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Qi Xuanming flew out of the hall, heading to Burial Sword Peak to retrieve the Xuantian Sword.
The next moment, a sharp Sword Intent soared into the sky, piercing through the clouds. That was Qi Xuanming at the Peak of Burial Sword Peak, communicating with the Xuantian Sword with supreme will, drawing out the astonishing Sword Intent contained within it, causing the entire Xuantian Sword Sect, and even the surrounding Spirit Realm regions, to feel this shocking Sword Intent fluctuation.
On Burial Sword Peak, Qi Xuanming closed his eyes and concentrated, engaging in some mysterious communication with the Xuantian Sword. The sword body gradually emitted dazzling light, resonating with Qi Xuanming's will. Finally, accompanied by a crisp sword cry, the Xuantian Sword slowly ascended into the air, automatically flying into Qi Xuanming's hand.
The moment he grasped the Xuantian Sword, Qi Xuanming's Aura instantly surged. An indescribable majesty and power enveloped his entire body, as if he had become the Dominator of heaven and earth. When he opened his eyes, his figure flickered, and he had already ridden the Xuantian Sword, transforming into a streak of sword light that cut through the sky, heading straight towards the Nine Underworlds Beyond the Domains.
Seeing Qi Xuanming leave with such resolve, Li Mu, though somewhat worried, admired his unwavering determination to save others at the risk of his own life.
"Everyone, Dao Lord Qi has already gone to aid Dao Lord Chen and Dao Lord Feng. Next, we must quickly advance the formation deployment for the seven Sealed Lands." Li Mu's voice was steady and powerful, echoing in the hall, waking everyone from the shock of Qi Xuanming's departure.
"Elder Li, just tell us how we should cooperate!"
Kun Yuanba, the Clan Chief of the Kun Family, was the first to step forward, responding with a resounding voice.
"That's right! Elder Li's Formation art is unparalleled, and the Materials for the Formation have also been gathered. We will certainly give our all!"
...
The various Sect Masters and Clan Chiefs present all responded, looking at Li Mu eagerly, awaiting his arrangements.
"Then I won't be polite! The seven Extreme Sealed Lands are separated by 108,000 li. Each Sealed Land is not easy to lose. Besides setting up the early warning Formation, Spirit Eye Heavenly Dipper Array, and the protective great Formation, an elite troop is also needed for long-term Garrison." Li Mu scanned the crowd, his eyes flashing with determination, and continued: "I propose that each major Sect and Family draw elite Disciples to form seven small teams, which will go to the seven Sealed Lands respectively. Each team needs to include a Formation Master, an Alchemist, and combat Cultivators to ensure they can handle various emergencies."
Li Mu then continued to arrange: "The Extreme Gold Land and Extreme Wood Land are located in the Central Continent Spirit Domain. The Extreme Gold Land is even within the jurisdiction of the Xuantian Sword Sect, so our Sect will personally take responsibility for it, dispatching the strongest lineup led by Elder Xiao Shuang to guard this place."
"Clan Chief Ji, Clan Chief Nangong, Clan Chief Shangguan, the Extreme Wood Land is near the territories of your three Families. Therefore, your three Families will each send elite Disciples to jointly guard it!" After a pause, Li Mu looked at the Clan Chiefs of the three Families, indicating.
"The Extreme Fire Land and Extreme Yang Land are located in the Southern Wilderness. This place is the farthest from the Central Continent, so if something happens, timely support will certainly not be possible. Therefore, the most reliable and powerful teams must be selected to go and guard it."
"The Extreme Water Land is located in the Ten Thousand Stars Sea Region, and the Extreme Earth Land is located in the Eastern Approach Illusory Sea. These two places are also remote and have special environments, requiring Sects skilled in the corresponding Domains to guard them. But before that, let's first solve the problem of Extreme Fire and Extreme Yang." Li Mu's gaze swept over everyone as he began to assign the garrison tasks.
...
A few days later, hundreds of spirit ships had assembled in the sky above the Southern Wilderness Spirit Domain. Each spirit ship was loaded with elite Disciples and abundant Materials, their eyes burning with fervor as they looked at him, all fully prepared and ready to set off.
Li Mu stood on the deck of the flagship, his gaze like a torch, looking out at the vast land, his heart filled with a myriad of emotions.
In Li Mu's heart, he only wanted to find a place to hide, quietly Cultivate, and silently improve his cultivation. However, circumstances had pushed him step by step to the forefront, and now he had become a key figure in leading numerous Sects and Cultivation Families in the Central Continent to jointly resist external enemies and guard the Seal.
How fate plays tricks on people!
Li Mu sighed, suppressing the distracting thoughts in his heart, and turned to look at the hundreds of spirit ships poised for departure, decisively ordering: "Depart!"
With Li Mu's command, hundreds of spirit ships, like arrows released from a bow, cut through the sky, heading deep into the Southern Wilderness Spirit Domain. On the spirit ships, the Disciples performed their duties, and the entire fleet was orderly and magnificent in Aura.
As the fleet advanced, Li Mu activated his Star Concealment Divine Ability, his Divine Thought subtly sweeping through the entire fleet to ensure its safety.
Suddenly, Li Mu noticed two familiar figures on the fleet and couldn't help but chuckle. With a thought, he immediately sent a message to them, inviting them to the flagship for a chat.
Before long, two figures appeared on the flagship's deck. They were the Void Refining Cultivator Tian Shang and Kun Ling. They wore splendid robes, their faces adorned with brilliant smiles, and their eyes revealed the joy of old friends reuniting.
"It's been a long time, old friends. It's rare to meet today; come, let's enjoy some spiritual tea and reminisce!" Li Mu held a cup of spiritual tea, smiling as he gestured to Tian Shang and Kun Ling.
Tian Shang quickly stepped forward, picked up the spiritual tea on the table, and happily said, "Little Friend Li, no, Elder Li, it's been many Years since we last met, and you still have the same elegant demeanor!"
Kun Ling strode forward to Li Mu, his eyes brimming with unconcealed joy as he exclaimed, "That's right! It's been Years, and I didn't expect you to surpass us, your cultivation has even exceeded ours!"
With that, Kun Ling drank the spiritual tea in one gulp, overjoyed.
Recalling their first meeting with Li Mu, his cultivation was only at the Nascent Soul Early Stage. At that time, he had even promised Li Mu that if he joined the Kun Family, he would help him advance to Soul Transformation within five hundred Years and reach Void Refining within a thousand Years.
However, in less than three or four hundred Years, Li Mu's cultivation had already surpassed theirs, achieving Void Refining Late Stage, and was only a step away from entering the Combined Body Realm. At the same time, he was also the Grand Elder of the Xuantian Sword Sect, the largest Sect in the Central Continent Spirit Domain, capable of refining Dao weapons, skilled in deploying Formations, and held an incomparably noble status.
Seeing him again now, Tian Shang and Kun Ling couldn't help but feel a sense of emotion and lament.
"Time flies, and Years pass like a shuttle. Elder Li's changes are truly immense!" Tian Shang sighed softly, his eyes flashing with memories of the past. He recalled that Li Mu was once just a novice, but now he was a prominent figure in the Central Continent Spirit Domain, which truly made one feel a myriad of emotions.
"That's right, Elder Li's cultivation speed is truly astonishing. Although we two have also been diligently Cultivating, compared to you, it's like the difference between clouds and mud!" Kun Ling nodded in agreement.
"My two old friends, it's rare to have a chat today, no need for formalities!"
Li Mu smiled and waved his hand, signaling the two not to be so modest. He had reached this point today for other reasons and did not want to dwell on this topic.
Thus, Li Mu changed the subject, leading the conversation to a deeper exploration of cultivation, thereby diverting excessive attention from past achievements.
"Speaking of which, all three of us have now entered the Void Refining Realm. Regarding the cultivation of this Realm, do my two old friends have any unique insights or experiences? Perhaps we can sit and discuss the Dao, which might inspire each other." Li Mu smiled, looking at Tian Shang and Kun Ling, indicating.
Hearing this, Tian Shang's eyes lit up, clearly quite interested in this question.
"Elder Li is absolutely right. The Void Refining Realm is profound and unfathomable. Although we have some insights, we always feel we haven't reached its Peak. I, Tian Shang, have made considerable progress in the condensation of the Void Refining Domain in recent Years. The Law Domain is a unique earth element Law Domain constructed by us Void Refining Cultivators using our own will to communicate with the Laws of heaven and earth."
"I tried to integrate the 'Void Escape Technique' into my Law Domain, making the space within the Law Domain twisted and difficult to distinguish between reality and illusion. Once an enemy steps in, they are like falling into an endless maze, unable to extricate themselves." Tian Shang said, his eyes gleaming with confidence, clearly very proud of his Law Domain.
Kun Ling shook his head slightly after hearing this, expressing disagreement, and said in a deep voice: "The Law Domain is related to the Dao itself. Integrating other Laws and changing its fundamental nature is unwise. I take wind and fire as my Dao, and only by pursuing the extreme of wind and fire can I comprehend the true meaning of the Law Domain."
...
Celestial Venerable Kun Ling eloquently recounted his insights and experiences on the Void Refining Domain and his cultivation path.
After hearing this, a hint of realization flashed in Li Mu's eyes, but he was still slightly dissatisfied. The methods the two cultivated were within his grasp, but their understanding of the next Realm, the Combined Body Realm, was still shallow.
"My two old friends' Law Domains each have their unique strengths, and both are outstanding among Void Refining Cultivators. Tian Shang's Law Domain, with its twisted space and indistinguishable reality and illusion, makes it hard to guard against; while Kun Ling's Law Domain, with its interwoven wind and fire, pursuing the extreme Dao, is truly astonishing! However, solidifying the Law Domain, breaking through the void into reality, and advancing to the Combined Body Realm, is a common challenge we all face!" Li Mu sighed as he looked at the two, asking with concern: "I wonder, do you two have any unique insights or understandings regarding the Combined Body Realm? Perhaps we can pool our wisdom and collectively find a way to Breakthrough."
Li Mu has now reached the Void Refining Peak. However, for his Chaos Law Domain to advance to the Combined Body Realm, the difficulty is hundreds or thousands of times that of ordinary Void Refining Cultivators, incomparable. Therefore, he urgently needs to refer to the experiences and insights of other Void Refining Cultivators in order to find clues to Breakthrough his own Bottleneck.
Hearing this, Tian Shang frowned, pondered for a moment, and then slowly began: "Although I haven't reached the Combined Body Realm, I have deduced it countless times in my mind. In my opinion, the key to the Combined Body Realm lies in how to perfectly integrate the spiritual Law Domain with the Physical Body, reaching the supreme Realm of the unity of heaven and man. Perhaps one can start from the comprehension of the Laws of heaven and earth, seeking that trace of the Laws of heaven and earth that aligns with one's own Dao, and using it as a bridge to connect spiritual consciousness and the Physical Body."
Kun Ling nodded slightly after hearing this, adding his own insights: "Tian Shang's words make sense, but whether one can advance to the Combined Body Realm, the change in the Law Domain is fundamental, the Physical Body is not important, the resonance between the Divine Soul and the Laws is key. I once, during a seclusion, felt a subtle connection between the power of wind and fire and the Laws of heaven and earth. That feeling was like entering the Dao Domain of the Combined Body Realm, completely integrating one's Divine Soul with the Laws of heaven and earth, ..., allowing the power of the Laws to become a part of oneself. Only then can one break through the void into reality and step into the Combined Body Realm."
After hearing this, Li Mu's eyes flickered, and he pondered inwardly. At the same time, he shared his own insights with the two.
The three sat and discussed the Dao, pooling their wisdom for the difficult challenge of advancing to the Combined Body Realm. Time seemed to slow down at this moment.
The vast and boundless land of the Central Continent Spirit Domain rapidly swept past behind them, yet the three on the deck seemed to be in a static environment, with only their thoughts constantly colliding and merging. (End of Chapter)
