Chapter 591: Peach Tree Bears Fruit (1600 Monthly Tickets Additional Chapter)

"Greetings, Sect Master Chen. My master asked me to deliver this to you."

Upon entering, Ji Guanhai first bowed to Chen Mobai, then presented a letter.

"It's already been four years since I last met with Senior Brother Nujiang..." Chen Mobai opened the letter with a sigh, and after reading it, his relaxed expression subtly turned serious.

"Is the situation already this severe?"

Not long ago, the Eastern Wu cultivators' army, tasked with suppressing the demon beasts in Cloud Dream Lake, suffered a severe blow. A fleet of treasure ships, commanded by a Core Formation cultivator, was routed by the demon beast army. From Core Formation to Qi Cultivation, all were utterly slaughtered by the demon beasts; not a single one escaped. By the time Sun Huangji, the patriarch of the Sun family of Eastern Wu, arrived with his treasure ship armada, all that remained was a blood-soaked expanse of water, along with floating dismembered limbs, ship wreckage, and an overwhelming, innumerable host of demon beasts!

Fortunately, Sun Huangji possessed profound cultivation, having already reached the perfected Core Formation stage. Furthermore, the entire Sun family's treasure ship armada formed a battle array. In a furious rage, they engaged the demon beast army in a direct frontal clash. Ultimately, the demon beasts left behind nearly a thousand corpses, while one of the Sun family's precious third-tier treasure ships was breached and sank. However, the battle's outcome was astonishing: Sun Huangji, utilizing the power of the battle array, charged into the demon beast army and slew two third-tier demon beasts. It was precisely because of this that the demon beast army scattered; otherwise, the Sun family might have lost more than just one third-tier treasure ship, potentially suffering complete annihilation.

Following this major battle, the conflict between Eastern Wu and the demon beasts could no longer be contained. The Sun family issued the Yellow Martial Decree, beginning to mobilize treasure ship cultivators from various major Eastern Wu aristocratic families to Cloud Dream Lake. They formed a mighty Demon Hunting Alliance Army, with Sun Huangji as the Supreme Alliance Leader, determined to avenge the cultivators who had died for his family. Since they intended to eradicate the demon beasts in Cloud Dream Lake, the Sun family naturally sent representatives to the Eastern Desolation to seek aid. Sun Huanglong, the second most influential figure in the Sun family, personally came to discuss with True Master Nujiang, hoping that the Eastern Desolation would cooperate. The two major powers would then join forces to encircle and eliminate the demon beasts from the east and west banks, converging towards the center of Cloud Dream Lake. They were determined to wipe out every demon beast visible to cultivators from Cloud Dream Lake.

This matter was too significant for Nujiang to decide alone. He notified Zhou Ye of Hunyuan Immortal City, but the latter stated that the Five Elements Sect currently only possessed the power to defend itself, lacked the ability or prestige to integrate all the cultivators of the Eastern Desolation, and suggested it would be better to observe the situation. Although his words were polite, Zhou Ye's meaning was clear: he didn't care about the Sun family's fate. If he hadn't been unable to command the entire Five Elements Sect, Zhou Ye would have even wanted to help the demon beasts annihilate the Sun family during their war. With Zhou Ye's disagreement, Nujiang had no choice but to seek aid elsewhere.

Sheng Zhaoxi of the Fire Meridian was quite supportive; although her cultivation technique's power would be greatly diminished in the environment of Cloud Dream Lake, she stated that if needed, she could personally travel to Fengyu Dock to help Nujiang guard the seal. In that case, Nujiang could lead the Water Meridian cultivators away from Fengyu Dock and engage in battle with the demon beasts. But how could the Water Meridian alone be enough? Just then, news arrived that the Divine Wood Sect had successfully refined the Foundation Establishment Pill. Nujiang immediately wrote a letter and had his disciple deliver it to Chen Mobai.

"Reporting to Sect Master Chen, my master believes that if the Sun family hadn't withstood the pressure of the demon beast army on the west bank of Cloud Dream Lake, our Eastern Desolation might have already been devastated..." Ji Guanhai relayed Nujiang's message, the core idea being that of interdependence, where one's demise affects the other. "Currently, neither Eastern Wu nor Eastern Desolation has Nascent Soul cultivators. Once the demon beast army lands, the mortal populace would certainly be unable to resist and would become blood food. But these aren't the main concern; after all, cultivators in the Celestial River Realm generally regard mortals as expendable. Even if they all perished, most cultivators wouldn't bat an eye. Against the demon beast army, they could simply guard their mountain protection formations."

"However, a fourth-tier poison dragon is still sealed in the center of Cloud Dream Lake. If all the Eastern Desolation cultivators were to flee Cloud Dream Lake, then this prison, built upon the vast watery expanse and the spiritual veins of both Eastern Desolation and Eastern Wu, would soon be breached by the demon beasts using the most primitive yet effective methods. This fourth-tier poison dragon was an immensely powerful entity that required three Nascent Soul cultivators to seal away in the past. Once it breaks free, not only Eastern Wu and Eastern Desolation, but even the neighboring Eastern Yi region would likely face grave concerns."

"On this matter, Senior Brother Nujiang and I share the same view." Chen Mobai nodded, speaking words that delighted Ji Guanhai. After all, the Divine Wood Sect was currently the overlord of the Eastern Desolation, and given its current rapid development, it wouldn't be long before the number of Foundation Establishment cultivators increased, with the possibility of another Core Formation cultivator emerging. With their involvement and assistance, at least the Eastern Desolation could form a joint army in this war against the demon beasts.

Chen Mobai agreed because he had already come to view this territory as his own. If the various large-scale projects he envisioned for the future were all implemented, he would essentially possess a small immortal sect completely under his command, with resources at his disposal. He had been in the Eastern Desolation for thirty-two years, having long since established roots there and invested most of his emotions and time. Seeing the imminent harvest of abundant fruits, he couldn't allow a mere beast to destroy it.

Chen Mobai picked up his brush and wrote a reply to Nujiang, explaining his thoughts and stating that he would immediately mobilize cultivators from the Divine Wood Sect and Golden Light Cliff to Fengyu Dock to lend a hand. Jia Songyang happened to be there as well; when he returned, he could inform Mo Douguang about this matter too.

As Ji Guanhai, holding Chen Mobai's reply, departed via the teleportation array, he turned to glance in the direction of the Divine Wood Hall. Bidding farewell to Yue Zutao outside the array, he spoke with admiration, "Sect Master Chen of your esteemed sect possesses a grand vision for the world; he is truly a blessing to the Eastern Desolation!"

Yue Zutao was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, then recalled Chen Mobai's various pronouncements to him regarding the new policies, the transformation of the Eastern Desolation, and the vast future, and couldn't help but nod emphatically. "The Sect Master has grand ambitions and aims far beyond just the Eastern Desolation." Yue Zutao's words caused Ji Guanhai to pause slightly. At that moment, the light of the teleportation array began to glow, and he could only wave goodbye.

Little Southern Mountain!

Luo Yixuan sat gracefully beneath the immortal peach tree. A pinkish-white peach blossom petal, carried by the gentle breeze, fell like a raindrop onto her dark hair. Her hair was smooth, and the pinkish-white petal slowly slid down, drifting past her fair and delicate cheek. The beautiful petal only served to make her appear even more radiant, her face and the peach blossoms reflecting each other's radiance.

Chen Mobai, sitting nearby as her protector, saw the peach petal finally come to rest on Luo Yixuan's snow-white dress at her shoulder. The air was filled with the fragrance of peach blossoms from the tree, and combined with the soft hues of pale red and snow-white, he couldn't help but feel pleased. He picked up the tea brewed and handed to him by Zhuo Ming, and took a sip.

"Master, two of the peaches on this tree have ripened. I'll pick them for you to try." After brewing the tea, Zhuo Ming pointed to the lush immortal peach tree above, adorned with pinkish-white blossoms and fruits.

"This fruit, when consumed for the first time, can increase liquid spiritual power by 20 drops. For me, it would only serve to restore some vitality and satisfy a craving. You should eat it instead." As Chen Mobai spoke, he looked up and saw the numerous round, plump fruits hanging from the peach branches, a smile spreading across his face.

This third-tier immortal peach tree had grown on the spiritual vein of Black Cloud Mountain for a millennium, already reaching the peak of the third tier. When the Yuan family cared for it, this immortal peach tree would blossom and bear fruit every twenty years, yielding about five or six fruits each time it matured. After Chen Mobai executed Yuan Hongyuan, the Divine Wood Sect's Spiritual Plant Department immediately sent people to take over Black Cloud Mountain, primarily for the sake of this thousand-year-old immortal peach tree. However, due to its subsequent transplant to Little Southern Mountain, the immortal peach tree was delayed for a few years before it adapted to the local spiritual veins and began to blossom and bear fruit again.

Under Zhuo Ming's Spirit Resonance with All Things ability, combined with the Tai Sui's main body being in the soil beneath this immortal peach tree, this particular area of Little Southern Mountain became the most nutrient-rich. As a result, the immortal peach tree bore an unusually large number of fruits this time. Chen Mobai counted them; there were actually twenty-seven in total. Actually, the immortal peach tree had already borne fruit the year before last, with forty to fifty fruits at that time. However, many failed to fully grow due to insufficient spiritual energy later on. According to Zhuo Ming's estimation, a fourth-tier spiritual vein would be needed for this immortal peach tree to fully flourish and for all its fruits to mature.

Upon learning this, Chen Mobai instructed the sect's Spiritual Vein Department and Formation Department to devise a plan to elevate the spiritual vein of Little Southern Mountain to the fourth tier. However, this was not something that could be achieved overnight. It also required diverting a portion of the core spiritual veins from beneath the three Longevity Woods to this location. This wouldn't just require Chen Mobai's consent; Fu Zongjue's opinion would also need to be sought. Knowing this, Chen Mobai did not forcefully push the matter. Although he knew that Fu Zongjue would not refuse if he personally asked, there was no need. After all, the value of this immortal peach tree was certainly not as important as the spiritual energy for their two Core Formation cultivators' cultivation.

Another method to upgrade to a fourth-tier spiritual vein would be to find a supreme-grade spirit stone, such as the Mother Earth Stone they obtained from Trembling Mountain Peak last time. Unfortunately, such an item only forms at the core of large spirit stone mines, and that Mother Earth Stone had long since been refined by Zhou Shengqing to cultivate his own Longevity True Qi. Of course, this was the method in the Celestial River Realm; the Immortal Sect would undoubtedly have a different approach, though it would certainly be much more complex and intricate to execute than these two. Chen Mobai planned to gain a systematic understanding of this when he studied the relevant knowledge of Earth Master formations.

"Ming'er, your cultivation has reached a bottleneck at the early Foundation Establishment stage. Consuming this immortal peach fruit should allow you to break through. After Xuan'er finishes her meditation, take it here, and I will guard you."

"Thank you, Master!" Zhuo Ming smiled happily upon hearing this. She immediately picked up the teapot and refilled Chen Mobai's empty cup.

Drinking tea at leisure, with his disciple serving by his side—if possible, Chen Mobai wished to enjoy this relaxed life indefinitely.