Chapter 867: Top Strengths of the Tianhe Realm

“When I entered, I saw Zhu Jun and the demonic beast attempting to break the seal. Fearing the poisonous dragon would emerge and wreak havoc, and concerned for the safety of my nine fellow cultivators, I swiftly eliminated both Zhu Jun and the beast...” Chen Mobai explained this to Ye Qing. Hearing his account, Xiang Xieyuan and the others standing nearby were deeply moved, feeling fortunate to have settled in Beiyuan City.

“Sect Master Chen, for this matter, you will need to accompany me and bring them along.”

After gathering the necessary evidence, Ye Qing did not linger in the Eastern Barrens. She intended to head directly to Jinwu Immortal City, taking Chen Mobai and the others to confront Old Ancestor Baiwu. The Nine Heavens Demon Eradication Sect, in its dealings with demonic cultivators, consistently provides both parties an opportunity to explain themselves.

Chen Mobai understood this and nodded without hesitation. With Ye Qing by his side, he didn't believe Old Ancestor Baiwu would dare to strike. If Old Ancestor Baiwu truly possessed such courage, Chen Mobai would even find himself admiring him.

Soon, the Five Elements Sect prepared a flying boat. Their group departed from Beiyuan City, setting course for Dongyi.

“If only there were a large-scale teleportation array.” Aboard the flying boat, Yuan Zhen gazed at the desolate wilderness outside and mused aloud, somewhat unintentionally.

“This is indeed something that concerns me. The Eastern Barrens, as one of Dongzhou's borders, also abuts the desolate wilderness, making its strategic position quite significant. In the future, if the various Holy Lands wish to develop this region, the absence of a large-scale teleportation array in the Eastern Barrens would make the transfer of resources and cultivators exceedingly inconvenient.”

For the Five Elements Sect, the most crucial task at present was to establish a large-scale teleportation array. Such an array would completely link Dongyi and the Eastern Barrens. For Chen Mobai, the Eastern Barrens would undoubtedly be his primary focus in the future. He needed to utilize the resources of the former Xuanxiao Dao Palace to bolster the native Five Elements Sect's power in the Eastern Barrens. However, the desolate wilderness between the two regions severely hindered this endeavor.

Even cultivators of Ye Qing and Yuan Zhen's caliber found the journey from Dongyi to the Eastern Barrens quite distant, let alone ordinary cultivators. Fortunately, the Five Elements Sect's current strength allowed them safe passage through the desolate wilderness. Even so, transporting resources from Dongyi to Beiyuan City, unless specifically expedited by a Core Formation cultivator, would still take an average of half a year.

To resolve this issue, the only solutions were either a large-scale teleportation array or clearing a path through the desolate wilderness between Dongyi and the Eastern Barrens. Chen Mobai had continuously pushed for the latter. Regarding the former, the Five Elements Sect now boasted two Nascent Soul cultivators, making them eligible to purchase a large-scale teleportation array from the Grand Void Ethereal Palace. Unfortunately, they lacked the necessary connections. Chen Mobai was unwilling to owe a favor to the Star Heaven Dao Sect, so he had Yue Zutao, who was in the Eastern Lands, visit the Grand Void Ethereal Palace's shop in Taixu Immortal City. However, Yue Zutao was informed that the shop only sold medium and small-scale teleportation arrays.

Large-scale teleportation arrays, being strategic resources, were only sold by the Grand Void Ethereal Palace through personal introductions or guarantees from major powers. Furthermore, upon hearing it was for the Eastern Barrens, the deacons in Taixu Immortal City repeatedly declined, citing the vast distance and future maintenance difficulties.

In the Eastern Lands, Chen Mobai only knew Ye Qing and Yuan Zhen. When Yuan Zhen brought up the matter, he naturally seized the opportunity to speak.

“Sect Master Chen is right,” Ye Qing said. “After I return, I will inquire with the Grand Void Ethereal Palace.”

Ye Qing nodded. The Five Elements Sect, now a major Nascent Soul sect, indeed met the requirements for establishing a large-scale teleportation array. Upon hearing this, Chen Mobai's face lit up with joy as he expressed his gratitude. He understood perfectly that with Ye Qing's willingness to intervene, the matter would essentially be settled.

Subsequently, the three of them began discussing matters related to developing new territories. Deep within the desolate wilderness resided the Golden Flame Suanni, a creature not only of immense power but also a true spirit bloodline descendant of the Demonic Golden Lion Royal Court. Initially, the Imperial Court of the Eastern Lands engaged in a fierce battle with the eight great demonic royal courts led by the Nine-Headed Great Sage, resulting in the destruction of three, among them the Golden Lion Royal Court. Although annihilated, many remnants escaped into the vast, sprawling desolate wilderness. This Golden Flame Suanni was one such survivor; to this day, its bloodline has revived, enabling it to contend with Soul Transformation True Monarchs.

One of the reasons for choosing to develop the desolate wilderness where the Golden Flame Suanni resided was precisely this consideration. This particular Golden Flame Suanni, with its true spirit bloodline, was known to actively hunt and devour human cultivators within the desolate wilderness. The incident began when a Nascent Soul cultivator from the Dao De Sect ventured into the desolate wilderness to gather herbs, only to be discovered and slain by the Golden Flame Suanni.

The Dao De Sect naturally could not tolerate this. Citing the need to refine the 'True Spirit Pill of Transcendent Enlightenment,' they allied with the Nine Heavens Demon Eradication Sect and the Grand Void Ethereal Palace, issuing a reclamation order with the intent to flay and dismember the Golden Flame Suanni.

“In the lands of Dongzhou, our human race faces two great scourges: demonic cultivators and demonic beasts.”

“Previously, our Nine Heavens Demon Eradication Sect not only eradicated demons but also slew demonic beasts. However, after the brutal war between the Human Emperor of the Eastern Lands and the Nine-Headed Great Sage, both sides needed time to recuperate. Consequently, our Holy Lands and the Imperial Court signed non-aggression treaties with the remaining five great demonic royal courts.”

“Thus, from then on, our sect became renowned primarily for demon eradication, with the slaying of demonic beasts rarely mentioned.”

Upon hearing Ye Qing's explanation, Chen Mobai nodded repeatedly. Such information was typically known only to the major sects and Holy Lands of the Eastern Lands. For instance, each of the five great demonic royal courts contained living true spirit bloodlines, equivalent to human Soul Transformation True Monarchs. It was precisely for this reason that cultivators from Dongyi dared to venture beyond the Profound Sea. Nominally, the Profound Sea beyond Dongyi belonged to the territory of the Profound Jiao Royal Court. However, due to the existing agreement, as long as human cultivators did not overstep their bounds while collecting herbs, pearls, and minerals from the seabed, the Profound Jiao Royal Court largely overlooked it. Mutual deterrence based on strength was the true prerequisite for peace.

However, since the Golden Lion Royal Court had already been annihilated, it was not covered by the agreement. Coupled with the Golden Flame Suanni's provocation of the Dao De Sect, the reclamation order was thus directly aimed at it.

After his conversation with Ye Qing, Chen Mobai gained a general understanding of the top-tier powers within the Sky River Realm. On the human side of Dongzhou, all three major Holy Lands had Soul Transformation cultivators overseeing them, while the status of the sealed Yiyuan Dao Palace remained unknown. On the demonic path, numerous ancient monstrous beings lay hidden, preserved through various sinister secret arts. However, the only unequivocally confirmed Soul Transformation realm entity was a ghost god from the Exorcising Deity Demonic Sect!

Before the emergence of Ming Zun, the Exorcising Deity Demonic Sect was the undisputed leader of the Eastern Li Demonic Path. “I heard that when Ming Zun's demonic arts reached their peak, he personally visited the Exorcising Deity Demonic Sect to learn their ghost god techniques. The precise outcome of that encounter is unknown, but ever since, the Exorcising Deity Demonic Sect has retreated into the shadows, with the Tongyou Demonic Sect becoming the new leader of the demonic path.”

“After Ming Zun and the avatar of True Monarch Yiyuan clashed and vanished, the Tongyou Demonic Sect also began to conceal itself.”

“Currently, the Eastern Li Demonic Path is led by the Qitian Demonic Sect and the Yujing Demonic Sect. Though neither sect possesses a Soul Transformation demonic monarch, they both boast formidable demonic cultivators at the peak of the Nascent Soul realm, capable of briefly unleashing Soul Transformation power using their profound secret arts.”

“The remaining major demonic sects, while only possessing Nascent Soul cultivators, are nonetheless strangely powerful. Sect Master Chen, if you encounter any of them, you must exercise extreme caution.”

“The most peculiar of all is the Incarnation Demonic Sect. This lineage is also the most mysterious, practicing the art of divine sense clones. They possess cultivators by exploiting their inner demons to manipulate minds, and once successful, their thousands of incarnations merge into a single, omniscient entity. However, precisely because of this, the sect is suppressed even by the demonic path itself. Should any of their members be discovered, all three factions—the righteous, the demonic, and the demonic beasts—will seek to eradicate them.”

Ye Qing meticulously explained the eighteen sects of the Eastern Li Demonic Path to Chen Mobai, one by one. Upon hearing about the Incarnation Demonic Sect, Chen Mobai was suddenly reminded of the Divine Devouring Art. It seemed to follow a very similar path. Such a cultivation method would indeed be feared by all factions. No one would wish for their disciples or followers to be possessed. After all, one naturally lowers their guard around those close to them, which could inadvertently lead to the leakage of crucial information. If a cultivator had to constantly be on guard even against those closest to them, it would be an unbearable burden.

“Is there a way to identify members of the Incarnation Demonic Sect?” Chen Mobai couldn't help but ask.

Ye Qing nodded. “The Incarnation Demonic Sect's divine sense possession merges with the demonic thoughts in one's heart. Therefore, they can be detected using pure qi. Many sects in Dongzhou favor cultivating Pure Bamboo for this very reason. This method was developed by the Pure Upper Palace, a Holy Land in Xizhou. The patriarch of the Kongsang Valley lineage, incidentally, originally traveled from Dongyi, crossed the Profound Sea to Xizhou, and only after receiving the Pure Upper Palace's inheritance did he return to establish his own lineage.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Mobai's expression suddenly cleared with understanding. No wonder the people of Kongsang Valley were so fond of cultivating Pure Bamboo wherever they went.

After discussing the eighteen demonic sects, Chen Mobai then inquired about the Ten Directions Palace. Ye Qing also had considerable knowledge of this. After the collapse of the Eastern Lands Imperial Court, many members of the Ten Directions Palace left Dongzhou. Some ventured overseas, while others traveled to the other four continents. For instance, the Heavenly Thunder Chan Sect, a Holy Land in Xizhou, was originally the Heavenly Thunder Temple, one of the Ten Directions Palace's constituents. The cultivators of this sect, residing in that utmost western elevated region, practiced profound arts to absorb the power of heavenly thunder, resulting in formidable physiques and astonishing combat prowess.

However, the Heavenly Thunder Chan Sect only recruited cultivators with lightning spirit roots. Even at its peak, their numbers never exceeded ten, yet each member achieved remarkable accomplishments. Throughout their history, only a mere handful stopped at Core Formation; the rest invariably reached Nascent Soul, and those with exceptional talent even attained Soul Transformation. The Heavenly Thunder Chan Sect and the Pure Upper Palace were equally renowned in Xizhou, akin to the Nine Heavens Demon Eradication Sect and the Dao De Sect in Dongzhou. Naturally, the Grand Void Ethereal Palace also had a presence in Xizhou.

After hearing this, Chen Mobai proceeded to inquire about the other Holy Lands and major sects across the Five Continents and Four Seas. Ye Qing recounted them all, one by one. The journey was long, and they conversed at length in this manner. Before they knew it, they had arrived in the land of Dongyi.

Jinwu Immortal City!

When Old Ancestor Baiwu received word from his disciples that Ye Qing had arrived with a retinue, he inwardly grumbled, wondering if the past offense involving Zhu Jun sealing the teleportation array had resurfaced, and if the Dao Child of the Nine Heavens Demon Eradication Sect was here to advocate for his sect's merchant guild. However, when his disciple added that Chen Qingdi of the Five Elements Sect was also accompanying them, Old Ancestor Baiwu's heart suddenly sank. He immediately sensed trouble. But Ye Qing was already at his doorstep, and hiding was not an option.

“Hahahaha, what an unexpected turn of events today, to have Dao Child Ye, Saintess Yuan, and Sect Master Chen all grace my humble abode! It truly is an honor.” Upon entering the great hall, Old Ancestor Baiwu familiarly greeted Ye Qing, Yuan Zhen, and Chen Mobai, betraying no hint of his true desire for Chen Mobai's demise.

“Venerable Baiwu,” Ye Qing began, “I'll spare you the pleasantries. You recognize this corpse, do you not?” Ye Qing nodded in acknowledgment, then cut straight to the chase, producing Zhu Jun's unseeing corpse.

“Jun'er... Who killed her...? I swear I will not rest until I exact vengeance!” The moment Old Ancestor Baiwu saw Zhu Jun, he knew his scheme was exposed. Yet, he betrayed no panic, immediately launching into an act. He rushed to Zhu Jun's corpse, clenching his fists, his face contorted in feigned fury.

“I killed her,” Chen Mobai stated lightly. Old Ancestor Baiwu immediately lifted his head, his eyes bloodshot as he stared back. As their gazes locked, the temperature within the great hall suddenly intensified, causing Foundation Establishment cultivators like Xiang Xieyuan to break out in a sweat.

“Dao Child Ye, what is the meaning of your visit today? Do you intend to kill me along with Sect Master Chen?” Old Ancestor Baiwu did not make a move; instead, he directed his icy question toward Ye Qing. He also had powerful backing. With the Five Blazing Heaven Lineages now in cooperation, he didn't believe Ye Qing would dare to kill him, risking the failure of their reclamation efforts.

“I merely brought Sect Master Chen here to confront Venerable Baiwu,” Ye Qing calmly replied. She then gestured towards Xiang Xieyuan, Yu Ji, and the others, recounting the events that had transpired in the Eastern Barrens. “Yu Ji has cultivated demonic arts and has confessed without equivocation. Furthermore, your disciple Zhu Jun colluded with her, intending to murder these nine individuals to break the seal of the Yellow Dragon Cave and release the poisonous dragon. What is your explanation for this?”

“What?! That rebellious disciple actually colluded with demonic cultivators? I must have been blind!” Upon seeing Chen Mobai arrive with Ye Qing, Old Ancestor Baiwu largely understood what was happening. However, he hadn't anticipated Zhu Jun being so careless, not only failing to complete her task but also allowing others to implicate him in the mess. “However, I can state with a clear conscience that I absolutely did not instruct Zhu Jun to cooperate with the demonic path. I was entirely unaware of this rebellious disciple's collusion with them!” Even with the backing of the Five Blazing Heaven Lineages, Old Ancestor Baiwu could not bear the accusation of collusion with the demonic path. He vehemently denied it!

In response, Ye Qing nodded lightly and then asked, “Do you dare to swear a Dao Heart Oath?”

Upon hearing this, Old Ancestor Baiwu's brows furrowed deeply. As a Holy Land inheritor, he naturally knew that the more Dao Heart Oaths one swore, the less pristine their Dao Heart would become. However, under Ye Qing's piercing gaze, he had no alternative.

“Of course, I can swear!” Old Ancestor Baiwu said through gritted teeth, for under the present circumstances, swearing a Dao Heart Oath was the only way to clear himself of the suspicion of colluding with the demonic path.

Once he had raised his hand and completed his oath, Ye Qing and Yuan Zhen exchanged glances and nodded.

“Then, Venerable Baiwu,” Chen Mobai interjected, “might you also swear that you did not instruct Zhu Jun to unseal the Yellow Dragon Cave?”