Chapter 1327: Seven-Level Power

Pure Nine Lotus Lanterns

“Who is the Spirit Venerable?”

After hearing Chen Mobai’s words, everyone present was surprised.

Among the top cultivators in the Heavenly River Realm, there had never been such an existence. Judging by the name, could it be a True Spirit?

But even Feng Qingshu, the head of the Nine Great True Spirits, wouldn’t dare to intervene in today’s matter. And Feng Qingshu was right here.

“Playing tricks!”

Upon hearing Chen Mobai’s words, Ayue snorted coldly. A blue-and-white jade bracelet flew from her fair wrist and landed in front of Azi, who immediately respectfully extended her right hand to put it on.

Soon, Azi’s aura began to skyrocket, reaching the peak of the Soul Transformation stage in the blink of an eye, and then continuously advancing towards the Void Refinement stage.

At this moment, the void above suddenly cracked open, a rift tearing across the sky like a gate opening to both sides. Then, a surging sound of water was heard, and to the astonished gaze of all the Soul Transformation cultivators, a colossal, world-obscuring shadow, riding on massive waves, flew out from within.

Nangong Jin, who had always maintained a calm expression, finally grew serious at this moment.

Not only him, but even the proud Ayue widened her eyes, looking incredulously at the golden-haired, golden-eyed woman standing atop the colossal Kun’s avatar.

The moment the Spirit Venerable appeared, they immediately sensed Dao power of the same level.

The Five Elements Sect actually has a Void Refinement cultivator?!

Not only the Jellyfish Palace, but all the Soul Transformation cultivators present were wide-mouthed in disbelief.

Especially Shen Xi, Ye Qing, and other Soul Transformation cultivators from the native Holy Lands of Eastern Continent.

They had always believed that although the Five Elements Sect was currently the strongest in Eastern Continent, its foundation was far inferior to that of their ancient Holy Lands.

Who knew that Chen Mobai was so good at hiding, having a Void Refinement existence supporting him?

This must be the foundation of the Longevity Sect, right?

Shen Xi and others who knew the origin of the Five Elements Sect all had this thought flash through their minds.

At this moment, Immortal Haoran Yiqi and others also sent telepathic messages, asking the local Eastern Continent cultivators about the situation with this Void Refinement being.

In response, Shen Xi, Ye Qing, and the others replied with bewildered expressions: We don't know.

The Spirit Venerable, riding her colossal Kun avatar, descended from the sky and landed beside the floating dao platform. The platform, which was already quite large, seemed like a small plank compared to the giant Kun.

After landing, the Spirit Venerable’s golden eyes looked at Qing Nü behind Chen Mobai and said with a pleased expression, “I’ve been in seclusion for hundreds of years, and I never expected you, my disciple, to have reached the Soul Transformation stage.”

As soon as she said this, everyone present suddenly understood.

So, this was the mysterious otherworldly master of True Monarch Danxia, as mentioned in the Wuchang Zhai’s records.

If she was a Void Refinement cultivator, then everything made sense.

No wonder the Five Elements Sect developed so rapidly; it’s likely that this existence greatly assisted Eastern Wilderness Azure Emperor in achieving such accomplishments.

“Disciple greets Master. It is truly a sin to trouble you, venerable elder, to come out and clean up this mess.”

Before Chen Mobai called upon the Spirit Venerable, he had already telepathically informed Qing Nü about this matter, so Qing Nü cooperated immediately.

For her, being able to take the Spirit Venerable as her master was also a blessing.

After all, people from the Immortal Sect grew up listening to the legends of the Spirit Venerable.

“Senior, please don’t mention my matter with Baiguang to Qing Nü.”

Seeing Qing Nü acknowledge her master, Chen Mobai suddenly remembered something else, a slight sweat breaking out on his back, and quickly sent a telepathic message.

“Don’t worry, I’m not such a gossipy being.”

The Spirit Venerable’s words made Chen Mobai breathe a sigh of relief.

At this moment, Immortal Taixu’s telepathic message suddenly echoed in Chen Mobai’s ears, and the latter asked with some surprise: “Fellow Daoist Chen, was what you just activated a Dharma Realm?”

A divine ability like the Dharma Realm might deceive others present, but it could certainly not deceive Immortal Taixu; he recognized it at a glance.

Even though it was a life-or-death moment for the Five Elements Sect, Immortal Taixu couldn’t resist pressing the question.

Chen Mobai was also very clear that if he answered poorly, he might turn Taixu Misty Palace, a force second only to Jellyfish Palace, into an enemy. So, he simply described the mysterious old man he had encountered at the Big Dipper Conference.

“In the past, I was taught the ‘Four Volumes of Taixu’ by this mysterious senior, which recorded secret arts like the Dharma Realm, Void Illusions, and so on…”

After hearing this, Immortal Taixu immediately pressed for details about the mysterious old man’s appearance and the specific scene at the time, which Chen Mobai also described in detail.

Although the Four Volumes of Taixu did not contain the Dharma Realm, at this moment, he could only try to bluff his way through.

If he truly couldn’t withstand the Jellyfish Palace’s assault today, Chen Mobai was already prepared to open the Dharma Realm and lead the Five Elements Sect cultivators here to escape.

It wouldn’t matter if he gained another great enemy in Taixu Misty Palace then.

“May I ask your esteemed name, Fellow Daoist?”

At this moment, Nangong Jin, as the sect master of the Jellyfish Palace, which had been silent since the Spirit Venerable emerged from the Dharma Realm, finally spoke.

As soon as he spoke, Immortal Haoran Yiqi breathed a sigh of relief.

This indicated a desire for peace talks.

After all, the Spirit Venerable was a genuine Void Refinement cultivator. Even if the Jellyfish Palace currently had two Void Refinement cultivators present, and Azi as a backup avatar, dealing with the Spirit Venerable would inevitably lead to someone ascending.

Even if the Jellyfish Palace had a profound foundation, the number of Void Refinement stage existences was certainly very few.

Perhaps, apart from the merman elder Han Ming, who had been forced to ascend, there were only these two remaining.

If another one were to ascend, then facing the great changes in heaven and earth, the Jellyfish Palace would no longer be able to remain aloof as it was now.

“You can call me Spirit Venerable. I heard from Little Chen that you intend to take my disciple for judgment?”

Before the Spirit Venerable emerged from the Dharma Realm, she had already heard Chen Mobai’s telepathic message about the situation here.

Her first reaction at the time was that Chen Mobai was being a bit unfaithful, as the Spirit Venerable and Baiguang were good friends.

But soon the Spirit Venerable recalled the gossip that Immortal Shuixian had once shared with her: Baiguang was the third party, and Chen Mobai and Qing Nü were true love.

It was Baiguang who disregarded her status, intervened in their love, and, despite her age, used her status and cultivation to exploit others.

Although she and Baiguang were close friends who entrusted their lives to each other, the Spirit Venerable’s moral compass was quite righteous, and she thought Baiguang was a bit shameless in this matter.

It was precisely for this reason that when Chen Mobai entrusted her, the Spirit Venerable readily agreed.

Instead, the Spirit Venerable felt that Chen Mobai, despite his weak cultivation at the time, was a true man who stood firm and did not betray Qing Nü’s feelings even when facing an old Soul Transformation ancestor like Baiguang.

Thinking of this, the Spirit Venerable admired Chen Mobai even more.

Therefore, the Spirit Venerable intended to pretend she didn’t know about this matter, and if Chen Mobai and Baiguang had a chance to meet in the future, she would let the couple resolve it themselves.

She was just worried that both husband and wife had fiery tempers, and if they disagreed, they might end up fighting violently.

Although Baiguang’s realm was higher now, with Chen Mobai’s astonishing talent, he would likely reach the Void Refinement stage soon, and since he also mastered innate great daos, the couple might have a fierce battle.

“Oh, I was unaware of this. May I inquire?”

After the Spirit Venerable spoke, Nangong Jin seemed somewhat surprised, then turned and asked the weak and severely injured Yuan Ming.

Azi was currently receiving Ayue’s divine essence, so Yuan Ming was the only one available to answer.

“Reporting to Sect Master, it is like this…”

Yuan Ming dared not lie and immediately recounted the whole story.

“Why was I not informed about finding Yu Chan’s whereabouts?” After listening, Nangong Jin slightly frowned, his tone deepening.

“The matter was urgent. At that time, the Palace Master might have been busy with other matters, so Azi informed Han Ming and me. Considering that the longer the Immortal Book Jade Slip remained outside, the greater the possibility of it being exposed to outsiders, we dispatched them urgently to deal with this.”

Ayue answered. As she spoke, Azi had already received the grand dao infusion from the detached spirit possession and could now unleash Void Refinement power using the refined Dao fruit.

However, Azi, who had just been full of anticipation, was now exceptionally compliant, seemingly afraid that she would actually be forced to act.

After all, the Spirit Venerable was standing right there, and her artificially boosted power would likely not last even a single exchange.

Knowing it was a suicide mission, she was still unwilling.

“Fellow Daoist, the matter is clear now. It was our subordinates who spoke inappropriately and acted with problematic methods. However, the Immortal Book Jade Slip, as a stolen heritage of our palace, must be returned.”

As the Sect Master of the Jellyfish Palace, Nangong Jin’s words both offered the Five Elements Sect a way out and maintained his own sect’s dignity, causing Immortal Haoran Yiqi, who was pondering how to resolve the situation, to nod inwardly.

“If it is truly your item, it should naturally be returned to its original owner. However, how can you prove that the Immortal Book Jade Slip in my disciple’s hand is the one stolen from your Jellyfish Palace?”

The Spirit Venerable, however, replied with a cold laugh.

As soon as these words were uttered, all the Soul Transformation cultivators present, who had thought the matter was about to conclude peacefully, inwardly groaned in dismay.

This mysterious Spirit Venerable truly had the same proud personality as the Eastern Wilderness Azure Emperor.

She refused to bow even when facing the formidable array of the two Void Refinement cultivators from the Jellyfish Palace.

“What do you mean by that, Fellow Daoist?”

As expected, after the Spirit Venerable’s response, Nangong Jin’s eyes narrowed, and his previously calm demeanor began to turn profound and terrifying.

“Why waste so many words with them? Palace Master, please summon the Primordial Water-Controlling Banner and sink the Eastern Continent!”

Before the Spirit Venerable could answer, Ayue could no longer hold back.

Although the Five Elements Sect having a Void Refinement cultivator was beyond her expectation, the true foundation of the Jellyfish Palace was not Void Refinement cultivators, but the seventh-rank Innate Spirit Treasure, the Primordial Water-Controlling Banner.

When this artifact was activated to its fullest, its power could submerge the five continents of the Heavenly River Realm.

Not to mention that a Void Refinement cultivator like the Spirit Venerable could only make one move under the rules of the Heavenly River Realm; even if she could act with full power, it would be unstoppable.

“Fellow Daoist, please provide an explanation, or hand over the Immortal Book Jade Slip, and have those who have seen it swear an oath never to transmit its contents. Then, this matter can be considered a misunderstanding.”

In response, Nangong Jin decided to give the Five Elements Sect a chance.

After all, activating the Primordial Water-Controlling Banner would be an enormous burden even for him, a Void Refinement cultivator.

Moreover, if the Eastern Continent were submerged, at least in the upper realm, the Patriarch of Nine Heavens Demon Eradication and Immortal Sovereign Wuwei, two seventh-rank True Immortals, would definitely hold them accountable.

“I stand by my previous statement: I can promise not to transmit it, but I will not swear an oath.”

Chen Mobai saw that Nangong Jin seemed to be reasonable and did not want to take the final step of abandoning the territory he had managed for so long, so he gave this reply.

If the Jellyfish Palace was still not satisfied, then a fight was the only option.

“Palace Master, please act. Leave this Void Refinement cultivator from the Five Elements Sect to me; I will ascend with her.”

Ayue seemed unwilling to let the Five Elements Sect and the Jellyfish Palace reconcile, so she bypassed Nangong Jin and, riding Azi’s detached spirit avatar, stood before the Spirit Venerable.

“Fellow Daoist, the Jellyfish Palace cannot be humiliated.”

At this point, Nangong Jin had no other recourse.

After taking a deep look at Chen Mobai, he swept his wide sleeve, and at this moment, the water element Great Dao power of the entire Heavenly River Realm seemed to awaken and began to boil.

A deep, shadowy flag began to form above the Eastern Continent, coalescing from the boundless water element Great Dao.

Seeing this, Chen Mobai’s heart sank.

The warning level from the Heaven-Penetrating Divination Staff intensified to an unprecedented degree.

This indicated that he had no means to resist this seventh-rank Primordial Water-Controlling Banner.

“Fellow Daoist Nangong, the Eastern Continent is connected to the Great Dao of the Patriarch of Nine Heavens Demon Eradication. If it sinks, your Jellyfish Palace may not be able to bear the responsibility.”

Immortal Haoran Yiqi saw this scene and quickly spoke, hoping the Jellyfish Palace would show mercy for this reason.

“Don’t worry, I will control the power of the Primordial Water-Controlling Banner to only sink half of the Eastern Continent, and the Central Lands will not be affected.”

Nangong Jin said this expressionlessly.

*Whoosh!*

At this moment, the sky had already transformed into an boundless ocean, and the water elemental spiritual energy from the four seas condensed into a deep blue flag surface.

The moment the flag surface appeared, the Nine-Layered Heavenly Tribulation, which had spanned the sky of the Heavenly River Realm since ancient times, was pierced through, revealing the vast starry river and, at its deepest point, the infinitely distant Holy Realm of the Immortal World.

Is this the power of a seventh-rank Innate Spirit Treasure?!

Seeing this, Chen Mobai sent a telepathic message to the Spirit Venerable, preparing to open the Dharma Realm and take the Five Elements Sect away, while simultaneously detonating all the spiritual veins with the Primordial Five Elements Extinction Divine Thunder to buy time.

This grudge, he had noted it down.

“On the Eastern Continent, hundreds of millions of our human race reside. If the Jellyfish Palace truly intends to commit such monstrous slaughter, my Taixu Misty Palace, as a righteous Holy Land of the human race, will absolutely not permit it!”

Just at this moment, Immortal Taixu, who had been silent after communicating telepathically with Chen Mobai, suddenly spoke with fiery words.

His words caused Chen Mobai and all the Soul Transformation cultivators present to be stunned.

They didn’t understand why he was stepping forward now.

Under everyone’s gaze, Immortal Taixu straightened his robes, clasped his hands in a bow, and respectfully saluted towards the Central Continent, proclaiming a true mantra: “I implore Patriarch Taixu Measuring Heaven Ruler to act!”

As soon as these words fell, everyone was startled.

Even Immortal Haoran Yiqi widened his eyes, not understanding why Immortal Taixu would confront the Jellyfish Palace for the sake of the Five Elements Sect.

Even to the extent of using the Taixu Measuring Heaven Ruler.

Moreover, would the Taixu Measuring Heaven Ruler agree?

After all, this Dao-establishing treasure had a status equivalent to that of Patriarch Taixu True King himself; in non-essential circumstances, even Immortal Taixu, as sect master, could not command it.

But soon, Immortal Haoran Yiqi saw a brilliant silver light gleaming within the boundless ocean in the sky.

A long ruler, pure white and covered in mysterious patterns, emerged horizontally across the void.

***

“Mr. Jiang Ran, how did you achieve so much in various fields in just a few years? Could you share your journey over these years?”

Facing questions from the media, Jiang Ran, the 21st century’s best-selling young novelist, the most influential screenwriter in Chinese film history, and the greatest lyricist and composer in the Chinese music scene, responded:

“I owe all of this to my ex-wife. Without her, I wouldn’t be who I am today.”

“So, are the rumors about your divorce from Heavenly Queen Shen Nianwei true?”

“Yes, but recently we’ve been planning to remarry.”