Chapter 1276: Contract

At the moment the Kui Beast died, True Monarch Tianling, who was fleeing towards Zhongzhou, suddenly felt a jolt in his heart, followed by a surge of deadly threat.

Intense pain spread from his heart throughout his body, causing his whole body to tremble violently and blood to gush from his seven orifices. Even his Purple Palace Sea of Consciousness began to show cracks.

"Oh no, the Kui Beast is dead! Due to the contract's link, I will also be affected by the heavenly tribulation..."

True Monarch Tianling quickly realized the reason. He immediately found an unnamed island, and after setting up a formation, he summoned another fifth-tier true spirit guardian from his spirit beast pouch. After that, he took out the Beast Plate and began to cultivate.

He and the Kui Beast did not have a life-and-death contract, but at the moment the Kui Beast died, he, as its master, still suffered a backlash.

True Monarch Tianling felt utterly unlucky. But he could only grit his teeth, hoping to prevent the contract's backlash from worsening his injuries and affecting his foundation.

After Chen Mobai obtained the Kui Beast's corpse, he originally intended to put it into his Dharma Realm. But on second thought, there were still so many fellow Soul Transformation cultivators below, and he realized it was necessary to use this as a warning to them that ascension was difficult.

So he made the Purple Lightning Sword larger, like a door plank, carrying the Kui Beast's corpse, following behind him as he flew down.

Seeing the empty fourth heavenly tribulation layer, Chen Mobai was slightly disappointed. He had thought that Immortal Taixu and Immortal Haoran Yiqi would be waiting there, and he had even bothered to adjust his appearance and demeanor in vain.

As he continued downwards, numerous magnificent Soul Manifestations fell into Chen Mobai's view.

The Soul Transformation cultivators of Tianhe Realm, who were chatting, saw Chen Mobai descend with the Kui Beast's corpse. Their eyes immediately widened, their faces filled with disbelief.

The Kui Beast failing its tribulation was within their expectations. But given its sixth-tier essence, it should have at least been able to rush through a few more layers of heavenly tribulation, a realm no Soul Transformation cultivator had ever stepped into. If it had died there, it would have been impossible for Chen Mobai to go up and collect the corpse.

"May I ask, young friend, how many layers of heavenly tribulation did you ascend?" Even Immortal Haoran Yiqi couldn't help but ask, astonished.

"Only the fifth layer," Chen Mobai said with an expression of great regret. "Before I even ascended, the Kui Beast had already died in the sixth layer..."

"Fellow Daoist, you were actually able to pass through six layers of heavenly tribulation!" Hearing his words, all the Soul Transformation cultivators of Tianhe Realm gasped in a cold breath.

"Oh, not at all," Chen Mobai replied honestly. "It was because the Kui Beast, before its death, was controlled by an inner demon, its power went berserk, and it blasted open the tribulation clouds. After it died, it happened to fall through a rift, and I picked it up. I only stopped at the fifth layer." Although when one is out and about, one's identity and cultivation level are often exaggerated, Chen Mobai was relatively honest and dared not boast about this, speaking the truth.

"Young friend, you are too humble." Immortal Taixu and the others, however, thought Chen Mobai did not want to reveal more, so they did not ask further and changed the topic.

"I heard this Kui Beast is the protecting true spirit of the Myriad Spirits Sect. Although it brought its demise upon itself by dying in the heavenly tribulation, every wrong has its perpetrator, every debt has its debtor. I believe the Myriad Spirits Sect needs to give me an explanation regarding this matter. Otherwise, though I dislike traveling, I will have no choice but to carry my sword and bell to Zhongzhou to demand an explanation."

Chen Mobai didn't know if there were any Soul Transformation cultivators from the Myriad Spirits Sect present. In any case, at this point, this enmity was already established. He directly made this declaration in front of so many Soul Transformation cultivators, hoping to force True Monarch Tianling into a corner.

"Young friend, please calm your anger," Immortal Haoran Yiqi said. "After I return, I will communicate with Tianling and will certainly give you a satisfactory answer."

Immortal Haoran Yiqi, as the Saint Lord of the Millennial Brush and Ink Pavilion, was nominally the Alliance Leader of the Righteous Path in Zhongzhou. The Myriad Spirits Sect, as a sacred land in Zhongzhou, now had such a major conflict with the Eastern Continent. To avoid a large-scale war between the cultivation worlds of the two continents, the matter certainly needed to be handled properly.

Of course, this was also because Chen Mobai had displayed formidable strength. If he became enraged, he was capable of causing turmoil in Zhongzhou. If it were the Western Continent or the Northern Continent, he wouldn't even bother to care, leaving them to resolve it themselves.

"Since that is the case, then I will wait," Chen Mobai replied. "I hope it won't take too long."

Hearing Immortal Haoran Yiqi's words, Chen Mobai immediately went along with the suggestion. According to his personality, it was certainly impossible for him to leave the Eastern Continent, after all, only with the Sky Canopy Earth Net Grand Formation in place could he contend against Void Refinement cultivators.

The Kui Beast was sixth-tier, so perhaps True Monarch Tianling had also reached the realm where he could ascend at any moment. Chen Mobai was always cautious; he would not risk doing anything that could "overturn" the situation.

Seeing him so willing to listen, Immortal Haoran Yiqi and the other Soul Transformation cultivators from Zhongzhou all breathed a sigh of relief. After all, this person's combat power was already on par with Void Refinement cultivators. If he truly became enraged in Zhongzhou, wherever the battlefield was, that place would become ruins.

Next, Chen Mobai greeted True Monarch Qingfeng and the other Soul Transformation cultivators he knew. Under their guidance, he also met other fellow Daoists. All those present combined could basically encompass all the sacred lands of the Five Continents and Four Seas.

"At the previous Sacred Dao Assembly, I eagerly anticipated meeting you, Fellow Daoist," said a monk sitting on a white lotus, clad in black robes with a shaven head. He was introduced by Apothecary Li of the Medicine King Sect from Southern Continent.

"This is Lay Exalted Fanyun of the Sun Lotus Monastery."

After Chen Mobai heard this, his expression cleared, and he immediately returned the greeting: "Greetings, Fellow Daoist."

The Sun Lotus Monastery was the most reclusive sacred land in the Southern Continent. In the past, True Monarch Yiyuan was a close friend of the White Lotus Exalted of this lineage, and the Primal Chaos Bell in his hand was forged by the two of them together. Moreover, this White Lotus Exalted, after forging the Primal Chaos Bell, also ascended to the Spirit Void Immortal Realm.

"This humble monk pays respects to Grandmaster."

After Lay Exalted Fanyun of the Sun Lotus Monastery greeted Chen Mobai, he then respectfully performed a junior's salute to the Primal Chaos Bell in Chen Mobai's palm.

"You should also come out and return the greeting," Chen Mobai instructed.

After Chen Mobai understood the relationship, he instructed the Primal Chaos Bell.

A clear chime of the bell rang out. The spirit of the artifact, with Chen Mobai's permission, transformed into a five-colored divine light and floated out, gently nodding towards Lay Exalted Fanyun.

This scene greatly impressed the surrounding Soul Transformation cultivators. Many of those present were Soul Transformation Ancestors from top sacred lands, and they also possessed sixth-tier artifacts. But compared to Chen Mobai's masterful control, as if manipulating his own arm, they, conversely, needed to obey the commands of their artifacts. This level of artifact control was undoubtedly the best in Tianhe Realm.

After Lay Exalted Fanyun, many other Soul Transformation cultivators came over, wanting to converse and exchange communication talismans with Chen Mobai.

"Everyone, recently, traces of demonic cultivators have appeared on the Eastern Continent. Seniors Wuchen and Dakong are still trapped, and I still need to go help them." Chen Mobai, who disliked socializing, recalled this matter and immediately bid them farewell.

"Oh, that's right, this matter. I will go with Fellow Daoist," True Monarch Dagu, who was next to Lay Exalted Fanyun, patted his chest, offering to help. As fellow Soul Transformation cultivators of the Grand Void Ethereal Palace, he had a good relationship with True Monarch Dakong.

"Let me go instead; I happen to have nothing to do," Immortal Taixu suddenly spoke.

"Yes, Senior Martial Brother Sect Master!" True Monarch Dagu seemed to hold Immortal Taixu in great awe; hearing his words, he nodded respectfully.

Chen Mobai was naturally happy with this. After all, to rescue two people, if Immortal Taixu helped, he would only need to dispatch his second Soul Manifestation. His true body would remain seated in the Sky Canopy Earth Net Grand Formation, as stable as Mount Tai.

As he descended, Chen Mobai said to Immortal Haoran Yiqi, "By the way, I find this matter a bit strange. The demonic path just attacked our Eastern Continent's Soul Transformation cultivators. After I received the news, I was about to offer assistance, but I was held back by the sudden arrival of the Kui Beast. And before that, many Heart Demon Avatars of the Central Demonic Path Lord caused chaos in the Eastern Continent. I suspect the Myriad Spirits Sect is colluding with the demonic path!"

He did not mention the matter of the Central Demonic Path Lord's Giant Kun Avatar, as it involved the Dharma Realm, Spirit Venerables, and the Asura Plate. But previously, the Central Demonic Path Lord believed victory was assured, so he directly revealed that he had an accomplice who would trouble Chen Mobai's true body. And since the Kui Beast was the protecting true spirit of the Myriad Spirits Sect, it was obvious that True Monarch Tianling was involved. Chen Mobai spoke without any politeness.

"This old man will investigate thoroughly," Immortal Haoran Yiqi replied. To this, Immortal Haoran Yiqi also nodded with a solemn expression. After all, the world was currently in turmoil. The ancient demonic overlords from outside the heavens were all descending demonic treasures and inheritances, and it was very possible for Soul Transformation cultivators to succumb and fall into demonhood. The Millennial Brush and Ink Pavilion, as the leader of the righteous path in Zhongzhou, also took the lead in suppressing demonic treasures, and therefore attached great importance to such matters.

As they spoke, the Soul Transformation cultivators parted ways. Chen Mobai, on the other hand, with Immortal Taixu, identified the airspace above the Eastern Continent and descended from the heavenly tribulation.

After successively passing through three layers of heavenly tribulation, they had already arrived in the airspace above the Eastern Continent. A streak of spiritual light flew over. It was precisely the second Soul Manifestation guarding the area. It nodded to Chen Mobai, then transformed into a precious pearl, and was retrieved along with the Primal Yang Sword and other pure-yang artifacts.

"Young friend, your assets are truly abundant!" Immortal Taixu, seeing another sixth-tier sword artifact, couldn't help but be greatly astonished. One must know that as the Sect Master of the Grand Void Ethereal Palace, not counting his Dharma-proving treasure, he only had two sixth-tier artifacts, one for attack and one for defense.

"These are all the sect's heritage," Chen Mobai humbly replied, "not entirely forged by me." Chen Mobai was also very humble. However, after completing the upgrade of the Purple Lightning Sword, even by the standards of immortal sects, he could rightfully call himself a sixth-tier artifact refiner.

"In the future, should other fellow Daoists come seeking your aid, I hope young friend, when refining artifacts, will consider this world slightly," Immortal Taixu said somewhat tactfully.

Chen Mobai didn't understand at first, but on second thought, he understood. The power of sixth-tier artifacts was truly too immense for a world. If it weren't for the Sky Canopy Earth Net Grand Formation's protection this time, the aftermath of his battle with the Kui Beast would have at least sunken the three frontier regions of the Eastern Continent.

But the good thing about artifacts was that they needed to be wielded and controlled by someone to unleash their true power. And only those top Soul Transformation cultivators could unleash the power of sixth-tier artifacts. In Tianhe Realm, the number of sixth-tier artifacts was far less than the number of Soul Transformation cultivators. If Chen Mobai were to mass-produce them and allow these Soul Transformation cultivators, who already possessed world-altering energy, to upgrade their artifact configurations, then once any verbal conflict arose, the Five Continents and Four Seas might one day lose one or two continents, or even revert to the state of a vast ocean, as at the beginning of creation.

It was precisely for this reason that the Millennial Brush and Ink Pavilion would unite with the various sacred lands of Zhongzhou to seal demonic treasures descending from beyond the heavens across the world. Because if these demonic treasures fell into the hands of people like the Central Demonic Path Lord, once they turned ruthless, they could truly destroy the heavens and earth.

"Senior, I understand your meaning," Chen Mobai said. "However, I can only guarantee that I will not mass-produce artifacts for others. But if any outstanding disciples under my sect advance to Soul Transformation, I will certainly equip them with a good set of artifacts."

Chen Mobai also gave his reply. When others persuade you to abandon weapons of mass destruction, you had better persuade those around you to abandon them, but you absolutely must not let go of your own; in fact, you should even refine them fiercely. After all, the prevailing atmosphere in Tianhe Realm was fierce. If one didn't have some strength and a solid foundation, after a few thousand years, one might just become a mere historical term. For example, the Blazing Heaven Pure Land and the Icy Heaven Snowy Land on the Eastern Continent. Chen Mobai analyzed the reason these two great sacred lands disappeared, concluding that besides not maintaining good neighborly relations, the most important reason was the lack of sixth-tier artifacts to suppress their opponents. The Daoist Virtue Sect and the Nine Heavens Demon-Slaying Sect were typical examples. Even if they temporarily declined and lost their Soul Transformation cultivators, they could still rely on their sect's heritage to last until the next Soul Transformation cultivator emerged.

"That's good, that's good." Immortal Taixu also knew he could only advise; whether Chen Mobai listened or not was entirely beyond his control.

"Then I will go rescue Senior Wuchen first. As for Senior Dakong, I'll leave him to you, Senior." Chen Mobai took out True Monarch Dakong's communication talisman and handed it to Immortal Taixu. The latter nodded and took it, and after infusing spiritual power into it, the communication talisman began to fly in reverse, towards Dakong's location.

Chen Mobai also used the same method, following back with True Monarch Wuchen's communication talisman.

What surprised him somewhat was that, through the positioning of the Primordial Demon Talisman, Chen Mobai discovered that Tu Ming had also landed on the other side of the Eastern Continent and was currently heading towards Dongli, with the same destination as him.

It was the Central Demonic Path Lord's doing again!

Chen Mobai directly pinned the blame for Wuchen and Dakong's entrapment on Su Wen; after all, the timing of events was too coincidental.

On the Eastern Continent's side, the only ones who could participate in battles with him and the Central Demonic Path Lord, or even the Kui Beast, were Wuchen and Dakong. This was clearly designed to prevent the two from receiving news and stepping in to assist Chen Mobai, by luring out the Blood God of the Jade Mirror Demonic Sect in advance.

If that was the case, then it was, conversely, due to Chen Mobai that Wuchen and Dakong were trapped. Thinking of this, Chen Mobai felt a slight pang of guilt in his heart.

He did not know that this was entirely a coincidence.

Yaoguang Immortal City.

Having just lost his wife and inherited the Sun family's assets, Honghe's life had become happier than ever before.

One day, he went to his cave dwelling in the suburbs to fish. When scattering bait, he found the box empty, and he couldn't help but frown slightly, thinking he needed to replace some servants.

At this moment, footsteps suddenly sounded nearby.

Honghe was just wondering which servant was so disrespectful when he turned his head and was instantly stunned.

"Aren't you dead?"