Gou Dao and Cultivation of Immortals, Start from Farming

The chaotic roots penetrated through layers of sticky soil, then suddenly felt light and pierced into a strange place.

Before their eyes, the scene suddenly changed to a broken and solidified "source layer," dark and silent, with surging source energy. Countless gray-white stones of varying sizes flowed rapidly with the source energy, the stones covered with cracks, and within them, a hidden radiance flowed.

"What is this?" Li Mu was shocked.

The instant the roots of the Chaos Dao Tree touched a grayish-white stone, the cracks on the stone's surface suddenly widened, shattering and flying into countless dust particles, which, along with the surging primordial energy, flowed into the roots of the Chaos Dao Tree.

The next moment, a massive amount of fragmented information traveled upstream along the roots, forcibly pouring into the Chaos Dao Tree, and then entered Li Mu's sea of ​​consciousness!
Light and shadow are fragmented, and fragments of memory are washed away like a torrent.

Li Mu "saw" a vast and boundless ancestral forest, with hundreds of millions of ancestral trees reaching the sky and the earth, their branches and leaves intertwined like a canopy, their crowns disappearing into the sea of ​​light. The forest was thriving, and as far as the eye could see, the ancestral trees were only a thousand miles apart, their crowns almost touching, and sparks of the Great Dao burst forth between the friction of their branches and leaves.

Each ancestral tree exudes a powerful aura, its branches adorned with realms as dazzling as a galaxy, containing countless beings and radiating the essence of the Dao.

In the center of the forest, nine particularly majestic ancestral trees stand in the nine palaces, their trunks having evolved to the state of "all paths flowing together," their branches rising and falling like breath, swallowing and exhaling primordial energy to form nine long rivers that traverse the vast land.

"This is... the 'Ancestral Tree's Golden Age' from 129,600 years ago." A desolate thought echoed among the fragments.

The flowing light suddenly became violent, and a muffled thunderous roar came from the depths of the sea of ​​light. An invisible and intangible "tide" that made the myriad ancestral trees tremble surged up from the bottom of the vast land.

Where the tides pass, the vital energy of the vast land flows backward!

The primordial energy that nourished the roots of the ancestral tree surged back like a receding tide, converging towards an unknown "origin" deep within the vast land. The reverse flow of primordial energy grew stronger and stronger, and within a hundred days, the circulation of primordial energy throughout the entire vast land was completely disrupted.

"This is the great cycle of annihilation!" The desolate thought was filled with endless fear.

One by one, the ancestral trees of the Great Dao were ravaged.

The source energy flowed backward, drawing from nowhere, causing the ancestral tree to wither rapidly, its branches and leaves turning yellow, the boundary Dao leaves hanging from its branches gradually darkening, the creatures within wailing, and mountains and rivers collapsing.

In just three years, thousands of Great Dao Ancestral Trees turned into withered wood one after another, and the Dao Fragments of the Realm shattered with a "crack, crack" sound, turning into ashes that scattered into the vast earth.

However, this is just the beginning.

The reverse flow of primordial energy intensified, and the tide swept across the entire forest.

One after another, the ancestral trees with insufficient roots and weak foundations withered. The "Burning Heaven Ancestral Tree," which specialized in the Dao of Blazing Flames, had its myriad worlds of fire extinguished in an instant; the "Mysterious Ice Ancestral Tree," which excelled in the Dao of Frost, had its trunk cracked from the frost and its ice seal crumbled; and the "Sharp Metal Ancestral Tree," which evolved the killing power of Geng Metal, had its branches and leaves corroded and its domain collapsed...

The great cycle of annihilation is coming, and all paths are withering away.

Even the nine towering ancestral trees standing in the middle of the forest could only struggle to hold on, waiting for this calamity to pass.

In the blink of an eye, a century has passed, and the landscape of Zushu Forest has undergone earth-shaking changes.

The magnificent sight of hundreds of millions of ancestral trees supporting the sky has been shattered, with less than a thousand still struggling. The surviving ancestral trees of the Great Dao either have extremely solid foundations with roots penetrating multiple layers of source soil, or they cultivate special Great Daos, which can barely maintain a trace of circulation in the reverse flow of source Qi.

However, what shocked Li Mu the most was the appearance of the three ancestral trees.

A tree, entirely gray, with chaotic Dao patterns flowing across its trunk, its branches and leaves separating and merging the clear and turbid. In the reverse flow of primordial energy, it actively "swallowed" the scattered remnants of the myriad Daos around it, encompassing all the broken Dao principles such as flames, ice, Geng metal, and Yi wood, refining them into a brand new chaotic primordial flow that nourished itself.

A tree shaped like a vortex, its trunk as black as ink, exudes an aura of devouring all laws. Instead of absorbing the primordial energy of the vast earth, it frantically devours the remaining domain essence and scattered fragments of Dao principles from those withered ancestral trees, using the suffering of other trees to nourish its own existence, employing domineering and ruthless methods.

One tree made Li Mu's pupils shrink—it was Gu Xi's ancestral tree!
However, the ancient ancestral tree in the picture is completely different from today. In the clear light of the tree trunk, there is a layer of warm and jade-like "Guicang" Dao patterns flowing faintly. The patterns are extremely mysterious. In the reverse flow of primordial energy, it temporarily "seales" part of its own origin deep in the heart of the tree, entering a state of slumber that is neither dead nor alive.

"A cycle of 129,600 years... This is the law of the origin of the vast land." The desolate will sighed, "The ancestral tree proliferated excessively, drawing upon the source without restraint, and the vast land could not bear the burden. Therefore, the calamity of birth and the tide of destruction were used to purify it. Under this calamity, all paths returned to nothingness, maintaining the inexhaustible cycle of the source energy..."

Upon learning that this fragment of the Great Dao had left its mark, Li Mu was deeply shaken and abruptly broke free from the fragmented memories.

He absorbed and refined the essence of the three fragments of the Great Dao, transforming them into pure source power that merged into the Dao Tree. The memories carried within the fragments echoed endlessly in Li Mu's heart.

The Great Cycle of Cataclysm!
One cycle occurs every 129,600 years!

The vast land was purified by itself, all paths withered, only the three paths of chaos, devouring, and returning to the source remained... The ancient ancestral tree once used the method of "returning to the source" to overcome tribulation...

Countless thoughts flashed through Li Mu's mind, and a cold sweat broke out on his back.

At that moment, ripples appeared in the void before him.

A figure emerged from the void, clad in a green robe with wide sleeves, his face ancient and simple—it was Gu Xi.

At this moment, Gu Xi's face was devoid of his usual gentle smile. His eyes shone with an unprecedented solemnity. He glanced at the root of the Chaos Dao Tree that was stuck in the Primordial Origin Layer, then looked deeply at Li Mu and sighed.

"Fellow Daoist Li... I never expected the Chaos Dao Tree to grow so amazingly, allowing you to access this secret is truly the will of Heaven." Gu Xi said to Li Mu with emotion.

Li Mu stood up, cupped his hands, and said, "Senior Gu, is the 'Great Cycle of Cataclysm' recorded in those fragmented memories truly real?"

“Yes!” Gu Xi nodded solemnly, her expression grave. “If we calculate the time, the next great calamity will be less than three thousand years away.”

Three thousand years!
Li Mu's pupils contracted slightly. For mortals, three thousand years is as long as a starry river; but for cultivators who have reached the Dao Integration stage, and for an ancestral tree that needs to grow in units of eras, it is but a fleeting moment.

"The fragments of the Great Dao are incomplete, only stating that this tribulation is the self-purification of the ancestral tree from its excessive proliferation by the very origin of the vast earth." Li Mu stared intently at Gu Xi, probingly asking, "However, this junior observes the aura of your ancestral tree, senior. Its foundation is solid, its origin long and profound. Even if the cycle arrives, you should be able to overcome another tribulation using the 'Return to the Source' method. Why then, senior..."

"Why bother looking for you?" Gu Xi interrupted Li Mu, smiling and gesturing, "Fellow Daoist Li, you only see the old Daoist's current demeanor, but you don't know the price of the 'Return to the Source' method."

As soon as he finished speaking, Gu Xi waved his sleeve, and a light and shadow appeared in front of him.

In the light and shadow, there was the ancient ancestral tree, which was sleeping in the tide of annihilation. However, as the scene zoomed in, Li Mu could clearly see that deep in the heart of the ancestral tree, the core of the "Guicang Dao Pattern" that was as warm and smooth as jade was wrapped with dense, gray-black "Traces of Annihilation".

“If I were to use the Gui Cang method to slumber and undergo tribulation, the core of my Dao patterns would be eroded by the tide of annihilation.” Gu Xi said in a low and solemn voice, “I have already experienced two major cycles, and the accumulated traces of annihilation on the tree heart have reached 37%. If I were to forcefully undergo tribulation again using the Gui Cang method for the third time… even if I were to awaken, my Dao foundation would be permanently damaged, my realm would drop, and it would be difficult to recover.”

Upon hearing this, Li Mu was slightly taken aback, somewhat surprised.

Gu Xi continued, “Moreover, the Gui Cang method has a fatal flaw—during the slumber, the ancestral tree is completely sealed off, unable to draw upon source energy or nourish the realms. This means that the countless beings and realms within the tree will lose their protection in the tides, with only one in ten surviving. In the last cycle, seventy percent of the realms within the tree were annihilated, and trillions of beings died or were injured… I am unwilling to bear such a price again.”

After speaking, Gu Xi looked up at Li Mu with burning eyes and said, "Fellow Daoist Li, the Chaos Dao you cultivate encompasses all things and evolves infinitely. It is the Dao of Calamity and Annihilation Tides that is naturally compatible with the vast land. Only the Chaos Dao can actively absorb all sources into one in the reverse flow of Origin Qi, maintain the inexhaustible cycle, turn calamity into resources, and use the power of the tide to temper the foundation of the Dao and nourish oneself!"

Gu Xi stepped forward, solemnly looking at Li Mu, and earnestly pleaded, "This old Daoist has protected you, helped you take root, and aided your growth. My only wish is that when the next great calamity arrives, we can join forces, using your Chaos Dao Tree as a hub to absorb the source of the collapse of all Daos and maintain the circulation of primordial energy in one region; and using this old Daoist method of returning to the source as an aid to protect the core realm from damage. In this way, we may be able to forge a new path, both to overcome the great calamity and to preserve our Dao foundation, thus protecting all living beings in the myriad realms!"

Upon hearing this, Li Mu fell silent for a moment, digesting this earth-shattering secret.

It turned out to be the case.

Gu Xi's scheme was not an ordinary battle between Daos or realms, but a direct target of the next great calamity in the vast land! He valued the characteristics of the Chaos Dao and wanted to use his own power to overcome the calamity and destruction tide together.

“I am grateful for your frankness, senior.” Li Mu nodded, then frowned and said, “However, this matter is of great importance, and the cycle is still three thousand years away. My Dao Tree is still in its early stages and needs time to grow…”

"Three thousand years have passed in the blink of an eye!" Gu Xi sighed.

Gu Xi looked at Li Mu and said frankly, "Fellow Daoist Li, do you know why this area, rich in primordial energy, has remained unclaimed? It's because I have secretly managed the earth's veins, turning this place into a 'place to avoid calamity.' Your five hundred years of growth here is equivalent to three thousand years of hard work elsewhere. When your Dao Tree has truly matured and its branches and leaves can cover a vast area, I will discuss with you in detail how to jointly overcome the calamity."

After speaking, Gu Xi paused, her gaze suddenly turning to the distant void, her expression changing slightly: "Not good, the fluctuations you just absorbed from the Primordial Origin Layer have already attracted the attention of those old guys."

As soon as he finished speaking, the eastern void suddenly tore open, and billions of purple lightning bolts shot out, illuminating half of the vast land.

Amidst the lightning, a towering figure, ten thousand feet tall, stepped through the void. His entire body was purple-gold, entwined with lightning patterns, and he wore a crown of lightning. His eyes were like lightning; it was none other than the Azure Thunder Ancestor!

"Gu Xi! What good things are you hiding somewhere? That fluctuation just now clearly touched the 'Origin Layer of Calamity'!" Dao Ancestor Cang Lei's voice was like rolling thunder, shaking the void.

Almost simultaneously, a brilliant blue light shone in the west.

A phantom image of an ancestral tree, as green as jade, appeared, its branches and leaves swaying as it showered down endless spiritual rain of life. The spiritual rain gathered and condensed into a graceful figure, dressed in a green robe and skirt, with a gentle face and eyes that revealed the vicissitudes of eternity—it was none other than the Dao Ancestor Qingyuan.

"Fellow Daoist Gu Xi, it's been many years. You've found a fine place." Dao Ancestor Qingyuan's voice was gentle, but his gaze fell on Li Mu. He paused slightly, then greeted him with a smile: "Chaotic Dao Aura... Could this fellow Daoist be the Chaotic Dao Tree that recently achieved Dao Integration?"

In the northern void, a third aura descended, naturally spreading a vast and boundless Daoist charm. A figure in a black robe emerged from the void, his eyes like a starry sea—it was none other than the Dao Ancestor Haotian.

The Great Dao Ancestor Haotian's gaze swept over Gu Xi, then over Li Mu, and landed on the root still embedded in the Primordial Origin Layer. He smiled and greeted, "Fellow Daoist, was it you who triggered the Calamity Annihilation Origin Layer and stirred up the fragments of the Primordial Great Dao?"

Three vast streams of Daoist energy intertwined and enveloped the area, causing the air to become stagnant.

Gu Xi remained calm, took half a step forward, and stood in front of Li Mu. The clear radiance of his Dao naturally spread out, separating most of the pressure from the Three Ancestors.

“The three fellow Daoists have come together, which is quite an honor for this old Daoist.” Gu Xi said with a calm expression, cupping his hands and saying, “However, this place is under the jurisdiction of this old Daoist’s domain, and this Fellow Daoist Li is this old Daoist’s guest. The fluctuation just now was only because Fellow Daoist Li accidentally touched the source layer during his cultivation, and there was no other intention.”

"No other intention?" Dao Ancestor Lei Yan sneered, his purple lightning eyes fixed on Li Mu: "Chaos Dao, Gu Xi, you have a good plan! The extinction cycle is coming, and you have found a Chaos Dao Tree to take root here. You want to use its Dao Domain to deal with the Reverse Origin Tribulation, right?"

The Qingyuan Dao Ancestor smiled and replied, "Fellow Daoist Gu, the Great Calamity of Annihilation concerns the survival of all the ancestral trees in the vast land, and it is not just your concern. If you truly have a way to deal with it, you should share it with your fellow Daoists in the forest and discuss strategies for overcoming the calamity together. How can you secretly pass it on to each other and plot in secret?"

The Dao Ancestor Haotian pressed on, saying aggressively, "Gu Xi, you have experienced two cycles, so you should know how dangerous the calamity is. The Chaos Dao can indeed absorb all sources, but a newly cultivated Chaos Dao Tree has an unstable foundation and its branches and leaves are not yet abundant. Even if it has special characteristics, how much of the scattered source energy can it absorb? If you force it, you will likely suffer a backlash first, and your Dao will be destroyed and the tree will die. It would be better for us to work together to do it than for you to waste such a precious resource!"

The three Dao Ancestors spoke one after another, until they reached Li Mu, the newly promoted Dao Merger of the Chaos Great Dao.

"How Fellow Daoist Li cultivates and how this old Daoist plans are all private matters. If the three of you have come here to deal with this matter, you have miscalculated!" Gu Xi glanced at the three of them meaningfully and said disdainfully.

Lei Yan Dao Ancestor stepped forward, his body crackling with purple lightning, and roared, "Gu Xi, I will speak frankly—move this Chaos Dao Tree to the side of my Lei Yan Ancestral Tree, and I will personally take care of it. When the great calamity comes, with my Thunder Dao as its backbone and the Chaos Source as its application, it may be able to protect three-tenths of the Eastern Forest Sea!"

Qingyuan Dao Ancestor shook his head: "Fellow Daoist Lei is too domineering. The foundation of the Chaos Dao Tree is still shallow and may not be able to withstand the tempering of thunder day and night. It would be better to move it to the side of my Qingyuan Ancestral Tree and nurture it with the Great Dao of Life, and proceed slowly."

The Great Heavenly Dao Ancestor's gaze was profound: "The Dao of Chaos encompasses all things and should be determined by the original will of the Vast Earth. Gu Xi, you should have Fellow Daoist Li accompany me to the 'Heavenly Dao Hall' so that the elders of the hall can discuss the ownership of this tree. That is the proper way."

The three patriarchs spoke in different ways, but their true intentions were the same: to bring Li Mu, the Chaos Dao Tree, under their control!

Li Mu stood silently behind Gu Xi, his gaze growing cold. (End of Chapter)