82: Trade with Yue Wudao and join Xiantian Society

As Chen Cuo prepared to depart, he specifically spent two days traveling to Xining County to retrieve the gangmu stone fetus buried there.

Ten years ago, Chen Cuo, with a wisp of Shaomu Qi, used the silver kill holy sword to nurture a strand of Geng Metal Qi.

Later, Chen Cuo buried the gangmu stone fetus in the land where Xiao Ling had originally grown, as the Earth Origin Qi there was abundant and perfectly suited for the gangmu stone fetus to recover its Origin Qi.

The reason Yue Wudao did not leave after his early Breakthrough was that he was waiting for his Shaomu Qi to nourish his Killing Stone, hoping it would give birth to the Seven Killing Qi as a Spiritual Root.

Someone like Han Nao, for instance, remained in the mundane world precisely because he lacked a Spiritual Root.

Upon obtaining the gangmu stone fetus, he noticed a wisp of earthy yellow Qi flowing endlessly within the stone embryo.

Chen Cuo held it in his hand, and the Thick Earth Body talent, Awakened by the Earth Origin Skill, and the Earth Power from the second layer of the Mountain Moving Skill, surprisingly resonated with it from afar.

Under the flow of the two streams of Origin Qi, he felt his body become two parts heavier, and the Shaomu Qi within the gangmu stone fetus also grew by a tiny bit.

“Could it be that the Thick Earth Body combined with Earth Power can also stimulate the growth of Shaomu Qi?”

That would truly be an unexpected joy; he really didn't know where Shi Potian had found this treasure.

After tidying everything, he specifically went to see Lin Yue and Ye Chen, finding that the two had long since achieved their happy ending, having a son and a daughter, and Ye Chen was teaching their children to Cultivate the Cultivation Technique Chen Cuo had left behind.

He smiled with satisfaction, then turned and left with ease, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

Ten days later, the former Qian Jing, now Yue Du, presented a scene of prosperity within its walls; though there were some minor flaws that made Chen Cuo hold his nose and avoid them, the city indeed had a multitude of wealthy carriages like floating clouds.

The city was also filled with soldiers in red armor, patrolling everywhere, presenting a scene of iron and blood; these soldiers, upon seeing any Martial Artist violating discipline or law, would suppress them with iron-fisted resolve.

Observing the faint, flickering Evil Qi around their bodies, one could tell that the laws within Yue Du were strict.

Recalling that Yue Wudao was able to achieve victory amidst the chaos of the White Lotus Sect and the Qian Country, it was no wonder he had such an iron-blooded army assisting him.

As the time for the Yue Country's founding ceremony drew nearer, the city became increasingly lively; the remnants of the White Lotus Sect had all been eradicated, with only a few insignificant clowns remaining.

The common people were naturally overjoyed, and the sight of a nascent Dynasty unfolded before Chen Cuo, making him feel quite novel.

Soon, he arrived at the Imperial City within the Dynasty, where a large Feathered Forest Army composed of countless experts patrolled along the walls, detecting any slight abnormal movement.

Of course, that was only for others!

Chen Cuo sighed softly and continued deeper inside; along the way, countless palace maids and eunuchs completely ignored him.

Upon reaching the highest palace inside, Yue Wudao, dressed in a bright yellow robe, was leaning on a golden long table, writing something, when he suddenly frowned and said to those beside him, “You may all leave; I wish to be alone!”

The surrounding palace maids, eunuchs, and even the shadows hidden in the darkness all retreated and disappeared.

He looked up towards Chen Cuo's direction, his eyes emitting dazzling light, flashing with a hint of excitement.

“Little friend Chen, you’ve finally arrived! First, let me congratulate you!” Yue Wudao stared at Chen Cuo for a moment; such a young Innate, with the Great Dao in sight! After regaining his composure, he offered his congratulations to Chen Cuo for his Breakthrough to Innate.

Yue Wudao stopped his writing, the brush tip moistened and turned a deep red; Chen Cuo glanced at it, and observing the brushstrokes, realized the other party was actually drawing Talismans.

Chen Cuo originally had two Innate Talismans, but he had given them to Ding Xiang and the others; he no longer needed them now.

Such Talismans were mostly activated by essence blood and controlled by Internal Energy; he hadn't expected Yue Wudao to also be an Innate Talisman Master.

“Haha, Old Brother Chen, you jest. Blood Talismans are merely the simplest type within the Dao of Talismans; we Innate Martial Artists can also draw them. As for others, they require magical power.”

“I will slowly explain it to you later, but for now, I wonder if you could…” Yue Wudao rubbed his hands, his eyes fixed on Chen Cuo’s bosom.

He didn’t try to hide it much, nor did he maintain any pretense; after his Breakthrough to Innate, the other party seemed to have gained a bit of childishness and straightforwardness, making Chen Cuo feel that he was slightly different from the Yue Wudao who had agreed to the trade.

However, he quickly understood that this was likely due to Innate Experts having pure and naturally clear minds.

No wonder the other party was confident in ascending to the throne without fear of worldly contamination, and dared to use the Killing Stone to nurture Seven Killing Qi as a Spiritual Root; it turned out to be because he possessed a pure and innocent heart.

Chen Cuo took off his satchel; although his front looked bulky, inside were noob and Xiaoling. Ever since he Awakened his Body Sheath, his luck hadn't been very good, and he hadn't Awakened any similar spatial storage talents since.

Therefore, whenever he carried valuable items, he still had to rely on a satchel.

Chen Cuo took out the gangmu stone fetus, and with a sweep of his hands, a wisp of earthy yellow Shaomu Qi was drawn out.

“Quick, use your Killing Stone!” Chen Cuo roared, explaining that it was only due to his newly acquired Thick Earth Body talent that he could manipulate the Shaomu Qi to such a precise degree, allowing for external manipulation.

A moment later, all the Shaomu Qi was absorbed into a blood-red stone; the blood-red Killing Stone, having drunk its fill of fresh blood, surged with astonishing Evil Qi.

“Hmph!”

Yue Wudao let out a surprised cry, and the purplish-golden True Qi, sparkling like starlight within his body, transformed into a sword light that instantly plunged into the Killing Stone, leaving seven sword marks on it. The Shaomu Qi continuously rotated within these engravings, gradually filling and compacting, turning into wisps of blood mist.

“It’s done! Thank you!” Yue Wudao put away the Killing Stone and cupped his hands.

Chen Cuo also put the gangmu stone fetus back into his bosom. Yue Wudao said, “Old Brother Chen is a trustworthy person. Although you killed my fourth brother back then, it was a case of ‘no discord, no concord.’ Today, all grievances between us are resolved. Therefore, if you wish for me to explain the path to immortality, you will have to wait a while; I must first conclude the affairs of the country!”

Chen Cuo hadn't brought it up, but Yue Wudao had already cleared the air. He had come to seek Yue Wudao precisely to find the path to immortality, and from Yue Wudao’s meaning, he intended to travel with him.

In Yue Wudao’s view, Chen Cuo was a top-tier expert, likely even superior to himself; just Chen Cuo’s ability to stealthily infiltrate the imperial palace without any of the numerous Feathered Forest Army experts noticing was something he couldn't do.

“No problem, I can wait for some time!”

Half a month later, the founding ceremony of the Yue Country was officially held. Yue Wudao streamlined many rituals, then publicly abdicated to his son in the Golden Throne Hall.

The Yue Country officially replaced the Qian Country, taking control of four provinces.

A month later, north of Yan Yun Province, the northernmost part of the Yue Country, lay the neighboring Yan Country.

The Yan Country was vast and sparsely populated, mostly inhabited by uncivilized barbarians, and frequently engaged in wars with the former Qian Country. This time, the Tai Heng Army’s overthrow of the Qian Country almost led to the loss of the entire Yan Yun Province to the Yan Country.

Fortunately, the Tai Heng Army's military might was strong, and they still withstood the pressure and repelled the Yan Country.

After traversing the entire Yan Country, further north lay a vast, white snowfield, with snow falling and a biting cold wind.

This place was at a very high altitude, a desolate land for living beings, yet two people were heading towards the very center of the snowy expanse, towards a massive mountain peak.

The two were Chen Cuo and Yue Wudao. Chen Cuo gave a wry smile and said, “Are you sure an Innate would be in a place like this?!”