Gou Dao and Cultivation of Immortals, Start from Farming

The void was deathly silent.

Li Mu stood in the void, his body surrounded by a dim, grayish light, like a flickering candle. His seven-colored roots broke off inch by inch from his back, turning into scattered light fragments. His figure swayed slightly, and the chaotic giant axe in his hand disintegrated, turning into a grayish stream of light that disappeared into his brow.

Xue'er arrived under the moonlight and caught the swaying Li Mu, saying, "Brother Li!"

Li Mu waved his hand, his gaze sweeping across the battlefield.

In the Forest of Ten Thousand Ancestors, more than half of the 60,000 ancestral trees have withered, their trunks charred black, their branches and leaves fallen, and their Dao light dimmed. Of the five million Dao soldiers, three million have perished, and their corpses float in the sea. Crimson Gold War Apes, Fire Feather Dao Soldiers, Fire-Leaving Tribes, Black Armor War Lizards... the remains are layered upon layer, and Dao blood has condensed into a blood river that runs across the void.

The corpses of Dao soldiers from the Purple Cloud and Cold Nether regions were even more numerous, covering the sky and earth, with the death aura and residual purple flames still burning the void.

"Master!" Xiao Jin was covered in blood, his right arm severed at the root, and he staggered through the air, with less than two thousand war apes remaining behind him.

The Crimson Phoenix transformed into human form, its left wing charred black, and landed beside Li Mu, its eyes filled with worry.

One after another, Dao Ancestors descended before Li Mu. Of the three hundred peak Dao Ancestors, one hundred and twenty-three perished; of the fifty thousand mid-stage Dao Integration Dao Ancestors, twenty thousand perished; and of the five million Dao Soldiers, three million were lost.

Gu Xi Dao Zu Qinghui swept across the vast land, his expression solemn as he said, "Dao Master, the source of the vast land is 90% depleted, the source vein spiritual network is 70% withered, and the source marrow layer is almost dry."

Dao Ancestor Haotian quickly calculated with his fingers, his starry eyes dimming as he said, "At the current recovery rate, it will take three thousand years to recover 50%."

Li Mu remained silent.

Xue'er supported Li Mu, her icy blue eyes gazing into the depths of the Myriad Source Sea, sensing the disappearance of Xiao Yuan's aura, her heart aching.

As if sensing something, Li Mu looked at Xue'er and quickly comforted her, "Xiao Yuan has not completely disappeared. Its spirit has been scattered across the vast land, and there is still a possibility of it being reborn in the future!"

Xue'er trembled, her icy blue eyes lighting up: "Brother Li, where is Xiao Yuan?"

The chaotic will spread out, enveloping the entire Origin Sea. The Origin Marrow layer surged, the milky white liquid thinned, and countless points of light dimmed. Within the Origin Liquid, a single shimmering white light floated, faint as a candle, flickering uncertainly.

The scent of Xiao Yuan.

Xue'er was extremely excited.

Li Mu raised his hand and gestured, and a faint white light fell into his palm, transforming into a crystal core the size of a fingernail. Inside the crystal core, a tiny, ethereal figure curled up and slept.

"The spiritual essence of the small source has dissipated and scattered throughout the Source Sea." Li Mu handed the crystal core to Xue'er: "Place it in the spirit pool to nurture it; it can recover after a thousand years!"

"That's great, thank you Brother Li!" Xue'er said happily as she accepted the crystal core.

Li Mu stood in the void, his body surrounded by a dim, gray aura, his gaze sweeping over the desolate land.

“Gu Xi”.

Gu Xi Dao Zu stepped forward, his eyes filled with solemnity: "Dao Master."

Li Mu raised his hand and pressed down, and chaotic Dao essence flowed out like silk, seeping into the source vein spiritual network. The spiritual network withered by seventy percent, its roots charred black, its flow sluggish. The chaotic Dao pattern between Li Mu's brows lit up, and the remaining essence transformed into fine rain, sprinkling down on the spiritual network.

As the gray rain passed, the scorched roots gleamed faintly, and the withered veins slowly unfurled.

Gu Xi Daozu's eyes lit up: "Dao Master, you have damaged your source!"

Li Mu waved his hand: "It's alright. Send orders to all regions to take stock of the losses and collect the remains of the fallen heroes."

Gu Xi bowed and said, "Yes."

Haotian Daozu stepped forward, his starry eyes sweeping across the light screen of the Source Measurement Array: "Dao Master, the flow rate of Source Qi has plummeted to a low point. At this rate, it will be difficult to recover in a thousand years."

Li Mu nodded: "The allocation of Origin Qi will be determined by the two of you. The seven Primordial Ancestral Trees will be given priority, followed by the Forest of Ten Thousand Ancestors."

Dao Ancestor Haotian cupped his hands and said, "As you command."

Li Mu looked at Xue'er.

Xue'er held the shimmering white crystal core, within which a tiny, ethereal figure curled up and slept.

Li Mu said, "Go."

Xue'er nodded happily, her figure transforming into moonlight, and she couldn't wait to disappear into the Myriad Source Sea.

The primordial sea surged, the chaotic energy thinned, and all the laws of nature fell silent. Beside the spirit pool, the trunks of the seven primordial ancestral trees were charred black, their branches and leaves withered, the phantom of the golden crow curled up in the canopy, and the azure dragon coiled on the trunk in slumber.

Xue'er landed by the spirit pool, cupped the crystal core in her hands, and gently placed it into the pool.

As the crystal nucleus entered the pool, the milky white liquid surged, enveloping the nucleus and slowly sinking it. Deep within the pool, the nucleus floated, its shimmering white light flickering like a candle in the wind.

Xue'er sat cross-legged by the pool, her Taiyin True Eyes rotating between her brows, and moonlight cascaded down like a waterfall, continuously flowing into the pool to nourish and protect the crystal core.

Xue'er said softly, "Xiao Yuan, your mother will stay by your side."

The moonlight never ceases, falling day and night.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Chapter 1058 A Thousand-Year Promise

Deep within the void, the turbulent currents are thin.

The Lord of Purple Extremes slumped on the shattered Dao Platform, half of his Dao body broken apart, dripping with purple-gold Dao blood. Grayish Dao aura lingered at the wound, corroding flesh and preventing healing. The Purple Cloud Dao Sword was broken in two, its blade dim, the nine purple suns shattered, leaving only scattered specks of purple light.

The Lord of Purple Extreme looked down at his chest, where an axe mark ran through his body, its gray light flashing and scorching his meridians.

"The Great Dao of Chaos..."

The Lord of Purple Extreme gritted his teeth, raised his hand in a grasping motion, and the broken sword flew back into his palm. The sword's blade was covered in cracks, and its sword intent dissipated.

"This is a Dao sword that I have refined for ten thousand years."

The Lord of Purple Extremes had a grim face, and his purple eyes were brimming with resentment and venom.

The void cracked open, and a beam of light fell onto the Dao platform.

The Lord of the Netherworld appeared, his deathly aura dissipating by thirty percent, his Dao body crumbling, and his white bone throne shattering into countless bone fragments, with only a wisp of eerie light supporting his remaining body. He slumped onto the illusory image of the Nether Pool, his eerie green eyes dimming as he gazed at the Purple Extreme.

"Still alive?"

The Lord of Purple Extremes raised his eyes and said coldly, "You're not dead either."

The Netherworld Dao Master gave a bitter laugh: "Death? That brat's last axe blow shaved off 50% of my Origin and 30% of my Dao Foundation. If I hadn't escaped quickly, I would have died there today."

The Lord of Purple Extremes remained silent.

The Netherworld Dao Master stared at him: "And you?"

The Lord of Purple Extremes looked down at the axe mark on his chest: "Thirty percent of my Dao foundation has collapsed, my Dao sword is completely destroyed, and all nine suns are shattered. Without ten thousand years of recuperation, I can forget about recovering."

The Netherworld Dao Master's eerie green eyes flickered: "Ten thousand years? That brat will wait for you for ten thousand years?"

The Lord of Purple Pole raised his eyes: "He exhausted the very essence of the vast land, seven trees withered, more than half of the sixty thousand ancestral trees died or were injured, and three million of the five million Dao soldiers were lost. What will he use to expand? What will he use to wage war?"

The Lord of the Netherworld pondered.

The Lord of Purple Extremes continued, "That axe blow was earned by him burning his own essence. Do you think he suffered well? He was invincible among those of the same level in the Chaos Dao, but it was also his own body that was exhausted. In that battle, he consumed at least 50% of his essence, lost the spirituality of the seven trees, and his source marrow layer dried up. He will be unable to move for a thousand years."

The Netherworld Dao Master's eerie green eyes flickered: "Are you sure?"

The Lord of Purple Extremes sneered, "Having fought him this time, I now know his true strength better than anyone else. The Chaos Dao is indeed powerful, but it also consumes a great deal of energy. In that battle, he borrowed the essence of all living beings in the Vast Land, the essence of the Seven Trees, and his own essence, burning all three to obtain that one axe strike. Right now, he's no better off than you or me!"

The Lord of the Netherworld stared at the Lord of the Purple Extreme and had no choice but to nod in agreement with his judgment.

"Then tell me, what should we do?"

The Lord of Purple Extremes rose, half of his Dao body shattering, dripping purple-gold Dao blood, yet he remained oblivious. His pair of purple eyes gazed at the vast, chaotic void, and he said in a deep voice, "Heal first, and once we have recovered five-tenths of our original essence, a thousand years from now, before he has fully recovered, we will launch another attack!"

The Lord of the Netherworld looked at the Lord of the Purple Extreme in surprise: "A thousand years? Your injuries are so severe, can you recover 50% in a thousand years?" The Lord of the Purple Extreme raised his hand, and a purple crystal appeared. Within the crystal core, purple light flowed, and nine purple sun phantoms were faintly visible. He said frankly: "I have left behind a purple sun source. After a thousand years of nurturing, it can be reforged into three suns."

The Lord of the Netherworld's eyes lit up. He raised his hand and made a grasping motion, and a dark crystal core appeared. Within the crystal core, death energy surged, and the phantom of a white bone throne faintly appeared inside.

"I also had a backup plan."

The two looked at each other.

The Lord of the Purple Extreme said, "A thousand years from now, when the primordial energy of both domains has recovered, we will attack again."

The Netherworld Dao Master's eerie green eyes flickered: "What if he recovers even faster?"

The Lord of Purple Extremes sneered: "What will he use to recover? The seven trees have withered, the spiritual veins have dried up, the source marrow has dried up, more than half of the Dao Ancestral Tree has died or been injured, and three million Dao soldiers have been lost. If he dares to absorb the source energy of the void, he will drain the last bit of the Haotu's origin. At that time, you and I will not need to lift a finger, and the Haotu will collapse on its own."

The Lord of Purple Extremes stared at the Lord of Netherworld: "A thousand years from now, how many Dao soldiers will you, Leng You, be able to produce?"

The Lord of the Netherworld calculated with his fingers: "After a thousand years of cultivation, the Netherworld Ancestral Tree has grown to two hundred thousand trees, and the Netherworld Dao Soldiers number five million!"

The Lord of Ziji said, "Zixiao can produce 300,000 Ancestral Trees and 6 million Dao Soldiers. Combined, the two domains have 500,000 Ancestral Trees and 10 million Dao Soldiers. That kid has less than 30,000 of his 60,000 Ancestral Trees and 2 million Dao Soldiers left. If we join forces, we will surely win."

The Netherworld Dao Master's eerie green eyes flickered: "What if we still can't take them down?"

The Lord of Purple Extremes sneered, "His foundation is completely destroyed. If you still can't defeat him, then give up on this idea!"

After careful consideration and much struggle, the Lord of the Netherworld was unwilling to give up so easily. He gritted his teeth and said, "Fine. We'll attack again a thousand years from now."

The two exchanged a glance.

The next instant, the Lord of Purple Extremes transformed into purple light and vanished into the void.

The Netherworld Lord transformed into a beam of light and followed closely behind.

The void was deathly silent, with only the shattered Dao Platform floating in the air. Drops of purple-gold Dao Blood fell from the platform, and dark death energy lingered.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Chihuang Dao Palace.

A palace forged from crimson crystal floated in the center of a sea of ​​fire, with blazing flames surging like a tide. The Blazing Dao Lord sat cross-legged on the Dao platform, his body surrounded by crimson-gold flames, with a crimson crystal jade slip floating in front of him.

Inside the jade slip, a curtain of light flowed.

A hazy, ethereal light soared into the sky, surrounded by seven colors. Li Mu was engulfed in blazing, hazy flames, and seven roots pierced the trunks of seven trees. With a swift axe, gray lines tore through the air, and half of the Purple Extreme Lord's body shattered, spraying purple-gold blood. The Netherworld Lord was sent flying tens of thousands of miles away, and the White Bone Throne crumbled.

The light screen froze on the last scene: Li Mu stood in the void, his body surrounded by a dim gray light, yet his aura was overwhelming!

The Blazing Dao Lord stared at the light screen, remaining silent for a long time. The Dao Palace was silent, and the Heaven-Burning Flames surged erratically.

Dao Ancestor Aoxiao bowed and stood below, raising his eyes to look at Dao Lord Chihuang, waiting for his words.

"What a powerful Chaos Giant Axe!" The Blazing Dao Lord rose, paced the Dao Platform, crimson-gold flames flowing with his movements, and said in a deep voice, "Half of the Purple Extreme Old Ghost's Dao Body has been shattered, and the Netherworld Old Ghost's White Bone Throne has been completely destroyed!"

Dao Ancestor Aoxiao: "Yes."

The Blazing Dao Lord stopped, his eyes flashing: "If I had been there at the time, could I have caught that axe?"

After a moment's hesitation, Dao Ancestor Aoxiao frankly said, "I'm afraid I can't handle it."

The Blazing Dao Lord remained silent for a moment, showing no displeasure.

Dao Ancestor Aoxiao continued, "That axe strike shattered the nine purple suns of Ziji, severed the Zixiao Dao Sword, and destroyed the White Bone Throne of Yousha. Even the two Dao Lords of Ziji and Yousha couldn't withstand it together, let alone the Dao Lord alone."

Dao Ancestor Aoxiao cupped his hands and said, "Dao Master, please calm your anger. I spoke frankly."

The Blazing Dao Lord waved his hand, his crimson-gold flames surging, and said in a deep voice, "You're right, I couldn't withstand that axe blow."

The Blazing Dao Master took his seat on the Dao Platform and looked at the gray figure in the light screen: "How is that kid now?"

Dao Ancestor Aoxiao said, "That kid's source has been exhausted and his Dao foundation has been damaged."

The Blazing Dao Lord's eyes lit up: "Oh?"

Dao Ancestor Aoxiao continued, "The spy was lurking in the void rift and dared not approach, fearing that he would be discovered by the three beings. However, he fought against two opponents at once, and the source of the Chaos Vast Land was rapidly depleted after the battle. He must be severely injured!"

The Blazing Dao Lord stood up: "Is he seriously injured?"

Dao Ancestor Aoxiao nodded: "Yes! That axe blow was exchanged for his own source, and his Dao foundation must have been damaged."

The Blazing Dao Master paced the Dao Platform, his crimson-gold flames surging and shifting.

Dao Ancestor Aoxiao looked at Dao Lord Chihuang: "Dao Lord, Ziji and Yousha are severely injured, and the Chaos Land is devastated. All three sides have suffered losses, which is the perfect time for the fisherman to reap the benefits."

The Blazing Emperor Dao Lord stopped, his eyes flashing: "You mean, we should send troops now?"

Dao Ancestor Aoxiao cupped his hands and said, "Dao Lord, you are wise. The three parties of Zixiao, Lengyou, and Huntun have been fighting for hundreds of years, and countless Dao Ancestors and Dao soldiers have fallen. If we send troops now, the chances of victory are extremely high."

The Lord of Blazing Radiance pondered.

Dao Ancestor Aoxiao continued, "Ziji and Yousha are severely injured and will not recover for a thousand years. That kid has exhausted his source and his seven trees have withered, making it even more difficult for him to recover. If Dao Lord sends troops now, first take Chaos, then take over the remnants of Zixiao and Lengyou, and unify the three domains, it will be just around the corner."

The Blazing Dao Master's eyes shone brightly.

Dao Ancestor Aoxiao bowed: "Dao Master, this opportunity must not be missed."

"That kid, that axe strike!" The Blazing Emperor Dao Master's crimson-gold flames surged erratically as he muttered to himself, a hint of fear flashing deep in his eyes.

Dao Ancestor Aoxiao raised his eyes: "Dao Master?"

The Blazing Dao Lord waved his hand and paced across the Dao Platform: "That axe strike shattered the nine purple suns of Ziji and the white bone throne of Yousha. Even Ziji and Yousha together couldn't withstand it. If I send troops, how can I possibly withstand another axe strike from him?"

Dao Ancestor Aoxiao remained silent.

Dao Ancestor Aoxiao pondered for a moment: "The Dao Lord's concerns are valid. However, that axe blow consumed a large amount of his essence. If he dares to use it again, he will surely die!"

The Blazing Dao Lord sneered, "Destined to die? Didn't Ziji and Yousha think so? And what happened? Half of Ziji's Dao body shattered, and Yousha's White Bone Throne was completely destroyed. That kid is still alive!"

Dao Ancestor Aoxiao quickly lowered his head, not daring to offer any further advice.

The Blazing Dao Lord took his seat on the Dao Platform, golden flames surging around him: "That brat, his Chaos Dao is invincible among those of the same level. Even Ziji and Yousha couldn't defeat him together. If I go alone, I'll only be throwing my life away."

Dao Ancestor Aoxiao raised his eyes: "Dao Lord, we can send troops to take Zixiao and Lengyou Remnant Domain first. Before that kid recovers, we can gather the resources of the two domains to strengthen Chihuang. If that kid has not recovered by the time Chihuang's foundation has increased again, then we can take Chaos."

The Blazing Dao Lord's eyes lit up.

Dao Ancestor Aoxiao continued, "Ziji and Yousha are severely injured, their ancestral trees are withering, and their Dao soldiers are being lost. If we send troops now to take the remaining resources from the two regions, Chihuang can gain another 300,000 ancestral trees and 5 million Dao soldiers. At that time, Dao Ancestor will have 80 million ancestral trees and 10 million Dao soldiers. Even if that kid recovers, he will be powerless to resist."

Dao Ancestor Aoxiao cupped his hands and said again, "Dao Master, the fisherman's profit is not in taking Chaos, but in taking the remaining resources of the two domains. Once Chihuang grows stronger, the Chaos Domain will be nothing more than a piece of his bag."

The Blazing Dao Lord rose and paced across the platform, his crimson-gold flames surging erratically.

After a long while, the Blazing Dao Lord stopped and looked at the gray figure in the light screen.

Dao Ancestor Aoxiao stood silently below, saying no more.

After a long silence, the Blazing Emperor Daoist looked at the Ao Xiao Daoist Ancestor and gestured, "Send orders to the secret envoys to keep a close watch on the movements of the three parties. If there are any unusual movements in the Purple Cloud, the Cold Nether Remnant Domain, or the Chaos Vast Land, send a message immediately."

Dao Ancestor Aoxiao bowed: "As you command."

The Blazing Dao Lord looked out of the hall, his gaze piercing through the endless void and landing in the direction of the Chaotic Land.

"Let's take a look first," the Blazing Emperor Daoist murmured. "Let's see how much of that kid is left."

The Dao Palace fell silent, while the blazing flames surged like a tidal wave. (End of Chapter)