Chapter 1400: Wuwei Xianjun

Main Text

After experiencing the illusion of a Seventh-Tier Grand Cultivator during the Heart Demon Tribulation, Chen Mobai discarded his invincible mindset from the Heavenly River Realm. His perfected Void Dharma Body, combined with the Seventh-Tier power in his hands, would, at most, allow him to resist a True Immortal of the Seventh Tier for a moment or two. The ancient beings who set up the Ninefold Heavenly Tribulation were at least of the Seventh Tier; some, like the Grand Void True King and the Heavenly Emperor, were even Pure Yang Immortals.

Therefore, before entering the Primordial Magnetic Tribulation, Chen Mobai suspended the Primal Chaos Bell above his head, and the Violet Lightning Sword hovered at his waist. His Nine Flames Dragon Pure Yang Grand Immortal Robe was already at full power, with nine fiery true dragons swirling around him, forming an immortal array. His hands were tightly clenched, ready to immediately unleash the power of the Grand Void Measuring Ruler and the Purple Heavens Palace, and then activate the Turtle Treasure to escape, should anything go wrong.

As it turned out, these precautions were absolutely correct. The moment Chen Mobai entered the Primordial Magnetic Tribulation layer, he perceived, through his Void Sky-Orbit Vision, countless silver-snake-like magnetic lines weaving into a net. Each strand contained power capable of tearing heaven and earth apart. In an instant, they surged before him, emitting a piercing, whistling sound!

With a clang! The mighty Primal Chaos Bell, acting as a shield for its master, was now back in the Primordial Magnetic layer and determined to prove itself. It erupted with the most dazzling five-colored ripples ever seen, neutralizing all the invading primordial magnetic force.

However, this was merely the first wave. Even stronger primordial magnetic forces crisscrossed, forming a potent magnetic field, which caused both the Primal Chaos Bell, containing the essence of five metals, and the Violet Lightning Sword to begin shaking incessantly. Among these, the Primal Chaos Bell fared relatively well. After all, besides the Metal element, it also contained the other four elements. Under the circulation of the Primal Chaos Grand Dao, it quickly masked its Metal attribute and resisted the magnetic field.

But the Violet Lightning Sword was not so fortunate. Amidst its violent shaking, its sword spirit emerged, calling out to Chen Mobai. However, the sword itself was uncontrollably swaying towards the center of the magnetic field. Seeing this, Chen Mobai immediately opened his Dharma Realm and retrieved the Violet Lightning Sword into it mid-air.

"As expected of the Grand Void True King's Dharma Realm divine ability," a voice remarked, "it can even ignore the Grand Dao power of the Ninefold Heavenly Tribulation."

Just then, a gasp of astonishment sounded behind Chen Mobai, sending shivers down his spine. Chen Mobai instantly teleported away from his spot. Turning to look, he saw that the welcoming immortal, who had appeared as an illusion in the Heart Demon Tribulation, was actually standing on a section of white jade steps and had followed him into the Primordial Magnetic Tribulation layer.

"This Heart Demon Tribulation's illusion is truly formidable!" Chen Mobai thought. "I can't believe I'm still trapped in the sixth layer, unable to break free!" The moment Chen Mobai saw the welcoming immortal, this thought flashed through his mind. He believed that his actions—entering the Primordial Magnetic layer, retrieving the Violet Lightning Sword into his Dharma Realm, and so on—were all guided by the heart demon's illusion.

But soon, a doubt arose in Chen Mobai's mind. Because, theoretically, as he controlled the Grand Dao of Saintly Virtue, it should be impossible for him to be affected by heart demons. However, considering the Grand Dao of Illusion, whose profoundness was no less than that of the Innate Grand Dao, Chen Mobai thought that perhaps the Heart Demon Tribulation was set up by the Grand Void True King, and thus his mere Sixth-Tier Saintly Virtue could not see through it.

With this thought in mind, Chen Mobai firmly guarded his mind and began to recall everything recorded in the Heavenly Tome taught by the Grand Void True King regarding the divine ability of Void Illusion. He wanted to use this knowledge to see through the incredibly realistic illusion before him. But after contemplating for a moment, Chen Mobai found his body involuntarily moving towards the direction of the Spirit Emptiness Immortal Realm. This was because the ascending spiritual light shrouding him was still at work.

"Even this aspect was considered in the illusion!" Chen Mobai thought. "How formidable!" Chen Mobai felt even greater admiration for the Grand Cultivator who had set up the Heart Demon Tribulation. Every detail in this regard was perfectly realistic, as if it were truly happening!

"Young man," the welcoming immortal said, "it's rare to find cultivators who can perfectly ascend through the Ninefold Heavenly Tribulation unscathed. The last time was Yi Yuan, from your lineage." He continued, "That girl from the Ice and Snow Realm, whom you outwitted and who forcibly ascended, although she mastered the Grand Dao of Absolute Freezing, sealing her vitality, spirit, and lifespan indefinitely, she still had her physical body shattered by countless star-lights during the Starlight Tribulation. Only her nascent soul was salvaged by the Extreme Yin." He added, "Even that Yuan Qingque fellow, if not for Demon Slayer planting a strand of Two-Forms Immortal Light in him beforehand, wouldn't have been able to pass the final tribulation of the Five Declines of Heavenly Beings."

Upon hearing the welcoming immortal's words, Chen Mobai's heart stirred slightly. He had heard about the Ninefold Heavenly Tribulation from the Nine Heavens Demon Slaying Sect and the Daoist Virtue Sect when he was in Eastern Continent. However, while both sects could speak eloquently about the first eight layers, the final layer was only ever mentioned by name, with no specific details. This ninth heavenly tribulation was precisely the Five Declines of Heavenly Beings.

"Shouldn't every being ascending to the Spirit Emptiness Immortal Realm pass all nine heavenly tribulations?" Chen Mobai asked. Although Chen Mobai knew the welcoming immortal before him was an illusion, it didn't prevent his curiosity to see if he could use this opportunity to uncover the mysteries of the Ninefold Heavenly Tribulation.

"The Ninefold Heavenly Tribulation was originally a celestial path set up by the Heavenly Emperor for rogue cultivators in the mortal realm," the immortal explained. "Anyone who could pass it would directly become a member of the Heavenly Court without examination, joining its official ranks. You see, although the Spirit Emptiness Immortal Realm nominally respects the Heavenly Emperor, the orthodox lineages left by the Seven Creation Sages firmly hold the greatest authority in the Heavenly Court. Only beings from these seven lineages are qualified to enjoy the Primordial Spirit Veins held by the Heavenly Court."

"To centralize power, the Heavenly Emperor spearheaded efforts with various Dao Lords to open this path for all rogue cultivators to ascend by passing the Ninefold Heavenly Tribulation. However, no one expected the unforeseen calamity of the Supreme True Demon to arise, causing the immortal and mortal realms to be separated. The Ninefold Heavenly Tribulation, instead, became the only way to come from the mortal realm to the Immortal Realm."

"But the Ninefold Heavenly Tribulation was meant to select the most exceptionally gifted among rogue cultivators in the Void Refining stage—Sixth-Tier grandmasters whose strength, Dao heart, combat abilities, divine powers, and everything else were perfected and flawless. Especially the final layer, the Five Declines of Heavenly Beings, which was originally a tribulation meant for before Dao Integration, and it is incomparably terrifying."

"When cultivators from the Seven Creation Sages' lineages in the mortal realm ascended and were unable to pass the complete Ninefold Heavenly Tribulation, their elders above naturally couldn't just watch them die in the tribulation. Thus, the tradition of 'salvaging people' began. Initially, 'salvaging people' meant that when a junior was on the verge of perishing body and soul during the heavenly tribulation, a True Immortal from the Spirit Emptiness Immortal Realm would intervene to save them."

"However, many rogue cultivators had no elders in the Immortal Realm when they ascended, and many simply perished in the tribulation. The Heavenly Emperor couldn't bear to see these cultivators, from humble backgrounds, toil for thousands of years only to fail to even step foot in the Immortal Realm. Therefore, he issued a decree to selectively choose promising Void Refining rogue cultivators and, with an imperial decree, exempt them from the heavenly tribulation, directly bringing them into the Immortal Realm."

"Based on the recommendations of Immortal Monarch Demon Slayer and myself, you have been recognized as a promising Void Refining cultivator and can be exempted from the heavenly tribulation to ascend directly. Why don't you accept the decree?"

The welcoming immortal, following Chen Mobai's question, explained why he had come down from the Immortal Realm. After speaking, he took out the jade scroll he had thrown earlier—it was unclear when he had retrieved it—and handed it to Chen Mobai.

"So that's how it is!" Chen Mobai exclaimed. After listening, Chen Mobai suddenly understood. No wonder the illusion before him was so realistic; he couldn't find a single flaw. It turned out to be real.

"May I ask your name, Senior?" Chen Mobai, combining what the welcoming immortal had said earlier with his own network of connections, actually already had an answer in mind. But out of politeness, he still asked.

"This Immortal is Wuwei, Patriarch of the Daoist Virtue Sect, and Immortal Monarch of the Heavenly Court's Water Division!" the immortal declared without concealment.

"So it is Senior Wuwei! This junior pays his respects!" Chen Mobai exclaimed, hearing that it was indeed him, and immediately bowed. He had heard from Ye Qing and others before that the Heavenly Court had eight divisions, the strongest forces under the Heavenly Emperor. Among them, Patriarch Nine Heavens Demon Slayer was the Immortal Monarch of the Combat Division, and Patriarch Wuwei of the Daoist Virtue Sect was the Immortal Monarch of the Water Division.

"I heard that Senior no longer actively serves," Chen Mobai asked after paying his respects, recalling what Ye Qing had said. "Why would you specifically come down today to welcome this junior?"

"Do you think I wanted to come?" Immortal Monarch Wuwei rolled his eyes. "It's not that I wanted to, but there was a favor owed to you. That Demon Slayer fellow is too busy to spare a clone. To prevent you, young man, from dying in the heavenly tribulation, I could only put on this Heavenly Court immortal robe again and shamelessly beg the Heavenly Emperor for this welcoming decree!" He waved the jade scroll in his hand, gesturing for Chen Mobai to quickly accept it, telling him not to waste his time.

"Thank you, Senior." Chen Mobai quickly expressed his gratitude. He hadn't expected that the favor he had done for the Daoist Virtue Sect could be repaid here. It could only be said that doing good deeds in everyday life was indeed the right thing to do.

Just as he was about to reach out to take the Heavenly Emperor's decree, Immortal Monarch Wuwei raised his wrist, avoiding his grasp. Just as Chen Mobai felt surprised and doubtful, Immortal Monarch Wuwei suddenly said, "This Heavenly Emperor's decree isn't so easy to accept. While it grants exemption from the heavenly tribulation and direct ascension, once you ascend, you must join the Heavenly Court, become an official member, obey the Heavenly Emperor's edicts, and cannot resign or leave within three thousand years. Are you willing?"

Chen Mobai, however, wasn't particularly bothered by this. After all, when he was in the Immortal Sect, he had grown step by step within an established system. The Five Elements Sect could only rely on Yi Yuan and the Heavenly Venerate, but he didn't quite dare to meet those two. As for the Grand Void True King, without meeting, he didn't know how their relationship would be defined. If he could become a member of the Heavenly Court, he would at least have a powerful backer.

"Since Senior went to such lengths to obtain this from the Heavenly Emperor," Chen Mobai said, "this junior would not dare to disappoint." As Chen Mobai spoke, he reached out and grasped the jade scroll.

"Whether you disappoint or not, I don't really care; I've already lost face," Immortal Monarch Wuwei retorted. "However, there are two things I need to remind you about. Firstly, the Dragon Division, the head of the Heavenly Court's Eight Divisions, has quite a strong opinion of you. That's the territory of the Dragon Clan. You killed the little black dragon of the Profound Flood Dragon clan in the mortal realm, destroyed their lineage, and occupied their territory. Those black dragons would love to eat your flesh and drink your blood."

"Also, two Immortal Monarchs from the Auric Dragon clan believed slanderous rumors from the lower realm and have quite a bit of criticism regarding you. This time, if not for my and Demon Slayer's influence being somewhat effective, and with the help of an influential person, this Heavenly Emperor's decree might not have been obtainable."

Upon hearing these words, Chen Mobai's hand, holding the jade scroll, loosened slightly. He suddenly felt that joining the Heavenly Court's official ranks might not be a good thing for him after all. After all, within a system, the most feared thing is having enemies above you who could easily trip you up and make it impossible to advance.

"If I were to join the Heavenly Court," Chen Mobai asked, "could I serve under you, Senior, and become a member of the Water Division?" Chen Mobai asked, thinking that even if he had enemies, he also had friends. At the very least, Immortal Monarch Wuwei before him was an old acquaintance from Eastern Continent. This time, he had even specifically petitioned the Heavenly Emperor for a decree on his behalf, clearly showing great regard for him.

In response, Immortal Monarch Wuwei's expression turned a little strange as he spoke: "I haven't finished speaking yet. There are two things you need to pay attention to. Besides the Dragon Division, can you guess what the other one is?"

"This junior is dull-witted; please enlighten me, Senior," Chen Mobai humbly asked.

Immortal Monarch Wuwei continued with a forced smile: "The heads of the Eight Divisions hold the 'Heavenly Monarch' rank in the Heavenly Court, which is second only to the 'Heavenly Emperor' and the 'Four Heavenly Kings'. I am merely the Immortal Monarch of the Water Division; can you guess who the Heavenly Monarch of the Water Division is?"

Although Chen Mobai humbly claimed to be dull-witted, he was actually extremely sensitive to matters within established systems. Combining Immortal Monarch Wuwei's strange expression with his own circumstances, he quickly realized the truth.

"Could it be... someone from the Mother of Water Palace?"

Immortal Monarch Wuwei looked at Chen Mobai with some surprise after hearing him: "You're indeed very clever, young man, guessing it right away. That's right, the head of the Water Division is none other than Heavenly Monarch Xuansu of the Mother of Water Palace. He also has some opinions about you, young man. If he didn't owe me a favor, I wouldn't even have been able to come down this time."

At this moment, Chen Mobai's hand had completely loosened from the jade scroll, and cold sweat seeped from his back. He had never imagined that the grievances from the Heavenly River Realm could actually extend to the Spirit Emptiness Immortal Realm.

"Senior, what benefits are there to passing the complete Ninefold Heavenly Tribulation?" Chen Mobai asked, changing the topic, pointing to the eighth heavenly tribulation, from which countless starlight could faintly be discerned.

"Those who pass the Ninefold Heavenly Tribulation," Wuwei replied, "may enter the True Immortal Pool to refine their bodies, and receive a single Creation Immortal Pill."

"What is the True Immortal Pool, and what kind of rare treasure is the Creation Immortal Pill?" Chen Mobai asked, unhesitating when he didn't understand.

"The True Immortal Pool can assist in shaping a Seventh-Tier True Immortal body," Wuwei explained. "For Nascent Soul cultivators like us from the Xuanmen, its help is only moderate, but some exceptionally gifted True Spirits can use that pool to achieve a Seventh-Tier indestructible body."

"The Creation Immortal Pill is a Seventh-Tier immortal pill left by the Heavenly Sea Mother, the foremost of the Seven Creation Sages. It contains the power of Three Thousand Grand Daos. Every Void Refining cultivator who takes it can gain insights corresponding to the Grand Dao they are pursuing. Demon Slayer and I were able to integrate with the Dao largely thanks to the foundational Dao insights provided by the Creation Immortal Pill."

After listening to Immortal Monarch Wuwei's detailed explanation, Chen Mobai was no longer confused. It wasn't that he was afraid of the Dragon Division and Water Division, but that passing the Ninefold Heavenly Tribulation offered greater prospects.

He solemnly thanked Immortal Monarch Wuwei, who stood on the white jade steps: "Senior, this junior will forever remember your kindness in obtaining the Heavenly Emperor's decree for me. However, this junior believes that he is no less capable than Patriarch Yi Yuan. As for this Ninefold Heavenly Tribulation, this junior wishes to personally experience it!"

After speaking, Chen Mobai looked up, his gaze fixed intently on the Immortal Realm at the end of the clouds.

(End of Chapter)