Chapter 1021 - 531: Return to the Sect (Part 2)

Chapter 1021: Chapter 531: Return to the Sect (Part 2)

Following this pattern, relying on his understanding and enlightenment of the Dao of the Five Elements, the Dao of Yin and Yang, and the Dao of Space-Time, Li Mu spent decades successfully comprehending one thousand Divine Runes among the Three Thousand Gods. However, faced with the remaining two thousand Divine Runes, Li Mu felt unprecedented confusion and powerlessness.

The remaining two thousand Divine Runes not only possess structural and logical complexity far beyond anything Li Mu had ever encountered, but they also seem to contain the universe’s deepest and most essential aspects, surpassing Li Mu’s current understanding, making it difficult for him to grasp their foundation.

After trying countless methods, including more in-depth studies of the Natural Law, seeking hints in ancient books, and even attempting to collaborate with other cultivators, Li Mu had to admit that he could no longer make significant progress in a short time.

Therefore, Li Mu reluctantly made a decision to temporarily stop researching the remaining two thousand Divine Runes and instead focus his energy on other aspects of cultivation, such as Artifact Refining, Talisman Painting, and Puppet Creation. Through continuous accumulation and sedimentation, he hoped to broaden his vision and knowledge and possibly one day break through this bottleneck to master the remaining Divine Runes.

Li Mu began to focus on Artifact Refining, infusing the power of the Divine Runes into artifacts, creating beautiful and practical Spiritual Artifacts; he became engrossed in Talisman Painting, using ink and brush as a medium to communicate with Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, with Divine Runes as the foundation, drawing Spirit Talismans containing the power of Law. He combined Divine Rune carvings with Puppet designs, using intricate design and complex Divine Rune Array Maps to grant Puppets with life and intelligence, ...

As time passed day by day, fifteen years flew by.

Inside the Treasure Talisman Space, above the Five Elements Spirit Palace, mysterious anomalies occurred frequently, born of the fusion of Spiritual Power and Law, heralding the birth of extraordinary items.

Xue’Er lived leisurely in the Treasure Mansion with Little Cyan Dragon - Qing Lin and Tier Seven Gu Insect - Xiaobai. Their initial amazement at these frequent cosmic phenomena turned to familiarity over time, either flying through the air, playing on the ground, or occasionally gazing curiously at the ever-changing lights above the Five Elements Spirit Palace, their eyes shimmering with admiration for Li Mu.

...

Another three years passed, and two Nine Nether Whales swam in the vast Star Realm, drawing ever closer to a verdant green planet.

"Brother Li, is that Qiling Star? We’ve finally returned!"

On the back of the Nine Nether Whales, Xue’Er’s eyes shone brightly as she eagerly clutched Li Mu’s arm and asked.

"Yes, we have returned!"

Li Mu’s eyes were filled with a smile as he looked at the verdant green planet, his heart surged with complex emotions.

After wandering in the vast Star Realm for over a hundred years, finally returning to Qiling Star, this lengthy journey was both a trial on the path of cultivation and a deep sedimentation and transformation of the soul.

At this moment, Li Mu was no longer comparable to his former self. He still wore an elegant cyan robe, his sleeves fluttering gracefully, exuding a carefree aura. Time had not left many marks on his face, yet his temperament had become more transcendent, steadier, and more aloof compared to before. His brows revealed a wisdom and profundity that saw through worldly affairs.

Over a hundred years, the absorption of two batches of Tier Six Spirit Plants caused an earth-shattering change in Li Mu, the Perfection achieved by the Star Nebula Observation Method enhancing his Divine Soul, nearly two million years’ worth of Vitality and Lifespan infusion, and countless insights into the Heaven and Earth Law. This mastery of the Thousand Dao Divine Patterns within the Path of Hundred Arts elevated Li Mu’s strength to the Dao Realm, making even those ancient monsters hidden away for tens of thousands of years unable to match him.

Now, as he was about to return to the Spirit Realm, Li Mu prepared to condense a Tier Seven Divinity Transformation Avatar, refining the Chaos Realm, and break through to the Realm of Integration.

Thinking of this, Li Mu could hardly contain his impatience and urged the two Nine Nether Whales to accelerate towards Qiling Star.

However, just as the Nine Nether Whales were about to pass through the outer World Protection Array of Qiling Star, an ancient and majestic voice suddenly sounded, demanding beyond doubt: "Who dares to intrude into Qiling Star Realm? Announce your origins quickly, or the World Protection Array will show no mercy!"

With the words, a middle-aged sword cultivator arrived on his sword, wearing a tight white sword robe, a jade belt around his waist, and standing on a silver Spirit Sword, like a Sword Immortal descending from the Nine Heavens, with an upright posture and extraordinary demeanor. His hair was tied high with a simple Cyan Jade Hairpin, with a few strands dancing lightly in the wind, adding a touch of unrestrained and carefree elegance, his brow furrowed with the weathering of time and the tempering of Sword Intent, vigilantly watching the two Nine Nether Whales, his expression somewhat tense.

The Nine Nether Whales are Tier Eight Star Beasts, with enormous size and formidable combat prowess, and the person arriving with two Whales is certainly not a typical affair; those capable of taming such Spirit Beasts are surely no mere mortals.

Clearly, the other party was awe-struck by the imposing aura of these two Giant Beasts, yet he did not retreat, instead, his Sword Intent soared.

Li Mu looked at the Void Refining Sword Cultivator blocking the path, feeling neither surprised nor troubled. He immediately flew up from the back of the Nine Nether Whales.

"Elder Yan, long time no see!"

Li Mu smiled slightly, flying forward. The road blocker turned out to be Steward Elder Yan Yuchun of the Profound Celestial Sword Sect.

"You, you,... you are Elder Li! You’ve returned!"

Yan Yuchun’s eyes widened, looking incredulously at Li Mu, whose extraordinary demeanor matched the memory of Li Mu, the name "Elder Li" being uttered with both uncertainty and disbelief. Yet that familiar feeling surged like a tide, instantly overwhelming all his doubts.

Li Mu disappeared over a hundred years ago, and the Profound Celestial Sword Sect mobilized tens of thousands of elite disciples to search everywhere, even causing forces from the Outer Realm to search zealously for the whereabouts of this legendary Artifact Refining Master, yet no one knew where he had truly gone.

Now, Li Mu appeared so abruptly outside the Qiling Star Realm, how could Yan Yuchun not be shocked and excited?

"Yes! I’ve finally returned!" Li Mu smiled and nodded.

"Wonderful, truly wonderful! Elder Li! The entire sect misses you and thought you..." Yan Yuchun’s voice choked with emotion, tears shimmered in his eyes, as he hurriedly grasped Li Mu’s hand tightly, fearing that should he let go, Li Mu would disappear once more.

"Elder Yan, I am well, no need for the sect to worry." Li Mu smiled, carefree.

"Elder Li’s safe return is a great joy for the sect. Several Sword Masters and many Elders have been searching for you for years, eager to see you now. Please come back to the sect with me soon!" Yan Yuchun’s excitement overflowed as he sincerely invited.

Li Mu nodded slightly, a trace of warmth and nostalgia in his eyes, "Naturally, I will return to the sect. However, I have one matter to attend to first."

Saying this, Li Mu turned to the two Nine Nether Whales, taking out a newly refined Spiritual Taming Artifact, and with a hand gesture using Techniques, he collected the two Nine Nether Whales into it.

The Spiritual Taming Artifact gleamed, transforming instantly into a delicate Jade Pendant hanging at Li Mu’s waist, subtly revealing the blurry outlines of the two Whales, showing they were properly settled.

Seeing this, Yan Yuchun’s eyes flashed with surprise, then turned to deep admiration. He naturally recognized the remarkable nature of the Spiritual Taming Artifact, able to easily accommodate such powerful Spirit Beasts, revealing not just deep cultivation, but also a profound mastery of the Path of Artifact Refining.

"Elder Li, your Artifact Refining Skill has improved considerably, it truly leaves this old man in awe." Yan Yuchun sincerely praised.

"Elder Yan flatters me; let’s return to the sect!"

Li Mu smiled slightly, politely responding, then led Xue’Er and, together with Yan Yuchun, flew on their swords towards the direction of the Profound Celestial Sword Sect.

Along the way, the two occasionally conversed, as Li Mu inquired about the happenings in the sect over the more than hundred years.

Upon hearing this, Yan Yuchun’s expression grew solemn and yet emotional, slowly recounting the changes in the Profound Celestial Sword Sect and indeed the entire Spirit Realm over these hundred-plus years, detailing various major events.

"Elder Li, since your disappearance, the sect has endured many storms. First Sword Master Feng, Sword Master Chen led the sect’s forces to attack the Netherworld Sect to avenge you, joining forces with Outer Realm forces, all searching for your whereabouts,..."

...

Listening to Yan Yuchun’s explanation, Li Mu’s brows gradually knitted together, filled with concern for the current state and future of the sect.