Deep within the ancient and mysterious Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range in the Southern Wilderness Spirit Domain, a Forbidden Land known as the Extreme Fire Secret Realm was hidden. At this moment, this Secret Realm was undergoing an unprecedented catastrophe.
The earth, as if unable to bear the frenzy beneath, began to crack, and scorching magma, like raging Dragons, flowed freely, dyeing the entire underground world a fiery red.
The violent fire elements, like enraged giant beasts, roared and shuttled between the cracks, carrying destructive power that turned the surrounding rocks into ash.
Crimson firelight intertwined with rolling thick smoke, forming a terrifying apocalyptic scene, as if the entire world would be consumed by flames at this moment.
In the deepest part of the Secret Realm, where the Seal Grand Formation's core lay, the Nine-Order Earth Vein Divine Fire, which had slumbered for countless Years, finally awakened, erupting with endless fury.
An ancient and majestic power slowly rose from the depths of the earth's core, like a sleeping giant Dragon being awakened, carrying endless majesty and wrath.
This power resonated with the surrounding flames, making the entire Extreme Fire Secret Realm seem like a lit powder keg, with the fire instantly escalating to its extreme.
At this moment, the flames were no longer mere flames, but had transformed into substantial waves of fire, each flicker containing the power to destroy all things.
These flickers converged into rivers composed of pure flames, winding and circling in mid-air like burning giant Dragons soaring, ultimately all merging into the awakened Earth Vein Divine Fire, making its power even more terrifying.
The true might of the Nine-Order Earth Vein Divine Fire completely erupted at this moment; its aftershocks not only changed the surrounding environment but also caused the Laws of heaven and earth to resonate.
Abnormal phenomena began to gather in the sky, thunderclouds densely covered, lightning flashed and thunder roared, as if even the heavens were shaken by this power.
The entire Southern Wilderness Spirit Domain felt this soul-stirring power; even the strongest Yao Beasts trembled uncontrollably, as if facing not flames, but a world-ending disaster capable of destroying all living beings.
The entire Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range, and even more vast regions, were affected by this power, with the earth cracking, mountains and rivers shattering, and heaven and earth changing color.
In the high sky in the distance, the Void Refining Cultivators who were originally stationed at the Extreme Fire Seal Land all flew into the sky to take cover, witnessing all of this with faces filled with shock and fear.
Sword Elder - Yun Yi of Xuantian Sword Sect floated on his Flying Sword, his gaze heavy as he looked at the raging sea of fire below, his heart filled with doubt and worry.
"How could this be? What happened? How could the Seal Grand Formation collapse like this!" Yun Yi muttered to himself, his voice carrying a hint of disbelief, unable to understand why the Seal Grand Formation would suddenly collapse.
"Elder Yun, Elder Li is still inside; should we offer assistance?" A Void Refining Cultivator from the Kun Family anxiously asked.
Yun Yi frowned, his gaze searching for Li Mu's figure in the sea of fire; however, the raging flames were like a fiery Hell, their power extraordinary, and Divine Thought could not see the situation within.
"How can we save him? The power of those flames is so immense; if we rush in, we'll only die in vain!" Yun Yi sighed helplessly, knowing that their strength was simply no match for this power.
"Indeed! The Seal Grand Formation was clearly about to break; I can't understand why Elder Li still went in. Alas!" Another Void Refining Cultivator exclaimed in confusion.
"Elder Li's Cultivation is heaven-defying, and he is even more skilled in formations. He must have discovered some secret we hadn't perceived, or perhaps he wanted to repair the Seal at the last moment to prevent the complete eruption of the Divine Fire," an older Void Refining Cultivator speculated.
However, even though their hearts were filled with concern for Li Mu, they did not dare to rashly enter the sea of fire; their own strength was simply no match for that destructive power, and rushing in would only increase casualties.
"Elder Li has the Crimson Flame Phoenix, a true spirit beast, protecting him, so he should be fine!" A Void Refining Cultivator remembered something and quickly said.
The Void Refining Cultivators looked at the raging sea of fire below, their hearts filled with helplessness, worried about Li Mu who was still within the Grand Formation, yet powerless to do anything.
They could only silently pray for his safe return.
Just then, Li Mu, riding the noble and extraordinary Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix, suddenly broke through the air from the deepest part of the sea of fire.
He was surrounded by raging flames, yet he was like a Fire God descending, completely unharmed; the raging sea of fire seemed to him only like a harmless hot wind, not even scorching his clothes in the slightest.
The Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix spread its wings, spanning ten zhang, with flames leaping on its wings; each fiery feather contained endless firepower, soaring across the sky, like a Phoenix reborn from fire, radiating dazzling light that illuminated the entire gloomy sky.
In the blink of an eye, the Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix carried Li Mu to stand before everyone.
"It's Elder Li!" Upon seeing this, the Cultivators exclaimed in surprise, their worries and fears vanishing at this moment, replaced by endless joy and excitement.
Li Mu steadily landed in front of Yun Yi and the others, his face slightly pale, his expression a little tired; the Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix also transformed into human form, becoming a graceful and beautiful woman in a fiery palace dress, standing quietly beside Li Mu, like a guardian deity.
"I've caused everyone to worry. The core of the Seal Grand Formation—the Nine-Order Earth Vein Divine Fire—has escaped. I was powerless and unable to keep it," Li Mu said to everyone, his expression grave.
"Elder Li, does the breaking of this formation mean that the Sealing Boundary Grand Formation also..." Yun Yi's face was ashen, looking at Li Mu, his eyes filled with unwillingness and despair, but still holding a glimmer of hope as he sought confirmation.
Upon hearing this, the Void Refining Cultivators all turned their gaze to Li Mu.
They had already realized the severe consequences of the Seal Grand Formation breaking here; once the Sealing Boundary Grand Formation disintegrated, the Three Realms Passage would open wide, and an era full of unknown horrors was about to arrive.
"Yes! This formation is one of the seven sub-formations of the Sealing Boundary Grand Formation. With this formation broken, the other sub-formations are inevitably doomed, and the Sealing Boundary Grand Formation will naturally disintegrate as well.
The Devil Abyss Army will be unstoppable and will surely invade this realm," Li Mu said with a heavy heart, nodding.
"Then... then what should we do?" an elderly Void Refining Cultivator asked with a trembling voice, his eyes filled with fear and helplessness, clearly terrified of the impending Demon Abyss invasion.
"Elder Li, let's quickly return to the Sect! The Seal here is broken, there's no point in staying here any longer!" Yun Yi said to Li Mu urgently, his voice carrying a hint of eagerness and helplessness, as if at this moment, he had lost all direction.
"Elder Yun, you take them back first! I still have other things to do, and I'm afraid I'll have to part ways with you temporarily," Li Mu took a deep breath, his gaze complex as he looked at Yun Yi.
Staying in Xuantian Sword Sect, Li Mu originally only wanted to find a safe place to plant high-grade spiritual plants and collect Cultivation resources.
However, now that the Chaotic Boundary Sealing Formation had broken and the Three Realms Passage was wide open, with the Devil Abyss Army on the verge of invasion, he had already offended the Immortal Devil God by repeatedly disrupting the Demon Abyss forces' actions.
Now, he had become the Devil Abyss Army's primary target.
Continuing to stay in Xuantian Sword Sect would undoubtedly drag the entire Sect into endless crisis, and he himself would fall into endless trouble. Li Mu decided to lay low for a while and, incidentally, complete his next plan.
"Elder Li, what do you mean by this?" Yun Yi's expression changed slightly, having probably understood the meaning of Li Mu's words, and an ominous premonition surged in his heart.
"Elder Yun, you don't know, but I have repeatedly disrupted the Demon Abyss forces' actions before, engaging in several battles with the Immortal Devil God Avatar, and even completely obliterating his Clone in the last one.
The Immortal Devil God hates me to the bone. Now that the Sealing Boundary Grand Formation is broken and the Devil Abyss Army is approaching, if I continue to stay in the Sect, I will only bring endless disaster to you."
"The Immortal Devil God hates me to the bone; he will definitely use the power of the Devil Abyss Army to fully search for and pursue me. I cannot let Xuantian Sword Sect fall into danger because of me," Li Mu said with a wry smile, explaining to Yun Yi.
Upon hearing this, Yun Yi's heart sank. Recalling the great battle between Li Mu and the Immortal Devil God Avatar when they previously provided support, and the scene where Li Mu finally completely obliterated the opponent, he knew that Li Mu's words were not groundless.
"Elder Li, where are you going? Do you have a safe place to hide?" Yun Yi asked with concern.
After a moment of silence, Yun Yi looked at Li Mu and asked with concern.
"Don't worry, when it comes to hiding and escaping techniques, Li still has ways!" Li Mu smiled confidently, and remembering something, he instructed Yun Yi: "Elder Yun, I'm afraid I won't be able to return to the Sect for some time.
Please help me look after the people of Seven Profound Sect and my Disciples."
Upon hearing this, Yun Yi felt a little relieved, knowing that since Li Mu said so, he must have his own plans and arrangements, and he quickly promised: "Elder Li, rest assured, I will arrange everything for the people of Seven Profound Sect and your Disciples."
"Thank you, Elder Yun!" Li Mu nodded, expressing his gratitude.
After exchanging farewells, Li Mu watched as Yun Yi, leading the Void Refining Cultivators, released their spirit airship and sped towards the Central Continent Spirit Domain.
"Master, where are we going?"
The Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix looked at Li Mu and asked with concern.
"We're going to pursue the Earth Vein Divine Fire and try to subdue it!" Li Mu's eyes lit up, eager to try.
When the Chaotic Boundary Sealing Formation broke, the cores of the seven sub-formations, seven nine-rank divine objects, immediately became ownerless.
They were the key to refining supreme Divine Artifacts and advancing the Painting World Treasure Mansion. Unfortunately, the nine-rank divine objects had just awakened from countless Years of slumber, and the power they erupted with was incredibly vast and could not be suppressed.
Otherwise, Li Mu would have acted immediately to collect them.
Upon hearing this, the Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix was slightly startled, then reminded Li Mu: "Master, that Nine-Order Earth Vein Divine Fire is infinitely powerful, and its whereabouts are now unknown; even I cannot sense its presence. How shall we track it?"
"Don't worry, I've already made arrangements; it escaped to the southeast!"
Upon hearing this, Li Mu smiled slightly, pointing confidently.
Earlier, in order to advance further on the Chaotic Great Dao and to maintain some connection with these nearly Dao-like nine-rank divine objects when the two-realm Seal Grand Formation broke in the future, Li Mu had split seven wisps of his Clone and integrated them into the seven- and nine-rank divine objects before they fell into slumber.
Now, the spiritual essence of the seven nine-rank divine objects had awakened, but the Clone imprint still existed, allowing Li Mu to vaguely sense the location and movements of these Divine Artifacts.
Soon, the Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix revealed its true form, spread its wings, and carried Li Mu swiftly towards the southeast, at an astonishing speed, as if to catch up with the escaping fiery shadow.
Along the way, Li Mu closed his eyes and concentrated, using the faint connection of the Clone imprint to continuously guide the Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix and correct their direction.
The Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix, in turn, used its powerful flying ability to quickly traverse above the clouds, avoiding many unnecessary troubles.
In the outer Star Domain, at the convergence of the Three Realms Passage, amidst the soul-stirring roar, the complete collapse of the Sealing Boundary Grand Formation, like the sky falling and the earth sinking, not only shook the entire Spirit Realm but also caused an indescribable panic and unease to rise in the heart of every Cultivator present.
"This is... the gateway between the Demon Abyss and the Immortal Spirit Realm has completely opened!" Feng Wuheng's voice trembled slightly as he gazed at the ever-expanding passage crack, his eyes filled with shock.
"Amitabha, may Buddha be merciful, but such a catastrophe requires the combined strength of the entire Spirit Realm to resist." Renhui Holy Monk clasped his hands, closed his eyes, and chanted scriptures, as if praying for the Buddha to grant strength and wisdom.
Old Man Xuantian took a deep breath, his gaze firm: "Everyone, time waits for no one. Immediately notify all major Sects to gather all Cultivators who can fight and jointly protect our homeland."
Upon hearing this, the Dao Lords nodded one after another, each displaying their Divine Ability, or using communication tokens and Flying Swords to transmit this urgent message to their Sects.
The entire Spirit Realm, at this moment, seemed to be drawn by an invisible force; all Cultivators, no matter where they were, quickly sensed this crisis.
"Boom!" With another loud bang, the crack in the Three Realms Passage further expanded, and the unique chilling aura of the Demon Abyss began to intertwine with the pure spiritual energy of the Immortal Spirit Realm, forming a strange and dangerous balance.
The collision of these forces made the space of the entire Star Domain unstable; stars flickered, seemingly on the verge of falling at any moment.
Just then, a deep and majestic horn sound emanated from the crack in the Three Realms Passage, like the roar of an ancient giant beast, shaking the soul of every Cultivator.
Immediately after, an unprecedented dark aura, like ink, surged out from the crack, rapidly spreading throughout the entire outer Star Domain.
"Hahahaha, after ten thousand Years, the realm passage is finally open."
A wild and arrogant laugh, like thunder, echoed in the Star Domain, and a mighty, ferocious giant figure appeared with the dark aura, like a Devil God walking out of the abyss, surrounded by dense Devilish Qi, his eyes flashing with a desire for conquest.
After the Immortal Devil God, the Black Crow Devil God also slowly appeared, a sinister smile on his lips, as if he had already foreseen the despair and struggle of the Spirit Realm Cultivators.
In the next moment, countless Devil Abyss Army followed closely, surrounding the two Devil Gods, surging like a tide, their eyes filled only with slaughter and destruction; the entire Spirit Realm outer Star Domain seemed to be enveloped by a thick layer of darkness.
"Immortal Devil God, don't be happy too soon!"
Just then, a clear and pleasant yet majestic female voice abruptly sounded under the cover of darkness, like the sound of nature, piercing through the thick darkness and bringing a ray of hope to the despairing Spirit Realm Cultivators.
As the voice faded, a dazzling light burst forth from the other end of the two-realm passage.
That light was pure and sacred, forming a stark contrast with the dark aura of the Demon Abyss; under the illumination of this light, the darkness seemed to be gradually dispelled, and the stars also regained their vitality.
The Celestial Phoenix Immortal Emperor, dressed in a magnificent Phoenix robe, wearing a Phoenix crown, surrounded by golden flames; behind her, countless Immortal Soldiers and Immortal Generals followed closely.
They were clad in battle armor, holding Immortal Artifacts, each full of spirit and high morale. (End of Chapter)
