The Earth Element Spirit Ship flew through the air, piercing through layers of clouds at an extremely fast yet silent speed.
Inside the cabin, Li Mu was tallying the spoils of war from this battle: one storage ring and two storage bracelets, containing Venerable Fallenwood's treasures accumulated over thousands of Years.
On the wooden table, a small pile of various spirit items was laid out, including numerous high-grade spirit plants and materials, yet this was less than one percent of the contents of the three storage Magic Treasures.
Venerable Fallenwood was not only a Refining Void Great Power but also one of the Grand Elders of the Eight Great Families in Central Continent; his collection was far beyond what Blood Nether Demon Ancestor and Yin Jiong Demon Ancestor of the Nine Demon Sect could compare to.
To categorize the many spirit items and materials without missing any valuable ones, Li Mu had no choice but to summon Xue'er, the 'veteran,' to help sort the spoils.
"Lord Li, you are too amazing! Each time, your harvest is more than the treasures in our Fox Clan's treasury!" Xue'er said, holding a emerald green crystal in one hand and squinting her eyes in praise.
After speaking, Xue'er couldn't help but think of her annihilated clan, and her expression dimmed slightly.
Li Mu noticed something and quickly changed the subject, introducing and arranging: "What you are holding is a top-grade wood-element Spirit Stone, crucial for setting up the Wood-Yi Law Formation. There are quite a few in this pile of spirit items; you can help me pick them out specifically!"
"Alright!" Xue'er's attention was immediately diverted, and she busied herself with focused effort.
From the mountain of spirit items, Li Mu took out an unremarkable Jade Slip, and as his Divine Sense entered it, his expression became lost in thought.
The content of the Jade Slip recorded Venerable Fallenwood's Cultivation insights from the Nascent Soul Realm, Soul Transformation Stage, and Void Refining Realm periods, and it also explained his Cultivation insights after obtaining the Ancient Withered Wood Staff and acquiring the Saint-grade Legacy Cultivation Technique, the Myriad Withered Years Scripture, and then switching to Cultivate this Cultivation Technique.
In the Nascent Soul Realm, Venerable Fallenwood primarily Cultivated the wood-element Cultivation Technique - the Azure Wood Longevity Art. After advancing to Soul Transformation, he discovered the Myriad Withered Years Scripture, a Cultivation Technique whose power was even greater and allowed for further progress.
It could achieve the combination of two Law Domains: wood attribute and Years attribute, forming the more powerful Depletion Domain.
At the same time, the Jade Slip also recorded that the Soul Transformation Stage was crucial for condensing Law Domains. If one could use high-grade spirit items to condense two attribute Clones early, continuously enhance the condensation degree of the Clone attributes, and finally refine multiple attribute Clones upon breaking through to Void Refining, then one could achieve a more powerful Law Domain, thereby increasing the chance of breaking through the Void Refining Realm and advancing to the Body Integration Realm.
...
The Jade Slip detailed the relationships between the various Realms of the Soul Transformation Stage, Void Refining Realm, and Body Integration Realm, as well as detailed Cultivation insights into the advancement process, which instantly resolved many of Li Mu's Cultivation questions.
Li Mu had only Transmigrated to this world for a little over a hundred Years, and his Cultivation process had entirely relied on his Heavenly Talent - Plant Spirit Absorption; he didn't truly gain much ability through his own Cultivation.
Therefore, after advancing to the Nascent Soul Realm, Li Mu had always been vague and unclear about the path he needed to take in his future Cultivation.
Now, Venerable Fallenwood's Jade Slip of Cultivation insights pointed a clear path for Li Mu's future Cultivation.
In Li Mu's eyes, the value of this Jade Slip was even higher than that of the Ancient Withered Wood Staff.
Compared to Venerable Fallenwood, who Cultivated two attributes and combined them into the Depletion attribute Law, its special Law attribute power definitely surpassed Blood Nether Demon Ancestor's Blood Origin Law and Yin Jiong Demon Ancestor's Yellow Springs Law.
However, Venerable Fallenwood found it so difficult to Cultivate two attributes simultaneously. If he continued to Cultivate multiple elements like Yin and Yang and Five Elements simultaneously after the Soul Transformation Stage and Void Refining Realm, the difficulty would be unimaginable.
Li Mu held the Jade Slip, calculating silently in his heart. Unlike others, he had the Divine Ability Heavenly Talent - Plant Spirit Extraction, so continuing to Cultivate multiple elements simultaneously was not difficult. The only thing he needed to pay attention to was gathering seven high-grade spirit items of different attributes—Yin and Yang, and Five Elements—as early as possible for refining attribute Clones and refining exclusive Clones during the Soul Transformation period.
"Lord Li, look at this! Doesn't it look like the Spirit Token we spent a fortune on at the last Auction?" Xue'er suddenly pulled out a Jade Token from the pile of spirit items and asked Li Mu in astonishment.
Hearing this, Li Mu couldn't help but look at the Spirit Token in Xue'er's hand and was momentarily stunned.
"It's not 'like,' it is another Sky Puppet Spirit Token," Li Mu said with certainty, reaching out to take the Jade Token from Xue'er's hand.
"Lord Li, could it be that this old fellow chased you not only because of the Ginseng King but also because of this Sky Puppet Spirit Token?" Xue'er asked, guessing.
"It's not impossible!" Li Mu frowned and nodded.
"Lord Li, could it be that Wanbao Pavilion betrayed us?" Xue'er's delicate brows furrowed slightly as she speculated.
Seeing Xue'er's terrifyingly serious and thoughtful expression, Li Mu playfully patted her cheek and joked with a smile, "What are you thinking with that little head of yours! You don't need to trouble yourself with these things; hurry up and get to work!"
"I know!" Xue'er's cheeks flushed, and she lowered her head to continue working.
Li Mu carefully put away the Jade Slip, Ancient Withered Wood Staff, and other high-grade spirit items into his storage space. He would study these things later when he had free time; for now, tallying the spoils of war was the priority.
Time flew by. After several hours, Li Mu finished tallying this batch of spoils.
Li Mu discovered many high-grade wood-element spirit items and a large number of Years spirit items, and his heart stirred. A portion of these Years spirit items were perfectly suited for restoring the Time Luck Spirit Turtle.
The Time Luck Spirit Turtle, a Spirit Treasure with infinite utility, was something Li Mu cared deeply about, and he would never give up an Opportunity to repair it.
He landed the Earth Element Spirit Ship on a secluded island, opened up a temporary Immortal Cave, set up a Law Formation, and then plunged into the Painting World Treasure Mansion to begin repairing the Time Luck Spirit Turtle.
...
Central Continent Spirit Domain, Eight Great Cultivation Families - Ji Family.
Recently, Ji Hongli, the Clan Chief of the Southern Wilderness branch Family, suddenly sent an urgent plea for help to the Family. Venerable Fallenwood - Ji Hongsen, one of the Ji Family's Grand Elders, was actually killed by a Nascent Soul Middle Stage Cultivator.
When this news spread, the entire Ji Family was shocked. A dignified Refining Void Great Power was actually killed by a Nascent Soul Middle Stage Cultivator, and the main Family was even asked to help investigate and dispatch dark guards to avenge Venerable Fallenwood.
"This Ji Hongli is truly regressing with age, and this Ji Hongsen, to be killed by a Nascent Soul cultivator, is utterly absurd." Ji Zhantian, the Ji Family's Clan Chief, read the content of the Jade Slip and immediately cursed aloud in anger.
Ji Zhantian's eyes were bloodshot, as if they were about to spew fire. This usually calm and composed old man had completely lost control at this moment, his voice filled with anger and disappointment.
"Clan Chief!" one of the Grand Elders said in a deep voice, "This Nascent Soul cultivator is not simple. According to the Kun Family's account, previously, Yin Jiong Demon Ancestor and Blood Nether Demon Ancestor of the Nine Demon Sect had successively fallen at his hands. It's not surprising that he could kill Ji Hongsen. This person is definitely not an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator, and his strength should not be underestimated."
"A mere Nascent Soul cultivator can continuously kill three Refining Void Great Powers across Realms. If this person is allowed to continue, he might become a huge threat to our Ji Family in the future." Another Ji Family Elder spoke with a solemn expression, suggesting, "Why don't we first send people to investigate his background? If possible, we can communicate with him and resolve the hostility."
"Communicate my ass!" Ji Zhantian cursed angrily, "This fellow killed our Ji Family's Grand Elder, and you want us to go apologize and resolve the grudge? Isn't this too ridiculous?"
"Clan Chief, please calm your anger; do not act impulsively in this matter!" A Family Elder quickly appeased him, then advised, "What the Third Elder said is not without reason. This person absolutely cannot be ignored. Either communicate with him to resolve the hostility, or he must be completely eradicated. A mere Nascent Soul cultivator possessing the ability to continuously kill Void Refining Cultivators across Realms—if unnecessary, I suggest it's better to resolve the enmity with him!"
"Indeed, let's first see his attitude. If he is willing to resolve the grudge with us, that's naturally for the best. If he remains stubborn, then we can find a way to eliminate him!" Ji Wuheng, the Ji Family's Third Elder, nodded in agreement, speaking with cunning wisdom.
"Ji Wuheng, when did you become such a coward? He killed our Ji Family's Grand Elder, and you want to just let this grudge go? How will other families view our Ji Family?" Another hot-tempered Ji Family Elder couldn't stand it anymore and immediately started cursing.
"That fool Ji Hongsen, not knowing the other party's background, dared to kill and seize treasures relying on his Void Refining Cultivation, only to be killed instead of succeeding, and at the same time, he brought such a troublesome opponent to the Family! Do you want the entire Ji Family to be buried with him?!" Ji Wuheng, the Ji Family's Third Elder, retorted with an angry glare.
"Ji Wuheng, what nonsense are you spewing! A mere Nascent Soul cultivator, could he possibly destroy our Ji Family!" Ji Hongyun, the Ji Family's Fifth Elder, retorted furiously.
"Killing this Nascent Soul cultivator is not difficult, but a mere Nascent Soul possessing such ability, are you sure he doesn't have a master behind him?" Ji Wuheng chuckled and continued to retort.
...
For a time, several Grand Elders of the Ji Family held two completely different attitudes, and over this matter, they were at loggerheads, arguing incessantly.
The entire Family was embroiled in heated discussion. Some advocated communicating with this Nascent Soul cultivator to resolve the grudge; some advocated directly eradicating him; and some advocated first investigating his origins and background before making a decision. But no matter which stance, everyone believed this was an extremely serious incident that needed to be handled with caution.
"All of you, shut up!" Ji Zhantian roared, "What kind of decorum is this, arguing so loudly in the Grand Elder Hall!"
"Wuheng, this matter is entrusted to you. Go to Tianji Old Man and make sure to thoroughly investigate this person's origins and background. If he has no significant background, dispatch the Family's dark guards; this person shall be killed without mercy!" Ji Zhantian looked at the Third Elder, Ji Wuheng, and declared decisively.
"Clan Chief is wise!" Ji Wuheng respectfully accepted the order.
Since the Clan Chief had made his decision, the Ji Family Elders had no more to say. The topic of the hall meeting changed, and they began to discuss other matters.
As soon as the Ji Family Elder meeting ended, the appointed Ji Wuheng immediately left the Ji Family and headed to Tianji Pavilion to seek Tianji Old Man for clues.
Upon learning of Grand Elder Ji Wuheng's visit, Tianji Old Man put aside his current tasks and specially accompanied him to receive him.
When Ji Wuheng entered the reception hall, Tianji Old Man had already been waiting for a long time.
"Fellow Daoist Ji, what a rare guest! Why do you have time to visit my Tianji Pavilion today!" Tianji Old Man greeted him warmly. He wore a gray robe, his face was clear and his hair was white, making him look like a youthful Elder with a spirited demeanor, and he had a long silver beard.
Ji Wuheng smiled slightly, cupped his fists, and indicated, "Fellow Daoist Tianji, you are too kind. I came this time to investigate some clues, and I hope Fellow Daoist can give me some guidance."
"Oh! What clues do you want to investigate? Fellow Daoist Ji, please speak freely." Tianji Old Man's smile was amiable, and he nodded as if he had expected it.
"Uh!" Ji Wuheng's old face flushed slightly, unsure how to begin speaking of such a shameful matter.
"Fellow Daoist Ji, do you have some unspeakable difficulty?" Tianji Old Man asked curiously, his face showing a peculiar expression.
Ji Wuheng gave a bitter smile and recounted the incident of Venerable Fallenwood being killed by a Nascent Soul cultivator, and the matter of investigating the background of that Nascent Soul cultivator, laying out the entire course of events and his own thoughts, hoping to receive help from Tianji Old Man.
After speaking, Ji Wuheng took out an information Jade Slip and handed it to Tianji Old Man.
This Jade Slip recorded the details of Venerable Fallenwood's death and some basic information about that Nascent Soul cultivator.
Tianji Old Man took the Jade Slip, and with a gentle sweep of his Divine Sense, he gained a general understanding of the information within the Jade Slip.
Tianji Old Man reached out and gently stroked his silver-white beard, pondering, his eyes flickering with wise light, as if thinking about something.
After a while, Tianji Old Man looked at Ji Wuheng and gently explained, "Part of this child's information comes from my Tianji Pavilion. If you wish to further investigate his background and the hidden secrets behind him, you must invite the Mystic Secret Mirror."
Tianji Old Man paused, a hint of hesitation flashed in his eyes, and finally, he politely declined with an apologetic tone, "However, this child can kill a Refining Void Great Power across Realms; such a favored son of heaven is always a target our Tianji Pavilion is unwilling to divine."
After speaking, Tianji Old Man returned the Jade Slip to Ji Wuheng: "I am truly sorry, Fellow Daoist Ji, I cannot help you with this matter!"
Hearing this, Ji Wuheng's expression changed slightly, and he quickly urged, "Fellow Daoist Tianji, we have been friends for many Years. Please just use the Mystic Secret Mirror to divine once. Regardless of success or failure, the Ji Family will remember Fellow Daoist Tianji's favor this time. For this use of the Mystic Secret Mirror, the Ji Family is willing to pay three times the reward. I hope Fellow Daoist Tianji will consider it."
Ji Wuheng's voice was full of sincerity and enthusiasm. He knew well Tianji Old Man's position and capabilities in Tianji Pavilion. If he could persuade the Mystic Secret Mirror to divine the background of that Nascent Soul cultivator, he would surely find some useful clues.
Tianji Old Man looked at the earnestly promising Ji Wuheng, his eyes flickering with profound light. What Ji Wuheng said was true. Although they had never been deeply acquainted, they were quite familiar, having a friendship of several thousand Years.
If he could help the Ji Family find clues, the Ji Family would certainly remember this favor. Moreover, the effect of this favor would continue to ferment for a long time in the future. Tianji Old Man understood in his heart that this exceptional use of the Mystic Secret Mirror to help Ji Wuheng was definitely a very valuable investment.
After a moment of contemplation, Tianji Old Man nodded, "Since that is the case, I will make an exception and divine for you once. However, this child can kill a Refining Void Great Power across Realms, so he must have extraordinary qualities. Whether the Mystic Secret Mirror can obtain accurate results is unknown. Fellow Daoist Ji, this is a one-time exception, and it will not set a precedent!"
Upon hearing this, Ji Wuheng was overjoyed and quickly thanked Tianji Old Man, "Thank you, Fellow Daoist Tianji!"
Soon, Tianji Old Man sat cross-legged, his eyes slightly closed, performing hand seals. A mysterious Qi emanated from his body as he began to connect with the Mystic Secret Mirror embedded above Tianji Pavilion to perform the divination.
As time passed, the Qi emanating from Tianji Old Man grew stronger and stronger, as if all the Opportunities in the world were gathering around him. And the Mystic Secret Mirror in the sky also began to emit a faint light, as if responding to Tianji Old Man's summons. (End of Chapter)
