Kun Yuan Venerable fell silent, recalling the battle just now. He slowly got up, walked out of the pavilion, and looked at the bright moon hanging in the sky, appearing deeply troubled.
“Actually… during the sparring with this child just now, although the other party used all his means, upon careful recollection, I feel he should still have a trump card he didn’t use.” A Refine Void Realm powerhouse’s senses were extremely keen, and Kun Yuan Venerable voiced his feeling.
Tian Shang Honored One stroked his beard and smiled, saying nothing more.
Kun Yuan Venerable met Tian Shang Honored One’s gaze, smiling bitterly and nodding. It seemed he had also seen through it!
Perhaps this child truly had hope of breaking through to the Mahayana Stage.
Three days later.
Early morning, light mist.
Rear Divine Courtyard!
Li Mu and Tian Shang Honored One were buried in the fields, diligently cultivating.
At this time, Xuan Lingzi, who was stepping on a Spirit Sword in the distance, landed by the field, holding a Storage Ring in his hand, and respectfully said, “Grand Elder, the spiritual seeds have been delivered.”
“Wait a moment, I’ll finish planting this field with Little Friend Li first.” Tian Shang Honored One raised his hoe and continued digging, while Li Mu placed spiritual seeds one by one behind him.
While cultivating, the two were also discussing the Dao. To an outsider, it would just look like a young man and an old man planting spiritual fields in the ground, nothing out of the ordinary.
But Xuan Lingzi became increasingly alarmed the more he watched.
Tian Shang Honored One was a Middle Stage Void Refining Realm existence, but his strength was far greater than that of an ordinary Late Stage Void Refining Realm Cultivator. Even a Late Stage Void Refining Realm powerhouse would not dare to show the slightest disrespect when meeting him, and his status within the Family was incomparably noble.
However, such a powerhouse treated a Nascent Soul Early Stage Cultivator as an equal, with an attitude more affectionate than towards his own direct descendants, which he found incredibly unbelievable.
What shocked him even more was that Kun Yuan Venerable was sitting in the pavilion, leisurely sipping wine, occasionally flicking his finger, and two cups of spiritual wine would fly over.
That Nascent Soul cultivator was not polite, taking them and drinking them down, then sending the cups back with spiritual power.
To interact with Tian Shang Honored One as an equal was already astonishing enough.
He never expected Kun Yuan Venerable to personally send spiritual wine to that Nascent Soul cultivator, and the other party's reaction and attitude made it feel like they were old friends. This was too outrageous!
What was the origin of this person?
Xuan Lingzi racked his brain but couldn't figure out the origin of this Nascent Soul cultivator. It had now become an unsolved mystery in the hearts of everyone in the Kun Family, but last night, the three Old Ancestors issued an order.
The identity of this person was to be kept strictly confidential, and no clansmen were allowed to investigate it, nor could they leak any information.
If anyone dared to leak the news, they would be severely punished according to Family rules. If the situation was serious, they would be expelled from the clan and stripped of the Kun Family surname.
This strict order scared the Kun Family members from daring to investigate the origin of this Nascent Soul cultivator, thus, it was considered a temporary conclusion.
“Haha, truly comfortable!”
After cultivating the fields, Tian Shang Honored One and Li Mu both smiled, walking side by side back to the pavilion.
“Come here!”
Tian Shang Honored One beckoned, and Xuan Lingzi immediately came forward, respectfully placing the Storage Ring in front of him.
“Little Friend Li, all the remaining spiritual seeds you need are inside. Each type is enough to Cultivate about a hundred acres.” Tian Shang Honored One handed the Storage Ring to Li Mu, saying with a smile.
Li Mu took the Storage Ring and his Divine Sense probed inside. Indeed, he found many high-grade spiritual seeds, in addition to the fourth-grade Five Elements Yin and Yang spiritual seeds, there were also some fifth-grade spiritual seeds, fifth-grade Bodhi flowers, fifth-grade Seven-Star Lingling, and so on, each type enough for a hundred acres.
Such a large quantity of high-grade spiritual seeds made Li Mu overjoyed.
“Junior thanks Senior!” Li Mu gratefully cupped his hands to Tian Shang Honored One to express his thanks.
“Haha! Little Friend Li, no need to be polite. Strictly speaking, it should be us thanking you!” Tian Shang Honored One extended his hand to offer a virtual support, laughing heartily.
Li Mu smiled and nodded, understanding Tian Shang Honored One’s meaning, and no longer acted overly polite.
“Senior, I have bothered you for a long time. I still have Spirit Beasts and Spiritual Plants to look after at my mansion, so I will take my leave now and visit another day!”
Having obtained what he needed, Li Mu did not want to stay in the Kun Family any longer. There were also Yin and Yang Spiritual Plants that needed care in Yin Yang Valley, so he directly bid farewell to Tian Shang Honored One.
So much time had passed, and Li Mu was somewhat anxious, fearing changes in Yin Yang Valley.
“So urgent?” Tian Shang Honored One asked in surprise.
“Senior, I truly have important matters to attend to and it’s inconvenient. When it’s time to depart for the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range, Junior will certainly come.”
“Very well, this is my token. When it’s time to leave, I will notify you!” Tian Shang Honored One nodded understandingly, took out a purple token from his Storage Ring, and handed it to Li Mu.
Li Mu accepted the token, cupped his hands slightly to everyone present, and bid farewell.
Afterward, under Xuan Lingzi’s respectful escort, Li Mu left the Kun Family, stepped on a Spirit Sword, transformed into a streak of light, and shot straight into the sky, quickly disappearing from Barren Ancient City.
Barren Ancient City, Ji Family.
In a fragrant, opulent boudoir, Honorable Being Ji Yun’s face was pale. At this moment, the prayer beads on her wrist flickered, and a light shot into the distance.
“It’s that damnable Nascent Soul cultivator.” A hint of anger flashed across Honorable Being Ji Yun’s pale face.
She knew the prey had just left Barren Ancient City, but she dared not pursue.
After the last great battle outside Barren Ancient City, Honorable Being Ji Yun had been terrified by Kun Ling Honored One’s reckless fighting style.
The barefoot are not afraid of those wearing shoes. Kun Ling Honored One fought him almost to the death, leaving no retreat for himself.
Honorable Being Ji Yun, with her naturally proud and delicate disposition, felt a lingering fear of such a mad dog. She did not want to encounter Kun Ling Honored One again, so she could only temporarily let go of that Nascent Soul cultivator.
Anyway, in a hundred years, Kun Ling Honored One would ascend, and it wouldn't be too late to deal with that Nascent Soul cultivator who didn't know his place then.
“Just wait. For inflicting such heavy injuries on me, when I capture you, I will surely grind your bones to dust and throw your Nascent Soul into the Ten Thousand Refining Furnace to endure the torment of ten thousand generations of soul-burning, otherwise, my hatred will not be appeased.” Honorable Being Ji Yun’s expression was sinister as she secretly swore.
…
“As expected, they didn’t pursue!”
Li Mu, stepping on his Spirit Sword, had already flown a hundred miles outside Barren Ancient City. Along the way, he had placed a large number of reconnaissance spiders, preparing to check if Honorable Being Ji Yun would pursue him.
The other party did not pursue. If the other party had truly insisted on pursuing, Li Mu couldn't help but feel a little regretful. He had been thinking of retaliating and quickly killing her to eliminate future troubles.
Li Mu would never allow a tail to follow him. If Honorable Being Ji Yun were to discover the spiritual fields in Yin Yang Valley, all his painstaking efforts would be ruined.
Li Mu absolutely had to prevent such a situation!
Seeing that the other party indeed hadn't pursued, Li Mu was quite disappointed. He took out the Celestial Shuttle Spirit Ship, turned and entered it, proceeding at full speed.
After several days of flying, Li Mu finally arrived safely at the outskirts of Yin Yang Valley.
Looking at the valley's exterior, which was still filled with a pervasive deathly aura, Li Mu couldn't help but smile. This was an excellent disguise.
To prevent anyone from tracking him, Li Mu released his Divine Sense, confirmed that no one was following within a two-hundred-mile radius, activated his Divine Thought talent, enveloped his Divine Sense, and then flew into Yin Yang Valley.
After a careful and cautious flight, Li Mu arrived at the core area of Yin Yang Valley and saw the scenery within the valley, which resembled a paradise.
“Master!”
In the distance, Little Gold and Little Tile, riding the hunting eagle Spirit Beast, quickly came before Li Mu, calling out excitedly.
“Go down first!” Li Mu smiled slightly, descending from the sky to the side of the spiritual mountain waterfall.
Little Gold and Little Tile followed closely. As for the hunting eagle Spirit Beast, it also trotted along behind, having been thoroughly subdued by Little Gold.
If it dared to run, it would get beaten. It didn't have that much courage!
“During my time away, how has the situation in the valley been? Have there been any other changes?”
Li Mu asked Little Gold, but then remembered that this fellow couldn't speak at all, so he summoned the Azure-Eyed White Ape from the Painting World Treasure Mansion.
“Master!” The Azure-Eyed White Ape quickly shrunk upon appearing and immediately offered to massage Li Mu’s shoulders.
Little Gold saw this and immediately became displeased, rushing to the other side to snatch the chance to massage Li Mu’s shoulders.
As a result, these two rascals almost started fighting over who would massage his shoulders. Seeing this, Li Mu couldn't help but smile bitterly.
These two live treasures were constantly causing trouble.
Little Tile, on the other hand, sighed, and lay docilely at Li Mu’s feet.
“Alright, alright, stop quarreling. Little Ape, translate for Little Gold and Little Tile. Has anything special happened here recently?” Li Mu instructed.
The Azure-Eyed White Ape immediately grabbed Little Gold and said sternly, “Did you hear Master’s command? Immediately tell me if there have been any changes recently.”
Little Gold looked at the swaggering Azure-Eyed White Ape, so angry that it chattered wildly, but it really couldn’t speak, so it could only fret.
But there was truly no other way, it could only obediently tell the Azure-Eyed White Ape what had happened during its watch, letting it translate.
After listening for a while, the Azure-Eyed White Ape clarified the situation and relayed it to Li Mu one by one.
“Master, recently only one Soul Transformation Cultivator came to Yin Yang Valley. He also noticed the Formation here and was trapped within the Formation for a day before breaking out. After that, he left directly.” The Azure-Eyed White Ape relayed the events that occurred during this period in detail.
Hearing this, Li Mu couldn't help but frown slightly.
Soul Transformation Cultivator?!
A Loose Cultivator or from some force?
What was he doing here?
“Did he say anything?” Li Mu pressed.
Little Gold chattered and gestured with its hands non-stop. The Azure-Eyed White Ape quickly translated, “The other party said he wanted to meet a Fellow Daoist. This idiot originally wanted to attack, but was stopped by Little Tile. That person stayed inside for a long time, and seeing that no one came out, he didn’t say anything else and left directly.”
Little Gold heard the Azure-Eyed White Ape actually call it an idiot and was so angry that it lunged forward, wanting to slap it.
But the Azure-Eyed White Ape easily dodged it. With their difference in cultivation levels, Little Gold was always the one who suffered, making it furious.
“Alright, alright, stop messing around.” Li Mu was exasperated. He could clearly feel Little Gold’s grievance.
It had lost out too many times in front of the Azure-Eyed White Ape, always failing to gain any advantage.
Currently, Little Gold and Little Tile were both at the Peak of the Fourth-grade, having reached the critical point of their impending Breakthrough.
By relying on their own Cultivation, it would be difficult to Breakthrough in a short period. If they used external aids, they would probably be able to Breakthrough very soon.
The remaining three Net Blood Spirit Zhi could be given to the Azure-Eyed White Ape, Little Gold, and Little Tile.
Li Mu beckoned them to come over.
“Master, what are your instructions?”
Seeing this, the Azure-Eyed White Ape obediently walked to Li Mu’s side, looking expectant.
Little Gold, unable to speak human words yet, could only stare enviously at the Azure-Eyed White Ape, who could speak.
Li Mu didn't waste words. With a wave of his hand, he took out three Net Blood Spirit Zhi from the nine storage spiritual pearl.
The appearance of the Net Blood Spirit Zhi instantly permeated the air with a terrifying stench.
The odor, unbearable to Mortals, made the three Spirit Beasts’ eyes light up. They looked greedily at the three herbs, saliva drooling from their mouths, wishing they could rush forward and devour them.
Humans would find it disgusting, but to Yao Beasts, it was incredibly fragrant and mouth-watering.
“These three spiritual fungi, each of you take one and consume it!” Li Mu distributed the Net Blood Spirit Zhi to the three tamed beasts.
The three tamed beasts were overjoyed upon receiving this item. They immediately swallowed them and ate them with delight.
Li Mu, however, couldn't stay. The scent released by the Net Blood Spirit Zhi was too strong.
Li Mu rose and flew a hundred zhang away, landing on a rocky outcrop. He released his Divine Sense, locking onto the three tamed beasts.
He saw that after they consumed the Net Blood Spirit Zhi, their states rapidly changed. Red light emanated from their entire bodies, fur, and crevices. As time passed, the red glow intensified, unlike the Twin-Horned Azure Moon Flood Dragon, whose red light dissipated in just a few breaths.
After about half a stick of incense, the red light on the Azure-Eyed White Ape receded, and its aura became even more robust. It looked at its own hands in disbelief.
The immense power made him roar towards the sky.
The roar echoed through the sky, and all the low-level Yao Beasts within the entire Yang Valley were terrified, transforming into startled fleeing beasts. Countless birds and beasts flew high into the sky in unison, and some panicked ones accidentally rushed into the Yin Valley.
In just half a breath, their Divine Souls were completely drained, and they fell from the sky one after another. The Yao Beasts that had just run out also quickly turned pale and collapsed on the ground.
All the deceased Yao Beasts' Blood Qi quickly dissipated, turning them into a dead ash color.
Li Mu couldn't help but frown slightly. This Yin Valley was truly too terrifying. If his Divine Soul wasn't strong, he probably wouldn't be able to stay inside for even a breath.
Li Mu turned his gaze to Little Gold and Little Tile, who were prostrate on the ground.
Both beasts were covered in lush red light, their eyes tightly shut, fully immersed in comprehending their Bloodline. The aura emanating from their bodies gradually increased.
Seeing this, Li Mu’s face was filled with joy, and he was very satisfied.
Fifth-grade Spiritual Plants were extremely potent for Fourth-grade and Fifth-grade Yao Beasts. Especially this kind of Bloodline Spiritual Plant, they were great tonics for them. One Fifth-grade Net Blood Spirit Zhi should be enough to allow their Bloodlines to achieve a Breakthrough!
“Master!”
The Azure-Eyed White Ape leaped ten thousand feet into the sky, then its body gradually shrunk, slowly descending from high above to land in front of Li Mu.
The Azure-Eyed White Ape raised its head, looking at Li Mu, its eyes flashing with enchanting red light, like red gemstones.
“What’s wrong?” Li Mu asked with a smile. The Azure-Eyed White Ape’s aura was extremely powerful, almost having one foot stepped into the ranks of Sixth-grade Yao Beasts.
The Azure-Eyed White Ape trembled slightly, its eyes sparkling, and it said happily to Li Mu, “Master, I need to go into seclusion!”
“Oh? You’re about to Break Through!” Li Mu said, as if he had expected it, with delight.
“Mmm, mmm, Master, this spiritual herb gives me a strange feeling. I seem to have sensed an endless golden Origin Qi, and this feeling is extremely comfortable. As long as I continue to grasp this point, I will be able to Break Through.” The Azure-Eyed White Ape nodded vigorously, looking at Li Mu and speaking with extreme excitement.