Chapter 725: Three Great Holy Lands' Daoist Saintess

After watching Ye Qing and his companions depart, Chen Mobai instructed the cultivators of the Five Elements Sect to take their final rest. Afterward, they would push straight through to return to the Eastern Wasteland.

"Sect Master Chen, thank you so much for this." Chen Mobai was flying in mid-air, scanning the surroundings to prevent any powerful demonic beasts from approaching. Seeing this, Shen Shanqing flew up and sincerely thanked him.

"Chef Shen, there's no need to be so polite. You are, after all, a resident of Beiyuan City. Since we are going the same way, and as long as I have the strength, I will certainly protect you." Chen Mobai was speaking truthfully; if the situation became perilous, he would certainly only protect the cultivators of the Five Elements Sect.

"In this world, it would be wonderful if there were more people like Sect Master Chen." To Chen Mobai's surprise, Shen Shanqing sighed with emotion after hearing this. What Chen Mobai considered basic morality was viewed by the cultivators of the Sky River Realm as the conduct of a sage.

"It seems the Heavenly Dining Pavilion has quite a reputation, seeing as the first thing the two Perfected Immortals from the Nine Heavens Demon Extermination Sect did after arriving in the Eastern Wasteland was to seek out Chef Shen." Chen Mobai changed the subject, thinking that if he ever went to the Eastern Lands in the future, he could conveniently use the Heavenly Dining Pavilion's network.

"Our Heavenly Dining Pavilion's Ancestors Pao Long and Peng Feng once hosted Perfected Immortal Xuantian, so we can be said to have some connection to the Nine Heavens Demon Extermination Sect's name. That's why when Perfected Immortal Ye and Perfected Immortal Yuan arrived this time, they asked for my help in gathering a group of rogue cultivators. However, if one were to go to the Desolate Ruins, only your esteemed sect in the entire Eastern Wasteland possesses the necessary strength. So, once I learned of their intention, I strongly recommended to Perfected Immortal Ye that she invite Sect Master Chen to assist." Shen Shanqing revealed the hidden reason, explaining why Ye Qing had proactively sought out Chen Mobai.

"Our sect gained a great deal in the Desolate Ruins this time, and for that, we must truly thank Chef Shen." Upon hearing this, Chen Mobai couldn't help but cup his fists towards Shen Shanqing. The latter, however, immediately stepped aside to avoid the gesture, waving his hands repeatedly to indicate his unworthiness.

"I only hope Sect Master Chen doesn't blame me for getting your esteemed sect involved." "Chef Shen, you're overstating it. Perfected Immortal Ye extended a polite invitation, and I was free to decline. Furthermore, the strength of my Five Elements Sect is well-known in Beiyuan City, even without your mention." Chen Mobai's words moved Shen Shanqing even more deeply.

Cultivators in the Sky River Realm tended to view every situation with the worst possible suspicions towards their adversaries. People with such noble character and morality as Chen Mobai were truly few and far between.

"If the One Yuan Dao Palace could have a Daozi with the sagely character of Sect Master Chen, perhaps it could truly restore the holy land's prestige." Shen Shanqing's words piqued Chen Mobai's curiosity, prompting him to inquire about the One Yuan Dao Palace's situation in the Eastern Lands.

"What I know dates back to before I came to the Eastern Wasteland. After repelling the Luminous Exarch, the One Yuan Dao Palace announced a period of seclusion. However, they still had 'World Walkers' active, maintaining the holy land's prestige. The One Yuan Dao Palace's World Walkers were typically the Daozi and Saintess. Initially, they performed well, contending with cultivators of similar rank from other holy lands. But about a century ago, the One Yuan Dao Palace's World Walkers successively suffered defeats at the hands of the Daozi from the three great holy lands. Finally, on their way back to the sect, they were even ambushed by demonic cultivators. The One Yuan Daozi died tragically on the spot, and the Saintess was abducted, her whereabouts unknown to this day." Hearing this, Chen Mobai was slightly shocked, feeling a surge of vicarious shame.

After all, in the eyes of those in the Sky River Realm, their Five Elements Sect was essentially a branch sect or affiliated academy established by the One Yuan Dao Palace in the Eastern Wasteland. If he could take control of the One Yuan Dao Palace in the future, he would surely erase this disgrace.

As Chen Mobai pondered this, he inquired about more information concerning the Eastern Lands. Although Shen Shanqing had spent the past few decades developing markets in the Eastern Wasteland, he was, after all, a native cultivator of the Eastern Lands. He was thoroughly familiar with the various holy lands and sects. Moreover, the Heavenly Dining Pavilion had branches throughout the six realms of the Eastern Domain, with frequent information exchange, making it an excellent intelligence hub. It was precisely for this reason that when Ye Qing arrived in the Eastern Wasteland, the Heavenly Dining Pavilion was the first place she sought out. Only after gaining a detailed understanding of the Eastern Wasteland's situation and the Five Elements Sect's strength from Shen Shanqing did they formulate the detailed plan for entering the Desolate Ruins.

"According to information from our Heavenly Dining Pavilion, the Daozi of the Daoist Virtue Sect successfully formed his Nascent Soul ten years ago. Currently, it's primarily the Saintess who represents the Daoist Virtue Sect as a World Walker. It's said that if not for this, she would also be preparing to form her Nascent Soul. As for the Grand Void Ethereal Palace, its branch sect is in the Eastern Lands, while its main lineage is in Central Province. Therefore, this holy land's Daozi and Saintess are mostly not in the Eastern Lands, but their strength is formidable and not to be underestimated. The Grand Void Daozi possesses a unique Cosmic Vein, allowing him to directly draw in the Nine Heavens Pure Spirit Immortal Qi, experiencing no bottlenecks during cultivation. The Ethereal Saintess, on the other hand, is said to possess a Void Spirit Body; though she rarely acts, she has never suffered a defeat. Lastly, there is the Nine Heavens Demon Extermination Sect. As the leader of the Eastern Lands, Perfected Immortal Xuantian, Yuan Qingque, is hailed as the strongest Soul Transformation cultivator in the Eastern Domain, and is reportedly the most likely candidate to ascend after Perfected Immortal One Yuan. Ye Qing, as Perfected Immortal Xuantian's disciple and a genius capable of resonating with the Grand Harmony Sword, is almost regarded as the next Soul Transformation cultivator of the Nine Heavens Demon Extermination Sect after Yuan Qingque."

After listening, Chen Mobai recalled the strength Ye Qing displayed in the Desolate Ruins this time and couldn't help but nod slightly. Indeed, she was worthy of the assessment of having the potential to reach Soul Transformation.

"Does the Nine Heavens Demon Extermination Sect not have a Saintess?" Chen Mobai thought back and realized that Shen Shanqing had commented on the Daozi and Saintess of the various holy lands, but had omitted this one.

"The previous Saintess of the Nine Heavens Demon Extermination Sect failed her attempt to form a Nascent Soul and passed away a century ago, so the position has remained vacant ever since. There have been a few exceptionally talented female cultivators who formed their Golden Cores, but compared to Ye Qing, the Daozi, they simply didn't measure up. Perfected Immortal Yuan was one of them. However, Perfected Immortal Yuan completed the spiritual awakening of the Azure Mirage Bottle this time, a massive achievement. After returning, she should be able to smoothly take over the Saintess position."

Shen Shanqing truly lived up to his status as a disciple of the Heavenly Dining Pavilion, being able to articulate the ins and outs of various holy land matters.

"Yuan Zhen, you say? Compared to Perfected Immortal Ye, she is indeed a bit ordinary." Chen Mobai recalled and contrasted the strengths of Ye Qing and Yuan Zhen, offering a sharp assessment.

If the Daozi and Saintesses of the holy lands were all at Yuan Zhen's level, he felt he could easily overcome them after reaching Golden Core Perfection.

"Sect Master Chen, Perfected Immortal Yuan's surname is Yuan!" At this moment, Shen Shanqing suddenly offered a cautious reminder.

Chen Mobai paused, momentarily stunned, after hearing this. What did her surname have to do with anything? Yuan Zhen *was* weak! She couldn't compare to Ye Qing... As Chen Mobai thought this, something suddenly clicked, and he blurted out in surprise, "Is Perfected Immortal Yuan related to Perfected Immortal Xuantian, Yuan Qingque?"

"Sect Master Chen, Yuan Zhen is indeed one of Perfected Immortal Xuantian's blood descendants. That's precisely why she is able to control the Azure Mirage Bottle. If they truly encountered a fourth-tier demonic beast in the Desolate Ruins, she could burn a portion of her homologous vital blood to unleash the full power of the Azure Mirage Bottle, a fifth-tier magic treasure. Her Jade Kite Flying Sword was also one that Perfected Immortal Xuantian used in his younger days." Shen Shanqing, admiring Chen Mobai, revealed this confidential matter. Although Ye Qing was the most powerful during their trip to the Desolate Ruins, the true hidden trump card was actually Yuan Zhen, her unassuming junior sister.

"Thank you for informing me, Chef Shen." Chen Mobai had absolutely no idea that Yuan Zhen possessed such a background. No wonder she was able to accompany Ye Qing, the Daozi, and was considered a candidate for Saintess.

After learning Yuan Zhen's identity, Chen Mobai fully understood her previously somewhat arrogant demeanor. If he had a Soul Transformation Perfected Immortal ancestor who was still alive and active in the world, he'd probably have his eyes on the top of his head, even more arrogant than her. Chen Mobai even felt that Yuan Zhen was quite polite, considering she was willing to travel so far with Ye Qing to a place like the Desolate Ruins to complete a mission.

"Most major powers in the Eastern Lands are aware of this matter. If Sect Master Chen were to visit the One Yuan Dao Palace in the future, he could easily inquire about it." Shen Shanqing, however, waved his hand humbly, indicating that what he had shared was merely common knowledge in the Eastern Lands.

"What about the One Yuan Dao Palace then?" "Since the tragic death of their Daozi and the disappearance of their Saintess a century ago, the One Yuan Dao Palace has stopped sending out World Walkers. As a result, many major sects beneath the holy lands have become restless, hoping to replace them."

Hearing this, Chen Mobai finally gained a true understanding of the One Yuan Dao Palace's predicament. It seemed the losses inflicted by the Luminous Exarch were more severe than anticipated. However, a dying camel is still bigger than a horse. Even without a Soul Transformation cultivator guarding it, the One Yuan Dao Palace still possessed many Nascent Soul Venerables. As long as there were no major calamities, sustaining itself for several centuries would not be an issue.

Chen Mobai now only hoped that the One Yuan Dao Palace would not fall before he himself formed his Nascent Soul and achieved great cultivation mastery. This was because he had many methods for forming a Nascent Soul, combining the inheritances of the Immortal Sect with the resources of the Sky River Realm. Especially after obtaining the Primordial Dao Fruit and refining the Primordial True Qi, he felt even more confident.

However, for Soul Transformation, he had no confidence at all! He didn't even know how to begin striving for it.

After all, Ancestor Yuanyang had achieved Soul Transformation using the ancient method of the Pure Yang Scroll. He was currently cultivating the new method of the Pure Yang Scroll, and with only a Post-Heaven Pure Yang Body, he wasn't sure if he could truly succeed. If he could obtain the inheritance left by Perfected Immortal One Yuan before his ascension, Chen Mobai felt that by combining it with the knowledge of the Immortal Sect and leveraging their respective strengths, he might find inspiration.

But the Sky River Realm was simply too dangerous. Chen Mobai felt that if he didn't form his Nascent Soul, he wouldn't feel secure going to the Eastern Lands. Therefore, he hoped that no ruthless individuals like the Luminous Exarch would come knocking on the One Yuan Dao Palace's door anytime soon!

Next, Chen Mobai continued to converse with Shen Shanqing about more topics concerning the Eastern Lands, even expanding to cover the entire six realms of the Eastern Domain, given that the Heavenly Dining Pavilion had branches everywhere. Finally, Chen Mobai inquired about the entire Sky River Realm's Five Continents and Four Seas, but Shen Shanqing could only offer a wry smile and shake his head.

The Heavenly Dining Pavilion had indeed attempted to establish branches in other continents overseas. Ancestor Peng Feng, a Nascent Soul cultivator, had been struggling outside for a long time, but it was rumored that these ventures were consistently losing money, as the overall environment outside the Eastern Domain was much harsher and more dangerous. A minor character like Shen Shanqing did not yet have the qualifications to interact with fellow disciples from overseas branches and was naturally unaware of such matters.