The thrilling battle finally concluded. The members of Wanbao Pavilion's exploration team faced the two majestic Body Integration Sword Masters of Xuantian Sword Sect with reverence and apprehension, like children who had done something wrong and were caught, feeling embarrassed and fearful.
Wan Shaoming quickly stepped forward, his expression humble and grateful, bowing deeply as he expressed his thanks: "Many thanks to both Seniors for your timely intervention and rescue. We are eternally grateful! On behalf of all members of Wanbao Pavilion, I extend our deepest respect and gratitude to both of you."
"There's no need for these formalities. Saving you was merely a matter of convenience," Sword Master Feng waved his hand indifferently, interrupting Wan Shaoming's words of gratitude. He looked deeply at Wan Shaoming and the Cultivators behind him, saying in a serious tone: "Go back and tell Wan Renlang that this place is closely related to the Seal of the Two Realms Passage. Tell him not to harbor any further inappropriate thoughts about this place. Each of you must make a Dao Heart Oath, promising never to reveal the secrets here. Only by doing this can you leave!"
Upon hearing Sword Master Feng's words, Wan Shaoming's heart tightened, and he immediately responded: "Yes, this Junior will relay Senior's words exactly as they were spoken to Chief Manager Wan. Our Wanbao Pavilion would never dare to have any other ideas about this place again."
After speaking, Wan Shaoming turned to face the Cultivators and said solemnly: "Everyone, didn't you hear Senior Feng's words? We must strictly guard this secret. This concerns the reputation of our Wanbao Pavilion, and even more, the peace and tranquility of the two realms. Please make your Dao Heart Oaths now! We must never reveal the secrets of this place to outsiders."
The Cultivators responded in unison, raising their hands to make their vows. Their faces were solemn, and their mighty oaths echoed in the air, enveloped by an invisible force of the Heavenly Dao.
Seeing this scene, Sword Master Feng and Sword Master Chen's expressions softened slightly.
Once everyone had completed their vows, Sword Master Feng nodded, signaling that Wan Shaoming and his group could leave.
Wan Shaoming once again expressed his gratitude to Sword Master Feng, then led the Cultivators out of the underground Secret Realm passage.
Watching Wan Shaoming and his group depart, Sword Master Feng turned to Li Mu, praising him with a smile: "Elder Li, your contribution to successfully eliminating Blood Demon Lord - Dana this time is immeasurable. Furthermore, you curbed the Demon Abyss forces from destroying the passage Seal, which is no small feat! I will report this matter to the Contribution Hall to apply for contributions for you."
"Indeed, if you hadn't discovered Dana's little trick, both of us would have been deceived by him!" Sword Master Chen looked at Li Mu, sighing with genuine emotion.
Hearing the praise from the two Sword Masters, Li Mu smiled humbly: "Both Seniors overpraise me. If not for both Seniors' timely intervention, how could Dana have been eliminated in time? This success is entirely due to the strength of both Seniors. By my own power alone, it would have been absolutely impossible to succeed."
"Elder Li, you are too modest!" Sword Master Feng expressed his appreciation for Li Mu's humility. He turned to look at the Yin Sha Spiritual River behind him and asked seriously: "Although we successfully prevented Dana from destroying the Seal this time, the Demon Abyss forces will certainly not give up. Moreover, this Seal Grand Formation is somewhat incomplete. Elder Li, are you able to repair the Seal Grand Formation, or perhaps set up a protective Formation here?"
"Indeed, this place is of great importance. We will arrange for a group of Disciples to be stationed here. As for the repair of the Grand Formation and the setting up of a new protective Grand Formation, I'm afraid we will have to trouble Elder Li!" Sword Master Chen looked at Li Mu and chimed in.
Upon hearing this, Li Mu's heart stirred slightly, understanding the requests of the two Sword Masters. However, he was considering his own matters.
This place is an extremely Yin area, and the environment is highly suitable for planting high-grade Yin-attribute Spiritual Plants. By setting up a Yin Gathering Formation, there would be no need to search everywhere for Yin-attribute spiritual materials. No matter how high-grade the Yin-attribute Spiritual Plants, they would receive excellent growth. If he could Cultivate a Spiritual Field here, he would no longer have to worry about Yin-attribute spiritual materials in the future.
"The Seal Grand Formation set up here far exceeds Li's capabilities," Li Mu said after careful consideration, indicating in a deep voice: "However, I can discuss methods for repairing and strengthening the Grand Formation with the various Formation Great Masters within the Sect. At the same time, I will do my utmost to assist in completing this task."
Sword Master Feng nodded, expressing understanding: "Elder Li is absolutely right. Repairing and strengthening the Grand Formation indeed cannot be accomplished by one person alone. We will fully support you. Whatever resources you need, just ask."
Sword Master Chen added: "Yes, Elder Li, feel free to proceed. We will provide you with the necessary assistance. As long as the safety of the Seal can be ensured, any effort is worthwhile."
Li Mu nodded, understanding their meaning. He formed a Formation hand Seal and reactivated the passage's Formation.
Afterward, Li Mu, along with Sword Master Feng and Sword Master Chen, returned to the surface to set up a Formation in Ice Nether Spirit Valley, choosing a suitable location for Xuantian Sword Sect's temporary station.
After confirming the location for the establishment of the station, Li Mu accompanied the two Sword Masters back to the Northern Region Spirit City, then took the teleportation Formation back to Xuantian Sword Sect.
The three went their separate ways. The two Sword Masters reported the Sealed Land to the Sect, began allocating personnel, and arranged various matters concerning the station in Ice Nether Spirit Valley. As for Li Mu, once he had free time, he immediately chose to return to Seven Profound Sect.
Li Mu's figure, like a streak of light, swiftly cut across the sky, flying towards Seven Profound Sect.
Upon returning to the Sect, Li Mu did not stop. He immediately entered the Sect Leader's Mansion's cultivation chamber, activated the protective Formation, and entered the Painting World Treasure Mansion.
Within the Painting World Treasure Mansion, Li Mu revealed his figure, his gaze sweeping over the storage slots in the character panel. The 64 storage slots were almost full, containing numerous high-grade spiritual items such as the Time Luck Spirit Turtle, Divine Inscription True Explanation, Sky Puppet Spirit Token, soul world pearl, and so on.
Li Mu took a deep breath and retrieved the pagoda for nurturing Celestial Evolution Divine Lord's Divine Soul from the storage slot.
The pagoda floated in the air, emitting a faint spiritual light, containing a mysterious power.
"Chirp!"
At this moment, Li Mu's embrace stirred. Little White, sensing the fluctuations of Soul Power, immediately woke up, its eyes sparkling as it stared at the pagoda.
"Little fellow, don't mess around!"
Li Mu quickly stopped Little White, took out a soul gathering bottle from the nine storage spiritual pearl, and threw it along with Little White into the spirit control treasure bracelet, fearing that the little fellow would disturb the other party.
Celestial Evolution Divine Lord was the first benefactor Li Mu encountered. The Painting World Treasure Mansion he bestowed not only provided him with a safe Cultivation space but also served as a crucial aid on his path to growth. Therefore, Li Mu was quite grateful to Celestial Evolution Divine Lord.
Li Mu silently circulated his Cultivation Technique, channeling a stream of spiritual power into the pagoda to awaken the slumbering Celestial Evolution Divine Lord within.
As Li Mu's spiritual power infused, the pagoda's light gradually brightened, and ancient artifact patterns flickered, as if responding to Li Mu's call. A powerful aura emanated from the pagoda, and then, a translucent figure slowly floated out from within—it was the remnant Divine Soul of Celestial Evolution Divine Lord.
"Senior, long time no see, I trust you are well!" Li Mu smiled slightly, bowing in greeting.
"Little Friend Li, no, you have already advanced to Soul Transformation? I dare not accept the title of Senior; let us address each other as Fellow Daoists!" Celestial Evolution Divine Lord carefully scrutinized Li Mu. His Divine Sense flowed over Li Mu, sensing his profound current Cultivation, and his tone carried a noticeable hint of surprise and genuine approval, as he indicated.
Li Mu nodded slightly, indicating his acceptance of this change in address.
"Dao Friend Li, how long have I been asleep? Has a millennium already passed?" Celestial Evolution Divine Lord frowned as he looked at Li Mu, his eyes filled with a trace of doubt as he asked.
Before falling asleep, Celestial Evolution Divine Lord had estimated his own Divine Soul state. With the aid of the Soul Nurturing Pagoda, he could last for another millennium. However, he now felt no expected weakness; instead, his Divine Soul state felt quite stable. Nevertheless, Li Mu's Soul Transformation Realm Cultivation could not be faked.
Upon hearing this, Li Mu smiled slightly and responded: "Fellow Daoist Celestial Evolution, you haven't been asleep for a millennium, only about a hundred years, less than two hundred years!"
"What!" Celestial Evolution Divine Lord was slightly stunned, looking at Li Mu in disbelief: "You advanced from Early Stage Nascent Soul to Middle Stage Soul Transformation in such a short period?"
If he remembered correctly, the last time he met Li Mu, his Cultivation was merely in the Early Stage Nascent Soul Realm, a young Cultivator who had just passed the Nascent Soul Tribulation. Moreover, he was cultivating all Five Elements. Yet, in less than two hundred years, upon meeting again, his Cultivation had already advanced to Soul Transformation, and he was even in the Middle Stage Soul Transformation, still cultivating all Five Elements, with an extremely solid Foundation.
This speed of Cultivation advancement was incredibly fast!
Soon, Celestial Evolution Divine Lord made a new discovery. He was shocked as he sensed the Painting World Treasure Mansion Space, his eyes filled with disbelief. He looked around, feeling the rich Spiritual Qi permeating the space, as if he were in a completely new world.
"This, what is going on? Are we in the Treasure Mansion Space?" Celestial Evolution Divine Lord's voice carried a hint of astonishment and confusion. He was clearly caught off guard by this sudden change.
"Yes, the Painting World Treasure Mansion fortunately succeeded in advancing to an Eighth-tier Grotto-heaven Dao Artifact," Li Mu smiled slightly, indicating.
As Li Mu's voice fell, he reached out and beckoned into the air. The Treasure Mansion Spirit of the Painting World Treasure Mansion, a five-colored small flood Dragon, responded and emerged. It tumbled and danced in the air, shimmering with colorful light, like a magnificent rainbow.
With the appearance of the small flood Dragon, the entire Treasure Mansion Space was filled with vitality and life. It circled around Li Mu a few times, then landed on Li Mu's head, displaying an intimate posture.
Celestial Evolution Divine Lord looked at the scene before him, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.
Previously, the Treasure Mansion Spirit was a green small snake. Now, it had not only advanced to a flood Dragon, but its Foundation had also undergone a complete transformation, completing the Five Elements and elevating its inherent potential to a new level. For a Grotto-heaven Dao Artifact's Spirit to be so lively and energetic indicated that the quality of this Dao Artifact had reached an extremely high level.
"Dao Friend Li, you truly gave me a huge surprise!" Celestial Evolution Divine Lord looked at Li Mu's young face and sighed again: "This Painting World Treasure Mansion actually managed to advance to an Eighth-tier Grotto-heaven Dao Artifact, and its Spirit is so powerful, lively, and full of spirituality. This is extremely rare!"
Li Mu chuckled and said gratefully: "This is also thanks to your previous gift; otherwise, I would not have been able to elevate the Painting World Treasure Mansion to its current level."
Upon hearing this, Celestial Evolution Divine Lord's heart suddenly thumped, as if a sensitive nerve had been touched. He immediately thought of something, and his expression couldn't help but become tense, his voice trembling slightly: "Dao Friend Li, you specifically awakened me today, could it be, could it be that you have found the reversing death spirit grass for me?"
Li Mu smiled calmly, then said gently: "Fellow Daoist Celestial Evolution, you guessed correctly. Waking you today is precisely to fulfill the Dao Heart Oath we made together back then."
As his voice fell, Li Mu's Divine Sense entered the nine storage spiritual pearl, from which he took out a white Jade Slip, respectfully presenting it before Celestial Evolution Divine Lord.
Seeing the Jade Slip, Celestial Evolution Divine Lord's eyes immediately widened, his gaze fixed on the Jade Slip. In his Divine Soul state, he could clearly feel the powerful and mysterious Soul Power emanating from the Jade Slip—that was the unique aura of the reversing death spirit grass.
Seeing that Celestial Evolution Divine Lord was not convenient to take it directly, Li Mu opened the lid of the Jade Slip for him, revealing the reversing death spirit grass carefully preserved within.
Inside the Jade Slip, a pinkish-purple Spiritual Plant was displayed, with a delicate purple flower blooming at its tip, emitting a faint luminescence and a mysterious halo. The entire Spiritual Plant was enveloped by Yin Spiritual Qi, emanating the powerful Divine Soul power of the reversing death spirit grass.
Celestial Evolution Divine Lord revealed a captivated smile, looking at Li Mu with boundless joy, and thanked him sincerely: "It truly is the legendary reversing death spirit grass! Dao Friend Li, your kindness in recreating me will be etched in my heart!"
Upon hearing this, Li Mu smiled slightly and waved his hand, saying: "Fellow Daoist Celestial Evolution, you are too polite. You gifted me the Painting World Treasure Mansion back then, and now I have found the reversing death spirit grass, which can be considered the fulfillment of a wish. Between you and me, there is no need for thanks."
Celestial Evolution Divine Lord and Li Mu exchanged a glance, smiling tacitly, then Celestial Evolution Divine Lord used his Soul Power to activate the pagoda and absorb the reversing death spirit grass into it.
"Dao Friend Li, next, I plan to enter seclusion for a period to refine this medicine and be reborn!" Celestial Evolution Divine Lord looked at Li Mu, eager to make his announcement.
"Understood! If you have any needs," Li Mu nodded, responding seriously: "Fellow Daoist Celestial Evolution, just speak your mind, I will do my best to help."
"Thank you, Dao Friend Li, but this matter can only rely on myself! If I can refine this medicine, I will walk the path of a Ghost Immortal in the future. This path is destined to be lonely and difficult. If I am not careful, I fear I might perish..." Celestial Evolution Divine Lord looked at Li Mu and sighed.
Immediately, Celestial Evolution Divine Lord seemed to think of something, his expression becoming solemn. He summoned a purple Jade Slip from the pagoda and handed it to Li Mu, introducing it like a dying wish: "This Jade Slip records the core Legacy of Celestial Evolution's true body, as well as matters concerning an ancient Secret Realm that he entrusted before his departure. If you are interested, you can study it carefully; perhaps it will be helpful for your Cultivation."
Li Mu nodded, took the Jade Slip, and looked at Celestial Evolution Divine Lord, saying solemnly: "Thank you for your trust, Fellow Daoist Celestial Evolution. I will study this Legacy well. Please Cultivate in peace, and we can talk again when you emerge from seclusion."
Celestial Evolution Divine Lord nodded, a relieved smile appearing on his face. He took a deep breath, turned, and flew into the Soul Nurturing Pagoda, preparing to begin refining the reversing death spirit grass.
Li Mu looked at the floating Soul Nurturing Pagoda, feeling that the Dao Heart Oath that bound him still hadn't completely dissipated. He feared that only when Celestial Evolution Divine Lord had completely refined the reversing death spirit grass would this Dao Heart Oath be truly resolved.
Li Mu silently put the Soul Nurturing Pagoda into the nine storage spiritual pearl, his attention falling on the purple Jade Slip in his hand.
