Chapter Ninety: Not a Paradise

Why have you come here, and for what purpose?

Li Mu's voice was utterly calm, not even the slightest hint of fear or retreat showing through the earth-armor technique and the golden robe talisman.

"What do you mean, what purpose? In this Great Wolf Plain, everything belongs to the Wood Ancestors. We come and go as we please."

Seeing that Li Mu had fallen silent, Wood Tiger took it for fear, and his tone changed at once.

Li Mu smiled faintly, his eyes like lightning, as though they could pierce straight through the golden robe. "That so-called idol of the evil god, is that also one of the Wood Ancestors' possessions?"

"The idol of the evil god?"

Wood Tiger's mouth opened a little wider, his golden face showing surprise in a way that looked strangely unnatural. "What's that?"

His expression was all laid bare before Li Mu's eyes; there was nothing contrived about it. Li Mu said softly, "Then what, exactly, is atop that spiritual vein mine?"

A trace of disbelief crept across Wood Tiger's face. "That is a world-shaking treasure bestowed by the Wood Ancestor. He ordered us to remain for half a year in any place where there is a spiritual vein mine, and then..."

"And then go to another spiritual vein mine to suppress it, yes?"

Li Mu's expression instantly turned cold and composed.

Wood Tiger had no idea what was going on. "Yes, that's what the Wood Ancestor instructed."

"So the time here is about up. Where did you intend to place that idol?"

Wood Tiger realized something was wrong and grew arrogant at once. "Why should I tell you everything? Let me go this instant!"

Li Mu stepped back several paces, his expression becoming somewhat solemn, and said to Shen Bingxue, "Wood Dragon's wicked ambition must be crushed."

Shen Bingxue was exceedingly clever and understood at once, giving a cool nod.

Wood Dragon, ancestor of the Wolf Plain, had two purposes in suppressing the spiritual vein mines.

First, to prevent independent cultivators from using the spiritual veins to cultivate. He wanted every cultivator in the Great Wolf Plain to submit to him, becoming either his disciples or his subordinates. He did not want anyone else sharing the Great Wolf Plain with him and standing against him.

Second, to alter the spiritual density of each region, causing spirit-beasts and strange species to wander out in search of new ground, where they would attack or disrupt every tribe, ensuring endless slaughter. In this way, the tribes would be forced to seek his protection, and he would be able to extort them openly and gain ever greater profit.

Even the most vicious sects would not do such a thing.

A sect might try its best to control cultivation resources, but it would never seal off spiritual vein mines, forbid others from absorbing spiritual energy, and much less commit the shameful deed of sending ordinary folk to spirit-beasts. Thinking of this, a great murderous intent rose within Li Mu's heart. The original owner of this body, the former slave of cultivators, had a fate identical to that of the people of this place, treated by cultivators no better than livestock.

The ancestor of the Wolf Plain wished to seize everything with one hand. Surely such a cultivator's conduct was no different from that of demons or evil cultists.

Yet Li Mu and the others were bound to remain here, and the matters between them and the Wolf Plain's ancestor were already impossible to avoid. There would surely be more to come.

The time here is nearly up. Where did you intend to place that idol?

Wood Tiger finally sensed the danger and became indignant. "Why should I tell you anything? Release me at once!"

Li Mu slowly lifted a hand and placed it lightly upon the golden robe.

"How dare you? What are you trying to do? I warn you, don't touch me! The Wood Ancestor has always treated me well. If you dare kill me, he will surely find you and slaughter you all to the last."

Wood Tiger's face was filled with terror, and he began to tremble faintly. The gold color on his face flaked away like gold ash, layer by layer, an exceedingly horrifying sight.

"Your confession was quite good."

Li Mu shook his head and swept a hand forward. A huge hole suddenly appeared in the armor on his body, and the Asura Sword passed straight through.

After the whistling sound, there was no further sound at all.

Shen Bingxue looked at Li Mu, and it was plain what she was trying to ask as she forced herself to speak at last. "Shopkeeper Li, does he really need to die?"

Li Mu glanced at her. "I kill only those who deserve it."

If he had possessed a sealing method, Li Mu might have sealed him away. But he did not, and so it was impossible. This was not the Cloud Mountain Domain. This place was far too dangerous to allow even the smallest mistake. Sealing away a soul could only be done by an Immortal Infant cultivator, or by using a treasured artifact to hide a spirit within a cultivator's body. If the cultivator betrayed them, he could be killed instantly. But Li Mu clearly could not do that yet.

"Doctor Shen, don't be too kind-hearted. The Wolf Plain's ancestor is in league with the evil cult. Wood Tiger was just like him, and who knows how many tribe members he has caused to die. Evil should be destroyed, and when it falls, that is only fitting for him."

Li Mu added a few more words, his expression grave. "We should still have about half a year. We need to hurry."

Shen Bingxue nodded, the tenderness on her fair face replaced by greater resolve. The foreign visitors of today had made her understand that this place was not some paradise. Compared with the Flowerwood Gate of the Cloud Mountain Realm, it might even be more dangerous. If she wanted to quietly refine medicines and pursue the grand dao of alchemy, it would likely take some time.

"Take this. With it, you should be able to cultivate to the late stage of the Spirit-Forming realm. I can see you're still a little short."

Li Mu produced the Earth-Quelling Rhino beast core he had obtained earlier and tossed it over.

"A tier-three beast core? You got this outside? Such ability."

Shen Bingxue's expression changed slightly. She shook her head. "Shopkeeper Li, it seems you're the more useful one. Your abilities are greater. For a long time, we'll have to rely on you, so you must become stronger."

Li Mu smiled. "There will be a day. In the end, becoming strong isn't difficult. Just watch."

"Me?" Shen Bingxue raised her brows and stared at Li Mu.

But he did not look at her, speaking with great seriousness instead. "If you go on like this, you will have little use at all. Once you've cultivated to the Meridian Refining stage, clearly you'll be of much greater value."

"Shopkeeper Li, you, you... must you be so blunt!" Shen Bingxue blushed, tossed her head, and walked off at once.

Although she knew Li Mu was telling the truth, if her cultivation did not improve, she would indeed be of little use. And she vaguely sensed that even if she reached the Meridian Refining stage, she still might not be able to defeat Li Mu, who was already in the late stage of Spirit-Forming.

"Take it."

Li Mu flicked his hand and sent the beast core spinning through the air. It finally came to float before Shen Bingxue's eyes, rolling back and forth as if teasing her.

Shen Bingxue stood rooted in place, staring blankly for a moment. Then she stamped her jade-like foot, caught it in her palm, and without turning back, headed straight for the alchemy area.

Li Mu destroyed the corpse and entered the cave. Sun Qi greeted him with a sheepish look and returned the sealing array talisman. "Brother Mu, I'm really sorry. I'm truly useless."

Li Mu shook his head, amusement hidden beneath his smile. "No matter. You haven't reached Spirit-Forming yet, so when you encounter cultivators, you still won't be able to fight. But during cultivation, you should still find some spirit-beasts in the mountains to practice against. There are many spirit-beasts here; if you don't go, you'll be missing out."

"Understood, Brother Mu." Sun Qi slowly stepped back, excitement surging in his heart. The tense atmosphere from moments before gradually faded, and his spirit rose high.

Li Mu looked toward Li Ying beside them and nodded to Sun Sijiu in approval.

Li Mu gently picked up his younger sister and carried her back to the spiritual vein mine. She remained utterly still, as though she could not feel at all that she had been moved around by others.

"Truly single-minded."

Looking at his little sister's innocent, flawless face, Li Mu gave a faint smile and sat down, then began cultivating on his own.

Danger, even in that barren borderland, emerged from time to time.

It would come, whether one wished it or not.

After experiencing so much, a faint smile curved at Li Mu's lips.

There was no lack of resolve, if only the spirit tower could lend its aid.