Chapter 744: The Star-Dragging Ancestor

Pure Nine-Lotus Lamp

Dawn was just breaking. Chen Mobai, sitting on the chair by the window, opened his eyes.

Although his daughter's matchmaking intentions were very clear last night, there was no romantic feeling between Chen Mobai and Shi Wanyu. If not for the crystallization of their relationship—their daughter—their connection would have completely ended the day they graduated. So last night, he let Shi Wanyu rest as usual, while he cultivated by the window all night.

Because there was only the most common Tier 1 spiritual energy here, which for Chen Mobai was quickly depleted after a few breaths, and it wasn't appropriate to take out spirit stones to cultivate in front of Shi Wanyu, he meditated on the Danfeng Chaoyang Diagram. Since breaking through to the second level of this divine sense cultivation method, the phoenix phantom in his Violet Palace Sea of Consciousness had become more solid, and its unfurled feathers were even more lifelike. With each flap of its wings, a rich and pure aura of auspiciousness rose, making Chen Mobai's spirit incredibly clear and lucid. The "Food of Substance" realm would grant him a constitution immune to all poisons. It also meant that as long as he didn't excessively consume his divine sense, he would always remain in a state of peak mental fullness.

After mastering the second level, he meditated on the realm of the third level. This level was called "Drink of Propriety"! It was also a characteristic he greatly anticipated. Unlike the passive nature of "Food of Substance," this was an actively controllable ability, used to assist Chen Mobai in cultivating by absorbing spiritual energy from heaven and earth. Originally, cultivators needed to absorb spiritual energy that matched their cultivation methods from places with spiritual veins, and then slowly refine it into the spiritual power they needed. In this process, the most time-consuming part was distinguishing the spiritual energy. For example, when Chen Mobai previously broke through at Danxia Mountain using a Blood Spirit Pill, due to insufficient foundation, he absorbed spiritual energy of different attributes that were not needed by his Pure Yang Scroll, causing his spiritual power to be slightly impure. Fortunately, he possessed the Lamp Burning Art, which allowed him to purify his spiritual power in his free time after daily cultivation, taking nearly two years to eliminate this hidden danger.

However, if he mastered "Drink of Propriety," he would no longer need to worry about this issue. From then on, only the spiritual energy and other forms of energy he specifically needed from heaven and earth would be absorbed into his body and refined. "Food of Substance" and "Drink of Propriety" were originally meant to be combined to maximize the efficacy of these two phoenix characteristics. Only after mastering "Drink of Propriety" could the passive ability of "Food of Substance" (immunity to all poisons) truly manifest. Moreover, this ability, besides benefiting himself, could also greatly assist others. For instance, if Chen Mobai wanted his daughter to perceive void power, he would inevitably need to place her in an environment rich in void power. His own method for this would be to directly use Void Stones. However, such resources, even for the sake of his daughter, could not be obtained from the Immortal Sect. But if he mastered "Drink of Propriety," he could directly use it to draw in void power from heaven and earth for cultivation. In that case, the void power around him would become incredibly dense, and if Shi Xiaohei stayed in such an environment for a long time, she would one day comprehend and perceive the existence of void power. Of course, to achieve this, the Longevity Sect's great art, "Voice of the Empty Valley," which he cultivated, was also crucial! Because if a cultivator himself could not perceive the spiritual energy or other energies he desired, then "Drink of Propriety" would not be able to function as it should. Throughout the Immortal Sect's history, even practitioners of the Danfeng Chaoyang Diagram who reached the third level could, at most, control the five-element spiritual energy if they didn't possess the "Voice of the Empty Valley." As for energies like void power, which they couldn't sense themselves, they could only stare helplessly. However, according to Chen Mobai's estimation, the Danfeng Chaoyang Diagram could only break through again when his divine sense realm reached the ninth layer of the Golden Core stage. For other cultivators in the Immortal Sect, this was already very fast. Chen Mobai was not in a hurry either.

Now, taking any pills like the Golden Crow Holding Sun Pill had no side effects for him. In the Sky River Realm, he was also preparing to collect pills that could improve the cultivation of Golden Core cultivators, intending to consume and refine them himself to raise his Pure Yang Scroll realm to the Perfected Golden Core stage in the shortest possible time. Unfortunately, these pills were unavailable in the Eastern Wilderness. In the Eastern Yi region, if one or two bottles occasionally appeared, they would fetch astronomical prices at auction, being extremely rare. Such pills could probably only be bought in the Eastern Earth, the core of the Eastern Continent.

Chen Mobai was already thinking of establishing a Five Elements Sect trading company to operate within the six domains of the Eastern Earth, helping him acquire needed rare resources while also gathering intelligence on the various territories of the Eastern Continent. If he were to lead a trading company out of the Eastern Wilderness to open up markets in other territories, the leading cultivator, both in cultivation and ability, would need to be among the best in the Five Elements Sect. At the very least, they would need to be a Golden Core cultivator! Unfortunately, among the current Golden Core cultivators of the Five Elements Sect, there was no such person. As for the Golden Core cultivators from the other four branches of the Five Elements, he shouldn't even consider them. It was estimated that even if Chen Mobai gave the order, they wouldn't be willing to leave the Eastern Wilderness, abandoning their status as a lineage supreme, to help him open up markets. Among the Wood lineage, Fu Zongjue would be suitable, but Chen Mobai thought about it and still felt too embarrassed to ask. And he, as the sect master, along with Zhou Shengqing, the "Stabilizing Divine Needle," would certainly not leave the Eastern Wilderness. That left only Yin Qingmei, who had just formed her Golden Core. However, she possessed a Heavenly Spiritual Root, making her a genius who would be competed for even in the Eastern Earth. And most critically, her administrative abilities were mediocre. Over the years, she had been too well protected. If she were sent out for business, given the atmosphere in the Sky River Realm, she would probably be devoured whole by unscrupulous outsiders.

After much thought, Chen Mobai decided to send Luo Xue'er out first after the monster tide in Cloud Dream Lake ended. When she left, she could bring Liu Wenbai with her. In the future, once Luo Yixuan formed her Golden Core, she could return to prepare for Golden Core formation, and then this third disciple could take over. If only Yue Zutao could form his Golden Core, Chen Mobai would be very satisfied with his abilities and temperament. He would certainly be able to manage establishing a market in another region.

Just as he was pondering how to expand outward after the Five Elements Sect unified the Eastern Wilderness, footsteps sounded from outside the door. A soft knock sounded, and soon, Shi Wanyu, wearing an apron, walked in. "Breakfast is ready." She hadn't slept well all night either and had gotten up to prepare breakfast as soon as the first ray of sunlight appeared. Chen Mobai naturally heard the commotion, but feeling a bit awkward between them, he kept his eyes closed, pretending not to know. "Hmm, where's our daughter? Should we call her?" Chen Mobai stood up from the chair and walked towards the dining room outside the bedroom, asking the question.

"It's still early, let her rest a bit more." Shi Wanyu's words made Chen Mobai nod involuntarily. After all, it was only a little past five in the morning. Moreover, he had already spoken to the Forestry Bureau, asking the director to approve leave for Shi Xiaohei, allowing her to report whenever she wanted. As Chen Mobai had just sat down, he noticed Shi Wanyu standing and immediately gestured for her to join him. "Let's eat together." Shi Wanyu nodded gently after hearing this.

"Uh, does our daughter need to change her name?" Having just sat down, she uttered words that made Chen Mobai pause. The name "Xiaohei" (Little Black) was clearly chosen by Shi Wanyu to commemorate Chen Mobai. After all, "Mobai" means "no white," which implies "black"! Now that Chen Mobai had sought them out and father and daughter had acknowledged each other, according to custom, she should revert to her father's surname. Furthermore, the name "Xiaohei" didn't sound very feminine, so Shi Wanyu's intention was for Chen Mobai to give her a new name when Xiaohei officially rejoined the family. "She's an adult now; let her decide for herself." Although Chen Mobai also hoped his daughter would take his surname, he wouldn't force it. Shi Wanyu listened, feeling slightly disappointed, but still nodded.

Halfway through their meal, the sound of a door opening came from upstairs, and a lively young woman descended the stairs with quick steps. "Good morning, Dad, Mom!" Shi Xiaohei appeared before Chen Mobai, her long black hair, reaching her waist, swaying as she came down the stairs. Today, she was dressed in formal work attire: an elegant white shirt that was full around the chest, with the collar slightly open, revealing her graceful neckline. Her dark suit jacket was well-tailored, accentuating the perfect curve of her waist. Below that was a short skirt of the same dark color as her suit jacket, just long enough to cover her thighs, revealing a pair of slender, straight, yet powerful long legs. Her fair skin had a lustrous, enchanting sheen from a thin layer of flesh-colored stockings. Paired with black low heels and a confident smile on her face, she almost made Chen Mobai think he had traveled back in time and seen a younger Shi Wanyu.

"Why are you up so early?" Shi Wanyu asked, surprised to see her, and at the same time, got up to retrieve the still-warm breakfast from the kitchen. "I've been late for work for several days now, so I'm going to report in today." As Shi Xiaohei spoke, she placed the small bag she was holding onto the table, her beautiful eyes constantly observing her parents, as if trying to discern something. "Yesterday, I already spoke to Zhu Shiyong on your behalf..." Chen Mobai began to mention the leave, and Xiaohei's face showed a moment of hesitation, wondering if she should rest for a few more days, but she quickly decided it would be better to report in first. Her sudden transfer from Wangwu Cave Heaven had already caused a stir within the Yumou City system. If she took extended leave again, it would likely draw too much attention. If it were her original self, she naturally wouldn't worry about this. But now she was Chen Mobai's daughter! If this were discovered, wouldn't her father, a man of lifelong renown, be dragged down by her? There were far too many cases of children bringing trouble to their fathers in the Immortal Sect. So Shi Xiaohei shook her head, stating that she would report in today and work normally at the Forestry Bureau from now on, also expressing her wish to conceal her identity and not let anyone know she was Chen Mobai's daughter.

"Your mother and I were just talking about whether to change your name." Seeing Shi Xiaohei start eating breakfast, Chen Mobai mentioned what Shi Wanyu had brought up. "Dad, do you want to change it? I've actually gotten used to the name Xiaohei over the years." Shi Xiaohei expressed her opinion. "Then let's just change your surname. When you have time in a couple of days, bring your household registration booklet, and I'll take you to the Enforcement Department to get a new ID card." Chen Mobai immediately made the decision. "Dad, changing the surname is fine, but Mom and I really shouldn't be added to your household registration, as it would affect your reputation in the Immortal Sect." But to his surprise, after hearing this, Shi Xiaohei proposed with a worried expression. This daughter truly was a thoughtful "little cotton-padded jacket," already considering her father's welfare. But Chen Mobai stated that he didn't care about such things! However, both Shi Xiaohei and Shi Wanyu insisted that his promising future should not be hindered by their existence. Because according to Chen Mobai's resume and background, if he cultivated to the Perfected Golden Core stage and could not advance further in cultivation, and then wished to form his Nascent Soul, he would certainly need to further his standing in the Three Great Halls. In that case, personal conduct would become very important. If it were known that he had an illegitimate daughter, it would certainly be used against him during elections for key positions like deputy hall master. Chen Mobai knew in his heart that he didn't need the Immortal Sect's resources at all to form his Nascent Soul. But since both mother and daughter were so considerate of him, he reluctantly agreed. "In that case, this weekend I'll take both of you back to Danxia City to formally meet my parents and first acknowledge Xiaohei as part of the Chen family!"

Neither Shi Wanyu nor Shi Xiaohei objected to Chen Mobai's words. In fact, both mother and daughter were very happy to hear it. "How about you take our daughter, and I won't go?" But Shi Wanyu thought carefully and felt that when explaining Xiaohei's origins to Chen Xinglan and Tang Pancui, her own actions would make her feel ashamed. "Since I said we're going together, then we're going together." Chen Mobai, as the head of the family, slightly furrowed his brow, indicating that everything would be as he said. Shi Wanyu listened, her face filled with surprise, and she nodded meekly and shyly. If Chen Mobai was bringing her into his home, it certainly meant he was acknowledging her.

"Dad, Mom, I'm going to work now." At this moment, Shi Xiaohei quickly finished her breakfast, left a remark, and then went downstairs with quick steps, holding her small bag. After their daughter left, the atmosphere between them returned to its previous polite and respectful state. "I'll go prepare some gifts for your aunt and uncle..." After Shi Wanyu tidied up, she took off her apron and went into the room to change her clothes. Chen Mobai was originally considering another matter, but seeing her rush off, he thought about it and decided not to speak.

It was the weekend. Chen Xinglan was helping in the kitchen. Because his son was coming home today, and said he was bringing two guests, they were told to prepare more dishes. Tang Pancui was a bit overwhelmed working alone, so she pulled Chen Xinglan, who was practicing health-preserving exercises in the living room, to help out. Ding-dong, ding-dong! Halfway through preparing the meal, the doorbell rang. At Tang Pancui's signal, Chen Xinglan put down what he was holding and walked out of the kitchen. "Our son is back, Xiaohei is here too, and this is..." In the kitchen, Tang Pancui casually listened to the conversation at the door while stirring with her spoon.

"Dad, there's something I've been hiding from you. Xiaohei is actually my daughter, which means she's your granddaughter..." When Tang Pancui heard these words from the doorway, the iron spoon in her hand dropped directly, clattering heavily onto the floor. She immediately rushed out of the kitchen, her eyes wide, staring directly at the family of three standing at the front door. Chen Xinglan wore the same expression, his face filled with disbelief! "Son, you're not joking, are you?! I know your mother and I don't have many years left, and she's been whispering in your ear about wanting a granddaughter. You might want to fulfill her wish, but..." As Chen Xinglan spoke, looking at the beautiful, now shy and nervous young woman beside Chen Mobai, compared to her usual confident demeanor, he was suddenly pushed aside by Tang Pancui from behind.

"I knew it! You've been a council member for so many years and never proactively invited anyone to visit our home. So you were bringing your granddaughter here for us to see in advance! You little rascal, why would I scold you? Why hide such a big matter? Why didn't you say something sooner..." Tang Pancui immediately scolded Chen Mobai, but when she turned to Shi Xiaohei, her face was full of warmth and kindness. "Come here, my dear granddaughter, let Grandma take a look. I felt a strange sense of closeness to you before, but I didn't feel right scrutinizing you too closely." After hearing this, Shi Xiaohei looked at Chen Mobai and Shi Wanyu, then voluntarily stepped forward, allowing Tang Pancui to grasp her hands and scrutinize her from head to toe. "As expected of my granddaughter, she's truly beautiful!" Tang Pancui's face was filled with contentment and satisfaction, holding Shi Xiaohei's hands and refusing to let go.

"Then this must be..." After examining Shi Xiaohei, Tang Pancui looked at the beautiful young woman beside Chen Mobai. Shi Wanyu had also dressed up specially today; her already excellent features appeared even more beautiful and charming. A form-fitting sweater dress accentuated her tall, well-proportioned, graceful figure. Beneath the dress were long, beautiful legs wrapped in sheer black stockings. Coupled with an off-white trench coat, her simple yet stylish outfit gave her an intellectual charm. "This is Xiaohei's mother." Chen Mobai introduced her directly. Shi Wanyu, who had been a bit nervous, immediately presented the two gift boxes she was holding. "Hello, Uncle and Auntie, I'm Shi Wanyu!" Before coming, Chen Mobai had told her that she wouldn't need to explain anything, and if Chen Xinglan and Tang Pancui asked any difficult questions, he would speak up. But even with Chen Mobai's assurance, she had been incredibly nervous the entire way. At the door, she even felt her heart pounding with unprecedented intensity. "Good, good, good. No wonder our granddaughter is so beautiful; she inherited her mother's genes." Tang Pancui, seeing the beautiful Shi Wanyu, didn't ask any other questions at all. She immediately treated her as her daughter-in-law and was overjoyed. "Quick, quick, quick, why are you standing at the door? Come in quickly!"

Tang Pancui, still holding Shi Xiaohei's hands, led her granddaughter inside first. Chen Mobai motioned for Shi Wanyu to follow, and then he and Chen Xinglan entered the living room last. "Oh dear, I'm still cooking. Please sit for a bit, it'll be ready soon!" As they entered the living room, a slightly burnt smell wafted through the air. Tang Pancui finally let go of Xiaohei's hand and headed towards the kitchen. "Son, bringing your granddaughter home only now, after she's so grown, that's your fault." After Chen Xinglan confirmed that Shi Xiaohei was indeed Chen Mobai's daughter, he lightly admonished Chen Mobai, stating that such an action was unfair to both mother and daughter. Shi Wanyu, from the side, immediately began to explain the reason. Chen Mobai tried to stop her, but couldn't. He had clearly told her she didn't need to explain. However, Shi Wanyu felt that this was her own mistake and she couldn't let Chen Mobai be misunderstood. "So that's how it is..." Chen Xinglan, upon learning of Xiaohei's origins, furrowed his brow slightly, but then, seeing Chen Mobai beside him, quickly broke into a cheerful smile. "We also have your initiative to thank. Otherwise, I'm afraid my son would certainly not have left behind an heir before we two passed away." Chen Xinglan's words finally allowed Shi Wanyu's continuous nervousness to ease. Her eyes were slightly red, and she shyly lowered her head. "Old Chen is right. But it was wrong of you not to come to us to acknowledge the family after giving birth to our granddaughter so long ago. If I had known I had such a cute and beautiful granddaughter, I would have retired twenty years earlier and moved to Yumou City." At this moment, Tang Pancui had also finished a dish and brought it out. She had been able to hear everything said outside from the kitchen, and thus knew the reason for Xiaohei's birth. "Auntie, this is all my fault. It was my mistake back then, so I felt guilty." "Don't say anymore. From now on, we're all a loving family. Come, come, come, everyone sit down and eat while it's hot." Tang Pancui immediately beckoned Shi Xiaohei to sit down first, and the latter obediently and sweetly sat beside her.

"Dad, the main reason I brought them today is for Xiaohei to acknowledge her ancestry..." During the meal, Chen Mobai brought up the matter. "Our Chen family's generational names are divided by 'Purple, Gold, Blue, White,' starting from our ancestor Chen Yinzi, and ending with your generation. Another branch of the Chen family in Taiyuan Cave Heaven, due to their large population, has further divided into four generations: 'Cyan, Red, Orange, Yellow,' but we don't need to adhere to those rules..." Chen Xinglan began to explain the origin of the names, which he had told Chen Mobai when he was a child. In the Chen family's naming tradition, the color representing the generation was at the end, and only the middle character could be chosen by the parents. The name Chen Mobai was also chosen by Tang Pancui's father, Tang Lu. He hoped his grandson would be able to go with the flow of the world in the future! "Mo bai" means "no white," implying "black"! Father and daughter, truly of the same lineage! "Then let's change the surname, but keep the given name!" Soon, everyone at the table reached a consensus. From now on, Shi Xiaohei would be Chen Xiaohei. However, for Chen Mobai's reputation, Chen Xiaohei would not be added to their Chen family's household registration. Fortunately, changing a name in the Immortal Sect only required the adult's own consent. When they returned to Yumou City, Xiaohei could go and change her surname to Chen herself!

And while their family was enjoying this harmonious moment, in the Five Peaks Immortal Mountains, the Nascent Soul Reverends of the Heaven-Mending lineage were, unusually, gathered together! On Patriarch Qianxing's Ju Xian Peak, a total of five Nascent Soul Reverends sat respectfully on the open-air plaza, divided into left and right sides. The Hall Master of Immortal Affairs, the Hall Master of Righteous Law, and Reverend Yuanxu were on the left. Reverend Qingping, the headmaster of Taiyuan Academy, and Reverend Meihua of Guanxing Academy were on the right. Besides these two, there was also a cultivator who was not a Nascent Soul. If Chen Mobai were here, he would discover that it was precisely Chen Chun, the successor of the Divine Mechanism Estate! After her graduation, besides going down the mountain to perform divination, she cultivated on the Tier 6 spiritual vein of Ju Xian Peak. In front of them, a portal opened in the void, seemingly leading to the underworld. But with the eyesight of five Nascent Soul Reverends, they naturally easily saw the scene beyond the portal. Inside was a living room, where a short, white-haired youth sat cross-legged on the floor with his back to them, facing a large-screen television, holding a remote control in his hands and operating something. Soon, a level-clearing game appeared on the large screen. A very sexy, large-chested, long-haired woman holding a gun, controlled by the white-haired youth, began to clear levels, facing powerful demonic beasts, strange cyborgs, terrifying ancient machines, and ancient slumbering demon gods one by one. While the white-haired youth played the game, the five Nascent Soul Reverends held their breath, deeply afraid that even a single breath from them might affect his operation. And there was naturally only one person in the entire Immortal Sect who could command such an attitude from five Nascent Soul Reverends and Chen Chun: The Soul Transformation Patriarch, Qianxing!

This level-clearing game seemed incredibly difficult. After an unknown number of sunrises and sunsets, the large-chested, gun-wielding woman controlled by the white-haired youth finally sealed the last awakened Cosmic Demon God, completing the highest SSS-level clear rating without a single death. "Finally finished! I'm exhausted!" In the void living room, the white-haired youth stretched, casually tossed the remote control onto the sofa, and stood up from the sofa in front of the giant television screen! "Greetings, Patriarch!" At this moment, the six people outside finally dared to speak, simultaneously bowing and greeting the white-haired youth in the void living room! "Oh, when did you five get here?" After hearing them speak, Qianxing turned his head, gently tapped his right foot, and amidst a flash of silver light, he instantly appeared before the six, asking somewhat curiously.