“Dao Friend Li, please follow me. Everyone else, you may return for now! The Sect Master wishes to see Dao Friend Li.” Liu Changzai explained to the Nascent Soul True Lords and gestured.
Upon hearing that the Sect Master himself was meeting Li Mu, the Nascent Soul True Lords immediately understood. After bidding farewell to Li Mu, they each departed.
“Your Sect Master wants to see me?”
Li Mu frowned slightly, looking at Liu Changzai and asking.
Liu Changzai’s decision to act first and report later made Li Mu somewhat displeased. He had come to Yu Ling Sect as a guest, primarily to obtain the Heavenly Fire from True Lord Tianhong, and did not wish for other complications.
The Yu Ling Sect Master suddenly wanting to meet him personally meant that some troubles might be unavoidable.
Liu Changzai smiled wryly, seeing Li Mu’s wariness, and quickly cupped his hands to explain: “Dao Friend Li, please don’t misunderstand. The Sect Master has been in seclusion all this time, and he did not know beforehand that you would be visiting our Sect.”
After a pause, Liu Changzai continued to explain: “Our Sect’s protective formation has always been under the Sect Master’s control. When an unfamiliar high-tier Cultivator enters the Sect, he will certainly sense it. He used a Flying Sword to inquire about your origins, and I informed him of your matter. He insisted on meeting you personally, so I hope Dao Friend Li can forgive him.”
Liu Changzai tried his best to explain, hoping Li Mu would understand and meet with their Sect Master.
Li Mu frowned and hesitated for a moment before making a decision.
“No matter! Fellow Daoist Liu, please lead the way!” Li Mu nodded, agreeing.
Liu Chang smiled with joy, flew to the front, and continued to lead the way.
Soon, Liu Changzai led Li Mu into an aerial palace floating atop a Ling Peak.
As they drew closer, Li Mu realized that this palatial building was situated on the back of a gigantic Spiritual Tortoise.
This was the truth behind Yu Ling Sect’s floating structures?
It was actually a six-tier Xuanling Rock Tortoise. It was a thousand zhang long, incredibly massive, lying motionless on the Ling Peak with its eyes closed, resting. With each breath, it stirred up whirlwinds of spiritual mist, its Aura vast and mighty.
Before reaching the palace building on the Xuan Tortoise’s back, Li Mu sensed a powerful Divine Thought sweep over him. Clearly, a Soul Transformation expert from Yu Ling Sect was observing him.
Li Mu’s expression remained calm, his thoughts concealed.
Under Liu Changzai’s guidance, Li Mu landed on the palace building on the giant Spiritual Tortoise’s back, alighting on the plaza of a solemn grand hall.
Upon entering the hall, Li Mu immediately sensed a massive change in the surrounding Spiritual Qi. This building must have been arranged with a special high-tier Spiritual Domain formation. The air around them contained only Fire-elemental Spiritual Qi and Thunder-elemental Spiritual Qi, both extremely dense. Other elemental Spiritual Qi must have been repelled.
If a Cultivator with a Fire Spiritual Root or Thunder Spiritual Root were to Cultivate here, they would achieve twice the results with half the effort.
Affected by the Spiritual Qi environment, the Fire-elemental Spiritual Qi within Li Mu’s body also stirred restlessly. Presumably, this residence must be a Cultivation Daoist site exclusively opened by the Yu Ling Sect’s Soul Transformation Cultivator.
“Dao Friend Li, we have arrived! The Sect Master is inside the hall, please come in!” Liu Changzai made an inviting gesture, respectfully inviting Li Mu.
Li Mu nodded cheerfully. His ‘Hidden Star’ Divine Thought subtly probed, finding no abnormalities, and then he stepped into the grand hall.
Inside the solemn and ancient hall, filled with a sense of history, a man sat upon the Sect Master’s throne. He wore a blue-gold robe, had thick eyebrows and sharp eyes, and exuded a powerful Aura, possessing a cultivation of the early Soul Transformation Realm.
Seeing Li Mu’s arrival, he quickly rose to greet him.
“‘Sword Immortal Li,’ I am Lei Hong, the Sect Master of Yu Ling Sect. I have long admired your great name!” Venerable Lei Hong took a step forward, standing before Li Mu, and greeted him warmly.
Venerable Lei Hong’s laughter was hearty, and his attitude was warm, not diminishing his courtesy just because Li Mu was only a Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator.
A great reputation is never unfounded. This ‘Sword Immortal Li’ before him was a Genius Prodigy capable of fighting against Soul Transformation experts. He absolutely could not be treated as an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator.
Judging by his strength, being able to slay a Soul Transformation Realm expert in the Nascent Soul Stage, with such a Prodigy Aptitude, breaking through the Soul Transformation Realm, advancing to Void Refining, achieving Body Integration, and even challenging Mahayana Cultivators would not be difficult in the future.
Once he achieved Soul Transformation, he would almost be invincible among his peers.
What’s more, ‘Sword Immortal Li’ not only possessed astonishing cultivation Aptitude and talent, but his profound attainment in the hundred arts of cultivation—the Dao of Artifact Refining—also warranted him lowering his stance and treating him with utmost respect.
Venerable Lei Hong had already placed Li Mu on an equal footing, not daring to show any neglect.
Unexpectedly, Venerable Lei Hong was so enthusiastic upon their first meeting. Li Mu felt somewhat ‘overwhelmed’ by the flattery, and politely waved his hands repeatedly in response: “Senior Lei, you flatter me! Li cannot bear the title ‘Sword Immortal Li.’ Please, Senior Lei, do not call Li by that title, do not call Li by that title!”
“Haha, alright! We are peers, so you don’t need to call me Senior!” Venerable Lei Hong laughed heartily, accepting Li Mu’s ‘advice.’
“Good! Good, as long as you don’t call me ‘Sword Immortal Li,’ everything is fine!” Li Mu nodded quickly, happily accepting Venerable Lei Hong’s request.
“Mm! Dao Friend Li, please take a seat! Let’s go inside and discuss in detail.” Venerable Lei Hong, with his bold and hearty personality, laughed heartily, made an inviting gesture, and led Li Mu to the seat of honor, warmly inviting him.
Li Mu nodded cheerfully and entered the hall to take his seat.
Li Mu settled into an empty chair. In front of the chair was a table laden with various high-tier Spiritual Fruits, Spiritual Wine, and various Yao Beast meat dishes, their aroma wafting everywhere, incredibly abundant. It must have been the rich guest Spiritual Meal prepared in advance by Venerable Lei Hong’s Disciples.
Soon, under Venerable Lei Hong’s warm hospitality, Li Mu raised his cup and respectfully drank a cup of Spiritual Wine with him, exchanging some mutual flattery.
Li Mu placed the empty wine cup on the table, looked at Venerable Lei Hong, and asked with a smile, getting straight to the point: “Sect Master Lei, I don’t like beating around the bush. My unannounced visit to your Sect this time was a bit abrupt, yet I received your personal reception. I presume you have other arrangements, don’t you?”
Hearing Li Mu’s question,
Venerable Lei Hong smiled wryly, then burst into hearty laughter: “Dao Friend Li, you speak frankly! Yes, I do indeed have something to ask of you. I have long heard that Dao Friend Li’s Artifact Refining skill has reached the pinnacle, a Great Grandmaster Realm, capable of refining five-tier Spiritual Artifacts. I urgently need to refine a special Thunder-attributed Spiritual Artifact, and I would like to trouble Dao Friend Li to help refine it.”
Refine on his behalf!
Upon hearing Venerable Lei Hong’s request, Li Mu instantly realized. So, Sect Master Lei Hong wanted him to help him refine an artifact.
“Sect Master Lei, you overpraise me. Your Sect should also have many Great Master Refiners! I have only been immersed in the Dao of Artifact Refining for a few decades, I’m afraid I cannot undertake this task!” Li Mu refused without even thinking.
The Spiritual Artifact that a Venerable Deity Transformation wishes to refine must have extraordinary requirements. Li Mu did not want to get involved in such trouble, unless…
After Li Mu refused, he suddenly thought of a possibility, and his heart skipped a beat.
“Dao Friend Li, although Yu Ling Sect has many Great Master Refiners, they have so far been unable to refine five-tier top-grade Spiritual Artifacts. Dao Friend Li is different; you must have already refined many five-tier Spiritual Artifacts, right!” Venerable Lei Hong looked at Li Mu, speaking with profound meaning.
After a pause, Venerable Lei Hong looked at Li Mu and analyzed earnestly: “Previously, I also had the fortune to attend the Auction at the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion held by Wanbao Pavilion. Four five-tier pseudo-Spirit Treasures were put up for Auction, attracting many Soul Transformation Cultivators to bid for them. They must have been crafted by Dao Friend Li, right!”
Upon hearing this, Li Mu frowned. He hadn’t expected this matter to escape the investigation of those with ulterior motives.
The reason Li Mu had Gongsun Chu help Auction the five-tier Spiritual Artifacts that had gained sentience was precisely because he didn’t want to enter the radar of certain interested parties. He never expected Venerable Lei Hong to expose the matter to his face.
Their intelligence work was truly excellent!
Li Mu sighed, reluctantly admitting: “My small tricks, Li, ultimately cannot hide from Sect Master Lei!”
Hearing Li Mu’s indirect admission, Venerable Lei Hong laughed heartily, explaining happily: “Dao Friend Li, you are too modest. I just guessed it casually, without much certainty.”
Venerable Lei Hong looked at Li Mu with fervent eyes, saying earnestly: “This Thunder-attributed Spiritual Artifact that I wish to refine is extremely important, concerning our Sect’s protective formation. I hope Dao Friend Li can exert his full effort to assist. For the refining of this special Spiritual Artifact, our Sect has searched for hundreds of years to gather a complete set of refining Materials, including some six-tier Artifact Refining Materials. Among them is a six-tier Purple Cloud Thunder Bamboo, which is rare and hard to find in this world. Only by entrusting it to Dao Friend Li for refining can I feel at ease!”
“Of course, if Dao Friend Li is willing to refine this Spiritual Artifact for our Sect, we will absolutely not let Fellow Daoist toil in vain. Whatever your needs, just state them, and our Sect will do its utmost to satisfy Dao Friend Li!” Venerable Lei Hong looked at Li Mu with sincere and fervent eyes, full of anticipation.
Hearing Venerable Lei Hong’s words, Li Mu feigned a contemplative expression, but inwardly, he began to scheme.
If there were no accidents, Venerable Lei Hong probably wanted to refine a Thunder-attributed formation artifact to go with the Thunder Suppressing Tablet! This was a rare Opportunity, and perhaps he could ask him to help retrieve the Heavenly Fire from True Lord Tianhong.
Li Mu pondered for a moment, then said in a deep voice: “Sect Master Lei, I can indeed refine five-tier top-grade Spiritual Artifacts. However, refining Spiritual Artifacts of this tier has an extremely high failure rate. I guess you want me to help refine a high-tier Thunder-attributed Spiritual Artifact, right?”
“Exactly! Dao Friend Li, are you willing to accept this Artifact Refining commission? What is the success rate?” Venerable Lei Hong nodded decisively, looking at Li Mu with fervent eyes.
“To be frank, I have also refined one five-tier Thunder-attributed Spiritual Artifact, and the success rate is about forty percent!” Li Mu smiled slightly, reaching out to summon the five-tier Eagle-shaped Thunder Wings from within his body.
The next moment, a thunderous shadow flashed forth, transforming into a small blue Thunder Eagle that landed on Li Mu’s shoulder, lifelike, lowering its head to preen its blue ‘thunder feathers.’
Seeing this sentient Thunder Wing Spiritual Artifact, Venerable Lei Hong’s eyes lit up, his face full of delight.
This five-tier Thunder Wing Spiritual Artifact perfectly matched his Thunder Spiritual Root attribute. If he were to use it, its power could increase several times, allowing him to unleash its powerful thunderous combat strength.
However, this Thunder Wing Spiritual Artifact, in Li Mu’s hands, was merely a Flying Spiritual Artifact, adding a slight evasion effect, with its thunderous power completely unreleased.
It was simply a waste of heavenly treasures!
Venerable Lei Hong felt immense heartache, looking at the ‘Thunder Eagle’ Spiritual Artifact with eyes full of longing.
“Dao Friend Li, are you willing to part with this artifact? I am willing to purchase it at a high price!” Venerable Lei Hong looked at the ‘Thunder Eagle’ on Li Mu’s shoulder with red eyes, presumptuously asking Li Mu.
Li Mu smiled slightly, politely refusing: “Sect Master Lei, I am truly sorry, but this artifact has already been refined by me. If it were to change owners, it would require severing its spirit and consciousness, causing extreme damage to the artifact spirit, which would be more trouble than it’s worth.”
As Li Mu's words fell, the 'Thunder Eagle' on his shoulder glared at Venerable Lei Hong. Sensing the source of the danger, it plunged into Li Mu's 'body' and instantly disappeared.
Venerable Lei Hong looked at the disappearing 'Thunder Eagle' Spiritual Artifact, feeling a sense of loss and regret. It was so hard to find a Spiritual Artifact that perfectly suited his Spiritual Root and Cultivation Technique's attributes, yet it was not fated for him.
"Lei Sect Master, let's talk about Artifact Refining! I have about a forty percent chance of successfully refining a five-tier Spiritual Artifact. If the Spiritual Artifact's nature and function are too special, the success rate will drop by another ten percent!" Li Mu looked at Venerable Lei Hong and reminded him solemnly.
Hearing this, Venerable Lei Hong's expression changed dramatically.
"Drop by another ten percent? How can that be?"
Venerable Lei Hong was startled. With such a low success rate, if the refining failed, wouldn't all the valuable Materials invested be lost?
This success rate is too low, absolutely not!
Venerable Lei Hong frowned, feeling conflicted for a moment.
"Dao Friend Li, is there any way to increase the Artifact Refining success rate?" Venerable Lei Hong looked at Li Mu and asked with concern.
"Well! There is indeed a way to improve the success rate, but what is needed is hard to find in this world!" Li Mu pondered for a moment, nodded, and said regretfully.
"Oh! What is needed? If it can increase the success rate, even by one or two tenths, Li will certainly mobilize the entire Sect's power and do his best to retrieve it for Dao Friend Li!" Venerable Lei Hong's spirit was roused. He looked at Li Mu and urgently promised.
"I have cultivated a special Artifact Refining Legacy, and it is difficult to improve without the aid of Heavenly Fire. If Heavenly Fire is added, the success rate for refining this five-tier Spiritual Artifact can increase by another two or three tenths. It's just a pity..." Li Mu shook his head repeatedly in feigned regret, expressing the helplessness in his heart.
Hearing this, Venerable Lei Hong's spirit was greatly roused, his eyes shone, and his expression was extremely excited.
"Dao Friend Li, is this true? If there is that Heavenly Fire to assist, the success rate can increase by another two or three tenths?" Venerable Lei Hong looked at Li Mu and asked excitedly.
After speaking, Venerable Lei Hong couldn't help but stand up from his seat excitedly, looking at Li Mu with piercing eyes, awaiting his reply.
"Hmm! It is indeed so. With the help of Heavenly Fire, I do have this confidence. However, Heavenly Fire is the fire of the Heavenly Dao, extremely rare in the world today. I have searched for decades and still have no news." Facing Venerable Lei Hong's fervent gaze, Li Mu confirmed without a doubt.
After a pause, Li Mu continued to confirm: "If Heavenly Fire assists, my Artifact Refining Dao can advance another step, and refining six-tier spirit treasures is also possible, it's just a pity..."
After speaking, Li Mu showed a look of longing. A moment later, he deliberately sighed with regret and pity, showing extreme urgency for the Heavenly Fire, yet unable to obtain it.
"Refining six-tier spirit treasures?"
Hearing this, Venerable Lei Hong looked at Li Mu in shock, his face full of disbelief.
six-tier spirit treasures are truly too precious. They represent a leap in quality, a qualitative change from quantitative change, and are by no means comparable to five-tier Spiritual Artifacts.
It's like how a Golden Core cultivator cannot be compared to a Nascent Soul cultivator; Cultivators of two different ranks have comprehensive improvements in strength, Lifespan, Divine Soul, and so on, with a difference as vast as clouds and mud.
After a six-tier Spiritual Artifact is successfully refined, it comes with a Spirit of its own and can be called a Spirit Treasure. Its power is not something a five-tier Spiritual Artifact can match. Even thirty high-grade five-tier Spiritual Artifacts may not be able to compare to the power of one Low Grade six-tier spirit treasure.
Among those in the Soul Transformation Realm, if one can possess a six-tier spirit treasure that matches their Spiritual Root and Cultivation Technique attributes, the increase in strength is by no means small. It can greatly enhance one's strength, making it easy to kill enemies across ranks.
Furthermore, among the many Soul Transformation Cultivators, those who truly possess six-tier spirit treasures are few and far between. The vast majority of Soul Transformation Cultivators can only use five-tier Spiritual Artifacts. As for those six-tier spirit treasures, most of them have become Sect- trấn Spirit Treasures, existing to increase the Sect's foundation, and few Soul Transformation Cultivators can independently possess a six-tier Spiritual Artifact.
The preciousness and high status of a Six-Tier Grandmaster Refiner are evident from this.
This Dao Friend Li himself possesses several high-grade five-tier Spiritual Swords. In the battle against Heavenly Doom Demon Lord, he even used a thousand four-tier Spiritual Swords to form a sword array, and the name 'Li Jianxian' is by no means false.
In addition, Venerable Lei Hong personally revealed that this Dao Friend Li refined five-tier pseudo-Spiritual Artifacts and put them up for Auction at Wanbao Pavilion, so his Artifact Refining ability is definitely not false.
Venerable Lei Hong thought carefully and fully believed Li Mu's words.
Looking at Li Mu's young and handsome face, Venerable Lei Hong took a deep breath.
He is only a hundred years old, yet he has reached such a terrifying Artifact Refining Realm. His Cultivation path has only just begun, so how far can he go in the future?
If he has the aid of Heavenly Fire, achieving the status of a Six-Tier Grandmaster Refiner, what level will he be able to reach in the future?
Thinking of this, Venerable Lei Hong couldn't help but get excited. If he could leave a little kindness to him today, in the near future, he might be able to gain his assistance. Even a little incense offering might, in the future, help the Yu Ling Sect when it falls into crisis!
Thinking of this, Venerable Lei Hong's face showed a determined expression, and he immediately made a decision.
"Dao Friend Li, your Opportunity might just be with this Sect. To be honest, our Sect's Heavenly Hong True Lord, in his early years, ventured into the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range to seek Artifact Refining Materials in search of the Dao of Artifact Refining, but unexpectedly encountered an Opportunity and obtained a ball of Extreme Yang Heavenly Fire." Venerable Lei Hong looked at Li Mu solemnly, introducing him without any concealment.
"Lei Sect Master, is this true?" Li Mu's eyes lit up, and he asked with feigned joy.
"Of course!" Venerable Lei Hong smiled and nodded.
Li Mu's face beamed with joy, and he looked at Venerable Lei Hong and said happily: "That's great! With the help of Heavenly Fire, I'll take on this Artifact Refining task. I have at least a sixty percent chance of success."
After speaking, Li Mu paused, frowned at Venerable Lei Hong, and said in a heavy tone: "Heavenly Fire is a flame born under the Great Dao, extremely precious. For an Artifact Refiner, Heavenly Fire has great power to aid the Dao. Moreover, Heavenly Fire has extremely high spirituality and only recognizes its master for life. Even if others have higher cultivation, they cannot make it submit. If you want Heavenly Fire to be used by me, Heavenly Hong True Lord must sever his connection with Heavenly Fire, and he will likely have no further edge with it in this life."
After a moment's pause, Li Mu seemed to have thought of something and looked at Venerable Lei Hong with a regretful expression, saying: "Lei Sect Master, I had a brief encounter with Heavenly Hong True Lord. He is also an Artifact Great Master. Such a heaven-bestowed spiritual object, I believe no Artifact Refiner in the world would be willing to hand it over!"
Li Mu threw the most troublesome problem to Venerable Lei Hong to solve.
To find Heavenly Fire, Li Mu had searched through various ancient books and rare texts.
During his leisure time at Qingxuan Sect, Li Mu had also investigated some information about Heavenly Fire, thoroughly understanding its unique spirituality and its completely different characteristics from ordinary spiritual fires.
Once Heavenly Fire recognizes a master, no one else can control it!
Unless its master severs the connection, or dies and his Dao dissipates, allowing Heavenly Fire to become ownerless again.
However, once the connection with Heavenly Fire is severed, one can never establish a connection with Heavenly Fire again in this life. In other words, if True Lord Tianhong gives up the Extreme Yang Heavenly Fire, he will never be able to reclaim the Extreme Yang Heavenly Fire in this life, unless he finds another type of Heavenly Fire.
After hearing the problem Li Mu raised, Venerable Lei Hong frowned deeply, lost in thought.
This problem is quite tricky!
"Dao Friend Li, please allow me to discuss this matter with True Lord Tianhong first. Is it convenient for you to stay in this Sect for a while?" Venerable Lei Hong looked at Li Mu, his face full of anticipation.
"No problem, I'm honored to impose! However, please trouble Lei Sect Master to convey a message to True Lord Tianhong for me: I am willing to exchange any spiritual object for that ball of Extreme Yang Heavenly Fire. Whatever his needs are, just let him say!" Li Mu looked at Venerable Lei Hong with an urgent expression, entrusting him.
"No problem, Dao Friend Li is willing to help this Sect with Artifact Refining, I will do my best to facilitate this matter, Dao Friend Li can rest assured!" Venerable Lei Hong smiled and nodded, saying seriously.
After speaking, Venerable Lei Hong sent out a communication Flying Sword, summoning Liu Changzai.
"Elder Liu, take Dao Friend Li to Lingyun Pavilion to stay for a while. This is the formation plate for the Spirit Pavilion." Venerable Lei Hong handed a token to Liu Changzai, who had entered the hall, and gestured.
After speaking, Venerable Lei Hong looked at Li Mu and bade farewell: "Dao Friend Li, you go first. I will excuse myself for a moment and visit another day."
As his voice fell, Venerable Lei Hong transformed into a thunderous shadow, moving like lightning, disappearing in a blink of an eye. He must have gone to discuss with True Lord Tianhong!
"Your Lei Sect Master is truly impatient!" Li Mu smiled slightly, looking at Liu Changzai and teasingly said.
"Dao Friend Li, your insight is sharp!" Liu Changzai laughed heartily, saying it was nothing unusual. Then, he made an inviting gesture to Li Mu and led the way: "Dao Friend Li, let's go this way!"
Li Mu nodded and followed Liu Changzai to the spiritual residence to stay temporarily.
The so-called Lingyun Pavilion was not far from the main hall, a few dozen Li away, located in a courtyard halfway up the mountain. It had rich Spiritual Qi and was equipped with various isolation formations, making it quiet and elegant.
Li Mu was very satisfied with the environment of the spiritual residence courtyard. Holding the formation plate, he could easily activate the courtyard's complex protective formations.
After delivering Li Mu to his destination, Liu Changzai hurriedly bade farewell: "Dao Friend Li, if you have any other needs, just send a message through the formation plate, and a dedicated Disciple will serve you. I won't disturb your rest!"
Li Mu smiled and nodded, watching him leave.
After Liu Changzai had gone far, Li Mu used his Divine Thought to scan the entire Lingyun Pavilion. The Lingyun Pavilion, covering about thirty mu, had secluded cultivation chambers, Artifact Refining Rooms, and other living quarters... Though small, it had all the essential amenities.
After confirming that no monitoring formations were set up in Lingyun Pavilion, Li Mu settled down with peace of mind.
Li Mu took out the four-tier Dragon Trapping Formation plate, injected Spiritual Qi, and successfully activated it. He casually added a Dragon Trapping Formation to this spiritual residence courtyard to prevent others from disturbing him.
