Chapter 1209: Goodbye Hanxingzi

With the Three Yin Scripture, Yan Bingxuan, Chen Xiaohei, and the others would not have to worry about cultivation techniques until they reached the Deity Transformation Stage. Chen Mobai also planned to teach the Three Yin Scripture alongside the Longevity Sect's Five Elements Immortal Scripture at the Immortal Sect, opening up more paths to the Deity Transformation Stage for future generations of disciples. However, in comparison, these Deity Transformation cultivation techniques from the Heavenly River Realm demanded excessive resources and had strict entry requirements, such as an Innate Spiritual Body or Heavenly Spiritual Root. They were primarily intended as references for Deity Transformation.

Yet, Chen Mobai trusted the wisdom of future generations. He believed that one day, astounding geniuses, akin to Patriarch Yuanyang, would emerge among the Immortal Sect's future disciples. They would simplify these high-threshold Deity Transformation cultivation techniques and create spiritual root methods similar to the Pure Yang Dharma Body. Furthermore, the Immortal Sect already possessed methods to elevate Five Elements Spiritual Roots to Heavenly Spiritual Roots; the sole challenge lay in acquiring Innate Five Elements Essence Qi. While Chen Mobai could resolve these issues using the Primordial Grand Dao, he would eventually leave the Immortal Sect. Therefore, he hoped a genius would emerge to create a permanent solution.

After conversing with the two Deity Transformation cultivators from Nanzhou, Chen Mobai exchanged communication talismans with them, then they parted ways within the heavenly tribulation. In the Heavenly River Realm, once a cultivator transcended the Celestial Dipper, they would enter the Nine-Layered Heavenly Tribulation, regardless of their location in the Five Continents and Four Seas. The scope of this tribulation was reduced by over a thousand times compared to the Heavenly River Realm itself, allowing for much faster travel between the Five Continents and Four Seas by pinpointing the landing spot. It was precisely for this reason that the many Deity Transformation cultivators of the Heavenly River Realm were able to arrive so quickly to witness True Monarch Suiyu's ascension.

"Fellow Daoists, as you've seen, a grudge has formed between True Monarch Suiyu and me," Chen Mobai said, his face filled with worry, after leaving the Nine-Layered Heavenly Tribulation with Wuchen and Dakong. "To prevent Patriarch Yiyuan in the Upper Realm from being troubled by her, I wonder if your sects have a way to notify the Upper Realm and convey this message to Patriarch Yiyuan?"

"If I were to contact the Upper Realm from my side," True Monarch Dakong said, a troubled expression on his face, "I would first have to inform the Central Continent headquarters, and then Immortal Senior Brother Taixu would relay it on my behalf..." He indicated that it was not possible for him directly.

"If my Dao Virtue Sect were to contact our Ancestor in the Upper Realm," True Monarch Wuchen replied, "it would require using a very precious sixth-tier spirit talisman. However, if True Monarch Suiyu's ascension has alarmed the Upper Realm, our Ancestor might voluntarily descend a spiritual sense to inquire about this matter. At that time, I could mention your situation, fellow Daoist." True Monarch Wuchen did not completely refuse, and Chen Mobai immediately thanked him.

"Fellow Daoist, you could also discuss this with the Nine Heavens Demon-Slaying Sect," True Monarch Wuchen reminded Chen Mobai as they finally parted ways. "They possess the Sky-Reaching Dao Refining Pagoda, which makes communicating with the Upper Realm more convenient for them than for my sect..."

"Thank you for the tip, Senior," Chen Mobai sighed. "However, the Nine Heavens Demon-Slaying Sect has now sealed their mountain to protect Ye Qing's Deity Transformation. I wouldn't want to disturb them for this." He thanked the two Deity Transformation cultivators before him, then headed towards the Eastern Barrens.

In reality, he had only brought up the matter to maintain his persona as True Monarch Yiyuan's successor within the Heavenly River Realm. After all, True Monarch Suiyu's attitude before her departure had been exceptionally arrogant. If Chen Mobai failed to express any concern, he would undoubtedly be seen as unfilial in the eyes of Wuchen and others, considering his status as the successor of Yiyuan's Dao Lineage. As a moral paragon of the Eastern Continent, he still carried some burden regarding his public image.

In reality, Chen Mobai had great confidence in True Monarch Yiyuan. After all, this Ancestor had at least mastered the Primordial Grand Dao, an innate great path. Not to mention True Monarch Suiyu, even Patriarch Jiyin, who ascended long ago, likely wouldn't be a match for True Monarch Yiyuan. Moreover, Chen Mobai had even invoked the name of a Heavenly Venerate. Judging by True Monarch Suiyu's final silence, she was clearly somewhat intimidated. It was probably just empty threats; even if she successfully ascended, she would likely have to avoid his lineage in the Spirit Void Immortal Realm. With these thoughts, Chen Mobai immediately dismissed the matter from his mind. Of course, if possible, he still hoped True Monarch Suiyu would be annihilated during her Nine-Layered Heavenly Tribulation. That would settle everything and leave him with one less loose end.

Holding onto this pleasant hope, Chen Mobai returned to the Eastern Barrens. He had also considered whether to visit the Icebound Mausoleum again. After all, True Monarch Suiyu had specifically entered it before her ascension, perhaps leaving behind some hidden arrangements, such as inherited Dao fruits or similar treasures. But just as this thought emerged, the Tongtian Zhi subtly warned him again. Although the extent of this warning was very faint, almost one percent of what he felt when he first entered the Icebound Mausoleum, Chen Mobai, having learned his lesson once, chose to play it safe and abandoned the idea. After all, even if True Monarch Suiyu was gone, the sixth-tier Three Yin Annihilation Array was still there. What if True Monarch Suiyu had left behind some drastic measure before leaving, where his entry would trigger the array to directly detonate the Icebound Mausoleum? Even if he didn't die, he would likely be injured. Chen Mobai had a bright future ahead; it wasn't worth taking such a risk for a potential Dao fruit gain.

After returning to the Eastern Barrens, Chen Mobai did not inform anyone else about the matter, given his earlier agreement with Han Xingzi. However, dispatching the Five Elements Sect's forces to investigate the Three Ice Heavens was not an issue. Since the Five Elements Sect's influence was primarily in the three frontier regions, he also notified the Yiyuan Dao Palace and the Heavenly Banquet Pavilion for assistance. Thinking of the Heavenly Banquet Pavilion, Chen Mobai took out the Wuchang Talisman given by True Monarch Dakong. This talisman could be used to contact the Wuchang Chamber. The Heavenly Banquet Pavilion's two Nascent Soul cultivators, Paolong and Pengfeng, were actually peripheral members of the Wuchang Chamber. It was by connecting with that network that they were able to form their Nascent Souls and even develop the Heavenly Banquet Pavilion to its current scale.

But ultimately, Chen Mobai did not activate the Wuchang Talisman. This was because the Wuchang Chamber primarily dealt with intelligence concerning Deity Transformation cultivators. Regarding an ancient fiendess like True Monarch Suiyu, who was thousands of years old, they likely only had some basic records and certainly no means of exploring the current detailed situation within the Icebound Mausoleum. Moreover, merely having the Heavenly Banquet Pavilion inquire about the Three Ice Heavens was already sufficient.

Just as Chen Mobai was organizing the Three Yin Scripture he had obtained from the Icebound Mausoleum, Paolong personally delivered a piece of information. "Han Xingzi has returned to the Shattered Jade Palace."

Chen Mobai's expression was one of surprise after hearing this. "Indeed, I personally went to the Northwest and confirmed his aura," Paolong affirmed with a nod. As Chen Mobai was the foremost Deity Transformation cultivator in the Eastern Continent and maintained a friendly relationship with the Heavenly Banquet Pavilion, he was their greatest patron, whose influence would be beneficial even beyond the Eastern Continent. Therefore, the Heavenly Banquet Pavilion always handled anything Chen Mobai instructed as their top priority.

"What about the Snow Mountain Sect?" Chen Mobai asked after a moment of thought.

"My junior sister went to the Snow Mountain Sect," Paolong reported, "and so far, she hasn't found any trace of True Master Luoying." Paolong reported what the Heavenly Banquet Pavilion had discovered, without mixing in any personal conjectures or asking Chen Mobai why he was inquiring about these two Nascent Soul cultivators from the Three Ice Heavens, fully displaying the professional competence of an information broker.

"That's odd," Chen Mobai mused. He recalled his experience in the Icebound Mausoleum, where True Master Luoying had mysteriously vanished in the Iridescent Spirit Cave. It was now certain that True Monarch Suiyu was responsible. Han Xingzi was clearly unaware of this. Judging by the scene where he was knocked out by the Spirit-Inducing Incense, perhaps True Monarch Suiyu thought little of him and thus had no intention of letting him ascend to Snow Cloud Peak. Connecting this with True Monarch Suiyu's mysterious state of being neither alive nor dead, Chen Mobai formed a conjecture.

"Thank you for your trouble, fellow Daoist," Chen Mobai said. "Please help me send another letter to Han Xingzi." Since Chen Mobai couldn't figure it out, he decided to simply ask directly. Paolong nodded after listening, took the letter Chen Mobai wrote, and personally set off to deliver it.

Chen Mobai invited Han Xingzi to meet at the Five Elements Sect to continue discussing their previous agreement. Although there was a possibility that Han Xingzi had been taken over by True Monarch Suiyu, Chen Mobai was not particularly afraid, as he was on his own territory, protected by the already complete Sky Curtain Earth Net Grand Array. Outside the Sky Curtain Earth Net Grand Array, his current combat power would only fear a Void Refinement cultivator. However, a Void Refinement cultivator encountering him would soon ascend. And within the Sky Curtain Earth Net Grand Array, with Qianxing's excellent demonstration, he felt that suppressing a Void Refinement cultivator was not impossible.

However, to be safe, Chen Mobai still set the meeting place at Mirror Immortal City in Eastern Yi. After all, if they truly fought, even with the grand array's protection, the immortal city might suffer. If Beiyuan City were destroyed, the Five Elements Sect's assets would instantly shrink by half, and the economies of the Eastern Continent's three frontier regions would regress a hundred years.

Three days later, Han Xingzi's reply arrived in Chen Mobai's hands. It stated that he had brought some items out of the Icebound Mausoleum and would come immediately after arranging their handling by his sect. Chen Mobai was willing to grant him this time.

The day before the meeting, Chen Mobai arrived at Mirror Immortal City, where Zhou Ye, who guarded the place, was already waiting with the disciples of the Five Elements Sect. After a welcoming reception, Chen Mobai ascended to the highest point of Mirror Mountain. This place was formerly Patriarch Jinfeng's cultivation ground and the site of the most abundant spiritual vein. But for Chen Mobai, it was merely better than nothing. Soon, he felt the fluctuations of a large-scale teleportation array. Then, Zhou Ye led Han Xingzi, who feigned composure, up the mountain.

"Greetings, Sect Master Chen."

Chen Mobai gestured for Han Xingzi to forgo formalities, then dismissed Zhou Ye. "Tell me, how did you get out?" Chen Mobai asked directly. He had already listened with the Sound of the Empty Valley: Han Xingzi's aura was still the same, though his physique had lost some essence Qi, and his vital energy was dimmer than before. He must have been affected by the aftershocks of the battle between Chen Mobai and True Monarch Suiyu in the Icebound Mausoleum.

"Please forgive me, True Monarch," Han Xingzi said with a bitter smile. "There are some matters about which I've sworn a Dao-heart oath and cannot disclose much."

Chen Mobai frowned slightly, then spoke again: "Then tell me what you can."

Han Xingzi nodded and immediately took out a jade box. "Sect Master Chen," he said, "inside this is a Shaoyin Dao fruit. Is our original deal still valid?"

Chen Mobai's face showed surprise upon hearing this!