Chapter 1317: Transformation Ceremony

Pure Nine-Lotus Treasure Lamp:

Above Beiyuan City, nine cloud dragons, formed from condensed spirit veins, soared with their heads held high. They clutched pearls and exhaled mist, enveloping the entire city in Tier 6 spiritual energy. At the center of these nine cloud dragons stood a floating dao platform. From its vantage point, one could overlook the entire Eastern Desolate Plateau. E Yun had mobilized disciples from the Five Elements Sect to construct it within two years. It served not only as the foundation for Zhang Pankong's intercontinental teleportation array but also as the main stage for the Soul Transformation Grand Ceremony.

Under the Sky-Veil Earth-Net Grand Array, Beiyuan City's spiritual energy reached an unprecedented density. Zhang Pankong directed the disciples of the Grand Void Ethereal Palace to meticulously arrange temporary array discs and flags, initiating the linkage and debugging process with the overseas teleportation arrays. Just then, a dragon's roar echoed from the distant horizon. A short while later, Chen Mobai and Qing Nü, riding a yellow dragon, arrived before the dao platform.

"Brother Zhang, thank you for your efforts." Chen Mobai landed on the dao platform, cupped his fist towards Zhang Pankong, and said.

"It's only proper," Zhang Pankong replied with a smile. "This also showcases the grandeur of our Eastern Continent Immortal City and brings honor to all our Holy Lands." Soon, however, he detected something unusual. Chen Mobai was clearly standing before him, yet his divine sense could not perceive his aura or presence. Zhang Pankong had only ever encountered such a phenomenon in one other individual: the Grand Void Immortal, sect master of the Grand Void Ethereal Palace in the Central Continent. The Grand Void Immortal had cultivated the Grand Void Immortal Art to its pinnacle, allowing him to grasp some Void Refinement abilities even at the Soul Transformation stage, and even manipulate the void like a true Void Refinement cultivator. Although Chen Mobai had also concurrently cultivated the Vacuum Dharma Body, even a genius of his caliber could not possibly deduce the Void Refinement chapters from such incomplete scriptures. This left only one possibility.

"Brother Chen, have you... reached Void Refinement?" Zhang Pankong asked, his mouth agape in disbelief after the realization.

"After my wife achieved Soul Transformation, a significant weight was lifted from my mind," Chen Mobai explained. "While traveling with her and revisiting the places I had cultivated in over the past three hundred years, I suddenly gained enlightenment on the profound mysteries of Void Refinement, allowing me to take this step." Chen Mobai did not elaborate on his current realm, but he also made no attempt to conceal it. Upon hearing his words, Zhang Pankong was still utterly shocked, despite having been somewhat mentally prepared.

While Chen Mobai had long been regarded across the Five Continents and Four Seas as a peak Soul Transformation cultivator, on par with figures like Feng Qingshu and the Grand Void Immortal, it was generally understood that this reputation stemmed from his unparalleled combat prowess and possession of multiple Tier 6 magic artifacts. Now, however, Chen Mobai had genuinely ascended to the pinnacle of the Heavenly River Realm in terms of cultivation realm. From this day forward, the Azure Emperor of the Eastern Desolate would join the ranks of those capable of ascension at any moment.

"Brother Chen, have you sold this information yet?" Upon recovering from his shock, Zhang Pankong's first thought was to ask Chen Mobai if he had sold the information to the Wuchang Chamber. This was news of a Tier 6 level.

"I had forgotten about that. Thank you for the reminder, Brother Zhang." After emerging from seclusion, Chen Mobai had rushed to Beiyuan City immediately after checking the Omniscient Orb, and indeed, he had not yet developed the habit of selling such information. He immediately took out and activated a Wuchang Talisman. Shortly after, the Black and White Wuchang figures appeared in a puff of smoke. Upon learning of Chen Mobai's cultivation realm, they were utterly astonished, just like Zhang Pankong.

Soon, Cui Tai's avatar, having received the news, arrived swiftly. Only he, as the Grand Prefect of the Wuchang Chamber in the Eastern Continent, had the authority to decide on Tier 6 information.

"Congratulations, fellow Daoist," Cui Tai said. "I hope we may one day reunite in the Spirit Void Immortal Realm." After updating the records for the Azure Emperor of the Eastern Desolate, Cui Tai smiled and congratulated Chen Mobai.

"Thank you for your kind words, fellow Daoist." Chen Mobai responded politely, then casually invited Cui Tai to stay and attend Qing Nü's Soul Transformation Grand Ceremony. Although the Wuchang Chamber had an air of gloom, it was nonetheless one of the Central Continent's Holy Lands. Hearing the invitation, Cui Tai was greatly pleased.

"Congratulations to True Monarch Danxia on achieving Soul Transformation. To show my respect, I will attend the ceremony in my true form and bring a congratulatory gift." After accepting the invitation, Cui Tai still excused himself.

"Your presence, fellow Daoist, is gift enough; there's no need for anything else." After Chen Mobai exchanged a few pleasantries with Cui Tai, the latter dispersed his avatar.

Next, Zhang Pankong began activating the intercontinental teleportation array. The first to arrive were the two prominent Soul Transformation cultivators from the Western Continent: True Monarch Qingfeng and True Monarch Dadang. Upon appearing on the dao platform, they saw Chen Mobai and the others waiting. They greeted them very politely, saying, "Congratulations, fellow Daoist, and congratulations to True Monarch Danxia."

"Did Fellow Daoist Little Thunder Immortal not come?" Chen Mobai asked, noticing only two had arrived, even though he had sent invitations to all three Holy Lands of the Western Continent.

"Unfortunately," True Monarch Qingfeng replied, "he recently had a sudden epiphany regarding the Way of Thunder and appears to be on the verge of a breakthrough. He decided to enter seclusion to seize this rare opportunity. However, he entrusted us with his congratulatory gift." As True Monarch Qingfeng spoke, he handed a jade box to Qing Nü.

"This is truly too generous," Chen Mobai said, but still subtly gestured for Qing Nü to accept it. Qing Nü didn't open the box to inspect its contents. After taking it, she immediately placed it into her storage bag. However, the moment she touched it, she sensed a Tier 4 spiritual presence, indicating it was likely a top-grade Tier 4 spiritual item.

"Oh, Fellow Daoist Chen's aura..." At that moment, True Monarch Dadang also noticed something unusual and looked at Chen Mobai with surprise. Soul Transformation cultivators from the Grand Void Ethereal Palace are exceptionally sensitive to the void. After Chen Mobai's divine sense reached Tier 6, he was almost constantly merging with the void, making his presence incredibly conspicuous to them.

"Some time ago, I also had a slight breakthrough," Chen Mobai said humbly. Zhang Pankong immediately sent a voice transmission, revealing the truth to True Monarch Dadang, whose eyes widened in utter astonishment upon hearing it. True Monarch Dadang initially hadn't considered Void Refinement, assuming instead that the intercontinental teleportation array's influence had stirred the surrounding void energy, making it clearly perceptible, thus allowing Chen Mobai to simulate a state of merging with the void.

"To think," True Monarch Qingfeng sighed, "the realm I've earnestly pursued for hundreds of years without success, fellow Daoist has achieved with such ease." He was one of the Four True Monarchs, having reached the peak of Soul Transformation long ago. Yet, after achieving perfection, he found it incredibly difficult to advance, even feeling he might never achieve Void Refinement in this lifetime. However, what seemed like an insurmountable bottleneck to him, Chen Mobai had overcome in just sixty years. Despite his inner dismay, True Monarch Qingfeng also felt it was only natural. When they first met in the Western Continent, he already knew the Azure Emperor of the Eastern Desolate lived up to his formidable reputation, and he had long been mentally prepared for the possibility of being surpassed.

"I hope we may reunite in the Immortal Realm one day." In response, Chen Mobai could only echo Cui Tai's earlier sentiment. Upon hearing this, True Monarch Qingfeng shook his head and sighed.

"This is your first visit to the Eastern Continent, isn't it, fellow Daoists? Allow me to show you around my Beiyuan City." Chen Mobai immediately changed the subject, leading the two Soul Transformation cultivators from the Western Continent to the edge of the floating dao platform. Soon, the neatly planned and orderly modern immortal city captivated True Monarch Qingfeng and his companions. While the Central Continent boasted larger immortal cities, they seemed somewhat simplistic and backward in various aspects when compared to Beiyuan City. Chen Mobai personally guided the two Soul Transformation cultivators on a tour of Beiyuan City. He unreservedly brought out the planning maps he had designed, meticulously explaining each functional zone and its underlying planning philosophy.

Time flowed by. Soon, the day of the Soul Transformation Grand Ceremony arrived. The intercontinental teleportation array on the floating dao platform began to continuously emit bursts of void spiritual light. Besides Zhang Pankong, Shan Miaosu and True Monarch Dakong had also arrived. Zhang Pankong and Shan Miaosu were occupied with various tasks, while True Monarch Dakong, as an elder, was merrily drinking with True Monarch Dadang from the Western Continent, True Monarch Dagu from the Southern Continent, and True Monarch Dajiang from the Northern Continent. It was a rare occasion for the four siblings to be reunited. Chen Mobai, meanwhile, had gone to the ocean to welcome Feng Qingshu, who was arriving from across the sea, leaving only Qing Nü to manage the reception. Nevertheless, Qing Nü was the true honoree of today's Soul Transformation Grand Ceremony.

Beautifully crafted tables were arranged on the floating dao platform. The front rows were, of course, reserved for Soul Transformation cultivators, while behind them sat the Nascent Soul cultivators of the Eastern Continent Immortal Alliance. Only cultivators at or above the Nascent Soul stage were permitted to attend the Soul Transformation Grand Ceremony on the platform. Those below Nascent Soul had a separate venue in Beiyuan City, where Han Zhiling, the third-generation senior disciple of the Little South Mountain lineage, was in charge of reception, with Zhang Sizhu assisting.

"Everyone's here." A short while later, Grand Void Immortal Jiang Shuyu stepped out from the teleportation array. Seeing True Monarch Dakong and the other three, he couldn't help but smile faintly.

"Greetings, Sect Master!" True Monarch Dakong and the other three immediately rose to pay their respects.

"Greetings, Senior Jiang," Qing Nü said, "Please, quickly take a seat!" Upon realizing it was the Grand Void Immortal, Qing Nü immediately brought E Yun forward to greet him.

"Congratulations, fellow Daoist, on achieving Soul Transformation," the Grand Void Immortal said, "Please accept this small token of my regard." After offering his congratulations, the Grand Void Immortal produced a pair of blue and red jade Ruyi scepters. They were translucent and lustrous, their spiritual glow clearly indicating they were crafted from Tier 5 spiritual materials. Furthermore, their water and fire attributes perfectly matched those of Chen Mobai and Qing Nü. This showed that the Grand Void Immortal had put considerable thought into selecting this congratulatory gift. At that moment, True Monarch Qingfeng and the other Soul Transformation cultivators also rose, cupped their fists, and paid their respects to the Grand Void Immortal.

"There's no need to be so formal," the Grand Void Immortal replied. "Please, all be seated. Today, I am merely a guest." After returning each greeting, the Grand Void Immortal approached True Monarch Dakong and his companions, choosing an empty table to sit at.

"Is young friend Chen not present?" The Grand Void Immortal, not seeing Chen Mobai, asked True Monarch Dakong with a hint of surprise.

"Reportedly, he went to pick up Clan Leader Feng Qingshu." Upon hearing this, the Grand Void Immortal's expression showed understanding. He didn't inquire why Feng Qingshu wasn't using the intercontinental teleportation array.

"Sect Master, why didn't Holy Master Kong accompany you?" True Monarch Dadang, seeing the Grand Void Immortal alone, asked out of curiosity.

"He went to the Myriad Spirits Sect to invite Fellow Daoist Tianling to come along," the Grand Void Immortal explained. "He intends to turn hostility into friendship and help resolve a lingering karmic tie."

"Tsk," True Monarch Dakong mused, "that Tianling fellow certainly dodged a bullet." Upon hearing this, True Monarch Dakong felt that True Monarch Tianling was incredibly fortunate to have the Grand Righteous Immortal personally mediate and resolve the karmic ties with Chen Mobai. According to local customs, once Chen Mobai was ready to ascend, he would certainly resolve all his karmic entanglements beforehand to prevent leaving any future troubles for his disciples. Although True Monarch Tianling was one of the Four True Monarchs, even his Tier 6 Kui Beast had perished at Chen Mobai's hands. Now that Chen Mobai had comprehended the profound mysteries of Void Refinement, it would likely take him no more than three moves to defeat Tianling.

"After all," the Grand Void Immortal stated, "they are all righteous Soul Transformation cultivators of our Heavenly River Realm. Furthermore, the Myriad Spirits Sect in the Immortal Realm has a Tier 7 True Immortal Dao Lord. Even if young friend Chen were to kill Tianling in the Heavenly River Realm, Elder Myriad Spirits could use this as a karmic cause to act against him after he ascends. So, Senior Brother Kong's intervention this time is also for his benefit." The Grand Void Immortal explained that after the Grand Righteous Immortal had returned to the Central Continent, he had gone to the Myriad Spirits Sect to inquire about the Kui Beast incident. However, True Monarch Tianling was not present at that time and only returned from overseas more than a decade later. Upon his return, he immediately entered seclusion, not even receiving the visiting Soul Transformation cultivators from the Eternal Pen and Inkwood. This time, the Grand Righteous Immortal personally went to the Myriad Spirits Sect to resolve the conflict, and it was expected that True Monarch Tianling would certainly show him respect. The only question was whether the Azure Emperor of the Eastern Desolate would be willing to reconcile.

The Grand Void Immortal believed that given Chen Mobai's proud nature, he might be reluctant to reconcile. Therefore, he had arrived early, intending to mediate and persuade, hoping Chen Mobai would spare True Monarch Tianling for the sake of Dao Lord Myriad Spirits. Since Chen Mobai was not present, the Grand Void Immortal could only send a voice transmission to Qing Nü, giving her a heads-up about the matter.

"It would be best to wait until my husband returns before discussing this with Senior," Qing Nü replied via voice transmission. The Grand Void Immortal nodded in understanding.

Just then, two streaks of Soul Transformation spiritual light appeared in the eastern sky. Shortly after, several cultivators, riding swords and clouds, flew to the floating dao platform.

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Danxia." The arrivals were none other than the Soul Transformation cultivators from the two great Holy Lands of the Eastern Lands: the Nine Heavens Demon-Slaying Sect and the Daoist Virtue Sect. It was Ye Qing who spoke. Although the Nine Heavens Demon-Slaying Sect was currently in a state of seclusion, given his relationship with Chen Mobai, he had made sure to find time to attend Qing Nü's Soul Transformation Grand Ceremony. Seeing Ye Qing and Shen Xi, Qing Nü immediately flew up with E Yun. After exchanging pleasantries, she led them to their seats.

"Greetings, Senior Jiang!" Before Ye Qing and Shen Xi led their respective sect's Nascent Soul cultivators to their seats, they first approached the Grand Void Immortal's table to pay their respects. This was the prestige of a sect master from the Heavenly River Realm's most powerful Holy Lands.

"There's no need to be so formal, please, take a seat, all of you." After the Grand Void Immortal nodded in response, he gestured to the two tables beside him. Ye Qing and Shen Xi then instructed their Nascent Soul cultivators to take seats further back before sitting down beside the Grand Void Immortal.

Just then, an astonishing dragon's roar reverberated from the distant horizon. The dragon's roar was followed by a phoenix's cry. Immediately after, two primordial spirit dharma bodies traversed thousands of miles in an instant, arriving before the floating dao platform.

"We apologize for our slight delay, fellow Daoists." Chen Mobai descended on the yellow dragon, smiling as he cupped his fist in greeting to all sides. After him, a fiery red phoenix dharma body descended, transforming into Feng Qingshu. What astonished the newly arrived Soul Transformation cultivators present, however, was their inability to sense the aura or presence of these two individuals. The Grand Void Immortal froze for a moment, then his eyes widened, revealing a trace of surprise and doubt. He was exceedingly familiar with this phenomenon.

"Sect Master," True Monarch Dakong quickly sent a voice transmission, "young friend Chen had a breakthrough in his realm some time ago and can now achieve Void Refinement at any moment."