"Qingyu, I'm leaving. Remember to guard the Spiritual Field for me!" Li Mu called to Azure Jade Ginseng King and bid him farewell.
"Ah! Master, we haven't seen each other for over a hundred Years. You've only been here for a few days, and now you're leaving!" Azure Jade Ginseng King looked at Li Mu reluctantly, trying to persuade him to stay.
"What, have you stayed here too long and want to go out with me?" Li Mu smiled slightly, asking curiously.
"This..., that's not it!" Azure Jade Ginseng King looked up at the giant tree in the center of the Secret Realm, hesitating reluctantly. He turned to look at Li Mu, a hint of determination flashing in his eyes, and replied, "However, if Master needs me, Qingyu is naturally willing to follow Master to conquer all directions. Master, you came and left in such a hurry this time. Is there something urgent? Perhaps Qingyu can help you."
The Extreme Wood Secret Realm was extremely suitable for his Cultivation. After Cultivating here for several hundred Years, Azure Jade Ginseng King already felt the threshold of the next Realm getting closer and closer, but Azure Jade Ginseng King knew even more clearly that Li Mu's kindness to him could not be repaid in this lifetime. Therefore, when Li Mu needed him, he had to step forward without hesitation.
"I appreciate your kindness, but this time I indeed have important matters that I need to handle personally, which are beyond your ability. Just stay here and help me guard the Spiritual Field." Seeing Azure Jade Ginseng King's dilemma, Li Mu smiled gently, motioning.
Azure Jade Ginseng King nodded, solemnly promising, "Master, rest assured, Qingyu will live up to expectations, guard the Spiritual Field, and await your return."
As he spoke, Azure Jade Ginseng King remembered something, took out a Storage Ring from his pocket, and handed it to Li Mu, saying, "Master, this contains the Spirit Pills I refined in my spare time. Most of them are made from mature spiritual plants and spiritual fruits from within the Secret Realm, and they might be helpful for your Cultivation."
Li Mu smiled and nodded, unceremoniously taking the Storage Ring. With a sweep of his Divine Sense, he saw thousands of Dao Pill bottles inside, most of which were Five-Rank Spirit Pills, and quite a few Six-Rank ones. This batch of Spirit Pills was very valuable. It seemed that Azure Jade Ginseng King had not wasted his Years in these past few hundred Years, and his Alchemy skills had not declined.
"You're thoughtful. This batch of Spirit Pills is indeed useful to me!"
Li Mu smiled and nodded, then took out an ordinary green wooden staff from the nine storage spiritual pearl and handed it to Azure Jade Ginseng King: "This is a Seven-Rank Half-Immortal Artifact I refined. It's for you!"
Azure Jade Ginseng King looked at the green wooden staff and immediately felt its extraordinary nature, a hint of disbelief flashing in his eyes.
"Seven-Rank Half-Immortal Artifact? Master, this... this is for me?" Azure Jade Ginseng King's voice trembled, clearly deeply shocked by this sudden grand gift.
"Of course, Qingyu. You guard the Spiritual Field and refine Dao Pills for me; your contributions are immeasurable. This staff is compatible with your attributes and can help your Cultivation reach a higher level. Take it!" Li Mu smiled slightly, his eyes full of encouragement and trust.
Azure Jade Ginseng King took the wooden staff, feeling the immense power contained within it, and an unprecedented excitement surged in his heart. He gratefully promised Li Mu again, "Master, how can Qingyu be worthy of such a generous gift from Master! Qingyu will surely live up to expectations, Cultivate diligently, guard the Spiritual Field, and await Master's return."
"Mmm!" Li Mu nodded in satisfaction, then turned and walked towards the Teleportation Formation.
The moment he turned around, Li Mu seemed to remember something again. He stopped, looked back at Azure Jade Ginseng King, and complex emotions flickered in his eyes. "Qingyu, there's one more thing I need to tell you."
Azure Jade Ginseng King hurriedly took a few steps forward, respectfully awaiting his Master's instructions: "Master, please speak. Qingyu will surely remember it in his heart."
Li Mu pondered for a moment, then solemnly said, "Hereafter, the Spiritual Qi in this Realm will gradually dry up. The Extreme Wood Secret Realm might be a bit slower. During my absence, there might be some unforeseen changes. You must remain vigilant at all times. Although this Realm is hidden, it is not absolutely safe. If external powerhouses invade, remember not to fight head-on. You can activate the defensive Formation within the Secret Realm and try to inform me. Your safety is equally important to me."
"Master, rest assured, Qingyu will act cautiously, protect himself, and also guard this Spiritual Field. If there is a real emergency, Qingyu will immediately activate the Formation and try to contact Master." Azure Jade Ginseng King's expression tightened, and he nodded solemnly, committing it to memory.
Seeing this, Li Mu no longer procrastinated. He turned and stepped into the Teleportation Formation. As a dazzling light flashed, his figure gradually blurred and finally disappeared into the depths of the Secret Realm.
Azure Jade Ginseng King stood rooted to the spot, watching Li Mu depart until the light completely vanished. He tightly clutched the green wooden staff, a doubt surfacing in his heart, somewhat unclear about Li Mu's words regarding the increasingly depleted Spiritual Qi of this Realm.
"I should have asked Master more clearly," Azure Jade Ginseng King mused to himself, but then shook his head, thinking that since Li Mu hadn't explained in detail, he must have his own considerations. His primary task was to guard this Spiritual Field and ensure that it remained vibrant when Li Mu returned.
After Li Mu took the Teleportation Formation and left the Extreme Wood Secret Realm, he continued to the next Secret Realm - the Extreme Yin Secret Realm.
...
After several months of travel, Li Mu successively visited seven extreme Secret Realms, recalled the seven Soul Transformation Clones placed in the seven Secret Realms to care for the spiritual plants, harvested the Five-Rank spiritual plants planted in the Spiritual Fields, and then returned to the Seven Profound Sect, preparing to enter secluded Cultivation to condense his Law Domain.
Li Mu stood suspended at the Peak of Golden Sword Peak. With a thought of his Divine Sense, several Formation Artifacts flew out from the nine storage spiritual pearl, slowly rotating around him. There were three types of Formation Artifacts: Five-colored Formation Flags, seven jade tablet Formation Plates, and three bronze cauldrons, all emitting different attributes of Formation power fluctuations and pressure.
These Formation Artifacts were acquired by Li Mu through Years of Artifact Refining. They each had different functions, all being Seven-Rank Dao Artifacts, Immortal Artifact-level supreme treasures, capable of setting up extremely powerful defensive, concealment, and Qi-concealing Formations.
The five-colored Formation Artifacts were Five Elements protective Formations, refined using the essence of Heaven and Earth — Seven-Rank Five Elements spiritual objects — supplemented by divine patterns as the Foundation. Each Formation Flag contained rich Five Elements Qi. They were: the golden flag representing the sharpness and solidity of metal; the green flag containing the vitality and reproduction of wood; the blue flag surging with the flexibility and depth of water; the red flag burning with the passion and intensity of fire; and the yellow flag condensing the weight and bearing of earth.
As Li Mu's Divine Sense moved, the five-colored Formation Flags danced in the air, interweaving with each other, guiding all the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi around the Seven Profound Sect inwards, instantly forming a huge protective Grand Formation that enveloped the entire Seven Profound Sect.
The seven jade tablet Formation Plates were the core of the "Zhou Tian Star Concealment Formation." These jade tablets were extraordinary, refined from an Eighth-Rank Star Core, containing extremely strong Star Power. This item was obtained from the Treasure Mansion of Di Tianxing's palace. Li Mu used supreme magical power to engrave the Formation patterns of the "Zhou Tian Star Concealment Formation" onto the jade tablets, enabling them to simulate the trajectories of the stars and set up a grand concealment Formation.
When the seven Formation Plates were arranged in specific positions, the sky seemed to tear open, and rays of starlight projected down, connecting with the Formation, hiding the entire Seven Profound Sect within the endless starry sky, making it difficult for even Body Integration powerhouses to find its trace.
As for the three bronze cauldrons, they were the key to the "Xirang Qi Concealment Formation." These cauldrons were neither gold nor iron, but cast from the legendary Xirang. Xirang was the Origin earth of the Great Earth, possessing the ability to grow endlessly and transform infinitely. The three cauldrons respectively represented the beginning, transit, and end of the earth veins. Li Mu activated them through special techniques, enabling them to draw power from the earth veins and form a vast Qi-concealing field.
Within this field, whether it was the aura of living beings or the fluctuations of Magic Treasures, everything could be perfectly concealed, making the Seven Profound Sect appear as a barren land in the eyes of the outside world, without any signs of life.
As the three types of Formation Artifacts were activated and set up by Li Mu one by one, the sky above the Seven Profound Sect immediately became turbulent. Five-colored lights, starlight trajectories, and earth vein fluctuations intertwined, forming a stunning spectacle.
This scene left the Elders and Disciples of the Seven Profound Sect collectively shocked. They looked up at the sky, their eyes filled with disbelief and awe.
For a long time, the Seven Profound Sect was merely a minor Sect in the Central Continent Spirit Domain, and had never witnessed such a magnificent sight. It was as if the entire Sect had been endowed with supreme Divine Power, isolated from the world, forming its own Heaven and Earth.
"The Sect Master is truly amazing! He can even set up such a powerful Formation!"
"Yes, with these Formations, our Seven Profound Sect no longer needs to worry about external enemies."
"Are other forces going to attack us? Why is the Sect Master making such a big fuss?"
...
The Disciples of the Seven Profound Sect discussed animatedly, feeling nervous and uneasy. At the same time, their eyes flickered with admiration and reverence for the Sect Master. In their hearts, Li Mu was not only the Sect Master, but also a Great Master of Artifact Refining and a Great Master of Formations. Every time he made a move, he always overturned common sense and created unprecedented miracles.
With the three Grand Formations set up, the Seven Profound Sect instantly became impregnable and undetectable!
"What terrifying Formation Artifacts, Sect Master, what is he doing! Why is he doing this?" The Third Elder, Qin Wentong, looked up at the powerful Formation in the sky, muttering to himself.
The Third Elder, Qin Wentong, and several other Elders were about to move to find Li Mu and ask for clarification.
"Everyone, this Formation setup is just a precaution. You can Cultivate peacefully within the Sect and just don't leave the Sect. I will explain after I finish my secluded Cultivation." Just then, Li Mu's voice clearly reached the ears of the Elders and Disciples, his tone calm, revealing an undeniable majesty that instantly calmed the restless emotions of the Seven Profound Sect's Disciples.
The Third Elder, Qin Wentong, was slightly stunned upon hearing this. He then looked at the other Elders, only to see expressions of relief and peace on their faces.
Qin Wentong thought to himself, "The Sect Master's actions have their profound meaning. We just need to obey."
After stopping the Elders and Disciples from approaching, Li Mu smiled slightly and summoned Xiaobai and Xue'er from the Painting World Treasure Mansion.
"Xue'er, Xiaobai, I need to go inside for secluded Cultivation for a period of time. You two guard this place for me and don't let anyone enter." Li Mu looked at the Treasure Mansion ahead and motioned to Xue'er and Xiaobai.
"Uh, Li Dage, you can go into secluded Cultivation. I won't let anyone disturb you."
Although she didn't understand why Li Mu chose this Treasure Mansion as his place of secluded Cultivation, Xue'er still nodded obediently. She leaped into the air, guarding the entrance of the Sect's Treasure Mansion, her bright eyes flickering with vigilance and determination.
Xiaobai was not to be outdone. His small body instantly transformed into a white light, landing on Xue'er's shoulder, releasing his Soul Power, and vigilantly sensing his surroundings.
Seeing this, Li Mu smiled slightly and flashed into the Seven Profound Sect's Sect Treasure Mansion, preparing to repair the Five Elements Shifting Array hidden within it.
Back then, when Li Mu chose the Seven Profound Sect as his Sect, he immediately saw the extraordinary nature of the Five Elements Yin Yang Spirit Gathering Array set up by the Seven Gods Mountain. It was actually connected to a sub-Formation, the Five Elements Shifting Array, which could break through space-time barriers and reach a certain Secret Realm.
The main Formation, the Five Elements Yin Yang Spirit Gathering Array, was repaired by Li Mu himself, while the sub-Formation, the Five Elements Shifting Array, deeply hidden in the Seven Profound Sect's Treasure Mansion, was deliberately and thoroughly damaged. If it weren't for a Great Master proficient in Formations, it would generally be difficult to detect its existence.
Without the Heavenly Talent of Identifying Myriad Spirits, Li Mu would not have been able to discover its existence.
Before they were destroyed, the main Formation, the Five Elements Yin Yang Spirit Gathering Array, and the Five Elements Shifting Array, transferred most of the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi they gathered into this Secret Realm. All signs indicated that this Secret Realm was extremely extraordinary.
Cultivating both Five Elements and Yin and Yang implies Chaos. This Secret Realm is very likely related to Chaos, and once the news leaks, the impact will be far-reaching. Therefore, for so many Years, Li Mu dared not repair this sub-Formation without absolute certainty.
Now, Li Mu's Cultivation has reached the Void Refining Peak, his Divine Soul is incomparably powerful, he has successfully comprehended the Five Elements Law Idol, and his Cultivation is heaven-defying. In addition, all seven Soul Transformation Clones have solidified their Void Refining state, and with the Seven-Rank Dao Pill - Returning Void Pill, the success rate of condensing a Law Domain has reached seventy to eighty percent.
If there was also a Secret Realm filled with Five Elements and Yin and Yang Dao, breaking through to the Void Refining Domain would be a sure thing.
Li Mu's thoughts raced, full of confidence for the upcoming secluded Cultivation.
Entering the Treasure Mansion, Li Mu's gaze swept over it. He put all the various spiritual objects, wooden shelves, and stone tables in the Treasure Mansion into his Storage Ring. Then, his gaze fell on the dilapidated Formation Foundation in the center, which was the only remaining trace of the Five Elements Shifting Array.
The broken Formation patterns were covered in dust and traces of Years of erosion, but in Li Mu's eyes, they were the key to a higher Realm.
Li Mu summoned several Six-Rank Spiritual Swords from the nine storage spiritual pearl. Using spirit as rope, sword as brush, and Divine Thought as ink, he controlled the spiritual swords to transform into streams of light, re-engraving the Five Elements Shifting Array on the broken Formation Foundation.
As Li Mu's Divine Sense moved, the several Six-Rank Spiritual Swords seemed to be imbued with life. They gracefully weaved through the air, their sword tips flashing with dazzling light, landing precisely on the broken Formation patterns like stellar trajectories. Each ray of sword light fell, accompanied by a faint hum, which was the resonance of the Formation being re-engraved and the old Formation being activated, as if a giant Dragon that had slept for thousands of Years was awakening.
Li Mu closed his eyes and concentrated, his mind completely immersed in the process of repairing the Formation. He clearly sensed the flow of Five Elements Qi and the subtle balance and restraint between them. Using his deep understanding of the Five Elements Law Idol, he guided the spiritual swords to repair the broken and blurred Formation patterns one by one according to the sequence of Five Elements mutual generation.
The golden sword light was as sharp as lightning, cutting through the dust, outlining the strength and toughness of the metal Formation patterns; the water sword light was soft and winding, like a trickling stream, nourishing the vitality and vigor of the wood Formation patterns; the wood sword light was full of life, verdant, providing an endless supply of fuel for the fire Formation patterns; the fire sword light was intensely hot, burning with passion and power, igniting the stability and thickness of the earth Formation patterns, while the earth sword light was like the mother of the earth, embracing all things, solidifying the Foundation of the entire Formation. (End of Chapter)
