Chapter 106: Li Ying Constructs the Spirit Realm

Li Mu put away the Soul-Spirit Gun and turned his gaze toward the Soul-Storing Ring on the ground.

Though it had been used to harm him, the Soul-Storing Ring was truly a fifth-grade treasure. Unlike the souls within the Soul-Capturing Ring of the evil cultivator—which were mere remnants of power devoid of will—the spirits within this ring could retain their consciousness, making them ideal for soul-seizing.

The Soul-Storing Ring was difficult to obtain, and the Spirit-Nourishing Wood used in its construction was a priceless treasure, to say nothing of the extraordinary seal formations inscribed upon it. It was a must-keep.

After pocketing the ring, Li Mu looked at the portrait, pondered for a moment, and then stored it all inside his Spirit Tower. Although he did not know her name, the woman in the painting was so unique that she could not possibly be an ordinary person; perhaps, if they were to meet in the future, it might lead to some serendipitous opportunity.

He wandered around the secret chamber for a while, but found nothing else. He surmised that this place was not meant for cultivation but was merely a temporary refuge for a cultivator to escape disaster. Huang Butong’s actual cultivation cave should be at the Yinru Mountain in the Bo Realm, though he did not know where that was yet; he would have to check it out when he had time.

Exiting the secret passage, Li Mu returned to the surface. He used his Sand-Dust Blade to carve a path upward through the soil, reaching the water's surface halfway through the ascent. It was easy to guess how deeply buried the secret chamber had been.

Returning to the rocky mountain, he noticed something unusual as soon as he entered.

"You've broken through?"

"Oh, I owe it all to Brother Mu's cultivation! If I hadn't followed you, I would never have been able to reach the Spirit-Building stage in this lifetime!"

Sun Qi’s face was filled with immense emotion. Usually a seasoned man, his eyes were now brimming with tears of gratitude. The Spirit-Building stage was a realm many cultivators failed to reach in their entire lives, granting them a lifespan of three hundred years.

Li Mu nodded, seeing how overjoyed they were. "It’s all thanks to your own efforts. Sanjiu, how are you feeling?"

Sun Sanjiu puffed out his chest, saying proudly, "I'm thrilled! It's completely different from the Flower Forest Sect. From now on, I follow Brother Li! Wherever you tell me to go, I go; whatever you tell me to do, I do!"

Li Mu smiled and patted his shoulder.

"Ha."

A muffled sound emanated from the cave.

"No need to hide, Pharmacist Shen. I saw you had reached the late Spirit-Building stage long ago, haha." Li Mu waved his hand.

Shen Bingxue leaped down, her dark hair fluttering. "You really don't miss a thing, Shopkeeper Li."

"Me? I'm in no hurry." Li Mu smiled faintly and handed over some beast cores. "Get to refining medicine. We'll use the third-grade ones; leave the others for them."

"You only know how to boss me around." Shen Bingxue grumbled, but she took the beast cores with a hidden smile.

Li Mu took out several more treasures and gave them to Sun Qi and Sun Sanjiu one by one. "Travel treasures for everyone. There are also three pieces each of first and second-grade treasures; pick what you like. If you go wandering, you can travel further."

"Thank you, Brother Mu!"

The two did not stand on ceremony and accepted them. They had both come to consider themselves Li Mu's subordinates and were perfectly content in this place.

Li Mu exchanged a few more words with a smile before heading into the cave.

Li Ying sat steadily beside the spiritual energy vein. When she saw Li Mu, she didn't speak.

"What's wrong, little sister?"

"Hmph, big brother is mean. You knew I could have reached the Spirit-Building stage ten days ago, but you wouldn't let me, forcing me to wait here and unable to cultivate."

Li Ying looked into Li Mu's eyes, then quickly turned her head away.

"It happened so fast." Li Mu stroked her forehead. "After all, you are my talented little sister. I should have returned days ago."

Li Ying shook her head vigorously, refusing to look back. "Don't talk to me."

"Really not talking?"

"Just not talking."

Li Mu smiled slightly and took out the Moon Flower he had kept hidden for a long time. "Little sister, you can build your spirit now."

"Really?" Li Ying turned around immediately, her eyes full of anticipation.

She was just a girl, after all; a few kind words were all it took. Li Mu placed the Moon Flower in her hands. "Be careful, take a look."

"This is the spirit material Big Brother prepared for me? It's so beautiful!"

Li Ying stared at it, mesmerized, her eyes reflecting the pale glow. As she stroked the translucent petals, she whispered, "What is it called?"

"The Moon Flower. I've kept it for you for a long time." Li Mu stroked her hair affectionately, his expression turning serious. "However, it is a third-grade, top-tier item. Using it for your breakthrough might be quite painful. Can you endure it?"

Li Ying replied without hesitation, "I can! Just like Big Brother, I have no regrets, no matter how much it hurts!"

"That's good. I knew Ying'er could do it. You must understand, no matter how painful it becomes, you must hold on. Endure for as long as you can." Li Mu knew from his own experience that the longer one held on, the more one would absorb and the greater the gains.

"I know. Can I start now?" Li Ying stared at the Moon Flower in her hand, looking impatient.

Li Mu nodded. "Go ahead and build your spirit. I will stand guard here."

After a long time, a mysterious change occurred.

Inside the cave, a beam of light suddenly descended, resembling the most beautiful moonlight, shining upon Li Ying.

She couldn't help but absorb the essence of the moonlight. Her body was enveloped in rings of pale, water-like radiance, making her look like a fairy under the moon—charming and moving.

Very quickly, her entire body began to radiate a faint glow, as if she were covered in mist, as bright and clear as the moon hanging in the sky.

As time passed, her skin gradually turned translucent, as pure as jade, resembling a flawless statue and evoking a sense of pure longing in anyone who beheld her.

Li Mu watched the scene, his heart filled with waves of emotion.

When building a spirit, to have such a celestial phenomenon occur is a privilege reserved only for those with immense talent and fortune. Moreover, it was closely related to the top-tier Moon Flower, which matched Li Ying's attributes perfectly, without the slightest discrepancy.

Only when the two were combined could such a heaven-and-earth manifestation occur.

"My little sister is truly extraordinary."

The pain she had imagined did not turn out to be that severe. Judging by Li Ying's expression, she had felt some pain, but it had quickly subsided into tranquility.

Heaven's favor toward Li Ying was a completely different matter compared to Li Mu.

Looking at Li Ying's slightly smiling face, Li Mu knew she had already passed the most difficult moment; what followed would be absorption and transformation.

He shook his head slightly and stepped out of the cave.

Shen Bingxue, Sun Qi, and Sun Sanjiu were all standing in the hollow by the cave.

"Was that light from when Ying'er was building her spirit?"

They had all clearly seen the beam of light fall from the sky directly onto this mountain, which had left them all stunned.

Li Mu nodded. "Ying'er's talent is truly enviable."

Though he spoke of envy, his face was full of joy; he believed in his heart that all of this was what Ying'er deserved.

"Heavenly light descending... Ying'er will be even more capable now, Shopkeeper Li." Shen Bingxue said softly, with a hint of humor.

Sun Qi sighed and said, "It’s only because she followed Brother Mu. If she had entered the Jade Iron Sect, I fear Ying'er would never have had the ability to cultivate to such a height."

"That's for sure!" Sun Sanjiu shouted loudly.