A mere palm strike, even one that didn't require much true essence, was something even the outer disciples of the Mount Shu sect could execute if they just learned how to use it.

However, this particular palm strike would be quite weak; when unleashed, it would merely make a sound and produce a visual effect, possessing very little actual destructive power! This, in essence, was the measurement standard for this detector.

“Oh!”

Listening to Cui Jun expound at length, Ye Wen never interrupted, only kept his head down fiddling with the device, but the excessively long cable tethered his movements.

“Why such a long cord?”

Cui Jun’s expression shifted, becoming somewhat unpleasant and slightly embarrassed, but the fact remained that he hadn’t managed to create the ideal detector, so he answered honestly: “Because, for such a small volume, it requires such complex calculations. Without an adequate energy source, the cable connection is necessary to ensure normal operation.”

“...Only then did Ye Wen understand. That cable was essentially a power cord. This meant the detector wasn't truly complete, especially without the advantage of being easily portable!”

Nevertheless, he had gleaned a general understanding from Cui Jun on how to evaluate an opponent's strength based on the data displayed on the detector.

“Generally speaking, once the essence value exceeds ten thousand, that person has reached the level of a Ground Immortal or higher!”

As he reached this point in his explanation, Ye Wen recalled Zheng Ying’s earlier remark when they arrived: “A beauty with an essence value exceeding ten thousand!” That must have been referring to Zhang Ling standing nearby. Indeed, Zhang Ling’s strength had already reached the cultivation level of a Ground Immortal.

“And for a value exceeding one million, that person, without any accident, will have reached the cultivation of a Celestial Immortal… However, this current detector cannot measure a Celestial Immortal!”

“Oh?” Ye Wen was slightly curious. He had just been thinking of asking Zheng Ying to test himself to see how far he was from that legendary million combat power?

“Because it will overload and simply blow up!” Cui Jun shrugged. He didn’t seem bothered anymore; after all, this one in his hand was just an experimental model, and having many flaws was normal.

“Simply put… this thing is useless?”

It could only detect the strength of Ground Immortals, and even a Ground Immortal carried the risk of making the detector explode. In that case, this thing had little meaning for widespread adoption, since those at or above the Ground Immortal level were the primary consumers in the Immortal Realm; ordinary cultivators simply didn't have that much surplus resource to spend.

Cui Jun scratched his cheek: “It can’t be said to be entirely useless. As long as the energy issue can be resolved, this device can be used to search for Heavenly Treasures, Spirit Stones, Divine Metals, and similar items. Because those Heavenly Treasures are inherently polymers of heaven and earth essence, this detector can locate them!”

Saying this, without waiting for Ye Wen to ask further, he continued directly: “Actually, I had this idea when I returned from Earth, but I didn't understand many things. Thanks to your disciple, this prototype could be created.”

Cui Jun was highly skilled in refining magical artifacts, but the detector incorporated a lot of industrial technology and specialized techniques. After studying it for a while and finding it incomprehensible, he shelved the idea, planning to tinker with it slowly. He hadn't expected to encounter the people from Mount Shu, which brought this nearly abandoned concept back to the forefront.

If this detector could succeed, the Heavenly Secret Sect would see a massive leap in strength, thoroughly solidifying its status in the Immortal Realm.

Just imagine: while all other cultivators relied on luck and rumors to find Heavenly Treasures, disciples of the Heavenly Secret Sect could already be striking out everywhere using the detectors, collecting everything that showed an essence signature. How astonishing would the growth in the Heavenly Secret Sect’s power be?

However, this benefit would now be shared equally with the Mount Shu Sect, as the appearance of Mount Shu was the critical factor in the detector’s creation. Without the industrial knowledge that Zheng Ying possessed, even if Cui Jun could create a completely different type of detector using his rich knowledge of immortal arts, it would take who knows how many years, and Cui Jun’s appearance undeniably shortened that timeframe.

“So, from the very beginning, this detector was designed to search for Heavenly Treasures?”

“That’s right!”

Cui Jun’s reply was firm because he genuinely had no intention of manufacturing the detector for its original purpose. The ability to judge the strength of an opponent was something even cultivators with minimal power could achieve! It was only in the aspect of seeking out Heavenly Treasures that cultivators were less convenient than a detector.

This involved another issue: Heavenly Treasures are born from the nurturing of heaven and earth. Once placed somewhere, they are almost integrated with the environment. Unless they emit an intensely rich spiritual aura causing some unusual phenomenon, they are hard to discover actively. Personal cultivation, on the other hand, carries a heavy personal imprint, making it relatively easy to sense.

Having learned the function and objective of this detector, Ye Wen decided not to meddle in these affairs. If this thing were successfully manufactured, it would be beneficial for Mount Shu anyway. Mount Shu was sorely lacking in Heavenly Treasures and materials for forging artifacts; one could say Mount Shu needed this thing even more than the Heavenly Secret Sect.

After some cursory questioning, he understood that the detector was still primarily based on industrial technology, meaning its main power source was the electricity that Mount Shu was currently the only one able to procure.

Ye Wen suggested that the detector should evolve toward magical arts, especially concerning the power system.

“If we can use some kind of array formation to solve the energy problem, then this detector can be put into immediate use!” Cui Jun’s thoughts coincided perfectly with Ye Wen’s suggestion, but many issues remained. First was finding a suitable array formation, and that array needed to be shrunk countless times, otherwise engraving it onto the hardware would be impossible. “And then there’s how to perfectly integrate the array formation with the technology.”

“That’s your problem now!” Ye Wen patted Zheng Ying’s shoulder: “Keep working hard!”

He then left the Artifact Forging Pavilion, leaving those few people to their headaches! As for Zhang Ling, she had barely spoken, standing quietly to assist, but her gaze, which had barely shifted, let Ye Wen know—when these things were finally built, this girl would have absorbed nearly all of Cui Jun’s techniques. After all, Zhang Ling was a genuine agent, the undercover type, and her observation skills were absolutely first-rate.

Before returning, he took a detour to check on Chris. This disciple’s absolute domain had stabilized, and he was now actually attempting to impact the Ultimate Power.

According to Chris himself, as soon as he successfully impacts the Ultimate Power, he could attempt to break through to Black Dou Qi! Moreover, he wouldn't fear Black Dou Qi causing any adverse effects because, under the tempering of the Ultimate Power, his mind had become strong enough to withstand it.

If everything went smoothly, his strength might jump right past the peak of the Ground Immortal realm and sprint toward the Celestial Realm—he might even become the first Celestial Immortal of the Mount Shu Sect!

Chris’s situation delighted Ye Wen, but it also brought a sense of urgency!

Being surpassed by one's own disciple was hardly a happy thing. If Chris truly managed to step into the Celestial Immortal realm before him, where would Ye Wen save face?

So, upon returning, Ye Wen also began cultivating madly. However, unlike Chris who had a clear goal to strive for, Ye Wen’s current situation was quite awkward.

Although the Primal Chaos Sutra was not completely mastered, he had already cultivated the ten layers of mental techniques. The only one truly unmastered was the tenth layer, the Profound Universe; yet, to bring the Profound Universe to fruition, he needed to achieve complete mastery of the preceding nine layers. Until then, the Profound Universe could not reach its highest state.

This meant Ye Wen could only slowly contemplate the first nine layers of the mental technique—a painstaking endeavor that could take an unknown amount of time to complete!

“If I’d known, I should have cultivated the Seven-Colored Dou Qi!”

Although he said that, Ye Wen couldn't just abandon all his current power to re-cultivate the Seven-Colored Dou Qi! Furthermore, while Chris’s current situation was good, once he entered the domain of Black Dou Qi, he would face a similar awkward situation—he would have no benchmarks and could only slowly accumulate power to enhance himself.

The slow progress of the Primal Chaos Sutra didn't make Ye Wen overly frustrated, because he didn't rely solely on this one method to increase his power. The Glazed Pupils had not yet been truly mastered; if he could grasp them successfully, his strength could still advance another level.

Moreover, compared to the Primal Chaos Sutra, the cultivation method for the Glazed Pupils was relatively simpler!

Taking out the Demonic Blood-Transforming Sword of No Heaven, Ye Wen resumed his routine purification work. The vengeful spirits clinging to the sword were almost entirely purified now. Once the final part was completed, and the flying sword destroyed, this fierce demonic sword would be utterly vanquished, and the pupils he had been using to train with it would also reach perfection.

In Ye Wen’s bedroom, seven-colored rays of light suddenly flashed, enveloping the entire room in a beautiful radiance. Even standing in the courtyard, one could see the light emanating from the window.

Disciples outside the courtyard noticed it, glanced inside, and then withdrew their gaze. They had grown accustomed to this sight these past few days; everyone knew the Ancestral Master was cultivating, but today the radiance seemed brighter and more dazzling than usual, and the seven-colored light appeared even more beautiful?

Before they could examine it further, a disciple rushed over in a panic and went straight to the guard outside Ye Wen’s courtyard, asking, “Is the Sect Master Ancestral Master present?”

“He is!” The guard pointed towards the seven-colored glow in the courtyard: “The Ancestral Master is cultivating and cannot be disturbed right now. Is there something urgent?”

Since coming to the Immortal Realm, the Mount Shu Sect had encountered almost no business, nor had any guests visited. Seeing this disciple’s anxious demeanor, they wondered if some major event had occurred within the sect?

Unexpectedly, the person stated directly: “A few people just arrived at the mountain gate, claiming to be sent by the Heavenly Court. The leader calls himself General Shen Gongbao, the Water-Dividing General of the Heavenly Court!”

“People from the Heavenly Court…” None of the Mount Shu disciples knew what the famous name Shen Gongbao or the title Water-Dividing General represented, but as soon as they heard they were from the Heavenly Court, the disciples had to treat the matter with extreme caution.

Moreover, not long after, another person arrived, reporting that Ancestral Master Guan (those of lower seniority called Guan Luyan Ancestral Master as well) had rushed back to Mount Shu upon hearing that visitors from the Heavenly Court had arrived.

At this point, even a fool knew this matter could not be delayed. However, Ye Wen was cultivating, and they dared not disturb him. Fortunately, Xu Xian had also heard the news and came out, immediately instructing that the visitors be invited in first!

Then, Xu Xian looked around, called Ning Ruxue and the others out, and prepared to greet them personally. But when he returned from his search, a disciple informed him that Ye Wen had already gone out to welcome the guests.

“Has Senior Brother finished his cultivation?”

Ning Ruxue, who was closer to Ye Wen, knew his situation and said to Xu Xian: “Senior Brother is cultivating those Glazed Pupils. Although he cannot be disturbed while cultivating, with the power of those divine pupils, nothing happening throughout Mount Shu can escape his eyes. He likely knew the moment the Heavenly Court envoy arrived and stopped his practice.”

“Oh!”

Xu Xian hadn't paid much attention to the precise uses of Ye Wen’s Glazed Pupils, only knowing that Ye Wen’s eyes were prismatic like a giant lightbulb and could emit divine fire and divine light, but he was unsure of any other functions.

So, besides those things, they could also observe in all directions like radar?

He inwardly mused: That’s quite convenient. Perhaps I should cultivate a pair too?

He then proceeded with Ning Ruxue and the others toward the main hall, where Ye Wen was currently entertaining Shen Gongbao.

“Sigh, Sister… Shen Gongbao!”

“So what if it’s Shen Gongbao? You don't know that novel is just fabricated. Although it borrowed from many deities, at least things like the Jie Teachings and Chan Teachings don’t actually exist! That Shen Gongbao was merely a cultivator listed during the War of Investiture of the Gods; he isn't that special!”

“That’s what you say, but Shen Gongbao…,” Knowing this junior brother was acting strange again, Ning Ruxue said no more. Hua Yi, however, seemed quite interested nearby, likely sharing his fascination with Shen Gongbao.

“I wonder if Shen Gongbao really evolved from a leopard.” Hua Yi’s focus was on that detail.

The group hurried forward, and soon entered the main hall. Without needing to look closely, upon entering, they saw a handsome man, appearing to be around forty years old, sitting there. He was clad in armor, holding a peculiar-looking iron whip. Although armored, he wore no helmet, instead sporting a golden hair crown. A smile played on his face, immediately instilling a sense of familiarity and warmth in anyone who saw him. He was currently conversing quite cheerfully with Ye Wen.

As his entourage entered, Ye Wen immediately addressed the general: “General Shen, these two are my wives. This one is my junior brother, Xu Xian!”

The one in armor was indeed Shen Gongbao. Though previously just a cultivator, having been officially invested by the Heavenly Court and holding the rank of General, he naturally wore armor.

Shen Gongbao represented the Heavenly Court this time. The group had expected him to be arrogant, but unexpectedly, Shen Gongbao was the first to rise and formally greet each member of the Mount Shu group.

This deference threw Ning Ruxue and the others into a slight panic as they quickly returned the courtesies: “General Shen, you are too kind.”

Shen Gongbao laughed heartily: “It is you all who are too courteous!”

After a few rounds of pleasantries, they took their seats. Only then did Ye Wen get to the main point: “General Shen, may I ask the purpose of your visit representing the Heavenly Court?”

Hearing this, Xu Xian and the others realized that although Ye Wen and Shen Gongbao had been chatting happily, the main topic had not been broached, likely because Ye Wen was waiting for them.

At this moment, everyone perked up their ears, eager to hear what Shen Gongbao had to say. Shen Gongbao straightened his posture, his smile fading slightly: “My purpose in coming this time is merely to give advance notice. The Chief Envoy the Heavenly Court is sending to observe your sect is not myself!”

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately understood that Shen Gongbao was merely the vanguard sent to give a preliminary greeting; the actual Chief Envoy of the Heavenly Court was someone else. His current role was just to inform Mount Shu in advance, so they could prepare!

After all, sending an envoy to inspect a sect was no small matter. If handled carelessly, it could damage the Heavenly Court’s prestige, so preparing beforehand was appropriate.

“May I ask who the Chief Envoy is…”

“It is the Heavenly Venerable Puhua, the Thunder God of Immeasurable Response from Emptiness, Wutian!”

As this long string of titles was announced, Ye Wen felt his head grow larger. He lacked the capacity to remember all the divine ranks clearly, especially with such lengthy titles. Fortunately, Xu Xian was beside him, known for his photographic memory. Upon hearing the title, Xu Xian immediately sent a private transmission to Ye Wen: “It is Grand Tutor Wen Zhong!”

Before his Investiture, Wen Zhong was a cultivator, not a Grand Tutor; however, in that novel, he held the title of Grand Tutor, thus the name Grand Tutor Wen became deeply ingrained. Xu Xian was quite fond of this Wen Zhong and was surprised that the Heavenly Court was sending this very person.

Ye Wen nodded in understanding, then asked Shen Gongbao: “Are there any others?”

“No, only Heavenly Venerable Wen is coming this time.”

“Then, why has the Heavenly Court sent Heavenly Venerable Wen?” Ye Wen was currently confused about the Heavenly Court’s intentions! The only guess he could form was that the Jade Emperor wanted to ascertain the true strength of the Mount Shu Sect. Or perhaps, what qualifications Mount Shu possessed that earned Yang Jian’s high regard?

Shen Gongbao, looking slightly awkward, gently shook his head: “It should… it should just be a routine visit to observe things!”

“Oh?” Ye Wen hadn't expected Shen Gongbao to say something like that: “Does the Heavenly Court send envoys whenever a new sect is established in the Immortal Realm?”

Unexpectedly, Shen Gongbao actually nodded: “That’s correct. Generally, whenever a sect is established, the Heavenly Court will send an envoy! Your sect has been established in the Eastern Immortal Continent for quite some time now; sending someone this late is already considered an exception.”

Ye Wen was stunned; he hadn't known such a rule existed! But on second thought, it wasn't strange. These immortal sects were powerful entities, and if they allied, they could cause considerable headaches for the Heavenly Court. Extending an olive branch proactively was normal!

However, for a sect like Mount Shu, which had no great fame, to warrant the personal attention of Wen Zhong, the Heavenly Venerable of the Thunder Department—Ye Wen absolutely refused to believe there was no hidden agenda!

Perhaps sensing the suspicion in Ye Wen’s expression, Shen Gongbao spoke with unusual directness: “As for why Heavenly Venerable Wen is coming personally, it is somewhat related to your sect’s current… position. Of course, if Sect Master Ye has any difficulties, you can take the opportunity to discuss them with Heavenly Venerable Wen then!”

When he said this, Ye Wen didn't feel happy; instead, his expression became even more grave!