Chapter 679: Sword Drawing and Bow String Tensing

At first, when Luo Xue’er heard that Jiang Zongheng was coming, she thought he was a disciple sent by the sect master to inspect the progress of the Mo River and put pressure on her. She wasn't intimidated by this in the slightest.

After receiving three large contingents of personnel from Yan Country, she had been tirelessly working on the frontline of river excavation day and night. She felt it was arguably the most fulfilling and arduous period since she arrived in Xiao Country, and the results were remarkable. To emphasize this point, when Zhou Wangshen sent someone to deliver a message, Luo Xue’er even claimed she was too busy with work to personally receive him.

In Xiao Country, Zhou Wangshen had also established an immortal city, modeled after North Abyss City. However, without Chen Mobai's full support, this immortal city could only be considered a large market town to this day. When the immortal city was first established, Zhou Wangshen didn't forget to ask Chen Mobai to name it. Chen Mobai thought for a moment and told him to name it 'Shengqing'. Zhou Wangshen naturally had no objections, thinking the sect master was being nostalgic and wished to commemorate his deceased ancestor.

In Shengqing Market, Zhou Wangshen was drinking tea with Jiang Zongheng, discussing the hottest topic currently circulating in the Eastern Wasteland: Luo Yixuan had revealed her Core Formation strength, displayed immense power, and led the Divine Wood Sect's army to attack the Southern Profound Sect.

Zhou Wangshen was initially very surprised by this, as it meant a major war with the Profound Exalt Dao Palace. However, he quickly realized that this was also his best opportunity to earn contributions. After all, he simply couldn't compare to E Yun when it came to economic development and infrastructure projects. It remained to be seen if he could overtake through war. Zhou Wangshen also applied to the sect to lead Xiao Country's army to assist Luo Yixuan. However, to deal with the Southern Profound Sect, now without Fang Xuanyang, the personnel from Yan Country were already sufficient. Therefore, the sect's reply was to keep him stationary and kill any Southern Profound Sect members who fled his way.

"Grand Elder Luo truly lives up to her reputation as the most talented person under the sect master. Her speed in forming a core is almost comparable to the sect master's." Zhou Wangshen's face was full of envy. After the news of Luo Yixuan's Core Formation spread, the veneration for Chen Mobai, the Great Benevolent Master, throughout the Eastern Wasteland reached an unprecedented peak. It was generally believed that Luo Yixuan's ability to form a core might be partly due to her outstanding talent, but more significantly, it was certainly because she had received teachings and guidance from Sect Master Chen over many years.

"I was quite surprised by the news of Senior Sister Luo's Core Formation as well…" Jiang Zongheng spoke truthfully. Chen Mobai always believed that the fewer people who knew, the better a secret could be kept. Therefore, only those who absolutely needed to know were aware of the situations of both Zhou Shengqing and Luo Yixuan. It wasn't that he didn't trust others, but rather that the cultivation world was filled with countless strange arts and secret techniques. There were also insidious demonic cultivators and evil beings. If someone who knew a secret fell into the hands of an opponent, it was possible for them to have their secrets extracted by mysterious evil arts, even if their will was firm.

As the two chatted, marveling at the sect's potential upcoming decisive battle with the Profound Exalt Dao Palace, the person Zhou Wangshen had sent returned. When they heard him say that Luo Xue’er was busy with the project and couldn't come, both Jiang Zongheng and Zhou Wangshen were slightly stunned.

Jiang Zongheng also frequently led disciples from the Longevity Academy, helping his Senior Sister Zhuo Ming with river excavation in Yan Country. But no matter how busy he was, he could almost always find time for a meeting. "Is Senior Sister Luo really that busy?" However, he wasn't very familiar with the situation in Xiao Country, so after a moment of hesitation, he asked Zhou Wangshen.

"Junior Brother Jiang," Zhou Wangshen explained, "Senior Sister Luo has been on the frontline of the Mo River for the past year, commanding sect disciples and various contractors, trying to catch up on the progress lost in previous years…" Zhou Wangshen hadn't expected Luo Xue’er not to come, but since their fates were intertwined, he immediately began to cover for her.

"Master sent me to invite Senior Sister Luo," Jiang Zongheng said with a regretful look. "If she is truly this busy, then I can only report back like this." The Outer Core Golden Elixir was being closely watched by all Foundation Establishment cultivators in the sect, and to avoid any complications, Chen Mobai had only instructed him to summon Luo Xue’er.

After hearing this, Zhou Wangshen's expression slightly changed: "So it's the sect master summoning her! Then Senior Sister Luo must obey, no matter how busy she is. I'll have Bingyan and Zeyang go to the Mo River frontline to replace her for a while." Because Jiang Zongheng hadn't stated the specific reason when he arrived, Zhou Wangshen hadn't specifically emphasized it when he sent his messenger. If he had said earlier that Chen Mobai was summoning her, how could she have dared to put on airs?

Jiang Zongheng waited for another half-day. As soon as Luo Xue’er heard it was the sect master summoning her, she immediately put down what she was doing.

"Junior Sister Zhou, Junior Brother Wu, this section of the river channel is crucial for the development and irrigation of thousands of acres of spiritual fields nearby. It's very important…" Luo Xue’er was indeed busy with the project. When Zhou Bingyan and Wu Zeyang, both Foundation Establishment cultivators, came to take over for her, she still gave them uneasy instructions.

When she and Jiang Zongheng arrived together at North Abyss City and heard that the Outer Core Golden Elixir was to be bestowed upon her ahead of schedule, Luo Xue’er, kneeling below, was so overwhelmed with excitement that she almost twisted her own thigh black and blue. If she had missed this opportunity, she would surely have regretted it to death!

"Thank you, Sect Master! Thank you, Sect Master!" Luo Xue’er was uncontrollably excited. On the mountaintop of North Abyss City, she repeatedly bowed deeply to Chen Mobai.

"The sect is about to engage in a major war with the Profound Exalt Dao Palace, and we need more Core Formation combat power," Chen Mobai said. "You have worked hard for the sect for many years, and diligently opened up river channels in Xiao Country. You could say that you have moved me with your performance." As Chen Mobai spoke, he reached out and made a grasping motion in the air. The water-attribute Outer Core Golden Elixir had already appeared in his palm. Luo Xue’er's bright eyes immediately fixed on it, her pale cheeks flushed, and her excitement was overflowing.

"If you use this item," Chen Mobai continued, "when you form your core in the future, it will be a matter of life or death. I will give you one last chance: do you choose to refine it?"

Chen Mobai still greatly respected every cultivator under his command. Meng Hong had used the Outer Core Golden Elixir because he had no other choice. However, Luo Xue’er had the potential to attempt forming a true core based on her own foundation.

"Sect Master, I am willing!" Luo Xue’er had no hesitation. For cultivators in the Eastern Wasteland, having the hope of forming a core was already an immense honor. Although the Outer Core Golden Elixir presented an unpredictable path of life and death, the hope of successfully attempting Core Formation it offered was higher than that of any other elixir or external item. After Meng Hong and Chu Zuoshu successively failed to form their cores, Luo Xue’er, who considered her talent to be comparable to theirs, had long since weighed her options.

Chen Mobai said, "You can choose to return to Giant Wood Ridge or refine it here in North Abyss City. If you go back, you can find Gu Yan and have her take you to my Longevity Wood Daoist Temple, where you can use the Tier 4 spiritual energy for refinement."

Luo Xue’er replied, "I'll stay in North Abyss City then. There are still many questions I need to ask the Sect Master." The key to the Outer Core Golden Elixir lay only in its refinement, and the amount of spiritual energy had a negligible effect. Chen Mobai didn't have much understanding of the Heavenfall Cultivation Method, but with the Formless Puppet in hand and without sparing spirit stones, he could easily deduce this cultivation method up to the Core Formation stage. Although Luo Xue’er had cultivated to the perfected Foundation Establishment stage, her understanding of this cultivation method could not be considered proficient. After Chen Mobai's thorough guidance, she suddenly saw the light, realizing that her previous understanding of this cultivation method was somewhat biased.

"In the future, before you prepare to officially form your core," Chen Mobai advised, "you can go to Wind and Rain Dock to temporarily guard in place of Meng Hong and seek guidance from Senior Brother Nujiang." Nujiang formed his core using the Heavenfall Cultivation Method, and having fought beasts in Yunmeng Marsh with this method for two hundred years, it can be said he had mastered it to perfection.

"Yes, Sect Master." Luo Xue’er was also very happy about this, as Nujiang's Core Formation insights were the most useful to her. Since Chen Mobai said so, it meant Nujiang would certainly show him respect.

Zhou Shengqing had already gone to the Barren Ruins at this time, so the mountaintop cave dwelling prepared for him was given by Chen Mobai to Luo Xue’er.

Time passed quickly. The elites of the Divine Wood Sect's three halls and twelve divisions, led by Xie Yuntian and Quan Shanlin, two perfected Foundation Establishment cultivators, had arrived at North Abyss City by flying boat. A total of thirty Foundation Establishment cultivators and three thousand Qi Refining cultivators formed battle formations and encamped in the open area outside North Abyss City. They occasionally practiced the terrifying formations of the first-rank Divine Wood Dao Soldiers, terrifying the various rogue cultivators and family cultivators within the city.

It seemed that a major war with the Profound Exalt Dao Palace was inevitable. Although the Divine Wood Sect was the overlord of the Eastern Wasteland, the reputation of a Nascent Soul grand sect still commanded the awe of many cultivators. Therefore, many cultivators took advantage of the time before the war to begin selling off their properties in North Abyss City, wanting to leave a place destined to become a battlefield.

Chen Mobai did not stop this. He took this opportunity to see clearly who truly stood with the Divine Wood Sect. It was fine for rogue cultivators to flee; the main concern was observing the various great families. Facts proved that when faced with a potential confrontation with a Nascent Soul grand sect, most families chose to retreat. They all found excuses to recall their core family disciples from North Abyss City back to their ancestral lands, to avoid being conscripted by the Divine Wood Sect and becoming cannon fodder. Under Chen Mobai's orders, the Divine Wood Sect did not obstruct them.

Soon, North Abyss City, which was originally bustling and vibrant, lost more than half its population. In the real estate market, buying and selling prices were dropping daily, quickly hitting rock bottom. Upon seeing this, Liu Wenbai, who had just been summoned by Chen Mobai, immediately saw a business opportunity. After seeking instructions, he immediately had his disciple Song Huangda step forward to buy at the bottom. With abundant spirit stones, nearly half of North Abyss City's properties soon fell under the name of Xiao Nanshan Shop. This behavior naturally could not escape the notice of observant individuals. Many Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Divine Wood Sect, although not entirely confident about a decisive battle with the Profound Exalt Dao Palace, were already bound to the sect. For them, this battle could only be won, not lost. So they also took the opportunity to buy at low prices, some even buying several sets.

It wasn't until half a month later, after Luo Yixuan led the Divine Wood Sect's army to flatten the Southern Profound Sect, that the trend of selling off properties in North Abyss City stopped. At this time, cultivators throughout the Eastern Wasteland were puzzled. Half a month had passed; even if the Profound Exalt Dao Palace was slow to react, they must have received the news. Why was there no response at all? Where was Fang Xuanyang? Could he have been killed by the Divine Wood Sect's murderous Sect Master Chen? What about Grand Ancestor Jinfeng, that renowned Nascent Soul cultivator? Surely he wasn't held back by the evil beings in the Barren Ruins, right?

Just as the major sects in the Eastern Wasteland, and even Chen Mobai himself, were wondering why the Profound Exalt Dao Palace showed no signs of activity, Zhou Shengqing sent news. He had cleared some demonic beasts and evil creatures in the Barren Ruins and found a suitable battlefield. There was a Tier 3 spiritual vein there, which also contained wood spiritual energy. When the Divine Wood Sect's first-rank Dao Soldiers were deployed, they could unleash even greater power.

Upon hearing this, Chen Mobai immediately personally led the Divine Wood Sect's army to the battlefield. As for North Abyss City, he handed it over to E Yun, who had returned after destroying the Southern Profound Sect. Luo Yixuan, with her Core Formation combat power, was naturally also taken by him.

The Divine Wood Sect's army moved openly and grandly. In an instant, the entire Eastern Wasteland became agitated! "Is the war finally going to begin?" they wondered. "What reliance does the Divine Wood Sect have, to dare confront a Nascent Soul grand sect?" Yan Shaoyin and Kong Lingling even prayed that both factions would suffer heavy losses, giving them time to develop and form their Nascent Souls!

However, a month passed, and the disciples they had sent to the front line still hadn't seen the Profound Exalt Dao Palace's army arrive. "What's going on? Are they that slow to react?" Two months passed, and still no major battle occurred! "Could it be that the Profound Exalt Dao Palace retreated?"

Three months later, Yan Shaoyin and Kong Lingling couldn't help but feel utter disdain for Grand Ancestor Jinfeng. "A dignified Nascent Soul cultivator, being openly provoked by a sect from their rural Eastern Wasteland, yet acting like a coward—truly unworthy of a Nascent Soul! If the two of them formed their Nascent Souls, even if the Divine Wood Sect killed one of their Qi Refining disciples, they would make that Sect Master Chen kneel and come to their door to apologize!"

Just as the entire Eastern Wasteland was at a loss to understand Grand Ancestor Jinfeng and the Profound Exalt Dao Palace's retreat, the situation in Eastern Yi was similar. Grand Ancestor Baiwu of Bathing Sun Sea even specifically summoned Chu Zuoshu, asking him why the Divine Wood Sect dared to attack the Southern Profound Sect. Chu Zuoshu naturally couldn't give a clear reason, but with his many years of experience as a sect master, he responded appropriately. He directly attributed to the Southern Profound Sect charges of oppressing local Eastern Wasteland cultivators, selling Foundation Establishment Pills without providing protection, and condoning their disciples' plundering, among other crimes.

Grand Ancestor Baiwu listened with a baffled expression. "Aren't these all normal occurrences?" he thought. "Which great sect in the Heavenly River Realm doesn't act this way? And for such minor matters, your Divine Wood Sect can't tolerate it? That newly appointed young Chen has quite a resolute character. Truly worthy of a sword cultivator!" This was Grand Ancestor Baiwu's first impression of Chen Mobai!

What he didn't know was that his summoning of Chu Zuoshu was discovered by Profound Exalt Dao Palace's hidden operatives in Bathing Sun Sea, and the news quickly reached Bright Mirror Mountain.

"That old scoundrel truly intends to harm me!" After Grand Ancestor Jinfeng heard this news, he flew into a rage. Meanwhile, the Core Formation cultivators below, such as Xuanguang, all condemned Grand Ancestor Baiwu as sinister, cunning, and malicious. "Fortunately, Grand Ancestor's foresight is sharp and he saw through the conspiracy early," they said. "Otherwise, our army would have probably been ambushed and annihilated by Empty Mulberry Valley and Bathing Sun Sea."

After his rage subsided, Grand Ancestor Jinfeng could only calm down and face reality. "Send a disciple with my command token to invite the representatives of major trade guilds like Xingtian in Eastern Yi to come." If Empty Mulberry Valley and Bathing Sun Sea joined forces, if he wanted to resolve this war, he would have to seek external aid.