Chapter 429 ·Rules Change Drastically
Chapter 429: Rules Change Drastically
Chen Beiwu’s mind grew still as he looked inward at the Chaotic Heaven and Earth.
He saw three Auspicious Fortune Scarlet Dragons raise their heads and coil in place. Then their auras resonated, intertwined, and fused into one.
In an instant, violet radiance blazed brilliantly, carrying an indescribably noble aura!
A strand of violet qi, neither cloud nor mist and impossible to describe in words, slowly appeared within Chen Beiwu’s perception.
‘Violet Qi Comes from the East, Divine Transformation is within reach!’
Sensing the auspicious omen contained within the violet qi, Chen Beiwu was overjoyed.
By using the Nine-Breath Chaos Divine Ability to turn an Auspicious Fortune Scarlet Dragon into a fortuitous encounter, he had been able to advance smoothly all the way and attain the Dao as a Nascent Soul True Monarch.
By the same logic, even if this strand of violet qi had the poorest possible effect, triggering it as a fortuitous encounter through the Divine Ability would at the very least help him make rapid breakthroughs along the True Monarch cultivation path, without having to grind away time like other Nascent Soul True Monarchs while Seeking Truth and Position.
But the next second, Chen Beiwu’s thoughts shifted, and he began calculating the enlightenment effect of the Fate Decree Embryo Divine Ability.
Without question, the enlightenment effect of the Fate Decree Embryo Divine Ability would definitely far surpass the Primordial Origin Golden Core’s single-thought creation.
But if he wanted to rely on a single strand of violet qi to enlighten Golden Egg into a Fifth-Tier Fortune-Origin Beast, the probability was still infinitesimal.
But what if?
What if the enlightenment effect of the Fate Decree Embryo Divine Ability far exceeded his imagination and truly had a chance of enlightening Golden Egg into a Fifth-Tier Origin Beast?
At this thought, Chen Beiwu hurriedly suppressed the idea in his heart, opened his eyes, and looked toward the prodigies and powerhouses around him whose eyes were filled with longing and astonishment, his expression calm.
Once the honorific was established, myriad spirits paid homage.
Although such a rare occurrence was eye-catching, it was not unprecedented in the Immortal Alliance’s records.
With precedent already existing, Chen Beiwu openly ascended the Dharma Seat and continued with the final stage of the Nascent Soul Formation Ceremony——Expound the Great Dao, Bestow Grace upon All Beings.
“Cultivators discussing the Nascent Soul Great Dao often speak of ‘condensing the Yang Spirit, shattering the Core and forming the Nascent Soul’, and this is indeed the conventional principle.”
Chen Beiwu began explaining the Nascent Soul Great Dao：“However, to me, the birth of the Nascent Soul is not merely the transformation of the Golden Core, but rather……”
Below the high platform, everything was silent.
The numerous Immortal Sect prodigies listened with serious expressions, treating the Dao Chen Beiwu spoke as unquestionable truth and becoming completely absorbed.
Only the Chief Disciples of the Five Great Grotto-Heavens exchanged glances and shook their heads, all knowing that Chen Beiwu had deliberately held something back.
“Brother Zhu, are you interested in going up and testing the strength of this generation’s Yuqing Chief Disciple?”
Che Zhengyuan slightly raised his eyes and looked toward the Pure Yang Grotto-Heaven seats.
“There’s no need. At the end of the day, he’s merely a newly advanced True Monarch. Winning would still be an unfair victory.” Zhu Wu confidently transmitted through Divine Sense.
“Indeed. Unable to bear a Dao Fruit, no matter how talented the prodigies of the Upper Three Immortal Sects are, before us they are still unable to withstand a single blow.”
Che Zhengyuan smiled and agreed with Zhu Wu.
The times had changed. This was no longer the ancient era.
The reason the Five Great Grotto-Heavens could stand high above all others and rule the Immortal Alliance was precisely because of absolute strength.
Yet knowing this was one thing. Che Zhengyuan’s gaze toward Chen Beiwu still carried a trace of solemnity.
There was no other reason. The Cultivation Method he practiced was one of the Jade Firmament Grotto-Heaven’s Supreme Ten Arts, 《Chaos Grotto Returning to the Ruins Great Shattering Void Calamity-Annihilation Divine Chapter》.
Through this Cultivation Method, he could faintly sense Chen Beiwu’s degree of compatibility with the Dao of Space, to the point that even his Companion Beast, the Nine-Colored Deer, could not help being moved.
This made Che Zhengyuan even more wary than Chen Beiwu triggering the phenomenon of Myriad Spirits Pay Homage.
It meant that if Chen Beiwu were willing to change allegiances in the future and enter the Jade Firmament Grotto-Heaven, he might truly be able to cultivate the 《Chaos Grotto Returning to the Ruins Great Shattering Void Calamity-Annihilation Divine Chapter》, enter the Jade Firmament Golden Register, and compete with him for Divine Transformation resources.
Fortunately, with the current situation on the verge of turmoil, someone with a rebellious streak would easily be distrusted and neglected by sect leadership no matter where he went.
Chen Beiwu was also intelligent, so he most likely would not abandon the Yuqing Immortal Sect to join the Jade Firmament Grotto-Heaven.
“Alright. We gathered here today not to discuss a mere Immortal Sect Chief Disciple, but to discuss the latest intelligence from the Sky-Patrol Department of the Immortal Alliance’s Temple of Accord and convey the higher authorities’ decree to the various Immortal Sects and Upper Sects.”
Gu Yong transmitted through Divine Sense：“Does anyone have intelligence to share? As far as I know, the world discovered by the Sky-Patrol Department this time is extraordinary and very likely a Great Thousand World!”
“Correct. It is said that the instant the Sky-Patrol Department discovered that world, the other side also discovered traces of our world.
The Sky-Patrol Department paid the price of five True Monarchs falling and one Divine Transformation True Venerable suffering minor injuries before they barely managed to seal the Sky Abyss domain and prevent our world’s location from being completely exposed.” Xuanyuan Yu slightly nodded, his expression grave.
“In other words, that Great Thousand World, like the Immortal Alliance, possesses the ability to conquer external worlds?” Shi Wujian’s expression changed slightly.
Great Thousand Worlds also differed in strength.
Any Great Thousand World capable of exploring and conquering other worlds was an extraordinarily powerful force that could not be underestimated, such as the Heavenly Demon Star recorded in Immortal Alliance texts.
If he remembered correctly, the price the Immortal Alliance had paid to conquer Heavenly Demon Star back then had been extremely miserable, and even Void-Refining Dao Venerables had fallen.
“Exactly. That is why the Immortal Alliance’s upper ranks have decided to change the rules, redistribute the Immortal Alliance’s resources, enter full war preparations, and simultaneously activate the highest level of alert. Our opportunity to rise with the momentum has arrived!”
At this point, Gu Yong raised his head and glanced toward Chen Beiwu on the platform, feeling deeply emotional.
He did not deny that Chen Beiwu was an exceptionally rare peerless prodigy. Unfortunately, he had been born in the wrong era.
To prepare for war against that mysterious Great Thousand World, what the Immortal Alliance now needed was not merely peerless prodigies with overwhelming talent who could inherit Dao lineages, but rather combat prodigies who could fight, excelled at fighting, and dared to fight.
Starting today, the resource allocation rules of Sky Abyss Star were about to change drastically, placing the greatest emphasis on Battle Merit and combat strength.
Did an Immortal Alliance Nascent Soul True Monarch want Divine Transformation resources?
Fine. Exchange them with real achievements and Battle Merit earned through serving the Immortal Alliance as a “Star Conqueror”!
And Chen Beiwu’s luck was simply too poor. He had formed a grudge with Xiao Yu of the Tianyuan Xiao Clan. Once he became a Star Conqueror, he would inevitably be targeted in secret, perhaps even deliberately framed by several other Dao Venerable Immortal Families, who might dump the blame onto the Tianyuan Xiao Clan purely to eliminate a competitor in advance.
Thinking this, Gu Yong smiled faintly and slightly shook his head.
Why was he thinking so much?
Forget Chen Beiwu. Even he himself was in a precarious situation and had to become a Star Conqueror, travel to the yet-unconquered Cangyuan Realm, and earn enough Battle Merit to preserve his status and win a sliver of possibility of attaining Divine Transformation, or even a higher realm.
On the high platform, Chen Beiwu finished his lecture, answered questions for some Yuqing cultivators, then formally ended the Nascent Soul Formation Ceremony. He stepped down to accompany his parents and friends while touring the Yuqing Immortal Sect.
In front of Madam Huang Xiaoling, Xu Ziqing and Xu Lingling were both exceedingly well-behaved and charming, calling her Auntie again and again.
The experienced Huang Xiaoling naturally understood the two women’s thoughts. She gave Chen Beiwu a rather surprised glance and inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.
Good, good. At least for now, her son still liked women and had not gone down some deviant path.
While they were touring, Chen Beiwu’s phone suddenly vibrated. He received a message from Senior Brother Jiang Chuan, and his expression tightened.
“Mom, I have something I need to deal with.”
Before Chen Beiwu could finish speaking, Huang Xiaoling impatiently waved her hand：“Then go handle it. I can just chat privately with Ziqing and Lingling.”
Azure-Mystic Peak, Cloud Evolution Residence.
Chen Beiwu stepped through the Cave Residence entrance and discovered that Senior Brother Yue, who had previously announced his seclusion, was also present.
At this moment, including Chen Beiwu, all five members of the Evergreen Lineage were present, not one absent.
“Junior Brother Chen, this is quite a good opportunity.” Yue Chenfeng said：“Now that you know the news, what are you planning to do?”
“Senior Brothers and Senior Sister, what have you decided?” Chen Beiwu probed.
“Naturally, conquer the Cangyuan Realm and earn Battle Merit.”
As expected, Chen Beiwu received the same response from all four Senior Brothers and Senior Sister.
After the Immortal Alliance changed its rules, the value of Battle Merit had skyrocketed. Even Divine Transformation resources could now be exchanged for Battle Merit. Otherwise, Eldest Senior Brother would not have broken out of seclusion.
“But didn’t Senior Sister Su previously say that the Cangyuan Realm was extremely dangerous and that we shouldn’t become involved lightly?” Chen Beiwu curiously asked.
He had not forgotten that his master had once hinted that even though the Cangyuan Realm produced a Fifth-Tier Fortune-Origin Mystical Medicine like the Other Shore Flower, they still had to be extremely cautious.
“Times have changed.”
Su Muyu shook her head, her expression composed：“The Immortal Alliance has already roughly investigated the overall situation and faction distribution of the Cangyuan Realm.
As long as Nascent Soul True Monarchs do not enter the Eternal Night Sea to compete for Other Shore Flowers, their safety can still be guaranteed.”
“One month from now, we will depart for the Cangyuan Realm to conquer Cloudmist Pool. Junior Brother, are you willing to accompany us?”
At this point, all four looked toward Chen Beiwu.
In their view, if Junior Brother wanted to become a Star Conqueror and seize Immortal Alliance Battle Merit, acting together as fellow disciples in a team would be the best and safest choice.
Hearing this, Chen Beiwu hesitated for a moment, then ultimately shook his head, indicating that he temporarily had no intention of becoming a Star Conqueror.
His cultivation realm was still in a period of rapid growth, so there was simply no need to risk entering the Cangyuan Realm to seize Battle Merit.
If his luck was poor and he encountered a Divine Transformation True Venerable in the Cangyuan Realm, even with the Gate of Ten Directions allowing him to teleport, he might not be able to preserve his life within three breaths. Instead, he might expose the Fifth-Tier Origin Talisman Escape-Heaven Talisman on his body, making the risk not worth the gain.
Seeing Chen Beiwu refuse, Yue Chenfeng and the other three did not force him.
Their Junior Brother was currently still undergoing Fetal Breathing and Sitting in Oblivion, and the gap in strength between them was substantial. Traveling together as fellow disciples was indeed safe, but there was also the problem of dividing gains and the risk of encountering a powerful enemy and being wiped out together.
……
Three days later, Tianyuan City Train Station.
After watching his parents board the train and leave, Chen Beiwu looked toward Xu Ziqing beside him.
Because the Immortal Alliance’s rules had changed and full war preparations had begun, even Golden Core True Persons needed to participate in the conquest of the Cangyuan Realm. Xu Lingling had already returned to the Blazing Flame Immortal Sect two days earlier.
Xu Ziqing, however, was only at Foundation Establishment, so she could remain at the Yuqing Immortal Sect for a few more days.
“Don’t worry. I will definitely succeed in Core Formation this time. I won’t let your efforts go to waste!”
Xu Ziqing rose onto her tiptoes and lightly kissed Chen Beiwu beside the lips, then turned and boarded the train bound for the Nine Refinement Sect.
Watching Xu Ziqing’s figure disappear, Chen Beiwu activated his escaping light and returned to Water Evolution Residence on Azure-Mystic Peak.
Inside the Alchemy Room, Iron Egg and Xuele were refining Fourth-Tier Poison Granules.
These Poison Granules possessed formidable power. In sufficient quantity, even Chen Beiwu would not dare touch them casually.
Because of this, Xuele had specially named the Poison Granules Three-Flavors Poison Sand.
Golden Egg and Zhi Ling were sprawled across the jade table, continuously counting the congratulatory gifts received during the Nascent Soul Formation Ceremony.
Seeing this, Chen Beiwu’s mind slowly sank into the Chaotic Heaven and Earth.
After thinking over the past few days, he had decided to transform the accumulated violet qi into a triggered fortuitous encounter.
There was no other reason. The words fortuitous encounter encompassed everything, while enlightenment through the Divine Ability was specifically the concept of bloodline transformation.
If Chen Beiwu did not intend to initiate a Life-and-Death Platform struggle, this strand of violet qi could perhaps be used to enlighten Golden Egg and increase his own aptitude and potential.
But Chen Beiwu understood that his greatest advantage was not talent or aptitude, but the vast fate that made heaven and earth lend him their strength whenever his time arrived.
The Tianyuan Xiao Clan possessed deep foundations and numerous powerhouses. If he did not want to suffer tremendous backlash after suppressing and killing Xiao Yu, using the Divine Ability to transform the violet qi into a triggered fortuitous encounter was the choice that maximized his gains.
Thinking this, Chen Beiwu’s thought stirred, and he activated the Divine Ability to resonate with the Nine-Breath Chaos.
“Buzz!”
The next instant, a miniature Fate Bell silently appeared.
Within the Fate Bell, an indescribably noble strand of violet qi moved like a living creature, sometimes spreading like rosy clouds, sometimes condensing like jade.
‘I hope you won’t disappoint me!’
Chen Beiwu formed hand seals and activated the Divine Ability, pointing one finger at the Fate Bell.
In an instant, the golden bell erupted with brilliant light.
A strange bell chime thundered out. Chen Beiwu’s expression changed slightly as he felt the incomparably vast Primordial Origin True Qi within his body pour out like a waterfall.
“Roar!”“Woof!”“Na!”“Ying!”
Sensing something wrong, Golden Egg, Iron Egg, Xuele, and Zhi Ling immediately put down what they were doing and directly relied on the connection of the Companion Contract to circulate their Mana and replenish the deficit of True Qi within Chen Beiwu’s body.
One breath!
Two breaths!
Three breaths!
When the violet qi within the Fate Bell transformed into an unknown fortuitous encounter and completely dispersed, the Nascent Soul within Chen Beiwu’s sea of consciousness trembled slightly, and his mind abruptly withdrew from the Chaotic Heaven and Earth.
“Don’t worry, I’m fine.”
Opening his eyes and seeing the concerned gazes of the four little fellows, Chen Beiwu smiled happily.
It had been a long time since activating a Divine Ability had exhausted the Mana within his body.
From this alone, it was obvious that the fortuitous encounter triggered by violet fate would definitely be extremely powerful!
……
Seven days later.
Yuqing Immortal Sect, Life-and-Death Tower.
Conflict-Stopping Department.
Chen Beiwu walked inside and discovered that this department was exceptionally deserted, without a single figure in sight, not even a female cultivator responsible for reception.
That made sense. Within the Yuqing Immortal Sect, a Life-and-Death Platform struggle was absolutely not the preferred method for resolving grievances.
Second-generation sect descendants and True Monarchs holding real authority had many ways to quietly use the rules to resolve conflicts rather than be bound by them. Even the sect’s upper ranks were happy to see Life-and-Death Platform struggles become marginalized.
There was no other reason. Once the Life-and-Death Platform was activated, a prodigy was bound to fall, and for certain sect leaders, that was hardly a good thing.
However, Life-and-Death Platform struggles were a system that had existed since the founding of the Yuqing Immortal Sect.
Unless an existence like a Void-Refining Dao Venerable personally spoke, no one dared propose abolishing this rule.
Therefore, the Yuqing Immortal Sect’s Conflict-Stopping Department had always existed, simply remaining obscure within the sect, with virtually no sense of presence.
Had Chen Beiwu not thoroughly studied the sect’s records, he probably would not even have known that such a rule as Life-and-Death Platform struggles existed within the sect.
Finding no one on the first floor, Chen Beiwu’s Divine Sense stirred, and he walked up to the fifth floor.
There, an old man with completely white hair and beard held a verdant fishing rod.
At the end of the rod there was neither fishing line nor hook. It was simply casually raised, with the rod tip still two chi above the surface of the water inside a clay basin.
‘Is he fishing?’
Chen Beiwu froze slightly and did not directly step forward to disturb him.
Around the old man, he could faintly see indescribably noble violet qi. The other party was very likely an existence at the Divine Transformation True Venerable level.
“What is it?”
A quarter-hour later, the old man exhaled a breath of turbid air and put down the bamboo rod.
The Conflict-Stopping Department could be considered one of the departments within the Yuqing Immortal Sect with the least profit and least attention. Very few Yuqing cultivators ever came here.
“This junior wishes to initiate a Life-and-Death Platform struggle.” Chen Beiwu said succinctly.
“Interesting. You are this generation’s Yuqing Chief Disciple, Chen Beiwu?” The old man raised an eyebrow, becoming interested.
“Correct, Senior. Could it be that the Yuqing Chief Disciple is not allowed to initiate a Life-and-Death Platform struggle?” Chen Beiwu probed.
“Of course not.” The old man shook his head：“This old man is simply curious which blind little fellow managed to provoke you.”
“Law-Breaking True Monarch Xiao Yu.”
The instant Chen Beiwu finished speaking, the old man raised his eyes, his expression becoming somewhat solemn.
“Are you certain?”