Several days later, a hundred-zhang-wide void Rift silently tore open in the sky, and Chaos Qi surged out like a tide.
Li Mu, clad in a flowing blue robe, walked slowly out of the void Rift, his left hand clasped behind his back, his right hand gently holding Xue'er's soft hand.
"Three hundred Years," Li Mu gazed at the seven divine peaks shrouded in mist in the distance, a hint of reminiscence flashing in his eyes.
Outside the Seven Profound Sect's mountain gate, clouds and mist swirled, and seven majestic divine peaks stood tall, their peak Formation pillars faintly visible within the sea of clouds, like pillars supporting the sky, suppressing the Sect's Luck. The Sect-protecting Formation sensed unfamiliar Qi, and immediately burst forth with brilliant light, as if to refuse entry to the newcomers.
Xue'er sensed Li Mu's low mood and quickly changed the subject softly, saying, "Li Dage! This Sect-protecting Formation seems to have changed!"
"Hmm! It's clearly the work of other Formation Great Masters!" Li Mu's gaze was like lightning, sweeping over the Sect-protecting Formation before him, a playful smile appearing on his lips: "Based on the 'Seven Stars Locking Heaven Formation,' supplemented by the 'Nine Revolutions Profound Spirit Formation,' and incorporating the variations of the 'Great Void Yin and Yang Formation,' it's quite interesting."
Xue'er's beautiful eyes swirled, and nine fox tail illusions swayed gently behind her: "This Formation is probably capable of trapping a Mahayana Early Stage Cultivator."
"What a pity..." Li Mu chuckled softly, casually forming a Sword Incantation with his right hand, "The flaw is too obvious!"
With that, a point of Chaos Qi condensed on Li Mu's fingertip, and he gently tapped a certain spot in the Void Realm. The faint blue light, seemingly weak, transformed into countless fine threads the moment it touched the Formation, spreading rapidly along the Formation patterns.
"Crack—"
A crisp sound echoed throughout the mountain gate. The Sect-protecting Formation, reputed to be able to resist a Mahayana Cultivator, shattered inch by inch like glass. The seven towering Formation pillars at the Formation's core simultaneously dimmed, and the brilliant light enveloping the Sect receded like a tide.
Even more astonishingly, the shattered Formation patterns did not dissipate; instead, under Li Mu's control, they recombined, interweaving in the air to form a brand new Great Formation.
"Boom—!"
The seven towering Formation pillars suddenly trembled violently, and the originally orderly flowing Formation Spiritual Power instantly became chaotic. The Disciples who were meditating on Spirit Spring Peak discovered in horror that the Spiritual Vein beneath their feet had begun to flow in reverse, and the gushing spring water was pouring back into the depths of the earth's veins.
"What's happening? Has the Sect-protecting Formation gone out of control?" On Golden Sword Peak, the Flying Swords in the hands of the Disciples who were practicing their Swordplay suddenly slipped, and hundreds of Sword Qi shot uncontrollably towards the sky, drawing strange arcs in the inverted Formation.
Inside the Alchemy room on Fire God Peak, dozens of Pill Furnaces exploded simultaneously.
Su Hongxiu's red dress was lifted by the blast. Disregarding her composure, she flashed outside the hall, her beautiful eyes reflecting the profound Formation diagram that was reorganizing in the sky: "This is... Five Elements Reversal?"
The anomaly of the mountain-protecting Great Formation startled the entire Seven Profound Sect. Thousands of Disciples poured out from all directions, looking up at the interweaving Formation patterns in the sky. The newly admitted Disciples were even paler; when had they ever seen such a celestial phenomenon?
"Look! The Formation patterns are reorganizing!" A Nascent Soul Deacon suddenly exclaimed.
The shattered Formation patterns filling the sky did not dissipate; instead, guided by the point of Chaos Qi on Li Mu's fingertip, they wriggled and recombined like living things. The Five Elements Spiritual Power of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth intertwined, and the Yin and Yang Qi flowed ceaselessly, finally condensing in the air into an unprecedented "Five Elements Two Forms Inverted Great Formation."
"This... How is this possible?" Xuanzhenzi, the Head of the Formation Hall, trembled all over, and the compass in his hand fell to the ground with a "clatter." This old man, who had studied Formations for a thousand Years, was now dumbfounded like an apprentice who had just entered the field.
The moment the Great Formation completed its reorganization, an earth-shattering aura suddenly erupted from the depths of the Seven Profound Sect. The Sect Master's Immortal Cave, where he was in seclusion, exploded with a "rumble," and a green figure shot straight into the sky like a sharp sword.
"It's the Sect Master!" The Disciples exclaimed.
How could Lin Maoshan have any of his usual composure at this moment? His Daoist robe was disheveled, his hair-tied jade crown was nowhere to be seen, and his long hair wildly danced in the Spiritual Pressure. This Refining Void Great Power's eyes were fixed on the direction of the mountain gate, his face filled with excitement.
"This aura is Master! It's really Master who has returned!"
Lin Maoshan's voice trembled, and his figure flickered continuously in the air, each teleportation spanning a thousand zhang. Wherever he passed, space rippled like water, revealing his extreme excitement.
When Lin Maoshan clearly saw the blue-robed figure in front of the mountain gate, this Seven Profound Sect Sect Master actually knelt directly in the air, performing the most solemn Great Ceremony. The force of his kowtow was so heavy that the sea of clouds within a hundred-li radius was cleared by it.
"Maoshan respectfully welcomes Master's return!"
This cry, imbued with three hundred Years of longing and respect, echoed between the seven divine peaks. The Disciples who had not yet recovered from the Great Formation's shocking change were now dumbfounded.
Their supreme Sect Master actually performed a kneeling bow to that blue-robed person? And called him Master?
—Dong! Dong! Dong!
The bell chimes were vast, like Tianyin descending, and the entire Seven Profound Sect trembled. "Master!"
This cry, like a thunderclap, shook the seven divine peaks simultaneously. Countless Disciples looked up, only to see the Sect Master kneeling in the air, performing three kowtows and nine bows to the blue-robed figure in front of the mountain gate!
"This... The Sect Master is actually kneeling?!"
"Who is that person?!"
"Could it be the legendary one...?"
The Disciples on the mountain were greatly shaken, almost losing their Dao Heart. In their eyes, Sect Master Lin Maoshan was already a supreme existence, yet now, he was performing such a great ceremony to one person!
Immediately following, several figures swiftly arrived from various peaks, led by the three Grand Elders of the Seven Profound Sect—
Zhao Tianchen, the Peak Master of Golden Sword Peak and the Head of the Law Enforcement Hall, who was usually unsmiling, was now so excited that his beard trembled. He bowed from afar, his voice as resonant as a bell: "Disciple Zhao Tianchen respectfully welcomes Master and Mistress back!"
Su Hongxiu, the Peak Master of Fire God Peak, in her fiery red robe, usually as cold and arrogant as frost, now had slightly red eyes. She gracefully bowed, her voice trembling slightly: "Hongxiu greets Master! Mistress!"
Zhong Yuling, the Peak Master of Spirit Spring Peak and the Hall Master of the Hall of Dharma Transmission, who was always steady and composed, could not hide her excitement at this moment, and gave a deep bow: "Disciple Zhong Yuling greets Master and Mistress!"
Before long, dozens of Elders appeared simultaneously, many of them new faces whom Li Mu did not recognize. Everyone shouted in unison: "Greetings, Grand Sect Master!"
Li Mu nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over everyone. Seeing that his four Personal Disciples had all advanced to Void Refining, he couldn't help but smile and say, "Rise, all of you. There's no need for such formality."
Li Mu floated in the air, his sleeves fluttering without wind, overlooking the entire Seven Profound Sect. Three hundred Years, for a Cultivator, was but a flick of a finger, yet it was enough for a Sect to experience several rises and falls.
The familiar buildings of the past were still there, but many faces were no longer the same.
"Li Dage." Xue'er gently held his hand, a slightly cool sensation coming from her fingertips. The Nine-Tailed Sky Fox was naturally empathetic; she knew better than anyone that her Dao Companion, though seemingly calm, was in fact experiencing a turbulent heart.
Li Mu turned back with a smile, sighing somewhat helplessly: "It's nothing, it's just that the Sect has many new faces, and many old friends... have disappeared."
Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions darkened.
Lin Maoshan took a deep breath, stepped forward, and respectfully said, "Master, the Sect has indeed changed a lot over these Years, but the Disciples dared not be slack, and finally managed to preserve the Seven Profound Sect's Foundation."
Li Mu nodded slightly, his gaze profound, as if seeing through the long river of Years.
"Hmm, you all may disperse." Li Mu lightly flicked his sleeve, and a clear light enveloped his four Personal Disciples: "The few of us, Master and Disciples, will go to the main hall to talk!"
Before he finished speaking, everyone felt the scenery before their eyes shift, and when they regained their composure, they were already inside the Sect Leader's Mansion's main hall.
Inside the hall, green smoke swirled, and nine bronze ancient lamps burned silently, making Li Mu's face flicker between light and shadow. His gaze, deep as an abyss, swept over his four Disciples seated below, finally resting on Lin Maoshan.
"Sit."
Li Mu walked directly to the main seat. Xue'er took out a white jade low table beside him and elegantly brewed tea with her delicate hands, a scene as picturesque as a painting. In a trance, the Disciples felt as if they had returned to the scene three hundred Years ago.
Lin Maoshan was about to stand as a Disciple, but was suddenly pressed into the first seat on the right by an invisible Qi force.
"Since you are already the Sect Master, there's no need to stick to empty formalities." Li Mu said, "Tell me, how has the Sect been these Years? What difficulties have you encountered in your cultivation? You can tell your Master!"
As he spoke, Li Mu looked at Lin Maoshan, signaling him to speak.
Lin Maoshan took a deep breath, stood up first, and respectfully said, "Master, I have cultivated the Five Elements Treasure Tome until now, and thanks to the Five Elements Dao Pill bestowed by Master, I was fortunate enough to Break through to the Void Refining Realm. However, my Foundation is still shallow, and I fear I cannot bear the responsibility of demonstrating. Perhaps Senior Brother Zhao should demonstrate first? He has already reached the Refining Void Late Stage and is currently stuck at the Combined Body Realm."
Before he finished speaking, a gentle breeze suddenly arose in the hall.
Everyone saw Li Mu's sleeve move slightly, and his gaze had already turned to Zhao Tianchen, who sat as still as a pine. There seemed to be Chaos flowing in his eyes, and the sun, moon, and stars could vaguely be seen forming and perishing within it.
Zhao Tianchen immediately felt the Sword Qi around him surge uncontrollably, and the ancient sword at his waist, which had been silent for many Years, let out a "clang" and unsheathed itself by three inches, its Sword Cry like a Dragon's roar.
Li Mu scrutinized Zhao Tianchen for a moment, and before long, he roughly understood his current cultivation situation!
"Master, my primary cultivation of the 'Great Geng Golden Sword Art' has reached Perfection, ...," Zhao Tianchen indicated.
Li Mu raised a hand, interrupting him, and instructed: "Your primary cultivation of the 'Great Geng Golden Sword Art' has reached the 'Myriad Swords Returning to the Origin' Realm, and your Sword Qi is as solid as substance, yet it always lacks the miraculous creation of 'One Sword Generates Myriad Laws.' Tell me, why haven't you been able to condense a Golden Spirit Clone until now!"
"Right now, all of you are stuck at the crucial juncture of condensing a Dao Origin Clone. If you don't condense a Clone, how will you condense a Dao Domain, and how will you Body Integration?" Li Mu looked at the other three again, asking in a deep voice.
Zhao Tianchen suppressed the humming Dao Sword at his waist and quickly explained: "Three Years ago, Disciple found a sixth-grade gold essence and intended to refine an Incarnation, but suffered a Sword Intent backlash..."
"How can a sixth-grade spiritual item bear the sharp edge of your Sword Dao?"
Before he finished speaking, a golden light flew out from Li Mu's sleeve and hung in front of Zhao Tianchen: "In the North Pole Star Domain, a Star Gold Essence has fallen. This gold has been tempered by the outer void gales for ten thousand Years and has condensed into a seventh-grade 'Profound Sky Geng Gold.' Take its essence and integrate it into your Sword Pill, guided by the 'Great Geng Golden Sword Art,' and you can refine a 'Golden Armored Divine General' Incarnation."
Zhao Tianchen was about to express his gratitude when he was stopped by Li Mu's gaze. He looked at Zhao Tianchen and his Disciples with a solemn expression, and said earnestly: "Condensing a Dao Origin Clone is the Foundation of the Great Dao. If you only condense one Dao Origin Clone, your future achievements will be limited. After advancing to the Combined Body Realm, if you wish to step into the Great Vehicle Dao Realm again, it will be like rootless duckweed, difficult to cross the Mahayana Lightning Tribulation."
Li Mu lightly tapped the table with his fingertip, and Chaos Qi suddenly solidified, forming a miniature Chaotic Dao Domain, evolving the Profound Truths of the Great Dao. He looked at his four Disciples and added: "A Dao Origin Clone is the Foundation of the Great Dao. One Clone can only bear the Dao Fruit of the Combined Body Realm. If you wish to Break through to Mahayana, you need to condense six Dao Origin Clones, corresponding to the principles of the Six Paths; if you want to touch the Ultimate Path Realm, you need nine Dao Origin Clones, corresponding to the changes of the Nine Gangs."
"Nine types of Dao Origin Clones?"
Upon hearing this, the four looked at each other, their faces full of disbelief.
"Master, I find it extremely difficult to condense even one type of Dao Origin Clone. To find nine types of seventh-grade gold-element spiritual items and condense nine different types of gold-element Clones, Disciple's strength is low and financial resources are insufficient, I'm afraid, I'm afraid I cannot do it!" Zhao Tianchen's face showed difficulty, and the Dao Sword at his waist trembled slightly, as if echoing his state of mind.
Li Mu's gaze swept over his four Disciples, seeing their varied expressions—some surprised, some shocked, some confused—and he couldn't help but chuckle softly, saying, "Do you think I want you to reach the heavens in one step?"
Li Mu waved his sleeve, and the Chaotic Dao Domain suddenly expanded, enveloping the entire hall. In an instant, the surrounding scenery transformed, as if they were in the vast Star Domain. Nine brilliant stars floated in the Void Realm, each emitting a distinctly different gold-element Dao rhyme—some sharp and exposed, some incredibly heavy, some mysterious and unpredictable, some fiery...
"You don't have to condense all nine Dao Origins immediately!" Li Mu stood with his hands behind his back, his voice like the sound of the Great Dao, echoing in everyone's ears, "Rather, it is to make you understand that on the path of the Great Dao, the thicker the Foundation, the further you can go in the future. You must weigh the pros and cons yourselves."
"The Great Dao returns to nine. The Human Race is not like the Yao Race, which can rely on Bloodline talent to condense Natal Divine Abilities; nor is it like the Demon Race, which can forcibly Break through by devouring the essence of all things. We Cultivators can only ascend to the peak by taking the Dao Heart as our guide and the Foundation as our stone, one step, one tribulation." Li Mu looked at the four and reminded them, "Not everyone has the opportunity to reach this step."
Upon hearing this, the four felt as if they had been enlightened, and their hearts were greatly shaken.
Lin Maoshan took a deep breath, a complex look flashing in his eyes, and finally couldn't help but ask, "Master, Disciple dares to ask... How many Dao Origin Clones did you condense back then? And where have you reached now?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the hall suddenly fell silent.
Zhao Tianchen and the others all held their breath, their gazes fixed on Li Mu, extremely curious as to what Realm Master had reached now? After all, what he had just said was that only by condensing nine Dao Origin Clones could one touch the Ultimate Path Realm. So, had he himself... already stepped into that legendary Domain?
Back then, when Li Mu took them as Disciples, he used his Clone to teach them, and his main body rarely showed itself.
Now that Li Mu had already advanced to Great Vehicle Dao Lord, they were truly curious about how many Dao Origin Clones he had condensed. One must know that he cultivated the Chaotic Great Dao, a path unprecedented.
Li Mu's expression was calm, and his gaze was distant, as if reminiscing about the past. (End of this chapter)
