Emperor Qian Yuan’s gaze was like a torch, fixed on Li Mu: “Dao Friend Li, do you know the whereabouts of the Deva Race’s Origin? Rather than waiting, it’s better to take the initiative, completely eliminate them, and put an end to future troubles.”
Li Mu pondered for a moment, then shook his head and said, “The Three Thousand Main Realms, the trillion sub-Realms, and the Chaos are boundless.
The Realm where the Deva Race hides is like a drop in the ocean, difficult to trace.
Only when they appear can there be clues.
Their tentacles were severed during this invasion of the Great Qian Immortal Realm, and their power was damaged.
In Li’s opinion, the Deva Race will likely go into Hibernation and retreat, making another invasion in the short term extremely unlikely.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the tension in the hall eased slightly.
Blood Slaughter Divine Lord’s knuckles relaxed slightly, and Sword Cultivator Ancestor’s taut shoulders also eased a bit.
Under Kushan Buddhist Lord’s lowered eyelids, a subtle hint of relief was imperceptibly revealed.
The heavy stone in everyone’s hearts fell, and they all secretly let out a sigh of relief.
The Emperor’s majestic face also softened: “That is excellent.
This time, Dao Friend Li has worked hard and turned the tide.
Please return to your residence to rest and recover your Origin Qi first.”
Li Mu nodded: “Thank you, Emperor.”
Li Mu’s figure dissipated from the Immortal Court, and the next moment, the wind and clouds stilled at the entrance of Jingyuan Valley.
Three thousand Disciples stood in formation like ink, Tie Tou stood tall at the very front, Lin Xiaolun pursed her lips tightly, and Da Niu’s fists were clenched tightly.
Thousands of gazes were intensely fixed on the suddenly appearing green figure in the sky.
Li Mu’s gaze swept over the familiar yet young faces, and he spoke calmly, his voice piercing the silence of the valley: “The Dao Seeds within your bodies have been retrieved by me; our master-Disciple relationship is now severed.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the bodies of the three thousand Disciples trembled violently, the color instantly drained from their faces, and astonishment, confusion, and even a hint of panic spread through the crowd.
A deathly silence enveloped them, even their breathing stopped.
Lin Xiaolun suddenly stepped forward, sending gravel flying, her eyes red, and she said firmly: “The Dao Seed was given by Teacher!
Retrieving it is Teacher’s business!
In my heart, you will always be Teacher!
Once a Disciple, always a Disciple for life!”
“Once a Teacher, always a Teacher!” Tie Tou roared like thunder, his hair standing on end.
“Once a Teacher, always a Teacher!” Da Niu followed with a roar, shaking the surroundings.
“Once a Teacher, always a Teacher—!!!”
Three thousand throats erupted in a mountain-toppling, sea-overwhelming roar, the sound waves rolling and rushing towards the sky, making the valley hum.
Li Mu stood still like a mountain, his gaze sweeping over Lin Xiaolun’s stubborn, tearful eyes, Tie Tou’s bulging veins in his neck, Da Niu’s tightly clenched, slightly trembling fists, and the burning, undeniable flame in the eyes of the three thousand Disciples.
No explanation, no reprimand.
Li Mu nodded slightly, indicating: “Very well!
Now that the great tribulation has been resolved, you may all disperse and cultivate diligently, striving to reach the Great Dao as soon as possible.”
Li Mu’s gaze was calm as he swept over everyone, saying nothing more.
Tie Tou straightened his back, the bulging veins on his neck slowly receding, and bowed, saying: “Disciple obeys!
Teacher, take care!”
Lin Xiaolun’s last spark of fire receded into the depths of her eyes.
She also bowed deeply to the green-robed back, and when she straightened up, her eyes were calm as she respectfully said: “Disciple obeys, Teacher, please take care.”
Da Niu blinked hard, suppressing the surging emotions.
He imitated Tie Tou and Lin Xiaolun, cupped his fists and bowed, and said in a booming voice: “I’ll listen to Teacher!
Teacher, please take good care of yourself!”
“Disciples obey!”
The three thousand Disciples, with precise movements, all bowed in unison.
After the ceremony, no one spoke further, no one lingered, and they all transformed into streaks of light, dispersing in various directions.
…
In the Great Qian Imperial Palace, the strong Cultivators who sensed this scene all breathed a sigh of relief.
Three thousand Mahayana Cultivators gathered together were an extremely terrifying force; now that they had dispersed, they were pleased to see it.
Emperor Qian Yuan’s face remained calm, but an invisible giant stone quietly fell from his heart.
Blood Slaughter Divine Lord’s fingers completely relaxed their last bit of tension, and a barely perceptible curve even appeared at the corner of his mouth.
Sword Cultivator Ancestor’s sharp aura retracted, returning to a profound stillness.
Under Kushan Buddhist Lord’s lowered eyelids, that hint of relief finally turned into a state of ancient, unmoving calm.
The atmosphere in the hall completely eased.
However, upon remembering Li Mu’s formidable strength, the strong Cultivators fell into silence once more.
That invisible pressure did not dissipate with Li Mu’s departure; instead, it weighed heavily on everyone’s hearts.
Powerful and immeasurable, Li Mu’s very existence was an unsheathed sword hanging above the Great Qian Immortal Realm.
Today he could slay the Deva Race, but one day…
The Emperor’s gaze swept over the strong Cultivators in the hall, and he admonished: “Dao Friend Li is focused on quiet cultivation, and the tribulation in our Realm has temporarily subsided.
My lords, each of you attend to your duties, strengthen the boundary patrols, and do not be negligent.”
“We respectfully obey the Emperor’s decree.”
The strong Cultivators responded in unison, their voices echoing in the grand hall.
Li Mu turned and stepped into Jingyuan Valley, closing his eyes to cultivate and sort out the Chaos Laws.
Inside the valley, all was silent.
The wind ceased, and the clouds stilled.
Li Mu sat cross-legged in the Void Realm, his aura as deep and solid as an abyss.
Inside his body, the Chaos Dao power churned like boiling water, yet also like countless stars colliding, chaotic, violent, and mutually destructive.
Within his Sea of Consciousness, the roots of the Chaotic Dao Tree had long since pierced through the bottom layer of the Sea of Consciousness, embedding themselves deep into the unknown Void Realm.
Its main trunk was gnarled like a Dragon, its bark rough like ancient rock, flowing with a dark, shifting luster like a galaxy; its branches and leaves were lush, each leaf resembling a nascent Chaos Universe, flickering on and off, enacting the profound truth of creation and destruction.
This colossal tree stood majestically, almost occupying the entire Sea of Consciousness space, emitting an ancient, vast aura that encompassed all things, yet also carried a primitive Chaos and disorder.
It was the foundation for Li Mu’s entry into the Kind Dao Realm, and also the manifestation of the initial formation of the Chaotic Great Dao.
However, this tree also became a shackles.
Each time the Dao Tree absorbed a wisp of Chaos Origin, its branches and leaves would extend a bit, and the scenes of universal creation and destruction it bore would become more complex.
Countless subtle Law chains spontaneously derived, collided, intertwined, and annihilated within the veins of its branches and leaves.
These Laws should have been the cornerstone for Li Mu’s advancement on the Great Dao.
The Chaotic Dao Tree’s current achievement was forged by absorbing the Origin of Strange Dao.
The Origin of Strange Dao was like strong wine, once causing it to grow wildly, but now that the intoxicating effect had worn off, only a parched throat remained.
The road ahead was vast, and the Great Dao was like an abyss.
Li Mu was submerged in Chaos, oblivious to day and night, his mind fluctuating between the Dao Tree’s shackles and the Epiphany of the vast Chaotic Great Dao, without light or shadow.
Only the roar of colliding Dao power within his body and the Law chains between the branches and leaves of the Dao Tree in his Sea of Consciousness formed an eternal backdrop.
It was in this almost solidified state of oblivion that a faint, yet incredibly clear tremor suddenly emanated from the long-dormant spirit control treasure bracelet on Li Mu’s left wrist!
This tremor was like a stone dropped into an ancient well, instantly stirring up a thousand ripples in Li Mu’s almost desolate mind.
His sinking consciousness was suddenly pulled out of the abyss by an invisible hand, the chaotic mist instantly dissipated, and clarity reappeared!
“Not good!” Li Mu’s heart tightened.
He had actually kept Xue’er and Xiaobai trapped within the bracelet for so long!
Guilt surged like a tide.
Li Mu’s thoughts raced, and two streaks of light shot out from the spirit control treasure bracelet, landing in the Chaos Void Realm.
The light dissipated, revealing two figures.
The first was a woman in white, graceful and slender, none other than Xue’er.
The moment she appeared, her exquisite face instantly turned pale, her delicate brows furrowed tightly, and her pure Snow Spirit Qi fluctuated violently.
Her ice-blue eyes looked at Li Mu with a hint of alarm and deep concern.
The nine fluffy fox tails hidden behind her materialized, slightly tensing, revealing instinctive unease and resistance.
On her shoulder, a palm-sized, crystal-clear small spirit insect, Xiaobai, was perched.
The moment it touched the Chaos aura, its translucent carapace glowed with fine golden light in response.
It clung tightly to Xue’er’s clothes with both hands, its round eyes wide, staring at its master with vigilance and a hint of confusion.
Its master also seemed to be shrouded in a layer of Chaos that made it feel extremely uneasy, making it feel very unreal.
Seeing this, Li Mu quickly restrained his aura, and his Chaos Dao Body instantly retracted, restoring his original eyes.
“Squeak!”
Xiaobai, seeing its familiar master, perked up and, without hesitation, pounced onto Li Mu, nuzzling its head affectionately against his neck.
Xue’er took a deep breath, her ice-blue eyes fixed on Li Mu, who had returned to his normal state.
She forced a smile to her lips, her voice clear yet carrying an imperceptible tremor: “Li Dage, congratulations on advancing further in your cultivation!”
Xue’er’s words sounded exceptionally clear and also exceptionally thin in the silent valley.
The nine taut, fluffy fox tails behind her did not immediately relax; instead, they swayed slightly behind her unconsciously, like flags sensing a storm.
Xue’er clearly sensed a wisp of indescribable, ancient vastness and Chaos, as if from the end of the Great Dao, intertwined deep within Li Mu’s familiar aura.
This aura caused her Snow Spirit Origin to instinctively contract and become wary.
Li Mu looked at Xue’er’s pale face and the deep worry hidden in her eyes, and the wave of guilt in his heart suddenly weighed heavily.
He reached out and gently stroked her hair as usual.
Xue’er’s shoulder stiffened imperceptibly, then she forced herself to relax, allowing Li Mu’s fingers to rest at her temples.
The warmth from his fingertips was still there, but beneath that warmth, a cold depth, difficult to reach, seemed to be hidden.
Xue’er lowered her eyelids, her long lashes casting a small shadow beneath her eyes, and her voice was as light as a sigh: “Li Dage’s Dao rhyme… is a little different.”
What Xue’er didn’t say was that the difference made her feel strange, and also a hint of coldness, as if she were separated by a thousand miles.
Li Mu’s figure, sitting cross-legged in the Void Realm, his aura as profound as an abyss, the churning Chaos Dao power around him, and the towering Dao Tree in his Sea of Consciousness, which occupied everything and emitted a primitive chaotic aura… all of this was like an invisible chasm, spanning between them.
Li Mu, focused on the Chaotic Great Dao, seemed to be gradually devouring the warmth that once belonged to “Li Mu,” including her, his deeply connected Dao Companion.
All of this was so real, and Xue’er felt incredibly helpless.
Xiaobai seemed completely unaware of the subtle atmosphere.
It nestled in Li Mu’s neck, emitting a satisfied “squeak” and rubbing its small head more enthusiastically.
Its pure and fervent attachment dispelled its earlier unease.
Li Mu seemed to have noticed Xue’er’s worry and quickly comforted her: “Xue’er, don’t overthink it.
Even if I achieve the Great Dao, I will not abandon you!”
“I believe you, Li Dage.” Xue’er nodded, the worry in her ice-blue eyes slightly dissipating due to Li Mu’s comfort.
She looked at Li Mu and asked inquiringly: “Li Dage, what Realm are you… in now?
Has that Deva Race tribulation been resolved?”
Li Mu looked at Xue’er’s eyes, as clear as an ice lake, and responded with a smile: “I have already broken through the Kind Dao Realm; the Kind Dao Realm has been reached.”
Xue’er nodded slightly, as if it was within her expectations, yet also as if her heart sank under the weight of those three words.
She gently took a breath, and an ice-like aura flowed around her, attempting to dispel that invisible pressure.
“That Deva Race tribulation…” Xue’er looked at Li Mu and continued to ask.
“It has been resolved!” Li Mu replied with a smile, then his gaze deepened slightly, and he said with regret: “But the hidden danger has not been eliminated, and unfortunately, their whereabouts are unknown.”
As Li Mu’s words fell, the valley became even more silent.
Xue’er’s shoulders relaxed slightly, and her taut fox tails also drooped a bit, but the worry in her eyes did not completely dissipate.
Xue’er took a step forward and rested her head on Li Mu’s shoulder, asking with concern: “Li Dage, this Deva Race seems to be specifically targeting you.
Last time the Demon Spirit Realm, this time the Great Qian Immortal Realm.
Will they make a comeback?
Should we flee?”
Li Mu felt the weight on his shoulder, and Xue’er’s cool hair brushed against him.
He embraced her and smiled slightly, indicating: “Flee? No need.”
Xue’er looked up, her ice-blue eyes reflecting Li Mu’s calm face.
“The Deva Race’s Dao Origin has been refined by the Chaotic Dao Tree, helping me advance to the Kind Dao Realm.” Li Mu’s eyes swirled with a faint Chaos light, and he smiled, indicating: “If they dare to come again, it will save me the trouble of searching for them.”
Xue’er was slightly stunned, looking at the unfamiliar, almost indifferent sharpness in his eyes, and that hint of worry quietly spread in her heart again.
Xue’er leaned back on his shoulder, silent for a moment, then whispered: “Li Dage, do you mean… the Deva Race has lost all their Dao Origin and is severely weakened?”
“That’s right.” Li Mu’s fingertips brushed Xue’er’s cool hair, and he nodded with a smile.
His gaze met Xue’er’s, and a nearly imperceptible warmth flashed deep in his eyes, then was immediately covered by the depth of Chaos, indicating: “Dao Origin is their foundation.
Losing their Dao Origin is like severing their lifeblood; even if there are remnants, they are not to be feared.
If they wish to recover, it will take a long time.
During this period…”
Li Mu paused slightly, a subtle curve appearing at the corner of his mouth, and indicated: “It’s time for me to go find them.”
“Find them?” Xue’er was startled.
That terrifying Deva Race.
“The Chaotic Great Dao restrains the Strange Dao.
If I wish to continue advancing, they are excellent kindling for the Dao!” Li Mu explained with a smile, then added: “Unfortunately, the Deva Race’s whereabouts are mysterious and they hide extremely deeply.
In the Three Thousand Main Realms and myriad other Realms, finding their whereabouts will likely not be easy!”
After a pause, Li Mu’s eyes flashed with the color of Chaos, and he added: “Since the Chaotic Dao Tree was forged from the Origin of Strange Dao, it has an unbreakable Karma connection with the Deva Race.
Although it is a shackles now, it is also a beacon.
Once I stabilize my Realm and thoroughly sort out the power of the Dao Tree, I might be able to follow this Karma and definitely find clues to their hiding place.”
Upon hearing this, Xue’er’s mind was slightly startled, and she said with some concern: “Li Dage, the Chaotic Great Dao you cultivate, how… how is it somewhat similar to the Deva Race’s World Devouring Dao!”
“Similar!
Perhaps!
The end of the Three Thousand Great Daos, different paths lead to the same destination!”
Li Mu was slightly startled, his brows furrowed tightly, and he reached out to gently stroke Xue’er’s cool hair, his movements still soft, and he said nothing more.
Xue’er nodded and also remained silent.
…
The Void Realm was silent, with only the Chaos aura flowing soundlessly.
Xiaobai burrowed into Li Mu’s neck, letting out a faint snore.
(End of this chapter)
