Chapter 956: A Case of Four Nascent Souls

The tribulation clouds churned in the sky, and multicolored lightning, like coiled dragons, swirled and struck down with a booming roar, as if to rip the earth apart. The terrifying power left all the residents of Hunyuan Immortal City utterly awestruck.

They had never witnessed a Nascent Soul Heavenly Tribulation in their lives. Yet, despite their awe, they felt no fear, for above the immortal city stood the towering figures of the Five Elements Sect's three Nascent Soul cultivators, providing them with an immense sense of security. They believed that even if Zhou Ye failed his tribulation, the residual power of the heavenly tribulation would not affect them. This was the confidence settling in the Five Elements Sect's immortal city brought them.

However, given Zhou Ye's profound foundation, it was clear that the heavenly tribulation could not stop him. Each swing of the heavy hammer in his hand shattered a bolt of tribulation lightning. With each lightning strike and the tempering of heavenly fire and black wind, the heavy hammer gradually became translucent, and the artifact's glow grew even more brilliant.

"Senior Brother Zhou Ye's skill in artifact refining is truly exceptional!" Chen Mobai observed this and said with a smile to Zhou Shengqing and Mo Douguang beside him.

"He's decent," Zhou Shengqing replied, his tone a bit sour. "In his later years, Master spent most of his time teaching him. Besides the Hunyuan Dao Fruit, he imparted artifact refining, formations, alchemy, puppetry, talisman crafting, and many other cultivation arts to him. It seems that while Zhou Ye was secluded in Hunyuan Immortal City, he didn't neglect these various cultivation skills in addition to his cultivation." Grand Ancestor Hunyuan had never treated Zhou Shengqing so favorably.

"Human abilities have limits. With a sect backing, it's better to focus on one area…" Hearing this, Chen Mobai immediately changed the subject.

Mo Douguang nodded in agreement. For the outstanding sword cultivators of their Gold Meridian, learning various cultivation arts was difficult. However, due to the rapid development of the Five Elements Sect, they could purchase anything they needed in the immortal city, including goods and services. Consequently, recent new disciples, besides their focus on the Way of the Sword, were even reluctant to spend time learning skills like sword nurturing, sword refining, sword sharpening, and sword appraisal.

"After Zhou Ye forms his Nascent Soul, Junior Brother Mo, you'll be able to relax a bit. Oh, by the way, Junior Brother, the Starry Heavens Dao Sect is about to hold the Big Dipper Grand Assembly again. The invitation has already reached me. Do you want to go and explore?" Zhou Shengqing brought up another matter, and Chen Mobai nodded slightly after hearing it.

"The first time I went, I lacked sufficient strength and dared not purchase good items even when I saw them," Chen Mobai said. "I even needed the help of the Nine Heavens Demon-Slaying Sect to acquire a portion of Three Lights Divine Water. Now, our Five Elements Sect's power, even in the Eastern Lands, ranks among the top-tier forces. We can now proudly arrive at the Starry Heavens Dao Sect." Chen Mobai still had many regrets about his first trip to the Big Dipper Grand Assembly, and he also wanted to acquire some Three Lights Divine Water for Qing Nü.

"Let's go together," Mo Douguang spoke after hearing this. The Grand Elder of Stars of the Starry Heavens Dao Sect had collected many rare treasures, profound cultivation methods, and exquisite sword arts from beyond the Eastern Continent. After Mo Douguang formed his Nascent Soul, his original Golden Swan Sword Art had reached its peak. He now needed a more supreme sword art or to deduce a higher realm himself. Thus, he also wished to attend this Big Dipper Grand Assembly. Chen Mobai naturally nodded gladly. With Mo Douguang accompanying them, even if they encountered bandits, Mo Douguang could protect the disciples.

While the three conversed, the heavenly tribulation had already evolved to its most powerful stage. At this point, Zhou Ye no longer dared to temper his artifact with the tribulation lightning. His entire body radiated multicolored brilliance, and his Five Elements True Qi condensed into Hunyuan energy, resisting, dissolving, and breaking through all the heavenly lightning, heavenly fire, and heavenly wind that descended upon him. Many bolts of heavenly tribulation also fell around them. Chen Mobai gently waved his sleeve, and the grand formation of Hunyuan Immortal City activated, a massive earthy-yellow light barrier intercepting all the tribulation lightning.

Within Hunyuan Immortal City, all residents gazed up at the sky, watching the thrilling spectacle above with faces full of excitement and reverence. Decades ago, they could never have imagined being able to openly witness a cultivator undergoing the Nascent Soul Heavenly Tribulation in such a manner. At this moment, their longing for the Five Elements Sect reached its peak.

"Son, you must pass this year's entrance exam for the Wutu Academy!"

"Daughter, the Cloud Dream Academy next door is expanding its enrollment next year, and their entrance requirements are a bit lower…"

"Grandson, your talent is astounding. Our family still has dozens of acres of spirit fields; after selling them, I'll take you to Beiyuan City to participate in the entrance examination for the Longevity Academy…"

The city-wide discussions naturally reached the ears of Chen Mobai and the other two. They exchanged a smile, and an indescribable sense of accomplishment inexplicably welled up in their hearts.

At this moment, the heavenly tribulation fully erupted, transforming into an boundless sea of lightning in mid-air. However, Zhou Ye's figure shone with even more intense multicolored brilliance. Facing this final terrifying tribulation wave, a jade-yellow Nascent Soul figurine flew out from the top of his head. His aura, from head to toe, also reached an unprecedented height in an instant.

"Hahaha!" Zhou Ye's Nascent Soul suddenly burst into laughter within the sea of lightning. Then, it grabbed at his body's chest, pulling out a dazzling multicolored lightning bolt. After that, the Nascent Soul clapped its hands together, resonating and harmonizing with the surrounding Five Elements tribulation lightning. It was actually using the tribulation lightning to cultivate a profound art.

"This is…" Chen Mobai couldn't help but show a look of surprise upon seeing this scene. Zhou Shengqing and Mo Douguang naturally recalled the Hunyuan Five Elements Extinction Divine Lightning. They had never imagined that Zhou Ye's talent would be so exceptional, or that he would be so daring.

"Junior Brother, can this succeed?" Zhou Shengqing asked Chen Mobai. The latter listened intently and nodded gently.

"He cultivates Five Elements True Qi to form his Nascent Soul, and the tribulation lightning he faces also happens to be of the Five Elements attribute, sharing the same origin as the Hunyuan Five Elements Extinction Divine Lightning," Chen Mobai explained. "It seems he has gained considerably from interacting with this Extinction Divine Lightning for over a hundred years…" As Chen Mobai spoke, the Hunyuan Five Elements Extinction Divine Lightning, left within Zhou Ye's body by Grand Ancestor Hunyuan, was refined by his Nascent Soul using the power of the heavenly tribulation. A five-colored lightning symbol appeared on the jade-yellow Nascent Soul's glabella.

Zhou Ye laughed again, and his Nascent Soul raised its hand towards the heavenly tribulation. The remaining tribulation lightning immediately gathered into his palm, completely devoured by the lightning symbol on its glabella. Soon after, the dark clouds in the sky completely dispersed.

This scene also filled many young cultivators in Hunyuan Immortal City below with longing. They, too, yearned for the day when they could achieve Nascent Soul perfection and disperse tribulations with a raise of their hand.

At this moment, Zhou Ye retracted his Nascent Soul and flew towards Chen Mobai and the other two. "Many thanks to Senior Brothers and Sect Master Junior Brother for protecting me!" Zhou Ye spoke with sincere gratitude. After forming his Nascent Soul, his sense of belonging to the Five Elements Sect reached its peak. Although he had cultivated the Hunyuan True Qi and the Extinction Divine Lightning, considering himself the second strongest cultivator in the sect after Chen Mobai, he still respectfully thanked Zhou Shengqing and Mo Douguang with the courtesy befitting a junior brother.

"Congratulations, Senior Brother, on forming your Nascent Soul and achieving great success in the Dao!" Chen Mobai was the first to speak with a smile, followed by Zhou Shengqing, who, representing the senior brothers, returned the courtesy to Zhou Ye.

Following this, the four Nascent Soul cultivators descended into Hunyuan Immortal City. According to the ancient rites of the Tianhe Realm, Zhou Ye elaborated on his insights into forming a Nascent Soul, which was then supplemented by Chen Mobai and the other two cultivators of the same realm. Upon receiving the news, all the Core Formation cultivators of the Five Elements Sect across the Eastern Desolation arrived via teleportation arrays, fearing they would miss the grand assembly of the sect's four Nascent Soul cultivators. To showcase the Five Elements Sect's generosity, Chen Mobai even invited Wan Dengyong, who arrived at Hunyuan Immortal City with the utmost speed, filled with gratitude. With such fanfare, the news of the Five Elements Sect gaining a fourth Nascent Soul cultivator quickly spread.

Dongwu.

After Sun Huanglong finished reading the letter in his hand, he dismissed the junior who had returned from the Eastern Desolation to rest. He then sat heavily in his study, his face grave. Knowing Zhou Ye's identity perfectly well, he understood that a great calamity was about to befall their Sun family. That was a grudge leading to clan annihilation. If Sun Huanglong were in Zhou Ye's position, the first thing he would do after successfully forming a Nascent Soul would be to come to Dongwu and eradicate their entire Sun family.

Fortunately, over the years, the elite members of the Sun family had already been sent overseas via treasure ships. His sister, Sun Huangling, had also obtained an immortal mansion opportunity overseas some years ago, breaking through her External Dao Golden Core and successfully forming her Core. However, this matter also made Sun Huanglong realize that he had no retreat. Even before Zhou Ye formed his Nascent Soul, he had been supporting the Lu family and suppressing the Sun family. Now that he had achieved Nascent Soul, even if the Five Elements Sect wished to save face and might not actively intervene, the Sun family's situation would undoubtedly become even bleaker.

Perhaps, it was time to leave! Thinking of this, Sun Huanglong glanced at the enormous mansion. Since Dongwu was founded, their family, originally an ordinary cultivation family from the Eastern Lands, had become its hegemon, enduring thousands of years. Now, however, they had no choice but to leave their homeland! But soon, a look of relief appeared on his face. As long as there's life, there's hope. With this thought, Sun Huanglong no longer hesitated. He immediately rose to arrange the final matters before the Sun family's departure from Dongwu.

"Oh, my brother is actually that forbearing!" Sun Huangling, who was overseas, was somewhat surprised to learn that Sun Huanglong was selling off the various properties of the Sun family in Dongwu.

"The family head lacks ambition," stated Zhong Zhengyun, a Core Formation cultivator with an outside surname in the Sun family. "If he were to come here, the one in charge would no longer be young lady!" In recent years, under his and Sun Huangling's leadership, the Sun family had occupied several spirit islands overseas. Although their lives were not as good as when they were in Eastern Continent, it allowed him, an elder who was previously suppressed, to gain more power and benefits.

"Then just don't let him come," Sun Huangling stated. Immediately after, a blood-colored figure emerged from her shadow and flew towards Dongwu. Zhong Zhengyun watched this scene with a face full of awe.

Hunyuan Immortal City.

After the four Nascent Soul cultivators concluded their discourse, Chen Mobai opened the One Yuan Secret Realm, granting all Core Formation cultivators of the Five Elements Sect an opportunity to enter. However, he had stated beforehand that everyone could only enter once, considering it a reward for successful Core Formation.

"Within the One Yuan Secret Realm, the higher your cultivation, the greater the benefits you can obtain on the Altar of Society and State," Chen Mobai announced. "You can enter now, or you can wait until you encounter a bottleneck in your cultivation in the future; the choice is yours. If any of you can perform great meritorious deeds for the sect, I will also consider reopening the secret realm for you to enter again. There are also some precious spirit materials inside; besides the Five Elements Spirit Fruits, you may each take one item, depending on your individual fortune. Of course, if any of you form a Nascent Soul, the One Yuan Secret Realm will naturally be open for unlimited entries."

After Chen Mobai and the other two discussed, they set the rules for opening the One Yuan Secret Realm. From now on, if a Five Elements Sect cultivator successfully establishes their Foundation, they can enter the Divine Tree Secret Realm; if they successfully form their Core, they can enter the One Yuan Secret Realm. This also signifies an orderly succession of legacy, ranking them among renowned major sects.

For this opening of the One Yuan Secret Realm, besides Yin Qingmei, Zhuo Ming, Zhou Wangshen, and E Yun also decided to enter. Yin Qingmei wanted to use the Altar of Society and State to compare with her cultivation of the Azure Emperor Longevity Scripture, to check for any omissions. If she were in the late Core Formation stage, she would need to start preparing for Nascent Soul formation, and now was the time to find and rectify deficiencies and solidify her foundation. As for Zhou Wangshen and E Yun, they felt the limits of their aptitudes. After they broke through to the mid-Core Formation stage, even with abundant resources and spirit veins, their cultivation progress began to slow down, with only slight improvements over months or even entire years. This was the limitation of spiritual root aptitude, and it had been the same for Fu Zongjue, Sheng Zhaoxi, Nu Jiang, and others previously.

However, Fu Zongjue and other third-generation disciples of the Five Elements Sect had no qualms. They directly consumed pills and charged forward, accumulating enough spiritual power before using purple jade porridge to break through their bottlenecks. But this also left them with the disadvantage of an unstable foundation, making it virtually impossible for them to form a Nascent Soul. Currently, the Five Elements Sect was in its prime. Zhou Wangshen and E Yun naturally yearned greatly for Nascent Soul formation and certainly wouldn't cripple their own cultivation paths. Therefore, feeling that their cultivation advancement was stagnant, they wished to use the Altar of Society and State and the knowledge of True Monarch One Yuan to find a way to further improve.

Besides them, most of the other Core Formation cultivators of the Five Elements Sect were still in the early stage, not yet feeling the limits of their aptitudes. They all saved this opportunity, intending to use it at a crucial moment. There were also two Core Formation cultivators who very much wanted to enter: Wan Dengyong of Wanghe Gate and Outer Sect Elder Yan Shaoyin. However, neither of them was an internal member. Although they wanted to establish Wan Dengyong as a significant figure, it was certainly impossible to open the One Yuan Secret Realm to him as well.

However, Chen Mobai hesitated regarding Yan Shaoyin. Since leading all of Huixian Valley to pledge allegiance to the Five Elements Sect, this group of alchemists had played a crucial role in the sect's expansion. More than half of the staff in Qing Nü's Danxia Pavilion had been trained by Yan Shaoyin. For nearly sixty years, among the original disciples of Huixian Valley, only a few Foundation Establishment cultivators, dozens of elderly Qi Refiners, and Yan Shaoyin himself remained. Huixian Valley, once the foremost alchemy sect in the Eastern Desolation, had long been completely integrated into the Five Elements Sect. Yan Shaoyin's contributions were immense for such a smooth integration. The pill toxins in his body had long been jointly removed by Chen Mobai and Qing Nü. However, his lifespan had reached its final years, with only a few remaining. He wished to perfect Huixian Valley's ancestral Earth Core True Fire Art in his last moments. Yan Shaoyin even promised that if he successfully perfected the cultivation method, he would be willing to die directly within the One Yuan Secret Realm. In response, Chen Mobai consulted with the other three Nascent Soul cultivators and decided to give him an opportunity.