Chapter 949: Willing to Surrender

A sword-thread flashed, and Ice Cloud Immortal's body disintegrated into countless fragments, scattering with the wind and snow.

However, her Nascent Soul had already emerged from her body and, within the Azure Lumina Ice Heart Cord, was controlling this magical artifact to flee into the sky.

Chen Mobai's eyes flickered. Using his Spiritual Eye, he calculated the Azure Lumina Ice Heart Cord's flight path. A cyan longsword flew out, piercing the middle of the cord and pinning it to the side of a snow-capped mountain.

“Sect Master Chen, spare my life, and I can give you all of Ice Heaven Palace's accumulated treasures.” Ice Cloud Immortal's face materialized from the Azure Lumina Ice Heart Cord, pleading with Chen Mobai, who was not far away.

“To me, these things are not as important as severing ties with you.” Chen Mobai knew that as a major sect in the Eastern Lands, Ice Heaven Palace's heritage would undoubtedly be of great help to him. However, letting her go would be like releasing a tiger back into the mountains. After weighing his options, he made the most suitable choice. Furthermore, when Ice Cloud Immortal's body dispersed, her storage bag was preserved intact by him. With that, it was already enough.

With this thought, Chen Mobai used Void Walk and appeared before the Azure Lumina Ice Heart Cord.

“Sect Master Chen, this Tier 5 magical artifact is the supreme treasure of my Ice Heaven and Snow Land. Its uses are boundless. If you spare me, I can give you its incantation for refinement…” Even at this moment, Ice Cloud Immortal did not let go of any chance to survive.

“Do I look like I lack Tier 5 magical artifacts?” Chen Mobai, however, smiled and gripped the Azure Frost Sword. Although this sword's attributes didn't perfectly align with his, after years of nurturing it, it had also ascended to Tier 5. Besides this, he also took out the Heavenly Origin Pearl from his palm.

He hadn't even used his full power!

Seeing these two Tier 5 magical artifacts, Ice Cloud Immortal's face was filled with shock. Even in the Eastern Lands, Tier 5 magical artifacts were extremely rare. She had considered herself incredibly fortunate to obtain the Azure Lumina Ice Heart Cord. Yet Chen Mobai possessed two. What she found even harder to accept was that her efforts hadn't even pushed him to rely on his Tier 5 artifacts.

“Sect Master Chen, my Nascent Soul has merged with this Azure Lumina Ice Heart Cord. Its raw materials are near-Tier 6 Ice Soul Cold Crystals and Formless Divine Crystals. You won't be able to refine it. Why not give me a chance? Just spare my life, and I'm willing to tell you all the secrets of Ice Heaven and Snow Land, and even help you find the Three Yin Dao Fruit left by Patriarch Extreme Yin!” Ice Cloud Immortal still hadn't given up on survival, revealing her biggest trump card.

“Dao Fruit?!” As expected, Chen Mobai's tone subtly changed upon hearing this, clearly indicating his interest.

“Although I don't possess the Three Yin Dao Fruit right now, with the Azure Lumina Ice Heart Cord and I working together, we have a way to find it. Only cultivators who practice my sect's cultivation methods can achieve this. Sect Master Chen, if you swear to spare me this time, I can also swear that I will definitely present the Three Yin Dao Fruit to you once it's found!”

Hearing Ice Cloud Immortal's words, Chen Mobai's gaze towards the Azure Lumina Ice Heart Cord immediately changed. He hadn't expected this seemingly ordinary Tier 5 magical artifact to have such a function. He had underestimated the heritage of these sacred lands.

“If it's mainly about the artifact, then I need you even less!” Chen Mobai possessed the Cansong Pact, so he wasn't afraid of being unable to refine the artifact. After retracting the Azure Frost Sword, he activated the Heavenly Origin Pearl, which transformed into a five-colored light, suppressing the chain.

“You'll need Tier 5 Nascent Soul Fire to refine my Nascent Soul hidden within the Azure Lumina Ice Heart Cord. Sect Master Chen, why be so ruthless? Let's leave each other some dignity…” Ice Cloud Immortal continued to beg bitterly, completely devoid of the cold, arrogant, and indifferent attitude she had shown when they first met.

“Nascent Soul Fire, I don't have, but Tier 5 flame, I just happen to possess!” Chen Mobai smiled and took out his incomplete Eight-Scenery Tushita Lamp. He then placed a complete Tushita Fire onto its wick. Although there was no lamp oil, the lamp base and wick alone were enough to sustain the immortal flame's burning for a long time.

Holding the lamp base forged from purple-gold flame copper, he placed the fiercely burning Tushita Fire from the wick beneath the Azure Lumina Ice Heart Cord. Instantly, the Tier 5 artifact began to tremble and vibrate violently. If not for the Heavenly Origin Pearl's suppression, the snow-capped mountain Chen Mobai was standing on would likely have collapsed from the vibrations. Even so, the surrounding land still trembled violently. Had Chen Mobai not suppressed it with the Heavenly Canopy Earth Vein Grand Formation, an area spanning a thousand miles would have long since been a scene of apocalyptic avalanches.

“What kind of flame is this?!” Ice Cloud Immortal, hidden within the Azure Lumina Ice Heart Cord, also felt this. Her Nascent Soul experienced an unprecedented scorching heat, like a block of ice melting slowly into slush after being thrown into a bonfire.

“No…”

Accompanied by Ice Cloud Immortal's shriek, her Nascent Soul transformed into a wisp of green smoke and completely vanished within the Azure Lumina Ice Heart Cord. As Ice Cloud Immortal died, Chen Mobai also stopped the Tushita Fire from scorching the Azure Lumina Ice Heart Cord. Gradually, the trembling of the surrounding snow-capped mountains and land began to calm.

“Submit, or die!” Chen Mobai looked at the Azure Lumina Ice Heart Cord, bound by the Heavenly Origin Pearl before him, and softly uttered. The premise for the Cansong Pact to completely refine a magical artifact was the cooperation of its artifact spirit. Clearly, artifact spirits in the Heavenly River Realm were unlike those in the Immortal Sect, unable to be bribed with spirit stones or the like. Thus, he directly employed the simplest method.

Chen Mobai held the Eight-Scenery Tushita Lamp, its wick still burning fiercely with purple-green divine flames, and waved it up and down at the invisible ice crystal chain. The scorching sensation made the Azure Lumina Ice Heart Cord realize that if it were to be continuously refined by the Tushita Fire, it genuinely risked being melted back into its raw materials. At that point, its artifact spirit would naturally be unable to survive!

The artifact spirit was utterly bewildered. Why did a mere Nascent Soul cultivator possess so many Tier 5 magical artifacts, and even such a Tier 5 immortal flame specifically designed to counter it? But its inability to understand didn't prevent it from making a choice!

“Please spare my life, Honored One! I am willing to surrender!” In the Heavenly River Realm, all living beings, including magical artifacts, possessed an exceptionally strong desire to survive. Moreover, it had only just escaped its cage.

“Very good. Relax your mind…” Upon hearing the reply, Chen Mobai immediately reached out and gripped the Azure Lumina Ice Heart Cord, then activated the Cansong Pact. Although the artifact spirit didn't know why, it obediently complied. Before long, all its secrets unfolded before Chen Mobai's eyes.

A streak of cyan light flew over; it was Zhou Shengqing. The battle between Chen Mobai and Ice Cloud Immortal had caused immense commotion. Moreover, after the Heavenly Canopy Earth Vein Grand Formation was completed, a core array disk was placed in North Abyss City. This Tier 4 ice spirit vein had also been marked by that array disk, so Zhou Shengqing immediately received the news.

“Senior Brother!” Standing on the snow-capped mountain, Chen Mobai saw Zhou Shengqing's escape light and immediately waved at him. The latter flew over at once.

“Junior Brother, what happened?”

“Ice Cloud from Ice Heaven Palace secretly infiltrated, and I happened to encounter her and cut her down. The commotion was a bit louder than expected!” Chen Mobai recounted the incident casually, then materialized the Azure Lumina Ice Heart Cord, which was wrapped around his arm, for Zhou Shengqing to see.

When not in use, this Tier 5 magical artifact would become invisible, undetectable even by divine sense. However, it was perfectly countered by the Echoes of the Empty Valley. If Ice Cloud Immortal hadn't encountered Chen Mobai, even a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator likely wouldn't have met such a tragic end.

“Junior Brother, you are truly formidable!” Upon hearing this, Zhou Shengqing could only give a thumbs-up in admiration. Ice Cloud Immortal, possessing a Tier 5 magical artifact, would likely be an insurmountable opponent even if he and Mo Douguang teamed up. Yet, Chen Mobai effortlessly cut her down. Such combat power is probably unmatched below the Soul Transformation stage.

“This matter is just between us. After all, Ice Cloud is from a sacred land lineage. Besides the Ice Heaven Palace branch, there are several other inheritance lines. Although I'm not afraid, there's no need to cause extra trouble and hinder our sect's development.” Chen Mobai said, and Zhou Shengqing nodded repeatedly, indicating no issues. This also aligned with local customs: after killing an opponent, one must destroy the body and leave no trace.

Afterward, Chen Mobai again used Void Walk, entering the collapsed and buried sealed area. Due to the obstruction of the Tier 5 ice wall, the interior remained perfectly intact. This time, he used Echoes of the Empty Valley to listen carefully, confirming that besides the colossal locust mother's corpse, there was nothing else. Finally, he looked at the locust's corpse. Chen Mobai didn't waste it; he took it directly with him. This material was also excellent for artifact refining.

Upon returning to North Abyss City, Chen Mobai didn't linger. The plans for the next few decades had been set; all that remained was their execution. Before leaving, he summoned a few disciples.

After forming his Golden Core, Liu Wenbai resumed control of Xiaonanshan Shop. Leveraging the Five Elements Sect's influence, he had opened branches across the major immortal cities of Dongyi and Dongwu. Currently, while consolidating market share in the three border regions, he was also expanding towards the Eastern Lands and Dongyue. However, in these two areas, he could only barely establish a foothold. In recent years, Liu Wenbai had focused his main efforts on the Eastern Lands, establishing Xiaonanshan Shop as a boutique store, as per Chen Mobai's instructions. Chen Mobai offered a few words of encouragement, urging his eldest disciple to continue his excellent work.

Luo Yixuan had just returned. In recent years, the Wandering Mountain in Dongyi had been bathed in spiritual light. It was said that a previously unopened minor realm had appeared within the ruins of the Fanhaimen Sect, and she had been there to join the excitement. Only upon hearing that Chen Mobai had emerged from seclusion did she rush back.

“Be careful!” That was Chen Mobai's only remark regarding the matter.

Lastly, there was Jiang Zongheng. Over the years, he had integrated the essence of various local doctrines from the Eastern Wasteland, compiling a book titled *Dao Laws*, intending to use it as a set of rules to be implemented throughout the entire Eastern Wasteland. Chen Mobai carefully read through it, offering numerous revision suggestions based on his own experience. This disciple was somewhat idealistic, so some parts of these *Dao Laws* were too utopian. If they were fully implemented, everyone in the entire Eastern Wasteland would become a saint!

“For these regulations, find a county to implement them as a demonstration in the sect's name. After confirming there are no issues, then promote them throughout the entire Eastern Wasteland.”

“Yes, Master!” Jiang Zongheng respectfully took the revised *Dao Laws* from Chen Mobai.

“The title *Dao Laws* is too grand. The current Five Elements Sect isn't worthy of using that name yet. Let's change it to *Five Elements Regulations*.” Chen Mobai offered another suggestion, stating that at the very least, they should wait until he reached the Soul Transformation stage before using the term *Dao Laws*. Jiang Zongheng nodded again.

“Ming'er, the Heavenly Canopy Earth Vein Grand Formation will be entrusted to you for maintenance from now on!” Before leaving, Chen Mobai instructed Zhuo Ming. The latter was already a Tier 4 formation master, the most skilled in formations in the Five Elements Sect besides himself.

After returning to the Yellow Dragon Immortal Cave, Chen Mobai found that only the little yellow dragon girl came out to greet him.

“Where's Green Lady?”

“Mistress went to Myriad Transformations Immortal City. She said she needs to use the Poison Dragon Inner Core to refine several batches of pills to enhance her cultivation.” The little yellow dragon girl relayed Green Lady's words before she left to Chen Mobai, who showed delight upon hearing them.

“Excellent, excellent! It seems Green Lady can attempt to form her Nascent Soul in less than a century.” The Poison Dragon Inner Core was a peak Tier 4 item, containing immense spiritual power. If refined into pills, it could fully support Green Lady until she reached the Nascent Soul stage. However, Green Lady had previously insisted on solidifying her foundation, and Chen Mobai found it difficult to persuade her. Now, stimulated by the news of Yang Jing being body-snatched and Kong Feichen's life hanging by a thread, she finally made a change.

“In that case, I won't wait for her…” Chen Mobai left a message for Green Lady with the little yellow dragon girl, then prepared to 'enter seclusion' and return to the Immortal Sect.

“Master, this is something Mistress left with me. She said it's for you!” The little yellow dragon girl took out a glass bottle from her waist pouch and handed it to Chen Mobai. It was precisely a Pure Yang Condensation Pill.

“Excellent, excellent!” Chen Mobai happily accepted it, again leaving a thank-you message for Green Lady with the little yellow dragon girl, and then departed.

This trip to the Eastern Wasteland took longer than he had anticipated. He had almost used up his entire Spring Festival holiday. Mainly, there was the added variable of Ice Cloud Immortal, but the gains were also immense.

Pondering the Three Yin Dao Fruit he had learned about after communing with the Azure Lumina Ice Heart Cord, Chen Mobai's heart burned with fervor. Although he cultivated the Pure Yang Scroll, which countered the Three Yin Dao Fruit, this item perfectly matched his daughter. Moreover, he knew that the Pure Yang Scroll could at most allow one to reach Soul Transformation. To advance further, according to the guidance left by Patriarch Yuan Yang, one needed to attempt Yang Extreme Yin Birth! If he could obtain the Lesser Yin Dao Fruit among the Three Yin Dao Fruits, it would be very useful for his comprehension of Yang Extreme Yin Birth. In other words, from every perspective, the Three Yin Dao Fruit, inherited from Ice Heaven and Snow Land, was extremely useful to him.

Unfortunately, these Three Yin Dao Fruits had long since vanished after Ice Heaven and Snow Land split. Although the Azure Lumina Ice Heart Cord could sense them, it needed to be near the Dao Fruits' location. Furthermore, if the Dao Fruits had already been refined by someone, the Azure Lumina Ice Heart Cord would be powerless, unless the Dao Fruit cultivator willingly offered them.

After contemplating the Three Yin Dao Fruits, Chen Mobai took out Ice Cloud Immortal's storage bag.