“Li will do his utmost to complete the Artifact Refining commission.” Li Mu looked at the eight Clan Chiefs and said, “However, refining a Dao Weapon is not easy. The process is quite complex and time-consuming. It is expected to take several years to complete one. Moreover, the Sword Sect also has several Dao Weapons waiting for Li to refine. There is a prerequisite for your Artifact Refining commissions: you cannot rush me.”
After speaking, Li Mu looked at the eight Clan Chiefs, observing their reactions.
This condition might make them unhappy, but what Li Mu said was the truth. A Seven-Order Dao Weapon cannot be refined just by saying so. If the quality of the Materials is not high, and the Dao Spirit cannot be nurtured, then all efforts will be in vain.
Even if the quality of the Artifact Refining Materials is excellent and the Dao Spirit is successfully nurtured, various accidents may occur during the refining process, requiring a lot of time and energy to resolve. Therefore, Li Mu must ensure that he has enough time and space to meticulously refine each Dao Weapon, without external interference or urging.
Besides, as the chief Artifact Refiner of the Xuantian Sword Sect, many people were queuing up for Li Mu to refine artifacts. He could not refuse the Artifact Refining commissions of the Sect Elders and instead satisfy the Eight Great Families first. Both in terms of reason and emotion, it was unjustifiable.
The eight Clan Chiefs looked at each other after hearing this. They clearly did not expect Li Mu to propose such a condition. High-quality Dao Weapons indeed cannot be achieved overnight, but waiting several years to obtain one was indeed a great test for them. They would only get their turn after the Sword Sect was satisfied. By the time it was the last person's turn, they would have to wait decades, even a century, to get their hands on it, which they were unwilling to bear.
Shangguan Yun pondered for a moment, then looked at Li Mu and said, “Sect Master Li, we understand your situation. Although our Eight Great Families urgently need Dao Weapons, we also understand the principle that haste makes waste. However, we hope you can complete the refining as soon as possible, as time is also very important to us.”
“Indeed, the Family’s high-end combat forces have all been dispatched for battle. We urgently need a Dao Weapon to increase our Family’s foundation!” Nangong Lie indicated.
Li Mu nodded knowingly and said, “Please rest assured, everyone. I will do my best to improve refining efficiency while ensuring quality. As for the priority of Artifact Refining, how about you discuss it privately?”
Upon hearing this, the eight Clan Chiefs exchanged glances, their expressions varied, but they clearly agreed to Li Mu's arrangement.
“Understood! We will discuss the priority of Artifact Refining privately and get back to you later. We won’t cause you any trouble!” Shangguan Yun responded with a smile.
The other Clan Chiefs nodded in agreement. They had been competing and cooperating for thousands of years, and they knew how to fairly determine the order of priority.
Li Mu smiled slightly and said, “In that case, Li will await your good news. If you need anything, please contact me anytime.”
The eight Clan Chiefs expressed their gratitude to Li Mu, then, under Li Mu's escort, they left together. Next, they would discuss and decide the order of obtaining the commissioned Artifact Refining, which was crucial for each Family.
After seeing off the eight Clan Chiefs, Li Mu breathed a sigh of relief. The matter of the Cang Yuan Secret Realm was finally settled.
After seeing off the Clan Chiefs of the Eight Great Families, Li Mu returned to his daily life, immersing himself in Artifact Refining in the Painting World Treasure Mansion, guiding a few spirit beasts in their cultivation, or regularly taking time to care for spiritual plants, traversing the various peaks of the Seven Gods Mountain to inspect the condition of the spiritual plants cared for by his Soul Transformation Clones.
Occasionally, Li Mu would control his Puppet to patrol within the Sect, meeting with 'customers' who had traveled far to see him.
Time flew by, and another half year passed.
Inside the Painting World Treasure Mansion, Li Mu strolled along the path in the spiritual bamboo forest, feeling the fresh Spiritual Qi permeating the surroundings. This bamboo forest was composed of Six-Order Clear Spirit Bamboo, a unique existence that emerged after the Painting World Treasure Mansion devoured the Taiqing Moon Bamboo and advanced to an Eight-Order Cave Heaven Treasure.
In the center of this bamboo forest, Li Mu opened up a spiritual land, planting the Qingming Sword Bamboo spiritual seeds he had obtained from Sword Master Chen, and set up a Spirit Gathering Great Array and a Seven Stars Sword Formation in this spiritual field.
However, after a long time had passed, when Li Mu once again stepped into this spiritual land, which he had placed high hopes on, his brows furrowed involuntarily. Only a tiny bit of green had emerged from the Qingming Sword Bamboo spiritual seeds; some had not even sprouted, remaining in a state of waiting to germinate, growing much slower than expected.
Under the Talent Divine Power - Identify Myriad Spirits, the attributes of the Qingming Sword Bamboo seedlings were clearly displayed in Li Mu's eyes.
【Qingming Sword Bamboo】
【Grade: Seven-Order Spiritual Plant】
【Characteristics: Qingming Sword Qi, Sword Bamboo Sentience, Unyielding Toughness, Soaring Sword Intent.】
【Status: Bamboo shoots breaking ground, seedlings accumulating Spiritual Qi for growth.】
【Qingming Sword Bamboo seedling, a Seven-Order Spiritual Plant, a rare spiritual bamboo that grows deep within Qingming Spiritual Mountain, feeding on Sword Qi. The Qingming Bamboo makes a sound, and its body is as tough as profound iron, making it the main Material for refining Qingming Spiritual Bamboo Swords.】
Looking at the attributes of the Qingming Sword Bamboo seedlings, Li Mu couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. The Painting World Treasure Mansion was, after all, an Eight-Order Cave Heaven Treasure, with a special affinity for bamboo. The Qingming Sword Bamboo planted here was growing without issue and required almost no special care. Every few months, he only needed to cast the Qingfeng Huanyu Technique to bring down a spiritual rain for irrigation.
However, the only drawback of this Qingming Sword Bamboo was its extremely slow growth rate. It was truly unknown when it would mature enough to be harvested. Li Mu would sometimes pace by the spiritual field, his eyes revealing a hint of helplessness and anticipation.
However, Li Mu had plenty of time. He cultivated the Dao of the Five Elements Yin and Yang, a cultivation method that granted him three to four times the lifespan of other Cultivators at the same Realm. This meant he had enough time to wait and guard this Qingming Sword Bamboo forest until the day they matured.
Just as Li Mu was carefully observing the Qingming Sword Bamboo seedlings, his expression shifted. He sensed a sudden, mysterious fluctuation emanating from the nine storage spiritual pearl.
Li Mu immersed his Divine Sense and immediately learned that the fluctuation came from the Soul Nurturing Pagoda.
Li Mu's heart stirred, and he immediately summoned the Soul Nurturing Pagoda from the nine storage spiritual pearl. He saw the pagoda body vibrating slightly, emitting a faint light, as if something important was about to happen.
Li Mu stared intently at the Soul Nurturing Pagoda. The pagoda door slowly opened, and a figure emerged from within. The figure gradually solidified, and its face became clearer. It was none other than Celestial Evolution Divine Lord.
At this moment, Celestial Evolution Divine Lord was vastly different from before. His figure had become as solid as an Immortal Master, no longer as ethereal as in the past. His eyes flickered with a deep light, as if he had recovered his former strength.
“Senior, you successfully refined the reversing death spirit grass?” Li Mu looked at Celestial Evolution Divine Lord, asking in surprise.
“Indeed, thank you, Dao Friend Li, for your assistance.” Celestial Evolution Divine Lord smiled and nodded, looking at Li Mu gratefully: “Now, I have successfully refined the reversing death spirit grass. Not only has my Divine Soul fully recovered, but my strength has also recovered significantly. Now, I have embarked on the path of Immortal Ascension through physical dissolution, and I can now leave the Soul Nurturing Pagoda and move freely.”
“Senior, what are your plans next?” Li Mu looked at the joyful Celestial Evolution Divine Lord, frowned, and asked tentatively.
Celestial Evolution Divine Lord took a deep breath, a look of profound longing on his face, and said, “I have been trapped in the Soul Nurturing Pagoda for many years. Although my Divine Soul was preserved, I also lost my freedom. Now that I have regained a new life, I hope to travel throughout the Spirit Realm and truly see this world.”
Celestial Evolution Divine Lord turned around and looked at Li Mu, a hint of gratitude flashing in his eyes: “Dao Friend Li, I was able to regain my freedom thanks to your help. If it weren't for you, I would probably still be trapped in the Soul Nurturing Pagoda, unable to witness the wonders of this outside world.”
Li Mu quickly waved his hand, humbly saying, “Senior, you exaggerate. It is my honor to be able to help you. Besides, we had a fair transaction.”
Speaking of this, Li Mu thought of something. He paused slightly, looked at Celestial Evolution Divine Lord, and spoke directly with a somewhat heavy heart: “Senior, the Painting World Treasure Mansion was a gift from you. However, it has been cultivated by me for many years, consuming vast resources, and has successfully advanced to an Eight-Order Cave Heaven Treasure. This matter, besides a few spirit beasts who live with me day and night, only you know about it.”
“Hmm, Dao Friend Li, are you asking me to keep this matter a secret?” Celestial Evolution Divine Lord looked at Li Mu and asked with a smile.
Li Mu nodded, his expression solemn: “Yes, Senior. A Cave Heaven Magic Treasure is a supreme treasure in the world. If others were to know about it, it would likely attract the covetousness of countless powerful individuals. Although I have some strength, in front of absolute powerhouses, I am still insignificant. Therefore, I hope Senior can keep this secret for me.”
Celestial Evolution Divine Lord listened and showed a look of deep agreement: “Dao Friend Li is absolutely right. A Cave Heaven Magic Treasure concerns the Opportunity for Dao Ascension and will indeed attract competition among powerhouses. Rest assured, I will keep this matter strictly confidential and will not reveal a single word.”
Although Li Mu felt a little comforted by Celestial Evolution Divine Lord's verbal promise, he did not completely let down his guard.
Li Mu frowned deeply. A verbal promise, after all, lacked a mandatory binding force. To ensure absolute certainty, he decided to seek a more secure method.
After much deliberation, Li Mu gathered his courage and looked up at Celestial Evolution Divine Lord, speaking with a hint of apology: “Senior, I naturally have absolute faith in your promise. But for greater security, to ensure that the secret of the Painting World Treasure Mansion is not leaked, I wonder if Senior would be willing to make a Dao Heart Oath for this?”
Upon hearing this, a flash of surprise quickly crossed Celestial Evolution Divine Lord's eyes, but he immediately understood Li Mu's concern, realizing that this was not a lack of trust in him, but rather because the value of an Eight-Order Cave Heaven Magic Treasure was simply too immense, and any slight oversight could lead to unpredictable consequences.
“I completely understand your concern. Since you deem it necessary, then I will do as you say and make a Dao Heart Oath.” Celestial Evolution Divine Lord took a deep breath, then his expression became exceptionally solemn. He raised his right hand high and loudly swore to the heavens: “I swear that I will never reveal any information about the Painting World Treasure Mansion…”
Celestial Evolution Divine Lord then extended his right palm, eyes slightly closed, and began to silently recite the oath. As his oath was completed, an imperceptible, invisible force slowly emanated from him, eventually merging with the Law of heaven and earth.
The power of this Dao Heart Oath was extraordinary. It represented Celestial Evolution Divine Lord's solemn promise to the Heavenly Dao. Once he harbored any thought of violating the oath, he would immediately suffer the Heavenly Dao's most severe punishment, his cultivation stagnating, forever unable to advance further, and even developing a Heart Demon, leading to the loss of his Soul and death.
Seeing this scene, the heavy stone in Li Mu's heart finally fell. He bowed deeply to Celestial Evolution Divine Lord with immense gratitude: “Senior’s profound understanding and generous comprehension, Junior will keep in mind and is eternally grateful.”
Celestial Evolution Divine Lord, however, smiled and waved his hand, indicating that Li Mu did not need to be so polite. He said gently, “Now that I have been freed from the Soul Nurturing Pagoda and gained a new life, my past identity and status are no longer important. Let us interact as peers from now on!”
“Since Senior says so, then Junior will respectfully obey.” Li Mu humbly responded, then looked at Celestial Evolution Divine Lord and asked with concern, “Fellow Daoist Celestial Evolution, where do you plan to go next? If you have nowhere to go, why not stay at my Seven Profound Sect and serve as a Guest Elder?”
Celestial Evolution Divine Lord pondered for a moment after hearing Li Mu's invitation. He was a Soul Transformation Clone of Celestial Evolution Divine Lord, and after separating from the main body, he gained independence. He indeed had nowhere to go now and needed a safe place to adapt to this new identity. Thinking of this, he looked up at Li Mu, a hint of gratitude flashing in his eyes, and nodded, saying, “Since Dao Friend Li so kindly invites me, then I shall respectfully obey.”
Hearing Celestial Evolution Divine Lord agree, Li Mu was overjoyed. Celestial Evolution Divine Lord's strength and skill were an enormous asset to the Seven Profound Sect. His joining would undoubtedly elevate the Seven Profound Sect to a new level.
Thus, Li Mu quickly introduced the situation of the Seven Profound Sect to Celestial Evolution Divine Lord, promising him generous treatment and offering him the position of Vice Sect Master.
If he were to explore a Secret Realm outside, Li Mu planned to have Celestial Evolution Divine Lord take charge of the Seven Profound Sect's management.
“To be so highly regarded by Dao Friend Li, Celestial Evolution is deeply honored.” Celestial Evolution Divine Lord cupped his hands to express his gratitude to Li Mu, smilingly agreeing, “Since Dao Friend Li trusts me so much, then I will not decline and am willing to contribute to the Seven Profound Sect.”
After a pause, Celestial Evolution Divine Lord looked at Li Mu, and asked with a solemn expression: “Sect Master is preparing to explore a Secret Realm soon. This trip will involve quite a few risks, won’t it!”
“There won’t be any danger. This trip is to a Secret Realm controlled by the Eight Great Families. They…” Li Mu elaborated on the situation of the Secret Realm they were preparing to explore, as well as the status of the Eight Great Families and their demands on him, indicating no safety concerns.
Upon hearing this, Celestial Evolution Divine Lord suddenly understood. According to Li Mu, this trip should not be dangerous. However, Celestial Evolution Divine Lord frowned deeply, as if a knot in his heart remained untied.
“Fellow Daoist Celestial Evolution, is there a problem?” Li Mu noticed Celestial Evolution Divine Lord's unusual behavior and couldn't help but feel suspicious, asking in confusion.
Upon hearing this, Celestial Evolution Divine Lord took a deep breath, as if calming some complex emotions, and looked up at Li Mu, saying, “Dao Friend Li, although you are backed by the Xuantian Sword Sect, and this trip is to a Secret Realm controlled by the Eight Great Families, and they have demands of you, theoretically there should not be too much danger. But ancient Secret Realms have always been full of variables, and moreover, human hearts are unpredictable… Thinking back then, the Divine Lord was also extremely cautious and full of confidence, but ultimately ended up…”
At this point, Celestial Evolution Divine Lord’s voice suddenly became a little low, clearly recalling some unpleasant past experiences.
Li Mu remained silent, knowing that Celestial Evolution Divine Lord was reminding him that even the safest Secret Realm contained unknown risks, and he couldn't help but become vigilant. (End of Chapter)
