Gou Dao and Cultivation of Immortals, Start from Farming

Emperor Qian Yuan stared intently at Li Mu: "Fellow Daoist Li, do you know the whereabouts of the source of the Ghost Clan? Rather than waiting, we should take the initiative to strike and completely annihilate them, eliminating any future troubles."

Li Mu pondered for a moment, then shook his head and said, "There are three thousand main realms, countless secondary realms, and the vastness of the Chaos Realm is boundless. The realm where the Ghost Clan hides is like a drop in the ocean, difficult to find. Only when they show themselves can we find any trace of them. This time, their tentacles have been severed and their power has been damaged during their invasion of the Great Qian Immortal Realm. In my opinion, the Ghost Clan will lie low and retreat. The possibility of them attacking again in the short term is extremely small."

Upon hearing this, the tense atmosphere in the hall eased slightly. Blood Slaughter God Lord's knuckles relaxed slightly, the Sword Cultivator Ancestor's tense shoulder line also eased a bit, and a barely perceptible trace of relief was revealed in the lowered eyelids of the Withered Zen Buddha.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, relieved that the weight had been lifted from their hearts.

The Emperor's stern expression softened: "Very well. Fellow Daoist Li, you have worked hard to turn the tide. Please return to your residence to rest and recover your strength."

Li Mu nodded: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Li Mu's figure vanished from the Celestial Court, and the next moment, the wind and clouds at the entrance of Jingyuan Valley stopped.

Three thousand disciples stood in formation, as black as ink. Tie Tou stood proudly at the forefront, while Lin Xiaolun pursed his lips and Da Niu clenched his fists tightly. Hundreds of gazes were fixed intently on the suddenly appearing blue figure in the sky.

Li Mu's gaze swept over the familiar yet youthful faces. He spoke calmly, his voice piercing the silence of the valley: "I have taken back the Dao Seeds within you all. Our master-disciple relationship is now over."

Upon hearing this, the three thousand disciples trembled violently, their faces drained of color, and astonishment, confusion, and even a hint of panic spread through the crowd.

A deathly silence enveloped the area; even breathing seemed to stop.

Lin Xiaolun took a sudden step forward, sending pebbles flying. His eyes were red-rimmed as he declared resolutely, "The Dao Seed was given to me by my teacher! Taking it back is my teacher's responsibility! In my heart, you will always be my teacher! Once I become your disciple, I will be your disciple for life!"

"Once a teacher, always a teacher!" Tie Tou roared like thunder, his hair and beard standing on end.

"Once a teacher, always a teacher!" Da Niu roared in response, his voice echoing across the land.

"A teacher for a day is a teacher for life!"

Three thousand throats burst forth with a roar like a landslide and a tsunami, the sound waves rolling and soaring into the sky, shaking the valley with a hum.

Li Mu stood still as a mountain, his gaze sweeping over Lin Xiaolun's stubborn, tearful eyes, the bulging veins on Tie Tou's neck, Da Niu's tightly clenched, slightly trembling fist, and the undeniable flames burning in the eyes of the three thousand disciples.

There was no explanation, no reprimand.

Li Mu nodded slightly, indicating, "Very well! Now that the great calamity has been resolved, everyone should disperse, cultivate diligently, and strive to reach the pinnacle of the Great Dao as soon as possible."

Li Mu's gaze swept calmly over the crowd, and he remained silent.

Tie Tou straightened his back, the bulging veins on his neck slowly subsided, and he bowed, saying, "Disciple obeys! Take care, Master!"

The last glimmer of fire in Lin Xiaolun's eyes vanished into a deep pool. He bowed deeply to the figure in the blue robe, and when he rose, his eyes were devoid of any emotion. He respectfully said, "Disciple obeys. Take care, Master."

Da Niu blinked hard, suppressing his surging emotions. He imitated Tie Tou and Lin Xiaolun, clasping his hands in a fist and bowing deeply, saying in a deep voice, "I'll listen to you, Teacher! Take care, Teacher!"

"Disciple obey!"

The three thousand disciples moved in perfect order, bowing respectfully in unison.

After the ceremony, no one spoke, no one lingered, and they all transformed into streaks of light and dispersed.

……

In the Great Qian Imperial Palace, all the powerful figures who sensed this scene breathed a sigh of relief.

Three thousand Mahayana cultivators, gathered together, constituted an extremely formidable force; now that they have dispersed, they are pleased with the outcome.
Emperor Qian Yuan remained calm on the surface, a huge, invisible weight lifted from his heart. The last taut tension in Blood Slaughter God's fingers completely relaxed, and a barely perceptible smile even appeared at the corner of his mouth. The Sword Cultivator Ancestor's sharp aura subsided, returning to its abyssal stillness. Beneath the lowered eyelids of the Withered Zen Buddha, the trace of relief finally dissolved into a calm, still well.

The atmosphere inside the hall completely eased.

However, upon thinking of Li Mu's formidable strength, the powerful figures fell silent once more. The invisible pressure did not dissipate with Li Mu's departure; instead, it weighed heavily on their hearts.

Powerful and immeasurable, Li Mu's very existence is like an unsheathed sword hanging over the Great Qian Immortal Realm. Today he can slay the Ghost Clan, and another day…

The Emperor's gaze swept over the powerful figures in the hall, and he instructed them: "Fellow Daoist Li is focused on quiet cultivation, and the calamity in our realm has temporarily subsided. All of you, perform your duties, strengthen the defense of the realm, and do not slacken your efforts."

"I will obey the Emperor's order."

The powerful figures responded in unison, their voices echoing throughout the hall.

Li Mu turned and entered the Tranquil Valley, closed his eyes to cultivate, and sorted out the chaotic laws.

Inside the valley, all was silent. The wind had died down, and the clouds had stopped.

Li Mu sat cross-legged in the void, his aura deep and unfathomable. The chaotic Dao power within his body surged like boiling water, or like ten thousand stars colliding, chaotic, violent, and mutually crushing.

Within the sea of ​​consciousness, the roots of the Chaos Dao Tree had already pierced through the bottom layer of the sea of ​​consciousness, sinking into the unknowable depths of nothingness. The main trunk was gnarled like a dragon, and the bark was rough like ancient rock, flowing with a dark luster that changed like a starry river. The branches and leaves were lush, and each leaf was like a newly born chaotic universe, flickering and illuminating the ultimate truth of birth and death.

This colossal tree towers into the sky, almost occupying the entire space of the sea of ​​consciousness. The aura it exudes is ancient, vast, and all-encompassing, yet it also carries a primordial chaos and disorder. It is the foundation for Li Mu's entry into the Dao Realm, and also the manifestation of the initial formation of the Chaos Dao.

However, this tree has also become a shackle.

Each time the Dao Tree absorbs a wisp of primordial chaos, its branches and leaves extend further, and the phenomena of the universe's birth and death that it bears become more complex. Countless subtle chains of laws spontaneously generate, collide, entangle, and annihilate within the veins of its branches and leaves. These laws should have been the foundation upon which Li Mu's path to the Great Dao was built.

The Chaos Dao Tree is what it is today because it was forged from the essence of the Deceptive Dao. The essence of the Deceptive Dao is like strong liquor, which once made it grow wildly. Now that the liquor has dissipated, all that remains is a burning thirst.

The road ahead is uncertain, and the path ahead is as deep as an abyss.

Li Mu was lost in the primordial chaos, oblivious to day and night. His mind was suspended in the shackles of the Dao Tree, his enlightenment of the vast chaotic Dao was without light or shadow, only the roar of colliding Dao forces within his body and the chains of laws between the branches and leaves of the Dao Tree in his sea of ​​consciousness forming an eternal backdrop. In this almost frozen state of oblivion, the long-dormant Spirit Control Bracelet on Li Mu's left wrist suddenly emitted an extremely faint yet incredibly clear tremor!
This tremor, like a stubborn rock thrown into an ancient well, instantly stirred up a thousand ripples in Li Mu's nearly desolate mind. His sinking consciousness was as if it had been violently pulled out of the abyss by an invisible hand; the chaotic mist dissipated in an instant, and clarity returned!
"Oh no!" Li Mu's heart skipped a beat. He had actually trapped Xue'er and Xiaobai inside the bracelet for so long! Guilt surged up like a tide.

Li Mu's thoughts raced, and two streams of light shot out from the Spirit Control Bracelet, landing in the chaotic void.

The light faded, revealing two figures.

The first figure, dressed in pristine white, with a slender and graceful form, was Xue'er. The moment she appeared, her exquisite face paled instantly, her delicate brows furrowed, and her pure snow spirit aura fluctuated violently. Her icy blue eyes gazed at Li Mu, filled with a hint of fear and deep worry. The nine bushy fox tails hidden behind her materialized, taut slightly, revealing an instinctive unease and resistance.

On her shoulder, a tiny, translucent insect spirit, about the size of a palm, was none other than Xiaobai. The moment it came into contact with the chaotic energy, its translucent carapace lit up with tiny golden rays. It clung tightly to Xue'er's clothes with both hands, its round eyes wide open, staring intently at its master with a mixture of wariness and bewilderment. Its master seemed to be shrouded in a layer of chaos that made it extremely uneasy, making it feel utterly unreal.

Seeing this, Li Mu quickly concealed his aura, and his Chaotic Dao Body instantly retracted, restoring his original eyes.

"Jiji!"

Upon seeing its familiar owner, Xiaobai perked up and pounced on Li Mu without hesitation, nuzzling his neck affectionately.

Xue'er took a deep breath, her icy blue eyes fixed on Li Mu, who had returned to normal. She forced a smile, her voice clear and cold with a barely perceptible tremor: "Brother Li, congratulations on your cultivation reaching a new level!"

Xue'er's words sounded exceptionally clear, yet also exceptionally thin, in the silent valley. The nine taut, bushy fox tails behind her did not immediately relax; instead, they swayed slightly unconsciously behind her, like flags sensing a storm.

Xue'er clearly sensed that deep within the familiar aura emanating from Li Mu, there was an indescribable sense of vastness and chaos, as if it came from the end of the Great Dao. This aura caused the Snow Spirit within her body to instinctively contract and become vigilant.

Looking at Xue'er's pale face and the deep sorrow hidden in her eyes, Li Mu felt a sudden, heavy wave of guilt wash over him. He reached out and gently stroked her hair as usual.

Xue'er's shoulders stiffened almost imperceptibly, but she quickly forced herself to relax, letting Li Mu's fingers rest on her temple. The warmth from his fingertips remained, but beneath that warmth seemed to lie an untouchable, cold depth.

Xue'er lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes casting a small shadow beneath them, her voice as soft as a sigh: "Brother Li's Daoist aura... is somewhat different."

What Xue'er didn't say was that the difference made her feel unfamiliar, and she also felt a chill of being isolated a thousand miles away. Li Mu's figure, sitting cross-legged in the void, his aura as deep and unfathomable as an abyss, the chaotic Dao power surging around him, the towering Dao tree in his sea of ​​consciousness that occupied everything and exuded a primal chaotic aura... all of this was like an invisible chasm, standing between them.

Li Mu's focus on the Great Dao of Chaos seems to be gradually consuming the warmth that once belonged to "Li Mu," including his deeply entangled Daoist partner.

All of this felt so real, and Xue'er felt utterly powerless.

Little White seemed completely oblivious to the subtle atmosphere. It clung to Li Mu's neck, making contented "cheep" sounds, and nuzzled him even more happily. Its pure and ardent affection dispelled its earlier unease.

Li Mu seemed to see Xue'er's worries and quickly comforted her, "Xue'er, don't worry. Even if I achieve the Great Dao, I will never abandon you!"

"I believe you, Brother Li." Xue'er nodded, the worry in her icy blue eyes slightly dissipating as Li Mu reassured her. She looked at Li Mu and asked inquiringly, "Brother Li, what realm are you at now? Has the great calamity of the Ghost Clan ended?"

Looking into Xue'er's eyes, which were as clear as an icy lake, Li Mu smiled and replied, "You have already broken through the Seed Dao Realm and have reached the Dao Attainment Realm."

Xue'er nodded slightly, as if it were expected, yet her heart sank under the weight of those three words. She took a deep breath, her icy aura swirling around her, trying to dispel the invisible pressure.

"The great calamity of the Ghost Clan..." Xue'er looked at Li Mu and continued to ask.

"It's been resolved!" Li Mu replied with a smile, then his gaze darkened slightly, and he said with considerable regret, "But the lingering troubles haven't been eliminated, and unfortunately, we don't know their whereabouts."

As Li Mu finished speaking, the valley fell even more silent. Xue'er's shoulders relaxed slightly, and her taut fox tail drooped a little, but the worry in her eyes had not completely disappeared.

Xue'er stepped forward, rested her head on Li Mu's shoulder, and asked with concern, "Brother Li, it seems that the Ghost Clan came specifically to find you. Last time it was the Demon Spirit Realm, and this time it's the Great Qian Immortal Realm. Will they come back again? Should we run away?"

Li Mu felt the weight on his shoulder, and Xue'er's cool aura lingered in her hair. He put his arm around her, smiled slightly, and said, "Escape? There's no need."

Xue'er looked up, her icy blue eyes reflecting Li Mu's calm face.

"The Dao Source of the Ghost Clan has been refined by the Chaos Dao Tree, helping me advance to the Dao Realm." Li Mu's eyes shimmered with chaotic light as he smiled and gestured, "If they dare to come again, it will save me the trouble of searching for them."

Xue'er was slightly taken aback. Looking at the unfamiliar, almost indifferent sharpness in his eyes, a trace of worry quietly spread in her heart again.

Xue'er leaned back on his shoulder, remained silent for a moment, and then whispered, "Brother Li, do you mean... the Ghost Clan has lost all its Dao Source and its vitality has been severely damaged?"

“Not bad.” Li Mu stroked Xue’er’s cool hair with his fingertips, nodding with a smile. His gaze met Xue’er’s, a barely perceptible warmth flashing deep within his eyes before being enveloped by a chaotic depth. He gestured, “The Dao Source is their foundation. Losing the Dao Source is like severing their lifeline; even if there are remnants, they are not to be feared. If they wish to recover, it will take a long time. During this period…”

Li Mu paused slightly, a subtle smile curving his lips, and said, "It's my turn to go find them."

"Looking for them?" Xue'er was startled; those terrifying monsters.

“The Chaos Dao restrains the Demonic Dao. If one wants to continue advancing, they are good materials to ignite one’s Dao!” Li Mu explained with a smile, then added, “Unfortunately, the Demonic Clan is elusive and extremely well hidden. It will probably not be easy for the three thousand main realms and countless other realms to find them!”

After a pause, a look of chaos flashed in Li Mu's eyes as he added, "Since the Chaos Dao Tree was forged from the origin of the Demonic Path, it has an unbreakable causal connection with the Demonic Clan. Although it has become a shackle now, it is also a guiding light. Once I stabilize my realm and thoroughly sort out the power of the Dao Tree, perhaps I can follow this causal connection and find the clues to their hiding place."

Upon hearing this, Xue'er was slightly taken aback and said with some worry, "Brother Li, the Chaos Dao you cultivate, how come it's somewhat similar to the Devouring World Dao of the Ghost Clan!"

"Similar! Perhaps! At the end of the three thousand great paths, all roads lead to the same destination!"

Li Mu was slightly taken aback, his brows furrowed, and he reached out to gently stroke Xue'er's cool hair, his movements still gentle, without saying another word.

Xue'er nodded and remained silent.

……

The void was silent, save for the primordial chaos flowing silently. Little White nestled against Li Mu's neck, emitting soft snores. (End of Chapter)