Gou Dao and Cultivation of Immortals, Start from Farming

Li Mu lightly tapped the jade platform with his fingertip, causing the cloud patterns to glow faintly. He raised his eyes, his gaze clear and focused on Cao Cong's face: "A nominal...official?"

"Exactly!" Cao Cong hurriedly replied, "It's a nominal position! I won't trouble you in the slightest, senior!"

"Exactly!" Cao Cong hurriedly replied, "It's a nominal position! I won't trouble you in the slightest, senior!"

"A nominal post?" Li Mu's lips twitched slightly, a hint of understanding flashing in his eyes, and he said calmly, "Very well."

Cao's heart pounded wildly; he could hardly believe it, and the overwhelming joy left him speechless for a moment.

"Senior...you agreed?" His voice trembled slightly.

Li Mu nodded: "It's for the sake of peace and quiet, and it saves us from some trivial matters. It's fine to just lend my name."

"Good! Good! Good!" Cao Cong exclaimed three times, his face instantly glowing with radiance. All his previous apprehension vanished, and his smile became incredibly genuine. "Senior is truly wise and understanding! It is a blessing for the Immortal Dynasty! On behalf of the entire Immortal Dynasty, I thank you, Senior!"

The atmosphere in the quiet room suddenly relaxed, and Xue'er's lips curved into a smile, understanding dawning on her. Although Lin Xiaolun and the other two didn't understand the intricacies, they also relaxed as the atmosphere warmed up.

“However,” Li Mu’s voice was not loud, but it made Cao Cong’s heart skip a beat.

“Please speak, senior!” Cao Cong immediately became solemn.

Li Mu's gaze swept across the starry dome, and he slowly said, "Firstly, the title of 'offering' is merely a title. My actions are not bound by any rules."

“Of course! Of course!” Cao Cong immediately replied, “The Heavenly Star Pavilion’s retainers are naturally free spirits, and the Immortal Dynasty will not interfere in the slightest with your freedom!”

"Secondly," Li Mu continued, "I prefer quiet. My lodging need not be luxurious, just secluded and tranquil."

"This..." Cao Congwei was slightly taken aback, then suddenly realized: "Senior, rest assured! Under the jurisdiction of the Immortal Dynasty, there are countless beautiful and secluded places for you to choose from! I will definitely find one that suits your taste!"

Cao's mind raced. A secluded and quiet place? That suited him perfectly. Far from the central government, it would be easier to control the situation without attracting attention.

Li Mu said no more, picked up the Star Marrow Jade Liquid and took a small sip.

Cao felt much relieved, as the trip had far exceeded his expectations. With a beaming smile, he personally served food to Li Mu: "Senior, rest assured, the jade tablet and token will be presented shortly. Within the Immortal Dynasty, you will have no trouble getting what you need simply by showing the token. There will be dedicated people to handle all the trivial matters, and they will not disturb your cultivation!"

"Thank you for your trouble," Li Mu replied calmly.

Celestial music flowed, the starlight remained, but the atmosphere at the banquet was completely different.

Cao Cong chatted and laughed, finding all the delicacies and fine wines before him exceptionally delicious. Li Mu sat quietly, occasionally responding, with starlight swirling around him, a faint trace of chaotic energy quietly blending in, unnoticed by anyone.

Lin Xiaolun asked Tie Tou in a low voice, "Is the teacher being worshipped?"

Tie Tou scratched his head: "It seems like... it's just a nominal position?"

Da Niu stuffed a piece of meat into his mouth and mumbled, "Who cares, the meat tastes good."

After the banquet, Cao led the way.

The starship soared through the sky, heading straight for the main star of the Immortal Dynasty. The hatch slid open, and a completely different aura rushed out.

The scene before me was extraordinary.

Beneath the sky, a streamlined silver shuttle moved silently, its trajectory intertwining like a net, without a trace of smoke or fire. Below, the outline of a majestic city appeared and disappeared in the flowing light mist. That light mist seemed to be condensed energy, or the flow of billions of runes.

"The capital of the Immortal Dynasty, the capital of Immortal Chen." Cao Cong said with pride.

Stepping into the city, the scenery becomes even more extraordinary.

The streets were wide and dust-free. The material was as smooth as a mirror, reflecting the flowing star trails above. Pedestrians thronged the streets, dressed in various styles; some wore wide robes and long sleeves, carrying ancient swords and shrinking the distance between people; others wore tight silver armor, their eyes covered by chips, and with a light touch of their fingertips, data flowed onto the light screen.

Xue'er's eyes brightened slightly: "Runes and weapon crafting are integrated?"

The buildings along the street are of various shapes and sizes, including ancient palaces and pavilions with wind chimes on the eaves that are suspended crystals, their clear sounds cleansing the soul; and angular metal megastructures with liquid light rivers flowing on their surfaces, in which miniature mechanical spirit beasts swim and play, spewing out spiritual energy particles.

Li Mu's gaze swept across the scene and landed on a floating jade platform. The platform resembled a single piece of spiritual jade, with natural cloud patterns and countless fine points of light embedded within. He casually touched the edge of the platform with his fingertip.

hum.

The cloud pattern suddenly brightened, and its soft radiance spread out like ripples on water.

The entire internal structure of the jade platform was projected onto the screen with holographic light and shadow, intricate and complex. At its core, a mass of liquid star marrow slowly rotated, radiating pure star power. Within the light and shadow, countless tiny rune chains coiled around the star marrow, maintaining stability and energy output.

"Senior has excellent eyesight!" Cao Cong praised. "This is the 'Star Hub,' which is located throughout the Immortal City. It gathers the power of the stars to support the city's grand formation and also allows cultivators to absorb star essence."

Li Mu withdrew his hand, the light and shadow faded, and the jade platform returned to its ancient simplicity. A hint of understanding flashed in his eyes. This immortal dynasty used sophisticated technology to tame the spiritual energy of heaven and earth and the energy of stars, building this colossal city where steel and runes, coldness and spirituality coexist.

"Teacher, what's that?" Lin Xiaolun pointed to the towering spire in the distance. The spire was made of rhomboid crystals, and the top was not a solid object, but a miniature nebula that was constantly collapsing and exploding, emitting a heart-palpitating fluctuation.

"The Star Gazing Tower," Cao Cong explained, "is a crucial artifact of the Celestial Dynasty, used to deduce celestial secrets, monitor star regions, and harness the power of the stars."

Ironhead's eyes were blurry when he bumped into a light screen that appeared out of thin air. The light screen rippled with water and ancient seal script appeared: "Halt, Spirit Energy Conduit Zone".

Da Niu stared at the living architectural complex on the street—composed of countless intertwined, glowing pipes, through which a vibrant green liquid flowed, carrying dormant spiritual plant seeds. At the end of the pipes were transparent tanks, inside which several metallic mechanical beasts resembling Qilin slept with their eyes closed, their bodies shimmering with runes, absorbing the spiritual liquid from the pipes.

"Hey, this big guy..." Da Niu muttered under his breath, but was glared at by Xue'er and quickly shut up.

Cao Cong observed the reactions of Li Mu and the others, especially Li Mu's calm profile, and his mind raced.

Faced with such a wondrous sight, the senior remained completely unfazed. Cao Cong smiled broadly and led the way, saying, "Senior, your lodging has been arranged. It's in 'Quiet Abyss Valley' in the west of the city, a secluded and tranquil place with excellent celestial energy. Please follow me."

Li Mu nodded slightly, his gaze fixed on the scene deep within the city where light and mist intertwined with massive structures.

Unbeknownst to anyone, a trace of chaotic energy quietly flowed deep within Li Mu's eyes, as if analyzing the fundamental structure of this immortal dynasty's capital.

Xue'er followed closely beside her, her clear eyes reflecting the bizarre and fantastical world, filled with pure curiosity. Jingyuan Valley was located at the western end of the city.

Where the starship docked, a breathtaking view suddenly opened up. The clamor and flow of light were blocked by an invisible barrier, and the tranquil fragrance of grass and trees filled the air. At the entrance of the valley stood a natural crystal tablet, its surface shimmering with light like a waterfall, revealing three ancient seal characters: Tranquil Valley.

"Please take a look, senior." Cao Cong led everyone off the boat.

The valley is shaped like a crescent moon, surrounded by mountains on three sides. The mountains are made of some kind of dark metal, with rough star patterns naturally etched on their surface, flowing with very faint starlight.

The valley floor is flat and covered with fine silver moss, which feels soft and cool underfoot. Several buildings are scattered along the mountainside, with simple shapes and smooth lines. The materials seem to be a blend of warm white jade and matte metal, naturally integrated into the star-patterned background of the mountain.

There are no flying eaves or brackets, no carved beams or painted rafters, only pure geometric blocks and flowing curves.

“This place is a gathering place of star power, exceptionally serene and secluded. Ordinary cultivators are not allowed to enter without permission.” Cao Cong pointed to the largest building: “This is the main residence. As for the other buildings, you may arrange your entourage as you wish. Everything within the valley is controlled by the ‘Valley Spirit.’ If you have any instructions, you can communicate with this stele with your thoughts.”

Cao gestured to the crystal tablet at the valley entrance, and the surface of the crystal tablet shimmered slightly, as if in response.

Li Mu's gaze swept across the valley. Metal walls, star map etchings, silver moss-covered ground, white jade metal buildings... seemingly natural, yet everywhere revealed traces of careful "taming".

Li Mu walked to a spot in the valley, where the silver moss beneath his feet automatically dispersed, revealing a shallow, crystal-clear pool. The bottom of the pool was not mud, but fine stardust, and several small, transparent fish with veins of starlight flowing through their bodies swam leisurely. The pool water was slightly warm to the touch, containing gentle star power.

"It draws on the earth's veins and star marrow," Cao Cong quickly explained.

Li Mu remained noncommittal, his gaze sweeping over the main residence. The building had no door; as he approached, a smooth wall silently slid open to reveal an entrance. The interior was minimally furnished: a couch, a small table, and a futon, all made of warm, smooth materials; nothing else of value.

The dome is not a solid structure, but a flowing projection of the starry sky, rotating in sync with the real star map outside, with soft starlight falling upon it. The four walls are smooth, without windows or decorations, but with the slightest thought, the walls instantly become transparent, revealing the entire valley below.

Xue'er led Lin Xiaolun and the other two towards the side building. Tie Tou, curious, called out to an inconspicuous protruding metal plate near the door, "Open the door?"

The wall silently slid open, revealing an equally simple but more livable space inside, with a soft couch for resting, a cabinet for storing items, and even a small round pool in the corner emitting heat, the water clear and cool, filled with a spiritual atmosphere.

Iron-Headed Zhang blinked and said with satisfaction, "Hey, you're really obedient!"

Da Niu was drawn to a small, enclosed patch of silver moss behind the house, where several dark, irregularly shaped stones were scattered, faintly exuding a pure metallic aura.

“This stone…” Da Niu squatted down and touched it. It was cold and hard to the touch, far exceeding ordinary iron.

Seeing that everyone was settled, Cao Cong felt a great weight lifted from his heart. With a broad smile, he took out a token that was neither gold nor jade, but shaped like a feather, and presented it to Li Mu with both hands: "Senior, this is the offering token, the 'Celestial Star Token.' With this token, you can pass through the resource warehouses, starship stations, and even some forbidden areas within the Immortal Dynasty without hindrance. If you have any trivial matters, just activate this token, and someone will take care of them. They will never dare to disturb your peaceful cultivation."

Li Mu accepted the token. It was cool to the touch, with a strange feel, and seemed to have countless tiny stars flowing inside, forming intricate array patterns.

Li Mu's fingertips brushed across the surface, and a trace of chaotic energy quietly entered. In an instant, he understood its core structure and information flow method, and then put it away.

"Thank you for your trouble." Li Mu nodded with a smile.

Cao Cong, knowing the situation, bowed deeply and said, "Senior, please rest here in peace. I will take my leave now. If you need anything, please feel free to call me."

Having said that, Cao boarded the starship and vanished in a streak of light.

The valley fell completely silent, isolated from the dazzling lights and humming energy of the outside world. Only the low echoes of the wind blowing through the metal walls and the subtle rustling of starlight flowing through the silver moss could be heard.

After settling Lin Xiaolun and the other two in, Xue'er returned to the main residence.

Li Mu sat cross-legged on the futon, his eyes slightly closed as if he were regulating his breathing. Starlight flowed around him, but a trace of imperceptible chaotic energy permeated the deeper layers, silently seeping into the valley and even the flowing star projection, analyzing the fundamental laws of this "Quiet Abyss" land. His chaotic divine sense silently covered the entire Immortal Dynasty, glimpsing its true face.

Li Mu's divine sense spread out, and the chaotic essence silently permeated the foundation of the Immortal Dynasty.

The dazzling lights and intricate network of the Immortal Capital City, in his perception, faded from appearances. What supported this colossal structure were layers upon layers of crushed and recast remains.

Beneath the Immortal Capital lies a bottomless abyss of chaotic swamps, composed of the remains of countless broken civilizations and utterly annihilated species. A vast energy network, like the roots of a giant tree, is deeply embedded in this swamp of despair, greedily drawing upon the remaining "nutrients" within.

The Star Pivot Jade Platform, suspended by the street, rotates with liquid star marrow at its core. The chaotic essence seeps into its deepest part, revealing within the pure star power the remnants of civilizations forcibly bound, crushed, and integrated into the runic chains; they were once the remains of a certain race's civilization, now only a wisp of unwilling embers remain, used as fuel to light up the cold streets of the Immortal Dynasty.

The nebula that collapsed and erupted at the top of the Stargazing Tower stirred up tributaries of the river of time and space as it flickered, forcibly capturing fragments of laws and primordial matter scattered from other dying worlds, adding fuel to the giant wheel of devouring.

Li Mu "saw" the core of the Immortal Dynasty's operation—a giant network covering known star fields, composed of pure energy and cold will. Each node in the network was like a withered fruit. The Immortal Capital was the center of this giant network, its pulsating "heart".

The chaotic divine thought touched the core edge.

In Li Mu's eyes, a chaotic aura flowed, reflecting the naked truth of the prosperous immortal dynasty: a cold machine built on endless tombs, relying on devouring the lives and civilizations of others to continue itself. The surface "following the natural way" and "the immortal dynasty's eternal prosperity" are just a magnificent curtain to cover up eternal plunder and destruction.

A chilling understanding replaced indifference.

The "immortal" in "Immortal Dynasty" signifies plunder. Its "way" is devouring. This so-called unified civilization is the ultimate predator, parasitizing the corpses of countless worlds.

The divine thought recedes like the tide, leaving no trace.

Inside the main residence, Li Mu slowly opened his eyes. The starlight flowing around him dimmed for a moment, replaced by a profound aura. He looked at his palm; the Heavenly Star Token lay quietly, its flowing star-like patterns clearly reflecting the giant, devouring net that covered the star field.

Li Mu withdrew his divine sense and returned to meditation. The starlight flowing around him and the deep-seated chaotic aura seemed out of place in this carefully constructed cage, carrying an indifferent gaze upon the abyss.

Xue'er stood quietly, keenly sensing a faint yet chilling aura emanating from Li Mu, as if she had witnessed something that shouldn't exist.

The valley remained tranquil, with silver moss rustling, the star-shaped pool rippling gently, and the air seemed to linger for a moment.

"Brother Li, are you alright?" Xue'er couldn't help but ask with concern.

Li Mu looked up at Xue'er, the inhuman aura on his face dissipating, and he revealed a slightly tired smile, saying, "It's nothing, I'm just a little tired after knowing too much of the truth!"

Xue'er was slightly taken aback, seemingly understanding but not quite. With her Nine-Tailed Fox talent for keen emotional perception, she sensed Li Mu's current mood and couldn't help but feel a little sorry for him. She walked straight forward, put her arms around Li Mu, and said with heartache, "Brother Li, those things have nothing to do with us, let's just ignore them!"

Upon hearing this, Li Mu's eyes lit up slightly, as if he were deep in thought and had been touched. (End of Chapter)