Gou Dao and Cultivation of Immortals, Start from Farming

With a slight rustle of his green robe, Li Mu sat cross-legged beneath the Chaos Dao Tree, his mind sinking into the darkness.

Behind him, the illusory image of the Dao tree, which pierced through reality, swayed gently, its roots like countless chaotic celestial dragons, silently extending and probing into the depths of the endless void.

This expansion is quite different from the past conquest of various realms and active absorption of the source. The roots follow a certain rhythm, quietly penetrating the boundaries of known territories and sliding into a "gap of nothingness" where even the chaotic air currents are almost stagnant.

In this place where the concept of time and space is blurred, a thin but exceptionally resilient "thread" was gently touched by the most sensitive tip of a root.

"Om-"

Li Mu's mind trembled slightly as a clear, lofty, ancient, and pure aura flowed upstream along the roots and quietly entered the Chaos Dao Tree itself.

This energy is neither metal nor wood, neither water nor fire, it does not belong to yin and yang, nor to time and space. It contains an indescribable sense of "beginning," like the first breath of the universe before all things were born.

Azure Netherworld Qi!

The four-character Daoist name naturally appeared in Li Mu's mind.

Li Mu focused his mind, and all the Dao Fruits on the main trunk of the Chaos Dao Tree glowed faintly. The most peculiar reaction was that of the newly formed Dao Fruit, which symbolized "annihilation and nothingness"—it showed both a slight repulsion and an indescribable sense of closeness.

Li Mu drew upon a wisp of Azure Nether Profound Qi, placing it under the chaotic Dao principles for detailed analysis.

In an instant, he "saw" a scene completely different from anything he had ever known before.

This wisp of profound energy is subtle and mysterious in nature, far surpassing the fundamental laws of the ordinary world. It is not compatible with any single law, yet it seems to be able to transform into the underlying color of all laws and the source of all paths. What moved him even more was that, in the deepest part of the profound energy, he actually captured a very faint but extremely profound "common imprint".

He was familiar with this brand.

Deep within the Golden Sharpness Origin of the Golden Puppet Realm, the Ember Core of the Profound Abyss Ember Realm, the Time Fragments of the Time Ruins Realm, the Mind Barrier of the Illusionary Spirit Realm, and even within the Desolate Origin of the Eclipse Moon Ancient Realm... all contain a trace of the same origin, but which has been mutated and precipitated for hundreds of millions of years due to the characteristics of the realm!
In the past, he absorbed the origins of all realms, and the Chaos Dao Tree was incomparably domineering. He smelted, purified, and made it his own, never paying attention to this insignificant detail.

Today, we have encountered the purer and more ancient Azure Nether Profound Qi. When the two are compared, the common imprint hidden deep in the origin of all realms suddenly appears like a sealed Dao seal!

"So that's how it is... The three thousand main realms, seemingly isolated from chaos and not subordinate to each other, actually share the same origin in their boundary walls and foundations!" Li Mu's mind was stirred, and a grand and awe-inspiring conjecture surfaced in his heart.

The "Dao Foundation" that constitutes the foundation of the "Three Realms Main Realm" all originate from the same, more vast and ancient "mother body"!
Li Mu's thoughts moved with the roots, following the direction from which the Azure Nether Profound Qi came, and went deep into the void.

Perception pierced through layers of dimensional rifts, traversed countless secondary planes that rose and fell like bubbles, and finally, in a void beyond measure, "touched" that incredible existence—

A "law network aggregate" that runs through all the heavens and worlds and sustains their existence. Countless networks of varying thickness, like the roots and branches of a giant tree, extend to the limits of perception. Each network ends up connected to a main world that is either bright or dark, strong or weak!

Flowing within his veins is the power of the mother source, containing the "common imprint." Compared to the Azure Profound Qi he obtained, this power is far more vast and profound.

The Tree of the Main Realm?

No, it would be more accurate to call it the "Origin of All Realms".

He exists silently, in the gap between reality and illusion, the boundary wall that forms the common foundation of the three thousand main realms, and the fundamental principle governing the operation of the laws of all realms. Ordinary cultivators, even those at the Dao Realm level, would find it difficult to even glimpse a corner of him in their entire lives without an extraordinary opportunity.

Li Mu's Chaos Dao Tree, originally a vessel for the Chaos Dao, encompassed all things. Its roots, unwittingly probing into the void, accidentally pierced through dimensional barriers and touched a tiny tip of the "Origin Network of Myriad Realms"!
At this moment, the Chaos Dao Tree is spontaneously, slowly and continuously drawing a trace of the purest "Mother Source Realm Power" from the end of the source network that connects to the unknown Azure Nether World!
This power is more than the origin of all realms. It does not add any particular method, but rather nourishes the roots of the Dao tree, making its branches and leaves more profound, and even the Dao fruits that have been condensed appear more restrained and robust.

If we compare the origin of the realm that was devoured in the past to grains, then the power of this mother realm is the legendary innate Qi!

“The Origin of All Realms… The Power of the Mother Realm…” Li Mu’s mind raced, and he suddenly understood many key points.

The three thousand main realms wage war against each other, plundering each other's origins. They can survive and never perish only because they are all connected to this "source network," like parasitic fruits, drawing basic nutrients to sustain themselves. The conflict between realms is actually a struggle for the amount of nutrients bestowed by the "source network."

His Chaos Dao Tree bypassed the intermediate links and went straight to the source network branches to absorb the purest power of the mother source world!

This is a defying act, yet also an extraordinary stroke of luck!
However, fortune and misfortune are intertwined.

Just as Li Mu was immersed in this astonishing discovery and was trying to guide the Dao Tree to more efficiently absorb the source branches of the Azure Nether Profound Qi,

A vast, cold, and emotionless will, like a colossal beast that has slumbered for countless ages, swept across the source network branch that had been drained of the power of the Mother Source Realm!

This will is not directed at him, but rather seems to be a "self-examination opportunity" to maintain the balance of the source network.

As his will swept across the moment, Li Mu felt the connection between the Chaos Dao Tree and the source network branch tremble violently, almost breaking off. The absorption of the Mother Source Realm's power slowed down abruptly, and the Azure Nether Profound Qi was also almost cut off.

In that fleeting moment of contact, Li Mu glimpsed a blurry yet chilling scene:
Deep within the main trunk of the "Myriad Realms Source Network," several exceptionally bright "nodes" with ancient and magnificent auras shone brightly. These nodes seemed to be powerful worlds, not only actively drawing upon the vast power of the Mother Source Realm, but also subtly feeding back into the Source Network!

Among them, the most dazzling ones exuded such a powerful aura that even Li Mu, in his current state, felt a slight tremor in his heart.

"Is this the true main realm?" Li Mu's eyes were as deep as an abyss.

Li Mu already understood that he had inadvertently stepped into a stage far beyond his current realm. The fact that the Chaos Dao Tree could draw power from the Mother Source Realm was not only an opportunity, but also meant that he had attracted the attention of some ancient beings that relied on the Source Network for existence, or perhaps triggered the Source Network's own defensive mechanism.

At this moment, outside the Chaos Treasure Palace, in the realm of interconnected worlds.

Mingyue, who was leading her troops on patrol, and Xiao Jingtian, who was in charge of coordinating resources at the central command, almost simultaneously sensed something and abruptly looked up towards the direction of the Treasure Mansion. Just a moment ago, a vast aura, seemingly originating from the primordial era, flashed past from the depths of the Treasure Mansion. Immediately afterward, the laws of all realms trembled slightly, then subsided in an instant, but it caused all the Extreme Dao Realm cultivators to tremble in their hearts.

"The master's aura... is different again." A data stream flashed in Mingyue's golden eyes as she murmured to herself.

Xiao Jingtian's expression was solemn, and he immediately issued an order: "Strengthen vigilance and closely monitor the fluctuations of the boundary barrier, especially the newly discovered void fold areas!"

Xiao Jingtian vaguely sensed that the changes brought about by his master's seclusion this time were likely far greater than in the past.

Time flies, and thirty years have passed in the blink of an eye.

Inside the Chaos Treasure Palace, Li Mu opened his eyes, his gaze filled with surging chaos, as if the phantoms of the birth and death of myriad worlds and the intertwining of source networks were floating and sinking within them.

Li Mu lowered his eyes and stared at his palm, a wisp of barely perceptible yet extremely high-quality azure dark energy swirling around his fingertips.

"The Origin Network of Myriad Realms... the Power of the Mother Origin Realm... is this the deeper truth of the Three Thousand Main Realms?" Li Mu's lips curled slightly, revealing the sharp and fervent anticipation he displayed when encountering new heavens and facing perilous situations. The Chaos Dao Tree can take root in all realms, and it too can... take root in the Origin Network that nurtures all heavens!
Li Mu sat cross-legged under the Chaos Dao Tree, his eyes filled with surging chaotic energy, reflecting the "Origin Network of Myriad Realms" that pierced through the endless void.

Li Mu's mind was focused. No longer satisfied with the Dao Tree absorbing the strands of Mother Source Realm Power on its own, he began to actively guide it, using this supreme power to temper himself and the foundation of the Dao Tree.

"lead!"

Li Mu let out a low shout, his hands forming a profound hand seal. The Chaos Dao principles around him resonated and vibrated at an unprecedented frequency. The majestic Chaos Dao Tree behind him responded with a roar, its billions of roots trembling in unison. In particular, the main root that connected to the branch of the Azure Nether Profound Qi Source Network suddenly shone with a hazy, clear light.

As if some forbidden gate had been opened, a vast force of the primordial world, a thousand times stronger than before, surged forth along the root, like a galaxy that had been silent for countless ages suddenly bursting its banks. This force, carrying a majestic might that originated from the beginning and shaped all worlds, fiercely rushed into the Chaos Dao Tree and then poured into Li Mu's limbs and bones!
"Uh!"

Li Mu's body trembled violently, and countless fine cracks instantly appeared on the surface of his skin, as if it were a piece of porcelain about to shatter. Although the power of the Mother Source Realm is the source of nourishment for all things, its essence is extremely heavy, domineering, and far surpasses the original laws of ordinary worlds.

However, Li Mu's gaze was as firm as iron. His mind and spirit were completely united with the Chaos Dao Tree, and he frantically circulated the Chaos Dao. The Chaos Dao Seed within his body spun at an unprecedented speed, absorbing and exhaling this vast power, forcibly refining it and integrating it into his own Dao foundation.

Bathed in the abundant power of the Mother Source Realm, the Chaos Dao Tree emitted an excited and joyful buzzing sound. On its main trunk, the originally blurry Chaos Dao patterns became clearer and deeper at a speed visible to the naked eye. Ancient patterns emerged from the depths of the wood, meandering and wandering like dragons and snakes rising from the land, or like ancient divine script, exuding a vast and profound aura.

The newly sprouted leaves on the branches are no longer simply golden white, fiery red, or watery blue, but instead present a chaotic and colorful light.

Above the leaves, the sharp light of metal, the green aura of wood, the ethereal glow of water, the crimson glow of fire, and the yellow halo of earth flow... all these colors of the laws intertwine and merge, ultimately converging into a chaotic hue that encompasses all things and evolves the heavens. Each leaf seems to be nurturing a miniature, nascent world.

The aura of the Dao Tree was transforming at an astonishing speed, losing some of its domineering and violent energy that had plundered all realms, and gaining more of its ancient and inclusive nature that had nurtured all living beings and was virtuous enough to bear all things. It was like an ancestral root that was rooted in the void, supported all heavens, and evolved all the Dao!

The city of Zhenyou is a central tower.

Standing atop the tower, the bright moon, which was scanning the surrounding area with her divine sense, suddenly looked up. Beneath the silver armor covering her face, her golden pupils narrowed sharply. In her unique puppet spirit perception, the aura of the void where the Chaos Treasure Palace was located in the distance suddenly changed drastically!
The Chaos Dao Tree, which had been devouring the surrounding spiritual energy like an invisible vortex, now exuded a warm and vast aura. That aura was like a sleeping behemoth stretching its body, causing the laws of the universe to resonate with it. In her perception, the figure of the Dao Tree became increasingly majestic and ancient, and as its branches and leaves swayed, it seemed as if countless illusory worlds were born, died, and rotated with it.

An indescribable, all-encompassing power spread out, giving Mingyue, this cold puppet spirit body, a sense of peace and tremor that originated from its very source.

"Master's Dao... has broken through again!" Mingyue couldn't contain her excitement. Data streams flashed wildly in her golden eyes as she tried to analyze the source of that ancient and all-encompassing aura, but she only felt as if she were peering into a starry sea, which was unfathomable.

Within the Chaos Treasure Palace, the power of the Mother Source Realm surged forth like a celestial river flowing backwards.

Li Mu sat cross-legged in the void, the cracks in his body healing completely under the powerful force of the realm, shimmering with a warm, jade-like luster. Beneath his green robe, every inch of his flesh seemed to be reshaped by the primordial force of the realm, resonating more deeply with the roots of the Chaos Dao Tree. The divine light between his brows was contained, and the Chaos Dao Seed within his sea of ​​consciousness spun endlessly, absorbing this ancient power originating from the foundation of all realms.

"Om-"

The Chaos Tree emitted a clear, resonant sound that pierced the heavens. The ancient patterns newly formed on its trunk solidified completely, resembling dragons and snakes, their winding forms exuding a vast, awe-inspiring aura. Its canopy expanded dramatically, its branches and leaves unfurling, slowly covering the entire sky of the Netherworld Blood Realm!

Countless branches and leaves rustled and swayed, each leaf as large as a star, with chaotic energy surging within its veins. Upon closer inspection, the leaves themselves seemed to evolve the elements of earth, water, fire, and wind—the sharp metal energy condensed into the phantom of mountains, the azure essence of wood transformed into a boundless forest, the essence of fire leaped like the sun, the ethereal light of water gathered into a river, and the yellow halo of earth settled into the land… All these laws arose and circulated within the veins of the leaves, creating countless miniature chaotic worlds.

These worlds were initially hazy, but soon became clear, with clouds gathering and dispersing, thunder flashing, and phantom creatures roaring to the sky. Though each was only a single leaf containing a world, it already took shape, radiating real and tangible fluctuations of the realm.

The newly sprouted roots, like countless chaotic dragons, actively probed into the deep void, spreading along the mysterious origin network. Soon, several particularly thick main roots trembled slightly, touching several other distinct branches of the origin network.

A main root plunged into a branch of the "Ancient Realm of Profound Yellow," and the powerful and heavy force of the Mother Realm surged forth, carrying the profound meaning of bearing all things and nourishing all spirits. The roots of the Dao Tree, imbued with the Qi of Profound Yellow, became even more resilient and profound, as if they could bear the weight of the heavens.

Another main root connects to the source network of the "Evergreen Realm," where a vast vitality, like a spring breeze and rain, carries the vibrant Daoist charm of sprouting grass and trees and the growth of all things. Nourished by this, the branches and leaves of the Daoist tree become even more verdant and lush. In the miniature world that evolves between the veins of the leaves, the trees grow wildly, filling the fields with greenery.

Some roots reach towards the edge of the "Blazing Sun Divine Realm's" source network, drawing a wisp of the scorching, luminous power of the mother source realm; others touch the veins of the "Shadow Netherworld," stirring a wisp of silent, mysterious Netherworld energy...

Several different primordial energies, each with distinct characteristics, surged along different roots and converged into the body of the Chaos Dao Tree. These energies, which should have been in conflict with each other, were now, under the rule of the Chaos Dao, flowing like rivers into the sea, merging and rotating, transforming into supreme resources that nourished the Dao Tree and propelled its essential transformation.

The Chaos Tree shimmered with light, sometimes radiating a profound and heavy yellow light, sometimes flowing with the verdant brilliance of the Yi Wood, sometimes leaping with blazing golden flames, and sometimes shrouded in shadowy mist... All sorts of strange phenomena appeared, but in the end, they all returned to the chaotic color that encompassed all things and evolved all the heavens.

Beneath the tree canopy, Li Mu's Dao realm rose accordingly, his mind immersed in this unprecedented transformation, and his understanding of the Chaos Dao suddenly soared.

In the past, chaos was more about devouring and evolving for him, using its domineering power to absorb the origins of all realms and transform them for his own use.

At this moment, with the true meaning of "bearing" the Xuanhuang Ancient Realm, the vitality of "nurturing" the Evergreen Realm, and the characteristics of other realms' source networks merging in, the Great Dao of Chaos opened a new chapter in Li Mu's mind. (End of this chapter)