Chapter 1019

**The Truth**

Tudao was overjoyed after the agreement was reached. As he descended the stairs, he announced his intention to host a grand celebration at the Pavilion of Nine Heavens, inviting everyone present to witness it.

Hongyun, however, managed a strained smile and departed from the Pavilion of Nine Heavens.

Mu Youyi hesitated. Remembering his obligation to explain to the Myriad Spirit Sect, he steeled himself and posed a question to Chen Mobai, asking when he would be free to speak privately about a matter.

Chen Mobai had already guessed Mu Youyi's concern and thought it best to discuss it openly. He suggested, "This evening. I'll send someone to invite Daoist Mu over."

Mu Youyi nodded, then greeted Ni Yuanzhong and the others present before leaving the Pavilion of Nine Heavens as well.

"It seems they don't wish for our reconciliation," Mount Lord Tudao remarked pointedly, watching the two leave.

Ni Yuanzhong, as the Sect Master of the Nine Heavens Demon-Slaying Sect, spoke directly, not needing to hold back. "It's likely about the True Spirit Purification Pill. After all, the number from one furnace is limited..."

For this Moral Sect's pioneering effort, many Nascent Soul forces from across the Eastern Continent were dispatched, including the Fire Cloud Palace and the Beast Taming Sect. Both were high on the list for exchanging True Spirit Purification Pills. With True Lord Wuchen's success rate, a single furnace yielded about seven or eight pills. The Grand Void Misty Palace reserved two pills, the Nine Heavens Demon-Slaying Sect guaranteed at least one, and the Moral Sect, having contributed the most, wouldn't be excessive in taking two. This accounted for five reserved spots.

This meant at most three pills would be left for cultivators outside the Three Sacred Lands. Among these, the One Yuan Dao Palace, the Star Heaven Dao Sect, and the Fire Cloud Palace were the top three in the exchange sequence. The Beast Taming Sect ranked sixth due to their greater knowledge of True Spirits. However, it was virtually impossible for them to get one unless enough True Spirit Blood could be extracted from the Golden Flame Suan Ni to refine two furnaces. It was precisely because of this that Chen Mobai knew Mu Youyi's visit was surely about the venomous dragon.

After briefly mentioning the True Spirit Purification Pills, Ni Yuanzhong immediately changed the subject, cupping his hands in salute to both Chen Mobai and Tudao. "Congratulations, Daoist friends. Your amiable resolution will spare the Eastern Continent from war."

Tudao first thanked Ni Yuanzhong, then sighed, bringing up a matter that had weighed on his mind for a long time. "We owe much to Sect Master Ni for mediating this. However, there is another matter for which we must again rely on your esteemed sect..."

Upon hearing this, Ni Yuanzhong's expression immediately turned serious, filled with killing intent. "Oh, is this true?!"

Mount Lord Tudao wore an expression of righteous indignation. "Absolutely. Since I am reporting this under my real name, I naturally have full certainty and am willing to accept your sect's guidance, confront that person face-to-face, and even swear a Dao Heart Oath!"

His agreement with the Five Elements Sect on behalf of the One Yuan Dao Palace was, to outsiders, undeniably a concession from a Sacred Land to a lesser sect, a loss of power and an insult to their lineage. To restore the One Yuan Dao Palace's prestige as a Sacred Land, a scapegoat was naturally needed. Mount Lord Tudao had prepared this person for over a century, and now was the perfect time to expose them. All sins would belong to the demonic path. He, Tudao, had endured such humiliation and heavy burdens solely for the resurgence of the One Yuan Dao Palace.

After listening, Ni Yuanzhong, however, became more cautious. After all, this matter involved Ming Zun, the Lord of the Eastern Demonic Path. It would be safer to invite a Dao Transformation Stage cultivator from the righteous path to oversee the situation. Ming Zun's past sneak attack on Ye Qing had already revealed the fact that he possessed avatars. Therefore, even though Yuan Qingque had slain the Dao Transformation Ming Zun before ascending, the Three Sacred Lands of the Eastern Continent had not lowered their guard against this Lord of the Eastern Demonic Path. After all, if he could achieve Dao Transformation twice, there might be a third time.

The only fortunate thing was that the Demonic Path's supreme treasure, the Reincarnation Disc, which Ming Zun relied on, had been taken to the Upper Realm by Yuan Qingque. This way, even if Ming Zun's avatar once again advanced to Dao Transformation, True Lord Wuchen could easily suppress him. The Moral Sect also possessed a sixth-tier supreme treasure.

"Daoist Tudao has impressive means," Chen Mobai commented after Ni Yuanzhong left, leaving only him and Tudao in the Pavilion of Nine Heavens. Having listened to their conversation, Chen Mobai couldn't help but look at Tudao in a new light. Although this person was somewhat timid and cautious, their skill in finding a scapegoat was truly exceptional.

"Not at all. When my junior nephew Liu was killed and junior niece Su went missing, I already suspected a demonic spy within Five Emperors Mountain," Tudao said. "But to avoid attracting that person's attention, after I secured the Primordial Dao Fruit, I deliberately focused on cultivating for Dao Transformation, entering long periods of seclusion. In reality, I frequently used secret techniques to monitor all Dao Palace cultivators on Five Emperors Mountain. However, that person was very cautious and never exposed themselves again after that."

"It wasn't until Lingming reached the Nascent Soul stage that I narrowed down my suspects to a few individuals, but I still couldn't truly pinpoint who it was. What made them reveal a flaw was during the great war between the righteous and demonic paths. They betrayed the marching routes of junior nephew Xiao and others, allowing Kuang Jiyuan of the Profound Mechanism Demonic Sect to set up an ambush formation at his leisure..." Mount Lord Tudao sighed as he spoke of this, seemingly grieving for the deceased Mount Lord Huode and others. "It's also my incompetence; if only I had discovered it earlier."

Upon hearing this, Chen Mobai finally understood why this person beside him had been able to firmly hold the position as the head of Five Emperors Mountain for so long after Grand Elder Wu Ming's death. If it had been Chen Mobai knowing a demonic spy had been hidden by his side for centuries, he would undoubtedly have been restless and unable to endure for such a long time. It could only be said that cultivators in the Celestial River Realm who could cultivate to the late Nascent Soul stage were not simple characters. In this war of public opinion, if Tudao hadn't already prepared a scapegoat, and if he hadn't placed extraordinary importance on Dao Transformation, Chen Mobai probably wouldn't have been able to obtain the One Yuan Dao Palace's ascension secret technique and Void Refinement inheritance from him.

After a long silence, Chen Mobai decided it was better to have less contact with Tudao; this person's schemes were too profound. "Sect Master Ni will take some time to return from the Moral Sect. I'll go meet with Mu Youyi."

Tudao, however, made a request. "Junior Brother Chen, I heard from Elder Renshui that Junior Niece Su is currently under your care. I wanted to ask her about the circumstances of her ambush by the demonic path, so I can be more confident when confronting Junior Brother Jinde. Might I meet with her?"

"Yes, I will have her come to the Pavilion of Nine Heavens," Chen Mobai nodded. When True Lord Wuchen arrived, he would certainly focus on investigating Ming Zun's affairs and would likely question Su Zilu. It was better to have her wait here first.

Upon returning to the Five Elements Merchant Association, Su Zilu was greatly invigorated by the news. "I can't believe the traitor was him!" Su Zilu had harbored thoughts about her and the Dao Child being ambushed for half her life. This was because only those within the One Yuan Dao Palace knew their return route. However, Ming Zun had always been wary of her, so she hadn't been able to unearth the truth. In One Yuan Immortal City, Renshui and the other two had flatly denied it, stating that there couldn't be any demonic cultivators on Five Emperors Mountain. When Chen Mobai launched a public opinion war against the One Yuan Dao Palace using Chen Lingming as an excuse, Su Zilu thought there would be no way for her to uncover the truth of this matter in her lifetime. After all, once Tudao yielded, all blame would inevitably fall upon him. Regardless of truth, Tudao would be held responsible. Who would have thought that under such circumstances, the truth would be revealed?

After speaking, Su Zilu hurried towards the Pavilion of Nine Heavens.

After Su Zilu left, Chen Mobai spoke to Yue Zutao, who immediately went to arrange the matter personally. "Go to the Beast Taming Sect's shop and call for Daoist Brother Mu Youyi..."

Soon after, Mu Youyi followed Yue Zutao into the highest level of the Five Elements Merchant Association, which was also where the highest-grade items were displayed. Chen Mobai's fourth-tier Grand Yang Sword Talisman, Qing Nv's Nirvana Pill, and others, all had a set displayed here.

As soon as Mu Youyi entered, he politely addressed Chen Mobai. "Greetings, Sect Master Chen."

Chen Mobai had already brewed a pot of tea. The tea was as clear as a mirror, amber in color, with slender leaves faintly glowing purple, and an intensely rich aroma. After pouring two cups, he first drank from his own. Seeing this, Mu Youyi confidently took a cup and took a sip. "What excellent tea!"

Unlike the perfunctory politeness in the Pavilion of Nine Heavens earlier, this was a genuine appreciation. Given Mu Youyi's status, he had sampled countless spirit teas, yet this one still offered a distinct sensation. He could feel the rich vitality contained within the tea, and even his spiritual consciousness, which had long reached its peak, became slightly more active.

Chen Mobai waited until Mu Youyi finished his drink, refilled his cup, and then began to explain its origin. "This is a ten-thousand-year-old ancient tea tree our sect found in the Desolate Ruins. I named it 'Purple Haze'..." This was what Bai Jinghong had offered to the Five Elements Sect. Fortunately, E Yun had dispatched three Core Formation cultivators from the Five Elements Sect; there wasn't just one ancient tea tree, but a large expanse deep within the spiritual vein. However, there were many venomous snakes hidden within the tea forest. But under the subsequent might of the Five Elements Sect's army, all these venomous snakes were turned into snake meat. Upon hearing the news, Chen Mobai specifically had Zhuo Ming put aside her current tasks and make a trip to the Desolate Ruins to transplant the six most crucial ten-thousand-year-old ancient tea trees to Xiaonan Mountain. After absorbing these, the Enlightenment Tea should be able to upgrade by a minor grade.

Mu Youyi also followed Chen Mobai's lead in conversation. "The Desolate Ruins contain many treasures, but unfortunately, we human cultivators are still too few to fully exploit them."

Chen Mobai asked a question that was on his mind: "With your sect's doctrines and cultivation methods, if you were to leave the Eastern Land and venture into the Desolate Ruins, wouldn't it be like a fish in water, leaping through the dragon gate? Why confine yourselves to the Eastern Land?" In the Desolate Ruins, the most terrifying things were demonic beasts, and in the deepest parts, ancient beasts even older than the Sacred Lands slumbered. But this was a great boon for the Beast Taming Sect. If they could form a contract with an ancient beast, even if it meant serving it, they would at least possess the foundation of a Dao Transformation stage power.

But a single sentence from Mu Youyi made Chen Mobai suddenly understand. "Sect Master Chen, you jest. What our Beast Taming Sect lacks is not beasts, but people!" This was the Celestial River Realm, where various spirit beasts were ubiquitous. Even on Xiaonan Mountain, Chen Mobai had helped Zhuo Ming capture a mountain civet with the bloodline of the earth-elemental divine beast, Lilicat. For the Beast Taming Sect, possessing the Great True Spirit Transformation Art, their trouble was simply choosing which spirit beast to contract. After all, with perseverance and abundant resources, they would eventually be able to condense a True Spirit bloodline. Moreover, demonic beasts lived longer than humans; it was common for one beast to serve three generations of masters. Sometimes, to prevent their disciples from becoming overly greedy, the Beast Taming Sect even stipulated that a disciple could only contract an additional spirit beast upon advancing a major realm. For example, Mu Youyi, besides his lifelong companion spirit beast, had three other contracted spirit beasts, all of which were fourth-tier. But among True Spirit bloodlines, there were also superior and inferior ones.

Finally, Mu Youyi subtly stated the purpose of his visit. "The Rainbow Serpent True Spirit Blood condensed from the venomous dragon Sect Master Chen slew in Yunmeng Marsh is ranked among the top three grades in the Myriad Spirit Sect's records. It is also crucial for cultivating a certain forbidden technique, so the Central Continent became quite interested when they learned of it."

Upon hearing this, Chen Mobai's face instantly hardened with anger, and the colossal phantom of his Myriad Swords Dharma Body began to emerge behind him. "Oh, that venomous dragon that plagued both banks of Eastern Wu in Yunmeng Marsh, consuming tens of thousands of humans – was it raised by your Beast Taming Sect? It seems my Five Elements Sect's blood feud for tens of thousands of our people must now be settled with your Beast Taming Sect!"

Although Mu Youyi felt he could contend with Chen Mobai, he saw no need to. After all, the venomous dragon was already dead. If the Great True Spirit Transformation Art hadn't been incredibly important—a legacy of the Myriad Spirit Sect in Central Continent—he wouldn't have specifically sought out Chen Mobai today. "Sect Master Chen, you misunderstand. It was an order from the Myriad Spirit Sect in Central Continent. As their branch sect in the Eastern Continent, we could only assist in teaching the cultivation method and guiding its initiation."

"The venomous dragon's rampage in Yunmeng Marsh was also due to my Martial Uncle Yu Shengyan's hasty demise after failing his Dao Transformation breakthrough, leaving no instructions. So, we in the Beast Taming Sect only learned of this matter a few years ago when news came from the Central Continent. If we had known the venomous dragon's origin earlier, our sect's Nascent Soul elders would certainly have acted long ago to bring it back to the Beast Taming Sect."

The anger on Chen Mobai's face lessened slightly, but his expression remained cold. "Even so, your Beast Taming Sect bears no small responsibility. If Yu Shengyan were still alive, I would certainly draw my sword."

Seeing that Chen Mobai had no intention of diffusing the situation, Mu Youyi began to exert his pressure as a Grand Nascent Soul cultivator. "Sect Master Chen, there are some things we don't need to spell out. I won't say more, but a few days ago, my sect's disciple saw a spirit snake undergoing tribulation above the Yellow Dragon Cave Mansion, performing precisely the True Spirit Transformation Art from our sect's origin, the Myriad Spirit Sect of Central Continent. You must give me an explanation for this."

"What kind of explanation do you want?" Chen Mobai asked.

Mu Youyi replied, "Give that spirit snake cultivating the True Spirit Transformation Art to my Beast Taming Sect, or Sect Master Chen can deal with it yourself, and then promise me that this cultivation method will never be passed on. If you agree, consider this an favor owed by my Beast Taming Sect, and in future pioneering efforts to contend for the True Spirit Purification Pills, I am willing to stand with you." This was also a decision Mu Youyi had made after long deliberation. After all, involving a sect's foundational cultivation technique was more important than life or death in the Celestial River Realm. Especially since the Beast Taming Sect was overseen by the Myriad Spirit Sect, they feared punishment if discovered, as Nascent Soul cultivators of the Beast Taming Sect needed to return to the Central Continent to attempt breakthroughs to the Dao Transformation stage. However, the strength of the Five Elements Sect was undeniable; the current Beast Taming Sect was no match for them. And the only opportunity to deal with Chen Mobai had been lost after Tudao retreated. Thus, Mu Youyi could only use the True Spirit Purification Pill as a bargaining chip to see if he could succeed in negotiations.

"After I slew the Venomous Dragon Patriarch, I obtained a great method for refining True Spirit bloodlines and passed it on to my cultivated spirit beast. I didn't expect it to be your Beast Taming Sect's cultivation method," Chen Mobai said. "I understand the rules here in the Eastern Continent. Although I was unaware, this could be considered a transgression. Since Daoist Mu has come today and spoken so frankly, I will give you face. As long as I am in this world, I guarantee that only my spirit beast will cultivate this method; it will absolutely not be passed on to a second spirit beast."

"However, that spirit beast and I share a deep bond, almost like close family. Asking me to hand it over or even execute it is absolutely impossible," Chen Mobai concluded. "I've said my piece. It's up to you, Daoist, to choose whether we are friends or foes."

Chen Mobai was not one to make enemies everywhere. Although the Beast Taming Sect was weaker than the Five Elements Sect, it had a major sect from the Central Continent backing it. Before reaching the Dao Transformation stage, Chen Mobai temporarily did not want to provoke them. So he reined in his temper and gave Mu Youyi a way to back down gracefully.

To his surprise, Mu Youyi offered no rebuttal whatsoever. After listening to his words, he simply nodded and directly agreed. He didn't even mention swearing an oath. He seemed to have great trust in Chen Mobai's character.

After finishing the tea, Chen Mobai personally escorted Mu Youyi out of the Five Elements Merchant Association. Watching him leave, Chen Mobai again thought of Tudao. Each of these individuals who had cultivated to the late Nascent Soul stage cherished their lives more than he had imagined. However, this was also due to the formidable reputation he had established on the Eastern Wu battlefield. If they hadn't known of his immense strength and that they couldn't defeat him alone with absolute certainty, neither Tudao nor Mu Youyi would have been so agreeable. Indeed, with strong fists, one fears nothing anywhere, and everyone is willing to reason with you.

Just then, Chen Mobai's mind stirred, and he felt an indescribable suppression. He looked up towards the Pavilion of Nine Heavens. Had a Dao Transformation cultivator arrived?

Ni Yuanzhong's spiritual message resounded in Chen Mobai's ears, and he immediately nodded. "Sect Master Chen, please come over for a discussion."

Inside the Pavilion of Nine Heavens, in addition to Mount Lord Tudao, Ni Yuanzhong, and Su Zilu, there was a new addition: a young Taoist with white hair, a youthful face, and delicate skin. Is this True Lord Wuchen? Chen Mobai was filled with curiosity. In front of a potential Dao Transformation cultivator, he dared not use the Empty Valley Sound to probe their true nature.

However, the young Taoist was not True Lord Wuchen. He smiled faintly at Chen Mobai, revealing sparkling white teeth, and his demeanor was amiable. "This must be Sect Master Chen of the Five Elements Sect. This humble Taoist is Shen Xi."

Chen Mobai had naturally heard of Shen Xi; he was a contemporary of Ni Yuanzhong. But at that time, Shen Xi was equivalent to Ye Qing among the current generation of Dao Children and Saintesses, subtly a cut above the rest. It was said that a long time ago, he had already refined the Supreme Goodness Dao Fruit and taken half a step towards the Dao Transformation realm. However, because Shen Xi wanted to leave himself the possibility of surpassing his Grand Master in the future, he had never taken the other half-step. It was precisely for this reason that the Moral Sect's rule in the Eastern Continent was as stable as a mountain, because a second Dao Transformation cultivator could emerge at any time.

As Shen Xi spoke, Chen Mobai glanced at the other three. Su Zilu gave a barely perceptible nod. "What I know was all told to me by Elder Su. There is nothing else to add."

Shen Xi nodded after listening, then extended an invitation. "Sect Master Ni and I plan to make a trip to One Yuan Immortal City. Would Sect Master Chen care to accompany us?"

Chen Mobai instinctively wanted to refuse, but quickly remembered that the pioneering effort would begin in just over twenty years. As for the spots for the True Spirit Purification Pills, besides those for the Sacred Lands, if he wanted one, he would definitely need to demonstrate something. If Tudao were allowed to lead the Sect Masters of the Nine Heavens Demon-Slaying Sect and the Moral Sect to clear out the demonic spies within Five Emperors Mountain this time, wouldn't Tudao gain immense prestige?

However, Chen Mobai remained very cautious. Before making a decision, he tested the situation with the Heaven-Connecting Blessing. After confirming there was no danger, he spoke with righteous indignation: "As the legitimate successor of the One Yuan, such a deplorable incident occurring at the Five Emperors Mountain branch sect means I cannot shirk my responsibility. At that time, please allow me to act and thoroughly cleanse Five Emperors Mountain of its demonic aura."

As soon as Chen Mobai spoke, both Shen Xi and Ni Yuanzhong showed expressions of relief. They seemed to feel they hadn't misjudged him. Only Tudao looked like he wanted to speak but ultimately remained silent.

"There's no time like the present. Sect Master Ni and I will conceal ourselves. Please, Sect Master Chen and Junior Brother Tudao, go ahead and help us put on a show," Ni Yuanzhong said, explaining that they had already discussed how to approach Jinde without alerting him. At the same time, they wanted to see if they could draw out the demonic cultivator behind Jinde. If it really was Ming Zun... Chen Mobai suddenly recalled the oppressive feeling he had experienced before arriving. A spiritual presence capable of making even him, a peak Nascent Soul cultivator, feel uneasy, could only be a Dao Transformation True Monarch. Perhaps, just like Ni Yuanzhong and Shen Xi, True Lord Wuchen of the Moral Sect was already hidden among them. Thinking of this, Chen Mobai couldn't help but be glad he had decided to go to the One Yuan Dao Palace. If he had backed down today, his impression score would certainly have been greatly diminished.

After speaking, Shen Xi waved the whisk in his hand, as if raising a water curtain that concealed both him and Ni Yuanzhong. No matter how Chen Mobai and Tudao probed with their spiritual senses, they couldn't detect any trace. They couldn't even hear the Empty Valley Sound of the Longevity Sect. Only after entering the state of "Danfeng Chaoyang Map Responding to Earth Spirits" could Chen Mobai perceive that two people were standing in that spot.

"Senior Brother Shen Xi's stealth technique is truly remarkable," Mount Lord Tudao praised, and Shen Xi replied politely. Afterward, the four of them traveled through a large teleportation array, arriving one after another in One Yuan Immortal City.

Renshui and the other three outer sect Nascent Soul elders guarding the city immediately came over after sensing the auras. They were greatly surprised to see Tudao and Chen Mobai standing together. After exchanging greetings with the three, Mount Lord Tudao uttered words that left them stunned and disbelieving. "I have reached an agreement with Junior Brother Chen. I am now taking him to Five Emperors Mountain to retrieve all the inheritances left by Ancestral Master One Yuan."

Previously, Tudao had used the excuse of returning for three days to discuss with them, but in reality, he hadn't returned. He had merely found a random place in Nine Heavens Immortal City to pass the three days. Therefore, the One Yuan Dao Palace did not know that Tudao had already sold all of the Dao Palace's inheritances for his chance at Dao Transformation.

Before Renshui could finish speaking, the other two outer sect elders had already stepped forward, speaking heatedly and with agitated emotions. "Grand Elder, I believe this is improper!" "I also object!"

Tudao's face showed displeasure upon hearing this. He snorted coldly, ignored the three, and flew directly towards Five Emperors Mountain. "Am I the Grand Elder, or are you the Grand Elders?" As he left, Tudao did not forget to smile and invite Chen Mobai. "Junior Brother Chen, please, this way!"

"It seems Senior Brother Tudao isn't quite the absolute authority here after all!" Chen Mobai remarked. Tudao's expression feigned a slight sourness. He glared at Renshui and the other two, then directly activated his Dao Fruit power, rendering them unable to move or speak further. The Primordial Qi completely suppressed all cultivators of the One Yuan Dao Palace. However, Renshui still possessed the power to resist, but at that moment, he smiled miserably, allowing the Primordial Qi to restrict him. The Dao Palace had been destroyed in the hands of this very person! At this moment, his sorrow was greater than a heart that had died.