On the main light screen of the ‘Mystic Armor’ bridge, Li Mu’s figure was clearly fixed.
From the captain’s chair, Yuan Kun’s face was as hard as iron, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest.
“Scan results?”
“The target’s energy reaction is abnormal, its structure unknown. It’s preliminarily determined to be a creature not of this realm,” the adjutant reported swiftly. “Protective energy is blocking deep analysis. Threat Rank… currently unassessable.”
Yuan Kun’s gaze, sharp as an eagle, pierced through the light screen, locking onto the overly calm figure in the Void Realm.
“Transmit message,” Yuan Kun ordered.
A cold, authoritative, and undeniable spiritual energy fluctuation instantly crossed the Void Realm, accurately blasting into Li Mu’s ears: “This is the Great Qian Immortal Dynasty – Azure Nether Star Domain. Who are you? From where did you cross the border? Immediately declare your identity and surrender!”
The voice was like a physical heavy hammer, striking the hearts of Xue’er, Tie Tou, and others, causing their Qi and blood to churn and their faces to pale. Only Li Mu remained unaffected, as if a gentle breeze had brushed past him, not even stirring the corner of his clothes.
Li Mu reached out and gently stroked, his movement effortless, like flicking away a speck of dust from his clothes. An invisible ripple, imbued with the vast essence of Chaos, quietly spread from his palm.
The imposing spiritual thought that had blasted into their Sea of Consciousness and caused Xue’er and the others’ Qi and blood to churn, collided with this layer of Chaos ripples and instantly melted and disintegrated like ice meeting a scorching sun, without even stirring a single ripple.
Xue’er and the others immediately felt the pressure ease, and their churning Qi and blood quickly calmed.
Li Mu looked up, his gaze calmly meeting the flagship—the Mystic Armor—which was at the core of the encirclement, visibly several times larger, shaped like a ferocious black tortoise, and covered in heavy dark-gold spiritual energy armor.
“I am Li Mu. I am from the Demon Spirit Realm!” Li Mu truthfully transmitted, responding.
“Demon Spirit Realm?” Yuan Kun’s cold voice came again through the spiritual thought, carrying a hint of imperceptible solemnity. “I have never heard of this realm. Your act of crossing the border violates the Great Qian Immortal Law! Surrender and accept the inspection, and you may yet preserve your life!”
Before he finished speaking, the muzzles on the bows and sides of the dozen or so silver patrol warships surrounding them suddenly flared with a dazzling light! Blinding silver light rapidly converged and compressed deep within the muzzles. Destructive energy fluctuations clearly emanated, firmly locking onto Li Mu and the Treasure Mansion People behind him.
The Void Realm seemed to solidify, and an invisible killing intent, like a cold tide, completely engulfed this area.
“Teacher!” Lin Xiaolun exclaimed, clearly sensing the terrifying power contained within those muzzles, which was definitely not something their Physical Body could withstand.
“Li Dage!” Xue’er’s apricot eyes were filled with worry.
“Son of a bitch, unreasonable!” Tie Tou cursed angrily, his muscles bulging, his Qi and blood rising like wolf smoke.
Da Niu grunted, clenching his fists, his knuckles cracking like popping beans, ready for a fight to the death.
Li Mu remained calm, reassuring them with a smile: “It’s fine, just follow their arrangements.”
These words stunned Xue’er and the others. Tie Tou and Da Niu, who had been poised for action, were like deflated balloons, their Battle Intent instantly leaking away by more than half as they looked at Li Mu in confusion.
Lin Xiaolun, however, keenly caught a hint of contemplation deep in Li Mu’s eyes.
“Li Dage?” Xue’er asked softly, with a hint of doubt.
Li Mu shook his head slightly, signaling them to remain calm, then looked at the Mystic Armor again, his voice steady: “Since we have entered your Immortal Dynasty’s territory, we naturally abide by the Immortal Dynasty’s laws. We are willing to cooperate with the inspection.”
In the Void Realm, the destructive energy beams, poised to fire, suddenly paused.
Inside the bridge, Yuan Kun’s finger, tapping the armrest, also stopped. The opponent’s sudden compliance, in stark contrast to the strength he displayed by effortlessly resolving the spiritual energy impact, was unsettlingly bizarre.
“Commander?” The adjutant looked at Yuan Kun, awaiting orders. The encirclement remained strict, and the energy in the muzzles had not dispersed, only ceasing further accumulation.
Yuan Kun stared at Li Mu’s calm face on the light screen. After a few seconds of silence, he ordered coldly: “Target has ceased resistance. Disengage attack lock, maintain Rank One alert. Send ‘Fei Lian’ to escort the target onto the ship and escort them to the isolation and interrogation area. Prepare spiritual energy chains.”
“Yes!” The adjutant immediately relayed the order.
Within the encirclement, a smaller patrol warship, shaped like a silver shuttle with an unusually sharp bow, detached from the formation and silently glided towards Li Mu and the others. A light door opened in its hull, extending a silver chain passage composed of flowing runes, emanating an aura of Restriction.
“Board the ship.” Li Mu stepped first, onto the rune passage, his figure disappearing into the light door.
Xue’er, Tie Tou, Da Niu, and Lin Xiaolun followed closely, stepping onto this unfamiliar creation with a mixture of surprise and doubt. The spiritual pattern chains silently closed behind them, isolating them from the outside.
The Fei Lian quickly returned to the formation, guarding the Mystic Armor, and transformed into a stream of light, heading towards the densest and most luminous star zone deep within the Star Domain where the fleet was concentrated.
Inside the Mystic Armor’s bridge, the main light screen was divided into several sections. One showed Li Mu sitting cross-legged in the Fei Lian’s isolation cabin, eyes closed in meditation, while Xue’er and the others looked around the cold metal cabin walls with a slight unease.
On another light screen, several ethereal figures of elderly men, dressed in dark green Immortal Dynasty official robes and emanating profound auras, appeared, clearly an emergency-convened think tank.
“Commander Yuan,” an old man with white hair and beard in the center asked, “Has the border-crosser been apprehended?”
“Yes, temporarily detained in the Fei Lian’s isolation area,” Yuan Kun nodded. “The other party claims to be Li Mu, from the ‘Demon Spirit Realm,’ specific location unknown, and has an abnormal energy reaction. His behavior… is quite peculiar.”
“Demon Spirit Realm?” The old man frowned, exchanging glances with the other strategists, all of whom were puzzled: “Does the Heavenly Works Hall’s Star Map Division have any record of this realm?”
Another strategist’s ethereal figure shook his head: “Reporting to Grand Councilor, the vast archives of the Star Map Division contain no mention of ‘Demon Spirit Realm.’ This is a completely new, unknown realm traveler.”
“Unknown realm…” The Grand Councilor mused: “How did he cross the border?”
“By Physical Body, forcibly tearing open the realm barrier. The method is unknown, and residual Chaos Qi makes it extremely difficult to analyze,” Yuan Kun added. “But his subsequent attitude was cooperative, and he actively requested to abide by the Immortal Law.”
“Hiss! Crossing the border with his Physical Body, what Cultivation Rank is this person?!” a member of the think tank asked in shock.
“Beyond the Spirit Mirror’s assessment range!” Yuan Kun said gravely.
A sharp glint flashed in the Grand Councilor’s eyes: “That is rare. Commander Yuan, according to our Great Qian Immortal Law, how should such a first-time, cooperative, unknown realm traveler be handled?”
A strategist responsible for law immediately brought up a light screen and quickly read: “《Immortal Dynasty Star Domain Security Law》, Volume Seven, Alien Realm Crossing Chapter. Any unknown realm creature who crosses the border for the first time, has no clear hostile actions, and is willing to cooperate with the inspection, shall be preferentially detained in the ‘Star Suppressing Pagoda’ for a three-hundred-day period of deep origin tracing, risk assessment, and indoctrination. During this period, they shall be jointly managed by the Patrol Guards, Heavenly Works Hall, and Indoctrination Department. If there is no concrete evidence of harm to the Immortal Dynasty, upon completion of the indoctrination period, they may be appropriately assigned to the ‘Pioneer Guards’ or ‘Stardust Battalion’ to atone for their sins and observe their future conduct.”
“Star Suppressing Pagoda… joint management by three departments…” Yuan Kun repeated softly, his gaze sweeping over Li Mu’s figure in the isolation cabin: “This person’s strength is unfathomable; he may not be contained by an ordinary Star Suppressing Pagoda. Is his cooperation sincere, or does he have other motives?”
“For extraordinary individuals, use extraordinary methods,” the Grand Councilor said slowly. “The old precedent is a baseline, not an iron rule. Commander Yuan, this person will be personally interrogated by your Patrol Guards. Ascertain his background, determine the truth of that ‘Demon Spirit Realm,’ and assess his true threat. If he truly harbors no ill will… perhaps he can be used by our Immortal Dynasty. If there is any unusual movement, kill without mercy, do not be constrained by old precedents. The necessary permissions are granted immediately.”
“Your subordinate obeys!” Yuan Kun responded gravely, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. On the light screen, Li Mu seemed to sense something, slowly opening his eyes, his gaze calmly piercing the Void Realm, as if meeting Yuan Kun’s gaze in the bridge once more.
On the other side, inside the Fei Lian’s isolation cabin.
“Teacher, are we really just going to be imprisoned like this?” Lin Xiaolun whispered, with a hint of unwillingness.
“Exactly! Why should they control us?!” Tie Tou grumbled, his fist pounding against the cold cabin wall, making a dull thud.
Li Mu retracted his gaze and said calmly: “This is how it is when you first arrive. It’s good, we can also see what kind of power this Great Qian Immortal Dynasty truly possesses.”
Xue’er looked at Li Mu, who was meditating with his eyes closed, then at the vast and cold starry sea and the giant warship outside the cabin, and asked softly: “Li Dage, how will they deal with us?”
Li Mu reassured them with a smile: “According to their logic, it’ll be fine. I’m here!”
Inside the Mystic Armor’s bridge, Yuan Kun stared at Li Mu’s calm eyes on the light screen. That gaze seemed to penetrate the cold alloy and spiritual energy barrier, reaching directly to him.
“The Grand Councilor’s order has arrived,” Yuan Kun retracted his gaze, his voice as solid as iron. “This person will be personally interrogated by my Patrol Guards. Prepare the ‘Star Pivot’ isolation cabin. I will go see him myself.”
The adjutant’s expression tightened: “Commander, this person’s threat Rank is unknown, should we…”
Yuan Kun raised a hand to stop him: “If he wanted to act, the Fei Lian would already be dust. His ‘cooperation’ needs to be weighed in person.” He stood up, the dark gold patterns on his black commander’s battle armor flowing with a cold, hard light. “The fleet is to maintain Rank One combat readiness, locking onto the isolation cabin. If there is any unusual movement, the Mystic Armor’s main cannon will prioritize destroying the target.”
“Understood!”
Deep within the Fei Lian, the isolation cabin was dead silent. The cold metal walls emitted a faint blue glow, and intricate array patterns flowed across the surface like living things, forming a powerful Restriction field. The air was filled with pure but forcibly restraining spiritual energy.
Xue’er, Tie Tou, and the others felt an invisible pressure, as if they were in a viscous swamp, their spiritual energy circulation sluggish. Tie Tou paced anxiously, Da Niu leaned silently against the wall, his muscles tense. Lin Xiaolun sat cross-legged with her eyes closed, trying her best to sense the flow patterns of the surrounding rune Restrictions.
The cabin door slid open silently, and a condensed and extremely oppressive figure stepped in.
Yuan Kun, clad in Mystic Armor, his cloak trailing, his face as stern as if carved by knife and axe, his gaze sharply swept over the people in the cabin, finally landing on Li Mu. Behind him followed two elite patrol guards with solid auras, holding spiritual energy shackles covered in runes.
An invisible aura instantly filled the entire space. The few people choked, feeling their hearts squeezed by an invisible hand. Tie Tou and Da Niu subconsciously tensed their bodies, as if facing a formidable enemy.
Only Li Mu slowly opened his eyes, his gaze still calm, like an unfathomable ancient pond, reflecting the figure of the newcomer, and nodded slightly: “Commander Yuan.”
Yuan Kun stopped three steps in front of Li Mu. This distance allowed for clear conversation and was also at a subtle critical point for offense and defense. The patrol guards behind him stood like monoliths, their shackles gleaming with dangerous light.
“Li Mu.” Yuan Kun spoke, his voice not loud, but with a metallic quality that pierced the stagnant air in the cabin. “The name ‘Demon Spirit Realm’ is not recorded in the Great Qian Star Map. You tore open the realm barrier and trespassed into the Immortal Domain. According to law, you should be imprisoned in the Star Suppressing Pagoda for three hundred years.”
Yuan Kun’s words were cold, stating facts, his gaze fixed on Li Mu’s face, catching the slightest change in expression.
The hearts of Tie Tou and the others instantly rose to their throats. Three hundred years of imprisonment!
Li Mu’s face showed no ripple, as if he had only heard ordinary news. He smiled and said: “The Immortal Dynasty’s laws are strict, and Li, having just arrived, naturally understands. However, Commander Yuan’s personal visit, I presume, is not merely to pronounce judgment?”
Yuan Kun’s eyes narrowed slightly. The other party’s extraordinary composure deepened his apprehension. He said in a deep voice: “The Great Qian Immortal Dynasty is inclusive and values true talent. The think tank has deliberated, if your background is clear and you are willing to serve the Immortal Dynasty, other arrangements may be made. The premise is honesty.”
Yuan Kun paused, emphasizing his words: “Exactly what Rank has your Cultivation reached? And what kind of world is that Demon Spirit Realm? Why did you cross the border to come here?”
Li Mu met Yuan Kun’s hawk-like gaze, the corners of his mouth curving into a very faint smile.
“Cultivation, you ask?” Li Mu responded as if in casual conversation, saying: “Kind Dao Realm. While seeking the Dao, I happened upon a weak point in the realm barrier and used its force to come here. As for the Demon Spirit Realm… the world is vast, and it’s normal for it not to be in your dynasty’s star map. Our journey is solely to complete the Great Dao, with no other intentions.”
“Kind Dao Realm?” Yuan Kun’s brows furrowed slightly. This term was entirely unfamiliar to the Great Qian Immortal Dynasty’s Cultivation system, and its meaning was obscure. The other party’s casual mention of “borrowing force” to tear open the realm barrier made him seem even more unfathomable.
“Demon Spirit Realm? What is its situation?” Yuan Kun couldn’t help but ask out of curiosity.
“A nascent Great Realm,” Li Mu said truthfully, his gaze seemingly piercing through the cabin wall: “All races coexist, Dao and magic are just beginning to emerge, still exploring the world. Compared to your Immortal Dynasty, it is a desolate place.”
Yuan Kun’s eyes were deep, and he did not move, only saying in a deep voice: “The Great Qian Immortal Dynasty has strict laws, but also values true talent. If your background is clear and you are willing to serve the Immortal Dynasty, you may find another path. The premise is honesty!”
“Naturally,” Li Mu nodded, his gaze calmly meeting Yuan Kun’s, and said: “What Li has said is true in every word. I came here by accident, and my only pursuit is the completion of the Great Dao. As for cooperating with the Immortal Dynasty’s affairs… I am new here and my understanding is still shallow. But if the Immortal Dynasty’s actions align with the Heavenly Dao, Li is not unable to assist.”
Yuan Kun was silent for a few seconds, his stern face showing no emotion, only saying: “Verification takes time. Before the think tank and Heavenly Works Hall complete the tracing and determine that you are harmless, you will temporarily reside in the ‘Star Suppressing Pagoda.’”
“Star Suppressing Pagoda?” Li Mu repeated the name, showing no objection, and nodded: “As the guest, I follow the host’s wishes. However, these companions of mine have shallow Cultivation, so I hope Commander Yuan will take care of them and not let the Restrictions in the pagoda harm their foundation.”
“The Star Suppressing Pagoda has its own regulations; it is not a prison,” Yuan Kun’s voice was still cold and hard, but the meaning in his words softened slightly: “As long as they don’t harbor ill intentions, they will be safe.”
“In that case, thank you, Commander Yuan.” Li Mu nodded slightly, indicating his acceptance of the arrangement.
Yuan Kun said no more, turned and left, the two shackled patrol guards following closely behind him. The cabin door closed, isolating the inside from the outside. (End of Chapter)
