Facing the Blazing Fire Old Ancestor's interrogation and gradually rising Killing Intent, a hint of helplessness flashed in Li Mu's eyes. He had come chasing the Nine-Order Earth Vein Divine Fire, but he didn't expect it to secretly devour someone else's sacred object and leave silently, causing him to be mistaken for an accomplice.
It was like mud on his pants; whether it was excrement or not, it was treated as such. He couldn't explain this matter to him.
Li Mu suppressed the irritation in his heart, took a deep breath, and continued in a deep voice, "Li has always acted openly and honorably throughout his life, with a clear conscience. Li would never do such underhanded things. Moreover, the person who stole the sacred object was able to succeed under the heavy guard of your island, indicating their methods are extraordinary, not those of an ordinary individual. Fellow Daoist, if you insist on pinning this matter on me, could it be that you have another motive?"
However, in this Cultivation World where strength is revered, explanations often seem so pale and powerless. Only strength is the hard truth that determines everything. Li Mu deeply understood this point, so he was prepared for the worst-case scenario.
"Hmph, if you weren't plotting something, how could you have broken through my island's illusion array and reached the core of the volcano? Now that the Dragon Emperor Heart Flame is missing, you must give me an explanation!" The Blazing Fire Old Ancestor's face was as dark as water, his words revealing an undeniable firmness. The surrounding space seemed to tremble slightly due to his anger, and a scorching aura pressed down on Li Mu like a tangible substance.
"Oh! How do you want me to explain? You're not chasing the person who stole your clan's sacred object; instead, you're entangled with me endlessly. I'm starting to suspect that losing the sacred object is a pretense, and your real goal is to frame me." Li Mu's brows furrowed, and his tone became sharper. His body remained still, but a faint spiritual power fluctuated around him, clearly indicating he was prepared for any sudden developments.
"Framing? Hmph, what a joke! My Fire Dragon Island has a foundation of ten thousand years, and the Dragon Emperor Heart Flame is its most treasured possession. How dare you, a petty individual, slander it!" The Blazing Fire Old Ancestor laughed in extreme anger, his eyes bloodshot. He suddenly waved his hands around.
Immediately, several figures flashed out like ghosts from all directions, quickly gathering around the Blazing Fire Old Ancestor. These individuals wore fiery red armor, their faces solemn and fearful. They were the elite guards of Fire Dragon Island.
"Old Ancestor!" After several guards in fiery red armor appeared, they all knelt on one knee, their faces filled with apprehension.
The Blazing Fire Old Ancestor's face was ashen, and an invisible pressure instantly enveloped the entire area. He questioned the guards, saying, "What's the situation?"
"Old Ancestor, the sacred object disappeared out of thin air. Your subordinate is incompetent and failed to find any clues!"
The leading guard's forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat, and his voice trembled slightly as he continued, "We carefully inspected the Fire Dragon Cave. There were no signs of the protective spiritual array being breached, and no clues were found at the scene. It's as if the treasure thief appeared and disappeared out of thin air. Moreover, we used all the monitoring arrays on the island, but we couldn't capture the figure of any suspicious person..."
"Enough! You two, keep an eye on these two; don't let them escape!" The Blazing Fire Old Ancestor roared, interrupting the guard's report. He left a word and transformed into a streak of fire, instantly disappearing from the spot, clearly going to personally investigate the whereabouts of the treasure thief.
Li Mu and Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix exchanged glances, both seeing a hint of helplessness in each other's eyes.
"Master, this place is not suitable for long stays. That old ghost clearly harbors ill intentions towards us. Lingering here will only cause more trouble." Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix transmitted a message to Li Mu with her Divine Thought, her tone slightly urgent.
Li Mu nodded slightly and responded with a thought, "Mm, you're right. Hold my hand tightly; we need to leave this place immediately."
Saying that, Li Mu extended his hand and tightly grasped Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix's warm palm. Instantly, the Chaos magical power within his body surged like a bursting river, unstoppable.
The next moment, the guards only felt a dazzling spiritual light flash in their vision, blurring their eyes and Divine Sense.
"What are you doing!"
The guards stared intently at Li Mu and Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix, the leading guard angrily questioning them.
However, 'Li Mu' and 'Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix' paid no attention, merely looking at them with a smile.
Seeing that the two they were guarding were still in front of them, the guards breathed a sigh of relief. At the same time, they raised their vigilance to the highest level, preparing for a strict confrontation.
On the other side, Li Mu and Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix had successfully escaped Fire Dragon Island, transforming into a stream of light and chasing in the direction where the Nine-Order Earth Vein Divine Fire had fled. It turned out that Li Mu had used a Body Double Technique, leaving behind a body double, and taking Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix, he had escaped through the Void Realm right under the guards' noses, unbeknownst to anyone.
As Li Mu and Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix escaped Fire Dragon Island, their body doubles remained in place, facing the enraged guards, a calm smile on their faces, as if completely unconcerned about what was about to happen.
Just then, the Blazing Fire Old Ancestor sensed something. He decisively abandoned his pursuit of clues and returned, staring intently at Li Mu and Crimson Flame, then furiously slammed his palm down.
Immediately, the two body doubles trembled slightly, transforming into two multicolored lights that suddenly burst open, turning into countless tiny specks of light that scattered and flew, instantly disappearing.
The guards were astonished and immediately reacted.
"This is... a Body Double Technique?" The leading guard's face changed dramatically. He looked at the Blazing Fire Old Ancestor with fear and confessed, "Old Ancestor, forgive us!"
"A bunch of good-for-nothings! You can't even keep an eye on someone!" The Blazing Fire Old Ancestor roared, his figure flickering as he chased in the direction Li Mu and Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix had fled, as fast as a red lightning bolt.
At this moment, Li Mu, while fleeing with Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix, immediately detected the pursuers behind him with his Divine Sense, which was comparable to a Great Vehicle Dao Lord. He immediately transmitted a message to Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix, saying, "We've been discovered; you should return to the Treasure Mansion!"
As soon as his voice fell, Li Mu paused and brought Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix into the Painting World Treasure Mansion. Immediately after, with a thought, he took out a set of teleportation array tools and six spatial-temporal array tokens from his tianxuan ring.
Li Mu's movements were swift. He formed array seals with his hands, and the six spatial-temporal array tokens were immediately arranged according to specific positions. Each token emitted a faint glow, forming a subtle connection with each other.
"Teleportation Array, activate!"
Li Mu's Chaos magical power surged again, pouring into these array tokens, and he let out a low roar.
Immediately, the six array tokens shone brightly, and a distorted spatial rift slowly opened in the Void Realm, emitting an alluring light, as if it could lead anywhere.
Just then, the Blazing Fire Old Ancestor's furious roar came from afar, his figure approaching at an astonishing speed like a meteor streaking across the sky: "Bastard, you can't escape!"
Li Mu snorted coldly, without the slightest hesitation. His figure flashed, and he stepped into the spatial rift. As his figure disappeared, the spatial rift rapidly contracted, and the six array tokens followed closely, entering the teleportation array, turning into a speck of light and dissipating into the Void Realm.
The Blazing Fire Old Ancestor watched helplessly as the little thief disappeared into the spatial rift. An unprecedented surge of anger and unwillingness welled up in his heart. He roared, and flames boiled around him, as if he wanted to burn the entire world to ashes.
"Little thief, no matter where you escape, this Old Ancestor will tear you to pieces!" The Blazing Fire Old Ancestor gnashed his teeth, his fists clenched tightly.
However, despite his anger, the Blazing Fire Old Ancestor knew that with ordinary means, he could no longer catch up with the boy who had already gone through the teleportation array. He had to find another way to have any hope of capturing him.
A hint of determination flashed in the Blazing Fire Old Ancestor's eyes. He made an astonishing decision: to expend his Dao Origin to forcefully pry open the spatial rift that was about to close!
Dao Origin was the essence accumulated by a Dao Realm powerhouse over many years of cultivation. Once expended, it would have immeasurable effects on one's cultivation. But at this moment, the Blazing Fire Old Ancestor no longer cared about that much. He had only one thought in his mind: to capture Li Mu and vent the hatred in his heart.
Immediately, the Blazing Fire Old Ancestor released his Domain, rapidly formed hand seals, muttered incantations, and the flames around him grew even more intense, as if they would melt the entire space. With a low roar from him, a powerful force surged from within his body and poured into the closing spatial rift.
"Open for me!" The Blazing Fire Old Ancestor roared. Immediately, the closing spatial rift was forcefully pried open by the violent Fire Dao Origin, emitting a terrifying aura.
The Blazing Fire Old Ancestor did not hesitate. His figure flashed, and he squeezed into the spatial rift. As his figure disappeared, the spatial rift slowly closed, as if it had never existed.
On the other side, Li Mu, having passed through spatial teleportation, arrived at an unfamiliar sea area. Just then, a figure broke through the clouds and appeared, like a meteor, heading straight for him.
The person who arrived was none other than the Blazing Fire Old Ancestor. His face was ashen, and his eyes were filled with endless rage and Killing Intent.
"Old ghost, you're quite capable to catch up so quickly!" Li Mu's face showed a hint of surprise, but he wasn't overly panicked in his heart.
The Blazing Fire Old Ancestor's figure flashed, appearing before Li Mu. His eyes narrowed slightly as he carefully scrutinized him up and down, somewhat surprised by his composure, and also puzzled as to the whereabouts of the Seven-rank True Spirit Fire Phoenix.
"Boy, obediently come back with this Old Ancestor. If you retrieve our clan's supreme treasure, this Old Ancestor can spare your life!" The Blazing Fire Old Ancestor said with a murderous aura, warning him sternly.
Upon hearing this, Li Mu's lips curled into a cold smile, and his eyes revealed defiance and mockery: "Spare my life? How utterly ridiculous. You wrongly accuse me for no reason, and you still dream of making me go back with you? Dream on!"
The Blazing Fire Old Ancestor's face darkened, his anger intensifying: "You refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit! Since you are so stubborn, then don't blame this Old Ancestor for being ruthless!"
Before his words finished, the flames around the Blazing Fire Old Ancestor boiled again, like a volcanic eruption. A scorching aura rushed towards Li Mu, making it almost impossible to breathe. With a wave of his hands, the flames transformed into two fire dragons, roaring as they lunged at Li Mu.
Li Mu used the Five Elements Escape Technique, instantly disappearing from his original spot and easily dodging the fire dragons' attack. However, the two fire dragons did not stop. They circled flexibly in the air, as if possessing independent consciousness, interweaving into a network of scorching flames that sealed off the entire space impenetrably, instantly blocking Li Mu's escape routes.
"Hmph, you think a mere Five Elements Escape Technique can be shown off in front of this Old Ancestor? Today, I'll let you witness this Old Ancestor's methods!"
The Blazing Fire Old Ancestor snorted coldly, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes. He rapidly formed hand seals, muttered incantations, and the flames around him became even more violent, as if they would devour the entire world.
"Fire Spirit Sealing Array, rise!" With a low roar from him, the two fire dragons instantly transformed into two chains of fire, carrying scorching high temperatures and endless pressure, coiling towards Li Mu.
The Fire Spirit Sealing Array was one of the Blazing Fire Old Ancestor's ultimate techniques. It used the Fire Dao Origin as power to seal and isolate spiritual energy. Once trapped within it, even a Mahayana stage powerhouse would find it difficult to escape easily.
The next moment, Li Mu felt as if he was in a heaven and earth furnace. His Divine Sense was surrounded by endless flames, as if he had been thrown into an unextinguishable melting pot. The air was filled with destructive high temperatures, causing his skin to faintly ache with a burning sensation. Even with his Chaos Dao Body, it was difficult to completely isolate himself from this scorching heat that came from the depths of his Soul.
Sensing this, Li Mu's eyes lit up slightly. This Blazing Fire Old Ancestor indeed had some cultivation. His control over the Fire Dao Principles could be described as superb, far surpassing Li Mu's current comprehension of the Fire Dao Principles.
Li Mu cultivated the Chaotic Great Dao. After advancing to the Combined Body Realm, his understanding of various Dao Principles deepened day by day. But he knew that Dao Principles were as vast as the sea, and each had its unique aspects. The Fire Dao Principles were no exception.
The Fire Dao Principles not only encompassed the scorching power of burning all things and smelting metals but also contained various categories such as light, purification, and growth.
The Fire Spirit Sealing Array displayed by the Blazing Fire Old Ancestor was the ultimate manifestation of burning and sealing within the Fire Dao Principles. Through the condensation and exclusion of Fire Dao Origin, it formed an almost absolute Domain, trapping enemies within it and constantly subjecting them to the scorching of flames and the oppression of their Soul.
However, Li Mu understood in his heart that the mysteries of the Fire Dao Principles were far more than this.
"If I can master more categories of Fire Dao Principles, I will definitely find a way to break this fire array." Li Mu pondered to himself, while dodging the pursuit of the flame chains, he tried to sense the special Dao Principles of this fire array, attempting to comprehend its mysteries.
As Li Mu's understanding of this array deepened, he gradually discovered that although the Fire Spirit Sealing Array focused on sealing and burning the Soul, its core lay in the extreme condensation and repulsion of Fire Dao Origin....
Time flew by. Li Mu had been trapped in the Fire Spirit Sealing Array for some time, but during this period, he showed no sign of panic, nor did his Soul show any signs of exhaustion.
The Blazing Fire Old Ancestor frowned deeply, gradually feeling that something was wrong. One must know that even a Mahayana stage powerhouse would find it difficult to last too long in this Fire Spirit Sealing Array, let alone a Cultivator in the Combined Body Realm. However, the Li Mu in front of him seemed to have formed a subtle balance with this fire array. Not only was he not completely swallowed by the flames, but he also seemed to be engaging in some kind of communication with the Fire Dao Origin.
"What is this brat up to?" The Blazing Fire Old Ancestor was full of doubts and decided to increase the power of the Fire Spirit Sealing Array to see what methods he had to resist.
As the Blazing Fire Old Ancestor formed hand seals again, the flames within the Fire Spirit Sealing Array instantly became even more violent, and the temperature sharply rose, making the sealing and Soul-burning power even stronger.
Li Mu's expression changed slightly, but he remained unhurried. The Chaos magical power within his body surged, beginning to interact with the surrounding Fire Dao Principles.
"Five Elements mutually generate, Fire Severing Law Domain, appear!"
Li Mu let out a low roar, and the Chaos magical power within his body surged like a bursting river, continuously pouring out and transforming into a fire-shaped Law Domain that shared the same Origin.
As soon as this fire-shaped Law Domain appeared, Li Mu, who was originally trapped in the Fire Spirit Sealing Array and being invaded and sealed by the extreme fire essence, felt his Soul relax, as if he had found a sheltered harbor. The fire-shaped Law Domain not only isolated the raging flames from the outside but also, in a miraculous way, slowly absorbed the Fire Dao Origin within the Fire Spirit Sealing Array, transforming it into power that Li Mu could control.
"This is called using fire to control fire, borrowing the power of the array to nourish oneself." Li Mu smiled contentedly, filled with joy, skillfully utilizing the evolutionary power of his own Chaos Dao Principles to maximize the might of the Fire Dao Principles.
At this moment, Li Mu was calm and composed, standing at the center of the Fire Spirit Sealing Array, where flames swirled but no longer posed any threat. Instead, they seemed like docile servants, revolving nimbly around him.
"Impossible! This is impossible!"
The Blazing Fire Old Ancestor's face changed dramatically, his eyes wide, as if he had seen a ghost. He couldn't believe that his ultimate move had been easily resisted by a Body Integration Cultivator, causing him no harm. (End of Chapter)
