Chapter 1127: The Proud Person

Given Chen Mobai's cultivation, the Doushuai Eight Scenery Lamp could be upgraded even without sixth-tier materials, though it would take more time. However, accepting Ao Yuxia's gift today might create an unseverable connection in the future. Even if such a burden could be passed on to his disciples and sect, Chen Mobai did not wish for Zhuo Ming or Jiang Zongheng to bear it.

This Violet-Gold Blazing Copper was likely mentioned by Zhang Pankong, but Ao Yuxia only produced it now, indicating her initial lack of sincerity. Given this, it would be better to keep interactions minimal.

Upon hearing Chen Mobai's words, everyone present looked astonished. After all, sixth-tier spiritual materials were among the highest grade in the Skyriver Realm; even the treasury of an ancient sacred land like the Daoist Sect held only a few pieces. Furthermore, it was widely known that the Five Elements Sect was seeking to acquire this material. Under these circumstances, Chen Mobai's refusal struck everyone as unbelievable. They hadn't considered the "connection," as for Divine Transformation True Monarchs in the Skyriver Realm, it was common practice for disciples and sects to inherit unresolved debts.

"'Fellow Daoist Chen truly possesses noble character,' Ao Yuxia remarked. She had not expected anyone to refuse a sixth-tier spiritual material. She could only force a smile and retrieve the jade box. With Chen Mobai's refusal, it became awkward for her to proceed with her next proposals."

She had originally intended to use this gift to ask Yuwen Baozhi to stay and learn artifact refining from Chen Mobai. This way, even without a formal master-disciple relationship, a de facto one would be established. Furthermore, she hoped that over time, Yuwen Baozhi's talent in artifact refining could impress Chen Mobai, leading him to truly become a disciple of the Azure Emperor of the Eastern Wilderness. Afterwards, she planned to privately discuss her true purpose for coming with Chen Mobai, using other treasures as incentives. If the matter could be settled, marrying the little Yellow Dragon Girl would surely be effortless. However, the very first step of this plan was now stalled.

It was the first time Ao Yuxia had encountered someone as principled as Chen Mobai.

The atmosphere immediately fell silent. True Monarch Wuchen quickly intervened to smooth things over, changing the topic. "Young Fellow Daoist Chen," he said, "your tea is truly excellent."

"'If Senior likes it, please take a packet when you leave,' Chen Mobai said with a smile. Virtually all high-level cultivators in Eastern Continent were now aware of Enlightenment Tea. Although its effects were only apparent in the first few cups, for all cultivators, it was an unparalleled treasure. In the sacred lands of Eastern Continent, many Nascent Soul cultivators had resolved long-standing doubts after a single sip of Enlightenment Tea; some directly broke through their bottlenecks, while others gained insights into cultivation techniques. There was even a Nascent Soul cultivator from the Daoist Sect who, by consuming it, drew a fifth-tier talisman and became a fifth-tier talisman master. Precisely because of this, although Enlightenment Tea was only fourth-tier, it was already ranked alongside fifth-tier Shoumei Tea, known as the two great immortal teas of Eastern Continent. Many Nascent Soul cultivators bought and hoarded it, intending to consume it when they were on the verge of breakthrough. Moreover, since there was only one Enlightenment Tea tree and its annual yield was limited, many Nascent Soul cultivators from various sects who had tasted it were still eager to purchase more, even if they wouldn't use it themselves, they could give it to their disciples. Countless cultivators at the peak of Core Formation were stuck at the final hurdle before forming a Nascent Soul; with this tea, they might be able to cross that threshold, adding new Nascent Souls to their sects and ensuring succession."

Yuwen Baozhi was drinking it for the first time, but having heard Zhang Pankong speak of it, he was fully prepared. As the tea entered his throat, he closed his eyes and began to recall the numerous doubts that had accumulated in his mind while observing Chen Mobai's artifact refining earlier. Besides him, True Master Jingchi and others also reacted similarly.

After a cup of tea, most of the people present closed their eyes in meditation.

Chen Mobai smiled faintly at this and continued his conversation with True Monarch Wuchen. Since Ao Yuxia had previously mentioned the matter of the dragon vein, he took the opportunity to speak: "Senior, after a century of governance by my sect, the Eastern Wilderness has achieved peace and stability, with harmonious governance and prosperous, contented citizens. This has led to the earth vein beneath the royal capital unknowingly sublimating into a dragon vein, and a few days ago, True Monarch Yuxia mentioned it was close to developing sentience..."

After listening, True Monarch Wuchen's expression grew solemn. He immediately rose and looked towards the royal capital of the Great Zhao Dynasty in the Eastern Wilderness. Although he hadn't brought the Heaven-Earth Xuanji Instrument, his aura-observing technique was top-notch. With a glance and a quick calculation, he had largely ascertained the current state of the Eastern Wilderness's dragon vein.

"'What a vibrant, nascent dragon vein!' True Monarch Wuchen exclaimed. 'And it's not just the Eastern Wilderness; the humanistic destiny of the Eastern Wu and Eastern Yi regions is slowly converging here, faintly showing signs of the former Eastern Land Imperial Court's grandeur.' True Monarch Wuchen's words caused all the cultivators present to change their expressions drastically."

Those who could cultivate to the Nascent Soul realm generally knew the hardships cultivators endured during the era of the Eastern Land Imperial Court. Even the Daoist Sect and the Nine Heavens Demon-Slaying Sect, two sacred lands, required their successive sect leaders to first serve as subjects of the Eastern Land Imperial Court for a period to establish their legitimacy. Having grown accustomed to their current freedom, they would certainly be unwilling to return to a time of strict regulation.

"'This matter is also my fault,' Chen Mobai said with an apologetic expression, immediately taking responsibility. 'Initially, I thought it would be convenient for the sect to have a unified mortal political power under its jurisdiction, so I promoted it. But who would have known that my Five Elements Sect's territory would expand so greatly afterwards? And I spent most of my time in secluded cultivation, never paying attention to the dragon vein, allowing it to grow to its current state.' After all, he was a Divine Transformation cultivator of the righteous path, so True Monarch Wuchen would certainly find it difficult to turn hostile towards him."

"'My Daoist Sect has an ancestral Dragon-Slaying Secret Art that can sever and divide this Eastern Wilderness dragon vein.' True Monarch Wuchen indeed did not pursue responsibility, but directly stated his proposed solution. Upon hearing this, Chen Mobai inwardly thought, 'This definitely won't do.' He had painstakingly nurtured the dragon vein to its current state, awaiting the birth of its sentience. Regardless, the 'Six Dragons Driving the Heavens Scripture' was a path to the Void Refinement stage. Although his own foundation was the 'Pure Yang Scroll,' he still intended to study it for reference. Even if he didn't use it himself, it could provide the Immortal Sect with another grand dao."

"'It's not that I don't want to,' Chen Mobai replied, 'but the dragon vein concerns the destiny of mortal dynasties. If it were severed, it could lead to the collapse of nations, ruined families, widespread war, and untold suffering. Currently, all territories under my Five Elements Sect's jurisdiction combined have a population of approximately eighty million. If Senior were to act and sever the dragon, the resulting karmic backlash might affect your ascension.' When Chen Mobai stated the number eighty million, True Monarch Wuchen was immediately dumbfounded."

"'Are there truly that many?' he exclaimed. It was known that the entire Eastern Land combined only had a mortal population of just over fifty million, even inheriting the most fertile and abundant territories of the former Eastern Land Imperial Court, where any crop would yield a bountiful harvest. The last time True Monarch Wuchen was aware of the population here, it was only a few million. He never imagined that within the century or so since Chen Mobai took office, the population could have increased more than tenfold."

"'Then it cannot be severed,' True Monarch Wuchen mused, concluding that his own ascension was more important. Although this karmic debt could be transferred to his disciples or sect, he felt that if he truly committed such an act, even if he ascended, he would probably be kicked back down by the ancestral masters in the upper realm."

"'How about I take action and use the Heaven-Earth Xuanji Instrument to seal this dragon vein?' True Monarch Wuchen proposed. If it couldn't be severed, then sealing it was the only option. Chen Mobai inwardly thought, 'What seal could possibly stop a sixth-tier formation master like me?' and immediately, with a generous demeanor, stated there would be no problem."

"'Fellow Daoists, may I propose a trade with you both?' Ao Yuxia suddenly spoke at this moment. She transmitted her voice to Chen Mobai and True Monarch Wuchen, which surprised them slightly."

"'Disciple Tan, please arrange a private room,' Chen Mobai said to Tan Rong, who was waiting outside. As they were in the Fiery True Immortal City, she was familiar with the area."

A short while later, the three Divine Transformation cultivators, under the surprised gazes of the crowd, left the main hall and went to a private room next door.

The Palace Master of Biluo faintly guessed something and steered the conversation towards those who had just awoken from the effects of the Enlightenment Tea. Instantly, the atmosphere in the hall became lively once more.

"'My son can cultivate the 'Six Dragons Driving the Heavens Scripture,' but the dragon vein nurtured by the Purple Cloud Celestial Palace in the Central Continent has not yet recovered. Therefore, we need to find a suitable one outside the Central Continent, and this Eastern Wilderness dragon vein is excellent. If you two are willing to help me with this, the Purple Cloud Celestial Palace will surely offer generous thanks.' Having cultivated to the Divine Transformation realm, there was no need for circumlocution; Ao Yuxia directly stated her intentions."

Upon hearing this, Chen Mobai had a sudden realization. No wonder she immediately brought up the dragon vein; she had been coveting it. Before he could even refuse, True Monarch Wuchen had already shaken his head.

"'Please, True Monarch Yuxia, do not make things difficult for me,' True Monarch Wuchen said. 'You may cultivate the 'Six Dragons Driving the Heavens Scripture' in any other continent, but not here in my Eastern Continent.' Chen Mobai simply remained silent, figuring that if Ao Yuxia couldn't persuade True Monarch Wuchen, it would save him the trouble."

Ao Yuxia suddenly transmitted a message to True Monarch Wuchen, right in front of Chen Mobai. It was unclear what she had promised, but True Monarch Wuchen's expression immediately changed, and his formerly firm demeanor began to show hesitation.

"'Young Fellow Daoist Chen, what are your thoughts on this matter?' After they finished speaking, True Monarch Wuchen seemed somewhat indecisive, surprisingly turning to ask Chen Mobai for his opinion."

Chen Mobai was extremely curious about what benefits Ao Yuxia had offered to cause such a drastic change in True Monarch Wuchen's attitude.

"'I'm afraid this matter is not appropriate,' Chen Mobai replied after a moment of thought."

"'If Fellow Daoist Chen can concede this dragon vein, I am not only willing to offer sixth-tier Violet-Fire Gold Copper, but also sixth-tier White Glazed Sky Crystal and sixth-tier Nine-Yang True Fire Stone.' Ao Yuxia's voice transmission reached Chen Mobai's ears, making him almost tremble."

Just how many treasures did the Heavenly Emperor leave behind in the Purple Cloud Celestial Palace? No wonder True Monarch Wuchen couldn't maintain his stance.

With so many valuable items being offered, anyone would hesitate. "Senior, what do you think?" Chen Mobai once again passed the decision back to True Monarch Wuchen. He was conflicted; while he desired the materials—with them, his Doushuai Eight Scenery Lamp might become the first high-grade sixth-tier acquired supreme treasure in his possession—he knew accepting would bring significant trouble. Although it was a trade, ostensibly a clean exchange, if Yuwen Baozhi were to cultivate the 'Six Dragons Driving the Heavens Scripture' with its help, or even achieve great success in the future, the karma and connections involved with the Eastern Wilderness dragon vein, as its origin, would likely be immense. However, compared to a high-grade sixth-tier supreme treasure, Chen Mobai felt it was not an impossible exchange. With such a supreme treasure suppressing the sect, even if the Five Elements Sect were to face a generation gap in Divine Transformation cultivators in the future, it could still rely on this treasure to maintain the sacred land's prestige. After all, the Eastern Continent's foremost supreme treasure, the Heaven-Earth Xuanji Instrument, was also only high-grade sixth-tier.

True Monarch Wuchen and Chen Mobai exchanged glances, then lowered their heads, seemingly weighing the pros and cons.

The conditions Ao Yuxia offered were personally irresistible to them. But if they accepted, True Monarch Wuchen would have to violate his principles, and Chen Mobai would burden his disciples or sect with the heaviest of connections.

After a long silence, Chen Mobai sighed, deciding it would be better not to accept.

"'Although I very much desire the Three-Mysteries Jade Dragon Pill, after thinking about it, I still have several centuries to achieve breakthrough, so there's no immediate rush.' Just as Chen Mobai was about to speak, True Monarch Wuchen preemptively declined."

The Three-Mysteries Jade Dragon Pill? What kind of pill was that? Although Chen Mobai was a Divine Transformation cultivator, he was certainly unaware of pills circulated exclusively among Divine Transformation cultivators in this realm. However, any pill that could sway True Monarch Wuchen was likely one for breaking through bottlenecks.

"'If Fellow Daoist Chen agrees to my request, with the combined strength of our two sects, there will be no need to fear the Daoist Sect,' Ao Yuxia's voice transmission stated. 'My husband can even come personally to assist Fellow Daoist Chen in confronting the Daoist Sect. The Three-Mysteries Jade Dragon Pill meant for him can also be yours.' After True Monarch Wuchen refused, Ao Yuxia's voice transmission once again reached Chen Mobai's ears, and she even upped the stakes."

After hearing this, Chen Mobai's eyelids twitched. After so many years, he still hadn't grown accustomed to the local people's nature. True Monarch Wuchen was sitting right next to him, and Ao Yuxia was already trying to incite him to become hostile towards the Daoist Sect.

If he agreed, would he then have to join forces with her to prevent True Monarch Wuchen from leaving the Eastern Wilderness?

"'I'll follow Senior Wuchen's lead.' As a person of noble character, Chen Mobai would certainly not do something as ungrateful as betraying a companion, so he decisively refused."

Ao Yuxia's face showed disappointment; she had never imagined that Chen Mobai could resist such temptation.

Of the two Divine Transformation True Monarchs before her, she actually only wanted to win over Chen Mobai.

Although the Daoist Sect, to which True Monarch Wuchen belonged, appeared to stand by idly during the fall of the Eastern Land Imperial Court, according to the Purple Cloud Celestial Palace's conjecture, they were certainly one of the masterminds behind it. Therefore, Ao Yuxia instinctively distrusted them.

Before she came, True Monarch Ziqi had also reviewed the Unpredictable Pavilion's records concerning the Azure Emperor of the Eastern Wilderness, deeming him an ambitious young man. He believed that if they could join forces with him, they might be able to overthrow the Daoist Sect and the Nine Heavens Demon-Slaying Sect, and rebuild the Eastern Land Imperial Court in the Eastern Continent.

However, whether it was truly worth cooperating with their Purple Cloud Celestial Palace still required an in-person assessment. After her observations during this period, Ao Yuxia concluded that with Chen Mobai's talent, he would sooner or later become a top cultivator in the Skyriver Realm, even ascending to the Void Refinement stage.

Therefore, after this artifact refining session, she brought out all the trump cards she had prepared specifically for Chen Mobai. Alas, all her trump cards combined failed to break Chen Mobai's moral bottom line.

This left Ao Yuxia, who was accustomed to seeing humans abandon principles for profit, exceptionally perplexed.

"How can such a principled person exist in this world!"