Chapter 925 - 485: Winds and Clouds Surging (Part 1)

Chapter 925: Chapter 485: Winds and Clouds Surging (Part 1)

Xiong Batian wiped the remaining blood on the Giant Axe while muttering in confusion. As an Integration Cultivator, he was naturally aware of the rarity of treasures like Daoist Soldiers.

Daoist Soldiers are different from ordinary Spiritual Artifacts; they contain the Power of Law between Heaven and Earth, with boundless might, and help in Dao enlightenment. They are crucial auxiliary items for many Integration Cultivators in their promotion to the Daoist Monarch Realm. They are treasures coveted by countless High-Tier Cultivators.

"If I can obtain these Daoist Soldiers, my strength will sharply increase, and I may reach that realm!" Determination flashed in Xiong Batian’s eyes. This auction of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion is his key to advancement. He instructed the few confidants behind him, "Quickly prepare the wealth, we depart for Wanbao City immediately."

"Yes!"

His trusted aides responded in unison and went to the Treasure Vault to move the wealth.

...

The power of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion is vast, not only spread across every corner of the Spirit Realm but also touching the mysterious regions of the Outer Realm.

As the news of the grand auction of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion swept through the Spirit Realm like a storm, many Cultivators were thrilled, gathering from all directions to Wanbao City, carrying their hopes and expectations, eager to witness the feast of the auction world with their own eyes, and hoping to find desired treasures at the auction to aid their cultivation to progress further.

Among the many dazzling treasures, a few pieces of Daoist Soldiers particularly caught the attention of top-tier experts. These Daoist Soldiers not only contain great might but also possess the Power of the Celestial Dao Law. They are extremely hard to refine and rarely appear in the market. The experts are prepared to spend without restraint to obtain them.

However, compared to these Daoist Soldiers, people are even more focused on the Artifact Refining Master who crafted them—Li Mu, attracting some forces to directly target Master Li.

On a desolate and mysterious planet in the Outer Realm, an entity called the "Netherworld Sect" is hidden. This force has long been one of the dominions outside the domain, primarily cultivating with Demon Techniques, advocating power and conspiracy, often secretly intervening in the power structures of various Spirit Realms.

When the news of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion auction reached the Netherworld Sect, they, unlike other forces, were not drawn by the array of treasures but instead focused directly on the Artifact Refining Master who created the Daoist Soldiers—Li Mu.

In a dim hall within the Netherworld Sect, an old man with a sinister face, draped in a black robe, sat at the main seat. He held a Communication Jade Scroll, brows furrowed, carefully reading the information from various sides.

Several high-ranking Elders of the Netherworld Sect gathered together, discussing strategies around Li Mu’s whereabouts.

"This young man can actually refine Daoist Soldiers; such Artifact Refining Skills are rare in our realm." The old man set down the jade scroll, looked at everyone, and slowly spoke, his tone carrying some admiration and amazement: "If we can recruit him into our Netherworld Sect, it will surely greatly enhance our sect’s strength."

"The Sect Master’s words are indeed correct." A tall Elder echoed: "However, it is rumored that this young man is the Supreme Elder of the Profound Celestial Sword Sect, a distinguished identity that may not easily submit to our sect."

"If he refuses to comply, then only..." a sinister Elder interjected, revealing a hint of ruthlessness and determination.

"This young man is the Supreme Elder of the Profound Celestial Sword Sect. Who knows how many Daoist Soldiers he’s refined for those Sword Madmen there." Another Elder with a gentle face spoke, showing caution and reminding: "Provoking them requires careful consideration."

"Elder Chen is mistaken." A stunning woman suddenly spoke, her face coldly beautiful, with eyes flashing greedy light, suggesting: "Though the Profound Celestial Sword Sect still retains its foundation, it is no longer as formidable as before. Our Netherworld Sect is currently powerful; if we can obtain Li Mu and his Artifact Refining Skills, it will be like adding wings to a tiger. Furthermore, Daoist Soldiers are precious beyond ordinary, if we can acquire them, our sect’s strength would surely increase. This is a rare opportunity, how can we miss it?"

The stunning woman’s words had barely fallen when the hall slipped into a brief silence. Everyone weighed the pros and cons, contemplating how to handle this rare opportunity.

"Sect Master, have the Profound Celestial Sword Sect’s two Daoist Monarchs, Xuan Tian and Qinghong, been trapped in the ’Nine Nether Secret Realm’ for almost two hundred years now? If we exert some effort, they definitely won’t be able to come out in a short time. Now is when their power is weakest." An Elder with a shrewd visage suddenly spoke, breaking the silence: "If we take action now, not only can we take Li Mu, but we can also weaken the Profound Celestial Sword Sect’s strength, what joy isn’t there in doing so?"

The old man’s eyes flashed with a hint of brilliance, frowning in thought over this plan.

"Elder Ji’s plan looks feasible, but the revenge of two Daoist Monarchs is no joke. Though the Profound Celestial Sword Sect is no longer as powerful as before, the foundation and strength of the two Daoist Monarchs cannot be underestimated. Once they escape, our sect will surely face their furious retaliation." The old man spoke solemnly, his gaze sweeping over everyone, wanting to see more opinions on their faces.

"The Sect Master’s concern is not without reason, but Elder Ji’s strategy is still worth a try. The Nine Nether Secret Realm is a forbidden area between Heaven and Earth. Xuan Tian Daoist Monarch and Qinghong Daoist Monarch are trapped inside, difficult to escape in a short time. If we further intervene, their chances of coming out become even slimmer. Trapping them for two to three hundred more years wouldn’t be a problem. During this time, we only need to act cautiously, ensuring no clues are left behind, successfully taking the person away." An Elder sitting on the right suddenly spoke; his voice was not loud, yet every word seemed to carry a thousand pounds of force, making the atmosphere in the hall tense again.

"Moreover, we needn’t overly worry about the Profound Celestial Sword Sect’s retaliation." After a pause, he continued: "As long as we can quickly take the person and handle the aftermath properly, leaving no trace, even if the Profound Celestial Sword Sect wants to investigate, there’s no lead to follow. Besides, if they really come knocking, relying on our advantage of territory, we have ample strength to respond."

"The Grand Elder’s words are true; this is a golden opportunity for us. If we capture that person, and have him dedicated to crafting Daoist Soldiers for our sect, perhaps all the Elders might sooner rise to the Daoist Monarch position." The stunning woman’s eyes flashed a greedy light, agreeing.

Upon hearing this, the breaths of all the Elders present became a bit more rapid, evidently hitting a nerve with them.

They have been stuck at the Peak of Integration Realm for too long, yet advancing to the Mahayana Daoist Monarch is as difficult as crossing a chasm. The Realm of Daoist Monarch is not merely an elevation of cultivation but also a profound enlightenment of the Heavenly Dao Law.

The Daoist Soldiers refined by Li Mu contain the essence of the Heavenly Dao Law. If they could study deeply, use them daily, assisting in their cultivation, understanding the Dao Principles, it might illuminate their path forward, having extremely significant meaning for breakthroughs in their realm.

This is why the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion’s announcement to auction multiple Daoist Soldiers has attracted the attention of numerous powerful figures.

"I agree with the Grand Elder’s view." A middle-aged man in a yellow brocade robe spoke out: "Our Netherworld Sect is now strong, having enough resources and manpower to plan this action. If we seize this opportunity, not only can we obtain Master Li and his Artifact Refining Skills, but we can also use this chance to weaken the strength of the Profound Celestial Sword Sect, laying the foundation for our future expansion."

"Correct, but we need to ensure the success of the action?" another Elder inquired, "As the Supreme Elder of the Profound Celestial Sword Sect, this person surely has masters protecting him. If we are to act, it must be foolproof."

...

The atmosphere in the hall started to become lively, with the Elders expressing their opinions, back and forth.

After a round of intense discussion and weighing the pros and cons, everyone reached a unanimous decision; they all leaned toward seizing this opportunity and taking action against Li Mu.

All the Elders turned their gaze to the Sect Master’s seat, quietly awaiting his decision.