Chapter 526: Gold Flame

Pure Nine Lotus Lantern

The Pure Yang Scroll, cultivated by Chen Mobai, is the foremost demon-refining grand method of the Immortal Sect. It holds a particular suppression over sinister and evil entities. However, because all heterodox and demonic forces on the Local Star were long since wiped out, this reputation is now largely unknown.

In the public's perception, the Pure Yang Scroll is the most suitable cultivation method among Immortal Sect techniques for those with mediocre talent. It allows practitioners to reach the peak as long as they have enough time and resources.

This is precisely why Chen Mobai firmly believed in the Pure Yang Scroll.

And today, facing the ghost cultivators from the Yellow Springs Road, the Pure Yang Scroll demonstrated its most powerful effects.

The powerful body, almost like a jade corpse, turned to ash upon contact with the Pure Yang Fire erupting from the Six Yang Divine Fire Mirror. Then, its crystalline, jade-like finger bones, after resisting for a few breaths, began to melt inch by inch, like candles submerged in a blazing fire.

Bones that even the Violet Lightning Sword couldn't cut appeared incredibly fragile and powerless before the Pure Yang Fire.

At this moment, Chen Mobai also recalled a sentence from the beginning of the Pure Yang Scroll.

"This scroll is a demon-refining method from the heavenly scriptures, an art for warding off evil. Once cultivated to completion, all evil will be dispelled, and ten thousand demons will be invulnerable!"

Until now, Chen Mobai had only read this sentence without truly experiencing its meaning, as he had never encountered anything related to evil spirits or demons within the Immortal Sect.

Although the Ascension Sect was labeled as an ancient evil lineage, their cultivation path was actually similar to that of the Immortal Sect. They were branded as a cult in propaganda simply because they favored shortcuts and held different stances from the Immortal Sect.

Had it not been for the Sky River Realm, Chen Mobai might never have noticed the Pure Yang Scroll's critical strike effect against demons.

Within the Immortal Sect, Pure Yang Fire was merely a very balanced and peaceful Golden Core True Fire!

When used for alchemy or artifact refining, it wasn't particularly outstanding and had no negative side effects. However, when it landed on a demon, it was like pouring oil, ignited by their sinister energy, burning hotter and brighter, emitting dazzling brilliance!

The Nether Official's ghostly hand pierced through the void and grasped the Pure Yang Fire. As the finger bones melted, the Pure Yang Fire erupted with blinding white-golden light, spreading inside the sedan chair.

The Nether Official, who had never encountered Pure Yang Fire before, initially mistook it for ordinary Yang-attribute True Fire and intended to suppress it with his profound nether ghost qi.

However, this attempt at suppression had the opposite effect.

The Pure Yang Fire was fully activated by the extremely cold ghost qi, unleashing its most potent anti-demon properties. It suddenly burst forth, transforming into a golden blaze that spread along the hand bones towards the Nether Official's entire body.

At this moment, the Nether Official had not yet realized the severity of the situation and instinctively channeled his nether ghost qi into a black shield to block the flames.

However, the brilliant golden flames easily pierced through the black shield, boring several holes through the Nether Official's body.

Immediately after, an exceptionally horrific scream echoed!

The headless corpse seated within the sedan chair began to slowly melt under the Pure Yang Fire, like a wax figure, turning into wisps of scorched, foul-smelling green smoke that dripped onto various parts of the sedan.

Amidst the screams, the Nether Official's divine sense, attached to the zombie, decisively abandoned it. A hollow head flew out from inside the sedan chair and rushed away.

The Pure Yang Fire sensed the nether ghost qi and surged out from the sedan chair, attempting to seize the head. However, a wailing stick blocked the sedan's entrance, intercepting all the flames.

Although this resulted in half of the magical artifact melting, the Nether Official at least managed to escape.

In mid-air, Chen Mobai finally saw the true appearance of the head. Its features were handsome, but the top of its head was hollowed out, containing a pale white bone bead. The surface of the bone bead faintly displayed seven orifices, resembling the head's exterior.

"What kind of... flame is this!?" the head's mouth opened and closed, uttering a terrified voice, as it glanced fearfully at the sedan chair and jade corpse, which were now engulfed in Pure Yang Fire.

This sedan chair was also a powerful Yin artifact, crafted by the Nether Official with considerable effort from sinking wood. Yet, before the Pure Yang Fire, with its properties fully unleashed, it burned like kindling.

As for the jade corpse, at this point, only a faint human outline remained. Its flesh had turned into plumes of ash, revealing a skeleton that was half gold and half jade, like gold inlaid with jade.

Though an incomplete jade corpse, the immense ghost qi it contained was enough to fuel the Pure Yang Fire for a long time.

The gold-and-jade skeleton, enveloped by the golden flames, dripped away like molten wax.

These were extremely malevolent crystals of evil energy; a single drop could pollute a large lake, and ordinary people who consumed it would be transformed into zombies.

However, enveloped by the Pure Yang Fire, they turned into green smoke in mid-air, purified and dispersed into the atmosphere.

"Fortunately, Senior Brother Zhou passed that Golden Flame Sword Talisman to you. This extremely Yang and hot 'Golden Flame' perfectly counters these ghost cultivators."

At this moment, Fu Zongjue dispatched another puppet to Chen Mobai's side. Observing the scene, he mistakenly believed Chen Mobai had used that top-grade Tier 3 talisman.

After the Red Flame Sword Art reached the Golden Core stage, one needed to refine Azure Flame Sword Qi using core fire and spiritual energy. The refined product was the "Golden Flame."

Golden Flame had an extremely high temperature; ordinary magical artifacts would turn into molten iron upon contact.

In the entire Eastern Barrens, there were no minerals that Golden Flame couldn't melt. When used against enemies, it was even more formidable.

Cultivating the Red Flame Sword Art to this extent allowed one to sublimate Azure Flame Sword Qi into a "Blazing Sun Slash," reputed to be able to melt all tangible matter and be indestructible.

Above the Blazing Sun Slash was the "Extreme Yang Slash," a Tier 4 power, said to "cut through anything."

If one could master the Extreme Yang Slash, then the Red Flame Sword Art would be cultivated to its limit, and one could also draw the Tier 4 "Great Yang Sword Talisman."

Chen Mobai's use of Pure Yang Fire to melt the ghost cultivator indeed bore a strong resemblance to Golden Flame, so it was no wonder Fu Zongjue misunderstood.

"Is this a branch cultivation method of the Sky-Burning World-Cleansing Fire?"

At this moment, the Nether Official also searched through his ancient memories and found images similar to Pure Yang Fire.

In the past, Patriarch Hunyuan, through the unity of the Five Elements, could transform the power of any of the Five Elements with a thought. He had also used the perfected Red Flame Sword Art when he intruded upon the Yellow Springs Road.

The origin of this cultivation method was from the "Sky-Burning Pure Land," and it was also the most potent righteous great method in Eastern Land's history for restraining sinister evil spirits. The ghost cultivators of the Yellow Springs Road, caught off guard, had two Tier 4 ghost cultivators slain by Patriarch Hunyuan.

"A mere junior who just formed his Golden Core surely couldn't condense Golden Flame. It must be a talisman left by Hunyuan, and there can't be many of those..."

Although he thought this, the Nether Official wouldn't take the risk. Seeing his gold-and-jade corpse, refined over a thousand years, completely melted by the white-golden flames, he immediately fled without looking back.

Chen Mobai and Fu Zongjue had no intention of pursuing him.

Their original goal was merely to drive him away, and they didn't know how many other ghost cultivators from Yellow Springs Road might be hidden in the dark. The enemy could very well be luring them deeper.

Out of caution, Chen Mobai and Fu Zongjue even retreated back into the Myriad Trees Grand Formation.

About half an hour later, Mo Dougong, having received the news, also arrived via a teleportation array.

"Ghost cultivator!"

Hearing the identity of the intruder, he was slightly surprised.

In the past, Patriarch Hunyuan returned heavily wounded from his intrusion into Yellow Springs Road, yet he still persevered, commanding the Five Elements Sect to eradicate all ghost cultivators who had come to the mortal realm and re-seal the underworld.

That battle was arguably the most tragic in the Eastern Barrens in the past century, and it marked a turning point for the Five Elements Sect from prosperity to decline.

"Senior Brother Zhou might have anticipated this and left that Golden Flame Sword Talisman for Junior Brother Chen. The powerful ghost cultivator from Yellow Springs Road was severely wounded and fled."

Fu Zongjue recounted the details of the battle. Mo Dougong nodded repeatedly as he listened, his gaze drawn to Chen Mobai.

The Golden Flame Sword Talisman was a top-grade Tier 3 talisman. Activating it wasn't difficult, but mastering it required cultivating and comprehending the Red Flame Sword Art to a very profound level.

After Mo Dougong inherited the Hunyuan True Qi in the past, he also attempted the path of Five Elements unity.

He even condensed fifteen strands of Azure Flame Sword Qi, preparing for future cultivation of the Hunyuan Dao Fruit.

But even with his level of sword dao and cultivation, he could only barely condense Golden Flame, and controlling it was quite strenuous.

"Junior Brother Chen is truly a heaven-blessed genius."

Hearing Mo Dougong's praise, Chen Mobai repeatedly waved his hands. Although he had fully comprehended the Red Flame Sword Art due to his Fire Spirit Body and Heavenly Fire Spiritual Root, he had never actually put effort into cultivating it. If the conversation turned into a discussion about cultivation, he would surely be exposed.

"After this battle, this ghost cultivator should not return. However, just in case, I will stay here."

Mo Dougong proactively offered to stay, which delighted Chen Mobai and Fu Zongjue.

"Thank you, Senior Brothers, for guarding. I'll go handle some sect miscellaneous affairs."

After they conversed for a while, Chen Mobai, realizing the time, excused himself and returned to the Divine Wood Hall.

"Greetings, Sect Master!"

Seeing him enter, everyone showed respect, standing in two rows on either side and bowing in unison. Chen Mobai's fierce battle with the ghost cultivator had been witnessed by everyone below.

In the minds of all Divine Wood Sect disciples, their Sect Master was now the undisputed top sword cultivator in the Eastern Barrens, with invincible combat power.

"Are all the forms filled? Then let's count the votes!"

After taking his seat as Sect Master, Chen Mobai asked Luo Xue'er, who was beside him. Upon receiving an affirmative reply, he motioned for her to open the box containing all the votes from the Foundation Establishment cultivators.

This task would have originally been most suitable for Chu Zuoshu, but he was now entirely focused on forming his Golden Core and no longer left his residence after stepping down.

Even his ballot had been entrusted to Yue Zutao for delivery.

"We still need to establish an inner cabinet to help handle these trivial matters!"

This was the first time for a vote count in the Divine Wood Sect, so Luo Xue'er was a bit unaccustomed to it, fumbling slightly. Seeing this, Chen Mobai thought to himself.

This inner cabinet would need trustworthy individuals who could execute his intentions, and preferably young ones. Chen Mobai's most trusted individuals were naturally his disciples.

However, he needed to avoid suspicion. Furthermore, Liu Wenbo was responsible for managing the Small South Mountain Shop and handling his business. Asking him to also assist with sect affairs might grant him too much power, which could, in turn, affect his cultivation.

As for Zhuo Ming, it went without saying she wasn't suitable; she should just focus on farming.

The remaining candidates were E Yun, Yuan Chiye, Yue Zutao, Yu Lian, Yan Jinye, Qi Rui, Xi Jinghuo, and others.

Among them, E Yun was the most suitable to head the inner cabinet, but he was slated to succeed him as Sect Master in the future, so he first needed to be assigned as a Protector.

Yuan Chiye was a bit too young compared to E Yun.

Yue Zutao's abilities were comparable to E Yun's; it was just uncertain if he would be willing.

If all else failed, he could rehire Meng Hong to fill the role for a while.

As Chen Mobai pondered in his Sect Master's seat, Luo Xue'er had already finished counting all the Foundation Establishment cultivators' votes.

The six highest-voted Protectors for the states were Zhou Wangshen, Hong He, E Yun, Yan Yuanhao, Wei Liuting, and Dong Xuanze.

"If you assume the role of Protector, you cannot hold any other positions within the sect. Have you considered this carefully?"

Chen Mobai said to Yan Yuanhao, Wei Liuting, and Dong Xuanze. They were the deputy heads of the Body Forging Department, Formation Department, and Talisman Making Department, respectively. Their decision to run for the Protector position was clearly aimed at the opportunity to form a Golden Core.

The reason Chu Zuoshu hastily stepped down was that the news of him acquiring a Golden Core spiritual medicine had already spread.

The Foundation Establishment cultivators in the upper echelons of the sect vaguely guessed that the sect had obtained a pill formula helpful for forming a Golden Core, and that Chen Mobai's ability to form a Golden Core at such a young age was also thanks to it.

For multiple reasons combined, Yan Yuanhao and the other two were willing to give up positions they had worked for years to obtain, all to compete for these Protector positions.

"We have all considered it thoroughly!"

Upon receiving their affirmative reply, Chen Mobai nodded and then motioned for Luo Xue'er to unfurl a simple map of the Eastern Barrens, which then floated in mid-air in the great hall.

Chen Mobai then rose from his seat, extended a finger, and began to designate regions.

"Protector of Xiaoguo, Zhou Wangshen."

"Protector of Yanguo, E Yun."

"Protector of Hongguo, Yan Yuanhao."

"Protector of Leiguo, Wei Liuting."

"Protector of Yunguo, Dong Xuanze."

"Protector of Yuguo, Hong He."

After the assignments were made, all six individuals stepped forward, bowed to Chen Mobai, and received their seals carved from Golden Yang Wood.

These were magical artifacts hastily crafted by Wang Tingbo, the head of the Artifact Refining Department. Thanks to their excellent material, they were all Tier 2 quality, symbolizing the Protectors of each state.

After the six Protector positions were confirmed, many people showed disappointment in their eyes, but under Sect Master Chen's definitive pronouncements, the decision was final and unchangeable.

Night.

In the courtyard of Divine Wood City, Chen Mobai was drinking tea with Yue Zutao.

"Junior Nephew Yue, you protected Yanguo for over ten years, and now I'm having you return. I feel truly ashamed."

"My own path is already cut off, so it's only right for me to pave the way for my junior brothers."

Yue Zutao, however, was very open-minded. During his years as Protector of Yanguo, he acted steadily, resisted the strong pressure from the Southern Profound Sect, and the construction of Beiyuan City also progressed steadily, moving forward according to Chen Mobai's earlier plans.

"Junior Nephew Yue, do you know that I am the Holy Son of the Longevity Sect?" Chen Mobai suddenly asked a very strange question. This fact had already spread throughout the Eastern Barrens, accompanying the Golden Core Grand Ceremony and the earth-shattering battle with Xuan Shu.

Yue Zutao replied, "Sect Master's talent is extraordinary; it is only right for him to possess the inheritance of a supreme holy land."

Upon hearing this, Chen Mobai smiled faintly and then uttered a sentence that made Yue Zutao's eyes widen and his body tremble.