Chapter 1194: Former Imperial City

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After discussing important matters, True Monarch Wuchen rose to prepare to open the furnace. Chen Mobai and the other guests sat in the grass pavilion, watching the greatest alchemist of East Continent perform his art.

The alchemy furnace used to refine the Pill of Sacred Enlightenment and True Spirit was the sixth-tier Dragon Cauldron that Shenxi had brought out during the battle with the old flood dragon above the Profound Sea. Previously, this cauldron had been a secret of the Daoist Sect, not disclosed to outsiders. However, after its exposure, it no longer mattered, especially since everyone present was a fellow righteous cultivator from the East Continent.

True Monarch Wuchen formed hand seals, and immediately the cauldron lid emitted a dull sound. Then, the cauldron's ears, resembling two true dragons, rose and lifted the lid. The moment the furnace opened, an earth-shattering dragon roar echoed. From the surrounding weak-water pools, vast amounts of sixth-tier water spiritual energy surged forth as swirling mists, which were absorbed by the cauldron. Faintly, a dark true dragon seemed to be circling and swirling within the cauldron.

This was because the Pill of Sacred Enlightenment and True Spirit used the essence blood of the old flood dragon. This final step required refining all the Profound Dragon imprints contained within the pill. Only then, upon consumption, would one not be branded with an imprint like Chen Mobai. Upon seeing this, Chen Mobai pondered thoughtfully. Could he perhaps use this opportunity to cleanse the imprint from his own body?

At that moment, the remnant black dragon shadow within the cauldron had been completely refined by True Monarch Wuchen, vanishing into nothingness with a mournful cry. Four gleaming pills appeared before everyone's eyes. Ye Qing, who had been silent, couldn't help but gaze intently, full of anticipation. For him, the Pill of Sacred Enlightenment and True Spirit, refined from the Profound Dragon's essence blood, was truly the most suitable.

“Please each choose one pill. I will use the last remaining one for a transaction with the Star Heaven Dao Sect,” True Monarch Wuchen said. After completing the final step, he revealed the empty cauldron, then sealed the four pills individually in jade bottles and placed them on the table in the grass pavilion.

Chen Mobai and the other two Divine Transformation cultivators politely deferred to each other, then took the pills closest to them. Ni Yuanzhong took his, and in front of everyone, immediately gave it to Ye Qing. In the past, when he took the Pill of Sacred Enlightenment and True Spirit to achieve Divine Transformation, he too bore immense pressure. Although he succeeded, he owed Ye Qing, his junior brother who had willingly given way. Therefore, giving the pill to Ye Qing today brought him a sense of relief, feeling his heart clear slightly.

“Everyone, our sect will now activate the mountain protection array and seal the mountain for a period, until Junior Brother Ye completes his seclusion. If there are any matters, please contact us via message talisman.” Having obtained the Pill of Sacred Enlightenment and True Spirit, Ni Yuanzhong immediately bid farewell, preparing to escort Ye Qing back to the sect without delay to consume the pill and achieve Divine Transformation.

Ye Qing, however, seemed to hesitate, as he had originally planned to invite Chen Mobai to visit Mount Tongtian after the pills were distributed. “Excellent, excellent. If Brother Ye achieves Divine Transformation, our righteous path will gain another pillar supporting the heavens. This is the most important matter for both your esteemed sect and the East Continent,” Chen Mobai said. He saw through Ye Qing’s thoughts, but he had no desire to go to Mount Tongtian, so he immediately spoke to cut Ye Qing off. Wuchen and Dakong both offered their blessings as well.

“Brother Chen, once I achieve Divine Transformation, I will seek you out for a discussion of the Dao.” As the group from the Nine Heavens Demon Extermination Sect departed, Ye Qing specifically transmitted a farewell message to Chen Mobai, expressing strong confidence in his upcoming Divine Transformation. “Very well, very well, I await your good news,” Chen Mobai responded with a smile.

“This time, when Ye Qing achieves Divine Transformation, there shouldn't be any incidents of the White Bone Dharma King or demon true spirits attacking the mountain, right?” After Shenxi led Ni Yuanzhong and the others away from the weak-water pool, Dakong said somewhat teasingly. “I don't think any Divine Transformation cultivator would dare to provoke our East Continent righteous path anymore. After all, your junior friend’s reputation for slaughter is now renowned across the Five Continents and Four Seas,” Wuchen said with a faint smile. His words made the cultivators of the Five Elements Sect present, including Qingnu, look proud.

“Senior, you flatter me. I am only moderately skilled in combat; in all other aspects, I still need to learn much from both of you,” Chen Mobai responded with a humble expression. Inwardly, however, he felt great regret. With his growing fame across the world, he estimated that opportunities to act would become increasingly rare in the future. Even if he set up the Chaos Qi Cannon, he might not have any enemies left to use it on.

Next, the three Divine Transformation cultivators chatted in the grass pavilion for a while about recent events across the Five Continents and Four Seas of the Celestial River Realm. Dakong was the main speaker, as the Grand Void Ethereal Palace had branch sects everywhere, and their Divine Transformation cultivators had special ways to communicate, allowing them to gather information quickly.

“In South Continent, a Nascent Soul cultivator from the Profound Fire Sect forged a fifth-tier artifact, but I suspect it was with the help of the Flame Immortal… In West Continent, a Nascent Soul sword cultivator recently appeared, possessing supreme strength and an unparalleled sword Dao realm. He specifically targets and kills disciples of the Heavenly Thunder Zen Temple. Three Nascent Soul cultivators have already been killed. The Little Thunder Immortal is enraged and has personally set up ambushes multiple times, but has never managed to corner the opponent… In North Continent, with the spread of the White Bone Dharma King’s death, the Northern Demonic Dao has completely collapsed. A portion was killed by the Star God Palace, and the rest were forced to leave North Continent. However, I received news from our North Continent branch that it seems the Profound Yin Sect has assimilated a portion of them. Given True Monarch Yuanchen’s temperament, he will likely seize this rare opportunity to drive the Profound Yin Sect out of North Continent as well, so a confrontation between them is inevitable… Central Continent remains largely the same. The Violet Cloud Heavenly Palace is said to have opened another treasure vault left by the Celestial Emperor, making the already wealthy Yuwen clan even richer; True Monarch Tianling’s cultivation has improved, advancing further amidst the Nine-Layered Heavenly Tribulation; the Pure Minor Sword Sect showed signs of Divine Transformation a few years ago, likely meaning their Dao Child or Saintess has achieved Divine Transformation…”

After True Monarch Dakong finished speaking, Chen Mobai also asked for more details regarding the news that piqued his interest. However, Dakong had not deeply researched these matters himself, merely seeing the information through reports from the various branch sects of the Grand Void Ethereal Palace.

“If junior friend wishes to know more, you can inquire with the Impermanence Pavilion,” True Monarch Dakong said, pointing a way for Chen Mobai. He then gave him a black and white talisman, an Impermanence Talisman, which served as the threshold for conducting business with the Impermanence Pavilion. “Thank you, Senior,” Chen Mobai said after receiving the talisman.

“Gentlemen, my progress in exploring the Dragon Abyss Cave has been stalled for a long time. In the strange area I discovered earlier, any puppet entering the central region suddenly loses contact. If I want to proceed further, I believe I need to enter in person.” As their conversation drew to a close, True Monarch Dakong set up a restriction, enclosing the grass pavilion. With only the three of them remaining, he brought up the main topic.

“Entering in person would be too risky, and our lifespans haven't reached their limits yet,” True Monarch Wuchen said, being the first to object. He had consumed longevity tea and refined many longevity-extending pills for himself, granting him several hundred more years of life than ordinary Divine Transformation cultivators. He would absolutely not risk entering the netherworld until the very last moment.

“What do you think, junior friend?” True Monarch Dakong had arrived at the Daoist Sect much earlier, and had evidently discussed this matter extensively with True Monarch Wuchen. He had anticipated Wuchen's answer, but still sought Chen Mobai’s opinion. “I agree with Senior Wuchen’s thoughts.” Chen Mobai certainly did not want to take the risk, even though he was practically unrivaled among Divine Transformation cultivators now. However, seeing True Monarch Dakong’s disappointed expression, he offered an idea, “Senior, you could try using a higher-tier puppet. Perhaps it could enter the very center of that strange area.”

Chen Mobai himself had previously left puppets in the Dragon Abyss Cave, but the highest tier was only fourth-tier. If there were fifth-tier puppets, they could exert the power of Divine Transformation and essentially traverse most parts of the netherworld.

“It seems I will need to study puppetry in the coming years,” True Monarch Dakong said with a sigh. Chen Mobai offered, “My Five Elements Sect possesses the Six Ding Six Jia Puppetry from the Eastern Earth Imperial Court. If Senior needs it, I can transcribe it for you.” However, True Monarch Dakong shook his head at Chen Mobai's kind offer: “My Grand Void Ethereal Palace also has this. Although fifth-tier puppetry is rare, our sect still has quite a few valuable collections.”

Upon hearing their conversation, True Monarch Wuchen’s expression shifted as he remembered something: “After the Eastern Earth Imperial Court fell apart in the past, my sect’s ancestors helped safeguard three damaged Golden-Armored Heavenly God puppets. If both of you fellow Daoists need them, I can check the sect records to see where they are kept.” Chen Mobai’s face immediately lit up upon hearing this. The fifth-tier puppets refined by the Eastern Earth Imperial Court, even if unusable now, would still have been primarily made of fifth-tier materials, and possibly even sixth-tier, judging by the style of that era.

“How could we possibly accept? Even if they are damaged, they are at least fifth-tier puppets, supreme treasures for cultivators of puppetry, of extraordinary value…” True Monarch Dakong said this, bringing Chen Mobai, who was about to readily agree, back to his senses. Although their relationship was good, directly gifting Golden-Armored Heavenly Gods still seemed somewhat strange. Could it be that they had something to ask of them? But hadn't they already agreed to the exchange of the Three-Light Divine Water pill formula for the Pill of Sacred Enlightenment and True Spirit?

“It’s like this, fellow Daoists,” True Monarch Wuchen began with some embarrassment. “My disciple, Shenxi, has, after all, already achieved Divine Transformation. If I continue to guard the East Mausoleum Region for a long time, it would be difficult to keep the matters of the Dragon Abyss Cave hidden from him. However, we previously agreed that we would all need to consent before disclosing this to others, so…”

Chen Mobai, however, was indifferent to this. After all, with his current cultivation progress and lifespan, he would only consider the matter of the Ascension Platform at least two thousand years later, and only if he failed to break through to the Void Refinement stage. By then, Shenxi might well be naught but dry bones in a tomb. “They are all Divine Transformation cultivators of the East Continent righteous path, and I watched Shenxi grow up. I trust his character.” True Monarch Dakong also had no objection to this. Furthermore, with today’s precedent, if he were to bring in other Divine Transformation cultivators from the Grand Void Ethereal Palace in the future, Wuchen would have little to say. In terms of the number of Divine Transformation cultivators, the Grand Void Ethereal Palace alone had more than all of East Continent combined. However, this would put Chen Mobai at a disadvantage, as the Five Elements Sect only had him as a Divine Transformation cultivator. But since Chen Mobai did not object, Dakong did not speak up to remind him of this point.

After the three of them reached an agreement, Wuchen transmitted a message to Shenxi with a smile. Shortly after, as they drank longevity tea, Shenxi brought over all the Daoist Sect's records regarding the Golden-Armored Heavenly God puppets. “Master, here are the items you wanted,” Shenxi said as he presented the records, still somewhat puzzled as to why Wuchen wanted to examine them. But soon, Wuchen explained the reason, and after learning the truth about the Dragon Abyss Cave, Shenxi’s face also showed shock. “Thank you, Fellow Daoist Chen and Senior Dakong, for your trust,” Shenxi said solemnly after listening, thanking both Chen Mobai and Dakong.

“Oh, I didn’t expect those three Golden-Armored Heavenly God puppets to still be in Guangwu Immortal City.” Soon, True Monarch Wuchen had finished reading the records and was slightly surprised by the result. Guangwu Immortal City was one of the seven great immortal cities of the Eastern Earth, and it used to be the center of the Eastern Earth, where the Imperial Court was located. However, after the Eastern Earth Imperial Court fell apart, this once largest immortal city, though still geographically important, had seen its center of influence shift to the immortal cities operated by the various Sacred Lands themselves.

“What a coincidence,” Chen Mobai said upon hearing this, pointing to Jiang Zongheng who was sitting outside the grass pavilion. “I was just about to visit the ruins of the Eastern Earth Imperial Court with my disciple.” “Then let Shenxi accompany junior friend,” True Monarch Wuchen said immediately, assigning a guide. Upon hearing this, Shenxi flicked the Profound Dragon horsetail whisk in his hand and nodded, indicating he would properly host the guests from the Five Elements Sect. “I’ll go too. Fifth-tier Golden-Armored Heavenly Gods are considered the pinnacle of puppetry in the Celestial River Realm…” True Monarch Dakong also spoke up. With their talent for achieving Divine Transformation, if they dedicated themselves to comprehending puppetry, they would certainly reach the fifth tier within a few decades. With Golden-Armored Heavenly Gods as reference samples, they could even achieve twice the result with half the effort.

Chen Mobai informed Qingnu about this. She and Yan Jinye decided to stay and experience the greatest alchemy sect in East Continent under the guidance of Qi Jiansu. Safety was certainly guaranteed at the Daoist Sect, as True Monarch Dakong could directly use void secret arts for instant teleportation. Therefore, Chen Mobai also left the Little Yellow Dragon Girl behind.

Jiang Zongheng, Duan Shuyu, and Jin Ling’er accompanied him. Amidst a flash of silver light, the group arrived above a square, majestic immortal city. Each city wall brick shimmered with restrictions, forming a super defensive array that enveloped the entire city.

However, under Chen Mobai’s Empty Valley Sound, he discovered that the array was strong on the outside but weak on the inside, with many vulnerabilities already present. With a sweep of his spiritual sense, Chen Mobai saw the areas with vulnerabilities: the city wall bricks were already cracked. Judging by the crack patterns, it seemed to be the mark left by a massive monster slamming its claw down. Although this claw strike was blocked by the immortal city’s grand array, it still left an eternal mark.

Shenxi explained that these were the traces of a battle between the mysterious true spirit who had stolen the Dragon Capture Cauldron and a Divine Transformation True Monarch of the Eastern Earth Imperial Court. “It’s a pity that at that time, our Daoist Sect ancestors were far away in the sect’s mountain gate refining pills. By the time they received news and arrived, the Dragon Capture Cauldron had already been stolen,” Shenxi said with a sigh. He was clearly not sighing about being unable to serve the Eastern Earth Imperial Court, but rather about the Dragon Capture Cauldron being stolen.

“Gentlemen, please follow me this way.” After a brief introduction to Guangwu Immortal City, Shenxi led Chen Mobai and the others towards the central imperial city. At this moment, Jiang Zongheng transmitted a strange-faced message to Chen Mobai: “Master, my cauldron suddenly developed an abnormality.” “What cauldron?” Chen Mobai was surprised to hear this. But soon, he found the origin of the cauldron in his memory.