I Just Want to Cultivate Quietly and Farm

Chapter 497 - 281: Profound Wood Essence

Li Mu threw the Cyan Wood Sacrificial Staff into the Celestial Fire Refining Furnace, rapidly forming techniques with his hand, as streams of Spiritual Power surged from his fingertips, firing into the furnace.

At the same time, the sacrificial staff made from Tier Seven Spiritual Materials—Supreme Profound Wood Crystal, Taiyin Essence, and Cyan Wood Spirit Root—boasted immense strength. It took quite some time for the Extreme Yang Celestial Fire to refine it, barely affecting the seasoned patina of the outer layer.

Feeling the difficulty of this round of artifact refining, the Extreme Yang Celestial Fire seemed anxious, showing its celestial source, the flame within the furnace suddenly spiking in temperature.

Seeing this, Li Mu seized the opportunity to inject a large amount of Spirit Essence, assisting the Extreme Yang Celestial Fire.

Soon, the Cyan Wood Sacrificial Staff within the Celestial Fire Refining Furnace began to show signs of combustion, strands of emerald green, light Profound Wood Essence escaping from it.

Li Mu felt invigorated, extracting a Qi Storage Bottle, remotely controlling it above the Celestial Fire Refining Furnace to collect the Profound Wood Essence.

At that moment, a Five-Colored Little Snake appeared out of thin air, flying through the air, staring fixedly at the Profound Wood Essence being gathered by the Qi Storage Bottle with its shiny black eyes.

Seeing this scene, Li Mu couldn’t help but smile wryly; the Artifact Spirit of the Painting Realm Treasure Mansion truly had a keen nose. It never showed itself voluntarily, yet whenever he took out something good, it was always the first to appear.

"I still need this Profound Wood Essence; once I’m done, you can have all that’s left!" Li Mu reluctantly transmitted his divine thought, signaling.

The Five-Colored Little Snake glanced at Li Mu, unwilling to leave just yet. It flew down onto Li Mu’s head, coiled up and settled there, its gaze fixed on the Profound Wood Essence, seemingly unwilling to leave without claiming a share.

Li Mu was both exasperated and amused. Fortunately, the amount of Profound Wood Essence this time was plentiful, enough to meet the needs of the Cyan Jade Ginseng King, with enough remaining for the Painting Realm Treasure Mansion.

Half an hour passed.

The Profound Wood Essence within the Cyan Wood Sacrificial Staff had been completely extracted, yielding two hundred and eighty thousand strands of Profound Wood Essence, more than Li Mu initially expected. He suspected that the Extreme Yang Celestial Fire had secretly taken some, as the entire staff had been burned and absorbed by the fire.

Wood fuels fire; thus, dismantling this damaged Tier Seven Dao Artifact also granted considerable benefits to the Extreme Yang Celestial Fire.

However, lacking evidence, Li Mu could only let it go.

After stowing away the Qi Storage Bottle, Li Mu continued dismantling, proceeding to dismantle the remaining ancient artifacts in one go.

...

Time passed swiftly, two weeks elapsed.

Li Mu emerged from the Artifact Refining Room, invigorated and full of joy, ready to tend to two Spirit Plants before continuing with the refining.

At that moment, two figures sped through the sky above Linggu.

Li Mu’s smile faded, halting his work in the Spirit Field.

"Xue’Er, boil water and make tea for our guests!" Li Mu called to Xue’Er, who was busy preparing Spiritual Cuisine in the kitchen.

"Right away!" Xue’Er responded.

Li Mu formed techniques to unravel the Protective Array of Yin Yang Valley, allowing them entry.

Soon, Kun Family, Tianshang Supreme, and Venerable Kun Ling flew into the valley, slowly landing before Li Mu.

"Master Li, it’s been a long time!"

Venerable Kun Ling greeted Li Mu warmly.

"It’s been a long time since we last met, esteemed seniors!" Li Mu greeted them as he led them to the pavilion for a chat.

The three of them sat down in the pavilion, Xue’Er promptly served Spirit Tea, earning themselves a peculiar glance, for Xue’Er wore the Spirit Fox Mask, disguising her appearance beyond their perception.

"Master Li, we intend to head to Central State soon; are you interested in joining us?" Tianshang Supreme inquired, getting straight to the point.

Upon hearing this, Li Mu looked at Tianshang Supreme and Venerable Kun Ling with doubt, asking, "Esteemed seniors, has something happened that you’re heading to the Central State Domain? Is Kun Family planning to abandon Southern Wilderness?"

Upon hearing this, Tianshang Supreme and Venerable Kun Ling exchanged surprised glances at Li Mu’s keen intuition.

"Indeed, Master Li has piercing insight! Kun Family plans to abandon the Southern Wilderness." Venerable Kun Ling nodded, admitting openly.

"Master Li, having lived in seclusion in Yin Yang Valley, you may be unaware that the forces behind Nine Demons Sect are extraordinary, the Abyssal Passage isn’t open yet; Profound Celestial Sword Sect and Taiyi Sect can still hold on. But once Demon Abyssal Forces step into Southern Wilderness, any thought of leaving then might be too late!" Tianshang Supreme explained solemnly.

"Certainly, Master Li, Kun Family plans to withdraw some family disciples first. The passages between the domains stretch tens of thousands of miles, perilous indeed. If you’re willing, you may join Kun Family’s fleet to leave!" Venerable Kun Ling invited Li Mu earnestly, suggesting a joint effort in facing difficulties.

"Thank you for the invitation, esteemed seniors; how long might the stalemate persist under current circumstances?" Li Mu asked with deep concern, his eyes steady but full of worry.

Faced with Kun Family’s invitation, how could Li Mu not be tempted? He wanted to leave the dangerous Southern Wilderness soon, yet four tamed beasts were still on expeditions and hadn’t returned; the Yin Yang Spirit Plants also had a while before maturing.

These matters were ones Li Mu couldn’t easily abandon. His escape wouldn’t be simple without resolving them, otherwise, he would have long ago accepted Taiyi Sect’s invitation and fled the Southern Wilderness Continent.

"Well, the situation is unclear. Currently, seventy percent of Southern Wilderness’s Immortal Cities and Sect forces have suffered assaults by Nine Demons Sect, with several Sects and Immortal Cities falling one after another. Although the coalition formed by Profound Celestial Sword Sect, Taiyi Sect, and Southern Wilderness forces can resist, follow-up support is tenuous. If luck favors us, perhaps we can endure for another century. With worsening circumstances, Nine Demons Sect might overrun the entire Southern Wilderness Spirit Realm within a few years." Venerable Kun Ling detailed the situation to Li Mu.

"Indeed! Current circumstances are treacherous, Master Li, don’t hesitate; departing this perilous place soon would be wise." Tianshang Supreme urged gravely, stroking his beard.

Li Mu silently nodded, understanding the unpromising situation in Southern Wilderness, well aware he couldn’t linger long. However...

Li Mu gave a bitter smile responding to the two Venerable Supremes, "Thank you for your concern, esteemed ones. For now, I can’t leave Southern Wilderness; when’s Kun Family’s last withdrawal batch? If possible, I’ll catch the last one; I still await the return of my companions!"

"Ah, understood!" Tianshang Supreme nodded, comprehending Li Mu’s choice, recognizing that Kun Family wouldn’t easily abandon the treasure land cultivated over centuries without pressing circumstances.

"In about a few years, we’ll withdraw a few batches gradually. The last batch should occur in ten years! Master Li, in ten years, your companions should have returned, right?" Venerable Kun Ling asked, given Li Mu’s few tamed beasts’ potential.

Li Mu chuckled gently, glancing towards the Spirit Field, replying, "It shouldn’t take that long!"

Given the cultivation progress of the Two-Horned Cyan Moon Flood Dragon and Xiaojin, it shouldn’t take ten years for them to emerge from the mysterious relics, especially as Xiaojin had already passed the Thunder Tribulation, likely poised for a return soon!

"Then it’s decided; we’ll set off in ten years. Upon reaching Central State Domain, the Cangyuan Secret Realm should be commencing around then. Kun Family would be honored to invite Master Li as an Honored Guest Elder to explore Cangyuan Secret Realm together." Venerable Kun Ling looked at Li Mu with firm resolve, reiterating the sincere invitation.

Li Mu furrowed his brows slightly, hesitating despite knowing Kun Family’s goodwill. Still, he couldn’t easily agree.

Both Profound Celestial Sword Sect and Taiyi Sect had extended invitations to him; in Central State, squeezed among numerous forces, the decision was indeed tough.

"Well, it’s early yet; we can discuss that later!" Li Mu ended up shaking his head, responding with slight embarrassment.

Upon seeing this, Venerable Kun Ling and Tianshang Supreme exchanged a glance followed by an eye-contact conversation, having mixed feelings.

Profound Celestial Sword Sect and Taiyi Sect cautioned by Li Mu’s ongoing fraught dispute had reached them, giving cause for their sudden visit.

It’s an issue anticipated to remain unresolved.

"Rightly so, it’s early days, unforeseen changes may occur; let’s wait until then to see." Tianshang Supreme quickly intervened, expertly smoothing over the situation.

"Thank you for understanding, esteemed seniors!" Li Mu expressed gratitude, appreciating their understanding.

Soon, the trio continued chatting over Spirit Tea, mostly revolving around the ongoing war between Profound Celestial Sword Sect, Taiyi Sect, and Nine Demons Sect, as the situation’s progression and hidden truths were introduced to Li Mu, secluded in Yin Yang Valley.