Chapter 520: Spirit Rice Layout

After our Master ascended, Zhou Ye, holding his legacy order, demanded that we help him achieve the Dao Fruit of Primordial Unity.

Senior Brother Zhou and I naturally refused, proposing to split the sect instead. Zhou Ye then cursed us as traitors.

What followed was a protracted war, in which Zhao Xuankang and several other major sects in the Eastern Barrens also fueled the conflict.

After Mo Douguang finished speaking, Chen Mobai finally understood the circumstances surrounding the split of the Five Elements Sect.

If they had truly sacrificed sixty years of their primal spiritual power, then the remaining Core Formation cultivators of the Five Elements Sect would certainly have no hope of achieving Nascent Soul.

For Zhou Shengqing, a cultivator capable of seeing higher realms, this was something he would never agree to.

No wonder they chose to split the sect.

In this matter, it's hard to say who was right or wrong.

As it was still unknown whether Xuanxiao Dao Palace had any further moves, Mo Douguang stayed at the Divine Wood Sect for some time after finishing his tea.

He resided near the Longevity Tree where Zhou Shengqing was in secluded cultivation, which also allowed him to experience the aura of Nascent Soul formation.

After the Core Formation Grand Ceremony concluded, Chen Mobai received a message via the Omniscient Instrument from Zhuo Ming.

"The Luo family?"

Chen Mobai was somewhat surprised upon hearing this. If Luo Sancai had any insight, he should have known why Chen Mobai only chose Liu Jingxian during the ceremony.

To establish a connection with him, a Core Formation cultivator, Luo Sancai had truly put aside his dignity.

"You don't need to agree to his request, nor do you need to prevent the Luo family from sending people to the Divine Wood Sect. In the future, if there's an opportunity, you or Wenbai can accept Xuan'er's nieces and nephews as disciples."

Chen Mobai pondered for a moment and then made his decision.

Although his young disciple harbored deep resentment towards her birth family, after all, the resources for her early growth and cultivation came from the Luo family. The kindness of upbringing and nurturing should not be forgotten.

Now that his young disciple was missing, as her master, he still felt it necessary to look after the Luo family.

After Zhuo Ming, Liu Wenbai also hastily came to him. He was there to report on the spirit rice seedling transactions.

At the end of the Core Formation Grand Ceremony, the Divine Wood Sect offered all guests spirit wine and spirit rice from the Little South Mountain lineage.

Four large vats of spirit wine were directly presented, ranging from low-grade second-tier to high-grade second-tier. The most precious vat contained nearly third-tier spirit wine brewed from Jade Bamboo spirit rice.

There were even more varieties of spirit rice. After all, over the past twenty years, Zhuo Ming had attempted hundreds of hybridization experiments, and more than ten second-tier varieties had been cultivated, but the most suitable for large-scale cultivation was still Azure Jade spirit rice.

The method of self-service, where guests could freely drink spirit wine and take spirit rice, greatly surprised the Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Eastern Barrens. The taste of the spirit wine, far surpassing the quality found in the Eastern Barrens, instantly captivated everyone.

And such a large number of unheard-of second-tier spirit rice varieties also greatly astonished all the forces in the Eastern Barrens.

The complete cultivation and farming methods for second-tier spirit rice were not even commonly possessed by the major sects in the Eastern Barrens.

"Shouldn't the Divine Wood Sect only have Jade Bamboo spirit rice?"

Once they learned that these were the fruits of more than twenty years of diligent cultivation and experimentation by Patriarch Chen and his disciples, everyone was astonished by Chen Mobai's talent.

"Isn't he a peerless genius in the Way of the Sword?"

"How can his talent in spiritual plant cultivation be even more astounding than his swordsmanship?"

"As expected, he is truly the Saint Son chosen by the Ancient Longevity Cult!"

While everyone was marveling, Meng Hong further announced that Patriarch Chen was willing to sell these spirit rice seeds to any interested faction or sect that wished to cultivate them.

As soon as this news broke, everyone present was extremely excited.

However, their extensive experience taught them that there was no such thing as a free lunch in this world.

Just as they were anticipating the Divine Wood Sect's stringent conditions, Liu Jingxian, who had long been instructed, immediately stepped forward, stating that the Liu family wished to purchase the seeds of Flowered Spirit Rice from the Divine Wood Sect.

This Flowered Spirit Rice was a type of spirit rice that required paddy fields with spiritual energy to grow. It was a failed product from Zhuo Ming's hybridization experiments for third-tier spirit rice over the years.

Although this spirit rice was considered a failure by Chen Mobai and Zhuo Ming, for the Liu family, it was almost priceless.

This was because all of their family's spiritual fields were paddy fields. Due to abundant water sources, their usual Jade Sprout spirit rice would even rot from excessive water absorption.

After introducing this Flowered Spirit Rice, their family's paddy fields could be fully developed and utilized, and they might even be able to cultivate second-tier spirit rice.

Furthermore, purchasing these seedlings required no spiritual stones. They only needed to hand over thirty percent of the harvest to the Divine Wood Sect upon maturity.

The right to use these rice seeds was temporarily set for ten years.

If the Divine Wood Sect was not satisfied with the Liu family's yield of Flowered Spirit Rice after ten years, they would choose to stop supplying the seedlings.

Liu Jingxian was a shill. Everyone saw through it.

Besides the Liu family, the most direct founding families under the Divine Wood Sect had also received internal instructions long ago and stepped forward one after another, claiming the spirit rice seedlings best suited for their own families.

Most of the cultivators in the Eastern Barrens who could reach the Foundation Establishment stage were shrewd individuals. After consideration, they decided to wait and observe for a few years before acting.

Of course, there were still other families from outside the founding states who secretly returned to inquire about acquiring some seedlings after leaving the Divine Wood Sect.

The Divine Wood Sect refused all such requests.

To cooperate with the Divine Wood Sect, it had to be done openly and known to everyone in the Eastern Barrens.

The patriarch of the Lou family from Yun Kingdom, who initially didn't understand why, had a sudden realization upon hearing on his way back that Xuanxiao Dao Palace had once again sent people to occupy Baose Mountain in Yan Kingdom.

The Divine Wood Sect was trying to make them choose sides.

As long as they accepted the Divine Wood Sect's seedlings, it would be clear in the eyes of Xuanxiao Dao Palace that they were vassal families of the Divine Wood Sect.

Fortunately, they had been cautious; otherwise, they would have plunged headfirst into the collision of two major forces. If Xuanxiao Dao Palace were to attack in the future, their Lou family might be easily annihilated because of this.

It wasn't just Patriarch Lou who understood this.

The Foundation Establishment cultivators who were not tempted by the Divine Wood Sect's spirit rice seedlings all rejoiced in their firm Dao hearts.

Seven days later, Yue Zutao, who guarded Yan Kingdom, returned in person.

"Xuan Shu has reopened the Southern Profound Sect!"

After hearing this news, Chen Mobai and the other two exchanged glances and simultaneously sighed in relief.

Fu Zongjue said, "As expected, that Grand Elder of Xuanxiao Dao Palace is indeed reluctant to part with his lifespan. As long as a Nascent Soul cultivator doesn't appear, we still have room to maneuver."

Chen Mobai asked, "What about Zhao Xuankang?"

Yue Zutao replied, "Reporting to Patriarch. With the reopening of the Southern Profound Sect this time, Zhao Xuankang has not yet been seen. However, given his understanding of the Eastern Barrens, it's impossible that he wouldn't come. He is likely operating behind the scenes, planning to cooperate with Xuan Shu, one overt and one covert."

Fu Zongjue said, "It's simply Nan Xuanjing being replaced by Xuan Shu. The situation in Yan Kingdom and Xiao Kingdom remains unchanged; it's as it was before. If a Core Formation cultivator shamelessly attacks you, immediately abandon the territories of both kingdoms and return to the sect."

After the three Core Formation cultivators discussed for a while, they quickly decided on a wait-and-see approach.

Although no Nascent Soul cultivator from Xuanxiao Dao Palace had arrived, Xuan Shu was considered a top-tier Core Formation cultivator, second only to Nascent Soul. If Chen Mobai hadn't forced him away with the Violet Lightning Sword, the Great Wood Ridge would probably have been blockaded by him alone long ago.

Currently, the Divine Wood Sect's primary task was to protect Zhou Shengqing during his Nascent Soul formation. For this purpose, even conceding all territories outside the Great Wood Ridge would be tolerable.

"Then I'll return to Golden Light Cliff for now. Call me if anything happens."

After confirming there was nothing else for him to do, Mo Douguang immediately departed the Great Wood Ridge via a teleportation array.

After Chen Mobai and Fu Zongjue saw him off, they immediately instructed Chu Zuoshu to convene a meeting of the Three Halls and Twelve Departments to convey their upcoming instructions.

Among these, the dissemination of spirit rice seedlings was given considerable importance.

This was Chen Mobai's first step in attempting to change the Eastern Barrens. The reason given, however, was to use this to make the Foundation Establishment forces outside the Divine Wood Sect in the Eastern Barrens take their side.

Fu Zongjue and Chu Zuoshu even found this plan exceedingly brilliant.

Since this Divine Wood Sect meeting was the first after Chen Mobai's Core Formation, everyone was well aware of its significance.

In addition to the Three Halls and Twelve Departments, the protectors of various nations also rushed over after receiving the news.

"Senior Brother E, long time no see."

When E Yun returned, he was still pondering how to interact with Chen Mobai, his old friend, when Yuan Chizhi, who had already returned earlier, approached him.

"Junior Brother Yuan, I heard Patriarch Chen nominated you to be the protector of Hong Kingdom. Congratulations!"

Besides the powerful positions within the Three Halls and Twelve Departments of the Divine Wood Sect, the most effective way to gather cultivation resources was to become the protector of a nation.

"Not at all, not at all. It's merely because the sect had just taken over Hong Kingdom, and there isn't a specific selection process for a protector yet, so Patriarch Chen asked me to temporarily serve as one. After this sect meeting, perhaps some esteemed senior brothers or sisters will take over from me."

Yuan Chizhi was very aware of his own limitations. It was simply that among the group of Foundation Establishment cultivators who stayed behind in Yan Kingdom, he was the most familiar with Chen Mobai.

"Junior Brother, you are too modest. Since Patriarch Chen has already spoken on your behalf, then no one within the Three Halls and Twelve Departments will make things difficult for you regarding this matter."

Compared to Yuan Chizhi, E Yun was much clearer about the operating rules of the Divine Wood Sect's system.

The words of a Core Formation cultivator were absolute.

Although Chen Mobai had only recently formed his core, as a supreme sword cultivator, he had slain Nan Xuanjing with his sword and forced Xuan Shu to retreat with Violet Lightning. His combat prowess could already be said to be the strongest in the Eastern Barrens.

As long as Fu Zongjue did not voice opposition, then absolutely no one within the Divine Wood Sect's Three Halls and Twelve Departments would dare to defy Chen Mobai.

"My only fear is that some senior brothers and sisters might not be content."

Yuan Chizhi said with a wry smile. E Yun pondered and understood his meaning.

Within the Divine Wood Sect, there were still several elders whose physical bodies had passed their prime, but who had broken through to the late-stage Foundation Establishment and whose desire to achieve Core Formation surpassed all else.

On weekdays, they mostly gathered in Cloud Dream Lake, hoping for a chance to achieve Core Formation.

After Patriarch Chen's late surge and successful Core Formation, they all wondered how they could attract the attention of this new patriarch.

Yuan Chizhi's temporary appointment as Hong Kingdom's protector would serve as a perfect pretext for them.

"Let's take it one step at a time."

Although E Yun understood Chen Mobai's character, after the latter achieved Core Formation, E Yun no longer dared to speculate on the thoughts of a Core Formation cultivator with his own mind. He could only say this to Yuan Chizhi.

At this moment, a Foundation Establishment cultivator came to visit.

"Greetings, Senior Brother E, Senior Brother Yuan."

The person who arrived was very familiar to them. It was Liu Wenbai, Chen Mobai's eldest disciple. In the past, when he had just left the New Bud Hall, he was still their subordinate.

At that time, E Yun believed that with Liu Wenbai's potential, he would probably only become a true disciple at most, and Foundation Establishment was largely impossible.

Unexpectedly, after becoming a disciple of Patriarch Chen, he was now at the same cultivation stage as them.

"Junior Brother Liu, please have a seat."

E Yun politely invited him, but Liu Wenbai shook his head and spoke words that made both their expressions solemn.

"Master is in the courtyard in Divine Wood City. He asked me to invite both senior brothers to come for a discussion."

"Junior Brother Liu, please lead the way."

E Yun and Yuan Chizhi dared not keep a Core Formation cultivator waiting. They immediately followed Liu Wenbai to a familiar place.

This courtyard was a sect benefit that E Yun had helped arrange for Chen Mobai when he had just entered Foundation Establishment. Later, the three of them had also shared many drinks here.

After entering the main gate, they saw the back of a young man pointing at a cyan-green spiritual tree in the courtyard.

Beside the young man was a girl dressed like a village maiden. The two seemed to be discussing spiritual plant cultivation techniques.

"Greetings, Patriarch Chen." (Both said.)

After E Yun and Yuan Chizhi arrived, they immediately bowed to Chen Mobai.

"There's no need for such formalities among the three of us."

Zhuo Ming, who was nearby, immediately pointed her hand towards the ground. The earth surged upwards and formed, and a round table and several stools instantly appeared.

After Chen Mobai gestured for E Yun and Yuan Chizhi to sit down, Liu Wenbai had already brought out a large jar of Jade Bamboo spirit wine from the courtyard's storage.

"Junior Nephew Chu told me a few days ago that he intends to enter seclusion to comprehend Core Formation and wishes to step down from the Sect Master position."

After the three of them had their first cup of wine, Chen Mobai spoke words that caused E Yun and Yuan Chizhi's expressions to change drastically.

"Patriarch, who do you favor to succeed?"

E Yun suppressed the tremor in his heart, put down his wine cup, and asked Chen Mobai.

"Naturally, I favor you. However, your two opponents are simply too strong. Zhou Wangshen has outstanding merits, and Senior Brother Fu's disciple, Hong He, is also at late-stage Foundation Establishment. Compared to them, even with my support, you would have no advantage."

Chen Mobai, facing his friend E Yun, directly spoke his mind.

Due to the successful refinement of the Golden Liquid Jade Return Pill, Chu Zuoshu's time to step down and prepare for Core Formation was more than ten years earlier than previously scheduled.

He checked E Yun's aura. Although he was already at mid-stage Foundation Establishment, he truly couldn't stand firm enough to be the Sect Master.

"Please, Patriarch, instruct me!"