Chapter 517: Jie Dan Ceremony

The day of Chen Mobai's Core-Formation Ceremony arrived swiftly.

He himself wasn't fond of such a high-profile event, but for the Eastern Wilds, the emergence of a Core Formation cultivator in a sect was akin to adding a pillar supporting the heavens; they wished to publicize it across the entire world.

When the news of Chen Mobai's Core Formation arrived from Yan Nation, Chu Zuoshu and others had already begun preparations for the event.

After Fu Zongjue and Chen Mobai returned consecutively, they only needed to set a date.

A month quickly passed.

“From Return to Heaven Valley: a congratulatory gift of two bottles of third-tier spirit pills, presented by Ye Bogui!”“From Snow Flurry Palace: a congratulatory gift of a pair of Water-Fire Spirit Jades, presented by Xue Ting!”“From the Bai Clan of Jian Nation's Snow Peak: a congratulatory gift of eight liang of Snow Needle Immortal Sprouts…”

Chen Mobai sat upright on the elevated platform in the plaza, the same one where he had previously preached to Foundation Establishment cultivators in front of Divine Wood City. He watched Chu Zuoshu, the Sect Master, greet each guest individually. Beside him, a cultivator with a booming voice announced each well-wisher and their gift, to ensure the Patriarch would recognize them.

This was quite necessary, as Chen Mobai was a notoriously austere cultivator. Aside from Xue Ting, he only knew the major families of Jian Nation and some families from Yun Nation with whom he had interacted.

The order of entry for the Core-Formation Ceremony had all been pre-arranged, and soon the vast plaza was filled with guests.

“From the Five Elements Sect: a congratulatory gift of a Mountain Suppressing Stone, presented by Kong Shanxu!”

As the last cultivator, a man with a proper, square face and thick eyebrows, walked in alongside Chu Zuoshu, all the guests for the Core-Formation Ceremony had arrived.

“I didn't expect the Five Elements Sect to send someone,” Chen Mobai murmured.

Chen Mobai was somewhat surprised. The relationship between the two sects, if not outright enmity, was at least one of long-standing estrangement. Previously, when Chu Zuoshu reported, he had only mentioned that invitations were sent, but the Five Elements Sect had not responded.

“Congratulations, Patriarch Chen, on achieving the Golden Core, and may you live for five hundred years!”

As everyone rose and offered their congratulations, Chen Mobai also burst into laughter and stood up, raising the wine cup in his hand and draining it.

Then, the customary sermon began.

A Core Formation cultivator expounding on their insights and experiences during the Foundation Establishment stage was an opportunity that immortal cultivation families across the entire Eastern Wilds might not encounter in a lifetime. Thus, everyone listened with respectful expressions and rapt attention, fearing they might miss a single word.

Chen Mobai's lecturing skills were now masterful, given his extensive teaching experience from the Immortal Sect.

Kong Shanxu of the Five Elements Sect and Ye Bogui of Return to Heaven Valley initially maintained normal expressions. However, after hearing the beginning, their eyebrows rose, and as they continued to listen, their eyes filled with shock.

The Foundation Establishment realm actually contained so many intricate details!

By the end, everyone was completely engrossed. By the time they realized it, Patriarch Chen on the high platform had already stopped his explanation.

Is it over already?

“This disciple still has many doubts after listening to Patriarch Chen's explanation, and wonders if I may ask for guidance.” The speaker was Ning Leshan of Golden Light Cliff. This was also pre-arranged, and Chen Mobai smiled and nodded.

“Since you are here today to attend my Core-Formation Ceremony, it is a matter of fate. I will randomly select three people and answer one question from each of you.”

Upon hearing this, the cultivators present all brightened their eyes, wishing for Chen Mobai to choose them.

However, two of these three people had already been pre-arranged. After Ning Leshan, it was naturally Xue Ting.

Only the last one remained. Chen Mobai glanced around and finally pointed to Liu Jingxian, the Foundation Establishment Patriarch of the Liu family from Yun Nation.

“Why did Patriarch Chen choose him?”

Some cultivators present who were unaware of the reasons began to murmur among themselves, but soon, someone provided the answer.

Patriarch Chen's eldest disciple hailed from the Liu family of Yun Nation, and it was clear that Liu Jingxian received this opportunity because of Liu Wenbai's influence.

Liu Jingxian's cultivation was not high, merely at the peak of the early Foundation Establishment stage. He was already one hundred and sixty-seven years old, with not much life left. However, because his family produced Liu Wenbai, he had no worries about successors.

Especially after Chen Mobai achieved Core Formation, their Liu family could now be considered directly affiliated with a Golden Core cultivator.

And this time, being chosen by Chen Mobai at the Core-Formation Ceremony, Liu Jingxian's face became flushed, and he seemed to have grown ten years younger. He raised a problem he had encountered during his cultivation, wanting to know how to break through this bottleneck that had troubled him for decades.

Chen Mobai inquired about Liu Jingxian's cultivation technique, and after examining his spirit roots, provided three methods for breakthrough.

“Thank you for your guidance, Patriarch Chen.”

Amidst Liu Jingxian's sincere words, Chen Mobai nodded and was about to conclude the day's Core-Formation Ceremony.

Suddenly, his expression turned solemn, and he looked up at the sky.

He saw a gleaming golden jade bridge extending from the distant horizon. A slender golden-robed youth, with hands clasped behind his back, stood at the very front of the jade bridge, flying towards the skies above Giant Wood Ridge.

A Core Formation cultivator!

Without a word needing to be said, from the vast surge of spiritual energy in the surroundings, everyone could discern the newcomer's cultivation level.

“Who goes there?!”

A streak of spiritual light rose from one of the Longevity Trees at the center of Giant Wood Ridge, and Fu Zongjue's figure appeared. He stood in front of the golden-robed youth, his expression solemn.

“This one is Xuan Shu, here specifically to congratulate True Person Chen on his Core Formation,” the youth replied.

The golden-robed youth's face was ordinary, but his entire demeanor was extraordinarily transcendent. He stood on the jade bridge, and the surrounding air currents rippled, faintly carrying a whistling sound.

“The Saint Son of Xuanxiao Dao Palace!”

Upon hearing this, Fu Zongjue couldn't help but feel shocked.

When he was young, he happened to be from the same era as Xuan Shu. Unfortunately, the latter was the most dazzling genius of that time, unrivaled across the Eastern Yi. His reputation was so great that even in the Eastern Wilds, he was renowned.

It was said that in the Eastern Lands, Xuan Shu was also astonishingly brilliant, engaging in discussions with the Dao Children and Saintesses of the great Holy Lands.

After returning from the Eastern Lands, Xuan Shu quickly succeeded in Core Formation, but from then on, there was virtually no news of him.

Unexpectedly, instead of Patriarch Jinfeng of Xuanxiao Dao Palace coming, they sent out this potential Nascent Soul cultivator.

“A visitor is a guest. Why not come down and have a humble drink?” Although Fu Zongjue was daunted by Xuan Shu's reputation, this was, after all, Giant Wood Ridge. Even if Patriarch Jinfeng, a great Nascent Soul cultivator, were to come, they could resist. He quickly composed himself, even extending an arm to invite Xuan Shu down.

“I arrived in haste and did not prepare a gift, so I shall not impose by asking for wine.” Although Xuan Shu was proud, he was not arrogant; he would certainly not walk into a trap and enter Giant Wood Ridge's grand formation.

“In that case, I ask that fellow Daoist depart,” Fu Zongjue subtly hinted. After the Divine Wood Sect and Xuanxiao Dao Palace killed Nan Xuanjing, they were essentially irreconcilable mortal enemies.

However, today was Chen Mobai's Core-Formation Ceremony, and he did not wish for conflict.

Moreover, and most importantly, with Zhou Shengqing already in secluded cultivation, neither he nor Chen Mobai were a match for Xuan Shu.

“My purpose in coming, besides congratulating True Person Chen on his Core Formation, is also to collect a debt.” Xuan Shu stopped mincing words. His eyes narrowed, and a biting cold wind began to gather around him.

“What debt?”

“My junior brother Nan Xuanjing died by True Person Chen's hand. His life, at the very least, demands a Core Formation cultivator from your Divine Wood Sect as compensation.”

The moment this statement was made, Fu Zongjue knew the visitor was an enemy, not a friend. He scoffed, wasting no more words, and immediately manipulated his puppet body to retreat back towards Giant Wood Ridge below.

Suddenly, with a whoosh!

A brilliant green light burst forth from Xuan Shu's fingertips. Fu Zongjue's puppet body had just turned when it was sliced in half.

The green light cleaved clouds and rent the sky, its remaining momentum continuing to descend towards Giant Wood Ridge.

A clear and profound Divine Wood Light shot skyward. The Divine Wood Sect's Myriad Wood Grand Formation activated on its own, rendering Xuan Shu's attack invisible.

“Are the three Core Formation cultivators of the Divine Wood Sect only brave enough to shrink back into their grand formation?” Xuan Shu stood on the jade bridge, suspended in mid-air, shouting loudly towards Giant Wood Ridge. His voice naturally carried into Divine Wood City.

Everyone exchanged glances, but dared not utter a word, as if struck silent. They also dared not look at Chen Mobai on the high platform.

In their minds, Xuan Shu disturbing the Core-Formation Ceremony would surely provoke the furious wrath of Patriarch Chen.

Under such circumstances, it was best not to meet his gaze.

What if Patriarch Chen was petty?

“Nephew Chu, what is the origin of this Xuan Shu?” Chen Mobai didn't fully recognize the powers here in the Eastern Wilds, let alone an outsider like Xuan Shu. Naturally, he wasn't in a good mood and was already preparing to wield his Purple Lightning Sword and enter the fray.

“Reporting to Patriarch Chen, I also do not know this person's origin,” Chu Zuoshu replied. Xuan Shu had been in secluded cultivation on Clear Mirror Mountain for a century, so the younger generation in Eastern Yi didn't know him, and Chu Zuoshu even less so.

“He is the former Saint Son of Xuanxiao Dao Palace,” said Kong Shanxu of the Five Elements Sect.

Chen Mobai glanced at him, and after nodding, transformed into a crimson fiery light. Like a meteor shooting skyward, he rushed towards Xuan Shu in mid-air.

“Junior Brother Chen, do not act impulsively!”

Unfortunately, before he could even exit the Myriad Wood Grand Formation, he was stopped by Fu Zongjue.

“Senior Brother, if we don't put up a fight and let someone block our entrance, what will become of the sect's reputation?” With the sect's grand formation as a backup, Chen Mobai thought that at worst, if he couldn't hold his own, he could immediately retreat.

“Alright then, Junior Brother, but please, do not overexert yourself,” Fu Zongjue said. “I have already sent someone to notify Senior Brother Mo. With the three of us working together, we can surely subdue him.”

Fu Zongjue, having the lowest cultivation, was accustomed to ganging up with Zhou Shengqing and Mo Douguang. Thus, as soon as he sensed Xuan Shu's intent to act, he immediately withdrew, preparing to engage only after their forces were complete.

“Please, Senior Brother Fu, hold the line for me!” As Chen Mobai spoke, he had already stepped out of the Myriad Wood Grand Formation's protective range.

*Excellent. This person is as proud as I anticipated,* Xuan Shu thought. *Once we engage, I'll first feign weakness. When he thinks he can withstand me, I'll suddenly unleash a fierce attack and kill him in one move, giving him no chance to retreat into the grand formation.*

*The so-called peerless sword Dao genius is merely boasting from this small place, the Eastern Wilds. His true strength and talent, placed in the Eastern Lands, would probably only be at the level of an introductory disciple of a major sect.*

*Whereas he, Xuan Shu, was a true genius capable of conversing with the Dao Children and Saintesses of the Holy Lands.*

*Slaying this Chen the Turtle Immortal, forcing Zhou Shengqing out of seclusion, then slowly dealing with the remaining Core Formation cultivators of the Eastern Wilds, and finally clearing out the fourth-tier demonic beast in Cloud Dream Lake—then he could prepare for Nascent Soul Formation.*

Xuan Shu's path to Nascent Soul Formation was clearly planned. In fact, in his mind, Patriarch Jinfeng was merely a pawn to be utilized.

After achieving Nascent Soul, he would unify the three realms of Eastern Yi, Eastern Wilds, and Eastern Wu. He would establish a super-sect to develop these desolate ruins, gathering resources for his own Spirit Transformation, and thereby establishing another Holy Land outside the Eastern Lands.

“I am someone who particularly dislikes rude people,” Chen Mobai's words drifted over at this moment. Xuan Shu scoffed, and a blue-golden sharpness gleamed at his fingertips.

As his Heavenly Wind Finger, which he cultivated, was about to strike, a dull, thunderous roar suddenly echoed in mid-air.

Chen Mobai was seen drawing a streak of purple light from his storage bag. Then, with a resounding crash from the sky, amidst flashes of lightning and thunder, the Purple Lightning Sword's light had already slashed down towards Xuan Shu's head.

The Heavenly Wind Finger force was instantly shattered. Xuan Shu's expression subtly changed as a defensive spirit talisman from his sleeve activated, transforming into a wind barrier that blocked the Purple Lightning Sword.

However, as the thundering lightning from the sky descended, layer after layer of the whirlwind was shattered.

Seeing that this high-grade third-tier spirit talisman could not even block the Purple Lightning Sword, Xuan Shu's eyes widened in surprise. He could only open his mouth and spit out a golden jade pearl, and a brilliant golden light shield suddenly erupted, enveloping his entire body.

At the same time, two more defensive spirit talismans activated, forming three layers of protection in conjunction with the pearl.

Amidst a deafening roar!

Xuan Shu's entire body was involuntarily forced back step by step.

The Purple Lightning Sword freely drew upon the pure Yang spiritual power within Chen Mobai's Dantian Qi Sea. Although their paths were different, both belonged to the extreme Yang and ultimate hardness, achieving an 80% compatibility.

Under the shocked gazes of over a hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators from across the Eastern Wilds gathered in Divine Wood City below, a dazzling purple lightning beam burst forth from the sword in Patriarch Chen's palm, striking the renowned Saint Son of Xuanxiao Dao Palace, who stood upon the jade bridge, like a golden ball, and powerfully knocking him away.

Was this the number one sword Dao talent in the Eastern Wilds for the past thousand years!?

Originally, many people were somewhat skeptical of the Divine Wood Sect's boasts, but after witnessing this scene, they felt the boasts were actually humble.

Since the Eastern Wilds was opened, there had never been such an astonishing sword cultivator!

At this moment, Xuan Shu in mid-air finally halted his retreat. After a dazzling blue-golden light burst forth, he had actually forcefully twisted the direction of the purple lightning beam.

Chen Mobai was somewhat surprised. That immense force just now had actually suppressed the Purple Lightning Sword in his palm.

Although the main reason was his insufficient cultivation, preventing him from fully unleashing the Purple Lightning Sword's power, it was indeed true that late-stage Core Formation cultivators should not be underestimated.

However, he hadn't originally intended to defeat Xuan Shu. It was merely to save face for the sect, to deliver a couple of sword strikes.

Anyway, with his abundant spiritual power, using the Purple Lightning Sword wouldn't deplete his vital essence, and he could also practice wielding this fourth-tier sword.

Purple Lightning Sword: Master, this opponent is a bit strong…

Chen Mobai: It's fine. We'll combine our strength, strike him twice for show, and that's enough. We don't need to defeat him.

Purple Lightning Sword: What I mean is, I need more spirit stones.

Chen Mobai: …