Li Mu’s consciousness slowly drifted within that deep and peculiar space, as if merging with the myriad stars in the sky. His mind followed the ancient and majestic voice, gradually delving into the mysterious core of the Ten Thousand Treasures Cauldron’s refining process.
“Chaos Furnace, Five Elements Reincarnation, Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, Star Refining, Spirit Treasure Returning to Truth…” The voice was like a grand bell resonating from the heavens, shaking Li Mu’s mind and stirring him greatly.
At this instant, a magnificent and boundless scroll seemed to unfold before Li Mu’s eyes: Between the vast heavens and earth, a majestic furnace stood tall. What burned within the furnace was not ordinary fire, but star fire gathered from countless stars. They blazed fiercely in the furnace, melting all things, transforming them into the purest energy, and finally condensing into the initial form of a cauldron.
After an unknown period, Li Mu slowly opened his eyes, a silver light flickering within them, as if the imprint of that vast starry sky still lingered, profound and mysterious. His mind was still immersed in the previous enlightenment; the refining method of the Ten Thousand Treasures Cauldron had been deeply imprinted in the depths of his Divine Soul.
“So that’s how it is… The refining method of the Ten Thousand Treasures Cauldron is not merely limited to Artifact Refining, but is the supreme method of refining heaven, refining earth, and refining all things, ultimately forging a Dao Artifact that forms its own Domain.” Li Mu’s mind suddenly cleared, as if he had broken through his existing Artifact Refining Bottleneck, gaining a deeper understanding of the Dao of Artifact Refining.
The Ten Thousand Treasures Cauldron, a nine-rank Dao Artifact, was by no means ordinary. It employed the refining method of taking heaven and earth as the furnace, starlight as the fuel, and all spirits as the Materials. Its subtlety far surpassed the Eight-Layer Heavenly Fire Artifact Refining method. The Ten Thousand Treasures Cauldron was not merely an Artifact Refining method, but also a method of “sowing” the Dao.
The so-called “sowing” the Dao method is to view the refining process of the Ten Thousand Treasures Cauldron as the gestation and growth of a life. Taking heaven and earth as the furnace is not only for melting all things but also for providing a vast world for this “Chaotic Dao Seed,” allowing it to gradually Awaken under the nourishment of the furnace and display unique vitality. Starlight as the fuel is the key to igniting this “Chaotic Dao Seed.” The star fire contains endless energy and mysteries, capable of stimulating the inherent potential of the “Chaotic Dao Seed,” causing it to transform and sublimate in the burning. And “all spirits” as Materials provide rich nourishment for this “Chaotic Dao Seed.” All things have spirit, and each Material contains unique attributes and Laws. Integrating these Materials into the furnace is like gathering the essence of all things into the “Cauldron,” providing continuous nourishment for the growth of the “Chaotic Dao Seed.”
As Years passed, the “Chaotic Dao Seed” grew vigorously in the furnace. Its roots delved deep into heaven and earth, absorbing endless Spiritual Qi and Laws. Its branches extended towards the starry sky, resonating with the stars and absorbing star power. In this process, the “Chaotic Dao Seed” not only gained powerful vitality and creativity but also gradually formed its own unique will and Laws.
Finally, one day, the “Chaotic Dao Seed” broke out of its cocoon and transformed into a dazzling Ten Thousand Treasures Cauldron. This cauldron not only possessed unparalleled power but also contained the wisdom and Laws of all things in heaven and earth, forming its own heaven and earth. With the nourishment of the essence of all treasures, it would take thousands of Years to unleash its true power.
This level of Artifact Refining method had already far surpassed the Artifact Refining techniques Li Mu had mastered. However, while the refining method of the Ten Thousand Treasures Cauldron was incomparably profound, its requirements were also far beyond Li Mu’s imagination. Even if he had mastered the refining method, putting it into practice would be more trouble than it was worth. Moreover, he had already embarked on his own Chaotic Great Dao, so naturally, he did not need to rely on such “heterodox methods.”
However, this special Artifact Refining method of the Ten Thousand Treasures Cauldron brought great enlightenment to Li Mu. He sat in the Artifact Refining Room of the Five Elements Spirit Palace, his eyes slightly closed, his face solemn. His mind had transcended the constraints of his physical body, sinking into his Sea of Consciousness, attempting to glimpse the opportunity for the re-refining of the Grotto-heaven Treasure — the Painting World Treasure Mansion, from the refining method of the Ten Thousand Treasures Cauldron.
The eight-rank Grotto-heaven Treasure Painting World Treasure Mansion, as one of Li Mu’s most important trump cards, formed its own world within it, where all things grew, and Laws formed naturally. However, the refining method of the Painting World Treasure Mansion was relatively ordinary, and its Foundation was not profound. It was able to advance to eight-rank entirely due to Li Mu integrating the Five Elements Spirit Mountain, feeding it massive amounts of high-grade Spirit Materials, devouring Dragon-shaped Spiritual Veins, and luckily surviving the Heavenly Tribulation of the artifact. The artifact spirit of the Treasure Mansion had always pleaded with Li Mu to reshape its artifact Foundation.
At this moment, a strong impulse surged in Li Mu’s heart, which was to use the refining method of the Ten Thousand Treasures Cauldron to thoroughly transform and sublimate the Painting World Treasure Mansion.
The Chaotic Dao Seed in his Dantian emitted a clear ringing sound, as if speaking of some possibility. What if the “sowing Dao” concept of the Ten Thousand Treasures Cauldron was reversed, not to nurture a Dao Seed with a heaven and earth furnace, but to directly plant the Dao Seed into an existing “heaven and earth” — the Painting World Treasure Mansion!
What the Painting World Treasure Mansion lacked was never the accumulation of spiritual power, but a spiritual core that could command all Laws.
In Li Mu’s Sea of Consciousness, an astonishing deduction scene gradually appeared. If the Chaotic Dao Seed replaced the core of the Painting World, allowing the painting itself to become the fertile ground for cultivating the Dao Seed! Those solidified landscapes could become the roots of the Dao Seed, absorbing Chaos Power from the Void Realm; the historical Restrictions would be reconfigured into a Spiritual Vein network; even the fragments of thousands of Magic Treasures contained within the painting could serve as nourishment for the Dao Seed’s transformation.
However, a problem arose. Li Mu’s virtual tracing finger suddenly paused, stirring ripples in the Void Realm. The Ten Thousand Treasures Cauldron refining method emphasized “starlight as the fuel,” but the Painting World Treasure Mansion was already formed. How could the Dao Seed be ignited without damaging the existing Grotto-heaven?
“Tribulation fire…” Li Mu seemed to comprehend, a slight curve forming at the corner of his mouth.
The Chaotic Great Dao inherently encompasses the birth and destruction of all things. If the remnants of the Heavenly Tribulation were refined into the kindling to ignite the Dao Seed, allowing the tribulation fire and Chaos to mutually stimulate and generate… This thought made Li Mu’s Divine Soul tremble, as if he had touched a forbidden Domain.
Li Mu closed his eyes and fell into a deeper deduction, seeing the Chaotic Dao Seed take root and sprout in the center of the Painting World. Its roots spread along the Restriction Context laid down by previous Cultivators, transforming those rigid Formations into spiritual blood vessels; its branches penetrated the landscape illusions on the surface of the painting, stretching out in the Void Realm Chaos to become the Jianmu that supported heaven and earth;
...
Ten days passed in a flash. The spirit communication treasure mirror hummed, interrupting Li Mu’s Epiphany.
Li Mu opened his eyes and woke up, a hint of regret flashing in his eyes. He then composed himself and, with a wave of his hand, summoned the spirit communication treasure mirror from his tianxuan ring.
The spirit communication treasure mirror glowed with spiritual light, and its surface lit up again.
Before long, Wan Ziliang’s figure appeared in the mirror, his eyes filled with an undeniable excitement, and he gestured, “Mu Daoyou, the ten-day period is up, and fortunately, I have not failed you. I have gathered all the Spirit Materials you need.”
Hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Li Mu’s eyes, and he then smiled, “Pavilion Master Wan truly has extraordinary means. To gather such rare Spirit Materials in just ten days is truly admirable.”
Wan Ziliang waved his hand and smiled, “Mu Daoyou overpraises me. Although my Wanbao Pavilion has some Foundation, this time we exerted our full strength to barely gather them all. However, since Fellow Daoist’s desired items are ready, I wonder about the Pavilion Master’s Token…”
Li Mu smiled slightly and said, “Pavilion Master Wan, rest assured, I, Li Mu, have always kept my word. Since your Pavilion has fulfilled its promise, I will naturally return the Pavilion Master’s Token.”
“May I ask where Mu Daoyou is? Shall we arrange a suitable place for the transaction?” Wan Ziliang asked with concern.
Li Mu nodded slightly, pondered for a moment, and then suggested, “Pavilion Master Wan, how about we meet in Cloud Hidden Immortal City for the transaction?”
Upon hearing this, Wan Ziliang’s expression changed slightly, a hint of gloom flashing in his eyes, and he said in a deep voice, “Mu Daoyou is unaware, the Cloud Hidden Sect has been destroyed, and Cloud Hidden Immortal City no longer exists.”
Li Mu frowned slightly and asked in surprise, “No longer exists?”
“Mu Daoyou must have not been active in the Central Plains for a long time.” Wan Ziliang sighed and slowly explained, “Since the Seal Grand Formation opened two hundred Years ago, and the Immortal Spirit Realm and Demon Abyss World invaded this realm, the Central Plains Spirit Realm is no longer what it once was. Cloud Hidden Immortal City, as the Immortal City of a major Sect, was naturally a thorn in the side of the Demon Abyss forces. A hundred Years ago, it was already destroyed by the Demon Abyss. The city fell, its people perished, and it became a ruin.”
Hearing this, Li Mu’s heart couldn’t help but stir. After the Seal Grand Formation collapsed, he immediately fled the Central Plains, hiding everywhere and secretly sealing several lost nine-rank divine objects. He wasn’t very clear about the outside situation. Now, hearing that Cloud Hidden Immortal City had been destroyed a hundred Years ago, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of sorrow and lament.
Li Mu was silent for a moment, then composed himself and asked, “I didn’t expect Cloud Hidden Immortal City to have been destroyed a hundred Years ago. Things change constantly, it’s truly regrettable. If that’s the case, does Pavilion Master Wan have any other suitable transaction locations to recommend?”
Wan Ziliang pondered for a moment and said, “The current situation in the Central Plains is complex, with various forces entrenched. It’s not easy to find a safe place for a transaction. However, my Wanbao Pavilion still has many sub-pavilions throughout the Central Plains. If Mu Daoyou doesn’t mind, you can go to ‘Tianyuan City.’ It is backed by Immortal Spirit forces and is safe.”
“Tianyuan City?” Li Mu nodded slightly, secretly pondering, he roughly knew this place.
“Good, then we’ll set it for Tianyuan City.” Li Mu readily agreed, then changed the subject and tentatively asked, “Pavilion Master Wan, I haven’t traveled in the Central Plains for a long time and don’t know much about the current situation. What about the major forces in the Central Plains now? Are the Xuantian Sword Sect, Taiyi Sect, and the Eight Great Cultivation Families still around?”
Upon hearing this, a complex expression flashed in Wan Ziliang’s eyes, and he slowly said, “Since Mu Daoyou asked, I will tell you in detail. The current Xuantian Sword Sect, although not destroyed, is no longer as glorious as it once was. Since the Demon Abyss invasion, the Xuantian Sword Sect has suffered heavy losses, with most of its Sect experts perishing. Now, backed by the Tai Xuan Sword Sect, it can still maintain a corner and barely protect itself.”
“As for the Taiyi Sect…” Wan Ziliang paused, his tone carrying a hint of solemnity, “The Taiyi Sect, alas, is now in turmoil and has split into two.”
Wan Ziliang continued to introduce to Li Mu, “A hundred Years ago, during a large-scale invasion by the Demon Abyss forces, the Taiyi Sect bore the brunt and suffered extremely heavy losses. Serious disagreements thus arose within the Sect. One faction advocated uniting with the Immortal Spirit Realm to resist the Demon Abyss; while the other faction believed they should temporarily avoid their sharp edge, preserve their strength, and vow to defend the Sect’s Legacy to await a future resurgence.”
“The two factions argued endlessly, eventually escalating into internal strife.” Wan Ziliang sighed, his tone carrying a hint of regret, and continued, “The Taiyi Sect thus split into ‘Taiyi Immortal Sect’ and ‘Taiyi Xuanmen.’ The Taiyi Immortal Sect advocated cooperation with the Immortal Spirit Realm and is now affiliated with the Immortal Spirit Realm forces, having moved near Tianyuan City, barely maintaining itself with the Immortal Spirit Realm’s protection; while the Taiyi Xuanmen retreated to the Taiyi Sect’s ancestral land, closing their doors and vowing to protect the Sect’s Foundation. Unfortunately, even so, the Taiyi Xuanmen is still frequently harassed by Demon Abyss forces and is now in precarious danger.”
Hearing this, Li Mu couldn’t help but sigh with emotion. The Taiyi Sect, as one of the most powerful Sects in the Central Plains, was once so glorious, yet now it has fallen to such a state, which shows how deeply the Demon Abyss invasion has damaged the Spirit Realm.
“What about the Eight Great Cultivation Families?” Li Mu continued to ask.
“The Eight Great Cultivation Families…” Wan Ziliang shook his head, his tone carrying a hint of regret, and explained in detail to Li Mu, “Among the Eight Great Cultivation Families, three have been completely annihilated, and the remaining five have also suffered heavy losses. Among them, the Nangong Family, Ji Family, and Kun Family have barely maintained their Family Foundation, but their strength is far from what it once was. As for the other two Families, they exist in name only, their Family disciples have scattered, and their Family properties have been completely divided up by various forces.”
After hearing this, Li Mu’s heart couldn’t help but feel a chill. The Eight Great Cultivation Families, once the pillars of the Central Plains cultivation world, were now shattered, which shows how tragic the impact of this catastrophe on the Central Plains was.
“Pavilion Master Wan, with the situation in the Central Plains so chaotic now, is there any force that can contend with the Demon Abyss?” Li Mu asked in a deep voice.
Wan Ziliang gave a bitter smile and said, “The Demon Abyss is powerful, and although the major forces in the Central Plains are willing to contend, they are ultimately powerless. However, in recent Years, a force has risen, named ‘Heavenly Dao Alliance.’ The Heavenly Dao Alliance is composed of the remnant forces of various major Sects and Families in the Central Plains, backed by the Tai Xuan Sword Sect of the Immortal Spirit Realm, aiming to unite Human Race Cultivators to resist the Demon Abyss. The Heavenly Dao Alliance has considerable strength, but compared to the Demon Abyss and the alien Cultivators of the Immortal Spirit Realm, it is still at a disadvantage.”
“Heavenly Dao Alliance…” Li Mu murmured softly, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes.
Seeing this, Wan Ziliang reminded him, “Mu Daoyou, the current situation in the Central Plains is complex. The Yao Race has allied with alien Cultivators, and various forces are intertwined. A slight carelessness can lead to being embroiled in disputes. If Fellow Daoist wishes to travel in the Central Plains, you must be extra careful.”
Li Mu nodded and said, “Thank you, Pavilion Master Wan, for the reminder. I will act cautiously.”
Wan Ziliang smiled and said, “In that case, then the transaction will be set for Tianyuan City. When can Mu Daoyou arrive?”
“It will probably take three or four months. I will contact you after I arrive.” Li Mu readily agreed.
“Good! I await good news from Mu Daoyou!” Wan Ziliang nodded, happily agreeing.
Soon, the spiritual light of the spirit communication treasure mirror gradually dimmed, and Wan Ziliang’s figure also disappeared. Li Mu put away the treasure mirror, a solemn look flashing in his eyes. He hadn’t expected that in just two hundred Years, the Central Plains would have undergone such a drastic change. The Central Plains now was no longer the one he remembered. (End of this chapter)
