Chapter 322: War Outcome

Chen Mobai estimated the time and felt that the battle between the several Core Formation grand ancestors should have concluded. So, he left the barren mountain.

The spiritual veins on Thunderclap Mountain were polluted, and there were no cultivators left there.

Chen Mobai certainly wouldn't head towards Yan Country. His top priority was to find out the outcome of the war between the two sects.

He thought for a moment and headed towards a local market town in Lei Country.

However, just as he took to the sky, a communication talisman flew towards him.

He took it and, upon reading it, his face lit up with joy.

It was from Yue Zutao. Although Thunderclap Mountain had been breached, Fu Zongjue still managed to save most of the Divine Wood Sect disciples.

They were now resting at Luyang Mountain Market, the closest market to Thunderclap Mountain. Chu Zuoshu had already returned to Giant Wood Ridge with the heavily wounded sect disciples, leaving Yue Zutao there to gather those who had been scattered during the war.

Chen Mobai carried his sect identification token, and his location was within the communication talisman's range, so he received the message Yue Zutao had sent to every missing Foundation Establishment cultivator.

He immediately rode the Scarlet Mist Cloud Silk and flew towards Luyang Mountain Market.

"Junior Brother Chen, it's wonderful that you're unharmed."

Yue Zutao was personally waiting at the market entrance. Seeing Chen Mobai safe and sound, he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

"What was the outcome of the battle among the higher-ups?"

Chen Mobai followed Yue Zutao into a Divine Wood Sect shop within the market. The two sat in the highest-level chamber. After exchanging a few polite greetings, he directly asked the most crucial question.

If their two Core Formation grand ancestors had been defeated, their Divine Wood Sect would likely have to rejoin the Five Elements Sect.

"Grand Ancestor Zhou and Grand Ancestor Mo of Golden Light Cliff took action. Even though Ji Zhenshi had broken through to the late Core Formation stage, it was still a dead end for him. However, just as Ji Zhenshi was about to die, Kong Lingling from Blowing Snow Palace and Yan Shaoyin from Reverting Heaven Valley intervened to mediate, and Nan Shidao also arrived. The two grand ancestors could only spare his life."

This meant that, apart from the Five Elements Sect, all major sects in the Eastern Wilderness were drawn into this war.

However, this was also expected. Reverting Heaven Valley and Blowing Snow Palace, along with Six-Armored Mountain's Earthshaker Peak, had previously struggled to survive in the Eastern Wilderness, dependent on the Five Elements Sect's goodwill.

These Core Formation grand ancestors understood the principle of "when the lips are gone, the teeth feel cold" most clearly.

If the Divine Wood Sect and Golden Light Cliff had joined forces today to destroy Earthshaker Peak and kill Ji Zhenshi, then tomorrow, their two sects might also suffer the same fate.

Therefore, even if extremely reluctant, Blowing Snow Palace and Reverting Heaven Valley had to intervene, at least to save Ji Zhenshi's life.

However, it seemed something crucial was still missing.

Chen Mobai and Yue Zutao discussed it. Both found this war very strange. Although the origin was that Gong Wanshan and Zheng Wulu, two Foundation Establishment cultivators from Lei Country, killed their Divine Wood Sect's garrison and then pursued Yuan Chiye and Fu Xingzhou, later fleeing to Earthshaker Peak after being exposed, the signs of instigation were too obvious.

Given the wisdom of the two grand ancestors and Sect Master Meng Hong, they would certainly have seen this, yet they still launched this war, even involving all major sects in the Eastern Wilderness except for the Five Elements Sect.

It was as if they were intentionally stirring things up, aiming to change the power structure of the Eastern Wilderness.

"Why did the Five Elements Sect remain inactive?"

Yue Zutao pinpointed the key issue, and Chen Mobai nodded slightly.

Logically, if the Five Elements Sect had allied with the other sects, they might have been able to reclaim the Divine Wood Sect and Golden Light Cliff, which had broken away. However, they showed no signs of intervention.

They allowed the Divine Wood Sect and Golden Light Cliff to ally, once again forcing the other four major sects to unite.

"Doesn't Hall Master Chu know either?"

Chen Mobai asked again. Chu Zuoshu, as the next sect master, was already at the highest level below the two grand ancestors in the sect, and he was the main general leading the expedition to Earthshaker Peak this time. If he didn't know something, he wouldn't have been so proactive.

"My master said that the sect master intends to cleanse the sect, both internally and externally, before his abdication, so as to leave my master with a more easily managed Three Halls and Twelve Divisions. The general plan for the war against Earthshaker Peak was already in place last year. After the spiritual stone mine suffered losses, the sect master seized the opportunity, planning to use it as a pretext to attack Yan Country."

Yue Zutao hesitated, then, considering Chen Mobai trustworthy, he divulged what he knew.

"What about Senior Brother Yuan and Senior Brother Fu?"

"The sect master originally only asked them to investigate casually. Who knew they would discover a mysterious force behind Gong Wanshan and Zheng Wulu? Subsequent events then became somewhat uncontrollable."

"Are there other forces in the Eastern Wilderness besides the Seven Major Sects?"

"The major merchant guilds, and powerful orthodoxies from outside the Eastern Wilderness. Even the Five Elements Sect would be wary of them."

Hearing this, Chen Mobai didn't ask further. At least the two grand ancestors had won; that was the best news.

"Senior Brother Weng, Senior Brother Xi, have they replied?"

Initially, the seven Foundation Establishment cultivators who occupied the spiritual stone mine had scattered to avoid the pursuit of Earthshaker Peak's army.

Chen Mobai had fought Ji Dingjin, helping them buy some time, but even so, their chances of survival were probably slim.

"Senior Brother Wang's body was found at the border between Yan Country and Lei Country, likely caught by the army. There's no news of the others yet. You are the first to respond to the communication talisman."

Yue Zutao's expression darkened as he spoke.

Although the Divine Wood Sect was victorious in this war, their losses were significant; eleven Foundation Establishment cultivators alone had died.

Additionally, seven were still missing, and it was uncertain if they would return alive.

Even for a large sect like the Divine Wood Sect, this was a crippling blow.

"Good people are protected by heaven. I hope they are all safe."

Chen Mobai could only say this. He then asked about the current situation between the two sects.

"Since our Divine Wood Sect is the victor, our losses must naturally be recouped from Earthshaker Peak. The two grand ancestors are currently negotiating with the Core Formation grand ancestors of the other four sects, proposing that Earthshaker Peak compensate us with one small spiritual stone mine and two miniature spiritual stone mines."

This was almost half of Earthshaker Peak's assets, and no one would willingly agree.

However, Yue Zutao added that the two Core Formation grand ancestors from Blowing Snow Palace and Reverting Heaven Valley had no intention of participating in the war; they merely wanted to save Ji Zhenshi's life. Therefore, this matter was not entirely non-negotiable.

"So, the war is basically over?"

Chen Mobai asked. Yue Zutao nodded and said one sentence.

"If the sect master successfully forms his core, then next time, even if Reverting Heaven Valley and Blowing Snow Palace participate, our Divine Wood Sect and Golden Light Cliff will definitely destroy Earthshaker Peak."

After they chatted for a while longer, two Qi Cultivation disciples suddenly came up from downstairs.

"Greetings, Master. It's truly wonderful that you're safe and sound."

The newcomers were Chen Mobai's two disciples, Liu Wenbai and Luo Yixuan. With Yue Zutao's care, although they had experienced several major battles, they both survived safely.

However, both of their faces were very pale. Chen Mobai noticed that something seemed off with them.

"The two junior nephews were affected by the power of the Pulse-Breaking Pearl. Poisonous gas entered their bodies, which might damage their cultivation foundations. However, the Alchemy Department is already preparing antidote elixirs, which all sect disciples who participated in this war can claim for free."

Hearing this, Chen Mobai's expression also darkened slightly.

He motioned for his two disciples to extend their hands. After taking their pulses, he found that Luo Yixuan was only a bit weak, with no other major issues.

Liu Wenbai, on the other hand, had a section of his vital energy withered, as if he had lost several years of lifespan.

"Master, it might be because you've long been channeling that spell into my body. When the poisonous gas entered, a natural surge of vital yang energy arose in my meridians, neutralizing some of it. That's why it wasn't as severe as Senior Brother's case."

Luo Yixuan quietly conveyed her speculation to Chen Mobai through a sound transmission. He instantly realized the truth.

"Senior Brother Yue, I'll take them back to the sect first."

Yue Zutao naturally had no objections and even personally saw them out of the market.

"Bear with it."

On the Scarlet Mist Cloud Silk, Chen Mobai extended his finger and channeled the Lamp Lighting Art into Liu Wenbai's body.

A wisp of black energy suddenly appeared on Liu Wenbai's originally pale face, then slowly seeped out, transforming into a plume of black smoke that dispersed into the air.

"Thank you, Master."

After the poisonous gas was forced out of his body by the Lamp Lighting Art, Liu Wenbai spat out a large mouthful of black blood. However, his complexion immediately improved significantly. He struggled to bow to Chen Mobai, but was stopped.

"Just focus on recovering. It's actually good that you were affected. You previously cultivated by taking pills, so your foundation was somewhat unstable. This poisonous gas dissolving two layers of your cultivation might actually be a blessing in disguise."

As a scion of an aristocratic family, Liu Wenbai had cultivated mostly by consuming pills throughout his journey. By the time he became Chen Mobai's disciple, his foundation was already set, and the pill toxins were deeply ingrained, making it difficult to change.

In that state, even with a Foundation Establishment Pill, his chances of successfully establishing his foundation wouldn't have been very high.

However, this time, with the poisonous gas entering his body, his Qi Cultivation ninth-layer cultivation was dissolved, causing him to drop to the seventh layer. This might actually be a blessing in disguise.

There were still three years until the next batch of Jade Marrow Golden Ganoderma matured, which should be enough time for him to become a true disciple.

"Master, I heard that Senior Brother Yu Lian also received your help to achieve the second true disciple rank."

Along the way, Liu Wenbai sat cross-legged on the edge of the misty clouds, holding two spiritual stones, wanting to recover his cultivation as quickly as possible. Luo Yixuan, after being detoxified, took the opportunity to ask Chen Mobai various questions.

"Mainly, he himself was able to rank among the top true disciples. I wonder how many Foundation Establishment Pills Senior Brother Zeng managed to refine this time?"

At the beginning of the year, the Alchemy Department had already collected all the main and auxiliary ingredients for refining Foundation Establishment Pills. Calculating the time, they should have been produced by now. Last time, Zeng Woyou refined two pills; hopefully, it won't be fewer this time.

"If I had known the sect would be refining Foundation Establishment Pills this year, I shouldn't have held back last year."

As Luo Yixuan said this, her slightly pale face was filled with regret.

"Even if you went all out, you still couldn't defeat Yu Lian and Mu Yuan."

Chen Mobai spoke frankly. He had expected Luo Yixuan to be unconvinced, but she nodded seriously, a relieved expression flashing across her face, as if she believed everything her teacher said.

The master and his two disciples flew on the Scarlet Mist Cloud Silk for a full half-month before finally returning to Giant Wood Ridge.

Upon returning to the sect, Chen Mobai heard some good news.

Zeng Woyou had successfully refined three Foundation Establishment Pills.

Mu Yuan, Yu Lian, and Li Yixian, the three true disciples, submitted their applications to the Spirit Treasure Pavilion for Foundation Establishment Pills without any hesitation.

"I hope at least one of them succeeds. The sect lost quite a few Foundation Establishment cultivators this time."

In the Hall of Merits, Chu Zuoshu and Chen Mobai sat opposite each other. The former sighed as he spoke.

As the Inspector of the Hall of Merits, Chen Mobai naturally needed to report to Chu Zuoshu immediately upon returning to the sect. It was also from Chu Zuoshu that he learned the good news about Zeng Woyou refining three pills.

"The sect master had already prepared Mu Yuan's sect contribution points. Li Yixian, as the true disciple of the Puppet Department, managed to scrape enough together. Only Yu Lian, who had cultivated in Shan Hongyi's mountain gate for years and accumulated little, had to hand over the Silver Heavens Thousand Extinctions Sword Scripture to the sect to exchange for sufficient contribution points."

Chen Mobai was very surprised to hear Chu Zuoshu's words.

Cultivators in the Sky River Realm valued the inheritance of cultivation techniques even more than their own lives.

For Yu Lian to hand over the Silver Heavens Sect's cultivation technique to the sect for a Foundation Establishment Pill, besides exchanging it for contribution points, it was likely also to express his loyalty to the sect.

Although Yu Lian's second true disciple ranking was not frozen due to Chen Mobai, the hidden danger still existed.

After all, while the three Foundation Establishment Pills had been refined, they hadn't yet been placed in the Spirit Treasure Pavilion. Until they were in hand, anything could happen.

The fourth true disciple, from the Artifact Forging Department, had recently been trying to find ways to pull Yu Lian down.

For Yu Lian to hand over the Silver Heavens Thousand Extinctions Sword Scripture to the sect for contributions at this time was undoubtedly a brilliant move.

From Chu Zuoshu's tone, the sect master had already decided the allocation of the three Foundation Establishment Pills.

They would go to the top three true disciples.

"Hall Master, I wonder how many people the sect's Azure Wood Fiend can still supply for cultivating the Azure Flame Sword Fiend?"

Chen Mobai asked about another matter. After the war, he deeply felt that his cultivation was still too weak. If he could cultivate a sword fiend, then next time he encountered Ji Dingjin, he wouldn't have to flee using a Lesser Teleportation Talisman as he did now.

"Oh, has your Azure Yang Fire reached grand completion?"

Chu Zuoshu had already witnessed Chen Mobai's sword light on the battlefield. For the Divine Wood Sect's Crimson Flame Sword Art's Azure Flame Sword Fiend, besides reaching the sword light realm, one also needed to achieve grand completion in Azure Yang Fire to condense the Azure Wood Fiend, and finally, ignite the fiend with fire to elevate the power of the sword light to a higher realm.

"Probably within the next few days."

During his time in the Immortal Gate, Chen Mobai hadn't wasted time. Relying on the fire vein spiritual energy from the Myriad Treasure Cave, he had already integrated Yue Zutao's Azure Yang fire seed into his own Azure Yang Fire.

Coupled with the Pure Azure Art obtained from the Talent Tree and his spiritual sense breakthrough, the fire seed enhancement, which would have originally taken several months to complete, was now largely done.

"Since Grand Ancestor Fu condensed his fiend, the Azure Wood Fiend has recovered for fifty years, and its current quantity should be enough to condense twenty-one sword fiends. However, Xie Yuntian has long since reserved all of the Azure Wood Fiend. Getting him to give it up would likely be difficult."

Chu Zuoshu also spoke frankly, sighing.

"Sigh, it seems I'll have to find a way outside the sect."

Hearing this, Chen Mobai felt helpless. After all, in terms of seniority, cultivation, and even contributions to the sect, Xie Yuntian, as the head of the Sword Cultivation Department, far surpassed him, an Inspector who had only achieved Foundation Establishment four years prior.

"However, you are, after all, one of my people. I will find a way."

Just as Chen Mobai was about to give up, Chu Zuoshu gave a mysterious smile, rekindling his hope.