Li Mu gazed at the group of beast companions before him, Chaos Qi swirling in his eyes, and asked with a smile, "Now that you have all reached the eighth rank, do you wish to continue cultivating in the Treasure Mansion, or go out and seek your own Opportunities?"
"Of course, we'll stay with Master!" Xiaowa said without hesitation.
"Me too!" Xiaojin nodded hurriedly, but a golden light flickered in his eyes, and his words seemed insincere.
Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix and Azure Moon True Dragon both pondered, Li Mu's sudden question surely held a deeper meaning.
"You have followed me for quite some time now. Continuing to cultivate intensely within the Treasure Mansion will likely make it difficult to find further Breakthrough Opportunities. You have all advanced in rank, but the Nine Extremes Dao is not yet at Perfection." Li Mu's gaze swept deeply over the beast companions, indicating, "Why not, from this point, each of you seek your own Opportunities!"
"Master! I..."
Hearing this, Xiaowa grew anxious and was about to say something, but Li Mu suddenly raised his hand, interrupting him, "Xiaowa, I understand your intentions, but the path of cultivation, in the end, must be walked by oneself. You are now at the eighth rank; if you continue to rely solely on the Treasure Mansion, it will instead restrict your Dao path."
"Aside from Qing Yue, the three of you have followed me since you were young. In truth, I'm also uneasy about letting you venture out alone. For instance, this time, if I hadn't secretly followed!" Li Mu glared at Xiaojin in exasperation.
Hearing this, Xiaojin shivered, shrank his neck awkwardly, and whispered, "I didn't know I'd stir up a nest of Profound Pythons!"
"Fortunately, this time, you two also benefited from the misfortune. Before you even truly began your trials, you both broke through your Bottlenecks. However," "This time, I will not follow secretly."
As soon as his words fell, Xiaowa, Xiaojin, and Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix all tensed up. Even the usually composed Azure Moon True Dragon slightly raised his head, a hint of solemnity flashing in his Dragon Eyes.
"Master..." Xiaowa opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to say something, but Li Mu stopped him with a raised hand.
"The path of cultivation, in the end, must be walked by oneself." His tone was calm, yet it conveyed an undeniable firmness, "If I protect you every time, you will never truly grow. The Perfection of the Nine Extremes Dao requires not only Opportunity but also trials, and even life-and-death tests."
Xiaojin originally harbored some hope, but seeing his Master's resolute attitude, he also restrained his playful demeanor and whispered, "Master, rest assured, I will act cautiously."
Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix chirped lightly, flapping her wings, Battle Intent surging in her Crimson Eyes: "The path of cultivation is inherently Heaven-Defying. If one doesn't even have the courage to venture out alone, how can one speak of attaining the Dao?"
Azure Moon True Dragon nodded slightly, his Dragon roar low: "Master's teachings, we will engrave them in our hearts."
Seeing their serious expressions, Li Mu finally showed a satisfied smile, but still did not forget to admonish, "Remember, the outside world is filled with powerful Cultivators, there is always a higher Heaven. Do not become arrogant due to your increased strength. Think carefully before acting, and do not be reckless. If you encounter an insurmountable danger, preserving your life is paramount."
With that, Li Mu waved his sleeve, and four streaks of spiritual light fell into the bodies of the beast companions.
"These are the 'Chaos Heart Protection Talismans' I refined. They can block one Heavenly Tribulation for you at a critical moment of life and death, but only once. After that, you will have to rely on yourselves."
All the beast companions bowed solemnly and responded earnestly, "We will obey Master's command!"
Li Mu nodded slightly, his gaze profound: "Go, when your Nine Extremes reach Perfection, we shall reunite."
"Master, when we finish our trials, where do we find you?" Xiaojin asked anxiously, concerned.
"Uh! Next, I'm going back to Seven Profound Sect to see my Disciple, and then I'll find a spiritual land to enter seclusion and cultivate!" Li Mu smiled slightly upon hearing this, indicating, "When your trials are complete, you only need to activate the Beast Taming Mark within your bodies, and I will naturally sense it and guide you to find me."
Xiaowa suddenly reached out and tugged at Li Mu's sleeve: "Master, if, if we encounter trouble that we truly cannot solve..."
Li Mu looked at Xiaowa with an exasperated smile and said solemnly, "Remember, true strong Cultivators are forged on the brink of life and death. If you always think about seeking help, you will never truly grow."
Li Mu's gaze swept over the beasts, and he casually conjured four more Spatial Talismans, distributing them among the four: "However, if it truly comes to a last resort... then use these Talismans to escape!"
"Before we part, I'll give you one more piece of advice—the Great Dao is simple, returning to its true nature. Do not be obsessed with seeking earth-shattering Opportunities; sometimes, the Breakthrough Opportunity is hidden within the most ordinary blade of grass or tree." Li Mu finally admonished.
Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix suddenly let out a long cry, her wings igniting with Nirvana Fire: "Master's teachings, forever etched in our hearts!"
Azure Moon True Dragon coiled into the air, his Dragon scales shimmering with the clear moonlight: "Within a thousand years, I will surely achieve the Perfection of the Nine Extremes!"
Xiaojin's eyes burned with Battle Intent: "Master, wait and see my progress!"
"Master, take care..." Xiaowa said reluctantly.
Li Mu nodded with a smile, then reached out and took Xue'er's hand, his figure gradually transforming into specks of starlight, forming a Star Bridge, and in the blink of an eye, disappeared from the four beasts' sight.
Seeing this scene, the four beasts were instantly dumbfounded, their eyes filled with shock.
Xiaowa's paw remained in the pulling posture, but he only grasped a wisp of starlight: "This, this is... Master's Divine Abilities are becoming more and more vast. Isn't he cultivating the Chaotic Great Dao! How can he be so proficient in this Star Law Great Dao as well!"
Xiaojin's golden eyes flickered intensely: "Stars shifting and constellations turning! Master can actually take Xue'er and transform into a Star Rainbow to leave!"
The Crimson Eyes of Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix reflected the lingering starlight: "Using stars as a bridge to cross the Void Realm... Could this be the legendary 'Starry Sky Dao Guidance'?"
Azure Moon True Dragon showed a look of awe, worshipfully saying, "No, this is more profound than the Starry Sky Dao Guidance. Master is using himself as the guide, transforming the entire Star Domain into a teleportation array. Look—"
The four beasts looked up, only to see that the originally static stars in the night sky were actually connected in a line along Li Mu's departure trajectory, forming a brilliant Star River passage. Those stars were not illusions, but real, ancient stars, yet at this moment, they were temporarily altered in their orbits by Li Mu's supreme Divine Ability.
"Master, this is... leaving a trace of the Star Dao for us to comprehend?" Xiaowa suddenly discovered that his paw was stained with a wisp of starlight, and that light actually contained the complete Law of stellar operation, he said in surprise.
Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix's Dao Domain of Fire suddenly manifested behind her, each fiery feather displaying different stellar orbit changes: "No wonder Master said the Great Dao is simple. This Divine Ability, casually displayed, actually contains the profound principles of the Three Thousand Great Daos..."
...
While the beast companions were immersed in the profundity of the Star Dao, Li Mu, carrying Xue'er, had already crossed the endless Void Realm and appeared above Chiyang City, the most prosperous city in the Central Province Spirit Domain.
"Li Dage, this is..." Xue'er had not finished speaking when she suddenly widened her beautiful eyes.
Below, suspended above the city, were nine crimson suns, illuminating the entire city as if it were daytime. Even more astonishing was that a Body Integration Cultivator was seated in each crimson sun.
Chaos Qi swirled in Li Mu's eyes, and he chuckled, "Chiyang City, one of the thirty-six main cities under the Heavenly Dao Alliance. This Nine Suns Burning Heaven Great Array is quite interesting."
Before Li Mu's words finished, the nine crimson suns suddenly trembled simultaneously. Dozens of streaks of light instantly flew out from the city. A red-robed old man, leading the group, looked at the Void Realm with uncertainty, "Which Fellow Daoist dares to trespass into my Chiyang City? Please reveal... reveal yourself..."
The old man's words suddenly caught in his throat. Because he saw that the pair of men and women who appeared out of thin air were actually stepping on a path made of stars. Even more terrifying was that with a casual glance from the young man in green, the light of the nine crimson suns involuntarily dimmed by three points.
"A Dao Lord has descended?!" The red-robed old man's voice trembled, and he hurriedly bowed, "I did not know of Senior's arrival, please forgive my failure to greet you."
Li Mu, however, did not even look at them. He turned to Xue'er and said gently, "Let's go, I'll take you to taste Chiyang City's most famous Fire Spirit Soup."
After speaking, he took Xue'er's hand and stepped out. Their figures had already appeared in front of "Drunken Immortal Pavilion," the largest restaurant in the city.
Only then did the nine crimson suns in the sky regain their light. The red-robed old man wiped away his cold sweat and tremblingly urged those behind him, "Quickly, go report to the Alliance Leader! A Mahayana Senior has appeared!"
Inside Drunken Immortal Pavilion, the warm light from the nine crimson suns streamed through the carved window lattices, illuminating the private room with a golden glow.
Xue'er held the crystal-clear glazed cup in both hands. The Fire Spirit Broth in the cup was like molten crimson gold, slowly flowing with fine Dao patterns. On the surface of the broth floated several crimson crystal lotus petals, containing a wisp of pure fire-elemental Law. The rising steam condensed into a small Phoenix illusion in the air, seemingly ready to spread its wings and fly.
"Li Dage, this broth..." Xue'er lightly scooped a spoonful. Before it even reached her mouth, she felt a warm spiritual essence wash over her. Her lips and teeth had already tasted the fiery intensity and the sweetness of the Spirit Medicine. She took a sip, and in an instant, a warm current melted from her throat, like a spring breeze caressing her Meridians. Even the spiritual power in her Dantian trembled slightly.
Li Mu watched her with a smile, his fingertip lightly tapping the edge of the table. A plate of Ice Crystal Jade Marrow Cake next to the glazed cup floated on its own toward Xue'er. The cake was translucent like ice, but inside, a wisp of flowing Dragon Qi was sealed. As soon as it approached, it formed a subtle balance with the warmth of the Fire Spirit Broth. The alternating hot and cold even condensed a faint spiritual mist in the air.
"Fire Spirit Broth is potent; it needs to be balanced with cold marrow to avoid harming the Meridians," Li Mu explained softly, and then poured her a cup of Jade Glow Dew. The liquor was clear like emerald, with several star-sand-like spiritual seeds settled at the bottom of the cup. The wine's aroma was crisp, intertwining with the rich fragrance of the Fire Spirit Broth, and actually manifested a miniature landscape illusion at the rim of the cup.
Xue'er's eyes gleamed with surprise. Just as she was about to taste it again, she suddenly heard a commotion from the long street outside the window. The low whispers of Cultivators came from far to near, like a tide sweeping over the threshold of Drunken Immortal Inn.
Li Mu's eyes flickered slightly, but he did not turn around. He merely pushed a crimson-jade-like spiritual fruit to Xue'er's hand: "Try this. It's the unique Vermilion Flame Fruit of Crimson Sun City. Its skin is as thin as paper, and when bitten, it releases a honey-like syrup that flows like fire."
Just as Xue'er took the fruit, the clamor downstairs suddenly quieted.
The Cultivators on the street retreated one after another, as if a prominent figure had arrived.
Before long, a middle-aged man in a dark Xuan-colored robe stepped in. His face was stern, and his aura was restrained, yet he still gave off a profound and unfathomable feeling.
Seeing this, the Store Owner quickly bowed in salute: "Alliance Leader!"
Yin Wuya nodded slightly, but his gaze went directly to Li Mu by the window, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes. He quickly stepped forward, cupped his hands, and bowed deeply: "Li Jianxian, I didn't expect you to personally visit Crimson Sun City!"
"Alliance Leader Yin, I apologize for the disturbance. Please, have a seat!" Li Mu smiled slightly and invited him.
Hearing this, Yin Wuya's face lit up with joy. He quickly sat down opposite Li Mu and greeted him warmly: "Thank you, Senior. I wonder if there's anything this Junior can assist you with during your visit?"
"I was just passing by, Alliance Leader Yin, no need for such formalities." Li Mu smiled brightly and said directly: "I had intended to sample the delicacies of this city before returning to Seven Profound Sect to visit my Disciple. I didn't expect to disturb Alliance Leader Yin."
Yin Wuya quickly waved his hand upon hearing this, the warmth in his eyes growing stronger: "Li Jianxian, you speak too modestly! Your presence in Crimson Sun City is truly a blessing for our Heavenly Dao Alliance."
As he spoke, Yin Wuya personally refilled Li Mu's cup with Spirit Wine.
"Last time, when the Devil Abyss Army pressed in, if not for Li Jianxian's timely intervention..." Yin Wuya's voice trembled slightly as he raised his cup in a toast: "That single sword strike, which heavily wounded the Devil Abyss Army, remains a legend that Cultivators in the Central Province still talk about with relish. Everyone in the Alliance, from top to bottom, is grateful for your great kindness."
Li Mu smiled calmly, raising his cup politely: "Alliance Leader Yin, you are too kind. The Demon Abyss brings Chaos to the Three Realms; Li merely did his humble part."
"Senior, you are too modest!" Yin Wuya suddenly stood up and performed a solemn deep bow, "It was precisely your aid that day which allowed us to escape disaster and turn defeat into victory. You left in a hurry, not even attending the victory banquet. Since you are here today, please allow Yin to fulfill his duty as host."
"Alliance Leader Yin, you are too polite. I have always disliked noise, and such minor matters are not worth mentioning." Li Mu shook his head slightly, his expression calm.
Seeing this, Yin Wuya's eyes flashed with a sharp glint, as if he had been prepared. He smiled and said, "Senior's virtue is high, and you are unwilling to accept worldly courtesies, but this Junior cannot fail to express his sincerity. I heard that Senior is proficient in the Dao of Artifact Refining, and coincidentally, our Heavenly Dao Alliance has several rare spiritual Materials in its collection, which might just catch Senior's Dharma Eye."
With that, he flicked his sleeve, and three shimmering treasures immediately appeared on the table.
The first was a strange stone, completely black, with faint stars flowing on its surface. Inside, it seemed to contain an endless Void Realm. As soon as it appeared, the surrounding space subtly twisted.
"This is..." Xue'er's beautiful eyes widened slightly, sensing a profound spatial fluctuation.
"Void Star Core!" Yin Wuya looked at Li Mu and solemnly introduced: "This object is the core of a star that fell from outside the heavens, forged through tens of thousands of years of Void Realm tempering. It contains spatial Law and is the supreme Material for refining Heaven-Opening Magic Treasures."
A hint of interest flashed in Li Mu's eyes. He reached out and lightly stroked the surface of the Star Core. Chaos Qi flowed at his fingertips, actually causing the Star Core to tremble slightly, as if resonating.
Seeing this, Yin Wuya secretly rejoiced and then pointed to the second item—a crimson-gold scale, about the size of a palm, covered with profound patterns. Faint Dragon roars echoed from it.
"Ancient Blazing Dragon Reverse Scale!" Yin Wuya introduced in a deep voice: "This object was obtained by our Heavenly Dao Alliance in an ancient ruin. Legend has it that it was left behind by a True Dragon from the Primeval Era, containing pure Yang Dragon Qi. It can be used to refine supreme Yang Magic Treasures."
Li Mu's eyes flickered. He lightly tapped the Reverse Scale with his fingertip, and immediately a Dragon illusion soared into the sky, circling within the elegant chamber. The scorching Dragon might caused the surrounding temperature to rise sharply. He nodded slightly, clearly quite pleased with this item.
Yin Wuya struck while the iron was hot, pointing to the third item—a fist-sized purple crystal, entirely translucent, with lightning seeming to course within it, and faint, muffled thunderous sounds emanating from it.
"Nine Heavens Thunder Soul!"
Yin Wuya's expression was solemn, "This object was formed after ten thousand years of gestation in the Nine Heavens Thunder Pool. It contains the Heavenly Tribulation Thunder Intent and can assist in the metamorphosis of lightning-elemental Magic Treasures, or even be integrated into Divine Abilities to enhance their power."
Li Mu finally showed a trace of a smile, looking at Yin Wuya and saying, "Alliance Leader Yin has truly put in a lot of effort. These three high-grade spiritual Materials are indeed rare."
Yin Wuya quickly cupped his hands, his tone sincere: "As long as Senior likes them! Although these spiritual Materials are precious, they are truly insignificant compared to Senior's kindness. If Senior doesn't mind, please accept them as a small token of our Heavenly Dao Alliance's appreciation."
Li Mu pondered for a moment, then nodded: "Since that is the case, Li will not decline."
With that, Li Mu swept his sleeve, and the three high-grade spiritual Materials instantly vanished.
Seeing this, Yin Wuya was overjoyed, knowing that this thank-you gift had finally reached Li Mu's heart.
"If Senior has leisure, you might consider staying for a few more days." Yin Wuya smiled: "Although Crimson Sun City cannot compare to the profound heritage of Seven Profound Sect, it does have some unique Artifact Refining places that might interest Senior."
Li Mu shook his head slightly: "I still have important matters to attend to this time, so I cannot stay long."
Yin Wuya did not insist, respectfully saying: "Then this Junior will not trouble you further. If Senior has any needs, everyone in the Heavenly Dao Alliance will certainly assist with all their might!"
Li Mu nodded with a smile, then looked at Xue'er: "How was the meal?"
Xue'er put down the glazed cup, nodding contentedly: "The Fire Spirit Broth truly lives up to its reputation."
"Then let's go." Li Mu stood up, briefly cupping his hands to Yin Wuya, "Alliance Leader Yin, until we meet again!"
As his voice fell, Li Mu and Xue'er's figures had already faded, as if merging into the Void Realm, disappearing silently within Drunken Immortal Inn.
Just as Yin Wuya watched Li Mu depart, a green sword fell onto the table, emitting a strong Sharp Metal Dao Law.
"Since Li has received such a generous gift, I cannot leave without reciprocation. This sword is named 'Azure Sky,' left for those with affinity."
Yin Wuya trembled all over, his hands shaking as he picked up the three-foot green blade. The entire sword body was like autumn water condensed into frost, and fine Dao patterns flowed along its edge. When his fingertip touched the sword hilt, the entire Drunken Immortal Inn suddenly resonated with a clear sword hum. The copper bells hanging from the eaves swayed without wind, playing the sound of clashing weapons and charging horses.
"This... this is..." Yin Wuya's pupils contracted, feeling the immense Sword Intent contained within the sword. He quickly bowed respectfully in the direction Li Mu had disappeared: "Thank you, Senior!"
Outside the wine shop, the wind and clouds suddenly surged. Nine crimson suns simultaneously projected beams of light, intertwining on the long street to form a brilliant light bridge.
Countless Cultivators looked up in astonishment, only to see a faint illusion of a giant sword spanning the Starry Sky in the celestial curtain. Where the sword tip pointed, the sea of clouds automatically parted, revealing a path leading to the heavens. (End of Chapter)
