Chapter 811 - 429: Cangyuan Secret Realm (Part 1)
The next day, when the bright sun rose and sunlight bathed the land, the Clan Leaders of the Eight Great Clans arrived as scheduled, guided by Qin Wentong to a graceful courtyard within the Sect Leader’s Mansion. Li Mu had been waiting there for a long time.
Upon seeing the arrival of the four Clan Leaders, Li Mu stepped forward, cupping his hands with a smile, and said, "It is truly an honor for Mr. Li that you esteemed Clan Leaders could grace our sect with your presence."
Clan Leader Kun Yuanba of the Kun Family laughed heartily and returned the gesture, "Sect Master Li, there’s no need to be so formal. With your burgeoning reputation in Central State, it is our honor to befriend you."
After exchanging pleasantries for a while, they took their seats. Li Mu looked at the four and got straight to the point, "To be frank, the reason I invited you all today, aside from wanting to further understand your artifact refining needs, is to seek advice on another matter."
Clan Leader Nangong Lie looked at Li Mu curiously and asked, "What does Sect Master Li wish to inquire about? We will certainly speak freely about what we know."
Li Mu nodded and slowly uttered a few words, "Cangyuan Secret Realm."
As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of the four Clan Leaders slightly changed. Clan Leader Shangguan Yun of the Shangguan Family frowned and asked with concern, "Sect Master Li, how did you come to know about the Cangyuan Secret Realm?"
Li Mu smiled faintly and explained, "To be honest, I’ve conducted some research on the Sealing Array, and the Cangyuan Secret Realm is related to a certain seal I know of. I’m quite interested in this secret realm and wish to learn more about it from you all."
Clan Leader Zhou Hengping of the Zhou Family pondered for a moment before looking at Li Mu and saying, "Since Sect Master Li is interested in the Cangyuan Secret Realm, we might as well be candid. This secret realm is indeed related to the Sealing Array, containing endless opportunities and mysteries. However, entering the secret realm requires a sealing nexus composed of a Chen Token, and our Eight Great Clans each hold a part of the Sealing Array Token needed to fully assemble it for entry."
Li Mu’s heart stirred upon hearing this and he asked, "Then I wonder if you Clan Leaders might be willing to permit me access to this secret realm? In return, I can do my utmost to assist you with your artifact refining needs."
The four Clan Leaders exchanged glances, and Kun Yuanba spoke up, "Sect Master Li, it’s not that we are unwilling to share, but the secrecy of this seal is tied to the fate of our Eight Great Clans, unless you can become one of us..."
Li Mu’s brow furrowed slightly, but he maintained a calm demeanor and asked with concern, "Then how may one become part of the Eight Great Clans?"
Nangong Lie replied, "It’s simple. As long as you become in-laws with any one of our Eight Great Clans, we would naturally be one family."
"Clan Leader Nangong, do not jest. If I were to become a Dao partner with a woman from the Nangong Family, would the other seven Clan Leaders agree?" Li Mu chuckled and retorted.
"What’s difficult about that? Each of us could offer a woman from our clans to wed you as your Dao partner, and you would thus be one of the Eight Great Clans," Shangguan Yun teased, and the other Clan Leaders laughed in agreement.
Inwardly cursing, Li Mu had no choice but to accompany his outward smile, knowing this was a test from the Eight Great Clans and a way to put up obstacles for him while avoiding offending him too much.
Li Mu pondered briefly, gazing at the four with a faint smile, then said seriously, "I appreciate the kindness of you Clan Leaders, but Sword Sect may not sit idly by such matters of great significance."
These words left the four Clan Leaders speechless. Indeed, thinking about poaching someone from the Profound Celestial Sword Sect should be cautiously considered; this man could craft Tier Seven Daoist Soldiers, and if taken away, the Profound Celestial Sword Sect would surely be enraged.
Realizing the dire consequence, beads of cold sweat appeared on the foreheads of the four Clan Leaders.
Seeing their reaction, Li Mu chuckled inwardly, knowing his strategy had worked. He was not intending to truly ally through marriage with the Eight Great Clans but was utilizing this opportunity to dissuade them, hinting subtly that he’s not without strong backing.
Li Mu continued, "Clan Leaders, it’s not that I don’t wish to form deeper bonds with the Eight Great Clans—we must give this matter careful consideration. Moreover, I believe there are many ways for us to cooperate without resorting to marriage alliances."
Upon hearing Li Mu’s words, Kun Yuanba and the others nodded in agreement. They also knew such marriage alliances were indeed rather direct and forceful, and the Profound Celestial Sword Sect backing Li Mu was not a force they could easily offend.
Nangong Lie sighed, "Sect Master Li, you are right. We didn’t think it through. We will not bring up marriage alliances anymore, but regarding the ’Cangyuan Secret Realm’ this could be difficult to accommodate."
"Indeed, the Eight Great Clans hold the Secret Realm Key collectively, with an agreement to open it once every thousand years, allowing each clan’s outstanding disciples to enter and obtain various High Tier resources," Shangguan Yun noted.
"Correct, over the past twenty-three thousand years, our Eight Great Clans have shared the contract of allocation of slots, adhering to it each opening for entry. Those not part of the Eight Great Clans can’t enter the secret realm, a tradition maintained for more than twenty thousand years without exception," Kun Yuanba sternly reminded Li Mu, gazing intently at him.
"Sect Master Li, suggest another condition! The Cangyuan Secret Realm isn’t suitable for trading," Zhou Hengping said coldly, looking at Li Mu.
"Indeed so!" Shangguan Yun nodded, echoing with a voice that brooked no refusal.
Upon hearing this, Li Mu frowned slightly. He had initially thought of using this opportunity to explore the "Cangyuan Secret Realm," but hadn’t expected such restrictions.
A moment later, Li Mu lifted his gaze and looked intently at the four Clan Leaders, speaking slowly, "I understand the importance of the Eight Great Clans’ rules and agreements, and I fully respect your decision, but the current situation has changed."
Pausing for a moment, Li Mu continued, "As for the Cangyuan Secret Realm controlled by the Eight Great Clans, to my knowledge, it should be one of the sub-arrays within the Chaos Sealing Array—the Wood Array. In the Ancient Times, this array was used to seal the passage between the realms, and its importance is self-evident."
With a more serious tone, Li Mu added, "However, with the fall of the South Central Spirit Realm, two of the seven sub-arrays within the Chaos Sealing Array have already fallen into the hands of the Demon Abyssal Forces. They are rapidly breaking these arrays, posing a great threat not only to the Cangyuan Secret Realm but also indirectly affecting other sealed lands, leading to a significant leak in array power."
Seeing their expressions turn solemn showed that Li Mu’s words had captured their attention, so he pressed on, "The situation is urgent, we must ascertain whether the array power of the Cangyuan Secret Realm is leaking, whether the seal has loosened—all of this requires detailed examination and repair."
"I am proficient not only in Artifact Refining but also in Array Formation, with deep research in seals and arrays. I can assist you in checking the leaks and disappearing restrictions of the Cangyuan Secret Realm’s seal, and try to repair them!" Li Mu proclaimed resolutely, looking at the four Clan Leaders.
After listening, the four Clan Leaders exchanged looks. Li Mu’s words were true; the current situation was indeed as he described—the Cangyuan Secret Realm had leaked array power, reaching a critical point. Furthermore, Li Mu, as the Supreme Elder of the Profound Celestial Sword Sect, with dual mastery in array and artifact, possessed top-tier prowess and intellect. His array formation skills might indeed help them resolve the current crisis.
Nangong Lie took a deep breath and said gravely, "Sect Master Li, we will seriously consider your proposal. However, this involves the core interests of the Eight Great Clans, and we need a meeting with the other clans to deliberate."
"Of course." Li Mu nodded understandingly, indicating to the four Clan Leaders, "You may deliberate, but please make a decision soon. After all, each day of delay weakens the array power of the Cangyuan Secret Realm a little more."