Gou Dao and Cultivation of Immortals, Start from Farming

Within the Starry Sky Platform and the Array Core.

Li Mu's face was pale. The eight-colored Dao origins were clashing incessantly in his meridians. The light of the hundred-petaled Dao-nurturing leaves on the branches flickered uncertainly, and nearly half of them were completely dimmed, with the evolution of the Dao embryo almost coming to a standstill.

Li Mu kept his eyes closed, focusing all his attention on maintaining the stability of the thirty-six core realms and suppressing the impact of the eight violent Dao sources on the thirty-six realms.

Haotian Daozu sat in the main seat, his eyes filled with the rising and falling stars, as if he were deducing something. His gaze fell on Li Mu, then swept over the illusory image of the Chaos Dao Tree, sensing that the eight streams of Dao source were being painstakingly diverted by Li Mu, and were being quietly "organized" by an invisible force deep within the veins of the Chaos Dao Tree.

"This child..." Dao Ancestor Haotian's mind raced, and he sighed in surprise, "He can actually borrow our strength to temper the origin of the Dao Tree, solidify his foundation in the mid-stage of the Dao Integration Realm, and even... peek into the late-stage!"

"Fellow Daoists, let's stop."

Haotian Daozu made a decision instantly, signaling to the other Daozus. Then, he changed his hand seals and cut off the output of the Starshine Dao Source.

In the center of the jade platform, the surging torrent of eight colors suddenly stopped.
Lei Yan Daozu suddenly turned his head, his purple-lightning eyes glaring angrily, and asked in a puzzled voice, "Haotian! What do you mean?"

The Dao Ancestors, including Qingyuan, Yeyan, and Chaoyuan, all looked over, their faces filled with confusion.

Haotian Daozu secretly transmitted his thoughts, which resounded in the minds of the six Daozus: "Please carefully perceive the origin of Fellow Daoist Li's Dao Tree. Our Dao Source impact has not only failed to damage its foundation, but has instead been slowly absorbed by it, becoming fuel for the growth of its Dao Foundation. Such inclusive and refining ability has exceeded our expectations. Continuing to apply pressure may not be a tempering, but rather an aid to accelerate the consolidation of its realm, or even... force it to break through in the face of battle."

Lei Yan Daozu swept his divine sense toward the array core, and his expression suddenly turned gloomy.

"Are we just going to let it go like this?" Lei Yan said unwillingly via telepathy, "If we could seize his Chaos Dao Fruit..."

"Seize it?" Dao Ancestor Haotian interrupted coldly, indicating, "The Star Evolution Jade Scroll contract came first, and Gu Xi is watching us like a hawk. To forcibly seize it now would be to tear off the mask of civility, start a Dao war, and the Great Tribulation Cycle is less than 2,500 years away. If the Chaos Hub is missing at that time, who will continue the cycle of Origin Qi? Fellow Daoist Lei Yan, can the billions of beings in your Thunder Dao Domain withstand the calamity of Origin Qi depletion and the collapse of your domain?"

These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over someone's head.

Yinghong Daozu's eyes flashed, and he agreed through telepathy: "What Fellow Daoist Haotian said is absolutely right. Li Mu has already proven his pivotal ability and has shown even greater potential for growth. If we offend him, and he shows any favoritism or responds passively during the tribulation, the consequences will be unimaginable. It would be better to go with the flow and forge a good relationship. We can see how things go in five hundred years."

Dao Ancestor Youguang's figure was faint, and he sighed, "So be it. This child's fortune is at its peak. Forcing it will only bring disaster. Let's stop here for today."

Ye Yan Daozu leaned on his cane, remaining silent with a gloomy face, but he did not object further.

The two ancestors, Chao Yuan and Qing Yuan, exchanged a glance and nodded slightly.

Lei Yan Daozu snorted heavily and flicked his sleeve to sever the connection to the Thunder Dao Source.

Upon seeing this, the other ancestors all stopped fighting.

On the jade platform, the colorful torrent completely dissipated.

At the center of the formation, the pressure suddenly decreased.

Li Mu swayed slightly, then slowly opened his eyes. The chaotic starlight in his eyes slowed its rotation, as if it contained a nascent primordial chaos.

Li Mu wiped his face and a smile appeared on his face. He stood up with difficulty and bowed to each of the eight Dao Ancestors, saying, "Thank you... fellow Daoists... for helping me to strengthen my Dao foundation."

As Li Mu finished speaking, the illusory image of the Chaos Dao Tree behind him suddenly trembled!
The cracks in the main trunk of the Dao Tree healed completely at a speed visible to the naked eye. The trunk's gray-gold color intensified, faintly revealing a profound and complete meaning. On the branches, the thirty-six core Dao leaves shone brightly, their inner realms and landscapes manifesting, and Daoist rhymes surging, making them several times more stable than before the trial! Of the hundred newly grown Dao leaves, half were dim, while the remaining fifty or so shone brightly. The world embryo had been completely formed, evolving into various nascent worlds, and the first signs of life were emerging!

Under the extreme pressure just now, the height of the Chaos Dao Tree phantom increased significantly. Li Mu's aura, which was at the mid-stage of the Dao Integration Realm, was tempered to be as solid as a rock, and it seemed that only a thin veil remained between him and the threshold of the late stage.

Dao Ancestor Haotian clapped his hands and laughed, congratulating him: "Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Li, for tempering yourself to the limit, raising your Chaos Dao Foundation to a higher level, bringing new life to the Hundred Realms, and creating a magnificent spectacle! This trial performance proves that you are indeed the only choice to be the pivot of the tribulation."

Gu Xi Daozu breathed a sigh of relief, smiled and nodded, saying, "I admire Fellow Daoist Li's strong will."

Qingyuan Daozu smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Li, you have truly impressed me by using the Chaos Sea to embrace all rivers and turning the power of calamity into an opportunity. I look forward to seeing your Great Dao of Chaos become even more perfect in five hundred years."

Lei Yan Daozu's face turned ugly, and he stopped provoking him, only letting out a snort as a response.

Dao Ancestors such as Ye Yan and You Guang spoke up, acknowledging the outcome.

Li Mu gave the assembled Dao Ancestors a meaningful look, then bowed again in thanks, saying, "It is all thanks to the help of you fellow Daoists. With the great calamity of destruction looming ahead, I, Li, will do my utmost to maintain the source of Qi and overcome this difficult time together."

Haotian Daozu nodded and said solemnly, "In that case, the agreement on the Chaos Hub shall be as previously agreed. Five hundred years from now, we shall gather again at the Star Evolution Platform to discuss the specific details of the passage's access and the allocation of its source. During this period, I hope that Fellow Daoist Li will manage the Dao Tree well and stabilize all realms. Fellow Daoists should also reorganize their Dao Domains and make preparations as soon as possible."

All the Daoist masters said, "That is certainly the case."

The Great Dao Ancestor Haotian's gaze fell on Li Mu's face, and he asked with concern, "Fellow Daoist Li has suffered considerable losses. Would you like to stay at the Star Evolution Platform to recuperate? I can open the meditation room."

Li Mu shook his head and declined, saying, "Thank you for your kind offer, fellow Daoist. There are still arrangements in the cave, and I need to return as soon as possible to recuperate."

"Very well!" Dao Ancestor Haotian nodded knowingly, waved his sleeve, and the light of the Star Jade Platform faded, and the Nine Star Bones returned to calm.

Li Mu nodded to Gu Xi Daozu, who understood and sent a burst of clear light that enveloped Li Mu.

"Gentlemen, we shall meet again in five hundred years."

As soon as Gu Xi Dao Zu finished speaking, the two figures disappeared without a trace.

After they left, the atmosphere on the Starry Sky Platform suddenly relaxed, then fell into a subtle silence.

Lei Yan Dao Ancestor could no longer contain himself, staring at Hao Tian Dao Ancestor and asking in bewilderment, "Why did you stop me just now? You were so close, you might have forced him to his limit, or even..."

"Even what?" Dao Ancestor Haotian looked at Dao Ancestor Leiyan with eyes as deep as an abyss and questioned, "Force him to completely destroy his Dao foundation? Or force him to break through in the face of battle and suppress you and me in return? Leiyan, have you not yet seen clearly that the profound mystery of this child's Chaos Dao is beyond what ordinary external forces can forcibly shake? His ability to refine and contain external paths far exceeds expectations; continuing to apply pressure is nothing more than tempering and forging gold for him, doing the work for nothing."

The Dao Ancestor Qingyuan continued, "That is indeed the case. The backup plan in my wisp of life essence was easily neutralized by him and used to nourish his realm. Such methods cannot be described by the phrase 'initial entry into the Dao Integration Realm.' What he lacks is only time. And what we lack most is also time."

Dao Ancestor Youguang sighed, "The time of annihilation is approaching. Rather than creating a powerful enemy, it is better to keep a ally. It seems that the position of the Chaos Hub truly belongs to him now."

Night-Sensing Dao Ancestor said in a sinister voice, "Are we just going to accept this? The faster he grows, the more influence he will have in the future!"

The Great Heavenly Dao Ancestor's gaze swept over the assembled ancestors, and he said frankly, "Recognize? Of course not. The position of pivot is given to him because he truly possesses the ability. However, how to establish the pivot, how to divide the responsibilities and powers among the various domains under the pivot, how much source energy to allocate, how much of the tribulation force to share... these details still need to be discussed. However, the most important thing right now is to ensure that we can successfully overcome the great tribulation. Otherwise, everything is just empty talk."

After the Dao Ancestor Haotian finished speaking, the Xingyan Dao Platform fell silent.

Lei Yan Dao Ancestor stared at Hao Tian Dao Ancestor and said, word by word, "You mean to ask us... to admit it?"

"Acknowledge?" Dao Ancestor Haotian shook his head and said, "Fellow Daoist Lei Yan, you have cultivated for 198,000 years and experienced one cycle of annihilation. Can you still not see the situation clearly?"

With a flick of his sleeve, Dao Ancestor Haotian revealed a vast phantom above the Dao Platform—a microcosm of the Forest of Ten Thousand Ancestors.

Hundreds of millions of ancestral trees stand tall and upright, their branches and leaves intertwined like a galaxy, exuding a magnificent Daoist charm. In the illusory image, dozens of areas are bursting with intense Daoist source fluctuations, some with crimson flames soaring into the sky, some with frost covering the ground, and some with golden light splitting the sky.

"Look, everyone," said Dao Ancestor Haotian, pointing to the illusory eastern region, "Three hundred years ago, Dao Ancestor Chixiao forged the Nine Yang True Fire. Now, all three hundred and sixty realms within his Dao Domain have become infernos, tempering their Dao foundations day and night, attempting to use the Dao of the Sun to withstand the tides." Dao Ancestor Haotian pointed to the northwestern region, indicating, "Dao Ancestor Xuanming has laid down the 'Return to the Void Formation' with the Three Thousand Weak Waters, absorbing the Dao Sources of seventeen Lesser Ancestral Trees..."

"Looking at the Southern Region," the Dao Ancestor Haotian said with a deep gaze, "the Dao Ancestor Tianyao rules over a region and uses blood sacrifice to nurture the 'Demon Forest.' His eight hundred demon ancestors fight day and night, and all the Dao Sources they plunder are used to support the region."

The illusory images shifted and changed, one scene after another flashing by.

Some ancestral trees have roots that pierce through three thousand miles of vast land, frantically extracting primordial energy, causing dozens of small trees around them to wither; some Dao Ancestors have joined forces to set up an absolute formation to surround and kill an ancient tree and seize its source; even more extreme, some have torn apart the Dao Ancestor boundary wall, invaded other tree Dao domains, and fought a bloody battle for a thousand years, a frenzied struggle for the Dao...

A great calamity is imminent, and the Forest of Ten Thousand Ancestors is turbulent with surging currents.

"The cycle of annihilation is less than two thousand five hundred years." The Dao Ancestor Haotian withdrew his illusory image and looked at the ancestors, saying in a deep voice, "What do you all think those old fellows are doing? Drinking tea and discussing the Dao, waiting for the tide to come?"

Upon hearing this, Dao Ancestor Lei Yan's face darkened.

Qingyuan Daozu said in a deep voice: "What Fellow Daoist Haotian said makes sense. All the ancestors are fighting, and they will use any means necessary."

“Exactly.” Dao Ancestor Haotian nodded: “Crimson Sky Molten Fire, Profound Nether Devouring Source, Heavenly Demon Blood Sacrifice… which one wasn’t ruthless and decisive? Which one didn’t risk everything just to hold on a little longer in the tide?”

The Great Heavenly Dao Ancestor's gaze swept over everyone, indicating, "In comparison, Li Mu's Chaos Dao Tree can absorb all origins into one and maintain the circulation of primordial energy—is there another tree like this in the Forest of Ten Thousand Ancestors?"

Dao Ancestor You Guang's figure was faint, and he sighed, "There is indeed no second one. Ancient records state that when the ancient calamity was destroyed, only the three paths of Chaos, Devouring, and Returning to the Source could survive. Now, Dao Ancestor Devouring is nowhere to be found, the Path of Returning to the Source is in the hands of Fellow Daoist Gu Xi, and the Great Dao of Chaos... happens to be on this boy."

Night-Sickening Dao Ancestor sneered, "That's why we must seize it even more! How can such a great Dao be controlled by a junior who has just entered the Dao Integration stage?"

"Seize?" Dao Ancestor Chaoyuan sneered, reminding him, "Fellow Daoist Ye, you just tried. Your Nightmare Heart Source was swallowed up by him and turned into resources. My Tide Dao Rhyme entered his Dao Tree like a mud ox entering the sea. Fellow Daoist Youguang's Void Origin had its mark directly stripped off. If you are really confident in seizing his Dao Source, go now. I will not stop you."

Night-Sickness Dao Ancestor's face twitched, and he fell silent.

Yinghong Daozu smiled wryly and said, "What Fellow Daoist Chaoyuan said is very true. He is no longer the greenhorn he was when the Starry Sky Assembly first came together. In the past five hundred years, he has refined many of our Dao origins, and his Chaos Dao Foundation has gradually become perfect. Now he has undergone the Eight Origins Trial and the Hundred Realms have been reborn... Ask yourselves, could you have achieved such a growth rate when you first entered the Dao Integration Realm?"

Lei Yan Dao Ancestor sneered, "So what? No matter how fast he is, he is only at the mid-stage of the Dao Integration Realm. If we join forces, surely we can defeat him?"

"And then what?" Dao Ancestor Haotian asked with amusement, reminding him, "Even if we exert all our strength, suppress him with the Star Evolution Array, and Gu Xi tries to stop us, it will be useless—we may be able to capture Li Mu and seize his Chaos Dao Tree, but then what?"

“Then…” Dao Ancestor Lei Yan suddenly paused.

The Great Dao Ancestor Haotian reminded him, "If the Chaos Dao Tree is seized, who will wield it? Fellow Daoist Lei Yan, your Thunder Dao is domineering and violent, can it encompass all sources? Fellow Daoist Qing Yuan, your Dao of Life is gentle and enduring, can it absorb tribulation and destroy collapsing Qi? Or perhaps Fellow Daoist Ye Yan's Nightmare Heart Source, or Fellow Daoist You Guang's Void Law?"

"The Great Dao of Chaos cannot be mastered without Chaos itself. Seizing this tree would only yield an unowned Dao wood, which must be refined and perfected from scratch. Two thousand five hundred years... is that enough?" Dao Ancestor Haotian asked, looking at the other Dao Ancestors.

Upon hearing this, the platform fell into a deathly silence.

After a long while, Qingyuan Daozu sighed softly, "Let alone two thousand five hundred years, even if we give it another thirty thousand years, it will be difficult for someone who is not on the path of chaos to truly control this tree."

"Exactly." Dao Ancestor Haotian nodded and said, "If we seize it but cannot use it, it will only weaken our fighting strength and create a deadly enmity with Gu Xi. When the calamity comes, Gu Xi will launch a counterattack with Li Mu, and all the ancestors will be watching us like tigers. Fellow Daoists, do you still have the confidence to survive this great calamity?"

Lei Yan Daozu clenched his fists, his face showing a struggle, but ultimately did not refute.

Dao Ancestor You Guang smiled wryly and said, "In that case, the Chaos Dao Tree... really can only be controlled by Li Mu."

“At least for now.” Dao Ancestor Haotian looked toward the Chaos Dao Domain and gestured, “This child is growing rapidly and has a strong will. What’s even more remarkable is that he is willing to establish a pact of the pivot to maintain the source energy during the tribulation. This is already a great blessing for the Vast Earth Forest Sea.”

Night-Sickness Dao Ancestor said in a sinister voice, "You trust him so much? What if he turns against us during the calamity and uses the pivotal position to demand our Dao Source?"

Dao Ancestor Haotian smiled.

“Fellow Daoist Yeyan, if Li Mu wanted to turn against us, he could do so today. If he had secretly intercepted the Dao essence during the trial just now, or even reversed it against our origins, it wouldn’t have been so difficult!” Dao Ancestor Haotian said, indicating that Li Mu could have done so today.

Upon hearing this, Dao Ancestor Ye Yan was taken aback.

The Dao Ancestor Haotian continued, "Not only did he not do it, but he also did his best to guide and divide the Eight Sources into various realms, reducing our burden. After the trial ended, his Dao foundation was solidified, and he did not forget to bow and express his gratitude. How many people among you who have cultivated for hundreds of thousands of years have seen such a character?"

A thoughtful look flashed in Dao Ancestor Chao Yuan's eyes, and he nodded, saying, "This boy... certainly has potential."

Yinghong Daozu agreed, saying, "I observe his Daoist aura; there is order hidden within chaos, and he does not lose his true nature despite his inclusiveness. Such a Daoist is definitely not that of a wicked person."

Lei Yan Daozu remained unconvinced, saying, "It's just an act!"

“So it really is just an act,” Haotian Daozu looked at him and reminded him, “Fellow Daoist Lei Yan, are you willing to gamble? Gamble on him turning against you during the tribulation, gamble on the lives of billions of beings in my eight Dao Domains?”

Haotian Daozu looked at Leiyan Daozu and asked in a deep voice, "Fellow Daoist Leiyan, can you afford to gamble?"

Upon hearing this, Dao Ancestor Lei Yan frowned and remained silent.

After a moment's thought, Qingyuan Daozu said, "We understand Fellow Daoist Haotian's meaning. The current situation truly requires a Chaos Hub. Since Li Mu is willing to take on this responsibility, we really shouldn't force him any further. Instead, we should help him grow up as soon as possible to prepare for the great calamity. What do you all think?"

Daoist Youguang was the first to nod: "Agreed."

Dao Ancestor Chao Yuan: "Agreed."

Dao Ancestor Yinghong smiled and said, "I have no objection."

After leaning on his cane for a while, Dao Ancestor Ye Yan nodded and said, "I will follow Fellow Daoist Haotian's advice."

All the Dao Ancestors' gazes fell upon Dao Ancestor Lei Yan.

Lei Yan Daozu's expression shifted, and he sighed, "So be it! I will wait another five hundred years. We will meet again at the Starry Sky Platform then. If his Great Dao of Chaos has not yet reached a level sufficient to sustain the realms..."

"So good."

With a wave of his sleeve, the Dao Ancestor Haotian caused light to flow on the Starry Dao Platform, and the nine-star skeletons slowly disappeared.

"Five hundred years have passed in the blink of an eye. After you all depart, please reorganize the Dao Domain and stabilize the Boundary Source. At the next Star Evolution Gathering, we will determine the detailed rules for the passage to be opened." Dao Ancestor Haotian cupped his hands and bid farewell, saying, "Let's end here for today."

All the ancestors rose to their feet.

The Qingyuan Dao Ancestor vanished in a turquoise light, the Youguang Dao Ancestor's figure faded away, the Yeyan Dao Ancestor stepped into the darkness with his cane, and the Chaoyuan and Yinghong Ancestors departed one after another.

Lei Yan Dao Ancestor glanced at Hao Tian Dao Ancestor one last time, snorted coldly, and vanished without a trace amidst a burst of purple lightning. (End of Chapter)