Under the Talent Divine Power - Identify Myriad Spirits, the attributes of that "Insect Scripture" clearly appeared before his eyes.
【Spirit Insect Secret Record (Hidden) (Incomplete)】
【Grade: Eighth-Rank Insect Tome】
【Characteristics: Myriad Ancient Spirit Runes (Hidden), Insect Soul Resonance (Hidden), Secret Technique Self-Generation (Hidden), Myriad Insect Atlas (Hidden), Law-Induced Insect Tide (Partial)】
【Status: Spirit Aura Dim, Soul Consciousness Fragmented, Sacred Object Self-Concealed in Dust】
【An ancient Spirit Insect Treasure Tome woven from the silk of the Ancient Ethereal Cocoon and the thoughts of Heavenly Insects, it has undergone the baptism of great calamities and the erosion of a thousand Years of wind and frost. Its Spirit Aura is dim, and its Soul Consciousness is fragmented. Only by gathering the saliva of the Six-Harmony Insect Spirits, the dust of a thousand generations of time, and the vital opportunities of billions of lives can its hidden nature be revealed. This "Spirit In※r10⛬ Secret Record" was originally a supreme in※r※r3※_1_⛬⛬1⛬ Cultivator's Treasure Tome, containing the profound mysteries of myriad in※r12⛬ reproduction. Every Spirit Rune within it embodies the ultimate principles of Heaven and Earth, allowing the Cultivator to understand in※r13⛬ language, control myriad in※r14⛬s, and traverse the in※r15⛬ world. However, it unfortunately suffered a calamity and was damaged, with its supreme Spirit Runes and secret techniques all sealed in dust, leaving only a faint spiritual essence.】
After looking at the attributes of the "Insect Scripture" Legacy, Li Mu confirmed that it was severely incomplete. However, it was still a Dao Rank Inheritance, containing a vast amount of knowledge related to spirit in※r※_1_⛬6⛬s, and it must also include the method for the Gu In※r※_※_1_⛬_⛬7⛬ Spirit to help Little White successfully pass the True Spirit Thunder Tribulation.
Therefore, Li Mu was determined to acquire this "Insect Scripture" Legacy, no matter what.
"※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_1_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬8_⛬, have you taken a liking to this 'In※r※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_※_1_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬_⛬8⛬ Scripture' Legacy?"
Sword Master Feng asked, looking at Li Mu with concern.
"Yes!" Li Mu nodded, then turned to Sword Master Feng and asked, puzzled, "Sword Master, do you think there's a problem with this 'Insect Scripture' Legacy?"
"I can't tell if there's a problem with this Legacy, but in the path of Cultivation, it's crucial not to bite off more than you can chew. You already practice several Cultivation Techniques and are proficient in Artifact Refining, Formation, and Puppet Art. Each requires meticulous study and deep comprehension to achieve anything. While this 'Insect Scripture' Legacy is good, it's not your top priority for current Cultivation," Sword Master Feng advised, giving Li Mu a meaningful look.
"That's right! Elder Li, you Cultivate all Five Elements, and the later the stage, the slower your Cultivation progress becomes. Engaging in one more skill requires a large amount of time and energy to understand and practice. Although this 'Insect Scripture' Legacy is precious, the knowledge and secret techniques it contains are complex and profound, not something that can be mastered overnight. If you want to go further on the Cultivation path, you must make choices and concentrate your efforts on overcoming the most critical challenges at hand," Sword Master Chen interjected, looking at Li Mu sincerely.
Upon hearing this, Li Mu was both amused and exasperated. He appreciated the concern of the two Sword Masters, yet his Cultivation advancement and skill improvement were achieved by planting spirit plants and absorbing their spiritual attributes, which required very little time and effort.
"You two have worried yourselves unnecessarily. I'm just quite fond of such unusual Legacies and have a unique collecting habit. I get excited when I see something new, but I won't spend much time on this aspect," Li Mu said with a slight smile, casually making up an excuse.
"So that's it. It seems we worried too much," Sword Master Feng said, a look of relief on his face.
Sword Master Chen also laughed, "Haha, Elder Li's uniqueness is truly something. Since that's the case, if you're truly interested in this 'Insect Scripture' Legacy, you might as well add it to your collection. You might gain unexpected insights from it in your leisure time."
"However, Elder Li, I'm afraid you might be disappointed. A Dao Rank Inheritance is a closely guarded secret of a Sect. Even an unorthodox Legacy like the 'Insect Scripture' wouldn't be easily circulated, let alone appear at an Auction. This Dao Rank Inheritance has likely lost its essence," Sword Master Feng said to Li Mu with a smile, indicating his point.
Upon hearing this, a flicker of something unusual crossed Li Mu's eyes, then quickly returned to normal. He said indifferently, "Sword Master is right. Although I have a fondness for unusual Legacies, I also know what's important. If I can get a glimpse of this 'Insect Scripture' Legacy, it would naturally be a fortunate thing. But if it truly has lost its essence, as Sword Master said, then I'll simply consider it as gaining more knowledge and broadening my horizons."
Sword Master Feng nodded and stopped trying to dissuade Li Mu.
At this moment, Wan Tiancheng was presiding over the Auction. After introducing the information about the "Insect Scripture" Legacy, he formally announced, "The starting bid for this 'Insect Scripture' is 500,000 High-Grade Spirit Stones, with each increment being 20,000 High-Grade Spirit Stones. The time limit is 120 breaths. The bidding starts now!"
As Wan Tiancheng's words fell, the entire Auction hall instantly erupted, and powerful Spiritual Qi fluctuations surged through the crowd. Clearly, many people still held a strong interest in this incomplete Dao Rank Inheritance.
"600,000!"
"720,000!"
...
The bidding price changed rapidly, but it wasn't as fierce as everyone had imagined. Firstly, it was a relatively rare unorthodox Legacy, and secondly, it was a severely incomplete Legacy, which didn't meet the needs of the vast majority. After all, they were already Void Refining Realm and Combined Body Realm powerhouses who had chosen their Dao paths and would never easily switch to the Dao of Insect Control.
If they could acquire this incomplete Dao Rank Inheritance at a reasonable price, it would serve as a foundation for their Family or Sect. If not, there wouldn't be much loss.
Under this psychological game, although the bidding voices rose and fell, the rhythm gradually stabilized. Li Mu silently observed all of this, watching for potential opponents and waiting for the opportune moment to make his move.
"I bid 1,000,000! I happen to Cultivate the Art of Insect Control, and I hope all Fellow Daoists and Seniors will grant me this!" A clear, cold female voice suddenly rang out, clearly penetrating the clamor of the crowd. A female Cultivator in a light blue long dress, with a cold expression, respectfully surveyed the entire hall and spoke.
"So it's Fairy Yudie!" Someone recognized the woman's identity.
"Fairy Yudie?" As this name was uttered, a ripple of whispers and exclamations immediately spread through the hall.
Fairy Yudie was renowned in the Northern Region of the Spirit Realm for her talent and beauty, and she possessed remarkable attainments in the Dao of Insect Control. Her bid naturally drew the attention of many Cultivators.
"Since Fairy Yudie has spoken, it would naturally be inconvenient for us to compete," a seemingly gentle middle-aged Cultivator said with a smile, his words revealing respect and deference towards Fairy Yudie.
"Hmph, you think you can take this 'Insect Scripture' Legacy with a mere 1,000,000? That's too childish!" However, just as everyone thought the bidding was about to settle, a disdainful voice suddenly came from a corner of the hall. A young man in a black robe with a sinister face slowly stood up, his eyes glinting with a provocative light.
"I bid 1,200,000!" Before the black-robed youth had finished speaking, many had already recognized his identity—the Young Lord of the Black Fiend Sect, a young powerhouse known for his ruthless methods. His appearance undoubtedly added a touch of gunpowder to this bidding war.
Upon hearing this, Fairy Yudie's delicate brows furrowed slightly, but she did not respond directly. Instead, she tightly gripped her bidding token, retaliating with action.
"Token No. 427 bids 1,400,000 High-Grade Spirit Stones! Are there any other Fellow Daoists bidding? Last 30 breaths!" Wan Tiancheng announced loudly.
"Token No. 232, 1,500,000!"
"Token No. 427, 1,600,000!"
...
The bidding once again entered a heated stage, but compared to before, the pace had noticeably slowed. With each increment, both parties appeared more cautious and thoughtful.
"1, 3,000,000 High-Grade Spirit Stones!"
Seeing this new bidder, a flicker of surprise crossed Wan Tiancheng's eyes, but he quickly recovered his professional smile and announced loudly, "3,000,000 High-Grade Spirit Stones! 1 bids 3,000,000! Is there any higher bid?"
Upon hearing that the bid came from 1, the expressions of several bidders simultaneously darkened. Fairy Yudie's brows furrowed even tighter, and her gaze involuntarily turned towards the window of 1 at the highest point of the hall, reluctantly giving up on the bidding.
"Time's up!" Wan Tiancheng let out a sigh of relief and immediately announced the result, "Congratulations to the winner of 1! They have successfully bid 3,000,000 High-Grade Spirit Stones for this Dao Rank Inheritance!"
As Wan Tiancheng's hammer fell, a slight commotion erupted throughout the Auction hall, then quickly subsided into silence. Everyone's gaze was fixed on the closed window of 1, knowing that Master Li was inside.
Fairy Yudie sighed softly. Although she felt regret, she understood that strength and background often determined everything. Her brows were tightly furrowed, lost in thought.
The black-robed youth, the Young Lord of the Black Fiend Sect, curved his lips into a playful smile. He wasn't angry about failing to acquire it; instead, he developed a stronger interest in Master Li inside 1.
Seeing this, Wan Tiancheng timely eased the atmosphere in the hall, smiling as he introduced, "Fellow Daoists, there's no need to be disheartened if you haven't gained anything. There are still many High Grade spiritual items waiting for their destined owner. Please allow me to introduce the next item..."
As Wan Tiancheng's words fell, a dazzling light emanated from the small teleportation array in front of the Auction stage. A rustic spiritual item clearly appeared before everyone's eyes: a jade pendant emitting a faint, ethereal glow, carved with intricate and ancient totems, exuding a powerful spiritual essence.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is another treasure carefully prepared for this Auction — the 'Ethereal Ancient Jade'!" Wan Tiancheng's voice was filled with reverence and anticipation: "This jade is rumored to be an ancient relic, indestructible after countless Years. It contains a mysterious power capable of guiding Cultivators to comprehend the Dao, and even glimpse the secrets of Heaven. It offers immeasurable help, whether for breaking through Cultivation Bottlenecks or for comprehending the Laws of Heaven and Earth."
...
The Auction was still ongoing.
In 1, the closed door was suddenly knocked upon.
"Chief Manager Wan, please come in!"
With a slight probe of his Divine Sense, Li Mu knew who was knocking at the door and greeted him with a smile.
Wan Renlang pushed the door open and entered, a gentle smile on his face, his steps steady yet respectful. In his hand, he held a tray, on which were three spiritual items: the Spirit Binding Plate, the Shui Jie Shi, and the "Insect Scripture" Legacy that Li Mu had just acquired.
"Master Li, I've kept you waiting. I've brought your spiritual items!" Wan Renlang placed the tray on the tea table beside Li Mu and greeted him warmly.
Li Mu smiled slightly, a hint of surprise in his eyes, and thanked him with a smile: "Chief Manager Wan, you've gone to great trouble. You've brought the Auction items so quickly."
"You're too kind, Master Li. This is our duty," Wan Renlang gently placed the tray on the table and continued, "Additionally, I have another matter to request during this visit."
Upon hearing this, Li Mu paused slightly, his puzzled gaze turning to Wan Renlang, signaling him to continue.
"Chief Manager Wan, you haven't been invited by other forces, have you? To ask Elder Li to help refine Dao Soldiers?" Sword Master Feng looked at Wan Renlang with a forced smile, asking knowingly.
"Uh! Senior's insight is sharp." Wan Renlang was a bit embarrassed by Sword Master Feng's sudden question. He replied, then explained, "However, Senior, you've also misunderstood a bit. I haven't come on behalf of any particular force. Wanbao Pavilion opens its doors for business, and naturally hopes to maintain good relations with powerhouses from all realms. This visit is indeed about an Artifact Refining request, but it's not as simple as merely commissioning Elder Li to refine Dao Soldiers."
Wan Renlang paused, his gaze shifting between Li Mu and Sword Master Feng, seemingly searching for the most appropriate words. He continued, "Actually, our Wanbao Pavilion recently acquired an ancient Artifact Refining blueprint, which records several long-lost Magical Artifact Refining methods. Their unique aspect is their ability to significantly enhance a Cultivator's certain specific abilities, making them invaluable for Cultivators who practice certain special Cultivation Techniques."
"However, the refining methods on the blueprint are extremely complex, requiring exceptionally high Artifact Refining skills and a profound understanding of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi. We have searched for many Great Masters of Artifact Refining across the world and ultimately believe that only Elder Li can undertake this task. Therefore, I have come hoping that Elder Li can consider accepting this challenge, and also hoping that Sword Master Feng and Sword Master Chen can provide support and understanding."
At this point, Wan Renlang's expression was exceptionally sincere. Looking at Li Mu's expression, Sword Master Feng immediately understood something.
Li Mu also frowned deeply, seemingly weighing the pros and cons. Meanwhile, Sword Master Feng and Sword Master Chen both had scrutinizing expressions, clearly also considering the matter.
Seeing the three people's serious expressions, Wan Renlang's face changed slightly, knowing that his request might have touched upon some sensitive points for Li Mu and Sword Master Feng. But as the Grand Manager of Wanbao Pavilion, he absolutely could not let the Wanbao Pavilion's reputation be tarnished in his hands.
"Chief Manager Wan, this is indeed an extraordinary request," Li Mu suddenly spoke, adding, "However, I am quite interested in that ancient Artifact Refining blueprint and am willing to try challenging my Artifact Refining skills. But, I need to first examine the content of the blueprint and understand the characteristics and uses of that Magical Artifact in detail before I can make a final decision."
"Of course!" Wan Renlang quickly nodded in agreement: "I have already brought the blueprint for you, and I can give it to Elder Li to examine now. As for the characteristics and uses of the Magical Artifact, I will also explain them in detail beside you, so that Elder Li can make an informed judgment."
Saying this, Wan Renlang took out a roll of mysterious purple Jade Slip from his storage ring and carefully handed it to Li Mu.
Li Mu took the purple Jade Slip and felt an ancient and mysterious aura wash over him.
Li Mu took a deep breath, immersed his mind in it, and began to study it carefully.
His Divine Sense entered the Jade Slip. Inside the Jade Slip, there were illustrations and texts, not only detailing the refining steps but also accompanied by various complex and difficult-to-understand floating Buddha images and artifact patterns. The overall artifact diagram revealed the refiner's ingenious craftsmanship and profound understanding of the ultimate principles of Heaven and Earth. (End of Chapter)
