The light of the Teleportation Formation suddenly shone, then quickly dissipated, and Li Mu’s figure appeared in an unfamiliar sea area.
He unleashed his Divine Sense, like an invisible net, covering a thousand miles of sea.
Soon, Li Mu’s gaze locked onto an uninhabited deserted island.
The island was covered with dense vegetation, and the air was filled with rich Spiritual Qi, like an uncarved jade, quietly lying in the vast ocean, waiting for someone destined to discover it.
After repeatedly confirming that there were no other Cultivators on the small island, Li Mu’s figure flickered, and he flew above the small island.
“This place is good, let’s make it a temporary residence,” Li Mu mused to himself, then his figure flashed, landing on the island.
He skillfully arranged some defensive Restrictions and Formations to conceal the island, ensuring that the outside world could not peek or disturb it.
Subsequently, Li Mu gently patted his Storage Ring, and a traveling Magical Artifact—the four directions house—appeared in his hand.
With a thought from Li Mu, the four directions house grew against the wind, transforming into a spacious single-story courtyard.
The courtyard was fully equipped with an Artifact Refining Room, a Cultivation Room, and a Meditation Room, providing him with a perfect place for Cultivation.
After completing all this, Li Mu smiled contentedly, then burrowed into the Cultivation Room, summoned the Painting World Treasure Mansion, and with a flash of his figure, disappeared from his original spot.
All that remained was a five-colored Ruyi Scepter from the Painting World Treasure Mansion, slowly hovering in the center of the Cultivation Room, with a shimmering, ethereal glow flowing around it, appearing extremely agile.
Li Mu appeared inside the Painting World Treasure Mansion, and a pure spiritual power rushed towards him.
As far as his eyes could see, it was a fairyland-like Grotto-Heaven world, with mountains and water, clouds and mist, like a flowing ink wash painting.
Mountains undulated, forests were dyed in various colors, mountain streams gurgled, clear to the bottom, and fish swam happily in the water, occasionally leaping out of the water, splashing tiny droplets that sparkled with crystal clear light under the sun.
What was most astonishing was that the Spiritual Qi concentration within the Treasure Mansion Space had reached a liquefied state, and the air was filled with a faint mist of Spiritual Qi, as if one were immersed in an ocean of Spiritual Qi.
The Five Elements Spirit Mountain stood in the center, with a cluster of palaces on its peak.
A waterfall cascaded from the Five Elements Spirit Mountain down to the Spirit Pond at the foot of the mountain.
Below the mountain were vast, boundless Spirit Fields, arranged in an orderly fashion according to the Five Elements layout.
Upon the Spirit Fields, a massive quantity of Five Elements, Sixth-Order, and Seventh-Order Spirit Plants were planted.
They presented five colors: gold, wood, water, fire, and earth, intertwining and thriving endlessly; many Fourth-Order and Fifth-Order Spirit Plants had lush branches and leaves, and abundant fruits, making them look mouth-watering.
As for those Sixth-Order and Seventh-Order Five Elements Spirit Plants, they were even more precious, each emitting a faint spiritual light, as if containing the profound truths of Heaven and Earth.
Their roots were deeply embedded in the Spirit Fields, absorbing the essence of the Five Elements Spirit Mountain and the Heaven and Earth, continuously growing and strengthening.
The Spiritual Qi above the Spirit Fields was so dense that it almost liquefied, forming a thin layer of spiritual mist that gently enveloped every inch of the Spirit Fields, like a meticulously drawn pastoral painting.
Beyond the Five Elements Spirit Fields, there were also dense, verdant bamboo forests, star wood forests covered in starlight, spirit fruit orchards emitting enticing aromas, and Spirit Fields arranged in a Yin and Yang correspondence, planting a massive quantity of Sixth and Seventh-Order Yin and Yang Spirit Plants.
In the air, Time-Space power condensed, which was where the Time-Space Spirit Lotus hovered.
Each petal of the lotus seemed to carry the mysteries of time and space, and with every gentle sway, heart-palpitating Time-Space fluctuations emanated.
At the boundary of the Treasure Mansion where the Time-Space Spirit Lotus was planted, there was a Time-Space Law Formation constructed from rare Materials.
It continuously provided stable Time-Space power to the Time-Space Spirit Lotus, enabling it to thrive in this Grotto-Heaven world.
...
Wherever Li Mu’s Divine Sense passed, the status of numerous Spirit Plants within the Painting World Treasure Mansion clearly entered his mind; the growth condition and Spiritual Qi fluctuations of each Spirit Plant could not escape his perception.
Due to the previous absorption of Spiritual Qi intercepted by the Chaotic Boundary Sealing Formation, the Spiritual Qi quality within the Painting World Treasure Mansion’s space had undergone a qualitative improvement.
In the short term, the growth of numerous Spirit Plants within the Treasure Mansion no longer required Li Mu’s concern.
However, transplanting all the Five Elements and Yin and Yang Spirit Plants from the seven Secret Realms into the Treasure Mansion this time, the massive demand for Spirit Plant growth, was ultimately a huge burden for the Painting World Treasure Mansion.
Although Li Mu also took the opportunity to collect a large amount of precious Spirit Materials from the seven Extreme Secret Realms into the Treasure Mansion when transplanting the Spirit Plants from those seven Extreme Secret Realms, providing the Treasure Mansion with a rich Foundation and many necessities for the growth of high-grade Spirit Plants, the Treasure Mansion Spirit was, after all, just a Grotto-Heaven Magic Treasure and could not spontaneously generate its own rhythm and Spiritual Qi.
Planting millions of high-grade Spirit Plants within the Treasure Mansion was undoubtedly an unprecedented challenge for it.
Although the Spiritual Qi within the Painting World Treasure Mansion remained abundant, as time passed, Li Mu could feel that a sense of fatigue and pressure originating from deep within the Treasure Mansion was quietly growing.
To completely resolve this situation, a thorough solution needed to be implemented as soon as possible.
Now, with the collapse of the Chaotic Boundary Sealing Formation, the seven nine-rank divine objects, which were the formation eyes of the seven Extreme Secret Realms, had all fled, becoming ownerless and scattered across the Heaven and Earth.
These seven nine-rank divine objects not only possessed incredible power but also could autonomously absorb Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi.
If they could be recovered and integrated into the Painting World Treasure Mansion, it would undoubtedly greatly enhance the Treasure Mansion's self-sufficiency in Spiritual Qi.
If possible, Li Mu even wanted to gather these seven nine-rank divine objects to reshape the Foundation of the Painting World Treasure Mansion’s Dao of Artifacts, allowing it to truly evolve on its own and become an endlessly self-sustaining Grotto-Heaven world.
Once this idea took root in Li Mu’s mind, it grew like wild grass.
If this plan could be completed, it would not only be a reshaping of the Painting World Treasure Mansion but also lay an unbreakable Foundation for his future path of Cultivating the Chaotic Great Dao.
“Master!”
“Li Dage!”
“Master, were the pursuing enemies dealt with?”
...
Sensing Li Mu’s arrival, Green-Eyed Golden Ape - Xiao Jin, Ink Jade Rock Lizard - Xiao Wa, Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix, Azure Moon True Dragon, Azure Jade Ginseng King, and Nine-Tailed Sky Fox - Xue’er all appeared and gathered around him, their eyes filled with concern for Li Mu.
“Yes, they’re dealt with.
You all go Cultivate now!
It’s fine!”
Li Mu smiled, comforting his Spirit Beasts, and nodded affectionately to Xue’er.
Upon hearing this, the Spirit Beasts all breathed a sigh of relief.
They exchanged glances and then left as ordered, leaving Li Mu and Xue’er.
Watching the Spirit Beasts depart, Xue’er stepped forward and took Li Mu’s hand, asking concernedly, “Li Dage, what’s the situation outside now? Who was chasing you?”
Hearing Xue’er’s question, Li Mu immediately knew she was overthinking it, assuming the Demon Abyss forces were chasing him.
He quickly explained with a smile, “It’s not what you think.
Although the Sealing Boundary Grand Formation has collapsed, the Demon Abyss’s invasion should still be some time away.
It’s just that I encountered some trouble while chasing the Nine-Order Earth Vein Divine Fire…”
Immediately, Li Mu recounted in detail to Xue’er the events of chasing the Earth Vein Divine Fire, unexpectedly landing on Fire Dragon Island, the Fire Dragon Clan on the island, their sacred object—the Dragon Emperor’s Heart Flame—being stolen by the Earth Vein Divine Fire, and then being pursued by Blazing Fire Old Ancestor.
“So that’s how it is, Li Dage took a hit for the Earth Vein Divine Fire for nothing!” Xue’er suddenly understood, sounding a bit amused.
“Yes, I didn’t expect such a situation to arise,” Li Mu shook his head helplessly, then chuckled, “However, this can also be considered a rare experience.
At least I gained the Corpse of an Eighth-Order Fire Dragon, and once it’s refined into a thousand Dao Swords, the power of Myriad Swords Mountain can be enhanced by another level!”
“Li Dage, aren’t you going to chase that Nine-Order Earth Vein Divine Fire anymore?” Xue’er asked in surprise.
Li Mu smiled faintly, his gaze profound, and said with a laugh, “Chase, of course I’ll still chase it.
But not now.
The Earth Vein Divine Fire is a supreme treasure of Heaven and Earth, full of spirituality.
Now that it has just awakened from ten thousand years of slumber, it stole the Dragon Emperor’s Heart Flame and attracted a powerful enemy like Blazing Fire Old Ancestor.
If I pursue it now, it might cause more trouble, and getting into greater trouble would be inappropriate.”
Li Mu paused as if he thought of something, and continued, “After the Earth Vein Divine Fire absorbs the Dragon Emperor’s Heart Flame, its strength will undoubtedly increase greatly.
In a short time, I may not be able to subdue it, so I plan to stop for a while, let it stabilize, and then look for an opportunity to act.”
“Moreover, with the Chaotic Boundary Sealing Formation disintegrated and the Three Realms Passage opened, the Demon Abyss forces are bound to invade this Realm.
The current situation is still unclear, so don’t run around recklessly.
The primary task is to ensure your own safety and the improvement of your strength.”
Li Mu’s expression grew serious as he looked at Xue’er and reminded her, “Xue’er, you and I must Cultivate even more diligently and improve our strength to cope with the coming storm.”
“Li Dage, I just came out of seclusion, and you want me to Cultivate again…” Xue’er frowned, saying poutily.
Hearing this, Li Mu was exasperated and quickly appeased her, “I know, but I’m going to focus on Artifact Refining for a while, so I probably won’t have time to accompany you.”
“Li Dage, I understand.
Go ahead and refine your artifacts!” Xue’er smiled understandingly and nodded gently.
Li Mu smiled contentedly, tightly held Xue’er’s hand, and spent some tender moments with her.
Subsequently, Li Mu began to prepare for Artifact Refining.
Previously, he was able to successfully refine fifteen hundred Seventh-Order Dao Swords at an extremely fast speed with the aid of the Chaotic Boundary Sealing Formation’s power.
Now, without the assistance of the Chaotic Boundary Sealing Formation, the difficulty of refining a thousand Seventh-Order Dao Swords at once would significantly increase.
Fortunately, what Li Mu lacked least was time.
He first summoned the Corpse of the Eighth-Order Fire Dragon, dismembered, segmented, and initially processed it for use in refining Dao Soldiers.
As the thousand-zhang Dragon Corpse appeared, the entire space seemed to tremble.
The Corpse of the Eighth-Order Fire Dragon lay horizontally in the center of the Five Elements Spirit Palace, its Aura magnificent, like an insurmountable mountain.
Upon the Dragon Corpse, the majesty and dominance it possessed in life still lingered; even though it had fallen, that Dragon Might still inspired awe.
Blazing Fire Old Ancestor had consumed the Dragon Emperor’s essence blood before his death, and its residual power remained.
The reddish-purple Dragon Scales shimmered with a metallic luster, each one like a meticulously carved work of art, both tough and magnificent.
The Dragon Bones, on the other hand, stood tall like celestial pillars, emitting a faint luminescence, containing abundant Dragon Origin power, allowing one to feel that soul-stirring power.
The Dragon Corpse’s eyes were tightly shut, but it seemed as if they could open at any moment, spewing out flames capable of incinerating everything.
That majesty and power originating from deep within its Bloodline made one tremble.
Compared to it, the Azure Moon True Dragon, though only one major Realm lower, was like mud compared to clouds.
Feeling the majestic Aura of the Dragon Corpse, Xue’er exclaimed, “What terrifying Dragon Might!
Is this the Corpse of an Eighth-Order Fire Dragon?
Li Dage, you’re truly amazing to be able to kill it alone!”
Li Mu smiled faintly, a sense of satisfaction welling up in his heart as he looked at Xue’er’s astonished expression.
“You go busy yourself!
I need to process this Corpse, and the scene will be a bit bloody!”
Hearing this, Xue’er readily agreed, knowing that this was not the time for lingering affection.
She immediately stepped back and said, “Li Dage, you go ahead and be busy!
I’ll go prepare some food for you.”
After Xue’er left, Li Mu’s expression became solemn and focused.
Processing this Eighth-Order Dragon Corpse was no simple task.
However, with his previous experience in handling the Demonic Dragon Corpse, and without the need to remove Devilish Qi, this Fire Dragon Corpse was much simpler to deal with.
Li Mu began his work with practiced ease, first extracting the Dragon Blood.
This Eighth-Order Dragon Blood was invaluable, as the Dragon Origin power it contained could not only be used to refine Spirit Pills but also served as an important Spirit Material for Spiritual Charms Drawing and making Spirit Ink.
Li Mu summoned an exquisite liquid-collecting bottle, its body engraved with intricate runes, capable of preserving the Dragon Blood’s activity and power to the maximum extent.
Li Mu summoned a Seventh-Order Dao Sword, infused it with Spiritual Qi, and forcefully cut across the Dragon Corpse’s neck veins.
Unlike ordinary beasts, the Eighth-Order Fire Dragon’s blood did not immediately gush out but seemed to be drawn by an invisible force, continuously flowing into the liquid-collecting bottle in Li Mu’s hand, thousands of pounds worth.
The Dragon Blood was a vibrant red like agate, with a faint golden luster, emitting a scorching Aura that made one dare not look directly at it.
After a large amount of Dragon Blood was collected, Li Mu then began to strip the Dragon Scales.
He took out a skinning knife.
Although this skinning knife was named “knife,” it was actually an extremely delicate Dao Soldier, specifically used for processing precious Materials without damaging their essence.
Li Mu held the skinning knife, and Spiritual Qi flowed over it, causing the blade to emit a faint blue light, as if enveloped by a layer of mist.
He gently touched the Dragon Corpse; this time, it was not cutting, but rather gently guiding the Dragon Scales to separate from the Dragon body.
The skinning knife moved between the Dragon Scales, and each Dragon Scale was precisely removed, neither damaging the Dragon Scale itself nor leaving any trace on the Dragon Corpse, demonstrating Li Mu’s superb skill and exquisite control over Spiritual Qi.
The Dragon Scales flew in the air like dazzling sparks, each one shimmering with a brilliant light and emitting a faint warmth, which was proof that the Dragon Origin had not yet dissipated.
Finally, Li Mu collected them one by one into his tianxuan ring.
After dealing with the Dragon Scales, Li Mu did not immediately proceed to the Dragon Bones but first inspected the interior of the Dragon Corpse to confirm if there were any other valuable internal organs or organs that could be utilized.
Indeed, within the Dragon’s abdomen, Li Mu discovered a fist-sized crimson Dragon Pearl, containing the power of fire, which was the concentrated manifestation of the Dragon Corpse’s Fire Dao Origin.
Blazing Fire Old Ancestor had condensed the essence of his Mahayana Cultivation into this Pearl.
This was a top-grade Artifact Refining Material.
Li Mu solemnly put it away.
Next, he proceeded to strip the Dragon Sinews, Dragon Meat, Dragon Bones, and so on.
The Dragon Sinews were incredibly tough, making them excellent Materials for refining ropes and whip-type Magical Artifacts.
Li Mu carefully cut along the Dragon Corpse’s spine with the skinning knife, and the Dragon Sinews emerged, hard as steel yet possessing excellent toughness.
He slowly pulled them out, each one winding like a long snake, shimmering with a fiery red glow.
Dragon Meat, perhaps not a direct Cultivation Material, but the Dragon Origin Qi of a Mahayana Fire Dragon contained within it was a treasure many low-level Spirit Beasts yearned for.
Li Mu cut it into pieces, froze it, and stored it properly, preparing to refine it into Medicinal Pills, or cook Spirit Meals, or use it to feed his Spirit Beasts to enhance their strength.
...
The thousand-zhang giant Dragon Corpse was like a small mountain, and Li Mu, in front of it, was like an ant, busy and enjoying himself.
(End of Chapter)
