Chapter 681: The Grand Plan in My Heart

“These terms are quite favorable!” Chen Mobai feigned surprise after listening. He knew that Panlong Spiritual Rice, reputed as the best spiritual rice in the Eastern Barrens, was the sole reason Huitian Valley reaped immense profits every year.

“Sect Master Chen,” Lou Xuelong said with a smile, “our guild genuinely wishes to establish a long-term partnership with your Divine Wood Sect, which is why we’re offering such terms. Furthermore, once your sect reaches an agreement with our guild, we will also step in to help mediate any issues with the Xuanxiao Dao Palace.” Lou Xuelong smiled as he spoke, knowing that the Xuanxiao Dao Palace was already stretched thin dealing with pressure from the Kongsang Valley, which emboldened him to make such a claim.

Moreover, this Great Sun Purple Rice has immense uses, but the Eastern Peak, where the Star Heaven Dao Sect is located, is full of mountains and ridges. Spiritual fields that receive sufficient sunlight are extremely rare, compelling the guild to search far and wide for suitable cultivation sites. If all the fourth-tier spiritual veins of Six-Armor Mountain were fully dispersed, they would encompass approximately three thousand *mu*, though still less than the ten thousand *mu* where Panlong Spiritual Rice is grown.

“How long does it take for Great Sun Purple Rice to mature in one cycle? What’s the yield per *mu*? When your guild provides the seeds, will you send specialists to guide us on cultivation? Once harvested, can all the spiritual rice be exchanged for Panlong Spiritual Rice, or will your guild take a portion first, similar to your arrangement with Huitian Valley?” Chen Mobai asked a flurry of questions. If, as he suspected, the Great Sun Purple Rice indeed had effects similar to Pure Yang Purple Qi, it would undoubtedly be an invaluable treasure for the Divine Wood Sect cultivators, and even for himself. Therefore, he was very keen on finalizing this deal.

“On average, it matures every thirty years. With abundant sunlight and ample solar vital energy, it might mature a few years earlier.”

“The yield per *mu* is similar to Panlong Spiritual Rice, roughly a hundred catties.”

“Regarding the form of cooperation, I personally favor the arrangement with Huitian Valley. Our guild would provide the seeds and guide your sect in planting, but a fee would be charged. This is because the spiritual plant cultivators who will come to provide guidance are from our sect; their leaders are my martial uncles and martial aunts, all Core Formation cultivators and fourth-tier spiritual plant cultivators. It’s not easy for them to take time out of their busy schedules, so Sect Master Chen would need to prepare one hundred high-grade spirit stones. However, this ensures that at least eighty percent of the planted spiritual rice will survive and yield a harvest. When the spiritual rice matures, our guild members will come to supervise the harvest. We will then split the yield 70-30, and your sect’s share will be exchanged for Panlong Spiritual Rice on the spot.”

Chen Mobai replied, “A million spirit stones annually for guidance is a bit high, but if we can harvest seventy percent, it’s not entirely unacceptable.”

Upon hearing this, Lou Xuelong coughed lightly twice and corrected him with a hint of embarrassment: “Sect Master Chen, it’s seventy percent for our guild, and thirty percent for your sect!”

Chen Mobai immediately fell silent. *Huitian Valley accepts such terms? What’s the difference between this and begging on your knees!*

“If Sect Master Chen cannot accept this form of cooperation, there is a second option. However, in that case, your sect would need to purchase the spiritual rice seeds from us at a cost of one high-grade spirit stone per *mu* of seeds. Furthermore, our Star Heaven Dao Sect will not guarantee the survival of the rice seeds. Even if the rice matures after planting, the Great Sun Purple Rice can only be sold to our Star Heaven Great Guild. If we discover your sect violates this agreement, then the seeds will not be sold to you again the following year.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Mobai asked again, “What if, after cultivating it, I keep the Great Sun Purple Rice for my own use?”

Lou Xuelong paused, then replied, “Well, Sect Master Chen, although Great Sun Purple Rice is also a spiritual rice for body tempering, its effect is only one-fourth that of Panlong Spiritual Rice. The main reason for its existence is that our Star Heaven Dao Sect has a cultivation technique that requires Great Sun Purple Qi, but directly absorbing it into the body requires a fourth-tier body tempering realm. That’s why we developed this spiritual rice. Your sect will certainly profit by exchanging Great Sun Purple Rice with us for Panlong Spiritual Rice.”

Chen Mobai nodded, feigning belief. After all, Panlong Spiritual Rice is renowned throughout all six realms of the Eastern Region for having the best body-tempering effects among all third-tier spiritual rice. If Zhuo Ming could consume this spiritual rice long-term, it’s estimated she could easily break through to the fifth level of the Nine-Ren Dharma Body in just twenty years. However, if the primary purpose of Great Sun Purple Rice isn't body tempering but rather breaking through bottlenecks, its value would be completely different.

“How about we try cooperating on a hundred *mu* first?” With the Star Heaven Dao Sect proactively offering this, Chen Mobai didn't want to miss the opportunity. His idea was to first invite the Star Heaven Dao Sect’s spiritual plant cultivators to guide the planting. Given Zhuo Ming’s skill, she would surely learn after just one observation. Afterward, they could purchase the seeds and cultivate it themselves. This way, even if they incurred a small loss initially, they would certainly profit in the long run.

“Sect Master Chen, my martial uncles and aunts charge a million spirit stones for a single visit. Huitian Valley receives guidance for ten thousand *mu* of spiritual fields at once. If you only cultivate a hundred *mu*, it would be quite a loss for you.” Lou Xuelong genuinely wanted to establish a long-term partnership with the Divine Wood Sect, so he, uncharacteristically, offered this reminder out of goodwill.

“The main reason is that the fourth-tier spiritual vein of Six-Armor Mountain is destined for a talented disciple of our sect in the future. Opening too many spiritual fields would affect her future cultivation. Let’s try cultivating a hundred *mu* first to see. If the climate and environment aren't suitable, losing a million spirit stones would still be within acceptable limits.”

Chen Mobai’s words left Lou Xuelong speechless. However, in the eyes of many cultivators, a fourth-tier spiritual vein was indeed far more important than spiritual rice. Didn't Six-Armor Mountain originally want to cooperate with the Star Heaven Dao Sect, a powerful sect that dominated the region? It was only because they had to disperse their own fourth-tier spiritual veins that neither Yan Fusheng nor Nan Shidao could bear to do so. After all, fourth-tier spiritual veins were fundamental to their cultivation. For them, the spirit stones earned from spiritual rice were not as important as their own cultivation realm. Now that Chen Mobai was willing to cooperate, Lou Xuelong felt that this trip had not been in vain. Once the spiritual rice matured and the Divine Wood Sect tasted its benefits, he was confident that in the future, the entire Six-Armor Mountain could be fully planted with Great Sun Purple Rice.

Both parties signed a preliminary agreement. The agreement stipulated that the Star Heaven Great Guild would gift spiritual rice seeds to the Divine Wood Sect and send specialists to guide cultivation, ensuring a yield of eighty catties per *mu*. Once the Great Sun Purple Rice matured, the Divine Wood Sect could only sell it to the Star Heaven Great Guild or use it for self-consumption. There were also supplementary clauses detailing various responsibilities for both parties under different circumstances.

After the contract was finalized, Lou Xuelong happily took his leave. Next, as soon as the Divine Wood Sect cleared one hundred *mu* of third-tier high-grade spiritual fields on Six-Armor Mountain and notified him, the Star Heaven Great Guild would send specialized geomancers and spiritual plant cultivators to inspect them. Only after the spiritual fields met the requirements would the Core Formation cultivators of the Star Heaven Dao Sect arrive with the seeds.

After seeing him off, Chen Mobai picked up the bag of spiritual rice, which resembled pale purple crystals. Lou Xuelong had not taken it back.

Half a day later, Zhuo Ming, summoned by Chen Mobai, returned. “Ming’er, this is Great Sun Purple Rice…” Facing his cherished disciple, Chen Mobai explained the agreement with the Star Heaven Great Guild in detail. Upon hearing it, Zhuo Ming’s eyes lit up.

“Master, if this Great Sun Purple Rice can be exchanged for Panlong Spiritual Rice, then in the future, you and Ancestor Fu won’t need to purchase it externally anymore.” Zhuo Ming was devoted to the sect. As the most accomplished spiritual plant cultivator in the Divine Wood Sect, she was well aware of the enormous amount of spirit stones the sect spent annually to purchase the third-tier spiritual rice required by Core Formation cultivators. Moreover, the high-grade spirit stone mines in Feng Country were almost depleted. If successful, the Divine Wood Sect’s intention would certainly be to exchange it for the more renowned Panlong Spiritual Rice, which had superior body-tempering effects.

“Go ahead and plant it for now. When the Star Heaven Dao Sect’s spiritual plant cultivators arrive, you will personally receive them and first learn the techniques for cultivating this Great Sun Purple Rice.” Chen Mobai was currently unsure whether this Great Sun Purple Rice truly had the bottleneck-breaking properties of Pure Yang Purple Qi. He dared not take this item to the Immortal Gate for testing and analysis. After all, at the Immortal Gate, every new spiritual rice variety undergoes at least ten years of continuous planting and optimization, and the history of each seed's improvement and replacement is clearly traceable. Furthermore, the essence of the sun and moon in the Immortal Gate is intercepted by the Heavenly Curtain and absorbed into the earth's network to supply the thirty-six Grotto-heavens and seventy-two Blessed Lands. The most crucial prerequisite for this Great Sun Purple Rice would not be met there. Therefore, it could only be planted and observed here in the Eastern Barrens. Once it matured, if he had successfully cultivated the second layer of the Danfeng Chaoyang Diagram, becoming invulnerable to poisons, he would personally consume it for experimentation. If not, he would find someone else suitable.

Chen Mobai had already conceived a series of plans for the Great Sun Purple Rice, but as his disciple Zhuo Ming was not as shrewd as Luo Yixuan, he didn’t discuss these details with her first.

“Yes, Master!” Zhuo Ming was full of confidence regarding Chen Mobai’s request for her to learn how to cultivate Great Sun Purple Rice. After all, this was what she excelled at most.

“Then, Master, should I hand over the affairs of Baijiang River to Junior Sister Luo and go to Hong Country first to clear spiritual fields and, at the same time, begin preparing for sand control?” Just as Zhuo Ming was about to leave, she suddenly remembered that she was still the overall person in charge of the Baijiang River project in Yan Country. If she went to Hong Country to cultivate fields, she would certainly not be able to manage both.

“I will personally oversee the Yan Country matters. As for Xuan’er, she should go with you to Hong Country, and have Qingmei accompany you both. Although the Nanxuan Sect has been destroyed and our sect is unrivaled in the Eastern Barrens, I still worry about the slim chance of a Core Formation cultivator losing their mind and attacking you. With Xuan’er by your side, I’ll be at ease.”

Even when Chen Mobai was still at the Foundation Establishment stage, he had already planned the grand vision of transforming Beiyuan City into the foremost immortal city in the Eastern Barrens. Now, the time was ripe. After all, once the Eastern Barrens were unified, his ambitions would undoubtedly extend to territories beyond. Considering the three territories—Eastern Wu, Eastern Barrens, and Eastern Yi—the Eastern Barrens Plateau happened to be at the center. And Beiyuan City, in turn, was the very heart of the Eastern Barrens Plateau! Therefore, Chen Mobai had long harbored the idea of relocating the Divine Wood Sect to Beiyuan City. However, moving a capital, regardless of where, was never an easy task. Especially since the sect still had Zhou Shengqing and Fu Zongjue, two individuals who clung to old ways. Although both held him in high regard, they might not necessarily agree on this matter. Thus, Chen Mobai decided to personally remain and oversee Beiyuan City, using the pretext of guarding the Eastern Barrens’ gateway and resisting a potential invasion from the Xuanxiao Dao Palace. From now on, he would issue commands from here in the name of the Sect Master, allowing the Divine Wood Sect members to gradually get used to orders originating from Beiyuan City. Once the Eastern Barrens were unified, this matter would likely proceed naturally.

By then, after conquering the Five Elements Sect, the Hunyuan Immortal City would be given to Zhou Shengqing! Giant Wood Ridge would remain with Fu Zongjue, entrusting him to guard the Divine Tree Secret Realm! Mo Douguang, Nujiang, Sheng Zhaoxi, and others would likely be disinclined to move, continuing to reside in their respective fourth-tier spiritual vein territories. This arrangement would ensure that every valuable location in the Eastern Barrens had a Core Formation cultivator of theirs. Chen Mobai, meanwhile, would be stationed in Beiyuan City, overseeing the three regions.

Chen Mobai intended for Meng Hong, Luo Xue’er, Luo Yixuan, and the future Core Formation cultivators Zhuo Ming and Yin Qingmei—a total of five individuals—to be responsible for exploring the still largely mysterious Cloud Dream Marsh, the Barren Ruins, and the Boundless Sand Sea. Following the patterns observed at the Immortal Gate, if these three areas could also be developed, their resources would likely not be inferior to those of the Eastern Barrens. A grand long-term vision, centered around Beiyuan City, had already taken shape in Chen Mobai’s mind. With Zhou Shengqing achieving Nascent Soul and the sect's strength and influence growing steadily, Chen Mobai decided to no longer lie dormant but to bravely pursue this long-cherished ambition.

The next step was a three-phase plan. Chen Mobai called for his eldest disciple, Liu Wenbai.

“Make a trip to Huitian Valley and deliver this letter to Yan Shaoyin. If he agrees, then return to Giant Wood Ridge and have Yue Zutao collect these medicinal ingredients and send them to Yan Shaoyin.” This was Chen Mobai’s letter instructing Yan Shaoyin to refine the Golden Liquid Jade Return Pill. Even with both the Divine Wood Sect and Huitian Valley collecting ingredients, refining this pill would take considerable time. Adding the alchemy process itself, a conservative estimate would be three to five years. This was primarily because the Divine Wood Sect had accumulated a good number of cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Completion stage, and Chen Mobai felt it was time to refine the Golden Liquid Jade Return Pill. Furthermore, in Chen Mobai’s estimation, Yan Shaoyin was quite likely to refuse. Because the Divine Wood Sect was already immensely powerful and difficult to control. If they gained another Core Formation cultivator, even if the three True Lords of the Five Elements Sect allied with Huitian Valley and Blowing Snow Palace, they still wouldn’t be a match. If Yan Shaoyin sought to gain time to achieve Nascent Soul, he would certainly try to delay. Chen Mobai had already thought of all possible countermeasures for this.

“Yes, Master!” Liu Wenbai took the letter and left to carry out his orders. Before departing, however, he left Song Huangda behind. This un-official disciple, despite other considerations, was quite astute and perfectly capable of managing the various affairs of Xiaonanshan Shop in Yan Country. Moreover, Chen Mobai also needed someone to handle miscellaneous tasks by his side.

After his eldest disciple, Chen Mobai called for his youngest disciple. “Zongheng, come take a look at this map of the Eastern Barrens. Do you notice anything amiss?” After Jiang Zongheng entered, Chen Mobai immediately beckoned him over, gesturing towards the topographical map of the Eastern Barrens, scaled down by a geomancer, displayed in the main hall.

“This disciple is dull-witted and has not discerned anything,” Jiang Zongheng replied honestly.

Chen Mobai smiled and pointed to the distinct borderlines of the nineteen different countries across the Eastern Barrens landmass. “There are too many mortal regimes. One is enough!”