Chapter One Hundred Fifteen: The Secret of the Eastern Wilderness

A few days later, Chen Mu sent someone back to the Nine Nether Sacred Land to inform Gongsun Qingyang that he had already overthrown the royal family of the Mingyue Empire and executed them all.

Now, they only needed to wait for the people from the Nine Nether Sacred Land to come and plunder the resources and treasures within the imperial palace. After that, they would proclaim to the world that the Li Dynasty of the Mingyue Empire had been extinguished, and then build momentum for the Nine Nether Sacred Land to become the new ruling power of the empire, with Gongsun Qingyang as the emperor. Once this was done, everything would be complete.

The Mingyue Empire had changed hands. Upon receiving the news, Gongsun Qingyang immediately led the people of the Nine Nether Sacred Land to divide all the cultivation resources and rare treasures inside the palace.

The world was shocked. From that moment on, the Mingyue Empire was erased from the map of the Three Empires, replaced by the newly established Nine Nether Empire, led by the Nine Nether Sacred Land.

After gathering the spoils of war, everyone left the ruined former imperial capital. After all, the foundation of the Nine Nether Sacred Land was not here, so there was no need to settle down in this place. The true foundation remained in the Nine Nether Sacred Land, which would serve as the new imperial capital.

Regarding the allocation of cultivation resources, Chen Mu only took a handy Nascent Soul-level offensive artifact, the Chiyang Sword, along with all the Yuan Stones from its treasure vault. The rest were handed over to the people of the Nine Nether Sacred Land to be stored in their stockpile.

Chen Mu toyed with the Chiyang Sword for a while, sensing its formidable power and noting that its energy attribute harmonized well with his own. He had not used a sword for some time—ever since his Xuánjin Sword shattered during the tribulation of life and death, he had relied solely on his physical body in battles.

Now, with the Chiyang Sword in hand, he could continue to delve into the swordsmanship, blending the techniques of the “Fàn Star Sword Manual” and the “Setting Sun Style” with the sword’s energy usage to create a new style—the Setting Sun Sword Style.

He resolved that once all the moves of the Setting Sun Sword Style were perfected, he would name the collection the “Setting Sun Sword Manual.”

With the energy application from the Setting Sun Style, this newly created Setting Sun Sword Manual would undoubtedly surpass its predecessor, the Fàn Star Sword Manual, in power.

After storing the Chiyang Sword in his storage ring, Chen Mu mounted his Brown Feather and returned to the Nine Nether Sacred Land.

During this time, the Nine Nether Sacred Land had become the capital of the newly founded Nine Nether Empire, with Gongsun Qingyang reigning as emperor. Although various factions harbored private grievances, none dared to express them openly.

After all, they had overthrown the Li Dynasty—such strength was not to be trifled with.

Moreover, the overall strength of the empire had significantly weakened, requiring a pillar to uphold the realm. These smaller factions were incapable of such a role, so the Nine Nether Sacred Land had to assume it.

Soon, Gongsun Qingyang and Chen Mu discussed an important matter. Since Gongsun Qingyang had become emperor, the position of sect leader was vacant. The question was: who would be the next leader?

In the past, it would have been Gongsun Lin, but things had changed. Now that he himself was emperor, Gongsun Lin would naturally be recognized as the princess of the Nine Nether Sacred Land. There was no way she could continue as sect leader as originally planned. After much consideration, Gongsun Qingyang intended to appoint Chen Mu as his successor.

However, this suggestion was immediately rejected by Chen Mu. Gongsun Qingyang smiled wryly—clearly, the position of sect leader was nothing in Chen Mu’s eyes. It was evident that Chen Mu’s ambitions lay beyond the Yuan Yao Continent.

Indeed, Chen Mu planned to seek the fabled Immortal and Mortal Path, the secret realm to which his biological father had entrusted him. It was said that only there could one leave the Yuan Yao Continent.

He understood that the Yuan Yao Continent was but a tiny place; the world beyond was far more magnificent, containing realms beyond the Nascent Soul stage and offering superior cultivation environments. He yearned to explore that broader world.

Surely, if he ventured into that vast expanse, he would encounter all manner of novel and fascinating experiences, and his strength would grow ever greater.

In the end, Gongsun Qingyang and Chen Mu agreed that Elder Lü would act as interim sect leader. If no suitable candidate appeared, he would continue indefinitely; if one did, they would reconsider.

Naturally, the Nine Nether Sacred Land would become the state religion of the Nine Nether Empire, and it was intrinsically linked to Emperor Gongsun Qingyang. Although Gongsun Qingyang had become emperor, the Nine Nether Sacred Land remained his personal force, with all matters following his lead.

This day would be remembered by history. The founding of the Nine Nether Empire was known throughout the Yuan Yao Continent. After investigating the background, the Daxia Empire relaxed somewhat, knowing that Chen Mu was the mastermind behind these events.

If Chen Mu was orchestrating this, then, given Daxia’s friendly relations with the Stargazing Valley, it was likely that the Nine Nether Empire would become an ally.

The Daxia Emperor, Xiahou Longchen, understood the close ties between the Nine Nether Sacred Land and Chen Mu. As long as relations with the Nine Nether Sacred Land were maintained, all would be well—just as with Stargazing Valley.

Moreover, he dared not provoke Chen Mu’s forces, fearing that any retaliation might jeopardize the survival of the Daxia royal bloodline.

The only real concern now was the Huangsha Empire. Daxia had restored order after internal chaos, but Huangsha was still in turmoil.

Since the Huangsha Empire’s defeat by Daxia, in which all Nascent Soul cultivators were wiped out, various factions had risen up to rebel, seeking justice for their leaders.

Though these were merely minor skirmishes involving Nascent Core cultivators, they still troubled Emperor Kou Jue of Huangsha greatly.

He now feared sudden attacks from either Daxia or the Nine Nether Empire, as Huangsha would be utterly defenseless. The pressure from both inside and outside had turned his hair white.

In recent days, Chen Mu had accompanied his godmother and Gongsun Lin on leisurely excursions. Gongsun Qingyang, busy with imperial affairs, could not accompany them, so only Chen Mu could.

After a period of peaceful life, matters in the Nine Nether Sacred Land had settled, and Chen Mu went to meet Gongsun Qingyang to discuss forming an alliance between the Nine Nether Empire and the Daxia Empire.

After some thought, Gongsun Qingyang agreed. After all, fostering friendly relations with Chen Mu’s homeland was advantageous. Mutual trade would boost the economies of both empires, bringing prosperity.

Thus, after a month of negotiations between Daxia and the Nine Nether Empire, Chen Mu successfully forged an alliance. He only facilitated the communication but did not intervene in the details.

He knew that the forces connected to him were now linked, and he hoped Stargazing Valley, Daxia, and the Nine Nether Empire would benefit mutually and thrive together.

He did not wish to see Daxia and the Nine Nether Empire clash; choosing sides would be awkward, given one was his homeland and the other the power of the Gongsun family.

As for Stargazing Valley, with its two Nascent Soul-level entrapment arrays and defense arrays, no foolish party would dare offend them.

That day, Chen Mu visited Stargazing Valley and informed Gu Xingyuan and others of his plan to seek the so-called Immortal and Mortal Path. Everyone sighed—Chen Mu was leaving, and his goal was the path leading beyond the Yuan Yao Continent.

Gu Xingyuan and Chen Haoran explained the Immortal and Mortal Path’s location: to the east of the Daxia Empire, beyond the Huangsha Empire, lies the East Wasteland, leading to the path.

The East Wasteland was desolate, barren of grass, and its qi was far scarcer than anywhere else on the continent. Even the adjacent Huangsha Empire could not explore deeply, so no one knew exactly where the Immortal and Mortal Path lay within it.

Moreover, the East Wasteland frequently produced mirages that easily disoriented travelers. Chen Haoran recounted how he had once accidentally entered the East Wasteland while fleeing pursuers and eventually stumbled into the secret realm of the Immortal and Mortal Path.

Hearing this, Chen Mu fell silent. It was clear he could not rush into the Immortal and Mortal Path recklessly; he needed to prepare thoroughly for a safe return.

Therefore, Chen Mu spent part of his fortune purchasing a large quantity of pills to replenish qi, ensuring he would not run out of energy and become trapped in the East Wasteland.

Money held little meaning for Chen Mu now—having crushed numerous great sects and plundered untold treasures, wealth was as worthless as dirt to him, so he spent freely without concern.

After consulting with his father and elder brother, Chen Mu decided they would accompany him. The Yuan Yao Continent was too small; if Chen Feng cultivated anew, he could surpass the continent’s known limits.

Chen Feng was determined to come, and although Chen Haoran felt he was too old to roam anymore, staying behind meant facing loneliness. Chen Mu wished for them to be together as a family—no obstacle would be insurmountable.

He refused to leave his father and brother behind to live out their days confined to the Yuan Yao Continent. In the broader world, they might advance further, extending their lifespans.

After persistent persuasion, Chen Mu convinced Chen Haoran. Both sons intended to leave the continent, so their father could hardly remain indifferent; he agreed resolutely.

However, Chen Haoran had only attained the Nascent Core stage based on Yuan Yao Continent’s knowledge. Though now he was Nascent Core, his foundation was weak by external world standards.

Surviving there would be difficult, especially at his age. Starting cultivation anew was challenging.

This troubled Chen Mu, but he believed that Chen Haoran must eventually rebuild his cultivation base—just not immediately.

He asked Rou’er about this. She told him that if they found a divine artifact that could extend lifespan, then Chen Haoran could afford to rebuild his cultivation.

Chen Mu realized—did he not possess the Black Pearl? It could extend his father’s life, though he had yet to master its use.

Once he comprehended the Black Pearl’s functions fully, he could grant his father greater longevity, allowing him to rebuild his foundation anew.