Chapter 1069: Heaven and Earth Xuánjī Instrument

After meeting with the group from the Beast Taming Sect, Chen Mobai began frequent excursions, mainly to survey the desolate ruins that the Five Elements Sect intended to develop.

Although the Daoist Sect provided a map they had drawn, Chen Mobai found it too simplistic after comparing it with the actual terrain. It only marked spiritual veins of Tier 3 and above, and had many omissions.

Normally, this kind of task wouldn't require his personal involvement. However, since he had nothing else to do and wanted to provide an opportunity for the Beast Taming Sect to gain experience, he personally led the Five Elements Sect's geomancers.

Half a year quickly passed.

The Five Elements Sect's second wave of forces arrived by flying ship at Golden Star Valley, located three thousand li from Dongling Immortal City.

Golden Star Valley boasted a low-grade Tier 4 spiritual vein, with scenic mountains and rivers shrouded in mists. It naturally possessed a powerful concealment formation, but under Chen Mobai's Heavenly Blessing Earth Spirit technique, it was revealed without any hindrance.

Within the valley lived a group of Mountain Pangolins, the leader of which possessed peak Tier 3 cultivation. After the Five Elements Sect's army entered, they were all captured.

Originally, Duan Shuyu wanted to kill them all, but Chen Mobai realized that Mountain Pangolins are excellent at burrowing and locating mineral veins. He therefore spared them and had the accompanying disciples from the Spirit Beast Department tame them.

After all, this wasteland was an undeveloped treasure trove. Compared to medicinal herbs and rare fruits, the underground mineral veins and crystals were largely unexploited by demon beasts. Instead of competing with the Daoist Sect and others in the medicinal herb business, the Five Elements Sect could carve out its own niche in mineral extraction.

After occupying Golden Star Valley, Chen Mobai immediately drafted plans for an immortal city on site.

The second group of cultivators from the Five Elements Sect, led by Mo Douguang, included not only forces from the vassal states of Dongwu, Dongyi, and Donghuang, but also numerous skilled workers experienced in large-scale infrastructure projects.

Over the past century, aside from desertification control, most other engineering projects in Donghuang had largely been completed. Consequently, this group of skilled workers had been increasingly idle in recent years.

When the Five Elements Sect occasionally launched a new project, dozens, sometimes even hundreds, of people would compete for a single position.

This led to a significant change in Donghuang. Previously, anyone willing to work could earn sufficient spirit stones. Now, however, those without specialized skills or who couldn't cope with the intense internal competition were reduced to selling their spiritual power for a mere pittance.

However, many people in Donghuang had already engaged in excessive consumption, buying homes with loans. Merely selling their spiritual power was no longer enough. Under these circumstances, the usually stable Donghuang experienced unrest, as failure to repay loans meant their homes would be repossessed.

Some individuals, in desperation, resorted to illegal activities, once again becoming rogue cultivators.

To address this problem, E Yun ordered the Hall of Punishment to deploy forces to maintain order, while simultaneously striving to create as many job opportunities as possible.

However, most industries within Donghuang were already saturated. The large surplus of skilled laborers primarily specialized in infrastructure, meaning suitable job openings were limited. Consequently, they could only be reassigned to the Five Elements Sect's territories outside Donghuang.

This was also partly why Dongwu was able to recover so rapidly within just a few decades after the war.

E Yun and Zhou Wangshen collaborated to relocate cultivators who couldn't compete in Donghuang or transition to other professions to Dongwu.

And now, with the development of the Dongling region, these individuals found even greater opportunities to utilize their skills.

Thanks to the generous terms and substantial relocation allowances offered by the Five Elements Sect, most people boarded the ships without hesitation.

“Besides Golden Star Valley, there are these four other spiritual veins: two are Tier 4, and two are Tier 3. Zhou Wangshen will lead the workers in establishing an immortal city base here. Senior Brother Mo, you and Duan Shuyu will lead the Five Elements Sect's army towards these four spiritual veins.”

“Once these spiritual veins are secured, establish formation plates and construct the remaining immortal cities. I also intend to set up the Five Elements Profound Mystery Formation here, which requires five immortal cities. I carefully selected these spiritual veins; while not the most spiritually abundant, they align with the Five Elements attributes.”

“Once the grand formation is established, we will be able to encompass the desolate ruins we intend to develop. Then, using these five immortal city strongholds as centers, we will advance towards the surrounding 379 spiritual veins of varying sizes.”

“Most of these spiritual veins are guarded by various demon beasts, but they also contain a wealth of heavenly materials, earthly treasures, and rare mineral deposits. Senior Brother Mo, when developing these areas, remember not to use overly violent methods. Proceed gradually, as we aim for complete acquisition of resources.”

In the newly constructed stone grand hall at the center of Golden Star Valley, Chen Mobai stood at the forefront, pointing at a 3D map he had personally created, as he outlined the plans for this pioneering endeavor.

By his side were Mo Douguang and Yin Qingmei.

Mo Douguang had reached a bottleneck in his cultivation, and having achieved mastery in sword intent, he wished to hone his swordsmanship during this pioneering work, hoping it would provide an opportunity for a breakthrough.

As for Yin Qingmei, Chen Mobai had sent for her. He had previously sensed unusual activity from the Heavenly Venerate's branch within the Divine Tree Secret Realm and wanted her to stay away for a while to avoid any potential influence.

Furthermore, among the many Nascent Soul cultivators in the Five Elements Sect, aside from himself and Qing Nu, Yin Qingmei and Chen Lingming held the greatest promise for achieving Divinity Transformation. However, Chen Lingming hailed from the One Yuan Dao Palace, while Yin Qingmei was personally groomed by him, leading to exceptional trust in her.

By bringing her to this pioneering project, Chen Mobai also aimed to guide her as much as possible.

After all, in another two or three years, once his inherent pure yang qi accumulation reached perfection and he settled the miscellaneous affairs of the Beast Taming Sect, he would primarily be in seclusion and would no longer have such free time.

With all arrangements for this pioneering venture complete, Chen Mobai felt a sense of relief.

Given the Five Elements Sect's strength, they could easily overcome any challenge, provided they didn't encounter Tier 5 demon beasts, by relying on their numerical superiority and war formations.

Simultaneously, in the other eight cardinal directions, various major powers had already commenced their fervent pioneering efforts.

In pursuit of the Saint-Connecting True Spirit Pill, sects like the Star Heaven Dao Sect and One Yuan Dao Palace deployed their full resources, determined to overcome every obstacle. Even when they occasionally encountered powerful Tier 4 demon beasts, Xingji Tude would disregard his status and personally lead his junior brothers and sisters in surrounding and slaying them.

However, the wasteland, rich in natural treasures, was also home to powerful demon beasts that had developed sentience. Sensing the presence of the human armies, they began to unite in resistance. Numerous demon kings gathered, forming roaring armies, and engaged in fierce battles with the major sects.

Facing this situation, Xingji and the others showed no hesitation. In fact, in their eyes, these creatures were nothing more than walking Virtue Coins.

While establishing formations on the front lines to hold back the demon beast army, they also sent envoys to Dongling Immortal City to invite other Nascent Soul cultivators to jointly claim the massive bounty of accumulated Virtue Coins.

However, due to their competition over the Saint-Connecting True Spirit Pill, Chen Mobai did not receive an invitation.

“If Xingji manages to defeat that demon beast army in one decisive strike, he'll likely accumulate tens of millions of Virtue Coins instantly.”

In the courtyard of Dongling Immortal City, Chen Mobai, Zhang Pankong, and others were once again enjoying tea and discussing the current situation.

Xuande even suspected that Xingji might have deliberately allowed the demon kings of the wasteland to unite, specifically to orchestrate this grand scheme.

“Even if he succeeds in defeating them, the Star Heaven Dao Sect will have to pay a steep price.”

Yuan Zhen said nonchalantly. She, too, had received an invitation from Xingji, with Three Lights Divine Water as the reward.

She did not refuse, as, being the current leading figure of the Yuan family, she still needed to support her clan. Conveniently, a junior was about to form a Nascent Soul and still required a portion of the Three Lights Divine Water.

In the past, her family had supported her; now it was her turn to contribute.

Besides Yuan Zhen, everyone else present had also received an invitation. Xuande and Qi Jiansu were permitted to choose any Tier 5 medicinal ingredient from the Star Heaven Dao Sect's treasury.

Only Zhang Pankong declined.

It wasn't that he disdained these offerings, but rather that the armies of the three great Sacred Lands had also begun their advance towards Shituo Ridge. The Jadefall Palace Master disliked managing affairs, so all sorts of miscellaneous duties fell to him, leaving him no time to earn extra.

“Xingji is a bit stingy; why didn't he invite me?”

Chen Mobai said with a smile. The two portions of Three Lights Divine Water belonging to the Five Elements Sect had already been used by Sheng Zhaoxi and Fu Zongjue. Moreover, due to the Sacred Land's regulations, he hadn't exchanged for more using Golden Liquid Jade Return Pills in recent years.

“Once you achieve Divinity Transformation, you can exchange for them at every Big Dipper Grand Assembly.”

Zhang Pankong offered this in response to Chen Mobai's remark.

“I hope so.”

The moment Chen Mobai finished speaking, his expression subtly shifted as he gazed towards the teleportation array on the west side of Dongling Immortal City.

A powerful aura, one that even caused him a sense of pressure, emanated from the teleportation array. Simultaneously, the spiritual veins of the entire Dongling Mountain began to tremble.

At the 'Earth Spirit Response' realm, Chen Mobai perceived that this was due to the teleportation array being rooted in the spiritual vein. However, the spiritual energy required to transport the incoming individual was so immense that even with vast quantities of spirit stones being consumed, this spiritual vein, already elevated to low-grade Tier 5, was still struggling to cope.

For such a phenomenon to occur, Chen Mobai could only deduce one reason.

A Divinity Transformation True Monarch had arrived.

Was it True Monarch Wuchen or True Monarch Dakong?

As his expression grew solemn, the other Dao Sons and Saintesses looked slightly puzzled. A moment later, when the Divinity Transformation aura fully emanated from the teleportation array, Zhang Pankong and Xuande also sensed it, simultaneously rising to look in its direction.

The two exchanged glances, unable to suppress their shock.

Although they knew Chen Mobai's cultivation surpassed their own, they had not anticipated his divine sense to be so significantly stronger.

Suddenly, the cloud-patterned jade pendants at Xuande's and Qi Jiansu's waists began to glow.

“Everyone, a senior master has arrived, so we shall take our leave.”

As soon as they spoke, everyone understood that True Monarch Wuchen had arrived.

“Farewell, both of you. Let's gather again soon.”

Once the two from the Daoist Sect departed, Yuan Zhen and Zhang Pankong also took their leave from Chen Mobai. The arrival of a Divinity Transformation True Monarch signified the commencement of the main phase of the pioneering effort.

The three great Sacred Lands were about to make their move against the Golden Flame Suanni.

Chen Mobai remained in Dongling Immortal City for some time, initially expecting that the arriving Divinity Transformation cultivator would summon the leaders of the various factions. However, True Monarch Wuchen proved to be a person of swift action. Upon his arrival, he immediately instructed the Daoist Sect to prepare the Heaven and Earth Xuanji Formation.

Three days later, Chen Mobai, who was guiding Yin Qingmei and her companions in their cultivation in his private courtyard, suddenly noticed that the surrounding spiritual energy of heaven and earth had become uncontrollable, and his expression shifted in surprise.

In his perception, not only the spiritual vein energy of the entire Dongling Mountain, but also the free spiritual energy within a ten-thousand-li radius beyond it, and even various forms of pure qi within the Heavenly Gang, and starlight, along with other energies, were all being controlled by a mysterious rule.

“Sect Master…”

Yin Qingmei had clearly also noticed it; as a Nascent Soul cultivator, she was even more sensitive to such phenomena, and her face betrayed her fear.

“A Divinity Transformation cultivator is acting; remember not to circulate your energy in resistance.”

Chen Mobai instructed the three women, then swiftly landed on the rooftop, spiritual light radiating from his eyes as he gazed up at the sky above Dongling Immortal City.

He saw a cyan-golden orb, which had materialized in the sky at some unknown point, resembling a star.

But from Chen Mobai's perspective as a Tier 5 Artifact Forger, he immediately recognized it as a powerful magic artifact.

The Heaven and Earth Xuanji Instrument!

The name of this supreme treasure of the Daoist Sect instantly came to his mind.

This was a Tier 6 magic artifact, an exceptionally intricate composite artifact. Its exterior was composed of continuously rotating circular rings, resembling orbits, with a golden orb embedded in the center. The surface of the orb was etched with various mysterious patterns, each seemingly corresponding to a spiritual vein across the world.

It was said that when this artifact's power was unleashed to its fullest, it could control and monitor the spiritual veins of the entire Eastern Continent!

For this very reason, if a Dragon Vein were to gain sentience anywhere in the Eastern Continent, it would be displayed on the instrument.

As the outer circular orbits of this artifact continuously rotated, they would display different astrological phenomena and celestial bodies. It appeared that, beyond earthly spiritual veins, it could also control the sun, moon, stars, and all natural phenomena.

True Monarch Daode, the patriarch of the Daoist Sect, was an ancient sage who led humanity's migration from the Central Continent. It is said that while crossing the sea, he encountered the Mother of Waters, who imparted teachings to him in a dream.

After imparting the teachings, the Mother of Waters bid him to go to the Heavenly Sea to inherit the orthodoxy of the Water Mother Palace. However, True Monarch Daode refused, stating he must first lead humanity to find a place to settle.

The Mother of Waters admired his virtue and bestowed upon him the Heaven and Earth Xuanji Instrument, an artifact capable of guiding celestial phenomena and locating and mapping spiritual veins.

Subsequently, True Monarch Daode led humanity to the Eastern Continent, received the Heavenly Venerate's blessing, and steadily advanced his own cultivation. Eventually, he led the remaining human cultivators in developing the Eastern Lands region.

At that time, the Eastern Continent was teeming with powerful demon beasts, and Tier 5 creatures were not uncommon.

Thus, even after the successful development of the Eastern Lands, True Monarch Daode dared not leave. He wholeheartedly protected humanity, ensuring their stability and survival, until his mental energy was depleted and his lifespan exhausted.

It is said that when True Monarch Daode passed away, a rainbow light descended from the Upper Realm, drawing his primordial spirit away.

However, many people expressed skepticism about this account.

After all, that era was too distant.

Furthermore, regarding the legend that the Heaven and Earth Xuanji Instrument originated from the Mother of Waters, some cultivators believed the Daoist Sect was merely exaggerating their patriarch's legacy.

After all, a powerful creator being like the Mother of Waters had departed for the Lingkong Immortal Realm a very long time ago.

However, after personally witnessing the Heaven and Earth Xuanji Instrument this time, Chen Mobai felt it was highly plausible.

Because the artifact's exquisite and intricate craftsmanship seemed utterly beyond the artifact forging methods of this realm.

Even with his mastery of artifact forging, enhanced by refining Daoist Dandian's Dao Fruit, he could only marvel at its sophistication.

This represented the pinnacle of post-celestial artifact forging.

It was truly a worthy post-celestial supreme treasure!