54: Mu Lao

“Lad Ji Mo, I understand that your heart is currently filled with all sorts of questions.”

Elder Mu looked at Ji Mo gently and said slowly,

“But don’t worry. I specifically brought you here to answer all your doubts one by one.”

Saying this, Elder Mu raised his hand, signaling Ji Mo to take a seat.

The two sat facing each other, and the surrounding atmosphere immediately became solemn.

“Lad Ji Mo, you can completely relax. I harbor absolutely no ill will toward you.”

Elder Mu's expression was sincere and his tone was gentle,

“I can tell that you genuinely do not wish to take a master, and what I did today was not intended to make you join my Sect.

I did this, firstly, to help you escape the entanglement of those two, saving you from trouble;

And secondly, I hope to form a beneficial connection with you.”

Elder Mu paused slightly, a hint of anticipation flashing in his eyes,

“If you become outstanding enough in the future and possess the corresponding abilities, you will naturally have the Opportunity to repay me.

As for exactly what I need you to do, you don't need to worry about it now. With your current Strength, it would indeed be difficult for you to help.

Alright, if you have anything you want to ask, feel free to speak up.”

After speaking, Elder Mu gazed directly at Ji Mo, his eyes conveying a reassuring sense of composure and certainty.

“Elder Mu, why did you choose me specifically?”

Ji Mo asked frankly without the slightest hesitation. In his opinion, some things needed to be clarified, as caution is necessary for stable and long-term success.

“Lad Ji Mo, when you first entered the Sect, your cultivation base was merely the low level of Acquired Sixth Stage.”

Elder Mu said emotionally,

“However, in just over half a year, you actually succeeded in Breaking through to the Xiantian Realm,

Moreover, your Physical Body and Spiritual Power cultivation base Broke through simultaneously, and you even attracted the extremely rare Innate Lightning Tribulation.

From this, it is clear that you must possess an extraordinary Heaven-Defying Opportunity, and are truly a person with great Luck.”

Elder Mu paused slightly, seemingly lost in the recollection of long years. After a moment, his expression became slightly solemn, and he continued,

“Throughout these long thousands of years, I have witnessed the rise and fall of countless Geniuses on this vast Continent.

In their pursuit of higher Cultivation Realms, they often resorted to unscrupulous means, even abandoning everything around them.

But you are completely different from them. I noticed that,

When you were in Wushuang City, your attitude toward your Confidante and your Older Sister—that quality of valuing affection and loyalty—deeply moved me,

This is the key reason why I decided to place a wager on you.

I decided to take a gamble on you, after all, even if I lose the bet, the loss to me is not too great.”

Upon hearing this, Ji Mo wasn't too surprised that Elder Mu had detected his Physical Body also Breaking through to the Xiantian Realm.

After all, given Elder Mu's profound cultivation base and rich experience, it seemed reasonable that he could perceive these details.

“Alright then, Elder Mu, if that day truly comes, I definitely won't let you down.”

Ji Mo spoke with firm eyes and a powerful, resonant tone.

Subsequently, he changed the topic,

“Elder Mu, now that I have Advanced to the Xiantian Realm, I urgently wish to improve my Strength. Do you have any suggestions regarding this?”

“Lad Ji Mo, you must have heard about the Martial Arts Gathering organized by the Heavenly Dragon Empire a month from now, right?” Elder Mu looked at Ji Mo with bright eyes.

“Yes, I just heard about it from my Wife, but I'm not too clear on the specifics.” Ji Mo replied truthfully.

“This Martial Arts Gathering is spearheaded by the Heavenly Dragon Empire Royal Family, and it has two main objectives.

On one hand, they want to display their own Strength to the outside world, intimidating the various Sects within the Empire;

On the other hand, it is to recruit a group of exceptionally talented Disciples to bolster the Empire's power. For you, this is a rare Opportunity.”

Elder Mu explained seriously and in detail,

“The rewards for this Martial Arts Gathering are extremely generous.

The first-place winner will receive 5 drops of Millennium Stalactite, 10,000 Low-grade Spirit Stones, 1,000 Intermediate Spirit Stones, 100 Advanced Spirit Stones, and can Cultivate for one month in the Heavenly Dragon Empire Secret Realm. They will also be gifted a Royal City Estate and granted the Third-rank official position of the Brocade-Clad Guard.”

Elder Mu paused briefly before continuing:

“The second-place winner will receive 2 drops of Millennium Stalactite, 5,000 Low-grade Spirit Stones, 500 Intermediate Spirit Stones, 50 Advanced Spirit Stones, can Cultivate for 10 days in the Heavenly Dragon Empire Secret Realm, will also be gifted a Royal City Estate, and granted the Fourth-rank official position of the Brocade-Clad Guard.

As for the third-place winner, they will also receive 2,000 Low-grade Spirit Stones, 200 Intermediate Spirit Stones, 20 Advanced Spirit Stones, plus a Royal City Estate, and granted the Fifth-rank official position of the Brocade-Clad Guard.”

“Lad Ji Mo, such generous rewards are truly rare.

That Millennium Stalactite can cleanse the Physical Body and refine Protective Aura, and Spirit Stones are indispensable resources for Cultivation,

And the resources within the Royal Family's Secret Realm are unimaginably abundant.

It all depends on whether you have the confidence to distinguish yourself and achieve excellent results at this Martial Arts Gathering.”

Elder Mu stared at Ji Mo, his eyes full of encouragement, as if igniting the fighting spirit within Ji Mo.

“Elder Mu, you don't need to say more. I am determined to win this Martial Arts Gathering, and I must secure the Highest Reward.

However, how do I sign up to participate?”

Ji Mo was stirred by Elder Mu's words, his heart surging with excitement.

He couldn't help but recall how his Future Father-in-Law, Shangguan Batian, had given him 100,000 Low-grade Spirit Stones, helping his Hegemonic Heaven Refining Art Breakthrough to the Second Layer. Now, his desire for the rewards of this Martial Arts Gathering was even stronger.

“Good lad, you certainly have ambition!

You don't need to worry about the spot. I will secure an Internal Nomination Spot for you.

You just need to focus entirely on preparing for the battle. If you encounter any problems during Cultivation, you can ask me anything.”

Elder Mu instructed him thoughtfully.

Subsequently, Ji Mo asked Elder Mu many questions regarding Cultivation, and Elder Mu patiently answered them all.

“Oh, right, Lad Ji Mo, when you Advanced to Innate and passed the Lightning Tribulation, you must diligently refine and comprehend the Undergoing Tribulation Divine Light bestowed upon you by Heaven and Earth.

This Undergoing Tribulation Divine Light is Heaven and Earth's reward to you, containing various miraculous uses.”

Elder Mu suddenly remembered and specifically reminded Ji Mo.

“I understand. I will begin refining it when I return shortly.

Elder Mu, although I have now Advanced to Innate, the resources I previously stored have been completely depleted.

The Cultivation Technique I Cultivate is quite special and requires massive resources. Whether it is Heaven and Earth Spiritual Essence containing Spiritual Qi, or the corpses of Yao Beasts, they are all necessary for my Cultivation.

Do you have any suggestions regarding this?”

Ji Mo looked thoughtful as he sought Elder Mu's help.

There was still one month until the Heavenly Dragon Empire's Martial Arts Gathering. Elder Mu told Ji Mo to Meditate and Cultivate peacefully, but Ji Mo found it difficult to calm down; at this rate, the Cultivation efficiency was simply too slow.

Since Elder Mu was right there, Ji Mo felt he should consult him to see if there was any Opportunity, as he knew too little about this Continent.

“To be honest, I don't have many resources on hand that I can offer you right now.

I do have a Hidden Treasure Location in the Endless Sea Region, but due to some special reasons, I cannot go to the Endless Sea Region right now.

Therefore, acquiring resources is something you will have to figure out yourself.”