Chapter 1352: East Yue Surrender

The Nine Heavens Tribulation.

Ao Yuxia activated the dragon-shaped jade pendant at her waist, performing the Cloud Evasion Art as she headed towards Zhongzhou.

However, halfway there, her expression shifted, and she stopped.

Amidst the surging sound of water, two figures rose from the vast ocean below, landing in front of her.

“Madam Yuwen, long time no see,” Zhao Nansheng greeted Ao Yuxia.

“I didn’t expect you’d ever have your true body manifest,” Ao Yuxia said. Knowing Zhao Nansheng’s background, she glanced at him before her gaze settled on the old Daoist priest beside him, who wore an tall cap and a wide sash.

“You must be True Monarch Fu Hai, Senior?” Although her tone was questioning, Ao Yuxia was already certain. After all, cultivators in the Void Refinement realm were few and far between in the Tianhe Realm, especially one who was with Zhao Nansheng.

“Indeed. Greetings, Madam.” Although True Monarch Fu Hai’s cultivation was higher than Ao Yuxia’s, he was very courteous towards her. This was because the royal family of the Eastern Earth Imperial Court originated from the Yuwen clan of the Purple Cloud Heaven, making True Monarch Fu Hai technically her subordinate.

“Since Senior has broken free from your confines, would you be willing to accompany me to Zhongzhou? There are rare treasures left by the Heavenly Emperor in the Purple Cloud Heaven, which would be more than enough to help you recover and reshape your physical body.” Ao Yuxia extended an invitation. A great change in the world was imminent, and Yuwen Yin was set to ascend and leave before then. If True Monarch Fu Hai were to take charge, the Purple Cloud Heaven would at least not suffer too great an impact.

“One who eats the king’s bounty must serve the king faithfully. My current cultivation realm is entirely due to the Human Emperor’s patronage back then. Since Heaven allowed me to break free from the Xuanhai Confinement at this time, it must mean I am meant to assist Nansheng in rebuilding the Imperial Court in this world.” True Monarch Fu Hai shook his head and refused. Although he was in the Void Refinement realm, if he were to truly enter the Purple Cloud Heaven, he might lose his freedom. With Zhao Nansheng at hand, and Chen Guixian about to ascend, rebuilding the Imperial Court to control the Eastern Continent was not merely a fantasy.

“Senior’s loyalty is admirable. May I ask what important matter brings you to stop me today?” Hearing True Monarch Fu Hai’s refusal to be recruited, Ao Yuxia said no more and got straight to the point.

“Madam, the demonic path has learned that you obtained the Immortal Elixir. The Lord of the Central Demonic Path will likely set an ambush during your heavenly tribulation above the Land Sea. It is not appropriate for me to intervene, so perhaps Nansheng could escort you for a while.” True Monarch Fu Hai spoke words that caused Ao Yuxia’s expression to slightly change. The Lord of the Central Demonic Path was the supreme leader of the five demonic paths in the Tianhe Realm, and his demonic arts were so bizarre that even a Grand Void Immortal might not be able to defeat him. Although Ao Yuxia was confident in her own strength and possessed several sixth-tier magical artifacts for protection, if she were not careful, she might indeed fall victim to his schemes.

“How did the news spread so quickly? I just left… Was it Chen Guixian who revealed it?!” Ao Yuxia murmured to herself, already having thought of the most likely suspect.

“The news of the Immortal Elixir’s completion was sold by the Daoist Sect to the Wuchang Pavilion, which has branches across the Five Continents and Four Seas. The Lord of the Central Demonic Path’s Demonic Heart Dao has reached an unfathomable level, giving him many channels to acquire such information.” True Monarch Fu Hai, also a master of the Demonic Heart Dao, continued. He explained that normally, this Dao would allow him to easily control the Lord of the Central Demonic Path, but he hadn't anticipated that Su Wen, though not yet in the Void Refinement realm, had already reached its cultivation level. The two had previously probed each other with divine sense from afar, finding themselves evenly matched. This was partly because True Monarch Fu Hai’s primordial spirit was fatigued from helping Chen Mobai retrieve the ancient Black Dragon’s remains, while Su Wen’s essence, qi, and spirit were at their peak, further bolstered by several supreme demonic treasures, leading to that outcome. The result of their exchange left both True Monarch Fu Hai and Su Wen wary. True Monarch Fu Hai understood that even at his peak, he likely couldn’t control Su Wen, who was protected by demonic treasures, using the Demonic Heart Dao. Su Wen, on the other hand, realized that despite having the cultivation level of a Void Refinement cultivator, as long as he didn’t officially step into that realm, he would always be at a disadvantage against True Monarch Fu Hai. Therefore, upon learning about the Immortal Elixir, he would definitely try to seize it. Even if he ascended to Void Refinement and couldn't perfectly conceal himself, forcing him to leave the Tianhe Realm, Su Wen didn’t want to be controlled by others due to the Demonic Heart Dao. Furthermore, after his defeat at Chen Mobai’s hands, Su Wen understood that attempting to gain control over the Eastern Continent with his current strength was impossible. Rather than that, he might as well first break through and ascend, then return to fish in troubled waters after the great changes in the world. True Monarch Fu Hai naturally guessed Su Wen’s intentions. Through the mutual sensing of their Demonic Heart Daos, he detected many powerful Demonic Heart avatars gathered within the Nine Heavens Tribulation above the Land Sea. Combining this with his own information, he deduced Su Wen’s objective.

“Then I shall trouble Daoist Friend Zhao,” Ao Yuxia said, naturally not refusing the good intentions of True Monarch Fu Hai and his disciple. She nodded in thanks to Zhao Nansheng.

“Not at all, Madam Yuwen. We haven’t even expressed our gratitude for the Immortal Elixir,” True Monarch Fu Hai replied. After speaking, he drew a talisman in the air, condensing a sixth-tier talisman that could resist the Demonic Heart Dao, and handed it to Ao Yuxia. With this, she wouldn’t have to worry about Su Wen inciting her inner demons and disrupting her essence, qi, and spirit during a confrontation.

Half a month later, Chen Mobai and his companions, who were guests at the Daoist Sect, met Cui Tai.

“The five great Demonic Heart avatars of the Lord of the Central Demonic Path are immensely powerful. They formed the Five Directions Fiend Array, unleashing the might of that peak sixth-tier demonic treasure. Above the Land Sea, dragon roars echoed, and dragon blood splattered.” “Because the Land Sea is the territory of the Metallic Dragon clan, and Madam Yuwen hails from that clan, three fifth-tier True Spirits of the Metallic Dragon clan were drawn to assist. However, unexpectedly, one of the True Spirits turned out to be a Demonic Heart avatar that the Lord of the Central Demonic Path had ambushed there for a long time. It ambushed from behind, severely wounding the other two fifth-tier Metallic Dragons. Su Wen then threatened the lives of those two Metallic Dragons, forcing Madam Yuwen to hand over the Immortal Elixir.” “However, just as Su Wen obtained the Immortal Elixir and was about to deliver a killing blow, a mysterious expert appeared, forcing him back and saving Madam Yuwen and the Metallic Dragons.” “According to the intelligence Daoist Friend Chen provided us earlier, it was likely True Monarch Fu Hai of the Eastern Earth Imperial Court.” Cui Tai described the events vividly and in great detail, as if he had been present at the battle.

Feng Qingshu and the others were greatly surprised upon hearing this.

“The strength of the Lord of the Central Demonic Path can probably already be considered Void Refinement,” True Monarch Wuchen said with a solemn expression. It was known that the Metallic Dragon clan, possessing two seventh-tier ancestors, had inherent Dao blessings in their bloodline, making it impossible for ordinary fifth-tier demonic methods to break their defenses. Yet, Su Wen had not only planted inner demons but had even refined one of the fifth-tier True Spirits into his own avatar. This could only mean that his mastery of the Demonic Heart Dao had reached the Void Refinement realm.

“Don’t worry, as long as I am in Eastern Continent for a day, he wouldn’t dare set foot here,” Chen Mobai said, his expression unchanged and showing no concern. After all, he had already fought Su Wen before, and the latter had been utterly defeated. Furthermore, even if Su Wen reached Void Refinement, Chen Mobai had faith in his Pure Yang Scroll and Primordial Demonic Talisman, and was even somewhat looking forward to it. He wondered if Su Wen, after reaching Void Refinement and leaving the Tianhe Realm, might encounter the legendary Supreme True Devil and further spread the Primordial Demonic Talisman.

“Young friend, you will eventually ascend. If you go to the Spirit Void Immortal Realm, I fear no one in the Eastern Continent will be able to stop the Lord of the Central Demonic Path.” True Monarch Wuchen, however, was filled with worry. Although the Five Elements Sect had previously taken over most of the Daoist Sect’s elixir market, the benefit was that Chen Mobai, as the foremost figure in the Eastern Continent, always bore the brunt of any major crisis. Whether it was the Black Flood Dragon Royal Court, the Lord of the Central Demonic Path, the Luminous Venerable, the Blood God, and so on—all calamities that previously required the Daoist Sect and other holy lands to fight to the death and still might not resolve—were easily suppressed and solved by Chen Mobai. But now, with the Immortal Elixir refined, given Chen Mobai’s talent, he would likely ascend directly after consuming it. It was at this moment that True Monarch Wuchen suddenly understood why so many forces had helped him refine this batch of Immortal Elixirs. Looking back now, it seemed their intention was likely to remove Chen Mobai, this transcendent first-ranked cultivator of the Divine Transformation realm. “Oh no, I’ve been tricked!” Realizing this, True Monarch Wuchen found himself unable to ask Chen Mobai not to reach Void Refinement.

“Don’t worry. Even if I ascend to the Spirit Void Immortal Realm, our sect still has Senior Lingzun. Furthermore, before I reach Void Refinement, I will do my best to deal with Su Wen,” Chen Mobai said, taking responsibility after hearing True Monarch Wuchen’s concerns.

“Young friend, it is truly fortunate for the righteous path of Eastern Continent to have you,” True Monarch Wuchen said, his expression solemn as he thanked Chen Mobai.

To express his gratitude, True Monarch Wuchen gave Chen Mobai the entire branch of mature sixth-tier Longevity Eyebrow tea. Chen Mobai accepted it without ceremony. This branch of sixth-tier Longevity Eyebrow tea could be nurtured by Zhuo Ming in the Tushita Heaven and then fed to the Enlightenment Tea, potentially allowing the Enlightenment Tea to advance to the fifth-tier.

“Then I shall return to Nanzhou. Daoist Friend Danxia, don’t forget to visit me,” Feng Qingshu said, bidding farewell to Qing Nü on the other side. Now that the Immortal Elixir in Ao Yuxia’s possession had yielded results, there was no longer any point in staying here.

“Safe travels, Clan Leader Feng.” Chen Mobai and his companions personally escorted Feng Qingshu into the Nine Heavens Tribulation. Considering that the Lord of the Central Demonic Path had just attacked Ao Yuxia, they were somewhat worried. However, Feng Qingshu was very confident. She transformed into a fiery phoenix within the heavenly tribulation, directly entering the second layer, and boldly flew towards Nanzhou. “The divine abilities of the Phoenix clan are naturally restrictive to the Demonic Heart Dao,” True Monarch Wuchen mused, believing this to be the reason.

After Feng Qingshu departed, Chen Mobai also announced his departure. Shen Xi personally escorted them to the mountain gate. The safest method, naturally, would have been to use the large teleportation array of the Wuwei Immortal City, but Chen Mobai had brought the young flood dragon. It was certainly not fitting for them to arrive grandly on a dragon and then depart covertly by teleportation. Moreover, across the Five Continents and Four Seas, now only others were fearful of the Azure Emperor of Eastern Barren.

After Chen Mobai landed on the young flood dragon’s back, he waved to Shen Xi. Qing Nü exchanged a few final words with the departing Qi Jiansu, then, bringing the Tai Sui Boy, flew to a position behind Chen Mobai.

Accompanied by a dragon roar that echoed through the nine heavens, the young flood dragon stretched out its body as much as possible, even conjuring some wind, thunder, rain, and lightning as adornments. Yet, it did not obstruct Chen Mobai and their vision, allowing cultivators on the ground to see most of its dragon body. This was taught by the Tai Sui Boy, and Chen Mobai found it perfectly to his liking, giving him the grand air of an immortal on a journey.

Along their journey, they flew ostentatiously, passing from Eastern Earth through Dongyue, approaching Dongyi, and entering Eastern Barren. This display made almost all cultivation forces in Eastern Continent aware that the Black Flood Dragon clan had completely pledged allegiance to the Five Elements Sect, and even the last Dragon King had become the personal mount of the Azure Emperor of Eastern Barren.

“Martial Uncle, the Azure Emperor of Eastern Barren might ascend soon. It would be best if we offer Dongyue to him before he departs for the Spirit Void Immortal Realm,” Xinghuo said to Xinchen with a solemn expression within the Dongyue Star Daoist Sect.

“This…” Xinchen’s expression was hesitant. Although they had gained support from a group of people after their return, most of their Nascent Soul sect members did not approve of pledging allegiance by offering the sect.

Just then, a starlight shimmered and appeared in the courtyard, transforming into a beautiful female cultivator in star robes—it was Xingxuan, who was once known alongside Xinghuo as a Dao Son and Saintess. “Junior Sister?”

As Xinghuo and Xinchen looked on in confusion, another streak of starlight descended—it was Xinghui Zhenren, Xinchen’s junior brother. “The Five Elements Sect is the center of Eastern Continent civilization. I believe only by pledging allegiance to the Azure Emperor of Eastern Barren can we secure a bright future for our sect.” After Xinghui landed, he was slightly surprised to see Xingxuan also present, but he still stated his purpose to Xinghuo and Xinchen.

“Junior Brother, you’ve finally come to your senses!” Xinchen exclaimed with great delight upon hearing this. Previously, he and Xinghuo had been trying to win over Xinghui, but the latter had never responded or refused. They hadn’t expected him to switch sides at this crucial moment.

“What about you, Junior Sister?” Xinghuo vaguely understood that the impressive display of the Azure Emperor of Eastern Barren riding the Black Flood Dragon King over Dongyue shortly before must have completely swayed Xinghui. He couldn’t help but look at Xingxuan, who still seemed hesitant.

“After pledging allegiance to the Five Elements Sect, could you help me ask True Monarch Danxia for an Everlasting Beauty Pearl?” Xingxuan put forward her request. The Everlasting Beauty Pearl, capable of preserving one’s youth and beauty, was coveted by countless female cultivators. However, in the Eastern Continent, only female cultivators from sacred lands like Yuan Zhen, the Palace Master of Biluo, and Qi Jiansu were fortunate enough to obtain one. Xingxuan certainly wouldn’t choose to defect just for such an item; this was merely an excuse. Yet, it also highlighted the immense allure of eternal youth for female cultivators.

“I will help Junior Sister inquire about this with Jin Wan Zhenren. He is the Azure Emperor’s direct disciple, so if he agrees, it will certainly be no problem,” Xinghuo immediately offered. Upon receiving his promise, Xingxuan no longer demurred and promptly nodded, joining them.

Chen Mobai and Qing Nü returned together to the Yellow Dragon Cavern Abode. They had barely enjoyed a few intimate days when Jiang Zongheng personally came to request an audience.

Under the coercion of Xinghuo and the other four Nascent Soul cultivators, Xingyun Zhenren, who presided over the Dongyue Star Daoist Sect, was suppressed. Subsequently, Xinghuo drafted a letter of allegiance, proposing to merge the entire territory of Dongyue into the Five Elements Sect and requesting the Azure Emperor of Eastern Barren to lead their Dongyue Star Daoist Sect towards a bright future.