Yuan Kun returned to the Xuanjia’s bridge, his stern face devoid of emotion.
“Escort the target to Zhenxing Tower’s seventh detention level and activate the highest-grade spiritual energy blockade,” Yuan Kun commanded. “Access for the think tank has been granted; have them investigate immediately.”
“Understood!” the adjutant acknowledged, and the fleet turned, heading towards a colossal, floating tower deep within the Star Domain. The tower was dark, with river-like array patterns flowing across its surface, exuding an aura that suppressed all things.
The seventh level of Zhenxing Tower was heavily fortified with Restrictions.
Li Mu sat cross-legged in the center, a circulating confinement array beneath him. Xue’er and the others were placed in separate compartments slightly further away; though suppressed, their foundations were unharmed. The spiritual energy within the tower was pure and cold, carrying an invisible heavy pressure.
Li Mu closed his eyes, his aura completely at odds with this suppressive force. A faint, almost imperceptible Chaos rhyme, like a stone dropped into still water, quietly spread out.
The array patterns that touched him, as they circulated, showed a hint of stagnation, as if silently eroded and assimilated by some higher-level power, subtly maintaining a balance.
Xuanjia’s core think tank.
Several elderly members of the think tank gathered around a huge spiritual energy light screen, where runes cascaded like a waterfall. They were reviewing the oldest and most obscure Jade Slips.
“Search for ‘Kind Dao’!” Dacanyi’s voice was urgent. “All associated terms, tracing back to isolated copies from before the ‘Ancient Era’!”
The light screen flickered wildly, countless phantom images of ancient texts flipping by. Finally, a cracked, almost illegible animal bone rubbing was magnified.
A few words on it, each like thunder: “…Chaos nurtures spirits, Dao seeds first sprout. This Realm is not the extreme of power, but the beginning of Dao… There are remnant tribes from the ancient times, called ‘Kind Dao,’ their ability… close to the Dao Origin, self-mastery of the Dao Origin is considered… equivalent to the Da Qian Immortal Dynasty’s ‘Grand Immortal Venerable’s’ ‘Initial Sage’…”
Dead silence.
You could hear a pin drop in the think tank.
Several old men, accustomed to turbulent times, stopped breathing, their faces instantly turning pale.
“Grand Immortal Venerable, Initial Sage Realm?” A think tank member’s voice trembled, pointing at the words “considered equivalent to” on the light screen: “Comparable to… a Grand Immortal Venerable?”
Cold sweat instantly soaked Dacanyi’s dark green official robe. He abruptly turned his head, looking at another light screen—where the seventh level of Zhenxing Tower was clearly displayed, with Li Mu’s figure sitting peacefully.
“Quick! Send a message to Yuan Kun!” Dacanyi’s voice was filled with unprecedented panic: “Immediately stop all suppression! Activate the highest courtesy! Quick, quick, we… imprisoned an Initial Sage!”
Dacanyi’s vision blurred, and he almost lost his footing. They had actually locked an Initial Sage, comparable to the Celestial Court’s pillar of stability, in Zhenxing Tower with the highest-grade confinement array?
This was beyond discourtesy; it was a colossal disaster!
“Hurry!” he urged hoarsely.
Outside Zhenxing Tower.
Yuan Kun stood at the bow of the Xuanjia, gazing at the massive, suppressive tower. The adjutant had just handed him the think tank’s initial feedback: “Kind Dao Realm information unknown, proceed with caution.”
Suddenly, a top-level emergency spiritual message, carrying the near-collapse intent of Dacanyi from the think tank, directly slammed into Yuan Kun’s Sea of Consciousness: “Release him!! Release him immediately! The Kind Dao Realm is equivalent to an Initial Sage! He is an Initial Sage! We’ve locked up an Initial Sage!!”
The words “Initial Sage” exploded in Yuan Kun’s Sea of Consciousness like Heavenly Tribulation from the Nine Heavens.
Yuan Kun’s body violently trembled, his pupils suddenly constricting to pinpricks. His usually stern, iron-like face, for the first time, showed clear cracks. His fingers gripping the handrail instantly whitened, and the knuckles beneath his Xuanjia gauntlets emitted faint sounds of unbearable strain.
On the main light screen of the bridge, the image of Li Mu sitting calmly inside the tower now became incredibly glaring.
Cold sweat silently trickled down Yuan Kun’s forehead.
Yuan Kun slowly looked up, gazing into the depths of Zhenxing Tower. In his eyes, there was no longer scrutiny or control, only cold horror and a hint of… unbelievable absurdity.
Inside the tower, Li Mu seemed to sense something, subtly lifting his eyelids for a moment before closing them again. The array patterns beneath him, silently permeated by the Chaos rhyme, flickered on and off.
Outside the tower, stardust hung like mist.
Yuan Kun’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he suppressed the surging Qi and blood. Initial Sage! These two words were heavier than the stars.
“Order! Zhenxing Tower’s seventh level, immediately remove all suppressive Restrictions! All spiritual energy chains are to be withdrawn!” Yuan Kun abruptly turned, urgently commanding his subordinate.
“Commander?” The adjutant was astonished.
“Execute! Immediately!” Yuan Kun’s voice was almost squeezed through his teeth.
The order was instantly issued. Inside Zhenxing Tower’s seventh level, the continuously circulating confinement array, which had emitted heavy pressure, suddenly dimmed, like a snuffed-out candle.
The spiritual energy chains that had coiled around Li Mu and hidden in the Void Realm also receded like a tide, vanishing without a trace.
Xue’er and the others immediately felt a lightness throughout their bodies. Their previously sluggish spiritual power flowed smoothly again, and they looked at Li Mu with surprise and uncertainty.
Li Mu remained seated, only his eyelids subtly twitching when the Restrictions dissipated.
Outside the tower, Yuan Kun took a deep breath. His Xuanjia cloak moved without wind, and his figure flashed, appearing before the teleportation array leading to the seventh level, his steps a hundred times heavier than before.
The hatch slid open silently.
Yuan Kun stepped inside, this time without guards behind him. The dark golden patterns on his Xuanjia seemed to have dulled their sharpness. Standing before Li Mu, his previous mountain-like imposing aura was completely gone, replaced only by a solemnity he struggled to maintain.
“Senior!” Yuan Kun spoke, his voice deep, with a hint of unconcealed dryness: “Previously… I was negligent. I have offended you greatly; please move to the ‘Xuanjia.’ Dacanyi himself is coming to invite you.”
Li Mu slowly opened his eyes, his gaze calmly falling on Yuan Kun’s face, as if he had long seen through everything. He did not stand up, only said faintly: “Oh? No need to trouble yourselves.”
Yuan Kun’s heart tightened.
Li Mu, however, had already stood up, his movements casual and natural: “Since the misunderstanding is resolved and the Restrictions here are removed, it’s fine to talk here. If Dacanyi arrives, Li will await him.”
Yuan Kun’s expression subtly changed. The other party’s posture showed a complete disregard for Zhenxing Tower, and it was a calm response to the Celestial Court’s authority.
Yuan Kun remained silent for a moment, no longer insisting, only saying: “Dacanyi will arrive shortly.”
Immediately, Yuan Kun personally activated a spiritual pattern inside the cabin. A soft light illuminated, forming a simple reception area.
Before long, a gentle but powerful figure appeared in the teleportation array. Dressed in dark green official robes, with white hair and beard, it was none other than Dacanyi Cao Cong from the previous light screen. His face showed sincerity, and his steps were slightly hurried.
“Senior!” Cao Cong had not yet reached him but already bowed in greeting, his tone sincere: “This old man, Cao Cong, is humbly a Dacanyi of the Da Qian Immortal Dynasty. I have offended you greatly before, and I sincerely hope for your forgiveness! My subordinates acted rashly and startled Fellow Daoist!”
Behind Cao Cong, a spiritual light flickered, and four figures were gently lifted by a soft force and brought into the cabin. They were Xue’er, Lin Xiaolun, Tie Tou, and Da Niu. The four had clearly been well cared for, their complexions rosy, though their eyes still held a hint of bewilderment.
“Li Dage!” Xue’er exclaimed in surprise.
“Teacher!”
“Xiaolun, Tie Tou, Da Niu.” Li Mu nodded slightly to the three, his gaze gentle.
Cao Cong’s smile widened, and he said enthusiastically: “Senior’s Dao Companion and three esteemed Disciples, I have personally brought them. This place is simple, not a place for guests. The Xuanjia has prepared a quiet room and spiritual tea. Would Fellow Daoist honor us with your presence there? It would also allow this old man to fulfill his host duties and apologize.”
Li Mu glanced at Cao Cong, then finally nodded: “The guest follows the host. Dacanyi, please.”
“Dao Friend Li, please!” Cao Cong stepped aside to lead the way, his posture extremely humble.
The group passed through the teleportation array, left Zhenxing Tower, and stepped onto the wide, bright corridor of the Xuanjia’s bridge. The cold metal and solemn spiritual energy atmosphere seemed to soften somewhat due to Cao Cong’s attitude.
Deep within the Xuanjia, the door to a quiet room, prepared specially for honored guests, opened silently.
The space was vast, with deep starlight mist flowing beneath their feet, making their steps as steady as if on solid ground. The four walls were composed of pure starlight, with light flowing. The starry sky projection on the dome slowly rotated, and billions of stars cast down a cool, clear radiance.
Pure and gentle stellar spiritual power permeated the air.
In the center of the quiet room, a spiritual jade platform floated above the starlight mist, its surface adorned with natural cloud patterns. Delicacies were meticulously arranged: jade plates filled with fragrant, solidified spiritual fruits; paper-thin beast meat roasting over a gentle flame, its fat turning into a faint golden spiritual mist; crystal cups holding shimmering nectar with floating stardust.
On either side of the jade platform, large cushions carved from warm jade glowed with spiritual light.
Dacanyi Cao Cong’s face was filled with sincere smiles. He bowed and led Li Mu and his group to their seats: “Senior, Fairy, and three young friends, please! Just a few humble dishes and wild game, please don’t mind their simplicity.”
Li Mu swept his gaze over the luxurious arrangement, his eyes lingering briefly on the delicacies that contained the Origin of the stars. He said calmly: “Dacanyi has gone to great trouble.”
Li Mu stepped onto the starlight mist, his steps unhurried. Xue’er followed, her beautiful eyes full of novelty, a smile on her lips.
Lin Xiaolun, Tie Tou, and Da Niu followed cautiously, their gazes flitting between the starry dome and the spiritual food.
Everyone took their seats, the warm jade cushions nourishing their bodies. Cao Cong personally picked up a star-patterned jade pot and poured the pale golden “Star Marrow Jade Liquid,” infused with starlight, for Li Mu and Xue’er. He then gestured for the celestial maids to pour amber-colored spiritual drinks for Lin Xiaolun and the other two.
“This is ‘Star Marrow Jade Liquid,’ a secret brew from the residual essence of star birth. It nourishes the Divine Soul and purifies the Dao foundation. Senior, Fairy Xue, please.” Cao Cong raised his cup.
Li Mu picked up the crystal cup and took a shallow sip. The gentle and vast power of the stellar Origin dispersed throughout his limbs and bones, converging into his Sea of Consciousness, bringing clarity and tranquility.
“Good wine.” Li Mu set down his cup. Xue’er’s eyes gleamed slightly.
Cao Cong’s smile deepened, and he lightly clapped his hands. The starlight barrier rippled, and several women in elegant palace dresses, holding jade zithers and Qingyu long flutes, gracefully entered and took seats below.
The nine-stringed jade zither played a clear, ethereal sound, like a secluded spring in an empty valley, and the flute responded like a gentle breeze through a pine forest. The music was soothing and ethereal, flowing from the depths of the Nine Heavens’ nebulae, blending with the starry sea, starlight mist, and spiritual energy, transforming into a silvery light mist that drifted, comforting the Divine Soul.
Amidst the celestial music and starlight, the delicacies gained a deeper flavor.
Under the nourishment of the warm jade, the immersion in Spiritual Qi, and the soothing celestial music, Lin Xiaolun, Tie Tou, and Da Niu gradually shed their shyness. As they tasted the spiritual food, the surging and gentle spiritual power nourished their bones, muscles, Qi, and blood, and expressions of satisfaction and wonder appeared on their faces.
Cao Cong observed secretly. Li Mu’s expression was calm; he only glanced at the zither-playing woman for a moment when the celestial music first began. Xue’er was immersed in the music; the three Disciples were focused on the food. He felt slightly relieved.
After three rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became harmonious.
Cao Cong put down his jade chopsticks, his smile gentle, but the deep inquiry and worry in his eyes surfaced. He carefully chose his words, curiously asking: “Senior, your Divine Ability is vast, and your Realm is profound. Senior previously wished to ‘roam the Three Thousand Main Realms and complete the Great Dao.’ Your grand aspiration is admirable. Why did you choose this area of our Da Qian Immortal Dynasty? If it’s not too presumptuous, could Senior enlighten me?”
Li Mu picked up a glistening star spiritual fruit. His movements did not stop, his fingertips paused slightly, and he put the spiritual fruit into his mouth. The sweet juice and gentle spiritual power dissolved. His gaze calmly fell on Cao Cong.
That gaze saw through people’s hearts. Cao Cong’s heart tightened, and he struggled to maintain his smile.
The celestial music flowed, and an invisible pressure condensed. Lin Xiaolun and Tie Tou’s chewing slowed; only Da Niu remained oblivious, focused on his roasted meat.
Li Mu swallowed the spiritual fruit, then picked up a plain white silk handkerchief to wipe the corners of his mouth. His movements were unhurried, revealing a natural rhythm.
“Dacanyi is too polite,” Li Mu’s voice was clear and calm, carrying weight: “I am merely passing through. The Three Thousand Main Realms are boundless, and Li is following the pull of the Dao Origin. The spiritual energy of this Realm is active, and its Origin aura resonates slightly with the principles Li has comprehended, so I stopped to verify my insights.”
“That is all. If your dynasty has doubts, or feels that Li and my Disciples are inconvenient, disturbing the peace of this Realm…” Li Mu put down the handkerchief and looked directly at Cao Cong, indicating: “We will leave immediately. The Universe is vast; there will always be a place where we can settle and cultivate. My Dao Companion and three Disciples are accustomed to wandering with me; they are not afraid to change locations.”
“Senior, you exaggerate!”
“The Celestial Court absolutely has no such intention! Absolutely not!” Cao Cong quickly said, smiling to ease the tension.
“Senior, please don’t misunderstand! The matter of Zhenxing Tower was a great mistake by the Celestial Court; this old man is utterly terrified! Senior’s arrival on the Xuanjia is a great honor for this Star Domain and the Da Qian Immortal Dynasty! How dare we be disrespectful? Roaming the various Realms and verifying the Great Dao is a heaven-shaking, earth-shattering Divine Ability! The entire Celestial Court will spare no effort to assist Senior in your cultivation, with absolutely no obstruction or doubt! Senior, please feel at ease here. Whatever you need, the Celestial Court will do its utmost to ensure your satisfaction!” Cao Cong spoke very quickly, waving his hands repeatedly to emphasize.
Li Mu listened quietly, his face unperturbed. After Cao Cong finished speaking, he nodded slightly: “Since Dacanyi says so, Li will trouble you for a few more days. Thank you.”
“You are too kind! Too kind!” Cao Cong responded repeatedly, letting out a long breath, trying to warm the atmosphere. He quickly poured wine for Li Mu: “Senior, please have more. Are the musicians here acceptable? If Senior has an interest, you can request specific pieces…”
“No need! This piece is very good!” Li Mu smiled and nodded.
“Senior, our Da Qian Immortal Dynasty has governed this Star Domain for ten thousand years, with profound foundations. Whatever Senior needs, whether it be rare treasures, top-secret star maps, or even ‘pathways’ to certain specific Realms… the Celestial Court can provide full assistance! We only seek to form a good connection with you. In your leisure, if we could receive even a word or two of guidance from Senior, it would be an immense blessing for our Celestial Court.” Cao Cong smiled and nodded, making his point clear.
“Dacanyi’s kindness is appreciated,” Li Mu said with a smile, politely declining, indicating: “Li has his own way of traveling. External assistance is not what I seek. Where Opportunity lies, it will naturally be met. Forcing it, on the contrary, loses its true essence!”
Upon hearing this, the smile on Cao Cong’s face froze for a moment, then he forced it to relax again, hinting: “Senior’s Dao Heart is firm, which is admirable. However… Senior, do you know that the ‘Kind Dao’ Realm, in the Celestial Court’s records, only existed before the Ancient Era? The appearance of such a Realm is no small shock. Although Senior has no intention, if various forces learn of it, they may become covetous. At that time, Fellow Daoist’s peaceful travels may invite trouble!”
“Oh! What does your dynasty mean by that?” Li Mu slightly frowned, inquiring in surprise.
Cao Cong said eagerly: “Senior, please allow me to explain. The Celestial Court has a ‘Heavenly Star Pavilion,’ where the position of worship is revered, and duties are leisurely; Senior only needs to be a nominal member. All those enshrined in the pavilion are reclusive experts highly valued by the Celestial Court, whom ordinary forces would never dare to disturb. If Senior agrees, the Celestial Court can legitimately protect you, isolate the prying eyes of villains, and ensure your and your Disciples’ peaceful cultivation.”
Cao Cong observed Li Mu’s expression and added: “It’s just a nominal position; Senior’s actions will absolutely not be interfered with. All necessary resources, star maps, and secret pathways to Realms can be prioritized by the Heavenly Star Pavilion, saving Senior the trouble of searching. This is a token of the Celestial Court’s sincerity; we hope Senior will consider it.”
Inside the quiet room, celestial music flowed like a stream through the starlight mist.
Xue’er’s fingertips lightly tapped on her knee, as if following the rhythm. Lin Xiaolun and the other two stopped eating and all looked at Li Mu. (End of Chapter)
