Chapter 978 - 510: Strange Star Realm (2)

Chapter 978: Chapter 510: Strange Star Realm (2)

"Sect Master Gao, the situation is formidable, why not return them?" Profound Cloud Sect’s Sect Master Xin Tiansen sighed helplessly, signaling to Gao Hong.

This time, they joined forces, originally thinking they could completely erase the Profound Celestial Sword Sect’s influence in the Outer Realm, seize control of Wuling Star, and create a fait accompli. Even if the Profound Celestial Sword Sect pursued the matter later, they wouldn’t be able to do much due to the distance.

However, plans couldn’t keep up with changes; Sword Master Feng unexpectedly set up a Super Teleportation Array on Wuling Star with Li Mu, enabling the Profound Celestial Sword Sect’s High-Tier Cultivators to arrive at Wuling Star in the Outer Realm in a very short time for rapid reinforcement.

This unexpected turn of events completely disrupted their deployment and forced Xin Tiansen to reevaluate the current situation.

Upon hearing Xin Tiansen’s words, Gao Hong’s expression turned very unpleasant, and he said bitterly, "That Elder Li has used some Divine Technique and has already escaped my Netherworld Realm, what do I have to return them!"

"What happened? Fellow Daoist Gao, this is not the time for jokes!"

Xin Tiansen furrowed his brows, looking at Gao Hong in surprise.

Li Mu possesses the ability to refine Tier Seven Daoist Soldiers and excel in Array Formation, even capable of setting up Ancient Teleportation Arrays. Such an outstanding talent, Xin Tiansen thought Gao Hong wanted to keep this person to himself, hence concocting such an excuse.

"Fellow Daoist Xin, I can swear by my Dao Heart to prove my words. My Netherworld Realm connects to my sect’s Nether Secret Realm, but this person suddenly disappeared a while ago. My Netherworld Realm detected no anomalies, so I can only deduce that he used some unknown Secret Technique to escape." Gao Hong’s tone was sincere, his gaze firm, clearly not joking.

Upon hearing this, Xin Tiansen furrowed his brows even tighter. Gao Hong swearing by his Dao Heart is enough to prove his words are indeed true. Besides, Gao Hong’s Netherworld Realm is extraordinary, he hasn’t fully understood its intricacies. If Li Mu could escape silently from within, his capabilities truly exceed imagination.

"Could it be... he refined some Dao Artifact for escape?" A thought passed through Xin Tiansen’s mind, and he asked in surprise. Li Mu had displayed incredible powers at critical moments several times, perhaps using some mystical Daoist Soldier to escape.

"Perhaps! But there’s no time to pursue this now." Gao Hong interrupted Xin Tiansen’s thoughts, looking towards the increasing killing intent from the Profound Celestial Sword Sect far away, his heart sinking, indicating, "We must swiftly decide, whether to fight or make peace, a decision needs to be made quickly."

Xin Tiansen sighed, looking across at the Profound Celestial Sword Sect crowd, he spoke solemnly, "Sword Master Feng, Sword Master Chen, your sect’s Elder Li has already escaped Fellow Daoist Gao’s control and is currently untraced. We are willing to assist your sect in searching for his whereabouts and promise that once he is found, we will ensure his safe return to the Profound Celestial Sword Sect. But before that, our three factions should temporarily put aside grievances to avoid unnecessary conflict, lest it triggers a war, causing devastation to countless lives."

These words caused the disciples and elders of the Profound Celestial Sword Sect to look surprised; the killing intent, while not completely dissipated, was not as intense as before. They whispered amongst themselves, amazed at how Elder Li managed to escape the control of the Netherworld Sect Master, also expressing admiration for his capabilities.

"Elder Li is indeed extraordinary, managing to escape in such a situation!"

"Yes, Elder Li’s abilities are both shocking and admirable!"

"As expected of Elder Li!"

...

Upon hearing the discussions of the Sword Elders, Sword Master Feng’s expression softened slightly, though his gaze still contained a sharp edge.

"You must give an account of my sect’s Elder Li’s whereabouts!"

Sword Master Feng’s gaze fixed on Xin Tiansen and Gao Hong, continuing, "Our Profound Celestial Sword Sect has always founded its sect on Sword Dao, emphasizing clear distinction between gratitude and resentment, repays kindness, and seeks vengeance. The matter of Elder Li is not only about his personal safety but also concerns our sect’s honor and dignity."

"But!" Sword Master Feng’s tone shifted, adding a thoughtful consideration, indicating, "As Sect Master Xin said, the current situation is delicate; once a battle erupts, it will cause widespread destruction, which is against our will. Therefore, I agree to temporarily set aside the grievances among the three sects to search for Elder Li’s whereabouts."

Sword Master Feng paused, staring at Gao Hong, "However, I require you to make a full effort, without any slack. I will also dispatch our sect’s elite disciples to act with you, ensuring Elder Li’s safe return. If he encounters an accident or is concealed by some, our Profound Celestial Sword Sect will not let it rest!"

Upon hearing this, Gao Hong and Xin Tiansen exchanged a glance, both breathing a sigh of relief.

"Sword Master Feng’s grand righteousness earns our admiration." Xin Tiansen spoke first, filled with respect, comforting, "We, the Profound Cloud Sect, are willing to dispatch our most elite forces to search for Elder Li’s whereabouts together."

"Rest assured, I will provide you with an account!" Gao Hong immediately stated, his tone sincere, "Netherworld Sect will also try its utmost to find Elder Li."

With the consensus reached by the three sects’ leaders, an unprecedented joint search operation quickly unfolded in the star realm near the Netherworld Sect.

In the star realm, stars wove together, their brilliance dazzling, as the elite forces of the three sects acted in concert, traversing amongst them, creating a spectacular scene. To find Elder Li’s whereabouts, they not only deployed the sect’s top cultivators but also implemented various rare Magical Treasures and Secret Techniques, striving to find clues in the shortest time.

The elite disciples of the Profound Celestial Sword Sect operated various models of Spiritual Ships, traversing the stars. They utilized the sect’s unique Sword Intent Sensing Technique, searching for traces of Sword Qi Elder Li might have left behind.

The cultivators of the Profound Cloud Sect are adept at using spells and arrays; they set up layers of arrays within the star realm. These arrays could detect subtle spiritual power fluctuations. Additionally, some cultivators of the Profound Cloud Sect utilized Divination Skill, deducing possible directions Elder Li might have taken, guiding the search operation.

As for the Netherworld Sect, it is known for its unique Netherworld Power and stealth skills, they moved like phantoms in the night, silently traveling among the stars. Being local bullies, they searched hidden stars, more thoroughly pursuing Li Mu’s location.

At this moment, Li Mu found himself in an unknown place, completely unaware of the events unfolding within the Netherworld Sect.

In the distant unknown star realm, Li Mu guided the Nine Nether Whale, traversing the abyss of the universe. The massive body of the Nine Nether Whale sliced through the dark cosmos, trailing beams of blue light, akin to the brightest stars in the night sky.

Li Mu sat on the whale’s back, eyes closed and concentrating spirit, sending out Divine Thought amidst the vast starry sky to search for the corresponding star positions.

As the Nine Nether Whale delved deeper, he seemed to have left behind known star realms, entering unknown deep space. Here, the stars were sparse, dark and cold intertwined forming an invisible net, testing every being entering this space.

"It’s over! It seems we have lost course!"

Li Mu opened his eyes, exclaiming in surprise, a hint of panic on his face.

"Master, did we fly in the wrong direction? Should we let the Kun Whale change course?"

Xiaobai caught Li Mu’s unease, hurriedly asking with concern.

"Xiaobai, don’t rush. Let me first check the star map and compass."

Li Mu took out the Array Compass he carried, meticulously comparing the star map coordinates with the current position, while observing the compass’s needle’s subtle changes. Nonetheless, in this unknown deep space, the star distribution differed greatly from the known star chart, the compass seemed to have lost its usual accuracy, its needle wavered, unable to provide clear guidance.

"The situation is somewhat complicated, the star distribution and energy fields here differ from the star realms I am familiar with." Li Mu furrowed his brow, reassured Xiaobai in a deep voice, "But don’t worry, I’ll think of other ways."

"Master, I’ll follow wherever you go, Xiaobai isn’t worried at all!" Xiaobai gently rubbed Li Mu’s hand, eyes full of trust, displaying no anxiety over the lost course.

At present, in the unfamiliar, vast star realm, completely unaware of the correct direction, Xiaobai’s comfort made Li Mu feel a mix of emotions.

Li Mu took a deep breath, striving to calm his mind down. Amidst the boundless star realm, panic would only worsen the situation. He looked up at the vast starry sky, his mind racing, pondering a solution.