Gou Dao and Cultivation of Immortals, Start from Farming

After several days and nights of unremitting efforts, Li Mu not only absorbed a lot of obscure but crucial astronomical knowledge from Qingyangzi's vast wisdom, but also improved his unique skills in calculating the positions of stars and understanding the trajectories of the stars.

At this moment, Li Mu's heart was filled with desire and expectation for the unknown star field. He only needed to devote what he had learned to the star disk and spend a little energy and time, and he would be able to uncover a corner of the mysterious veil of the Dark Spirit Star and find an opportunity to leave this dark and boundless place.

Seeing that Li Mu had learned the calculation and positioning method of the Dark Spirit Star, Qingyangzi said goodbye to him and continued to sleep in the Soul Realm Pearl.

"Senior, please don't leave yet. There is still one thing I don't understand. I beg you to enlighten me!" Li Mu quickly sent a message to persuade him to stay.

Hearing this, although Qingyangzi felt tired, he was now in a residual soul state. If he did not have a request to Li Mu, he really did not want to waste more of his limited soul power.

"Oh? My friend, if you have any questions, please tell me as soon as possible. If I can answer them, I will be happy to help you." Qingyangzi forced himself to be alert and asked Li Mu in a hurry through telepathy.

Li Mu seized this rare opportunity and expressed his greatest concern. He sent a telepathic message to Qing Yangzi and asked, "Senior, the spiritual energy in our world is becoming increasingly thin. It is predicted that in a thousand years, we will enter the Dharma Ending Age, when all things will wither and all living things will suffer. I would like to ask, has there ever been a similar spiritual energy depletion disaster in ancient times?"

Qing Yangzi's residual soul has stayed in the Soul Realm Pearl for ten thousand years. He is also a powerful being. He should know more or less about the depletion of spiritual energy. Li Mu took this rare opportunity to inquire about the news he got from Master Feng.

When Qing Yangzi heard Li Mu's question, he seemed to be startled and didn't react for a long time.

"senior?"

After a long time without any response from Qing Yangzi, Li Mu sent a message in confusion.

“Spiritual energy is exhausted! Has it already started?
Qing Yangzi came back to his senses, as if his long-standing memories were touched upon, and he couldn't help murmuring.

Qing Yangzi seemed to be sorting out his vague and distant memories. He was silent for a moment, then responded to Li Mu through telepathy: "My friend, the spiritual energy depletion and the Dharma Ending Age you mentioned did indeed touch upon some of my memories."

After hearing this, Li Mu became even more anxious and asked in telepathy, "Senior, could it be that such a catastrophe really happened in ancient times?"

Qing Yangzi's thoughts were deep and far-reaching, and he slowly said: "In ancient times, the world was indeed full of spiritual energy, and all things flourished. Those were the most glorious years in the world of cultivation. However, just as everything in the world has its ups and downs, the realms are also subject to this law. As time passed, some realms gradually lost their former balance due to natural disasters, man-made disasters, excessive resource plundering, or subtle changes in the laws of heaven, and the source of spiritual energy began to dry up. This process was long and secretive, and it did not accumulate until it reached an irreversible state, and then the terrifying scene of the Dharma Ending Age appeared."

After a short pause, Qing Yangzi's thoughts sounded again, with some emotion about the past years: "In the era I experienced, although I could feel that the spiritual energy was not as dense as in ancient times, it was still able to maintain the normal operation of the cultivation world. However, according to ancient books, in the more distant past, this world did experience two thrilling spiritual energy depletion events."

Li Mu was in high spirits, and could not wait to ask through telepathy: "Senior, please be sure to explain in detail! The specific reasons behind the two spiritual energy depletions, the countermeasures at the time, and the final conclusions should be of vital importance to us who are on the brink of crisis and how to deal with this crisis."

Qing Yangzi sighed, as if recalling that distant and heavy history, and replied with telepathy: "The reasons for the rapid depletion of spiritual energy twice were different!"

"The first time spiritual energy dried up, it was said that it was because a supreme Taoist master achieved enlightenment in this world. The process was earth-shattering. Not only did it cause drastic changes in the laws of heaven and earth, but it also directly extracted a vast amount of spiritual energy from the world to build the supreme foundation of Taoism. The Taoist master's path to enlightenment was like a grand plunder, causing the already balanced spiritual energy cycle to be instantly unbalanced. Countless lives were severely damaged, causing this world to gradually decline."

"The second spiritual energy depletion was caused by a change in the Nine Netherworld. The Nine Netherworld is the most mysterious place in the world, hiding endless darkness and evil. According to ancient records, once the seal of the Nine Netherworld loosened, a large amount of evil energy and netherworld power poured into this world, causing a fierce conflict and devouring of the spiritual energy between heaven and earth. This power not only polluted the pure spiritual energy, but also destroyed the source of spiritual energy generation, causing the spiritual energy of the entire realm to become increasingly thin, and eventually fell into the Dharma Ending Age."

Qing Yangzi told Li Mu the secret of the two spiritual energy depletions in ancient times, and finally concluded: "These two spiritual energy depletion incidents have caused indelible trauma to this world. If spiritual energy depletion occurs again, I don't know when it will recover."

"Senior, how did you recover the spiritual energy during those two times when it was exhausted? How long did it take?" Li Mu couldn't help but get anxious and quickly asked again through telepathy.

Qing Yangzi replied with telepathy: "The first time the spiritual energy dried up, the creatures in the realm went through a long time before gradually finding a way to restore the spiritual energy. There were cultivators with extraordinary wisdom who, through comprehending the laws of heaven and earth, created formations and prohibitions that could guide the spiritual energy back. There were also compassionate ancient cultivators who used their own power to plant spiritual herbs and cultivate spiritual beasts, nourishing this land bit by bit. As for the specific time of recovery, there is no exact record in the ancient books, but it is estimated that it should take about three thousand years."

"As for the second spiritual energy depletion, the recovery process was even more difficult and lengthy. This was because the pollution in the Nine Netherworld was not only at the spiritual energy level, but also penetrated deep into the foundation of the realm. In order to eliminate this evil force, the strong men in the realm spared no effort, and a large number of true spirits were sacrificed. Finally, the Nine Netherworld Seal was completed to prevent the evil energy from pouring into the realm. However, the recovery of spiritual energy is a slow and complicated process. It not only requires the accumulation of time, but also the entire realm ecology. According to records, it took 15,000 years for the spiritual energy to recover this time."

Li Mu couldn't help but feel heavy-hearted when he heard this. Fifteen thousand years, that was such a long time. For them who were about to enter the Dharma Ending Age, it seemed like an unattainable hope.

Li Mu continued to ask Qing Yangzi through telepathy: "Senior, in your opinion, what are the similarities between the spiritual energy depletion we are facing now and these two historical records? Is there a fundamental solution before the spiritual energy is exhausted?"

"My friend, do you know the reason for the depletion of spiritual energy this time?" Qingyangzi asked with a hint of solemnity.

Qingyangzi was still counting on Li Mu to find the anti-death spirit grass for him, rebuild his foundation, and be reborn! However, he was facing the coming of the Dharma Ending Age. His luck was really too bad. If the Dharma Ending Age was really about to come, he might as well continue to live in the Soul Realm Pearl as a residual soul.

"According to a sword master of our sect, the current depletion of spiritual energy seems to be related to the Nine Netherworld. Two Dao Lords of our sect went to the Nine Netherworld to find out the reason. They are now trapped there and have not been able to come out for more than a hundred years." Li Mu hurriedly transmitted his thoughts and told him the reason.

"It's Jiuyou again! That should be the second reason." Qing Yangzi's thoughts were mixed with shock and worry. He continued to say, "Jiuyou has been the most mysterious and dangerous place in the world since ancient times. It is not only the source of evil spirits, but also hides a terrifying force that can overturn the balance of the world. If the spiritual energy depletion this time is really related to Jiuyou, the spiritual energy depletion crisis facing this world this time is probably more serious than the previous two times." Qing Yangzi's thoughts were filled with deep emotion, and he said worriedly, "In ancient times, there were many strong people in the world, and the true spirits were prosperous. They jointly protected this world, making the spiritual energy endless and the world prosperous. However, time flies, and the world is no longer as glorious as it used to be. The number of high-level cultivators has dropped sharply, and most of the true spirits have disappeared. The spiritual energy in the world is becoming increasingly thin. If the spiritual energy depletion this time is really related to Jiuyou, then with your current strength, I'm afraid it will be difficult to deal with this crisis."

"In that case, the depletion of spiritual energy is probably unavoidable. Senior, is there any way to survive the coming Dharma-ending Age?" Li Mu asked with a solemn expression.

"I have never experienced the Dharma Ending Age. I don't know how many years it will take for the spiritual energy in this world to recover after it is completely exhausted. Little friend Li, if you really have no choice, why don't you find a small secret realm, prepare plenty of spiritual stones and spiritual medicines in advance, practice the method of sealing consciousness and resting, and hide there for the time being!"

Qing Yangzi's thoughts were filled with helplessness as he pointed out a last resort for Li Mu, saying, "Although this method is not a long-term solution, in the early stages of the Dharma Ending Age, it may be able to buy you a glimmer of hope until the situation changes."

"The method of sealing consciousness and resting is an ancient practice method that can allow cultivators to greatly reduce their dependence on spiritual energy in extreme environments, and even enter a state of near dormancy, maintaining life with minimal consumption, and waiting for the opportunity for spiritual energy to revive."

Qing Yangzi continued to explain, "I have learned a similar technique called 'Hidden Dragon Hibernation Technique'. This technique is similar to the Sealing Consciousness and Resting Breathing Technique. Both can help cultivators preserve their strength and wait for a turning point when spiritual energy is scarce. If you need it, I can teach it to you now."

"This method is difficult to practice and requires a very high level of mental cultivation. If you are not careful, you may fall into a permanent sleep. In addition, choosing a suitable secret realm is also very important. It needs to be a place with rich spiritual energy and relatively safe to ensure that you can survive without worries."

"Thank you for your guidance, senior. I'll come to you if I need anything. The time is not right now!" Li Mu smiled helplessly and declined politely.

"That's right! If Xiaoyou has nothing else to say, I'm going to rest." Qing Yangzi said goodbye to Li Mu through telepathy.

"Thank you for your help, senior!" Li Mu responded via telepathy, expressing his gratitude.

Qing Yangzi did not respond to Li Mu again. His spiritual fluctuations gradually disappeared, and he fell into a deep sleep in the Soul Realm Pearl.

Li Mu felt mixed emotions as he looked at the Soul Realm Pearl in his hand, took a deep breath, and put it into the storage compartment for safekeeping.

The huge Nine Nether Kun Whale is like a dark floating island, gently swinging its huge whale tail that can shake the galaxy. A heart-pounding breath of the underworld permeates its body. It floats silently in the vast and starry star field. Every breath seems to resonate with the underworld power in the star field, causing the surrounding stars to be eclipsed.

Li Mu, wearing a green robe, stood tall on the mirror-like forehead of the Nine Nether Kun Whale. With a light wave of his sleeves, an ancient and mysterious square house appeared out of thin air, providing a temporary place for him to stay on the top of the Nine Nether Kun Whale's head. The light of the night pearl in the square house was soft, forming a sharp contrast with the darkness outside, providing it with a quiet space.

Afterwards, Li Mu took out an exquisite star plate from his sleeve. It was engraved with intricate star patterns and ancient runes and emitted a faint fluorescence. He closed his eyes and concentrated, his mind completely immersed in the star plate. His fingers gently slid across the surface of the star plate, and according to the complex algorithm taught by Qing Yangzi, he began to derive the specific position of the Dark Spirit Star.

As Li Mu moved, the star patterns on the star disk seemed to come alive, slowly rotating and interweaving according to some mysterious law, forming a series of flowing astronomical pictures, reflecting the movement trajectories of thousands of stars.

……

Time passes silently as the stars slowly move.

In this vast star field, it seemed that even the flow of time had become slow and profound. Li Mu's mind was completely immersed in the star disk, isolated from everything in the outside world.

Finally, after countless calculations and deductions, the light on the star disk suddenly condensed, and all the star patterns instantly converged to point to a certain direction, which might be the location of the Dark Spirit Star.

Li Mu opened his eyes and woke up, a trace of worry appeared on his numb face. Then he thought of something, his figure flashed, and he disappeared on the spot.

In the Painting World Treasure House, Li Mu appeared next to a large spiritual field. Looking at the growth status of two sixth-level spiritual plants - Yanyuan Spiritual Grass and Mouxing Spiritual Grass, he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

As he had devoted a long time to calculating the position of the Dark Spirit Star, Li Mu almost forgot to take care of the two batches of spiritual plants again. Fortunately, they were in good condition, with emerald green leaves emitting a faint fluorescence. It was obvious that they had been well nourished in the unique environment of the Painting World Treasure House.

Li Mu waved his hand, and the Wind and Rain Summoning Technique of the great perfection level was performed.

Suddenly, the sky above the Painting World Palace seemed to be torn open by an invisible force, gathering the purest spiritual energy between heaven and earth and mixing it with raindrops, which fell down in a patter. The two sixth-level spiritual plants brought a nourishing feast.

Bathed in this spiritual rain, the leaves of Yanyuan Spiritual Grass and Mouxing Spiritual Grass became brighter, and the fluorescent flashes seemed to reveal the majestic vitality contained in them. They swayed gracefully, as if to thank Li Mu for his careful care and protection.

With the innate magical power of identifying all spirits, Li Mu looked at the growth status of each of the Mouxing spiritual grass with a happy face, his eyes full of urgency. (End of this chapter)