After listening to Sword Master Feng's detailed introduction of the Cultivation Techniques of several Sword Elders, Li Mu fell into deep thought.
"Sword Master, since there are nine Body Integration Sword Cultivators, I suggest we primarily use the Dragon Snake Sword Formation and the Seven Stars Sword Formation." After careful consideration, Li Mu offered his suggestion, "The Dragon Snake Sword Formation can fully utilize the powerful strength of Body Integration Sword Cultivators, mimicking the dance of dragons and snakes to form a powerful offensive and defensive system. The Seven Stars Sword Formation can bring out the unique Sword Intent of each Sword Cultivator, forming a complementary relationship that effectively enhances the power of the Sword Formation."
"Then, what about the Eight Trigrams Sword Formation?" Sword Master Feng asked curiously.
"Compared to the other two Sword Formations, the Eight Trigrams Sword Formation has stricter requirements for tacit understanding, requiring perfect cooperation from eight Sword Cultivators, and each person's Sword Intent must reach a certain Realm to unleash its true power," Li Mu explained. "Achieving perfect cooperation for the Eight Trigrams Sword Formation in a short time might be difficult. Therefore, I suggest keeping the Eight Trigrams Sword Formation as a backup plan, to be used in special circumstances."
"It's best to practice and prepare all three Sword Formations for flexible use, just in case," Li Mu paused, then looked at Sword Master Feng and the Sword Elders, adding.
Upon hearing this, Sword Master Feng and the Sword Elders nodded in agreement with Li Mu's proposal. Facing a powerful enemy like a Demon God, they had to be fully prepared to ensure victory in battle.
"Elder Li is absolutely right," Sword Master Feng said, "We will follow your suggestion and prepare all three Sword Formations for flexible use. However, are the Concentric Pill and the shared intent pill you mentioned truly capable of such auxiliary effects?"
Upon hearing this, Li Mu pondered for a moment, then answered in detail: "Sword Master, I only have a general understanding of these two Spirit Pills. The Concentric Pill is refined using the fifth-order Concentric Spiritual Plant as the main Spirit Medicine. The Concentric Spiritual Plant is a parasitic Spiritual Plant that usually parasitizes the seventh-order Luminous Spiritual Wood. The Luminous Spiritual Wood generally grows in places where the essence of heaven and earth gathers. Its wood is exceptionally hard, with unique textures, containing powerful vitality and spirituality. The fruit of the Luminous Spiritual Wood is even a precious spiritual fruit. Consuming it can enhance Cultivation and purify the mind. If one finds Luminous Spiritual Wood, one can pick the Concentric Spiritual Plant."
"The Concentric Spiritual Plant blooms once every five hundred years and bears fruit once every hundred years. Concentric Pills from the same batch also have the effect of concentricity, allowing for telepathic connection in a short time, making multiple people act as one. This will effectively improve the tacit understanding of synchronously deployed Sword Formations."
"As for the shared intent pill," Li Mu frowned, continuing, "Its main Spirit Medicine is the seventh-order Shared Intent Spiritual Flower. The Shared Intent Spiritual Flower is a relatively rare seventh-order Spiritual Plant. Unlike the Concentric Spiritual Plant, it doesn't have a fixed growing environment but appears randomly in places with rich Spiritual Qi, growing close to the ground year-round, making it hard to detect. This spiritual flower has a long growth cycle, maturing only once every thousand years..."
"To refine the shared intent pill, in addition to the Shared Intent Spiritual Flower as the main Spirit Medicine, it also requires various rare Spiritual Plants and Spirit Transformation Essence to form the pill. The efficacy of the shared intent pill is stronger than that of the Concentric Pill. After consumption, it can not only bring the tacit understanding among Sword Formation members to an unprecedented level but also, to a certain extent, enhance Divine Sense and state of mind."
Li Mu looked at everyone, explaining in detail.
Sword Master Feng and the Sword Elders listened in astonishment. They hadn't expected Li Mu to have such deep knowledge of these Spirit Medicines.
"Elder Li, you are truly a scholar of heaven and man! You know even such obscure Spiritual Plants so clearly." Xiao Shuang looked at Li Mu, her eyes shining with admiration.
"Indeed! Elder Li, not only are you exceptional in Artifact Refining and formations, but it seems Elder Li also has profound attainments in Alchemy and the ability to identify spiritual medicines. We truly admire you," Elder Yun nodded in agreement.
"Elder Yun, you flatter me. Li is just slightly interested in cultivating Spiritual Plants! I'm not good at Alchemy," Li Mu smiled slightly, quickly denying it.
"Elder Li, does our Sect have these Spirit Medicines?" Sword Master Feng looked at Li Mu, asking with concern.
Li Mu shook his head, replying, "Some Materials for the Concentric Pill can still be found in the Sect's medicinal garden, but the main Spirit Medicine for the shared intent pill, the Shared Intent Spiritual Flower, is extremely rare. I have never seen it in the Sect."
"In that case, we can only ask Taiyi Sect," Sword Master Feng pondered for a moment, then suggested, "Taiyi Sect also needs to contribute to setting up the formation to attack the Sealed Land here!"
Xiao Shuang nodded in agreement, saying, "That's right, I'll contact Taiyi Sect right away to see if they can provide any clues about the Shared Intent Spiritual Flower."
Yun Yi added, "At the same time, we can also inquire with other Sects or Wanbao Pavilion to see if there's any news about the Shared Intent Spiritual Flower. After all, such rare Spiritual Plants sometimes appear in the trading market."
"I'll go to Wanbao Pavilion! I happen to need to buy some Artifact Refining Materials, and I can ask about it along the way," Li Mu smiled slightly, volunteering.
"Hmm, Yun Jian, accompany Elder Li on this trip," Sword Master Feng looked at Fang Yunjian, who was waiting quietly, and gestured.
Fang Yunjian respectfully acknowledged, "Yes, Master."
Before long, the two left the main hall of the station and headed to the Wanbao Building in Barren Ancient City - Floating Skyport.
The Wanbao Building stood majestically in the center of the Floating Skyport, grand and imposing. Its lamps were dazzling Spirit Stones, its tiles were colorful glazed, and its crystal chandeliers were all indicative of luxury, a place where all treasures gathered.
Cultivators entered and exited, and a couplet hung on both sides of the ceaselessly flowing main entrance.
Upper couplet: One pavilion conceals treasures, mapping mountains and seas, connecting inside and out.
Lower couplet: A thousand autumns gather treasures, books spread across stars, illuminating past and present.
Horizontal inscription: Circulating Ten Thousand Treasures.
As the two stepped through the main entrance of Wanbao Pavilion, hurried footsteps came from behind them.
A refined middle-aged man rushed to greet them. It was Qian Suwen, the Pavilion Master of Wanbao Pavilion. He was dressed in a luxurious brocade robe, his face adorned with a warm and amiable smile.
"Great Master Li, Executive Fang, welcome, welcome to Wanbao Pavilion," Qian Suwen said with a fawning smile, greeting the two warmly.
Fang Yunjian was an Executive of Xuantian Sword Sect, high above others. However, most of Qian Suwen's attention was on Li Mu, fearing to neglect this Grandmaster Refiner who had refined many Seven-Order Dao Weapons.
Li Mu smiled slightly, not surprised by Qian Suwen's enthusiasm. Strength was the greatest right to speak, and his attainments in the Dao of Artifact Refining were already well-known.
"Pavilion Master Qian, you are too kind. Executive Fang and I are here today to search for some Artifact Refining Materials and news about a few Spiritual Plants, Concentric Spiritual Plant, and Shared Intent Spiritual Flower," Li Mu said directly.
Qian Suwen nodded immediately upon hearing this, gesturing for the two to follow him to the inner hall for a detailed discussion.
The three passed through the bustling hall and arrived at an elegantly decorated, quiet, and comfortable private room.
"Great Master Li, whatever Materials you need, Wanbao Pavilion naturally has them all. This is the warehouse data, please take a look!" Qian Suwen said respectfully. Before he finished speaking, he directly took out a recording Jade Slip, which meticulously documented everything in Wanbao Pavilion's warehouse, generously allowing him to choose.
As a Senior Guest Elder of Wanbao Pavilion, Li Mu had always received extremely high treatment. He took the recording Jade Slip, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes. As his Divine Sense entered the Jade Slip, the information within was displayed one by one in his mind.
After a careful browse, Wanbao Pavilion indeed had all the various Artifact Refining Materials he needed, of superior quality and sufficient quantity. Li Mu secretly praised, Wanbao Pavilion truly lived up to its reputation, worthy of being the foremost treasure trading place across several Spirit Domains.
In the warehouse data, Li Mu found the two main Spirit Medicines needed to refine the Returning Void Pill—the purple gold spirit flower and the Spirit Transformation Essence—as well as the remaining auxiliary Spirit Medicines. Although the age of these Spirit Medicines was far less than those plucked from the Extreme Fire Seal Land, they were sufficient for refining the Returning Void Pill.
Li Mu breathed a sigh of relief. The refining difficulty of the Returning Void Pill was extremely high, requiring not only precious Spirit Medicines but also extremely high Alchemy skills and mastery of heat. The Spirit Medicines for refining the Returning Void Pill were now gathered, so he could at least start attempting to refine it.
However, Li Mu's Divine Sense lingered on the Jade Slip for a long time, but he still didn't see any information about the Shared Intent Spiritual Flower. Clearly, Wanbao Pavilion also had no trace of this Spiritual Plant.
"Pavilion Master Qian, this Shared Intent Spiritual Flower...!" Li Mu looked up, his gaze directly at Qian Suwen, wanting to know more about this Spirit Medicine.
Seeing this, Qian Suwen immediately understood Li Mu's intention and responded with a bitter smile: "Great Master Li, this Shared Intent Spiritual Flower is indeed a rare Spiritual Plant. There is no such item in the warehouse. Its growing place is relatively hidden, its flowering period is short, and it is extremely difficult to pick. Moreover, its effect is special, so not many medicine gatherers pay attention to such Spiritual Plants. Even our Wanbao Pavilion rarely has the opportunity to collect it."
Upon hearing this, Fang Yunjian's brows furrowed, and he quickly interjected, indicating: "Shopkeeper Qian, the Shared Intent Spiritual Flower is extremely important to our Sect. If your esteemed pavilion can help us find it, our Sect will surely reward you handsomely!"
"That's right, Shopkeeper Qian, please trouble your esteemed pavilion with this matter. If you can help us acquire this Spirit Medicine, consider it a favor I owe you," Li Mu added.
Upon hearing this, a glint flashed in Qian Suwen's eyes, and he was overjoyed. The power behind Fang Yunjian was not small. If he could complete this task, he would not only receive generous rewards but also gain the favor owed by Li Mu. This was undoubtedly a great double blessing for Wanbao Pavilion and for him.
"Great Master Li, Executive Fang, since this Shared Intent Spiritual Flower is so important, our Wanbao Pavilion is naturally willing to help find it," Qian Suwen nodded cheerfully, smiling, "I will immediately inform the Elders in the pavilion and mobilize the power of Wanbao Pavilion to fully search for the whereabouts of the Shared Intent Spiritual Flower."
"Thank you, Shopkeeper Qian!" Executive Fang couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, thanking him, "With the help of Wanbao Pavilion, the hope of finding the Shared Intent Spiritual Flower is much greater."
"Then we await good news from Shopkeeper Qian!" Li Mu handed the warehouse Jade Slip back to Qian Suwen, gesturing, "Please arrange for the marked Materials and Spirit Medicines for me!"
Qian Suwen took the Jade Slip, probed it with his Divine Sense, and then happily agreed, "Great Master Li, rest assured, I will immediately prepare the Materials and Spirit Medicines you need."
After speaking, Qian Suwen turned and excitedly went to the warehouse, gathering his subordinates to prepare the Materials.
Soon after, Qian Suwen rushed back and handed a storage ring to Li Mu, a brilliant smile on his face: "Great Master Li, inside are the Materials and Spirit Medicines you need, all prepared for you. Please take a look."
Li Mu took the storage ring and probed it with his Divine Sense. He saw that the space inside the ring was vast, with dozens of high-grade Spirit Medicines and various high-grade Materials neatly arranged, all of them rare items.
Li Mu nodded with satisfaction, expressing his appreciation for Qian Suwen's efficiency.
"Shopkeeper Qian, thank you for your trouble!" Li Mu smiled slightly, put away the storage ring, and thanked Qian Suwen.
"Not at all, not at all. It is Qian's honor, a great honor, to be of service to Great Master Li," Qian Suwen humbly replied repeatedly.
Qian Suwen wore a fawning smile on his face, looking at Li Mu, and asked with concern, "Great Master Li, how long do you plan to stay in Barren Ancient City, and are you free recently?"
Li Mu caught sight of the fawning smile on Qian Suwen's face, and his heart stirred slightly. He probably knew what he was thinking.
Next, Li Mu had to wait for Sword Master Feng and the others to complete their Sword Formation drills and see if there was a chance to take down the Extreme Fire Seal Land. Within three to five years, he likely wouldn't leave the Southern Wilderness Spirit Domain.
Li Mu smiled slightly, looking at Qian Suwen, and asked knowingly with a laugh, "I will be staying in Barren Ancient City for a period of time. I do not have any urgent matters recently, Shopkeeper Qian, what is it? Feel free to speak!"
Upon hearing this, a hint of joy flashed in Qian Suwen's eyes. He quickly moved a few steps closer and said earnestly, "Great Master Li, to be frank, Wanbao Pavilion's once-in-a-decade Auction is approaching. I would like to ask Great Master Li to refine a Dao Weapon to serve as the grand finale item for the Auction."
"Refining a Dao Weapon is not easy. The required Materials and craftsmanship demands are extremely strict, and the success rate is not high," Li Mu nodded slightly, reminding Qian Suwen in a deep voice.
Qian Suwen nodded understandingly and smiled happily, "Great Master Li is right. It is precisely for this reason that we wish to ask Great Master to take action. I have already prepared the necessary Materials, all of which are rare treasures difficult to find on the market."
Saying this, Qian Suwen took out an even more exquisite storage ring from his embrace and placed it in Li Mu's hand: "The Materials inside should meet your needs for refining a Dao Weapon, Great Master Li."
Li Mu took the storage ring and probed it with his Divine Sense. The types of Materials were numerous, nine kinds of seventh-order Materials, each exuding an extraordinary Aura.
A hint of surprise flashed in Li Mu's eyes, and he nodded, "These Materials are indeed rare. Shopkeeper Qian, you were well-prepared!"
"Indeed, it's rare to meet Great Master Li, and this is a rare opportunity..." Qian Suwen smiled awkwardly, affirming, "I believe only your craftsmanship, Great Master Li, can maximize the value of these rare Materials and refine a powerful Dao Weapon."
Li Mu frowned, considering that he would be staying in the Southern Wilderness Spirit Domain for a while longer, and then nodded, "Alright! Since Shopkeeper Qian trusts me so much, I will take on this matter."
"Thank you, Great Master Li, thank you, Great Master Li!"
Qian Suwen was so excited to hear Li Mu agree that he repeatedly thanked him, his face beaming with smiles.
Being able to invite Li Mu to take action this time, this Dao Weapon was mostly a success!
"Great Master Li, Executive Fang, rest assured, regarding the Spirit Medicine matter, Wanbao Pavilion will definitely spare no effort to search for the whereabouts of the Shared Intent Spiritual Flower," Qian Suwen assured Li Mu and Fang Yunjian again.
Subsequently, under Qian Suwen's enthusiastic send-off, Li Mu and Fang Yunjian left Wanbao Pavilion. (End of Chapter)
