Chapter 779: Beidou Tournament

Pure Nine-Lotus Treasure Lamp

"Sect Master Chen, the Big Dipper Assembly of the Star-Sky Dao Sect is fast approaching. My master, a Nascent Soul cultivator, received an invitation that allows him to bring two disciples. I am willing to give up my slot to you. I wonder if I could exchange it for the right to use that secret treasure?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Mobai fell into contemplation.

The Big Dipper Assembly!

This was arguably the grandest top-tier resource exchange event in the Eastern Continent.

Only Nascent Soul cultivators, at the very least, received invitations from the Star-Sky Dao Sect.

Because of the Three-Light Divine Water, heralded as the foremost Nascent Soul-forming spiritual medicine in the Eastern Continent, even the Dao Sons and Saintesses from the Sacred Lands of the Eastern Earth would personally attend every Big Dipper Assembly.

As for other Golden Core cultivators aspiring to form a Nascent Soul, it went without saying; they would practically fight tooth and nail for a chance to participate.

During each Big Dipper Assembly, almost all Nascent Soul Venerables in the Eastern Continent, excluding those from the demonic sects, would personally attend.

Once cultivation reached the Nascent Soul realm, ordinary resources became useless to them.

To advance further, they required at least Rank 4 elixirs, or even Rank 5 medicinal ingredients. These items were invariably the prized treasures of major sects.

For instance, if Chen Mobai wanted to refine a Nascent Nurturing Pill using Yan Shaoyin's improved formula, he would need the Rank 5 Solar Saint Fruit from the Sunken Sea.

If he tried to purchase these items from the Sunken Sea directly, he would surely be turned away, but at the Big Dipper Assembly, it might be possible to acquire them through exchange.

Furthermore, the Big Dipper Assembly adhered to the Star-Sky Dao Sect's auction principles.

If Chen Mobai offered a high enough price, he could even snatch a portion of the Three-Light Divine Water from under others' noses.

After his immortal spiritual root attained enlightenment and acquired the Grand Pure Flame, Chen Mobai's only remaining challenge for forming a Nascent Soul was the necessary spiritual medicines.

Although he possessed a Nascent Nurturing Pill and would eventually be able to condense a complete Grand Pure Flame and a wisp of Innate Fire Elemental Qi, his success rate was already quite high compared to others.

However, no one would ever complain about an even higher chance.

Moreover, Chen Mobai always believed that when breaking through realms, it was best to overprepare!

After all, if a breakthrough failed, the loss of essence, qi, and spirit was manageable—he was young and could find ways to compensate. But wasted time was lost forever.

Currently, whether in the Immortal Gate or the Heavenly River Realm, Chen Mobai sensed the calm before the storm.

Although news of Nangong Xuanyu forming a Nascent Soul hadn't spread widely, according to the information Zhongli Tianyu gathered, she had indeed succeeded and was now consolidating her realm with Rank 5 spiritual energy in the Primordial Yang Temple, while also awaiting an audience with the Twin Sages of the Immortal Gate.

As for the Heavenly River Realm, Patriarch Muqin of the Empty Mulberry Valley deliberately led her group away from Dongyi to establish a separate residence, indicating that the major war among the three great sects of Dongyi was nearing its end.

If the Xuanxiao Dao Palace became free, given the grievances between them and the Five Elements Sect, a confrontation would be inevitable.

With the Five Elements Sect's current strength, even if they could conquer the Xuanxiao Dao Palace, they would undoubtedly suffer heavy losses and significant depletion of their vital energy.

Therefore, Chen Mobai felt that he must form his Nascent Soul within the shortest possible time.

In this way, he and the forces he represented would be as stable as mountains in both the Eastern Barrens and the Immortal Gate!

Thus, the qualification for the Big Dipper Assembly was indeed quite important to him.

"I wonder if Venerable Muqin has agreed to this matter?" Chen Mobai asked another question, thinking this.

"Before I came, I already discussed this with my master. She has no objections."

Hearing Yi Chenghan's words, Chen Mobai nodded, but he still didn't give a direct reply.

He said he needed two days to consider.

"Then I'll wait for Sect Master Chen's reply here. I heard that your sect's Giantwood Ridge is the second-largest medicinal field in the Eastern Barrens. I happen to be refining a batch of pills to improve cultivation, and I might be able to gather all the necessary ingredients here."

Yi Chenghan's words were likely an excuse, but Chen Mobai still called O'Yin in and asked him to accompany Yi Chenghan to the Spiritual Plant Department to see if they had the herbs he needed.

After Yi Chenghan left, Chen Mobai immediately sought out Fu Zongjue to discuss the matter.

The next day, Zhou Shengqing, having received the news, also hurried over.

"Ah, the Big Dipper Assembly. I also followed my master there twice in the past. If you go, Junior Brother, you should easily be able to gather all the ingredients for a batch of Golden Liquid Jade Reversion Pills."

Zhou Shengqing recalled the past with a sigh.

When the Primordial Patriarch of the Five Elements Sect was alive, as a Nascent Soul cultivator, he was naturally invited by the Star-Sky Dao Sect. Zhou Shengqing, as his second disciple, also accompanied him to broaden his horizons.

It could only be said that many incredibly precious heavenly materials and earthly treasures in the Eastern Barrens, while not ubiquitous at the Big Dipper Assembly, were essentially all available.

As long as one could afford the price and negotiate successfully with the owner, they could acquire it.

Furthermore, the Star-Sky Dao Sect had seven Nascent Soul cultivators, known as the 'Seven Stars of Dongyue,' ruling over a region. It was a super force second only to the Sacred Lands in the entire Eastern Continent.

Transactions completed at the Big Dipper Assembly were guaranteed to be safe, as no one dared to offend the Star-Sky Dao Sect by breaking its rules.

Moreover, if one didn't wish to reveal their identity, the Star-Sky Dao Sect had a large teleportation array, allowing them to leave directly after acquiring items without anyone being able to track them.

"Since that's the case, then agree to it."

After consulting Zhou Shengqing, Chen Mobai also felt relieved.

For him, safety was paramount.

And even if an accident occurred, with the Underworld Grand Array and the Turtle Treasure in hand, he could find a way to escape, even against Nascent Soul cultivators.

However, just in case, Zhou Shengqing still gave Chen Mobai three Spirit Leaf Talismans.

These were Rank 4 mid-grade talismans he had meticulously crafted, capable of withstanding a single attack from a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.

"Thank you, Senior Brother."

Chen Mobai immediately accepted them.

Then they discussed the situation of Empty Mulberry Valley in the Desolate Ruins. Venerable Muqin had previously helped plan the upgrade of the Rank 4 grand array in Beiyuan City, and Chen Mobai had given her the map he and Ye Qing had explored in the Desolate Ruins as a reward.

Venerable Muqin was initially half-skeptical, but after entering the Desolate Ruins, she discovered Sect Master Chen's sincerity and felt ashamed.

She led her cultivators upstream of a river, where they found a Rank 3 spiritual vein suitable for cultivating Pure Bamboo. They were now spending massive amounts of spirit stones to upgrade it to a Rank 4 spiritual vein.

Zhou Shengqing secretly observed for a period. After Venerable Muqin led her disciples in setting up the Rank 4 grand array, he concluded that they were truly committed to establishing a separate residence, so he returned with peace of mind.

However, from his words, Chen Mobai learned that he might have been fooled by Yi Chenghan.

Empty Mulberry Valley's separate residence in the Desolate Ruins had just been established. Although they had upgraded to a Rank 4 spiritual vein and deployed a Rank 4 grand array, in an environment teeming with demonic beasts, it would definitely require high-ranking cultivators to constantly be present and operate the array.

Even if Yi Chenghan hadn't traded his slot to Chen Mobai, he might very well have been left behind by Venerable Muqin to guard the residence.

He used this opportunity to exchange with the Five Elements Sect for a spiritual power cooker to seek a chance for realm breakthrough, while also allowing Venerable Muqin to confidently take True Person Mingwen to the Big Dipper Assembly at the Star-Sky Dao Sect on Mount Dongyue. He gained favor with both sides.

However, even knowing this, Chen Mobai wouldn't expose him.

He even thanked Yi Chenghan.

"Alright, Sect Master Chen, then it's settled. After your sect's two True Persons have used it, this magic artifact will be left for me to use for a period."

After receiving Chen Mobai's affirmative reply, Yi Chenghan happily took his leave.

The Big Dipper Assembly was still two months away.

When Venerable Muqin departed, he would send someone to the Eastern Barrens to inform Chen Mobai.

After discussing the matter, Zhou Shengqing returned to Beiyuan City.

Chen Mobai felt that it was too time-consuming for their high-level discussions, as they had to cross half of the Eastern Barrens to meet each time.

Although the Eastern Barrens wasn't like the Immortal Gate, where full communication coverage was possible, he had developed the Heaven-Connecting Device, which could fully establish signal connections in several key Immortal Cities, especially among the Five Elements' Five Branches.

Acting on his thought, Chen Mobai immediately called O'Yin in and told him about it.

He had long since compiled the blueprints and principles of the Heaven-Connecting Device into a detailed book, and some artifact refiners in the Artifact Refining Department had already reproduced them.

To cover the Five Elements' Five Branches, or even most of the Eastern Barrens, the only issue was the immense cost.

However, with the Eastern Barrens now unified, it was the perfect time to build such infrastructure.

With a command from Chen Mobai, the treasury of the Hall of Merit and Reward, which had just been replenished from the development of the Eastern Barrens Plateau, was once again opened. Spirit stones and materials were allocated, and the comprehensive coverage project for the Heaven-Connecting Device commenced.

This project was divided into three steps. The first was to connect Beiyuan City and Giantwood Ridge!

The second step was to connect the main strongholds of the Five Elements' Five Branches.

These were Primordial Immortal City, Wind-Rain Dock, Fiery Truth Hall, Giantwood Ridge, Golden Light Cliff, and Beiyuan City—six locations, with Beiyuan City as the central signal relay.

Finally, the third step was to connect all nineteen commanderies of the Eastern Barrens, striving to ensure that any place with a Five Elements Sect market could use the Heaven-Connecting Device.

"This project is quite ambitious and will take a long time. Therefore, we need to allocate specialized personnel for long-term maintenance and so on. I plan to establish a new, independent department to oversee it."

As soon as Chen Mobai spoke, O'Yin naturally had no objections. Since the project required the resources of the entire Five Elements Sect, the heads of all three halls and twelve departments were present, awaiting instructions.

"May I ask, Sect Master, what will this department be named?"

The one who asked this was Wang Tingbo, the head of the Artifact Refining Department. He was one of the few artifact refiners, besides Chen Mobai, who could reproduce the Heaven-Connecting Device, and he felt this department should be under his charge.

"Since it's about connecting the entire Eastern Barrens, let's pick a more illustrative name. Let's call it 'Link.'"

"Link!?"

Hearing this name, the various department heads of the Five Elements Sect found it a bit strange but simultaneously voiced their praise.

They expressed that the name was excellent.

The Sect Master surely had a profound meaning behind it.

In truth, Chen Mobai had originally intended to name it 'Heaven-Connecting,' but felt those two characters were too high-profile. He planned to legitimately change the name to that once the Heaven-Connecting Device's signal covered the entire Eastern Continent, or even the Heavenly River Realm.

"For now, O'Yin will be in charge of this department, with Wang Tingbo as his deputy. You two can discuss the specific personnel arrangements and resource expenditures; just present a report to me for review later."

The Five Elements Sect's current team had largely been cultivated by Chen Mobai. He only needed to control the main direction, and the remaining operations and implementation would naturally be handled by the elite talents below.

However, for the Link project, Chen Mobai still provided a primary development outline based on the mature experiences from the Immortal Gate, ensuring that O'Yin and his team would take fewer detours.

"Sect Master, if we are to deploy Heaven-Connecting Devices across all nineteen commanderies of the Eastern Barrens, it might deplete the Five Elements Sect's resources for decades before we can achieve it."

After O'Yin reviewed Chen Mobai's three-step plan, as the de facto head of the Hall of Merit and Reward and the one most knowledgeable about the sect's finances, his expression couldn't help but sour.

"Don't worry. By the time we reach the second step, the cultivation families in the commanderies not yet covered by the Heaven-Connecting Device will actively approach you, requesting coverage. Remember to establish a charging channel then. Don't charge too much—perhaps one low-grade spirit stone for a hundred calls, focusing on small profits but quick turnover."

O'Yin and Wang Tingbo were somewhat confused after hearing Chen Mobai's words.

However, O'Yin had astonishing comprehension. After pondering for a long time, he grasped half of the meaning.

The cost of building full coverage for the Heaven-Connecting Device was to be amortized among the cultivation families of the nineteen commanderies of the Eastern Barrens!

"In two years, after my two grand-disciples finish their ten-year 'gilding' period as guardians, remind me to assign them to the Link department."

Before entering seclusion, Chen Mobai said this to Gu Yan, who was beside him.

After all, O'Yin was his key successor, destined to handle many responsibilities in the future. Once Link was established, he would let O'Yin hand it over to Han Zhiling and Song Huangda.

Since Qing Nü was present, she would definitely be in charge of constructing the Myriad Transformations Thunder Pond in the future.

Song Huangda wouldn't need to be underutilized for these tasks. Since this grand-disciple had experience as an undercover agent, Chen Mobai planned to train him to oversee the various information exchanges via the Heaven-Connecting Device.

If Link could expand beyond the Eastern Barrens in the future, then the intelligence issues plaguing the Five Elements Sect could be resolved.

"Yes, Sect Master!"

Gu Yan took out paper and pen and noted the matter down.

Chen Mobai nodded, then once again sealed off his Evergreen Daoist Temple, announcing his seclusion.

When he returned to the Immortal Gate, a large pile of accumulated official duties awaited him.

However, among these matters, what concerned him most was naturally Nangong Xuanyu's successful Nascent Soul formation.

On Pure Yang Academy's official website, the golden-red banner had changed yesterday to: "Warmest Congratulations on Our School Head's Successful Nascent Soul Formation!"

Although Nangong Xuanyu was still in seclusion in the Primordial Yang Temple consolidating her realm, Pure Yang Academy was already impatient. Besides their own official website, they also pushed this message across all major forums wherever they had authenticated academy accounts.

Indeed, cultivators throughout the Immortal Gate had been discussing this matter for the past two days.

They all praised Nangong Xuanyu, affirming that she was indeed worthy of being called the Immortal Gate's top Golden Core, an invincible existence below the Nascent Soul realm.

After two centuries, the Immortal Gate finally had a new Nascent Soul Venerable!

Following Lin Daoming's defection, the Immortal Gate's Nascent Soul cultivators once again maintained a pattern of fourteen.

This made Chen Mobai very curious: Was this number also deliberately maintained by the higher echelons?

However, he soon realized it was merely a coincidence.

Because, in addition to Nangong Xuanyu, Kunpeng Dao Academy also followed closely, announcing a piece of news.

"Warmest Congratulations to Ms. Ye Yun'e, our excellent graduate, on her Successful Nascent Soul Formation!"

This news, for Chen Mobai, was another piece of rather unwelcome information.

"After all, she's Venerable Beiming's daughter. It's said that to help her form a Nascent Soul, Kunpeng Dao Academy exchanged some valuable resources with the Sea Domain..."

The news of Ye Yun'e forming a Nascent Soul was another major matter requiring a meeting for the Dancing Artifact and Jumang lineages. The four once again sat in a small room, and Wang Xinfu shared something he had learned.

"Perhaps it was the news of Nangong Xuanyu's successful Nascent Soul formation that finally made Kunpeng Dao Academy resolve to act. After all, Nangong Xuanyu is also from the Heaven-Mending lineage. Lin Daoming's departure was a rare opportunity, and if they didn't seize it to rise to the top, the three great halls would again be controlled by the Heaven-Mending lineage for the next thousand years."

Wenren Xuewei analyzed in a calm tone. Among the Immortal Gate's three great halls, for the past millennium, their two lineages had played the role of 'prince's companions,' essentially watching the Kunpeng lineage challenge the Heaven-Mending lineage.

To maintain balance, they generally sided with the Kunpeng lineage during major events.

It was also for this reason that Wang Shuye had a good relationship with Ye Yun'e in the past.

As Nangong Xuanyu had just formed a Nascent Soul, she definitely couldn't compensate for the loss of Lin Daoming, the head of the Immortal Affairs Hall, who had left.

The Kunpeng lineage seizing this opportunity to cultivate Ye Yun'e clearly revealed their intentions.

They wanted to take advantage of this rare opportunity to regain control over the three great halls.

After all, although the current head of the Righteous Law Hall, Shuixian, also graduated from Kunpeng Dao Academy, she actually didn't take sides. If she retired in the future, a clear struggle would certainly ensue if either Heaven-Mending or Kunpeng wanted to appoint their own person to succeed her.

"The Kunpeng lineage should still need our two lineages, though it's also possible they might find another way to personally take our two lineages' seats to strengthen themselves. But no matter what, we just need to endure. Once the two of us form Nascent Souls, everything will be recovered."

Chen Mobai, like Wenren Xuewei, maintained a calm expression. Over the Immortal Gate's six millennia of history, the four great Dao Academies had experienced both struggles and cooperation, peaks and valleys, yet they had persevered.

To humbly admit defeat when strength is insufficient is a form of dignity.

And to return once strength is sufficient is another form of dignity.

In any case, after so many years of struggle among the four lineages within the three great halls, everyone maintained a fundamental bottom line.

Furthermore, the Dancing Artifact lineage, after all, still had Patriarch Baiguang above them.

Although Chen Mobai had never met him, he inexplicably felt that this was his ultimate confidence.

"It seems I can't afford to relax too much either..."

Wenren Xuewei stretched, then rose to return to Jumang Dao Academy, deciding to sacrifice half of her usual tea-drinking time for cultivation.

"Oh, you've also reached the seventh layer of Golden Core!"

Wenren Xuewei, whether intentionally or not, subtly revealed her aura. Upon sensing it, Chen Mobai feigned surprise and asked.

"I just broke through a few days ago, but I'm definitely not as fast as you," Wenren Xuewei replied, with a slight hint of self-satisfaction.

"Congratulations, Committee Member Wenren!"

Wang Xinfu, who was on the side, immediately rose and congratulated her, while Song Yingzhi seemed to already know this, looking at Wenren Xuewei with pride and admiration.

This was the future and hope of their Jumang Dao Academy!

However, her gaze fell upon the ethereal and elegant Chen Mobai, and she secretly envied the Dancing Artifact Dao Academy for having drawn an astonishing genius even more heaven-defying than Wenren Xuewei.

After the small meeting of four concluded, Wenren Xuewei departed using the Void Great Teleportation.

After bidding farewell to Wang Xinfu and Song Yingzhi, Chen Mobai also vanished using the Underworld Grand Array.

The news of Nangong Xuanyu and Ye Yun'e successfully forming Nascent Souls made Chen Mobai, who was already a diligent cultivator, even more dedicated.

He perfectly utilized the efficiency of the Grand Pure Flame every day.

A month later, he returned to Giantwood Ridge and, once again, using the Violet-Green Twin Swords, condensed a wisp of Nine Heavens Clear Spirit Purple Splendor Qi, which he injected into the Grand Pure Flame.

From then on, he could condense two wisps of Pure Yang True Qi every day!

Before acquiring the Grand Pure Flame, he had already condensed ten wisps of Pure Yang True Qi with the Nine Heavens Clear Spirit Purple Splendor Qi, and in the month prior, he had condensed another thirty wisps.

In the upcoming month, he would be able to condense sixty more wisps using the Grand Pure Flame.

Adding these up, it would be exactly one hundred wisps, which meant a complete stream of Pure Yang True Qi!

Chen Mobai was filled with anticipation for this.

With Pure Yang True Qi, he would be able to truly unleash the power of the Haotian Mirror.

At that time, Chen Mobai also planned to utilize the Grand Pure Flame to see if it could help temper his Natal Artifact, enhancing its spirituality.

However, because the Grand Pure Flame was of too high a grade, the Haotian Mirror might not be able to withstand it, so he needed a stream of Pure Yang True Qi before daring to try.

Just as he was contemplating a beautiful future.

A bolt from the blue suddenly struck!

"Dad, Grandma passed away!"

When he received this call from Xiao Hei, her voice laced with sobs, Chen Mobai froze in place.

Although he had long anticipated this day, upon truly receiving the news, an inexpressible heartache still welled up in his mind.

Chen Mobai didn't know how he returned to Danxia City.

By the time he arrived home, relatives had already gathered. Besides his aunt's family, his long-unseen uncle Chen Baolan was also there. They were all dressed in mourning clothes, waiting. Chen Xinglan sat by the bed, his face filled with grief, holding Tang Pancui's hand.

"Son, you're here!"

Even so, upon seeing Chen Mobai, Chen Xinglan suppressed his sorrow, motioning him over to bid Tang Pancui a final farewell.

"Dad, I'm sorry I'm late!"

"It's alright. She left with a smile. With such an outstanding son, and a granddaughter who successfully opened a realm and is hailed as the next Nascent Soul seed, her heart was filled with joy..."

Chen Xinglan spoke, comforting Chen Mobai. The latter, after listening, walked to the bedside and held Tang Pancui's now cold hand.

He transferred a wisp of diluted Pure Yang spiritual power into her, and soon, Tang Pancui, who had been pale, began to regain color.

Chen Mobai saw her eyes tightly closed, her lips slightly curved into a smile.

"Son, after your mother left, I felt my essence, qi, and spirit were almost completely drained. I might also be leaving soon. Remember to take good care of yourself, and of your daughter and her mother."

Chen Xinglan spoke at this moment, uttering these words. Chen Mobai shook his head, but looking up, he indeed saw Chen Xinglan's face was ashen, clearly showing signs of not having long to live.

"Dad..."

Chen Mobai reached out and held him, wanting to transfer Pure Yang spiritual power to him, but Chen Xinglan refused.

"No need. I've lived until now and I'm already content. After failing to establish my foundation twice, I thought I'd be leaving you and your mother a decade or two earlier. Who knew it would be my old partner who went first..."

"But this is also good. I don't want her to be sad. This way, perhaps only you, my son, will be sad."

"Son, remember my words: In one's life, living wonderfully, living happily, and living completely are the most important things."

"Our two lives became truly wonderful and happy the moment you were born."

"And now, it's time to bring it to a perfect conclusion!"

After saying this, Chen Xinglan released Chen Mobai's hand, gently sat down beside Tang Pancui, and then also closed his eyes with a smile.

"Dad!!!"

Chen Mobai couldn't help but cry out in grief.

His aunt Chen Yulan and uncle Chen Baolan, who were keeping vigil nearby, immediately came forward and consoled him.

"Elder Brother had already told us before that he wanted to go with Sister-in-law. He was waiting for you to return to bid you a final farewell."

Chen Baolan spoke these words that left Chen Mobai silent.

In a daze, Chen Mobai watched as his parents were taken to the crematorium.

Then, holding two urns, he came to the pre-selected burial ground, opened the lids, and personally placed them inside.

"Grandpa, Grandma..."

After Chen Mobai, Chen Xiaohei stepped forward to offer incense to Chen Xinglan and Tang Pancui. This was her first appearance before Chen Mobai's relatives. Besides her, Shi Wanyu was also called over by Chen Mobai and introduced to his aunt's family and Chen Baolan.

"Elder Brother had already told us about this before—a good niece-in-law and an outstanding grandniece. It's no wonder that someone of your ambition would be willing to leave behind offspring."

Chen Baolan also highly praised Shi Wanyu and Chen Xiaohei. Chen Xinglan had naturally not revealed the truth about Chen Xiaohei's origins, and Chen Mobai certainly wouldn't now. He merely said it was a love affair from his university days, which ended after graduation when they realized it wasn't suitable, but he hadn't expected it to result in a continuation of his bloodline.

"With such an excellent son like you, and an outstanding granddaughter like Xiao Hei, it's no wonder Elder Brother and Sister-in-law left with smiles."

Chen Baolan offered more words of comfort.

Chen Mobai watched Shi Wanyu and Chen Yulan clean the dust around the tombstone, while chatting with his long-unseen uncle about his recent situation.

"There's been a huge archaeological discovery, possibly the rumored remains of the Purple Heavens Palace..."