Above the Tribulation Transcending Platform, after the thunderclouds dissipated, the sky regained its clarity, and sunlight pierced through the clouds.
Li Mu floated in the air, gazing at the Chaos Spirit Banner, which had successfully undergone the artifact tribulation and been completely reborn. The Spirit Banner gently swayed, seemingly announcing its new life to the Heaven and Earth, its faintly visible artifact patterns imbued with endless power.
Watching this scene, a satisfied smile curled on Li Mu's lips.
The Chaos Spirit Banner's pole moved, transforming into a streak of spiritual light and flying before Li Mu. Its banner cloth fluttered continuously, as if celebrating something.
“Master!” Li Mu immediately sensed a delicate, tender voice—the call of the Chaos Spirit Banner's newly born artifact spirit. This voice was clear and pleasant, carrying a hint of nascent innocence and joy, causing a warm current to surge within Li Mu's heart.
Li Mu reached out and gently stroked the iridescent banner surface, his fingertips feeling a gentle yet powerful energy fluctuation—the unique Soul resonance belonging to the Chaos Spirit Banner.
Just then, the thunderclouds in the sky completely dispersed, and a long, resonant hum followed, clear and solemn, as if it were the Heavenly Dao's acknowledgment and blessing for Li Mu's successful refinement of the Chaos Spirit Banner. The surrounding space seemed to tremble, and wisps of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi spontaneously gathered, swirling around Li Mu and the Chaos Spirit Banner, forming a breathtaking spectacle.
Li Mu's heart stirred, understanding that this was a Heavenly Dao blessing. He quickly guided the converging Spiritual Qi, integrating a portion into himself to enhance his Cultivation, while injecting the other portion into the Chaos Spirit Banner to further stabilize its artifact spirit and repair its damage.
Once everything settled, Li Mu felt the surging power within him and the even closer connection with the Chaos Spirit Banner. His eyes gleamed with delight as he gazed at the Chaos Spirit Banner.
Under the Talent Divine Power - Identify Myriad Spirits, all the attributes of the Chaos Spirit Banner were displayed before Li Mu's eyes.
【Chaos Spirit Banner】
【Grade: Eighth-Tier Peak Dao Artifact】
【Attributes: Chaos Power, Eternal Reincarnation, Primordial Unity, Chaos Domain, Sealing Myriad Things, Summoning Chaos Spirits】
【Status: Successfully Undergoing Tribulation the Heavenly Dao artifact tribulation, artifact spirit nascent, Chaos Power surging, containing endless potential.】
【Crafted with high-grade spiritual material Star Core Gold as its core, Ten-Thousand-Year Demon Vine as its pole, and high-grade spiritual materials such as Eighth-Tier Bone-Corroding Yin Wood, Star Dream Fir, Grand Yang Golden Lotus, Profound Yin Dao Crystal, and Undefined Blackwater, it was forged by Chaos Fire, its Formation base reshaped by Chaos Power, arrayed with Yin and Yang Five Elements Primordial Artifact Formations, and finally fused with thirty-two Chaos artifact patterns. The Chaos Spirit Banner not only possesses the sharpness of metal, the vitality of wood, the intensity of fire, the flexibility of water, and the profoundness of earth, but also embodies the balance of Yin and Yang and the principles of Five Elements mutual generation and restraint. It can freely mobilize Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, transform Chaos Power, and unleash unimaginable might. Its artifact spirit is nascent and connected to Li Mu's mind, coexisting and prospering.】
Li Mu felt the powerful aura emanating from the Chaos Spirit Banner, and an indescribable excitement and pride surged within him. The Chaos Spirit Banner had surpassed his initial expectations, reaching the Peak of an Eighth-Tier Dao Artifact and touching the threshold of the Ninth-Tier.
With a thought, Li Mu stored the Chaos Spirit Banner within his body. He then turned and collected the artifacts arranged around the Tribulation Transcending Platform, and immediately, the Elders and Disciples of the Seven Profound Sect appeared before him.
Lin Maoshan was the first to bow, eagerly greeting, “Disciple greets Master!”
“Congratulations, Master, on refining an unparalleled Divine Weapon!”
Zhao Tianchen, Su Hongxiu, Liu Yuqian, Xiao Qingyun, and others all bowed and congratulated in unison.
“Greetings, Old Ancestor!”
The Disciples of the Seven Profound Sect also shouted in unison, their faces filled with excitement and reverence. They knew that Li Mu had once again refined an extraordinary Dao Artifact, attracting a terrifying artifact tribulation.
“Dispense with the formalities!”
Li Mu smiled and nodded, his gaze gently sweeping over everyone.
“Vice Sect Master, are Elder Qin and the others still in seclusion?” Li Mu looked at Lin Maoshan, inquiring about the other important Elders of the Seven Profound Sect who were in seclusion.
Lin Maoshan quickly stepped forward and respectfully replied, “Reporting to Master, Senior Qing, Elder Qin, and the others are still in seclusion. They are all aiming to Breakthrough their Cultivation Bottlenecks and likely won't emerge in a short period.”
Li Mu nodded understandingly. Advancing from the Void Refining Realm to the Body Integration Realm was not easy. Moreover, Qingyang Zi was a reincarnated Soul body, and Elder Qin and Fang Shixin had ordinary foundations and cultivated low-grade Cultivation Techniques. To advance further, they naturally needed more time and Opportunity.
“No matter, let them continue their seclusion. You all must not slack off in your Cultivation either; you must Cultivate even harder and improve your strength.” Li Mu's gaze swept over Lin Maoshan, Zhao Tianchen, and others, instantly discerning the strengths and weaknesses of their Cultivation.
His seven Disciples were personally chosen by him, possessing exceptionally outstanding Aptitude and potential. Lin Maoshan practiced all Five Elements and held the position of Sect Master; his Cultivation was somewhat weaker, but his Heart-Nature was tenacious, and his leadership was outstanding, making him a stable pillar of the Sect. As for Zhao Tianchen, his metal Spiritual Root was excellent, and his Cultivation had reached Minor Achievement, but his state of mind still needed tempering…
“Lin Maoshan, as Sect Master, your responsibilities are immense, and your Cultivation has fallen somewhat behind,” Li Mu said, looking at Lin Maoshan and reminding him. “Find a suitable person to take over your duties, and then go into seclusion for a good period of Cultivation.”
Upon hearing this, Lin Maoshan's expression became solemn, and he nodded with a wry smile: “Disciple understands, but the position of Sect Master carries great responsibility, and it's difficult to find a suitable temporary replacement right away.”
“You arrange it as you see fit!” Li Mu smiled, leaving the topic there, and then turned his gaze to Zhao Tianchen. Remembering something, he immediately gestured, “Tianchen, your metal Spiritual Root is outstanding, and your Cultivation progress is commendable. However, the path of Cultivation must avoid seeking quick success; you need to be steady, temper your state of mind, and go out for some experience!”
“Experience? Please enlighten me, Master!” Zhao Tianchen's eyes flashed with surprise upon hearing this, then turned to anticipation.
Li Mu smiled and nodded, indicating, “You are to make a trip to Wanbao City and hand over a batch of spiritual items to Chief Manager Wan for Auction. The journey isn't far, and I observe that your Cultivation has reached Minor Achievement. This is a good Opportunity for you to gain experience outside, temper your state of mind, and broaden your horizons.”
Saying this, Li Mu looked at the few of them and said to Su Hongxiu, “Hongxiu, you go with Tianchen! The Auction in Wanbao City is quite lively.”
Upon hearing this, a hint of pleasant surprise appeared on Su Hongxiu's face. She had long wanted to go out and gain experience and broaden her horizons. Now that Master had personally named her to accompany Zhao Tianchen, this was undoubtedly a golden Opportunity.
“Disciple obeys!” Su Hongxiu bowed, her voice barely concealing her excitement.
Zhao Tianchen also cupped his hands and bowed, looking at Li Mu gratefully: “Thank you, Master, for your guidance. Disciple will live up to your expectations and complete the task perfectly.”
Li Mu nodded with satisfaction. From his sleeve, he took out a token and a storage ring, handing them to Zhao Tianchen: “This is my Guest Elder token for Wanbao Pavilion. The storage ring contains the spiritual items for Auction. With this token, someone will receive you when you arrive at Wanbao Pavilion.”
Zhao Tianchen took the token and storage ring with both hands, bowing respectfully: “Disciple will remember Master's teachings.”
Afterward, Li Mu gave some more details and Precautions, instructing Zhao Tianchen and Su Hongxiu to proceed with utmost caution.
“Master! What about us!” Liu Qingyun, seeing that Master Li Mu had made arrangements for Zhao Tianchen and Su Hongxiu, couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. Like the other Disciples, she also yearned for the Opportunity to go out and gain experience, improving her Cultivation and knowledge.
“Don't rush, everyone has their own Opportunity and path of experience. Tianchen and Hongxiu's trip to Wanbao City is because their Cultivation and Heart-Nature have reached a point where they can go out for experience. I have arrangements for each of you as well.”
“Yuqian, Xiao Yun, your Cultivation has touched a Bottleneck and requires some combat experience. You two, take my command token and go to Li's Treasure Pavilion to find Shopkeeper Huang to arrange your duties.”
...
Li Mu guided Liu Yuqian, Xiao Qingyun, and the other Disciples one by one, offering valuable advice tailored to their individual Cultivation characteristics and Bottlenecks. At the same time, he arranged for them to undergo different forms of experiential Cultivation.
After sending off the eager Disciples, Li Mu turned and walked towards the Sect's treasury, preparing to reconstruct the Five Elements Shifting Array to enter the special space of the Chaotic Boundary Sealing Formation and thoroughly refine the Chaos Spirit Banner with the Formation's aid.
The Chaos Spirit Banner successfully Undergoing Tribulation its artifact tribulation, advancing to an Eighth-Tier Peak Dao Artifact, imbued with powerful Chaos Origin Power. Wielding this banner would not only double Li Mu's combat strength but also allow him to Cultivate with its aid, making the originally obscure and difficult-to-understand Chaos Law slightly clearer, providing immeasurable benefit to Li Mu's future Cultivation advancement.
Stepping into the Sect's treasury, Li Mu's gaze quickly landed on the damaged Five Elements Shifting Array. This Formation was the core secret of the Seven Profound Sect, a sub-Formation of the Seven Gods Sealing Yin and Yang Spirit Gathering Great Array. It utilized the power of the Heaven and Earth Five Elements to achieve short-distance spatial teleportation, and it was the key to entering the special passage of the Chaotic Boundary Sealing Formation.
Li Mu skillfully took out the matching Five Elements Spirit Stones, his hands flying. The Five Elements Spirit Stones were precisely embedded into the Formation diagram, and flashes of light shimmered as the Five Elements power intertwined in the air, forming a magnificent picture.
Li Mu's fingers lightly tapped, and intricate Formation patterns merged with his movements, causing the entire treasury space to be enveloped by a Five Elements Formation power.
Finally, as the last Formation pattern settled, the Five Elements Shifting Array suddenly lit up, forming a dazzling spatial passage that led directly to the special space of the Chaotic Boundary Sealing Formation. Li Mu took a deep breath, feeling the surging Chaos Origin Power within him, and resolutely stepped into the passage.
After a dizzying sensation, Li Mu arrived in the special space of the Chaotic Boundary Sealing Formation, a world of undifferentiated Chaos, everywhere filled with violent Chaos energy.
An ordinary Cultivator entering here would likely be instantly torn to shreds by this powerful force, but Li Mu was like a fish in water. The Chaos Power surrounding his body merged with it, and his Chaos Dao Body manifested, gathering the rampant Chaos energy and making it orderly.
The next moment, the Chaos Spirit Banner seemed to sense something and flew directly out of Li Mu's body, transforming into a small spiritual whale, swimming in the Chaos. The whale's body shimmered with the spiritual radiance of Chaos Origin, and it seemed to be guiding the surrounding Chaos Spiritual Qi to refine towards a purer direction.
Seeing this, Li Mu secretly praised it. The Chaos Spirit Banner not only communicated with his mind but also seemed to have developed its own consciousness, capable of autonomously operating some profound Chaos Laws.
Li Mu took a deep breath, the Chaos Power within him surging, establishing an even closer connection with the Chaos Spirit Banner, and began the true refining process.
Time seemed to lose its meaning at this moment. Li Mu was completely immersed in the refining process, forming a wondrous resonance with the Chaos Spirit Banner, with the Chaos space, and with the Heaven and Earth. He became a part of the Chaos, sensing the mysteries of Chaos, and constantly imprinting his will within the Chaos.
During this process, Li Mu felt as if he were in the world before Chaos began, personally witnessing the birth and evolution of the Heaven and Earth Five Elements. His understanding of Chaos Law deepened to a new level, and the Chaos magic power within him became purer and more powerful, his Cultivation Realm subtly showing signs of Breakthrough.
As his comprehension of Chaos Law deepened, the aura emanating from Li Mu became increasingly ancient and profound, encompassing all things yet incredibly sharp, capable of piercing through the Void Realm. His state of mind also underwent a subtle change…
The Chaos Spirit Banner swam in the Chaos, and the Chaos Spiritual Qi around the whale's body became increasingly pure, transforming into wisps of Chaos Origin, slowly flowing into Li Mu's body. These Origin Powers circulated within him, nourishing his flesh and blood and Divine Soul, causing his Physical Body strength and Divine Soul to quietly grow.
After an unknown period, when Li Mu opened his eyes again, his pupils were in a state of Chaos, profoundly deep. His Cultivation had been interrupted.
A subtle and indescribable fluctuation suddenly came from the depths of the Chaotic Boundary Sealing Formation, interrupting Li Mu's Cultivation.
This fluctuation was completely different from the Chaos Power he had previously sensed. It carried an ancient, Vicissitudes, and even dangerous aura, as if it were some kind of call or warning left over from the dawn of Chaos.
Li Mu's heart tightened. He immediately collected his thoughts and focused all his attention on this abnormal fluctuation. The Chaos magic power within him surged accordingly, and the connection with the Chaos Spirit Banner became even closer, as if the two together formed a sensitive detection network, attempting to capture and analyze the source and essence of this fluctuation.
As the exploration deepened, Li Mu gradually discovered that this fluctuation did not originate from within the Chaotic Boundary Sealing Formation itself, but rather from the edge of the Formation, or even further out in the Chaos Void Realm. It was a premonition that the Chaotic Boundary Sealing Formation had undergone a drastic change.
Li Mu quickly extended his Divine Sense to peer into the end of the Chaotic Boundary Sealing Formation, and his Divine Sense captured a shocking image.
At the end of the Chaotic Boundary Sealing Formation, in a vast and boundless Chaos Void Realm, a colossal figure clad in black robes stood, surrounded by an extremely dense and terrifying Devilish Qi. This Devil Head led a massive Devil Abyss Army, launching a fierce assault on the Chaotic Boundary Sealing Formation.
The Devil Soldiers and Devil Generals of the Devil Abyss Army were powerful Devil Heads and Devil Beasts. They slaughtered myriad beings, erected altars of bones, and offered flesh, blood, and lost Souls in sacrifice, generating evil power. Devilish Qi surged, accompanied by the wails and despair of countless living beings. Under the command of the Eternal Devil God, this converged into a terrifying force capable of shaking Heaven and Earth, continuously impacting the Chaotic Boundary Sealing Formation. The entire Chaos Void Realm seemed to tremble, as if unable to withstand this power.
Besides this, with the power of the Chaos Spirit Banner, Li Mu also discovered another anomaly within the Chaotic Boundary Sealing Formation. (End of Chapter)
