Chapter 758: I am irreconcilable with the Ascension Sect (Thanks to Xiao Meng666 for rewarding Qing Nu with the Silver Alliance)

When Lin Daoming made his move, Qing Nü was filled with despair, though she didn't understand why. This was because he was one of the Immortal Sect's most powerful Nascent Soul cultivators; they had no means of resistance whatsoever. However, the sight of Chen Mobai standing before her, not retreating a single step, ignited a flicker of final solace amidst her despair. At that moment, she had already decided to face death alongside him. When the silver light enveloped them both, Qing Nü grasped Chen Mobai's outstretched hand firmly, holding on tightly. This was her only bond in the Immortal Sect, the psychological pillar that had supported her for decades. Fortunately, after the silver light dissipated, the feeling of their intertwined hands remained.

"We've arrived!" Chen Mobai's gentle voice reached her ears. Qing Nü slowly opened her eyes, but her hands remained tightly clasped.

Then, a colossal divine tree, its canopy blotting out the sky and its trunk reaching into the clouds, appeared before her eyes. As a student of the Gou Mang Daoist Academy, she could confirm this was a Tier 4 spiritual plant she had never seen before. Surrounding this divine tree were countless other spiritual plants, all Tier 1 and flourishing with lush branches and leaves.

"Where are we? Is this Yumucheng?" Qing Nü assumed that only in Yumucheng could Chen Mobai set up coordinates for a spatial teleportation array.

"This is a small realm, which I've named the Divine Wood Realm. However, the force that owns this small realm calls it the Divine Tree Secret Realm!" Chen Mobai tried to explain using terms from the Immortal Sect. Qing Nü had actually introduced him to the term "small realm" when he was about to retrieve Enlightenment Tea from the Gou Mang Daoist Academy's Serene Small Realm.

"There doesn't seem to be any small realm named 'Divine Wood' or 'Divine Tree' in the Immortal Sect, right?" Qing Nü gazed doubtfully at the lush Red Sun spiritual trees around them and the Talent Tree not far ahead, wondering if there were hidden small realms in the Immortal Sect she didn't know about, accessible only to core cultivators like Chen Mobai.

"No, there isn't in the Immortal Sect, because we are no longer in the Immortal Sect." Chen Mobai's casual remark left Qing Nü still unaware of the gravity of the situation. She furrowed her brow slightly, thinking of a possibility.

"Could this be a small realm left behind by an ancient Daoist lineage?" On the Terrestrial Star, besides the small realms left by the Immortal Sect's God Transformation ancestors, there were also those from ancient Daoist traditions, such as the renowned Purple霄 Palace.

"No, we are no longer on the Terrestrial Star. This is another world!" Chen Mobai's words finally made Qing Nü realize the truth. Her eyes widened as she stared disbelievingly at the refined young man before her.

"An alternate world!?" Every Immortal Sect cultivator had been educated since childhood about the wars of creation and the opening of new worlds. As a cultivator from the Mending Heaven Group, Qing Nü had naturally heard about the anomalies at the World Gate, and that contact with a new alternate world was expected in about fifty years.

"That's right. To the Immortal Sect, this is an alternate world." Chen Mobai's words left Qing Nü momentarily stunned. She looked at the unfamiliar spiritual plants around them and thought of another possibility.

"Did the Three Great Halls use the World Gate to send powerful Golden Core Perfected Ones like you here in advance to gather information about this alternate world? Will you be punished by the Three Great Halls for bringing me here?" Chen Mobai shook his head, smiling as he led Qing Nü to the Talent Tree.

"There's a secret I've never told you: I am actually a Void Spirit Physique!" Qing Nü's face showed shock, but then quickly shifted to an "as expected" expression. If he weren't a Void Spirit Physique, how could Chen Mobai have so easily opened a Golden Core Domain during his Foundation Establishment stage? Only as a Void Spirit Physique would Chen Mobai's mastery of Void Walking at the Golden Core stage make sense.

"My Void Spirit Physique is incredibly powerful, but it didn't fully awaken until I was eighteen. After awakening, it allowed me to freely travel between the Immortal Sect and this alternate world," Chen Mobai explained. "Over the years, I joined a local sect in this alternate world, using its resources to cultivate while also observing everything about this world. This time, when Yan Xinjie and Lin Daoming attacked you, I couldn't stand by. So, without your permission, I brought you to this alternate world. I'm truly sorry!"

Chen Mobai's words left Qing Nü utterly stunned. Although she knew Chen Mobai's rapid cultivation must be due to a secret, she never imagined it would be like this. A Void Spirit Physique capable of freely traveling between the Terrestrial Star and an alternate world—this was an unprecedentedly powerful spirit physique in the Immortal Sect. It was probably even stronger than the Pure Yang Physique! Indeed, he was the most talented person in the Immortal Sect's history!

"So, can we still go back?" With great effort, Qing Nü calmed herself from the turbulent shock and asked the question that concerned her most.

"Probably not," Chen Mobai said, shaking his head. "According to Yan Xinjie, you possess Fetal Transformation Qi within you, which even God Transformation ancestors covet..." He began to reveal everything he knew about the Immortal Bud Cultivation Plan.

When Qing Nü learned that she was cultivated by Yan Xinjie using his deceased daughter's genes, and was merely a cauldron to filter and transform Fetal Transformation Qi, her hands clenched into fists. "Then, Little Chen and Little Jing, aren't they also cauldrons?!" Yan Xinjie had told Chen Mobai that Qing Nü, Kong Feichen, and Yang Jing had all integrated Fetal Transformation Qi, but Yan Xinjie's words now held no credibility for Chen Mobai. Nevertheless, one thing was certain: Qing Nü's body definitely contained Fetal Transformation Qi, otherwise Yan Xinjie wouldn't have gone to such great lengths. Even Lin Daoming, in the end, couldn't resist the temptation, choosing to defect from the Immortal Sect rather than not attack Chen Mobai and Qing Nü.

"Since those two are still alive, they probably don't have Fetal Transformation Qi. You can rest assured for now." Chen Mobai offered this comfort, but he actually believed that given the great effort the Ascension Cult expended to take Kong Feichen and Yang Jing from Danxia City back then, and Yan Xinjie even revealing himself to act personally, those two probably also had Fetal Transformation Qi within them. However, he certainly couldn't say that to Qing Nü. He only hoped that Kong Feichen and Yang Jing could hold on until he formed his Nascent Soul and took charge of the Immortal Sect's Three Great Halls. If that happened, Chen Mobai would still have a chance to rescue them.

"So, from now on, will we live in this alternate world?" For Qing Nü, anywhere Chen Mobai was, she could survive. Although she couldn't return to the Immortal Sect now, it was actually better for her. Because she had finally seen his true self, learning about the even more astonishing Void Spirit Physique hidden beneath his God Transformation potential! It was at this moment that she felt there were no longer any barriers between them. Here, they could finally be together openly and honestly!

"Yes, as I said, you will spend the rest of your life with me." Chen Mobai nodded gently. Hearing these words, Qing Nü could no longer restrain herself and threw herself into his embrace. Chen Mobai felt her soft, boneless body press tightly against him. His body trembled slightly, and his hands were somewhat at a loss, but finally, he raised his right hand and gently embraced Qing Nü.

After a while, when Qing Nü's emotions had stabilized, Chen Mobai began to tell her everything about the Divine Tree Secret Realm. "Back in the Immortal Sect, I still have my parents, friends, teachers, juniors, and so on. So, later, I'll have to go back to check on them and also explain your disappearance. But don't worry, once I've handled things in the Immortal Sect, I'll return immediately to be with you. This Divine Tree Secret Realm is a place of inheritance left by a great ancient sect, featuring three divine trees. There's an issue with the Great Dao Tree, so I won't take you there. But you haven't visited the Talent Tree or the Artifact Tree here, so this is a good opportunity for you to try your luck and see what treasures you can obtain." As he spoke, Chen Mobai reached out and patted Qing Nü's smooth back, pointing to the Talent Tree right before them. Last time, his Earth Spirit Root broke through to 80 points, so he came here to acquire a grand art from the Longevity Sect. That's why, when he used the Turtle Treasure to teleport himself and Qing Nü, they ended up here.

After listening to Chen Mobai's explanation, Qing Nü became filled with curiosity about the Talent Tree. "With your Heavenly Water Spirit Root, you'll definitely be able to enter the Longevity Sect's inheritance space. Inside, there are five great immortal scriptures and twenty-four grand arts. Just pick one of the blue or black conceptualized grand arts; I've already obtained the rest over the years." As he spoke, Chen Mobai took a jade slip from his storage pouch. Carved on it was a Water Element Immortal Scripture—the "Abyssal Nether Scripture of the Black Emperor"!

Qing Nü took it, swept her divine sense over it, and her face once again showed shock. It was actually a cultivation method that could lead to the God Transformation stage. Although the Immortal Sect's God Transformation grand methods could be downloaded with enough points, this Abyssal Nether Scripture of the Black Emperor was a pure water-attribute God Transformation grand method that the Immortal Sect didn't even possess. If she had cultivated and grown in the Immortal Sect, even if her Heavenly Water Spirit Root allowed her to reach the Nascent Soul stage, she would then have to switch to cultivating the Six Imperial Scripture or the Jade Purity Scripture to achieve God Transformation. Moreover, neither the Six Imperial Scripture nor the Jade Purity Scripture would perfectly suit her. She would only be able to extract their essences and see if she could forge her own path to God Transformation. But with this Abyssal Nether Scripture of the Black Emperor, it was completely different! Her Heavenly Water Spirit Root perfectly matched this Longevity Sect's Water Element Immortal Scripture, allowing her to cultivate it all the way to the God Transformation stage.

"Thank you!" After finishing reading, Qing Nü didn't stand on ceremony with Chen Mobai. She happily accepted the Abyssal Nether Scripture of the Black Emperor. With this, she now had hope of keeping pace with Chen Mobai's cultivation progress for the next thousand years. She was already looking forward to spending eternity with Chen Mobai in this alternate world, until the seas dry up and rocks decay.

"Later, you just look for the conceptualizations of these inheritances and grasp them..." At this point, Chen Mobai began to instruct her on the process of acquiring grand arts from the Talent Tree. With his familiar guidance, Qing Nü naturally had no problems. Even so, when she emerged from the inheritance space, her face was filled with wonder. It was a very novel experience for her.

"I obtained a technique called 'Droplet Sword'!" Qing Nü described the grand art inheritance she had received. This grand art was an offensive technique activated by using "Abyssal Nether True Water," condensed from the Abyssal Nether Scripture of the Black Emperor, as its core. It involved condensing immense, boundless Abyssal Nether True Water into a single droplet, which would then fall like a sword, capable of piercing through the world's most resilient defenses and restrictions. The most impressive part was that the power of this technique had no upper limit! As long as enough Abyssal Nether True Water was condensed, the power of the Droplet Sword could be infinitely increased!

"Excellent. The Heavenly River Realm is quite martial, so you'll need such an offensive grand art to enhance your combat capabilities." After hearing this, Chen Mobai couldn't help but nod, remarking on Qing Nü's excellent luck. He had spent so long cultivating from the Talent Tree, and the four water-attribute grand arts he obtained were Water Escape, Azure Water Heavenly Net, Ruyi Water Mist, and Water Mirror Reflection. Among these, Water Escape was an escape art, which, once mastered, allowed one to travel and teleport anywhere with water in the world. The other three grand arts, like Droplet Sword, required Abyssal Nether True Water as their source to be activated. "Azure Water Heavenly Net" was a defensive art that could change forms with a thought, known as the Longevity Sect's most flexible defense. "Ruyi Water Mist" was a mist art; any divine sense entering it would lose itself, and even spirit-eye techniques, if not sufficiently cultivated, would become disoriented. It could cover one's entire body on a small scale, or spread over tens of thousands of feet, enveloping an entire continent, on a large scale. It was said that the Longevity Sect's territory was once covered by Ruyi Water Mist to prevent outsiders from prying into the Celestial Venerable's true form! And "Water Mirror Reflection" was a wondrous art that allowed observation of distant places! When cultivated to the extreme, the Abyssal Nether True Water would act like a reflective orb, capable of mirroring everything within tens of thousands of miles by utilizing the omnipresent water vapor in the void, displaying every minute detail. Chen Mobai had originally thought these grand arts would be unused in his possession forever, but now, being able to give them to Qing Nü for cultivation, he felt as if he had gained something.

"Then I need to find a way to form my Golden Core as soon as possible. It's just a pity that I've left the Immortal Sect, so I can no longer obtain Golden Liquid Jade Return Pills or Water Element Gold Condensation Pills!" As Qing Nü spoke, she felt a happy kind of trouble. To condense complete Abyssal Nether True Water, one needed to reach the Golden Core stage. At her current peak Foundation Establishment realm, she could at most condense spiritual power containing partial characteristics of Abyssal Nether True Water.

"Don't worry about that. My Five Elements Sect has already unified the Eastern Barrens and can collect the medicinal ingredients needed to refine Golden Liquid Jade Return Pills." With Qing Nü brought to the Heavenly River Realm, Chen Mobai no longer had to worry about alchemists in the future. Her alchemy skills were that of a true genius, having undergone systematic study and fully inheriting the true traditions in the Immortal Sect. Once she formed her Golden Core, she could probably easily refine Tier 4 elixirs. This way, for the three spiritual medicines needed for Nascent Soul formation in the future, as long as the materials could be gathered, she could also refine them.

"There probably aren't any alchemy facilities like those in the Immortal Sect here, right? After you go back, you can try to procure some old ones and send them here. Then, I'll take care of the alchemy. Once I've finished transforming my cultivation method, I'll use my Heavenly Spirit Root's essence to form my Golden Core first, and then compensate with elixirs when I form my Nascent Soul." When speaking of alchemy, Qing Nü's face showed confidence. In the past, it was precisely because of her exceptional alchemy skills that Chen Mobai took notice of her. And to demonstrate her value, she had made up her mind to officially begin forming her Golden Core once she had mastered the Abyssal Nether Scripture of the Black Emperor.

"There's no hurry for that. You should first convert your cultivation method. I've collected some water-attribute Golden Core spiritual items over the years. When you form your Golden Core, I guarantee they won't be inferior to the Golden Liquid Jade Return Pill!" Chen Mobai certainly wouldn't let Qing Nü use her Heavenly Spirit Root's essence when forming her Golden Core. He still had a Water Element Spirit Fruit, as well as the Ice Marrow Pure Jade and Water Mist Ice Crystal he obtained from Kong Lingling. Although the latter two were primarily most useful for ice spirit root cultivators, they still had half an effect on water-attribute cultivation methods. However, in his opinion, with Qing Nü's talent and profound foundation, just one Water Element Spirit Fruit should be sufficient. But after all, this had already been promised to Luo Yixuan previously. Although Luo Yixuan would most likely succeed without it, for the sake of caution, it would be better to wait until Luo Yixuan formed her Golden Core.

"Okay, I'll listen to you!" Qing Nü now trusted Chen Mobai completely, nodding obediently to his every word.

Next, Chen Mobai took her to the Artifact Tree. Her talent was judged to be at the Saintess level of the Longevity Sect. So, this time, she was very lucky, obtaining a pool of Abyssal Nether True Water from a blue-black fruit! For Qing Nü, this was quite a fortunate coincidence. She only needed to refine these to be able to cast those water-attribute grand arts even at the Foundation Establishment stage. Seeing Qing Nü's somewhat flustered state, Chen Mobai took out a set of spirit-sealing tubes from his domain and helped her collect the pool of Abyssal Nether True Water.

"This is a storage pouch I used before. You can use it for now." Chen Mobai explained the function of the storage pouch. Qing Nü was greatly surprised upon hearing it. She never expected this alternate world to be so rich in resources!

"The spiritual energy of the earth veins in this Divine Tree Secret Realm is mostly suppressed by the three divine trees. I have a wooden hut near a Golden Sun spiritual tree; you can go there for secluded cultivation. I've put a thousand mid-grade spirit stones in the storage pouch. Don't be frugal with your daily cultivation; convert your cultivation method to the Abyssal Nether Scripture of the Black Emperor as quickly as possible." Chen Mobai's words made Qing Nü's hands tremble slightly as she took the storage pouch. A thousand mid-grade spirit stones? This, this, this... this is too extravagant! Even though Chen Mobai told her that spirit stones were not valuable in the Heavenly River Realm, the frugality she had cultivated since childhood in the Immortal Sect still made her hesitant to use them.

"No one will come here, but if you happen to encounter cultivators from the Five Elements Sect in this Divine Tree Secret Realm, just say you are my invited guest." Chen Mobai had set up a puppet factory in this secret realm, run by Li Yixian from the Puppet Department and his team. He wouldn't restrict Qing Nü's freedom; if she happened to encounter them while exploring, she could use this explanation. Finally, he cautioned Qing Nü not to go near the Great Dao Tree. At this point, the two had arrived at the wooden hut by the Tier 3 Golden Sun spiritual tree. Chen Mobai talked with her for a while longer, and feeling that it was almost time, he first used the Underworld Grand Formation to teleport away from here, and then clicked on the Turtle Treasure to return to the city.

Amidst the shimmering silver light, Chen Mobai's figure reappeared in Nancheng. The spot where he had originally disappeared with Qing Nü was now cordoned off with yellow tape and surrounded by restrictions set up by the city's enforcement cultivators. The moment he appeared, he was instantly spotted by the enforcement cultivators guarding the area!

"Deputy Department Head Chen, you're finally back! Quickly, notify Hall Master Qi!" Chen Mobai's face was deeply etched in their memories, so the moment they saw him, a middle-aged enforcement cultivator leading the team immediately rushed over, instructing a subordinate nearby. Before long, a silver star lit up in the sky and descended upon Nancheng. Then, Qi Yuheng stepped out of the void, looking at Chen Mobai with a slight frown.

"Where did you go?" Chen Mobai naturally recognized Qi Yuheng and was somewhat surprised to see him come personally. But he quickly realized that with Lin Daoming's betrayal, if it weren't for Qi Yuheng, the Immortal Sect's top Nascent Soul cultivator, only the two ancestors, Baiguang and Qianxing, coming personally would be able to stabilize the situation.

"This matter is of great importance; it's not suitable to discuss it here." As Chen Mobai spoke, he gestured towards the Nancheng enforcement cultivators around them. The middle-aged team leader immediately led his subordinate team away.

"Reporting to Hall Master Qi, Lin Daoming betrayed the Immortal Sect, colluded with the Ascension Cult heretics, and tried to abduct Qing Nü, my subordinate. To prevent them from succeeding, I feigned compliance and activated the spatial teleportation talisman they gave me. In reality, at the moment of teleportation, I used a void secret art, intending to follow Qing Nü and ensure she didn't fall into the Ascension Cult's hands. However, it seems my Void Walking was affected by the spatial teleportation talisman, and after leaving the Terrestrial Star, I lost my way, which is why I've only just returned." When they were alone, Chen Mobai gave his explanation. Qi Yuheng didn't know whether to believe him or not.

"You are from the Righteous Law Hall, and I am not qualified to interrogate you. Come with me back to Wangwu Grotto-heaven, and await the joint trial of the Three Halls and Three Departments." Chen Mobai nodded slightly upon hearing this. He held a high position in the Immortal Sect, and especially with such a significant event as Lin Daoming's betrayal, the case would certainly not be settled so easily. However, in this matter, he was also a victim, and with so many witnesses in public, the Immortal Sect's interrogation of him would surely focus on verifying the truth of the events.

Since Chen Mobai couldn't perform spatial teleportation, Qi Yuheng booked the next available flight for him, returning directly from Nancheng to Wangwu Grotto-heaven. Chen Mobai was the Deputy Head of the Enforcement Department. Nominally, only the Head of the Enforcement Department Wen Lianshan, the Vice Hall Master of the Righteous Law Hall Gongsun Jielu, and the Hall Master of the Righteous Law Hall Shuixian could interrogate him. But because it involved Lin Daoming and the Ascension Cult, besides the Righteous Law Hall, the Immortal Affairs Hall and Kaiyuan Hall would also surely need to send representatives. This was the Immortal Sect's joint trial of the Three Halls and Three Departments! However, those qualified to participate in the joint trial, upon learning of the matter, all tried every means to refuse, either falling ill or experiencing cultivation deviations, some even succumbing to qi deviation. Besides Chen Mobai being a party involved from the Dancer Artifact lineage, Lin Daoming's defection could implicate too many people and matters! They were deeply afraid of being accidentally dragged into it.

Thus, Chen Mobai, back in Wangwu Grotto-heaven, found himself enjoying a rare period of leisure. He was arranged by Qi Yuheng to stay at the Welcoming Immortal Hotel in Wufeng Immortal Mountain. The next day, Shuixian arrived, leading Gongsun Jielu. After Shuixian inquired about the events, she revealed a piece of news to him. When Qi Yuheng arrived in Nancheng, he immediately used the Great Teleportation Art to pursue Lin Daoming along the void traces, chasing him beyond the Terrestrial Star's firmament. After traversing tens of thousands of miles through space, he caught up with Lin Daoming and engaged in a fierce battle with him. Ultimately, Yan Xinjie's true body arrived and, together with Lin Daoming, forced Qi Yuheng to retreat. Qi Yuheng also expended considerable vital energy in this battle. After returning, he entered secluded cultivation, entrusting the matter of the joint trial of the Three Halls and Three Departments to Ye Yun'e, the Vice Hall Master of the Kaiyuan Hall.

Upon hearing that name, Chen Mobai couldn't help but frown. His relationship with this woman was merely ordinary! She wouldn't take this opportunity to cause trouble for him, would she? However, under the current circumstances, Chen Mobai couldn't very well let the Dancer Artifact lineage operate, as it would make him seem guilty. Fortunately, the matter of Fetal Transformation Qi, which Yan Xinjie and Lin Daoming discussed in the air, was not overheard by anyone; otherwise, things wouldn't have been so simple. The problem still lay in explaining Qing Nü's disappearance! But Chen Mobai had already thought of a plan! At worst, he would say that Qing Nü was taken away by the spatial teleportation talisman, and he, with his Void Walking technique, was unable to track her. Qing Nü might have already fallen into the hands of the Ascension Cult. Anyway, Qing Nü definitely wouldn't return before he gained supreme authority in the Immortal Sect in the future. Even if she was branded a heretic by the Immortal Sect, like Kong Feichen, it wouldn't have any impact!

Just as Chen Mobai was thinking this, the Immortal Sect's Three Great Halls finally classified Lin Daoming's defection and subsequently reached an agreement on personnel, forming the joint trial team of the Three Halls and Three Departments. In a conference room at the Welcoming Immortal Hotel, Chen Mobai sat on a raised platform, facing seven high-ranking individuals from the Three Great Halls. Hall Master Shuixian, Vice Hall Master Gongsun Jielu of the Righteous Law Hall, and Department Head Wen Lianshan of the Enforcement Department were all present. From Kaiyuan Hall came Ye Yun'e and another rotating committee member named Shi Miao. From the Immortal Affairs Hall were Vice Hall Master Bai Xiangqian and Lan Haitian.

"Commissioner Chen, this is a Heart-Seeking Talisman!" Lan Haitian placed a talisman on the table, gesturing towards Chen Mobai, who nodded. This would verify whether Chen Mobai was speaking the truth or lying. Soon, all seven individuals present began questioning him about Lin Daoming's defection. Chen Mobai recounted everything he knew.

"Why did Lin Daoming try to abduct your subordinate, Qing Nü, before his defection?" Finally, Ye Yun'e asked the most crucial question.

"As far as I know, when Lin Daoming served as the Immortal Affairs Hall Master, he collaborated with Yan Xinjie to initiate the Immortal Bud Cultivation Plan. Qing Nü was their most prized creation in this plan, which is why they wanted to take her away!" Every word Chen Mobai spoke was the truth, he just omitted the part about Fetal Transformation Qi.

"Where is Qing Nü now?"

"She was taken away by a spatial teleportation technique. I can only confirm that she is no longer on the Terrestrial Star."

"Do you have any connection with the Ascension Cult?" This question was somewhat sharp. After hearing it, Chen Mobai looked up at Ye Yun'e and shook his head firmly.

"I am irreconcilably opposed to the Ascension Cult, and we cannot coexist!" The Heart-Seeking Talisman showed that everything Chen Mobai said was the truth!

(End of this chapter)