Chapter 1307: Getting to Know the Truth

To advance to the Void Refinement stage, the most crucial step is to comprehend the Great Dao. However, before that, possessing a sixth-tier divine sense and physical body would certainly increase the success rate.

With the sixth-tier Parasol Tree Tea gifted by Feng Qingshu, Chen Mobai could save a lot of arduous effort in cultivating his divine sense.

As for his physical body, an Indestructible Pill would also yield twice the results with half the effort.

Chen Mobai never expected that by helping someone repair an item, he would find solutions for the two major hurdles before reaching the Void Refinement stage.

One could only say that these ancient holy lands of the Heavenly River Realm possessed incredibly profound foundations.

Thinking of this, Chen Mobai shamelessly asked again, "Patriarch Feng, I intend to refine a sixth-tier dharma robe. I wonder if your valley has any surplus sixth-tier Scarlet Fire Silkworm Silk?"

"We only have a few rolls of peak sixth-tier silk in the Zither Hall. As for ordinary sixth-tier Scarlet Fire Silkworm Silk, we still have quite a bit." After saying this, Feng Qingshu instructed Feng Lizhu, who was by her side. The latter nodded and departed.

As a sixth-tier spiritual creature, the Scarlet Fire Silkworm's silk output was not always of consistent quality.

For tens of thousands of years, Heavenly Phoenix Valley had stored the highest quality silk in the Zither Hall, reserving it as material for repairing zither strings. The remaining, slightly lower quality silk was kept in the treasury.

A short while later, Feng Lizhu returned, bringing three rolls of mid-grade sixth-tier Scarlet Fire Silkworm Silk.

"Fellow Daoist, is this enough?"

Feng Qingshu took the silk and handed it to Chen Mobai, saying.

"More than enough, more than enough! My dharma robe was already at peak fifth-tier, just lacking some sixth-tier materials to upgrade it. This is more than sufficient."

Chen Mobai happily accepted. He had originally thought that even low-grade sixth-tier silk would be good enough, so he hadn't expected Feng Qingshu to be so generous.

"Repairing each zither string is no less challenging than refining a sixth-tier artifact. For the remaining four strings, if you successfully repair just one, our clan will offer a sixth-tier spiritual item as compensation. You may also propose specific items; as long as our clan possesses it, or it exists within the Heavenly River Realm, we will provide it." Feng Qingshu spoke candidly. People from the Southern Continent tend to have simpler ways of thinking.

As Dugangye was the foremost medicinal field across the Five Continents and Four Seas, all major holy lands seeking to refine high-tier pills had essentially sought their help. Thus, any spiritual item found in the Heavenly River Realm could generally be acquired by their clan.

"Thank you, Patriarch Feng. For now, this is all I need. However, in the future, my sect might require refining some fifth-tier pills, and we'll need to procure some medicinal ingredients from your side." Chen Mobai wondered if he could establish a cooperative relationship with Heavenly Phoenix Valley. This would allow many of Qing Nü's desired pill formulas, which were previously limited by the lack of ingredients in the Eastern Continent, to be prepared for practice.

For instance, those obtained from the Dan Ding Jade Tree Dao Fruit, from the Immortal Book Jade Slip of the Jellyfish Palace, or those Chen Mobai purchased from the World Gate, and so on.

"For fifth-tier medicinal ingredients, as long as Dugangye has them, Fellow Daoist can simply send someone to find Lizhu when the time comes. As for sixth-tier ingredients, you might need to repair a zither string before we can discuss them."

Feng Qingshu's words made Chen Mobai feel that she was straightforward.

He liked such clear-cut transactions where payment and goods were settled.

It wouldn't involve any hidden dealings.

"I've been in the Southern Continent for some time now, and I've also finished comprehending the Nirvana Scripture. I believe it's time for me to take my leave."

Chen Mobai put the pottery jar and the silkworm silk into his storage pouch and bid farewell to Feng Qingshu.

"Fellow Daoist, this is a token of my Phoenix Clan. Please keep it safe."

Before he left, Feng Qingshu presented him with a wooden plaque. With this, any future representatives from the Five Elements Sect would receive the highest treatment in Heavenly Phoenix Valley.

Next, Chen Mobai was personally escorted by Feng Qingshu to the Grand Void Ethereal Palace.

Because he had spent time refining new strings and comprehending the Nirvana Scripture, more than a year had already passed, so True Monarch Wuchen and others had already left ahead of him.

Apothecary Li, upon hearing that an Indestructible Pill was to be refined, also followed True Monarch Wuchen to the Eastern Continent, hoping to gain experience towards becoming a sixth-tier alchemist.

It was unclear what benefits True Monarch Wuchen received to agree to this.

One should know that across the Five Continents and Four Seas, the Dao Sect and Medicine King Sect were both major alchemy sects, considered competitors.

"Doesn't Dugangye have a teleportation array?"

Chen Mobai stood on Feng Qingshu's Flying Leaf artifact, carried by her towards the Grand Void Ethereal Palace in the Southern Continent, asking with some surprise.

"Even if we purchase the teleportation arrays set up by the Grand Void Ethereal Palace with spirit stones, the core control always remains in their hands. Our clan discussed setting up a teleportation array in Dugangye, asking the Grand Void Ethereal Palace to transfer core control to us, but they disagreed, so we simply didn't install one."

Feng Qingshu explained the reason, and Chen Mobai's expression turned enlightened upon hearing it.

The Grand Void Ethereal Palace monopolized the teleportation array business across the Five Continents and Four Seas. Even among fellow holy lands, if a conflict arose, they could remotely shut down teleportation arrays at any time.

However, even ancient holy lands like the Nine Heavens Demon-Slaying Sect and the Dao Sect had no way to counter this.

One of the Grand Void Ethereal Palace's publicly declared sect rules stated that if anyone sabotaged the core control of their teleportation arrays, it would be considered an an act of war, and they would spare no expense, even launching a war, to regain that control.

However, despite this, Chen Mobai knew that there were many teleportation arrays on the black market not produced by the Grand Void Ethereal Palace.

After all, among the demonic path, there was the Pot Heaven Demonic Sect, and whenever a successor emerged, they would disseminate and sell hundreds of large, medium, and small teleportation arrays that could refine core control.

These were highly popular, and Chen Mobai knew that many sects in the Eastern Continent Immortal Alliance had set them up in their core territories.

As an ally of the Grand Void Ethereal Palace, he certainly wouldn't do such a thing.

Chen Mobai merely analyzed the teleportation arrays himself and then personally crafted and set up a few sets.

"Fellow Daoist, there's something I'm not sure if I should mention."

As Chen Mobai admired the vast plains and spiritual fields of Dugangye below from the Flying Leaf artifact, Feng Qingshu suddenly uttered this remark.

"Patriarch Feng and I hit it off immediately; please speak freely."

Chen Mobai had just completed a transaction with Feng Qingshu and was in the best phase of their relationship, so he was very courteous towards her.

"The invitation for you to come and repair the zither was actually spearheaded by Madam Yuwen of the Purple Cloud Heaven Palace. She brought a mandate from the Eastern Earth Imperial Court. Our clan owed the Eastern Earth Imperial Court a favor, and we also wanted to test the mettle of you, a newly advanced sixth-tier artifact master. So, we simply used this as an excuse to exchange the main ingredient for the Indestructible Pill with the Dao Sect."

After Feng Qingshu revealed the truth about the Indestructible Pill's refinement, Chen Mobai was shocked: "There was such a hidden motive?!"

He recalled Zhang Pankong mentioning that the person who seized control of the Bitter Bamboo in the Central Continent had arrived with Ao Yuxia.

In that case, that individual was a Soul Transformation cultivator from the Eastern Earth Imperial Court!

As a dignified descendant of the Heavenly Emperor, to cultivate the Heart Demon Grand Dao—how depraved!

Amidst his profound indignation, Chen Mobai thought of another point: "Does True Monarch Wuchen know about this?"

If True Monarch Wuchen had also conspired against him, Chen Mobai would feel disheartened.

"This humble one does not know."

Feng Qingshu shook her head. Heavenly Phoenix Valley's main role in this plan was to invite Chen Mobai over; who knew he would actually succeed in the repair?

Then things became contradictory.

The successful repair of the Sound String and Life String made Feng Qingshu not want Chen Mobai to ascend. It would be best if he waited until all the remaining strings were repaired.

"Patriarch Feng, aren't you afraid of breaking your word to Madam Yuwen by telling me this?" Chen Mobai asked, a little strangely.

"I merely agreed to exchange the main ingredient for the Indestructible Pill with the Dao Sect according to her plan. Hasn't the matter already been completed? How can there be any talk of breaking my word?"

Feng Qingshu said earnestly. As for not informing Chen Mobai after the fact, it was not within the scope of her agreement with Ao Yuxia.

After hearing this, Chen Mobai gave Feng Qingshu a thumbs-up.

"Patriarch Feng, you speak wisely. It was my poor choice of words."

At this point, Chen Mobai grew even more puzzled: "Why would the Eastern Earth Imperial Court and Purple Cloud Heaven Palace want the Dao Sect to refine the Indestructible Pill? Is it because True Monarch Ziqi wants to ascend and fears he can't pass the Nine-Fold Heavenly Tribulation, thus needing an Indestructible Pill?"

This time, True Monarch Wuchen was refining the Indestructible Pill, and Purple Cloud Heaven Palace would receive one. In Chen Mobai's opinion, this was the most likely reason. Yet, it still didn't quite make sense.

"Fellow Daoist, have you considered that it's the Eastern Earth Imperial Court that wants to send you away?"

Given Feng Qingshu's status, if someone wanted her cooperation, she would certainly get to the bottom of things. Ao Yuxia was not qualified to conceal anything from her, so she had already revealed everything.

"Send me to ascend? But I haven't helped the Eastern Earth Imperial Court at all. Are they that benevolent?"

Chen Mobai found it a little unbelievable.

He couldn't understand why such a good thing would happen.

Even if they practiced the Grand Dao of Sagely Virtue, it seemed a bit much.

"Fellow Daoist, you are currently the Eastern Continent's Pillar of the Sky. As long as you do not ascend, the descendants of the Eastern Earth Imperial Court will forever be forced to hide in the shadows. In a little over a hundred years, the Heavenly River Realm will experience a great upheaval unseen in tens of thousands of years, which will also be the best opportunity for them to re-establish the Imperial Court in the Eastern Continent. Unable to challenge you directly, they can only do the opposite and send you to ascend."

After Feng Qingshu finished speaking, Chen Mobai finally realized that he, himself, now held such significant weight in the eyes of his enemies!

"Ah, well, that's quite a costly expense for them."

Upon learning the truth, a smile involuntarily appeared on Chen Mobai's lips.

"So, Fellow Daoist, what are your intentions?"

Feng Qingshu only cared about this; she did not wish for Chen Mobai to ascend so quickly.

"Rest assured, Patriarch Feng. I will certainly not let my enemies get what they want. Unless absolutely necessary, or if I encounter a formidable enemy compelling me to break through to the Void Refinement stage."

Chen Mobai said righteously, indicating that he would only consider his ascension as a last resort.

"Hearing Fellow Daoist say that, this humble one is relieved."

After Feng Qingshu received the answer she desired, her smile deepened. Just then, they had also arrived at the Grand Void Ethereal Palace in the Southern Continent.

Amidst a flash of silver light, Chen Mobai had already returned to the Eastern Continent via the intercontinental teleportation array.

"Brother Chen, it's been over a year! Your reputation as the foremost artifact master across the Five Continents and Four Seas is now thunderous!" The person greeting him was naturally Zhang Pankong, who spoke with a beaming smile upon seeing Chen Mobai emerge.

In the Southern Continent, various matters combined had indeed taken up quite a bit of time.

Among these, the matter of Chen Mobai repairing the zither strings in Heavenly Phoenix Valley had, thanks to Soul Transformation cultivators like True Monarch Wuchen, Ao Yuxia, and True Monarch Dagu, spread throughout the major holy lands of the Heavenly River Realm.

Mainly because Immortal in Flames had extremely poor social connections. During this dissemination, True Monarch Dagu exerted great effort, immediately selling the detailed information to the Impermanence Hall.

The Nine Tribulations Heavenly Phoenix Zither was considered peak sixth-tier knowledge. After learning that two new strings had been repaired, the Impermanence Hall also promoted and sold this information to various holy lands.

They even came up with a new title: "Shocking! This Damaged Dao-Attainment Treasure Has Been Repaired by Nearly Half!"

"Oh no, why didn't I profit from this myself!" Chen Mobai exclaimed in great regret after hearing what Zhang Pankong said.

Still not experienced enough.

He hadn't expected that even this could be sold to the Impermanence Hall.

No wonder True Monarch Dagu, that old fellow, had a friendlier attitude than before when he returned.

"Brother Chen, there's also good news. Three days ago, Venerable Danxia emerged from seclusion, drawing forth the water-element spiritual energy from over half of Cloud Dream Lake. It appears she's about to break through to Nascent Soul Consummation."

After all, True Monarch Dagu was Zhang Pankong's martial uncle, so he immediately used the good news of Qing Nü emerging from seclusion to divert Chen Mobai's attention.

"Brother Zhang, let's meet again later. I'm heading back first."

Upon hearing this, Chen Mobai's heart yearned to return, and he immediately bid farewell.

"Then I won't keep you, Brother Chen. I hope that soon, we'll see Venerable Danxia also achieve the Dao of Soul Transformation."

Zhang Pankong offered a blessing, then reactivated the teleportation array, sending Chen Mobai directly to the Eastern Wilderness.

Upon returning to his territory, Chen Mobai immediately spread his divine sense, encompassing the entire domain of the Five Elements Sect. He then directly located the space above the Yellow Dragon Grotto and performed a Great Void Teleportation.

With a flash of silver light, he appeared above Cloud Dream Lake, where a storm was raging.

Qing Nü was still in the process of breaking through. Centered around the Yellow Dragon Grotto, the fifth-tier water spirit vein seemed to be controlled by a mysterious force. A deep, dark vortex emerged on the water's surface, as immense, pure water spiritual energy continuously surged into it from between heaven and earth, as if falling into a bottomless ocean abyss, constantly being refined and absorbed.

The depths of the vortex were shrouded in hazy mist, yet a graceful figure could faintly be seen.

A spiritual gleam flashed in Chen Mobai's eyes, penetrating the illusion to reveal Qing Nü.

Her eyes were tightly closed as she stood at the bottom of Cloud Dream Lake. Above her head, a sapphire-blue pearl spun continuously, drawing in vast amounts of pure water spiritual energy and transforming it into wisps of Abyssal Underworld True Water, which then merged into her Nascent Soul that embraced the Water Element Dao Fruit.

Throughout this process, Qing Nü's Nascent Soul grew almost every moment.

However, Chen Mobai discovered that the Sea-Calming Pearl above her head was retaining more than half of the water spiritual energy.

"This is..."

Chen Mobai was initially a little confused, but his expression quickly turned enlightened.