Forging Nine Autumns, Journeying South

Li Zhengyuan carefully ran his hand over the sword. What a fine treasure sword. He then plucked several leaves from the Ginseng Fruit Tree, dispersed their essence, and transformed them into a lush green scabbard.

After the sword came into being, there were no strange phenomena, nor did it undergo a Thunder Calamity. This only made Li Zhengyuan more suspicious. Was it not said that without being tempered by heavenly lightning, a magical treasure could not receive its restrictions and weave together its principles?

The sword appeared to have reached the upper-grade level, but it was still an acquired object. Perhaps it differed from other treasures. He decided not to dwell on it for now.

Still, it was an excellent protective magical treasure. Since he had forged it himself, there was no need to refine it. With a mere lift of his hand, he could wield it as he pleased.

What should he name it? This sword had taken nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine years to forge, and it had been made from Geng Metal and branches of the Ginseng Fruit Tree, containing both metal and wood qi. He might as well call it Nine Autumns. Autumn governed slaughter, when all trees stood stark and solemn.

At once, the two characters "Nine Autumns" condensed upon the blade. They were Dao script, making it all the more wondrous.

He stared at it for a long while, his gaze focused and entranced. After some time, the joy in his heart grew ever stronger.

He thought to himself that only a few hundred kalpas had passed since heaven and earth had first opened. The Dragon and Phoenix Clans had yet to truly rise to dominance, and Ferocious Beasts had not yet emerged.

What a splendid opportunity. If he did not take the chance to wander the Primordial World and travel the Great Thousand World now, then once the Kalpa began, heaven would unleash its killing intent, shifting stars and changing constellations. With the decline of heaven and man, obscured heavenly secrets, slaughter and calamity everywhere, how could there still be such peace and beauty?

Perhaps he might even find those powerful magical treasures spoken of in later legends. If fortune favored him and he obtained several incomparably precious innate spiritual treasures, this journey would truly not be in vain!

Besides, after the great calamity, the spiritual qi between heaven and earth would gradually decline. Yet at this moment, all manner of spiritual roots could be found everywhere, though they would become exceedingly rare in the future!

If he collected some now, they would surely prove greatly useful when he refined pills in the future. As he considered this, the thought of setting out to travel arose in his heart.

As for where to go, after a moment's thought, he decided to head south. Of the Five Qi he cultivated, only Fire Qi had yet to be refined.

As an Innate Divinity, he knew that the Undying Volcano lay in the south of the Primordial World, ceaselessly alive and blazing fiercely. It contained an abundance of Fire Qi energy. If he could gather some and incorporate it into his cultivation, he could refine the Five Qi within his chest, break through his shackles, and attain the rare realm of a Dao Lord.

With his mind made up, he began methodically tidying his Daoist grounds.

First, he carefully inventoried and properly stored the various spiritual roots and materials he had collected over the years. Then he painstakingly set up a Wu Earth Great Formation he had learned from the Earth Book to guard the mountain gate and ensure nothing went wrong.

Once all preparations were complete, he walked out of the mountain gate with fluttering robes and an easy bearing, heading south without looking back.

Along the way, he traveled at a leisurely pace, sometimes riding clouds and sometimes capturing an immortal crane to serve as his mount.

"Traveling is actually this exhausting. No wonder all those famous figures have mounts of their own!"

Muttering to himself, Li Zhengyuan dragged his weary body down onto an ordinary-looking mountaintop.

He sat cross-legged on the ground, his hands naturally resting on his knees. Closing his eyes slightly, he began to regulate his breathing.

In the vast, mysterious Primordial World, nearly every being of even modest renown had an imposing mount.

Take the Daoist Heavenly Venerable Laozi, for instance. He rode a green ox with serene ease. Then there was Primordial Heavenly Venerable, whose Nine-Dragon Agarwood Carriage was extravagantly magnificent, drawn by nine divine dragons. Auspicious clouds swirled around it wherever it passed, and countless rays of blessed light shone forth.

There was also Taiyi, the Savior of Suffering, whose mighty Nine-Headed Lion let out roars that shook heaven and earth, striking terror into all who heard them. Whenever Li Zhengyuan thought of these, envy could not help but rise in his heart.

Especially when he thought of his future self, who had not even a decent mount whenever he went out and could only struggle onward on foot, that feeling grew even stronger.

Thus, he resolved to find some strange beast to serve as his mount, so he could roam across rivers and mountains and travel the four corners of the world.

Just as Li Zhengyuan was immersed in his thoughts, a gentle breeze brushed over his face and roused him from his contemplation.

He opened his eyes. After resting briefly, he began to carefully examine the mountain before him.

Though the mountain possessed nothing particularly extraordinary, it carried a hint of spiritual grace. Verdant trees shaded its slopes, flowers bloomed in profusion, and birds sang merrily, as though welcoming the unexpected visitor.

Li Zhengyuan thought, Since I have already come here, I might as well look around. Though this place cannot compare to Five Villages Temple, it is still uncommon. I usually travel by cloud and rarely take the time to observe the scenery carefully.

Now that I have arrived, it may be said that this place and I share some affinity. I should take a walk and not waste such fine scenery.

So he rose to his feet and strolled leisurely into the mountains...