Chapter 1199: Zhuo Ming Forms the Infant, Blessed with Good Fortune

Novel excerpts.

"Brother Zhang, is something wrong?" Chen Mobai asked, seeing Zhang Pankong's troubled expression. He wondered what could make a True Void Daoist like Zhang Pankong look so worried.

"Alas, I heard that this batch of Saintly Spirit Ascension Pills has been refined, but my master hasn't informed me. I guess they won't be coming to me." Zhang Pankong didn't hide anything and immediately began to complain when Chen Mobai asked. As a True Void Daoist, he had few friends, and even fewer with whom he could discuss such matters, especially since it involved the Transcendent Grand Master Dakong and the sacred sect of the True Void Palace. Chen Mobai was the only suitable person.

"Brother Zhang, how are the Transcendent resources distributed within your sect?" Chen Mobai asked, curious after hearing this. Since the Five Elements Sect was now also a sacred land, with Qingnu's presence, there would undoubtedly be many Transcendent resources in the future. This was a good opportunity to learn from other sacred lands about their regulations. Zhang Pankong did not conceal anything, as this was not a secret.

"Our True Void Palace is divided into the Central Continent main branch and the four continent sub-branches. Generally, each manages its own affairs, but the sub-branches must obey the main branch in terms of both resources and overall principle. Because the main branch can produce Transcendent resources, if a sub-branch experiences a break in the lineage of Transcendent cultivators, the main branch will assess them. If there's a genius in the sub-branch capable of breaking through, they will be granted a spiritual item for transcendence. However, if they are deemed incapable, the main branch will reassign a Transcendent Grand Master to take over. For example, the current Grand Master Dagang of the Western Continent's True Void Palace..."

"However, because Transcendent resources are involved, there are quite a few hidden tricks within this system. Most of the time, the main branch directly dispatches Transcendent cultivators. After all, even for the Central Continent main branch, Transcendent resources are extremely precious. They would naturally prefer to use them for their own people rather than for us sub-branches."

"But if the main branch wants our sub-branches to be obedient, some Transcendent resources still need to be shared. The unspoken rule is that the main branch and the four sub-branches share them equally. If there's an extra Void-Gloom Pill, it goes to the main branch. Under these rules, our four continent sub-branches both compete and cooperate. Cooperation is necessary to ensure the main branch adheres to this rule, while competition arises because if fewer Void-Gloom Pills are refined, some sub-branches might miss out."

"Therefore, the sub-branches work extra hard if they can obtain Transcendent resources like the Saintly Spirit Ascension Pill. Grand Master Dagu of the Southern Continent sub-branch was invited for this very reason last time."

"As for the sub-branches, typically, either the Daoist Son or the Saintess inherits the position of Palace Master, while the other is sent to the main branch for further cultivation. The one who remains in the sub-branch, if there are local Transcendent resources, will be the first to consume them — for instance, Palace Master Biluo of our sect. The one who goes to the main branch, if they can surpass the geniuses from the main branch and other sub-branches, can also eventually receive a Void-Gloom Pill."

After listening to Zhang Pankong, Chen Mobai felt something was unreasonable and couldn't help but ask, "In that case, wouldn't it be better to stay in the local branch?"

It was a classic case of 'better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix.' Leading a sect locally not only meant enjoying the resources of an entire continent but also gaining access to local Transcendent resources. As for going to the Central Continent, putting aside the fact that the competitors were geniuses among geniuses, Chen Mobai found the idea of starting over from scratch unacceptable. The disparity was too great.

"Indeed, that's why initially, those who failed in the competition would reluctantly go to the Central Continent main branch. This meant that the more capable individuals stayed locally, which wasn't good for the main branch, as the sub-branches' power could grow stronger, potentially even disobeying the main branch's commands."

"To attract talent to the main branch, the Central Continent later added a rule: any Daoist Son or Saintess from a sub-branch who cultivates to the perfected Nascent Soul stage within three hundred years will be provided with a Void-Gloom Pill by the main branch."

"With this new rule, competition for spots to the main branch actually began. Some individuals, after successfully going to the main branch, even resorted to demonic arts or consumed forbidden pills to forcibly elevate their cultivation to the perfected Nascent Soul stage, all just for one Void-Gloom Pill."

"Subsequently, the main branch added more rules to plug these loopholes, and by today, this system is largely stable."

Chen Mobai recalled the current generation's True Void Daoist Son and Saintess from the Eastern Continent. Among them, Shan Miaosu, due to her Void Spirit Physique, had been noticed by the Central Continent main branch long ago. This meant it was essentially certain that Zhang Pankong would remain in the Eastern Continent to inherit the sub-branch.

Palace Master Biluo had already consumed a Saintly Spirit Ascension Pill last time, so according to the rules, this pill should now be Zhang Pankong's turn.

"Brother Zhang, are you worried that this Saintly Spirit Ascension Pill will still go to Palace Master Biluo?" Chen Mobai asked.

Zhang Pankong nodded and shook his head simultaneously. "It's possible. After all, here in the sub-branch, the Transcendent cultivator has the final say. But what worries me most is that Junior Sister is returning."

"Oh?" Chen Mobai exclaimed in surprise. "Didn't she go to the Central Continent main branch a long time ago? Can she still come back to contend with you for the Saintly Spirit Ascension Pill?" Although Chen Mobai had met Shan Miaosu, his relationship with Zhang Pankong was definitely stronger, and after Ye Qing, he hoped Zhang Pankong could achieve transcendence even more.

"According to the information I've gathered, the main branch currently doesn't have extra Void-Gloom Pills. However, because Junior Sister's cultivation has reached the perfected Nascent Soul stage, and she possesses a Void Spirit Physique, once she transcends, she can wield the True Void Ruler of Heaven's Measurement, an artifact of enlightenment. So, they want Junior Sister to achieve transcendence as quickly as possible to prepare for potential future cosmic upheavals."

Zhang Pankong had spent a lot of time in the Central Continent over the years, naturally gathering a good deal of inside information. Grand Master Dakong not directly giving him the Saintly Spirit Ascension Pill upon his return further indirectly confirmed these rumors.

Zhang Pankong's words reminded Chen Mobai of the divine statue he had seen in the True Void Temple, holding a jade ruler. It now seemed likely that this referred to the True Void Ruler of Heaven's Measurement, the True Void King's artifact of enlightenment. If that was the case, could the Turtle Treasure really be the True Void King's possession?

"So, the Saintly Spirit Ascension Pill currently with Grand Master Dakong will be given to Shan Miaosu," Chen Mobai realized why Zhang Pankong looked so troubled. Although he was a True Void Daoist Son, his chances were slim if he had to compete with Shan Miaosu. Furthermore, and most importantly, he was still some way off from reaching the perfected Nascent Soul stage. This provided a convenient justification.

Chen Mobai had no real solution for this. Primarily, it was difficult to intervene, as it was an internal matter of the True Void Palace.

"If my sect succeeds in refining Transcendent pills in the future, and we have extras, I'll try to set one aside for you, Brother Zhang," Chen Mobai offered, as he and Zhang Pankong were, after all, friends.

"Thank you, Sect Master Chen. I was merely venting my frustrations. After all, there are very few people I can confide in about this matter..." Zhang Pankong expressed his gratitude, but Chen Mobai could tell that he didn't really take his words to heart. After all, when it came to Transcendent pills in the Eastern Continent, they only recognized the Saintly Spirit Ascension Pill. Even if the Five Elements Sect obtained the Longevity Sect's pill formula and successfully refined it, Zhang Pankong wouldn't dare to consume it without prior verification.

Chen Mobai said nothing more about it. After accompanying Zhang Pankong for half a day of tea, he personally saw him off to the teleportation array once Zhang Pankong had managed to compose himself.

Mount Panghuang.

Chen Mobai instantly teleported there using the Great Void Shift. After meeting Luo Yixuan, who was stationed there, Chen Mobai used his "Voice of the Empty Valley" ability to listen in on Zhuo Ming's seclusion. Upon confirming that everything was proceeding smoothly, he rested assured and withdrew his second primordial spirit.

Two years later.

A few ominous clouds had appeared above Mount Panghuang. This was clearly Zhuo Ming's Nascent Soul Tribulation, but both Chen Mobai and Luo Yixuan wore strange expressions. The range of the tribulation was simply too small; it was even less imposing than some Five Elements Sect cultivators' Core Formation tribulations, like Luo Yixuan's.

"Master, could Senior Sister be...?" Luo Yixuan asked with some concern. To her, a tribulation like this seemed to indicate insufficient foundation and a potential failure to break through.

"No need to worry. Ming'er has already broken the core and formed her Nascent Soul, and it's incredibly robust, no worse than mine was back then," Chen Mobai said, shaking his head after listening carefully.

Although Zhuo Ming's quantity of true qi wasn't as great as his, she had condensed seventy-two Earthly Fiends with seventy-two streams of Profound Virtue True Qi, which was the Longevity Sect's most profound foundational method. Originally, the deeper the foundation, the more difficult it was to break the core and form the Nascent Soul. However, Zhuo Ming had perfected her Primordial Chaos True Qi using the Five Elements Spirit Fruits, and the most beneficial aspect of this divine ability was precisely this stage of forming the Nascent Soul. Coupled with Chen Mobai's guidance and experience, Zhuo Ming patiently spent over a year slowly dissolving her core, smoothly completing the three stages of Nascent Soul formation and successfully cultivating her Nascent Soul.

The moment the core broke and the Nascent Soul emerged, the heavenly tribulation above Mount Panghuang finally descended symbolically. Zhuo Ming didn't even use the fifth-grade Earth Spirit Robe Chen Mobai had given her; the Myriad Virtues Cauldron merely flew out and effortlessly dissolved and absorbed the scattered dozen or so Azure Wood Divine Lightning bolts. After this wave of lightning, the few ominous clouds in the sky dissipated as if punching out for the day.

Gazing at the clear, cloudless sky, Luo Yixuan felt only one thing: injustice! When she underwent her Core Formation tribulation, its might was several times more terrifying than this. If not for borrowing a fragment of Qingnu's Darklight Black Carved Banner, she might not even have passed it. How could Senior Sister's Nascent Soul tribulation only involve a single wave of heavenly lightning? Was this even a true Nascent Soul formation?

"Hahaha, congratulations, Ming'er! With your Nascent Soul formed, you have a lifespan of a thousand years!" Chen Mobai exclaimed joyfully, laughing heartily in mid-air. He then poured out all the remaining minerals Zhang Pankong had given him from his storage bag and, riding a gentle breeze, flew towards the Myriad Virtues Cauldron.

Zhuo Ming's Nascent Soul was entirely earthy yellow, and her face was filled with pleasant surprise. She had condensed a small, seventy-two-colored spirit-patterned Earth Spirit Robe from Profound Virtue True Qi, which now floated above the hall where she had been in seclusion. Upon hearing Chen Mobai's congratulations, she somewhat stiffly turned around and bowed.

"No need for formalities. First, consolidate your realm. While you're at it, use the perfected Yellow Emperor's Profound Virtue Scripture to refine the Myriad Virtues Cauldron. With your deep foundation, it should now be able to ascend to a Fortune Virtue Treasure Cauldron," Chen Mobai instructed.

Zhuo Ming nodded repeatedly.

After refining ten thousand types of minerals, the Myriad Virtues Cauldron could theoretically upgrade to the "Myriad Fortune Virtue Cauldron." Throughout the history of the Longevity Sect, only the first Sect Master, True Monarch Profound Virtue, had achieved such a feat. Cultivating this cauldron meant having the Grand Dao of Fortune and Virtue accompany oneself. With further cultivation, after reaching the Void Refinement stage, one could naturally step onto the Grand Dao of Fortune and Virtue.

Fortune and Virtue were innate Grand Daos, on par with Chen Mobai's Sacred Virtue. Once this path was achieved, one would enjoy continuous good fortune, never encountering ill fate throughout eternity. Even when a great calamity loomed, one could face it with a smile. However, no matter how high one's fortune, it was difficult to alter destiny. Although True Monarch Profound Virtue of the Longevity Sect lived a life free from disasters and tribulations after cultivating the Fortune Virtue Cauldron, he eventually reached the end of his lifespan and passed away, unable to achieve eternal life. Moreover, individuals of great fortune might become complacent and lose their drive for progress.

Considering this, Chen Mobai felt it would be necessary to assign more tasks to Zhuo Ming in the future, to let her know that there were always stronger individuals and higher realms beyond her current perception. Conveniently, the Five Elements Sect's affairs had been given to Jiang Zongheng, so the responsibilities for the Little Southern Mountain lineage and the Eastern Continent could now be considered for Zhuo Ming.

Another year and a half quickly passed. Under Chen Mobai's guidance, Zhuo Ming perfectly consolidated her realm. Meanwhile, the Myriad Virtues Cauldron, supported by Mount Panghuang's sixth-grade spiritual vein, began to continuously absorb minerals and refine various earthly essences, progressing towards a fifth-grade artifact. Although Zhuo Ming's talent in artifact refinement was ordinary, with Chen Mobai's direct instruction and guidance, and considering the cauldron was her destined artifact, she successfully completed the refinement of each mineral one by one.

During this process, Chen Mobai also discovered something important. It wasn't merely collecting ten thousand different earthly minerals that allowed one to forge a Fortune Virtue Cauldron. Rather, only those blessed with great fortune could achieve it. If one's fortune was insufficient, even collecting twenty thousand types of minerals would only result in a peak fourth-grade Myriad Virtues Cauldron.

Zhuo Ming, clearly, was such a fortunate person. Although Chen Mobai had never cultivated the Grand Dao of Fortune and Virtue, he could deduce the Yellow Emperor's Profound Virtue Scripture through the Primordial Chaos Grand Dao. In this state, he could perceive the elusive Fortune and Virtue qi between heaven and earth, which had begun to converge ceaselessly towards Zhuo Ming after she formed her Nascent Soul. The Myriad Virtues Cauldron was precisely leveraging the fortune qi from her body to exhibit this trend of ascending and transforming into a fifth-grade artifact.

Recalling his disciple's life, Chen Mobai realized that her fortune had indeed been continuous. Especially after becoming his disciple, her luck had soared, and her fortune seemed boundless.

That day, a clear chime, like celestial music, resonated from deep within Mount Panghuang.

A round-faced female cultivator, clad in a yellow robe with skin as lustrous as yellow jade, flew out from a grand hall. A square, large cauldron, shrouded in spiritual mist, hovered above her head, emitting auspicious spiritual light, like a fortunate star.

Feeling the unprecedentedly powerful true qi within her Nascent Soul and the vigorous blood qi that could almost move mountains and divide seas, Zhuo Ming still had an incredulous, dreamlike sensation. Had she really formed her Nascent Soul so easily? Even her destined artifact had advanced!

At that moment, she saw the handsome young man standing nearby, smiling.

The story continues.