Chapter 1349: The Primordial Spiritual Vein

Hearing that Chen Mobai had arrived in the Eastern Lands, Zhang Pankong came to Tongtian Peak the next day, bringing with him the newly appointed Daozi and Saintess of the Grand Emptiness Ethereal Palace.

“Greetings, Elder Chen.” Guided by Zhang Pankong, the two juniors respectfully saluted Chen Mobai. If Chen Mobai hadn't yet formally become a disciple of the Grand Emptiness True King, Zhang Pankong would have wanted them to address him as “Grand-Uncle Master.”

After subjugating the Black Flood Dragon Royal Court, the Five Elements Sect needed to set up teleportation arrays on the various spirit veins and islands throughout the Profound Sea. This project was several times larger than the teleportation network across the entire Eastern Continent. Zhang Pankong certainly wouldn't oversee it himself, as it would be too time-consuming, so he handed it over to the current generation's Daozi and Saintess. This also provided an opportunity to introduce them to Chen Mobai.

Since Chen Mobai was preparing for the Void Refinement stage, he couldn't manage the project, so he assigned Qing Nu to handle the coordination.

Not long after, Xuande of the Daoist Virtue Sect also arrived with his sect's Daozi and Saintess. True Monarch Wuchen was overseeing the refinement of the Immortal Pill, and Shenxi was guarding the mountain gate, so only Xuande, the Deputy Sect Master, could come.

Qing Nu inquired about Qi Jiansu's condition with concern.

“We must also thank True Monarch Danxia for the Three Lights Divine Water. Although my junior sister failed in her Spirit Transformation, her life is not in danger. She just feels a bit embarrassed and has been staying indoors.” Xuande replied respectfully to Qing Nu.

After all, Qing Nu and Qi Jiansu were good friends. Qing Nu had successfully undergone Spirit Transformation on her first attempt and had kept the prepared fifth-grade Three Lights Divine Water, which she then gave to Qi Jiansu.

“It's good that she's alright. As long as she's alive, she'll eventually succeed after a few more attempts. After the Spirit Transformation Ceremony, I'll go to the Daoist Virtue Sect to talk to her.” After hearing Xuande, Qing Nu seemed to understand Qi Jiansu's current psychological state.

Qi Jiansu had failed her Spirit Transformation, while Yuan Zhen, whom she had always looked down upon, had succeeded. This had directly moved her from second to last to last place, and Qi Jiansu surely couldn't accept it in the short term.

However, with time, such things become easier to accept. Moreover, those who become Daozi or Saintess in the Four Great Sacred Lands are individuals with unwavering Dao hearts, having overcome immense challenges. Qing Nu believed Qi Jiansu would be able to overcome this hurdle.

“Then I'll trouble True Monarch Danxia.” Xuande thanked her again.

Next, he hesitated, considering how to ask Qing Nu to buy a portion of fifth-grade Three Lights Divine Water. After all, among the Golden Generation of the Eastern Continent, he was currently the only one who hadn't attempted Spirit Transformation. Even with his steady character, he was feeling somewhat anxious at this point.

If he hadn't needed to assist True Monarch Wuchen in refining the Immortal Pill, and if Qi Jiansu hadn't been more eager to break through first, he might already be taking the Sagely Spirit Elixir within the Daoist Virtue Sect's mountain gate.

After seeing Qi Jiansu's failure, Xuande calmed down from the impulse of seeing Chen Mobai, Ye Qing, and others successively succeed in Spirit Transformation. He was a genius, but not an unparalleled genius like the Azure Emperor of the Eastern Wasteland. It was still possible for him to fail the Spirit Transformation hurdle. Having something to ensure his survival would certainly be safer.

“If you need it, Fellow Daoist, you'll have to wait another sixty years.” After Xuande spoke, Qing Nu didn't refuse, merely informing him of the time required to condense the Three Lights Divine Water.

Inside the Yellow Dragon Cave Mansion, there were three fifth-grade Jade Pure Glazed Bottles. Two had been there previously, and the last one was refined using the Daoist Virtue Sect's sixth-grade Azure Origin Crystal. However, it required communal nurturing to advance to the sixth grade, a process Chen Mobai certainly wouldn't waste his time on.

However, after the Five Elements Sect conquered the Profound Sea, the scope of the Heavenly Net Earth Web Array expanded further, allowing more moonlight, sunlight, and starlight to be condensed. Consequently, the time required to condense a single portion of Three Lights Divine Water, which originally took a century, was now shortened.

Qing Nu estimated that if Zhuo Ming incorporated all the spirit veins of the Profound Sea into the Heavenly Net Earth Web, it might take as little as thirty years. However, for external promotion, they would certainly state a longer duration to justify a higher price.

“I can wait. Please reserve a portion for me, True Monarch Danxia.” Xuande nodded repeatedly.

Sixty years was a mere trifle; he would consider it a period of accumulating strength, letting Zhang Pankong and Ye Qing go first.

Qing Nu happened to be planning to refine the Great Dao of Longevity Pill again, intending to use it to open up the elixir market across the Five Continents and Four Seas, establishing branches of Danxia Pavilion throughout the Tianhe Realm. She decided to use the Three Lights Divine Water to exchange for the necessary medicinal ingredients from the Daoist Virtue Sect in advance.

While Xuande and Qing Nu were discussing business, Chen Mobai, guided by Ye Qing, entered the Tongtian Dao Refinement Pagoda.

Now, with the Grand Emptiness Heaven Measuring Ruler's endorsement, Chen Mobai was no longer afraid of his turtle treasure or true identity being exposed. Therefore, he no longer resisted ascending the pagoda, which he had always avoided in the past. He even looked forward to meeting the Ancestor of the Nine Heavens Demon Extermination Sect.

However, waiting at the very top of the Tongtian Dao Refinement Pagoda was the elder, Yuan Qingque.

“Young friend, long time no see. Your cultivation has advanced so quickly, it truly exceeds my expectations.” He looked at Chen Mobai with a face full of amazement and admiration.

“Greetings, Senior.” Chen Mobai also saluted politely. He held great respect for this elder of the righteous path.

If not for his decisive Void Refinement, which allowed him to slay demonic Spirit Transformation cultivators like Mingzun and buy Chen Mobai time, the Five Elements Sect would not have developed so smoothly into the foremost Sacred Land of the Eastern Continent.

“Let's dispense with the pleasantries. I received news from the Ancestor that True Monarch Yiyuan suddenly appeared and went to the forbidden land where the Heavenly Venerate last vanished.” After exchanging greetings, Yuan Qingque spoke with a serious expression.

“This...” Upon hearing this, Chen Mobai didn't know how to react, as he wasn't familiar with either the Heavenly Venerate or True Monarch Yiyuan.

“The Ancestor sensed an anomaly in the Primordial Great Dao of the Spiritual Void Immortal Realm. True Monarch Yiyuan might be taking the step towards Dao Integration. However, I'm unsure why he would go to the forbidden land. As you have inherited the Heavenly Venerate's lineage, do you know anything?” Yuan Qingque's words reminded Chen Mobai of the Heavenly Venerate's tree branch in the Divine Tree Secret Realm.

It was clear that True Monarch Yiyuan had entered that place, which led to his illustrious life. However, even now, Chen Mobai wasn't sure if he had been possessed by the Heavenly Venerate.

“I don't know.” Chen Mobai shook his head.

Yuan Qingque assumed there were certain secrets only accessible to successors of the Heavenly Venerate's lineage, so he didn't press further.

“If True Monarch Yiyuan successfully integrates with the Dao, your Five Elements Sect, young friend, could directly rival the Millennium Brushwood Forest in status within the Tianhe Realm. However, if he fails, it will likely cause a disturbance in the Innate Dao of Life and Death, which the Heavenly Venerate entered, potentially even leading to its premature and complete evolution.”

“Once the Innate Dao of Life and Death is fully perfected, the Life-Death Plate, which embodies this Dao, will reassemble accordingly. The manifestation of the Three Thousand Great Daos will be unstoppable. At that time, the Ancestor will project a manifestation of his dharma body to Tongtian Peak in advance to verify that Innate Dao.”

“This would cause a chain reaction that spirals completely out of control. Your Five Elements Sect, young friend, must also prepare for potential attacks from outer realm demon gods, underworld ghosts, and other entities.”

The main reason Yuan Qingque had Ye Qing summon Chen Mobai today was to warn him about this. The Nine Heavens Demon Extermination Sect had already made full preparations. After this Spirit Transformation Ceremony, they would completely seal their mountains, leaving only the newly promoted Daozi and Saintess to lead a group of disciples as world-travelers, managing the sect's affairs.

“Thank you, Senior.” Chen Mobai nodded, indicating that if Qi Yingyu and her group encountered difficulties, they could seek help from the Five Elements Sect.

Although he was also about to enter the Void Refinement stage, the Five Elements Sect still had Qing Nu and Ku Zhu, both Spirit Transformation cultivators, and even the fifth-tier combat power of the Grand Age Child.

“It seems to me, young friend, that you are also ready to take the step into Void Refinement at any time. Coincidentally, I have some insights on this myself...” It was evident that Yuan Qingque genuinely liked Chen Mobai as a junior; he even offered his insights on breaking through to Void Refinement. While these might not have been critically important to Chen Mobai, such an gesture was incredibly precious in an environment like the Tianhe Realm.

“Young friend, you cultivate the Great Dao of Sacred Virtue, which is a blessing in disguise. Although the Millennium Sage occupies this Great Dao, he is most fond of teaching and propagating the Dao. Therefore, even if a cultivator cultivates Sacred Virtue concurrently, he will not prevent them from entering the Great Dao.”

“After all, those capable of cultivating Sacred Virtue are inherently of good character.”

“However, after reaching Void Refinement, the Innate Great Dao of Sacred Virtue is already occupied. If you wish to integrate with the Dao, you would have to settle for less and attempt to integrate with other Acquired Daos branched from this Great Dao, such as Benevolence, Propriety, Loyalty, Integrity, Compliance, Harmony, Reverence, and so on...”

Yuan Qingque began imparting knowledge that only major sects possessed. Acquired Daos could ascend to Innate Daos, and Innate Daos could naturally descend to Acquired Daos.

If the difficulty of the former was a hundred, the latter was equivalent to one, making it extremely simple.

For this very reason, if one could enter an Innate Dao during Void Refinement, they would almost always choose the Innate.

For example, there were two seventh-tier True Immortals in the Millennium Brushwood Forest of the Spiritual Void Immortal Realm who entered the Innate Great Dao of Sacred Virtue during their Void Refinement. They subsequently became disciples of the Millennium Sage and, with his guidance, integrated with the Acquired Daos of Benevolence and Compliance.

Therefore, if Chen Mobai could achieve Void Refinement through Sacred Virtue and ascend, even if he didn't join the Grand Emptiness True King's lineage, he could still become a disciple of the Sage in the Millennium Brushwood Forest.

Hearing this, Chen Mobai's face lit up with joy.

After all, although he planned to enter the Great Dao of Sacred Virtue in the Purple Firmament Cosmos, upon his return, the Millennium Sage would surely discover that there was an additional person on his Dao.

He had originally thought of returning only after Dao Integration, so he wouldn't fear a confrontation.

Now, hearing Yuan Qingque's words, he no longer had to worry about that. Perhaps he could even openly visit the Spiritual Void Immortal Realm and listen to the Sage's sermons.

“This is the Qi of Primordial Spirit Veins I've collected in the Immortal Realm over the years. Take it to Zhen'er.” After guiding Chen Mobai, as Yuan Qingque's spiritual clone prepared to return to the Spiritual Void Immortal Realm, he suddenly remembered something. He took out an illusory Azure Mirage Bottle and handed it to Ye Qing, who was standing nearby.

“Farewell, Senior.” As he and Ye Qing watched Yuan Qingque transform into light and vanish into the starry river deep within the pagoda's summit, Chen Mobai grew curious about the Qi of Primordial Spirit Veins and asked his friend.

“When the Mother of Water created heaven and earth, there were no spirit veins. It was only after the Three Thousand Great Daos were perfected that the first spirit vein, the Primordial Spirit Vein, evolved from the Innate Primordial Great Dao. In terms of grade, it is the sole eighth-grade spirit vein.”

“All spirit veins and spiritual energy in this world, whether in the Tianhe Realm or the Spiritual Void Immortal Realm, can be said to have branched off from this Primordial Spirit Vein.”

“However, later, when the Heavenly Emperor ascended to his throne, he joined forces with many True Immortals, Dao Lords, and powerful beings to extract this Primordial Spirit Vein from the eyes of the Four Seas and brought it to the Spiritual Void Immortal Realm. Therefore, only those in the Upper Realm can now enjoy the Qi of this Primordial Spirit Vein.”

“After the Ancestor integrated with the Dao, he received a decree from the Heavenly Emperor and was granted a seventh-grade spirit vein branched from the Primordial Spirit Vein. The seventh-grade Immortal Spirit Qi given to you previously originated from this.”

“However, Immortal Spirit Qi is the most common type of seventh-grade spiritual energy. This Primordial Qi, on the other hand, is the most refined Innate spiritual energy from the spirit veins of the Nine Heavens Demon Extermination Sect in the Upper Realm. After ordinary Spirit Transformation cultivators refine it, it has remarkable effects on cultivating the Great Dao. If one's comprehension is exceptional, they might even be able to use it to comprehend an Innate Dao.”

After Ye Qing finished explaining, Chen Mobai couldn't help but be greatly astonished.

Yuan Zhen, that fellow, certainly had a good reincarnation.

“Brother Ye speaks as if he's listing his family treasures. Could it be that you also...” As they walked towards the next floor of the Tongtian Dao Refinement Pagoda, Chen Mobai suddenly realized something and asked with an envious expression.

Ye Qing replied, “Indeed. After my Spirit Transformation, my master also sent down a small bottle of Primordial Spirit Vein Qi for me to stabilize my cultivation realm.”

Chen Mobai had initially believed that the Five Elements Sect was undoubtedly the foremost sect in the Eastern Continent. Only now did he realize how far it still lagged behind ancient Sacred Lands like the Nine Heavens Demon Extermination Sect and the Daoist Virtue Sect.

Not to mention the Grand Emptiness Ethereal Palace, home to Patriarch Pure Yang. No wonder, despite tens of thousands of years of trials and tribulations, with Sacred Lands in the Eastern Continent disappearing one after another, these three sects always remained at their peak.

One day, the Five Elements Sect would also reach this level. A long-lost surge of motivation swelled within Chen Mobai.

“May I examine this Qi of Primordial Spirit Veins?”

Chen Mobai had previously had the Immortal Sect study the Immortal Spirit Qi given to him by the Nine Heavens Demon Extermination Sect. At that time, Yuan Xu, comparing it against the Five Grand Sutras, concluded it was Primordial Qi. However, from Ye Qing's words, this new type seemed even more advanced, so he was curious about the difference between the two.

“Here!” Ye Qing directly handed the illusory Azure Mirage Bottle in his hand to Chen Mobai.

“This...” Just as Chen Mobai took it, feeling a bit flustered, Ye Qing performed a hand seal, and light emanated from his fingertips, opening the bottle's mouth.

Soon, a wisp of essence qi, incredibly familiar to Chen Mobai, emerged and entered his sight. Wasn't this the Embryonic Transformation Essence Qi!?

Chen Mobai's eyes widened in disbelief. At that moment, he recalled Ye Qing mentioning that the Primordial Spirit Vein created by the Mother of Water in the Tianhe Realm was located in the eyes of the Four Seas.

No wonder the Embryonic Transformation Essence Qi within Qing Nu's body had suddenly reacted back then.

“Brother Chen, if the Qi of Primordial Spirit Veins is exposed for too long, it will dissipate into ordinary seventh-grade Immortal Spirit Qi...” Soon, Ye Qing performed another hand seal, sealing the opened bottle mouth once more.

Chen Mobai suppressed his shock and returned the illusory Azure Mirage Bottle with both hands. “Thank you for your trouble, Brother Ye.”

As the two walked out of the Tongtian Dao Refinement Pagoda, Ni Yuanzhong was waiting at the entrance of the first floor.

“Junior Sister's Spirit Transformation Ceremony is about to begin. If you two didn't come out soon, I was going to come up and call for you.”

Chen Mobai noticed that as Ni Yuanzhong spoke, he glanced at the Qi of Primordial Spirit Veins in Ye Qing's hand with a calm expression. This indicated that he had also received some. Was this the true depth of a sect's heritage?!