Chapter Fifty-Four: Li Mie Departs

Li Mu’s face was filled with confusion.

Huang San offered no explanation; he steered his treasured sword and suddenly vanished without a trace.

As he left the platform, he nodded toward Madam Wang, who stood at some distance. Madam Wang acknowledged the gesture, then turned her gaze elsewhere. The two had long shared a silent understanding; when Madam Wang saw Li Mu drawing lots against the cultivators of the Jade Iron Sect, she had already made her decision. She believed that, if necessary, a price could be paid—Huang San was surely skilled enough to break into the top hundred, and persuading him to withdraw would require compensation. Yet Huang San asked for nothing, and after watching Madam Wang for a long moment, simply chose to forfeit.

Madam Wang understood his heart, but merely smiled.

For cultivators who had passed the Meridian Refining stage, age made little difference; their lifespans spanned centuries, and upon reaching the Pill Formation stage, grew even longer. Yet Madam Wang was not one to admire only appearances or material possessions—what she truly cared for was pursuing her own interests.

Li Mu shook his head slightly, not fully understanding, and left the platform.

The surrounding cultivators found nothing to say, not knowing how to comment. It was as if a celestial maiden led the way, with calls of “Li Mu, Li Mu!” echoing repeatedly—yet no one paid heed.

Elsewhere at the competition grounds.

Li Mie had suffered a crushing defeat, yet his expression grew only more resolute. He had seen the difference; his future goals were clearer than ever.

As soon as Li Mie stepped off the platform, Elder Yu Da Shu called him over.

Li Mie stubbornly shook his head, “Master, I’ve let you down.”

“No matter—the opponent was in the late Spirit Foundation stage. That you managed to hold your own for two rounds is remarkable,” Yu Da Shu encouraged him.

“But I damaged your treasured item…” Li Mie took out the broken Water Driving Talisman, his face marked with regret.

Yu Da Shu responded magnanimously, “It’s only a Water Driving Talisman. After two rounds, I have more items for you. However, I have something I want to entrust to you now.”

Li Mie nodded earnestly, “Please speak, Master.”

“Go to Jade Iron Mountain,” Yu Da Shu’s expression grew stern, quite unlike his usual self.

---

“Ah!” Li Mie was stunned. Jade Iron Mountain—the seat of the Jade Iron Sect, named after its location, was a rare celestial haven in the Cloud Mountain Realm.

Yu Da Shu’s face softened slightly, “Go, Li Mie, take this jade token. As an elder of the Jade Iron Sect’s outer branch, I can select one disciple to send to the Jade Iron Cavern for cultivation. You are the one I have chosen.

The Jade Iron Cavern is a blessed place within Jade Iron Mountain, nourished by the mountain’s spiritual ore veins, its energies flowing day and night. Most importantly, there is a spring of spiritual water within the cavern; frequent use cleanses the meridians and enhances spiritual perception—an immense boon for cultivators.

Cultivating in the Jade Iron Cavern is the dream of every disciple of the Jade Iron Sect, yet opportunities are rare. Only elders have the privilege to appoint someone, and otherwise only the most outstanding disciples may earn their way in.”

“My master, this…?”

Li Mie was speechless, unable to suppress the emotions surging within him. He knew his master was kind-hearted and had always treated him well, but never had he imagined Yu Da Shu would bestow such a precious privilege upon him.

“Do you want to surpass him?” Yu Da Shu gazed at him intently.

Recalling his earlier humiliation, Li Mie’s anger burned, but he spoke calmly, “Yes, I absolutely will.”

“Then go, continue to strengthen your cultivation. What else is there to worry about? You have the talent for four cycles, and Spirit Foundation can still be improved. My privilege has gone unused for a long time—if it’s wasted, what good is it? It’s yours now, so set out.” Yu Da Shu patted Li Mie’s shoulder and drifted away with the clouds.

Holding the scarlet jade token, Li Mie could not help but shed tears.

A young man’s heart stirred with excitement, and he did not pause to think further. He even forgot to bid farewell to Li Mu, and simply mounted his cloud and left Deyang City.

Li Mu happened to be walking along the street.

A sense of strangeness lingered in his heart; today’s events, no matter how he examined them, felt peculiar. Huang San was certainly a formidable opponent, but Li Mu was not incapable of fighting him. He had pondered for days and devised several strategies to adapt to any situation. Yet it was as if his fist had struck cotton—there was no resistance at all. The duel had barely begun before it ended.

Perhaps Huang San had suffered some setback in his cultivation, temporarily unable to compete? Li Mu could not find an answer.

He had little time to dwell on it; he must focus on the task at hand. With only four rounds left, he could break into the top hundred and fulfill his wish.

“Come take a look, don’t miss your chance! Freshly forged treasured items—customers passing by, come in and have a look!” Outside the door of Hundred Treasures Pavilion, several young men shouted energetically.

Li Mu felt a slight ripple in his heart. He did indeed need a second-tier defensive artifact. His Turtle Bone Shield was only first-tier—when facing Mu Kui, it had already proven inadequate. The Earth Armor technique offered robust protection, but could not be moved and could only be used once, which was a severe limitation.

---

Yet he carried over two thousand medium-grade spirit crystals; not spending them felt somewhat unsatisfying.

He slowly entered the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, and a young attendant hurried over, “Isn’t this Li, the champion of consecutive matches? Please come in, please come in! Whatever artifact you need, just tell us.”

After several rounds of competition, Li Mu’s name was widely discussed, and many cultivators already recognized him.

Li Mu went straight to the point, “I’d like to look at second-tier defensive artifacts.”

“Of course, Li! Please follow me.” The attendant smiled and led the way, “All the second-tier artifacts are right here.”

Turning a corner, they arrived at a display.

“Li, all our second-tier defensive artifacts are here,” the attendant said, gesturing courteously.

Li Mu nodded slightly, scanning the jade-colored shelves, upon which lay dozens of second-tier artifacts.

As his gaze passed over them, the attendant offered timely explanations, “This is the Divine Rhinoceros Armor—mid-level second-tier, crafted from the hide of a two-horned divine rhinoceros spirit beast. It mainly resists water and fire, and features a rhinoceros spell: when worn, it keeps the mind clear and resists attacks on spiritual consciousness. The price is only a little over a thousand spirit stones—not expensive at all.”

Li Mu shook his head, “Let me see what else there is.”

The Divine Armor offered full-body protection, covering every part well, but its defensive power was not especially strong. The Divine Pagoda in his spiritual sea could protect his entire body easily—except when facing large-scale techniques like Twin Waves or Falling Stones, the armor wasn’t strictly necessary.

The attendant nodded, then continued his introduction.

After making a round, Li Mu’s gaze stopped on an unusual item.

It was a lamp-type artifact, very finely crafted. The lamp tray held a single pillar, wrapped with a long fire wick. Beneath the tray was a square base, dotted with many holes—apparently for inserting something.

“Li, you truly have an eye for quality. The Ancient Spirit Lamp—a rare spirit crystal treasure. I’m not exaggerating, there’s only one in all of Deyang City.”

The attendant’s eyes shone as he spoke.

“A second-tier spirit crystal artifact?”