Time flew by like a white steed, passing in an instant.
Unconsciously, Li Mu had been residing in Yu Ling Sect's Lingyun Pavilion for over half a month.
The Extreme Yang Heavenly Fire was still nowhere to be found, however, Li Mu had traded for quite a few High Grade Spirit Plant seeds from several Nascent Soul True Lords of the Yu Ling Sect, gathering enough Fourth Level water-element Spirit Plant – nine-leaf azure lotus – and Fourth Level metal-element Spirit Plant – Golden Source Spiritual Fruit – seeds, about thirty mu and seventy mu respectively.
For this, Li Mu did not hesitate to spend three days refining a Fifth Level Acquired Spirit Treasure with an Artifact Spirit for each of the two Nascent Soul True Lords.
As soon as this news spread, the other Nascent Soul True Lords of the entire Yu Ling Sect immediately became agitated; they brought various precious spiritual items, High Grade Artifact Refining Materials, and High Grade spiritual seeds, and came to visit Li Mu one after another.
A Fifth Level Acquired Spirit Treasure with an Artifact Spirit—if one could obtain such a treasure, their combat power would increase exponentially.
Therefore, the Nascent Soul True Lords of the Yu Ling Sect were extremely eager to obtain an Artifact Refining slot from Li Mu.
However, Li Mu shut his doors to the vast majority of Nascent Soul True Lords.
If not for the purpose of gathering the spiritual seeds of the two Fourth Level Five Elements Spirit Plants, water and metal, Li Mu would never have agreed to refine artifacts for them.
If there was one, there would be two; if they pestered him, he would never have a peaceful day again.
Fortunately, Li Mu was Venerable Lei Hong's honored guest, and since he closed his doors to visitors, the Nascent Soul True Lords also found it difficult to disturb him; they had no choice but to lament their bad luck, unless they could bring the items Master Li wanted.
Now, the reason Master Li remained in the Yu Ling Sect was well-known among the Nascent Soul True Lords.
Master Li was waiting, waiting for True Lord Tianhong to give up the Extreme Yang Heavenly Fire.
If they could persuade True Lord Tianhong to hand over the Heavenly Fire, perhaps there would be an opportunity for Master Li to act and help them refine a Fifth Level Acquired Spirit Treasure!
Thinking of this possibility!
Thus, the Nascent Soul True Lords of the Yu Ling Sect changed their course, trampling the threshold of True Lord Tianhong's Immortal Cave, all acting as persuaders, urging True Lord Tianhong to give the Extreme Yang Heavenly Fire to 'Master Li'.
"Junior Brother Tianhong, a Heavenly Dao wonder like the Heavenly Fire belongs to the capable; you cannot unleash its power, so it's better to give it up!"
"Senior Brother Tianhong, I really didn't come to be a persuader, it's just that if you were to give up that Heavenly Fire, I just happen to want to refine a Lifebound Treasure, could you put in a good word for me...? Ah! Senior Brother Tianhong, you, why are you hitting people!"
"Junior Brother Tianhong, alas! I know it's hard for you, but you really can't unleash the power of this Heavenly Fire! Junior Brother Tianhong, why are you drawing your sword! Don't! I'm leaving, I'm leaving right now!"
...
Numerous Nascent Soul fellow Disciples failed to persuade True Lord Tianhong and were chased away by him, causing a chaotic scene.
However, Venerable Lei Hong was still unwilling to give up; he brought Liu Changzai and visited again.
"Nephew Tianhong, you must consider the Sect! Our Sect's artifact Formations are incomplete, and the Sect-protecting Thunder Formation is not whole; if the Nine Demon Sect attacks now, the Sect will be in danger!" Venerable Lei Hong looked at True Lord Tianhong and advised him rationally.
"That's right! When the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact. Junior Brother Tianhong, you must prioritize the greater good!" Liu Changzai chimed in, joining the persuasion.
Looking at Sect Master Lei and Liu Changzai's earnest persuasion, urging him to sacrifice himself for the Sect, with their faces full of self-righteousness, True Lord Tianhong's face was cold, his expression blank, and his eyes clearly showed annoyance.
No matter how they persuaded him, this Heavenly Fire concerned his Foundation for achieving the Dao, and True Lord Tianhong would never compromise and give it up.
Approximately an hour later.
Tianyun Pavilion.
At the stone table in the center of the pavilion,
Unable to obtain the Extreme Yang Heavenly Fire, Liu Changzai came to Lingyun Pavilion to apologize to Li Mu, who was waiting for news.
Meeting Li Mu's gaze, Liu Changzai looked embarrassed.
"It's been so long! True Lord Tianhong is still unwilling to part with it, isn't he!" Li Mu saw Liu Changzai's expression and understood without asking, sighing dejectedly.
"Dao Friend Li, don't be discouraged. Sect Master Lei has already gone to see our Sect's Grand Elder, Revered Qing Wei. He is True Lord Tianhong's master, and with his intervention, this matter should succeed!" Liu Changzai smiled slightly, guaranteeing with full confidence.
"Oh! Can this Revered Qing Wei really persuade True Lord Tianhong?" Li Mu's spirits lifted, and he asked with concern.
Just as Liu Changzai was about to introduce Revered Qing Wei to Li Mu, suddenly, a figure flew rapidly from a distance, heading straight towards them.
Liu Changzai and Li Mu both frowned and looked at that figure.
In the sky, a Golden Core True Disciple arrived on his sword, swift as the wind. Hundreds of feet outside the Formation, he hastily transmitted a request for an audience.
Seeing this, Li Mu waved his hand and decisively withdrew the protective Formation, allowing the Golden Core Disciple to fly directly into Lingyun Pavilion.
The Golden Core Disciple landed his sword in front of Liu Changzai and anxiously reported, "Elder Liu, the Sect Master has given an order! All Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators in the Sect must immediately gather in the main hall. Please hurry over!"
"What is so urgent?" Liu Changzai frowned slightly, asking with concern.
The Golden Core Disciple glanced at Li Mu, seeming hesitant to speak.
Seeing this, Liu Changzai frowned and waved his hand, ordering, "Whatever it is, just say it. Elder Li is not an outsider!"
Hearing this, the Golden Core Disciple no longer concealed it and urgently said, "Master Li, Elder Liu, the Blood God Sect has come for revenge! Two days ago, they massacred White Bird City, and hundreds of thousands of people in the city, not one survived. The two Golden Core Disciples and dozens of Foundation Establishment Disciples guarding the city also perished."
"Elder Qiu self-detonated his Golden Core, and his remnant soul escaped by this means, sending the message back to the Sect with all his might. Only then did we learn of this terrible news." The Golden Core Disciple said with a face full of grief and indignation.
"What!" Liu Changzai's expression changed drastically, his face covered in frost, and he looked at Li Mu and apologized, "Dao Friend Li, I'm sorry, the Sect has an urgent matter, I'll take my leave now!"
"Wait a moment, I'll go with you. This matter is mainly because of me. If I hadn't killed that Blood Refinement Demon Lord, the other party wouldn't have come knocking on the door."
During this period, he had received excellent hospitality from the Yu Ling Sect. He was the one who had killed the Blood Refinement Demon Lord, but the Yu Ling Sect ended up taking the blame.
Hundreds of thousands of people died because of him, and Li Mu felt a little bad.
Liu Changzai nodded, not refusing Li Mu's kind offer.
Soon, under Liu Changzai's guidance, the two arrived at the Sect Master Hall. Except for a few Nascent Soul True Lords who were out, almost all the Nascent Soul True Lords of the Yu Ling Sect were present, totaling twenty-seven Nascent Soul True Lords, and two Soul Transformation Cultivators.
Upon seeing Li Mu, all the Nascent Soul True Lords showed him enthusiastic smiles, revealing an intention to curry favor.
One of the Nascent Soul True Lords, upon seeing Li Mu, averted his gaze and avoided eye contact. This person was True Lord Tianhong.
Seeing True Lord Tianhong's demeanor, how could Li Mu not guess the reason? The other party clearly did not want to give up the Extreme Yang Heavenly Fire, even if it meant breaking off their friendship and incurring his displeasure.
Alas!
The Heavenly Fire is hard to get!
Li Mu sighed, his heart full of helplessness.
Facing the greetings from the numerous Nascent Soul cultivators, Li Mu nodded slightly, responding to each one.
However, Li Mu placed more attention on the fifty-year-old man beside Venerable Lei Hong. This person had a profound aura, wore a black Daoist robe, and his face was full of the vicissitudes of life, his gaze deep, definitely not as simple as he appeared.
Li Mu felt the faint Spiritual Pressure emanating from him and was surprised to discover that this Soul Transformation Cultivator had actually reached the Late Stage of Soul Transformation, only a hair's breadth away from the next great Realm, Void Refining.
Venerable Lei Hong was extremely respectful to him, standing by his side, showing a sense of deference.
"Senior Brother, this is Elder Li Mu, the Artifact Crafting Elder of the Qingxuan Sect. Not only is his cultivation profound, but he is also a Grandmaster Refiner capable of refining Fifth Level Acquired Spirit Treasures. A few days ago, he just refined a Fifth Level Acquired Spirit Treasure each for Junior Brother Tai Yi and Junior Sister Chen Xiao." Venerable Lei Hong smiled as he introduced Li Mu.
"Dao Friend Li, this is my Senior Brother, our Sect's Grand Elder, Revered Qing Wei." Venerable Lei Hong introduced him to Li Mu.
"Greetings, Senior!" Li Mu nodded slightly, greeting Revered Qing Wei.
"So it is Dao Friend Li. I just came out of seclusion and have heard many of your deeds. You are indeed young and promising! I heard that you successfully killed that Tianjue Demonic Lord immediately after passing your Nascent Soul Tribulation?" Revered Qing Wei narrowed his eyes, carefully scrutinizing Li Mu, his heart filled with astonishment.
Tianjue Demonic Lord was an old opponent; that fellow's profound Demonic Technique meant that Revered Qing Wei couldn't do anything to him in a short time if they fought one-on-one.
However, such a demonic overlord was actually defeated by a young man at the Elementary Nascent Soul Stage. Revered Qing Wei's shock was imaginable; he was filled with doubt and couldn't help but question the veracity of this news.
"The rumors are a bit exaggerated. It was mainly the credit of our Sect's Ancestral Master Qingfeng. I only took a small part of the credit! I don't know how it got spread like this!" Li Mu smiled bitterly, modestly denying it.
"Is that so! Then refining Fifth Level Acquired Spirit Treasures, that can't be fake, can it!" Revered Qing Wei chuckled, naturally disbelieving, and continued to press with an inquiring gaze.
Li Mu smiled and nodded, admitting straightforwardly, "In the Dao of Artifact Refining, I happen to have a bit of Heavenly Talent, and I also obtained a bit of Artifact Refining Legacy. I can indeed refine Fifth Level Acquired Spirit Treasures."
"Haha! Excellent!" Revered Qing Wei laughed heartily, nodding in satisfaction. Just as he was about to say something more, at that moment, an explosion sounded.
Venerable Lei Hong, Revered Qing Wei, and all the Nascent Soul True Lords present simultaneously showed a detached state, releasing their Divine Thought to check the sudden changes outside.
Everyone's faces turned incredibly grim as they discovered the enemy's invasion.
At the same time, they also sensed the abnormality of the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi; the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi suddenly became unusually violent.
"It's bad! It's bad! Sect Master, the Blood God Sect has invaded!" A Golden Core True Disciple arrived hastily on his sword, reporting loudly in panic.
"Good, good, good. Since the Ancestral Master ascended, even mere beasts dare to step all over the Yu Ling Sect. Do they truly believe the Yu Ling Sect has no one left!" Revered Qing Wei's eyes widened in fury, and his entire body exuded terrifying Spiritual Pressure.
"Yu Ling Sect Disciples, form up, prepare for battle!"
Venerable Lei Hong immediately took out a Sect Master Token, injected spiritual power to activate it, and gave a cold command. The order instantly reached the ears of all Yu Ling Sect Disciples, mobilizing all combat power to form a Formation and resist the enemy.
Li Mu's heart tensed, and he became vigilant. He had dealt with the Nine Demon Sect several times; the Nine Demon Sect always bullied by sheer force, acting only when they had overwhelming numbers. However, this Blood God Sect dared to challenge the Yu Ling Sect with the power of a single Sect, which must mean there was something fishy going on.
The other eight Sects of the Nine Demon Sect must be plotting some conspiracy!
The Blood God Sect had no reason to be the vanguard! Why did so many people come?
Li Mu was a bit conflicted. How did he get caught up in such a large-scale battle again? If he got involved, the risks would certainly not be small!
To leave now and bid farewell? It might be a bit inappropriate!
Li Mu sighed, he could only wait and see for now!
If a dangerous situation arose, Li Mu's exquisite and proficient Five Elements Escape Technique, combined with the eagle thunder wings, breaking through and escaping the Nine Demon Sect's encirclement should not be a problem.
Li Mu glanced at his character panel, tallying his trump cards that could be used against enemies.
【Character: Li Mu】
【Gender: Male】
【Lifespan: 108 / 3600】
【Spiritual Root: Five Elements Dao Body】
【Heavenly Talent: Identifying Myriad Spirits, Plant Spirit Absorption】
【Cultivation: Early Stage Nascent Soul: 110W / 32KW】
【Cultivation Technique: Yin Yang Five Elements Scripture (Heaven-Grade High Grade) Level 32: 2351W / 540KW, Nebula Observation Chart (Heaven-Grade High Grade) Level 13: 61W / 2800KW, Profound Heaven Sword Formation (Earth-Grade High Grade) Level 13: Perfection; Spirit Devouring Body Nourishing Art (Earth-Grade High Grade) Level 9: Perfection, Spirit Control Contract (Earth-Grade Low Grade) Level 9: Perfection, ...】
【Skills: Qingfeng Huanyu Technique: Perfection, Sword Control Technique: Perfection; Symbol Making Art (Level 5), Artifact Refining Skill (Level 5), Array Formation Skill (Level 5), Puppet Art (Level 5) ...】
Minor Divine Abilities: Great Five Elements Escape Technique, Five Elements Illusionary Body, Illusion to Reality, Divine Refining Spirit Melting, Gathering Star Strike, Devouring Spirit Tempering Bone, Sword Heart Transformation Intent, Thousand Feet Sword Domain, Divine Soul Star Transformation, Gathering Star Condensing Spirit, Yin-Yang Eyes, ...
...
Various Spiritual Artifacts, Spiritual Talismans: Five Fifth Level High Grade Five Elements Spirit Swords, Fifth Level eagle thunder wings, Fifth Level Spirit Treasure - Mount Tai, Fifth Level Spirit Fox Mask, Sixth Level Celestial Void Cauldron, Sixth Level spirit control treasure bracelet, Seventh Level Cave Heaven Spirit Treasure - Painting World Treasure Mansion, nine storage spiritual pearl containing over a thousand Fourth Level Spiritual Artifacts, hundreds of various defensive Spiritual Artifacts, various Battle Puppets, substitute Puppets, self-detonating spider Puppets, Fifth Level Spiritual Talismans, ...
High Grade Artifact Refining Materials: Seventh Level - star beast remnant pearl, Sixth Level Spirit Luck Profound Turtle Shell. These two High Grade Artifact Refining Materials, once he obtains the Heavenly Fire and successfully Cultivates the Heaven Rank Eightfold Heavenly Fire Tempering Method, he can refine a divination Spirit Treasure.
At that time, he would learn a divination secret art, and in the future, he would perform a divination before traveling, no longer fearing being ambushed.
As for Spirit Beasts: A Seventh Level Fire Phoenix demon egg is currently in the Celestial Void Cauldron, probably needing another thirty to forty years to hatch.
Fourth Level: Little Gold, Metal attribute: Green-Eyed Golden Ape.
Fourth Level: Little Wa, Earth attribute: Iron Armor Rock Lizard.
Sixth Level Gu Spirit: Little White, Soul attribute, currently in a slumber transitioning from Fifth Level to Sixth Level.
Little White doesn't know when it will wake up! Without Little White as a trump card, Li Mu felt a bit of a lack of security, but when Little White wakes up, it will definitely have successfully advanced.
A Sixth Level Gu Spirit that naturally restrains Yin souls, even against a Soul Transformation Cultivator, it should be able to hold its own for a while!
Now, Li Mu only lacked one water-element and one wood-element High Grade Spirit Beast.
Li Mu set his sights on the Sixth Level Twin-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon and the Sixth Level Wood Nightmare Demon King. If these two Spirit Beasts could be successfully subdued and the Five Elements gathered, it would add another powerful Foundation.
Once the Five Elements High Grade Spirit Beasts were gathered, Li Mu planned to refine a dedicated Lifebound Treasure for them, and through the Spirit Control Contract, teach them the Five Elements Array Formation method.
When encountering powerful enemies, the other five Spirit Beasts would then set up the Five Elements Grand Formation to engage in battle. This trump card Foundation, combined with the Five Elements Sword Formation, even fighting across two large Realms, might not be without a chance of victory.
A hint of confidence flashed in Li Mu's eyes. Unconsciously, he had already become this powerful.
Now, if Li Mu were to face Tianjue Demonic Lord, relying on his own strength and his splendid wealth, he would have the confidence to take him down!
It's just a pity that True Lord Tianhong held onto that Heavenly Fire too tightly!
That guy wouldn't budge, no matter what. Li Mu didn't know how long he would have to wait to get his hands on the Extreme Yang Heavenly Fire.
Following Venerable Lei Hong's command, the Nascent Soul True Lords in the main hall flew out one after another, heading to the Sect's important grounds to set up Formations and kill the enemy.
Watching their backs as they rushed out of the main hall, Li Mu sighed. A pair of Thunder Wings extended from his back, and his figure flashed, transforming into a blue lightning bolt, chasing after them out of the main hall.
