After weighing the pros and cons, Li Mu decided to leave the Qingxuan Sect for a period, first visiting Huanlang Spiritual Mountain to explore the ancient Cultivator's Immortal Cave, then going deep into the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range to capture two more high-tier Five Elements Yao Beast cubs, and finally, embarking on various adventures.
The Southern Spirit Continent is so vast that finding a suitable Spiritual Mountain for cultivation should not be difficult; he could travel around and explore, there was no need to stay tied to the Qingxuan Sect.
However, before that, Li Mu still needed to refine a batch of Spiritual Artifacts, as several of his defensive Spiritual Artifacts were destroyed during his battle with Tianjue Demon Venerable.
Li Mu searched through his nine storage spiritual pearl and found that he had plenty of high-tier Materials suitable for refining several defensive Spiritual Artifacts.
He acted on his thoughts immediately.
The next day, Li Mu went to the Contribution Hall to exchange for Yao Beast souls and Artifact Refining Materials.
Then, Li Mu plunged into the Artifact Refining Room.
The Xing Yu Meteorite Crystal possessed several unique properties—extreme hardness, immense weight, and spirit-repelling—making it incredibly difficult to refine.
With the aid of the Heavenly Void Spirit Fire, Li Mu spent two days refining this six-tier Xing Yu Meteorite Crystal, five-tier Ruyi Crystal, and the Illusion Crystal Spirit Soil into a mountain-shaped Artifact embryo.
Then, with the assistance of Little White, he fused a four-tier earth-elemental Ton Earth Yao Beast soul into it to condense the Artifact patterns.
“Clang, clang…” Amidst a series of urgent hammering sounds, the small mountain-shaped Spiritual Artifact emitted a dull gray spiritual light, and Artifact patterns condensed one after another on the ‘mountain body’ surface, then disappeared into the ‘mountain body’.
...
Inside the Artifact Refining Room, Li Mu circled the ‘mountain-shaped Spiritual Artifact’ suspended in mid-air, repeatedly striking it with his Spirit Hammer, condensing twenty Artifact patterns onto it.
Finally, the mountain-shaped Spiritual Artifact gathered its spiritual light and instantly transformed into a small Ton Earth Beast, roaring skyward, declaring that it had become an Artifact Spirit and achieved Rebirth.
Li Mu, looking fatigued, put away his Spirit Hammer, a joyful smile involuntarily appearing on his face.
【Unnamed (Earth)】
【Grade: Five-tier Spiritual Artifact】
【Properties: Size as desired, Mount Tai Suppressing Peak, Ton Beast Soul Suppression, Spirit Repulsion without Trace】
【A five-tier High Grade Spiritual Artifact refined with Xing Yu Meteorite Crystal as the base, combined with Ruyi Crystal and Illusion Crystal Spirit Soil, and refined by Tribulation Infant Thunderfire. It weighs a million jin and can change size as desired, with a high probability of advancing to a six-tier spirit treasure.】
His Talent Divine Power - Identify Myriad Spirits took effect, and the attributes of the mountain-shaped Spirit Treasure appeared in the character's virtual frame. Li Mu couldn't help but smile with joy, his delight evident.
It resembled a small metal mountain, entirely black, radiating a cold metallic luster, and was only the size of Li Mu's palm, yet it contained extremely terrifying energy.
Li Mu concentrated his Divine Sense and true Qi into it, intending to refine this defensive Spiritual Artifact.
Sensing the ‘familiar’ aura, the Artifact Spirit, the Ton Beast, immediately became obedient and accepted Li Mu’s refinement without any resistance.
Having successfully refined this Spiritual Artifact, Li Mu held it in one hand. He felt a sense of connection; the ‘small mountain’ in his palm was as light as a feather, but if released, it would weigh nearly a million jin.
“Let’s call this defensive Spiritual Artifact ‘Mount Tai’!”
Li Mu gleefully named this defensive Magic Treasure. Not daring to test its power in the Artifact Refining Room, he stored it within his body and continued to refine the next Spiritual Artifact.
Mount Tai, as a Spiritual Artifact, could be used for both offense and defense due to its immense weight. Li Mu needed to refine another type of defensive Spiritual Artifact to increase his defensive capabilities.
Li Mu already had an idea in mind. Besides Five Elements spiritual Materials, his nine storage spiritual pearl also contained many high-tier lightning-attributed spiritual Materials, more than enough to refine an acceleration-type defensive Spiritual Artifact.
Five-tier Azure Thunder Crystal, five-tier Illusion Thunder Cloud Silk, five-tier Ruyi Crystal, …
He selected several of the highest-grade lightning-attributed spiritual items, and under the tempering of the Tribulation Infant Thunderfire, they rapidly fused into one.
Li Mu performed the Divine Refinement Spirit Fusion Method, shaping the Artifact embryo to resemble a pair of Thunder Wings, similar to those of a Thunder Roc, successfully condensing the Artifact embryo form.
A pair of miniature Thunder Wings Artifact embryos condensed and formed in the Artifact Refining furnace.
Li Mu took out another container holding the soul of a four-tier Thunder Eagle Yao Beast, manipulating it with his Divine Sense to fuse it into the Artifact embryo.
Under Little White’s full burst of true Qi, the originally unruly Thunder Eagle soul was completely suppressed and obediently fused into the wing-shaped Artifact embryo.
Next, condensing the Artifact patterns!
...
Time flew by, and in the blink of an hour, it was gone.
Inside the Artifact Refining Room, thunder rumbled, and a flash of lightning flickered as Li Mu's entire figure darted out of the Artifact Refining Room.
At this moment, Li Mu had already restrained his aura, disguising himself as an ordinary person. However, a pair of purple Thunder Wings were attached to his back, and the previous lightning flash was driven by the Thunder Wings.
“Retract,” Li Mu thought.
The purple Thunder Wings growing on his back automatically shrank and vanished in a blink of an eye.
Li Mu extended his right hand with satisfaction, and a pair of miniature Thunder Wings transformed into a Thunder Eagle, drawing a graceful arc in the air before landing directly on Li Mu's palm.
Li Mu named this Artifact the eagle thunder wings.
【eagle thunder wings】
【Grade: Five-tier Medium Grade Spirit Treasure】
【Properties: Size as desired, Travel with Thunder, Wings for Protection, Myriad Thunder Feathers】
【A Thunder Wings Spirit Treasure refined using Azure Thunder Crystal, Illusion Thunder Cloud Silk, Ruyi Crystal, etc. It can change size as desired, possesses acute Eagle Spirit, and offers extremely strong protection to its master.】
Looking at the Thunder Wings' attribute description in the character's virtual frame, Li Mu was utterly satisfied with this defensive Spiritual Artifact. With its enhancement, he could practically fly through the air without consuming any energy, and at the same time, it was an excellent Magic Treasure for offense, defense, and flight.
To harm him, one would first have to overcome the Thunder Wings. Li Mu's satisfaction with this wing-type Magic Treasure was no less than that with Mount Tai.
Five days passed in a flash. Li Mu focused entirely on Artifact Refining, and the Qingxuan Sect, after the battle, had already returned to order.
Tianxuan Peak, the plaza near the Ascension Tower, was exceptionally lively.
Disciples arriving and departing on their swords, in an endless stream; some rode gourds, some rode large dice Spirit Treasures, some rode immortal cranes, and even some rode flying palanquins. Tens of thousands of Foundation Establishment Disciples gathered here, creating a bizarre and colorful scene.
Below the hundred-zhang high tower, the crowd was densest, with hundreds of stalls set up by Foundation Establishment Cultivators around the plaza.
“Senior Sister, don’t leave! I still have a two-tier Heavenly Shield Talisman here, which can block one attack from a Late Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator and ensure your safety on the next floor!”
“Two-tier High Grade True Spirit Pill! No pill poison, highly effective for restoring spiritual energy, and enhances stamina! Only 50 medium spirit stones per pill!”
...
Those selling Spirit Pills, those selling Spiritual Artifacts, those selling young spiritual beast pets... the cries of vendors and calls to customers rose and fell, creating a bustling atmosphere.
Li Mu arrived by flying, not heading to the Ascension Tower, but rather, by invitation, flying to a hidden Immortal Cave behind the Ascension Tower on Tianxuan Peak. Venerable Qingfeng, one of the Grand Elders of the Qingxuan Sect, resided there in seclusion.
“Elder Feng, Li has arrived as invited!” Li Mu landed in front of the Immortal Cave and greeted him.
“Elder Li, quickly, quickly, please come in. It’s an honor for Elder Li to personally make the trip; I apologize for the inconvenience.” As soon as Li Mu finished speaking, Venerable Qingfeng appeared before him and warmly welcomed him.
The mist array dissipated, revealing an ancient pavilion standing by the cliffside. On the stone table, wisps of hot steam rose from the teacups, diffusing the aroma of tea.
“Elder Li, please take a seat. I’ve just brewed a pot of White Eyebrow Spirit Tea, which we can enjoy while we chat.” Venerable Qingfeng warmly invited Li Mu to sit down, greeting him courteously.
“Hmm, then I shall impose!” Li Mu smiled and nodded, taking a seat in the tea pavilion with Venerable Qingfeng. His main purpose today was to bid farewell to Venerable Qingfeng.
“Elder Li, please, this five-tier White Eyebrow Spirit Tea is exceptionally rare and has the effect of assisting in comprehending the Great Dao. Please partake.” Venerable Qingfeng gestured to Li Mu, indicating the teacup.
“Thank you, Elder Feng, for your hospitality; it’s a pleasure to drink!” Li Mu smiled, raised his teacup, and thanked him gratefully.
After speaking, Li Mu drank the Spirit Tea in the cup in one gulp. The next moment, the White Eyebrow Spirit Tea entered his abdomen, transforming into a hundred spiritual streams that surged into his Baihui acupoint, upper Dantian, etc. Li Mu immediately felt his mind clear, and in a flash, he understood many things, his thoughts becoming unobstructed.
“Excellent, good tea, even better than Qingxu Spirit Tea.” Li Mu nodded in appreciation.
“Isn’t it! Haha, Elder Li, if you like it, I’ll give you some later.” Venerable Qingfeng laughed heartily and said happily.
“No need to be polite, Elder Feng. This time, Li has come to bid farewell!” Li Mu smiled slightly, stating his purpose.
Hearing this, Venerable Qingfeng frowned, asking in confusion, “Elder Li, if you wish to live in seclusion and not concern yourself with worldly affairs, I can simply instruct my Disciples not to disturb you. Why must you leave the Qingxuan Sect?”
“No, no, Elder Feng misunderstands. I plan to travel the continent to broaden my horizons. It’s certainly not an intention to leave the Qingxuan Sect. However, I previously offended Fire Tian Venerable of the Shanhe Sect, and now my whereabouts are exposed. If he comes looking for me, it would be difficult for the Qingxuan Sect to explain, so it’s better to leave early.” Li Mu smiled, stating his reasons frankly.
“This… Elder Li, you have shown great kindness to my Qingxuan Sect…” Venerable Qingfeng sighed, not knowing what to say.
“Elder Feng, there’s no need for this. The Qingxuan Sect and I have a deep connection. The mountains are high and the waters long; we shall meet again if fate allows.” Li Mu smiled and indicated.
“It can only be so! Elder Li, I hope that if the Qingxuan Sect ever faces difficulties in the future, you will, for the sake of our past connection, continue to lend a helping hand.” Venerable Qingfeng nodded, looking at Li Mu with heartfelt hope.
“I will!” Li Mu thought for a moment, smiled, and nodded in agreement, then bid farewell to Venerable Qingfeng and flew away.
Venerable Qingfeng watched Li Mu's departing figure, his gaze quite complex, deeply envying Li Mu's unburdened, carefree spirit, unhindered by Sect or family ties.