Chapter 1429: Ascending the Immortal Platform

With a flash of silver light, Chen Mobai returned to the Sky River Realm, using the Turtle Treasure.

As soon as he returned, he found two familiar faces waiting for him.

They were Yuan Qingque and Shen Xi.

“Young friend, you’ve finally returned.”

Upon seeing Chen Mobai, Yuan Qingque couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.

Shen Xi, standing nearby, had a look of shock on his face.

He had previously received a distress signal from the Nine Heavens Demon Eradication Sect. With the teleportation array destroyed, he was fortunate enough to arrive just after the battle had concluded. At that moment, the only person there was Yuan Qingque, who had waited, concerned about Chen Mobai going to the Underworld.

While they were chatting earlier, Shen Xi had learned the full details of the great battle. Now that Chen Mobai was able to return from the Underworld, could it be that he had fought his way through the Netherworld Palace?

But the Nether Dragons were Primordial Deities; even Immortal Lord Wuwei couldn't suppress them in the Underworld's territory.

“Young friend, is this your disciple?”

At this moment, Yuan Qingque pointed to Luo Yixuan, who was lying on the Yuan Yang Sword, and asked with some surprise.

After all, Luo Yixuan's current appearance didn't quite resemble that of a righteous cultivator.

“Alas, I was still a step too late. My disciple has been corrupted by the Underworld's essence and has begun transforming into an Yin body,” Chen Mobai nodded and sighed.

Upon hearing his words, Yuan Qingque and Shen Xi both showed expressions of regret.

Given their status and knowledge, they naturally knew that the Yin body transformation was irreversible. From now on, this promising disciple of the Eastern Desolation Azure Emperor would only be able to cultivate the Ghost Dao.

As righteous cultivators, when faced with such a situation, they would typically eliminate the person on the spot to prevent the rise of another lineage like the Nether-Traversing Demonic Sect in the future.

However, since it was Chen Mobai's disciple, Yuan Qingque and Shen Xi both pretended to forget this rule and remained silent.

“By the way, during the time I was in the Underworld, have there been any significant changes in the Sky River Realm?”

His greatest concern, naturally, was the Heavenly Venerate who was integrating with the Primordial Dao of Life and Death, and the Nine Heavens Demon Eradication Patriarch who was sublimating the Primordial Grand Ultimate Dao.

Whichever one yielded a result, it would be a major event for the Three Realms.

“The Dao of Life and Death is fluctuating. The Heavenly Venerate's cultivation is quite profound, so the integration is estimated to last for some time. As for my Master, since the Heaven-Reaching Dao Refining Pagoda has been destroyed, I cannot contact the Spirit Void Immortal Realm, so I don't know how his sublimation of the Great Dao is progressing.”

Yuan Qingque shook his head and relayed what he knew.

“Oh, then what are your plans, fellow Daoist? Will you ascend again, or remain in the Eastern Continent?”

Chen Mobai, hearing Yuan Qingque's words, asked with curiosity.

Previously, the topmost layer of the Heaven-Reaching Dao Refining Pagoda functioned as a small transit station between the Sky River Realm and the Spirit Void Immortal Realm, much like the Grand Void True Realm of the Grand Void Ethereal Palace, except only Primordial Spirits could descend.

So currently, Yuan Qingque's Primordial Spirit was here, while his physical body remained in the Spirit Void Immortal Realm.

Fortunately, he was a Void Refinement cultivator, whose Primordial Spirit was condensed to be nearly substantial, almost indistinguishable from an ordinary person. If it were a Spirit Transformation cultivator, they might have had to refine a spiritual item to house their spirit.

“Heaven-Reaching Peak has been destroyed, and the Heaven-Reaching Dao Refining Pagoda is also shattered. I will definitely need to rebuild the Nine Heavens Demon Eradication Sect before I can leave with peace of mind. This is also Master's wish.”

Since those present were all close allies, Yuan Qingque did not conceal anything.

To sublimate the Primordial Grand Ultimate Dao means either life or death. Furthermore, the Nine Heavens Demon Eradication Sect lineage was not without enemies in the Spirit Void Immortal Realm.

If the Nine Heavens Demon Eradication Patriarch were to pass away, their lineage would certainly have to relinquish their currently held territories and interests before the next True Immortal Dao Lord emerged.

Moreover, after the Three Realms returned to their origin, the Sky River Realm could accommodate Void Refinement cultivators, which was also a good opportunity for the Nine Heavens Demon Eradication Sect to rebuild and recuperate.

Of course, most importantly, if Yuan Qingque wished to return to the Spirit Void Immortal Realm now, he would have to undergo the Nine-Layer Heavenly Tribulation. For someone who had already passed it, this would be procedurally unlawful.

After all, he should be in the Spirit Void Immortal Realm at this very moment.

Without the Nine Heavens Demon Eradication Patriarch, someone might use this point to have Yuan Qingque imprisoned in an immortal prison.

“This issue is quite manageable.”

After listening to Yuan Qingque's troubles, Chen Mobai waved his sleeve and produced the white jade platform that the Nether Dragon had given him.

“This… could this be…”

The moment Yuan Qingque and Shen Xi saw the white jade platform, their expressions became agitated, their bodies trembled, and disbelief filled their faces.

As Sacred Lands of the Eastern Continent, apart from peerless talents like the Nine Heavens Demon Eradication Patriarch and Immortal Lord Wuwei who ascended by overcoming the Nine-Layer Heavenly Tribulation, the other venerable ancestors of their two lineages in the Spirit Void Immortal Realm had generally ascended after passing the Ascension Platform assessment.

In ancient times, the Ascension Platform was the most legitimate path to ascend.

Therefore, the appearance of this white jade platform was extensively documented in several thick volumes within the texts of their two families.

But even with the white jade platform placed before them, they dared not confirm its authenticity unless Chen Mobai said so.

After all, there were too many counterfeits of this item.

“In the Underworld, the Nether Dragons and I came to know each other through combat. After our exchange, they deeply recognized their errors and apologized to me. I remembered that the Ascension Platform had been in the Underworld, cutting off the path of ascension for countless cultivators in the Sky River Realm for tens of thousands of years. So, I decided to do a good deed and had the Nether Dragon retrieve it for me. I assume it wouldn't dare to give me a fake.”

Chen Mobai briefly explained the origin of the Ascension Platform, then casually handed it to Yuan Qingque.

“Young friend, your merits are boundless. From now on, all beings in the Sky River Realm who ascend to the Spirit Void Immortal Realm will remember your kindness.”

After Yuan Qingque received it with both hands, he bowed deeply to Chen Mobai with a solemn expression.

Shen Xi, standing beside him, was even more uncontrollably agitated and excited.

This was because he was not confident he could overcome the Nine-Layer Heavenly Tribulation; he might even be like Wuchen, unable to achieve the Void Refinement realm.

However, after Chen Mobai brought the Ascension Platform back from the Underworld, he now had the possibility of ascension.

Compared to the Nine-Layer Heavenly Tribulation, which primarily relied on one's strength, the quota for the Ascension Platform offered at least some room for maneuver.

“Do you know how to use this Ascension Platform?”

Chen Mobai asked. The Five Elements Sect had the shortest history among all the Sacred Lands, so he had only heard the name of this legendary spiritual item of ascension.

When he first acquired it, Chen Mobai tried to use the Can Tong Qi, but discovered that although the Ascension Platform was a magical artifact, it functioned more like a special teleportation point. Besides a verbal incantation, it also required feedback from the Spirit Void Immortal Realm to activate.

“Previously, this item was kept in the Qiankun Immortal City of the Central Continent. Every six hundred years, Spirit Transformation cultivators from various Sacred Lands would gather in the Central Continent. While resolving disputes, they would also determine the ascension quotas granted by the Immortal Realm.”

“This was the ‘Qiankun Ascension Grand Assembly,’ and it was also the predecessor of the Sacred Dao Grand Assembly. However, after the Ascension Platform was gone, it was directly canceled. Nonetheless, conflicts often arose between Sacred Lands, so the Millennium Calligraphy Forest later continued this tradition through the Sacred Dao Grand Assembly, though without the intense competition and thrill.”

“I recall that the method to activate this Ascension Platform was controlled by the Grand Void Ethereal Palace. After a Sacred Land’s Spirit Transformation cultivator obtained an ascension quota, the contemporary Grand Void Ethereal Palace Master would activate the Ascension Platform…”

Yuan Qingque relayed the information about the Ascension Platform, and Chen Mobai’s expression cleared upon hearing it.

After all, this Ascension Platform was refined by True King Grand Void.

“In that case, we’ll need to invite Immortal Grand Void here.”

Chen Mobai’s words made Yuan Qingque nod. The latter also added, “Besides the activation method, the most crucial aspect is the ascension quotas allocated by the Spirit Void Immortal Realm. This matter might require some lobbying from you, young friend.”

According to the rules, the ascension quotas for the Ascension Platform were held by the Heavenly Emperor, the Four Heavenly Kings, and the Eight Heavenly Monarchs.

However, these esteemed beings were too noble to concern themselves with such trivial matters, so the authority was delegated to the various guardians of the Thirty-Three Heavenly Dao States.

For example, how many Spirit Transformation cultivators would the Grand Yellow Heaven need to recruit this year? How many quotas would be given to native immortal citizens, and how many to immortal citizens from the lower realms, and so on.

For Spirit Transformation cultivators from the Sky River Realm, they were willing to lose everything to go to the Spirit Void Immortal Realm, even if it meant settling in one of the lowest-ranked Dao States.

For Shen Xi, with Immortal Lord Wuwei present, as long as he was willing to wait, he would certainly secure a quota.

“After I properly settle my disciple, I will return to the Spirit Void Immortal Realm to inquire about this matter.”

Chen Mobai nodded, indicating there was no problem.

After all, if the Ascension Platform could be reopened, it would also be beneficial for the Five Elements Sect.

Not everyone could easily overcome the Nine-Layer Heavenly Tribulation as he could.

“Oh, young friend, are you here in your true body?”

Upon hearing Chen Mobai’s words, Yuan Qingque was astonished.

He had always thought that the Chen Mobai before him was a second Primordial Spirit. After all, the Five Elements Sect didn't have a Heaven-Reaching Dao Refining Pagoda that would allow one to return as a Primordial Spirit after ascending, as he could.

“True King Grand Void has other means of descending.”

Chen Mobai found it inconvenient to mention the Turtle Treasure, so he could only speak vaguely.

The two people present then remembered Chen Mobai’s identity as True King Grand Void’s junior disciple, and a look of realization dawned on their faces.

“Speaking of which, we should address you as Senior, young friend.”

Yuan Qingque also realized his addressing was improper at this moment, so he lightly coughed, wanting to correct himself.

“Oh, you all know now? Let's stick to our previous forms of address; I don't care for such superficial titles.”

Chen Mobai was a bit surprised, but then he realized that the Nine Heavens Demon Eradication Patriarch and Immortal Lord Wuwei must have informed them, as his identity had been a sensation in the Spirit Void Immortal Realm.

After saying this, Shen Xi took his leave first. He intended to inform Immortal Lord Wuwei about the recovery of the Ascension Platform and arrange for quotas in advance.

Chen Mobai, meanwhile, headed to the Eastern Desolation with Yuan Qingque.

All the disciples who had left the Nine Heavens Demon Eradication Sect had gone there.