Li Mu’s gaze passed over Lin Maoshan, meeting a middle-aged Sword Cultivator dressed in green robes.
His face was thin, his brows revealed a sense of ancient Sword Intent, and his long hair was casually tied up with a Qingyu hairpin.
His temples were already streaked with white, yet it did not diminish his dignity in the slightest.
The person who arrived was none other than Qi Xuanming, one of the seven Sword Masters of Xuantian Sword Sect.
“Elder Li, it’s been many years since we last met.
I didn’t expect to reunite with you here today,” Qi Xuanming said, looking at Li Mu, his surprise evident, his voice carrying a hint of uncontainable excitement and emotion.
“Sword Master Qi, it’s been many years, I trust you’ve been well,” Li Mu nodded, greeting him with a smile.
Li Mu’s gaze swept over Qi Xuanming, his brow slightly furrowed: “Sword Master Qi, your Sword Intent seems a bit chaotic.
Have you been injured?”
“It’s an old problem.
But you, since leaving the Sect, two hundred years have passed, and you’ve successfully advanced to the Mahayana Realm, even defeating the Eternal Demon God.
It’s truly astonishing!” Qi Xuanming said, looking at Li Mu with genuine admiration.
“Sword Master, you flatter me!”
Li Mu smiled, surveying his surroundings, his gaze sharpening.
He asked in a deep voice: “Where are Wind Sword Master and Sword Master Chen?
Why don’t I see them?”
Upon hearing this, Qi Xuanming’s expression suddenly dimmed.
After a moment of silence, he said with a bitter smile: “Wind Sword Master and Sword Master Chen, they perished two hundred years ago.”
“What?” A hint of shock flashed in Li Mu’s eyes.
Qi Xuanming sighed deeply, a look of sorrow appearing in his eyes as he explained: “Two hundred years ago, the Demon Abyss suddenly launched a massive invasion into the Immortal Spirit Realm, and our Sect bore the brunt of it.
Wind Sword Master and Sword Master Chen, in order to cover the retreat of the Sect’s Disciples, stayed behind alone and fought fiercely with three Dao Realm Demon Cultivators from the Demon Abyss for several days, ultimately exhausting themselves and dying.
If not for the timely support of Tai Xuan Sword Sect, I’m afraid…”
“Forget it, let’s not talk about those things!” Qi Xuanming sensed the presence of someone behind him and quickly stopped the conversation, turning to look at the newcomer.
He saw an old man in a gray-white robe slowly approaching.
His face was gaunt, his brows exuded a steady aura, and he held an ancient longsword in his hand.
The scabbard was engraved with intricate runes, and a faint Spiritual Light flowed within them.
“Elder Li, this is Elder Qin — Qin Feng, from Tai Xuan Sword Sect,” Qi Xuanming introduced, stepping aside, his tone respectful.
Qin Feng smiled slightly and cupped his hands: “Li Jianxian, I’ve long heard of your great name, and seeing you today, you truly live up to your reputation.”
Li Mu nodded and returned the gesture: “Elder Qin, you are too kind.”
Qin Feng said with a smile: “Li Jianxian, with your strength alone, you defeated the Eternal Demon God, which allowed us to counterattack the Spirit Land occupied by the Demon Abyss today.
Li Jianxian’s strength is truly admirable, and everyone in Tai Xuan Sword Sect is immensely grateful to Elder Li.”
“This is the Sect Leader of the Heavenly Dao Alliance — Sect Leader Yin,” Qi Xuanming said, looking at the middle-aged man in purple-gold robes to his right, introducing him again.
Sect Leader Yin cupped his hands to Li Mu in thanks: “Li Jianxian, I’ve long heard of your great name, and seeing you today, you truly possess extraordinary demeanor.
This time, thanks to your support, otherwise our losses would have been severe, and this offensive might have even failed!”
Li Mu waved his hand, speaking politely: “The Demon Abyss ravaging the Spirit Realm is everyone’s responsibility.
I merely did my part.”
Sect Leader Yin continued: “Li Jianxian, next, we will continue to clear out the Demon Abyss’s forces in this Realm.
I wonder if you would be willing to join our Heavenly Dao Alliance?
With your strength and prestige, if you could be stationed in the Alliance, it would greatly boost morale and allow us to eradicate the remaining Demon Abyss forces more quickly.”
Hearing this, Li Mu shook his head slightly, apologizing: “My apologies, Sect Leader Yin, I have other important matters to attend to, and I’m afraid I cannot stay long.”
Sect Leader Yin’s expression froze, clearly not expecting Li Mu to refuse so directly.
After a moment of contemplation, he still unwillingly said again: “Li Jianxian, the disaster of the Demon Abyss is no small matter.
If we can have your assistance, it will surely yield twice the results with half the effort.
As for your Cultivation, the Heavenly Dao Alliance is willing to do its utmost to provide you with resources to help you Breakthrough as soon as possible.”
Li Mu smiled faintly, his tone carrying a hint of detachment: “Sect Leader Yin’s kind intentions are appreciated by Li, but the Dao I Cultivate cannot be aided by external objects.
Moreover, regarding the Demon Abyss, with all of you here, Li is at ease; once I finish my current matters, if the Demon Abyss has not retreated, I will definitely return to fight alongside you.”
Seeing Li Mu’s firm attitude, Sect Leader Yin could not force him any further.
He sighed and cupped his hands: “Since that is the case, I will not say more.
I only hope Li Jianxian can conclude his important matters soon, and we will await your esteemed presence in the Alliance.”
Li Mu nodded, his gaze lingering on Qi Xuanming for a moment, then he bid farewell: “Everyone, take care, I bid you farewell.”
As his voice fell, Li Mu activated Myriad Swords Mountain, bringing back the ten thousand Dao Swords.
After retracting Myriad Swords Mountain, all the Beast Masters also recalled their Natal Dao Artifacts.
Li Mu, accompanied by Lin Maoshan and the Beast Masters, leaped onto the back of the Azure Moon True Dragon.
The Azure Moon True Dragon let out a long cry, its body suddenly swayed, transforming into a streak of green light that soared into the sky, disappearing into the horizon in a blink of an eye.
Qi Xuanming looked in the direction Li Mu had departed, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.
He sighed softly: “Elder Li’s personality is still the same.”
Qin Feng smiled slightly, his tone carrying a hint of emotion: “Li Jianxian has always acted independently, never confined to one Sect or faction.
His willingness to help is already rare.
We don’t need to force him.”
Sect Leader Yin could only smile bitterly: “Alright, with Li Jianxian’s words, we have a bit more confidence.
Next, we will proceed according to the plan and quickly clear out the remaining Demon Abyss forces.”
Everyone nodded, then dispersed to clear the battlefield, clean up the aftermath, and prepare for the upcoming actions.
Li Mu, with Lin Maoshan and the Beast Masters, sped all the way, finally landing in a mountain valley rich in Spiritual Qi.
In the valley, spirit springs gurgled, ancient trees reached the sky, and dense Spiritual Qi permeated the surroundings, clearly an excellent place for Cultivation.
Li Mu waved his hand to conjure a set of formation artifacts, casually setting up a barrier formation to isolate the valley from the outside world’s disturbances.
“Maoshan, back then, when I was hunted by the Demon Abyss and both the Immortal Spirit Realm, I left without saying goodbye, and so many years have passed in a flash!” Li Mu said with emotion, turning to look at Lin Maoshan, asking with concern: “How have you been all these years?
How is Seven Profound Sect doing now?
Are the other Disciples well?”
Hearing this, Lin Maoshan’s face darkened, and he said softly: “Master, ever since you left, Seven Profound Sect, under the protection of the Upper Sect, although it did not suffer the calamity of Sect destruction, it did endure many hardships, gradually declining, with scarce resources, making it difficult for Disciples to Cultivate.
Many Disciples chose to leave, and now Seven Profound Sect only has over a thousand Disciples, barely maintaining the Sect’s operations.”
“Senior Brother Zhao successfully advanced to the Void Refining Realm over two hundred years ago, however, he was severely injured after participating in the last battle, so he has been in seclusion to Cultivate and stabilize his Realm, hoping to take this opportunity to make further progress,” Lin Maoshan continued to introduce.
“Senior Sister Su, on the other hand, advanced to Void Refining fifty years ago,” Lin Maoshan continued, his tone somewhat heavy: “When she was out on a mission once, she was accidentally injured by a deeply hidden Demon Cultivator.
The methods were insidious, causing Senior Sister Su to still be recuperating in the Sect, but her life is not in danger!”
“As for the others, Senior Sister Liu, Senior Brother Ji, Senior Brother Xiao… they all perished a hundred years ago in an attack against the Demon Abyss.
Junior Sister Zhong disappeared after the Sect’s great calamity and her whereabouts are still unknown.”
At this point, Lin Maoshan sighed, and the atmosphere around him became somewhat oppressive.
After listening, Li Mu’s gaze was deep, a hint of pain flashing in his eyes: “I didn’t expect Seven Profound Sect to decline to such an extent.
It is my dereliction of duty as a Master.”
Lin Maoshan quickly shook his head, his tone firm: “Master, you don’t have to blame yourself.
If you hadn’t left back then, you might have met with misfortune as well.
All the Disciples understand, it’s just that after the Demon Abyss invasion, under the protection of Xuantian Sword Sect, Seven Profound Sect, although not directly involved in the great war, was also affected, and many Disciples perished in resisting the Demon Abyss’s invasion, making the Sect’s situation even worse.”
Li Mu was silent for a moment, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.
He took a deep breath, suppressing the emotions in his heart, then took out several bottles of Medicinal Pill from his tianxuan ring and handed them to Lin Maoshan.
“Maoshan, these are Five Elements Dao Pills, suitable for you to use, and will be of great benefit to your Breakthrough in Cultivation.
You should go into seclusion in this valley, Cultivate diligently, and strive to Breakthrough to the Void Refining Realm as soon as possible.
The revitalization of Seven Profound Sect still needs your effort,” Li Mu said, looking at Lin Maoshan with a hint of expectation.
Lin Maoshan’s spirits lifted, and he quickly took the Medicinal Pills, respectfully saying: “Thank you, Master, for bestowing these Pills!
Your Disciple will not fail your expectations, I will Breakthrough as soon as possible and contribute to the Sect!”
Li Mu nodded, patted Lin Maoshan’s shoulder, his tone gentle: “Your talent is not bad, it’s just that the Sect’s resources have been scarce these years, delaying your Cultivation.
Now with these Medicinal Pills, breaking through to the Void Refining Realm should not be difficult.
Once you Breakthrough, return to the Sect to oversee the overall situation and await my return.”
Lin Maoshan nodded heavily, his eyes filled with determination: “Your Disciple understands!
Master, rest assured, your Disciple will guard the Sect well and await your return!”
Li Mu said no more.
He waved his hand, removing the barrier formation, and with a flash of his figure, he leaped onto the back of the Azure Moon True Dragon.
Xue'er and the Green-Eyed Golden Ape followed closely behind.
The Azure Moon True Dragon let out a long cry, its body suddenly swayed, transforming into a streak of green light that soared into the sky, disappearing into the horizon in a blink of an eye.
Lin Maoshan looked in the direction Li Mu had departed, his eyes filled with reverence and anticipation.
He clutched the Five Elements Dao Pill in his hand and muttered to himself: “Master, rest assured, your Disciple will not fail your trust!”
With that, Lin Maoshan found the place with the richest Spiritual Qi, sat down cross-legged, and prepared to take the Pill and Cultivate.
The Five Elements Dao Pill displayed five colors of light, its body was as clear as jade, and its surface flowed with five Dao Pill patterns of gold, green, blue, red, and brown.
Each pattern seemed to contain the Origin power of the Five Elements of heaven and earth.
As soon as the Medicinal Pill was exposed to the air, it stirred up the surrounding Spiritual Qi, the ancient trees in the valley swayed without wind, and the spirit springs evaporated into wisps of mist, which were actually drawn by the Pill’s power, forming spirals of Qi that surrounded Lin Maoshan.
“The Five Elements Dao Pill refined by Master… it’s truly extraordinary!” Lin Maoshan took a deep breath, his shock unmasked.
Without further hesitation, Lin Maoshan took out a Medicinal Pill and swallowed it.
The Medicinal Pill melted upon entering his mouth, instantly transforming into five surging streams of medicinal power, rushing into his Meridians like raging Dragons.
The clang of metal, the flourishing of green wood, the surging of cold water, the burning of fierce fire, the solidifying of thick earth—the power of the Five Elements intertwined and surged within his body, and the previously stagnant Peak Soul Transformation Bottleneck shattered inch by inch under the medicinal power’s onslaught!
“Ugh!” Lin Maoshan grunted, veins bulging on his forehead.
The medicinal power of the Five Elements Dao Pill far exceeded his imagination; every Meridian felt as if it were being pierced by thousands of golden needles, yet it was constantly being reshaped through the cycle of the Five Elements.
Black Impurities seeped out of the pores all over his body, then were incinerated into nothingness by the Dao Fire—this was a sign of cleansing his Meridians and refining his marrow!
Three days and three nights later, the sky above the valley suddenly changed color.
Five-colored Lightning Tribulation clouds condensed out of thin air, and within the lightning, the illusory figures of Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise, and Qilin faintly appeared—it was actually a Five Elements Heavenly Tribulation!
“Break!”
A long roar came from the valley.
Lin Maoshan soared into the sky, surrounded by five-colored spiritual light, holding the Five Elements Spirit Sword, his Sword Intent like a rainbow, protected by the Five Elements Spirit Wheel, actively meeting the Heavenly Tribulation.
His aura reached its Peak at this moment, and the medicinal power of the Five Elements Dao Pill completely erupted within him, transforming into a vast force that supported him in facing the Heavenly Tribulation directly.
The five-colored Lightning Tribulation clouds rolled, and within the lightning, the illusory figures of Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise, and Qilin faintly appeared, each representing a type of Five Elements power.
Even before the Heavenly Tribulation descended, the pressure in the world was suffocating.
Lin Maoshan showed no fear, his Battle Intent blazing in his eyes.
The Five Elements Spirit Sword hummed in his hand, its blade flowing with five-colored light, echoing the Heavenly Tribulation.
The first wave of Heavenly Tribulation descended, the Azure Dragon illusion roared, and a streak of green lightning struck directly towards Lin Maoshan’s head.
Lin Maoshan swung his sword to meet it.
The Five Elements Spirit Sword collided with the green lightning, erupting in dazzling light.
The green lightning was shattered by the sword light, transforming into countless tiny electric sparks that dissipated into the air.
Immediately following, the second wave of Lightning Tribulation, the White Tiger illusion roared, silver lightning like blades slashed down, one after another, dense as rain.
Lin Maoshan’s figure flickered, the Five Elements Spirit Wheel protecting his body, he endured this attack head-on.
The white lightning exploded around him, yet failed to harm him in the slightest.
The third wave of Heavenly Tribulation was the Vermilion Bird illusion, scarlet lightning swept in like flames, and streaks of red lightning struck down one after another.
Lin Maoshan’s sword stance shifted, the Five Elements Spirit Sword transformed into a fiery red sword light, colliding with the scarlet lightning.
Flames and lightning intertwined, erupting in a scorching heatwave that incinerated all the surrounding rocks and vegetation.
The fourth wave of Heavenly Tribulation was the Black Tortoise illusion, black lightning poured down like a flood.
Lin Maoshan held his sword with both hands, the Five Elements Spirit Wheel rotated rapidly, transforming into a thick, earthy yellow barrier that blocked all the black lightning.
The final wave of Heavenly Tribulation was the Qilin illusion, golden lightning struck down like heavenly pillars, dense and continuous, one after another.
Lin Maoshan took a deep breath, then swallowed another Five Elements Dao Pill.
The Five Elements power circulated wildly within him, the sword blade erupted with brilliant five-colored light.
He swung his sword fiercely, the sword light like a rainbow, colliding head-on with the golden lightning.
“Boom, boom—!”
With a series of loud bangs, heaven and earth trembled.
The golden lightning was shattered by the sword light, transforming into countless golden specks of light that dissipated into the air.
…
The Heavenly Tribulation dispersed, the five-colored lightning clouds gradually faded, and peace returned to the world.
Lin Maoshan’s figure stood firm amidst the lightning, the Five Elements Spirit Wheel slowly rotating behind him, emitting a powerful pressure.
Responded.
After the lightning clouds dispersed, Lin Maoshan stood in mid-air, his aura clearly having reached the Void Refining Realm.
He watched the direction Li Mu had left, his eyes slightly moist: “Master actually bestowed such a Divine Pill upon me… This kind of re-creation grace, your Disciple can never repay even with a thousand deaths!” (End of chapter)
