Ding! You have successfully meditated and learned a Heaven-Grade High Grade Cultivation Technique - Nebula Meditation - Gathering Spirit Chapter. You have comprehended the Nebula Gathering Spirit Art.
Ding! Your Quenching Spirit Art has been fused with Nebula Meditation - Gathering Spirit Chapter. Nebula Meditation - Gathering Spirit Chapter has been upgraded to Level 1. Your Divine Soul has grown, your Divine Sense detection range has expanded by 5%, and your Divine Sense minor Divine Ability, Divine Sense Whip, has advanced to Gathering Star Strike.
Ding! Your Quenching Spirit Art has been fused with Nebula Meditation - Gathering Spirit Chapter. Nebula Meditation - Gathering Spirit Chapter has been upgraded to Level 2. Your Divine Soul has grown, your Divine Sense detection range has expanded by 8%, and your Divine Soul minor Divine Ability, Divine Soul Eternal Solidification, has advanced to Divine Soul Star Transformation.
Ding! Your Quenching Spirit Art has been fused with Nebula Meditation - Gathering Spirit Chapter. Nebula Meditation - Gathering Spirit Chapter has been upgraded to Level 3. Your Divine Soul has grown, your Divine Sense detection range has expanded by 12%, and you have comprehended a new Divine Ability - Starlight Gathering Spirit.
Li Mu looked at the log prompts and the character attribute panel, trembling slightly with excitement.
The Star Cloud Contemplation Method was a Heaven-Grade Divine Sense Cultivation Technique.
He had truly found a great bargain!
The Quenching Spirit Art had been merged into the Star Cloud Contemplation Method, simultaneously generating three new Divine Abilities.
Li Mu closed his eyes slightly and immersed his spirit into his Sea of Consciousness, immediately making a huge discovery: his Sea of Consciousness, which was originally a 'dense fog', had now transformed into a vast, boundless sea of stars. His Divine Soul had become tiny, yet its quality and potential had vastly improved.
The specks of starlight in his Sea of Consciousness were remarkably similar to the star map of the Star Cloud Contemplation Method. Each speck of starlight represented a point of Soul Power, and the endless starlight represented infinite development potential.
As expected of a Heaven-Grade Cultivation Technique, the improvement to his Divine Soul was a qualitative change, like turning heaven and earth upside down; it was incredibly sharp.
Li Mu sensed the three derived Divine Abilities: Gathering Star Strike, which condenses Divine Sense into a star point, releasing an impact force several times more powerful than the Divine Sense Whip; Divine Soul Star Transformation, which has stronger defense than Divine Soul Self-Solidification, as the Divine Soul condenses into a 'star', increasing its strength and hardness by dozens or even hundreds of times.
The third derived Divine Ability could amplify Divine Sense power by several times, gathering the starlight from the Sea of Consciousness in a short time, increasing Divine Sense by several times, or even more than ten times, with almost no side effects.
Tsk tsk!
This Divine Sense Cultivation Technique was simply tailor-made for him!
As the Profound Heaven Sword Formation's Rank increased to Level 5, he learned two new sword Formations: the Heaven Origin Sword Formation, which controls thirty-six Spiritual Artifacts, and the Azure Origin Sword Formation, which controls seventy-two Spiritual Artifacts. If he were to use third-tier Spiritual Artifacts to set up the sword Formations, Li Mu was worried that his Divine Sense would not be enough for long-term sustained use!
Now, with the appearance of this Divine Sense Cultivation Technique, the problem was fundamentally resolved.
Not to mention, after the qualitative improvement of his Divine Sense, it would greatly boost Artifact Refining, talisman drawing, Puppet refining, and so on.
Li Mu opened his eyes and looked at the character virtual panel, immediately allocating all his remaining free proficiency points to Nebula Meditation - Gathering Spirit Chapter.
Ding! You have consumed one free proficiency point. Nebula Meditation - Gathering Spirit Chapter +1.
Ding! You have consumed one free proficiency point. Nebula Meditation - Gathering Spirit Chapter +1.
...
Ding! You have consumed one free proficiency point. Nebula Meditation - Gathering Spirit Chapter proficiency +1. Nebula Meditation - Gathering Spirit Chapter has been upgraded to Level 4. Your Divine Soul has grown, your Divine Sense detection range has expanded by 18%, and you have comprehended a new Divine Ability: Gathering Star Condensing Spirit!
...
Li Mu consumed all 370,000 free proficiency points, successfully raising Nebula Meditation - Gathering Spirit Chapter to Level 4, and comprehending another new Divine Sense-type Divine Ability.
Li Mu cautiously released his Divine Sense, extending it more than ten Li outside Qingyun City. All sorts of information instantly flooded his mind: the daily lives of Qi Refining Cultivators and Foundation Establishment Cultivators in Qingyun City, the growth of plants in the mountains and forests outside the city, and various small beasts and birds living in the forest, all appeared in Li Mu's Sea of Consciousness.
In the past, if his Divine Sense had detected so much information at once, flooding his mind, Li Mu would definitely not have been able to bear it, and his Divine Soul might even have collapsed.
However, after learning the Star Observation Method, his Sea of Consciousness underwent a qualitative change, transforming into a sea of stars. Even with so much information flooding in at once, Li Mu felt no discomfort, and his Divine Soul easily withstood the impact of this information.
This was the most effective proof of the Star Cloud Contemplation Method's power and the qualitative improvement of his Divine Soul.
"Hmm! What is this?" Li Mu's Divine Sense, thirty Li outside Qingyun City, discovered a large group of Cultivators in ambush. Their cultivation was not weak; there were seven Golden Core Early Stage Cultivators, and the other dozen or so were all Foundation Establishment Peak Cultivators.
Li Mu quickly retracted his Divine Sense and opened his eyes, waking up.
Each of those Cultivators carried killing intent, clearly there to ambush someone. Since his Divine Sense had swept over them and exposed their whereabouts, Li Mu couldn't help but worry about them coming to find him.
That was in the direction of the Qingxuan Sect! Were they going to ambush a True Disciple or a Sect Elder of the Qingxuan Sect?
Li Mu frowned, a hint of unease flashing in his heart.
That group of people was thoroughly prepared, seemingly having many backup plans, looking as if they were determined to succeed. Li Mu hesitated whether to inform the other True Disciples of the Sect about this matter.
Li Mu's thoughts were no longer on the Auction; he didn't notice that the Star Cloud Contemplation Method ultimately landed in the hands of a sailor.
At this Auction, he had picked up a Rock Lizard and a Heaven-Grade High Grade Contemplation Method. Li Mu was already very satisfied and was now thinking about how to retreat safely and return to the Qingxuan Sect.
----
Thirty Li southwest of Qingyun City.
A group of Cultivators sat silently in an illusion Formation, quietly awaiting the impending battle.
"Daoist Friend Chen, did you just feel a wisp of Divine Sense sweep by, like the Divine Sense of a Nascent Soul Old Ancestor?" A gloomy-faced black-robed old man looked at the leader responsible for coordinating this mission and asked.
"It dispersed as soon as it touched; they probably didn't discover us!"
"I felt it too, but we are in the Illusory Concealment Formation, so even a Nascent Soul Old Ancestor's Divine Sense shouldn't be able to discover us!"
"The target this time didn't bring a Nascent Soul escort! It must be some old ghost passing by! Otherwise, they would have rushed over already!"
"Even if we weren't discovered, we still need to be careful and cautious. We are in the Qingxuan Sect's territory; if we really get discovered, it will be disastrous!"
...
The Golden Core cultivators discussed nervously, one by one. The wisp of Divine Sense that had just probed their hiding place made them all feel uneasy.
...
Qingyun City, inside the Wanbao Pavilion.
Gongsun Chu and all the subordinates of the Wanbao Pavilion were fully engrossed in their busy work: registering Auctions, recording Auction clients, arranging Auction items, and so on. Everyone was so busy that their feet barely touched the ground.
"Master Li, why have you come out! The Auction still has a little while before it ends!" Gongsun Chu saw Li Mu's figure and quickly signaled.
"I'm not interested in the spiritual items later in the Auction, so I won't participate. Just give me the item I bid on!" Li Mu said with a smile, returning the Auction token.
"Alright!" Gongsun Chu took Li Mu's token, probed it with her Divine Sense, and asked in surprise, "Master Li, you only bid on a Rock Lizard Yao Beast egg! Is this to prevent it from going unsold? If so, Wanbao Pavilion will be indebted to Master Li and is willing to buy it back at the original price."
"No, no! I'm sure I want this Yao Beast for other uses. Just give me that Yao Beast egg!" Li Mu quickly waved his hand, indicating.
"Uh! Xiaoyun, go fetch that fourth-tier Rock Lizard Yao Beast egg!" Gongsun Chu smiled and nodded, no longer pressing the issue. This time, the fourth-tier Spiritual Artifacts crafted by Master Li had all sold for extremely high prices, and his standing in the Wanbao Pavilion was no less than that of the Senior Elders within the pavilion.
Not to mention a fourth-tier Rock Lizard, even if it were fifth-tier or sixth-tier Yao Beasts, Gongsun Chu would find a way to get them for him.
Soon, the maid named Xiaoyun brought a Storage Pouch and handed it to Gongsun Chu.
"Master Li, besides this Yao Beast, if you need any other Yao Beasts, just say so. If we don't have them at this Auction, I'll try my best to transfer them from other shops. This time, the five Sects jointly explored and captured many young Yao Beasts with good Aptitude in the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range." Gongsun Chu personally handed the Storage Pouch to Li Mu, speaking with a spring-like smile.
Upon hearing this, Li Mu's heart stirred. He accepted the Storage Pouch and quickly instructed, "Then Li will not be polite. I still need three high-tier young beasts of Water, Fire, and Wood elements, with good Aptitude. Please trouble Gongsun Treasurer to keep an eye out for me."
"No problem! I will keep an eye out for Master Li!" Gongsun Chu smiled and nodded, then looked at Li Mu and asked curiously, "Master Li, are you trying to gather five Five Elements Yao Beasts? Do you already have one Gold and one Earth Yao Beast in your possession?"
Li Mu smiled slightly and shook his head, "No, Gongsun Treasurer is thinking too much."
"Uh! I'm sorry, Master Li, I was presumptuous!" Gongsun Chu apologized awkwardly, then asked with concern, "Master Li, are you preparing to leave? Would you like me to arrange an escort for you? Whenever an Auction is held, there are always some short-sighted people gathered outside."
"Hmm! Has Wanbao Pavilion made preparations in this regard?" Li Mu was slightly startled and asked with concern.
"Of course! The thunder spiritual ship is currently patrolling above Qingyun City, deterring petty villains. If a client requests an escort when leaving, the thunder spiritual ship will also provide an escort. Otherwise, if people are constantly being robbed halfway, how can Wanbao Pavilion's Auction continue to be held!" Gongsun Chu smiled and nodded, explaining.
"I see. In that case, I'll take a ride along!" Li Mu smiled and nodded, thinking of the Cultivators ambushing thirty Li outside the city in an illusion Formation, and prudently chose to accept.
"Alright! However, Master Li, you'll have to wait a moment until the Auction ends and you can travel with others who need an escort back to their Sect." Gongsun Chu said apologetically.
Li Mu nodded understandingly, not taking it to heart. He chatted with Gongsun Chu about some Auction insider information and patiently waited for the Auction to end.
About an hour passed.
This session of Wanbao Pavilion's Auction finally ended, and Gongsun Chu and all the managers and subordinates became even busier.
He was busy handing over spiritual items to the VIPs who had purchased them, because Wanbao Pavilion had stated before the Auction that if Spirit Stones were insufficient, other spiritual items could be used as collateral. Therefore, many Cultivators who had overbid still needed to conduct an item-for-item transaction with Wanbao Pavilion.
Li Mu patiently waited for a while, then discreetly boarded the thunder spiritual ship with several Golden Core cultivators from Qingxuan Sect, preparing to return to the Sect.
With a 'sizzle' of thunder, the thunder spiritual ship flew through the thunder, transforming into a rapid bolt of lightning, heading towards Qingxuan Sect.
On the deck of the thunder spiritual ship, Li Mu smiled slightly, pointing to a hidden spot in the forest below, and gestured to Chief Manager Wan, who was escorting them, saying, "Chief Manager Wan, look below, is that an illusion Formation?"
Chief Manager Wan quickly transmitted a Divine Sense message, instructing Captain Lei, who was piloting the thunder spiritual ship, to "Captain Lei, reduce the ship's speed and quietly approach."
Then, he extended his Divine Sense in the direction Li Mu indicated.
His Divine Sense penetrated the illusion Formation, and Chief Manager Wan's expression changed dramatically.
"It is indeed an illusion Formation, True Disciple Lin. Inside that illusion Formation, there is a group of Cultivators with malicious intent. What do you think we should do?" Chief Manager Wan turned to Lin Changfeng, a True Disciple of Qingxuan Sect, and asked.
After all, Qingxuan Sect was the local power in this area. If they were to use the thunder spiritual ship to attack them, out of courtesy, they should at least ask for their opinion first.
"I see them! They are indeed a group of ill-intentioned fellows. Chief Manager Wan, please trouble your pavilion's spiritual ship to blast these scoundrels out of the illusion Formation. Lin and my Junior Brothers will go down and deal with them. How dare they target our Qingxuan Sect?" Lin Changming let out a cold laugh and decided.
After speaking, Lin Changming surprisingly glanced at Li Mu. From such a distance, even these Golden Core cultivators hadn't discovered that illusion Formation, yet it was pinpointed by a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, which made him look at Li Mu in a new light.
"Good!" Chief Manager Wan nodded with a smile, then transmitted a Divine Sense message, instructing Captain Lei, who was piloting the thunder spiritual ship.
Soon, the thunder spiritual ship turned its direction, and blue electric snakes gathered on its hull, rapidly concentrating at the bow.
With a 'sizzle!', there was a bolt of lightning from a clear sky.
A blue lightning snake, several zhang thick, struck down, precisely covering the illusion Formation in the forest below.
With a loud 'boom', the illusion Formation shattered, revealing the true situation inside. Disheveled figures flew out, and many unlucky individuals directly fell to the ground, feigning death.
The lightning spell released by the thunder spiritual ship not only broke the illusion Formation but also caused many casualties on the spot.
"How dare you set up a Formation to ambush us on Qingxuan Sect's territory? Are you tired of living!" Lin Changming watched the Golden Core figures being blasted out, then led his fellow Disciples down from the thunder spiritual ship, seizing the opportunity to capture them.
Soon, the Golden Core cultivators of Qingxuan Sect and the Golden Core rogue Cultivators engaged in fierce combat. Sword Qi surged, and spells exploded with thunderous roars, making the battle scene quite explosive.
Li Mu released his Divine Sense, observing the battle scene of the 'Golden Core Seniors', with no intention of leaving the thunder spiritual ship to participate in the fight.
Seeing this, Chief Manager Wan, who was standing beside Li Mu, couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Master Li was their Wanbao Pavilion's treasure. Even if he was already an Artifact Refining Elder of Qingxuan Sect, it was best for him to stay honestly on the thunder spiritual ship and watch the battle.
Suddenly suffering a lightning strike from the thunder spiritual ship, most of the rogue Cultivators were killed or injured, and each of them bore wounds.
As the battle progressed, the scales of victory rapidly tilted towards the Golden Core cultivators of Qingxuan Sect.
Watching the battle below, Li Mu was slightly surprised because most of the Spiritual Artifacts used by the Golden Core cultivators of Qingxuan Sect were refined by him.
This made Li Mu feel a bit strange, despite his joy.
"I thought it was someone else, but it turns out to be the White Corpse Old Monster of the Corpse Refinement Sect! Hahahaha, I'll take this head!" Lin Changming laughed heartily, cut off the head of his dying opponent with a sword, and gained a quite valuable head.
"Lin, your Qingxuan Sect won't last much longer! I'll be waiting for you in Hell!" The White Corpse Old Monster's head, though severed, did not die immediately. His body exploded, releasing a large cloud of black yin mist, and he roared unwillingly as he lunged at Lin Changming.
Lin Changming remained unhurried, waving his large hand to conjure a large patch of True Essence Spiritual Fire, which, with a 'boom', annihilated the black yin mist that had rushed towards him.
Concluding the battle there, Lin Changming waved his hand to retrieve the Storage Pouch from the White Corpse Old Monster, then turned to assist a fellow Disciple who was struggling in combat. The two of them combined their efforts to quickly resolve the battle.
In less than a quarter of an hour, the surviving rogue Cultivators all met their demise in the Yellow Springs. The Golden Core cultivators of Qingxuan Sect, with smiles on their faces, were filled with the joy of a bountiful harvest. This battle had brought them unexpected wealth.
"This is your share. If it weren't for your early discovery, we wouldn't have had this unexpected gain."
After the battle, Lin Changfeng led his fellow Disciples back to the thunder spiritual ship, smiling as he handed Li Mu a Storage Pouch, generously rewarding him.
"Mm! Thank you, Senior Brother Lin!" Li Mu smiled slightly, accepting the Storage Pouch without politeness. What he was thinking about was the words the White Corpse Old Monster had spoken before his death, which were so confident that they didn't seem like random ramblings.
"Which Ling Peak's Disciple are you? How did you discover that illusion Formation?"
"Indeed, are you a Formation Cultivator?"
Several Golden Core cultivators gathered around, examining Li Mu and asking curiously.
"I am a Disciple of Hundred Refinements Peak. I have studied Formation for some time and happened to recognize this Formation!" Li Mu smiled slightly, responding neither humbly nor arrogantly.
Li Mu looked at Lin Changming and asked curiously, "Senior Brother Lin, that old ghost's tone just now was quite certain. Is the Sect's current situation very bad?"
Upon hearing this, several Golden Core cultivators frowned simultaneously, displeased by Li Mu's presumptuous question as a Foundation Establishment Disciple.
Lin Changming also frowned. Calling him Senior Brother as a Foundation Establishment Cultivator was already impolite, and asking him questions in such a manner showed a lack of respect for hierarchy.
"It's alright! No need to pay attention to him." Lin Changming did not directly answer Li Mu's question, saying lightly.
Seeing Li Mu being looked down upon by his fellow Golden Core cultivators, Chief Manager Wan cleared his throat and quickly introduced, "True Disciple Lin, this is Master Li, our pavilion's Artifact Refining Guest Elder, who should also be your Sect's Artifact Refining Elder, Elder Li."
"What! You are Elder Li!"
"So that's it, I was wondering why Wanbao Pavilion treated you so favorably, so you are Elder Li!"
"Lingfeng greets Elder Li!"
"Elder Li, this Wind Chasing Spiritual Sword in my hand was refined by you!"
"Elder Li, you live on Yue Qiong Peak, right? I visited before, but I was turned away!"
The Golden Core cultivators gathered around Li Mu, greeting him enthusiastically, their attitudes changing from their previous aloofness and coldness.
Li Mu, in the midst of the crowd, gave Chief Manager Wan a resentful look. This guy was too meddlesome. With so many Golden Core cultivators pestering him within the Sect, how could he live a peaceful life?
Noticing Li Mu's gaze, Chief Manager Wan finally came to his senses and returned an apologetic, awkward smile.
"Elder Li, please forgive Lin's oversight just now. The Sect's current situation is indeed somewhat dire. Under the mediation of the Upper Sect, Xuantian Sword Sect, our Sect and four other Sects have jointly opened up the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range, falling into a bitter battle. The front line has been stretched, but then, Disciples of the Nine Demon Sect have invaded our Sect's hinterland, causing multiple disturbances and killing our Outer Sect Disciples, leading to the Sect being exhausted in coping, with a slight shortage of manpower!" Lin Changming looked at Li Mu, apologized, and explained in detail.
After a pause, Lin Changming continued to explain, "However, that White Corpse Old Monster's words were merely the resentful delusions of a dying man. Elder Li, there's no need to worry. Our Qingxuan Sect still has several Grand Elders guarding it, and there's a great mountain-protecting Formation laid out by the Sect Ancestors. If the Nine Demon Sect dares to attack our Sect's spiritual mountain, they will only be courting death."
"I see! Thank you, Senior Brother Lin, for clarifying!" Li Mu nodded thankfully, gaining a much better understanding of Qingxuan Sect's general situation.
Senior Brother Yun, who left in a hurry last time, hasn't returned to the Sect since. He must be contributing to the Sect, right?
"Elder Li, the Sect is in need of people now. In a few days, I will be heading to the pioneering front line. However, I was unable to purchase satisfactory spiritual swords and defensive artifacts at Wanbao Pavilion this time. Could I entrust Elder Li to refine some for me?" Lin Changming looked at Li Mu with a greatly excited expression and asked.
"Yes! We and Senior Brother Lin are going to serve the Sect together. Please, Elder Li, for the sake of fellow Disciples, help us refine a batch of Spiritual Artifacts!"
"Elder Li, please!"
The Golden Core cultivators surrounded Li Mu, their gazes fervent, and pleaded one after another.
Hearing this, Li Mu squinted sideways at Chief Manager Wan, his gaze filled with resentment.
At this point, Chief Manager Wan finally understood why Li Mu had kept a low profile within the Sect; the Golden Core cultivators originally didn't even recognize 'Elder Li'.
Chief Manager Wan returned a bitter smile. He had spoken out earlier because he felt the Golden Core cultivators were too rude to Master Li, so he had offered advice. Alas! He had truly tried to do good but ended up doing harm.
"All Senior Brothers, I am truly sorry, but Elder Yin and I already have a prior agreement. If you need Li to help with Artifact Refining, you can just apply to him. All Artifact Refining tasks within the Sect go through Elder Yin, so there's no way for me to take private tasks." Li Mu looked at the Golden Core cultivators apologetically, politely declining.
"But Elder Yin said you were in seclusion and not planning to take Artifact Refining tasks in the short term!" A Golden Core Disciple said bluntly, with a dissatisfied expression.
"Yes! I plan to go into seclusion for a period recently to break through to the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment. If you Senior Brothers need Li to refine artifacts, wait until I come out of seclusion early next year. I will definitely take them then!" Li Mu looked at the Golden Core Disciples, revealing the news in advance as he replied.
"In that case, we'll apply at the beginning of next year! We hope Elder Li successfully comes out of seclusion."
Lin Changming also heard the determination in Li Mu's tone and could only speak to appease everyone.
"It can only be this way!"
"That's good too, I'll use this time to collect all the Materials for Artifact Refining!"
The Golden Core Disciples nodded one after another, all preparing to gather their Artifact Refining Materials, waiting to apply for Elder Li's Artifact Refining quota next year.