Not long after, Jiu Wuji found the corresponding spiritual plant and informed Li Mu, who was surprised to learn it was also a seventh-tier spiritual plant.
"Qingming Sword Bamboo? Are there any spiritual seeds of this spiritual plant in the vault?" Li Mu's spirits lifted, and he got straight to the point.
Jiu Wuji looked at Li Mu and apologized, "There are no spiritual seeds of Qingming Sword Bamboo in the vault. The flowering and seeding of Qingming Sword Bamboo is a very rare phenomenon, occurring only under specific environmental conditions. When it flowers, it produces a spiritual seed called Qingming Bamboo Rice. However, after the Qingming Sword Bamboo flowers and bears fruit, the entire bamboo forest will reach the end of its life, rapidly wilting and dying. Therefore, it is usually only possible to collect the spiritual seeds of Qingming Bamboo Rice when the Qingming Bamboo forest is on the verge of death."
"So, the spiritual seeds of Qingming Sword Bamboo are extremely rare. There are only two millennium-old Qingming Sword Bamboo plants in the warehouse, but no spiritual seeds," Jiu Wuji said to Li Mu, looking embarrassed.
Li Mu nodded, pondered for a moment, and then asked, "Who supplied these two Qingming Spiritual Bamboos, and can you tell me?"
"No problem! They were obtained by Sword Master Chen in the Vortex Spirit Secret Realm," Jiu Wuji quickly replied.
"Sword Master Chen!" Li Mu murmured, feeling a headache coming on.
The two Dao Lords and seven Sword Masters of Xuantian Sword Sect had always been elusive. Apart from Sword Master Feng, Li Mu had not had the chance to meet any of the others despite being in the Sect for so long. It would probably not be an easy task to get information about the origin of the Qingming Sword Bamboo from Sword Master Chen.
This matter could only be handled slowly; he would first take good care of the existing spiritual plants.
So, Li Mu instructed Jiu Wuji to exchange for some auxiliary spiritual materials for spiritual plant growth, concluding his trip to the Contribution Hall.
Li Mu returned to Seven Profound Sect on his sword, his figure gracefully descending into the courtyard of the Sect Leader's Mansion, robes fluttering, as if an Immortal had descended.
"Lord Li, you're back!" Xue'er hurried forward, her bright eyes fixed on Li Mu, as if she had countless words to pour out.
"Pavilion Master!" Liu Yalan's figure swayed gracefully as she happily greeted Li Mu.
"Mm!" Li Mu nodded slightly, his gaze shifting between Xue'er and Liu Yalan. His heart stirred, and he suddenly remembered something. Immediately, Li Mu took out an exquisite jade box from the nine storage spiritual pearl and handed it to her, saying, "This Mystic Frost Violet Fruit is a rare treasure. Take it, consume it, and then go into secluded Cultivation. Strive to break through to the sixth-tier as soon as possible."
Xue'er took the jade box, a hint of joy flashing in her eyes, but then she pouted, saying somewhat reluctantly, "Thank you, Lord Li! But I still want to spend more time with Sister Liu. I don't want to go into secluded Cultivation just yet."
Looking at Xue'er's adorable expression, Li Mu couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. However, knowing the importance of Cultivation, he couldn't indulge her willfulness.
So, Li Mu feigned anger, reaching out to take it back, "Since you don't want to go into secluded Cultivation, then give the fruit back to me. This Spiritual Fruit is extremely precious; you just don't know how good you have it."
Upon hearing this, Xue'er hurriedly hugged the jade box tightly, nervously saying, "No, no, no, I'll go into secluded Cultivation, won't that do?"
After speaking, Xue'er turned to look at Liu Yalan, her eyes filled with apology and reluctance, and pitifully said, "Sister Liu, I'm going into secluded Cultivation. When I come out, I'll take you to explore Seven Gods Mountain."
Liu Yalan looked at Xue'er's wronged expression, feeling both amused and touched. She nodded and gently said, "Go. Cultivation is the most important thing. Don't worry and Cultivate. I'll wait for you."
Soon, their gazes followed Xue'er as she walked further away. She looked back every three steps, her small face filled with reluctance, but in the end, she still resolutely walked towards the secluded Cultivation chamber.
Watching Xue'er enter the secluded Cultivation chamber, Li Mu withdrew his gaze, turned to face Liu Yalan, and parted his lips: "Shopkeeper Liu..."
However, before the address could be fully uttered, Liu Yalan interrupted Li Mu first, her smile carrying a hint of subtlety and melancholy: "Pavilion Master, just call me Yalan! Li's Treasure Pavilion is already a thing of the past, and I am no longer Shopkeeper Liu."
Li Mu's words were suddenly interrupted, his gaze falling on Liu Yalan's face as he carefully observed her complex expression. He saw a hint of resentment in her eyes, and also her expectation of him.
Li Mu's heart stirred, as if he understood something, yet also felt a bit confused.
The surprise in Li Mu's eyes flashed and disappeared. He seemed not to have expected Liu Yalan to make such a request directly, which caught him off guard.
Regarding matters of love between men and women, Li Mu had never truly deeply considered them over the years.
Having been in this world for over a hundred years, Li Mu was either diligently toiling in the fields or frantically fleeing, not daring to stop and rest for even a moment.
For matters of emotion, Li Mu always maintained a detached attitude, like an observer, quietly watching the joys and sorrows of the world. Moreover, he had never once thought of developing a Dao Companion relationship with Liu Yalan.
Facing Liu Yalan's request, Li Mu remained silent for a moment, weighing the pros and cons in his heart.
Li Mu clearly knew the path he had to take in the future: relying on his Divine Ability talent of absorbing spiritual plants to reach the apex of the pyramid as soon as possible. This was the only way to ensure his secret wouldn't be discovered, and even if it were discovered by powerful individuals, he would possess the ability to protect himself. His future path was full of unknowns and challenges; he couldn't let his emotions hold him back, nor could he make wrong decisions due to a moment of impulse.
Ultimately, Li Mu made a decision, choosing to reject Liu Yalan in a subtle way.
Li Mu pretended not to understand Liu Yalan's unspoken meaning and smiled perfunctorily, "Shopkeeper Liu, you really don't need to be so disheartened. There's no rush to change this title. Our cooperation has just begun. Next, I would like to entrust you with continuing to operate Li's Treasure Pavilion and spreading the reputation of Li's Treasure Firm throughout the Central Plains Spiritual Domain. I hope we can always maintain a pleasant cooperative relationship."
Although Li Mu's words were full of rejection, they were expressed in a very subtle way. After Liu Yalan understood, the expectation in her eyes gradually faded, replaced by a sense of relief and understanding.
Liu Yalan understood Li Mu's stance and determination, and also understood the huge gap between herself and him.
A favored child of heaven like Li Mu, who advanced to Soul Transformation within a hundred years and achieved the title of Grandmaster Refiner at such a young age, had limitless prospects for the future. She could not compare herself to him.
Speaking these words had already exhausted all of Liu Yalan's courage. Now, she dared not have any further improper thoughts.
Liu Yalan lowered her head and silently nodded, agreeing with Li Mu's decision.
Seeing this, Li Mu couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. Clearly stating his thoughts made him feel a sense of liberation and ease.
He knew that doing this might make Liu Yalan sad, but Li Mu believed this was the best choice. He couldn't let emotions affect his predetermined future, nor could he let anyone become an obstacle to his progress.
Next, once Liu Yalan's emotions had mostly recovered, Li Mu began to plan with her the opening of the first branch of Li's Treasure Pavilion.
Li Mu handed Liu Yalan a storage ring containing a large amount of spiritual items as the beginning of their cooperation. The storage ring was filled with various rare spiritual items, high-tier Spiritual Artifacts, and Spirit Treasures, worth a fortune. This was Li Mu's trust and support for Liu Yalan.
Liu Yalan took the storage ring and examined the Spiritual Artifacts inside. She was immediately filled with gratitude and respect for Li Mu, knowing that this was Li Mu's trust in her and an affirmation of her abilities.
Liu Yalan decided to go all out and not disappoint Li Mu's expectations.
Watching Liu Yalan leave with great enthusiasm, Li Mu couldn't help but sigh in relief.
Establishing Li's Treasure Pavilion in the Central Plains Spiritual Domain was a casual move. Li Mu didn't actually have high hopes for this plan. The Central Plains Spiritual Domain was the most prosperous and fertile place in the entire Cultivation world, and commercial competition was extremely fierce. Under such circumstances, the difficulty of opening a Treasure Firm and standing out was imaginable.
In addition, Li Mu was backed by the colossal Xuantian Sword Sect. As the top power in the Central Plains Spiritual Domain, the Xuantian Sword Sect's profound heritage and abundant resources were astonishing. All kinds of high-tier spiritual materials and rare spiritual items were readily available, like an endless treasure trove. As long as he had enough Sect contributions, Li Mu could exchange for these high-tier spiritual materials at will, without worrying about resource scarcity.
For Li Mu, this was undoubtedly a huge advantage. He could use these spiritual materials to refine even more powerful Magic Treasures and Medicinal Pills, rapidly increasing his Cultivation.
However, Li Mu also understood that the acquisition of high-tier spiritual materials could not solely rely on the Xuantian Sword Sect, especially large quantities of high-tier spiritual materials that aided spiritual plant growth. After all, he harbored too many secrets, and if these secrets were discovered, they would certainly invite endless danger, perhaps even from the high-ranking officials of the Xuantian Sword Sect.
After watching Liu Yalan leave, Li Mu turned and began to inspect the seven spiritual mountains.
Li Mu cultivated large spiritual fields in the areas with dense Spiritual Qi on the seven Ling Peaks of Seven Gods Mountain. He set up Formations and planted seven kinds of fifth-tier spiritual plants, each representing one of the Five Elements and Yin and Yang spiritual plants, with a Soul Transformation Clone watching over each.
Li Mu flew to Golden Sword Peak and plunged into the spiritual field Formation. As far as his eyes could see, there was a shimmering golden light, as if countless gold pieces were glittering in the sunlight. This was one of the fifth-tier Metal-element spiritual plants he meticulously cultivated, the Golden Edge Sword Chrysanthemum. This spiritual plant grew especially lush under the Golden Yuan Formation, each plant reaching two feet tall, with stems as tough as paulownia and leaves as verdant as jade, emitting a rich golden origin Qi.
Li Mu stood by the spiritual field, feeling the dense Spiritual Qi around him and the majestic Life Qi emanating from the Golden Edge Sword Chrysanthemum. A satisfied smile appeared on his face. After more than ten years of careful nurturing, the Golden Edge Sword Chrysanthemum had all passed their juvenile stage and begun to enter their growth period. In another hundred years, they would be almost ready for harvest.
Just as Li Mu was checking the growth status of the Golden Edge Sword Chrysanthemum, a powerful fluctuation of golden origin convergence suddenly emanated from the center of the spiritual field.
Soon, the Soul Transformation Clone refined from the dragon source golden pearl appeared and condensed in the air above the spiritual field. He bore a nine-tenths resemblance to Li Mu. He sat cross-legged in the air, eyes tightly closed, as if in deep slumber. However, when he sensed Li Mu's arrival, he immediately opened his eyes, which revealed a hint of anticipation.
"Main body, you're here. Did you bring the Golden Glazed Elemental Stone?" The Golden Yuan Soul Transformation Clone looked at Li Mu and asked directly.
Li Mu smiled slightly, having long grown accustomed to the Golden Yuan Soul Transformation Clone's coldness and impatience. He didn't feel displeased or annoyed by it. On the contrary, he understood and accepted this attitude, as it was determined by their relationship.
Li Mu nodded with a smile, raised his right palm, and a flash of light suddenly appeared. A large quantity of Golden Glazed Elemental Stone appeared above his palm, piled up like a small mountain.
Golden Glazed Elemental Stone, this extremely precious sixth-tier spiritual material, each piece containing powerful golden origin energy, could not only enhance a Cultivator's Metal-element Cultivation but also increase the power of Metal-element attributes when refining Magic Treasures, and even create a golden origin environment to accelerate the growth of Metal-element spiritual plants.
The reason Li Mu was so generous in giving these Golden Glazed Elemental Stones to the Golden Yuan Soul Transformation Clone was because he knew these spiritual materials could unleash greater value in the hands of the Golden Yuan Soul Transformation Clone. As his Incarnation, the Golden Yuan Soul Transformation Clone, though lacking independent sentience, possessed the talent and Divine Ability of Metal-element elemental power. Therefore, the Golden Yuan Soul Transformation Clone would be faster and more effective at ripening the Golden Edge Sword Chrysanthemum than he would.
The Golden Yuan Soul Transformation Clone quickly cast a spell, receiving the Golden Glazed Elemental Stones from Li Mu's hand. A satisfied gleam flashed in his eyes, knowing the preciousness and importance of these spiritual materials, and also understanding the effort and cost Li Mu had paid to obtain them. But he did not change his attitude or stance because of this; he still maintained a cold and distant expression, as if there was an insurmountable chasm between him and Li Mu.
Although the Metal-element Soul Transformation Clone was born because of Li Mu, he knew his future destiny, which would also end because of him. Naturally, he would not give Li Mu a good look.
The Metal-element Soul Transformation Clone did not disappoint Li Mu. After receiving the Golden Glazed Elemental Stone, he immediately began to ripen the Golden Edge Sword Chrysanthemum.
He saw the Metal-element Soul Transformation Clone sprinkle a large amount of Golden Glazed Elemental Stone onto the spiritual field, then activate his magical power to guide the golden origin Spiritual Qi from within them, merging it with the surrounding environment. Soon, the entire spiritual field was enveloped in golden light, as if it had transformed into a golden world full of Life Qi and vitality.
After delivering the spiritual materials and checking the growth of the spiritual plants, Li Mu bid farewell to the Golden Yuan Clone, saying he had worked hard, and then hurried to the next Ling Peak.
However, while Li Mu was fully engrossed in inspecting the seven main peaks of Seven Gods Mountain and busy checking the growth of the seven spiritual fields, within the Seven Profound Sect - Sect Leader's Mansion, a life-and-death test was unfolding in Xue'er's secluded Cultivation chamber.
At this moment, Xue'er sat quietly on the stone bed in the Cultivation chamber, her eyes tightly closed. A faint purple light permeated around her body; this was the unusual phenomenon that occurred after she consumed the legendary 'Mystic Frost Violet Fruit'.
After Xue'er consumed the 'Mystic Frost Violet Fruit', she immediately felt a scorching hot power surge from her Dantian, rapidly spreading throughout her body. Her body seemed to transform into a furnace, its temperature continuously gathering and rising, as if it would burn her entire being.
This power surged wildly through her Meridians, like a raging flood impacting all obstacles. Xue'er felt as if she were in the eye of a storm, with terrifyingly cold Qi accumulating and wildly rampaging within her body.
Under the impact of this immense power, Xue'er's delicate body trembled uncontrollably, as if it could collapse at any moment. (End of Chapter)
