Gou Dao and Cultivation of Immortals, Start from Farming

The wisp of gray air slowly condensed, transforming into a seed with shimmering light, and gently sank into the chaotic phantom. The seed immediately sprouted an extremely fine bud, tiny yet exuding tenacious vitality and profound Daoist charm.

“The Dao Attainment Realm.” Li Mu continued, “The Dao Seed, after years of nurturing or the nourishment of fortuitous encounters, eventually matures. The Dao Tree reaches the sky, its branches and leaves piercing through the void, and can also connect to the origin veins of the real realm, blossoming and bearing fruit. Cultivators at this realm have a complete system of the Great Dao, freely mobilizing the vast origin of a realm, their magical power is inexhaustible, and they can influence the surrounding laws with their own Dao Fruit, transforming it into a near-absolute 'Dao Domain' within a certain range. Most ordinary realm lords stop here. However, there are different levels of Dao, different qualities of Dao Fruit, and the difference in achievement is like heaven and earth.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Mu continued to cast spells, manifesting the Great Dao.

Suddenly, the seed sprouts grew and transformed in the blink of an eye into a small tree with strong branches and dense veins on its leaves. On the tree crown, a blurry fruit phantom pulsated slightly, causing the surrounding chaotic air currents to rotate in a regular pattern.

The four saints' minds trembled as they clearly sensed the powerful Dao aura emanating from the small tree, far surpassing their current extreme Dao pressure.

“Return to the Dao Realm.” Li Mu’s tone was slightly solemn as the evolving scene changed again: “This is the path to transcend one region and reflect all the heavens. The Dao Tree has deep roots and the Dao Fruit is perfect. Cultivators need to draw upon the power of the Dao Fruit to continuously refine and purify their own Dao, removing the dross and retaining the essence, so that their own Dao source gradually ‘returns’ to the original pure and true state, comprehends the root of the Dao, and integrates the infinite Dao rhyme into one. All streams return to their origin. Those who reach this realm can pierce through thousands of boundary walls with a single thought, travel through the void, and undergo a transformation in the nature of their magical power, possessing root characteristics. Ordinary means are difficult to harm their foundation, and they have already begun to possess the qualities of immortality.”

The sapling continued to grow, its branches and leaves displaying a restrained luster, while the patterns on its trunk became increasingly ancient. The fruit on the tree solidified completely, its surface shimmering with a pure and unadorned light, subtly resonating with the vast, chaotic void around it.

Li Mu paused briefly, the chaotic starlight in his eyes swirling silently, and continued, "As for the Dao Integration Realm... it is what I know so far, and it is a realm I have not yet reached."

"In the realm of Dao Integration, one's own Dao is completely and perfectly integrated, highly compatible with, or even partially compatible with, the source of the Dao one has comprehended." Li Mu's voice was indescribably profound as he continued, "Cultivators in this realm can, to some extent, exercise the authority of the Dao. Their words become law, which is second nature. There is no need for deliberate action; their Dao domain naturally accompanies them, making them impervious to all laws and causing all evil to retreat."

"If one reaches this state, one can manipulate the strings of the laws of the heavens with one's will, altering the rules within a certain range. Creating things in the void and reversing time are not difficult. Its very existence is a manifestation of the 'Dao'. Cultivating to the peak of the Dao Integration Realm is an attempt to completely integrate one's own Dao source, soul, and will into the root of the Great Dao in order to ultimately transcend."

As Li Mu narrated, the illusory image of the evolved Dao tree suddenly burst forth with boundless brilliance. The tree trunk merged seamlessly with the surrounding chaos, and the Dao fruits on the tree transformed into a hazy source of light, as if it were the beginning and end of all evolution.

The four sages, merely by gazing at its illusory image, felt their Dao hearts tremble, as if they were seeing the Great Dao itself. Profound and profound truths washed over their minds like a torrent, leaving them momentarily stunned and lost in thought.

Xiao Jin, filled with emotion, curiously asked Li Mu, "Planting the Dao, achieving the Dao, returning to the Dao, merging with the Dao... So the world above the ultimate Dao is so vast. Master, are you now preparing to step into the realm of merging with the Dao?"

Li Mu nodded slightly: "I cultivate the Chaos Dao, which encompasses all things and evolves infinitely. After experiencing many tribulations and opportunities, I finally reached the edge of merging with the Dao. However, there are different levels of merging with the Dao. The origin of the Dao is infinite. The Chaos Dao that I cultivate is only a corner of the Dao. The road ahead is still long."

Azure Moon True Dragon took a deep breath, suppressing his shock, and respectfully asked, "Master, just how great is the difference between these four realms?"

Li Mu pondered for a moment: "A cultivator at the Seed Dao Realm can be a hegemon of a realm, mobilizing the power of that realm; a cultivator at the Ascension Dao Realm is almost omnipotent within their Dao Domain, enough to suppress ordinary Seed Dao cultivators; a cultivator at the Returning Dao Realm has transcended the constraints of realms, traversing the starry sea and overlooking the Ascension Dao; as for the Integration Dao Realm..."

After a moment of contemplation, Li Mu explained, "Those who have attained the Dao have power that cannot be measured by the difference in realms. Ordinary Dao-returners are like children looking at the sky before them, impossible to fathom. The core will of the Ghost Clan Mother Tree that I destroyed was between the Dao-returner and the Dao-merger at its peak."

The Crimson Phoenix, its crimson eyes flashing with flames, asked curiously, "Master, is reaching the Dao Integration stage the end of the Great Dao?"

Li Mu's eyes fixed slightly on the chaotic starry sky. He shook his head, gazed at the endless void, and said in a hazy tone, "The Great Dao is boundless; where is its end? The realm of Dao Integration may be considered the pinnacle in this myriad worlds; however, are there other realms beyond chaos? Are there even higher levels above the Great Dao? No one knows. What we cultivators seek is nothing more than to keep moving forward on this endless path. Perhaps one day, Dao Integration will only be the beginning of another journey."

Li Mu's words struck the hearts of the four sages like a morning bell and a evening drum. They had thought that the ultimate path was the pinnacle, but today they realized that there are heavens beyond heavens. Shocked, a burning yearning quietly ignited in their hearts.

The burly man that Xiaowa had transformed into scratched his head and asked with a simple and honest expression, "Master, will we still be able to catch up with you in the future?"

Li Mu looked at the pure expectation in Xiao Wa's eyes, a gentle smile on his face, and said, "The path of cultivation is long, and everyone has their own destiny. You have a solid foundation, extraordinary bloodline, and experience in governing the fortune of a region. It will not be difficult for you to plant the Dao and achieve the Dao in the future. As for whether you can return to the Dao and merge with the Dao, that depends on fate, perseverance, and opportunity."

Li Mu looked at the four sages and continued to explain the method: "The key to cultivating the Dao lies in 'harmony' and 'rooting.' Your bloodlines are different, and your understanding of the Dao also has its own emphasis. Today, I will use the power of the Chaos Dao Tree to demonstrate it for you!"

Before the words were finished, the void behind Li Mu rippled slightly, and the phantom of a colossal tree quietly appeared—it was the Chaos Dao Tree. In this manifestation, its branches were contracted, its leaves drooped as if asleep, and its Daoist aura flowed warmly like the first ripples of spring. Wisps of gray mist descended, gently enveloping the sky where everyone was.

“Look carefully.”

Li Mu joined his fingers like a brush, making a sweeping stroke in the air. Where his fingertips passed, four streams of light separated from the roots of the Dao Tree: one a dazzling golden light, fierce as thunder; one a deep, dark blue, like an abyss or a surging tide; one a raging crimson flame, violent as fire; and one a heavy, earthy yellow, steady as a mountain. These perfectly matched the original Daoist essence of Xiao Jin, Qing Yue, Chi Lian, and Xiao Wa.

“At the beginning of cultivating the Dao, one must first understand one’s own Dao.” Li Mu looked at the four sages and spoke in a calm voice, demonstrating: “Condense your understanding of the Great Dao, the place where your mind resides, and the direction of your will into a single ‘seed of Dao thought’.”

As the words were spoken, the four streams of light gradually changed.

Within the golden light, spiritual patterns flickered, outlining a towering, earth-shaking phantom of a giant ape, roaring towards the sky, its fists shaking the galaxy, its pure power overflowing.
Within the deep blue light, the water rippled, and the shadowy dragons appeared and disappeared in the abyss. The laws of water flowed like tides, revealing endless tranquility and inclusiveness.
The crimson flames surged endlessly, the phoenix's clear cry resounded through the soul, the meaning of burning and rebirth intertwined and rotated, and the true mechanism of nirvana was hidden in the heat;
The earthen yellow light flowed down like an abyss, the earth's veins surged, and the image of rising mountains gradually took shape, thick, boundless, and indestructible.

The four saints held their breath and focused their attention on their respective streams of light. The Dao power within their bodies resonated involuntarily. Golden light emanated from Xiao Jin's body, the dragon pattern on Qing Yue's forehead glowed slightly, the phoenix shadow fluttered behind Chi Lian, and the earth trembled slightly beneath Xiao Wa's feet.

“Now that the Dao is clear, one should seek the ‘Dao Land’.” With a slight thought, Li Mu’s four beams of light suddenly converged, transforming into four fist-sized seeds with restrained radiance.

On the seed shell, mysterious patterns naturally form, which is the manifestation of the core of the Four Sacred Great Dao. "This 'earth' can be a real spiritual hub, or the source of a virtual world opened up by thought. It only needs to be able to bear the nature of your Great Dao and be nourished continuously."

Beneath the Chaos Dao Tree, four hazy, illusory figures slowly emerged:
One is like a diamond forged from solidified metal, containing mineral veins and a force field within;

One is like a bottomless deep pool, filled with mist and swirling undercurrents;

One is like a blazing furnace, with the earth's fire surging endlessly;
One is as thick and heavy as the earth's energy, which is continuous and unbroken.

All of these were ideal Dao lands that Li Mu temporarily created using the chaotic Dao rhythm, perfectly suited to the Dao of the Four Saints. "Using the divine as a guide and thought as a bridge, sink the Dao seeds into the Dao lands." Li Mu lightly tapped his fingertips, and the four Dao seeds transformed into streams of light, disappearing into the center of the illusory image.

Strange phenomena appeared in an instant!

Within the Vajra Realm, the golden Dao Seed took root upon landing, its roots bursting forth like golden threads, piercing into the void's energy channels, greedily absorbing the laws of power. The seed shell cracked, and a tender bud stubbornly emerged, tiny yet already possessing the power to support the sky. The tip of the bud emitted sharp light, cutting through the void with a hissing sound.

Within the realm of the deep pool, the azure Dao Seed sank to the bottom of the abyss, its roots spreading like water vines, merging with the gentle yet resilient water element. The tender shoots broke through their shells silently, yet they caused ripples to spread, each ripple resembling the rhythm of the tides, the water reflecting across the entire void, clear and serene.

Within the furnace realm, the crimson Dao seed plunged into the core of the earth fire, its roots dancing wildly like fire snakes, coiling and devouring the essence of fire; tender shoots sprouted from the raging flames, crimson and translucent, like carved glass, with inextinguishable fire patterns leaping on the leaves, brimming with vitality.

At the boundary of Xuanhuang, the earth-yellow Dao seed sank into the earth's energy, its roots resembling writhing dragons entering the soil, connecting with the earth's veins. When the tender shoots emerged, they were accompanied by a dull, rumbling sound, gentle yet firm, their bodies a dark gold, exuding an unyielding stability.

“Once the seed of the Dao has taken root, it needs to be watered with one’s own Dao power from time to time, constantly nourished by spiritual energy, and further nurtured by the enlightenment of the Great Dao as rain and sunshine to help it grow.” As Li Mu explained, he demonstrated, and four tender buds sprouted branches and leaves, growing visibly.

Golden sprouts emerge with veins and patterns, subtly forming the rudiments of the laws of power;
Dewdrops condense on the branches, and the true meaning of water flows among them, as if the sound of the tide is murmuring.

The phoenix's illusory image on the fiery leaf became increasingly clear;
The earthen branches reveal mountain and river patterns, resonating with the earth's veins.

The four saints were so engrossed in their spiritual practice that they felt as if they themselves were the seeds of the Dao, sensing the solidity of their roots in the soil, the smoothness of absorbing the laws, and the wonder of the Dao thoughts growing stronger with each birth. Many obscure aspects of their past cultivation suddenly became clear, and the barriers to the ultimate Dao were subtly loosening, as if they could see a wider path ahead.

As the evolution continued, the four Dao seedlings gradually grew into small trees, each supporting a space of Daoist charm, resonating more and more deeply with the illusory image of the realm.

Li Mu lightly flicked his sleeves, the strange phenomena gradually subsided, the illusory image of the Chaos Dao Tree faded away, and heaven and earth returned to clarity.

The four sages regained their senses, their eyes filled with a mixture of understanding and their auras fluctuating, clearly indicating that they had benefited greatly.

"The scene of cultivating the Dao is roughly like this." Li Mu's gaze swept over the four people, as well as Xue'er and Mingyue, and he indicated, "To truly implement it, you will need to find suitable lands and soil for yourselves, or open up a void realm in your spiritual platform. The obstacles and risks involved are still unfolding, and you should have sensed them."

Xiao Jin took a deep breath, cupped his hands, and said in a deep voice, "Master's evolution is profound, and I have benefited greatly. The seed of strength is easily broken when it is too forceful; when it takes root, it must be a balance of strength and gentleness to last... I understand!"

Qingyue's eyes shone brightly, and her body was enveloped in mist. She said excitedly, "The way of water is both gentle and resilient, yet it can also capsize a boat and carry all things. The soil for cultivating the Dao must have a deep reservoir, and it also needs flowing water. Stagnant water cannot thrive... Qingyue understands."

Chi Lian's crimson eyes were like crystals, and the flames remained condensed: "Incineration conceals Nirvana, and the Dao seed is born from fire. The roots, in turn, must penetrate deep into the core of the fire source and face the violence directly in order to absorb its true essence... Chi Lian will remember this principle."

Xiao Wa scratched his head and chuckled, but there was a thoughtful look in his eyes: "The earth is heavy and bears all things. The seed of the Dao takes root, and its value lies in stability and depth, without being hasty or impatient, breathing with the earth's veins... Xiao Wa seems to understand."

Li Mu nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping down towards the Myriad Demon Mountains, and said calmly, "The method of cultivating the Dao has been imparted. Whether you can take this step depends on your own destiny. However!"

Li Mu paused slightly, then gestured with his hand: "The Qiling Realm has limited origins and narrow laws. The ultimate realm is already the limit of the Great Dao here. If you wish to glimpse the Middle Dao, the Dao Attainment, or even higher realms, it will be futile to remain confined to this realm."

The four sages were shocked. After reaching the pinnacle of their cultivation, they found it difficult to draw upon spiritual inspiration, and the laws seemed to have invisible limitations. They had originally thought it was because their cultivation had not yet reached perfection, but now they realized it was due to the constraints imposed by the structure of heaven and earth.

Little Gold's golden eyes blazed as it stepped forward, its voice like metal on iron: "Master! Little Gold is willing to follow you. This world is good, but it is not a place to stay for long. With the Great Dao ahead, how can we be confined to a corner? Even if it means facing mountains of knives and seas of fire, we will never turn back!"

The Azure Moon True Dragon looked at Li Mu with its vertical pupils, bowed and said firmly, "Azure Moon has long had this ambition. When my master left years ago, I knew that one day I would have to break free from the shackles of this world. Today, the opportunity has come, and I am willing to travel with my master through the heavens to seek the true meaning of the Great Dao."

Crimson Phoenix stared intently at Li Mu and hurriedly declared, "Crimson Phoenix is ​​also willing to follow Master and serve him!"

Little Wa hummed, "Wherever Master goes, Little Wa will go! The Spirit Realm is good, but following Master, I can see higher and farther worlds!"

Hearing Xiao Jin and the others' statement, Xue'er's lips curled up slightly, her face full of smiles, knowing that Brother Li would definitely not refuse them.

A hint of satisfaction flashed in Li Mu's eyes, and he laughed loudly: "Very well! In that case, today I will show you the scenery of the myriad worlds!"

Before he finished speaking, Li Mu swept his sleeves, and a surge of chaotic energy rushed out, enveloping Xue'er, Mingyue, and the four demon saints.

Li Mu raised his hand and gently pressed it into the void.

The next moment, a passage quietly appeared, its edges flowing with deep gray light, and starlight swirling within. From the other end came a vast, ancient, and endlessly complex aura, the aura emanating from the various main realms of the myriad worlds.

"Let's go!"

Li Mu took the lead and stepped into the passage, with Xue'er and Mingyue following closely behind.

The four saints looked back at the Ten Thousand Demon Mountains, exchanged glances, turned around in unison, transformed into four streams of light, and rushed into the passage without looking back, following closely behind.

The passage closed, and the sky returned to its pristine clarity. Within the Ten Thousand Demon Mountains, countless powerful demons looked up at the heavens, only to find that the aura of the Demon Saint who had guarded the four directions had vanished without a trace. (End of Chapter)