Chapter 668: The Formation of the Dharma Body and Nascent Soul

Pure Nine Gates: 1 Wan, 1 Wan, 1 Wan, 2 Wan, 3 Wan, 4 Wan, 5 Wan, 6 Wan, 7 Wan, 8 Wan, 9 Wan, 9 Wan, 9 Wan.

Fu Xingzhou had been missing for over thirty years, and his soul lamp finally extinguished, plunging Fu Zongjue, who had held onto hope, into immense grief.

Chen Mobai could only offer comfort regarding this matter.

He then instructed all Spiritwood Sect members outside to investigate matters concerning Fu Xingzhou.

However, both he and Fu Zongjue knew that with no news for over thirty years, there was even less chance of finding anything now that he was dead.

Overwhelmed by grief, Fu Zongjue went to Cloud Dream Lake, where he slaughtered a large number of demonic beasts, finally releasing the anger in his heart.

Chen Mobai could only offer a wry smile in response.

However, Fu Zongjue wouldn't have left if Zhou Shengqing's Dharma Body Nascent Soul transformation hadn't been completed.

Furthermore, after going to Cloud Dream Lake, he also freed Mo Douguang, who had been stationed at Wind and Rain Dock, and informed him of the situation.

Upon receiving the news, Mo Douguang immediately took a teleportation array to Giantwood Ridge.

Chen Mobai personally welcomed him to the entrance of Zhou Shengqing's Longevity Wood Daoist Temple. Mo Douguang sat silently by the door, acting as a protector for Zhou Shengqing.

Time quickly passed, and it was soon the end of the year.

On this day, Chen Mobai was discussing a newly received piece of news with Yue Zutao.

Suddenly, a slight tremor shook the entire Giantwood Ridge. Immediately after, the vast spiritual energy accumulated by the Myriad Woods Grand Array began to boil, transforming into colorful rays that surged towards Zhou Shengqing's Longevity Wood Daoist Temple, where he was in secluded cultivation.

Upon witnessing this scene, Chen Mobai couldn't help but burst into laughter.

He immediately transformed into a streak of light and flew over.

Another Golden Core spiritual light also flew in from nearby.

Half a month prior, Fu Zongjue had also returned, having calculated the time and knowing that Zhou Shengqing was about to emerge from seclusion.

In front of the Longevity Wood Daoist Temple, Mo Douguang, whose posture was as straight as a sword, stood at the entrance. Seeing the two approach, he gave a slight nod in greeting.

“Senior Brother has finally succeeded!”

Feeling the vast and boundless spiritual energy fluctuations around him, Fu Zongjue couldn't help but feel immensely excited.

Accompanied by a clear, prolonged cry, Zhou Shengqing, clad in an elegant Daoist robe, flew down from the tree. His robes billowed in the wind, making him appear like a dancing immortal crane.

As he landed before the three, he smiled faintly, revealing white teeth. Combined with his fair, slightly translucent skin and slender figure, he exuded an elusive, profound aura to Chen Mobai, like a gentle breeze.

“Greetings, Ancestor Zhou!”

According to the rules of the Eastern Desolation, after Zhou Shengqing formed his Nascent Soul, his seniority increased by a generation, requiring them to address him as Ancestor.

“There’s no need for that, Junior Brothers. You may simply call me Senior Brother,” Zhou Shengqing replied.

Zhou Shengqing, however, shook his head. He owed his current achievement entirely to the protection and assistance of the three individuals before him.

This was the very meaning of a sect's existence.

When he was strong, he guided and protected his junior brothers and disciples; when he was weak, they, in turn, protected and helped him.

Now that his Dharma Body Nascent Soul was complete, Zhou Shengqing had become the Spiritwood Sect's pillar supporting the heavens and its beam bridging the seas!

“Congratulations, Senior Brother!”

Since Zhou Shengqing had said so, the three naturally didn't hesitate and continued to address him as Senior Brother.

“Should we announce this to the entire Eastern Desolation and summon Heaven-Returning Valley, Five Elements Sect, and Snow-Blowing Palace for an audience?”

Fu Zongjue was the first to ask. According to tradition, a Nascent Soul cultivator was inherently the undisputed overlord of the Eastern Desolation and could act like Ancestor Hunyuan.

He was thinking of making Yan Shaoyin their alchemist once again!

“What do you think, Junior Brother Chen?”

Zhou Shengqing pondered for a moment, then turned to Chen Mobai and asked.

“Coincidentally, Chu Zuoshu sent a message from the Eastern Yi region. Senior Brothers, please take a look first.”

Chen Mobai handed a jade slip to Zhou Shengqing first. After scanning it with his divine sense, Zhou Shengqing's expression subtly changed.

Next, Mo Douguang and Fu Zongjue took their turns. Despite their composure, they couldn't help but be shocked after reading it!

Zhou Shengqing: “The Eastern Yi is about to undergo a massive change!”

Two hundred years ago, Ku Zhu, the sect master of Kongsang Valley in the Eastern Yi, orchestrated the theft of third-tier spirit rice seeds from Xuanxiao Dao Palace, triggering a major war between the two great Nascent Soul sects of the Eastern Yi.

Ultimately, the Nascent Soul cultivator of Kongsang Valley relented, expelled Ku Zhu, and sealed their mountain for a hundred years to put the matter behind them.

After Ku Zhu's expulsion, Ancestor Jinfeng, who resented him for instigating the conflict, sent many individuals to hunt him down.

Because Kongsang Valley had already sealed its mountain at that time, with no one able to help, everyone believed Ku Zhu would perish under Xuanxiao Dao Palace's pursuit.

However, Ku Zhu managed to escape the Eastern Yi, even killing two Golden Core cultivators while being surrounded and hunted by three.

Ancestor Jinfeng, upon finally receiving the news, was so enraged that he personally intervened, despite his Dao body not yet having fully recovered.

But by then, Ku Zhu had already vanished through an ancient teleportation array.

This incident greatly boosted Ku Zhu's reputation, earning him the title of the Eastern Yi's foremost Golden Core cultivator!

Two hundred years later, this very Ku Zhu had returned.

His power had now reached the Nascent Soul stage!

This was precisely what Chen Mobai had been discussing with Yue Zutao earlier. Although Xuanxiao Dao Palace and Kongsang Valley hadn't started fighting yet, given their past grievances, a major conflict was inevitable with Ku Zhu's return.

“Ancestor Jinfeng, as an alchemist, also has some renown in the Eastern Continent. The Xuanxiao Chamber of Commerce relies on his refined pills to operate there, and his wealth is undoubtedly the greatest among the three Nascent Soul cultivators of the Eastern Yi. However, facing two Nascent Soul cultivators, he would likely be forced to retreat and rely solely on his grand array for defense.”

Zhou Shengqing offered his opinion.

Kongsang Valley already had one Nascent Soul cultivator; with the addition of Ku Zhu, if they were to settle old and new scores with Xuanxiao Dao Palace, Ancestor Jinfeng certainly wouldn't be able to withstand them.

“Will Sunbath Sea intervene to help Xuanxiao Dao Palace, for the sake of balance?”

Fu Zongjue shared his view, earning nods of agreement from Zhou Shengqing and Chen Mobai.

If they were in Ancestor Baiwu's position, they would certainly make that choice. Everyone understood the principle that if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold.

“Therefore, my suggestion is to temporarily keep the news of Senior Brother Zhou's Nascent Soul breakthrough a secret. Since the Eastern Desolation is adjacent to the Eastern Yi, if a new Nascent Soul appears here, they will undoubtedly consider us an unstable factor. There's even a possibility they might unite to eliminate us before their great decisive battle.”

After Chen Mobai finished speaking, everyone found his words highly reasonable.

First, they should maintain a low profile and stay out of the sight of the Eastern Yi's three great sects. Given the animosity between Xuanxiao Dao Palace and Kongsang Valley, a battle was inevitable once Ku Zhu returned as a Nascent Soul cultivator.

At that time, whether Sunbath Sea intervened to restore balance or Ancestor Baiwu stood by and allowed Xuanxiao Dao Palace to bear the pressure alone, it would all be beneficial for their Spiritwood Sect.

Chen Mobai continued discussing the strategy he had just deliberated with Yue Zutao: “The best outcome would be the destruction of Xuanxiao Dao Palace and the death of Ancestor Jinfeng. Afterwards, we could ally with Sunbath Sea and establish a balance with Kongsang Valley.”

Zhou Shengqing nodded in agreement after listening.

After forming his Nascent Soul, he could leverage the good standing his master, Ancestor Hunyuan, had with Sunbath Sea. If he personally went to negotiate, Ancestor Baiwu would certainly be willing to give face.

Zhou Shengqing: “Then let's observe the situation for a while. However, the reunification of the Five Elements Sect can begin now.”

This matter was also a deep concern for Zhou Shengqing. Since he had personally led the Wood and Metal lineages away from Hunyuan Immortal City back then, he now intended to personally bring both lineages back.

Chen Mobai: “How do you intend to proceed, Senior Brother?”

After forming his Nascent Soul, Zhou Shengqing could traverse the vast Eastern Desolation unhindered. Only the Tier 4 formations of the major sects could offer self-protection against him.

Therefore, he planned a trip to Hunyuan Immortal City, preparing to personally reclaim everything that belonged to him.

“If Zhou Ye is willing to surrender the Hunyuan Dao Fruit, I am willing to offer him an elder position after reunifying the Five Elements Sect. If not, then don't blame me for being ruthless.”

As Zhou Shengqing spoke, a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

“I contributed to the initial setup of Hunyuan Immortal City's Profound Mechanism Five Elements Array. Although Zhou Ye certainly changed the formation flag nodes and entry/exit restrictions after the split, the five most crucial spiritual hubs cannot be altered. So, as long as I can enter the Immortal City and receive cooperation from junior brothers and sisters of the other three lineages, I can halt the operation of this grand array.”

The Profound Mechanism Five Elements Array was at its most powerful when Ancestor Hunyuan personally presided over it, with his five Golden Core disciples each controlling one of the spiritual hubs.

It was precisely by relying on this array that they suppressed the Poison Dragon and clashed fiercely with the ghost cultivators of Yellow Springs Road.

Unfortunately, after Ancestor Hunyuan's demise, this array could no longer be moved.

Zhou Shengqing: “Junior Brother Mo, let's go visit our other two junior brothers and sisters and catch up.”

Without formation obstructions, a Nascent Soul cultivator was invincible in the Eastern Desolation. However, for this matter to succeed, Sheng Zhaoxi and Nujiang were also key.

Upon hearing this, Mo Douguang nodded with a look of emotion.

Ninety years had passed since the split, and now the two of them were going to prove that their master, Ancestor Hunyuan, had made the wrong choice back then.

However, Chen Mobai still spoke up to remind Zhou Shengqing that it would be best not to reveal his Nascent Soul breakthrough until the situation in the Eastern Yi became clear.

Zhou Shengqing was very receptive to this advice, stating that he merely intended to visit Nujiang and Sheng Zhaoxi to catch up and make some preliminary preparations for reclaiming the Five Elements Sect.

“The two of them can keep a secret, and besides, now that I’ve finally achieved success and emerged from seclusion, I just want to show off a bit to some acquaintances,” Zhou Shengqing said with a smile, revealing his true thoughts.

Chen Mobai understood completely after hearing this.

Because he was also such a person!

“I'll leave the sect in the care of you two Junior Brothers. If you need my assistance, use this talisman to contact me.”

Before leaving, Zhou Shengqing plucked two leaves directly from the Longevity Tree and, right there, drew a talisman for both Chen Mobai and Fu Zongjue.

After forming his Nascent Soul, his talisman-making skill had clearly advanced to a new level. The way he condensed spiritual energy from the void to inscribe talismans onto leaves instantly filled Chen Mobai with envy.

He had once been hailed as a talisman genius, but after forming his Golden Core, there were too many other things to cultivate, so he gradually put this skill aside. To this day, he still hadn't passed the immortal sect's examination for a Tier 3 talisman master.

After Zhou Shengqing and Mo Douguang departed, Chen Mobai, who had been somewhat restrained, immediately let go of his reservations.

With a Nascent Soul cultivator now overseeing the sect, he was confident he could withstand even Ancestor Jinfeng personally leading Xuanxiao Dao Palace's army in an invasion.

Thus, he instructed Yue Zutao to begin implementing some of the slightly more radical new policies that had been put on hold, preparing for the unification of the Seven Kingdoms.

Good news followed one after another. Not long after Zhou Shengqing formed his Nascent Soul, Zhou Wangshen sent word that a Greenwood Malevolent Aura Cavern had been discovered in Xiao State, near the desolate ruins.

Chen Mobai decided to personally travel to the Eastern Desolation Plateau, taking the opportunity to inspect the progress of the sect's monumental earth-transforming project.

“Master, the White River in Yan State should be completed according to plan in about thirteen more years,” said Zhuo Ming, whose complexion had become noticeably more tanned, as he flew in the air with Chen Mobai, proudly gesturing towards the continuously flowing White River below.

Besides the two of them, a series of Spiritwood Sect's leading figures in Yan State, including Luo Yixuan, Yin Qingmei, E Yun, and Jiang Zongheng, were also accompanying them.

It was precisely because of this group's concerted efforts that the White River's excavation had proceeded so smoothly, completing in half the time Chen Mobai had anticipated.

As they flew overhead, they looked down to see dense fields of waist-high Azure Luo grass. Across these pastures, cultivated spirit cattle, antelopes, and other beasts, led by Spiritwood Sect's Beast Department cultivators, were thriving, scattered across various parts of the plateau.

Some flat areas had also been cultivated into vast spirit fields, where golden rice stalks swayed like a golden ocean in the gentle breeze, shimmering with the brilliant glow of a bountiful harvest.

This year alone, the spirit rice and livestock industries within Yan State could bring in over a million spirit stones for the Spiritwood Sect.

Furthermore, this figure would only continue to grow with time.

Now, the Spiritwood Sect cultivators who had initially been puzzled by Chen Mobai's insistence on expending vast human and material resources to develop the Eastern Desolation Plateau all fully understood, praising the sect master's foresight.

This was equivalent to an inexhaustible spirit stone mine.

If the entire Eastern Desolation Plateau were successfully developed, it was estimated that even all the spirit stone mines across the Eastern Desolation combined would yield less annual income than this region's output.

Such a bright future also fueled the Spiritwood Sect disciples' enthusiasm for developing the Eastern Desolation Plateau even further.

This year, over 1,500 Qi Condensation cultivators from the three halls and twelve departments combined took on tasks from the Spirit Treasure Pavilion and came to the Eastern Desolation Plateau.

Besides opening up river channels, the spiritual vein of Beiyuan City, after the Mountain-Suppressing Stone was in place, was upgraded to Tier 4 by cultivators from the Formation and Spiritual Vein Departments, under Zhuo Ming's guidance.

For this purpose, E Yun invested all the spirit stones from selling properties in Beiyuan City, even overdrafting five years of future shop rental income.

And all of this was worthwhile after the spiritual vein successfully upgraded.

“Excellent, excellent, you've all done very well.”

The achievements in Yan State delighted Chen Mobai, prompting him to repeatedly praise Zhuo Ming, E Yun, and the others.

However, this good mood significantly dampened when he saw the Mo River in Xiao State.

Compared to the advanced progress and the stellar team led by Zhuo Ming in Yan State, Luo Xue'er and Zhou Wangshen's progress was considerably lagging.

Chen Mobai made a comparison and estimated that it would take approximately twenty-three more years to complete the confluence of the Mo River and the White River.

After inspecting half a circuit of Xiao State from the air, Chen Mobai couldn't help but frown deeply.

Zhou Wangshen and Luo Xue'er saw the sect master's expression, exchanged glances, and quickly went to report the good news.