Chapter 833: Qing Emperor Daoist

The Holy Lands of the Eastern Lands are planning to open up new territories. The Five Blazes Lineages are useful to the Holy Lands, which is why they have resumed communication in recent years. Only by uniting can these five lineages gain the qualification to negotiate with the Holy Lands.

Yu Shuji briefly revealed the reason, and Chen Mobai's face showed dawning comprehension upon hearing it. The major Holy Lands in the Eastern Lands planning to open up new territories was no longer a secret to the great Nascent Soul sects. The Desolate Ruins still contained many powerful demonic beasts that had survived since the primordial era. If the Holy Lands were to open it up alone, even if successful, they would suffer heavy losses. Therefore, it was natural to share a portion of the benefits from opening up the territories to attract other major sects from the Eastern Continent to join and share the risks.

Although the Desolate Ruins were dangerous, they contained numerous treasure lands untouched by cultivators. Furthermore, the spiritual vein areas guarded by powerful demonic beasts were naturally formed, and their core certainly held high-grade spiritual materials born from heaven and earth. The last time the Daoist Sect of Morality opened up the Desolate Ruins, they obtained a ten-thousand-year spiritual herb, which was refined into a furnace of fifth-grade elixirs, significantly enhancing the overall strength of the sect's high-level cultivators. It was said that even the True Monarch of Soul Transformation from the Daoist Sect of Morality made a minor breakthrough with it. The other patriarchs who followed the Daoist Sect of Morality in opening up the territories also received various highly coveted elixirs. Precisely for this reason, the major forces on the Eastern Continent were very enthusiastic about opening up the Desolate Ruins. After all, with the Holy Lands taking the lead, at most, some disciples would be lost during the exploration of unknown territories.

“Grand Elder Hongyun of the Blazing Cloud Palace is already nearing the perfected stage of Nascent Soul cultivation. If they can successfully negotiate with the Daoist Sect of Morality, they might be able to secure a Pill of Sage Transcendent Spirit.” Yu Shuji shared another piece of news. Chen Mobai's expression remained unchanged, but his heart was already stirring.

The Pill of Sage Transcendent Spirit! It was the foremost spiritual medicine in the Eastern Continent capable of helping cultivators achieve Soul Transformation.

“Didn’t the Pill of Sage Transcendent Spirit, refined by the Daoist Sect of Morality in the past, only circulate among the major Holy Lands?” Chen Mobai asked, surprised and doubtful. Due to the prevailing atmosphere in the Sky River Realm, although the Holy Lands of the Eastern Continent claimed to be orthodox, they remained relatively closed off, resisting the emergence of new Holy Lands. After all, the Eastern Continent had only so many resources. One more Soul Transformation expert, one more Holy Land, and they would have to cede some of their share. No one was willing to spit out the meat they had already eaten. Precisely for this reason, the Pill of Sage Transcendent Spirit refined by the Daoist Sect of Morality had never been circulated to Nascent Soul cultivators outside of the Holy Lands. On this matter, the major Holy Lands shared an unspoken understanding. How could they be willing to offer it for this territorial expansion?

“Combined, the Five Blazes Lineages can barely claim the title of a Holy Land. After all, the Blazes Pure Land used to be qualified to exchange for the Pill of Sage Transcendent Spirit with the Daoist Sect of Morality. So, Hongyun is using this as a reason to lobby the three major Holy Lands for one pill. To achieve this, the Blazing Cloud Palace has also ceded considerable benefits and Holy Land inheritances to the other four Blazes Lineages in exchange for their support.”

“This is possible?” Chen Mobai was greatly surprised upon hearing this. The Blazes Pure Land had been fragmented for so many years, yet its name could still be invoked as a Holy Land.

“There are some things, Sect Master Chen, that you might not know. While the Pill of Sage Transcendent Spirit has outwardly never been consumed by cultivators outside the Holy Lands, if a sect’s power is strong enough to reach the threshold of a Holy Land, and they are willing to offer sufficient bargaining chips, the major Holy Lands would still be willing to relent,” Yu Shuji spoke with a wistful tone. Chen Mobai immediately deduced his origin from his words. Wasn't it the Star Heaven Dao Sect! What did he mean by that?

“Could it be that your sect also wishes to reserve a Pill of Sage Transcendent Spirit from the Daoist Sect of Morality?” Chen Mobai followed up on Yu Shuji's words. Aside from the Holy Lands, the Star Heaven Dao Sect was the most powerful in the entire Eastern Continent, just one Soul Transformation expert away from being considered a Holy Land.

“My master, True Lord Xingyun, has already discussed this with the three major Holy Lands for several rounds on behalf of our sect. During the Big Dipper Assembly, Palace Lord Biluo was invited precisely for this reason. If the conditions set by the Holy Lands hadn't been so exorbitant, the deal would have been concluded long ago.” Upon hearing this, Chen Mobai realized that Yu Shuji was a disciple of True Lord Xingyun of the Star Heaven Dao Sect. No wonder he could manage the Star Heaven Grand Merchant Guild in the three frontier regions of the Eastern Continent.

“What kind of conditions were they? I’m just curious. If it's inconvenient for Master Yu to say, just disregard my question,” Chen Mobai had a vague guess in his heart and spoke presumptuously.

“The three major Holy Lands demanded the elixir recipe for the Three Lights Divine Water!” Yu Shuji did not conceal it and told him directly.

As expected! This was what Chen Mobai had also thought of. The only bargaining chip the Star Heaven Dao Sect possessed that could make the three major Holy Lands break their rules and offer the Pill of Sage Transcendent Spirit was this. Or perhaps the immortal jade slip recording the Three Lights Divine Water. However, this was the fundamental basis for the Star Heaven Dao Sect's dominance in Dongyue and its establishment across the five continents and four seas of the Sky River Realm. To exchange it for one Pill of Sage Transcendent Spirit would be akin to going all-in, betting their entire heritage on the chance of producing a Soul Transformation True Monarch. If successful, the Star Heaven Dao Sect would become the fifth Holy Land of the Eastern Continent, or even directly replace the Primordial Dao Palace. If they failed, there might not be immediate signs of decline, but without the monopolized Three Lights Divine Water, a gradual decline would be conceivable. If it were Chen Mobai, he would definitely go all-in! However, the importance cultivators in the Sky River Realm placed on inherited elixir recipes was something he, a person from an Immortal Sect, could not imagine.

“After hearing about this, the Grand Elder has already set off from the Central Continent to return and personally conduct several more rounds of talks with the Holy Lands; he is willing to. However, my master and several of my martial uncles and aunts are firmly against it…” Yu Shuji also explained the internal situation of the Star Heaven Dao Sect, revealing that the opinions of their Nascent Soul cultivators were not unified. As a Grand Elder who had achieved perfected Nascent Soul cultivation long ago, and with not much lifespan remaining, Xingji definitely wanted to take a gamble. However, since there was only one Pill of Sage Transcendent Spirit and Xingyun and others would certainly not receive it, their disagreement with Xingji betting the sect's ancestral heritage was understandable.

“Because of this matter, several martial uncles and aunts within the sect have been arguing for a long time. If someone could help our sect obtain the Pill of Sage Transcendent Spirit from the Holy Lands without needing to offer the Three Lights Divine Water recipe, that person would certainly become the most honored guest of our Star Heaven Dao Sect.” At this point, Yu Shuji suddenly said these words.

“On the Eastern Continent, I’m afraid no one could make the three major Holy Lands give such face, could they? Did True Lord Xingji perhaps invite a major figure from the Central Continent!” Upon hearing this, Chen Mobai vaguely guessed why Yu Shuji wanted to speak with him privately today.

“The Grand Illusion Palace of Supreme Void is a major sect in the Central Continent. If it could be settled, Grand Elder Xingji would have settled it there long ago.”

“I heard that the Five Elements Sect is a branch sect of the Primordial Dao Palace, and Sect Master Chen is even a Dao Child cultivated by the Primordial Dao Palace in the Eastern Barrens. I wonder if you could help, on behalf of our sect, to reserve a Pill of Sage Transcendent Spirit from the Daoist Sect of Morality in the name of the Primordial Dao Palace. If this matter succeeds, our sect is willing to provide the Three Lights Divine Water at cost price to the Five Elements Sect or the Primordial Dao Palace, whenever needed, from now on!” Yu Shuji had been building up to this for a long time, and at this moment, he finally revealed his true purpose.

“Huh! When did I become a Dao Child of the Primordial Dao Palace?” Chen Mobai looked utterly bewildered. Although he secretly desired this identity, he had never even visited the Primordial Dao Palace. Even if he went, Chen Mobai reckoned he'd be turned away. After all, the Primordial Ancestor of the Five Elements Sect had been expelled from the Primordial Dao Palace. Since he inherited Li Zhongji's lineage, he would surely be regarded with hostility by those there.

“Dao Child Qingdi is truly cautious. However, your identity has already been revealed to us by Patriarch Baiwu. It is precisely for this reason that the Blazing Cloud Palace, having learned of this, sent True Lord Yanyang to assist him, to ensure that the Sun-bathing Sea’s influence would be sufficient to prevent the peace talks with the Dao Child’s Five Elements Sect from failing.” Hearing Yu Shuji's words, all of Chen Mobai’s previous doubts were answered. No wonder the Star Heaven Dao Sect was so actively helping him communicate with the Sun-bathing Sea and facilitating peace talks. Besides wanting the benefits from the Five Blazes Lineages, they also wanted to curry favor with him, setting the stage for him to assist them.

“Master Yu, you're mistaken. I am truly not a Dao Child of the Primordial Dao Palace.” How could Chen Mobai possibly help? That was the Pill of Sage Transcendent Spirit. Whether the Primordial Dao Palace even qualified to exchange for it with the Daoist Sect of Morality was still unknown. How could he, a mere sect master of the Five Elements Sect, a fake Saint Child of the Longevity Sect, and an impostor Dao Child of the Primordial Dao Palace, possibly sway them?

“It seems my influence isn't enough. However, the identity of Dao Child Qingdi has already been publicized by Patriarch Baiwu throughout the entire Eastern Lands. I imagine it won't be long before the Primordial Dao Palace sends someone over. Now that Dao Child has cultivated a Nascent Soul, there’s no need to hide your identity in this remote area anymore. Once Dao Child returns to the Five Emperors Mountain, offers respects to True Monarch Primordial, and officially acknowledges your lineage, my master will personally come to pay respects and discuss this matter face-to-face.”

After hearing Yu Shuji’s words, Chen Mobai felt somewhat numb. Although he was Chen Qingdi, he was truly not a Dao Child of the Primordial Dao Palace. Throughout his life, he had been cautious in the Eastern Barrens, painstakingly cultivating to Nascent Soul. Who would have thought that as soon as he left the Eastern Barrens and merely killed Patriarch Jinfeng, Patriarch Baiwu had already made his name known throughout the Eastern Continent! Indeed, everything leaves a trace once done. During the Big Dipper Assembly, he shouldn’t have listened to Ye Qing and impersonated this Dao Child of the Primordial Dao Palace. He managed to obtain the Three Lights Divine Water with this fake Dao Child identity, but could he really obtain the Pill of Sage Transcendent Spirit as well? He regretted it deeply! What Chen Mobai liked most was quietly using the knowledge from the Immortal Sect, using the resources of the Eastern Barrens to improve himself, and cautiously cultivating to develop his sect's influence. But now that his fake identity as Chen Qingdi, the Primordial Dao Child, had spread, he could no longer stay hidden.

As Yu Shuji left, he respectfully left behind two communication talismans: one was his own, stating that Dao Child Qingdi could inform him at any time if there was anything the Star Heaven Grand Merchant Guild could do. The other was for his master, True Lord Xingyun.