Chapter 1396

Daughter of the Red River

The Purple Heaven Palace.

Chen Mobai sat cross-legged in front of the palace, his body enveloped in a tide-like surge of holy virtue light, which covered the Profound Nether Sword Embryo suspended in mid-air.

The sword embryo vibrated with a hum, and wisps of icy-blue Dao patterns emerged on its surface. After combining with the holy virtue light, they covered the transparent Sky Calamity Frost Scourge Blade, which had been purified nearby. As time passed, the blade gradually disappeared, eventually transforming into a wisp of icy-blue flowing light, completely merging into the sword embryo.

After the ascension was complete, the sword embryo began to tremble continuously, its aura rising steadily, on the verge of breaking through its shackles and advancing to the sixth tier. Chen Mobai immediately pointed a finger, suppressing it with the holy virtue light. Then, activating the Turtle Treasure, he teleported into the Celestial River Realm.

“Xuan'er, activate your Water Element Dao Fruit and refine it.”

Upon his return, Chen Mobai presented the Profound Nether Sword Embryo to Luo Yixuan and began to instruct her.

“Yes, Master!”

Luo Yixuan nodded and immediately brought forth the Water Element Dao Fruit that Qing Nv had once given her. Following the incantation of the Black Emperor Abyssal Nether Scripture, she transformed it into an ethereal blue immortal light, enveloping the sword embryo. Seeing this, Chen Mobai slowly withdrew the holy virtue light that had bound the Profound Nether Sword Embryo using his divine sense.

During this process, the Profound Nether Sword Embryo’s aura continuously surged. However, under Chen Mobai’s precise control, it only broke through its limit exactly when it had fully integrated with the Water Element Dao Fruit.

After advancing to the sixth tier, the Profound Nether Sword Embryo’s spirituality greatly increased. Unable to contain itself, it unleashed a monstrous sword cry from the seabed, causing the seawater for thousands of miles around to churn.

“It’s a bit too restless!”

Chen Mobai frowned slightly at this. After all, this was the core of the Profound Sea Spirit Hub, and there were many precious undersea spiritual herbs here. If the sword embryo were to act recklessly for a moment, causing tidal waves, it would certainly lead to considerable trouble, even disasters for the mortals on the shore.

It was at this moment that Chen Mobai somewhat understood why Void Refinement cultivators needed to ascend. A sixth-tier magical artifact could unleash the power of a sixth-tier Void Refinement cultivator, but even its weakest attack would be a natural disaster for ordinary mortals. In comparison, the destructive power of a Soul Transformation cultivator had not yet reached world-ending levels.

Thinking of this, Chen Mobai’s divine sense stirred. The Primordial Chaos Bell descended from his Dharma Realm, instantly suppressing the Profound Nether Sword Embryo, rendering this newly born sixth-tier sword immobile, and simultaneously quelling the massive tsunami it had triggered.

“Master, please forgive me. Your disciple failed to control the sword embryo properly.”

Luo Yixuan immediately bowed in apology. The sword embryo’s spiritual essence had been nurtured and grown by her bit by bit. Even after reaching the sixth tier, it still recognized her as its master, but its temperament was indeed not stable enough.

“After all, this sword is still young. You should guide it well from now on.”

Chen Mobai also understood the Profound Nether Sword Embryo’s feelings. After all, when he himself first reached Void Refinement, he couldn’t help but want to show off and was almost taken away by the ascension spiritual light.

“Thank you, Master!”

Luo Yixuan nodded, raised her hands, and touched the completely transformed Profound Nether Sword Embryo, re-establishing communication with its sword spirit, now at the sixth tier. After being disciplined by the Primordial Chaos Bell, the Profound Nether Sword Embryo understood its place. It instantly achieved sword-heart enlightenment with Luo Yixuan, obediently accepting the influx of her True Qi.

Originally, a Nascent Soul cultivator could not activate a sixth-tier magical artifact. However, because the Water Element Dao Fruit had been integrated, Luo Yixuan could now control the Dao Fruit through the Black Emperor Abyssal Nether Scripture, and then control the sword embryo with the Dao Fruit. This was the refining incantation Chen Mobai had devised when upgrading the sword. After Luo Yixuan completed the re-refinement, Chen Mobai smoothly withdrew the Primordial Chaos Bell.

“Thus, the sword embryo has fully matured. From now on, it shall be named the Profound Nether Sword.”

Upon hearing this, the Profound Nether Sword trembled slightly. Feeling that the suppression of the Primordial Chaos Great Dao had vanished, a sword spirit with long black hair covering its face materialized on the blade. She turned to Chen Mobai and bowed, saying, “Thank you, Honored One, for bestowing this name.”

After expressing her thanks, the Profound Nether Sword trembled slightly and settled into Luo Yixuan’s palm. After reaching the sixth tier, the sword was entirely ethereal blue, like profound ice, with an inner chill. However, its spine implicitly contained a wisp of holy virtue light, neutralizing the sword’s inherent coldness. Luo Yixuan refined it into her body and felt that it was extremely compatible with her.

“The Fire Jade Heart Lotus is still being nurtured; it might take some time for it to reach the sixth tier.”

Chen Mobai then mentioned Luo Yixuan’s other magical artifact. She repeatedly stated that she was already very satisfied with its promotion to the fifth tier and dared not waste her Master’s time.

“It’s fine. Before I ascend, I still have some matters to attend to, so let it continue to be nurtured for now.”

Chen Mobai waved his hand, indicating that there was still time. Bathed in the holy virtue light within the Purple Heaven Palace, the Fire Jade Heart Lotus would eventually advance to the sixth tier.

This time, when Luo Yixuan’s Immortal Water Spiritual Root comprehended the Dao, it entered the netherworld, proving that this method couldn’t guarantee access to the Profound Sea Eye and exposure to the power of creation. However, this might also be due to Luo Yixuan’s non-human physique. Therefore, it would be best to find another person to verify this.

Among his disciples, only Luo Yixuan cultivated water-attribute techniques. So, Chen Mobai asked Qing Nv if she had any recommendations for a suitable candidate.

“The sect has a true disciple with a Celestial Water Spiritual Root named Sun Hongxiang. She’s quite clever. If she can form a Nascent Soul, I plan to take her as my disciple. If you perform the Heaven-Mending technique on her, the consumption will also be smaller.” Qing Nv indeed had a recommendation.

Chen Mobai nodded, teleported to Beiyuan City, and had E Yun send over Sun Hongxiang’s information.

“Reporting, Ancestor, this Sun Hongxiang is from Yaoguang Immortal City. Her father is Hong He, the current head of the Sun family…” E Yun couldn’t help but offer a reminder while Chen Mobai was reviewing the dossier. Others might not know Hong He’s identity, but as the Sect Master of the Five Elements Sect, how could he not know?

“Oh, so she’s the daughter of an acquaintance?” Chen Mobai was somewhat surprised upon hearing this. What surprised him more was that Hong He had become the head of the Sun family. Wasn’t he an outsider?

“What about Sun Huanglong?”

“He passed away thirty years ago after his lifespan ended. Since there were no talented descendants, he designated Hong He, his brother-in-law, as the acting head of the family before his death, a position he has held until now. However, it’s also possible that Hong He secretly used some means…” E Yun was intimately familiar with the situations of all the major families within the Five Elements Sect’s territory. As soon as Chen Mobai asked, he immediately explained all the crucial details.

“Another old friend has passed away, huh? Alas, it’s a pity I was in secluded cultivation then…” Upon hearing of Sun Huanglong’s death, Chen Mobai felt a wave of emotion. Although he had grown accustomed to the passing of acquaintances, each time he heard of a familiar person being laid to rest, he still felt a sense of loneliness.

“Patriarch Sun Huanglong was a pivotal guest elder among the outer families affiliated with our Five Elements Sect. So, when he passed away, Senior Uncle Zhou Shengqing personally went to pay respects and also offered incense on your behalf, Ancestor.”

Chen Mobai nodded gently. At the same time, he had already finished reading all the dossiers on Sun Hongxiang and the Sun family. Back then, due to the involvement of the Incarnation Demonic Art, Du Mengyun’s possessed body, Sun Huangling, died. Therefore, Sun Hongxiang was not born to Hong He and Sun Huangling, but rather was the daughter of Hong He’s second wife. The reason she was named Sun Hongxiang was reportedly because Hong He wished to commemorate his deceased wife, Sun Huangling. Additionally, as Hong He was to become the acting head of the Sun family, having a daughter named Sun helped stabilize the other members of the family.

However, in reality, this second wife was essentially still Du Mengyun. None of this could escape Chen Mobai, who had planted the Primordial Demonic Talisman. However, Chen Mobai had no interest in these matters. After all, in his current eyes, both Hong He and Du Mengyun were no more significant than straw by the roadside.

But since she was the daughter of two demonic cultivators, she wouldn't pass the political review. Chen Mobai picked up his Omniscient Compass, called Qing Nv, and explained the situation.

“Such a thing happened? However, no one can choose their origin. Parents being demonic cultivators doesn’t mean the daughter will also be one. I think she should still be given a chance.” Qing Nv, upon hearing this, didn’t seem particularly bothered. After all, she herself had suffered considerable discrimination from the Immortal Sect due to being an experimental subject, so she didn't want the same thing to happen to Sun Hongxiang. In fact, she even more strongly wished to guide Sun Hongxiang, this daughter of demonic cultivators, towards a brighter future.

“Since you put it that way, my lady, I certainly have no objection. However, the opportunity of the Heaven-Mending immortal technique would be difficult to bestow upon her.” Chen Mobai had always greatly respected Qing Nv, but he also had his own bottom line.

“That’s simple. I still have a good stock of Heavenly One Spirit Water. Coincidentally, after she became a true disciple, she applied for this resource to enhance her Water Spiritual Root. If I give her a bit more, with her Celestial Water Spiritual Root foundation, she’ll quickly reach the Immortal Spiritual Root level. This way, it will be something she earned through her own efforts, and it won’t be seen as you disrupting the sect’s fairness.” Qing Nv explained her idea, and Chen Mobai pondered for a moment before nodding in agreement. However, he still instructed E Yun to pay extra attention to this matter.

“Yes, Ancestor. There’s another matter concerning the Boundless Sand Sea…” E Yun nodded and then reported that the Master of Water Virtue Mountain had accepted Zhuo Ming’s reconnaissance mission, leading a group of Earth Master disciples into the Boundless Sand Sea. However, there had been no news of their return to this day.

“Can’t you contact them with the Omniscient Compass?”

“In the depths of the Boundless Sand Sea, ground signal towers haven’t been deployed yet. Junior Sister Zhuo has redirected a satellite there. Although the message was sent to the Master of Water Virtue Mountain’s Omniscient Compass, there has been no response.” Hearing E Yun’s words, Chen Mobai nodded slightly and then asked, “What about Water Virtue’s soul lamp?”

“When Elder Water Virtue separated from the One-Yuan Dao Palace, he took it with him, so it’s not within the Five Elements Sect. However, if Ancestor wishes to know, I can have Junior Brother Chen Lingming from the Eastern Mausoleum Region go check on the Water Virtue Branch Sect.” Chen Mobai shook his head, indicating it wasn’t necessary.

“I’m already here, so I might as well go to the Boundless Sand Sea. This area needs to be dealt with sooner or later.” As the chief designer of the desertification control project, Chen Mobai still received a substantial share of merit every year. Although Zhuo Ming was in charge, the actual work was carried out by Water Virtue and other Five Elements Sect members. Since he received the merit, it was necessary to ensure the project was done well. Moreover, after reaching Void Refinement, even if there wasn’t a trace of spiritual energy in the deepest parts of the Boundless Sand Sea, he could refine the void into spiritual energy, so there was no need to worry.

Before heading to the Boundless Sand Sea, Chen Mobai went to check on his disciple, Zhuo Ming. She was currently at the summit of Beiyuan Mountain all day, managing the Sky Curtain Earth Net Array, providing a steady supply of sixth-tier spiritual energy to the suspended Dao platform, making it impossible for her to leave.

“This area, the Boundless Sand Sea, was originally thought by us, master and disciple, to be a formidable task requiring thousands or even tens of thousands of years, to be completed by generations of sect disciples. Now, it seems that we, master and disciple, across two generations, can completely resolve it.” Chen Mobai said with a smile to Zhuo Ming. The latter, recalling the initial difficulties and hardships of desertification control, her round face showed a hint of nostalgia.

“Master, I previously sensed the vast land in the Boundless Sand Sea wailing. Afterward, I heard there was an earthquake there. Since I couldn’t leave, I asked the Master of Water Virtue Mountain to help investigate…” Zhuo Ming explained what she knew. Chen Mobai nodded gently and then asked to borrow her natal magical artifact.

“The Myriad Blessings Cauldron is a supreme earth-element treasure. If we encounter a true spirit demonic beast, hidden and slumbering deep within the earth of the Boundless Sand Sea from ancient times, it would certainly also be an earth-element true spirit. I will place it in the cauldron to see if I can help you elevate this cauldron to the sixth tier.” After refining the sixth-tier Profound Nether Sword for Luo Yixuan, Chen Mobai naturally felt compelled to provide the same treatment to his diligent and precious disciple. Otherwise, he would feel unsettled.

“Thank you, Master!” Zhuo Ming did not hesitate and directly expressed her thanks.

“Then I’ll leave this here to you. I’ll go and be back soon!” Chen Mobai cradled the Myriad Blessings Cauldron in his palm. While simultaneously consulting it with the Can Tong Qi, he transformed into a silver light and vanished from the spot.

And just after he left, a vortex suddenly appeared above the suspended Dao platform. Like a whale swallowing, it absorbed the surrounding dense and pure sixth-tier spiritual energy. Seeing this, Zhuo Ming’s expression subtly turned solemn. She formed hand seals, using the Sky Curtain Earth Net Array to stably and continuously supply sixth-tier spiritual energy, ensuring that whatever amount of spiritual energy was refined by Xuande on the suspended Dao platform was immediately replenished.

Streaks of escape light flickered. The Nascent Soul cultivators in Beiyuan City naturally detected signs of Xuande’s Soul Transformation and flew up to observe. The first among them, naturally, was Qi Jiansu. She lived in a cave dwelling on the mountainside. The Daoist Moral Sect was a vast enterprise, wealthy enough to afford the most expensive cave dwelling in Beiyuan City.

“Junior Niece Zhuo, how is my senior brother?” As soon as Qi Jiansu arrived, she pressed for answers.

“According to sect records, this is a sign of Nascent Soul transformation and advancement to the Soul Transformation stage. If he can pass this stage, then a heavenly tribulation will descend, and after surviving it, he will become a Soul Transformation True Monarch!” Zhuo Ming’s reply made Qi Jiansu breathe a sigh of relief.

Chen Mobai, who had just teleported to the edge of the Boundless Sand Sea and the Five Elements Sect’s territory, naturally sensed the spiritual energy fluctuations above Beiyuan City. With a stir of his divine sense, he already saw the situation on the suspended Dao platform and couldn’t help but nod gently. Xuande was about to achieve Soul Transformation. Indeed, he was worthy of Chen Mobai’s high regard.

Putting this minor matter aside, Chen Mobai’s divine sense began to expand endlessly, covering the Boundless Sand Sea inch by inch. The desert, which had felt immeasurably vast during his Nascent Soul and even Soul Transformation stages, now seemed like the palm of his hand, allowing him to clearly examine every single spot. Soon, he discovered a discordant spot.

“Oh!”

In his surprise, Chen Mobai took a step forward. The next instant, he landed in the very center of the Boundless Sand Sea. Although it was incredibly calm here, like a yellow desert lake, he detected an unusually profound Earth Element Great Dao True Force deep within the earth.