Gou Dao and Cultivation of Immortals, Start from Farming

A small boat, bathed in clear light, glides through the vast emptiness of the land, while glimmers of light flash by outside the boat.

Gu Xi and Li Mu sat facing each other in the boat, the teacups on the table had gone cold.

"In this Starry Sky Platform trial, Fellow Daoist Li's foundation has been further strengthened, and the Chaos Dao Tree has been reborn in the Hundred Realms. This is truly a cause for celebration." Gu Xi poured tea into the empty cup in front of Li Mu and kindly reminded him, "However, the clash of the Eight Sources has caused you considerable damage. You should take good care of yourself when you return."

Li Mu accepted the teacup, nodded and smiled, "Thank you for your protection, Senior Gu. Without your intervention, the probing by the ancestors would not have ended so easily!"

"Our paths are intertwined, so we should advance and retreat together!" Gu Xi waved her hand and smiled, looking at Li Mu, and solemnly reminded him: "Lei Yan, Qing Yuan, and the others were forced to stop this time, but their ambitions are great, and their grudges remain unresolved. When we meet again in Xingyan five hundred years from now, new changes will surely occur. Fellow Daoist Li, you must prepare in advance!"

"I understand." Li Mu nodded with a smile, pondered for a moment, and then suddenly said, "Senior Gu, I have a favor to ask."

Gu Xi put down the teapot, looked at Li Mu and said, "Oh? Please speak freely."

Li Mu said solemnly, “The Chaos Dao Tree has given birth to a hundred worlds. The world embryos are just beginning to take shape and will take time to evolve. I wish to ask the ancient senior for a group of people to help me manage the worlds and guide the evolution of the Dao laws.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Xi raised an eyebrow and asked in surprise, "Ask for manpower? I wonder who Fellow Daoist Li wants to ask me for?"

Li Mu smiled slightly and gestured, “Each of the newly created Hundred Realms contains a branch of chaos. Thunder and fire, mysterious ice, the netherworld, illusion and dreams... all kinds of great paths require a specialist to guide them. The spirits under my command can still take care of them, but in the end, they are not strong enough. Each of them governs a realm, and I am unable to be in two places at once.”

After explaining for a moment, Li Mu looked directly at Dao Ancestor Gu Xi and gestured, "I would like to ask you, senior, for Lin Xiaolun, Tie Tou, Da Niu, and the three thousand disciples that I nurtured with Dao Seeds in the past!"

A hint of surprise flashed across Gu Xiqinghui's eyes, but he nodded in relief: "So, you intend to take them!"

"Yes." Li Mu said with a nostalgic expression, "Back when I first entered the realm of enlightenment, in order to facilitate my enlightenment of the Great Dao of Chaos, I used my own Dao Seed to enlighten three thousand mortals and impart three thousand Dao principles. Later, after experiencing battles across various realms, I finally achieved Dao Integration. Those disciples were then entrusted to the ancient ancestral tree of our predecessors, where they were nourished and cultivated by the Dao of all realms. Now... I wonder if they are still well?"

Gu Xi frowned, looking at Li Mu with a complicated expression, and said with emotion, "I didn't expect that Fellow Daoist Li would still remember them."

“The seeds of the Dao are intertwined with cause and effect.” Li Mu sighed softly and said with emotion, “Even after so many years, I still dare not forget.”

Gu Xi remained silent for a long time before letting out a long sigh: "Fellow Daoist Li is loyal and righteous, which I admire. However... time is merciless and the path of cultivation is fraught with peril. Of your three thousand disciples, who have cultivated in countless worlds and endured all kinds of trials, those who have survived to this day... are few indeed."

Li Mu's eyes narrowed slightly: "Please enlighten me, Senior Gu."

Gu Xi closed his eyes, and his divine sense surged into his majestic ancestral tree like a tide, sweeping across the infinite realms hanging among its countless branches and leaves. As the clear light and Daoist charm flowed, images flashed rapidly through his mind.

A red-haired cultivator was attempting to break through to the next major realm during his tribulation when his physical body collapsed under the lightning tribulation, and his primordial spirit scattered into the sea of ​​fire.

In a frozen world, the female cultivator in white attempted to break through her bottleneck by invoking the Nine Nether Profound Ice. However, her Dao foundation became unstable, and she was devoured by the cold energy, turning into an ice sculpture and being permanently sealed deep within the glacier.

In a desolate mountain forest, a burly man fought against an ancient ferocious beast, slaying it and seizing its essence. He died from exhaustion, his body turning into rocks.

……

Scene after scene, a series of falls.

Gu Xi opened her eyes, her clear eyes filled with a trace of melancholy, and looked at Li Mu to explain: "Fellow Daoist Li, your three thousand disciples have been cultivating in the myriad worlds of the Ancestral Tree for more than seven thousand six hundred years... In these long years, they have experienced strange calamities, battles and fights, opportunities and dangers. To this day, there are still six hundred and fifty-three of them alive."

"The others!" Li Mu suddenly realized, and asked hesitantly.

"The remaining two thousand three hundred and forty-seven people have all passed away peacefully." Gu Xi looked directly at Li Mu and said in a deep voice, "They either died in the struggle for the Dao, perished in the heavenly tribulation, died of old age, or were devoured by inner demons... On the path of the Dao, only a few can reach the end."

Li Mu wore a bitter smile, as if a memory flashed before his eyes of the past, when he provoked three thousand disciples in the Qian Yuan Realm, planted the Dao for them, and heard their joyful expressions when he lectured on planting the Dao.

Seven thousand six hundred years is but a fleeting moment for cultivators who have reached the Dao Integration stage, but for those disciples whose highest level is no more than the Mahayana stage, it is an eternity.

"Six hundred and fifty-three people..." Li Mu looked at Gu Xi and pleaded, "Please, Senior Gu, summon them out and hand them over to this junior."

Gu Xi frowned and looked at Li Mu, reminding him, "Fellow Daoist Li, do you know their current cultivation levels?"

"Please tell me, senior," Li Mu asked curiously.

"Of these 653 people, the highest cultivation level is only at the peak of the Extreme Dao, a mere 72 people. The lowest... is still at the early stage of the Mahayana stage." Gu Xi looked at Li Mu solemnly and said, "They have been able to survive until now in the myriad worlds of the Ancestral Tree, mostly due to their caution, forbearance, and good fortune. Such cultivation is a drop in the ocean for your Chaotic New Hundred Worlds, and they are hardly capable of shouldering great responsibilities!"

Upon hearing this, Li Mu pondered for a moment and said earnestly, "What I seek is not their current cultivation level."

"Why is that?" Gu Xi asked, puzzled.

"The seeds of Dao are connected, and the cause and effect are not severed." Li Mu looked at Gu Xi and said earnestly, "When I enlightened them back then, the seeds of Dao I bestowed upon them all contained a trace of the true meaning of chaos. After thousands of years of sedimentation, that trace of true meaning has long been washed away and diluted by the Dao rhythms of the various realms. However, the root remains. Now that the Chaos Dao Tree is reborn in the Hundred Realms, it needs people with such compatible roots to guide its evolution. Moreover..."

Li Mu paused for a moment, then continued, "They followed me into the Dao, and because of me, their fates have all changed drastically. I should repay the debt of karma for this."

Gu Xi stared at Li Mu for a long time, then suddenly laughed and said, "Fellow Daoist Li, your temperament... reminds me of someone."

"Who?"

A hint of reminiscence flashed in Gu Xi's eyes, then he shook his head: "Enough, let's not dwell on the past. If Fellow Daoist Li insists, then I will grant your wish!"

The next moment, Gu Xi shone brightly, and the majestic ancestral tree appeared behind him, its branches and leaves flourishing, with countless realms hanging like stars.

"In my name, I summon all cultivators of the realm—"

Gu Xi formed a hand seal, and the clear radiance of the Dao surged into the illusory image of the ancestral tree like a tide. The Dao radiance swept across countless branches and leaves, locking onto several realms and radiating clear radiance, which were the Dao markers of the realms where Li Mu's disciples were located.

"Li Daoyou's former disciples, 653 in total, have appeared!"

Gu Xi formed hand seals and gave a low shout. In the next moment, 653 streams of light detached from the branches and leaves, streaked across the void, and converged inside the Qinghui Small Boat.

The light faded, revealing the figure within.

There were men and women, old and young, dressed in different clothes, with mixed auras. Their eyes were closed, their faces were peaceful, as if they were asleep. Their Dao auras were faintly connected to the auras of the Ancient Ancestral Tree and the myriad worlds, but now they were forcibly separated and all fell into a coma.

Li Mu's gaze swept over the 653 figures, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.

Thousands of years have passed, and the appearances of these disciples have mostly changed. The once youthful and innocent boys and girls are now either middle-aged or old, but their features can still be vaguely discerned between their brows.

Iron Head was still as burly as ever, with white hair and beard, and a crimson scar on his forehead, as if burned by flames; Big Bull's face was as rugged as ever, his left arm was severed at the shoulder, and he was filled with a murderous aura; Lin Xiaolun... Li Mu's gaze fell on a woman in green, whose face had not aged and was still beautiful, but a deep blue line had appeared between her eyebrows, and her body was surrounded by a watery and clever aura, indicating that she had actually cultivated the Profound Water Dao Body.

The other disciples were either surrounded by a chilling sword aura, or enveloped in the fragrance of elixirs, or covered in runes... each with their own unique presence.

However, as Gu Xi said, the highest cultivation level of these disciples was only the peak of the Middle Dao, and the lowest was still the early stage of the Mahayana stage. They might be able to dominate in a small world, but in the vast land and the forest of ten thousand ancestors, they were nothing but ants.

"Fellow Daoist Li, the people are here." Gu Xi withdrew his Daoist aura, and the illusory image of the ancestral tree disappeared. Looking at Li Mu, he reminded him, "They have been nourished by the Daoist aura of my ancestral tree for thousands of years, and their souls are deeply connected to the realm. This forced summoning will require them to sleep for eighty-one days before they can awaken. At that time, their souls will be stable and their Dao foundations will be readjusted, so that they can be used by you." Li Mu bowed and said, "Thank you, Senior Gu."

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Mu waved his sleeve, and the chaotic Daoist rhyme surged out, transforming into a hazy gray light curtain that enveloped all 653 figures.

"receive."

The light curtain contracted, carrying everyone into Li Mu's brow and landing them in a newly built "Soul Nourishing Hall" deep within the Chaos Treasure Palace. Inside the hall, chaotic primordial energy flowed, nourishing the soul and stabilizing the foundation of the Dao.

Gu Xi watched Li Mu finish all this before speaking up to remind him, "Fellow Daoist Li, the person has been handed over to you. However, I have a word of advice to offer."

"Please speak, senior," Li Mu said, bowing.

“These disciples have low cultivation levels. Even if they have the seeds of Dao, they will be of limited help to your evolution in the Chaos Hundred Worlds.” Gu Xi looked at Li Mu and solemnly reminded him: “The great cycle of annihilation is imminent. You should prioritize your own path of cultivation and not let old feelings delay your cultivation.”

Li Mu nodded readily and said respectfully, "This junior understands. Summoning them back serves two purposes: first, to repay karmic debts; second, to lay a trap. The evolution of the Chaos Hundred Realms is not a matter of a day's work. Their cultivation is slightly lower, but their Dao Seeds share the same origin as this junior's, making them perfect for guiding the growth of the realm embryos. Furthermore…"

Li Mu paused, a profound look flashing in his eyes, and said frankly, "The newly enlightened 'Trial Realm of Reincarnation' is in dire need of training partners. They have experienced cultivation in countless realms and have unwavering willpower. They are perfect for entering the realm for training. If they can use the power of the Chaos Dao Tree to rebuild their Dao foundation, they may be able to be reborn."

Upon hearing this, Gu Xi seemed to be deep in thought, and then asked in surprise, "You intend to use them as seeds of the Dao to cultivate a new lineage of Dao in the new world?"

“Exactly.” Li Mu nodded with pleasure and said frankly, “The Great Dao of Chaos encompasses everything and should have ten thousand inheritances. These disciples each cultivate one path. Although some are not very accomplished, they are ready-made catalysts. Once they take root and spread their teachings in the newly born hundred worlds, the evolution of the realms can be accelerated.”

Gu Xi stroked his beard and pondered for a while, then looked at Li Mu and readily agreed, "Fellow Daoist Li has thought things through thoroughly; I, Gu, have been overthinking it. However... when you summoned these former disciples back, did you consider whether they would be willing?"

Upon hearing this, Li Mu fell silent for a moment.

Gu Xi continued, "They cultivated in the myriad worlds of the Ancestral Tree, each with their own karma and attachments. Now, you have forcibly summoned them into your Chaos Dao Tree, granting them a great opportunity, but also severing their past ties. When they awaken and learn the truth, they may harbor resentment!"

“I understand.” Li Mu pondered for a moment and gestured, “However, there is never a perfect path. They entered the Dao because of my Dao seed, and their karma has already been determined. Whether their return today is a calamity or a blessing depends on their own choices. If they do not wish to stay, I can send them into reincarnation to be reborn and start anew, thus severing their karma.”

Gu Xi gave Li Mu a deep look and said nothing more.

The small boat continued its journey, and the majestic outline of the Chaos Dao Tree could be seen ahead.

"Fellow Daoist Li, I'll see you off here." Gu Xi stopped the small boat, looked at Li Mu, and said as she saw him off, "Eighty-one days from now, your disciples will wake up. You can decide how to arrange things for them then."

Li Mu cupped his hands in thanks and said, "I am truly grateful for the trouble you have caused me, Senior Gu!"

"You're too kind!" Gu Xi laughed heartily, waved to Li Mu, and then hurriedly sailed away on the boat.

Watching Gu Xi leave, Li Mu stepped into the Chaos Treasure Palace.

The scene inside the mansion remained unchanged, with chaotic primordial energy surging like tides beneath the towering Dao trees. Li Mu's figure flashed, and he appeared in front of the Soul Nourishing Hall.

Inside the hall, a hazy, ethereal light flowed, and 653 figures floated silently, each enveloped in a thin layer of chaotic energy. Li Mu sat cross-legged in the void, eyes closed, concentrating his mind, awaiting the time of awakening.

Eighty-one days passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day, a slight movement occurred within the Hall of Nourishing Souls.

"cough……"

A muffled cough rang out.

At the corner of the hall, Tie Tou's burly body stirred, and he slowly opened his eyes. His eyes were cloudy, but then they cleared, and he suddenly sat up.

"Where is this...?"

Tie Tou looked around and saw that the gray hall was vast and boundless, and the purity of the Daoist aura flowing through it far surpassed any of the cave heavens he had cultivated in before. He subconsciously activated his cultivation technique, and the crimson scars all over his body suddenly lit up, and a scorching fighting spirit burst forth—however, as soon as this power broke out of his body, it was silently suppressed by the chaotic Daoist aura within the hall.

"My cultivation level..." Tie Tou looked surprised.

Almost simultaneously, a low growl came from the other side.

"who!"

Da Niu flipped and leaped up, his single arm clenched into a fist, his muscles bulging like iron and stone, his whole body surging with a murderous aura. His eyes swept around, and when he saw the densely packed floating figures in the hall, his pupils suddenly contracted.

"Xiao Lun? Lao Wang? What's going on with you...?"

Before the words were finished, commotion could be heard from various parts of the hall.

One by one, the cultivators awoke. They looked around blankly, on high alert, sensing each other with their divine senses, and calling out to one another. For a moment, the atmosphere in the hall was chaotic, with whispers rising and falling.

"Zhao Yan, Lao Yang, you guys are all here? What happened?"

"Where is this? Our souls... seem to have been refined?"

"Who has trapped us here? What terrifying methods they have employed!"

"Where is this?"

"Why does it look so much like Teacher's Chaotic Dao Domain? It feels so familiar!"

"Could it be..."

"No way, it's the teacher? It really is the teacher who summoned us?"

"Besides teachers, who has this ability?"

……

The crowd buzzed with discussion, and over six hundred gazes converged within the hall. They all saw the doubt and astonishment in each other's eyes, and couldn't help but think of a possibility, which made them all excited.

Suddenly, Lin Xiaolun stood up, raised her hand and pointed to the depths of the main hall, indicating, "I sense a familiar aura there!"

Upon hearing this, everyone looked in the direction she pointed, and their spirits lifted.

Deep within the main hall, where the hazy, divine light shone most intensely, a figure in a green robe sat quietly cross-legged, his back to the crowd. (End of Chapter)