Chapter 1066: Upper Realm Matters

Chen Mobai mostly listened, only speaking a few words to advocate for himself when the discussion concerned the Five Elements Sect.

Shenxi fully considered the opinions of everyone present. After all, although the three major Sacred Lands were the main force in this reclamation, the many Nascent Soul sects also formed a foundation that could not be underestimated. Especially since the three major Sacred Lands had lost some personnel during the war between the righteous and demonic factions, it was even more important to fully mobilize everyone's enthusiasm.

Ultimately, the general plan remained unchanged, but the original four reclamation routes were increased to eight. With Dongling Immortal City as the center, the routes were named after the Eight Trigrams. As previously agreed, the Five Elements Sect was assigned the Kun position in the due south, the One Origin Dao Palace was responsible for the Kan position, and the Star Sky Dao Sect went to the Qian position.

The Five Burning Heavens Lineages, led by Hongyun, were eager to earn merits. The three major Sacred Lands allocated the Zhen position in the southwest to them, but stipulated that the elites of the Five Burning Heavens Lineages must assist the three major Sacred Lands during the formal campaign against the Golden Flame Suan Ni. The main armies of the three major Sacred Lands were stationed in the Li position, west of Dongling Immortal City. This direction led directly to Shituo Ridge, the lair of the Golden Flame Suan Ni. The remaining vacant positions were opened by the three major Sacred Lands to all forces and rogue cultivators participating in this reclamation effort.

Any cultivator who killed a demonic beast from the desolate ruins could bring its corpse or inner core to Dongling Immortal City to exchange for Morality Coins. First-tier demonic beasts, categorized into low, mid, and high grades, could be exchanged for 1, 5, or 10 Morality Coins respectively. Second-tier ones for 100, 500, or 1,000. Third-tier for 10,000, 50,000, or 100,000. Fourth-tier for 1 million, 5 million, or 10 million. Fifth-tier demonic beasts had no grades; they were uniformly valued at 100 million.

However, in the reclamation area, the Golden Flame Suan Ni was the only fifth-tier true spirit. If anyone present could single-handedly slay the Golden Flame Suan Ni, the Morality Sect was willing to directly bestow a Spirit-Penetrating True Spirit Pill.

"So, if one has 100 million Morality Coins, they can exchange them for a Spirit-Penetrating True Spirit Pill from your sect, correct?" Chen Mobai grasped the key point after listening and couldn't help but ask.

At his words, everyone present looked at him with surprise, wondering if this Sect Master Chen was actually contemplating slaying the Golden Flame Suan Ni. Chen Mobai, of course, had no such intention. He merely felt that 100 million was not an unachievable sum. According to the Morality Sect's standards, if he slew ten high-grade fourth-tier demonic beasts, wouldn't that amount to 100 million? It wasn't as if he absolutely had to kill the Golden Flame Suan Ni.

"Sect Master Chen has misunderstood," Shenxi said, clear-headed and not led astray by Chen Mobai. "I merely stated that slaying the Golden Flame Suan Ni can directly be exchanged for a Spirit-Penetrating True Spirit Pill, but it doesn't mean that 100 million Morality Coins can be exchanged for one. Furthermore, that amount is quite exaggerated; it's unlikely anyone here could accumulate it. As I said before, once the pills are refined, my sect will select the few fellow Daoists with the most Morality Coins and bestow the surplus Spirit-Penetrating True Spirit Pills upon them." However, Shenxi still believed inwardly that it was impossible for anyone to accumulate 100 million.

"What a pity," Chen Mobai said, shaking his head regretfully. Upon hearing his remark, everyone's expressions became even stranger. Someone recalled Chen Mobai's terrifying feat of annihilating millions of demonic beasts in the desolate sea of Dongwu, and couldn't help but shiver. If the Primordial Five Elements Extinction Divine Thunder were to be unleashed again in the desolate ruins, it seemed that 100 million Morality Coins wouldn't be an impossible task. Someone immediately relayed this thought to Shenxi, who couldn't help but gasp, thinking how fortunate it was that he hadn't agreed just now, otherwise, he might have invited unknown karmic retribution upon himself.

"Sect Master Chen, there's one more thing," Shenxi continued. "This reclamation of the desolate ruins to form the Dongling Domain is intended to turn this area into the future center for humanity in Eastern Continent. Therefore, it would be best not to use magical techniques or divine abilities that harm heavenly harmony, lest the land become scorched earth for thousands of miles, devoid of life..."

Hearing Shenxi's words and seeing the terrified looks of everyone present, Chen Mobai knew they had misunderstood. "Sect Master Shenxi, please rest assured," Chen Mobai immediately clarified. "If the Primordial Five Elements Extinction Divine Thunder were to detonate a spiritual vein, it would require years of refining with a grand formation. Senior Brother Tude can also attest to this."

"It certainly can't be done within a few years," Tude interjected, "but Junior Brother Chen's mastery of formations is extraordinary. With enough personnel and a suitable spiritual vein, it should be achievable in about ten to twenty years." Tude's remark, however, made Chen Mobai choke. Over the years, his reputation as a fifth-tier artifact craftsman, formation master, and talisman maker had become well-known in the Eastern Lands, spread by the Five Elements Commerce Guild and Xiaonanshan Shop.

"This reclamation is primarily about quick victories, so it shouldn't take that long," Shenxi said, relieved. Slaying the Golden Flame Suan Ni was all about speed. This early reclamation was also to catch it off guard.

"If none of you have any objections, then the rules are set," Shenxi said, pointing to the map of the desolate ruins and the Eight Trigram positions, condensed from water vapor, with flags representing the three major Sacred Lands, the Five Elements Sect, and other forces.

"Excellent!" Chen Mobai and the others all nodded.

This reclamation was primarily about relying on one's own abilities. The three major Sacred Lands only had the Golden Flame Suan Ni in their sights, while forces below the Sacred Lands, such as the Five Elements Sect and the Star Sky Dao Sect, aimed to accumulate enough Morality Coins to be at the forefront of the queue for exchanging Spirit-Penetrating True Spirit Pills, outside of the Sacred Lands. The Star Sky Dao Sect, the One Origin Dao Palace, and the Five Elements Sect, these three super-forces second only to the Sacred Lands, were each allocated a complete area. However, they certainly couldn't compare to the combined might of the three major Sacred Lands, and it was estimated that they might not even be able to clear their assigned areas before the Golden Flame Suan Ni was slain.

Besides the Spirit-Penetrating True Spirit Pill, Chen Mobai also paid attention to the price of the Nascent Soul Condensing Pill. It was priced at three million Morality Coins. At this price, it was practically impossible for the Golden Core forces participating in the reclamation to qualify for exchange. The Morality Sect clearly knew this, so at Dongling Immortal City, Morality Coins could be transferred. In other words, one person's Morality Coins could be transferred to another. However, the Morality Sect would charge a 20% handling fee, and transfers could only take place within Dongling Immortal City. This was to prevent cultivators from directly robbing others for Morality Coins. As long as they were within Dongling Immortal City, the Morality Sect would ensure the safety of every reclamation cultivator. This was primarily a channel established for major sects and forces. For example, Chen Mobai, as the leader of the Five Elements Sect, could transfer the Morality Coins of his disciples to his own account to ensure he had more than Xingji Tude and others. He could compensate them with spiritual stones, sect contribution points, or even Five Elements Coins of equivalent value.

"This feels a bit like currency exchange!" Chen Mobai thought of his own Five Elements Coins and the Morality Sect's Morality Coins, feeling as if he had been plagiarized, but he dared not say anything. After all, in this world, there was no such thing as intellectual property rights.

After the meeting adjourned, the Nascent Soul cultivators present left in twos and threes, according to their social circles. Chen Mobai, however, was invited by Yuan Zhen to a gathering of the Sacred Land Daoists and Saintesses.

In a courtyard, Yuan Zhen introduced the only cultivator present whom Chen Mobai didn't recognize: "This is Senior Brother Xuande from the Morality Sect." Xuande was tall, but his cheeks were slightly plump, and a benevolent smile played on his lips. Dressed in a long blue robe with cloud patterns, his belly protruded slightly, and his wide sleeves billowed. Standing there, he appeared very dignified and steady. Listening with the fifth-tier Empty Valley Voice, Chen Mobai discovered that although Xuande outwardly appeared to be at the mid-stage Nascent Soul, he had concealed his true cultivation, which was even higher than Zhang Pankong's. "This is a formidable fat man," Chen Mobai thought.

Chen Mobai, holding Xuande in high regard, took the initiative to speak: "I've long heard of the Daoist Disciple's great name; it's a pleasure to finally meet you today."

"Sect Master Chen, you are too kind," Xuande immediately returned the courtesy. "It is my greatest honor to meet a prominent figure like you, admired by all." At this moment, Qi Jiansu, who was beside him, had already brought out the tea set and began to invite everyone to drink tea.

"This is Shoumei tea, freshly picked this year from in front of our sect's mountain gate..." Chen Mobai had been wondering whether to bring out his own spirit tea, but upon hearing Qi Jiansu mention Shoumei, he immediately dismissed the thought. "I've long heard of Eastern Continent's number one immortal tea, and never imagined I'd have the honor of tasting it today."

When Chen Mobai previously met with Yu Shuji and Yan Shaoyin, they discussed the various immortal teas of Eastern Continent, and Shoumei was universally acknowledged as supreme. Each cup consumed could extend one's lifespan by a year, up to a maximum of 360 years. This was almost comparable to the fifth-tier fruits of the Great Chun Tree.

"As Daoists and Saintesses of our sects, we each get a five-liang share every twenty years," Xuande said with a smile. "Once it's no longer useful for us to drink, we'll invite you all over daily to enjoy it." As Xuande spoke, smiling, he also took out a jade box from his storage pouch, containing the Shoumei tea he had just acquired this year. He felt a bit uneasy letting Qi Jiansu provide all the tea for the guests.

"Thank you both," Yuan Zhen said, not at all politely. She looked expectantly at Qi Jiansu, who was boiling water after adding the tea leaves.

"If there's more of this, I could sell it to the other four continents," Zhang Pankong immediately thought. "Those Nascent Soul cultivators, or even Spirit Transformation cultivators, whose lifespans are nearing their end, would be willing to pay a very high price for it."

"Easy, easy," Xuande replied, "I happen to be planning to attempt refining the Spirit-Penetrating True Spirit Pill. With these tea leaves, could you perhaps help me acquire a portion of a fifth-tier true spirit's essence blood?" Upon hearing this, Xuande handed his recently closed tea box to Zhang Pankong, his face full of anticipation.

"You wish!" Zhang Pankong immediately laughed and scolded, pushing the box back. The essence blood of a fifth-tier true spirit was far more valuable than Xuande's small box of Shoumei tea. If it were enough Shoumei tea to fully extend lifespan by 360 years, then it would certainly be no problem.

"The tea is ready," Qi Jiansu said with a gentle smile. With a delicate hand, she poured the teapot, ensuring that each cup contained precisely the same amount of tea. Chen Mobai gazed at the crystal-clear tea in his hand, breathed in the faint herbal fragrance, and couldn't help but drink it all in one gulp. After one cup, everyone's cheeks were slightly flushed. This was a sign of increased vital energy and life force within their bodies. All present were Nascent Soul cultivators, and with their divine sense circulating, they had already refined the cup of Shoumei tea.

"It's a pity that Senior Brother Ye and Junior Sister Shan aren't here," Zhang Pankong said with some regret after finishing his tea.

"Is Brother Ye still in seclusion?" Chen Mobai asked Yuan Zhen.

"Yes, Senior Brother is in death seclusion this time; he won't emerge for another seven years, and we dare not disturb him," Yuan Zhen said with a sigh. Ye Qing had set his emergence time before entering seclusion. If the Morality Sect's early reclamation and slaying of the Golden Flame Suan Ni went smoothly this time, Ye Qing might not have anything to do with it.

"That's truly a shame," Chen Mobai said, expressing regret that Ye Qing wasn't there. "However, with Brother Ye's talent and aptitude, he can easily achieve Spirit Transformation even without a Spirit-Penetrating True Spirit Pill." Chen Mobai and Ye Qing were sworn brothers, and he spoke with confidence in Ye Qing's abilities.

"I hope so," Yuan Zhen could only reply with a wry smile. In her opinion, having a Spirit-Penetrating True Spirit Pill would certainly be best.

At this point, Chen Mobai asked about another absent person, the Supreme Void Saintess Shan Miaosu. She had personally handled a business deal for the Five Elements Sect in the Eastern Wilds before, and Chen Mobai had met her once, leaving a deep impression.

"Junior Sister Shan has a Void Spirit Body," Zhang Pankong explained, treating them like trusted friends and revealing many confidential matters. "It seems the Central Continent headquarters received some news from the upper realms that needed her to relay. Great hopes are placed on her, so she has been cultivating in Central Continent all these years. She was originally supposed to come, but her comprehension of the Void Dun Jia Art has reached a critical juncture, and she doesn't want to miss this chance to potentially master it..." Hearing "Void Dun Jia Art," Chen Mobai's heart stirred. So this art was so difficult to master that even the Supreme Void Saintess hadn't perfected it. No wonder he couldn't even get started with it before.

"News from the upper realms? Could Junior Brother perhaps reveal more?" Xuande asked, focusing on another point with curiosity.

"I only know that Grand Ancestor True King Taixu reappeared in the Spirit Void Immortal Realm decades ago, and subsequently, our headquarters received a decree from the upper realms," Zhang Pankong said. Although Zhang Pankong was a Daoist Disciple of the Supreme Void, he was from Eastern Continent and not a direct descendant, so he didn't know much.

"True King Taixu!" Xuande exclaimed in astonishment. It was important to note that, after the creation of the Heavenly River Realm, apart from the Mother of Waters, the legends surrounding True King Taixu were the most numerous. For them, he was almost a creator deity. Even Grand Ancestor Jiutian Dangmo would show junior respect when meeting True King Taixu. Such a transcendent being, who had already surpassed all limits, had returned? Could it be that something major was about to happen? Not only Xuande, but Chen Mobai also considered this possibility. Especially since he knew that his own turtle treasure was obtained by Liu Chengpei from a divine statue enshrined in a Supreme Void Temple. That statue was precisely of True King Taixu. However, mortals regarded him as a deity, hence the respectful title True God Taixu!

"I've heard my master, who has already ascended, mention this," Yuan Zhen suddenly interjected, saying something that made Chen Mobai's entire body tremble. "Apparently, True King Taixu returned to look for something."