I Have A Cultivation World Chapter 2689 - 1236: The Imperial Court Climate of the Five Elements Sect (2)

The rebellious survivors initially sought refuge in the desolate Northwest of the East Land, all while evading the relentless pursuit of the Hall of Ten Directions. They continued to fan the embers of dissent, broadcasting the Eastern Emperor Court's decline to the world.

Throughout this period, the rebel army, once guided by principles, grew increasingly radical. They merged with the Demon Path, eventually becoming an integral part of it.

Subsequently, the Hall of Ten Directions commenced a brutal suppression, eradicating the remnants of the rebel army over the span of several centuries.

With its robust foundations, the Eastern Emperor Court managed to quell and dismantle the uprising. However, to avert future turmoil, the Human Emperor of that era, finding himself unable to alter his fate due to the royal family's status as the paramount landowners, decreed a ban on immortal cultivation for the populace. Discovery of such practices would result in the abolishment of one's Qi Sea and exile to the unforgiving Northwest.

Thus, the arts of immortal cultivation became the exclusive domain of the privileged nobility and established sects.

The populace, stripped of any power to resist, found their rebellions easily crushed.

It was the Human Emperor's intention to solidify his dominion through this measure.

Regrettably, this policy inadvertently weakened the Eastern Humans, culminating in the Human Emperor's demise in a battle against a formidable foe and the subsequent disintegration of the imperial court.

Following the collapse of the Eastern Emperor Court, the East Continent was divided amongst the Three Great Sacred Lands.

To prevent the resurgence of uprisings, the Dao Morale Sect championed a policy of fragmented states with limited populations.

In the East Land, over a hundred nations, varying in size, were established, thereby hindering the formation of a Dragon Pulse or the concentration of power. Even if one nation fell, it would only result in localized decay, allowing for natural self-correction.

Furthermore, under the oversight of the Dao Morale Sect, all these nations were assigned Nascent Soul Forces, or had previously been affiliated with them.

Should a single force begin to ascend and accumulate more Nascent Soul Cultivators, the Nascent Soul Forces of neighboring countries would swiftly become vigilant and unite to suppress such a burgeoning power.

Unless a peerless prodigy like Chen Mobai emerged, the development of a new Holy Land under such stringent policies was virtually inconceivable.

The Dao Morale Sect tacitly acknowledged any Holy Land that managed to arise despite these conditions.

In contrast to the Eastern Emperor Court, the current Three Great Sacred Lands of the East Continent were more inclined to offer a path of advancement to subordinate forces.

This approach mirrored the established system within the Immortal Gates.

It could only be said that the Great Dao converged, and the solutions devised by sagacious predecessors were remarkably similar.

However, this situation left the Eastern Wilderness in a state somewhat reminiscent of the Eastern Emperor Court's era.

Under the Five Elements Sect, thanks to the contributions of Zhuo Ming, a master of cultivation, there was no shortage of grain. Mortals could even partake in Spirit Rice every few days.

As the Eastern Wilderness was the first to implement agricultural reforms, its population experienced an unprecedented boom. Couples frequently had five to six children, and in some instances, as many as a dozen. Nourished by ample rice and meat, the physical prowess of the new generation of the Human Race now rivaled that of the Eastern Emperor Court's golden age.

Nearly every household boasted children with Spiritual Roots.

Among the mortal families within the Five Elements Sect, there was a prevailing aspiration to have children possessing Spiritual Roots.

Compared to the East Land, where the Three Great Sacred Lands and hundreds of Nascent Soul Forces were fragmented, the Eastern Continent Border Three Regions essentially allowed the Five Elements Sect to make its selections.

Every child identified with Spiritual Roots had parents who would spare no effort in sending them to the various Scholarly Mansions of the Five Elements Sect. This trend persisted even in the East Land, East Tomb, and East Yu regions that were not under the Five Elements Sect's direct control.

Students hailing from as far as East Li were even in attendance at the Five Elements Sect's current Scholarly Mansion.

Only those who failed to meet the standards of these Scholarly Mansions would consider seeking out other sects' forces.

Consequently, while the Five Elements Sect's numbers of Nascent Soul and Golden Core Cultivators remained at the lower end among the Holy Lands, its Foundation Establishment and Qi Cultivation disciples had surpassed and led the Eastern Continent over the past century.

Chen Mobai recalled these historical details because Dustless True Monarch had mentioned them in passing.

The Divinity Transformation experts from the Four Great Holy Lands were currently overseeing the situation at the Snow Mountain Sect.

"Young friend Chen, at this rate, in a few hundred years, the combined number of disciples from our three sects might not even equal that of your Five Elements Sect alone," Dustless True Monarch remarked, his tone carrying a hint of pointed observation.

"Oh, I didn’t expect the Eastern Continent Border Three Regions to be governed by you like the imperial court in its prime." Da Kong True Monarch was both greatly impressed and slightly surprised upon hearing Dustless’s words.

Ni Yuanzhong remained silent.

Chen Mobai naturally understood their implication, and laughed heartily: "I was just lucky. In my younger days, I took Ming’er as a disciple; she improved numerous Spiritual Rice seeds and even mortal rice strains, filling everyone’s stomachs, leading to today’s Five Elements prosperity."

"While you were in seclusion, young friend, you may not know that among the hundreds of countries in the East Land, many parents send their children with Spiritual Root to your Eastern Wilderness to take entrance exams, all to join your Five Elements Sect. This matter has caused many local forces in the East Land to complain and repeatedly approach our sect, asking us to communicate this situation to you." Dustless True Monarch, understanding Chen Mobai’s temperament, chose to speak openly.

Their Three Great Sacred Lands are not greatly affected, as anyone who could join a Holy Land certainly wouldn’t travel far to the Five Elements Sect.

For Five Elements Sect, even the best Spiritual Root talent is treated equally, requiring entrance exams, and six years in the Scholarly Mansion with passing grades before qualifying to join.

Thus, there is one entrance selection for the Scholarly Mansion, and another when entering the sect, and those who successfully join in recent years, aside from a few direct entries from the Scholarly Mansion, are all kings of competition.

Even the current Ten True Disciples of the Five Elements Sect are competing at such a high level that achieving Foundation Establishment Completion doesn’t guarantee becoming one.

Last year, a disciple who failed to become a True Disciple at Foundation Establishment Completion became a Golden Core Cultivator in anger after returning to his Cave Dwelling, a matter that greatly surprised Chen Mobai.

This level of competition may not have allowed even him to suppress all those of the same rank in the current Five Elements Sect.

"Since the senior has spoken, I must give face."

"Here’s what I’ll do: after returning, I’ll order the opening of a new policy allowing private schooling, enabling forces other than the Five Elements Sect to establish Scholarly Mansions in the Eastern Continent Border Three Regions to recruit students."

"However, only within the allowed range can recruitment policies be used, and after being recruited, students must study locally for six full years, and only if it’s their own willingness can they be taken to the East Land."

Upon Chen Mobai’s words, Dustless and the three Divinity Transformation figures widened their eyes.

"Can our three sects go?" Dustless asked somewhat awkwardly.

Although their three sects still have a greater call in the East Continent compared to the Five Elements Sect, the current Eastern Continent Border Three Regions, with a population almost as robust as during the Eastern Emperor Court’s golden age, greatly tempt them.

Primarily, if they don’t compete, in a few hundred years, the number and quality of disciples from Five Elements Sect might allow it to overpower them.

However, Chen Mobai’s cultivation level is too strong, and their relationship is good, they wouldn’t use other means.

Originally, they thought of enduring until Chen Mobai’s ascendance, then finding ways to divide the Five Elements Sect’s massive population dividend.

But unexpectedly, Chen Mobai was so agreeable, directly opening up access.

"Surely fair competition is welcome."

"After all, having only our sect dominate isn’t good either."

"As my cultivation level rises, it becomes impossible to manage all affairs in detail, and over time, there’ll definitely be corrupt practices among sect disciples."

"Having you esteemed Eastern Holy Lands set up schools might help restrain them, preventing them from being reckless and complacent, and provide them with some competitive pressure."

"We must learn from the Eastern Emperor Court’s previous example."

Chen Mobai’s final words sent a shiver through Dustless and the other two.