“Ding! You have successfully accepted the Legacy of the Spirit Devouring Body Nourishing Art. You have learned Spirit Devouring Body Nourishing.” Under the witness of the Transmitting Dharma Disciple, Li Mu immersed his Divine Sense into the Transmitting Dharma Jade Slip and successfully learned the Spirit Devouring Body Nourishing Art.
Seeing that the Spirit Devouring Body Nourishing Art was successfully engraved on his character panel, Li Mu handed the Transmitting Dharma Jade Slip back to the Transmitting Dharma Disciple.
“Have you memorized it? If you take the Jade Slip back now and want to look at it again next time, it will cost you 1000 contribution points!” The Transmitting Dharma Disciple took the Jade Slip and reminded him.
“Thank you, Senior Brother! I’ve already memorized it! Next time, I’ll come back for the Yin Yang Five Elements Scripture.” Li Mu thanked him with a smile and bid him farewell.
The Transmitting Dharma Disciple no longer paid attention to Li Mu. After sitting down, he continued to read his book.
After leaving the Hall of Dharma Transmission, Li Mu went directly out of the inner city, checked into the Wangyun Pavilion Inn, and in the inn’s dining hall, found a private room to start ordering dishes, preparing to test the effectiveness of the Cultivation Technique, Spirit Devouring Body Nourishing Art.
“Store Owner, come in, it’s time to order.” Li Mu loudly called out to the Store Owner.
“Coming, coming! What would the guest like to eat? Cloud Dragon Buddha’s Hand is our recommended signature dish today.” The Store Owner quickly ran into the private room and enthusiastically recommended it to Li Mu.
“Do you have Rank 2 Yao Beast meat in your shop?” Li Mu asked, getting straight to the point.
“Yes, yes, the kitchen just bought a few catties of Rank 2 Blood Mane Demonic Ox meat. Rank 2 Yao Beast meat suitable for making spiritual meals is rare and quite expensive. How much would you like, honored guest?” The Store Owner quickly stepped forward to greet him and asked as a reminder.
“How many Spirit Stones does one catty cost?” Li Mu asked calmly.
“One catty costs 10 medium spirit stones. If it’s just you, honored guest, half a catty should be enough.” The Store Owner suggested.
“Make me one catty of Rank 2 Yao Beast meat, and also a portion of Crescent Moon Rice, a portion of Spiritual Chicken Soup, stir-fry a portion of Ink Spirit Mushrooms, and also bring me a portion of that Cloud Dragon Buddha’s Hand.” Li Mu waved his hand and ordered with great generosity.
“Uh! The total for these dishes will be 30 medium spirit stones. If you’re alone, I’m afraid you won’t be able to finish it. Honored guest, are you sure you want all of these?” The Store Owner looked at Li Mu and reminded him again.
“Just bring the dishes I ordered. You won’t be short on Spirit Stones. I’ll pay the rest after I finish eating.” Li Mu glared at the Store Owner, annoyed, and took out about ten Mid-Grade Spirit Stones from his Storage Pouch to prepay a portion of the bill.
“Alright, alright! I’ll arrange it with the kitchen right away. Honored guest, please wait a moment.” The Store Owner’s face lit up with joy as he took the Spirit Stones, responded, and hurried to the kitchen to arrange the spiritual meals.
In the private room on the second floor of the Wangyun Pavilion Inn, Li Mu sat by the window, looking down at the Cultivators coming and going on Gangyang City’s main street, feeling the prosperity of the city, and its safe and peaceful Aura.
Recalling what happened this morning, Li Mu felt a sense of trepidation. Being ambushed by five Foundation Establishment Cultivators, if he hadn’t discovered them in advance and reacted quickly, he might have perished with Tang Hongliang and the others.
The Foundation Establishment Disciples of the Profound Yin Sect and Corpse Refinement Sect hunting the Managing Disciple of the Qingxuan Sect—at this moment, Li Mu also realized that the Qingxuan Sect’s situation might not be as peaceful as he had imagined.
The Sect’s troubles were for the higher-ups to worry about. Li Mu didn’t care, but he was afraid that this fire would burn him.
At this moment, Li Mu urgently wanted to reach Foundation Establishment. As long as he succeeded in Foundation Establishment, his strength would greatly increase, and then whether to fight or run, he would have the strength to make a choice, at least not be so passive.
“I still have to wait two months!” Li Mu sighed, very disappointed that he hadn’t obtained the Cultivation Technique, Yin Yang Five Elements Scripture.
Li Mu decided that after finishing the spiritual meal, he would disguise himself and go to the Wanbao Pavilion, in the identity of Master Li, to refine a few Spiritual Artifacts for delivery, earn some Spirit Stones, and return to Green Dragon Valley as soon as possible.
Just as Li Mu was lost in thought, the half-open door of the private room was pushed open. The Store Owner, leading two maids carrying platters of dishes, entered the private room one after another. They were careful, fearing they would spill the dishes.
“Guest, the dishes are served. Braised Rank 2 Demonic Ox Meat, a portion of Cloud Dragon Buddha’s Hand, Cailing Chicken Soup, this is Ink Spirit Mushrooms….” The Store Owner placed one fragrant, spiritually abundant spiritual meal after another onto the round table, filling it completely.
“Honored guest, all the dishes have been served. Please enjoy. If you need anything else, just call me.” The Store Owner looked at Li Mu, smiled, and instructed, then bowed and retreated with the two maids.
After leaving the private room, one of the maids did not forget to close the private room door.
Looking at the table full of spiritual delicacies, Li Mu smiled with satisfaction. His gaze fell on the character’s virtual frame, and he consciously manipulated it to add points to the Spirit Devouring Body Nourishing Art. The Spirit Devouring Body Nourishing Art and the Profound Heaven Sword Formation - Basic Chapter were both Earth Rank High Grade Cultivation Techniques, and the experience points required for upgrading were ten times that of Yellow Rank and Black Rank Cultivation Techniques.
“Ding! You have consumed one free proficiency point. Spirit Devouring Body Nourishing Art proficiency +1.”
…
“Ding! You have consumed one free proficiency point. Spirit Devouring Body Nourishing Art proficiency +1. Spirit Devouring Body Nourishing Art Rank has been raised to: Level 3. You have comprehended Whale Devouring Spirit Transformation.”
He consumed 16,000 free proficiency points, successfully raising the Spirit Devouring Body Nourishing Art from beginner to Level 3.
“Gurgle, gurgle…”
As soon as the Spirit Devouring Body Nourishing Art was raised to Level 3, and he successfully gained a food-related Divine Ability, Li Mu’s stomach rumbled violently with hunger, as if he hadn’t eaten for months.
Li Mu’s face turned green with hunger.
At that moment, Li Mu had no other thoughts but to ‘eat’ the table full of spiritual meals.
Soon, Li Mu, like a hungry ghost reincarnated, devoured the entire pot of spiritual rice, a mouthful of Yao Beast meat, a mouthful of spiritual rice, eating and drinking ravenously.
The “gurgle, gurgle…” rumbling of his stomach became softer, but the urging hunger pangs still wouldn’t stop. Only after eating all the Rank 2 Yao Beast meat and all the other dishes did Li Mu feel slightly better.
However, Li Mu still felt a bit hungry. Eating so many spiritual meals didn’t seem to fill him up; his stomach was like a bottomless pit that couldn’t be satisfied.
Just as Li Mu was wondering why he hadn’t gained any benefits after eating spiritual meals worth 30 medium spirit stones, he couldn’t help but silently circulate the Spirit Devouring Body Nourishing Art once according to its cultivation route.
The next moment, Li Mu’s stomach rumbled again with a ‘gurgle, gurgle…’ sound. His slightly bulging stomach quickly deflated, and a surge of pure Spiritual Qi emerged within his body, spreading from his center to his limbs.
Li Mu shivered inwardly, feeling as if his body had been strengthened by this pure spiritual power. However, an intense feeling of hunger followed.
“Store Owner, Store Owner, come in quickly!” Li Mu shouted urgently towards outside the private room.
“Coming, coming! Honored guest, is there a problem with the dishes?” The Store Owner outside was startled by Li Mu’s shout and quickly ran into the private room.
He was shocked by the scene before him: a large table full of delicious food had been eaten completely clean. However, the guest’s eyes were green, as if he wanted to eat him.
“Make all the Rank 2 Yao Beast meat! Bring whatever spiritual meals are ready quickly!” Li Mu pulled out a handful of Mid-Grade Spirit Stones from his Storage Pouch and stuffed them into the Store Owner’s arms, urging him loudly.
“Alright, alright! I’ll go to the kitchen right away!” The Store Owner was both surprised and delighted, and he fled to the kitchen to get spiritual meals for Li Mu.
Soon, the maids brought platter after platter of spiritual meals into the private room.
The Store Owner finally understood now. The customer in the private room must be Cultivating some strange Cultivation Technique, with an appetite like a whale, never getting full.
As long as the Spirit Stones were paid, such customers were their inn’s best customers. Even if they wanted to eat Dragon liver and Phoenix claws, they would find ways to provide it for him.
Li Mu alone ate with the Aura of a flowing feast.
About an hour later, Li Mu finally stopped gorging himself.
As long as he didn’t circulate the Spirit Devouring Body Nourishing Art and use the Divine Ability Whale Devouring Spirit Transformation, Li Mu could tolerate the faint feeling of hunger.
“Honored guest, your total consumption was 255 medium spirit stones. I’ve rounded down the odd amount for you. You previously prepaid 155 medium spirit stones, so you still owe me 100 medium spirit stones. Here is the menu, please take a look.” The Store Owner handed the menu to Li Mu and said politely.
Li Mu took the menu and glanced at it, not expecting to have eaten so many spiritual meals in one sitting. However, in exchange for a more than twofold increase in body strength and power, no matter how many Spirit Stones he spent, it was worth it.
The Spirit Devouring Body Nourishing Art truly lived up to its name as an Earth Rank High Grade Cultivation Technique. After being upgraded to Level 3, it increased his digestive capacity by hundreds or even thousands of times. The innate minor Divine Ability, Whale Devouring Spirit Transformation, further converted the essence of the spiritual food and Yao Beast meat he ate into pure essence, nourishing his body.
Li Mu took out 100 Mid-Grade Spirit Stones and promptly paid the bill. Then, he returned to his inn room to change clothes before leaving.
Soon, Li Mu, wearing the Linglong Mask and transformed into the image of ‘Master Li,’ walked directly towards the Wanbao Pavilion.
“Manager Wang, Master Li is here! Master Li is back!”
The welcoming maid saw Li Mu’s figure and immediately ran into the pavilion to inform Manager Wang to come out and greet him.
Not long after, Li Mu saw Wang Wenbao approaching him with a joyous and radiant smile.
“Master Li, you’re finally back! Was your trip smooth this time?” Wang Wenbao greeted him warmly, a fawning smile on his face, asking with concern.
“It was alright. Thanks to the Rank 2 Spiritual Boat Manager Wang prepared for me, I was able to return safely.” Li Mu replied with a smile, following Wang Wenbao towards the reception room.
After some pleasantries, the two quickly arrived in the main hall, sat down, and a maid subsequently served High Grade spiritual tea.
“Master Li, this is Rank 2 High Grade Morning Dew Spiritual Tea. Please have a taste.” Wang Wenbao smiled at Li Mu and greeted him warmly.
Li Mu glanced at it, then picked up the teacup and took a big sip.
A refreshing and moist tea fragrance bloomed in his mouth, then transformed into a warm current that rushed into his Sea of Consciousness, quickly turning cold again, making Li Mu feel the alternating hot and cold, the meaning of morning and evening’s transition.
“The name ‘Morning Dew Spiritual Tea’ is perfectly suited to the Concept of this tea! Excellent tea!” Li Mu praised with a smile.
“Haha! Master Li is indeed a connoisseur of tea. If Master Li likes it, I’ll have someone bring you some. However, this tea is extremely rare, and I don’t have much myself. I can only give Master Li one or two catties to try.” Wang Wenbao smiled happily and indicated.
“Manager Wang, a gentleman does not take what others cherish. I won’t take this spiritual tea!” Li Mu politely refused with a smile, then remembered something and took the opportunity to ask, “Speaking of spiritual tea, I’d like to ask for your help. I have a friend who is a spirit rice farmer, and he’s been asking me to help him find spiritual seeds for cloud mist spiritual tea. He needs about eleven mu worth of spiritual seeds. I wonder if Manager Wang knows where I can get them?”
“cloud mist spiritual tea, spiritual seeds… I seem to recall someone mentioning it. Master Li, please wait. I have too many things to remember every day, I need to check my records.” Wang Wenbao frowned, thinking hard, then looked at Li Mu and indicated.
After speaking, Wang Wenbao immersed his Divine Sense into his Storage Pouch, searching for something.
Li Mu nodded understandingly. Watching Wang Wenbao busy himself, he was in charge of the Wanbao Pavilion’s affairs, truly handling myriad tasks daily, with countless things to remember. The reason he was searching for information for him was because he had a request for him. If it were anyone else, he might not even bother.
“Yes, Master Li. This cloud mist spiritual tea was planted by Daoist Ling. If you want the spiritual seeds of this kind of spiritual tea, I’m afraid you’ll have to ask him to part with them.” Wang Wenbao looked at Li Mu and indicated.
“Oh! Can you get in touch with this Daoist Ling?” Li Mu’s spirits lifted, and he asked with concern.
“Of course, no problem. Coincidentally, Daoist Ling is preparing a private Auction and needs my connections. If Master Li is interested, would you like to join this Auction and have some fun?” Wang Wenbao looked at Li Mu and introduced.
“Is that appropriate? It should be an Auction attended by Foundation Establishment Seniors, right!” Li Mu’s heart pounded, and he asked with some hesitation.
“Haha, Master Li is too modest. How many Foundation Establishment Seniors wish to befriend Master Li and ask you to help refine Spiritual Artifacts! You are more than qualified to attend this private Auction.” Wang Wenbao laughed heartily and indicated.
After speaking, the smile on Wang Wenbao’s face suddenly disappeared, replaced by a troubled expression, and he looked at Li Mu for help: “Master Li, since the last Auction, Wanbao Pavilion has received many Artifact Refining orders. Because I didn’t know when you would return, I didn’t dare to accept them rashly, which indirectly angered many old customers. The performance review day for Wanbao Pavilion is approaching. Master Li, this time you must help me get through this difficult period!”
“Understood. We’ll help each other. You also need to help me acquire the spiritual seeds of the cloud mist spiritual tea.” Li Mu chuckled, giving Wang Wenbao a meaningful look, and said knowingly.
“Of course, of course. If Master Li has any other needs, please feel free to speak.” Wang Wenbao’s face lit up with joy, and he nodded repeatedly.
“Of course I do. I’m just afraid Manager Wang will find it difficult.” Li Mu smiled and nodded, indicating.
“I, Wang, will do my utmost, Master Li, please speak freely.” Wang Wenbao looked at Li Mu and asked with some reservation.
“Hmm! Manager Wang, do you know about Heavenly Fire?” Li Mu asked inquisitively.
“I know a little, but such spiritual items are things of heaven and earth that only Nascent Soul True Lords can acquire. Some of Wanbao Pavilion’s main branches might have stock, but the price, tsk tsk tsk, is definitely not something ordinary people can afford.” Wang Wenbao nodded and introduced.
“Oh! Manager Wang, could you tell me about this Heavenly Fire? Does Wanbao Pavilion’s main branch really have this Heavenly Fire spiritual item?” Li Mu’s heart stirred, and he asked impatiently.
“Heavenly Fire is above strange fire and earthly fire. The most common Heavenly Fire is the Heavenly Fire born from various Heavenly Tribulations, such as: Nascent Soul Tribulation Lightning Fire, Lightning Flame Heavenly Fire, Nine Heavens Burning Fire…” Wang Wenbao began to explain voluminously.