Chapter 747: Fetal Transformation Furnace (7K)

“Qing Nü is in danger. I hope you can help her.”

Just as Chen Mobai flew out of the experimental base, he heard this sentence synthesized by an electronic voice from the screen.

He couldn't help but stop in mid-air.

Turning his head, he saw the figure on the old LCD screen turn around. It was the same puppet-like middle-aged man he had met earlier at the Ge Da Yuan.

“Are you Yan Xinjie?”

Chen Mobai’s question made the puppet-like middle-aged man hesitate, but at this point, there was no need to hide. He nodded.

“I am Yan Xinjie.”

Hearing this, Chen Mobai nodded.

So, Qing Nü’s surname is Yan!

He wondered if she would be willing to use this surname.

“What kind of danger is Qing Nü in?”

Chen Mobai asked again. Among the entire Immortal Sect, he had few acknowledged friends, but without a doubt, Qing Nü was one of them.

If it concerned her, he was willing to spend some time here.

“Lin Daoming is retiring after this transition of power. To seize his last chance at ascension to the Soul Transformation stage, he has decided to study ancient forbidden arts.”

“Qing Nü is the most outstanding Dao Seed from the Immortal Sprout Cultivation Project he spearheaded. He even refined a wisp of essence from the ancient treasure, the Fetal Transformation Furnace, into her genes. This wisp of essence will merge into her Golden Core the moment she forms it.”

“If Lin Daoming takes Qing Nü's Golden Core and refines it, combined with the ancient forbidden art, he might be able to revert to youth and live another life.”

After hearing Yan Xinjie's words, Chen Mobai couldn't help but frown.

“What is the Fetal Transformation Furnace?”

It was a term he had never heard of within the Immortal Sect.

“It is said that millions of years ago, before humans existed on Earth Star, the Fetal Transformation Furnace was a mysterious basin, naturally formed and nurtured by the heavens and earth, brimming with the essence of creation. One day, a bolt of heavenly lightning struck it, imbuing a colorful stone within the basin with the mysteries of life, and then the first human was born.”

“This Fetal Transformation Furnace is one of Earth Star's supreme artifacts for creating life. In ancient times, cultivators discovered that forming a Golden Core or cultivating a Nascent Soul within it naturally increased their success rate by thirty percent.”

“Initially, the Fetal Transformation Furnace was a sacred place for ancient cultivators, and anyone could enter it when they sought to break through. However, as time evolved, a group of cultivators began to gather and monopolize the Fetal Transformation Furnace, prohibiting other cultivators from entering.”

“This sparked discontent among all cultivators under heaven, naturally leading to a great war. The eventual victors were the cultivators who had initially occupied the Fetal Transformation Furnace, and they proclaimed themselves the 'Divine Sect'.”

When Yan Xinjie reached this point, Chen Mobai finally heard a term he recognized.

The Divine Sect!

Wasn't this the most powerful lineage among the ancient Daoist traditions?

It took the Immortal Sect over three millennia of development on Earth Star to finally eradicate the Divine Sect, which they then publicly branded as the 'Demonic Sect'.

At least when Chen Mobai was young, he often saw TV shows where villains, upon inheriting the Demonic Sect's legacy, suddenly experienced a surge in power.

“Is the Divine Sect the most powerful lineage among the ancient Daoist traditions because of the Fetal Transformation Furnace?”

Thinking of this, Chen Mobai couldn't help but ask again. But Yan Xinjie on the electronic screen shook his head and continued.

“The Divine Sect cultivators believed they had received enlightenment from the Earth Mother Goddess: every additional cultivator who entered the Fetal Transformation Furnace would drain and consume Earth Star's essence. Over time, the land would slowly disappear, eventually scattering into cosmic dust.”

“Therefore, after the great war, the highest-ranking cultivators of the Divine Sect collectively sealed the Fetal Transformation Furnace, prohibiting anyone from using it.”

“When the Divine Sect was annihilated by the Immortal Sect, they used their last power to shatter the Fetal Transformation Furnace. The Five Ancestors of the Immortal Sect tried their best but only managed to collect some fragments. Consequently, a void appeared in the planet, causing Earth's essence to continuously pour out, transforming the area around the Fetal Transformation Furnace into thousands of miles of yellow sand in a short time.”

Hearing this, Chen Mobai suddenly frowned, as if something occurred to him.

“Could the location of the Fetal Transformation Furnace be... Jumang Dao Academy!?”

Yan Xinjie couldn't help but nod, remarking that Chen Mobai was indeed the Immortal Sect's strongest genius in a millennium. He had just mentioned it, and Chen Mobai had already grasped the crucial point.

“When the Five Ancestors of the Immortal Sect first arrived on Earth Star, they discovered the profound mysteries of the Fetal Transformation Furnace and immediately acted, demanding the Divine Sect surrender it. Naturally, the Divine Sect refused, and in the ensuing fierce battle, most of the Divine Sect's upper echelon were killed or injured. However, at that time, since the Five Ancestors of the Immortal Sect had not yet spread their teachings here, many Divine Sect disciples managed to escape with their inheritances.”

“Subsequently, due to the Fetal Transformation Furnace's shattering, Ancestor Changchun planted his personal spirit plant, the Great Toon Tree, to block the void in the earth, preventing the planet's essence from leaking away. This also served a dual purpose, allowing the Great Toon Tree to directly root itself deep within the planet, receiving the best spiritual energy nourishment.”

“Afterward, the Five Ancestors of the Immortal Sect occupied Earth Star and began to widely spread the Great Dao. Ancestor Changchun was responsible for guarding the original location of the Fetal Transformation Furnace, where the Great Toon Tree was rooted. While gradually regulating Earth Star's entire spiritual脉, he also healed the ravaged land, and it was through this that the Great Toon Tree advanced to the Sixth Stage.”

“What followed was the opposition of these ancient Daoist traditions, like the Divine Sect, to the Immortal Sect. However, the Immortal Sect ultimately held the greater power. Over three thousand years ago, after the last nine elders of the Divine Sect were executed, this foremost ancient Daoist tradition dispersed.”

“When Lin Daoming achieved enlightenment and formed his Golden Core, he found some fragments of the Fetal Transformation Furnace and extracted its essence. At that time, grief-stricken by my daughter's death, I accepted his invitation to oversee this Immortal Sprout Cultivation Project.”

As Chen Mobai listened, his heart was filled with immense shock.

Although he had long known that Lin Daoming, the head of the Immortal Affairs Hall, was behind the Immortal Sprout Cultivation Project, hearing the truth directly from Yan Xinjie still made it somewhat unbelievable.

That was the leader of the Immortal Sect!

Since the founding of the Immortal Sect, he had been one of the few truly capable individuals.

“Why didn't he directly absorb and refine the Fetal Transformation essence?”

But Chen Mobai remained extremely cautious. Not fully trusting Yan Xinjie's words, he continued to press for the crucial details.

“The Fetal Transformation essence is of extremely high quality, being the very origin power of the planet, almost at the seventh stage. Even a Soul Transformation cultivator would need extensive preparations and extreme caution to refine it.”

“Although Lin Daoming is the head of the Immortal Affairs Hall, he is, after all, only at the Nascent Soul stage. So he devised a method, utilizing the profound similarities between a mother's placenta and the Fetal Transformation Furnace, to infuse the Fetal Transformation essence into infants.”

“After this transformation, once the infants grew up and achieved cultivation success, he could then seize their refined Golden Cores or Nascent Souls for refinement. Even so, this was an extremely difficult feat. After countless experiments, only three Immortal Sprouts successfully integrated the Fetal Transformation essence.”

“These three individuals are Qing Nü, Kong Feichen, and Yang Jing. That's why their relationship is so close, like true siblings.”

After hearing Yan Xinjie's explanation, Chen Mobai's gaze suddenly sharpened, and he looked at him coldly on the screen.

“Since you knew, why did you still use Qing Nü for the experiment!”

Upon hearing this, Yan Xinjie showed a look of guilt but still explained the reason.

“Because that was the only way to revive my daughter!”

Chen Mobai didn't believe it at all, because one principle ingrained in him since childhood from his Immortal Sect education was:

“It's impossible. The dead cannot be resurrected!”

Yan Xinjie offered no further explanation. His figure on the LCD screen suddenly began to blur, gradually transforming into a map and a hand seal!

“I have placed a Great Teleportation Talisman here. You can retrieve it after verifying it with this hand seal. Once you find Qing Nü, have her activate this Great Teleportation Talisman, and I will be waiting for her at the destination.”

After noting it down, Chen Mobai looked at Yan Xinjie, who was gradually fading and about to disappear, frowned slightly, and asked,

“Why me?”

“My true body cannot enter Earth Star, and I am a traitor to the Immortal Sect. Kong Feichen and the others are also targets of the Immortal Sect's attention. So after much consideration, I could only turn to you, someone with a clear background who wouldn't harm Qing Nü. Remember not to reveal to anyone that Qing Nü possesses Fetal Transformation essence; it's a temptation even Soul Transformation Ancestors cannot resist.”

Hearing this, Chen Mobai remained silent.

At that moment, the LCD screen turned completely black.

Chen Mobai re-examined the experimental base, confirmed no traces of himself remained, and then left.

His true body, having recalled the Non-Phase Puppet, shimmered with silver light and rushed back to the waiting hall before the train pulled into the station.

Soon, Chen Mobai entered his private compartment without inspection.

After reviewing all his conversations with Yan Xinjie stored within the Heavens Calculation Pearl, he couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

He had never imagined such a profound underlying purpose behind the original Immortal Sprout Cultivation Project.

He wondered if anyone else in the Immortal Sect, besides Lin Daoming, who knew about the project, had also discovered the existence of the Fetal Transformation essence.

Should he ask Lan Haitian?

Chen Mobai thought of this person who might know.

But after some thought, he decided it was too risky.

Lan Haitian, who had decades of experience in official circles, was an extremely shrewd individual. If Chen Mobai revealed any hint, it might backfire, leading him to re-investigate the Immortal Sprout Cultivation Project.

What should he do?

Chen Mobai fell into deep thought.

Qing Nü was his friend, and he certainly wished for her to live a peaceful life. Although he knew she possessed Fetal Transformation essence, he had no covetous intentions whatsoever.

But if what Yan Xinjie said was true, then he would have to constantly be wary of Lin Daoming, a Nascent Soul Venerable, after his retirement.

That was a Nascent Soul Venerable!

The moment Chen Mobai thought of that cultivation stage, he couldn't help but clench his fists.

Even though he had fiercely battled Venerable Bingyun in the Tianhe Realm with the aid of the Five Elements Sect's Dao soldiers, he still didn't believe he had the ability to contend with a Nascent Soul cultivator.

Especially since the three Hall Masters of the Immortal Sect were all peak Nascent Soul Ninth Layer cultivators!

Even though the Immortal Sect was in a period of peace with few battles, the immense gap in cultivation stages alone was enough to crush dozens of Chen Mobais.

At this moment, Chen Mobai suddenly remembered that Qing Nü, while in the Heaven Patching Group, rarely left the imperial capital.

He had initially thought it was due to the rebellious Kong Feichen and Yang Jing, but now it seemed likely that Lin Daoming was interfering, not wanting the only remaining Immortal Sprout Dao Seed to leave his sight.

Also, there was a period when Qing Nü suddenly wanted to prepare for independent Golden Core formation.

Chen Mobai felt that behind this, there might also be Lin Daoming's instigation.

Facing Lin Daoming's covetousness towards Qing Nü, he genuinely couldn't think of any way to break the situation.

Should he inform the higher-ups of the Martial Arts Dao Academy?

Venerable Chengxuan was in seclusion, and he wasn't familiar with Venerable Yuxiao. That left only Ancestor Baiguang!

But even with his status, it was questionable whether he could meet Baiguang. And as Yan Xinjie said, if this Fetal Transformation essence was truly that precious, would Ancestor Baiguang also be tempted by greed?

The more Chen Mobai thought, the tighter his brows furrowed!

This was probably the most difficult situation he had ever faced in his life!

Should he prevent Qing Nü from forming her Golden Core? But on what grounds?

Chen Mobai calculated that their batch of Dao Academy graduates was only 16 years away from completing their sixty years of service.

He estimated that by then, Lin Daoming would immediately arrange for Qing Nü to receive a Golden Liquid Jade Restoration Pill. What excuse would he have to stop her from forming her Golden Core?

Should he tell her the truth?

Would she accept all of this?

Even if she listened to him, would Lin Daoming just stand by?

It seemed the only real option was to follow Yan Xinjie's method: have Qing Nü leave Earth Star and go to her father.

But if she did, Qing Nü would become a traitor to the Immortal Sect.

Chen Mobai knew very well how much loneliness and pain she had endured to remain in the Immortal Sect. Sending her away now, even for her own good, would likely deeply upset her.

Similarly, if Qing Nü left, Chen Mobai, as her only friend in the Immortal Sect, would also be equally saddened.

However, this was the only way to save her life.

Throughout his journey, Chen Mobai's mind was in an unprecedented state of turmoil.

After arriving in Yumu City, he stayed in the waiting lounge for an entire night, continuously pondering this issue.

Finally, at the break of dawn, he opened his eyes and let out a deep breath.

If all else failed, there was one last option!

Just then, his phone rang.

He checked it and couldn't help but reveal a gentle smile.

It was his daughter calling.

After the father and daughter talked for a while, it was time for Chen Mobai to board his flight.

On the plane.

As he drew closer to Wangwu Grotto-Heaven, Chen Mobai shed all the complex emotions from his mind.

At this moment, he transformed himself into the long-awaited successor of the entire Martial Arts lineage.

Only by doing so could he find a way out for Qing Nü amidst the chaotic situation.

“Long time no see, Junior Brother Chen!”

At the airport, Wang Shuye personally came to pick him up. Besides him, there were five other people.

Among them, three were council members from the Martial Arts Dao Academy who served in the Kaiyuan Hall, and two were department heads with real power from the Immortal Affairs Hall and the Righteous Law Hall, respectively.

These five individuals, plus Wang Shuye, constituted the core circle of the Martial Arts Dao Academy among the three Hall Masters.

Their simultaneous appearance to greet him demonstrated the importance they placed on Chen Mobai.

This was also a declaration to the other three lineages regarding the future of the Martial Arts Dao Academy.

Chen Mobai was somewhat overwhelmed.

The group of seven, split into two cars, arrived at Wang Shuye's home in the imperial capital.

Soon, this news reached the ears of the leaders of the other three lineages.

Lin Daoming, still holding the position of Immortal Affairs Hall Master, had a slight flicker in his eyes. But for him, who was about to retire, even if the four lineages battled to shake the heavens, it no longer concerned him.

Ying Guanghua, the Righteous Law Hall Master, called Lan Haitian and asked him to extend another invitation to Chen Mobai.

This time, Ying Guanghua intended to personally meet Chen Mobai, the future leader of the Martial Arts lineage.

Venerable Shuixian, who was about to take over, also had a good impression of Chen Mobai and was keen to bring him into the Righteous Law Hall, also having Lan Haitian convey a message.

Among the three halls, only the Kaiyuan Hall maintained calm and restraint regarding Chen Mobai's arrival.

Because Chen Mobai was already a council member of the Kaiyuan Hall.

After Wang Shuye's retirement, Chen Mobai's succession would merely mean a change in their representative, which wouldn't impact the Kaiyuan Hall.

And if Chen Mobai accepted the invitations from the Immortal Affairs Hall and the Righteous Law Hall, it might even be a good thing for the Kaiyuan Hall.

Because in that case, for the next three spiritual medicines for Nascent Soul formation, he would definitely not take from the Kaiyuan Hall's share but would acquire them from the other two major halls.

After Chen Mobai arrived at Wangwu Grotto-Heaven, he experienced the busyness of social engagements for the first time.

He couldn't even find time for Meng Huang'er's invitations.

On the first day, arranged by Wang Shuye, he met the core circle of the Martial Arts Dao Academy within Wangwu Grotto-Heaven.

Next, under the introduction of these core circles, he met other public officials who supported the Martial Arts lineage.

For example, there were those from the Spirit Treasure Academy, branches of the Martial Arts Faction within the 120 Prefectures, and one was even a deputy director who graduated from Qingsang Academy.

Even if someone was merely a Foundation Establishment cultivator, Chen Mobai had to remember each person's identity and call them by name immediately upon meeting and socializing, so as not to make them feel neglected.

Since they were in Wangwu Grotto-Heaven, they couldn't host large-scale receptions. Instead, they had small gatherings privately, circle by circle, at the homes of certain Golden Core Perfected Lords.

Thus, Chen Mobai spent nearly half a month meeting all the contacts of the Martial Arts lineage in Wangwu Grotto-Heaven.

After completing these engagements, he had more appointments to attend.

First was Ying Guanghua, the Righteous Law Hall Master, followed by Shuixian, the Deputy Hall Master of the Righteous Law Hall.

Both were Nascent Soul Venerables!

Moreover, they were two of the future three Hall Masters. Chen Mobai couldn't afford to offend either of them.

However, Chen Mobai also clearly understood that these two Nascent Soul Venerables invited him not only because of his talent but also because he represented the Martial Arts lineage.

Representing one Soul Transformation Ancestor and two Nascent Soul Venerables!

Previously, this representative was Wang Shuye; now it would be him.

Chen Mobai first went to meet Ying Guanghua.

Naturally, Wang Shuye accompanied him.

The meeting place was a very private club arranged by Lan Haitian.

This was also Chen Mobai's first time meeting the three Hall Masters of the Immortal Sect in person. Ying Guanghua was exactly as he appeared on television: a vibrant young man with a high nose bridge, sharp features, and a face like the warm sun of early spring—both warm and bright.

He wore a brown business suit, a light white shirt underneath, and a dark blue tie, exuding an air of composure amidst his neat and tidy appearance.

When Chen Mobai met his gaze, Ying Guanghua's lips curled slightly into a friendly smile, making him feel at ease.

The current three Hall Masters of the Immortal Sect were all highly praised good leaders.

During Lin Daoming's tenure, Ying Guanghua led the military, upholding the Immortal Sect's various laws and order. He was both the Immortal Sect's most solid shield and its sharpest spear, as well as a charismatic leader who commanded the awe of the populace.

But it was also said that he was a leader skilled at listening to his subordinates' opinions, and very approachable.

“Greetings, Hall Master Ying!”

Upon entering, Chen Mobai bowed to Ying Guanghua.

“Hahaha, excellent, excellent. As expected of a talent destined for Soul Transformation in our Immortal Sect. Indeed, hearing about you doesn't compare to meeting you in person.”

Ying Guanghua stood up, shook Chen Mobai's hand, and returned the greeting.

After speaking, he also greeted Wang Shuye, who was to Chen Mobai's right, making everyone feel as if bathed in a spring breeze.

At this moment, Lan Haitian, who had led them in, closed the room door. Soon, only the four of them remained.

Seeing this, Chen Mobai's heart stirred slightly.

He was somewhat surprised that Lan Haitian, from the Kunpeng Dao Academy, could earn such a high level of trust from Ying Guanghua.

“Are there any updates on Chengxuan?”

With only the four of them remaining, Ying Guanghua's demeanor became more casual, as if treating Chen Mobai and the others as friends. He immediately inquired about Venerable Chengxuan.

“Hall Master Ying, please forgive me, but since the principal and Venerable Yu Yi entered the Jade Peace Minor Realm, there has been no news from them.”

Chen Mobai spoke frankly. At this moment, he suddenly recalled how Venerable Chengxuan had obtained the opportunity to experiment with 'Blossom in an Instant'—it seemed to have been seized after a struggle with Lin Daoming.

He wondered how Venerable Chengxuan managed to win against Lin Daoming, the head of the Immortal Affairs Hall.

“Among us, Chengxuan is second only to Senior Brother Lin Daoming in age. I hope he succeeds in one go, as that would pave a path for us to reach the Soul Transformation stage.”

Ying Guanghua said this with emotion, and Chen Mobai sensed his sincerity in his words.

“Let's hope so.”

However, regarding 'Blossom in an Instant', he had no right to speak, and even if he knew the experiment's progress, he certainly wouldn't disclose it to Ying Guanghua. He could only give a dry laugh, ending the topic.

“If I'm not mistaken, Councilor Chen, after graduating from the Martial Arts Dao Academy, you also studied at our Heaven Patching Dao Academy, didn't you?”

“That's right. Back at Jumang Dao Academy, when I sparred with Senior Brothers Lou Fengcheng and Ling Daoshi, I became deeply fascinated by the profound mysteries of the Space-Measuring Sutra. So, after graduation, at the invitation of Director Fu Borong, I applied to be a graduate student at the Heaven Patching Dao Academy and was fortunate enough to receive guidance from Venerable Yuanxu.”

Chen Mobai went to study at the Heaven Patching Dao Academy not only to learn the Space-Measuring Sutra but also because he desired the background and identity associated with Heaven Patching.

After all, even now, the Heaven Patching lineage remains the undisputed foremost power in the Immortal Sect.

One Soul Transformation, five Nascent Souls!

Even when placed against thousands of years of Immortal Sect history, it could be called the 'Heaven Patching Golden Age'.

“Oh, I haven't heard Yuanxu mention this, but his Space-Measuring Sutra received the true inheritance from Ancestor Qianxing; even I feel inferior to him.”

As Ying Guanghua spoke, he personally opened a bottle of wine and poured some for Chen Mobai, Wang Shuye, and Lan Haitian, who was quietly listening nearby without speaking.

“Indeed, Venerable Yuanxu's Space-Measuring Sutra must be the most envied ability among all researchers in the Immortal Sect. I am not as good as him; I only cultivated abilities useful for cultivation.”

Chen Mobai received the wine glass from Ying Guanghua with both hands, seemingly casually uttering words that made the latter's expression subtly change to one of surprise.

“Has Councilor Chen's Space-Measuring Sutra also reached a mastery level?”

The Space-Measuring Sutra is famously profound and extensive; it's difficult to get started, difficult to advance, and even harder to master completely.

Even a great cultivator like Ying Guanghua, at the ninth stage of Nascent Soul, had only just mastered the Space-Measuring Sutra to a significant degree. So, upon hearing that Chen Mobai had actually cultivated a special ability with it, he was inwardly even more astonished by the terrifying talent of the person before him.

“Yes, when I was studying at the Heaven Patching Dao Academy, my understanding of the Space-Measuring Sutra wasn't profound. Because I had some talent in combat, I wished to apply it to fighting, unaware that I was taking a divergent path.”

“Later, atop Mount Danxia, in my battle against Shi Qing, the reincarnated master of Blossom Court, although I merged my achievements in the Space-Measuring Sutra with my combat talent to unleash the Purple Lightning Sword's power to its extreme and slay Shi Qing, at that moment I realized I had gone astray.”

“What good is powerful combat, when only cultivation realm is the eternal pursuit? If I were to indulge in powerful combat abilities and fail to break through to higher stages like Nascent Soul or even Soul Transformation, I would merely be a skeleton in a grave a few centuries later. So after that, besides cultivating the Pure Yang Scroll, I began to re-evaluate my understanding of the Space-Measuring Sutra.”

“I meditated for twenty years atop Mount Danxia, and finally, one day at sunrise, I entered a state of enlightenment. Not only did my 'Vermillion Phoenix Facing the Sun Diagram' break through to the second layer, but I also thoroughly mastered the Space-Measuring Sutra, cultivating my unique ability: 'Introspection of Self'!”

After Chen Mobai finished speaking, Lan Haitian, who was nearby, was already staring wide-eyed, looking at him in great shock.

However, it wasn't just Lan Haitian; even Ying Guanghua was extremely surprised.

“Junior Brother, I didn't expect you to have already broken through to the second layer of the 'Vermillion Phoenix Facing the Sun Diagram'. You truly are a talent perfectly suited for Soul Transformation, perfectly aligned with the Pure Yang Scroll.”

Wang Shuye, on the side, was also full of admiration.

He had known for a long time that Chen Mobai had mastered the Space-Measuring Sutra. On their first day of meeting, to demonstrate his potential for Soul Transformation before the core circle of the Martial Arts Dao Academy, Chen Mobai had performed the Netherworld Grand Array version of 'Void Walking', greatly astonishing everyone.

Chen Mobai's reason for mastering 'Void Walking' was that his Space-Measuring Sutra had reached a significant level of mastery!