Chapter 98

After successfully advancing to the late-stage Spirit Wheel Realm, Mu Chen gradually slowed down his cultivation pace. This breakthrough was different from his previous steady and gradual progress; instead, it was a leap. Although Mu Chen had prepared thoroughly for this leap, it still caused his spiritual energy to become somewhat unstable. Therefore, he needed to calm down and refine his spiritual energy properly. Otherwise, this instability would become a hidden danger for future attempts to reach higher realms.

To refine his spiritual energy, Mu Chen chose an excellent method—condensing spirit seals. Before his breakthrough, Mu Chen could only condense about nineteen spirit seals. When he killed Yang Gui, he was able to set up the "Nine Heavens Thunder Spirit Array" only with the help of the Jade Spirit Fruit. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to achieve that level.

However, with his current significantly enhanced strength, condensing twenty spirit seals was now effortless, requiring no external assistance. This made Mu Chen very happy, as it indicated that he could now successfully set up the "Nine Heavens Thunder Spirit Array" on his own. With such a powerful spirit array, he could even stand a chance against early-stage Divine Soul Realm experts.

However, when Mu Chen tried to condense the twenty-first spirit seal, he encountered significant obstacles. The twenty-first spirit seal was always difficult to form.

This phenomenon left him puzzled. With his current strength, condensing more than twenty spirit seals should be easy, so why couldn't he succeed?

After much thought, Mu Chen decided to seek Wen Ling for advice. After Wen Ling's explanation, Mu Chen finally understood. The twenty-first spirit seal was the key point for a first-tier spirit array master to advance to a second-tier spirit array master.

Although there was only one spirit seal difference between twenty and twenty-one, this difference separated two different realms.

Wen Ling spent several years to complete this one spirit seal, eventually becoming a second-tier spirit array master. For Mu Chen to make up this gap in a short time was clearly not as simple as he imagined, even with his monstrous talent in spirit array cultivation.

After hearing Wen Ling's explanation, Mu Chen was enlightened. No wonder the twenty-first spirit seal was so difficult to condense. It represented a difference in rank. Once he successfully condensed the twenty-first spirit seal, he would truly become a second-tier spirit array master. At that time, he would be able to condense far more spirit seals at an astonishing speed.

For example, before Wen Ling became a second-tier spirit array master, he could only condense twenty spirit seals. But after taking this step, in just half a month, he could condense up to twenty-nine spirit seals, and this number was still slowly increasing.

This clearly showed the gap between a second-tier and a first-tier spirit array master.

After understanding the reason, Mu Chen slowed down his condensation speed. Although he still treated it as a daily essential task, he also allocated time to other matters.

Time passed leisurely, and another ten days went by.

During this time, Mu Chen divided his time into four segments: one for condensing spirit seals, one for cultivating spiritual energy, another for studying the still complex and obscure "Demon Lotus Spirit Slaying Array," and the fourth for talking to the Netherbird inside his body. The Netherbird was an extremely powerful existence. Although it was currently trapped inside Mu Chen's body, Mu Chen was still very interested in its power. He didn't want to have a hostile relationship with it, but the Netherbird seemed to completely ignore his attempts at conversation, with its eyes still filled with ferocity, occasionally looking at Mu Chen as if he were a naive fool.

Does this foolish guy think he can make it submit so easily?

Although the effect of talking was minimal, Mu Chen continued to do it. Eventually, the Netherbird became so annoyed that it would cover itself with its wings and ignore him whenever it heard his voice.

Although Mu Chen didn't achieve much in his communication with the Netherbird, he did make some discoveries regarding the "Demon Lotus Spirit Slaying Array." However, these discoveries only made his head ache, as he finally realized that the "Demon Lotus Spirit Slaying Array" he saw in the black scroll was not complete. To be precise, it was only a part of the complete "Demon Lotus Spirit Slaying Array."

The most peculiar thing was that, although it was only a part, it was still a complete spirit array that could be set up and used independently. This surprised Mu Chen, as it was the first time he had seen an array diagram that could still function as a complete spirit array after being split.

As for the remaining part of the "Demon Lotus Spirit Slaying Array," it was still hidden within the black scroll. Even when Mu Chen activated his heart array state, he couldn't detect it, indicating that his strength was still insufficient.

However, Mu Chen was not discouraged. His current strength was far from enough. Even the part of the array diagram he could detect required a full one hundred spirit seals, which was far beyond his current capability. Only some outstanding third-tier spirit array masters could barely meet this requirement.

He had just started on the path of a spirit array master.

During this period of quiet cultivation, the Mu Domain was also very quiet, and even the entire Northern Spirit Realm was somewhat calm. This silence made Mu Feng feel somewhat uneasy.

"Is there no movement in the Liu Domain?" In the Mu Family, Mu Feng held a teacup, frowning as he looked at Zhou Ye and asked softly.

Zhou Ye shook his head and said, "Those guys seem to have changed their nature. They are being very quiet and obedient, even ignoring the recent events where the Nine Dragon Gang, with our support, swallowed some of their black market forces."

Hearing this, Mu Feng's frown deepened. He knew Liu Qingtian's nature—cunning and ruthless, definitely not someone to be underestimated. How could they let this go after suffering a loss at the hands of the Mu Domain?

"Order the strict monitoring of the Liu Domain. Report any movement immediately," Mu Feng said, placing his teacup down heavily.

"Understood."

Zhou Ye nodded and immediately turned to leave.

Mu Feng watched Zhou Ye's back, his hand unconsciously rubbing the armrest of his chair. His gaze turned toward the direction of the Liu Domain, and a sense of oppressive unease enveloped his heart.

It felt like a storm with a bloody smell was about to sweep in.

Ominous and terrifying.

Liu Domain.

Recently, the Liu Domain had been very quiet, but those with a keen eye noticed that the patrols and defenses in Liu City had become much stricter, as if they were preparing for something.

This made many people puzzled. Considering the recent conflict between the Liu Domain and the Mu Domain, could the Liu Domain be preparing for the Mu Domain? But the Liu Domain was the strongest force in the Northern Spirit Realm, always showing off its power. How could it suddenly fear the Mu Domain?

Many people were baffled, and some rumors began to spread, saying that the Liu Domain feared the Mu Domain and dared not confront it, which damaged the Liu Domain's reputation.

Liu Family.

Bang!

In the meeting hall, a table was shattered by Liu Ming, who had a dark expression. He said, "These fools, does the Liu Domain fear the Mu Domain?"

Liu Qingtian, sitting at the head of the table, glanced at him indifferently and said, "It's just some rumors. Why are you so concerned?"

"Big brother is right," Liu Zong nodded and said, "Our most important task now is to wait for Father to come out of seclusion. Once he successfully advances to the Three Days Realm, all the rumors will be dispelled."

Liu Ming gritted his teeth and said, "How much longer will it take? During this time, the Mu Domain and the Nine Dragon Gang have swallowed many of our allied forces. These bastards have the nerve to challenge us, the Liu Domain. They must have the courage of a leopard!"

"This Mu Feng is indeed courting death," Liu Zong also said coldly.

Liu Qingtian smiled, but the smile was particularly cold. He said, "No rush. There will be a time for him to beg us on his knees."

"The Mu Domain is just a newly risen force, daring to compare itself with the Liu Domain. It's truly overestimating itself."

Liu Qingtian stood up, waved his hand, and said, "Go about your business. Continue waiting."

As he was about to leave, his expression suddenly changed, and he looked up. The sky above the Liu Domain, which had been bright, suddenly turned dark.

Whistling.

A strong wind blew across the sky, and the people of Liu City felt the spiritual energy in the air begin to fluctuate violently. The spiritual energy was surging in one direction, following the wind.

Some people looked in that direction and saw that it was the back mountain of the Liu Family.

"What's happening?" Liu Ming rushed out, looking at the changing sky, unable to resist asking.

Liu Qingtian just stared at the sky, then took a deep breath and turned his gaze toward the back mountain. He saw the sky there filled with howling winds and gathering dark clouds, and a powerful spiritual energy pressure was slowly spreading out like waves.

"Father is about to come out of seclusion!"

A smile appeared on Liu Qingtian's lips, but it looked particularly sinister and cold in the dark sky.

Liu Ming and Liu Zong, hearing this, immediately showed looks of wild joy.

"Liu Ming, immediately spread the word. The Liu Domain will host the Nine Domains Conference. Any force in the Northern Spirit Realm must attend, or they will be killed without mercy!" Liu Qingtian smiled faintly and said.

"Yes!"

Liu Ming laughed and responded.

Liu Qingtian faced the strong wind, slowly spreading his arms. From now on, the Liu Domain would be the dominant force in the Northern Spirit Realm.

Mu Feng, just wait for your death.

(To be continued)