Chapter 945

Time quickly approached the end of the year.

During the Grand Assembly of Kaiyuan Hall, Narcissus announced her resignation from all current positions due to personal reasons, stating her intention to focus on cultivation.

However, the three great halls could not remain leaderless. After a fair and just vote, Chen Mobai, the Deputy Hall Master of Zhenglong Hall, was unanimously elected as the new Hall Master.

In a sense, the three Hall Masters were the masters of the Immortal Sect.

After realizing a lifelong dream he had cherished since childhood, Chen Mobai returned to his hometown and informed his grandfather of the news at his grave.

Since the graves of his relatives were all together, after visiting his grandfather, Chen Mobai also paid his respects to the surrounding tombs.

Besides him, Shi Wanyu and her daughter also came along.

It was also the end-of-year holiday, so Chen Xiaohei had time.

However, after achieving Core Formation, Chen Xiaohei had been promoted to a council member of Kaiyuan Hall. Currently, she had two paths before her: either take up an external temporary position or remain in Wangwu Cave Heaven and await a suitable opening.

Because all suitable positions in the major departments within the three great halls were currently occupied, and Chen Mobai was unwilling to use his influence, waiting was the only option if she wished to stay.

If she took an external temporary position, she could accumulate more merits, which would make it easier to obtain the spirit medicine for Nascent Soul formation from the outside in.

However, after careful consideration, Chen Xiaohei decided to stay in Wangwu Cave Heaven.

After all, Shi Wanyu's lifespan, though extended by Chen Mobai's elixirs, had not gained much additional time. In the final years of her life, Chen Xiaohei wished to remain by her mother's side.

Chen Mobai was very pleased by this.

Since Wang Xinying was still on Dragon God Star, Chen Mobai lit an extra stick of incense on her behalf.

On the way down the mountain, Shi Wanyu asked about Wang Xinying, as their relationship was quite good. "Auntie should be able to obtain the Golden Liquid Jade Return Pill after returning from the pioneering war this time, right?"

"Everything has been arranged!" Chen Mobai said lightly. Shi Wanyu did not ask further, knowing that her husband always kept his word.

During this pioneering war, due to the additional spiritual energy from a God Transformation cultivator, the Immortal Sect would refine more Core Formation spirit medicines, allocating them based on seniority and merit.

Due to his familial relationship with Wang Xinying, Chen Mobai entrusted Taiyuan Academy to submit her name.

It was handled exactly like Yan Bingxuan's Core Formation spirit medicine in the past, and Revered Qingping naturally lent his assistance.

The only concern was Wang Xinying's mediocre talent. Although she had consistently worked to improve her spiritual roots over the years, there remained a fundamental gap compared to the geniuses from the four great academies. Even with the Golden Liquid Jade Return Pill, success was not guaranteed.

However, Wang Xinying was also getting on in years; half of her 240-year Foundation Establishment lifespan had already passed. This was the peak of her vitality and spirit. If she didn't seize this opportunity to attempt Core Formation, then as time passed, although her spiritual root value might increase, all other aspects would decline year by year.

Chen Mobai also possessed Water Elemental Core-Forming Pills and Wood Elemental Core-Forming Pills, but these did not align with her attributes.

However, before leaving Eastern Desolation years ago, he had already instructed Qing Nü to gather ingredients for a batch of Golden Liquid Jade Return Pills. He wondered if they had been refined by now.

Recalling this, Chen Mobai realized it had been a long time since he had returned to Eastern Desolation. Now that he had left Dragon God Star and was no longer under the watchful eyes of the Immortal Sect's Twin Sages, it was time to go back and check.

"You two go back first. I'll go check on the Jadeite Parasol Tree at Danxia Mountain..."

Chen Mobai told Shi Wanyu and her daughter to return to their old home in Danxia City, then used Void Walk to instantly teleport to the long-unvisited Danxia Mountain.

Everything on the mountaintop was exactly as he had left it, with no changes.

After his Nascent Soul formation, this place had been designated a cultural heritage site of Danxia City, similar to the Geda Courtyard in Yumu City.

However, since he no longer resided at this top-grade Tier 4 spiritual vein, its spiritual energy output was controlled, with only enough remaining to support the normal growth of the Jadeite Parasol Tree.

Upon realizing this, Chen Mobai made a call to the Sky Curtain and Earth Vein Management Bureau. Soon after, the mountaintop was once again filled with the abundant spiritual energy of a top-grade Tier 4 spiritual vein.

The previously somewhat dormant Jadeite Parasol Tree also sensed this, and its verdant leaves released an even fresher aura.

Chen Mobai went to the Jadeite Parasol Tree and listened for a while using his Empty Valley Sound technique, confirming that after his departure, only official personnel from Danxia City's Immortal Sect and the two great academies had ascended the mountain. He nodded in approval.

Although all traces he had left there had been erased after his Nascent Soul formation, he still did not wish for anyone to spy on him or investigate his affairs.

After returning to the wooden house, he took out his turtle-shaped treasure and traveled to Eastern Desolation.

"Greetings, Master!"

Inside Yellow Dragon Cave, Zhuo Ming, accompanied by Grand Age Child and Little Yellow Dragon Girl, bowed to Chen Mobai, who had emerged from seclusion.

"It's been a long time. I'm pleasantly surprised to see you've actually broken through to the mid-stage of Core Formation," Chen Mobai said, his face breaking into a smile.

"It's not just me. Junior Sister Luo and Junior Brother Jiang have also broken through, as have Senior Brother E Yun, Senior Brother Zhou Wangshen, and others..."

Zhuo Ming was delighted by Chen Mobai's affirmation. After mentioning her junior siblings, she also spoke of other Core Formation cultivators within the sect.

The Five Elements Sect was currently flourishing, gobbling up resources from the three frontier regions of Eastern Desolation. Cultivators within the sect lacked no cultivation resources, and with Qing Nü's barrier-breaking elixirs, many had broken through to the mid-stage of Core Formation within decades of their initial Core Formation.

Among these, the breakthroughs of the others were all within expectations.

Only Jiang Zongheng, who had achieved Core Formation a relatively short time ago—just over thirty years—also broke through, which surprised him somewhat.

However, considering that this disciple cultivated the Immortality Scripture, it was understandable.

After all, nearly all difficulties in this cultivation method had been smoothed out by the sect's predecessors. Especially after Zhou Shengqing's revisions, with his grand vision as a Nascent Soul cultivator, Jiang Zongheng would face no confusion before reaching Nascent Soul formation himself.

Chen Mobai then asked about Qing Nü and learned that she was currently in Ten Thousand Transformations Immortal City, leading the alchemists of Danxia Pavilion in refining elixirs.

"Master, Danxia Pavilion's annual profit is almost a third of the sect's now..."

Zhuo Ming said this with a look of envy.

Chen Mobai was slightly taken aback upon hearing this.

Before the pioneering war, the Five Elements Sect had an annual surplus of fifty million spirit stones. Over the years, this number would only have increased, not decreased.

This meant that Qing Nü's Danxia Pavilion was now generating at least tens of millions of spirit stones in net profit annually.

Even he, a Nascent Soul cultivator, could only sigh upon hearing this figure, marveling at how profitable the elixir business truly was here.

However, this was also thanks to the Five Elements Sect's backing. Otherwise, if another force, even a Holy Land, tried to operate here, they would likely be constantly targeted by rogue cultivators for plunder in the three frontier regions of Eastern Desolation.

After all, a local magistrate is more effective than a distant emperor. The Holy Lands were far away in the Eastern Lands, whereas the Five Elements Sect, through its large-scale teleportation arrays, had united the three territories of Eastern Desolation, Eastern Wu, and Eastern Yi. Should anyone dare to make a move, the Five Elements Sect cultivators, led by the Nascent Soul Sword Cultivator Mo Douguang, could reach Danxia Pavilion's various branches in the shortest possible time.

Even if rogue cultivators managed to steal elixirs from Danxia Pavilion, few could escape the Five Elements Sect's pursuit.

Some external rogue cultivators, disbelieving of the warnings, had tried several times. Unless they hid deep within the barren ruins or promptly fled overseas, if they remained within the three frontier regions of Eastern Desolation, they would almost certainly be found by the Five Elements Sect and used as an example to warn others.

Achieving this was naturally the result of Chen Mobai's diligent efforts.

The Minor Sky Dome Big Dipper Star Array was hanging in the sky, and the communication project overseen by Song Huangda had now fully spread across the three frontier regions of Eastern Desolation. Danxia Pavilion's branches were only established in major immortal cities, where the signal was strongest.

After being robbed, unless a rogue cultivator could instantly teleport away like Chen Mobai, any escape method, be it evasion techniques or flying boats, would leave traces.

As long as there were traces, the Five Elements Sect would find them.

Chen Mobai's main reason for returning was to see Qing Nü and inquire about the progress of the Golden Liquid Jade Return Pill's refinement. After sending a message to Qing Nü, he waited in Yellow Dragon Cave.

As his disciple, Zhuo Ming stayed with him throughout.

Through her, Chen Mobai learned about the events that had transpired in Eastern Desolation during his nearly twenty years of seclusion.

First, Fengyu Dock outside Yellow Dragon Cave had also been completely transformed. Thanks to Zhou Ye's diligent efforts, it was not only filled to become a massive artificial island but also saw the completion of Fengyu Immortal City.

This immortal city had now become a bridgehead for exchanges between Eastern Desolation and Eastern Wu.

The annual profits it generated were second only to Beiyuan Immortal City, the core of the three regions.

"Zhou Ye has worked hard..."

At this point, Chen Mobai remembered that the Infant Nurturing Pill was still with him. He had promised to give it to Zhou Ye once he completed this task, and wondered if Zhou Ye was anxious.

Thinking of this, Chen Mobai also sent a message to Zhou Ye using his Heavenly Link Orb.

Coincidentally, after completing the construction of Fengyu Immortal City, Zhou Ye had been stationed there, right next to Yellow Dragon Cave.

Upon receiving the message, he immediately rushed over!

"Greetings, Junior Sect Master!"

Upon entering, Zhou Ye solemnly bowed to Chen Mobai.

"I had some unexpected gains in my cultivation, so my seclusion lasted a bit longer. I apologize for keeping you waiting, Senior Brother Zhou!"

Chen Mobai first apologized to Zhou Ye, who repeatedly expressed that he dared not accept the apology.

"How is your Five Elements True Qi and Primordial True Qi refinement progressing, Senior Brother Zhou?"

"Reporting to Junior Sect Master, it was already perfected ten years ago, meeting the conditions for Nascent Soul formation. Through refinement over these past years, I've added several more strands of True Qi..."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ye understood Chen Mobai's meaning. Suppressing his slight excitement, he reported on his cultivation status.

"That's excellent. This is the Infant Nurturing Pill. Senior Brother Mo consumed this to form his Nascent Soul. I hope you, Senior Brother Zhou, will also succeed and become the Five Elements Sect's fourth Nascent Soul cultivator!"

This was something he had promised earlier, so Chen Mobai directly took out a glass bottle containing an Infant Nurturing Pill from his storage bag and handed it to Zhou Ye.

"Many thanks, Junior Sect Master!"

Zhou Ye performed a grand bow, receiving the long-desired Infant Nurturing Pill with both hands.

The Five Elements Sect now had three Nascent Soul cultivators. He knew that both Chen Mobai and Mo Douguang had successfully formed their Nascent Souls after consuming this ancient elixir, which was inherited from the 'Longevity Sect'.

These two living examples of success made Zhou Ye realize that this Infant Nurturing Pill was far more potent than the Nascent Soul Condensing Pill he had treasured.

The moment the Infant Nurturing Pill was in his grasp, Zhou Ye felt that all the effort and dedication he had poured into the Five Elements Sect over the years had been repaid. All his hard work had been worth it.

He thought, 'If I had known Junior Sect Master possessed such a precious item, I should have surrendered sooner!' This was Zhou Ye's current thought.

"Senior Brother Zhou, where will you choose to form your Nascent Soul?"

"Primordial Immortal City!"

Zhou Ye did not hesitate. After all, it was the place he was most familiar with, and a top-grade Tier 4 spiritual vein was entirely sufficient for Nascent Soul formation.

However, Chen Mobai felt it would be better to add an extra layer of assurance.

"The Primordial Unity Secret Realm has balanced Five Elements spiritual energy, making it most suitable for you, having cultivated Five Elements True Qi. However, the key is with Qing Nü, so perhaps Senior Brother Zhou could wait for half a day."

Chen Mobai intended to open the Primordial Unity Secret Realm for Zhou Ye to form his Nascent Soul. Although he had taken the Tier 5 spiritual vein core, the Heavenly Essence Pearl, from there, for Zhou Ye, who cultivated orthodox Primordial True Qi and unified Five Elements True Qi, it would be much better than Primordial Immortal City.

"Many thanks, Junior Sect Master!"

Zhou Ye's face lit up with great joy upon hearing this.

He had considered this before. However, since that place fell into Chen Mobai's hands, it had not been opened to other sect members. Furthermore, he was not as close to Chen Mobai as Zhou Shengqing and Mo Douguang were, so he hadn't dared to speak up rashly.

Next, Chen Mobai and Zhou Ye discussed the situation in Eastern Wu.

"The Sun family has completely declined. Over the years, the Lu family, relying on our Five Elements Sect's resources, gained an additional heterodox Core Formation cultivator and one true Core Formation cultivator, and has now replaced the Sun family as the foremost family in Eastern Wu..."

As the place of his origin, and with Zhou Ye stationed in Fengyu Immortal City, dealing with Eastern Wu daily, he naturally desired revenge.

However, he also kept Chen Mobai's words firmly in mind, as he hadn't yet received the Infant Nurturing Pill. Thus, he had been very well-behaved over the years, only secretly targeting the Sun family.

A portion of the Lu family's rapid rise over these years could be attributed to his efforts!

After they chatted for a while, Qing Nü returned to Yellow Dragon Cave!

She was also very happy to see Chen Mobai, but since Zhou Ye and Zhuo Ming were present, she exercised considerable restraint.

It was only after Zhou Ye took the jade pendant key to the Primordial Unity Secret Realm and left that she subtly revealed her true emotions.

The couple had not seen each other for a long time, so Zhuo Ming, being perceptive, led Grand Age Child and Little Yellow Dragon Girl away.

Soon, the room was filled with the vibrant energy of spring!