Chapter Twenty-Five: Meeting Lady Wang Again

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After Li Mie returned to the Jade Iron Sect, Li Mu made his way toward the Wooden Jade Hall. Judging from the mood and words of Master Jade, the Soul Capturing Pearl seemed to be a valuable item, likely containing a sealed spirit. The lower-tier demonic cultivators relied on the power of blood, but those of higher rank actually used the power of spirits. Yet, regardless of the method, their goal remained the same: to treat people as resources for cultivation. To the demonic ones, the blood, flesh, and spirit of humans were spiritual treasures. This, perhaps, was the very foundation of the demonic path.

With careful thought, Li Mu gradually formed his own theory.

But there were other mysteries—take Wang Damu, for instance. Where did he get that Soul Capturing Pearl? And how did the pearl manage to seal a spirit within? These were things beyond his current knowledge, and for now, he decided to let them be. Still, after such an incident, his wariness toward Wang Qi only deepened.

It was clear: to cultivate without building his spiritual foundation, he really could not risk venturing outside the city.

Entering the Wooden Jade Hall, his eyes immediately found Li Ying.

The young girl sat pitifully by the front counter, her large eyes fixed on the doorway. The moment she saw Li Mu come in, she hurried over and ran straight into his arms.

“Big brother, you’ve finally come back—it’s been so long.”

With affection, Li Mu stroked her long hair. “It hasn’t even been a day. Have you been good, Ying’er?”

“In the future, you can’t leave for so long,” Li Ying pouted, her voice tinged with childish petulance. “I haven’t behaved at all—it’s been so boring. Big brother, I want to cultivate too. All of you are cultivating, and I’m left with nothing to do. I want to go out with you and fourth brother, not stay cooped up in the city all the time. It’s not as good here as in our village.”

Li Mu felt a pang in his heart, a trace of melancholy. “Good Ying’er, in a few days, you’ll be able to cultivate just like me.”

Li Ying shook her head. “Hurry up, big brother.”

“I promise.” Li Mu gently tapped her on the forehead.

Cultivation was slow.

Though his own pace had been exceedingly fast—almost unheard of in Deyang City—he knew it was still not enough.

“Sun Qi, aside from the Spirit Nurturing Pill and the Pan Pill, are there any other elixirs that can speed up the cultivation of low-level cultivators?” After sending Li Ying to the second floor, Li Mu asked Sun Qi as he was coming downstairs.

The Spirit Nurturing Pill’s effect was rather mild, and with the help of top-grade rainbow stones, its benefits were negligible for him. As for the Pan Pill, Li Mu had no need for it, and he certainly couldn’t leave Li Ying alone while he secluded himself for three days of cultivation.

“In the Cloud Mountain Realm, those are the only two. Other realms might have more,” Sun Qi replied after a moment of thought, his tone mature and sincere. “If you want to go any faster, I’m afraid it’s not possible. Any further haste would damage your foundation. Cultivation requires steady progress.”

His words were honest and wise. Many who sought rapid advancement either succumbed to inner demons, causing their cultivation to regress, or strayed down the demonic path.

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Li Mu understood these truths, but he knew that extraordinary times called for extraordinary measures.

Ever since he crossed into this world, he had been aware of its ruthlessness. Having faced death, who could know what further changes awaited? Only by swiftly raising his strength could he truly seize control of his own fate.

“Is there really no other way?” Li Mu pressed on, unwilling to give up.

Sun Qi thought for a moment. “Perhaps you could join a sect? The Jade Iron Sect and the Bright Jade Valley are said to have set up third-grade Spirit Gathering Arrays. Training within one would greatly accelerate your cultivation. But the cost is enormous—only the best disciples get to use them. Still, with your strength, becoming a core disciple shouldn’t be difficult.”

“There’s one in Deyang City?”

“There must be. Deyang City is one of the Jade Iron Sect’s three most important cities. I’d bet all the cultivators in the Vein Training stage are cultivating in a third-grade Spirit Gathering Array,” Sun Qi answered confidently.

“I see. Thank you.” Li Mu smiled and nodded, then headed upstairs.

Ever since acquiring this shop, he and Li Ying had lived here together. Sitting quietly in meditation, Li Mu fell into deep thought.

It seemed that using the third-grade Spirit Gathering Array was now the primary way to increase his cultivation speed.

Join the Jade Iron Sect? He had considered it, but if he had truly wanted to, he would have joined long ago. He understood well—there was no such thing as a free lunch in this world. The more a sect gave you, the more it would take from you in return.

Yet knowing there was a way to advance, but being unable to use it, made him all the more unwilling to accept his limitations.

The next day, Li Mu went to the City Lord’s Mansion.

It was a most unusual residence: four nearly identical three-story blackwood buildings arranged in a square, enclosing a single pristine white round house, sealed off with great rigor.

Following Li Mie’s directions, Li Mu made his way to the northwest building.

Even before he came close, a refreshing fragrance drifted over, laced with a pure spiritual energy that was extremely pleasant.

“What business brings you here?” A melodious yet cold voice called out.

Li Mu bowed respectfully toward the building. “My name is Li Mu. I have urgent business and wish to see Senior Wang.”

“Oh?” The door did not open, but a woman appeared before him as if out of thin air—it was Lady Wang herself.

Lady Wang stood gracefully before the building, her posture unshakably composed, yet exuding an elegant and lively charm.

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Li Mu maintained a respectful expression, avoiding direct eye contact. “Greetings, Senior Wang.”

Lady Wang’s face remained impassive. “What do you want?”

Li Mu was secretly relieved—at least she didn’t send him away outright. If he wanted to use the third-grade Spirit Gathering Array, the Jade Iron Sect was his only option, and Lady Wang seemed to be the only influential sect cultivator he could approach.

“I wish to use your sect’s third-grade Spirit Gathering Array for cultivation. I will cover all expenses myself. I humbly ask for your approval, Senior Wang.” Li Mu spoke frankly and directly.

“Oh?”

A faint smile appeared on Lady Wang’s face, but there was a trace of mockery. “You’ll cover the expenses? Do you know how much it costs to use the third-grade Spirit Gathering Array for a single day?”

Li Mu answered honestly, “I do not. Please enlighten me, Senior.”

Lady Wang shook her head, “Young people have no sense of the world’s size. A single day in the third-grade array costs three medium-grade spirit crystals. Even I can’t use it at will. And you, a cultivator at the Qi Condensation stage, dare to make such a request?”

Three medium-grade spirit crystals—the cost for a second-grade array was fifty low-grade crystals, a difference of dozens of times, like the gap between heaven and earth. Few low-level cultivators could ever afford to use the third-grade array; it was simply beyond their means.

Li Mu replied with utmost sincerity, “Thank you, Senior Wang, for your guidance. I own the Wooden Jade Hall and can afford the expense. I beg Senior Wang to grant me this permission.”

“Oh?”

Lady Wang was taken aback for a moment, her face betraying genuine surprise. “Three medium-grade spirit crystals—you can really afford it? It seems you are not to be underestimated.”

Li Mu remained silent, only offering a faint smile, his gaze fixed on Lady Wang, wearing an expression of hopeful anticipation.

Lady Wang’s lips curled into a slight smile as she shook her head. “And why should I let you use it? You are not a disciple of my sect; granting you access brings no benefit to our sect, does it? I truly cannot think of a reason to allow you into the Spirit Gathering Array. So, can you give me one?”

Li Mu knew this was a hurdle not easily overcome, but he had already prepared for this moment.