Chapter 786: You Are a Member of the Yuan Dao Palace

“Sect Leader Chen, what is this?”

Yuan Zhen was somewhat surprised that Chen Mobai would produce a Water Spirit Pearl. As the Saintess of the Nine Heavens Demon Extermination Sect, she had seen plenty of such items. She even possessed one pearl that could rival a top-grade spirit stone.

“Saintess, this is a magical artifact I obtained after inheriting the legacy of the Longevity Sect. It’s called the Ever-Youth Pearl. Although it has no specific grade, it possesses a rather remarkable function.” Chen Mobai briefly fabricated the origin of the Ever-Youth Pearl.

“Oh, what is it?” As Yuan Zhen listened, she casually picked up her teacup, took a sip, and continued the conversation.

“After a cultivator refines this Ever-Youth Pearl, they can maintain eternal youth and never age...”

*Clink!*

Just as Chen Mobai spoke, the teacup in Yuan Zhen's hand dropped. Fortunately, it was also a magical artifact and did not shatter when it hit the stone floor.

Yuan Zhen gazed intently at the Ever-Youth Pearl in Chen Mobai's hand. Had she not been the Saintess of the Nine Heavens Demon Extermination Sect, she likely would have snatched it already.

“Last time, regarding Venerable Bingyun, I haven't properly thanked the Saintess. Since we met again in Stone City, I thought of offering this Ever-Youth Pearl as a token of my gratitude...” As Chen Mobai spoke, he held up the Ever-Youth Pearl and offered it to Yuan Zhen.

“How could I possibly...” Though Yuan Zhen spoke these words, her hand showed no hesitation whatsoever, quickly taking the pearl. She examined the Ever-Youth Pearl thoroughly, turning it over several times, then used the treasure appraisal technique of the Nine Heavens Demon Extermination Sect that she had learned to appraise it. Because the Ever-Youth Pearl's grade wasn't high, and Chen Mobai had directly given her the refining incantation, she easily appraised it.

“This item is far too precious. Sect Leader Chen, are you truly giving it to me?” Although Yuan Zhen adored the pearl, she was, after all, a descendant of a Soul Transformation cultivator from a sacred land. Even when faced with such a rare treasure, she maintained a shred of clarity and asked again.

“Regarding Venerable Bingyun, if not for the Saintess's help, even if our Five Elements Sect could have driven her away, we would have suffered severe losses. This is a great kindness, and I even feel this Ever-Youth Pearl is insufficient as a token of gratitude.”

As soon as Chen Mobai spoke these words, Yuan Zhen's heart instantly lightened. To be honest, as the Saintess of the Nine Heavens Demon Extermination Sect, she had been taught since childhood by her family never to owe favors to anyone, lest it hinder her cultivation in the future. Now Chen Mobai had provided an excellent reason, making Yuan Zhen feel that she could accept the Ever-Youth Pearl.

However, she also knew that Chen Mobai had definitely suffered a great loss in this exchange. After all, elixirs that could grant cultivators eternal youth and ageless beauty were legendary immortal pills in the Tianhe Realm. It was said that only the Immortal Pill refined by a Soul Transformation cultivator from the Daoist Sect, at the invitation of the Eastern Earth Imperial Court for the Emperor and Empress, possessed such a function. Of course, the Ever-Youth Pearl certainly couldn't compare to the Tier 6 Immortal Pill, as the latter was hailed as an undying divine medicine, with eternal youth and ageless beauty being merely one of its auxiliary functions.

But when Yuan Zhen heard her family elders speak of the Immortal Pill in her childhood, she was instantly captivated by the phrase "eternal youth and ageless beauty." At that time, she had thought, if only the Immortal Pill's formula could be simplified and broken down to create a lower-grade version that still offered eternal youth and ageless beauty. Unexpectedly, ancient predecessors had already achieved this. The Longevity Sect truly lived up to its name as a grand sect that worshipped Celestial Venerables in ancient times.

“Sect Leader Chen, your cultivation is nearing the peak of Core Formation. I'll see if I can discuss with Venerable Xingyun of the Starry Sky Dao Sect about reserving a portion of the Three Lights Divine Water for you.” However, Yuan Zhen still felt a bit embarrassed accepting the Ever-Youth Pearl for such a minor contribution. After some thought, she uttered words that both surprised and puzzled Chen Mobai.

“Isn't that item only sold to outsiders during the Big Dipper Assembly? How can it be reserved?” Upon hearing this, Yuan Zhen looked towards the stone pagoda standing not far from their Tier 4 cave-dwelling, where the Nascent Soul cultivators of the Starry Sky Dao Sect resided. She let out a cold snort and revealed the secret behind it.

“The Starry Sky Dao Sect's methods only fool others. Every time they hold the Big Dipper Assembly, they essentially invite us sacred lands and then declare that there's only one portion of Three Lights Divine Water, making us bid against each other. Among fellow sacred lands, our reputations offer no deterrence; we can only compete through fair means. To obtain the Three Lights Divine Water this way, we're bound to pay a hefty price.

“But after several times, we realized what was happening. Once, after a Big Dipper Assembly, we compared notes and discovered that the Three Lights Divine Water, which was publicly declared to be only one portion, had actually been sold simultaneously to four sacred lands. After discovering this, we were naturally outraged and confronted the Starry Sky Dao Sect together. However, the Starry Sky Dao Sect claimed it was a normal business tactic, but under the pressure from our four sects, they still made reparations.

“Because of this incident, we found that the actual production of Three Lights Divine Water was not as scarce as the Starry Sky Dao Sect claimed. So we agreed that every sixty years, in addition to the Big Dipper Assembly auction, if any of our sacred lands needed it, they must provide one portion to us. Of course, we would also exchange it for normal Tier 5 spirit items or resources. The portion of Three Lights Divine Water my senior brother used for his Nascent Soul formation came from this arrangement.”

Chen Mobai listened to Yuan Zhen's revelations and couldn't help but marvel. One could only say that there was a reason the Starry Sky Dao Sect could conduct such a massive business. Both their auctions and their apparent limited sales, designed to incite competition among buyers, were long-standing core business strategies from the Immortal Sects.

“But since your esteemed sect's sixty-year quota has already been used, Saintess, how can you reserve one for me?” Chen Mobai asked this question, though even if Yuan Zhen could genuinely use the Nine Heavens Demon Extermination Sect's quota to reserve it for him, he would certainly decline. If he, an outsider, were to rashly occupy it, news might spread, and high-ranking members of the Nine Heavens Demon Extermination Sect might come knocking. Before possessing absolute strength, one should not forcefully take what does not belong to them.

“It's fine. This quota is available to all four great sacred lands of the Eastern Earth. And the One Yuan Dao Palace has been sealed off since the events of a hundred years ago. Since you've cultivated the Primordial Chaos True Qi and have a pure lineage, I'll just say you're from the One Yuan Dao Palace. However, this matter needs to be discussed with my senior brother when he returns. Once we finalize the plan, I'll inform you.” Yuan Zhen, however, proposed a method that astonished Chen Mobai. And surprisingly, upon closer thought, it truly could work.

“In that case, I might need to prepare the resources to purchase the Three Lights Divine Water...” Chen Mobai mumbled to himself. As for that, Yuan Zhen could do nothing to help. The Tier 5 spirit items she herself exchanged for the Three Lights Divine Water were all prepared by the Nine Heavens Demon Extermination Sect, a benefit of her status as Saintess.

The two spoke a few more words. Chen Mobai noticed Yuan Zhen's gaze constantly fixed on the Ever-Youth Pearl in her hand as she spoke, knowing that her entire focus was now on it.

“Saintess, it's getting late. I shall take my leave now. This box of tea is for Venerable Ye Qing...” Chen Mobai left a box of Tier 3 Snow Needle Immortal Buds. Yuan Zhen rose and saw him out the door, then hurried back to refine the Ever-Youth Pearl.

“Senior...” He Sui was surprisingly still waiting at the door, which surprised Chen Mobai. After arranging for He Sui to monitor several materials he needed in Stone City over the next few days, Chen Mobai returned to his Tier 3 cave-dwelling.

He hung the *Cantong Qi* on the Scarlet Cloud Mist Gauze, then employed the Art of Advancement, refining the four other Tier 3 materials needed to upgrade the artifact into it, one by one, in sequence. This Soul Transformation grand spell was probably the one he used most skillfully. Chen Mobai felt that if he had been able to comprehend the *Cantong Qi* while studying at the Daoist Academy, he would now at least be a Tier 4 artifact refiner of the Immortal Sects. But it wasn't too late now.

That day, with a thunderous, surging drumbeat that echoed through the clouds, all cultivators in Stone City knew that this year's Big Dipper Assembly had officially begun. Chen Mobai, who had just refined his Scarlet Cloud Mist Gauze to Tier 3 peak, felt the powerful drumbeat resonate perfectly with his essence, qi, and spirit. It awakened him while also clearing his blood circulation and sharpening his mind.

This was the Starry Sky Dao Sect's sect-guarding artifact, the Tier 5 "Starry Sky Quaking Drum." It was said that after striking the Seven Luminaries Drumbeats, it could even shake Soul Transformation True Monarchs to death! Besides this, the drum's sound could also cleanse one's essence, qi, and spirit, allow one to perceive the melody of the starry sky, and enhance divine sense. The Big Dipper Assembly would begin and end with the drum's sound. During the forty-nine days of the assembly, the "Starry Sky Quaking Drum" would be struck once every day.

After being roused, Chen Mobai reached out and condensed the Scarlet Cloud Mist Gauze, which had transformed into a multicolored cloud light, into a wisp and tucked it into his sleeve. This magical artifact, which had been with him for a long time, had now been upgraded to Tier 3 peak. Next, Chen Mobai only needed to refine the Tier 4 Water Mist Ice Crystal in his hand into it to elevate it to Tier 4.

However, after witnessing Venerable Xinghuo's process of refining and imbuing an artifact with a spirit, Chen Mobai felt that he could do the same. Or rather, as the current public face of the Artifact Dance Dao Academy, he *had* to do this. Elevating the Scarlet Cloud Mist Gauze to Tier 4 while cultivating a spirit within it would align with his persona as a genius from the Immortal Sects. Moreover, the Scarlet Cloud Mist Gauze was the artifact he had used for the longest time. When he had previously synchronized with it, he had indeed sensed a faint trace of spirituality. If refined properly with the Art of Advancement, cultivating an artifact spirit should not be an issue. Furthermore, it must be upgraded in the public eye in Stone City, displaying the successful imbuement of a spirit. This was also crucial for him to successfully impersonate a successor of the One Yuan Dao Palace.

Yuan Zhen and Ye Qing discussed this matter. While Ye Qing didn't agree, she also didn't object, but stated that as a Dao Child from a sacred land, especially with the One Yuan Dao Palace sealed for so long, suddenly appearing at the Big Dipper Assembly would surely require him to display methods befitting his status. What could Chen Mobai do that would also be suitable for the identity of a One Yuan Dao Palace Dao Child? After much thought, refining artifacts and imbuing them with spirits seemed perfectly fitting. After all, besides the Primordial Chaos True Qi, the One Yuan Dao Palace was most skilled in refining magical artifacts. The story of True Monarch Yuan, who before his ascension, collaborated with a great virtuous figure from Nanzhou to refine the Tier 6 Primordial Chaos Bell and easily overcome the ascension tribulation, was widely known throughout the Tianhe Realm.

After learning Ye Qing's thoughts from the communication talisman, Chen Mobai turned his gaze to his Scarlet Cloud Mist Gauze. However, to ensure success, he felt that one Water Mist Ice Crystal might not be enough. Thinking of this, Chen Mobai left his dwelling.

After the Big Dipper Assembly began, the Tier 4 Clear Wind Evil Aura he had previously set his sights on should have received several offers. He hoped Yu Shantuo would now be willing to trade. Outside the door, He Sui was already waiting.

“Senior, that Senior Yu is willing to speak with you again.” As soon as they met, He Sui delivered the good news. Chen Mobai had instructed him to keep an eye on the Tier 4 spirit materials he needed in Stone City while he was in seclusion refining his Scarlet Cloud Mist Gauze.

“Let's go.” Chen Mobai immediately took He Sui to Yu Shantuo's stall.

“True Man Chen, this Tier 4 Clear Wind Evil Aura is an excellent material for refining flying magical artifacts. Many fellow cultivators have offered good prices, but after much thought, your Reversion Pill is of the greatest use to me.” Yu Shantuo had been at his stall for a while, and as a conspicuous Tier 4 spirit material, virtually all cultivators attending the Big Dipper Assembly were aware of it. Some had offered equally precious Tier 4 resources in exchange, but after comparing them, Yu Shantuo ultimately chose the Reversion Pill.

However, Yu Shantuo still waited for half a day after the Big Dipper Assembly began. It wasn't until the afternoon that he truly made up his mind. This was because news of the peerless Reversion Pill had recently spread. After all, there was so much coming and going at the Daoist Sect's Thatched Cottage, and the sudden complete Core Formation of Bai Zisheng from the Nine Heavens Demon Extermination Sect was later traced back to the Reversion Pill. This also gave Yu Shantuo a sudden sense of urgency. He feared that if he was too late, the peerless Reversion Pill would be gone.

Chen Mobai, unaware of this, happily exchanged one Reversion Pill for the Tier 4 Clear Wind Evil Aura.

Next, Yan Shaoyin also arrived. He said he had found two more Tier 4 medicinal herbs. After Chen Mobai presented the Reversion Pills, both Core Formation cultivators agreed without hesitation. However, they cautiously went to the Daoist Sect's Thatched Cottage for appraisal, with them covering the cost, of course.

After obtaining two more Tier 4 medicinal herbs, Chen Mobai naturally wanted to browse the good items displayed by the Starry Sky Dao Sect. The highlight items were in the center of Stone City. On the first day, a complete set of Tier 4 top-grade formation diagrams was displayed, another unique art of the Starry Sky Dao Sect: the Star Brilliance Shifting Formation. When Chen Mobai arrived, he found many people already gathered around the formation diagrams. Among them were even three Venerable Nascent Soul cultivators. One should know that even a major Nascent Soul sect might not possess a Tier 4 top-grade grand formation.

After joining the crowd for a bit, Chen Mobai didn't linger and instead went directly to browse areas outside the highlight items. The Starry Sky Dao Sect had unified standards. All auctions they held across Eastern Continent were divided into ten areas: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, Unusual, Pills, Beasts, Formations, and Curiosities. These were located in various parts of Stone City's central area, aiming to boost the business of the entire sect and the Eastern Yue immortal cultivation forces renting shops there.

Chen Mobai asked He Sui to first take him to the Fire-attribute spirit item area. The items displayed by the Starry Sky Dao Sect were at least Tier 3, but Chen Mobai naturally wasn't interested in them. After a quick glance, he went straight to the Tier 4 section. The first thing that caught his eye was a greyish-white flame that one dared not look at directly. He Sui called over a fellow disciple from that area. After an introduction, Chen Mobai learned that this was a Tier 4 Rock Flame. Many cultivators had reserved it, including a Venerable Nascent Soul cultivator. Upon hearing this, Chen Mobai could only shake his head regretfully. If there hadn't been much competition, he would have intended to acquire it. Nevertheless, he casually offered the price of one Reversion Pill. The Starry Sky Dao Sect cultivator in charge diligently noted it down, then immediately went to attend to another Core Formation cultivator who had called him.

Chen Mobai paid no mind to this and continued to the second Tier 4 spirit item.

“Oh!” Upon seeing it, he was filled with surprise. Without needing an introduction, he knew that the dark-red crystalline substance before him was precisely the Tier 4 Fiery Yang Evil Aura. There weren't many Geomancers capable of achieving this. The Starry Sky Dao Sect operated across the entire Eastern Continent, truly having vast connections. Chen Mobai immediately had He Sui call over the same fellow disciple in charge of the area again, then solemnly filled in a price of two Reversion Pills. It wasn't that he didn't want to offer more; he simply only had three left on him. If he had known earlier, he would have had Returning Heaven Valley collect a few more batches.

With regret, Chen Mobai completed his bid. The Starry Sky Dao Sect cultivator sealed it in a box in front of him. This box had a restriction set by a Nascent Soul Venerable of the Starry Sky Dao Sect, and only the one who set it could open it. It would only be opened and compared after the Big Dipper Assembly concluded. However, this depended solely on the Starry Sky Dao Sect's reputation, proving that even in the Tianhe Realm, having a good reputation could be very profitable.

Thinking this, Chen Mobai continued to examine the subsequent Tier 4 Fire-attribute spirit items. Halfway through, he couldn't help but exclaim that the Big Dipper Assembly truly lived up to its reputation. If he weren't short on funds, he truly wished he could pack up and take everything here.

“Oh, what is this?” As he reached the very end, Chen Mobai saw a pale purple flame blooming like a flower. Under his gaze, he felt his mind being drawn into it. He couldn't help but be greatly astonished. Turning his head, he found He Sui already staring blankly at the pale purple flame. Chen Mobai immediately severed his gaze. It took a while for He Sui to regain his composure. He looked terrified and immediately lowered his head, not daring to look again.

Soon after, the same fellow disciple was called over again, but he had clearly suffered before and dared not look directly at the pale purple flame. “Senior, this is a Heaven and Earth Spirit Flame discovered by one of our sect's old ancestors in a strange and treacherous forbidden land within the Desolate Ruins. The ancestor doesn't know its specific origin, but believes it would be very useful for cultivators practicing Purple Mansion mind arts.”

After hearing this, Chen Mobai was even more surprised. He was at least certain that such an unusual Heaven and Earth Spirit Flame definitely didn't exist in the Immortal Sects. As expected, the resources in the Tianhe Realm were incredibly abundant!

Thinking this, Chen Mobai eagerly began to explore the other areas. To his delight, he found all the Tier 4 materials needed to upgrade his Scarlet Cloud Mist Gauze, including the Tier 4 Clear Wind Evil Aura and Tier 4 Water Mist Ice Crystal. He wondered if they would be even cheaper. But Chen Mobai definitely wouldn't bid again. For the other three materials, he bid one Reversion Pill each. He would bid first and see, as there was a confirmation step at the end of the auction anyway.

As Chen Mobai thought this, he looked at the sun that had set and then risen again, marveling at the boundless energy of immortal cultivators. Three days and three nights had passed since the Big Dipper Assembly began. However, practically no cultivators rested; they were all like Chen Mobai, doing a high-intensity browse first. He had already explored nine areas, with only the last one, "Curiosities," remaining.

And this was the area that attracted the most cultivators. Because here, one could find hidden gems. Once, someone in the "Curiosities" area of the Big Dipper Assembly found an un-inscribed elixir manual passed down from the Eastern Earth Imperial Court. After coincidentally deciphering it, they were accepted into the Daoist Sect, which even specially refined a Nascent Soul Condensing Pill for them, guaranteeing their Nascent Soul formation. Another person obtained a Tier 3 Heart-Protecting Mirror, but it was actually a self-concealed treasure. Only after refining it with a drop of blood did they discover it was the lost core of a Tier 5 treasured armor from the Myriad Spirit Sect, a major sect in Central Continent.

As Chen Mobai listened to He Sui recount these lucky finds and wondrous encounters, he couldn't help but feel his blood boil with excitement. He felt that with his Treasure Refining Golden Light and the professional expertise cultivated in the Immortal Sects, he should be the protagonist of these stories. But reality proved he had been too optimistic. He spent three days using his Treasure Refining Golden Light to examine everything in the "Curiosities" area. At most, he found a damaged Tier 4 magical artifact. However, even this didn't require the Treasure Refining Golden Light, as its aura flickered erratically, clearly indicating something was amiss. Any artifact refiner would be able to discern its Tier 4 essence.

After finishing his examination, Chen Mobai walked out with a solemn expression.

“Senior, besides what our sect is exhibiting, there are also various treasures of unknown origin on this street. These are accumulations of thousands of years from the major sects of Eastern Yue. If you're interested, you could take a look.” As He Sui followed Chen Mobai out, he pointed to many shops outside displaying signs for "Ancient Treasures and Curiosities." Cultivators in various sect uniforms were at their entrances, soliciting those who, like them, had returned from the exhibition disappointed.

Thinking he was already here, Chen Mobai followed suit and entered one of the shops to browse. And surprisingly, knowing that at least Core Formation cultivators would be attending, the items displayed in these shops were quite good. Chen Mobai spotted a familiar black fabric and nonchalantly inquired about its price.

“Senior, this is a fragment of a powerful ancient treasure, at least a Tier 4 magical artifact...” The shop owner was clearly an expert and immediately began to boast.

“Just give me a price. I'm in a hurry.” Chen Mobai interrupted directly, a hint of impatience on his face.

“Ten top-grade spirit stones.”

“Alright, and throw in these two items for me.” As Chen Mobai spoke, he casually pointed to two unidentifiable vases, but after hearing him, the shop owner's face flashed with a look of realization, and he immediately refused with a smile.

“If you want those two as well, it will be one hundred top-grade spirit stones.” He thought Chen Mobai's true target was the pair of vases. Although confident in his appraisal skills, knowing that Eastern Continent produced many talented individuals, he decided to extort a high price.

“Never mind then, I'll just take this one.” Chen Mobai, however, simply tossed down ten spirit stones and left with the black fabric.