Chapter 1031: All Touching Moments

At the Natural Dao Academy, Yan Bingxuan, Head of the Elemental Qi Department, was in the lab, leading a group of talented students in the artificial synthesis of Earth Fiend Qi, combining education with enjoyment.

Suddenly, a pure-looking young woman appeared outside the lab's large glass wall. Holding a mobile phone, she transmitted a message to Yan Bingxuan: "Teacher, you have a call."

Yan Bingxuan frowned slightly. When conducting an experiment, being disturbed was the biggest taboo.

But quickly, she seemed to recall something, gave an instruction to her assistant, and hurried out of the lab.

Witnessing her uncharacteristic behavior, everyone felt very strange.

In their impression, Director Yan always handled matters with meticulous precision and strict adherence to rules. Even the principal would have to wait for her to finish an experiment.

What was different this time?

As everyone wondered, Yan Bingxuan took her phone and, seeing the caller's name, nodded gently.

Last night, she had plucked up the courage to send Chen Mobai a text message but had received no reply.

Any other woman might have assumed Chen Mobai was heartless and wanted nothing more to do with her.

However, having known each other since their humble beginnings in Danxia City, Yan Bingxuan believed she understood Chen Mobai well and knew he wasn't that kind of person.

Even if he were a scoundrel, he was a responsible one, not someone who would evade his duties.

He must genuinely be in secluded cultivation, with his phone turned off.

If it weren't for the impending deadline for the list, Yan Bingxuan, with her proud nature, would certainly not have contacted Chen Mobai at such a time.

Quickly exiting the laboratory, she found a secluded spot and, with complex emotions, answered the call.

"Hello."

"I'm sorry, I just saw your message."

Upon connecting, Chen Mobai's familiar, gentle voice came through, causing Yan Bingxuan's self-professed strong heart to tremble suddenly.

It turned out she had never forgotten.

"I interrupted your secluded cultivation; I should be the one to apologize."

Yan Bingxuan hesitated for a long time, finally replying with a polite remark.

"I was only in secluded cultivation because I didn't want to deal with the people below. You know a batch of Soul Formation spiritual elixirs was just refined, and many people have come to me, some even seniors from the Dao Academy. So, I just found an excuse to turn everyone down…"

As Chen Mobai spoke, Yan Bingxuan's expression stiffened, unsure how to continue the conversation.

"By the way, did you need something last night, or did you just suddenly want to chat? You can just call me directly in the future, no need to text asking if I'm available."

"Nothing." Yan Bingxuan remained silent for a long time, ultimately not stating her request.

Chen Mobai's voice, full of emotion, continued, seemingly recalling their beautiful past: "Since you formed your Core, we haven't been in touch. It's been a long time, hasn't it? Mainly, I've wronged you, but I've always followed your progress. I hear you've not only achieved great success in your career, developing Profound Frost into one of the Immortal Sect's top ten energy companies, but also become the Head of the Elemental Qi Department at the Natural Dao Academy, a leading expert in your field…"

Hearing this, Yan Bingxuan's inner self told her he was a scoundrel who had played with her feelings, yet she couldn't help but feel a surge of warmth.

He still cared about her.

Yan Bingxuan replied, "My achievements are nothing compared to yours…"

The two conversed as if they had returned to their past, with endless topics. Finally, Yan Bingxuan remembered the concluding work of her experiment and had to hang up the phone.

After finishing her day's work, Yan Bingxuan returned to her office and saw Yan Qiongzhi sitting opposite her, her delicate brows slightly furrowed.

Besides them, there were two other department heads, both Core Formation cultivators from the Natural Dao Academy.

"It's not working out with Jumang Dao Academy either?" a middle-aged woman asked Yan Qiongzhi.

As colleagues sharing an office, they had good relations and knew that Yan Qiongzhi had been actively leveraging her connections recently, hoping to get onto the major list for exchanging Soul Formation spiritual elixirs.

"Even Jumang Dao Academy's own personnel list is being suppressed this time, let alone helping an outsider like me," Yan Qiongzhi sighed softly.

She had a cool, reserved personality and limited social interactions. Although she had her own social circle centered around the Natural Dao Academy, those who could get involved in the Soul Formation spiritual elixir circle were few and far between.

Besides Venerable Yunhai, the principal, only Wenren Xuewei and Ye Yun'e were among them.

But Wenren Xuewei, for Jumang Dao Academy's Soul Formation spiritual elixir, was almost selling herself to the Zhengtian Hall; there was no way she could intercede for Yan Qiongzhi.

As for Yan Qiongzhi and Ye Yun'e, the Natural Dao Academy branched off from the Kunpeng Faction. When Yan Qiongzhi and Lan Haitian were equally renowned as dual prodigies, Ye Yun'e had tried to recruit her to strengthen the Kunpeng Faction's influence.

Yan Qiongzhi hadn't refused, and it was precisely for this reason that she had easily obtained Core Formation spiritual elixirs back then, forming her Core one after another with Lan Haitian.

After Yan Qiongzhi formed her Core, as a councilor in Kaiyuan Hall, she could only follow the orders of the Kunpeng Faction.

However, due to the sheer abundance of talent and Yan Qiongzhi's aloof personality, Ye Yun'e later gave up on cultivating her as a direct subordinate.

It was precisely for this reason that when Yan Qiongzhi wanted a Soul Formation spiritual elixir this time, Ye Yun'e, though not directly refusing, indicated that she could only try her best.

The result was that Yan Qiongzhi still hadn't made it onto the main list.

Clearly, Ye Yun'e hadn't taken her seriously.

"If it really doesn't work out, then just wait for the next time," Yan Qiongzhi said to her colleague beside her. In truth, she had long anticipated this outcome, but an opportunity that only came once every few hundred years was right before her eyes. If she didn't fight for it, she feared she would regret it later.

Now that she had contacted everyone she knew who could influence that circle, she could at least tell herself she had tried her best.

Failure was simply due to a lack of options.

This way, for a cultivator, at least their mind would be at peace.

"I hear there are new fluctuations at the World Gate. If you want to get a Soul Formation spiritual elixir next time, you might have to risk going to another world. Why don't you talk to the principal and ask her to assign you to the military? If you can secure one of the Stellar Spiritual Nexus positions at the Black Tortoise Dao Palace, there will be more opportunities to earn merit."

The middle-aged female teacher spoke again. She was the most senior Core Formation cultivator at the Natural Dao Academy, though her cultivation had been stuck at Golden Core Sixth Layer, and she had long lost her ambition. However, she was very knowledgeable about the Immortal Sect's various departments and systems and began offering strategies to Yan Qiongzhi.

"If only we could just cultivate quietly and automatically obtain a Soul Formation spiritual elixir when the time comes," the youngest teacher, wearing glasses, mused aloud.

"Since you're dreaming, why not fantasize about being a peerless genius like the Zhengtian Hall Master, needing no elixirs, relying on your unparalleled talent and extraordinary brilliance to easily break through and reach the Immortal Sect's pinnacle!" the middle-aged female teacher retorted to the younger one, who shook his head.

"A monumental figure like the Zhengtian Hall Master appears only once in thousands of years in the entire Immortal Sect. We ordinary people should dream of something more realistic."

Listening to her colleagues' conversation, Yan Bingxuan's eyes seemed a little distant.

Those who could cultivate to the Core Formation realm in the Immortal Sect were true geniuses who had overcome immense odds, like a myriad of soldiers crossing a single-plank bridge.

Yet, when compared to Chen Mobai, they all considered themselves ordinary.

"I'm off work now. Tomorrow, I need to take the students from our department out to collect the Dao Rhyme of mountains and rivers and transcribe them into talismans…"

After chatting for a while, the young teacher with glasses bid farewell to Yan Bingxuan and the others, taking his bag.

Then, the middle-aged woman also left.

"Teacher, should I ask the Zhengtian Hall Master…"

When only the two of them remained, Yan Bingxuan couldn't help but speak, but she was interrupted halfway by Yan Qiongzhi shaking her head.

"I know you two had a past relationship. With his loyal and compassionate nature, he would definitely help if you asked. But I don't want you to sacrifice your dignity for me. Don't worry, I will work hard for my Soul Formation spiritual elixir myself; you don't need to worry about me…"

As Yan Qiongzhi spoke, she gave Yan Bingxuan a smile.

Besides being relatives, they were also master and disciple, and their personalities were very similar, so they understood each other well.

Although she greatly desired to form her Soul, Yan Qiongzhi did not want Yan Bingxuan to compromise herself for it.

"I…"

After listening, Yan Bingxuan opened her mouth, unsure what to say.

She had acted on her own initiative to find Chen Mobai.

Compared to others in the office, Yan Qiongzhi only revealed her true emotions in front of her, often looking troubled after answering calls recently.

As Core Formation cultivators, their direct relatives had mostly passed away. For the next few centuries, the two women would support each other, so Yan Bingxuan wanted to help her.

"The principal wants to see me. Perhaps there's good news. I'm leaving now."

Just then, Yan Qiongzhi saw a text message. Her face showed a hint of surprise. After telling Yan Bingxuan, she left the office.

"Alas…"

When she was left alone, Yan Bingxuan sighed.

She held her phone, originally planning to call Chen Mobai again that night, to cast aside her dignity and plead for a Soul Formation spiritual elixir for Yan Qiongzhi.

But now, she couldn't bring herself to dial.

In reality, she also doubted herself: was she contacting Chen Mobai truly for Yan Qiongzhi, or was she using it as an excuse to reconnect with him?

In her youth, she had been arrogant, believing that after giving her all, she should receive all of him.

But now, nearing two hundred years old, she had gradually come to terms with Chen Mobai abandoning her.

Because over the years, she had learned through Wang Xinying what had happened with the illegitimate daughter, Chen Xiaohei.

Chen Mobai was also a victim in the appearance of this daughter.

Yet, he had resolutely taken on all responsibility, even publicly acknowledging her to the Immortal Sect populace, all to give that unexpected daughter a complete family.

If Yan Bingxuan had been in Chen Mobai's position, she estimated she would not have had such determination.

After all, when he announced he had a daughter, although Chen Mobai was already high in status and power within the Immortal Sect, he did not yet possess the near-absolute authority he wielded now, short of Divinity Transformation. If things had gone wrong, leading to public doubt and criticism, he could have completely fallen from his official career and been reviled by the masses after being a public idol.

Understanding was one thing, but Yan Bingxuan still felt Chen Mobai had wronged her.

She would always remember forming her Core, happily emerging from secluded cultivation, wanting nothing more than to meet him immediately and share the good news, only to see his guilty expression as he told her what had happened. That feeling, from immense joy to utter despair, she never wanted to experience a second time.

Chen Mobai had been dutiful to his family, but he had failed her sincere heart.

Yet, as time passed, Yan Bingxuan increasingly found that he had indeed been very good to her.

Not to mention the Core Formation spiritual elixirs, she clearly knew who was behind Profound Frost Company's development into one of the top ten in the Immortal Sect.

Without Chen Mobai's influential backing, it would have long been suppressed and annexed by other industry giants.

Moreover, even Venerable Yunhai, the principal of the Natural Dao Academy, treated her with unusual politeness.

When the news of Shi Wanyu's passing reached its end, Yan Bingxuan felt conflicted. She desperately hoped Chen Mobai would come to her, which would mean she was still his true love, and forming a family with that woman was merely due to an unexpected daughter.

But she also didn't want him to come to her, because that would mean Chen Mobai was unfeeling and disloyal to his family.

Facts proved that while Chen Mobai was a scoundrel, he was loyal, reliable, and affectionate.

As she aged, Yan Bingxuan's resentment towards Chen Mobai gradually dissipated, but she could never overcome her own internal barrier to contact him actively.

Sometimes, she inwardly regretted and complained that Chen Mobai had been single for so long, yet never thought of her.

A myriad of thoughts surged through her mind. Yan Bingxuan, whose heart had always been as clear as ice, looked at Chen Mobai's number, feeling inexplicably flustered.

But after Yan Qiongzhi's words, she no longer had an excuse to persuade herself, and that number simply wouldn't dial.

It seemed there was no way to rekindle their old flame.

Thinking this, Yan Bingxuan flipped her phone over, leaned back in her chair, closed her eyes, and a hint of tears glistened at the corners of her eyes.

"Thank you, Principal, but how did this happen?"

In the principal's office of the Natural Dao Academy, Yan Qiongzhi listened to what Venerable Yunhai said, her face lighting up with surprise, but then a flicker of doubt crossed her eyes.

"Someone vouched for you. However, being on the main list doesn't guarantee you'll get it. The meeting at the Xianwu Hall at year-end is the most crucial part."

Venerable Yunhai didn't say much more. Some matters, though well-known within the Essence Soul circles, were kept secret from those below.

Furthermore, Chen Mobai was destined to achieve Divinity Transformation.

"Among the three halls, I've already put in a good word for you with everyone at the Natural Dao Academy who can exert influence on this matter. You should also reach out to some friends and try, though the chances are slim."

Venerable Yunhai didn't want Yan Qiongzhi to be disappointed after gaining hope, so she gave a preemptive warning.

"Understood, Principal."

Yan Qiongzhi understood this as well.

After all, her competitors were at least Immortal Sect cultivators of her own rank and status, some even direct descendants of the Four Great Dao Academies.

However, since it had come this far, she would certainly make another effort.

After leaving the principal's office, Yan Qiongzhi called Wenren Xuewei again.

"I understand. I will also have people from Jumang Dao Academy speak on your behalf then."

Wenren Xuewei was certainly willing to help with something so easy.

This time, Yan Qiongzhi's inclusion in the main list was not through the quota of the Four Great Dao Academies, but rather as a supplementary spot provided by the Immortal Sect outside the Four Great Dao Academies, to demonstrate fairness and impartiality.

However, the competition for this list was even fiercer.

After all, the Soul Formation spiritual elixirs of the Four Great Dao Academies only faced internal competitors, but outside the Four Great, one had to compete with all Core Formation perfected cultivators from the Ten Great Dao Academies and One Hundred and Twenty Prefectures.

To secure this spot required even greater influence and power.

While speaking with Yan Qiongzhi, Wenren Xuewei's hands did not stop moving. Her fair, slender fingers gracefully prepared the spiritual tea Chen Mobai had brought.

"Thank you."

Chen Mobai took the tea offered by Wenren Xuewei and said.

"I should be thanking you. You've allowed me to taste this new tea I've never seen before."

Wenren Xuewei brought the Purple Radiance Spirit Tea to her nose, delightedly inhaling its rich, mellow aroma, then gently parted her cherry lips and carefully took a small sip.

Fourth-tier spiritual tea was not something even Essence Soul cultivators of the Immortal Sect could drink at any time.

"I discovered it on a wild mountain back in my hometown. It was transplanted into my domain and grafted with various spiritual teas, cultivated for over a hundred years. It's barely palatable now," Chen Mobai said, setting down his empty teacup. Then, with a virtual grasp in the air, a tea seed with soil still clinging to it was taken out from his domain.

"Here, this is a thank-you gift."

Wenren Xuewei didn't stand on ceremony at all and directly accepted the Purple Radiance tea seed.

"Next time there's something like this, come to me more often."

Chen Mobai couldn't help but chuckle.

He considered Yan Bingxuan's self-esteem and didn't make her voice her request, but he still arranged the matter for her.

Yan Qiongzhi's inclusion in the main list was simply a word from him.

After all, the reason he and Ying Guanghua had used secluded cultivation as an excuse earlier was precisely because they had the power to make such unilateral decisions.

If Yan Bingxuan hadn't actively sought him out, Chen Mobai certainly wouldn't have looked into the matter, but since he knew, he was willing to use his influence for Yan Bingxuan.

After his call with Yan Bingxuan ended, he initially contacted Venerable Beiming.

However, after Old Ancestor Baiguang left, Venerable Beiming was no longer as deferential to him as before. After learning of his request, he indeed, as Venerable Yunhai had guessed, wanted to exchange it for delaying the Startling Spirit Melody.

Naturally, Chen Mobai wouldn't indulge him.

He couldn't offend so many Essence Soul Venerables of the Immortal Sect for Yan Qiongzhi.

Since Venerable Beiming was unwilling, Chen Mobai turned around and called Ying Guanghua, telling him about the matter.

Ying Guanghua owed Chen Mobai a favor regarding the Startling Spirit Melody, so he didn't hesitate and readily agreed.

The two great hall masters actively used their influence to promote Yan Qiongzhi's name.

After all, outside the Four Great Dao Academies, there were already one or two spots intended for Core Formation cultivators from the Ten Great Dao Academies or the One Hundred and Twenty Prefectures.

As long as she met the conditions, who it was given to didn't really matter.

However, Chen Mobai also had to make several calls for this.

To be on the safe side, he also enlisted the help of Venerable Yunhai and Wenren Xuewei, and neither of them had any objections.

Venerable Yunhai had been powerless before, but now that Chen Mobai was willing to help and it didn't affect the Startling Spirit Melody, he was certainly willing to help a teacher from his own academy.

Wenren Xuewei was even simpler; she had already given in.

She had agreed to join Zhengtian Hall at the end of the year, and after a few years of transition, she would formally take over Chen Mobai's position as the new Zhengtian Hall Master.

Furthermore, Chen Mobai was also willing to personally ascend to the heavens and use the Purple-Azure Twin Swords to help Pei Qingshuang condense a strand of Nine Heavens Pure Spirit Purple Radiance Qi.

When Venerable Taohua heard this condition, she, who had been reluctant, instantly changed her attitude, even urging Wenren Xuewei to quickly go to Zhengtian Hall. She was very willing to return to the public eye and take charge of Jumang Dao Academy again.

Although Wenren Xuewei disliked official duties, she wouldn't be where she was today without immense help from Jumang Dao Academy and Chen Mobai. These debts of gratitude compelled her to go against her own wishes and prepare to enter officialdom.

Compared to this, Yan Qiongzhi's Soul Formation spiritual elixir was a minor matter.

However, Chen Mobai still considered Wenren Xuewei's feelings and specifically packaged and presented her with a Purple Radiance tea seed.

As expected, upon receiving this gift, her previously pursed lips relaxed, and the radiant smile on her face returned to its usual warmth.

"There actually isn't much work at Zhengtian Hall. Old Ancestor Narcissus, my predecessor, and I were both famously laissez-faire."

"Before I resign, I'll leave Zijing and Jialan to partner with you for a while. To be honest, I probably don't handle Zhengtian Hall's political affairs as skillfully as they do."

"However, if you want to arrange for your own people from Jumang Dao Academy in the future, for example, Councilor Qingshuang, I've already spoken with them, and they will voluntarily hand over their power and positions…"

While drinking tea, Chen Mobai explained the affairs of Zhengtian Hall to Wenren Xuewei, who, as expected, was very interested in his lax governance and kept asking questions.

"Cui'er was truly lucky to meet a noble person like you at the critical moment of her Soul Formation. It's just a pity that I have to 'serve time' for decades for her sake…"

Finally, Wenren Xuewei couldn't help but lament her upcoming public service life.

"I still need to borrow the Azure Frost Sword for a while to condense some Nine Heavens Pure Spirit Purple Radiance Qi beyond the Sky Screen, but I will return the Azure Frost Sword to her before she forms her Soul," Chen Mobai said, retrieving the Azure Frost Sword when she mentioned Pei Qingshuang.

The moment the sword, now upgraded to a fifth-tier spiritual artifact, appeared, it caused ripples to spread across the vast, calm lake surface around them. Under the frigid sword qi, even the water on the lake surface began to freeze.

"Don't throw a tantrum."

Seeing this, Chen Mobai lightly flicked the Azure Frost Sword's hilt. A small girl with long dark hair, an icy expression, and a pouting mouth emerged from the sword.

It was the sword spirit of the Azure Frost Sword. Chen Mobai wanted to send it back to Pei Qingshuang, and it was naturally unhappy.

But Chen Mobai, being a gentleman, would never borrow something without returning it.

However, before parting with the Azure Frost Sword, he gave it three Water Essence Profound Stones as comfort and promised that if it ever got hungry at Pei Qingshuang's side, it could come to him for a grand feast anytime.

Of course, Chen Mobai also didn't forget to instruct it not to reveal any details of what it had experienced by his side.

The Azure Frost Sword Spirit's sword-heart had long been tied to Chen Mobai, and it was pure-hearted, unlike Zidian, who was cunning. It regarded everything Chen Mobai said as divine scripture.

In the Azure Frost Sword Spirit's mind, if Venerable Qingjing, who forged it, was its mother, then Chen Mobai, who endowed it with complete spirituality and a fifth-tier sword body, was its father.

It was his most obedient child.

Now that Chen Mobai was sending it back, the Azure Frost Sword Spirit only thought it had grown up, and its father was sending it out to work.

"Master, how long do I have to stay with her? When can I return to your side?" the Azure Frost Sword Spirit transmitted, feeling wronged after being suppressed by Chen Mobai's flick.

"You can return after she passes away," Chen Mobai could only say this to comfort it.

"Master, then it's a deal. When she dies, you can't abandon me," the Azure Frost Sword Spirit said after hearing this. At least now it had something to look forward to. After all, it knew Chen Mobai would certainly achieve Divinity Transformation, while Pei Qingshuang, though talented, would at most reach the Essence Soul stage. As a fifth-tier sword artifact, and having been refined by Chen Mobai with many precious materials, it could exist for much longer. It nodded, looking hopeful.

It didn't know that Pei Qingshuang possessed the Immortal Lifebloodline.

"Don't worry, you know what kind of person I am!"

After concluding its conversation with Chen Mobai, the Azure Frost Sword Spirit glanced at the curious Wenren Xuewei opposite it, then plunged directly back into the sword body.

"This sword spirit has a very good relationship with you," Wenren Xuewei knew what the Azure Frost Sword was like when it was with Pei Qingshuang. Even moving a little was considered giving face, and manifesting its spirit to communicate was a privilege Pei Qingshuang had never enjoyed.

"I'm quite approachable, and having cultivated the 'Cantong Qi', it's easier to communicate with magical artifacts. So, spiritual artifacts in the Immortal Sect that have sentience are generally willing to be close to me," Chen Mobai said modestly. In the Immortal Sect, he had never encountered a magical artifact that didn't like spirit stones.

The two continued to drink tea for a while, then Chen Mobai used Great Void Teleportation to return to Zhengtian Hall.

Time quickly passed until the end of the year.

At the Kaiyuan Hall assembly, Chen Mobai and Ying Guanghua sat in the front row, conversing as usual, watching the voting results appear one by one on the screen.

The proposal to perform the Startling Spirit Melody, though opposed by the Kunpeng Faction and despite Kaiyuan Hall being their territory, was overwhelmingly crushed by the combined forces of the Wuqi, Butian, and Jumang factions, and even most of the academies.

Over eighty percent approval rate on the screen caused Ye Yun'e's expression to darken.

Venerable Beiming also frowned, but at this moment, they all adhered to the Immortal Sect's rules, honoring their bets.

Next came the personnel reshuffles across the three great halls' various departments.

Most changes were routine, but Wenren Xuewei's transfer from Kaiyuan Hall to Zhengtian Hall, joining the military department, surprised many, wondering what the Wuqi and Jumang factions were up to.

But with Ying Guanghua and Ye Yun'e not publicly opposing it, this transfer order easily passed at the Kaiyuan Hall assembly.

In addition, Chen Mobai also transferred his good brother Ming Yihua from the First Military Factory to the military department to manage logistics and the maintenance and repair of various war artifacts.

This matter had been communicated to Ming Yihua in advance and was also intended to give him an opportunity to earn merits in the next war of expansion, so he could exchange them for Soul Formation spiritual elixirs.

Ming Yihua was very grateful for this; although he was reluctant to leave the factory where he had stayed for over a hundred years, the factory director himself urged him not to miss this opportunity.

The Immortal Sect's major military factories had the recommendation authority for Core Formation spiritual elixirs, but combined, they could not influence the list for Soul Formation spiritual elixirs.

If Ming Yihua wanted to form his Soul in the future, he would have to leave the factory.

Besides him, Zhai Jianbai and Bian Jingchun from the Wuqi Dao Academy were also assigned to the military department by Chen Mobai through job transfers.

There was also another good brother, Yun Yangbing. Chen Mobai had originally wanted to promote him to the position of director of the Sky Curtain Earth Vein Administration.

However, the Butian Faction disagreed. This position had been held by their faction ever since the Stars Arrangement.

While Ying Guanghua signaled his faction to oppose it, Ye Yun'e also felt that the Wuqi Faction currently controlled too many key departments and instructed the Kunpeng Faction to object.

In the end, Yun Yangbing failed to be elected by a slim margin of three votes and could only serve as a deputy director.

Chen Mobai only felt regret about this.

After all, he was not yet a Divinity Transformation cultivator; he could not yet dictate everything in the Immortal Sect.

After the Immortal Sect assembly concluded, the Xianwu Hall then held an internal meeting of its finance department.

The main discussion revolved around the major list for Soul Formation spiritual elixirs.

Ten Soul Cultivation Pills had already been refined.

For the Soul Transformation Pills, Yuan Xu had received a joint order signed by the three great halls and was gathering resources from the six major pharmaceutical factories and the sea regions, preparing to refine them. With his skill level and the characteristics of his Square Inch Scroll, he would certainly succeed perfectly, producing eight pills.

Considering that he was about to retire, Chen Mobai intended to finalize all eighteen Soul Formation spiritual elixir spots at this meeting.

Ying Guanghua also agreed with this, as he too was preparing for retirement and, after experiencing the Startling Spirit Melody, planned to fully prepare for Divinity Transformation.

His successor would be Gongye Zhixu, for the Butian Faction had no shortage of Essence Soul cultivators.

If Lan Haitian could successfully form his Soul this time, he would be the Hall Master of Xianwu Hall in the next-but-one term.

Wenren Xuewei also attended this meeting.

She was currently with the military department, and as she entered with Chen Mobai, a senior leader, Gongye Zhixu found it difficult to block her.

After several days of intense debate, the four factions finally compromised and determined the allocation of the eighteen Soul Formation spiritual elixirs.

"The list is thus settled," Lan Haitian, the Head of the Finance Department, announced with a slight tremor in his voice. On the screen, the large list that had originally contained dozens of names was now reduced to just eighteen.

This list, once approved by all three hall masters, was signed and publicly displayed on the Immortal Sect's official website.

The moment it was released, the page nearly crashed due to hundreds of millions of access attempts.

Almost all cultivators in the Immortal Sect paid attention to this, even Qi Condensation cultivators harbored a desire to form their Soul.

And most of the names on the list were as the public had predicted.

For example, Lan Haitian ranked first, Zhongli Tianyu second, Zhengtian Hall Deputy Hall Master Wen Lianshan, Xianwu Hall Deputy Hall Master Bai Xiangqian, Kaiyuan Hall Deputy Hall Master Shi Miao, and so on.

But there were also surprises, such as Yan Qiongzhi, ranked eighteenth.

On the public's predicted list, she was ranked nearly a hundred spots lower, as she was not from one of the Four Great Dao Academies.

However, while the Immortal Sect populace discussed her inclusion, they did not feel it was an underhanded operation.

After all, Yan Qiongzhi had some renown in the Immortal Sect.

Even younger people who didn't know her could look her up online and find her glorious history from her Foundation Establishment period, where she successfully opened her personal domain and was as famous as Lan Haitian, who ranked first.

Moreover, during the war of expansion, Yan Qiongzhi had also followed Venerable Yunhai to arrange the Sky Curtain Earth Vein Grand Array on Dragon God Star, so she had merits.

Therefore, although her selection was a bit surprising, it was quickly accepted by the public.

However, in the eyes of those who knew the inside story, Yan Qiongzhi's acquisition of a Soul Formation spiritual elixir was very puzzling.

This was a Soul Formation spiritual elixir!

How did she qualify?

Especially those Core Formation perfected cultivators who were not selected, they activated all their connections, eager to know the reason.

No wall in the world is airtight, and soon, various details of how Yan Qiongzhi obtained the Soul Formation spiritual elixir were disclosed.

For example, she was added to the list at the very last moment before the deadline.

And the ones who did this were the Zhengtian Hall Master and the Xianwu Hall Master.

As for why the two great hall masters would vouch for Yan Qiongzhi, a person from the Natural Dao Academy, no one dared to reveal.

In the Immortal Sect, some news could not be kept secret.

But when it concerned the highest-ranking individuals, such information could always remain confidential; even those who knew would keep their mouths shut, not daring to utter a single word.

In the office of the Natural Dao Academy.

When Yan Qiongzhi saw her name appear on the Immortal Sect's official announcement, she froze in her seat, taking a long time to recover.

Although Venerable Yunhai had told her she was on the main list, and she had tried her best to reach out to Wenren Xuewei and Ye Yun'e, she hadn't held much hope, simply telling herself she had tried.

But now, a surprise had fallen from the sky, landing squarely on her.

At this moment, even Yan Qiongzhi, whose heart was usually as cold as ice, was deeply shaken by this joyful shock.

The other teachers in the office couldn't help but gather around, the younger ones even screaming and cheering loudly.

Yan Bingxuan was equally happy.

"How could this be? I actually got selected…"

Yan Qiongzhi's murmur reached everyone's ears. The other teachers just thought she was too happy and a bit distracted.

But Yan Bingxuan suddenly realized something.

At that moment, Yan Qiongzhi also turned and looked at her.

Their gazes met, and a single person simultaneously flashed through their minds.

In the entire Immortal Sect, only he could have done this and had the motivation to do so.

A powerful emotion, indescribable, suddenly surged within Yan Bingxuan. Her heart of ice, honed over a hundred years of arduous cultivation, shattered completely, then was refilled with Chen Mobai's image, overwhelmed with gratitude.