Chapter 926: The Foundation of the Immortal Sect

Mo Douguang had successfully formed his Nascent Soul, and naturally, the three sworn brothers had to celebrate.

Coincidentally, Shi Xuan's child was also born around this time.

Upon hearing the news, Qing Nü went down on Chen Mobai's behalf.

"Mistress of the Sect, this is my granddaughter..."

Shi Xuan was resting with Guo Wanlan, who had just given birth. Shi Pengyi emerged, holding a baby girl with delicate, rosy skin. Beside him stood a woman with stern features, Guo Hongmin, their in-law, who also looked at the infant with concern.

Qing Nü smiled and took out a bottle of vital energy recovery pills, asking Guo Hongmin to give them to Guo Wanlan. She then carefully reached out and took the baby into her arms.

Around her, sword cultivators from the Metal Vein, including Ning Leshan, had mostly arrived and greeted Qing Nü one after another.

"Don't mind me; I just came to see the child."

Seeing the slightly reserved crowd due to her presence, Qing Nü smiled and spoke. She then returned the child to Shi Pengyi, intending to sit for a while before leaving.

At her words, the sword cultivators from the Metal Vein all relaxed. They began to sit together in their respective groups and gathered around Shi Pengyi in batches to see the newborn baby girl.

"Cough, cough..."

Suddenly, the baby girl began to cough violently. Shi Pengyi, holding her, became slightly anxious, unsure of what to do.

The surrounding sword cultivators, naturally, were even more helpless, skilled only in combat.

"Let me take a look..."

Qing Nü said. In her youth, she had studied medical courses at the Jumang Daoist Academy. Her medical skills, in the Eastern Wilderness, were among the best, if not the very best.

Taking the child from Shi Pengyi's arms once more, Qing Nü could not help but exclaim in surprise.

She found that the baby's originally delicate skin now had a faint, golden-jade luster, yet the infant's face was as pale as gold leaf, and her breathing was barely perceptible.

She immediately used the Immortal Sect's methods to examine the baby and discovered a wisp of extremely pure Metal spiritual energy within her. However, due to her tender age, her meridians and bone marrow were not yet fully formed, making her unable to withstand, refine, or even release it.

To solve this, she simply needed to extract this surge of Metal spiritual energy.

However, Qing Nü detected that this Metal spiritual energy was not without origin. Instead, it was the abundant Metal spiritual energy between the heavens and earth at Golden Radiance Cliff that the baby instinctively absorbed, yet she was unable to refine it, thus causing these symptoms.

A Congenital Metal Spirit Body! Perhaps even a Heavenly Metal Spirit Root!

Based on the medical knowledge from the Immortal Sect, Qing Nü instantly considered the possible answers.

It was likely due to Mo Douguang forming his Nascent Soul over the past six months, which thoroughly activated the Metal spiritual energy within Golden Radiance Cliff's spiritual veins, causing a surge in the area's Metal spiritual energy concentration. This baby girl happened to be conceived and developed during this period, resulting in her spiritual root instinctively absorbing this worldly spiritual energy while still in her mother's womb.

Fortunately, it was discovered early. Moreover, her mother, Guo Wanlan, was also a cultivator with a strong physique; otherwise, the baby might have died from difficult childbirth due to this condition.

At this moment, Shi Xuan and Guo Hongmin, hearing the commotion, also came out. They rushed to Qing Nü's side with anxious expressions, their hearts aching as they watched the baby girl, whose skin was like gold and jade and who continued to cough in Qing Nü's arms.

"The child's spiritual root is too powerful, causing her to instinctively absorb spiritual energy even before embarking on the path of cultivation..."

Qing Nü briefly explained, then proceeded to extract and disperse the excess Metal spiritual energy from the baby's body.

Immediately, the baby's skin returned to its original fair and delicate state, and her coughing stopped. She opened a pair of clear, adorable large eyes, saw Qing Nü, who held her like a celestial being, and then smiled broadly.

"Thank you, Mistress of the Sect, for your timely intervention!"

Shi Xuan breathed a sigh of relief at this sight, then bowed deeply to Qing Nü, but she stopped him.

"This is merely a temporary solution, not a permanent cure. There are several ways to address the root cause, but let them decide how to proceed. The few of you, come with me."

As Qing Nü spoke, she pointed towards the mountain peak.

Although this child's spiritual root could not yet be measured because she hadn't fully matured, judging by this situation, she was at least a Congenital Metal Spirit Body. If properly nurtured, she would undoubtedly become another Nascent Soul cultivator in the future.

Therefore, the treatment plan needed to be extremely cautious.

Hearing Qing Nü's words, everyone dared not delay. Ning Leshan personally stayed behind to handle matters. Meanwhile, Qing Nü opened her Ruyi Gourd, condensing the mist and vapor within into a cloud of light, which carried Shi Pengyi's family up to the peak of Golden Radiance Cliff.

"With this child, the Metal Vein has an heir!"

After Qing Nü finished speaking, Chen Mobai smiled and said to Mo Douguang beside him.

"It's a double blessing, indeed."

Mo Douguang nodded in agreement after hearing this.

"I can draw a talisman to seal off the child's spiritual energy perception with the world and release it once her body has fully matured."

Zhou Shengqing shared his idea, which was one method of resolution and also one of Qing Nü's thoughts.

"I can refine a Sword Pellet for the child to wear. Then, I can engrave a restriction on the Sword Pellet to absorb the Metal spiritual energy the child draws in. This would not only solve the problem but also prevent waste. Furthermore, when she cultivates in the future, this Sword Pellet will become her Destiny Sword Embryo..."

After discussing with Qing Nü, Chen Mobai proposed an alternative method.

This approach had another benefit: the baby girl would continuously absorb Metal spiritual energy as she grew. Once her body adapted, she would possess the most perfect Congenital Metal Spirit Body, allowing her cultivation to progress with half the effort for double the results.

"However, this would require constant supervision. If the child were to fuss and take off the Sword Pellet, something unexpected might happen."

Qing Nü, from a medical perspective, raised a possible scenario.

The Immortal Sect typically opts for conservative treatment for such conditions, similar to Zhou Shengqing's idea: immediately apply a talisman to ensure she reaches adulthood first.

"Then let the parents choose."

After Chen Mobai spoke, Zhou Shengqing and Mo Douguang also looked towards Shi Pengyi and the others.

Under the gaze of three Nascent Soul Grandmasters, they couldn't help but tremble slightly.

"Grandmasters, may I go home and consult my wife about this matter?"

The normally reserved Shi Xuan suddenly took the initiative to speak. Guo Wanlan was still weak from childbirth and had not come up with them.

Chen Mobai naturally nodded, and soon after, Shi Xuan returned.

"Grandmasters, we prefer the second method!"

This did not surprise them; in the Heavenly River Realm, ninety-nine percent would choose the more powerful option.

Chen Mobai considered that this child would at least be a powerful sword cultivator in the future. So, he took a thumb-sized piece of Fifth-Grade Dark Profound Cold Iron, refined it with Douluo Fire into a glass-sphere-like Sword Pellet, and strung it with Fourth-Grade Dragon Sinews extracted from the Toxic Dragon Ancestor's corpse, personally hanging it around the baby girl's neck.

"What is this child's name?"

After hanging the Sword Pellet and setting up the restriction for absorbing Metal spiritual energy, Chen Mobai asked Shi Xuan and the others beside him.

"She hasn't been formally named yet, only given a nickname: Jin Ling'er," Shi Xuan replied.

"Please, Sect Master, grant her a formal name!" It was Shi Pengyi, more experienced, who immediately spoke up.

Chen Mobai thought for a moment, feeling that "Jin Ling'er" was already a lovely nickname. He genuinely couldn't think of a better formal name, but under the circumstances, it seemed inappropriate not to give her one.

"My lady, you do it."

Finally, seeing Qing Nü deep in thought, he directly entrusted the task to her.

"Bell chimes, celestial music, jade pendants resonating... how about 'Yu Ke'?"

Indeed, Qing Nü's cultural knowledge was far superior to Chen Mobai's; she immediately recalled an excellent name from an Immortal Sect classic.

"Thank you, Mistress of the Sect, for bestowing the name!"

Shi Pengyi and his son, along with Guo Hongmin, immediately expressed their gratitude.

After the family departed, Chen Mobai discussed Jin Ling'er's future arrangements with Zhou Shengqing and Mo Douguang.

According to Chen Mobai, with Jin Ling'er's talent, it would be proper for her to become Mo Douguang's disciple and be well-trained by him.

"If she wishes to learn swordsmanship in the future, perhaps it's better to let her become a disciple of the Sect Master's junior brother. My sword dao is far inferior to yours."

To their surprise, Mo Douguang directly refused.

Zhou Shengqing also showed a look of agreement. After all, he had personally witnessed Chen Mobai using his sword to guide the Heavenly Tribulation and slay the toxic dragon. Although Mo Douguang's talent in swordsmanship was extraordinary, compared to Chen Mobai, the difference was like heaven and earth.

To avoid hindering Jin Ling'er's talent, they all believed it would be better for Chen Mobai to take her as a disciple.

"I have four disciples already; any more would be too much to manage."

But Chen Mobai knew his own limitations. His sword dao realm relied on empowerment earlier and on the traces of Ancestor Baiguang's sword calligraphy later, lacking any fundamental foundation.

How could he teach?

To avoid misleading a promising talent, he immediately found an excuse, stating that his energy was limited and he did not wish to take on more disciples.

Furthermore, Jin Ling'er clearly possessed exceptional Metal attribute talent, making Mo Douguang the most suitable teacher.

"I recall that Junior Sister-in-law hasn't taken any disciples yet. Since Junior Brother's lineage on Mount Xiaonan is quite full, why not let Jin Ling'er, once she grows up, become a disciple at Junior Sister-in-law's Yellow Dragon Grotto-Heaven? Coincidentally, her name was also given by Junior Sister-in-law."

Zhou Shengqing actually believed Chen Mobai's words and immediately thought of a compromise. He also had his own subtle intentions: Qing Nü had an extraordinary background and astonishing alchemy skills. Although she was now Chen Mobai's Dao companion, if she could take a disciple from the Five Elements Sect, it would solidify their ties further, ensuring her complete integration.

Qing Nü, upon hearing this, indeed looked moved. After speaking with Chen Mobai, she knew that they definitely wouldn't have children, at least not before reaching the Soul Transformation stage. Thus, a lovable and exceptionally talented child born right before her eyes was naturally someone she wouldn't mind taking as a disciple.

"That's not entirely unfeasible. However, let's wait until the child grows up. We should also respect her own choices, as she might have an even greater destiny in the future."

Seeing Qing Nü's expression, Chen Mobai tentatively settled on this arrangement for the time being.

However, in Mo Douguang and Zhou Shengqing's view, Jin Ling'er's greatest fortune would be to become a disciple of Chen Mobai and his wife.

"During this child's growth, I'll still have to trouble Senior Brother Mo to look after her."

Chen Mobai said to Mo Douguang, as the latter had the highest achievements in Metal-attribute cultivation techniques within the Five Elements Sect.

Mo Douguang naturally did not refuse, stating that he would help lay a solid foundation for the child but would not teach specific sword arts or cultivation techniques, so as not to mislead her.

Chen Mobai gave a wry smile upon hearing this but found it awkward to admit he was merely mediocre in swordsmanship.

Before leaving, he also did not forget to help Mo Douguang upgrade his Longevity Sword. During the previous tribulation, he had discovered that this flying sword had already developed a faint sentience.

This time, with Fifth-Grade materials refined into it, if it had the chance in the future, it might even be upgraded to a Fifth-Grade flying sword!

"Senior Brothers, I feel signs of breaking through to the mid-Nascent Soul stage, so I will likely enter a long period of secluded cultivation. The sect will have to rely on you two to oversee matters."

Chen Mobai said to Zhou Shengqing and Mo Douguang. The two looked at each other in surprise after hearing this.

If they weren't mistaken, it had only been twenty-two years since Chen Mobai formed his Nascent Soul. Was he really about to break through already?

That's too fast!

"Junior Brother is indeed a heaven-sent genius; I am ashamed of my inferiority."

Mo Douguang said sincerely. He had always been a very proud person, even disdaining Zhou Ye with his Heavenly Spiritual Root, believing he could defeat him in a one-on-one sword fight.

It was precisely because of this that his sword dao was always forging ahead with fierce progress.

But only when facing Chen Mobai was Mo Douguang truly convinced.

"Not at all. It's mainly because Qing Nü helped refine a batch of pills to enhance cultivation. Otherwise, purely through arduous cultivation, it would take at least another thirty or forty years."

Chen Mobai was speaking truthfully. Without the Pure Yang Coagulation Pill, he would need at least another decade to break through to the third layer of the Nascent Soul stage.

He still had six pills unconsumed. Once the Lamp Lighting Art refined all the Pure Yang True Qi, he could continue taking them.

According to his estimation, taking all of them would certainly elevate him to the peak of the third layer of the Nascent Soul stage. As for breaking through to the fourth layer, that would depend on destiny.

However, if he were to encounter a bottleneck, Chen Mobai had already identified a pill for breaking through barriers. He would just need to collect the materials and have Qing Nü refine it when the time came.

In short, he intended to elevate his cultivation as quickly as possible.

After leaving Golden Radiance Cliff, Chen Mobai and Qing Nü returned to Yellow Dragon Grotto-Heaven.

After several days of intimacy, Chen Mobai reluctantly returned to the Immortal Sect.

Although Shi Wanyu had refined the Eternal Youth Pearl and remained ageless in appearance, she was, after all, old, with her vital essence declining. She was frail in intimate matters, and out of compassion, Chen Mobai had largely abstained from such activities over the years.

Back in the Immortal Sect, after officially announcing his daughter, he conscientiously adhered to the moral standards of a good man.

Contact with Yan Bingxuan had been severed.

As for Meng Huang'er, he never initiated contact. Though she would send greetings during festivals, Chen Mobai would respond courteously, but he no longer maintained any lingering connection with her.

Having cultivated the Pure Yang Scroll, his primordial yang energy was pure and vast. Occasionally, when his cultivation wasn't progressing through normal breakthroughs, the surge of Pure Yang True Qi would stir certain desires. With Shi Wanyu's inability, it was mostly Qing Nü who bore the brunt.

However, over the years, the surge in his cultivation due to pill breakthroughs had largely been purified by the Lamp Lighting Art.

"These are three Longevity Pills. After taking them, you should gain over twenty years of lifespan." Chen Mobai handed three Mysterious Sky Black Gold Pills to Shi Wanyu.

Although there was no initial affection, and they had only come together for their daughter's sake, over the years, Chen Mobai had come to acknowledge Shi Wanyu as a good mother and wife in his heart.

Therefore, seeing her lifespan drawing to a close, and despite her unchanging appearance, her physique becoming increasingly frail, he couldn't bear it. He disregarded the risks and brought out the pills from the Heavenly River Realm.

"Such precious items should be taken by you or our daughter. In this life, having you and her, I have no regrets."

Shi Wanyu, however, smiled and refused.

"The Expansion War is about to begin and will last at least ten years. As the Deputy Head of the Righteous Law Hall and a Nascent Soul cultivator of the Immortal Sect, I will certainly be preoccupied with these matters, perhaps even needing to draw my sword and don armor to venture into other worlds, unable to attend to our family. Your lifespan is, at most, another ten years. I don't wish for you to pass away when I am not by your side."

After Chen Mobai finished speaking, Shi Wanyu showed hesitation. Then, under the pressure of his slightly domineering gaze, she nodded and took one of the pills.

"I might not be home often from now on. Our daughter is in your care."

Chen Mobai personally infused Pure Yang spiritual energy, operating the Lamp Lighting Art to help Shi Wanyu refine the pill. Because this pill contained residual toxicity, he would need to use the Lamp Lighting Art for a period to eliminate its effects. Taking the second pill then would yield even better results.

"Yes, I will take good care of our daughter and the household."

After refining the pill, Shi Wanyu's previously somewhat dull eyes brightened slightly.

She watched Chen Mobai's departing back, her eyes filled with sweetness.

"Revered Elder, this is the military budget submitted by the Hall Master."

At the Righteous Law Hall, Chen Mobai immediately plunged into his busy work. That day, Hua Zijing rushed in and handed him a report.

"This is too much. The Immortal Affairs Hall definitely won't approve it."

Chen Mobai glanced at it and couldn't help but frown slightly.

In just one more month, the restriction he and Ancestor Qianxing had set on the World Gate would give way under the impact of the forces from both realms, causing it to open. Therefore, the military department of the Righteous Law Hall was already piloting star battleships, flying towards the Grand Void Starry Sky under the leadership of Shui Xian.

And once the military moved, logistics naturally had to follow.

Various standard flying swords, battle armor, battleship energy, divine thunder bombs, spirit stone reserves, and so on.

Shui Xian was only concerned with leading battles, pushing all these matters onto Chen Mobai, the Deputy Hall Master.

It was only then that Chen Mobai realized the Immortal Sect had sealed away so many treasures. Besides the star battleships, there were also the Six Great Heavenly Gates, the Four Symbols Dao Palaces, the Twenty-Eight Constellations Immortal Armors, and the Lingxiao Treasure Hall...

These were all the Immortal Sect's accumulated reserves over thousands of years. However, because each activation required enormous amounts of spirit stones, most of them were sealed during non-war periods.

For instance, each star battleship required a million Merit Points to activate. If unleashed at full power, it would consume thousands, even nearly ten thousand spirit stones per day.

This time, in the foreign world, although they encountered beast-like resistance underground, it was not yet time for the Immortal Sect to go all out. Thus, only four star battleships, one Northern Heavenly Gate, and the Black Tortoise Dao Palace, one of the Four Symbols, were activated.

Shui Xian had also wanted to activate the Northern Seven Constellations Immortal Armors, which were matching the Black Tortoise Dao Palace, but this was jointly rejected by the Immortal Affairs Hall and the Kaiyuan Hall.

The Twenty-Eight Constellations Immortal Armors were the pinnacle of the Immortal Sect's artifact refining and talisman crafting. A cultivator at the peak of the Core Formation stage could unleash Nascent Soul realm power after wearing them. However, their activation cost was considerable, requiring one top-grade spirit stone daily. Unless it was a crisis of national annihilation, the three major halls would absolutely not agree to it.

Shui Xian was very unhappy about this, but after Ying Guanghua showed her the current daily military expenditure bill, she could only reluctantly depart, piloting the Black Tortoise Dao Palace, the Northern Heavenly Gate, and the four Void battleships.

Chen Mobai also took a look; just for these, the Immortal Affairs Hall had to expend thirty million Merit Points daily.

If an actual war broke out, the cost would at least be in the hundreds of millions. If the Black Tortoise Dao Palace and the Northern Heavenly Gate, these two large-scale war artifacts, were unleashed at full power, the cost would multiply several times over, a figure sufficient to make the new head of the Treasury Department, Lan Haitian, faint.

Shui Xian led two major military regions and two hundred thousand cultivators, standing ready before the World Gate.

Since the Black Tortoise Dao Palace and the Northern Heavenly Gate had not been used for a thousand years, and even the star battleships were only exercised once every few decades, Shui Xian definitely needed to conduct drills before entering the foreign world to avoid being flustered when actual combat began.

However, every cannon blast cost a fortune.

Soon, one-tenth of the Void Spiritual Energy Packs provided by the Immortal Affairs Hall to Shui Xian were used up during the drills. She immediately informed Chen Mobai, asking him, as the Deputy Hall Master, to help request more military funds from the Immortal Affairs Hall.

The Immortal Sect's war reserves required various complex types of spiritual energy to activate. The Immortal Affairs Hall had long prepared corresponding Void Spiritual Energy Packs and granted Shui Xian the authority to use them.

However, the quantities were restricted, as a safeguard in case external generals betrayed them, allowing them to exert control through these supplies.

"Submit it first. Then, inform the Hall Master of the rejection..."

Chen Mobai said to Zhuang Jialan beside him. The latter immediately took the document and began liaising with the Immortal Affairs Hall to handle the matter.

In the blink of an eye, the last month passed.

A colossal palace, dark as a tortoise and a snake, floated in the starry sky, named the Black Tortoise Dao Palace.

Between the Dao Palace and the World Gate stood a glazed Heavenly Gate, adorned with thousands of auspicious rays: the Northern Heavenly Gate.

On each of the Northern Heavenly Gate's thousand auspicious rays stood an Immortal Sect Foundation Establishment cultivator clad in black battle armor, and behind each Foundation Establishment cultivator were a hundred Qi Condensation cultivators in dark blue battle armor.

Four Golden Core True Monarchs, each with their own distinct aura, stood before the Heavenly Gate, arrayed in black robes.

At this moment, silver light shimmered in the starry sky as sixteen Nascent Soul cultivators of the Immortal Sect, each radiating vigor, stepped out from the void.

Three stepped forth first: one gentle and refined, one magnificent in bearing, and another with striking charisma!

These were the Immortal Sect's three current Nascent Soul leaders: Ying Guanghua, Head of the Immortal Affairs Hall; Qi Yuheng, Head of the Kaiyuan Hall; and Chen Mobai, Deputy Head of the Righteous Law Hall!

The moment the three appeared, the previously dark and profound Black Tortoise Dao Palace erupted with a majestic surge of energy.

Soon, Shui Xian, with white hair, white brows, and skin like jade, appeared above the Dao Palace. She stood barefoot on the illusion of a tortoise, while a dark, shadowy long snake circled and flowed around her in the starry sky like a stole. Under the augmentation of the tortoise and snake aspects, Shui Xian's aura soared boundlessly.

Chen Mobai listened with his Void Valley sound technique and found that Shui Xian was no longer inferior to Qi Yuheng, perhaps even surpassing him.

After Shui Xian appeared, seven more Golden Core True Monarchs, each with distinct auras, emerged from the void, treading on torrents of energy as vast as the Milky Way. They too wore black robes and stood at the front, with countless shadowy military cultivators behind them.

Chen Mobai's eyes flashed, and he had already discerned the numbers.

Each torrent of energy was like a celestial bridge. Besides the leading Golden Core True Monarch, there were a hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators and ten thousand Qi Condensation cultivators behind.

With the Black Tortoise Dao Palace as their core, they stood in positions corresponding to the Black Tortoise's Seven Mansions, forming a powerful Fifth-Grade grand formation. This formation then resonated with the Northern Heavenly Gate ahead, creating an even more formidable war formation!

"Greetings, Revered Elders!"

Shui Xian was the first to salute the sixteen Nascent Soul cultivators of the Immortal Sect in the starry sky. Wenren Xuewei had also successfully formed her Nascent Soul and stood behind Chen Mobai.

As she moved, all two hundred thousand military cultivators in the starry sky followed suit, clenching their fists and placing them across their chests—the Immortal Sect's military salute.

"Greetings, Head of the Righteous Law Hall!"

Chen Mobai and the other sixteen naturally returned the salute.

Afterward, they all approached the World Gate and saluted the true master of the Immortal Sect.

Ancestor Qianxing sat before the World Gate, which was already half-open, his gaze deep as he looked at the foreign world behind the gate—a world half-desert, half-deep sea.

"My puppet has sensed traces of an almost Soul Transformation realm existence active in the deepest part of this planet's underground. I plan to enter with my true body. If I encounter an unblockable and powerful opponent, I will send out a message. Be ready to activate the Lingxiao Treasure Hall at all times."

As soon as Ancestor Qianxing spoke, all seventeen Nascent Soul cultivators of the Immortal Sect grew solemn.

The Lingxiao Treasure Hall was the Immortal Sect's most powerful war artifact. Piloted by a Soul Transformation True Monarch, it could unleash destructive Chaos Vitality Cannons by drawing upon thousands of years of accumulated spiritual energy from the celestial veil and earthly veins, in conjunction with the Four Symbols Dao Palaces and the Six Great Heavenly Gates.

In the past, the Immortal Sect had used it to completely obliterate a powerful foreign world, shattering it into cosmic dust!

And this was the Immortal Sect's final and most potent resort.

"Does Ancestor Baiguang need to be informed of this matter?"

At this moment, Ying Guanghua hesitated, then still asked the question, glancing intentionally or unintentionally at Chen Mobai as he spoke.

Chen Mobai thought Ying Guanghua wanted him to notify the Five Peaks Immortal Mountain because he was the head of the Dance Artifact Daoist Academy. He was just thinking about how to pass this task to Revered Chengxuan when Ancestor Qianxing shook his head and said something.

"She will emerge from seclusion in ten years!"