Chapter 551: Chen Mobai's Enlightenment Opportunity

Chen Mobai’s gaze met Bai Si’s. He smiled slightly, and Bai Si seemed a bit startled before quickly nodding in return.

“Sect Master Chen, is this border line not quite appropriate?” Zhu Jinyu spoke in a somewhat gentle tone. Facing Chen Mobai, the only Core Formation cultivator and sect master in the Eastern Desolation, she tried her best to display the dignified bearing of a Chui Xue Palace Sect Master, unwilling to yield on the border line issue.

“This was demarcated by Patriarch Hunyuan in the past and personally approved by True Monarch Kong. Does Sect Master Zhu not know this? Or do you believe that our Divine Wood Sect is not qualified to inherit the boundaries set by the Five Elements Sect?” Chen Mobai pointed to the map he had brought. Although he was still smiling, his tone had turned cold.

“Sect Master Chen, you exaggerate. It’s just that in this area, many people from our Snow Country have already settled down and have been living here for four or five generations. If the border line were to be drawn there, they would certainly resist relocation. When they cause trouble, the mortal world will be in chaos for a while, and if it triggers a war between the two nations again, it will likely lead to another bloodbath,” Zhu Jinyu said, using the excuse she had prepared. When Patriarch Hunyuan was alive, the entire Eastern Desolation survived under his influence, and the boundaries he set were naturally very disadvantageous to Chui Xue Palace.

Later, taking advantage of the Five Elements Sect’s division, Chui Xue Palace signaled the mortal dynasties of the Snow Country and Frost Country to expand the border significantly towards Yun Country and Lei Country. At that time, the Divine Wood Sect was busy fighting the main branch of the Five Elements Sect and could only pretend not to know. Later, to prevent Kong Lingling from siding with the Five Elements Sect, Zhou Shengqing even personally visited Chui Xue Palace.

The two Core Formation Patriarchs discussed many things, agreeing that the territories of Yun Country and Lei Country occupied by Chui Xue Palace would belong to Chui Xue Palace, and the Divine Wood Sect would not pursue the matter. In return, Kong Lingling would not intervene in the Five Elements Sect’s internal conflict, ensuring that Patriarch Hunyuan’s disciples could freely resolve their dispute. However, at that time, Kong Lingling considered that Zhou Shengqing and Mo Douguang might not be a match for Zhou Ye’s trio. To avoid being held accountable by the Five Elements Sect if they were defeated, these agreements were only verbal. Therefore, even though Zhu Jinyu knew the border line was agreed upon by Zhou Shengqing and Kong Lingling, she dared not mention it. Agreements without written contracts or vows are always disavowed by cultivators in the Eastern Desolation.

For this very reason, despite being on her own territory, Zhu Jinyu found herself in a difficult position, caught between yielding and resisting the pressure from Chen Mobai, a Core Formation cultivator. In recent years, whether the Eastern Desolation was chaotic or peaceful depended entirely on the Divine Wood Sect. She was deeply afraid that if her tone was a bit too strong, Chen Mobai, who had led the Divine Wood Sect in campaigns across the lands and earned the reputation of a “God of Slaughter” in the outside world, would become displeased and erupt on the spot. However, to simply hand back territories they had occupied for seventy to eighty years, painstakingly cultivated into their own domain, without any resistance, Zhu Jinyu was extremely unwilling. Those areas contained several mineral veins and many developed spirit fields, all products of their hard work.

“Sect Master Zhu need not worry about this. As long as you return the border line, our Divine Wood Sect will naturally arrange people to manage the remaining matters of education and guidance. We will certainly not allow chaos to erupt in the Snow Country and Frost Country under your sect,” Chen Mobai emphasized again.

As a cultivator born in the Immortal Sect, he knew best that a unified, centralized power was the most effective way to develop and bring peace and tranquility to all living beings. The Divine Wood Sect now occupied one-third of the Eastern Desolation. His goal was to have two more Core Formation cultivators in the sect during his tenure as sect master, and then bring the entire Northern Region of the Eastern Desolation into their sphere of influence. Currently, the Northern Region of the Eastern Desolation, specifically the territories occupied by Chui Xue Palace and Nan Xuan Sect, were not under their control.

Among these, Nan Xuan Sect was backed by Xuanxiao Dao Palace. Before Zhou Shengqing transformed into a Dharma Body Nascent Soul, Chen Mobai could only first develop his own sect’s power and suppress them through various methods other than military eradication. Compared to Nan Xuan Sect, Chui Xue Palace was much weaker. However, Zhou Shengqing and Kong Lingling had, after all, reached an agreement back then, promising not to attack or invade each other without sufficient justification. Moreover, Chen Mobai was a peace-loving person. He wondered if he could use non-military means to gradually oppress and erode Chui Xue Palace, employing a strategy of division to slowly incorporate the territories of Snow Country and Frost Country into the Divine Wood Sect.

This was also the second decree of the new policies Chen Mobai enacted after becoming sect master. These so-called new policies could be summarized in four words: Unify the Eastern Desolation! However, Chen Mobai knew that this new policy was too grand and ambitious for many Divine Wood Sect cultivators, so he had only revealed it to a few individuals like Yue Zutao so far.

He had always been a highly disciplined person. After arriving in the Tianhe Realm, stepping into the Eastern Desolation, and witnessing the chaos there, this idea had always been in his mind. Over twenty years passed, and he understood the Eastern Desolation more and more. His initial thought had, over time, transformed into a firm ideal! He wanted to end this chaotic era in the Eastern Desolation, to bring unprecedented peace to this land, which had long been ravaged by war and where mortals were treated like livestock. As of today, Chen Mobai finally possessed the strength and influence to implement this ideal! As long as he kept advancing towards this goal, one day, the Eastern Desolation would transform into the “Little Immortal Sect” of his ideals.

He wasn’t sure if it was an illusion or something else. The moment Chen Mobai ascended to the position of Divine Wood Sect Master, all these scattered thoughts from the past in his mind consolidated into the four words: “Unify the Eastern Desolation.” At that moment, he even clearly felt the opportune moment for his enlightenment. If he were still a Foundation Establishment cultivator and succeeded in unifying the Eastern Desolation, he would be able to achieve Core Formation through enlightenment at the moment of completion, just like the Hall Master of the Immortal Affairs Hall. Where the heart desires, there the Dao lies!

This was also the summary of enlightenment and Core Formation within the Immortal Sect. Chen Mobai had read about it before forming his core, once dreaming if he could achieve such a feat. Unfortunately, after reading over a dozen related texts, he was still completely bewildered. But after becoming the Divine Wood Sect Master, he gradually began to understand. Perhaps his cultivation level had increased, or perhaps he had truly achieved enlightenment. He just wondered what benefit there was to achieving enlightenment at his current Core Formation realm. During Foundation Establishment, his awakening to the Dao had granted him the “Fire Spirit Body,” which provided immense help for cultivating the Azure Flame Sword Qi, forming his Core, and other advancements. Enlightenment was even superior to awakening to the Dao. Could it help him comprehend the mysteries of forming a Nascent Soul? Chen Mobai’s thoughts were a bit optimistic, but at least this gave him even more motivation to achieve his ideal in the Eastern Desolation.

“Sect Master Chen, the matter of the border line involves Patriarch Hunyuan, True Monarch Zhou Shengqing, and my master, True Monarch Kong. To avoid affecting the Dao paths of the True Monarchs of our two sects, why don’t we resolve it through a commonly used combat ritual in the Eastern Desolation?” Just as Zhu Jinyu was in a predicament, Bai Si, who was beside her, stepped forward, immediately capturing Chen Mobai’s attention with her words.

“Oh, so this is Junior Niece Bai, renowned alongside my sect’s Junior Nephew Hong? As expected of True Monarch Kong’s personal disciple, already at the late Foundation Establishment stage at such a young age. Truly formidable.” As Chen Mobai’s mind processed the secret anecdotes about the Five-Colored Immortal Seeds recorded by the Divine Wood Sect, he carefully scrutinized Bai Si from head to toe before speaking with a slight smile.

The Five-Colored Immortal Seeds were a legend left by Patriarch Hunyuan in the past. He also dabbled in the path of divination. When he left the Yiyuan Dao Palace in the Eastern Lands, he used a secret treasure left by his master, True Monarch Yiyuan, to perform a divination, mainly to see his opportunity for breakthrough. However, it allowed him to glimpse the future of the Eastern Desolation: five peerless geniuses, each representing one of the five elements, would emerge and elevate the Eastern Desolation, and even the nearby Dongyi and Dongwu regions, to unprecedented heights. If Patriarch Hunyuan could live until then and gather all five Five-Colored Immortal Seeds, he might even be able to use their Five-Element spiritual energy to further his Hunyuan Dao Fruit. It was precisely for this reason that Patriarch Hunyuan later accepted disciples based on their five-element attributes. Besides passing on his legacy, he also wanted to see if the Five-Colored Immortal Seeds could be artificially cultivated.

When Patriarch Hunyuan held sway over the Eastern Desolation, he didn’t conceal this matter, openly searching the world for geniuses with five-element attributes, especially craving cultivators with Heavenly Spirit Roots. Nujiang of the Water Vein and Sheng Zhaoxi of the Fire Vein were both disciples snatched from other sects, though both were also very willing to become disciples of Patriarch Hunyuan. It was precisely for this reason that after Zhou Ye, who possessed a Heavenly Spirit Root, joined the sect, Patriarch Hunyuan particularly valued him, believing he could inherit his mantle. Perhaps he could even await the Five-Colored Immortal Seeds to enter Hunyuan Immortal City, turning the Five Elements Sect into a great sacred land outside the Eastern Lands. Patriarch Hunyuan wanted to prove that he was the true inheritor of True Monarch Yiyuan’s teachings, unlike those stagnant old figures in the Yiyuan Dao Palace.

“How does Junior Niece Bai propose we duel? Between me and Sect Master Zhu?”

“Sect Master Chen, you jest. To duel with you, the foremost sword cultivator in the Eastern Desolation, I fear I wouldn’t even have the courage to make a move.” Zhu Jinyu immediately waved her hands repeatedly, signaling her surrender.

“A combat ritual naturally requires fairness and impartiality. How about we limit it to Foundation Establishment cultivators? I will represent Chui Xue Palace. Your esteemed sect can send anyone, and as long as they can defeat me, the border line will be drawn according to Sect Master Chen’s requirements.” Facing the gaze of Chen Mobai, a Core Formation cultivator, Bai Si maintained a serene expression. Suppressing the frantic pounding of her heart, she calmly finished her statement, fully embodying the demeanor of Chui Xue Palace’s foremost immortal maiden.

“A Foundation Establishment duel, then...” Chen Mobai glanced at the people he had brought. Mu Yuan had the strongest combat power among them, but was only at the peak of the early Foundation Establishment stage. Not being a combat genius like himself, Mu Yuan would definitely be no match for Bai Si, who was at the late Foundation Establishment stage.

“If I were to summon Hong He, would you feel it’s unfair?” Chen Mobai suddenly asked Bai Si. While there were many late Foundation Establishment cultivators in the Divine Wood Sect, Hong He was as famous as Bai Si, and his reputation had always been above hers. The two were also considered arch-rivals in the public eye of the Eastern Desolation.

“Sect Master Chen might not know, but I have clashed with Junior Brother Hong He three times, and all ended in draws.” Bai Si, however, maintained an unchanging expression and spoke with calm confidence.

Chen Mobai: “Never mind. Waiting for Hong He would delay us for several more days. Since you want to settle this with a duel, and we are on your Chui Xue Palace’s territory, I will give you some face.”

Zhu Jinyu: “Thank you, Sect Master Chen...”

Chen Mobai: “Don’t be so quick to thank me. Although I have agreed, I also have a condition.”

Zhu Jinyu: “Please state it!”

Chen Mobai: “Behind me are eight junior nephews. They are all at the early Foundation Establishment stage and will all participate. Your Chui Xue Palace can send people to challenge them in a combat ritual. If more than four out of the eight lose, then this time, the border line will be drawn as your Chui Xue Palace dictates.”

This condition made Zhu Jinyu, Lan Lingping, and Bai Si exchange bewildered glances. All of Chui Xue Palace’s elite cultivators were present; they could easily find eight mid-Foundation Establishment cultivators, or even late-stage cultivators like Bai Si, to overwhelm their opponents with superior cultivation. Was there some scheme they hadn’t understood?

“I forgot to add one point: the cultivators your Chui Xue Palace sends to challenge can only be at the early Foundation Establishment stage as well.” Chen Mobai’s words made the three of them sigh in relief.

“Sect Master Chen seems very confident in his sect’s disciples,” Zhu Jinyu remarked. Chen Mobai smiled slightly at Zhu Jinyu’s words, offering no reply. In the silence, Zhu Jinyu and Lan Lingping exchanged a glance, their faces troubled. Although unwilling to admit it, the disciples of the Divine Wood Sect had grown strong through years of campaigns and wars that destroyed sects and nations. It was highly likely that Chui Xue Palace’s cultivators of the same realm would be no match. However, such words could not be spoken in front of the disciples of both sects, as that would only boost the enemy’s morale.

“It seems, Sect Master Chen, that you believe no one in your esteemed sect is my match, and thus you are using this condition to exclude me from the duel.” Bai Si naturally saw her two senior sisters’ dilemma and spoke again. One could only say she was worthy of being a genius maiden; even when facing a Core Formation cultivator like Chen Mobai, she dared to speak such words.

“Hahaha, I like confident people. In that case, I will give you a chance to save Chui Xue Palace and become a hero.” Upon hearing this, Chen Mobai burst into laughter. Then, pointing at Bai Si, he added another condition. “You may choose any five of the eight disciples behind me. As long as you can defeat each and every one of them, this combat ritual will also be considered a victory for your Chui Xue Palace!” This was asking Bai Si to take on five opponents!

Upon hearing this, the blue-haired maiden’s clear pupils suddenly gleamed with intense fighting spirit, and Chen Mobai’s words ignited an unprecedented will to fight within her.

“Since we’re here, all eight should come up. To use my cultivation to bully early Foundation Establishment cultivators, even if I win, Sect Master Chen might not be convinced. So, I will only display cultivation at the early Foundation Establishment stage. For fairness, during the combat ritual, no external items such as magical artifacts, talismans, or elixirs shall be used. We will solely compete with spell techniques. As long as any of your esteemed sect’s eight cultivators can make me retreat a single step, I will consider it a loss for myself!”

Bai Si’s confidence and arrogance made Chen Mobai reveal a look of admiration. She possessed the charisma he had in his youth when he single-handedly suppressed all Foundation Establishment prodigies of the Immortal Sect. Moreover, amidst her confidence, she hadn’t lost her cool head, setting the condition that external items could not be used. Otherwise, if Chen Mobai simply refined an Azure Flame Sword Talisman and gave it to a disciple who went on stage, Bai Si would undoubtedly meet a gruesome end. The first step towards unifying the Eastern Desolation would begin by shattering a genius’s confidence!

Chen Mobai smiled and nodded in agreement!