Several days later, within the Celestial Phoenix Emperor Palace, the atmosphere was tense and oppressive.
Below the main hall, four Immortal Lords stood to the side, while Wan Ziliang knelt beneath the jade steps, his collarbones pierced by nine profound golden chains, blood dripping along the chains and blossoming into blood-red lotuses on the immortal jade floor.
His face was ashen, and his eyes were filled with despair and helplessness.
The Celestial Phoenix Immortal Emperor leaned against her throne, a scroll of hide suspended beside her—it was the refining diagram for the Ten Thousand Treasures Cauldron.
A wisp of Heaven-Burning Karma Fire twined around her fingertip, its light making the golden glow in her eyes even more intense, and the entire Emperor Palace was filled with a murderous Aura.
“I’ll ask one more time!” The Celestial Phoenix Immortal Emperor’s voice was cold and majestic as she stared at Wan Ziliang and questioned, “Who exactly is the ‘Mu Daoyou’ who killed Fire Kirin Immortal Lord?”
Wan Ziliang trembled all over, his teeth chattering, and he stammered, “Your Majesty, please understand… that ‘Mu Daoyou’ dealt with me through a Puppet from beginning to end, never showing his true face.
I swear I’m not lying in the slightest!”
Upon hearing this, the Celestial Phoenix Immortal Emperor’s brows furrowed.
Although this person was just a minor character, in this complex situation, he might hold the key clue to uncovering the truth; therefore, she would not easily let go of any possible lead.
“Hmph! A Puppet? Do you think you can muddle through with such an excuse?” The Celestial Phoenix Immortal Emperor snorted coldly, then slowly stood up and walked over to Wan Ziliang.
She bent down, looking into Wan Ziliang’s eyes as if trying to see through his Soul.
Wan Ziliang felt the immense pressure and terrifying Aura emanating from the Celestial Phoenix Immortal Emperor, his heart filled with extreme fear, knowing that he had reached the brink of life and death, and a slight mistake could lead to his complete annihilation.
“Your Majesty… every word I’ve said is true!” Wan Ziliang’s body trembled uncontrollably, and he said in terror, “That ‘Mu Daoyou’ indeed dealt with me through a Puppet, never revealing his true appearance, and I also tried to investigate his identity but consistently found nothing.”
The Celestial Phoenix Immortal Emperor’s eyes narrowed, and with a grab, she pulled Wan Ziliang’s head into her palm, saying coldly, “Since you refuse to tell the truth, then I will personally perform a Soul search!”
Before her words finished, the Heaven-Burning Karma Fire at the Celestial Phoenix Immortal Emperor’s fingertip surged out, transforming into a fiery vortex that rushed towards Wan Ziliang’s forehead.
Wan Ziliang felt a sharp pain, as if his Soul was being torn apart, unable to resist the Celestial Phoenix Immortal Emperor’s overwhelming power.
The fiery vortex gradually swallowed his consciousness, and he began to fall into a complete darkness.
Under the Celestial Phoenix Immortal Emperor’s powerful cultivation, Wan Ziliang’s Soul defense was like paper, instantly shattered.
Her Divine Sense, like a searchlight, scoured the depths of Wan Ziliang’s Soul for clues about “Mu Daoyou.”
A moment later, the Celestial Phoenix Immortal Emperor’s face turned extremely grim.
She found that Wan Ziliang’s memories indeed contained a mysterious “Mu Daoyou,” but this person’s identity and origin were completely blank, as if he had appeared out of thin air from nothingness!
He had used a spirit communication treasure mirror to contact him, and commanded a Puppet for transactions and battles, but his true face had never appeared.
“Hmph! Cunning indeed!” The Celestial Phoenix Immortal Emperor snorted coldly, then surged the Heaven-Burning Karma Fire in her hand, and Wan Ziliang instantly turned into a pile of ash.
The Celestial Phoenix Immortal Emperor unfolded the refining diagram of the Ten Thousand Treasures Cauldron, staring at the extremely complex runes and refining steps, her brow furrowed even deeper.
Previously, when Wan Gu Yu fell, the Ten Thousand Treasures Cauldron, the Legacy treasure of Wanbao Pavilion, unexpectedly appeared.
She, along with the Eternal Demon God, Grand Profound Sword Revered, and many other supreme experts, all made their moves, desiring to claim this treasure.
However, relying on its powerful spirituality, the Ten Thousand Treasures Cauldron vanished into the Star Domain amidst their fierce competition.
Now, this refining diagram of the Ten Thousand Treasures Cauldron had unexpectedly fallen into the Celestial Phoenix Immortal Emperor’s hands, but after examining it, she found it quite troublesome.
Firstly, although her cultivation was profound, she was not skilled in Artifact Refining.
The refining of this Ten Thousand Treasures Cauldron was undoubtedly an insurmountable mountain for her.
Secondly, the Ten Thousand Treasures Cauldron was not easy to refine; it not only required massive amounts of high-grade Spirit Medicine but also needed to be refined using the Dao-seeding method, which was equivalent to her cultivating another Grand Dao, making her hesitate for a time.
————
Deep within the outer Star Domain, on the ancient star, in the heart of this planet, a majestic and magnificent Demon Palace stood proudly.
The Demon Palace was built of unknown black rock, exuding a faint Devilish Qi that inspired awe; its gates were tightly shut, with only its towering spire piercing the sky, proclaiming its extraordinary nature.
Inside the Demon Palace, on a throne meticulously carved from obsidian, sat a majestic Eternal Demon God, surrounded by rolling Devilish Qi, his eyes as deep as an abyss, as if they could see through all illusions in the world.
Below in the grand hall, several Demon Lords prostrated themselves on the ground, not daring to breathe loudly, fearing they might anger this supreme existence.
“Fire Kirin Immortal Lord, dead?” The Eternal Demon God’s voice was low and hoarse, carrying a hint of awakened rage.
“Yes, my Lord.” A trembling Demon Lord replied, reporting the details of the incident: “According to reports from our scouts, Fire Kirin Immortal Lord fell near Tianyuan City, killed by a mysterious Cultivator.
Based on the clues, we suspect this mysterious Cultivator is ‘Li Jianxian.’”
“Oh? How do you confirm that?” The Eternal Demon God’s voice echoed in the spacious hall, his deep pupils fixed on the Demon Lord.
“That Cultivator acts mysteriously, never appearing in person, but instead commands a large number of high-grade Puppets for combat,” the Demon Lord cautiously replied.
“These high-grade Puppets are equipped with Dao armor and Dao swords, and they are skilled in sword formations, possessing extremely formidable combat power.
This aligns with the previous signs of ‘Li Jianxian’s’ actions, so there is reason to confirm that it was his doing.”
Hearing this, a cold glint flashed in the Eternal Demon God’s eyes, and he asked in an even deeper voice, “Oh? Have you investigated the reason behind it?”
“The specific reason has not yet been investigated; it should be related to the people of Wanbao Pavilion.” The Demon Lord quickly responded, explaining, “The people of the Immortal Spirit Realm have already acted first, sealing Tianyuan City and arresting relevant personnel for interrogation.
But so far, we have not been able to obtain the inside story.”
“A bunch of useless trash!” The Eternal Demon God suddenly rose from his throne, roaring in anger.
The kneeling Demon Lords were as if struck by lightning, all suffering heavy injuries, trembling on the ground.
Above the dome, the Nine Netherworld Fire flickered, casting the Demon God’s shadow on the wall, stretching it into the shape of a twisted giant beast, as if it would swallow the entire Demon Palace.
The entire grand hall was filled with oppressive and terrifying Aura.
“The last time the Soul-Devouring Clan died inexplicably, it was also done by that Li Jianxian.” The Eternal Demon God’s voice boomed like thunder in the grand hall, angrily scolding, “Now he has appeared again, yet you all can’t even discern his true purpose.
What use are you to me?!”
The Demon Lords lay prostrate on the ground, trembling like sieves, fearing that the Eternal Demon God would vent his anger on them.
“Demon God Lord, please calm your anger!” The leading Nether Bone Demon Lord bravely said, “That Li Jianxian is as cunning as a fox, and his actions have always been mysterious and unpredictable.
We have confirmed that he possesses a Grotto-Heaven Spirit Treasure.
This treasure is no small matter; it contains a universe within, capable of concealing one’s figure and isolating one’s Aura.
Therefore, we find it difficult to capture his true body.
But please rest assured, Lord, we will continue to work hard to bring him to justice as soon as possible.”
“Grotto-Heaven Spirit Treasure? Hmph, he does have some tricks.” Although the Eternal Demon God’s tone carried disdain, his eyes became a bit more solemn.
“Demon God Lord, capturing this ‘Li Jianxian’ is indeed not easy.” The Nether Bone Demon Lord continued, “But for now, the only way is to set a trap and make him come to us voluntarily.”
“Oh? Tell me about it.” The Eternal Demon God looked down at the Nether Bone Demon Lord from above, waiting for him to continue.
The Nether Bone Demon Lord took a deep breath and continued, “According to our in-depth investigation, that Li Jianxian has been searching for several precious nine-rank Spirit Medicine to Break through his Bottleneck and glimpse the Dao.
If there are no surprises, he has already obtained the nine-rank green wood from Wan Yao City, seized the nine-rank divine fire from Hellfire Peak, and acquired the nine-rank Yang crystal from the Yin Yang Valley in the Southern Wilderness.
Now, only a few nine-rank divine objects remain unfound.”
“Oh? Have you investigated the whereabouts of the other nine-rank divine objects?” The Eternal Demon God asked with interest.
“Your subordinate has already found the whereabouts of the nine-rank Yin water.” The Nether Bone Demon Lord quickly replied, “The nine-rank Yin water should be hidden in the dark cold pool deep within the Northern Underworld Ice Plain.
The environment there is harsh, and the cold Qi is biting, making it impossible for ordinary Cultivators to even approach, let alone obtain that nine-rank Yin water.
But Li Jianxian acts unconventionally; to Break through his Bottleneck, he will definitely take the risk.”
“Hmm, continue.” The Eternal Demon God nodded, signaling the Nether Bone Demon Lord to continue.
“Therefore, your subordinate has secretly manipulated the Yao Race forces of the Northern Underworld Ice Plain—the Cold Abyss Flood Dragon Clan—and deliberately spread rumors that they have obtained the nine-rank Yin water.” The Nether Bone Demon Lord continued, “The Azure Nether Yao Emperor intends to use this treasure as an exchange to invite all Yao Emperors to a ‘Cold Ice Feast.’
In reality, this is a trap; if Li Jianxian learns of this news, he will definitely come regardless of the cost.
At that time, we will set up a net and capture him in one fell swoop.”
Hearing this, a cruel smile appeared at the corner of the Eternal Demon God’s mouth, and his eyes glinted with approval as he nodded and said, “This plan is excellent!
You immediately begin preparations; you must obtain that nine-rank Yin water, making sure nothing leaks, so that Li Jianxian falls into this trap without realizing it.
I will personally obliterate him completely!”
“Yes! Your subordinate obeys!” The Nether Bone Demon Lord quickly responded.
He knew this was a great opportunity for him to earn merit, so he dared not be negligent in the slightest.
“All of you must also fully cooperate with Nether Bone!” The Eternal Demon God scanned the Demon Lords kneeling on the ground, “If there are any more mistakes, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”
The Eternal Demon God’s voice was as bone-chillingly cold as the Nine Netherworld wind, causing all the Demon Lords to tremble.
They all kowtowed in agreement.
——————
In the Central Continent Spirit Realm, a majestic rank 5 spirit beast, the White Feather Spirit Eagle, soared with flapping wings, its silver radiance shimmering in the sunlight.
Each beat seemed to tear through the air, emitting a faint whooshing sound.
Its speed was incredibly fast, like a silver lightning bolt, rushing towards the southeast.
Wherever it passed, the clouds and mist were dispersed by its powerful Aura, leaving clear trails.
Beneath a verdant disguise around the White Feather Spirit Eagle’s neck, the entrance to the Painting World Treasure Mansion, a Grotto-Heaven Spirit Treasure, was hidden.
As the Spirit Eagle flew rapidly, this verdant patch gradually emitted a faint glow, resonating with the Spiritual Qi of the heavens and earth, continuously absorbing spiritual power.
Once inside, one could see an infinitely vast space; this was the interior of the Painting World Treasure Mansion, a Small World independent of the outside world.
Within the Treasure Mansion, the Five Elements Spirit Mountain stood majestically in the center.
Around the Spirit Mountain, a unique Five Elements Qi emanated, mutually generating and restraining each other, maintaining the balance and harmony of this Small World.
At the foot of the mountain, patches of high-grade Spirit Medicine were planted in a staggered manner.
They either soared into the clouds or humbly clung to the ground, each showcasing the miracle of life and the uncanny craftsmanship of nature.
Ancient trees, thousands of years old, stood towering, their trunks thick, their branches and leaves luxuriant, every leaf imbued with vibrant vitality.
Within the forest, there were also various exotic flowers and plants, colorful and fragrant, blooming in competition, displaying the flourishing vitality and life force of the wood element.
Waterfalls cascading from the Five Elements Spirit Mountain, like giant silver Dragons, surged down from the mountain peak, emitting deafening roars.
The waterfall’s water, illuminated by the sunlight, sparkled with crystal clear light, as if countless stars were falling into the mortal world.
The water crashed against the giant rocks at the foot of the mountain, splashing up layers of mist that permeated the air, forming a hazy wonderland.
Below the waterfall was a clear lake, its water as green as jade, shimmering with ripples.
Thousands of colorful lotus flowers floated on the lake’s surface, their petals displaying myriad colors, each petal emitting a rich Spiritual Qi.
Surrounding the lake were Spirit fields, where various rare Spirit Medicine were planted.
Some Spirit Medicine had leaves as clear and translucent as emerald, some had flowers as fiery and dazzling as flames, and some had fruits as brilliant and captivating as gold.
Under the nourishment of the rich spiritual power within the space, many high-grade Spirit Medicine grew extremely luxuriantly.
Beyond the Spirit fields, a large expanse of rank 6 emerald Spirit bamboo swayed in the wind, their culms a vibrant green, seemingly containing endless vitality.
Each section of bamboo culm was etched with delicate patterns, shimmering with a faint green light.
Whenever a gentle breeze blew, the bamboo leaves would rustle.
On the other side of the Spirit bamboo forest was a forest of rank 5 star wood.
The trees in the star wood forest were tall and straight, their trunks covered with star-like spots, each spot seemingly a tiny star, sparkling with brilliant light in the night sky.
When night fell, the entire star wood forest would emit a soft starlight, illuminating the entire Painting World Treasure Mansion like a dream.
At the peak of the Five Elements Spirit Mountain, the Five Elements Spirit Palace was situated.
Inside the Alchemy room, Li Mu sat cross-legged, surrounded by Chaos spiritual light, merging with the Spiritual Qi of the heavens and earth.
His eyes were tightly closed, his expression focused and solemn, his hands forming seals, his fingertips shimmering with faint light, as he guided the Chaos True Essence, continuously pouring it into the Pill Furnace.
Inside the Starry Radiance Alchemy Furnace, flames blazed, yet there was no smoke or fire whatsoever.
The star-radiance fire generated by the Pill Furnace, driven by Chaos True Essence, had an extremely high temperature, enough to melt all things in the world.
Within this scorching star-fire, a soft mass of spiritual liquid quietly floated, gradually solidifying into a Dao Pill. (End of Chapter)
