Chapter 793: Luo Yixuan Forms Core

It was sent by Luo Yixuan. The message stated that she had completed the excavation of Blackwater with her team and asked Chen Mobai if he wanted to attend the final completion inspection.

Could it be this merit? After reading it, Chen Mobai began to consider that this might be why he had suddenly advanced to the Tongtianzhi realm. With this thought, he felt it necessary to make the trip. Just as Luo Yixuan finished excavating Blackwater, she also felt her cultivation realm was complete and that it was time to take the crucial step of forming her Core. As her master, Chen Mobai felt it was necessary to be there to protect her during such an important moment.

“Would you like to come and see?” For this trip, Chen Mobai invited Qing Nü, feeling it was time to introduce her to his disciples.

“Would it be too sudden?” Qing Nü was naturally willing but still felt a bit uneasy.

“It’s fine. You’ve already met Wenbai. All the disciples I’ve taken on here are quite obedient,” Chen Mobai said with a smile. Besides, if Luo Yixuan formed her Core, the Heavenly Tribulation would undoubtedly be terrifying, requiring a powerful magic artifact to resist it. The fragment of the Profound Light Sooty Carved Banner in Qing Nü’s possession was perfectly suitable. The fragment he brought from the Big Dipper Assembly was indeed from the same source as the one Qing Nü had, with one edge fitting perfectly. These fragments, when in Yan Fusheng’s hands, were able to withstand the sharp edge of Chen Mobai’s Purple Lightning Sword, so they would surely be more than enough to handle a Core Formation Heavenly Tribulation. This would also allow Qing Nü to do a favor for Luo Yixuan by lending her a piece for her tribulation.

After he explained this, Qing Nü felt even sweeter, realizing Chen Mobai considered her in every aspect.

“It just so happens that I successfully refined the Golden Liquid Jade Restoration Pill half a year ago. I can bring it for your disciple,” Qing Nü added. Although she had almost finished modifying the Five Elements Core Formation Pill recipe, why take the risk when she could confidently refine the Golden Liquid Jade Restoration Pill?

“Excellent, excellent! Since the pill is complete, you can also formally form your Core after Xuan’er does,” Chen Mobai said, even more delighted. As a Heavenly Spirit Root cultivator, combined with the resources from the Celestial River Realm, Qing Nü would likely have no trouble forming her Nascent Soul in the future. If the Essence of Fetal Transformation was truly as wondrous as Yan Xinjie claimed, then it was even possible for her to reach the God Transformation stage. If that were the case, the two of them might be able to establish the Five Elements Sect as the first Holy Land in the Eastern Desolation.

“I was already planning to start my Core Formation once you emerged from seclusion,” Qing Nü said with a smile. With the Outer Dao Golden Core and the Golden Liquid Jade Restoration Pill, she was virtually 100% confident in her Core Formation. Moreover, all her spiritual energy had long been transformed into that of the Black Emperor Abyssal Scripture, and she had comprehended this God Transformation profound art to a very deep level.

As they spoke, Qing Nü handed the Golden Liquid Jade Restoration Pill to Chen Mobai, but he stopped her.

“You hold onto it. You can give it to Xuan’er then.” Chen Mobai considered that since it was Qing Nü’s first appearance as his Dao Companion, she would need to prepare some gifts as an elder, and the Golden Liquid Jade Restoration Pill was perfectly suitable.

“Mm-hmm.” Qing Nü nodded even more delightedly. She then went down the mountain to inform Zeng Woyou and others about her impending departure. Soon after, Chen Mobai piloted the Crimson Cloud Mist Silk, carrying her towards the nearest market’s teleportation array.

“It seems this artifact won’t be long before it can be upgraded to the Grand One Five-Mist Silk,” Qing Nü remarked. Riding on the colorful mist, Qing Nü curiously reached out to touch the soft, cotton-like cloud light around them. Once all the Tier 4 spiritual materials were refined into this artifact, it would become the famous Grand One Five-Mist Silk of the Dancing Artifact Dao Academy.

Throughout the thousands of years of Immortal Sect history, only three Grand One Five-Mist Silks had ever existed. Among these, some were created by gathering sufficient resources during expansion wars, while others were forged by cultivating an artifact spirit to draw spiritual energy from its master, nurturing its ascension. In recent years, Chen Mobai had been busy improving his cultivation realm and refining his Pure Yang True Qi. Although he possessed all the necessary spiritual materials, he hadn't had time to refine them into the Crimson Cloud Mist Silk.

“Now that my cultivation has reached its peak, I’ll upgrade this artifact once you all form your Cores,” Chen Mobai said. He recalled the Tier 4 spiritual materials he brought from the Big Dipper Assembly. Besides the Grand One Five-Mist Silk, he could also upgrade the Primordial Yang Sword Fiend to Tier 4.

“The Can Tong Qi truly lives up to its reputation as one of the Immortal Sect’s God Transformation profound arts; it makes upgrading artifacts so convenient…” Qing Nü said with envy. After obtaining the two fragments of the Profound Light Sooty Carved Banner, she could only refine them using ordinary methods to ensure their usability. If she had the Can Tong Qi, she might be able to truly merge the two fragments, further increasing their power.

“Once I form my Nascent Soul, I’ll change my primary partner artifact to this Profound Light Sooty Carved Banner and help you merge them,” Chen Mobai said without hesitation. The Can Tong Qi, in his hands, had completely devolved into a tool for artifact refinement. When he had nothing else to do, he would make the Haotian Mirror his primary partner artifact. When refining the Crimson Cloud Mist Silk, he would unbind the Haotian Mirror and switch to the Crimson Cloud Mist Silk. If he could acquire the Primordial Yang Sword in the future, he would undoubtedly switch to it without hesitation. If Hong Mengkui and Venerable Chengxuan knew how casually Chen Mobai treated his primary partner artifacts, their eyes would surely widen in disbelief. Mainly, for Chen Mobai, there were simply too many choices. Moreover, his main cultivation was the Pure Yang Scroll; the Can Tong Qi was merely supplementary. However, this was also due to his current cultivation realm not being high enough. If he could simultaneously bond with two artifacts, he certainly wouldn't act like this; he would simply bind them all.

“Your talent, even without the resources of the Celestial River Realm, is the greatest in the Immortal Sect’s history,” Qing Nü said, looking at Chen Mobai with admiration. Her Dao companion, besides cultivating the Pure Yang Scroll, also had the energy to practice the Fangcun Book and the Can Tong Qi, mastering three God Transformation profound arts, all of them having reached profound levels. This couldn’t be achieved just with resources; it required truly extraordinary comprehension.

“Not at all. Many Venerables and Patriarchs in the Immortal Sect could also do it; they just don’t want to waste time on these aspects,” Chen Mobai replied modestly. The Immortal Sect advocated specializing in one area to the extreme. As for shortcomings in other areas, they would simply seek help from others who had mastered those fields. For instance, among the Immortal Sect’s Nascent Soul Venerables, there was usually only one Tier 5 artifact refiner, one Tier 5 talisman master, and so on. Only in alchemy, where the demand was greater, were there three. Every cultivator in the Immortal Sect was a part of this colossal machine; together, they formed a flawless cultivation society. Other Nascent Soul Venerables in the Immortal Sect could also cultivate three God Transformation profound arts simultaneously if they wished, but there was no necessity or available resources for it.

Chen Mobai and Qing Nü continued their conversation as they headed towards Beiyuan City.

“Teleportation arrays are truly convenient…” Perhaps the only technology where the Immortal Sect lagged behind the Celestial River Realm was in teleportation arrays. Chen Mobai even wondered if, after forming his Nascent Soul, he could study the Celestial Books in the Celestial Book Academy and claim teleportation arrays as a result of his comprehension of the Universal Celestial Book. However, upon closer thought, setting up such arrays required Void Stones, and with the Immortal Sect’s reserves, even if they had the technology, it would likely not develop due to resource limitations. Or perhaps it was precisely for this reason that the Immortal Sect had not developed teleportation array technology. Otherwise, with so many brilliant individuals throughout the Immortal Sect’s history and the existence of a supreme treasure like the World Gate, it would be impossible for them not to have researched such things as teleportation arrays.

“Let’s go. I’ll show you my Beiyuan City.” Chen Mobai stepped out of the teleportation array hall first. Hearing this, Qing Nü eagerly followed him out.

“Greetings, Sect Master!” Upon stepping out, Qing Nü saw seven Foundation Establishment cultivators waiting outside, along with two rows of hundreds of Qi Refining cultivators in five-colored uniforms, all bowing respectfully to both of them.

“Disciples, you may rise.” Chen Mobai waved to Yuan Chiye and the others at the forefront. These Foundation Establishment cultivators were the respective heads of the Five Elements Sect’s five lineages in Beiyuan City. Since the complete unification of the five lineages, Beiyuan City had become the central hub for inter-lineage communication, and all task assignments, spiritual stone disbursements, and spirit rice distributions were managed from here, as per Chen Mobai’s instructions. Therefore, the other four lineages had immediately sent their astute and capable elders. Upon receiving news of the Sect Master’s arrival, none wished to fall behind, so they all joined Yuan Chiye to welcome him.

After a brief exchange, Chen Mobai gestured for them to disperse. Finally, only the members of the Wood Lineage remained. Besides the familiar faces of Yuan Chiye and Qi Rui, there were two others: Chen Mobai’s youngest disciple, Jiang Zongheng, and his grand-disciple, Duan Shuyu. After many years, Jiang Zongheng had grown a black beard. His long career as Grand Tutor had likely given him a new air of authority that he hadn't possessed before.

“Master.” However, he still bowed very respectfully to Chen Mobai. In recent years, Jiang Zongheng had managed the unified Great Zhao Dynasty in an orderly fashion. Now, the total population of the Eastern Desolation had not only recovered to pre-war levels but was also increasing annually, expected to soon exceed ten million. This was a number never before seen in the Eastern Desolation since its establishment. This was all thanks to the extensive fertile lands developed in the Eastern Desolation. Previously, the nineteen prefectures of the Eastern Desolation were constantly plagued by war, most cultivated land lay fallow, and many spiritual fields and spiritual veins were uninhabited. Jiang Zongheng implemented the philosophy of agriculture as the foundation, relocating populations, distributing fertile land, and vigorously developing an agrarian civilization. Great order inevitably follows great chaos. Under the policy of land ownership, the mortals of the Eastern Desolation quickly settled down, even bursting with unprecedented enthusiasm for life. Furthermore, under Chen Mobai’s guidance, Zhuo Ming had developed a type of rice that yielded three harvests a year. These rice seeds, at Jiang Zongheng’s instruction, were disseminated to every suitable planting area across the nineteen prefectures of the Eastern Desolation. It was precisely for this reason that the greatest population problem—food supply—was completely resolved.

According to Jiang Zongheng’s estimation, the Great Zhao Dynasty could continue to develop rapidly like this for another century. By then, the entire Eastern Desolation’s population would reach saturation, and there wouldn’t be enough land to distribute. In that case, it would repeat the fate of previous Eastern Desolation dynasties: land annexation would begin, followed by widespread chaos.

“Matters a century from now can be discussed a century from now. The Dao of Heaven and Earth lies in change. If it were stagnant and eternally unchanging, it would be less beautiful,” Chen Mobai said. Chen Mobai uttered words that made Jiang Zongheng ponder deeply. These were words spoken by a great philosopher in the Immortal Sect in ancient times: It is better to guide than to block. In any case, as long as they were still here, after a brief period of disorder broke the old patterns, great order would quickly be restored, and peace would reign.

“Then Master, is there a way to break free from this cycle?” Jiang Zongheng asked. Among all of Chen Mobai’s disciples, his thoughts were the most profound, and he was a rare cultivator who would consider the well-being of mortal people.

“That would require a change in social system and structure, but even then, whether it could break the cycle would still be unknown,” Chen Mobai replied. The Immortal Sect’s system, under the strictures of its rules, had been maintained for over six thousand years, an unprecedented era of great stability and prosperity in history. But Chen Mobai also didn't know if the Immortal Sect could last forever and usher in eternal peace for myriad generations!

“Master, please enlighten me,” Jiang Zongheng asked again. But this time, Chen Mobai shook his head and did not answer his question.

“The time is not yet right.” Chen Mobai’s words sent Jiang Zongheng into deep thought, and only Qing Nü understood his meaning. The Immortal Sect’s system was able to form and establish such long-lasting peace on the Elemental Star partly due to serendipity, being a gradual process of cultivators and mortals merging and accepting each other. And much blood was shed during that process. Without the suppression and rule-keeping of generations of God Transformation Patriarchs, the Immortal Sect’s peace would merely be a castle in the air.

“Nephew-Granddisciple Duan also seems to be nearing Foundation Establishment,” Chen Mobai observed. At this moment, Chen Mobai saw Duan Shuyu standing behind Jiang Zongheng. Compared to their last meeting, he seemed to have aged further, his hair now completely white. After all, Duan Shuyu was already quite old when he began cultivating. However, his talent was exceptional, and after more than ten years, he had already reached Qi Refining Stage Nine.

“Greetings, Grandmaster. I came today specifically to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill,” Duan Shuyu said. Seeing Chen Mobai’s gaze fall upon him, Duan Shuyu, at Jiang Zongheng’s nod, stated the purpose of his visit.

“Since we met, it’s fate. Nephew Yuan, take a Foundation Establishment Pill from the Spiritual Treasure Pavilion for him, and deduct the contribution points from my account,” Chen Mobai generously instructed Yuan Chiye, who immediately nodded.

“Thank you, Grandmaster,” Duan Shuyu replied gratefully. He had led the Great Zhao Dynasty’s army to unify the Eastern Desolation, which was a great service to the Five Elements Sect. Chen Mobai had then granted him eight thousand sect contribution points. Over the years, under Jiang Zongheng’s arrangements, he had completed several tasks, just accumulating a total of ten thousand. He hadn’t expected to meet Chen Mobai today and save those points directly.

“How is the Vajra Indestructible cultivation technique I taught you progressing?” Chen Mobai asked. Seeing Duan Shuyu, Chen Mobai recalled the great Metal-attribute art he had imparted to him when they first met. This was a body-refining technique that, when cultivated to the extreme, rendered the physical body indestructible and imperishable. Only spiritual energy condensed from the White Emperor Soldiers Scripture could cultivate it. This great art and the Dripping Water Sword were mutually generative and restrictive. During the ancient Immortal Longevity Sect era, disciples who cultivated these two great arts would hone and improve themselves against each other.

“This disciple is foolish; I’ve only just crossed the threshold!” Duan Shuyu said somewhat ashamed. After all, it was a profound art of the Longevity Sect. Only after breaking through to Qi Refining Stage Nine a few years ago did he grasp its essence one day while tempering his bones and muscles, condensing the first wisp of Vajra Indestructible spiritual light to refine his body.

“To have achieved it at the Qi Refining stage, you are already very impressive,” Chen Mobai praised. After praising him, Chen Mobai took out two jade slips from his storage bag. These were two other great Metal-attribute arts he had discovered in the Divine Tree Secret Realm when he cultivated the Earth Gathering Art to enhance his Earth spiritual root. They were of no use to him, so they had remained untouched. Now, seeing Duan Shuyu, he suddenly remembered them.

“Many thanks, Grandmaster, for bestowing this immortal art.” After speaking, Duan Shuyu, following the Eastern Desolation’s customs, first swore an oath before accepting the two jade slips.

“Once he reaches Foundation Establishment, you can arrange for him to cultivate here in Beiyuan City,” Chen Mobai told Jiang Zongheng. Duan Shuyu was already quite old. If he wanted to form his Core in the future, he would need to cultivate extremely diligently, at least in a place with powerful spiritual veins like Beiyuan City.

“Yes, Master.” Jiang Zongheng nodded upon hearing this; he had been thinking the same thing. Moreover, with the stabilization of the mortal realm and widespread peace, he had also considered resigning and retreating. However, after his discussion with Chen Mobai today, he felt he should delve into the grassroots to find the true answer to breaking the cycle of dynastic collapse.

“This is my good friend, Qing Nü,” Chen Mobai said, smiling as he gestured to his Dao Companion. Jiang Zongheng, Yuan Chiye, and the others, being among the top Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Five Elements Sect, vaguely knew of Qing Nü’s background. After all, the head and deputy head of the Alchemy Department frequently visited Tianpeng Mountain to seek advice, and sect disciples also delivered medicinal herbs there. Over time, everyone knew the Sect Master had invited an alchemy grandmaster.

“Greetings, Senior Qing Nü.” Although they didn’t know Qing Nü’s true origins, anyone capable of befriending the Sect Master was certainly no ordinary individual. Furthermore, her pure and elegant beauty was unlike anything the people of the Eastern Desolation had ever seen. Thus, they all bowed respectfully and courteously.

“Xuan’er is about to form her Core. Since you’re here, come with me,” Chen Mobai told Jiang Zongheng, who naturally nodded in agreement. The group then proceeded towards Hanying Lake. Chen Mobai deliberately flew along the newly excavated Blackwater, introducing Qing Nü to the original Eastern Desolation and recounting the arduous efforts involved in transforming the land.

“Xuan’er and Ming’er deserve immense credit for completing these grand projects.” As Chen Mobai spoke, they already saw the end of Blackwater. Soon, a streak of Water-attribute spiritual light ascended from Hanying Lake, flying towards them. Luo Yixuan, clad in white palace robes, landed before Chen Mobai. She glanced at everyone, her gaze lingering for a moment on the stunningly beautiful Qing Nü, before respectfully bowing to Chen Mobai: “Greetings, Master!”

“Xuan’er, you’ve worked hard all these years,” Chen Mobai said. He allowed her to land on the Crimson Cloud Mist Silk as well, then took her to the very end of Blackwater.

Today, Hanying Lake had the largest number of cultivators in its history. In addition to over twenty Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Five Elements Sect, there were more than forty cultivation teams from various contractors, each led by a Foundation Establishment cultivator. It was precisely due to this effort that Luo Yixuan was able to successfully excavate Blackwater in less than ten years. However, for this project, the Five Elements Sect had also spent countless spiritual stones and resources. Therefore, now that Blackwater had been successfully excavated, the cultivators who were not from the Five Elements Sect showed reluctance on their faces. After all, they had never earned such easily acquired spiritual stones in the Eastern Desolation. Crucially, the Five Elements Sect also provided food. Any cultivator working on this project received ample spirit rice daily; they could eat as much as they wanted. Normally, these rogue cultivators and even members of cultivation families were reluctant to eat spirit rice at every meal.

After landing, Chen Mobai exchanged a few brief words with several representatives, then completed the final completion inspection amidst the excited yet reluctant gazes of the crowd. As Chen Mobai used the Crimson Cloud Mist Silk to lift a sluice gate blocking the waterway, a vast, surging torrent, like a long white dragon, poured into Hanying Lake, which had been excavated in advance. In an instant, the scene of rivers flowing into the sea appeared in Chen Mobai’s mind. It even continuously extended, tracing back to the Mo River and Bai River in Yanxiao and Hong prefectures. These three great rivers flowed like blood vessels across the Eastern Desolation Plateau and Hong Prefecture, infusing vibrant life into the soil along their banks, providing ample moisture to the trees, and even forming many small tributaries that continuously spread, irrigating acre after acre of fertile land sown with various spirit herbs and rice. Chen Mobai felt blades of pasture grass growing taller than humans under the abundant river water. Sturdy and plump spirit oxen and antelopes, led by cultivators from the Five Elements Sect’s Spirit Beast Department, grazed on the pasture grass, becoming fat and strong.

It was at this very moment that Chen Mobai once again advanced to the Tongtianzhi realm! This time, however, he achieved perfect alignment with the will of the Eastern Desolation Plateau. He felt as if he was the heart of this land, able to perceive the infinite mineral veins hidden within this world, the myriad phenomena, and even the birth and death of all things. In his vision, he saw dazzling spiritual lights across the Eastern Desolation Plateau. These were powerful spiritual veins undiscovered by cultivators, along with powerful spiritual plants and materials that had nurtured for thousands of years within them. In this state, Chen Mobai also became aware of all future climate changes on the Eastern Desolation Plateau, and he could even summon wind and rain if he wished. However, he restrained this impulse. Heaven and Earth naturally have their own laws; it’s best to let them run their course without arbitrary interference.

Just as this thought arose, the morning bell rang once more. Chen Mobai immediately withdrew from the Tongtianzhi realm. Soon, he realized that his spiritual sense had been depleted to only ten percent. If the morning bell hadn’t woken him, this Tongtianzhi experience could have left his mind severely weakened for a long time.

“What’s wrong?” Qing Nü asked, sounding concerned, as she seemed to notice Chen Mobai’s condition.

“Nothing, just confirmed an idea I had,” Chen Mobai replied, his expression unchanged. He then announced the completion ceremony was over. Once everyone had dispersed and only his own people remained, he still didn't reveal his weakened mental state, conversing with Luo Yixuan as if nothing were amiss.

“You are about to form your Core, and the only concern is the Heavenly Tribulation. This is my good friend, Qing Nü. She has a powerful water-attribute artifact that you can borrow for now…” As Chen Mobai spoke, Qing Nü smilingly took out a fragment of the Profound Light Sooty Carved Banner and handed it to Luo Yixuan, who accepted it and thanked Qing Nü.

“Your master and I have been close friends for many years, so his disciples are like my own. I recently refined a batch of Golden Liquid Jade Restoration Pills, and I’ll give you one,” Qing Nü said. After handing the Profound Light Sooty Carved Banner fragment to Luo Yixuan, Qing Nü smiled and took out a jade bottle, pouring out a Golden Liquid Jade Restoration Pill for her.

“This…” Luo Yixuan looked at Chen Mobai with a hint of difficulty. She had a feeling that the more favors she owed this female cultivator, the more she would regret it in the future. The artifact was necessary for her tribulation and could not be refused, but she felt the Golden Liquid Jade Restoration Pill was unnecessary.

“Take it. Although your Core Formation is almost certain, you should still prepare for any unexpected circumstances. If you take this Golden Liquid Jade Restoration Pill, your master can also rest assured,” Chen Mobai said. With Chen Mobai saying so, Luo Yixuan could only thank Qing Nü again and accept the pill from her palm.

In the following period, the Five Elements Sect cultivators at Hanying Lake began to return to Beiyuan City, preparing to hand over the Blackwater excavation project and rest for several years. As for the remaining contractors and rogue cultivators, some returned with them, while others sought ways to join Zhuo Ming’s tree-planting and sand-control project. For this, Zhuo Ming also personally brought Yan Yuanhao. She instructed him to select some qualified cultivators, while she herself came to pay respects to Chen Mobai and also wait for Luo Yixuan’s Core Formation. Chen Mobai then introduced Qing Nü to her. Qing Nü already knew that among her man’s four disciples, Zhuo Ming was the most valued. She was very fond of this diligent-looking disciple and gave her a bottle of Earth Vein Pills, which she had refined earlier and were free of pill toxins. To Chen Mobai’s regret, Yin Qingmei had not come. She seemed to be at odds with Luo Yixuan, having had virtually no communication with her over the years. However, he could introduce Qing Nü to her next time there was an opportunity.

Half a month later, Luo Yixuan, her state adjusted, took the Golden Liquid Jade Restoration Pill and, as Chen Mobai had predicted, successfully formed her Core with ease. However, her Heavenly Tribulation was indeed far more powerful than that of ordinary Core Formation cultivators. But Luo Yixuan, with her deep foundation and pre-prepared artifact, calmly passed through it. Seeing the Heavenly Tribulation disperse and Luo Yixuan descend from the sky to sit in the center of Hanying Lake, absorbing the vast Water Vein spiritual energy to recover, Chen Mobai nodded and withdrew the Haotian Mirror he had been preparing to activate.

“Tell your junior sister to consolidate her realm well. I’ll be leaving now,” Chen Mobai said to Zhuo Ming. He said this to Zhuo Ming, then piloted the Crimson Cloud Mist Silk, departing with Qing Nü and the others. After dropping off Jiang Zongheng and his disciple in Beiyuan City, he took Qing Nü to Fengyu Dock. Here, Zhou Shengqing and his team were refining Five Elements essence.