Chapter 680: Sacred Ground Tai Xu Miao Miao Palace (Thanks to Alliance Leader Mengtou123)

Pure Nine Lotus Treasure Lamp:

Half a year passed quickly.

The Xuanxiao Dao Palace army, expected to arrive in a furious rage, still had not appeared.

Chen Mobai and Zhou Shengqing, feeling somewhat disappointed, led the Divine Wood Sect army away from the desolate ruins battlefield. This was because they had received news from Yu Shuji of the Star Heaven Merchant Guild, who reported that Xuanxiao Dao Palace was preoccupied with solidifying its ancestral domain at Mingjing Mountain. As long as Empty Mulberry Valley and Sunbath Sea remained neutral, Xuanxiao Dao Palace would definitely not lead its army out of its stronghold. With the Divine Wood Sect having almost unified the Eastern Wilds, Xuanxiao Dao Palace would be unable to defeat them unless it committed its entire force.

Old Ancestor Jinfeng sought help from various merchant guilds, hoping they would mediate and communicate with Empty Mulberry Valley and Sunbath Sea to forge a non-aggression pact. Only then would Old Ancestor Jinfeng dare to lead his army out to seek revenge in the Eastern Wilds. Of course, on the surface, Old Ancestor Jinfeng would not show such weakness. Before the representatives of the various merchant guilds, he angrily declared that he was not afraid of the two factions, but rather that the "Eastern Wilds brats" had gone too far in their insolence. He stated that a Nascent Soul cultivator could not be insulted, and requested their help in mediating a situation that would allow him to flatten the Eastern Wilds. After annihilating the Eastern Wilds, he would then return with his army to engage Empty Mulberry Valley and Sunbath Sea in a direct and honorable confrontation.

Old Ancestor Baiwu found this utterly perplexing. "What does this have to do with me?" he thought. "Though Jinfeng and I have had minor grievances in the past, they are nowhere near enough to warrant a full-scale conflict." For these three factions to form a pact, it would surely require their three Nascent Soul cultivators to make solemn Dao Heart Vows to each other for it to be credible. Old Ancestor Baiwu felt these matters were entirely unrelated to him and was completely unwilling to take on an additional vow, so he decisively refused.

As for Empty Mulberry Valley, there was even less to discuss; Kuzhu's refusal was even more resolute than Baiwu's. He had struggled for two centuries outside, finally managing to form his Nascent Soul and return. What was it all for? Was it not to return, hold his head high, and exact his revenge? Back then, when he was stripped of his sect leader position, expelled from his sect, pursued by Xuanxiao Dao Palace, and forced to flee to distant lands, he had sworn an oath in his heart: one day, he would return and personally reclaim everything he had lost here. Kuzhu's refusal was even more resolute than Baiwu's. He even declared to the entire Eastern Yi, in front of the merchant guild representative who came as a lobbyist, that anyone who sided with Xuanxiao Dao Palace would be considered an enemy of Empty Mulberry Valley. This unyielding character, typical of a sword cultivator, sent a shockwave throughout the Eastern Yi!

The major merchant guilds, being businesses, naturally would not get involved in a war between the two major factions of Eastern Yi. Therefore, after fulfilling their responsibilities, they publicly declared neutrality, stating they would absolutely not participate in the war between the two factions, but also hoped that their personnel would not be harmed during the conflict. These influential merchant guilds, capable of traversing vast distances, were backed by at least Nascent Soul-level powers. The Star Heaven Merchant Guild, in particular, was a super-faction in the Eastern Region, second only to the Sacred Lands. Therefore, while they were indeed concerned about the war between the two Eastern Yi factions, their primary worry was its potential impact on their business.

Upon learning of this, Yu Shuji believed that Old Ancestor Jinfeng, showing all signs of his advanced age and under pressure from Empty Mulberry Valley, could not possibly be a match for Kuzhu. Thus, he dispatched his disciple to inform Chen Mobai. It is worth mentioning that this time, besides Qu Xiuxian, Lou Xuelong, who had refined an Outer Dao Golden Core, also arrived. His Outer Dao Golden Core was refined using materials from the mother locust that Chen Mobai had slain, so he took this opportunity to express his gratitude.

Upon hearing this news, Chen Mobai was left with a profound sense of melancholy, like drawing his sword only to look around in bewilderment. He had anticipated this grand war for countless years. After much effort, he had finally waited for Zhou Shengqing to reach the Nascent Soul stage and had cultivated three new Core Formation combatants: Meng Hong, Luo Yixuan, and Luo Xueer. He had envisioned a magnificent battle that would instantly solidify the Divine Wood Sect's position as the overlord of the Eastern Wilds, after which they would ride the momentum of their great victory to grandly complete the unification of the nineteen states of the Eastern Wilds. Who knew Old Ancestor Jinfeng would be such a coward?

However, if Xuanxiao Dao Palace wouldn't come, Chen Mobai couldn't possibly lead the Divine Wood Sect army to attack them. He was not so arrogant; he clearly understood that only by holding a geographical advantage could they hope to defeat Xuanxiao Dao Palace. If they truly went to the enemy's territory, it was questionable whether they would even reach Mingjing Mountain. Therefore, despite his inner disappointment, Chen Mobai still expressed his thanks to Yu Shuji's two disciples, then consulted with Zhou Shengqing and began withdrawing the army.

While the Divine Wood Sect army was stationed there, even without fighting, their daily upkeep in contributions alone amounted to an extra 20,000. Naturally, these were recorded as debts, to be collectively distributed by the Sect's Hall of Rewards after the war was won and other merits verified. If the Divine Wood Sect suffered a crushing defeat, these contributions would, of course, be unobtainable. Thus, sect disciples would work very hard whenever victory seemed possible. Moreover, if they truly engaged in battle with Xuanxiao Dao Palace's army and fought desperately, these contributions would double. After half a year of training without fighting, the Divine Wood Sect's accounts had accumulated 3.6 million sect contributions in debt. Therefore, upon hearing that Xuanxiao Dao Palace was not coming, Chen Mobai and Zhou Shengqing decided not to further burden the Hall of Rewards. They immediately had Quan Shanlin lead the core disciples of the Three Halls and Twelve Divisions back first. Although Fu Zongjue and Yue Zutao were overseeing affairs at Giant Wood Ridge, such temporary wartime measures certainly could not be sustained long-term.

However, before the army disbanded and returned, Chen Mobai offered an alternative option to the ordinary elders and disciples, aside from the core personnel. This was to remain on the Eastern Wilds Plateau and assist in excavating two major rivers. There was also another consideration: although Xuanxiao Dao Palace had not yet emerged from Eastern Yi, there was no guarantee that Old Ancestor Jinfeng wouldn't suddenly lead an attack in the future should unexpected circumstances arise. Therefore, Chen Mobai hoped that in the coming years, as many Divine Wood Sect disciples as possible would remain on the Eastern Wilds Plateau. This way, even if a war were to suddenly break out, a cultivation army could be assembled quickly.

Chen Mobai offered the Foundation Establishment cultivators who stayed an extra benefit of a thousand spirit stones annually, and Qi Cultivation disciples eighty spirit stones annually. This meant these benefits were in addition to the spirit stones they already received annually from the sect. Many expressed their willingness to stay. However, most of these individuals primarily chose Yan Country, showing little interest in Xiao Country. But Chen Mobai, having learned his lesson this time, limited the quota to twenty Foundation Establishment cultivators and five hundred Qi Cultivation disciples per country. The quota for Yan Country quickly filled up. After all, many cultivators had already purchased cave dwellings in Beiyuan City. Moreover, this location naturally allowed them to foster closer ties with the Xiaonanshan lineage, laying the groundwork for future competitions for immortal peach fruits, Core Formation spiritual treasures, and other valuable items. Nevertheless, spirit stones could be earned anywhere. Those who couldn't secure a spot in Yan Country considered that Xiao Country was also a good option, and its quota quickly filled as well.

Seeing the positive response to his policy, Chen Mobai remembered that Yan Yuanhao was working hard to manage the desertification in Hong Country and was also short-handed. With a wave of his hand, he extended the same treatment to Hong Country. However, Hong Country was largely desert and resource-poor, so even with a thousand spirit stone subsidy, only three truly impoverished Foundation Establishment cultivators were willing to go there. The five hundred Qi Cultivation disciples, however, were quickly recruited. These were mostly early and mid-stage Qi Cultivators, as those with stronger cultivation or connections had largely remained in Yan Country or gone to Xiao Country. Only disciples with low cultivation and no background were willing to go to a barren place like Hong Country to earn spirit stones. Yan Yuanhao was deeply moved by this. "The Sect Leader finally remembered Hong Country!" he thought. In this manner, nearly half of the Divine Wood Sect army that had arrived was kept on the Eastern Wilds Plateau by Chen Mobai.

"Must you truly work so hard, Junior Brother?" On the mountaintop cave dwelling in Beiyuan City, Zhou Shengqing and Chen Mobai were conversing, the former's expression somewhat hesitant. Primarily, Chen Mobai was still somewhat worried that Xuanxiao Dao Palace might suddenly launch an attack, and thus wished to stay and guard this crucial junction on the Eastern Wilds Plateau. Zhou Shengqing, however, felt it would be better for Chen Mobai to cultivate diligently at Giant Wood Ridge and strive to become the Divine Wood Sect's first true Nascent Soul cultivator. Ultimately, Chen Mobai persuaded him, arguing that Beiyuan City now also possessed a Fourth-Tier spirit vein and lacked no spirit stones. Furthermore, the threat from Xuanxiao Dao Palace had indeed not yet been averted, and a person capable of overseeing the general situation was needed there.

"If only we had a medium-sized teleportation array!" Zhou Shengqing remarked with some regret. Medium-sized teleportation arrays could traverse between countries, he explained. However, the distance between Jianguo and the Eastern Wilds Plateau was almost half of the Eastern Wilds, so it might require two medium-sized teleportation arrays to establish a complete connection. Unfortunately, only major powers were capable of setting up medium-sized teleportation arrays. Even the three major factions of Eastern Yi had not mastered this technology.

"Isn't the Star Heaven Merchant Guild capable?" Chen Mobai suggested. "Ask Yu Shuji." Chen Mobai thought of this. Now, with no rivals in the Eastern Wilds, their Divine Wood Sect was qualified to establish a medium-sized teleportation array. Regrettably, Yu Shuji also expressed his inability to help with the medium-sized teleportation array.

"Sect Leader Chen," replied Lou Xuelong, Yu Shuji's disciple, "the number of medium-sized teleportation arrays in our Star Heaven Dao Sect's inventory is limited, and most have already been reserved by other clients."

"Oh, so your Star Heaven Dao Sect doesn't produce these teleportation arrays yourselves, but acquires them from other merchant guilds?" Chen Mobai asked, somewhat surprised. Chen Mobai found this odd, as he had heard from Zhou Shengqing that the Star Heaven Dao Sect had helped set up the Five Elements Sect's two medium-sized teleportation arrays.

"Sect Leader Chen, in truth, all teleportation arrays across the six Eastern Lands domains originate from a single sect: the Grand Void Ethereal Palace, one of the Eastern Lands' Sacred Lands," Lou Xuelong explained. "The methods for teleportation arrays are also controlled by this sect. If any other sect or power uses a teleportation array without their permission, it is considered stealing a Sacred Land's technique and will invite lethal calamity."

"However, the Grand Void Ethereal Palace does not have many disciples. Therefore, a long time ago, they delegated the method for crafting small-scale teleportation arrays to their subordinate branches and academies. Even our Star Heaven Dao Sect paid a massive sum of spirit stones to obtain authorization for their manufacture. But the right to produce medium-sized and larger teleportation arrays is still firmly held by the Grand Void Ethereal Palace. The large teleportation array in Eastern Yi, for example, was only acquired from the Eastern Lands after several of our merchant guilds collectively vouched for Sunbath Sea to facilitate transportation. Sect Leader Chen, if you need a medium-sized teleportation array, you might have to wait until our Dao Sect next acquires one from the Grand Void Ethereal Palace. Furthermore, the Sun family in Eastern Wu and the three major Eastern Yi factions have all placed reservations, so in the future, you might even need to pay a hefty price at an auction to obtain one."

Lou Xuelong revealed these secrets concerning teleportation arrays to Chen Mobai. Super-factions like the Star Heaven Dao Sect naturally knew these things, but it was Chen Mobai's first time hearing them, and he couldn't help but be amazed. He hadn't expected that even in a place like the Celestial River Realm, there would be patents. However, the ability to make all factions comply relied on immense power. The Grand Void Ethereal Palace, one of the four Sacred Lands, had living Soul Transformation cultivators overseeing it. No faction wishing for stable development would dare to offend them.

Knowing all this, Chen Mobai could only pre-order a medium-sized teleportation array from the Star Heaven Merchant Guild. If that didn't work, he would have to find a way to first unify the Five Elements Sect. At that time, he could move the one from Hunyuan Immortal City to Beiyuan City for emergency use. With these thoughts in mind, Chen Mobai thanked Lou Xuelong, who had made a special trip.

"Sect Leader Chen, you're too kind," Lou Xuelong replied. "Actually, there's something I might need your help with." Lou Xuelong had another purpose for his visit today, besides answering questions about teleportation arrays. He took out a bag of spirit rice. Chen Mobai took it and saw that it was a Third-Tier spirit rice. The grains resembled pale purple crystals, containing an energy that felt somewhat familiar to him, causing a slight look of surprise on his face.

"Reporting to Sect Leader Chen, this is Great Sun Purple Rice," Lou Xuelong explained. "It was cultivated by a senior spirit planter of our Star Heaven Dao Sect through arduous effort. It requires spiritual land with abundant sunlight and ample solar vital energy to grow. A long time ago, we discovered that Hong Country was very suitable for its cultivation. We also attempted to cooperate with Mount Liujia, but we never reached an agreement because it would have required dispersing their Fourth-Tier spirit vein to create Third-Tier spiritual fields. Now that Hong Country has been taken by your esteemed sect, and the Fourth-Tier spirit vein land of Mount Liujia is reportedly long vacant, we wonder if you would be willing to cooperate with us to develop it into spiritual fields for cultivating this Great Sun Purple Rice. This is a high-grade Third-Tier spirit rice. As it grows, it can absorb the Great Sun Purple Qi from sunlight. If cultivators consume it long-term, it helps strengthen their physiques and enhance their vital blood, making it an unparalleled treasure rice for body-tempering cultivators. If Sect Leader Chen agrees, after the spirit rice harvest, our Star Heaven Dao Sect is willing to provide half a catty of Coiled Dragon Spirit Rice as compensation for every catty of Great Sun Purple Rice harvested."

After Lou Xuelong finished speaking, Chen Mobai, with a somewhat strange expression, put down the bag of spirit rice in his hand.

Great Sun Purple Rice? Isn't this just the spirit rice version of Pure Yang Purple Qi! No wonder it felt so familiar. Chen Mobai looked at Lou Xuelong, who appeared earnestly sincere before him, and thought, "This kid is truly dishonest." He didn't believe Lou Xuelong was unaware that this Great Sun Purple Rice helped break through bottlenecks, yet he hadn't mentioned it. This surely meant he didn't want the Divine Wood Sect's cultivators to improve their cultivation due to this Great Sun Purple Rice. In the Eastern Wilds, only Core Formation cultivators could afford Third-Tier spirit rice. They wanted to do business, yet didn't want the high-level cultivators of the Divine Wood Sect to benefit. Truly, no merchant is without cunning!

(End of chapter)(Related)