Chapter 1123: East Desert Azure Emperor

Jingchi Shangren and Yanhu walked down the street, observing the numerous artifact-forging shops and the constant stream of cultivators, sensing a vibrant atmosphere of prosperity.

Beyond this street was the plaza specifically designated for stalls in Huozhen Immortal City. Some vendors hawked their wares, while others squinted, waiting for customers. Various artifact-forging materials were displayed on the stalls, some so precious that even the two Nascent Soul cultivators found them valuable.

However, with their expertise as fourth-grade artifact forgers, they quickly discerned that many of the items were fakes.

Nevertheless, a mix of genuine and counterfeit goods was common among the stalls.

After each purchasing some satisfactory ores, the two arrived at the easternmost side of the immortal city.

This was Chen Mobai's chosen forging site, located near the core of the fire vein. A stream also ran nearby. Specially customized smelting equipment stood over various open-air fire vents, continuously drawing true earth-fire to refine all kinds of precious minerals.

"Please come in, honored seniors."

When Tan Rong saw the two approach, she verified their Heavenly Heart Sword Talisman and immediately lifted the restriction, allowing them entry.

These days, Chen Mobai had been preparing to forge a fifth-grade magic artifact. Jingchi Shangren and Yanhu, who qualified as fire-tending apprentices, often came to assist him.

Chen Mobai, always eager to teach, encouraged them to ask any questions they had.

Initially, the two were quite reserved. However, after Jingchi Shangren saw Chen Mobai drawing and sketching thousands of blueprints, he couldn't suppress his curiosity and asked why such a meticulous process was necessary.

"Before forging, all potential issues should be resolved on the blueprints. This way, the actual forging process can proceed smoothly, avoiding any unexpected problems."

This was Chen Mobai's response, and also one of the core principles of artifact forging in the Immortal Sect.

"True Lord, isn't such extensive preparatory work overly redundant, and wouldn't it stifle the artifact forger's inspiration?"

Jingchi Shangren, on the other hand, was a typical artifact forger from the Heavenly River Realm. He believed that to reach the pinnacle of artifact forging, one must not be constrained by rigid rules but instead possess boundless, imaginative thinking.

Consequently, in the Heavenly River Realm, the only requirement for forging magic artifacts was their intended function.

For example, if a sword cultivator desired a sword, they would forge a flying sword based on the available materials. All other details were left entirely to the forger's discretion, with the client unable to offer a single opinion.

Chen Mobai, however, approached things differently. Before forging, he would use hundreds of blueprints just for the exterior design, including elevation, sectional, perspective, and even 3D drawings from every angle, ensuring no detail was overlooked.

The blueprints for assembly, combination, and process flow were even more numerous.

"As an artifact forger, one must first be responsible to the client. I believe this is the most fundamental professional quality and ethical standard. If one wishes to freely express their inspiration, they can always gather their own materials for personal projects."

Chen Mobai shared the Immortal Sect's philosophy he had learned since childhood, remarking that the restricted knowledge of the hundred immortal arts in the Heavenly River Realm allowed those who achieved mastery to become overly complacent.

"Your virtue, True Lord, truly puts me to shame!"

Jingchi Shangren sighed with emotion after hearing Chen Mobai's reply.

Although he had long heard that Sect Master Chen possessed the demeanor of an ancient sage, it was only after truly interacting with him that he realized even sages could not compare to his virtue.

"This is merely basic morality."

Chen Mobai merely shook his head and replied.

Subsequently, Jingchi Shangren's questions were all related to practical operations. Chen Mobai answered selectively, disclosing most information except for some key Immortal Sect techniques.

The more they communicated, the more the two Nascent Soul cultivators felt their own skills were lacking.

That day, Chen Mobai, while explaining a method for refining minerals, suddenly paused and looked towards Bei Yuan City.

He sensed a majestic aura, no less powerful than his own, arriving in that direction.

It was a Deity Transformation True Lord he had not encountered before.

It was likely Ao Yuxia from the Purple Cloud Heavenly Palace.

"A guest has arrived; I'll go greet them."

Chen Mobai put down the sample in his hand, rose, and transformed into a silver light, vanishing from the spot. In an instant, he had teleported to just outside Bei Yuan City's large teleportation array.

Standing outside the teleportation array was a bright-eyed young man dressed in brocade robes with a jade belt. He appeared relaxed, with sharp brows and keen eyes, and a faint look of curiosity on his face. The moment he saw Chen Mobai, he couldn't help but be slightly startled.

Chen Mobai, however, looked past him, towards the young man's back.

A tall, beautiful woman with dark hair styled in cloud-like buns had just emerged from the teleportation array. Her face was exquisite, her eyebrows like willow leaves, and her eyes, like deep pools, subtly gleamed with sharp light.

The moment Chen Mobai's gaze met hers, the unique auras of their Deity Transformation stage collided, yet instantly separated.

As the two stood in silence, unsure how to break it, Palace Master Biluo stepped out of the teleportation array and immediately introduced the woman to Chen Mobai.

"Greetings, Sect Master Chen. This is my friend, True Monarch Yuxia, Ao Yuxia, from the Purple Cloud Heavenly Palace."

"Greetings, True Monarch Yuxia!"

Chen Mobai also smiled slightly, offering a respectful greeting to the Deity Transformation expert from Zhongzhou.

"I have long heard of the 'Azure Emperor of the Eastern Desolation.' Seeing you today, you certainly live up to your formidable reputation."

Ao Yuxia was equally polite. With her left hand behind her back, she raised her right hand in an incantation gesture, performing the traditional Zhongzhou daoist greeting towards Chen Mobai.

"The Azure Emperor of the Eastern Desolation?"

Chen Mobai was somewhat surprised by this title.

"Sect Master Chen, you may not know this, but after you displayed the bearing of a quasi-fifth-grade artifact forger at the Big Dipper Assembly, you were already noticed by the Impermanence Pavilion of Zhongzhou..."

Palace Master Biluo began to explain that the Impermanence Pavilion of Zhongzhou was the most mysterious of the Sacred Lands, primarily operating in the intelligence industry, with agents distributed across the Five Continents and Four Seas.

In Dongzhou, the Heavenly Dining Tower also had connections with the Impermanence Pavilion. Paolong Pengfeng had mentioned this to Chen Mobai previously.

However, as a Sacred Land, the Impermanence Pavilion primarily focused on high-level intelligence. For instance, the titles of the Heavenly River Realm's top Deity Transformation True Lords originated from their records.

For example, in Dongzhou, Chen Mobai first came to the Impermanence Pavilion's attention after demonstrating the skill level of a quasi-fifth-grade artifact forger.

At that time, he was using the alias Chen Qingdi, the Dao Child of One Yuan, and the Impermanence Pavilion adopted this as the codename for his intelligence file.

Subsequently, "Chen Qingdi" gradually matured in Dongzhou, eventually revealing his true identity as the Sect Master of the Five Elements. Once he achieved Deity Transformation, all information concerning him was elevated to the highest priority by the Impermanence Pavilion and compiled into a comprehensive report.

The Impermanence Pavilion typically used a combination of a place name and an individual's name for their personal intelligence reports.

After Chen Mobai achieved Deity Transformation, many factions in Zhongzhou purchased intelligence about him from the Impermanence Pavilion. The first four characters on the cover of that intelligence file were "Azure Emperor of the Eastern Desolation."

Gradually, "Azure Emperor of the Eastern Desolation" became the prevalent title used by major factions in Zhongzhou when referring to Chen Mobai.

"I see."

After hearing Palace Master Biluo's explanation, Chen Mobai's expression showed a sudden understanding.

He mused that while the Impermanence Pavilion might have stumbled upon it by chance, this title suited him perfectly.

After all, his main account on the Immortal Sect Network was "Azure Emperor."

Now, it was truly a well-deserved title.

"This is my son, Yuwen Baozhi. He has been interested in artifact forging and puppets since childhood. However, my husband was quite strict, so he only had time to study the hundred immortal arts after cultivating to the Nascent Soul stage. Fortunately, his talent is decent; his success rate for forging fourth-grade artifacts has already reached thirty percent. I hope this time, by accompanying Daoist Chen, he can gain insight into the mysteries of fifth-grade artifact forging."

At this moment, Ao Yuxia pulled the young man in brocade robes with a jade belt closer and introduced him to Chen Mobai.

"A truly talented young man!"

Chen Mobai offered a perfunctory compliment.

It wasn't that he was prejudiced. Rather, with both parents being Deity Transformation True Lords, and considering the abundant resources of the Heavenly River Realm, Yuwen Baozhi could likely be supported to the Nascent Soul realm even if he possessed a four-element mixed spiritual root.

He had also heard from Ye Qing that the quality of Dao Children and Saintesses in Zhongzhou was generally higher than in Dongzhou. Many who came to Dongzhou could rival Ye Qing, and in this generation, some had even achieved Deity Transformation.

As for Yuwen Baozhi, despite his mid-Nascent Soul cultivation—which was considered upper-middle in Dongzhou—he would be considered a bottom-tier Dao Child in Zhongzhou under Chen Mobai's discerning gaze.

"Daoist Chen, this is a welcoming gift. Please accept it."

After the introduction, Ao Yuxia produced a jade box and offered it to Chen Mobai. He initially declined, but eventually accepted it somewhat reluctantly, urged on by Palace Master Biluo.

Opening it, he found a peak fifth-grade White Glaze Sky Crystal inside.

With this and the Nine Yang True Fire Stone gifted by Jingchi Shangren, only the final Purple Gold Blazing Copper was needed to attempt elevating the Doushuai Eight Scenery Lamp to the sixth grade.

Zhang Pankong certainly handled things efficiently.

Chen Mobai contentedly put the jade box into his storage pouch, then, with a wide smile, led his guests towards Bei Yuan City.

"I didn't expect such a bustling yet orderly immortal city in Dongzhou."

Ao Yuxia and Yuwen Baozhi were both greatly surprised by the prosperity of Bei Yuan City. While there were numerous larger and more populous immortal cities in Zhongzhou, none were as rationally and clearly planned as Bei Yuan City.

With a similar population, if such a crowd were to flood into an immortal city in Zhongzhou, it would likely already be chaotic.

However, Bei Yuan City, adhering to various zoning and traffic regulations, operated smoothly and efficiently. Even in crowded areas, Ao Yuxia's first impression was not of congestion or disorder, but of vibrant energy.

"Oh, what is that, please?"

Yuwen Baozhi pointed at the long, rectangular puppet, controlled by cultivators and carrying multiple passengers, moving down the street, asking with a curious expression.

"These are carriage puppets. In this immortal city, cultivators below the Core Formation stage are not permitted to fly, so these puppets were set up to transport people along the main streets. Each ride costs only one Five Elements Coin..."

Chen Mobai proactively explained. Yuwen Baozhi's eyes lit up immediately upon hearing this, and he asked how Five Elements Coins could be exchanged.

"Gu Yan, please take our guests and let them experience this."

Chen Mobai said to his maid beside him. The maid immediately nodded, took out a handful of Five Elements Coins from her storage pouch, and went to the stop sign, waving down a carriage puppet.

Yuwen Baozhi turned to look at Ao Yuxia. After a moment of hesitation, she nodded, allowing him to go with Gu Yan. She herself did not move, clearly uninterested in the ride.

"I've heard that Daoist Chen's enlightenment tea captures the profound mysteries of creation. I wonder if I might be fortunate enough to taste it today?"

After Yuwen Baozhi boarded the carriage puppet and departed, Ao Yuxia suddenly spoke.

"It would be my pleasure."

Chen Mobai smiled and nodded, then invited Ao Yuxia and Palace Master Biluo to the top of Beiyuan Mountain.

As Chen Mobai brewed tea, Ao Yuxia looked towards the mortal kingdom's capital in the Eastern Desolation and made this observation. "Daoist Chen, this dragon vein of the Eastern Desolation is the most vibrant I've ever seen. However, logically, a dragon vein of this scale should have already given birth to a spiritual entity, shouldn't it?"

"Perhaps the light of civilization is not yet strong enough."

Chen Mobai naturally did not reveal that he had previously been concerned about the Moral Sect's Heavenly and Earthly Xuanji Instrument detecting the dragon vein, and had thus been trying to weaken and suppress it. Although Jiang Zongheng was no longer involved in this, the dragon vein still lacked a catalyst for the birth of a spiritual entity.

"I possess a method to imbue a dragon vein with a spiritual entity. If Daoist Chen requires it, I can assist you free of charge."

Ao Yuxia's words caused Chen Mobai to frown slightly.

However, he had heard from Ye Qing that due to intense competition in Zhongzhou, the major sects there generally operated with a mercantile mindset, valuing everything they did.

"This matter can proceed naturally. Furthermore, in our Eastern Continent, the spiritualization of dragon veins is regarded with considerable apprehension."

Chen Mobai didn't believe Ao Yuxia was unaware of the history of the Eastern Earth Imperial Court. As he spoke, he found himself unable to discern the true intentions of this Deity Transformation expert from Zhongzhou.

"Oh, it seems Daoist Chen is unaware."

Ao Yuxia, after hearing his words, was slightly stunned, then looked at Palace Master Biluo beside her with a hint of surprise.

"Our Grand Void Ethereal Palace is not like the Impermanence Pavilion. Furthermore, after the Eastern Earth Imperial Court fell, the Heavenly Emperor was enraged. Consequently, secret information concerning the imperial family was internally sealed by us, the Sacred Lands of Dongzhou, and only a handful of people are aware of it."

Upon hearing Palace Master Biluo's words, Chen Mobai became even more curious.

After all, he was now the Sect Master of a Dongzhou Sacred Land and a Deity Transformation True Lord; surely, he was qualified to know!

"The imperial lineage of the Eastern Earth Imperial Court originated from our Yuwen clan of the Purple Cloud Heavenly Palace."

Ao Yuxia did not hide anything, directly revealing a truth that greatly shocked Chen Mobai.

"Didn't the imperial family of the Eastern Earth Imperial Court have the surname Zhao?"

Chen Mobai was indeed aware of this detail.

"The Purple Cloud Heavenly Palace was originally the Heavenly Emperor's imperial residence in the Heavenly River Realm, and the Yuwen clan are indeed descendants of the Heavenly Emperor. However, in Zhongzhou, many dao traditions were established by Dao Sovereigns from the Upper Realm, whom even the Heavenly Emperor had to show respect to."

"Precisely because of this, the Heavenly Emperor's descendants were unable to fully cultivate the 'Six Dragons Controlling the Sky Scripture' in Zhongzhou. As a result, they split into four branches, migrating their legacies to the other four continents. To avoid attracting undue attention, all four branches changed their surnames."

"Among these, the Heavenly Emperor's descendants who settled in the Eastern Continent changed their surname to Zhao. Under the protection of Heavenly Venerables and with the assistance of sages like Daode Dangmo, they gradually overcame numerous challenges and established the Eastern Earth Imperial Court..."