Soon, Sword Master Feng and Sword Master Chen acted swiftly, taking the lead with Xuantian Sword Sect.
They rallied elite Cultivators from various Sects in Central Province, as well as the power of the Eight Great Families in Central Province.
Under their call, an unprecedentedly large fleet was quickly assembled, its Aura like a rainbow, ready to set sail and head straight for the Nether Water Sea Domain.
This expedition's goal was not only to annihilate the Undying Demon Lord in the Nether Water Sea Domain and prevent his conspiracy to break the Water Seal, but they also planned to counterattack the Southern Wilderness Spirit Domain, intending to drive the Demon Abyss forces out of the Spirit Realm in one fell swoop.
Li Mu was happy to see this happen and fully dedicated himself to Artifact Refining high-tier Spiritual Artifacts and Seven-Order Dao Weapons.
The Cultivators on the front lines were about to face a fierce battle, and since he couldn't go to the battlefield himself, he could only do his best to strengthen their combat power in this way, expressing his support for the Cultivators with practical actions.
Li Mu also looked forward to the upcoming great war, hoping that Sword Master Feng and the others could use this Opportunity to turn the tide of the battle.
The Water Seal in the Nether Water Sea Domain and the Fire Seal in the Southern Wilderness Spirit Domain, both of these extreme spiritual lands were occupied by Demon Abyss forces.
Only by reclaiming them could Li Mu's subsequent plan to plant seven kinds of high-tier spiritual plants proceed smoothly.
After three months of meticulous preparation, the Demon-Slaying Fleet finally set off.
As the fleet sailed out of the port in an orderly fashion, the sea surface sparkled, reflecting the majestic figures of the rapidly moving fleet.
Banners fluttered in the sea breeze, like giant Dragons winding forward, mighty and vast, flying a thousand miles away in the blink of an eye.
At this time, within the Seven Profound Sect, Li Mu was still busy in the Artifact Refining Room, the furnace fire illuminating his focused face.
He was concentrating on Artifact Refining when Qin Wentong's sudden visit broke the tranquility.
"Sect Master Li, the Demon-Slaying Fleet has already set off," Qin Wentong reported with a solemn expression after Li Mu finished Artifact Refining.
Li Mu nodded, put away the newly forged Spiritual Artifact, and a complex look flashed in his eyes.
"They've gone... I hope Elder Fang and the others can return triumphantly," Li Mu muttered to himself, lost in thought and hope.
Since Xuantian Sword Sect had mobilized a large army this time, Seven Profound Sect, as a subordinate Sect, naturally had an inescapable duty.
Golden Sword Peak Master Fang Shixin, Giant Rock Peak Master Nangong Chenxing, Spirit Refining Hall Master Wen Bisheng, and other Sect experts responded to the call, and their safety inevitably tugged at Li Mu's heart.
There were not many people in the entire Seven Profound Sect who could be considered capable.
If they encountered any mishap, the high-end combat power would almost be wiped out.
"Sect Master, please rest assured.
This time, Xuantian Sword Sect has almost gone all out, and the two Sword Masters have even brought the Seventh-Order Dao Swords you personally refined, greatly increasing their combat power.
This battle will undoubtedly be victorious," Qin Wentong said with a respectful look at Li Mu, affirmingly.
Qin Wentong's tone when he said this was full of admiration for Li Mu's Artifact Refining skills.
Refining Seventh-Order Dao Artifacts!
For someone like him, who had refined Spiritual Artifacts his entire life, that was a Realm he wouldn't even dare to dream of.
However, Li Mu had easily achieved it.
He was only at the Soul Transformation cultivation, and not yet two hundred years old, yet he had successfully refined two Seventh-Order Dao Swords.
Such an achievement was simply incredible.
Qin Wentong looked deeply at Li Mu, his heart filled with respect.
Li Mu was accustomed to Qin Wentong's fervent gaze and replied with a smile, asking, "Elder Qin, if there's nothing else, that's all!
I've been busy for several months, and I'm ready to rest for a while."
Upon hearing this, Qin Wentong couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.
During this time, he had been assisting Li Mu with Artifact Refining and had gained a lot, gradually touching upon the threshold of refining six-tier spirit treasures.
He still wanted to continue observing and learning, striving for an early Breakthrough, but now it seemed Li Mu clearly needed rest, and he felt embarrassed to make any further requests.
"In that case, Sect Master, please rest well."
Qin Wentong nodded with some regret, then he seemed to remember something and quickly added, "Oh, right, Sect Master, I have a list of commissioned Artifact Refining for this month.
Do you want them to wait for a while?
However, some of them are Clan Chiefs of the Eight Great Families, so you should consider carefully."
Saying that, Qin Wentong took out a white Jade Slip from his storage ring and respectfully handed it to Li Mu.
Li Mu quickly took the Jade Slip, immersed his Divine Thought into it, and swiftly browsed the list.
Seeing that there were indeed several prominent Family names, he understood Qin Wentong's concerns.
Four Clan Chiefs from the Eight Great Families had personally submitted their Visiting Card, and their purpose was self-evident.
As the news of his ability to refine Seventh-Order Dao Swords spread, Li Mu immediately became a highly sought-after person for many high-tier Cultivators in Central Province to befriend.
And this list was undoubtedly a recognition and emphasis of his importance by various major forces, as well as their attempt to establish a relationship with him.
Seeing the commissioned lists from the Kun Family, Nangong Family, Shangguan Family, and Zhou Family's four Clan Chiefs, Li Mu suddenly thought of something, and his mind stirred slightly.
Another Wood Seal's 'Cang Yuan Secret Realm' was precisely controlled by these Eight Great Families.
Now that several Clan Chiefs had personally visited, perhaps he could take this Opportunity to inquire about the Secret Realm.
Fire, Li Mu secretly calculated in his mind, but his expression remained calm.
He looked up at Qin Wentong and smiled, "Elder Qin, please reply to the four Clan Chiefs of the Eight Great Families that I wish to have a detailed discussion with them before considering their Artifact Refining commissions.
Invite them to visit our Sect tomorrow."
Qin Wentong's eyes flashed with surprise upon hearing this, but he quickly accepted the order and left.
After Qin Wentong left, Li Mu immersed himself in his thoughts again, knowing that this Opportunity was rare.
He knew too little about the 'Cang Yuan Secret Realm,' but this Secret Realm was clearly related to the Chaotic Sealing Domain Great Array and was very likely the Wood-elemental Sealed Land.
This held an irresistible attraction for him.
The next day, as the sun rose and sunlight bathed the earth, the four Clan Chiefs of the Eight Great Families arrived as scheduled.
They were led by Qin Wentong to an elegant courtyard within the Sect Leader's Mansion, where Li Mu had been waiting for a long time.
Seeing the four Clan Chiefs arrive, Li Mu stepped forward, cupped his hands, and smiled, "It is truly an honor for Li to have the pleasure of your personal visit to our Sect, esteemed Clan Chiefs."
Kun Yuanba, the Clan Chief of the Kun Family, laughed heartily and returned the greeting, "Sect Master Li, you are too kind.
Your reputation is now soaring in Central Province, and it is our honor to befriend you."
Everyone exchanged pleasantries for a moment, then took their seats.
Li Mu looked at the four and went straight to the point, "To be frank with you all, the reason I invited you here today, besides wanting to further understand your Artifact Refining needs, is that I have another matter I wish to consult you about."
Nangong Lie, the Clan Chief of the Nangong Family, looked at Li Mu and asked curiously, "Sect Master Li, what do you need to consult us about?
As long as it is something we know, we will certainly tell you everything."
Li Mu nodded and slowly uttered a few words: "Cang Yuan Secret Realm."
As soon as these words came out, the expressions of the four Clan Chiefs changed slightly.
Shangguan Yun, the Clan Chief of the Shangguan Family, frowned and asked with concern, "Sect Master Li, how do you know about the Cang Yuan Secret Realm?"
Li Mu smiled slightly and explained, "To be honest, I have some research on Seal Grand Formations, and the Cang Yuan Secret Realm is related to a Seal I know.
I am very interested in this Secret Realm, so I wanted to learn more from you all."
Zhou Hengping, the Clan Chief of the Zhou Family, pondered for a moment, then looked at Li Mu and said, "Since Sect Master Li is interested in the Cang Yuan Secret Realm, then we might as well be frank.
This Secret Realm is indeed related to the Seal Grand Formation and contains endless Opportunity and mysteries.
However, entering the Secret Realm requires a Seal Hub composed of a Card, and each of our Eight Great Families controls a part of the formation Card.
All of them must be gathered to open it."
Li Mu's heart stirred upon hearing this, and he asked, "Then, may I ask if the Clan Chiefs would be accommodating and allow me to enter this Secret Realm?
In return, I can do my best to help you complete your Artifact Refining needs."
The four Clan Chiefs exchanged glances, and Kun Yuanba spoke, "Sect Master Li, it's not that we are unwilling to share, but the secret of this Seal concerns the fate of our Eight Great Families.
Unless you can become a member of our Eight Great Families..."
Li Mu's brows furrowed slightly, but he maintained a calm expression on his face, and asked with concern, "Then, how can one become a member of the Eight Great Families?"
Nangong Lie interjected, "It's very simple.
As long as you become Dao Companion with any one of our Eight Great Families, then we will naturally be one Family."
"Clan Chief Nangong, please don't joke.
If I were to become Dao Companion with a woman from the Nangong Family, would the other seven Clan Chiefs be willing?" Li Mu chuckled, refuting him.
"What's so difficult about that?
Each of us will offer a woman from our Family to become your Dao Companion, and wouldn't you then become a member of our Eight Great Families?" Shangguan Yun said playfully, and the other Clan Chiefs also laughed upon hearing this.
Li Mu cursed inwardly, but had to force a smile, knowing that this was the Eight Great Families testing him, and at the same time, setting a difficult problem for him to prevent him from entering the 'Cang Yuan Secret Realm' without overly offending him.
Li Mu pondered for a moment, then looked at the four with a half-smile, and said seriously, "Esteemed Clan Chiefs, Li appreciates your kind intentions.
However, for such a major matter, the Sword Sect would probably not stand idly by."
As soon as Li Mu said this, the four Clan Chiefs were immediately speechless.
That's right!
If they wanted to poach from Xuantian Sword Sect, they would have to weigh the consequences.
This person was capable of refining Seven-Order Dao Weapons.
If he were poached by them, Xuantian Sword Sect would surely go berserk.
Thinking of this terrifying consequence, cold sweat involuntarily broke out on the foreheads of the four Clan Chiefs.
Seeing the reactions of the four, Li Mu chuckled inwardly, knowing that his strategy had worked.
He didn't really intend to form a marital alliance with the Eight Great Families; he was merely using this Opportunity to make them retreat in the face of difficulty, while also hinting to them that he was not without backing.
Li Mu continued, "Esteemed Clan Chiefs, it's not that I don't want to bind more deeply with the Eight Great Families, but this matter truly needs careful consideration.
Moreover, I believe there are many ways for us to cooperate, and it doesn't have to be through marriage."
Kun Yuanba and the others nodded in agreement upon hearing this.
They also knew that marriage was indeed a bit too direct and crude, and furthermore, Xuantian Sword Sect behind Li Mu was indeed not someone they could easily offend.
Nangong Lie sighed, "Sect Master Li is absolutely right, it was our oversight.
Then we will no longer mention the matter of marriage, but it is likely that the matter of the 'Cang Yuan Secret Realm' will be difficult to satisfy Sect Master Li!"
"Indeed, our Eight Great Families collectively hold the key to the Secret Realm, and we have agreed to open it once every thousand years, allowing outstanding Disciples from each Family to enter and obtain various high-tier resources," Shangguan Yun gestured.
"That's right, for twenty-three thousand years, our Eight Great Families have jointly established a contract for quota allocation.
Each time it opens, each Family will allocate quotas according to the contract to enter it.
Unless one is from the Eight Great Families, they cannot enter the Secret Realm.
We have inherited this custom for over twenty thousand years and have never broken the precedent," Kun Yuanba looked straight at Li Mu and reminded him solemnly.
"Sect Master Li, let's change the condition!
The Cang Yuan Secret Realm is not suitable for trade," Zhou Hengping looked at Li Mu and said coldly.
"Indeed!" Shangguan Yun looked at Li Mu and echoed, his voice revealing an undeniable refusal.
Li Mu frowned slightly upon hearing this, originally thinking he could explore the "Cang Yuan Secret Realm" with this Opportunity, but he didn't expect such a Restriction.
A moment later, Li Mu raised his head, his gaze burning as he looked at the four Clan Chiefs, and slowly spoke, "I understand the rules of the Eight Great Families and the importance of the contract, and I fully respect your decision, but times have changed.
The situation has already changed."
Li Mu paused and continued, "The Cang Yuan Secret Realm controlled by the Eight Great Families, to my knowledge, should be one of the sub-formations of the Chaotic Sealing Domain Great Array—the Wood-elemental Formation.
This Formation was used to Seal the Two Realms Passage in ancient times, and its importance is self-evident."
At this point, Li Mu's tone became serious, and he added, "However, with the fall of the Southern Central Spirit Domain, two of the seven sub-formations of the Chaotic Sealing Domain Great Array have already fallen into the hands of Demon Abyss forces.
They are forcefully breaking the Formation, which not only poses a huge threat to the Cang Yuan Secret Realm but also indirectly affects several other Sealed Lands, leading to a significant leakage of Formation power."
Seeing that the expressions of the four Clan Chiefs had all become solemn, Li Mu knew that his words had already caught their attention.
So, Li Mu struck while the iron was hot and continued, "The current situation is already urgent.
Whether the Formation power of the Cang Yuan Secret Realm has leaked and whether the Seal has loosened, all of this needs detailed investigation and repair."
"And I am not only proficient in Artifact Refining, but also skilled in Array Arrangement, with in-depth research on Seals and Formations.
I can help you check for Seal deficiencies and disappearing Restrictions in the Cang Yuan Secret Realm and find ways to repair them!" Li Mu said with power and conviction, looking at the four Clan Chiefs.
The four Clan Chiefs looked at each other after hearing this.
What Li Mu said was not false; the current situation was indeed as he described.
The Cang Yuan Secret Realm was indeed leaking Formation power, and it had reached a critical point.
Moreover, as the Grand Elder of Xuantian Sword Sect, Li Mu was skilled in both formations and artifacts, and his strength and intelligence were top-notch.
His Array Arrangement ability might truly help them solve the current crisis.
Nangong Lie took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "Sect Master Li, we will seriously consider your proposal.
However, this ultimately concerns the core interests of the Eight Great Families, and we need to invite the other Families to discuss it once everyone is present."
"Naturally," Li Mu nodded in understanding, looking at the four Clan Chiefs.
"You can discuss it as much as you like, but please make a decision as soon as possible.
After all, for every day of delay, the Formation power of the Cang Yuan Secret Realm will be weakened a little."
(End of this chapter)
