Gou Dao and Cultivation of Immortals, Start from Farming

Li Mu glanced around and saw a bustling crowd of people, with noisy voices everywhere. This lively scene was obviously not a place suitable for in-depth conversation.

Li Mu frowned slightly, turned his gaze to Wan Ziliang beside him, and said with a tone that left no room for doubt: "Master Wan, this place is too noisy, with too many eyes and ears, which is not conducive to our detailed discussion. How about changing to a more private place?"

Before he finished speaking, Li Mu walked straight towards the Wanbao Pavilion with steady steps and a firm gaze. He walked through the bustling crowd and went straight to the elegant room on the second floor.

Seeing this, Wan Ziliang did not dare to neglect and quickly bowed to the guests around him to apologize: "Dear guests, today's matter is an internal matter of our Wanbao Pavilion. I deeply apologize for disturbing your interest. Now that the misunderstanding has been resolved, please continue. Wanbao Pavilion will definitely compensate you."

After saying this, Wan Ziliang turned around and quickly followed Li Mu's steps towards the elegant room on the second floor. The eight guest elders looked at each other, understood each other tacitly, and hurried to follow in case of any changes.

The elegant interior on the second floor was decorated elegantly and warmly, with the aroma of tea wafting through the air, forming a sharp contrast with the noise from the outside world. The isolation array was restarted, isolating the noise from the outside world, leaving only a peaceful and tranquil scene.

Li Mu found a seat at random and sat down, looking indifferent, as if he didn't care about anything.

Wan Ziliang poured the tea himself and handed the cup to Li Mu respectfully. Then he smiled bitterly and put the cup down helplessly. The man in front of him was just a puppet.

"Friend Mu, your puppetry skills are truly amazing, so real that I admire you so much!" Wan Ziliang looked at the 'Li Mu' in front of him and admired him sincerely, with a hint of deep caution in his eyes.

The origins of this Taoist friend Mu are too mysterious, and his puppetry skills are unheard of and unseen. He can make a puppet so lifelike that even its breath and charm can be imitated vividly. Such means are definitely not something that ordinary cultivators can possess.

Li Mu stared at the other person expressionlessly, not giving him a good look. At this time, in a hidden spiritual valley a hundred miles away, the real Li Mu was sitting cross-legged, scanning with his mind, checking the storage ring that had just been sent back through the small space transmission array. After confirming that it was correct, he immediately transferred four high-level spiritual objects - the Nine-Leaf Green Lotus, the Ten Thousand Years Earth Vein Stalactite, etc., to the Tianxuan Ring.

Through a thin wisp of divine consciousness, Li Mu continued to remotely control the substitute puppet and continued to deal with Wan Ziliang.

"Master Wan, let's get back to the point." Li Mu's voice rang out in the elegant room, cold and emotionless, "What I want is not an ordinary thing. It is related to my great cause of cultivation. I hope Wanbao Pavilion can help me with all its strength."

Wan Ziliang's heart tightened when he heard this, and he quickly said, "Fellow Daoist Mu, if you are willing to return the old Pavilion Master's relics, I will naturally do my best to help you." He paused and asked nervously, "I wonder what other relics of the old Pavilion Master do you have, Fellow Daoist Mu?"

Li Mu laughed, and naturally knew what Wan Ziliang was concerned about, which was nothing more than the refining diagram of the Wanbao Ding. Li Mu already knew the refining method and cultivation method of this device, and it was not difficult to replicate and refine it. However, the high-level spiritual materials and cultivation of the Tao consumed in refining the Wanbao Ding were not in line with the Chaos Avenue he was on. The refining cost was huge, and it was useless even if it was refined.

Li Mu pondered for a moment, his eyes flickered, and he said, "Master Wan, since you value the old master's relics so much, I might as well speak frankly. The refining diagram of the Wanbao Ding is indeed in my hands."

Upon hearing this, Wan Ziliang's eyes suddenly flashed with ecstasy, but he quickly suppressed it. He tried to remain calm, but his tone could not hide his eagerness: "Friend Mu, are you serious? If you are willing to return the refining diagram of the 'Wanbao Ding' to the Wanbao Pavilion, I will definitely do everything I can to meet your request!"

Li Mu smiled faintly, his tone calm but with a hint of unquestionable: "Master Wan, I can trade the weapon refining diagram, but my requirements are not simple. You have to bring out a high-level spiritual object that matches it."

"Please speak, Brother Mu!" Wan Ziliang said hurriedly with a serious expression.

"I need a large amount of high-level spiritual materials, especially the five elements high-level spiritual materials such as 'Star Core', 'Golden Flame Divine Sand', and 'Nine Ruins Spirit Soil'." 'Li Mu' paused and continued: "In addition, add three copies of 'Ten Thousand Years Earth Vein Stalactite', 'Nine-Leaf Green Lotus', 'Taiyi Qi', and 'Wuji Qi'. As long as Wanbao Pavilion can provide these high-level spiritual materials, I will return the Wanbao Ding's refining diagram to its original owner."

Upon hearing this, Wan Ziliang's expression changed again and again. All of the high-level spiritual materials mentioned by Li Mu were rare treasures, especially the Ten Thousand Years Earth Vein Stalactite and the Nine-Leaf Green Lotus, which were rare and hard to come by. To ask for three more at once was simply asking for too much.

However, Wan Ziliang knew very well that the 'Wanbao Ding' was of extraordinary significance to the Wanbao Pavilion. It was not only the Pavilion's treasure, but also related to the inheritance of the Wanbao Pavilion. If he could take back the refining diagram, it would undoubtedly be a huge temptation for him, no matter how great the price.

But when Wan Ziliang thought of the many high-level spiritual materials mentioned by Li Mu, he couldn't help but feel heartbroken. He took a deep breath and tried to calm his inner fluctuations.

"Friend Mu, you are going too far! So many high-level spiritual objects..." Faced with Li Mu's harsh demands, Wan Ziliang couldn't help but speak out.

However, before he could finish his words, he was interrupted by Li Mu.

Li Mu smiled gently, but there was no warmth in that smile, instead, there was an unquestionable determination: "Master Wan, I think you should know how much the refining diagram of the Wanbao Ding is worth. Compared with its value, my request is not excessive. If you find it unacceptable, then the transaction between us will end here, and I will look for another place."

Li Mu had a blank expression on his face and continued, "Master Wan, Wanbao Pavilion is known for having all the rare treasures in the world. If it can't even produce this little thing, it would be a bit unworthy of its reputation, right? Moreover, the significance of the refining diagram of the Wanbao Ding to Wanbao Pavilion is something you must know better than me. If this diagram is lost, it will probably cause a great blow to the reputation and foundation of Wanbao Pavilion."

Hearing this, Wan Ziliang frowned and fell into deep thought. He began to weigh the pros and cons. The refining diagram of the Wanbao Ding was indeed the treasure of the Wanbao Pavilion. Now the Wanbao Ding had been lost. If he could get it back, his position in the Wanbao Pavilion would be more stable. With the Wanbao Order in his hand, he was expected to challenge the position of the chief pavilion master.

"In addition, the location and method of this transaction must be determined by me!" Without waiting for Wan Ziliang to reply, Li Mu continued.

After hearing this, Wan Ziliang's face suddenly changed. He never expected that Li Mu would put forward such harsh conditions. The location and method of the transaction were determined by the other party, which undoubtedly greatly increased the risk and uncertainty of the transaction.

"Friend Mu, this... this is probably not appropriate, right?" Wan Ziliang said with a hint of dissatisfaction in his tone.

"Master Wan, I have not forgotten the trick you used before." Li Mu sneered and said in a deep voice: "If you don't agree, then I can only find another buyer for this refining diagram. The cultivation method of Wanbaoding is unique. I believe that there are many people in the world who want the refining diagram of Wanbaoding." Hearing this, Wan Ziliang's face changed again. The cultivation method is the secret of Wanbaoding. Now it can be confirmed that the refining diagram of Wanbaoding is indeed in the hands of the other party. If the refining diagram of Wanbaoding falls into the hands of others, not only will the refining skills of Wanbaoding be mastered by outsiders, but even the foundation of Wanbaoding may be shaken. Thinking of this, Wan Ziliang felt a chill in his heart, knowing that he had no way out.

"Friend Mu, this matter is of great importance. Could you allow me to think about it for a moment?" Wan Ziliang suppressed his uneasiness and tried to delay time.

Li Mu did not give him a chance to breathe, and said coldly: "Master Wan, time waits for no one. If you don't want to agree, then forget it. I have other buyers to talk to."

After saying this, Li Mu pretended to stand up.

Seeing this, Wan Ziliang was anxious and quickly stretched out his hand to stop him, saying, "Wait a minute, Daoist Mu! This... this I agree to!"

"However, I am afraid that it will be difficult to collect so many high-level spiritual materials in a short period of time. I hope Brother Mu can give me more time."

Li Mu sat back in his seat and nodded, "Master Wan is indeed a straightforward person. Since you have agreed, I will not make it difficult for you. Giving you three months should be enough, right?"

Hearing this, Wan Ziliang secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Although three months was a tight deadline, with Wanbao Pavilion's strength and connections, they could still gather these high-level spiritual materials. So, he quickly nodded and agreed: "Enough, enough! Within three months, Wan will definitely prepare all the spiritual materials needed."

"Very good." Li Mu nodded, looked at Wan Ziliang and gave him one last reminder: "Remember, Pavilion Master Wan, I will come back to tell you the transaction method in three months. I hope you can equip yourself with the spiritual materials, otherwise the transaction will be cancelled."

Wan Ziliang's face changed slightly, but he regained his composure immediately. He knew he had no way out, so he could only bite the bullet and agree: "Don't worry, Brother Mu, I will definitely keep my word."

Li Mu stood up and gave his final instructions: "Since the matter has been settled, I will not stay any longer!"

Before he finished speaking, Li Mu disappeared into the elegant room like a ghost, leaving behind only a faint scent of tea and Wan Ziliang's complicated expression.

Wan Ziliang looked at the place where Li Mu disappeared, feeling mixed emotions. This deal was not as simple as it seemed. The conditions proposed by Li Mu were extremely harsh, even aggressive, but he had to agree. The refining diagram of Wanbao Ding was of great significance to Wanbao Pavilion. If it fell into the hands of others, the consequences would be disastrous.

"Elder Qin, Elder Qiu, please come in!" Wan Ziliang shouted in a deep voice.

Two confidants immediately walked in from outside the door and asked respectfully, "Master, what do you want?"

Wan Ziliang's eyes were gloomy, and he whispered, "Immediately pass the order down, mobilize all the resources of this pavilion, and do our best to collect the five elements of high-level spiritual materials such as 'Star Core', 'Golden Flame Divine Sand', 'Nine Ruins Spirit Soil', as well as three copies of 'Ten Thousand Years Earth Vein Stalactite', 'Nine-Leaf Green Lotus', 'Taiyi Qi', and 'Wuji Qi'. All of them must be prepared within three months!"

Upon hearing this, the two confidants' faces changed slightly, obviously knowing how precious these spiritual materials were. One of them hesitated and said, "Pavilion Master, these spiritual materials are all rare treasures, and it may be difficult to collect them in a short period of time, especially the 'Ten Thousand Years Earth Vein Stalactite' and the 'Nine-Leaf Green Lotus', which are things that are hard to come by."

Wan Ziliang interrupted, "No matter what means are used, we must gather them together, regardless of the cost."

"Pavilion Master! Even if we transfer goods from other branches, it will be difficult to gather so many high-level spiritual objects in three months. Why don't we..." Another guest elder looked solemn. After pondering for a moment, he added: "Pavilion Master, this person's request is so harsh, and the things he wants are rare in the world. You might consider tracking down the person behind him. Maybe you can solve the problem completely from the source."

Hearing this, Wan Ziliang's eyes flickered slightly, as if he was interested.

"Not appropriate, not appropriate. This person has a mysterious origin and is proficient in puppets, talismans, and formations. He is already wary of our pavilion. If we act rashly, we may alert the enemy and not only fail to track down the person behind him, but may also anger him, leading to the complete loss of the 'Wanbaoding' refining diagram." Wan Ziliang shook his head and rejected the proposal, his expression revealing a bit of solemnity.

"But Pavilion Master, if not, how can we gather these high-level spiritual materials within three months?" Elder Qin asked with difficulty and worry on his face.

Wan Ziliang was silent for a moment, his eyes swept over the two trusted elders, and he said in a deep voice: "For now, we can only do two things at the same time. On the one hand, we must do our best to collect the necessary spiritual materials at all costs; on the other hand, we must secretly pay attention to the movements of this Taoist friend Mu, but remember not to act rashly, so as not to backfire."

"Yes, Pavilion Master!" The two elders responded in unison.

The guest elders of Wanbao Pavilion quickly took action separately.

As for the substitute puppet, after leaving Wanbao Pavilion, it shuttled through the alleys of the city like a ghost, using the Five Elements Escape Technique to the fullest extent. Every time its figure flashed, it cleverly avoided the pursuers. Even the experienced guest elders in Wanbao Pavilion found it difficult to lock onto its exact whereabouts and could only watch the figure gradually fade out of their perception range.

At the same time, in Linggu a hundred miles away, Li Mu was closely following all the developments in the outside world through the mind link of his substitute puppet. After successfully getting rid of the pursuers from Wanbao Pavilion, he ordered the substitute puppet to lie in wait in a hidden place and would not be activated again until three months later.

After doing all this, Li Mu’s figure flashed in the Ling Valley, disappeared from the spot, and entered the Painting World Treasure House.

After gathering several high-level spiritual medicines needed for the Seven Absolute Dao Pills, Li Mu prepared to start refining the Seven Absolute Dao Pills.

Before refining the Seven Absolute Dao Pills, he had to refine six Dao Pills first, and then fuse the six Dao Pills. The entire process of refining the pills was extremely complicated and related to the key to his breakthrough in the current realm. It was an important turning point in his practice so far. Therefore, Li Mu attached great importance to this refining and did not dare to be careless. (End of this chapter)