Chapter 982 - 512: Ancient Secrets (Part 2)

Chapter 982: Chapter 512: Ancient Secrets (Part 2)

"As for the second depletion of Spiritual Qi, its recovery process was even more difficult and prolonged. Due to the pollution of the Land of the Nine Netherworld, the damage was not only on the level of Spiritual Qi but had also deeply penetrated into the foundation of the realm. To eliminate this evil force, the strong ones within the realm sacrificed themselves, and ultimately, the Nine Nether Seal was formed to prevent the Yin Evil Qi from flooding into this world. However, the recovery of Spiritual Qi was a slow and complex process, not only requiring the accumulation of time but also the entire realm’s ecosystem. Records show that this recovery took fifteen thousand years."

Li Mu heard this and couldn’t help but feel heavy-hearted. Fifteen thousand years, what an incredibly long era, seemed like a distant hope for them who were about to enter the End of the Dharma Era.

Li Mu continued his inquiry to Master Qingyang through transmission: "Senior, in your opinion, does the current depletion of Spiritual Qi we’re facing have any similarities with these two historical events? Is there a fundamental solution before Spiritual Qi completely depletes?"

"Friend, are you aware of the root cause of this Spiritual Qi depletion?" Qingyang transmitted with a trace of seriousness in his query.

Qingyang was still hoping that Li Mu could find the Reversing Death Spirit Grass for him, recasting his Dao Foundation and gaining a new life! Little did he know, they were facing the advent of the End of the Dharma Era—their luck was unfavorable indeed. If the End of the Dharma Era truly descended, it might be better to continue surviving in the form of a fragmented soul within the Soul Realm Pearl.

"According to one of our sect’s Sword Masters, this Spiritual Qi depletion seems to relate to the Nine Nether Land. Our sect’s two Daoist Monarchs journeyed into the Nine Nether Realm to investigate the reason, and have been trapped there for more than a hundred years, unable to return." Li Mu quickly transmitted this information explaining the reason.

"The Nine Netherworld again! That must be the second cause." Qingyang’s transmission was mixed with shock and concern as he continued: "The Land of the Nine Netherworld has always been the most mysterious and perilous existence of the realm. It is not only the source of Yin Evil Qi but also harbors power sufficient to overturn the balance of the realm. If this Spiritual Qi depletion is indeed related to the Nine Nether Land, the crisis this time might be more severe than the previous two."

Qingyang’s transmission carried a deep sigh of emotion as he spoke worriedly: "In the Ancient Times, the realm was filled with powerful beings, the True Spirit Race flourished. They collectively guarded this land, making Spiritual Qi flow endlessly, and the realm prospered. However, time flies and the years pass, the realm is no longer as glorious as it once was. The number of High-Tier Cultivators has sharply decreased, the True Spirit Race mostly disappeared, the Spiritual Qi within the realm is gradually diminishing. If this Spiritual Qi depletion is truly related to the Nine Nether Land, then relying on your current strength will likely be difficult to confront this crisis."

"Speaking of which, it seems this Spiritual Qi depletion is unavoidable. Senior, is there any way to survive through this imminent End of the Dharma Era?" Li Mu asked solemnly through transmission.

"Even I haven’t experienced the End of the Dharma Era, nor do I know how many years it will take for Spiritual Qi to fully recover after its complete depletion here. Friend Li, if it’s truly unavoidable, you might consider finding a small Secret Realm, preparing a sufficient amount of Spirit Stones and Spirit Medicine in advance, and practice the Sealing and Returning Breath Method to hide for the time being."

Qingyang’s transmission carried a trace of helplessness as he pointed out one last retreat for Li Mu: "This method might not be a long-term solution, but during the initial stage of the End of the Dharma Era, it might offer you a sliver of survival chance while waiting for changes."

"The Sealing and Returning Breath Method is an ancient Cultivation Method, allowing cultivators in extreme environments to significantly reduce their reliance on Spiritual Qi, even entering a near-hibernation state, maintaining life with minimal consumption while quietly waiting for the Spiritual Qi’s revival,"

Qingyang continued to explain through transmission: "I happen to know a cultivation technique of this kind, named ’Hidden Dragon Hibernation Technique.’ This method and the Sealing and Returning Breath Method have similarities, both can assist cultivators in preserving strength during Spiritual Qi scarcity, quietly awaiting a turnaround. Friend, if needed, I can transmit it to you now."

"This method is quite challenging to cultivate, requiring extremely high Heart Cultivation, with slight negligence possibly leading to permanent sleep. Moreover, choosing a suitable Secret Realm is crucial, it must be a place with abundant Spiritual Qi and relative safety to ensure worry-free survival."

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior. I’ll seek you if needed! The time is not yet ripe!" Li Mu smiled wryly, transmitting a polite refusal.

"Indeed! If there’s nothing else, I am going to rest," Qingyang bid farewell through transmission to Li Mu.

"I appreciate it, Senior!" Li Mu responded through transmission with gratitude.

Qingyang did not respond to Li Mu further, his Divine Soul oscillation gradually faded, immersing into slumber within the Soul Realm Pearl.

Li Mu’s heart was filled with mixed emotions, looking at the Soul Realm Pearl in his hand, taking a deep breath, he stored it properly in the storage compartment.

The enormous Nine Nether Whale resembled a dark floating island, gently swaying its gigantic whale tail capable of shaking the Star River, its body surrounded by a chilling Netherworld Breath, silently suspended in the boundless starry realm, every breath seemed to resonate with the Netherworld Power within the star realm, causing surrounding stars to dim in response.

Li Mu wore a blue robe, standing tall on the mirror-like head of the Nine Nether Whale, he lightly waved his sleeve, and a simple and mysterious Four-sided House appeared out of thin air atop the Nine Nether Whale’s head, serving as a temporary resting place. Within the Four-sided House, the soft light of the Luminous Pearl contrasted sharply with the outer darkness, offering a peaceful space.

Subsequently, Li Mu took out an exquisite Star Disc from his sleeve, etched with intricate constellations and ancient runes, emitting a faint glow. He closed his eyes, concentrating his spirit, entirely immersed in the Star Disc, his fingers lightly tracing the surface, following the complex calculations passed down by Qingyang, he began deducing the precise location of the Dark Spirit Star.

As Li Mu’s actions persisted, the constellations on the Star Disc seemed to come alive, rotating and intertwining according to some mysterious pattern, forming a fluid astronomical presentation, reflecting the trajectories of myriad stars.

...

Time silently slipped away amidst the slow rotation of the stars.

In this vast starry realm, it was as if even the passage of time had become slow and profound, Li Mu’s mind fully immersed within the Star Disc, isolated from all external elements.

Finally, after countless calculations and deductions, the light of the Star Disc suddenly concentrated, all the constellation patterns instantaneously converging towards a specific direction, perhaps indicating the location of the Dark Spirit Star.

Li Mu opened his eyes, revealing a trace of worry on his numb face, then with a thought, his figure vanished from the spot.

In the Painting Realm Treasure Mansion, Li Mu appeared beside a large Spirit Field, observing the growth status of two kinds of Tier Six Spirit Plants - Yanyuan Spirit Grass and Mouxing Spirit Grass, he couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Just like the prolonged focus on deducing the location of the Dark Spirit Star, Li Mu nearly forgot to tend to these batches of Spirit Plants again. Fortunately, they were in good condition, their leaves lush and radiant, emitting a faint glow, evidently well-nurtured in the uniquely favorable environment of the Painting Realm Treasure Mansion.

Li Mu waved his hand, performing the Great Perfection Level Clear Wind Rain Summoning Skill.

Instantly, as if an invisible force tore open the sky above the Painting Realm Treasure Mansion, gathering the purest Spiritual Qi amidst the raindrops, they gently fell, bringing a nurturing feast to the two kinds of Tier Six Spirit Plants.

Yanyuan Spirit Grass and Mouxing Spirit Grass, bathing in this Spirit Rain, had their leaves become even brighter, emitting shimmering glows revealing the immense Life Force contained within, swaying elegantly as if expressing gratitude to Li Mu, thanking the owner for his attentive care and nurture.

Below the Innate Divine Power - Recognition of Ten Thousand Spirits, Li Mu looked joyously at each Mouxing Spirit Grass’s growth status, his eyes filled with eagerness.