Gou Dao and Cultivation of Immortals, Start from Farming

Not long after, Gu Xi Dao Nian returned to the Burial Dao Ancient Tomb and witnessed the Chaos Dao Tree's billions of gray roots deeply embedded in the vast soil, drawing away all the calamity power, remnants, and source energy of the entire Burial Dao Graveyard. Its astonishing growth left him deeply shaken and unable to calm down for a long time.

Li Mu opened his eyes and looked at Gu Xi, greeting her with a smile: "Fellow Daoist Gu, have you reached an agreement with the other Daoists?"

Gu Xi nodded solemnly, and a Dao Seal condensed from the eight origins appeared in Qinghui Dao Thoughts. It was the Dao oath made by the Dao Ancestors at the Star Evolution Dao Platform.

"The Eight Realms are willing to revere the Chaos Dao Tree, share the same source of Qi, and comprehend the same Dao principles. We hope that Fellow Daoist Li will quickly guide us to the pivot, as the Eight Extremes Formation cannot last long!" Gu Xi offered the Dao oath seal and pleaded with Li Mu.

Li Mu nodded, reached out and put away the Dao Seal, then channeled his divine sense into it to read the oaths made by the Dao Ancestors.

Li Mu looked at Gu Xi, smiled, and said, "No problem!"

On the Starry Dao Platform, the Eight Extremes Array was on the verge of collapse under the impact of the calamity tide. At the array's core, the Chaos Dao Source trembled violently, seemingly bearing unimaginable pressure.

Just as the Dao Ancestors were anxiously waiting, their hearts filled with worry as they looked at the Chaos Dao Source at the array's core, Dao Ancestor Gu Xi's Dao consciousness returned to his body, and he suddenly opened his eyes, indicating, "Fellow Daoist Li... agrees."

As soon as the words were spoken, a gray vortex suddenly split open above the platform.
A figure in a green robe stepped out of the chaotic vortex, his aura as deep as the sea, standing still as an abyss.

As the newcomer appeared, the Chaos Dao Source, which was on the verge of collapse at the core of the formation, suddenly stabilized. At the same time, the Chaos Dao Essence deepened several times, and the Eight Extremes Formation stabilized, stubbornly resisting the impact of the calamity tide.

All the Dao Ancestors were startled and stared at Li Mu with shocked expressions.

Dao Ancestor Haotian exclaimed with delight, "Fellow Daoist Li!"

Lei Yan Daozu suddenly stood up, staring intently at Li Mu, and asked in astonishment, "In that situation, how... how did you survive!"

Li Mu smiled slightly, did not respond, and cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "It's been a thousand years since we last met. How are you all doing, fellow Daoists?"

"Excellent, excellent!" Qingyuan Daozu's emerald eyes gleamed as he looked at Li Mu with admiration, exclaiming, "Fellow Daoist Li, the depth of your aura upon your return is far beyond what it once was!"

"Indeed!" Dao Ancestor Youguang examined Li Mu and exclaimed in amazement, "Half-step into the Dao Transformation Realm... Fellow Daoist Gu's words are true!"

Night-Sickness Dao Ancestor forced a smile and exclaimed enviously, "Fellow Daoist Li, you are truly blessed!"

Chao Yuan and Ying Hong exchanged a glance, both seeing the shock in each other's eyes.

Li Mu's gaze swept over the Dao Ancestors, finally settling on the chaotic Dao source at the array's core. He nodded and said, "This thing is indeed well protected!"

Gu Xi stood up and greeted him, "Now that Fellow Daoist Li has arrived, the matter of the Eight Extremes Formation's core will be entrusted to you!"

Haotian Daozu solemnly said, "Fellow Daoist Li, the Eight Domains Origin Imprint has been integrated into the Dao Oath Seal. The Chaos Dao Source at the array eye can serve as a guide to draw the roots of the Chaos Dao Tree into the array."

Lei Yan Daozu urged anxiously, "I would like to trouble Fellow Daoist Li to act quickly. My Thunder Domain has already lost 40% of its power and cannot hold out for much longer!"

Li Mu smiled and nodded, then stepped to the center of the formation.

With hands pressed down, the Chaos Dao Domain unfolded, and a gray Dao light soared into the sky. Vast Chaos Dao Yuan was poured in, and the Chaos Dao Source in the array eye immediately spread out, rapidly engulfing the array screen of the platform.

Behind Li Mu, a majestic illusory tree appeared, its branches reaching the sky, its roots bursting out of the earth like millions of gray dragons, following the guidance of the Dao light, and fiercely penetrating the Star Evolution Dao Platform!
A deafening boom!
The entire Star Derivation Platform trembled violently, and the eight-colored array patterns swirled wildly.
Within the formation, the eight Dao Ancestors all let out a muffled groan, their Dao Source uncontrollably surging towards the formation's core.

"Do not resist," Li Mu instructed the others, signaling them to "let them mediate."

Haotian Daozu gritted his teeth and withdrew his protective starlight. Lei Yan's body was surrounded by raging purple lightning, while Qingyuan Daozu released a gentle blue light. Youguang, Yeyan, Chaoyuan, ..., eight powerful Dao sources surged into the root of chaos like rivers flowing into the sea.

The gray Dao light surged, completely enveloping and unifying the eight colors of Dao essence. The originally conflicting Dao sources of thunder, vitality, void, nightmare, tide, neon flame, return to the source, and starlight, under the guidance of the chaotic Dao intent, blended together like water and milk, without any stagnation.

In an instant, the Eight Extremes Array set up on the Star Evolution Platform shone ten times brighter!
The power of the Eight Extremes Calamity Suppressing Array rapidly expanded outwards. The array walls, which had been rippled by the calamity tide, solidified like iron, with a hazy Dao light flowing across them, blocking all the surging calamity power.

"This!" Sensing the changes in the great formation and the harmonious flow of the source, the Azure Origin Dao Ancestor's blue eyes widened in surprise. "The Chaos Dao Source is so powerful that it has completely annihilated the chaos of all the Daos!"

Dao Ancestor Youguang exclaimed with delight, "The ability to harmonize chaos is truly profound!"

As Dao Ancestor Lei Yan sensed the unimpeded flow of the Thunder Dao Source within the formation, with its feedback speed increasing dramatically, he was filled with mixed joy and surprise, his expression complex: "With such powerful formation energy, we should be able to overcome this tribulation."

“It is true”

Dao Ancestor Haotian nodded repeatedly with delight, looking at Li Mu and praising, "Fellow Daoist Li's foundation in the Chaos Dao is extraordinary. This time, with just a small demonstration, you have increased the power of the Eight Extremes Formation by more than ten times!"

Gu Xi stroked his beard and smiled, praising, "Fellow Daoist Li's move is truly extraordinary."

Facing the gazes of the Dao Ancestors, Li Mu smiled slightly and did not respond. He sat cross-legged in the center of the array eye, closed his eyes, and merged his mind with the roots of the Chaos Dao Tree. Through the roots of the Chaos Dao Tree, he followed the veins of the Eight Extremes Array and spread towards the core of the Eight Domains.

In the center of the ten-thousand-foot-deep Thunder Pool in the Eastern Thunder Domain, a gray root broke through the soil and pierced the trunk of the Thunder Ancestral Tree. The Thunder Ancestor's body trembled, feeling the vast chaotic Daoist rhyme surge in, which sorted out the violent thunder source layer by layer, and the feedback speed increased dramatically. The scattered tribulation power in the Thunder Pool was completely drawn away and refined by the root.

In the Western Azure Realm, beneath the Ancestral Tree of All Spirits, amidst swirling azure light, Graybeard ventured in, and the vitality and Daoist aura seemed to receive a timely rain, causing the withered branches and leaves to revive at a visible speed.

Chaotic roots descended upon the core of the eight domains: the Southern Tide Domain, the Northern Fire Domain, the Southeast Wandering Domain, the Southwestern Night Domain, the Northeastern Ancient Domain, and the Northwestern Vast Domain.

The Eight Extremes Formation is completely connected to the roots of the Chaos Dao Tree.

At the heart of the formation, Li Mu opened his eyes and raised his hand to make a gesture: "Chaos unites the eight extremes, the Dao returns to one, condense!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire Star Evolution Platform shook violently. A gray vortex appeared in the center of the eight-colored array patterns. The vortex spun endlessly, absorbing and refining the origins of the eight regions, thus completely stabilizing the power of the great array.

The calamity outside the formation surged like raging waves crashing against the shore. However, the moment it touched the formation wall, it was quickly differentiated and guided by the hazy light of the Dao, flowing along the chaotic roots and veins towards the ancient tomb of the burial path.

Deep within the vast land, the countless roots of the Chaos Dao Tree spread out like a giant whale swallowing the sea, taking in all the calamity power that it guided.

The tribulation force struggled violently within the chaotic Dao rhythm, unleashing destructive waves, which were suppressed and refined by layers of gray Dao light, transforming into pure source Qi, which in turn nourished the growth of the Chaos Dao Tree.

The Chaos Dao Tree grew another six billion feet tall, then six billion... six billion... six billion... six billion...

Nine thousand newborn embryos on the branches frantically absorbed the source energy, the boundary wall solidified, the clear and turbid within differentiated, and the phenomenon of the five elements rotating began to appear.

On the Starry Dao Platform, the Eighth Ancestor clearly sensed a sudden decrease in the pressure outside the formation.

The Eight Extremes Formation, which originally required all its strength to maintain, can now be stabilized with only 30% of its Dao Source. The remaining 70% of the Dao Source can be used to nourish one's own Dao Foundation and repair the damage to one's own realm.

As Dao Ancestor Lei Yan sensed the fading tribulation power within the Thunder Domain and the return of azure lightning to the Thunder Pool, he excitedly murmured, "It's stable! It's stable! Now we're truly safe!"

With a joyful smile, Dao Ancestor Qingyuan said excitedly, "The withering of the Myriad Spirits Ancestral Tree has stopped, and thirty percent of its branches and leaves have regained their vitality. Fellow Daoist Li, this kindness will be forever remembered by the Azure Domain!"

Nightshade Dao Ancestor's old face relaxed as he looked at Li Mu and thanked him happily, saying, "The chaos of the Nightmare Dao Domain's inner demons has subsided. This time... I thank Fellow Daoist Li very much."

Chao Yuan, Ying Hong, and You Guang spoke in succession, expressing their gratitude to Li Mu.

Haotian Daozu stared at Li Mu in the center of the array with his starry eyes, and bowed, saying, "Fellow Daoist Li used Chaos as the pivot to harmonize the eight regions. On behalf of the people of the eight regions, Haotian thanks you for your life-saving grace." Gu Xi bowed in response, saying, "I also thank you for not holding a grudge against me."

Lei Yan Daozu looked at Li Mu and solemnly cupped his hands, saying, "Fellow Daoist Li, I am deeply grateful for your kindness this time!"

Li Mu rose from the center of the formation and said calmly, "Fellow Daoists, there is no need for formalities. The Chaos-Eight Extremes Hub has been completed. From now on, all the tribulation power will be refined by my Dao Tree, and the Eight Regions can be temporarily at peace."

After a pause, Li Mu continued, "However, since the hub is newly formed, it needs constant adjustment. My main body needs to be stationed at the Burial Dao Ancient Tomb to connect the earth veins of the eight regions with the roots of the Dao Tree and construct the prototype of the Great Earth Source Qi circulation. Here at the Star Evolution Dao Platform, a wisp of my spirit will be left to manage the array eye and its operation!"

Gu Xi nodded happily: "That's how it should be."

Unable to contain his curiosity, Dao Ancestor Haotian asked with concern, "How does Fellow Daoist Li intend to arrange this?"

Li Mu raised his hand and touched his brow. A wisp of gray Daoist thought separated and transformed into a split spirit that looked exactly like him, sitting cross-legged in the center of the array.

"This avatar is in charge of the central command and can make decisions on ordinary matters. If a major change occurs, you can summon my true self." Li Mu looked at the eight Dao Ancestors and gestured, "Fellow Daoists, you may return to your respective domains to reorganize your realms and repair any damage. With the central command completed, the pressure of the calamity tide has been reduced by 70%, and the eight domains should be able to safely weather this great calamity."

Dao Ancestor Lei Yan urged, "Fellow Daoist Li, under the great calamity, the Ancient Tomb of Burial Dao will surely be extremely dangerous. Why not stay on the Dao Platform and wait for the calamity to pass?"

“The Ancient Burial Tomb is a place where calamity power gathers, and it is also the best place to refine the source of calamity.” Li Mu shook his head slightly and indicated, “The roots of the Chaos Dao Tree have already connected the earth veins of the eight regions. I, Li, am stationed at the Ancient Tomb. I can use the earth vein network to transport the refined source energy to the eight regions and accelerate the recovery of the realm.”

Qingyuan Daozu suddenly realized, "So that's how it is. Fellow Daoist Li has thought things through very carefully."

Dao Ancestor You Guang pondered for a moment and said, "The earth vein network is just beginning to form. Will there be any stagnation in the transmission?"

Li Mu smiled slightly and gestured, "The Chaos Root is the vein, and the Eight Regions Earth Veins are the network. The flow of Origin Qi should be unimpeded. After you return to your respective regions, you can sense the changes in the Earth Veins. If there are any abnormalities, please report them immediately."

All eight patriarchs nodded.

The Great Heavenly Dao Ancestor surveyed the assembled ancestors and gestured, "In that case, we shall each return to our respective domains and reorganize our realms. Here at the Star Evolution Dao Platform, Fellow Daoist Gu Xi and Fellow Daoist Li shall share the central command and coordination. Does anyone have any objections?"

Dao Ancestor Lei Yan waved his hand and said, "I have no objection. The Thunder Domain has suffered considerable damage and we need to go back and reorganize it as soon as possible."

Qingyuan, Chaoyuan, Yinghong, Youguang, and Yeyan successively agreed.

Gu Xi suggested, "I will stay here and share the reins with Fellow Daoist Li."

Li Mu himself cupped his hands to the Eighth Patriarch and said, "Fellow Daoists, please!"

The Dao Ancestors said no more, their figures fading away one after another as they returned to their respective domains.

The Starry Dao Platform returned to silence, with only Li Mu's clone sitting cross-legged in the center of the array's core, the gray Dao Source flowing endlessly.

Gu Xi walked to the center of the formation, looked at Li Mu's true form, and asked with concern, "When will Fellow Daoist Li set off?"

"Immediately." Li Mu's true form looked into the depths of the vast land and gestured, "The calamity tide is surging. The more part we refine, the more stable the Eight Domains will be."

Gu Xi nodded and couldn't help but sigh, "A thousand years have passed, and you have already reached the half-step into the Dao, holding the reins and harmonizing the eight regions... Truly, the world is unpredictable."

Li Mu smiled and bid farewell, saying, "The path to enlightenment is long and uncertain. Fellow Daoist Gu, please guard this place well. I'm leaving now!"

After speaking, Li Mu's true form transformed into a streak of gray light, plummeting into the depths of the vast earth and disappearing in an instant.

Gu Xi gazed at the direction where the light disappeared for a long time before letting out a soft sigh. He then sat cross-legged beside the array's core, sharing control of the pivot with Li Mu.
-
……

Burial route ancient tomb.

The Chaos Dao Tree has reached a height of 6.8 billion feet, its roots forming a net that covers the depths of the entire vast land and is connected to the earth veins of the eight regions.

Li Mu appeared in his true form beneath the Dao Tree, sitting cross-legged in a state of emptiness, his mind and spirit becoming one with the Dao Tree.

With hands forming a hand seal, the billions of roots of the Chaos Dao Tree trembled in unison, sending the pure source energy obtained from refining the tribulation power to the eight regions along the earth's vein network.

Eastern Thunder Domain.

As soon as Dao Ancestor Lei Yan returned to his domain, he felt a surge of powerful primordial energy from the depths of the earth's veins. It was incredibly pure and contained a trace of chaotic true meaning.

The primordial energy poured into the Thunder Ancestral Tree, and the depleted Thunder Pool rapidly replenished at a visible speed, the scattered thunder source reforming...

"Good lad..." Lei Yan sensed the speed of his Dao Foundation's repair and said excitedly, "I owe him a huge favor."

Western Green Domain.

The withered branches and leaves of the Ancestral Tree of Myriad Spirits sprouted new buds under the nourishment of pure primordial energy, and the vegetation in the realm grew wildly, with vitality reviving. The Azure Origin Dao Ancestor smiled with his blue eyes, activated the realm seal, and evenly distributed the primordial energy among the realms.

The Southern Tide Domain, the Northern Fire Domain... all eight domains received the source energy's feedback, accelerating the repair of damage to their boundaries.

On the Starry Dao Platform, Gu Xi clearly sensed the changes in the Eight Regions, and a look of satisfaction appeared in his clear eyes: "Fellow Daoist Li's actions have truly benefited the Eight Regions."

At the center of the formation, Li Mu, his eyes slightly closed, said calmly, "The calamity has not yet subsided; we cannot let our guard down."

Gu Xi nodded, and the Daoist rhyme of Gui Cang emerged, assisting in harmonizing the source and flow of the pivot.
-
……

Time flies, and thirty years have passed in the blink of an eye.

The Chaos-Eight Extremes Hub operates smoothly and harmoniously, and the Eight Domains remain as stable as a rock amidst the calamity, with nearly half of the damage to the domains repaired.

However, most of the other regions of the Vast Land of Ten Thousand Ancestors have fallen.

In the Crimson Flame Ancestral Domain, six of the nine blazing suns of the Crimson Heaven Dao Ancestor shattered, nearly half of the Fire Prison collapsed, and less than one in ten of the trillion living beings survived.

In the abyss of the Weak Water, the Xuan Sha Dao Ancestor's Return to the Void Formation was riddled with cracks, and nearly a thousand of the three thousand Weak Water Chains had been broken.

The Heavenly Demon Blood Forest, where the Myriad Demons Slaying Immortals Formation was destroyed three times by the calamity tide, saw more than half of the eight hundred demon ancestors perish, and the blood mist thinned out.

The other Dao Domains fared even worse. Some Ancestral Trees collapsed completely, Dao Ancestors perished, and their domains turned to ashes. Other Dao Ancestors abandoned their domains and fled, only to be swept up by the calamity tide, resulting in their deaths and the dissipation of their Dao.

Across the vast land, cries of sorrow filled the air.

Only the eight realms of the Starry Sky, protected by the Chaos-Eight Extremes Hub, have stable boundaries, allowing living beings to survive.

On this day, from the direction of the Crimson Flame Ancestral Domain, a blazing flame pierced through the tribulation tide and headed straight for the Star Evolution Dao Platform. (End of Chapter)