Not long after, Jiu Wuji identified the corresponding spirit plant and informed Li Mu; it turned out to be a tier seven spirit plant.

"Qingming Sword Bamboo? Is there a spirit seed of this plant in the warehouse?" Li Mu perked up and asked directly.

Jiu Wuji looked at Li Mu apologetically and said, "There are no spirit seeds of Qingming Sword Bamboo in the warehouse. The flowering and seeding of Qingming Sword Bamboo is a very rare phenomenon that only occurs in specific environments and conditions. When it blooms, it produces a type of spirit seed known as Qingming Bamboo Rice. However, after Qingming Sword Bamboo blooms, the entire bamboo forest reaches the end of its life, wilting and dying rapidly; thus, spirit seeds can usually only be collected when the Qingming Bamboo Forest is near death."

"So Qingming Sword Bamboo seeds are extremely rare, and the warehouse has only two matured Qingming Sword Bamboo which are millennia-old, without any spirit seeds." Jiu Wuji looked at Li Mu with slight embarrassment.

Li Mu nodded, pondered for a moment, and asked, "Who contributed these two Qingming Spirit Bamboos, can you tell me?"

"No problem! They were acquired by Sword Master Chen in the Vortex Spirit Secret Realm." Jiu Wuji promptly responded.

"Sword Master Chen!" Li Mu murmured and couldn’t help but feel a headache coming.

Among the Profound Celestial Sword Sect’s two Daoist Monarchs and seven Sword Masters, they were always elusive. Except for Sword Master Feng, Li Mu had been in the sect for so long without meeting the others. Obtaining the origin of the Qingming Sword Bamboo from Sword Master Chen would not be an easy task.

This matter must be approached gradually; first, take care of the current spirit plants and proceed from there.

Thus, Li Mu instructed Jiu Wuji to exchange some spiritual materials that assist in spirit plant growth, ending this visit to the Contribution Hall.

Li Mu returned to the Seven Profound Sect by sword, landing lightly in the courtyard of the Sect Leader’s Mansion, his garments fluttering like an immortal descending to earth.

"Lord Li, you’re back!" Xue’Er quickly approached, her bright eyes fixed on Li Mu, as if she had countless words she wanted to express.

"Tower Master!" Liu Yalan gracefully greeted Li Mu with joy.

"Mm!" Li Mu slightly nodded, his gaze shifting between Xue’Er and Liu Yalan. Suddenly, he thought of something, and then, Li Mu took out an exquisite jade box from the Nine Treasures Spirit Pearl and handed it to her, saying, "This ’Mystic Frost Purple Fruit’ is a rare treasure. After consuming it, seclude yourself in cultivation and strive to reach tier six as soon as possible."

Xue’Er accepted the jade box, a hint of delight flashed in her eyes, but then she pouted somewhat reluctantly and said, "Thank you, Lord Li! But I still want to spend more time with Sister Liu, I don’t want to go into seclusion right now."

Looking at Xue’Er’s adorable appearance, Li Mu couldn’t help but chuckle silently. However, knowing the importance of cultivation, he couldn’t indulge her whims.

Therefore, Li Mu pretended to be angry, reaching out his hand to demand, "Since you don’t want to go into seclusion, then return the fruit to me. This spirit fruit is extremely precious; you’re blessed without realizing it."

Upon hearing this, Xue’Er hurriedly hugged the jade box to her chest, nervously saying, "No, no, no, I’ll seclude, I’ll seclude, alright?"

After speaking, Xue’Er turned to look at Liu Yalan, her eyes filled with apology and reluctance, pitifully saying, "Sister Liu, I’m going to seclude for cultivation now. When I come out, I’ll take you to tour Seven Gods Mountain."

Liu Yalan, observing Xue’Er’s aggrieved look, found it both amusing and touching. She nodded, tenderly saying, "Go, cultivation is most important, don’t worry and focus on your seclusion, I’ll wait for you."

Soon, as Xue’Er gradually walked away, their gazes followed her; she turned her head every few steps, her small face full of reluctance. But ultimately, she resolutely stepped into the cultivation room for seclusion.

Watching Xue’Er enter the seclusion room, Li Mu withdrew his gaze, turned to face Liu Yalan, and slightly parted his lips, "Shopkeeper Liu..."

However, before this title was fully uttered, Liu Yalan interrupted Li Mu first, her smile carrying a hint of gentleness and melancholy, "Tower Master, just call me Yalan! Li’s Treasure Tower is now a thing of the past, I’m no longer the shopkeeper."

Li Mu’s words were abruptly cut off, his gaze landed on Liu Yalan’s face, carefully examining her complex expression, seeing a hint of grievance in her eyes, and sensing her expectations of him.

Li Mu’s heart stirred as if he understood something but also felt somewhat confused.

The surprise in Li Mu’s eyes flickered briefly; he hadn’t anticipated that Liu Yalan would make such a request directly, catching him somewhat off guard.

Regarding matters of romance, Li Mu had never truly delved deeply over the years.

After coming to this world for over a hundred years, Li Mu was either toiling in the fields or fleeing for his life, never daring to stop and rest even for a moment.

Throughout, Li Mu maintained a detached attitude towards emotions, as if a spectator quietly observing the joys and sorrows of the world. Moreover, he never had the intention to develop into cultivation partners with Liu Yalan.

Faced with Liu Yalan’s request, Li Mu fell silent for a moment, weighing the pros and cons in his heart.

Li Mu knew the path he must take in the future, relying on absorbing Plant Spirit as a divine talent, to quickly reach the pinnacle, thus ensuring his secrets would not be discovered, and even if detected by powerful beings, he would have the means to protect himself. His future path is full of unknowns and challenges; he couldn’t allow emotions to hinder his steps, nor could he act impulsively and make the wrong decision.

Ultimately, Li Mu decided, choosing to refuse Liu Yalan in a gentle manner.

Li Mu pretended not to understand the implication behind Liu Yalan’s words, smiling perfunctorily, "Shopkeeper Liu, you don’t have to feel so disappointed; there’s no rush to change this title. Our cooperation has just begun. I plan to entrust you with continuing to open Li’s Treasure Tower, to spread the reputation of Li’s Treasure Pavilion in the Central State Spirit Realm. I hope we can always maintain a pleasant cooperative relationship."