Gou Dao and Cultivation of Immortals, Start from Farming

Deep within the Chaos Treasure Palace, time flows silently like stagnant chaotic air.

Li Mu sat cross-legged beneath the Dao Tree, his mind sinking into the boundless Dao Domain within his body. The Chaos Dao Fruit on the branch was round and full, pulsating slowly and undulating, causing the surrounding chaos to swirl into vortices. Eight or nine out of ten of the strange white patterns on the fruit's surface had disappeared, leaving only a few deeply embedded in the core, like jade with flaws.

Countless strands of primordial chaos, imbued with the Daoist principles of order, repeatedly washed over the Dao fruits like silver dragons. The remaining strange and monstrous spirituality was completely annihilated, leaving only the pure essence, which was slowly decomposed by the Great Dao, transforming into resources to nourish the Dao foundation and divine soul.

Li Mu's aura deepened, seemingly merging with the entire Dao Domain. Wherever his thoughts went, the miniature world among the branches and leaves evolved at an accelerated pace—mountains rose, rivers surged, and spiritual light first appeared in the void, a sign of the budding of life. His understanding of chaos and order also became increasingly refined through the process of refining.

At this critical juncture, Li Mu's mind suddenly stirred. His eyes opened and closed, reflecting the stars, and he sensed that the new harmony between the Origin of Myriad Realms and the Great Dao of Chaos was being quietly distorted by some force.

"The demons and monsters can't hold back any longer." Li Mu's low voice was cold, causing a slight ripple in the silence. He did not investigate further, but suppressed his senses and activated the Mother Source to accelerate the refining of the strange source. The storms outside were not as important as the completion of the Dao Foundation.

……

At the edge of the heavens, in the realm of shifting sands.

This world was once a vast sea of ​​sand, home to the Sand Clan civilization. Now, only death and desolation remain.

The vast desert turned to a ghastly white powder, sand dunes collapsed like bones carpeting the ground. The sky shattered, the void dimmed, and stardust floated in the air. The very essence of this realm... vanished without a trace.

Several figures hovered above the shattered boundary core; they were the patrol envoys of the Allied Forces of the Interdimensional Realms. Their divine senses swept across the deadly land like a net.

"The depletion of the boundary core and the collapse of the laws are not the work of the Ghost Clan." The Star-Robed Inspector drew a wisp of gray aura from his fingertip. "This power is domineering and pure, containing the intention to devour all laws and return to chaos."

Another person captured the pale white remains from the void fragments—the broken branches of the eerie tree were entwined with gray Dao power, the two intertwined, seemingly perishing together.

"The power of chaos coexists with the strange tree?" General Xuanhuang frowned. "The Flowing Sand Realm is remote. Why would the Lord of Chaos be here? And how could he appear and disappear at the same time as the strange tree?"

The clues were contradictory, and the scene was bizarre. The news was immediately relayed back to the Pool of All Laws.

……

The clear light from the pond reflected the deathly scene of the quicksand realm, as well as the wisp of gray Taoist power and the remains of the eerie tree.

"Chaotic Dao Power! It really is him!" The Ancient Origin Realm Lord's divine flames surged, and he roared, shaking the pool, "He made his vow not long ago, yet he's already draining the pond to catch all the fish! The Great Dao oath is nothing but a deceptive statement!"

The Immortal Lord of Taiyu's gaze was cold: "This scene is strange. If the Chaos Dao Lord wants to devour the world, why would he need to come to this remote corner in person? His Dao Tree is rooted in the source network and has its own methods. Not to mention, its appearance at the same time as the Strange Tree is illogical."

As the Star Daoist deduced the secrets of heaven, the starlight spun rapidly, yet he still could not unravel the cause and effect. He said slowly, "The traces point clearly, but the logic is inconsistent. There may be a suspicion of framing someone."

"Frame someone?" Gu Yuan sneered. "Who can replicate the pure power of chaos to such an extent? Who can set up a trap of mutual destruction? To claim it's a frame-up without being able to deduce it is rather rash!"

Hao Yi Dao Zu spoke up: "Although the Flowing Sand Realm is small, the withered state of its core is seven parts similar to the several realms whose origins were extracted by the Chaos Dao Tree in the past. In particular, the idea of ​​'all things returning to stillness and returning to the original chaos' is unique to this realm."

The shadowy figure of the Eternal Silence Lord stirred slightly: "Whether the Dao Tree is completely dormant while the Chaos Dao Lord is in seclusion is still unknown. Perhaps... the Dao Tree is spontaneously absorbing energy, even to the point of losing control?"

The atmosphere in the secret realm suddenly solidified. The growth and devouring of the Chaos Dao Tree was, in essence, a blade hanging over the heads of all realms.

"Enough." The Primordial Daoist said calmly and decisively, "Only what you see with your own eyes and observe with your own hands can reveal the truth."

Before he finished speaking, he took a step forward and his figure was already on the core of the depleted world of the quicksand realm.

The clear moonlight shone down, and the eyes of the Primordial Dao Venerable turned, revealing the scene of returning to the source. His divine sense penetrated to the finest detail, tracing back the power of destruction.

The hazy Dao power was crystal clear to him—it was indeed highly compatible with Li Mu's Dao rhythm. The traces of the depleted boundary core also showed signs of domineering detachment.

However, when his divine sense penetrated to the deepest part of the boundary core, he detected a very subtle fluctuation.

Cold, deathly still, and greedy like maggots clinging to bones—though extremely faint, disguised as the decay of the source, it could not escape its notice.

"Strange power..." The Primordial Daoist's gaze sharpened. It was not the strange mist that permeated the realm, but a deeper trace of the origin of the Strange Race, like a malignant tumor clinging to the core of Annihilation.

This strange power coexists with the traces of chaos, yet they are clearly distinct, as if they have been forcibly mixed together to create a fabricated chaotic scene.

The phrase "framing someone" comes to mind when he speaks of blaming someone else.

The Primordial Daoist remained unmoved and continued his investigation. That wisp of eerie power vanished in an instant, impossible to trace. The caster's skill was superb, possessing a deep understanding of chaos and the source of the strange, enabling them to create such a deceptively realistic illusion.

The Primordial Daoist withdrew his divine sense, the clear light faded, and his figure returned to the Pool of Myriad Laws.

"Daoist Master, how is it?" Xingyan asked anxiously.

All the realm lords focused their attention on this.

After a moment of silence, the Primordial Daoist said in a deep voice, "The traces of the depleted boundary core and the remnants of chaotic Dao power are indeed highly similar to Li Mu's Dao charm."

The Ancient Origin Realm Lord's anger intensified.

The Primordial Daoist's tone turned slightly somber as he continued, "At the deepest part of the boundary core, I detected a trace of extremely hidden and strange power, coexisting with the Chaos Dao Mark, but not from the same origin. This scene... is more than 70% likely to be a human-made forgery."

"Seventy percent?" Gu Yuan suddenly stood up, his divine flames blazing in the sky: "Even if it's only thirty percent, we cannot tolerate it! The Chaos Dao Lord inherently possesses a devouring nature, and the growth of the Dao Tree is unpredictable. Who dares to say that it hasn't gone out of control? Or perhaps it's secretly using a secret technique? That strange power might have been exploited by the strange race, only to be annihilated by the Chaos!"

He surveyed the crowd, his voice booming like thunder: "The manifestation of chaotic Dao power in the Flowing Sand Realm is irrefutable proof of the realm's depleted source! If this precedent is set, how can the other realms find peace? Reactivating the Spirit Sealing Array is of utmost urgency! Even if it cannot completely seal everything, it must at least be limited!"

"Fellow Daoist Gu Yuan, you are mistaken!" Immortal Lord Taiyu retorted, "Since there is suspicion of framing, how can we add to the crime based on suspicion? Reopening the Spirit Sealing at this moment is tantamount to forcing the Chaos Dao Lord into opposition, destroying the friendship we had forged in the previous campaign against the Demon Clan. If this is the Demon Clan's plan, wouldn't we be cutting off our own arm?"

Hao Yi Dao Zu stroked his beard: "The possibility of framing someone certainly exists. However, the Chaos Dao Lord himself is a variable. His Dao Fruit is becoming more and more perfect, and his power is growing stronger. Even if it is not his initiative, the existence of the Dao Tree itself has become a hidden danger in the source network. The Spirit Sealing Array... should be prepared as soon as possible."

The Lord of Eternal Silence said quietly, "The Ghost Clan retreated suspiciously, and now they are trying to frame us. Their ambitions must be great. If we rashly create further discord, the situation may collapse."

Star Dao Venerable's fingertips flickered with starlight: "The secrets of heaven are chaotic, and it is difficult to distinguish between truth and falsehood. However, the matter of the Flowing Sand Realm has already pierced my heart like a poisonous thorn. Once the seeds of suspicion are sown, trust can hardly be restored to its former state."

The lords of the various realms held differing opinions and argued endlessly. Reactivating the Myriad Realms Sealing Spirit Array might fall into a trap; ignoring it, however, risked causing a great disaster.

The Primordial Daoist sat upright in the clear light, gazing at the desolate quicksand realm reflected in the pool, and the silent Chaos Treasure Palace in the distance, remaining silent for a long time.

Reactivating the Myriad Realms Sealing Spirit Array would be far too complicated, and once implemented, there would be no turning back. That strange fluctuation of power, along with the highly similar Chaos Dao Mark, acted like two shackles, binding his mind and making it difficult for him to make a decision.

Within the secret realm, debates raged on, the clear light and divine flames intertwined, reflecting the deep stagnation and lingering gloom in the eyes of the realm lords.

Deep within the starry sea, beyond the Netherworld Blood Realm, ripples suddenly appeared in the void, layer upon layer, like an ink-stained sky being stirred by an invisible hand.

Nine vast auras emerged from the void, illuminating the world with immortal light, spreading Buddhist radiance, obscuring the sun with demonic clouds, and surging with witchcraft... All these strange phenomena intertwined, causing the laws of heaven and earth to wail incessantly. The appearance of the nine main realms, their oppressive power like a mountain of ten thousand jun, pressed heavily down on the sky of the Netherworld Blood Realm.

The leader, the Ancient Origin Realm Lord, had an ancient and weathered face. His eyes seemed to hold the birth and death of countless worlds as they opened and closed. His voice was like a booming bell, piercing through the boundary wall and entering Li Mu's soul: "Chao Chaos Dao Lord, please come out and see us. Calamities are frequently occurring in the Boundary Sea, and clues have been found pointing to the Chaos Dao. To put the minds of all worlds at ease, please open the Treasure Palace immediately so that we may examine it!"

Li Mu stepped out from the core of the Blood Realm and stood in the void, his green robe fluttering in the wind. He remained unmoved by the pressure from the Nine Realms, his expression calm.

Li Mu's gaze swept over the nine beings who held the power of the heavens, and he coldly and decisively refused: "The Chaos Treasure Palace is the artifact that I cultivated with my life, and it concerns my Dao foundation. I have also made a vow on the Great Dao that I will no longer absorb the origin of all worlds. You have no evidence to pin this matter on me, which is far too much!"

The Star Dao Venerable was draped in starlight, his brows slightly furrowed, his fingertips quietly forming a hand seal. The illusory image of the Zhou Tian Star Chart appeared around him, with the trajectories of billions of stars flickering uncertainly as he deduced cause and effect. A trace of doubt flashed in his eyes, but he ultimately remained silent.

With a flick of his sleeve, Li Mu conjured an image imprinted with supreme magical power in the void. The Dao Fruit of the Central Order hung high, its radiance clear and bright. Wherever it shone, the dense and eerie power instantly dissolved, and the world returned to clarity. That righteous and pure Dao charm could not be faked.

"This is the manifestation of the purification of the evil power by the Dao Fruit of Order." Li Mu explained in a deep voice: "Although the Great Dao of Chaos encompasses everything, what I cultivate is without shame. It goes against the evil power that is eroding all worlds. How could it be related?"

The Daoist aura in the image was pure, completely different from the sinister, filthy, and violent power. The nine realm lords sensed it and calculated continuously, their expressions slightly shifting, as if they were deep in thought.

At this moment, Xingyan Daozun spoke, his voice ethereal and solemn: "Based on my analysis of the Zhou Tian Star Chart, there is indeed a 70% chance that this situation is a case of framing someone. The lingering chaotic aura may not have originated from Fellow Daoist Li."

After speaking, Xingyan Daozun glanced at the Ancient Origin Realm Lord and the others, intending to mediate the conflict.

The Ancient Origin Realm Lord's gaze was as deep as an abyss as he solemnly said, "It is ultimately not perfect. Even the way of deduction has blind spots. The Chaos Dao Lord is of great importance in this matter. It is better to make a mistake than to overlook something!"

The Ancient Origin Realm Lord looked at Li Mu and provoked him, saying, "If the Chaos Dao Lord has a clear conscience, what is there to fear in proving himself?"

The Primordial Daoist, surrounded by primordial energy, pondered for a moment before proposing a compromise, saying, "Since Fellow Daoist Li is bound by the oath of the Great Dao, such coercion is indeed inappropriate. However, to quell public opinion, you only need to agree to one thing—connect the root of the Chaos Dao Tree to the 'Monthly Origin Network Monitoring Node,' so that it can sense the flow of spiritual energy in all the heavens. If Fellow Daoist is innocent, the Dao Tree can cleanse the impurities and also detect anomalies to prove your innocence."

Upon hearing this proposal, several realm lords nodded slightly, all agreeing that it was feasible, as the nodes of the myriad realms' origin network were crucial for maintaining the balance of spiritual energy across the heavens.

If Li Mu dares to connect his natal Dao Tree into it, the node will inevitably undergo changes if he harbors any wicked thoughts, which is indeed a good strategy to prove himself.

Upon hearing this, Li Mu merely glanced at Tai Chu Dao Zun and remained silent for a long time.

Li Mu's chaotic aura shifted slightly, and his figure faded away, leaving only a cold voice echoing through the starry sky: "Why should I, Li, need to prove my actions to you? If you want to condemn me, you can always find a pretext. I will not play along!"

Before he finished speaking, Li Mu vanished from the spot, disappearing into the depths of the Chaos Treasure Palace.

Seeing this, Xingyan Daozun sighed inwardly, knowing that Chaos Dao Lord Li Mu was arrogant and that this move had completely offended the other eight realm lords. He felt that Li Mu was unwise, but he was powerless to dissuade him.

The realm lords returned empty-handed, the atmosphere stagnant and filled with resentment.

The Ancient Origin Realm Lord's expression was gloomy, and he ultimately did not make a move to forcibly detain him; the Chaos Dao Lord had profound foundations, and if he rashly made a move, the price would be unbearable.

The Ancient Origin Realm Lord could only snort coldly and leave in a huff, while the other Realm Lords dispersed one after another.

The matter has been temporarily resolved, but the seeds of resentment have been sown.

……

Time flies, stars shift and constellations change, and several years pass in the blink of an eye.

The Myriad Realms Source Network Monitoring Node is located at the boundary between the virtual and the real world, where countless crystalline spiritual veins converge, like the lifeblood of stars, maintaining the operation of the spiritual energy of the heavens; this place is guarded by the nine major realms on a rotating basis, and is heavily guarded.

The one on duty this time is the Xuanhuang Dao Lord of the Xuanhuang Great Realm. He is known for his powerful defense. He sits at the core of the node, and the Xuanhuang Qi around him resonates with thousands of spiritual veins, protecting the peace of this area.

On this day, the nodes were as usual, and the tides of inspiration rose and fell in an orderly fashion.

Suddenly, something strange happened!

A spiritual vein suddenly stagnated, and then a point of darkness exploded from the depths of the vein, spreading in an instant and transforming into countless twisted and writhing eerie incantations—the secret technique of the Ghost Clan, the Source-Eroding Curse!

This curse is extremely insidious, specifically designed to erode one's very essence and corrupt one's spiritual energy. The powerful beings of the Ghost Clan planted it countless eons ago, and now it has been detonated with overwhelming force!

"boom--!"

The power of erosion swept through vast stretches of spiritual veins like a flood bursting its banks! The crystalline veins rapidly withered and decayed, their immense spiritual energy devoured and transformed into filthy and malevolent forces that ravaged all directions!
"Not good!" Xuanhuang Daojun reacted swiftly, his ten-thousand-foot-tall Dharma form suddenly appearing, attempting to suppress the curse power with supreme Dao principles.

However, this curse was premeditated and extremely strange. It erupted from the core of the spiritual vein, amplifying its power!

"Tsk-!"

The Xuanhuang Dao Domain and the Corrosive Source Strange Force collided violently, producing a piercing corrosive sound. The Xuanhuang Qi could not withstand the endless strange force that directly eroded the origin of all Daos, and was torn open with a huge rift!

"Ugh!"

The Xuanhuang Dao Master let out a muffled groan, his Dharma form trembled violently, and his chest was struck by an extremely condensed and strange power spell. His Xuanhuang Treasure Armor instantly dimmed, leaving behind shocking traces of corrosion; his aura plummeted, clearly indicating that he was injured.

Almost simultaneously, at the core of the eruption and the broken spiritual vein, a pure chaotic aura emanated, spreading out like mercury spilling onto the ground, lingering for a long time.

This energy, which is said to be the lingering aura left when trouble is caused, comes from the same source!
The scene was a mess, spirits groaned, and meridians withered. The Xuanhuang Dao Master sat cross-legged, regulating his breathing, his face pale, desperately suppressing the strange power within his body. The chaotic aura, like silent ironclad evidence, coldly revealed everything.

The news shook the three thousand realm lords!
The nine major realms were furious, especially the Ancient Origin Realm Lord, who believed that the Chaos Dao Lord was implicated. The evidence resurfaced, pointing directly at Li Mu of the Netherworld Blood Realm!

Upon hearing the news, Xingyan Daozun immediately activated the Zhou Tian Star Chart. However, the star orbits were disordered, the heavenly secrets were obscured, and the traces of the framing seemed to be concealed by a stronger force. Only a faint, mysterious clue appeared in the depths of chaos.

Xingyan Daozun's expression was solemn, knowing that a storm was brewing and this calamity would likely be difficult to resolve peacefully. (End of Chapter)