Gou Dao and Cultivation of Immortals, Start from Farming

Li Mu's hand finally landed.

There was no deafening roar of crashing waves, no thunderous clashing of opposing laws.

The moment that palm touched the golden light barrier, the barrier melted away silently, like ice and snow exposed to sunlight. The "immortal" laws that constituted the light barrier were like a false definition before the "root" of chaos, easily seen through and erased.

The so-called "indestructible" concept is itself built upon the existing rules of the universe. Li Mu's chaos, however, transcends these rules.

The palm continued to press down, piercing through layers of spatial faults and ignoring all the distorted time traps. Finally, it casually pressed down on that huge and cold metallic star.

Om-!
The power of chaos, like mercury spilling onto the ground, instantly enveloped the entire Golden Puppet Ancestral Core.

"Warning! Unknown high-dimensional information stream intrusion detected!"

"The logical structure is being parsed... it is being reconstructed..."

"The core essence is being stripped away... irresistible... irreversible..."

The Golden Puppet Ancestral Core issued its final, and most piercing, alarm. But this time, it was no longer cold characters, but a chaotic will filled with terror and resentment. In the instant it was eroded by the power of chaos, its pure logic was forcibly endowed with the concept of "emotion," allowing it to experience true fear in its final moments.

Li Mu slightly clenched his five fingers.

Rumble!
A deafening roar originating from the soul resounded throughout the entire Golden Puppet Realm.

That colossal ancestral core, comparable to a star, was forcibly uprooted from the very core of the Golden Puppet Realm by an irresistible force! Countless golden energy channels and chains of law connecting the entire world were torn apart at that moment.

Having lost control of its core, the entire Golden Puppet Realm, this super war machine that had been operating precisely for billions of years, has completely gone out of control!
"boom--!"

A vast, boundless, and extremely pure golden torrent surged forth wildly from the depths of the Golden Puppet Realm's earth veins, from the very essence of every metal fragment!

That was the "Golden Origin Realm Power" accumulated by the Golden Puppet Realm over an entire era!
This power was originally the trump card used by the Golden Puppet Ancestral Core to fight against external enemies and even to achieve its final "ascension." It is extremely strong and yang, incomparably sharp, and contains the ultimate mystery of the Great Dao of "metal."

However, at this moment, without the command of the "brain," this violent power, like a flood bursting its banks, lost its direction and began to rage wildly throughout the entire Golden Puppet Realm, on the verge of tearing this shattered world to shreds.

However, they had no chance.

The Chaos Dao Tree behind Li Mu seemed to sense an unparalleled deliciousness at this moment, and all its branches and leaves began to sway excitedly.

Wow!
Roots formed from condensed chaotic energy descended from the Dao Tree and plunged into the void of the Golden Puppet Realm. Like giant beasts that had been thirsty for billions of years, they began to frantically devour the out-of-control Golden Origin Realm power.

All rivers flow into the sea!

All streams converge!

The Golden Origin Realm Power, which was previously extremely violent and capable of destroying everything, is now as docile as a lamb. Streams of golden energy are forcibly drawn from all directions and from every corner of this world, continuously flowing into the roots of the Chaos Dao Tree.

The power originally intended to fight against Li Mu has now been completely transformed into nourishment for him!

Li Mu remained expressionless as the Golden Puppet Ancestral Core in his palm was being rapidly refined by the power of chaos. The massive data stream, the cold origin of logic, and the crystallization of wisdom accumulated over billions of years were all transformed into the purest information and energy, absorbed by him, and became part of his understanding of the Great Dao of "order" and "logic".

The surging golden energy, through the transformation of the Chaos Dao Tree, flowed towards a specific fruit on the tree.

It was a Dao Fruit with a dark gold color throughout, and its surface was covered with natural Dao patterns, as if it were forged from the hardest divine metal in the world—a metal-type Dao Fruit!
Before this, although the Dao Fruit had already taken shape, it always carried a trace of obscurity, was not well-rounded or transparent enough, and had obviously not yet reached the state of perfection.

But now, with the accumulation of an entire era in the Golden Puppet Realm, the endless Golden Origin Realm Power is pouring in, and this Golden Dao Fruit is beginning to undergo an astonishing transformation!

hum!hum!hum!
The Dao Fruit began to tremble violently, and with each tremor, the surrounding void emitted a mournful metallic cry, as if it could not bear the weight of the impact.

Its dark gold color began to become increasingly brilliant and dazzling. It was as if a golden sun was being conceived and rising within it!
One after another, profound and mysterious imprints of laws began to automatically emerge and evolve on the surface of the Dao Fruit.

It possesses the energy of Geng metal, sharp and unparalleled, as if it can sever cause and effect and cut through reincarnation!

It possesses the gentleness of metal, nourishing things silently, yet it can transform into the most resilient barrier in the world, impervious to all laws!

It contains the profound meaning of immortal divine metal, flowing within it and illustrating the eternity and indestructibility of the material world!

Furthermore, the Great Dao of Slaughter, accompanied by the sounds of clashing swords and galloping horses, evolves into mountains of corpses and seas of blood, revealing the ultimate meaning of war and destruction!

Strength, gentleness, immortality, slaughter...

All understandings of the Great Dao of "Gold" and all related laws were catalyzed, integrated, and deduced to their extreme by this immense Golden Origin Realm power at this moment!

Finally, when the last wisp of Golden Origin Realm power was completely absorbed, and the entire Golden Puppet Realm was completely transformed into a desolate wasteland, the light of that Golden Dao Fruit also reached its peak!
"Click——"

A crisp sound, like glass shattering and then reforming, rang out from inside the Dao Fruit.

Immediately afterwards, all the dazzling light receded, no longer leaking out in the slightest. The Dao Fruit now appeared simple and unadorned, its entire body transformed into a warm, white-gold color, like a perfect work of art.

All its sharpness, all its killing power, all its immortality have been incorporated into it, returning to its original simplicity.

On the Chaos Dao Tree, the metal-type Dao Fruit has reached complete perfection at this moment!

Just as he reached the perfect state of Dao, Li Mu's body trembled slightly.

An unprecedented realization welled up in my heart.

Li Mu's Chaos Dao is all-encompassing, but the depth of his understanding of the various fundamental laws that constitute all things varies.

Now, with the perfection of the Metal Dao Fruit, his control over the Great Dao of "Metal" has reached an unprecedented level.

Within Li Mu's Chaotic Eyes, the entire world's composition had changed. He could clearly see every wisp of metal elemental energy flowing through the void, perceive the most minute metallic structure within any substance, and see through the essence of any supernatural power or magical artifact related to the metal elemental law at a glance.

It was as if the "golden law" of the entire universe had opened all its secrets to him without reservation.

With a thought, Li Mu released a wisp of chaotic energy from his fingertips. This chaotic energy rapidly transformed, sometimes into a divine sword capable of splitting the heavens and earth, its sword energy traversing thirty thousand miles; sometimes into an indestructible shield, impervious to all magic; and sometimes into a needle as fine as a cow's hair, yet containing a terrifying power capable of piercing the world…

This is no longer a simple simulation, but a true "creation".

Li Mu can now freely evolve any form of the Great Dao of Metal based on chaos, and each form contains the ultimate power of that form.

With this weakness addressed, the Chaos Dao has become more stable and well-rounded, and its overall strength has once again reached a new level!
Feeling the chaotic power surging within him, carrying a hint of invincible sharpness, Li Mu slowly withdrew his hand. In his palm, the Golden Puppet Ancestral Core, which had once shone for an entire era and schemed against the strongest beings in the Three Realms, had completely vanished, leaving only a fist-sized primordial crystal composed purely of data and logic. This was the only remnant left after all its value had been squeezed dry.

The destruction of the Golden Puppet Ancestral Core is just a small scene on Li Mu's long road. The terrifying beings that are hidden behind the changes of eras and have laid out plans for all the worlds have not yet truly shown their fangs.

The perfection of the Chaos Dao Tree has only just begun. Metal, wood, water, fire, earth, yin, yang, time, space, reincarnation... there are still too many Dao fruits that need to be nurtured and ripened.

The road ahead is long and lonely.

Li Mu's Dao heart became even more steadfast because of this tremendous gain.

Li Mu looked at the remains of the Ancestral Core. It no longer possessed its former power, and only a wisp of the remaining law imprint remained, flickering like a candle in the wind under the erosion of chaos.

Even so, the remains still faintly exuded an ancient and vast aura, as if engraved with the ultimate mystery of the puppetry path over billions of years.

Li Mu stared at the mutilated body, his gaze deep and unfathomable, when suddenly, a thought struck him.

Li Mu lightly tapped his fingertip, and a stream of chaotic energy fell like a thread, wrapping around the mangled body.

In an instant, the Spirit-Controlling Bracelet appeared, its spiritual sound resonating. Then, a graceful figure stepped out from the bracelet.

The void rippled slightly, and a little girl who looked about seven or eight years old appeared out of thin air. Her body was as white as jade, her hair was as silver, her eyes were as clear as a starry river, and a faint golden spiritual pattern was visible between her eyebrows.

Mingyue, dressed in a plain white dress, was barefoot and dangling in the air, surrounded by a faint spiritual light. She was the spirit of the puppet—Mingyue.

As soon as Mingyue appeared, before she could even speak and before that familiar smile could even appear on her lips, her gaze suddenly froze, her eyes fixed on the remnant of the Golden Puppet Ancestral Core.

Time seems to stand still at this moment.

Mingyue's breath hitched, her pupils contracted sharply, as if she had seen the most incredible thing in the world. Her spirit trembled slightly, a throbbing sensation from the depths of her soul swept over her like a tide. It was not fear, not awe, but a pull that was almost a bloodline resonance, a call from the depths of her very being.

Mingyue's perception, spiritual awareness, and her entire understanding of the Way of the Puppet were completely overturned at this moment.

Though the mangled body was utterly broken, the remaining imprints of laws within it pressed down on her heart like a majestic divine mountain. It was the purest and ultimate origin of the "Puppet Dao"! It was the ancestor of all puppets, the source of spiritual machinery! It was the ultimate destination she had sought in her entire life!
Mingyue involuntarily took a step closer to Li Mu, her fingertips trembling slightly, as if she wanted to touch him, yet also as if she dared not profane him.

“Master…Master…” Mingyue began, her voice as soft as a dream, trembling slightly, “That…that is…”

Li Mu looked at her with gentle eyes, yet with a profound insight that seemed to see through everything. He offered no explanation, but simply raised his hand and handed over the remnant of the Golden Puppet Ancestral Core.

"Take it."

The two words resounded like thunder in the heart of the bright moon.

Mingyue suddenly looked up, her eyes shining brightly. She stared at Li Mu in disbelief, her lips slightly parted, but no sound came out.

That remains were the original remnants of the Golden Puppet Ancestral Core, the pinnacle of the Golden Puppet Realm accumulated over billions of years, a treasure that could drive even the Great Emperor mad!

And Li Mu, just like that, casually handed it to her.

"It has no master, but its path has not been extinguished." Li Mu's voice was calm, yet it was like the great Dao's decree: "You are a puppet spirit, and your origin resonates with it. If you can comprehend its profound mysteries, you may be able to break through the ninth level limit."

Ninth level!

These two words, like a thunderbolt, shattered all the hesitation in Mingyue's heart.

Mingyue was originally a puppet created by Li Mu, a postnatal spiritual being with extraordinary talent. However, for a puppet's spirit to break through to the ninth rank is as difficult as ascending to heaven. It is not only a leap in power, but also a transformation of its origin, a complete fusion of spirit and Dao.

The mutilated body before her was the very opportunity that Mingyue had been longing for.

With her hands raised high, Mingyue received the mutilated body with the utmost reverence.

The moment his fingertips touched the mangled body, a vast torrent of information, as boundless as the sea of ​​stars, surged into Mingyue's spiritual platform. Countless puppet patterns, array patterns, law deductions, and diagrams of spiritual machinery structures emerged like a tide.

Mingyue's silver hair moved without wind, and golden light shone brightly on the lines between her brows, as if she were enveloped in a golden halo.

Mingyue closed her eyes and murmured silently, as if reciting some ancient Taoist scripture.

A moment later, Mingyue suddenly opened her eyes, golden light flowing in them, and countless tiny runes were faintly appearing and disappearing deep within her pupils.

Mingyue looked at Li Mu, bowed deeply, and then her figure flickered, transforming into a stream of light and disappearing back into the Spirit Control Bracelet.

With a flick of his sleeve, Li Mu caused the Spirit Control Bracelet to shimmer with light, instantly opening a spatial portal to the inner world and infusing it with chaotic power.

The world within the bracelet suddenly changed dramatically, and a secluded altar constructed from countless spiritual patterns appeared out of thin air.

Mingyue's figure appeared in the center of the altar, sitting cross-legged, her body surrounded by golden light like flames. Her remains floated above her head, slowly rotating and scattering golden light that merged into her spirit.

This seclusion might last for a hundred years, a thousand years, or even longer. But if Mingyue can use this opportunity to break through to the ninth rank, it will become the sharpest hidden blade in his hand. The spirit of the puppet is inherently without desires or wants, and loyalty is engraved in its very essence. Once it achieves great power, its combat strength will be terrifying, far surpassing that of its peers.

Inside the Spirit Bracelet, Mingyue's seclusion had entered a critical stage. Her remaining body was turning to ashes at a visible speed, while her spirit body was constantly transforming under the tempering of golden light. Every inch of her skin and every strand of her hair shone with a metallic luster, yet it was as soft and smooth as jade, as if it were cast from the purest spiritual gold.

The moon's spiritual consciousness has penetrated deep into the core of the law imprint on the broken body.

There, an ancient memory is engraved—about the birth of the first puppet, about the initial fusion of "spirit" and "machine", about how "consciousness" was sealed in metal, and how, through billions of iterations, it quietly gave birth to true "spirituality".

This is the most secret inheritance of the Golden Puppet Ancestral Core, and the true origin of the Puppet Way. A flash of inspiration appeared in Mingyue's spiritual platform.

In the infinitely distant past, an ancient being sacrificed himself, sealing his soul within divine metal to create the first puppet possessing a "heart." At that moment, the puppet was no longer an inanimate object, but gained the qualification to pursue the "Tao."

"So...we...can also attain enlightenment..." Mingyue murmured to herself, her voice filled with unprecedented determination.

Mingyue's entire spiritual body glowed, and layers of golden Dao patterns emerged from within her, swirling around her like star rings. Her aura was rising at an astonishing speed, as if about to break through some invisible shackle.

The threshold to the ninth level is already in sight.

Li Mu seemed to sense something, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his mouth. (End of Chapter)