Chapter 384: East Domain Six Realms

The immortal cultivation markets in the Eastern Barrens are generally semi-autonomous. Because the Divine Wood Sect originated from a split from the Five Elements Sect, the forces in its four affiliated states originally belonged to the Five Elements Sect. However, to gain the support of the local immortal cultivation families in these four states, the Divine Wood Sect, at the time of its split, promised the governing rights of these markets to the cultivation families.

As a result, during the first decade after the split, the immortal cultivation families in the four states, even if they hadn't directly assisted the Divine Wood Sect, at least maintained their silence. As for those who were restless or made small moves, they were either purged or fled. For example, the Silvercloud Sect, where Yu Lian previously resided, was one such case of expulsion.

After the Golden Light Cliff of the Divine Wood Sect reconciled with the Five Elements Sect, the immortal cultivation families who had previously contributed naturally gained management control over these markets. Among these, the Jade Pot Market came under the jurisdiction of the Fu family.

News of Chen Mobai's arrival at the market quickly reached the ears of the Fu family. An hour later, Fu Xiuzuo, the patriarch of the Fu family, personally rushed over.

"Greetings, Guardian."

Fu Xiuzuo was a middle-aged man with a refined and elegant appearance. His neat, thick black beard made him seem very unpretentious.

"Patriarch Fu, there's no need for such formality. You and I can address each other as senior and junior brothers."

Chen Mobai knew that this man was the direct nephew of Old Ancestor Fu and had previously been a disciple of the Divine Wood Sect. However, the Fu family suffered heavy losses during their battle with the Five Elements Sect, with all three Foundation Establishment cultivators dying in combat. Therefore, Old Ancestor Fu had Fu Xiuzuo leave the sect and return to the family to rebuild its strength.

"Junior Brother Chen."

Upon hearing Chen Mobai's words, Fu Xiuzuo smiled and changed his address.

The two greeted each other on the market street. People in the shops on both sides recognized Fu Xiuzuo, the patriarch of the Fu family, and were greatly astonished to see him rush over personally. It was known that when the previous guardian, Liu Ruzhong, had just taken office, Fu Xiuzuo had not treated him with such solemnity. In fact, Liu Ruzhong had personally gone to the Fu family to pay his respects.

What was the background of this new Divine Wood Sect guardian? The cultivators in Jade Pot Market who witnessed this scene exchanged glances and began inquiring about Chen Mobai's background from those around them. Before long, they learned the details from the disciples of the Divine Wood Sect.

"I can't believe it's him!"

"Chen Guixian, the Divine Wood Sect's foremost sword cultivator!"

"It's said that his combat prowess is second only to the two Old Ancestors in the Divine Wood Sect. I initially thought it was an exaggeration, but now it seems the rumors are well-founded."

"Is the Divine Wood Sect truly on the rise? It's said that former sect master Meng Hong is also forming his Golden Core, and with exceptional young Foundation Establishment talents like Chen Guixian and Hong He, it might not be impossible for them to wield the banner of the Five Elements Sect in the future."

Chen Mobai and Fu Xiuzuo, both Foundation Establishment cultivators, naturally overheard the public's discussions. However, they merely exchanged smiles, and at Fu Xiuzuo's invitation, they proceeded to the Heavenly Feast Restaurant within Jade Pot Market.

The Heavenly Feast Restaurant was also a renowned establishment in the Eastern Barrens, claiming to cultivate qi through food, by consuming exquisite delicacies of myriad spirits to refine a surge of pure qi. However, the headquarters of the Heavenly Feast Restaurant was not in the Eastern Barrens but in the distant Eastern Land.

Over the years, Chen Mobai had gained a general understanding of the region where the Eastern Barrens was located. Cultivators collectively referred to this entire area as the Eastern Region. The Eastern Region comprised six realms: Eastern Barrens, Eastern Yi, Eastern Wu, Eastern Yue, Eastern Land, and Eastern Li.

Among these, the Eastern Barrens was a remote area with relatively "barren" cultivation resources. Bordering the Eastern Barrens was the Eastern Yi Realm. In fact, the Seven Great Sects of the Eastern Barrens had mostly been forced to migrate there after failing to thrive in the Eastern Yi Realm. The Eastern Yi Realm hosted three major sects: the Profound Sky Dao Palace, Empty Mulberry Valley, and Sunbath Sea. These were all major powers with Nascent Soul cultivators presiding over them, their influence radiating across all six realms of the Eastern Region, and they held considerable reputations even in the Eastern Land. In the past, when Old Ancestor Hunyuan was still alive, the Five Elements Sect had a good relationship with Sunbath Profound Sea, also making it a significant power.

Within the Eastern Region, the Eastern Wu Realm held a status comparable to the Eastern Barrens. The two realms bordered each other, with the border being the Cloud Dream Great Marsh. Beyond this vast expanse of water, created by True Monarch Yiyuan, lay the territory of Eastern Wu. Sect power in the Eastern Wu Realm was in decline, with major immortal cultivation families occupying spirit vein mines. The most renowned among them was the Huangwu Sun Clan, which had produced Nascent Soul cultivators and once ruled Eastern Wu as an immortal cultivation royal family. However, the Nascent Soul Old Ancestor of the Huangwu Sun Clan, similar in age to Old Ancestor Hunyuan, also passed away twenty years ago. Thus, the Eastern Barrens and Eastern Wu were like two brothers who couldn't laugh at each other. Although both had desired to monopolize the rich resources of the Cloud Dream Great Marsh for years, they maintained restraint until they had absolute certainty. The two realms used the sealed town in the center of the Cloud Dream Great Marsh as their boundary, tacitly agreeing not to interfere with each other.

Beyond the Eastern Yi Realm lay the Eastern Yue Realm, a seemingly endless expanse of continuous mountains. Cultivators there regarded each mountain as a fallen star from the heavens. A super-power called the Stargaze Dao Sect ruled this realm, and it was said to have several Nascent Soul Old Ancestors within its ranks.

Past the Eastern Yue Realm was the Eastern Land, the center of the entire Eastern Region. Even the two Old Ancestors of the Divine Wood Sect had never visited that place. Only Zhou Shengqing had heard from Old Ancestor Hunyuan that the Eastern Land boasted hundreds of sects and families that had produced Nascent Soul cultivators, and the Heavenly Feast Restaurant was one of them. The Eastern Land was the essence of the entire Eastern Region's immortal cultivation world. It was said that among the Four Great Sacred Lands of the Eastern Land, there were even legendary Soul Transformation True Monarchs.

However, even with the profound heritage of the Eastern Land, it still faced annual headaches due to invasions from the Eastern Li Realm. Eastern Li was the northernmost part of the Eastern Region and the most rampant area for savage demonic cultivators. The Eighteen Demonic Sects and various unorthodox factions had their inheritances there, a mixed bag of individuals, yet also hiding extremely terrifying evil path magnates. Three hundred years ago, an evil cultivator, who called himself Bright Lord, perfected his demonic arts and single-handedly infiltrated the Eastern Land. With a single sword, he fought across thirty thousand li, destroying countless sects and families. He even ultimately set foot in the One Yuan Dao Palace, a sacred land of the Eastern Land, forcing out a Nascent Soul Avatar left behind by True Monarch Yiyuan before his ascension. After this battle, Bright Lord disappeared. The One Yuan Dao Palace, however, announced its closure and has remained closed to this day. This led to one of the Four Great Sacred Lands of the Eastern Land being absent, and now many newly advanced cultivators even believe there are only three sacred lands.

These events were originally recounted by Old Ancestor Hunyuan to Zhou Shengqing. To ensure that future generations of disciples understood the vastness of the world, Zhou Shengqing also documented them and placed them in the Scripture Repository, accessible to all Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Divine Wood Sect. At the end of the book, Zhou Shengqing also recorded another matter. Old Ancestor Hunyuan once visited the One Yuan Dao Palace, seeking to enter its ranks as a disciple of True Monarch Yiyuan. Although it was confirmed he was indeed a disciple of Yiyuan, his seniority was too high to easily accommodate, and the matter seemingly ended on an unpleasant note. Afterward, Old Ancestor Hunyuan returned to the Eastern Barrens and founded the Five Elements Sect.

The expenses at the Heavenly Feast Restaurant were considerable. Chen Mobai and Fu Xiuzuo ordered four dishes and one soup—Heavenly Fragrant Silver Fish, Spirit Solitary Chicken Soup, Braised Spareribs with Sauce, Stir-fried Shrimp Balls, and Spirit Ginger and Scallion Mystic Greens—along with a pot of wine, which astonishingly cost them sixty spirit stones.

However, the high price was justified. After eating, Chen Mobai felt his vital energy slightly strengthened. The spiritual ingredients, prepared with special techniques, were easily absorbed and refined like medicinal pills. Even the pure yang spiritual power within his Dantian Sea of Qi subtly fluctuated, and after his divine sense circulated through several grand cycles, a tiny drop of liquid spiritual power faintly began to condense.

"If one could consistently consume the delicacies from the Heavenly Feast Restaurant, there would be no worry about one's cultivation not progressing," Chen Mobai exclaimed.

"I thought the same thing back then, but it's simply too expensive. It's only because you, Junior Brother, have come to Jade Pot Market this time that I can legitimately record this spirit stone expenditure on the family's ledger under the pretense of treating you." Fu Xiuzuo said this with great humor, causing Chen Mobai to burst into laughter.

"Have a taste. The Jade Pot Spring wine from Heavenly Feast Restaurant is also exceptional. Consuming it helps digest the spiritual energy contained within the delicacies." Fu Xiuzuo opened another pot of wine and poured some for Chen Mobai.

"This wine is good, no worse than what Ming'er brews." After taking a sip, Chen Mobai nodded slightly. However, since he had already digested the spiritual benefits himself, he didn't feel any effect from the wine beyond its taste.

"I've long heard from Huakun that you, Junior Brother, are a heroic drinker. This Jade Pot Spring is already the best wine available here at Heavenly Feast Restaurant." Fu Xiuzuo and Fu Huakun, the inspector from the Hall of Rewards, were cousins. Fu Xiuzuo had long known from Huakun that Chen Mobai was highly favored by their Old Ancestor, which was why he had specifically come to host him.

"Oh, does the Heavenly Feast Restaurant not have any second-tier spirit wine?" Chen Mobai could tell that the Jade Pot Spring was only first-tier. He thought, given the Heavenly Feast Restaurant's background, they shouldn't only offer this type.

"There is indeed second-tier Jade Pot Spring, but it requires a month's advance reservation, and then the supply must be transferred from the main Heavenly Feast Restaurant branch in the Eastern Yi Realm." Fu Xiuzuo replied. He was past his peak years; although he was a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator, there was no possibility of further advancement. Therefore, he spent most of his time enjoying life, and the Heavenly Feast Restaurant was a place he frequently visited.

"And the price?"

"It depends on the grade. The lowest, a second-tier low-grade, costs one hundred spirit stones per pot. I've only ever had that one." Hearing Fu Xiuzuo's words, Chen Mobai couldn't help but lament how "barren" the Eastern Barrens truly was, to the point where one couldn't even enjoy good wine freely.

Meanwhile, Liu Wenbai and Luo Yixuan, standing nearby, had their eyes sparkling. They both knew that last year, Zhuo Ming and Yan Jinye had jointly brewed second-tier Jade Bamboo Spirit Wine. Although only two jars were successfully produced, they were large jars, each weighing twenty jin. The pot of wine at Heavenly Feast Restaurant currently was a mere ten liang in quantity. This meant that the two large jars of wine from last year were worth 6,400 spirit stones.

"This year, my humble disciple has also successfully brewed some second-tier Jade Bamboo Spirit Wine. Once it's opened, I'll have Wenbai deliver two jars to Senior Brother Fu." These jars would be smaller, typically one jin each. Fu Xiuzuo laughed heartily upon hearing this, declaring that the meal today had been well worth it.

After their meal, the two discussed some matters concerning the market. When Chen Mobai mentioned wanting a shop to operate himself, Fu Xiuzuo immediately stated that the Fu family could arrange one of the Divine Wood Sect's leased shops right away.

"Many thanks for your understanding, Patriarch Fu." Pang Guangmin, who was nearby, spoke with great gratitude upon hearing Fu Xiuzuo's words. Of the eight shops leased out by the Divine Wood Sect, all were actually handed over to the Fu family, the market's administrators, to manage. The Divine Wood Sect merely received a fixed annual sum of 1,200 spirit stones, and they did not concern themselves with the price at which the Fu family rented them out, which was certainly much higher in reality. Liu Ruzhong was a nominal disciple of Fu Zongjue and also Fu Xiuzuo's junior brother, so such benefits naturally remained within their circle. Originally, if Fu Xiuzuo hadn't spoken up, Pang Guangmin would have had to personally visit the Fu family to discuss this matter. If the Fu family had adopted a tough stance, Pang Guangmin, caught in the middle, would undoubtedly have faced a bleak future. However, Pang Guangmin had clearly underestimated the influence of Chen Mobai's name. Before he even went to the Fu family, Fu Xiuzuo had personally arrived, displaying a very amiable attitude.

With Fu Xiuzuo's involvement, the shop matter was naturally settled with ease. Of the Divine Wood Sect's eight shops, two were operated by the Fu family themselves. As soon as Fu Xiuzuo spoke, the one with the best location immediately began clearing out its goods, and by evening, it was completely emptied and tidied.

"Junior Brother Chen, do you intend to open a wine shop?" After finishing their wine, Fu Xiuzuo and Chen Mobai arrived at this shop located in the central area of Jade Pot Market. Although not large, it was adjacent to the four shops operated by the Divine Wood Sect itself, clearly indicating its origin.

"Selling some miscellaneous goods to earn cultivation resources," Chen Mobai humbly replied. He then pointed, and the original shop name on the signboard at the entrance had been erased, replaced by the four characters "Xiaonanshan Shop."

Fu Xiuzuo nodded. He had heard from his cousin, Fu Huakun, that this Junior Brother Chen's shop in Divine Wood City also bore the same name and reportedly mainly sold spirit rice and spirit wine, both of decent quality. The market for spirit rice was relatively stable, but spirit wine was mediocre, or arguably had no market at all, as rogue cultivators' spirit stones were typically spent solely on improving their cultivation. Rogue cultivators wouldn't even glance at a place like the Heavenly Feast Restaurant, let alone enter. Given the same amount of spirit stones, they would rather buy a few bottles of pills.

Chen Mobai stayed in Jade Pot Market for three days, during which Fu Xiuzuo accompanied him throughout. Their friendship grew increasingly deep. Before leaving, Chen Mobai also hosted Fu Xiuzuo for a meal at the Heavenly Feast Restaurant. However, this time they drank wine that Chen Mobai had brought himself. It was completely different from Jade Pot Spring but had its own unique flavors, which greatly satisfied Fu Xiuzuo.

"Junior Brother Chen, there's a gathering for Foundation Establishment cultivators at Tiankui Market in half a month. I'll be attending then. After you've finished your inspection at Qinghong Market, you can come over with Old Ghost Liang."

After Jade Pot Market came Qinghong Market, which belonged to the cultivator Liang family. However, there was also another family, the Guo family, that Chen Mobai was paying close attention to. This was the family of Lady Guo, who had been killed by Daoist Feiming in Lone Soul Ridge. However, after Chen Mobai killed Daoist Feiming, he suddenly discovered that Lady Guo's body had disappeared. He had also mentioned this matter to Meng Hong, the sect master at the time, to prevent any accidents when the sect excavated Void Spirit Stones. Zhou Shengqing had even personally visited Lone Soul Ridge to confirm there were no issues, but as a precaution, he still set up a Divine Wood Radiance Array. He could also take this opportunity during the inspection to communicate with the Guo family.