Chapter 970: Yuan Qingque

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Chen Mobai was greatly surprised to see Mingzun directly fleeing, as he had already prepared for a fight to the death.

He frowned slightly, and with the simultaneous blessing of the Heaven's Grace and Earth's Spirit realms of the Danfeng Chaoyang Diagram, he vaguely grasped the trajectory of how Mingzun had disappeared through the Wheel of Reincarnation. However, Mingzun was ultimately an Essence Spirit realm expert, and since he had actively retreated, Chen Mobai would not pursue him. Besides, the main purpose of coming here was to rescue Ye Qing.

Chen Mobai looked at Ye Qing, who was covered in blood, almost a skeletal figure of flesh and bone, beneath the final layer of light blue protection.

"Allowing Mingzun to escape today will likely lead to endless trouble in the future." Ye Qing's injuries were severe, yet his words and thoughts remained remarkably clear. This was the first thing he said to Chen Mobai.

"Brother Ye, I have some healing elixirs here. Perhaps you should take some first..." Chen Mobai's Second Nascent Soul, seeing Ye Qing on the brink of death, patted the Pure Yang Cauldron at his feet. Inside its various spatial compartments were stored many elixirs refined by Qing Nü.

"I have a portion of Three Lights Divine Water in my storage bag. I was originally taking it back for a junior brother in the sect. Please, Brother Chen, help me take it." Although Chen Mobai had arrived as his Second Nascent Soul, his appearance was immediately recognizable, so Ye Qing felt relieved upon seeing him.

"It seems Heaven truly doesn't intend for Brother Ye to perish here today." Chen Mobai could only lament Ye Qing's incredible luck upon hearing this. Even if Ye Qing's injuries were sustained in the Immortal Gate, while True Lord Sanjue might be able to save him, he would likely suffer severe vitality depletion or even fundamental damage. Yet, he happened to have acquired a portion of Three Lights Divine Water at the Big Dipper Assembly and carried it with him. Only this spiritual medicine could save him.

Chen Mobai's Second Nascent Soul immediately pressed Ye Qing's hand onto his waist-mounted storage bag. Ye Qing forcefully channeled a wisp of his divine sense to retrieve the Three Lights Divine Water from within. Chen Mobai then personally opened it and fed it to Ye Qing. The Three Lights Divine Water truly lived up to its reputation as the Heavenly River Realm's premier healing spiritual medicine. Ye Qing's almost fatal injuries began to heal at a visible rate under the effect of the three-colored spiritual light. His bones, shattered by the power of the Dao Fruit, his ruptured meridians and internal organs, and his flayed flesh all regenerated inch by inch, as if time were flowing backward.

"Brother Chen, I owe you my life!" Soon, Ye Qing regained the strength to speak, though his face remained pale and his essence, qi, and spirit had only recovered by one or two tenths. The Three Lights Divine Water, improved by the Starry Heavens Dao Sect, primarily targeted cultivators at the peak of Core Formation or newly formed Nascent Souls. Ye Qing was almost at the late Nascent Soul stage, so for him, the medicinal properties were somewhat insufficient. However, timely consumption and refinement prevented him from suffering fundamental damage.

"Between brothers, there's no need for such words. I'm certain you would have come to my aid if our positions were reversed," Chen Mobai said grandly. He then considered that if Mingzun's Ghost Avatar was not truly deterred and returned with his true body, he might pursue them. So, he invited Ye Qing to leave with him.

"My master will arrive soon, Brother Chen, you needn't worry about that." Ye Qing, however, shook his head and delivered news that greatly reassured Chen Mobai.

"Xuan Tian True Lord is also aware of this?" Ye Qing pointed to the玄水珠 (Xuan Shui Pearl) hanging from his chest, which was mostly shattered, and recounted the events.

"In that case, I am relieved. My true body was ambushed earlier by two demonic Nascent Soul cultivators and another Ghost Avatar of Mingzun. I sustained some minor injuries and am currently recovering at a distant battlefield. What you see now is my Second Nascent Soul and an external incarnation..." Chen Mobai said this, primarily intending to withdraw. With Ye Qing rescued, his objective had been achieved. He was, after all, from the Immortal Gate and feared being discovered by Yuan Qingque, the Eastern Continent's foremost Spirit Transformation expert. This was mainly due to the mysterious old man he met at the Big Dipper Assembly, which made him somewhat wary of the top cultivators in this world.

"Oh, Brother Chen, you were also ambushed by Mingzun? And the lineup was even more formidable than the one that ambushed me. It seems the demonic path considers you a greater threat than me." Ye Qing was greatly surprised by Chen Mobai's account. Having personally experienced the terror of Mingzun's Ghost Avatar, he understood that this was not a power a Nascent Soul realm cultivator could withstand.

"Not at all. I had some fortuitous encounters and obtained the inheritance of the Long Life Cult, giving me some trump cards. It's just a pity that I used almost all of them to deal with those demonic Nascent Souls this time," Chen Mobai humbly replied. Although the truth was that Chen Mobai single-handedly defeated three opponents while Ye Qing was nearly defeated one-on-one, Chen Mobai certainly wanted to save Ye Qing some face. Moreover, he instinctively wanted to keep a low profile, fearing that being too prominent would draw the attention of Mingzun's true Spirit Transformation body!

"True Lord Yi Yuan was able to ascend to the Void Integration stage and beyond from a mere pseudo-spiritual root cultivator precisely because he obtained the inheritance of the Long Life Cult's Celestial Venerable. Now, it seems Brother Chen is in no way inferior to True Lord Yi Yuan. The divine ability you used just now to save me and deter Mingzun must be the famous One Yuan Dao Body (Ten Thousand Swords Incarnation). Throughout the thousands of years of Yi Yuan Dao Palace's history, those who could master this divine ability are truly few and far between!" Ye Qing stated. The Nine Heavens Devil Annihilation Sect and Yi Yuan Dao Palace have been sacred lands for thousands of years, with extensive exchanges during their peaks, making them intimately familiar with each other's dao methods and divine abilities. Thus, when Ye Qing saw the Ten Thousand Swords Incarnation just now, he immediately knew the origin of this powerful technique. Even across the Five Continents and Four Seas, it was renowned. One could even say it was the representative grand technique of Yi Yuan Dao Palace, second only to the Primordial Dao Fruit. Without exception, all who mastered the Ten Thousand Swords Incarnation to Chen Mobai's scale in Yi Yuan Dao Palace eventually achieved Spirit Transformation!

"I was fortunate enough to acquire some resources left by the Long Life Cult, which I used to cultivate this external incarnation. Since Brother Ye is alright now..." Just as Chen Mobai was about to invent a reason to leave, the sound of a sword hum resonated. Then, the Taihe Sword, with its black hilt and dark blue blade, suspended in mid-air, radiated a profound, vast light. A white-haired, youthful-faced figure had appeared there at some point, reaching out to grasp the Taihe Sword and landing before the two of them. As soon as he appeared, he placed his hand on Ye Qing's head. Chen Mobai guessed who the newcomer was, but still feigned surprise and even made as if to intervene.

"Brother Chen, this is my master." Ye Qing immediately spoke, and Chen Mobai instantly adopted a look of understanding, then respectfully bowed to Yuan Qingque. "Junior offers greetings to Xuan Tian True Lord!"

Yuan Qingque listened, then observed Chen Mobai's current Second Nascent Soul form and the Ten Thousand Swords Incarnation standing between heaven and earth. He couldn't help but nod in return. "You must be Chen the Turtle Immortal. It seems the Yi Yuan Dao Palace's destiny has not yet run out..." Yuan Qingque knew that Chen Mobai was not Chen Qingdi, but regardless, the Five Elements Sect was a branch of the Yi Yuan Dao Palace. With Chen Mobai's extraordinary talent, should he achieve Spirit Transformation or even ascension in the future, he would eventually have to return to the Five Emperors Mountain to acknowledge his ancestry. If before he had merely known of Chen Mobai's existence, today, seeing this towering One Yuan Dao Body, he felt that this person was the only one capable of leading Yi Yuan Dao Palace back to the ranks of sacred lands.

"You flatter me, Senior..." Perhaps it was due to his experiences in the Immortal Gate, having seen Yu Baiguang and Qianxing, and even having gone through the Pioneering War, but Chen Mobai found himself less nervous than he expected when facing the Eastern Continent's foremost Spirit Transformation expert.

At this moment, Yuan Qingque also released his hand from Ye Qing's head. Ye Qing's face suddenly turned rosy, as if all his lost vitality had been replenished. "I am guilty for troubling Master to personally make this trip!" Ye Qing rose, immediately admitting his fault to Yuan Qingque. The latter gently waved his hand, then flicked his finger on the Taihe Sword, cleansing strands of dark, eerie demonic qi from it.

"You are destined for three tribulations. This counts as the second. Once you overcome it, Spirit Transformation should present no major issues. As for the final, third tribulation, I probably won't be around to witness it; you'll have to rely on yourself then." As he spoke, Yuan Qingque handed the purified Taihe Sword back to Ye Qing, who solemnly accepted it with both hands.

"Only a tribulation overcome by oneself truly counts as such. If Master were to help, it probably wouldn't be considered my tribulation anymore," Ye Qing said. Chen Mobai felt his words made a lot of sense.

"Hahaha, good, good, with a disciple like you, I can leave this realm with peace of mind," Yuan Qingque laughed heartily upon hearing this.

At this moment, Ye Qing spoke again, cupping his hands and bowing to Chen Mobai, "Brother Chen, I will forever remember this life-saving kindness. Should you ever need my help in the future, just command it." Saying this in front of Yuan Qingque was almost equivalent to making a Dao heart oath.

"Oh, so it was the Daoist Son of Yi Yuan who saved you?" Yuan Qingque was somewhat surprised. He had been prepared to collect his disciple's corpse before arriving. Seeing Ye Qing only suffering from vitality loss, he had rushed to help him heal and hadn't asked for the specific details. Ye Qing immediately recounted the events. When he heard that Mingzun had even sent another Ghost Avatar and two demonic Nascent Soul cultivators to ambush Chen Mobai, and that Chen Mobai had counter-attacked and killed them all, even Yuan Qingque, given his status, couldn't help but show a look of astonishment.

"Does young friend also possess a Grade 6 artifact for protection?" Yuan Qingque could only think of this possibility. If the Taihe Sword hadn't been suppressed by the Wheel of Reincarnation, Ye Qing, relying on that Grade 6 sword, should have been able to achieve such a feat as well.

"This junior is of modest means, with few magical treasures; the most powerful I possess is merely a Grade 5 flying sword," Chen Mobai truthfully stated. The highest-grade item he possessed was the Sea-Stabilizing Sword, but because its attributes were incompatible, it was less effective in his hands than the Purple Lightning Sword.

"When young friend goes to the Five Emperors Mountain in the future, if I am still in this realm, I will accompany you on your journey." Yuan Qingque did not speak too explicitly, but both Chen Mobai and Ye Qing understood his meaning. With him, the Eastern Continent's foremost Spirit Transformation expert, accompanying him, Chen Mobai, even if not the Daoist Son of Yi Yuan, could compel Yi Yuan Dao Palace to acknowledge him.

Chen Mobai, however, felt that a forced union would not be sweet. If he were to take control of Yi Yuan Dao Palace with the support of the Nine Heavens Devil Annihilation Sect, it could easily provoke a strong backlash from that sacred land. Even if they acknowledged him under Yuan Qingque's might, they might cut corners in the secret ascension methods they provided. It would be better to let things take their natural course, ideally, let the people of Yi Yuan Dao Palace come to the Eastern Desolation and invite him to the Five Emperors Mountain!

However, he certainly could not refuse Yuan Qingque so bluntly. So Chen Mobai came up with a reason: "True Lord Yi Yuan was able to found Yi Yuan Dao Palace. I believe I can also found a Five Elements Sacred Land in the Eastern Desolation. Why must I follow the path he trod?"

As expected, Yuan Qingque's gaze deepened with admiration upon hearing this. "If anyone else spoke such words, I would only deem it arrogant. But with you, it's not impossible. However, the Spirit Transformation hurdle, even with the assistance of a Dao Fruit, is extremely difficult to surmount. Since you have such aspirations, and you saved my disciple..." Yuan Qingque paused here, deep in thought. Chen Mobai's eyebrows twitched. The reason he spoke so boldly in front of Yuan Qingque, the Eastern Continent's foremost Spirit Transformation expert, was precisely to express his grand ambition of achieving Spirit Transformation and building the Five Elements Sect into a sacred land. And among the spiritual items that could aid Spirit Transformation in the Eastern Continent, the closest one was clearly the True Spirit Pill for Becoming Saint, which would be refined through pioneering efforts fifty years later. Could Yuan Qingque not have understood the hint?

Just as Chen Mobai was thinking this, Ye Qing suddenly spoke, "Master, Yi Yuan Dao Palace has not yet been removed from the ranks of sacred lands. The True Spirit Pill for Becoming Saint refined by True Lord Wuchen is, by rule, supposed to have one reserved for them. How about Master intervenes then and directly gives that pill to Brother Chen?"

Ye Qing truly lived up to being a good brother! Chen Mobai was overjoyed upon hearing this and did not hide his expression, looking at Yuan Qingque with anticipation. After all, this was the hope for Spirit Transformation; being overly reserved would seem fake.

"Although Wuchen's alchemy has reached Grade 6, he has only succeeded in refining the True Spirit Pill for Becoming Saint once. I'm afraid he won't be able to produce many pills then," Yuan Qingque expressed his concerns. This righteous-demonic war and the future pioneering efforts relied on the allure of the True Spirit Pill for Becoming Saint to enlist the help of other major sects in the Eastern Land. The Fiery Cloud Palace had reserved one, the Starry Heavens Dao Sect also requested one, and there were other sacred lands from various continents, plus their three great sacred lands in the Eastern Continent—there simply wouldn't be enough to go around.

"Master, I have a Dao Fruit and the Taihe Sword. Spirit Transformation will not be difficult for me. My share of the True Spirit Pill for Becoming Saint might as well be given to Brother Chen," Ye Qing said at this moment.

"Brother Ye, you mustn't!" Chen Mobai was touched but immediately refused, indicating he was not one to exploit kindness. However, even if he hadn't spoken, Yuan Qingque would not have agreed. In the history of the Nine Heavens Devil Annihilation Sect, there had been instances of cultivators failing to achieve Spirit Transformation even after refining a Dao Fruit. Before Yuan Qingque left the Heavenly River Realm, he had to ensure Ye Qing's successful Spirit Transformation. There was no way he would use the sect's future Spirit Transformation pill to repay a personal favor.

"We will arrange this based on how many pills Wuchen successfully refines. However, I promise you, young friend, if there is one for Yi Yuan Dao Palace, I will ensure it reaches your hands." Yuan Qingque naturally understood that favors must be repaid; otherwise, the sect and its disciples would suffer in the future.

"Many thanks, Senior!" With Yuan Qingque's assurance, Chen Mobai felt relieved. A figure so close to ascension would certainly be true to his word and not leave himself indebted.

"However, this will require your cooperation, young friend. After all, the True Spirit Pill for Becoming Saint cannot be given to you for no reason. During this righteous-demonic war and the future pioneering efforts, you must strive to achieve something. Then, I will announce your achievements in slaying Mingzun's avatar and the two Nascent Soul cultivators of the Netherworld Demonic Sect, and it will all fall into place naturally. I personally hope you can achieve Spirit Transformation and build the Five Elements Sect into a sacred land. If that happens, we won't have to worry about threats from the sea in the future." Yuan Qingque added. Chen Mobai considered this; it went somewhat against his usual conduct, but for the sake of the True Spirit Pill for Becoming Saint, he righteously declared, "As righteous cultivators, it is our bounden duty to eliminate demons and devils!"

After speaking, Chen Mobai remembered Su Ziluo's situation and took out the Soul Nurturing Wood where she resided from his Pure Yang Cauldron. "Senior, among the demonic Nascent Soul cultivators who ambushed me this time, one has a rather special identity..."

Yuan Qingque was slightly surprised upon hearing this and looked at Su Ziluo. Under the gaze of the Eastern Continent's foremost Spirit Transformation expert, Su Ziluo's Nascent Soul trembled as it manifested, awaiting its final judgment.

"It was through her that I learned Brother Ye was ambushed and killed here by Mingzun's Ghost Avatar. And the matter of the Ghost Avatar is Mingzun's greatest secret; she was the one who told me..." Chen Mobai truthfully relayed everything Su Ziluo had told him to Yuan Qingque.

"So that's it. I wondered why Tu Ming, that brat, who was clearly confronting me and Wuchen at the border, suddenly came here to kill my disciple..." Yuan Qingque was greatly shocked upon hearing about the Ghost Avatar. This was the biggest secret of the Eastern Continent's demonic path. If he didn't know this, even if he were to slay Mingzun's true Spirit Transformation body before leaving this realm, the trouble would likely be endless.

"Young friend, she shall be entrusted to me for now." Yuan Qingque wanted to obtain more information about Mingzun and even the Eastern Continent's demonic path from Su Ziluo, preferably a way to slay all of Mingzun's Ghost Avatars. Chen Mobai did not hesitate and handed over the Soul Nurturing Wood.

"Daoist Son, I was truly forced by circumstances to go along with them. For the sake of our shared origins, you must save me!" Su Ziluo was most aware of the reputation of the Nine Heavens Devil Annihilation Sect, especially Yuan Qingque, who had a deep killing nature in his youth, with countless demonic cultivators dying by his hand. To save her life, she could only plead with Chen Mobai.

"Once you go to the Nine Heavens Devil Annihilation Sect, truthfully confess everything you know. Xuan Tian True Lord is a pillar of the righteous path and will give you a fair outcome," Chen Mobai thought for a moment and said. He figured the principle of leniency for confession should also apply in the Heavenly River Realm.

"Indeed. If you can assist us in slaying Mingzun, it will be an immeasurable功德 (merit) for the Eastern Continent's righteous path..." Yuan Qingque also nodded gently. For him, the top priorities now were slaying Mingzun and cultivating Ye Qing to Spirit Transformation. Before these two matters, Su Ziluo's life was insignificant. If she could provide valuable information, her merits might well offset her faults. It would also be a way to show respect to this outstanding young man before him. Hearing this, Su Ziluo calmed down somewhat from her trepidation.

"Many of this junior's Five Elements Sect members are still in the Desolate Ruins. Mingzun might send other demonic cultivators, and this junior is very worried..." After finishing his account, Chen Mobai immediately proposed his departure. Yuan Qingque nodded, and Ye Qing walked over, offering Chen Mobai another solemn bow of thanks.

"Young friend, this is my communication talisman. Should there be any progress on the True Spirit Pill for Becoming Saint, I will notify you." Ye Qing's injuries were stable, but he still needed to return to the Nine Heavens Devil Annihilation Sect for recuperation. So Yuan Qingque was also preparing to leave with him. Before departing, he personally gave Chen Mobai an ancient communication talisman. Su Ziluo saw this scene, her eyes flickering, already convinced that Chen Mobai was the future Spirit Transformation expert of Yi Yuan Dao Palace.

"Many thanks, Senior. During the righteous-demonic war, this junior's Five Elements Sect will certainly guard the sea gate here in Eastern Wu," Chen Mobai respectfully accepted the talisman with both hands, then expressed his determination to cooperate with Yuan Qingque on the Eastern Continent's frontier.

"Daoist Son, please keep my storage bag for me. This is the method to open it..." At this moment, Su Ziluo suddenly spoke, but the latter part of her sentence was transmitted telepathically. Yuan Qingque, as a Spirit Transformation expert, naturally would not pry, allowing her to transmit her message secretly.

"Alright. Once you're there, strive for self-improvement," Chen Mobai nodded gently after listening and exhorted her.

After they finished speaking, Yuan Qingque waved his sleeve, transforming into a streak of spiritual light, and flew towards the sky, taking Ye Qing and Su Ziluo with him. Chen Mobai watched them disappear, a slight sigh of relief escaping him. What Su Ziluo had telepathically told him, in addition to the method to open her storage bag, was the incantation to refine the Evil Ghost Plate. Since the Evil Ghost Plate was inherently innate, and Chen Mobai's cultivation of the Can Tong Qi (Mystical Union Scripture) was not perfected, he truly might not have been able to refine it without her guidance. At this moment, Chen Mobai suddenly hoped that Su Ziluo could survive. Everyone deserves a chance to turn over a new leaf.

Thinking this, he did not linger there. He immediately drove his Ten Thousand Swords Incarnation towards his true body. Chen Mobai recalled his Second Nascent Soul and Ten Thousand Swords Incarnation, then immediately flew towards the Grand One Five Smokes Robe. With his speed, he quickly caught up with Qing Nü and the others. Seeing him appear safe and sound, everyone was filled with joy.

To avoid any further complications, Chen Mobai quickly passed through the Desolate Ruins and entered Eastern Yi territory. Along the way, the Five Elements Sect members remained tense until they reached Mingjing Mountain. Only after returning to Beiyuan City via the large teleportation array did they all finally relax. They knew that Chen Mobai had set up a Grade 5 grand formation here, capable of resisting even a Spirit Transformation True Lord for a time. The unprecedented sense of security made even Mo Douguang and Zhou Ye, both Nascent Soul cultivators, feel the current strength of their sect.

However, Zhou Ye's expression soon turned bitter. This was because the Five Elements Sect had long ago arranged for him to oversee affairs at Mingjing Mountain in Eastern Yi. Previously, that area was flush with oil and water due to numerous medicinal fields and other major Eastern Yi sects seeking the Five Elements Sect's help, making governing Mingjing Immortal City quite lucrative. But now, that place was likely to become a war zone. Nevertheless, Zhou Ye's current standing was entirely thanks to the sect's support, and now that he was needed, he dared not refuse.

"Brother Zhou, take some time to rest. I'll take this opportunity to refine a defensive artifact for you." Having just survived the demonic ambush, Chen Mobai did not force Zhou Ye to immediately assume his post, giving him a period of respite.

"Many thanks, Sect Master Junior Brother!" Zhou Ye nodded and headed towards the teleportation array with Lü Zhu. He had to go to Eastern Yi, but he did not want Lü Zhu to follow him. Fortunately, he had acquired a Core Formation spiritual item at the Big Dipper Assembly, so he planned to send Lü Zhu back to Hunyuan Immortal City for safety. However, Lü Zhu wished to stay with Zhou Ye, but he shook his head.

"You are now the only person I truly care about. With you safe within the sect, I will have a strong fighting spirit to guard the frontier in Eastern Yi, because it will make me feel like I am protecting you." Lü Zhu was deeply moved by Zhou Ye's words. Although they were nominally master and servant, and had registered as teacher and disciple within the Five Elements Sect, over the years, they had long since become Dao companions. After Zhou Ye successfully formed his Nascent Soul, Lü Zhu felt deeply inferior and unworthy, but he remained steadfastly by her side.

At the very spot where Chen Mobai had slain the Emissary of Light and Mingzun's Ghost Avatar, a bamboo boat flew from afar and landed mid-air. On the bamboo boat were Ku Zhu and two others. After leaving the Big Dipper Assembly, they had taken another route recorded in Empty Mulberry Valley. Ku Zhu had mastered the art of "Condensing Sword into Thread" and wanted to slay some Grade 4 demonic beasts to generate income for the sect. However, that route hadn't been used for over two thousand years, and the resident demonic beasts were different from what Empty Mulberry Valley had recorded. After Ku Zhu slew one Grade 4 demonic beast, he continued forward and encountered a nest of Divine Chi Leopards. This nest surprisingly contained three Grade 4 demonic beasts, with one even at the peak of Grade 4. Ku Zhu fought fiercely and barely managed to escape. Left with no choice, he had to retreat and take this safer route. And so, they arrived here.

Looking at the desolate ruins below, where life had been extinguished, both Ku Zhu and True Master Ming Wen were shocked. Such traces and scope of destruction could only be wrought by a cultivator at the very pinnacle of the Nascent Soul realm, or even... a Spirit Transformation expert?

"Hmm!" Just then, Ku Zhu seemed to discover something, uttering a surprised sound. He transformed into a sword light, descended from the bamboo boat, and landed before the ashes where Mingzun's Ghost Avatar had been burned. He closed his eyes, extended his hand, and carefully sensed with his Abyss Dao Fruit. After a long while, he opened his eyes and nodded definitively. There was no mistake; it was the aura of the Yellow Spring Dao Fruit. And from the looks of it, a being possessing a Dao Fruit had actually been slain and reduced to ash. Who on earth could have done this?! Such power must belong at least to a peak Nascent Soul cultivator, or perhaps... a Spirit Transformation expert? Ku Zhu's brows furrowed deeply.