I Just Want to Cultivate Quietly and Farm

Chapter 743: Chapter 397: Soul Realm Pearl (Part 2)

Time flies swiftly, and three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Li Mu, accompanied by Xue’Er, boarded the Earth Element Spirit Ship. With the ceremonial farewell from the top echelons of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, they prepared to head towards the Extreme North Icefield.

Apart from the Earth Element Spirit Ship, the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion also dispatched two Tier Six Thunder Spirit Ships for escort. These two Thunder Spirit Ships are of the same grade as the Earth Element Spirit Ship, both being Tier Six, and are astonishingly powerful. Their presence not only provided strong assurance for Li Mu’s journey but also highlighted the Pavilion’s high regard for his expedition.

"Steward Wan, thank you for your hospitality. We shall meet again on another day,"

Li Mu stood on the deck of the Earth Element Spirit Ship, clasping his hands in farewell towards the departing Wan Renlang.

Wan Renlang mirrored the gesture with a wide smile, replying, "Master Li, you’re too kind. As the Honored Guest Elder of our Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, you embark on this journey for the sake of the guild. The travel to the Extreme North Icefield is long, with unforeseeable risks; I wish you a smooth journey and safe return."

As the Earth Element Spirit Ship slowly started, Wan Renlang and the other high-ranking members of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion waved their farewells. Li Mu, with Xue’Er, embarked on the journey to the Extreme North Icefield.

The Earth Element Spirit Ship traced a graceful arc through the sky and quickly disappeared into the distant horizon, with the two escorting Tier Six Thunder Spirit Ships following closely, much like loyal guards.

Onward to the north!

The three spirit ships turned into black dots in the sky, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

Inside the Earth Element Spirit Ship, the cabin was spacious and quiet.

Li Mu collected Xue’Er into the Painting Realm Treasure Mansion and sat cross-legged alone, surrounded by a faint aura of Spiritual Qi that calmed the mind. With a gentle wave of his hand, he activated the isolating protective array in the cabin, cutting off the hustle and bustle from the outside world.

Li Mu finally had time to inventory the gains from his trip to Wanbao City.

With a thought, Li Mu slowly took out a stone bead from the Nine Treasures Spirit Pearl. The gray stone bead was only the size of a fist, its surface dull in spirit light, appearing quite unremarkable. However, with its emergence, the atmosphere within the cabin subtly changed.

At that moment, the Beast Taming Bag in Li Mu’s arms suddenly stirred, and a faint rustling sound emerged, soon followed by a small white worm crawling out.

"Chirp chirp!" Xiaobai emerged from Li Mu’s arms, its beady eyes staring intently at the small stone bead, eager to pounce on it.

Seeing this, Li Mu smiled faintly and, with his divine thought like an invisible shackle, promptly restrained Xiaobai.

"Xiaobai, don’t move recklessly. I’ll give you other food; this cannot be eaten."

Li Mu soothed it with a smile, taking out a Soul Absorption Bottle containing the essence soul of a Tier Six Demon Beast from the Nine Treasures Spirit Pearl.

Upon hearing this, Xiaobai, though reluctant, ceased its actions and obediently accepted the food Li Mu handed over, starting to eat. However, its beady eyes still fixated on the small stone bead, as if drawn by the fatal allure of what lay within.

Li Mu’s gaze fixated on the stone bead, a hint of gravity flickering across his face.

An object capable of captivating a Tier Six Gu Spirit like Xiaobai was naturally no ordinary item. Named the Soul Realm Pearl, it was refined from a Tier Seven Crystal Boundary Stone and a wisp of Chaos Qi. While its surface appeared plain and dull, the interior was a world unto itself, containing the remnant soul of an Integration Realm cultivator.

Under the Innate Divine Power - Recognition of Ten Thousand Spirits, the true attributes of the stone bead revealed themselves clearly to Li Mu’s eyes.

[Soul Realm Pearl (Sealed)]

[Grade: Tier Seven Dao Artifact (Downgraded)]

[Attributes: Chaos Qi, Spirit Pearl Soul Realm, Pearl Containing Heaven and Earth, Radiance Concealed, Immune to All Techniques]

[Status: Worn by time, remnant soul lingering, Spiritual self-sealed.]

[Refined from a Tier Seven Crystal Boundary Stone, a wisp of Chaos Qi, and Netherworld Soul Water, this Soul Realm Pearl, after enduring countless ages, had its spiritual essence gradually fade and self-sealed its spirit, downgrading to a Tier Five Spiritual Object. Within, it nurtures the remnant soul of an Integration Realm cultivator. With the use of Tier Eight Celestial Purifying Divine Water or several wisps of Chaos Qi and Celestial Fire, it could break the seal and be reborn.]

Studying the attributes of the spirit pearl before him, Li Mu frowned in contemplation for a moment before casting his divine sense into it, probing the artifact array, artifact pattern, and more, seeking insight into its refining methods.

Encountering a Tier Seven Dao Artifact was remarkable, especially as it was a rare soul-attribute Dao Artifact. Naturally, Li Mu sought a thorough exploration of its background and refining methods.

Within the pearl, the artifact array was intricate, and the artifact pattern interwoven, resembling a microcosm containing boundless mysteries. Li Mu’s divine sense wandered through it, carefully observing every detail, attempting to understand the functions and principles of these arrays and patterns. However, he was unable to delve deeper.

Nonetheless, as he delved deeper into the exploration, Li Mu discovered the refining technique of this spirit pearl was rather sophisticated, far beyond his capability. It not only showcased advanced artifact refining skills but also profound understanding of the Artifact Dao, Celestial Dao Essence, and Soul Power. Li Mu couldn’t help but admire that the Artifact Refining Master responsible for its creation must have been an extraordinary individual.

Re-refining this pearl was beyond Li Mu’s current means. While he possessed Celestial Fire, he lacked other suitable spiritual objects for unsealing. More troubling was the presence of an Integration Realm powerhouse’s remnant soul within the pearl.

An Integration Realm cultivator was exceedingly rare in the Cultivation Realm, their cultivation power just below that of a Daoist Monarch and the pinnacle of many cultivators’ aspirations. An Integration Realm powerhouse’s remnant soul, even after millennia of dormancy, retained formidable strength, and should never be underestimated.

Without confirming the state of this remnant soul and having full confidence, Li Mu would never release it. Otherwise, if it spiraled out of control, the consequences would be dire.

At that moment, the stone pearl suddenly emitted a faint spirit light, soft and mysterious, seemingly possessing some magic power that drew Li Mu’s mind. Looking instinctively, he observed subtle and complex patterns within the stone pearl shifting gently, exuding an ineffable aura.

Li Mu’s mind unwittingly immersed, entering a mysterious world, seeing a majestic figure, feeling its presence, and sensing its emotional fluctuations.

"Chirp chirp!"

While Li Mu was absorbed within the Soul Realm Pearl, Xiaobai called out to him, with its potent soul power pulling Li Mu back to awareness.

Startled awake, Li Mu’s face was filled with fear, realizing what had transpired.

This Soul Realm Pearl, even though self-sealed, seemed to have had its Integration Realm powerhouse remnant soul startled by his divine sense, unleashing powerful soul power, attempting to draw his divine sense into it for communication.

Xiaobai, noticing the situation, acted in time to awaken him, halting the other party’s actions.

"Thank you, Xiaobai!"

Grateful, Li Mu looked at Xiaobai, relieved that if not for its vigilance and intervention, he might have fallen under the control of that Integration Realm powerhouse’s remnant soul, with unthinkable results.

"Chirp chirp, chirp chirp!"

Understanding Li Mu’s gratitude, Xiaobai cheerfully chirped, then leaped onto his shoulder, rubbing its small head against his cheek, its eyes filled with concern and reliance. Meanwhile, it looked at the Soul Realm Pearl and chirped cutely at Li Mu once more.

"Oh! So you want this spirit pearl, it’s useful to you?"

Li Mu, in sync with Xiaobai, immediately grasped its intention.

Xiaobai longed not just for the remnant soul of the Integration Realm powerhouse but also valued the attributes of the Soul Realm Pearl, even hoping Li Mu could awaken the Artifact Spirit within, to assist its growth.

"Xiaobai, within this Soul Realm Pearl resides a dangerous Integration Realm powerhouse’s remnant soul. You must be certain it won’t harm you, only then can I entrust this spirit pearl to you."

Li Mu spoke with a tone of seriousness, mindful that an Integration Realm powerhouse’s remnant soul was no trivial matter, with the potential to cause disaster if mishandled.

"Chirp chirp,"

Xiaobai stopped its playful antics, stood upright, and with its beady eyes fixed on Li Mu, seemed intent on conveying a message.

Xiaobai’s voice radiated determination, pointing its small limb at itself, then at the Soul Realm Pearl, as if assuring Li Mu of its capability to handle the Integration Realm powerhouse’s remnant soul.

Witnessing Xiaobai’s confident demeanor, Li Mu couldn’t help a chuckle, recalling that Xiaobai is a rare Tier Six Gu Spirit, inherently suppressing soul bodies. Even an Integration Realm powerhouse’s soul body was part of Xiaobai’s suppressive series, meaning his concerns were unnecessary.

"Alright then! Since this item is useful to you, take it! When the opportunity arises, I’ll help you re-refine it." Li Mu nodded with a smile, handing the Soul Realm Pearl to Xiaobai.

"Chirp chirp!" Xiaobai chirped joyfully, opening its mouth wide to swallow the Soul Realm Pearl in one gulp.