“The Dao of Water and Fire is too strong, and they are mutually restrictive; forcibly fusing them will only lead to self-restraint.”
Li Mu muttered softly to himself, his eyes swirling with Chaos spiritual light, as if he was deducing the Great Dao.
Although his previous attempt to refine the “Water-Fire Reversal Boundary Array” resulted in a Talisman Treasure, its power was limited, its spirituality insufficient, and it fell far short of his expectations. Soon, Li Mu had a new realization: the mutual generation of the Five Elements, with Chaos as the Foundation, might be the true Great Dao.
“The Five Elements are the Foundation of Heaven and Earth, the mother Qi of all things. If they can be harmonized by Chaos and evolve the principle of mutual generation, their power might not be weaker than the extreme Dao, but it would be more in line with the Heavenly Dao cycle!”
With a thought, Li Mu waved his hand, and five streams of spiritual light flew out from his tianxuan ring, hovering before him. These were five types of seventh-tier spiritual materials that corresponded to the Origin of the Five Elements: a piece of crimson fire essence stone, a mass of Mystic Nether True Water, a section of Archaic wood heart, a piece of Supreme White gold essence, and a mass of Wutu Yuan magnetic.
Li Mu took a deep breath, formed a hand seal, and the Chaotic Dao Seed in his Dantian vibrated violently. Strands of primordial Chaos Qi surged out, intertwining in the Void Realm to form a mass of Chaos Fire.
Li Mu pressed his hands downwards, and the Chaos Fire suddenly expanded, transforming into a three-zhang square Chaos Smelting Furnace. The surface of the furnace flowed with grayish Chaos Qi, while inside, five-colored spiritual light clearly flashed alternately. He pointed his fingers like a sword, moving as he willed, and the five spiritual materials were sequentially cast into the furnace.
“With the fire essence as the guide, it shall suppress the Li position!”
The crimson, blood-like Ore was the first to fly into the furnace core, gradually softening in the Chaos Fire. Fine fire patterns emerged on its surface. These patterns were not static; instead, they writhed like living things, sometimes transforming into a Vermilion Bird spreading its wings, and sometimes into a coiling Fire Dragon.
When the fire patterns evolved to their extreme, Li Mu suddenly changed his incantation: “Water generates wood, Mystic Nether True Water, go!”
The ethereal blue water sphere responded by falling into the furnace, forming a stark contrast with the crimson fire essence. Strangely, the water and fire did not clash; instead, under the harmonization of Chaos Power, a verdant Yi Wood Qi gradually emerged.
“Indeed, it is so.”
A glint flashed in Li Mu’s eyes: “Water and fire stimulate each other to produce wood; this is the essence of Innate Yi Wood.”
Inside the furnace, the green light grew increasingly intense, condensing into an illusory sapling, its branches and leaves flowing with the purest vitality.
The time was ripe. Li Mu flicked his sleeve: “Archaic wood heart, enter!”
The seemingly withered piece of wood suddenly burst with vitality. Its cracked bark peeled away layer by layer, revealing a jade-like core. When it touched the Chaos Fire, the entire wood heart ignited with a roar, but it was not ordinary flame, but a vibrant green flame.
An anomaly suddenly arose in the furnace. The green flame perfectly fused with the previously condensed Yi Wood phantom, transforming into a towering tree phantom that reached the heavens. As its canopy touched the top of the furnace, a metallic luster suddenly flowed through its branches and leaves.
“Metal Qi generates itself, Supreme White gold essence, enter!”
Li Mu pointed with his sword-like finger, and the silvery-white metal transformed into a stream of light, merging into the tree canopy. In an instant, countless metallic leaves condensed on the branches, each as thin as a cicada’s wing, yet their edges gleamed with a chilling sharpness.
Just as the gold essence fully integrated, a sudden change occurred. The metallic leaves suddenly shot out, attempting to tear apart the Chaos Smelting Furnace.
Li Mu had anticipated this and suddenly accelerated the speed of his hand seals: “Earth virtue carries all things, Wutu Yuan magnetic, suppress!”
The yellowish mass of earth-elemental spiritual material exploded in response, transforming into a sky full of star-dust that enveloped the furnace. Each grain of dust was as heavy as a thousand jun, firmly suppressing the rampant metal Qi. More miraculously, the earth Spiritual Qi permeated the roots of the giant tree, making the entire phantom even more solid.
“The Five Elements cycle, guided by Chaos.”
Li Mu bit the tip of his tongue and spat out a mouthful of essence blood. The moment the blood mist touched the Smelting Furnace, the five-colored light within the furnace suddenly stilled, then began to rotate in reverse.
The crimson fire essence stone gradually lost its color, transforming into the purest Qi of Li Fire; the ethereal blue water mass evaporated into a misty vapor; the verdant giant tree phantom disintegrated into countless light points; the sharp gold essence softened like mud; and the heavy Wutu continuously emerged…
When all five spiritual materials returned to their Origin, Li Mu clapped his hands together and said in a deep, stern voice: “Condense!”
Inside the Chaos Smelting Furnace, the reverse rotation of the five-colored light gradually slowed. The originally violent energy, guided by the Chaos Power, became as docile as a stream…
Li Mu formed nine hand seals, subtly aligning with the rhythm of the Five Elements’ rotation. The five Origin Qi within the furnace shed their sharpness, transforming into an ethereal mist that intermingled, gradually condensing into a translucent jade embryo.
Li Mu changed his hand seal, and the Chaos Smelting Furnace dissipated in response. The talisman embryo hovering within slowly flew before him, suspended in the air.
It was a three-inch square, five-colored jade piece. Inside, a river of stars seemed to flow, and five-colored shimmering light naturally rotated on its surface. As the light alternated, twisted Five Elements Dao patterns emerged on the surface. Within these patterns, the Dao rhyme of gold, wood, water, fire, and earth were hidden, interconnected to form a complete cycle. Compared to the forcibly inscribed talisman patterns before, this one possessed seven-tenths more spirituality.
“Chaos nurtures the Five Elements, the Great Dao is naturally formed.”
The understanding in Li Mu’s eyes deepened. With a thought, he immediately took out a seventh-tier inkstone and a seventh-tier spiritual talisman brush from his tianxuan ring.
Li Mu placed the Five Elements jade piece flat in the Void Realm. With his left hand, he formed a seal to draw upon the power of his Chaotic Dao Seed, and with his right hand, he held the talisman brush, lightly dipping it into the medium spirit stones ink on the inkstone.
“The Eastern Azure Wood is the beginning.”
The moment the talisman brush dipped into the green spiritual dew, its tip vibrated on its own. Li Mu gently rotated his wrist, and the brush tip precisely landed on a natural wood grain on the eastern edge of the jade piece. As the brush moved, the Azure Wood Qi within the jade piece was gradually awakened.
The faint wood patterns gradually became clear; upon closer inspection, they were composed of countless tiny leaf vein patterns. Li Mu’s brushwork seemed slow but was actually fast, its turns subtly aligning with the generative intent of spring wood. When the last stroke connected with the beginning, the entire green area suddenly manifested the phantom of a weeping willow in March, its branches swaying, scattering points of green light.
“The Southern Crimson Fire continues.”
The talisman brush swept across the red area of the inkstone, and its bristles immediately took on the color of cinnabar. This time, the brush landed at the end of the wood pattern. The moment the brush tip touched the jade piece, the previously drawn wood pattern suddenly ignited with illusory flames.
Li Mu guided it, outlining flame patterns with his brushwork as if a Dragon was moving a snake. Strangely, these fire patterns were not static; instead, they slowly danced on the surface of the jade piece, sometimes transforming into a Vermilion Bird spreading its wings, and sometimes into a blossoming fire lotus.
When the fire patterns were seventy percent complete, Li Mu suddenly changed his brushstroke, dipping it into the central yellow spiritual dew, and lightly touching the junction of fire and wood. This touch seemed casual, yet it instantly caused the originally conflicting wood and fire Qi to merge.
“The Western White Gold transitions.”
Silvery-white spiritual dew condensed into a bead on the brush tip, emitting a clear, metallic sound when it landed. Li Mu’s brushwork suddenly became sharp, like a sword stroke, carving intricate metallic patterns on the western side of the jade piece. As the brush moved, a clear clang of swords even emanated from within the jade piece.
“The Northern Mystic Water generates.”
Ethereal blue spiritual dew condensed into frost on the brush tip. When it landed, fine water droplets naturally condensed on the surface of the jade piece. Li Mu’s brushwork became long and gentle, like a winding stream, outlining water patterns that presented the momentum of flowing rivers. When the water patterns connected with the metal patterns, the natural Dao rhyme of metal generating water appeared, and the ends of the metal patterns naturally transformed into ripples of water.
“The Central Wutu completes the formation.”
The final yellowish spiritual dew was as thick as paste. Wherever the brush passed, miniature landscapes of mountains and rivers appeared on the surface of the jade piece. At this moment, Li Mu’s brushwork became steady and heavy, as if drawing and carving the earth, depicting a piece of Heaven and Earth.
Soon, a large number of earth patterns were drawn, connecting with the other four patterns, and the Five Elements jade piece radiated a faint yellow light… The five-colored patterns connected end to end, forming a perfect cycle.
Li Mu did not stop writing, but instead used the power of the Chaotic Dao Seed as ink, outlining nine Chaotic Dao patterns at the intersections of the five-colored patterns.
The grayish Chaotic Dao patterns were inconspicuous, yet they tightly linked the Five Elements patterns like locks. As the last stroke fell, the five-colored jade piece couldn't help but rotate on its own. The five-colored light alternated, giving rise to a miniature phantom of a Five Elements world.
“Five Elements Talisman Treasure, complete.”
With a soft cry from Li Mu, the Five Elements Talisman Treasure stopped rotating and steadily landed in his palm. The five-colored Dao patterns on its surface were naturally formed, and the Five Elements Spiritual Qi circulated endlessly within.
“This is the true Talisman Treasure!”
Li Mu stroked the surface of the Talisman Treasure. Its touch was warm and smooth, carrying the vast Qi rhyme of the world’s primordial beginning. With a slight thought, the Talisman Treasure naturally formed a five-colored light barrier. Golden edge, green vine, mystic ice, blazing flame, and rock barrier cycled into existence, forming a self-contained barrier through mutual generation and transformation. Compared to its previous state as a Talisman Treasure, this treasure manifested greater spirituality, possessing both the endlessness of continuous life and the profound mystery of the Five Elements’ rotation.
“Its spirituality has reached the point of sentience.” Li Mu smiled with satisfaction.
The next moment, Li Mu sensed a Heavenly Dao will suddenly descend, locking onto this Five Elements Talisman Treasure from outside the Treasure Mansion.
Li Mu remained calm. With a wave of his hand, a set of formation artifacts flew out from his tianxuan ring, instantly setting up the “Heavenly Evolution Stealth Formation.” This caused the newly born Five Elements Talisman Treasure to instantly merge with the entire Heaven and Earth of the Treasure Mansion Space, blurring its existential boundary and thus avoiding the perception of the Heavenly Dao will.
This Five Elements Talisman Treasure was a Talisman Treasure created and refined by Li Mu, combining the Major Achievement of Artifact Refining, spiritual talismans, and Puppetry. It formed its own lineage, yet it was ultimately incomparable to a Dao Artifact.
With a thought, Li Mu stored it in his tianxuan ring.
Ever since his battle with the two extreme powerhouses, Black Vulture Demon God and Jade Unicorn Immortal Emperor, Li Mu had realized that although he possessed many methods, he lacked truly decisive killing moves. Although the Chaotic Great Dao was strong, it was ultimately limited by the extreme Dao, making it difficult to unleash its ultimate power.
Even with the Chaos Spirit Banner, Chaos Zhenyuan Disk, and Chaos Treasure Mansion—these three Natal Dao Artifacts—the lack of efficient, powerful, and ultimate offensive means still made it difficult to gain an absolute advantage in extreme-realm confrontations.
Li Mu was most proficient in the hundred arts of cultivation, so he hoped to carry the Dao with artifacts and manifest methods with talismans, integrating his understanding of the Chaotic Great Dao to create a unique offensive technique.
However, just as Li Mu was about to further deduce the refining method for the new type of Talisman Treasure, he suddenly noticed something unusual—the Lightning Tribulation, previously obscured by the “Heavenly Evolution Stealth Formation,” had not receded; instead, it intensified, and the Heavenly Dao will continued to lock onto him.
“Eh! It’s not an artifact tribulation!”
Li Mu released his Divine Sense and sensed it. He immediately felt that something was wrong with the Lightning Tribulation. The Heavenly Dao will’s target was not the Five Elements Talisman Treasure; instead, it was the spirit control treasure bracelet on his wrist.
Li Mu immediately thought of something. With a thought, a green Dragon phantom immediately flew out from the spirit control treasure bracelet.
“Qing Lin greets Master!”
After Qing Lin appeared, he immediately transformed into a handsome young man in green robes, cupping his hands in a salute to Li Mu and bowing.
“No need for formalities!” Li Mu waved his hand, and a gentle spiritual force lifted Qing Lin. His Divine Sense passed through the Treasure Mansion, gazing at the surging tribulation clouds in the sky, and he asked solemnly: “Qing Lin, your Dragon Emperor Bloodline has awakened, attracting this Dragon Emperor Lightning Tribulation. This tribulation is no small matter; do you have confidence?!”
Previously, Qing Lin’s Dragon Emperor Bloodline had suddenly awakened, requiring him to enter a dormant state to assimilate it. Therefore, Li Mu had placed him inside the spirit control treasure bracelet for quiet cultivation. He hadn't expected it to trigger such an astonishing Heavenly Tribulation today.
Upon hearing this, Qing Lin’s expression became solemn as he sensed the Lightning Tribulation outside the Treasure Mansion. The tribulation clouds had already transformed into a sea of green lightning, and within the clouds, nine massive Lightning Dragons could be vaguely seen coiling, each exuding a world-destroying pressure.
“Master, this is the Nine Heavens Dragon Emperor Tribulation.” Qing Lin took a deep breath, a hint of determination flashing in his eyes, and said solemnly: “According to the Ancestral Dragon Legacy memories, it only appears when a Dragon Clan emperor undergoes Tribulation. Although Qing Lin has awakened the Dragon Emperor Bloodline, his cultivation time is still relatively short…”
“If you don't have the confidence to face it, I can use a spell to suppress the Dragon Emperor essence blood within you, but the cost…” Li Mu frowned, suggesting.
“Master, wait!” Qing Lin suddenly spoke, interrupting Li Mu’s suggestion: “The dignity of the Dragon Clan cannot be insulted. Although this tribulation is strong, it is also a necessary trial for Qing Lin to temper his Dragon Emperor True Body and achieve the Great Dao. It cannot be delayed!”
Upon hearing this, a hint of appreciation flashed in Li Mu’s eyes. He nodded and said: “Good! You have backbone! A Dao achiever must possess an indomitable will. Since that is the case, I will lend you a hand and protect you during your Undergoing Tribulation!”
As his voice fell, Li Mu waved his hand, and their figures immediately left the Chaos Treasure Mansion, appearing in the sky a thousand zhang high.
Above the firmament, the tribulation clouds had transformed into a vast sea of green lightning that obscured the sky and sun. The clouds were as heavy as lead, stretching for thousands of miles. Within the clouds, lightning snakes danced wildly, and lightning bolts poured down like waterfalls. Nine colossal Dragons, formed purely from lightning, churned in the sea of clouds. Thunder boomed, the Void Realm trembled, and Heaven and Earth lost their color.
With Qing Lin’s appearance, the sky-obscuring sea of green lightning suddenly boiled, as if thoroughly enraged by some invisible force. The nine Lightning Dragons simultaneously roared towards the sky, their Dragon roars shaking the clouds within a ten-thousand-li radius, causing them to completely disperse.
“Boom, boom, boom—”
A massive vortex suddenly split open in the center of the lightning sea. In the depths of the vortex, countless green lightning bolts intertwined and condensed, seemingly forming a majestic Lightning Palace. The palace was entirely constructed from the purest Lightning Tribulation, with lifelike Lightning Dragon sculptures perched on its upturned eaves, and every tile flashing with heart-pounding electrical light.
“This is… the Archaic Thunder Prison?!” Li Mu’s pupils contracted, and he exclaimed in surprise: “The Ancestral Dragon Lightning Tribulation that is rumored to have suppressed the ancient Ancestral Dragon!”
Seeing the change in the Lightning Tribulation, Li Mu couldn't help but worry about Qing Lin’s situation.
“Roar!”
Qing Lin showed no fear. He let out a long roar towards the sky, his body surging, transforming into a thousand-zhang Azure Dragon that soared into the heavens. His entire body of emerald Dragon scales lit up with ancient green patterns, gleaming brilliantly under the reflection of the lightning, appearing incredibly majestic.
The Heavenly Dao will seemed to be angered by Qing Lin’s actions. The main gate of the Lightning Palace slowly opened, and from within emerged a phantom of a Lightning Giant, entirely condensed from lightning. It wore a lightning crown, was clad in lightning armor, and held a colossal lightning hammer in its hand. (End of Chapter)
