Chapter 1049 - 544: Daoist Monarch Grand Ceremony (Part 1)

Chapter 1049: Chapter 544: Daoist Monarch Grand Ceremony (Part 1)

Seeing this, Li Mu’s lips curved into a satisfied smile. The ’Tiger King’s Golden Armor’ had successfully passed the artifact tribulation, becoming a genuine top-grade Dao artifact. With a gentle wave of his hand, the golden giant tiger transformed into a stream of light, falling into his palm as an exquisite golden armor pendant, shimmering with a faint golden glow, gradually becoming restrained, yet unable to hide its extraordinary aura.

At this moment, the entire back mountain seemed to fall silent, eyes focused on him with immense admiration.

"This artifact is a congratulatory gift refined for Daoist Monarch Chen. Whoever among you can first promote to the Integration Mirror, I will personally refine a Dao artifact for you!" Li Mu looked at the three elders and said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, a trace of excitement and exhilaration flashed in the eyes of the three elders, understanding what Li Mu’s promise meant: a Dao artifact often determines a cultivator’s strength and fate, and a Dao artifact refined by him is even more priceless.

Qin Wentong was the first to step forward, cupping his hands and saying, "Sect Master’s great kindness is etched in our hearts. We shall diligently cultivate and strive to break through the Refining Void stage soon, to live up to Sect Master’s expectations."

Li Mu nodded with a smile, then bid farewell to the three, flying with Xue’Er towards the Profound Celestial Sword Sect.

The Profound Celestial Sword Sect had entered an unprecedented busy and grand phase for hosting Daoist Monarch Chen’s promotion ceremony. Starting from outside the sect’s gates, an avenue paved with Spirit Stones led straight to the main peak. On both sides of the avenue, flowers bloomed like brocade, and Spirit Beasts chirped in chorus, adding vitality and solemnity to this august occasion.

Within the sect, on the towering Sword Peak shrouded in mist, sword-controlling disciples shuttled back and forth, resembling a celestial realm.

At the summit of the main peak, a majestic altar stood towering, inscribed with intricate and mysterious sword runes, flickering with a faint spirit light, echoing with the stars in the sky. Surrounding the altar, various rare Spirit Herbs and Spirit Fruits were placed...

Sect disciples donned in uniform attire busily and orderly moved around different corners, some arranging the venue, others rehearsing the ceremony, while others prepared various precious spiritual materials and pills for unforeseen needs.

Li Mu, accompanied by Xue’Er, flew in slowly.

Li Mu wore a yellow brocade Supreme Elder Robe, his long hair tied with a cyan crown, sleeves floating, and delicate sword pattern motifs embroidered on the robe, imbued with profound sword intent. At a glance, one could feel his transcendent sword Dao cultivation. His face was gentle and elegant, yet his eyes revealed determination and wisdom, seemingly able to discern the essence of all things in the world.

Xue’Er wore a white dress, her face like the cold moon, skin like congealed fat, resembling an immortal descended to the mortal world, unstained by earthly dust. Her eyes were clear and bright, seeming to contain the gentle depth of the autumn sky, captivating at first sight. Her long hair cascaded like a waterfall, gently falling on her shoulders, swaying slightly with her movements, emitting a faint fragrance, uplifting one’s spirit.

Her white dress was no ordinary garment. The thin gauze was translucent yet could refract a faint brilliance under sunlight, containing powerful spiritual Qi. The hem of the dress swayed gently in the wind, like swirling clouds, adding a touch of elegance and mystery.

Xue’Er followed closely beside Li Mu. The two’s temperaments complemented each other, one transcendent, the other graceful like an immortal, resembling a moving picture that caught the eyes of disciples and elders around them, secretly marveling.

"Hahaha, Elder Li, you’ve come!"

With Li Mu’s appearance, Sword Master Chen showed up personally to warmly welcome him.

For a moment, the sect’s esteemed guests, clan leaders of the Eight Great Clans, Elder Tianji of the Celestial Secret Pavilion, Sect Master of the Purple Sun Sect, Taiyi Daoist... and other invited sect ancestors all turned their attention, filled with curiosity and respect. Among them, there were those with profound cultivation and extensive knowledge who naturally knew the background of Li Mu, the newly-appointed Supreme Elder.

Nevertheless, they couldn’t imagine that this young Supreme Elder could be held in such high regard by Daoist Monarch Chen.

Li Mu waved his hand grandly, and a flash of golden light appeared.

"This artifact, ’Tiger King’s Golden Armor,’ is refined with the Dao Intent of Sharp Gold, forged through painstaking effort with the hope that it aids Daoist Monarch Chen in further advancing in sword Dao." Li Mu handed over the golden armor in motion, gazing at Daoist Monarch Chen as he spoke slowly.

Though Li Mu’s voice was light, it clearly reached everyone’s ears, and the Divine Senses of the many ancestors present fell on the golden armor, each revealing an expression of shock.

"Top-grade Dao artifact!"

"The thunderbolt power has yet to dissipate, this Dao artifact must have just undergone an artifact tribulation."

"Elder Li, you... you actually managed to refine such a treasure!"

...

The clan leaders of the Eight Great Clans, various sect ancestors were astounded, marveling at Li Mu’s handwork, casting envious glances at the golden armor Dao artifact.

Humans are ranked, so are artifacts in terms of quality.

A Dao artifact that undergoes an artifact tribulation is recognized by the Celestial Dao Will, qualified to continue promoting to higher grades, a rarity among rarities.

However, Li Mu managed to refine such a Dao artifact and was willing to give it away, showcasing his extraordinary confidence and humility. Top-grade Dao artifacts are often regarded as sect or personal treasures, let alone one that has just overcome an artifact tribulation, with limitless potential.

"Such finesse, truly a fortune for Daoist Monarch Chen!"

Elder Tianji from the Celestial Secret Pavilion stroked his beard with a sigh, his eyes shining with a peculiar light. As the helmsman of the Celestial Secret Pavilion, he was intimately familiar with the world’s exotic treasures, but what he witnessed today left him unparalleledly shocked.

No one knows Li Mu’s details better than Elder Tianji. Three hundred years ago, under the instigation of the Ji Family Ancestor, using the Celestial Secret Mirror for deducing, he suffered a backlash from the Heavenly Dao.

Therefore, knowing that this person possesses great fortune, Elder Tianji has always harbored deep apprehension and curiosity towards Li Mu, continuously gathering intelligence about him through subordinates, witnessing his growth; however, today’s experiences force him to reassess his judgment on Li Mu.

"Hahaha! Wonderful, truly wonderful! The treasure gifted by Elder Li is deeply cherished by me, and I shall forever remember this deep affection and friendship." Daoist Monarch Chen’s voice trembled slightly due to excitement. He tightly held the ’Tiger King’s Golden Armor,’ looking at Li Mu with gratitude in his eyes.

"Daoist Monarch, you exaggerate!" Li Mu modestly smiled, congratulating him: "Although this armor is excellent, it requires a predestined person to unleash its true power. Your Sword Heart is clear, Sword Intent is towering; you are the fit master of the ’Tiger King’s Golden Armor,’ guiding Daoist Monarch’s sword to the skies, cutting through worldly inequities, and achieving an immortal legacy."

"Haha, good!" Daoist Monarch Chen delightedly nodded, looking at Li Mu and Xue’Er, warmly inviting: "The ceremony is about to commence. Elder Li, sister-in-law, please take your seats!"

Li Mu nodded, accompanied by Xue’Er, taking their place at the prepared honorable seats under the gaze of the guests.

With Li Mu and Xue’Er seated, the atmosphere of the entire ceremony seemed to grow even more exuberant. Sect disciples cast looks of admiration and envy, while sect elders and clan leaders paid frequent respects to Li Mu, showing reverence and goodwill.

The ceremony officially commenced, the solemn drumbeats began, and disciples clad in sect true disciple attire entered the venue, holding Long Swords in neat formation, collectively releasing Flying Swords.

In an instant, countless Flying Swords streaked across the night sky like meteors, dazzling, weaving into a magnificent sword rain painting. Every Flying Sword contained the spiritual power and dedication of the disciples; they spiraled, intertwined, and collided in the air, producing crisp sword melodies that resounded through the clouds.

With the dance of the Flying Swords, the entire venue seemed enveloped in a layer of subtle sword intent, the air rich with the atmosphere of sword Dao. Sect disciples were focused, their eyes revealing devotion and love for sword Dao, exuding boundless sword intent.

Soon, thousands of Spirit Swords surrounded the center of the venue, forming the Profound Celestial Sword Sect’s unique "Profound Celestial Sword Array." Thousands of Spirit Swords gleamed, creating a brilliant net of light, vividly displaying the solemnity of the ceremony and the majesty of the Sword Sect, as if conducting a special ritual, inviting a mysterious presence.