Chapter 1060: The Plan of the Five Elements Immortal Spirit Root

“So it's true...”

Upon hearing Chen Mobai's words and seeing the corpse of Yang Jing he had taken out, Qing Nü trembled and collapsed into a chair. Although she had mentally prepared herself, the reality laid out before her still plunged Qing Nü into profound grief.

“Before Jing'er was taken, back in the experimental base where you two spent your childhood, the Ascendant Cult Master had already implanted a divine seed in her. When Yan Xinjie approached Lin Daoming for this project, the main purpose was to cultivate the most suitable embryo for the Ascendant Cult Master. Besides her, your brother was also possessed in the same way...” Chen Mobai, wanting to deliver all the bad news at once, also informed Qing Nü of this terrible revelation he had obtained from the Ascendant Cult Master's memories.

Qing Nü's face turned pale, her eyes flashing with anguish and rage. “I will surely avenge this.” With both her younger brother and sister dead, Qing Nü's heart was completely crushed, and her hatred for Lin Daoming and Yan Xinjie reached its peak.

“Yes, if there's an opportunity, I'll bind them and bring them before you.” Chen Mobai deeply understood Qing Nü's feelings. Although he hadn't interacted much with Kong Feichen and Yang Jing, he had a good impression of them. The fact that their lives were orchestrated for tragedy from birth made Chen Mobai despise Lin Daoming and Yan Xinjie even more.

“I'll go bury Jing'er.” Qing Nü trembled as she approached Yang Jing's body, lifting her in her arms. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and her sobs filled the air. “I'll accompany you...”

Together, Chen Mobai and Qing Nü found a secluded spot within the Yellow Dragon Grotto-Heaven, designated it a forbidden area, and began constructing a simple grave. Yang Jing's body contained a trace of fetal essence, but Chen Mobai didn't need it, and Qing Nü already possessed it. So, after preparing the body, they buried it directly.

Besides the couple, Qing Nü also summoned the Devouring Serpent. “From now on, whenever you have time, come here often to visit.” Qing Nü held the bewildered Devouring Serpent and spoke to it. After confirming Yang Jing's death, she had come to regard the Devouring Serpent as a continuation of her sister's life.

After the burial, Qing Nü stayed in this forbidden area for seven days, with Chen Mobai naturally by her side. After the couple left, the Devouring Serpent took their place, evidently understanding Qing Nü's intention and moving its nest there.

“This is Heavenly Realm Pure Water from the sea realm...” Qing Nü was preparing to cultivate even more diligently, so Chen Mobai handed her this resource he had brought from the Immortal Sect.

“I probably only need to refine less than a fifth of it to achieve 100 points of Immortal Water Spirit Root. You can take the rest back, refine it yourself, or give it to Xuan'er.” As a graduate of Jumang Dao Academy, Qing Nü was well aware of Heavenly Realm Pure Water's properties. Seeing that Chen Mobai had acquired such a valuable resource, and a whole bottle at that, for her, she felt it would be wasteful to use it all.

“I have my own Water Spirit Talisman, so giving it to Xuan'er would be better. However, the effects of Heavenly Realm Pure Water are truly too heaven-defying; if news of it spread, even those Divine Transformation old monsters would be tempted...” Chen Mobai considered this, deciding that it was best not to be so high-profile for now. A single bottle of Heavenly Realm Pure Water could directly grant a mortal a Heavenly Water Spirit Root, making it a truly miraculous spiritual item in the Tianhe Realm. It would be best to wait until he formally achieved Divine Transformation. Luo Yixuan had endured for so many years; a few more years wouldn't make a difference.

“If we could get the Heaven and Earth Dew from the Great Chinese Toon tree leaves in the Immortal Sect, I could refine Heavenly One Spiritual Water. Although its effect isn't as potent as Heavenly Realm Pure Water, each vial can still increase Water Spirit Root by 10 points. If Xuan'er were to take more, it would be no problem to raise her original spirit root value to the Heavenly Water Spirit Root level.” Over the years, Qing Nü had treated Chen Mobai's disciples as her own. Although her interactions with Luo Yixuan were less frequent due to the latter's prolonged stay in Dongyi, she always remembered her.

“That shouldn't be a problem.” Upon hearing this, Chen Mobai nodded repeatedly. He now held absolute authority in the Immortal Sect. He figured Jumang Dao Academy wouldn't dare refuse; at worst, they could offer other resources as compensation. Moreover, while Heavenly One Spiritual Water, which increased Water Spirit Root by 10 points, was considered a rare spiritual item, it wasn't significant enough for the sacred lands to target the Five Elements Sect over it.

After all, while the research on spirit roots in this realm wasn't as thorough as in the Immortal Sect, people had learned from years of consuming various rare treasures that many spiritual items could enhance and improve spirit roots. Chen Mobai even considered that in the future, Danxia Pavilion could offer Heavenly One Spiritual Water as one of its lottery-based purchase items. Furthermore, after achieving Divine Transformation, he could compile a list of other spirit-root-enhancing items he had previously tested, such as Jade Bamboo Shoots, Immortal Peach Fruits, Loquat Fruits, and Azure Blood Carp, and make it known to the disciples of the Five Elements Sect. Doing so would surely trigger a trend of "tasting a hundred herbs and eating a thousand beasts" across the Tianhe Realm. After all, cultivators in this realm would do anything to increase their foundation and cultivation.

This way, Chen Mobai could leverage all the cultivators in the Tianhe Realm to test out spiritual items that could increase spirit root values, seeing if he could complete his remaining three Five Elements Spirit Roots to 100 points each, making them Immortal Spirit Roots. After thoroughly comprehending the *Yi Yuan Dao Scripture* using the Five-Tone Law, Chen Mobai harbored fantasies about the supreme realm of this cultivation method: the Primal Chaos Golden Dou. To best match this cultivation method, it was naturally ideal for his Five Elements Spirit Roots to be perfectly balanced. The Five Elements Immortal Spirit Root was the most suitable. Perhaps he could even surpass True Monarch Yi Yuan and become the first person to achieve the supreme realm of this cultivation method.

Although his fundamental cultivation was the Pure Yang Scroll, the Primal Chaos Golden Dou could be wielded by his Myriad Swords Dharma Body; after all, to everyone in the Tianhe Realm, this was his Yi Yuan Dao Body. If the Primal Chaos Golden Dou were integrated into the Heaven-Severing Sword Domain, Chen Mobai couldn't even imagine how powerful it would become. He estimated that even a Void Refinement cultivator stepping in would instantly have their cultivation stripped away, turning into a mortal. Thinking of this, Chen Mobai felt that his Myriad Swords Dharma Body had a promising future and a splendid destiny.

In addition, Chen Mobai had another idea: to fully complete his Five Elements Spirit Roots and elevate them all to Immortal Spirit Roots in the shortest possible time. This involved using the Immortal Art of Mending Heaven, a legacy of the Butian Dao Academy. This immortal art could reset and reallocate one's spirit root values. If Chen Mobai had extra Heavenly Realm Pure Water in the future, he could first raise his Water Spirit Root to 100 points. After obtaining the opportunity to comprehend the Dao, he could then reset those 100 Water Spirit Root points and reallocate them to his other Five Elements Spirit Roots.

After thinking of this, he discussed the matter with Yuan Xu. However, he learned that each cultivator could only use the Immortal Art of Mending Heaven to reset and reallocate their spirit root points once in their lifetime. Furthermore, for a Divine Transformation cultivator, the toll was significant; to put it simply, it would cost thirty years of cultivation. Despite this, Chen Mobai felt no distress at all. He could have his second Nascent Soul perform the technique, as the Innate Fire Elemental spiritual energy contained within the Pure Yang Orb had not yet been depleted. Moreover, his main body was the most important; minor sacrifices for his Dharma Body were well worth it.

To perfectly utilize the effects of the Immortal Art of Mending Heaven, he would need to raise his Metal and Wood Spirit Roots to over 50 points each. This way, the 100 points reallocated from the Water Spirit Root could fully max out these two. After resetting his Water Spirit Root and maxing out his Metal and Wood Spirit Roots to Immortal Spirit Roots, Chen Mobai could then use Heavenly Realm Pure Water or Heavenly One Spiritual Water to restore his Water Spirit Root. Shuixian still had several bottles of Heavenly Realm Pure Water, so it wouldn't be a problem for Chen Mobai to shamelessly ask for another. He just wondered if, when elevating his Water Spirit Root to the Immortal level for a second time, he could exploit a loophole in the Grand Dao and comprehend the Dao again.

This was an idea Chen Mobai had suddenly conceived while using the Five-Tone Law to comprehend the Yi Yuan Dao Scripture. If he wasn't in a hurry, he could slowly improve his spirit roots using the Immortal Sect's spirit root techniques. After using the True Spirit Yellow Dragon to lure out all the Five Elements Sect's opponents and expose the strength of his Fifth-Order Dharma Body, he assumed the Yi Yuan Dao Palace would collapse at the news. Perhaps they would even voluntarily open the Five Emperors Mountain Array, allowing him to take control. Regarding Five Emperors Mountain, Chen Mobai's only interests now were the Primal Chaos Dao Fruit and the Primal Chaos Bell. And refining these two items with a Five Elements Immortal Spirit Root body would clearly yield the best results.

After clearly considering all the upcoming tasks, Chen Mobai personally escorted Qing Nü into seclusion, then took a trip to the neighboring Wind and Rain Immortal City.

“Sect Master, everyone is already waiting for you.” Inside the main hall of the Immortal City, Zhou Wangshen respectfully addressed Chen Mobai. The latter nodded slightly, putting down some individuals' files he held.

“Wanxing Alliance Deacon Ruan Lilong pays his respects to Sect Master Chen!” The first person Zhou Wangshen brought in was Ruan Lilong of the Flying Sand Sect, who was offering Fifth-Order Sea Soul Agate. While Chen Mobai was in the Immortal Sect, Fu Zongjue's expected failure to form a Nascent Soul had, thanks to prior arrangements, easily transformed into a Dharma Body Nascent Soul. For the Five Elements Sect, what Ruan Lilong was offering was a future Dharma Body Nascent Soul. Considering this, Chen Mobai had to receive him first.

“Nephew, there's no need for such formality. Though I've only met your esteemed elder Taishi Weiguang once, we consider ourselves friends across generations. Originally, after annihilating the million demon cultivators of the Desolate Sea, I should have gone to the Desolate Sea to discuss the distribution of the Myriad Immortals Island territory with him. However, due to numerous matters here in Eastern Wu of the Eastern Wilderness, I haven't been able to depart until now...” As Chen Mobai finished speaking, Ruan Lilong's expression immediately stiffened. After the complete annihilation of the million demon cultivators of the Desolate Sea in Eastern Wu, the Wanxing Alliance naturally didn't miss this immense opportunity. All the immortal island cultivators within the alliance swarmed out, killing some of the remaining demon kings in the Desolate Sea and driving others away, virtually occupying all the territory left by Myriad Immortals Island. Now, listening to Chen Mobai, it was clear that the Five Elements Sect also expected a share of the profits from these territories. After all, the million elites of Myriad Immortals Island had all died by his hand.

“I will report this matter to the Grand Elder upon my return.” Although Ruan Lilong was also a cultivator at the perfected Core Formation stage, he dared not speak too much on this matter and could only invoke Taishi Weiguang.

“It's not a major issue. After all, for our sect, the priority right now is to consolidate our own territory. The Desolate Sea is still a bit far, but I am intent on acquiring the coastal waters of Eastern Wu...” Chen Mobai temporarily had little interest in the Myriad Immortals Island territory far in the Desolate Sea. He merely wanted an excuse to develop it later, when the Five Elements Sect's power grew so vast that the three frontier regions of Dongzhou could no longer contain it. However, the port areas were extremely important. Although the spiritual energy along the Eastern Wu coast was sparse, and the Wanxing Alliance rarely sent patrols there, these territories nominally belonged to the Wanxing Alliance when the Sun family was in power. Chen Mobai now wanted these areas to come under the Five Elements Sect's name.

“In that case, it might still require discussion between Sect Master Chen and our Grand Elder. After all, there are quite a few immortal island underwater spiritual fields there that are alliance assets.” As a representative of the younger generation in the Wanxing Alliance, Ruan Lilong maintained a clear head when facing Chen Mobai, not easily making promises.

“This is the coastline I've drawn. Nephew, take it back to Brother Taishi. If he has no objections, then the Flying Sand Sect will be an ally of my Five Elements Sect from now on.” As Chen Mobai finished speaking, Zhou Wangshen immediately produced a map that had already been prepared and unfurled it in the air. Ruan Lilong glanced at it, frowning slightly. The coastline Chen Mobai had drawn was almost pushing the Wanxing Alliance's bottom line. Any further, and they would certainly not agree.

“After I clear out the goods brought by the caravan, I will take this map back to the Grand Elder and ask him to make the decision.” Ruan Lilong was perfectly discreet, stating that he could not make such a decision himself.

“Then I'll trouble you, Nephew. By the way, the Fifth-Order Sea Soul Agate you presented is very important to me. Is there anything you wish to exchange for it?” Chen Mobai asked. Ruan Lilong had already presented the item when he entered with Zhou Wangshen. Chen Mobai never liked owing favors, so he wanted to settle this debt on the spot.

“Thank you, Sect Master Chen. This item is actually my personal gratitude to you. My dao companion died in the hands of the Twin-Headed Demon King during a war with Myriad Immortals Island. Its demise in Eastern Wu meant Sect Master Chen helped me avenge a great wrong...” Upon hearing Ruan Lilong's explanation, Chen Mobai's expression showed sudden understanding.

“Even so, it feels a bit improper for me to accept a gift from a junior like you. How about this: I see your cultivation is at the perfected Core Formation stage, and you're about to form your Nascent Soul. I might as well offer you some guidance.” As Chen Mobai's words fell, Ruan Lilong's eyes lit up with surprise, and he bowed in thanks. As the Five Elements Sect's power grew, Chen Mobai's reputation as "Great Sage and Benevolent Teacher" spread throughout the Eastern Lands and even the surrounding sea regions. Everyone knew that most of the newly promoted Nascent Soul and Core Formation cultivators in the Five Elements Sect over the past few decades had received his guidance. There was even a saying circulating in the Eastern Wilderness: even a cultivator with miscellaneous spirit roots could easily achieve Foundation Establishment if they received advice from the Great Sage and Benevolent Teacher.

This was an exaggeration. Chen Mobai had always only guided those with outstanding talent, and such individuals naturally had a higher chance of success. However, with such rumors circulating, he was too lazy to correct them. After all, he was still a little vain.

As a representative of the younger generation in the Flying Sand Sect, and being at the perfected Core Formation stage himself, Ruan Lilong naturally possessed first-rate spirit root talent. Following local custom, Chen Mobai did not inquire about his cultivation techniques or similar matters. Instead, he simply allowed Ruan Lilong to ask questions, which he would then answer. With an excited heart, Ruan Lilong was initially a bit reserved, asking questions for which he had thought of answers but was unsure if they were feasible. After listening, Chen Mobai would make a decisive judgment. For feasible ideas, he could provide even more profound reasons. For unfeasible ones, he would demonstrate on the spot, showing Ruan Lilong why they wouldn't work, and finally offering several viable alternative methods.

As time passed, Ruan Lilong became completely immersed in the process of seeking guidance. He asked every question he had accumulated over two hundred years of cultivation, big or small, all at once. Chen Mobai did not show any impatience, maintaining a gentle expression as he answered him from morning till night.

“Thank you, Sect Master Chen, for imparting the Dao, teaching, and resolving my doubts! Your kindness is like that of my master!” After Ruan Lilong finished asking his questions, it was already the early morning of the third day. He performed a great bow to Chen Mobai, as one would to a revered master. “I've spoken quite a lot in one go. I'll engrave what I've said onto a jade slip; you can slowly comprehend it when you return.” Chen Mobai, however, did not allow him to complete the bow. While Ruan Lilong remained frozen in place, Chen Mobai took out a jade slip, engraved it on the spot with his divine sense, and handed it to him.

“Escort him out. The next person must be getting impatient.” Upon hearing this, Zhou Wangshen nodded and led Ruan Lilong out of the hall. Ruan Lilong, holding the jade slip, still seemed reluctant to leave. At that moment, he deeply lamented why he wasn't a disciple of the Five Elements Sect. If he had been guided by a Great Sage and Benevolent Teacher like Sect Master Chen, he might have formed his Nascent Soul long ago. Unfortunately, at his age, it was impossible for him to change sects.

After sighing, Ruan Lilong, as he exited the hall, noticed a Foundation Establishment cultivator waiting outside and couldn't help but glance at him curiously. “No need to see us off, Fellow Daoist. I'll take this Fellow Daoist in to meet the Sect Master.” Zhou Wangshen cupped his hands at Ruan Lilong, who immediately returned the gesture, then watched the two enter the main hall.

Who was this Foundation Establishment cultivator? After Ruan Lilong left, he immediately sent people from the Wanxing Alliance to inquire. Soon, he learned of the cultivator's background. His name was Mei Longzheng, an outstanding beast tamer from Wind and Rain Immortal City. The Five Elements Sect had excellent inheritances in various immortal cultivation arts, but it was somewhat lacking in beast taming and had been trying to compensate for this deficiency. Due to his outstanding professional expertise in beast taming, Mei Longzheng had been hired as one of the lecturers by the Spiritual Beast Department, and it was said that preparations were underway for him to teach at the academy.

Truly worthy of being the Great Sage and Benevolent Teacher! For the dignified Sect Master to be so concerned about education was impressive. After learning Mei Longzheng's background, Ruan Lilong couldn't help but inwardly praise him. He believed that the Five Elements Sect's rise was primarily due to Sect Master Chen's excellent grasp of education.

In recent years, besides the various academies officially established by the Five Elements Sect, numerous private tutoring classes and small academies organized by cultivation families and sects had sprung up like mushrooms in the major immortal cities under the Five Elements Sect's dominion. These institutions taught from textbooks compiled by Chen Mobai and Qing Nü for the Five Elements Sect's academies and hired teachers from those very academies. Initially, cultivation families created these to provide early enlightenment for their descendants, allowing them to familiarize themselves with textbook content and study ahead before admission. This way, they could gain an early advantage. If they were lucky enough to become the top graduate of an academy, the Five Elements Sect would directly reward them with a Foundation Establishment Pill. Over these years, cultivation families and other forces in the Eastern Wilderness had also profited greatly by following the Five Elements Sect's large-scale infrastructure projects, so they were willing to pay high prices to poach academy teachers to give lessons.

Chen Mobai had only just learned about this matter. He felt that this situation was unacceptable. The original intention of establishing the academies was for the Five Elements Sect to gather all talents under its command. However, if things continued this way, those who excelled early in the academies would be the disciples from influential families. Furthermore, the resources allocated to each grade in the academies were based on rankings, which would delay the progress of truly talented individuals from commoner backgrounds. Although Chen Mobai knew that absolute fairness and justice were unattainable in any world, he was willing to strive for as much fairness and justice as possible.

Therefore, he issued an order prohibiting teachers from the academies under the Five Elements Sect from accepting employment or even private tutoring from external forces. Upon discovery, they would receive a warning, have their teaching qualifications revoked, or even be directly punished according to sect laws. As a result, apart from externally hired teachers in the academies, who would still be poached with massive spirit stones, all others with Five Elements Sect backgrounds immediately distanced themselves. Fortunately, when Chen Mobai issued this decree, he also stated that past violations before the decree would not be pursued.

Hiring Mei Longzheng to teach beast taming courses had been on the agenda for a long time. However, when Zhou Wangshen was reviewing the approval, he instinctively conducted a background check, which revealed the truth that Mei Longzheng was from the Beast Control Sect. Thus, Mei Longzheng's hiring process had been stalled at Zhou Wangshen's desk. Upon learning about this, Chen Mobai, however, felt that this person could be useful.

Inside the main hall. When Mei Longzheng was brought in by Zhou Wangshen and saw Chen Mobai, his legs turned to jelly. Initially, when Zhou Wangshen summoned him, he thought it was merely the Lord of Eastern Wu who wished to see him. He had been wondering about the purpose, but he never imagined that the person who wanted to see him was this "Killing God."

“The Yunmeng Academy has consistently mentioned a lack of outstanding beast-taming teachers. I have reviewed your resume, Mr. Mei, and find you very suitable. Would you be willing to humble yourself to teach the future disciples of my Five Elements Sect?” As Mei Longzheng trembled all over, Chen Mobai spoke with a gentle expression. “Ah... This is my honor!” Mei Longzheng exclaimed in surprise, then quickly swallowed, respectfully indicating his acceptance. The head of the Spiritual Beast Department in Wind and Rain Immortal City had mentioned this matter to him long ago, but after such a long time with no response, he had assumed it fell through. He hadn't expected that it required personal approval from this esteemed figure. The Five Elements Sect seemed to place an extraordinarily high importance on education.

“Very good, very good. Besides that, there's one more thing. To ensure that our teachers have no issues with their ideological character, our sect conducts background checks on every teacher. We found that Mr. Mei seems to hail from the Eastern Lands Beast Control Sect. How did you come to live here in the Eastern Wilderness?” Chen Mobai had his suspicions about Mei Longzheng's reason for being there, but he laid it out openly, wanting to hear the man's explanation directly.

“Reporting to Sect Master Chen, I was sent here on orders. After all, with your esteemed sect's growing power, our Beast Control Sect also intends to open up a market here, and even establish a trading house.” “However, due to my limited abilities, not only have I failed to make a name for the Beast Control Sect over these years, but I've also been lazy, only managing to get by with the skills I learned in the sect.” “But over these years, I have genuinely grown to love life here. Not long ago, I even took out a loan to buy a house, planning to settle here for the rest of my life and not return to the Eastern Lands.” Mei Longzheng certainly couldn't say that he was there to monitor the Yellow Dragon Grotto-Heaven. He offered the explanation he had long prepared. These words were perfectly watertight.

“That's excellent, truly excellent. For Mr. Mei to find a sense of belonging here makes my centuries of developing the Eastern Wilderness and establishing various immortal cities well worth it.” Chen Mobai seemed very pleased upon hearing this.

“By the way, your esteemed sect's Grand Elder Mu Youyi previously mentioned that he received information from a scout sent by the Beast Control Sect to the Eastern Wilderness, claiming that my spiritual beast, the Devouring Serpent, had cultivated your sect's secret True Spirit Transformation Art. He wanted me to provide an explanation. I wonder if Mr. Mei is aware of this matter?” As Chen Mobai finished this statement with a smile, Mei Longzheng fell to his knees, trembling, and repeatedly begged for mercy. “Sect Master Chen, it has nothing to do with me! I was merely following orders.” “After all, I was still a member of the Beast Control Sect back then and still harbored illusions about it.” “But now, I genuinely wish to start a new life here in the Eastern Wilderness and live out the rest of my days peacefully. A few days ago, regarding your True Spirit Yellow Dragon's tribulation, I pretended not to know and did not relay that news back to the Beast Control Sect.” “Please spare my life! I am willing to cut ties with the Beast Control Sect and serve the Five Elements Sect for the rest of my life...”

Mei Longzheng's string of pleas caused Zhou Wangshen, standing nearby, to narrow his eyes, already contemplating how to act. Such a task of killing should certainly not dirty the Sect Master's hands; he would do it instead.

“Oh? Mr. Mei didn't relay the message back?” Upon hearing this, Chen Mobai asked with a hint of surprise. “Absolutely true, I swear!” Mei Longzheng immediately raised his hand, affirming that he stood with the Five Elements Sect on this matter.

“How can that be? Mr. Mei, as a disciple of the Beast Control Sect, once a disciple, always a disciple. You must relay this news back! Make sure your esteemed sect's Grand Elder Mu Youyi knows about it.” At this moment, Chen Mobai stood up, personally helped Mei Longzheng to his feet, and then spoke words that left both Mei Longzheng and Zhou Wangshen astonished. “Huh?” “What, Mr. Mei, are you unwilling to relay it?” Chen Mobai asked, narrowing his eyes. Mei Longzheng immediately nodded his head like a pestle. “I'll transmit it, I'll transmit it right away!”