Chapter 545: The Origin of Qingnu

For the upper echelons of the Immortal Sect, there was little that could still capture their interest. However, Huakaiyuan's secret art for Divinity Transformation was undoubtedly one such thing. If this Azure Jade Parasol Tree was indeed connected to it, then in the eyes of the Immortal Sect's upper echelons, the status of this spiritual plant would likely elevate to a level comparable to a Fifth-Grade item.

Chen Mobai: "Is Venerable Taohua here for this?"

Lan Haitan: "We cannot presume to know the Venerable's thoughts; we only need to cooperate with her actions."

Chen Mobai nodded after hearing this. The sooner this matter was resolved, the better it would be for him. This way, Danxia City could return to peace, and he could continue to maintain a low profile in Yumu City, focusing on developing and exploring the Tianhe Realm.

Chen Mobai: "By the way, I've always heard about the 'disintegration and reincarnation' method among the ancient evil orthodoxies. What exactly is its principle? How was the Huakaiyuan Master able to reincarnate as Shi Qing?"

Chen Mobai had been curious about this question for a long time, but information about forbidden arts related to ancient evil orthodoxies was hard to find within the Immortal Sect. Since he had rarely encountered the example of the Huakaiyuan Master, it was a good opportunity to consult a professional.

Lan Haitan: "The so-called 'disintegration and reincarnation' involves destroying one's original body, allowing the soul and divine consciousness to leave the physical form. After breaking free from the body's confines, one seeks a pre-arranged pregnant woman to enter the fetus, thus living a new life."

Chen Mobai was greatly surprised after hearing this: "In that case, wouldn't the high-level mighty cultivators of the ancient evil orthodoxies be able to use this 'disintegration and reincarnation' art to achieve immortality and live forever in the mortal world?"

"That's not how it works. 'Disintegration and reincarnation' also have many limitations; one cannot escape the cycle of heaven and earth." Lan Haitan shook his head and began to explain in detail to Chen Mobai.

"A person's lifespan depends on two aspects: spirit and flesh. Although the physical body can return to its peak through reincarnation, the soul and divine consciousness cannot escape the innate limitations of their lifespan."

"For example, the Huakaiyuan Master had a lifespan of a thousand years, but at five hundred years old, she was caught by the Kaiyuan Palace Lord and her physical body was shattered, leading to her death. She then used 'disintegration and reincarnation' to become Shi Qing, but her lifespan in this new life would at most be five hundred years."

"By that time, even if the Huakaiyuan Master's physical body were still at its peak, her soul would have reached its lifespan limit and would be forced into reincarnation."

"This 'disintegration and reincarnation' art was originally a last resort for ancient orthodoxies to avoid calamity when their Dao bodies collapsed. However, it was later discovered by some that it could be used to reshape incomplete foundations, which then led to its widespread popularity."

After listening to Lan Haitan's detailed explanation of the 'disintegration and reincarnation' art, Chen Mobai showed a look of realization. So there were still so many restrictions.

He had been thinking that if 'disintegration and reincarnation' could be performed infinitely, then all the cultivators who had reached the Nascent Soul stage in the Immortal Sect over the past six thousand years would have continuously reincarnated, and there would probably be at least a hundred Nascent Soul cultivators by now. Not to mention those who had reached Divinity Transformation. If that were the case, even ten more local star resources probably wouldn't be enough.

"So, is this 'disintegration and reincarnation' art widely used within the Immortal Sect?"

Chen Mobai hesitated for a moment but still asked the question. Although the 'disintegration and reincarnation' art had many limitations, for cultivators whose physical bodies were old and decaying, it offered a chance to take a gamble. After all, the probability of breakthrough was much higher when the body's vital energy and essence were at their peak than when one was old. If a Nascent Soul cultivator were to undergo 'disintegration and reincarnation' and cultivate again, inheriting the legacy of their previous life, they would likely quickly return to their original realm, and even be able to mend the foundational flaws of their previous life. If they then attempted to break through to the Divinity Transformation stage, the success rate would certainly be higher.

"I can only say it exists, but it's not common."

Chen Mobai had essentially saved Lan Haitan's life, so the latter shared what he knew in response to his questions.

"After the Immortal Sect destroyed most of the ancient evil orthodoxies, it also obtained the complete 'disintegration and reincarnation' art. Detailed research revealed that if one reincarnated into an unformed embryo, there would be a 'mystery of the womb,' but the physical body of this second life would have no barriers and could perfectly integrate with the soul and divine consciousness."

"However, if one wished to avoid the 'mystery of the womb,' they would need to enter an already formed infant within the mother's womb. But doing so would be tantamount to preventing the birth of a new life, incurring karmic retribution, and there would be a high probability of spiritual consciousness and the physical body being uncoordinated."

"The Immortal Sect forbids direct reincarnation and possession of infants but permits reincarnation into embryos. Many Venerables who died during the pioneering wars were thus granted permission to undergo 'disintegration and reincarnation'."

"Among these, many Venerables were unable to break through the 'mystery of the womb,' but under the guidance of the Immortal Sect, they could live safely until the end of their remaining lifespan."

"Of course, there were also a very few exceptional individuals whose aptitude and comprehension improved significantly after reincarnation. Even without awakening memories of their past life, they cultivated to a higher realm than before."

Chen Mobai was greatly surprised after hearing Lan Haitan's words. This 'disintegration and reincarnation' art could only be performed by Nascent Soul Venerables. The realm beyond Nascent Soul was Divinity Transformation.

"Which ancestor was that, I wonder?" He was very curious about this and couldn't help but ask.

"It was True Monarch Taiyuan. However, even with this example, the upper echelons of the Immortal Sect would only choose 'disintegration and reincarnation' under extreme circumstances."

Chen Mobai also fully understood this reasoning. After all, under the Immortal Sect's restrictions, the 'mystery of the womb' could very well hinder their achievements in the second life. Even with the help of family, old friends, and disciples, if one had to start cultivating anew without memories, whether they could reach the Nascent Soul stage a second time was an unknown. Furthermore, obtaining resources for forming a Nascent Soul within the Immortal Sect was extremely difficult.

"Thank you, Brother Lan, for clearing my confusion." By this point, Chen Mobai understood everything about the 'disintegration and reincarnation' art. He couldn't help but thank Lan Haitan.

"If you were to join the Palace of Righteous Law, this information would also be open to you." Lan Haitan, however, said something that surprised Chen Mobai.

"The Palace of Righteous Law shouldn't be short on people, right? Why are you, Brother Lan, also recruiting?" First it was Gongsun Jielu, and now Lan Haitan. Chen Mobai genuinely hadn't realized he was so popular.

"We don't lack ordinary people, but we do lack combat prodigies like you, Brother Chen. Although Yu Tianguang was possessed by the Divine Control Pavilion Master, his evaluation of your combat prowess was truly well-deserved." Lan Haitan said frankly. As the Palace of Righteous Law, which controlled two of the Immortal Sect's major enforcement branches, it should theoretically recruit all combat geniuses within the Immortal Sect.

Regarding Chen Mobai, Lan Haitan had already taken notice of him during the entrance examination in Danxia City. After Chen Mobai achieved Core Formation through enlightenment, his information was submitted to Gongsun Jielu and Venerable Shuixian. And after he had slain the Huakaiyuan Master, Chen Mobai's personal file was updated again and personally reviewed by the Palace Lord of Righteous Law. After reviewing it, the Palace Lord of Righteous Law said many things. His subordinates condensed it into a single sentence and conveyed it to Lan Haitan: "Why isn't such an incredibly formidable combat genius in the Palace of Righteous Law?" So Lan Haitan came here.

"I still prefer a more peaceful life." Chen Mobai naturally politely declined.

"With your talent, Brother Chen, if you were to join my Palace of Righteous Law and become a Deputy Palace Lord, obtaining a spiritual item for forming a Nascent Soul would certainly be no problem. Would you like to reconsider?" Lan Haitan made one last effort.

"The Immortal Sect is a place where seniority is highly valued. Although Venerable Shuixian, the Deputy Palace Lord of Righteous Law, has already formed her Nascent Soul, there are still Gongsun Jielu and your Patching Heavens Team's overall leader in line. After they both acquire spiritual items for forming Nascent Souls, I might then have to compete with you. That would consume too much mental effort and time, which is not what I desire."

Chen Mobai gave a reason, and after hearing it, Lan Haitan's eyes revealed an unreadable emotion.

"Brother Chen, I am very grateful that you are unwilling to compete with me." After Lan Haitan formed his Core, he naturally harbored ambitions for the Nascent Soul-forming spiritual item of the Palace of Righteous Law. Although he had always been humble, he harbored an inner arrogance that looked down on everyone. He believed that no one in the Immortal Sect could compete with him in this regard. But after witnessing Chen Mobai slay the Huakaiyuan Master with three swords, he knew that his rival had appeared. If Chen Mobai were truly willing to join the Palace of Righteous Law, then in a hundred years, the two of them might indeed engage in fierce competition for the Nascent Soul-forming spiritual item. However, the invitation for him to join was the will of the Palace Lord of Righteous Law, personally conveyed by the overall leader of the Patching Heavens Team. Lan Haitan could not refuse to come. Fortunately, Chen Mobai did not waver and still had no intention of entering the political sphere. This left Lan Haitan both sighing with emotion and feeling very grateful.

"Brother Lan also helped me quite a bit during my Foundation Establishment. There's no need to be polite." Whether it was the matter of Little Scarlet Heaven, or Lan Haitan answering Chen Mobai's questions even after forming his Core, Chen Mobai kept all of these in mind.

"In that case, Brother Chen, there's one more thing I need to tell you. I hope you're mentally prepared." At this moment, Lan Haitan suddenly spoke with a solemn expression. Chen Mobai's face also grew serious, thinking that the former had captured many people related to the Ascension Sect while clearing Danxia City and was about to go on a killing spree.

Lan Haitan: "How much do you know about Qing Nü's matter?"

Chen Mobai: "Oh!"

Chen Mobai hadn't expected Lan Haitan to bring this up. It was only then that he realized Lan Haitan had arrived much earlier but had waited until Qing Nü had left before revealing himself. Was this the important matter he had come to discuss today?

Chen Mobai: "I only know that she looks exactly like Master Xinji's daughter, and the mastermind behind it should be a high-ranking figure in the Immortal Sect."

Lan Haitan nodded slightly after hearing this. He even activated his domain, preventing anyone from overhearing his subsequent words.

Lan Haitan: "The experiment conducted over forty years ago in Yumu City was called the 'Immortal Sprout Cultivation and Modulation Project.' Its ostensible purpose was to help Immortal Sect cultivators who had suffered physical injuries or losses due to cultivation accidents or other incidents."

'Immortal Sprout Cultivation and Modulation Project'!

Upon hearing this, Chen Mobai couldn't help but look confused. How was this related to Qing Nü and the others?

Lan Haitan: "It involved using genetic bionic technology to clone and modulate arms or parts of internal organs needed by cultivators, replacing defective ones within their bodies. It was originally for medical purposes. However, beneath the surface of this project, Master Xinji was actually cloning and cultivating complete human beings to revive his own daughter."

Lan Haitan: "The high-level Immortal Sect figure supporting Master Xinji, on the other hand, sought a reincarnation body that would allow them to avoid the 'mystery of the womb' during 'disintegration and reincarnation,' bypass karmic retribution, and circumvent Immortal Sect laws."

Lan Haitan: "Furthermore, the human embryos modulated through this method could be used to attempt optimizing spiritual root talent at the genetic level. If it could be ensured that the reincarnation body possessed a Heavenly Spirit Root, then without the 'mystery of the womb,' given the essence of a Nascent Soul Venerable and the Immortal Sect's resources, it's estimated they could return to their original realm within sixty years."

Hearing this, Chen Mobai's expression changed dramatically. He finally understood why there were rare and unusual spiritual roots like Qing Nü's Heavenly Spirit Root, Wind Spirit Root, Dark Spirit Root, and others in that laboratory. It turned out that the original purpose of this experiment was to create infant embryos with extraordinary talent for the upper echelons of the Immortal Sect to use for 'disintegration and reincarnation.'

"Who is it?" Chen Mobai forced himself to calm down. He looked up at Lan Haitan and asked coldly.

Although not explicitly stated, Lan Haitan knew he was asking who among the Immortal Sect's upper echelons was supporting this experiment.

"I don't know that either. I can only access the 'Immortal Sprout Cultivation and Modulation Project' archives up to this point. Any higher access requires the authority of the three Palace Lords or Deputy Palace Lords." Lan Haitan shook his head, but his words had already revealed crucial information. The mastermind behind the 'Immortal Sprout Cultivation and Modulation Project' was likely at least a Deputy Palace Lord or higher in the Immortal Sect. Or even... one of the three Palace Lords!

Chen Mobai couldn't help but recall the scene where he met Kong Feichen at the Jumang Daoist Academy. Kong Feichen had said that the tragic childhood of the three of them originated from the Immortal Sect's three Palace Lords. Where did he find that information? Was the Ascension Sect also involved, or were there members of the Ascension Sect among the Immortal Sect's high-ranking officials?

Lan Haitan told Chen Mobai about this because, given Chen Mobai's current realm and strength, he was considered qualified to know. After all, Chen Mobai also had a profound background and was regarded as the future successor of the Dancing Arms Daoist Academy. What's more, two of the Immortal Sect's three Palace Lords were from the Patching Heavens Daoist Academy. This meant that if this matter were to be thoroughly investigated in the future, it could very likely involve confronting the Immortal Sect's largest faction. Fortunately, although their Dancing Arms Daoist Academy only had two Nascent Soul cultivators, it possessed one Divinity Transformation Patriarch, Patriarch Baiguang. If conflicts truly arose with the Patching Heavens Daoist Academy in the future, they would not be entirely defenseless.

As he thought of this, Chen Mobai suddenly realized something else! Back in the Shanhai Academy, Hao Cao had said he encountered Patriarch Baiguang's reincarnated body! And it hadn't even awakened its own consciousness!

Combining this with what Lan Haitan had just said about 'disintegration and reincarnation,' Chen Mobai's eyes widened, and he gasped sharply.

"What's wrong?" Seeing Chen Mobai's expression, Lan Haitan couldn't help but ask curiously.

"Nothing, I'm just a bit shocked after suddenly learning the truth about this matter!"