Gou Dao and Cultivation of Immortals, Start from Farming

Li Mu stood silently above the chaotic sea of ​​qi, his eyes slightly closed, his body moving without wind. Above him, the Chaos Dao Tree, its roots firmly planted in the void, its branches reaching the sky, slowly exhaling vast Daoist energy. The pure Yang Dao of the Yang Realm King was completely devoured by it; that blazing, ever-renewing, and eternally indestructible law decomposed layer by layer deep within the tree's core, transforming into strands of the purest and most refined "Yang" essence.

These origins are the condensed essence of the first ray of light that pierced the darkness at the beginning of the universe. They flow and are refined within the veins of the Chaos Dao Tree, eventually merging into the very essence of the Chaos Dao, becoming an inseparable part of this supreme Dao.

When the last trace of the Yang Realm King's aura vanished without a trace, the Yang Fruit that had been dormant and dim on the crown of the Chaos Dao Tree suddenly burst open!

Billions of golden rays soared into the sky, tearing through the chaotic darkness and illuminating the entire treasure palace. That light, stripped of its mortal fire-like crimson, transformed into a pure golden radiance imbued with boundless vitality and the power of the sun, like a miniature sun suspended on a branch, flowing with profound and unfathomable divine patterns of yang. Each pattern seemed to be engraved with the ultimate truth of the primordial beginnings of light. If a great being could comprehend even one of these principles, they could rule a great world and overturn the universe.

Yang Guo, perfect!
In an instant, a vast and powerful aura of Yang swept out, echoing the already ripe Yin fruits on the other side of the tree. One gold, one gray; one bright, one dark; the two Dao fruits stood side by side on the branch, like twin stars revolving, attracting each other yet remaining independent. The past repulsion had long since dissipated; at the intersection of Yin and Yang, a profound mystery flowed, perfectly formed by nature.

Li Mu's mind and spirit had long been one with the Dao Tree. At this moment, he felt the Great Dao resounding within his body, and at the point where Yin and Yang intersected, chaos was beginning to open.

"I see……"

Li Mu slowly opened his eyes, his gaze deep and unfathomable, as if yin and yang were rotating within them, and chaos was being created. He gently raised his left hand, his palm slightly clenched, and the entire chaotic sea of ​​qi rose and fell accordingly, as if controlling his own arm and fingers. An indescribable sense of control filled his entire body.

In the past, when he ruled the Underworld, he thought that the return of all Yin to its origin was the ultimate goal. Now that he has achieved both Yin and Yang, what he controls is no longer a single extreme, but transcends Yin and Yang, entering a deeper level. However, there is still a flaw.

Chaos is neither disorder nor nothingness. It is the mother of all things, the beginning of all things, the source that encompasses everything and gives birth to all paths.

Li Mu's state of mind quietly transformed, and he glimpsed the true nature of the "Dao." The fall of the Yang Realm King was not the end, but rather his Dao being absorbed and transformed by a grander Dao. The cycle of life and death, the alternation of laws, all find their final destination in the chaos.

Li Mu looked up at the top of the Chaos Dao Tree, where the Yin and Yang Fruits still had several hazy membranes faintly visible. Their light was weak but resilient, as if they were nurturing infinite possibilities for the future.

"When Yin and Yang are in balance, all things begin to come into being..."

With a thought, Li Mu pierced through the boundary wall of the Chaos Treasure Palace and instantly returned to the star field where the Rift Universe was located.

When Li Mu's figure solidified once more atop the bridge of the Lieyu, the entire ship, and even the massive array of hundreds of escort ships surrounding it, seemed to instantly shed an immense burden.

Inside the bridge, all the powerful figures who had been tense like bowstrings breathed a sigh of relief.

The King of Zhenhai slowly withdrew his hands from the Guixu Tide Plate. The pale complexion on his face, caused by the full exertion of his divine power, had returned to normal. In his gaze toward Li Mu, in addition to the original awe, there was now a hint of unfathomable amazement.

The Valley Master of Burning Heaven frowned slightly, seemingly still savoring Li Mu's seemingly casual yet devastating attack.

The Buddha of the Withered Zen had already raised his lowered eyelids, the golden light in his turbid eyes had subsided, and he put his hands together and silently bowed to Li Mu. His Buddhist mind was clear and he knew the mystery behind it.

The Sword Sect Ancestor was the most direct. His ancient longsword hummed softly, as if in submission or in celebration. This peerless expert, who had always taken the sword as his path, now had a deeper contemplation in his eyes. He knew that the distance between himself and Li Mu had not shortened but had instead been infinitely widened.

“Senior Li, now that the dust has settled in this realm, should we return to the Great Qian Yuan Realm first to report our gains to the Emperor before making any further plans?” Ji Yu asked, looking at Li Mu.

This question is not only for Li Mu, but also for all the powerful figures present: should they retire gracefully after achieving their goal, or press their advantage and pursue the enemy?
Silence fell over the bridge once again, and all eyes were on Li Mu.

This is a crucial question that will determine the future direction of the Immortal Dynasty.

Li Mu's gaze drifted into the depths of the chaotic barrier, as if he were seeing a more distant and expansive world. He had just completed the "Yin-Yang balance" and glimpsed the true nature of "chaos".

The blurry "fetal membranes" foreshadow infinite possibilities, and these possibilities need to be constantly explored, nurtured, and proven.

Li Mu withdrew his gaze from the depths of chaos and returned it to the bridge, sweeping over the powerful figures with their varied expressions. In their eyes, this "settled" realm was already a remarkable achievement worthy of being recorded in history, a bargaining chip for rewarding merit and promoting officials.

However, deep within Li Mu's Dao heart, this was merely a starting point, a curtain being lifted, behind which lay a more vast and magnificent reality.

“There’s no need for everyone to return.” Li Mu pondered for a moment and gestured, “Ji Yu, you can lead an elite force, carrying detailed records of the realm’s expansion, back to the Great Qian Immortal Realm first, and report to His Majesty the Emperor. The resources and beings of the outer realms can also be initially coordinated, and once the Immortal Dynasty’s army arrives, they can be taken over according to the rules.”

Upon hearing this, a look of understanding flashed in Ji Yu's eyes. This was both trust and responsibility. He bowed respectfully, "I will obey your orders, Senior."

"As for the rest of you," Li Mu's gaze turned to the King of Zhenhai, the Valley Master of Fentian Valley, the Buddha of Kuchan, and the Sword Sect Ancestor, among others, carrying an indescribable allure as he said, "If your Dao hearts are not weary and you are willing to follow me to explore the Three Thousand Worlds, then continue with me. The vastness of the Three Thousand Worlds far exceeds our understanding. In this expansion, what I seek is not merely territory, but also the quest for the origin of the Great Dao and the breakthrough of my own limits. The road ahead may hold boundless dangers or eternal opportunities; it all depends on your own Dao hearts to choose."

After he finished speaking, a deep silence fell over the bridge.

The Prince of Zhenhai was the first to bow and say, "Senior Li's words are exactly what I think. This humble general is willing to follow you through fire and water to dispel the illusions!"

The Valley Master of Burning Heaven Valley echoed this sentiment, declaring fervently, "Senior Li's words are like a sudden awakening. In this world, only the path of the strong is the true path. Burning Heaven Valley is willing to follow Senior Li to explore the ultimate truth of the Great Dao!"

The Buddha Master Kuchan clasped his hands together and murmured a Buddhist chant: "Amitabha. Where Benefactor Li points, there must be a great opportunity. Although my lifespan is nearing its end, I am willing to take advantage of this opportunity to see the truth. Life and death are empty, only the Tao endures forever."

The Sword Sect Ancestor remained silent, his eyes filled with the light of seeking the Dao. He declared firmly, "We sword cultivators should forge ahead without hesitation. May I ask, senior, is there an even stronger sword path ahead?" His question was both a challenge to Li Mu and an encouragement to himself.

The four top experts from the Immortal Dynasty made their decision to follow Li Mu almost without hesitation. "We are willing to follow Senior Li!"

"Please, senior, lead us there!"

"To be able to explore alongside so many kings and nobles, I have no regrets in this life!"

……

Shouts rose and fell, and the bridge instantly erupted in excitement. Li Mu looked at these cultivators, whose deepest desire for the Dao had been ignited, and nodded in satisfaction. What he needed was precisely this courage and drive to face the unknown.

“Very good.” Li Mu’s voice rang out again, calming the noise: “Ji Yu, you take thirty percent of the elite troops and return with you. The rest of you, come with me to continue exploring the Three Thousand Main Realms.”

"Yes!"

Ji Yu accepted the order and immediately began making arrangements, creating a tense yet orderly atmosphere on the bridge. Some people started to inventory supplies and organize files in preparation for their return; others, led by powerful figures from their respective sects or families, began more in-depth preparations, checking magical artifacts and elixirs, and adjusting their own condition to meet the unknown challenges ahead.

The "Rending Universe" slowly adjusted its course in the starry sky, turning towards the void depths filled with chaotic energy, as indicated by Li Mu. Hundreds of escort ships moved in tandem, like loyal guardians, protecting this flagship that carried the highest will and spirit of exploration of the Immortal Dynasty.

Before long, Ji Yu led a fleet composed of elite troops from the Immortal Dynasty, breaking away from the main formation. Their ships drew several silver arcs in the starry sky, carrying the fruits of their expansion into the outer realms, and sped towards the Great Qian Immortal Realm.

"Ripple Universe, full speed ahead," Li Mu commanded.

Inside the ship, the array shone brightly, and the boundless immortal power roared like a giant dragon in the core hub. The engines of the Rift Universe emitted a deep rumble, the hull trembled slightly, and then, at an unimaginable speed, it rushed towards the boundary barrier like an arrow released from a bow.

The surrounding escort ships followed closely behind, forming a tight defensive formation that protected the Rift in the center as they charged into the colorful boundary wall.

The moment it entered the boundary barrier, the ship trembled violently, and countless array patterns surged on the shield.

Inside the bridge, even a powerful figure like the King of the Sea felt a sudden tremor in his mind. The outside world became distorted and blurred, and the concepts of time and space lost their meaning, as if one were trapped in an eternal nightmare.

However, Li Mu remained unmoved, like a pillar stabilizing the sea, his eyes deep and unfathomable, within which the yin and yang energies circulated, revealing the true nature of chaos in his eyes. Li Mu raised his hand and gently waved it, and an invisible force spread from his palm, like a gentle breeze across the water, instantly calming the violent fluctuations around the Rift Universe.

That power was neither pure immortal power nor any known supernatural ability, but a direct intervention in the origin of the Great Dao. It made the spacetime turbulence around the ship instantly become docile. The energy storm that was originally enough to tear everything apart was now like a tamed beast, actively avoiding the Rift Universe's course.

Upon witnessing this, Zhenhai Wang and the others were all deeply shaken. They had already exhausted all their strength to resist the erosion of the turbulent currents, while Li Mu could so effortlessly wield the most primal and violent power in this world. Such strength was beyond their comprehension.

"The realm of our predecessors is beyond our reach..." The Valley Master of Burning Heaven murmured to himself, his eyes filled with not only awe but also a sense of insignificance at the insignificance of his own path.

"We've arrived." Li Mu's voice was calm and profound.

Through the porthole of the bridge, a completely new world came into view. A completely unfamiliar world unfolded before everyone's eyes, its magnificent and awe-inspiring nature instantly captivating everyone's attention.

The vast land seemed to undulate and pulsate slowly, as if alive, the soil possessing a strange, almost fleshy texture. Looking into the distance, the mountains rose like the spines of giant dragons, climbing towards the sky at a visible speed; rivers changed course like giant pythons turning over, their thunderous roar shaking the heavens and altering the very fabric of the land. Above, the spiritual energy was so dense it materialized, condensing into pale golden droplets that dripped down, each drop containing an unimaginable amount of primordial energy, emitting a subtle hissing sound upon touching the ship's protective shield.

What alarmed the powerful figures even more was that there was not a single fixed city on this boundless land. It was as if the entire land was connected as one, slowly moving and changing with some mysterious rhythm, sometimes gathering into a majestic fortress, and sometimes scattering into scattered dwellings. It was as if the whole land was breathing, and those buildings were just scales that grew naturally on its body.

The King of Zhenhai's pupils contracted slightly, and he tightened his grip on the porthole: "This world... the earth itself seems to be alive?!"

The Valley Master of Burning Heaven took a deep breath, the flames around his body flickering, feeling the dense spiritual energy that almost burned his primordial spirit: "The spiritual energy of this realm... has condensed into tangible heavenly dew. One day of cultivation here is probably equivalent to several years of hard work outside!"

The Buddha of the Withered Zen chanted a Buddhist mantra in a low voice, golden light flowing in his eyes as he tried to see into the depths of the earth: "Not only that, the earth, wood, metal and stone of this world all contain a... primordial and boundless life force, almost like innate creation."

The Sword Sect Ancestor remained silent, only the ancient sword in his hand emitted a clear and long hum, a mixture of vigilance and longing, sensing the omnipresent, untamed laws that had never been subdued by any sword path.

Li Mu stood with his hands behind his back at the bow of the ship, his eyes brimming with the ever-flowing energy of Yin and Yang, his divine sense extending to billions of miles away. What he saw was not only the pulsating continent beneath his feet, but also the depths of the star field—countless stars shared the same origin as this place, all formed from this "living" soil, scattered like stars, vast and boundless, each one like a giant heart beating in chaos, breathing in and out the most primordial chaotic energy.

Life means danger; gestation is often accompanied by slaughter.

Almost the instant the Rift entered this realm, the pulsating earth below suddenly split open into countless abyssal maws!

Roar--!
A deafening roar tore through the sky, and streaks of black shadows, accompanied by a suffocating, foul wind, soared into the heavens! Ancient and terrifying beasts appeared, some with scales as rugged as mountains, some with wings that stretched to the sky and blocked out the sun, and some monsters formed entirely of strange soil, their claws and teeth radiating a ferocious aura no less than that of innate spiritual treasures.

They displayed the most primal and violent killing intent towards these "foreign creatures" that had invaded their nest.

A nine-headed giant serpent, leading the charge, instantly locked onto the Rift Universe with its eighteen vertical pupils. Its scarlet forked tongue flickered, and a black mist that corroded the void surged forth. (End of Chapter)