Five days later, Li Mu piloted the Earth Element Spirit Ship and returned to Yin Yang Valley.
After tending to the spirit plants, he immediately entered the Artifact Refining Room to begin refining the Spirit Treasure for Qingwei Venerable.
The Skyfire Refining Furnace was summoned, and various six-tier spirit materials were thrown in. According to Qingwei Venerable's refining requirements, Li Mu refined a six-tier spirit treasure for him.
He immediately rushed into the Artifact Refining Room and spent five days completing the six-tier spirit treasure Qingwei Venerable needed: a slender, sharp sword with a brilliant emerald green blade, as if carved from the finest jade.
The hilt was made from a six-tier spirit ore called "Wind Crystal." This six-tier spirit material itself possessed powerful wind-attribute energy, capable of enhancing the wielder's Cultivation ability and the power of their Sword Qi.
The artifact array and artifact patterns of this sword incorporated all the functions required by Qingwei Venerable.
After completing the refining of qingfeng sword for Qingwei Venerable, Li Mu casually refined two more six-tier spirit treasures, fulfilling two Artifact Refining commissions from Wanbao Pavilion.
As he emerged from the Artifact Refining Room, Qingwei Venerable's voice came through.
"Great Master Li, this Senior has arrived as promised."
Li Mu quickly opened the defensive array of Yin Yang Valley, allowing Qingwei Venerable to enter the valley.
"Great Master Li, this visit is urgent, primarily for the refining of the six-tier spirit treasure. Xuantian Sword Sect's counterattack is imminent, and this Spirit Treasure concerns this Senior's safety."
Qingwei Venerable looked at Li Mu, getting straight to the point, and said with an embarrassed expression.
"I did not fail your trust! Senior, this is the Spirit Treasure you commissioned!" Li Mu smiled slightly, took out the slender qingfeng sword, and presented it with both hands.
Qingwei Venerable's eyes lit up as he looked at the qingfeng sword, his gaze instantly fixed on it.
"Good! Good! Great Master Li, your Artifact Refining skill is becoming more and more exquisite!" Qingwei Venerable grabbed the qingfeng sword, quickly refined it, immediately understood all its functions, and praised Li Mu effusively.
"Oh! How are the battle conditions on Xuantian Sword Sect's side recently?" Li Mu smiled humbly and changed the subject.
Qingwei Venerable's smile faded, and he introduced with a rather solemn expression, "Since the matter of the Demon Abyss came to light, Fang Yunjian has been guarding the front line. Xuantian Sword Sect and Taiyi Sect have both dispatched more personnel, just waiting for this battle to sever the connection between the Demon Abyss and Southern Wilderness Spirit Domain."
After speaking, Qingwei Venerable added in a low voice.
"Our losses have gradually increased these past few days, and there have been teams ambushed. It wasn't Nine Demon Sect's doing; it was more like the Yao Race."
Li Mu raised an eyebrow upon hearing this.
The Yao Race? The Yao Race has been annihilated, how could they attack the Cultivators of Southern Wilderness Spirit Domain?
Just as he was about to refute Qingwei Venerable, a bold idea suddenly occupied Li Mu's mind.
His brows instantly furrowed together!
How could the All-Demon Tribes cooperate with Nine Demon Sect!
Recalling the battlefield he saw in the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range, where not a single high-tier demon body was found, all doubts vanished the moment Li Mu glimpsed the Puppet returning from outside, and he instantly had a flash of insight.
Puppets!
Devilish Qi eroding their bodies, but not taking the lives of these strong individuals, only to keep them as a contingency!
Silently bringing the All-Demon Tribes under the banner of Nine Demon Sect, and then sweeping across Southern Wilderness Spirit Domain in one fell swoop!
Thinking of this, cold sweat involuntarily broke out on Li Mu's forehead.
"Senior, are you going to Barren Ancient City? I also need to go there; let's go together!" Li Mu looked at Qingwei Venerable, signaling.
Qingwei Venerable nodded cheerfully.
Soon, the two flew on swords, rapidly heading towards Barren Ancient City.
Barren Ancient City Port.
Fang Yunjian was discussing the preparations for this battle with several subordinates.
"This month's counterattack has been remarkably effective. At most, three more months of fighting, and we can extinguish Nine Demon Sect."
Fang Yunjian first summarized the overall situation, and then analyzed carefully. "If there are no accidents, our Xuantian Sword Sect will surely return victorious, but there are three things that confuse me right now."
"Firstly, Nine Demon Sect's Demon Armored Army. According to the recent collation, the captured demon armor amounts to a thousand five-tier demon armors and a hundred six-tier demon armors."
"Nine Demon Sect definitely has more than this many Demon Armored Army. Where is their main force?"
A Xuantian Sword Sect Disciple stepped forward and said, "Reporting, Executive Fang, we have already launched an investigation, but currently, we haven't found any clues. The surrounding thousand-mile mountain range has been meticulously searched, with no findings."
Fang Yunjian pondered for a moment.
"Increase the effort. We must find Nine Demon Sect's main force before the great battle."
Then, Fang Yunjian continued, "These past few days, several local Cultivator teams in Southern Wilderness Spirit Domain have been successively annihilated. Right now, I need a team to act as bait to lure out this group of people."
When discussing the war, the eyes of the Xuantian Sword Sect Disciples all lit up.
The resources and Legacy of Central Continent both surpass Southern Wilderness Spirit Domain, making them almost invincible among peers.
Isn't it simple to lure out these miscellaneous fish?
Immediately, several people signed up. Fang Yunjian selected the three most reliable individuals and ordered them to lead a small number of personnel out to lure the enemy.
As for the last point, Fang Yunjian hadn't had time to speak when he saw Hu Elder walking over with a gloomy face.
"Executive Fang, please step aside. I have a very important piece of intelligence I wish to share with you."
Fang Yunjian was slightly surprised.
The two Sects have been at odds for a long time. What kind of news could it be that required Hu Elder to personally deliver it?
Without further thought, he rose directly.
"You wait here; I'll be right back."
Fang Yunjian left Barren Ancient City Port with Hu Elder and arrived at a secluded tavern.
In this dimly lit room, Fang Yunjian immediately spotted Li Mu.
He stepped forward, cupped his fists, and bowed.
"Great Master Li."
Li Mu made a gesture to invite him, then placed a Puppet core on the table.
"A few days ago, I went to the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range. Now, the All-Demon Tribes have been severely wounded by an unknown force, suffering heavy casualties. But I don't know who it was. When I left, I left thirty Puppets to gather intelligence. This is the only reconnaissance Puppet that returned alive, and it contains some intelligence about the annihilation of the Yao Race tribes."
Fang Yunjian raised an eyebrow.
"The Yao Race suffered heavy losses?"
This news caught Fang Yunjian somewhat off guard.
He was well aware of the intelligence regarding Southern Wilderness Spirit Domain. Previously, the Human Race's old adversary had been the All-Demon Tribes, and they had been in a stalemate for a long time without a clear victor.
Such a formidable entity was actually severely wounded by an unknown force. If there was no accident, it must be Nine Demon Sect.
Fang Yunjian's expression darkened. He raised his hand and pressed it on the Puppet core. All the memories the Puppet had seen on the giant mountain flooded into his mind.
A moment later, Fang Yunjian released his hand, looked at Li Mu, and solemnly said, "Great Master Li, this intelligence is of extraordinary value. What reward do you desire?"
Li Mu shook his head directly.
"No reward is necessary. I have a very bold conjecture, and I hope you two can hear it."
"The Demon Abyss forces behind Nine Demon Sect have long targeted the All-Demon Tribes, intending to refine Puppets from the corpses of the All-Demon Tribes and seize Southern Wilderness Spirit Domain in one fell swoop."
"I'm worried that if you're not fully prepared, you'll suffer a loss in this matter."
Fang Yunjian's breathing clearly became heavier.
Swallowing Southern Wilderness Spirit Domain in one go, this plan was indeed insane.
Without sufficient planning and a chance of victory, no one would dare to do this.
Nine Demon Sect has made preparations to invade Southern Wilderness Spirit Domain!
Even with only a ten percent chance of success, it's not something the current Disciples of Xuantian Sword Sect can handle.
The level of the battlefield is different, the scale is different, and the preparations needed are also different.
Li Mu's reminder could significantly reduce the personnel losses for Xuantian Sword Sect Disciples.
After a brief silence, Fang Yunjian stood up directly, bowed slightly to Li Mu, and cupped his fists in salute.
"Thank you for the reminder, Great Master Li."
Li Mu merely shook his head, saying with a heavy heart, "I hope I'm wrong."
Fang Yunjian suddenly said, "I will request reinforcements from the Sect. The reinforcements will arrive at least ten days later. Great Master Li, what do you think I should do?"
If anyone else had said these words, Fang Yunjian would have dismissed them as nonsense and certainly wouldn't have sought reinforcements from Xuantian Sword Sect.
But who made the speaker Li Mu? He had already accurately guessed Nine Demon Sect's intentions, and his prophecy had concrete examples to support it.
Now, with Li Mu issuing another warning, Fang Yunjian had no choice but to believe him.
Li Mu thought for a moment, looked at Hu Elder beside him, and replied, "This junior has never encountered such a great battle and cannot offer any advice. It's better to listen to Hu Elder's opinion!"
Hu Elder lowered his head in deep thought for a moment, then analyzed.
"Since the situation is tense but not yet erupted, we shouldn't act rashly. I will also request reinforcements from Taiyi Sect, which will also take about ten days. During this time, we will hold our ground, make pre-war preparations, and once we have enough leverage, we can then contend with Nine Demon Sect. Fang Yunjian, what do you think?"
Fang Yunjian pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "Alright, then I will go and gather our forces."
Before he finished speaking, Fang Yunjian's brow suddenly furrowed. He took out a jade pendant from his waist, and one of the nine squares on it gradually dimmed.
With a crisp 'crack' sound, two squares on the nine-square grid shattered.
"This is... the life token of a Xuantian Sword Sect Disciple."
Fang Yunjian nodded with a grim face.
"They are two of my subordinates, Gu Jianhui and Chu Linjian. They have both fallen in battle."
Just now, Fang Yunjian had ordered three people to lead a small team out of the city, intending to lure out the Nine Demon Sect Disciples who had been ambushing the Southern Wilderness Spirit Domain teams.
Now, they had actually fallen in battle, and in two different directions simultaneously.
This made Fang Yunjian believe Li Mu's deduction even more.
Nine Demon Sect couldn't produce two such powerful individuals capable of instantly killing Xuantian Sword Sect Disciples, preventing them from even sending out a message.
Although the Demon Abyss had established a passage with Southern Wilderness Spirit Domain, the passage was still weak and could not accommodate powerful individuals passing through, so the battle situation was still controlled to a certain extent.
Looking at Southern Wilderness Spirit Domain, the only one with this ability was the Yao Race.
"It was my miscalculation. I thought it was the forces behind Nine Demon Sect acting, but I didn't expect them to use the Yao Race!" Fang Yunjian said with a face full of remorse and anger.
The demise of two high-ranking Xuantian Sword Sect Disciples startled Li Mu slightly. Could it be that Nine Demon Sect was preparing to attack Barren Ancient City?
To be selected into Xuantian Sword Sect, the foremost Sect, they must have been exceptional individuals. If even they fell so quickly, Li Mu himself would probably not fare much better.
Barren Ancient City was in danger!
Li Mu frowned deeply, his mind working, considering leaving this troubled place.
Hu Elder sighed, looking at Fang Yunjian and comforting him, "Executive Fang, the dead cannot be brought back to life. It's not wise to act rashly now. Wait for the subsequent reinforcements to arrive, then we can avenge them!"
"Hu Elder, with the current situation, I know what to do! However, there are some things that must be done." Fang Yunjian's face showed sorrow, seemingly unwilling to be persuaded. Before he finished speaking, his figure flashed, and he left, his resolute tone, sharp as a sword's edge, carried on the wind.
"All Disciples of my Xuantian Sword Sect shall be buried within Xuantian Sword Sect."
Li Mu looked in astonishment at Fang Yunjian's fleeting back. Knowing the danger outside, was he still determined to go, regardless of his own life?
Hu Elder sighed with a wry smile and explained to Li Mu, "This is a tradition of Xuantian Sword Sect. Their Xuantian Sword Sect Disciples are noble; they will not abandon the bodies of their Disciples in the wilderness."
Li Mu suddenly understood and also realized why Xuantian Sword Sect had such strong cohesion; it stemmed from the Sect's tradition.
"Great Master Li, do you have any other plans afterward?"
"For example, temporarily leaving this troubled place. After all, you are only at the Nascent Soul Middle Stage Cultivation now and are proficient in Artifact Refining. The rear is where your value can be fully realized; it's not suitable for you to intervene in this war." Hu Elder looked at Li Mu and reminded him solemnly.
These words struck a chord with Li Mu. He also intended to temporarily avoid the limelight. However, the two spirit plants in Yin Yang Valley still needed some time to mature, and giving up on them would be a pity. Also, his Nascent Soul, Little Gold, and Little Wa had gone out to explore the Secret Realm and had not yet returned, so it was inconvenient to leave for now.
"Indeed, the hidden turmoil in Southern Wilderness Spirit Domain is not something I can interfere with. It's just that I still have some unfinished business, so I'm afraid I cannot leave in a short period of time." Li Mu hesitated for a moment, then replied.
Hu Elder nodded understandingly. He took out a jade pendant from his Pregnant and handed it to Li Mu, saying, "This is the Guest Elder's token of our Sect. Great Master Li can use this to temporarily take refuge in Taiyi Sect whenever you wish."
After a pause, Hu Elder smiled at Li Mu and solemnly introduced, "Oh, and the current seven-tier Artifact Refining Great Master in our Sect has a very good impression of you and has asked me for you several times. If he weren't ill, he would have come to pick you up himself."
Li Mu pondered for a moment, accepted the jade pendant, and replied, "I still have some important matters to attend to here. If I have time, I will definitely pay a visit."
Hu Elder smiled, and seeing Li Mu accept the token, he said no more, smiling, "No worries. When Great Master Li is free, just visit Taiyi Sect. My mission will be complete then."
Li Mu nodded slightly.
The conflict between Xuantian Sword Sect and Taiyi Sect was too great, and Li Mu didn't want to get involved.
But besides these two Sects, there seemed to be no better place to go, which also troubled Li Mu.
Central Continent was not like the outside; competition was fierce.
Without the support of a Sect, obtaining medicinal materials would become extremely difficult.
Just as he was troubled, he suddenly heard the thunderous sound of drums outside, shaking the earth.
At the tavern, Fang Yunjian of Xuantian Sword Sect, dressed in white, personally led three trusted subordinates out of the city.
"Xuantian Sword Sect is still like this, acting impulsively and disregarding everything."
Hu Elder seemed to be mocking, but what he truly thought was unknown.
However, after seeing Fang Yunjian off, he bid farewell to Li Mu and, with his many Disciples, took charge of Barren Ancient City.
He was just afraid that Nine Demon Sect would take the opportunity to ambush Barren Ancient City; Hu Elder was not foolish.
This place was not only a safe haven for Xuantian Sword Sect Disciples to rest and prepare for battle, but also the designated rallying point for the subsequent reinforcements from both Sects.
This place must not fall!
Fang Yunjian led his men out of the city, while Hu Elder stepped forward to stabilize the overall situation. The Cultivators of Barren Ancient City immediately had a backbone, and the situation quickly recovered. (End of Chapter)
