Chapter 1017: Meeting

Chen Lingming stepped onto the stairs formed by flowing water, walking step by step towards the mist-shrouded Five Emperors Mountain.

Although his expression was calm, his heart was filled with complex emotions.

When he first left, he had thought he would never return.

As Chen Lingming walked into the mist, his figure gradually blurred. The three outer sect elders of Yiyuan Immortal City wore varied expressions. Elder Lianshui, their leader, finally couldn't help but ask, "Daozi, have you truly thought this through?"

Chen Lingming paused slightly, nodded without turning, and then vanished into the multicolored haze, entering the Five Emperors Mountain.

"Long time no see, Martial Uncle Mude."

As soon as Chen Lingming entered, he saw Mountain Lord Mude waiting for him.

Mountain Lord Mude was a lean scholar. In response to Chen Lingming's greeting, he nodded in return, then silently led Chen Lingming towards the main hall at the mountain's peak.

"The scenery here hasn't changed much since I left, has it..."

As they walked, Chen Lingming spoke with a hidden meaning, but Mountain Lord Mude remained silent.

Soon, they arrived inside the main hall.

The other three Mountain Lords had already been waiting for a long time.

"Sit!"

Mountain Lord Tude saw Chen Lingming enter, pointed to a meditation cushion in front of him, and spoke.

"Greetings, Martial Uncles."

After respectfully saluting everyone, Chen Lingming calmly sat down.

"Lingming, we watched you grow up. We don't want to see you go astray, so we'll give you one last chance to turn back."

Mountain Lord Tude spoke first. Upon hearing this, Chen Lingming's eyes narrowed slightly, his face filled with confusion.

"Martial Uncle Tude, I don't understand what you mean. Didn't you summon me here today for negotiations? Besides, I am now walking on an unprecedented path of righteousness; it should be you who needs to turn back."

Mountain Lord Jinde, standing nearby, couldn't hold back and immediately rebuked him: "Don't think that just because you've formed your Nascent Soul, you can act without restraint and disrespect your superiors. This is Five Emperors Mountain; we can suppress you with a mere thought."

"It seems, Martial Uncles, that you aren't truly interested in negotiating. What a pity. I had originally intended to save your lives..."

Chen Lingming, however, sighed and shook his head, then stood up, ready to leave.

"Since you've come, there's no need to leave."

Mountain Lord Tude's robust voice resonated, followed by an invisible, immense power of heaven and earth surging from all corners of Five Emperors Mountain, pressing the recently risen Chen Lingming back onto the meditation cushion.

Chen Lingming felt as if his entire body was being suppressed by massive mountains; even moving a single finger was difficult.

He tried to activate his Primordial Qi to break free, but with just a wave of Mountain Lord Tude's hand, he felt the spiritual energy he had just gathered instantly dissipate, and even breathing became difficult.

Realizing this, Chen Lingming knew that over the years, Mountain Lord Tude, with the aid of the Dao Fruit, had not only mastered Primordial Qi but had also reached an extremely profound level, almost on par with Grand Elder Wuming from before.

"Martial Uncle Tude, if I die here, that person from the Five Elements Sect will have a legitimate reason to come to Five Emperors Mountain for a reckoning!"

Despite the situation, Chen Lingming still spoke clearly, word by word, gazing calmly at Tude before him.

"Lingming, are you so sure that person from the Five Elements Sect would be willing to stand up for an outsider like you?"

Before Tude could speak, Mountain Lord Shuide, who was nearby, asked with a look of regret.

"Martial Uncle, what do you mean by that?"

Chen Lingming asked, frowning.

"What the Five Elements Sect inherited is the orthodox lineage left by Ancestor Yiyuan when he achieved Soul Transformation. However, from Soul Transformation to Void Refinement, it lacks information regarding the refinement of the Dao Fruit and the secret methods for ascension."

"That Chen Guixian is indeed remarkably talented. I've reviewed all information about him since his debut, and it's not impossible for him to achieve Soul Transformation in the future. Precisely because of this, his greatest concern is whether he can advance further after Soul Transformation, or even ascend. This must also be his main purpose in sponsoring your Nascent Soul formation and manipulating your return."

"If we are willing to give him these inheritances, on the condition that he abandons you, accepts our declaration from Five Emperors Mountain, and confirms your expulsion from Yiyuan Dao Palace, making you no longer a Daozi. Do you think he would agree?"

Mountain Lord Tude spoke at this moment.

In his view, Chen Mobai, with his imposing presence in the three border regions of Dongzhou, lacked almost no resources. His only current pursuit was Soul Transformation and the path beyond it.

Originally, Mountain Lord Tude intended to confront the Five Elements Sect directly, but after recent probes, he discovered that the Five Elements Sect was surprisingly unafraid of Yiyuan Dao Palace. Furthermore, the other sacred lands of the Eastern Lands seemed to show more deference to the Five Elements Sect than to Five Emperors Mountain.

Realizing that he couldn't suppress them with brute force, Mountain Lord Tude resorted to another method.

Yiyuan Dao Palace's rules were clear: even if Chen Lingming and Xiao Yuli were dealt with today, there would still be the next generation of Daozi and Saintess in the future.

As long as Chen Guixian of the Five Elements Sect in Donghuang remained, they would not give up coveting the Void Refinement inheritance, ascension secret methods, and other legacies left by True Monarch Yiyuan.

But if he reached an agreement with Chen Guixian to open up all this content to the Five Elements Sect of Donghuang, in exchange for time to refine the Dao Fruit himself or even achieve Soul Transformation, then he could calmly deal with Chen Lingming and Xiao Yuli and overcome the current difficulties.

"If I were Sect Master Chen, I would agree."

Chen Lingming thought for a moment and then said this.

After all, Chen Lingming was not a direct descendant of the Five Elements Sect; in fact, he had no real relation to them, merely having brazenly called himself a "Little Martial Ancestor."

If his life and reputation could be exchanged for all of Yiyuan Dao Palace's inheritances, it would be an extremely worthwhile deal by any calculation.

"Lingming, we are still willing to give you a chance. If you are willing to turn back from your errors and, on behalf of Yiyuan Dao Palace, accuse Chen Guixian of the Five Elements Sect of manipulating you to tarnish the reputations of us four, we are willing to let you return to Five Emperors Mountain. We will not only give you the subsequent cultivation techniques, but also, when you reach the peak of the Nascent Soul stage in the future, we will pass the Primordial Dao Fruit back to you."

Chen Lingming couldn't help but show a surprised expression.

"Can you swear to that? To ensure you give me all the inheritances and provide all the sect's resources to support my steady cultivation until I reach the peak of the Nascent Soul stage?"

If that were the case, Chen Lingming could consider returning to Donghuang to persuade Chen Mobai. For example, by first giving the inheritance to the Five Elements Sect, and then, after he himself obtained the Primordial Dao Fruit, giving that Dao Fruit to the Five Elements Sect.

This would allow Five Emperors Mountain and the Five Elements Sect to form a cooperative relationship with him as the pivot, while also allowing him to utilize both sides' resources to cultivate to the peak of the Nascent Soul stage in the shortest possible time.

"We can swear, but you must also agree to one condition."

Mountain Lord Tude saw Chen Lingming's interest, and a smile played at the corner of his lips, feeling that the fish had taken the bait.

Chen Lingming: "What is it?"

Mountain Lord Tude: "Just like Xiao Yuli, she led the disciples of Yiyuan Dao Palace to participate in the Righteous-Demonic War. We provided her with Nascent Soul formation resources, subsequent cultivation techniques, and even helped her secure a spirit vein in Dongli to support her in establishing a sect. Twenty-five years from now, True Monarch Wuchen of the Daode Sect intends to open up the Desolate Ruins and slay the Golden Flame Suanni. You, having just formed your Nascent Soul, will be qualified to lead Yiyuan Dao Palace in participation."

"I hope you will render meritorious service and acquire a Profound Saint True Spirit Pill for the Dao Palace. This would count as atoning for your past misdeeds through good deeds, and in the future, we could naturally allow you to take over as Grand Elder or even Palace Lord."

"If you are willing, we will naturally spare no effort to raise your cultivation."

After listening, Chen Lingming feigned confusion and asked, "Then to whom will this Profound Saint True Spirit Pill belong?"

Mountain Lord Tude unhesitatingly pointed to himself: "As you know, the sect currently has no Soul Transformation realm experts. Although it remains a sacred land in Dongzhou, it is in a precarious state. As the elder closest to breaking through, even if attempting Soul Transformation would likely result in my demise, it is my bounden duty and unavoidable responsibility!"

Hearing this, Chen Lingming's face twisted into a mocking smile: "Martial Uncle, I'm afraid your disciple might flee in fear of battle at that time. You should find someone more capable, or perhaps you could personally lead the expedition from Yiyuan Dao Palace."

"Insolent brat! We offer you an opportunity, and you refuse!"

Seeing his mockery, Mountain Lord Tude's face turned furious. He immediately activated the grand formation of Five Emperors Mountain, creating an even greater pressure that forced Chen Lingming to completely prostrate himself, kneeling before him.

"Lingming, you should know that even if you're unwilling, we can still reach an agreement by negotiating with that Chen Guixian from the Five Elements Sect. At most, the Profound Saint True Spirit Pill would be contested by individual skill, but you would certainly be abandoned."

Mountain Lord Mude, who had remained silent all this time, finally spoke.

"If that's the case, then I invite the four Martial Uncles to try your luck in Donghuang."

Unable to rise, Chen Lingming gritted his teeth and uttered this sentence.

"Stubborn fool!"

Mountain Lord Jinde's tone was icy.

"Have Lianshui and the others down the mountain contact the Five Elements Sect and invite Sect Master Chen for a discussion."

Mountain Lord Tude spoke to Mountain Lord Shuide beside him. The latter nodded, then with a gentle wave of his sleeve, a pool of clear water emerged, transforming into a water mirror.

"Greetings, four Mountain Lords."

Soon after, the three outer sect Nascent Soul elders stationed in Yiyuan Immortal City appeared in the water mirror. They saw Chen Lingming prostrate on the ground, shook their heads slightly, and saluted the four Mountain Lords.

"Make a trip and deliver this letter to that Chen Guixian of the Five Elements Sect."

As Mountain Lord Shuide spoke, he placed a prepared item into the water mirror. The mirror, acting like a portal, instantly transferred the letter before the eyes of Lianshui and the two others.

"Understood."

Lianshui took the letter and nodded slightly.

"Lingming, you will soon realize that you've missed your only chance to survive. Once we reach an agreement with Sect Master Chen, would it be too cruel to have him personally execute you?"

Mountain Lord Tude said this to Chen Lingming, who was kneeling before him, with a look of pity in his eyes.

"Senior Brother, Lingming is merely too young; he hasn't yet seen the true nature of that person from Donghuang. In a while, once their reply arrives, he will truly awaken. At that point, let's spare his life and imprison him in the back mountain."

Mountain Lord Mude showed a look of reluctance and pleaded on Chen Lingming's behalf.

"No, we must cut the grass by the roots; traitors must die!"

But Mountain Lord Jinde, on the other side, refused without ceremony.

"Junior Brother Mude, I know you are kind-hearted, but on this matter, it's not that I'm not giving a chance..."

As Tude spoke, he manipulated the grand formation of Five Emperors Mountain, completely sealing Chen Lingming away. Chen Lingming could no longer hear the rest of his words; he seemed to have entered a colorful prison with no discernible bounds or directions.

Chen Lingming knew this was Yiyuan Dao Palace's Five-Colored Light Prison, specifically used to punish erring disciples.

Within this cage of pure color, many Yiyuan Dao Palace disciples eventually went mad.

Chen Lingming's resolve began to waver.

Had his choice truly been wrong?

Chen Lingming thought of Xiao Yuli. After returning to the Eastern Lands, he had also gone to Dongli and met her once.

The two, reunited after a long separation, had little to say to each other.

After all, while on Five Emperors Mountain, they had both cultivated independently and rarely communicated.

But one sentence from Xiao Yuli had left a profound impression on Chen Lingming.

"If we had grown up in the Five Elements Sect, we wouldn't be inferior to Ye Qing of the Nine Heavens Demon Extermination Sect."

Xiao Yuli and Chen Lingming, as the Daozi and Saintess of Yiyuan Dao Palace, did not lack resources such as spirit stones and elixirs. Even when cultivating Five Elements Qi, they received empowerment from the sect's elders.

However, for the cultivation of the Yiyuan Dao Scripture, Primordial Qi, and other arts, both relied entirely on their own comprehension.

This alone meant they had taken many detours and wasted a lot of time.

Both Chen Lingming and Xiao Yuli had spent time in Donghuang, and had even personally interacted with Chen Mobai.

One can discern a person's true nature from their actions.

The rapid development of Donghuang over the past century astonished Chen Lingming, who had long lived in seclusion in Beiyuan City. The source of all this was Chen Mobai.

Chen Lingming had collected all available biographies of Chen Mobai, and from his various actions, he saw a "saint" unlike any other in Donghuang.

He possessed incredible noble virtues, the fearless courage to overcome all difficulties, and an unwavering conviction that had remained constant for over a hundred years.

Under his guidance and personal example, Donghuang, once a remote borderland of Dongzhou, had transformed into the paradise and pure land it was today.

It was precisely because of this that Chen Lingming was more willing to trust Chen Mobai than Tude and the others.

But at this moment, Chen Lingming also worried whether he had misjudged.

What if he were truly sacrificed to obtain the complete inheritance of Yiyuan Dao Palace?

As Chen Lingming's thoughts began to scatter, the envoy dispatched by Yiyuan Dao Palace had already arrived in Nine Heavens Immortal City.

Elder Lianshui was unwilling to meet Chen Mobai directly. As soon as he revealed his aura outside the Five Elements Commerce Guild, Su Zilu sensed it and flew out, gazing intently at him.

"Fellow Daoist Su, this is a letter from the Mountain Lords for Sect Master Chen of the Five Elements Sect."

As Lianshui spoke, he handed the item to Su Zilu. After taking it, she scanned it with her Primordial Qi, then seemed to realize something, her pupils contracting as she asked, "What about Chen Lingming? What have you done to him?"

"He has ascended Five Emperors Mountain and should not be coming down anytime soon. However, what Sect Master Chen desires might be easier to discuss without his interference."

Elder Lianshui spoke with a veiled meaning. As soon as he finished, Su Zilu knew that Chen Lingming was likely in grave danger.

"You're quite bold, daring to leave Yiyuan Immortal City to meet me."

Five-colored light flickered in Su Zilu's eyes. Primordial Qi was practically the bane of Yiyuan Dao Palace's Nascent Soul elders. If Tude hadn't refined the Primordial Dao Fruit and gained control of Five Emperors Mountain's grand formation, Chen Lingming wouldn't have been utterly defenseless.

"This time, I've come with an attitude of cooperation. I hope Fellow Daoist Su will not delay Sect Master Chen of the Five Elements Sect's important matters due to your actions."

Elder Lianshui, however, was unfazed. As a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, and having constantly lived under the shadow of Primordial Qi, he had in fact long mastered some techniques beyond the five elements.

If Su Zilu, now a Dharma Body Nascent Soul, were to make a move, it was uncertain who would emerge victorious.

"I hope Chen Lingming is still alive. Otherwise, you won't be able to withstand his wrath."

Su Zilu merely said this.

"Heh, it's still the same old saying: let him dare to come to Yiyuan Immortal City first."

Elder Lianshui scoffed coldly, then transformed into a streak of water light and vanished from the spot.

After informing Yue Zulao, Su Zilu wasted no time in Nine Heavens Immortal City. She immediately returned to Donghuang via a large teleportation array and personally delivered the letter to Chen Mobai.

Mount Beiyuan summit.

Chen Mobai finished reading the letter in his hand, then placed it on the tea table, his expression unchanged.

"Mountain Lord Tude wants to invite me for a face-to-face discussion. He claims to be willing to give all of Yiyuan Dao Palace's inheritances to the Five Elements Sect, but in exchange, Chen Lingming must be handed over to them..."

After Chen Mobai roughly finished relaying the content, Su Zilu nodded, as if she had expected it.

"It's their tactic, but it wouldn't be a loss for you, Daozi. With Ancestor Yiyuan's inheritance, given your talent, you will certainly be able to achieve Soul Transformation or even ascension in the future."

After Su Zilu finished speaking, she secretly observed the refined young man sitting before her, drinking tea.

She wanted to know Chen Mobai's choice.

Although rationally speaking, exchanging Chen Lingming for all the inheritances of True Monarch Yiyuan, an ascended cultivator, was an extremely worthwhile deal.

However, deep down, she hoped Chen Mobai wouldn't be so cold-blooded and ruthless.

After all, she was following him now.

If Chen Mobai could sacrifice Chen Lingming today, he might be able to sacrifice her in the future too.

"This isn't enough."

Chen Mobai said this, and Su Zilu's heart grew very complex. She then asked, "Is there anything else you desire, Daozi? I can relay it on your behalf."

"I want everything from Yiyuan Dao Palace! And I want Chen Lingming alive!"

Chen Mobai said this in a calm tone, and an inexplicable surge of joy instantly filled Su Zilu's heart.

"Yes, Daozi!"

Five Emperors Mountain.

After listening to Elder Lianshui's report, the four Mountain Lords' faces turned ashen.

"Insolent wretch! Do they really think our Yiyuan Dao Palace is a pushover?"

Mountain Lord Jinde spoke first, his gaze coldly fixed on the back mountain, where Chen Lingming was imprisoned. He intended to send Chen Lingming's head back to humiliate the Five Elements Sect.

"Forget it. Negotiations like this never succeed on the first try. A few more discussions will do."

But at this moment, Mountain Lord Tude shook his head, stopping him.

The strength of Yiyuan Dao Palace and the Five Elements Sect was not significantly different.

If Chen Lingming were truly killed like that, an internal war between the Yiyuan orthodox lineages would be unavoidable.

Even if their Five Emperors Mountain could rely on its grand formation to remain unharmed, if the branch sect from Donghuang were to attack them directly, the sacred land's prestige would surely be lost.

Mountain Lord Tude wanted to do his best to prevent this from happening.

"Have Lianshui go to Nine Heavens Immortal City again. The Nine Heavens Demon Extermination Sect's Sect Master Ni Yuanzhong's life-bound flying sword was refined with the help of Grand Elder Wuming back then. Let him mediate a bit; at the very least, it would allow me to speak with Sect Master Chen in person."

Mountain Lord Tude's words caused Mountain Lord Jinde to show dissatisfaction, but since the other two Mountain Lords said nothing, he would not continue to object.

With a cold snort, Mountain Lord Jinde was the first to leave the main hall.

"Junior Brother Jinde's murderous aura seems a bit excessive."

Seeing him leave, Mountain Lord Shuide suddenly spoke.

"Let him be. Have those two fellow Daoists been notified?"

Mountain Lord Tude shook his head and asked Shuide about another matter.

"They have all been notified, and they are all willing to assist Senior Brother."

"Excellent!"

After hearing this, Tude smiled, feeling even more confident about this negotiation.

Speaking of which, those two had actively contacted Five Emperors Mountain.

Otherwise, Tude genuinely wouldn't have known that the Five Elements Sect actually had grievances with them.

By a certain lake on Five Emperors Mountain, Jinde stopped. Soon after, the lake surface began to ripple, and a blurry figure appeared within the water.

"Tude is timid and cowardly, only wanting to make peace with the Five Elements Sect. He is not one to achieve great things."

Jinde spoke with an icy expression. The blurry figure in the water nodded upon hearing this.

"I understand. However, I think it would be best if you facilitated this meeting between the two parties."

"Oh, why?" Jinde asked, looking confused.

"Tude cannot possibly give up the Primordial Dao Fruit, and that Chen Guixian is currently only pursuing Soul Transformation. Therefore, the negotiations between the two sides are doomed to fail. In the end, it will certainly come down to strength. Although Tude has refined the Primordial Dao Fruit, he is not its rightful inheritor. Even if he could suppress Chen Guixian, he would certainly be greatly weakened. At that point, you can make your move and become the next guardian of the Primordial Dao Fruit. Of course, before that, Chen Lingming, the Daozi, cannot remain on Five Emperors Mountain."

After the blurry figure in the water finished speaking, Jinde's eyes lit up.

"Once Tude and Chen Guixian are both severely wounded, I will personally kill Chen Lingming."

"No, you can send him to me. I'd like to taste a Yiyuan Daozi again." The blurry figure said with a sinister tone.

"Await my news."

As Mountain Lord Jinde spoke, he waved his sleeve, and the rippling water surface immediately returned to calm.

Donghuang.

Chen Mobai looked at Yuan Zhen before him, his face filled with confusion.

"The Sect Master owed Yiyuan Dao Palace a favor back then. Although I am a Saintess, I still have to follow his command, so I can only make this trip."

Yuan Zhen said with a helpless expression. After Yuan Qingque's ascension, Ni Yuanzhong became the Nine Heavens Demon Extermination Sect's highest-ranking and most powerful cultivator. Even she could do nothing against the Sect Master's orders.

Ye Qing had also recently entered a death seclusion, intending to break through to the peak of the Nascent Soul stage in the remaining two decades before the expedition.

"Never mind. It so happens that I also want to quickly resolve this matter, so I'll meet with that Mountain Lord Tude."

The Nine Heavens Demon Extermination Sect had helped the Five Elements Sect a great deal, and Chen Mobai didn't want to make things difficult for Yuan Zhen, so he simply agreed.

"The location will be Nine Heavens Immortal City; I will make the arrangements!"

Hearing Chen Mobai nod, Yuan Zhen also sighed in relief, then began to discuss the next steps.

"Once the time is set, notify me, and I'll come right away."

Chen Mobai personally saw Yuan Zhen off, then informed Zhou Shengqing about the matter.

After all, if he were to make a trip to the Eastern Lands, Zhou Shengqing would need to come and oversee things for a period.

Nine Heavens Immortal City.

Chen Mobai stepped out of the teleportation array. Yuan Zhen and Su Zilu were already waiting for him.

"The negotiation is scheduled for tomorrow. Our Sect Master will also be present."

Yuan Zhen said, and Chen Mobai nodded.

With one day remaining, Chen Mobai first went to browse at the Five Elements Commerce Guild.

The next day.

Chen Mobai arrived at the meeting location, Nine Heavens Tower.

"Sect Master Chen, I've long admired your reputation."

Ni Yuanzhong, Sect Master of the Nine Heavens Demon Extermination Sect, saw him enter and personally rose to greet him. Chen Mobai also returned the courtesy politely.

"Mountain Lord Tude has also arrived..."

At this moment, Ni Yuanzhong saw someone outside the door, pointed towards it, and spoke to Chen Mobai.

Chen Mobai turned around and saw that, in addition to Tude, there were actually two other Nascent Soul cultivators.

One of them wore a feathered crown, tall and slender with sunken eyes.

The other was a short, stout cultivator with a ruddy complexion, draped in a crimson Daoist robe.

"Oh, how is it that you two have come with Mountain Lord Tude?"

Ni Yuanzhong evidently knew the other two Nascent Soul cultivators, and his tone was quite courteous when speaking.

"Allow me to introduce them: This is Grand Elder Mu Youyi of the Beast Taming Sect. The other is Grand Elder Hongyun of the Fire Cloud Palace."

After hearing Ni Yuanzhong's introductions, Chen Mobai couldn't help but frown slightly.

Beast Taming Sect, Fire Cloud Palace.

Both seemed to have a grudge against the Five Elements Sect.

Had these two come to support Tude?

However, even if they were peak Nascent Soul cultivators, he could now calmly suppress and slay three of them alone.

"Mountain Lord Tude, do you intend to bring these two fellow Daoists to negotiate with me?"

Chen Mobai spoke with a faint, unreadable smile, seemingly mocking the other party for not having the courage to come alone.

"Not at all, not at all. It's just that I haven't left the mountain in a long time, so I'm taking this opportunity to catch up with these two old friends whom I haven't seen in ages. They heard I was coming to meet you, Sect Master Chen, a young hero, and were very curious, so they wanted to come along to see for themselves."

As Mountain Lord Tude spoke, he continuously observed Chen Mobai's expression.

To his disappointment, even with three peak Nascent Soul cultivators accompanying him, they still failed to faze the person before them.

He must be feigning composure.

Tude thought to himself.