Chapter 453: North Abyss Immortal City

Chen Mobai was unaware that Zhou Shengqing had already settled the matter of the Golden Liquid Jade Return Pill. He was deeply immersed in the joy of city building.

Lu Daoda's abilities were excellent; it took him only half a month to survey the entire Beiyuan Mountain and its surrounding areas. However, his drawing skills were mediocre. Although the maps he drew were considered very refined and standard in the Eastern Wasteland, they still seemed somewhat rough to Chen Mobai, who was accustomed to printed materials.

These were minor details, though. Once Chen Mobai received the topographical survey map of Beiyuan Mountain, he began to develop a comprehensive master plan, centered around it, to build a grand grotto-heaven city capable of influencing the Yan and Xiao nations. For this purpose, he dispatched Lu Daoda again, this time on a long-term assignment, to redraw the maps of both nations according to his standards.

Although Chen Mobai had no prior study in urban planning and design, his powerful divine sense as an eighth-level Foundation Establishment cultivator, combined with having consumed Enlightenment Tea and Snow Needle Immortal Buds, granted him exceptional learning capabilities. Using the Green Emperor's account, he searched online for planning layouts of immortal sect grotto-heavens and blessed lands. Chen Mobai also returned to the Wuqi Daoist Academy to consult teachers of relevant courses. After a month of meticulous study, he had truly mastered the subject. He personally drew a magnificent city plan with a highly immortal-sect-like layout.

"Junior Brother Chen, you're planning to build an immortal city!" Yue Zutao exclaimed when he came to find Chen Mobai for tea. He saw the enormous blueprint spread across the floor. The precise, intricate lines and dimensions, from plans to elevations to sections, and various delicate detail drawings, instantly conjured in his mind a vast, magnificent, yet clean and orderly mega-city. He couldn't help but show his shock.

"It's not quite an immortal city yet; I merely want to create a well-planned city suitable for cultivators to reside and interact," Chen Mobai replied, shaking his head. He knew that in the Eastern Wasteland, only the headquarters of the Five Elements Sect, when Patriarch Hunyuan was still alive and in charge, dared to call itself an immortal city.

Yue Zutao had once been a disciple of the Five Elements Sect, growing up in Hunyuan Immortal City, and he remembered it vividly. Yet, even that Hunyuan Immortal City was vastly different from Beiyuan City as depicted in Chen Mobai's blueprints, like the difference between an elaborate courtyard and a humble thatched cottage. It wasn't a matter of land area, but rather a fundamental difference in organizational order when comparing their underlying planning. In Yue Zutao's mind, one was a grand thoroughfare leading to the heavens, while the other was merely a country lane.

This was quite normal, as Beiyuan City's master plan was based on the standards of Wangwu Grotto-Heaven, the capital of the immortal sects. Therefore, when expressed on paper, it appeared like a celestial immortal city in the eyes of Yue Zutao, a person from the Tianhe Realm. The reason such a design was feasible was that the Eastern Wasteland was vast and sparsely populated. Acquiring land, often the most challenging aspect for immortal sects, was not an issue here. Chen Mobai was only concerned that after Beiyuan City was built, it might become a ghost city, abandoned due to a lack of inhabitants.

"First, we'll complete the overall planning in the initial stages. With the current manpower of our sect here, it's certainly impossible to achieve the level shown on the blueprints. My intention is to first establish a market in the core area for exchange, and then, as the number of cultivators grows, gradually expand outwards."

Chen Mobai and Yue Zutao were close friends who understood each other well. Moreover, Yue Zutao's mind was very active; Chen Mobai only needed to state the beginning, and Yue Zutao had already largely grasped his intentions. "Preparing thoroughly before acting and proceeding step by step according to the planned objectives – with Junior Brother Chen providing the blueprint, those below will work with ease and efficiency."

Amidst his exclamations, Yue Zutao had come to understand the meaning of the plan. He squatted down, continually asking questions about the Beiyuan Immortal City plan drawn by Chen Mobai. With the master plan in hand, subsequent tasks became much simpler. They merely needed to follow this general direction, grasp the main points, and continuously add details.

Soon after, Yuan Chiye and Zuo Hongqiu were also called over by Chen Mobai. "Senior Brother Yuan, if Beiyuan City is to be built, some areas will need to be leveled and cleared. This task will require your effort."

Due to the immense power of cultivators, moving mountains and filling rivers was possible. Chen Mobai was bold in his design, choosing to level some small hills that would impede urban traffic routes. However, for the core Beiyuan Mountain, he still adhered to a planning philosophy of natural harmony and unity between heaven and man, developing outwards from this magnificent spiritual mountain in all directions. The first phase of the Beiyuan City market was located at the foot of this spiritual mountain. To the east and west were thousands of acres of spirit fields and medicinal fields that the Ji family had spent hundreds of years cultivating. Chen Mobai did not touch them for now, planning to incorporate them into the city's development if the market proved insufficient in the future.

Furthermore, array formations were crucial when establishing a market in the Eastern Wasteland. After all, in Chen Mobai's view, Beiyuan City could potentially serve as a base for confronting the Xuanxiao Dao Palace in the future. If its defensive capabilities were insufficient, not to mention the cultivators within the city, even he would not feel at ease.

"Senior Sister Zuo, what kind of array formation do you think would be most suitable to set up?" Seeking advice from the expert on a professional matter, Chen Mobai politely asked Zuo Hongqiu.

"The simplest, of course, is our sect's 'Myriad Wood Great Array.' As long as we continuously plant Azure Sun Spirit Trees, its power will grow stronger and stronger. If we follow Junior Brother Chen's plan, Beiyuan Mountain might even be transformed into a second Giant Wood Ridge." Zuo Hongqiu had been studying the Beiyuan City blueprints since she entered. Only after hearing Chen Mobai's question did she snap out of her astonishment and offer a seasoned opinion.

"That probably won't work," Chen Mobai replied, shaking his head and dismissing the idea. "The array formation for Beiyuan City needs to be operational quickly, because no one knows when the balance between our sect and the Xuanxiao Dao Palace will break. We don't have time for the array to grow."

"If we want something more stable, we could set up the 'Profound Mechanism Five Elements Array.' This is a third-tier array, and with sufficient materials, combined with the earth vein's spiritual energy, its power could be elevated to the fourth tier." Zuo Hongqiu nodded and suggested another array formation, considering Beiyuan Mountain's earth vein environment. If this immortal city were to be completed, it would be unworthy without the protection of a fourth-tier array formation. This was also the Five Elements Sect's sect-guarding grand array, which constantly shifted its gates according to the laws of the Five Elements' circulation. At its peak, with Patriarch Hunyuan at its center and five Core Formation cultivators, including Zhou Shengqing, assisting, it suppressed myriad demonic beasts in Yunmeng Marsh.

"This array might not be ideal," Yue Zutao interjected. "Beiyuan Mountain's spiritual vein has an earth-containing-metal attribute, with earth spiritual energy accounting for over seventy percent. If we were to set up a Five Elements Array here, not only would we need to suppress a portion of the earth vein, but we would also have to embed vast quantities of wood, water, and fire elemental spiritual items to maintain the Five Elements' balance. It would be quite cost-ineffective." Yue Zutao, who also had considerable mastery in array formations, and had previously reviewed the topographical and spiritual vein survey map of Beiyuan Mountain, concluded that the Five Elements Array was unsuitable for this location.

"Earth vein containing metal, you say... Our sect also has an array disk for the 'Sumeru Nine Palaces Array'," Zuo Hongqiu mused. "This was obtained when the two Patriarchs and Martial Uncle Mo jointly broke a national battle array during our conflict with the Five Elements Sect's Earth Vein branch. It can serve as both a mountain-guarding array and a battle array, though its setup is quite complicated, and to fully unleash its power, it requires not only array flags but also cooperation from many cultivators." She thought for a moment and recalled an array disk stored away in the Array Formation Department. That array disk was from a decisive battle after the Divine Wood Sect split from the Five Elements Sect. Only after the Sumeru Nine Palaces Array was broken did the Five Elements Sect grudgingly acknowledge the split.

"I remember that array disk was damaged," Yue Zutao, who was apparently aware of this, asked in surprise after hearing Zuo Hongqiu's suggestion.

"The Array Formation Department hasn't been very busy these past few decades, so we've been continuously trying to repair this array disk. While it can't be restored to its peak fourth-tier level, it's certainly capable of operating at the third tier if deployed." Upon hearing this, Chen Mobai began to inquire about the Sumeru Nine Palaces Array. Zuo Hongqiu answered truthfully, and Yue Zutao continuously added more information.

"We also need to check if the array's placement conflicts with Beiyuan City's construction," Yuan Chiye remarked, offering his opinion during the discussion. In the Eastern Wasteland, array formations typically came first because conflicts were frequent. Without adequate defenses, even the best construction would be in vain. However, Chen Mobai's blueprint for Beiyuan Immortal City was so stunning that they all wished not to disrupt his plan, thus inadvertently prioritizing the city's construction over the array formation.

"That's simple," Chen Mobai interjected, taking the initiative. "I'll overlay the maps. If there are conflicts, I'll just revise the city plan." Chen Mobai proactively raised the priority of the array formation, acknowledging that in the Eastern Wasteland, centuries of experience proved its importance. He took out a fresh sheet of paper, overlaid it with the master plan, and drew in the Sumeru Nine Palaces Array. As expected, he found several conflicting points. He consulted Zuo Hongqiu and Yue Zutao for their opinions and finalized the revision plan.

"Then it's decided: we will set up this array formation." With the two most crucial matters settled, they could begin their work. Yuan Chiye immediately accepted the order and led a team of cultivators under his command to Beiyuan Mountain. Zuo Hongqiu, meanwhile, needed to return to the sect to retrieve the array disk.

Chen Mobai packaged a set of Beiyuan City's planning blueprints and had Zuo Hongqiu take them to the sect, intending to slightly impress the higher-ups of the Divine Wood Sect, such as Chu Zuoxu. The construction of Beiyuan City would require vast resources, and Chen Mobai certainly couldn't accomplish it alone. The two Core Formation Patriarchs would likely support him, but establishing Beiyuan City required the full cooperation of the Divine Wood Sect's Three Halls and Twelve Departments. Therefore, Chen Mobai believed it best to send the blueprints over, so Chu Zuoxu and others could gain a more direct impression.

This action proved to be very wise. When Zuo Hongqiu unrolled the blueprints at a regular meeting of the Divine Wood Sect's higher echelons, everyone was stunned. Then, Luo Xue'er calculated the cost of building this immortal city. The result made Chu Zuoxu and the others deeply distressed: it would likely consume twenty years' worth of the Divine Wood Sect's spiritual stone income. This drew opposition from many cautious and experienced individuals. After all, the Divine Wood Sect had engaged in successive campaigns in recent years, exhausting most of its stored spiritual stones. Although they had captured the two nations where Trembling Mountain Peak was located, converting their resources into spiritual stones would also take time. If they invested in building Beiyuan Immortal City, the Divine Wood Sect would have to economize for a long time to recover. Moreover, if war with the Xuanxiao Dao Palace truly broke out in the future, there was a high probability that Beiyuan City, situated in the heart of the Yan Nation, would be reduced to ruins. Had it not been for Chen Mobai's exceptionally advanced planning blueprints—and the fact that he had also used his exquisite drawing skills to create over a dozen stunning 3D renderings that left everyone in awe—it was likely that no one would have agreed to the proposal.

Chu Zuoxu naturally supported Chen Mobai, as it was the sect's spiritual stones being spent, after all. However, seeing that the opinions for and against were nearly balanced, he shrewdly deferred the decision to the two Patriarchs. Zhou Shengqing was in seclusion and did not attend. When Fu Zongjue's true body arrived and glanced at the plans, he was immediately captivated. He thought Chen Mobai had once again obtained ancient city-building secrets from the Immortal Lifespan Sect within the Divine Tree Secret Realm. After reviewing them, he was utterly amazed.

"Let him build it!" With Fu Zongjue's declaration, virtually all those who had been opposing the plan fell silent.

However, the Divine Wood Sect's current financial difficulties were undeniable. So, Chu Zuoxu discussed it with Luo Xue'er and decided to first support the deployment of the Sumeru Nine Palaces Array. Thus, captivated by the vision of Beiyuan Immortal City, the resolution was passed within the Divine Wood Sect.

"Fortunately, the initial investment isn't too large," Zuo Hongqiu said with excitement when she returned and recounted the sect meeting. "I hope to see the complete establishment of this Beiyuan Immortal City within my lifetime." With the Divine Wood Sect's support, the foundations of the Sumeru Nine Palaces Array could now be laid, with provisions made for its future upgrade to a fourth-tier array. Since the Divine Wood Sect itself couldn't deploy a fourth-tier array, they would need to invite a fourth-tier array master in the future to harmonize the earth veins and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

"Thank you for your hard work, Senior Sister Zuo." Chen Mobai thanked her, then arranged for Zuo Hongqiu to take the array disk and a team of her subordinates to Beiyuan Mountain.

The large-scale movement of personnel by the Divine Wood Sect was not concealed at all. Consequently, word quickly spread among the people in Wuliu Mountain Market that Chen Mobai intended to build a new market. Those with foresight were already inquiring about how to secure a foothold in the new market. Many rogue cultivators, in particular, had experienced unprecedented peace of mind during their time there, free from worries about rogue cultivators or oppression from cultivation families and sect disciples. They all believed they had arrived in a fairyland. They were concerned that if Chen Mobai led the Divine Wood Sect cultivators to the new market, Wuliu Mountain Market would lose its current order.

Many cultivation families, while not worried about that specific point, were nevertheless afraid of their relationship with the Divine Wood Sect becoming estranged. They dispatched people to inquire if the new market's construction required any financial assistance from them. The native Yan Nation cultivation families who had thrived in Wuliu Mountain Market were those who had sided with the Divine Wood Sect during the war and profited immensely. During their time in this peaceful place, they had also sold off many of their spoils of war, accumulating a good amount of spiritual stones. Their demands were not high; they simply hoped to pre-book a few shopfronts in Beiyuan Market.

Chen Mobai rejected them outright without a second thought. He knew how ridiculously property and shop prices could skyrocket once a city developed. What was being built first was the core of Beiyuan City, and Chen Mobai intended to only rent, not sell. Once the market expanded outwards, he could pre-sell properties in the second and third rings. Considering the sect's financial difficulties, Chen Mobai was already figuring out how to raise some of the city's construction resources himself.