Chapter 1040: Someone Above

At Jumang Daoist Academy, Venerable Peach Blossom reluctantly took out a Spirit Sealing Tube from her domain and handed it to Chen Mobai. "Is Venerable Pure Yang planning to use this fifth-tier Myriad Transformation Thunderwater to cultivate the Jade Phoenix Tree on Danxia Mountain?"

The inheritances of the Immortal Sect's Four Great Daoist Academies were impressive. Clearly, Venerable Peach Blossom was aware of the Elixir Cauldron Jade Tree and the Nirvana Dao, having considered this when Chen Mobai first asked her to refine the Thunderwater.

"Indeed, that is the plan. I just don't know if it will succeed."

In fact, when Chen Mobai asked Venerable Peach Blossom to refine the Myriad Transformation Thunderwater, he was unaware of the Nirvana Dao, but it was a fortunate coincidence. After this fifth-tier Myriad Transformation Thunderwater elevates the Five-Horned Ancient Maple to the peak of the fourth tier, there should still be some left over. Then it will depend on whether the remainder can help the Jade Phoenix Tree advance.

Chen Mobai clearly understood the priorities between the two spiritual plants. Currently, the most important thing was naturally reaching Divine Transformation. The Jade Phoenix Tree was related to the path *after* achieving Divine Transformation. The fifth-tier Myriad Transformation Thunderwater he held would certainly be supplied to the Five-Horned Ancient Maple first.

"Pure Yang, there's something I need to remind you about. When a spiritual plant advances to the fifth tier, the involved earth veins and spiritual energy range are so vast that it might trigger a backlash from the Sky Curtain Earth Network Grand Array. If you notice signs of the Jade Phoenix Tree advancing, you must communicate with the two Patriarchs beforehand."

Ever since Chen Mobai provided Pe Qing Shuang with Nascent Soul formation resources and helped upgrade her Azure Frost Sword to the fifth tier, Venerable Peach Blossom grew increasingly fond of him. Especially since Patriarch White Light departed and Shi Wanyu passed away, Chen Mobai was now single again. Although he had a daughter, she possessed a Pure Yin Physique, destined to achieve at least the Nascent Soul stage in the future. The idea of finding a son-in-law began to rekindle in Venerable Peach Blossom's heart. Therefore, when facing Chen Mobai, she abandoned her usual lazy demeanor. Not only did she help refine the fifth-tier Myriad Transformation Thunderwater, but she also took the initiative to offer a warning.

"Oh, what's the reason for this?" Chen Mobai genuinely didn't know and immediately asked Venerable Peach Blossom for advice.

"The Immortal Sect's Sky Curtain Earth Network Grand Array, the spiritual hubs of the Thirty-Six Grotto-Heavens and Seventy-Two Blessed Lands, all require a core to suppress and channel spiritual energy," Venerable Peach Blossom explained. "Many of these cores are replaced by spiritual plants. That's why our Jumang Daoist Academy contributed to the grand array on the Native Star back then. The Jade Phoenix Tree on Danxia Mountain is one such core. All the spiritual energy of Danxia City cycles and exchanges through it, linked to the entire Sky Curtain Earth Network Grand Array. If it were to advance, the Sky Curtain Earth Network Grand Array might mistakenly perceive it as a problem with the spiritual vein in the direction of Danxia City. If this triggered the array's counter-suppression, its advancement would certainly fail. Now that Patriarch Qiuxing is in secluded cultivation, the fifth-tier Heavenly Calculus Orb that he used to control the array's core is in Qi Yuheng's hands. Given his talent, he's probably a fifth-tier formation master by now. You have a good relationship with him; you can discuss with him how best to resolve this matter."

Previously, due to insufficient spiritual energy in the Immortal Sect, spiritual plants would generally absorb spiritual energy in a systematic manner. Most of it would then be transported through the Sky Curtain Earth Network to the Five Peaks Immortal Mountains, maintaining the sixth-tier spiritual vein. Because of this, the amount of spiritual energy consumed by high-tier spiritual plants in the Immortal Sect was actually less than that by Nascent Soul cultivators. This is because they merely served as core hubs and channels for spiritual energy circulation. The Sky Curtain Earth Network Grand Array only provided them with enough energy to maintain their current tier. Of course, only fourth and fifth-tier spiritual plants were deemed worthy of such treatment by the Immortal Sect. There were also some special high-tier spiritual plants, such as the fifth-tier Vermillion Fruit Tree deep within the Myriad Treasures Cave. For these, the Immortal Sect would provide more fire spiritual energy, based on the energy required for them to bear fruit.

Within the Immortal Sect, spiritual plants below the fourth tier would occasionally advance. Those below the third tier were handled by the local forestry bureaus themselves. For a third-tier plant to advance to the fourth tier, an application had to be submitted to the General Forestry Bureau of Wangwu Grotto-Heaven, which would then report to the Immortal Affairs Hall. If the Immortal Affairs Hall did not approve the application, that spiritual plant would remain stuck at the peak of the third tier, unable to advance. If one had good connections and ample influence, obtaining stamped letters from several relevant departments within the Immortal Affairs Hall, one could then use these to notify the Sky Curtain Earth Network Administration to release the restrictions of the grand array and spiritual veins.

However, the Immortal Affairs Hall had never approved an application for a fourth-tier spiritual plant to advance to the fifth tier. Venerable Peach Blossom was a typical example. She had awakened her spiritual intelligence a long time ago, but due to the Immortal Affairs Hall's prolonged delay in approval, she was unable to lift the Sky Curtain Earth Network Grand Array's restrictions on her true form and advance to the fifth tier. Later, she had no choice but to give up on her spiritual plant true form's advancement and transform into a human shape. This was a solution the Jumang Daoist Academy lineage had painstakingly secured for her after a long effort. This meant her spiritual plant true form should no longer hope to use Immortal Sect resources for advancement, but if she pursued the Xuanmen Grand Dao and cultivated a Primordial Spirit, then it would be considered her own liberation from constraints.

Unfortunately, after transforming, Peach Blossom had striven for a millennium, but she was still stuck before the threshold of Divine Transformation, unable to even discern a path forward. To outsiders, she appeared carefree and at ease, but the frustration of being unable to progress weighed heavily on her heart. She had another subtle motive for reminding Chen Mobai: if the Jade Phoenix Tree could advance to the fifth tier, she could then apply for her own true form to advance as well. After all, precedent is everything. Once an exception was made, the Immortal Affairs Hall would find it difficult to block her advancement review. Moreover, a pioneering war was about to commence. If her true form advanced to the fifth tier, it would count as Divine Transformation combat power. This might even, in turn, accelerate her Nascent Soul's progression to Divine Transformation. This was her best opportunity in thousands of years within the Immortal Sect.

"Thank you for the reminder, Venerable One." After listening to the expert insights of Venerable Peach Blossom, Chen Mobai finally understood that for spiritual plants in the Immortal Sect, advancing was even more troublesome than a cultivator forming a Nascent Soul. After all, within the Immortal Sect, the quotas for Nascent Soul cultivators were not fully utilized by any Daoist Academy except for Buxian (Mending Heaven). As long as one was qualified and capable, one could advance. However, for spiritual plants to advance, it wasn't just about their own efforts; connections also played a crucial role. No wonder both Danxia City and Yumu City each only had one fourth-tier spiritual tree. Besides the lack of resources to support them and the perceived unnecessary nature, it was also because the Immortal Affairs Hall did not permit it.

"After Yuan Xu and his collaborators completed their research on improving 'Instant Bloom' (Flower Blossoming in a Flash)," Venerable Peach Blossom said, "the Immortal Sect's Three Great Halls introduced a new policy for private spiritual plant adoption. However, my true form, along with the Great Chun Tree, was registered with the General Forestry Bureau a long time ago, classified as official property..." She then elaborated on a new policy introduced by the Immortal Affairs Hall in recent years, established through the joint efforts of the four top universities: Wuqi, Buxian, Jumang, and Tianshu. This was a significant boon for latecomers, but for her, who had long been marked by the Immortal Sect, it was utterly useless.

"Ultimately, the Immortal Sect still lacks sufficient resources..." Chen Mobai sighed after hearing this. However, this also reminded him that if he truly allowed the Jade Phoenix Tree to advance after achieving Divine Transformation himself, he might need to consider this aspect as well.

As he left, Chen Mobai sensed that all the spiritual energy of the Jumang Daoist Academy was converging towards a mysterious island. He realized that it must be Venerable Peach Blossom's true form location, and also Pe Qing Shuang's place of Nascent Soul formation. Under the effect of the Void Evasion Technique, he detected a domain at the center of that island. However, he was relatively restrained within the Immortal Sect, so he did not investigate further. Still, he concernedly asked Venerable Peach Blossom about Pe Qing Shuang's Nascent Soul formation process. On the latter's charming face, there was a mix of joy and worry.

"I can sense that she should be close to success," Venerable Peach Blossom said, "but until she truly emerges from seclusion, I dare not speak too confidently." Chen Mobai nodded slightly after hearing this. Pe Qing Shuang's resource conditions were likely second only to his in the Immortal Sect. Coupled with the Nine Heavens Pure Spirit Purple Splendor Qi and Pure Yang Purple Qi he provided, as well as the assistance of the fifth-tier Azure Frost Sword, if she still couldn't succeed, it could only mean there was an issue with her talent.

"If Councillor Pei successfully forms her Nascent Soul, I wonder if the spiritual vein of this Jumang Daoist Academy could be lent to a friend of mine to attempt Nascent Soul formation?" Chen Mobai spoke on behalf of Yan Qiongzhi. After all, once she formed her Nascent Soul, she would be considered one of his people.

"After Cui'er, another teacher from my academy needs to use it," Venerable Peach Blossom replied. "If Venerable Pure Yang's friend wishes to come, they might have to wait in line." She didn't nod directly. After explaining the situation, she roughly calculated that it would take several years. After all, if Pe Qing Shuang successfully formed her Nascent Soul, she would need some time to consolidate her realm. Adding the person after her, in sequence, it would indeed take at least that long.

"In that case, I'll see if I can arrange for her to go to the Sea Domain." If the wait was too long, Chen Mobai felt it would be somewhat disadvantageous. After all, the Immortal Sect's "Startling Spirit Melody" was nearly rehearsed. They were just waiting for the results of two cultivators at the peak of Golden Core formation who were attempting Nascent Soul formation. The one transforming into a Dharma Body Nascent Soul, though progressing slowly due to the Immortal Sect's lack of experience in this area, should succeed within the next two years. These high-ranking members of the Immortal Sect were still considering the newcomers. The reason the Startling Spirit Melody was scheduled at this time was to provide an opportunity for the latest batch of cultivators who had acquired Nascent Soul formation resources. If they could successfully form their Nascent Souls, they would naturally gain this once-in-a-millennium opportunity. Precisely because of this, the competition for the Embryo Nurturing Pill was much fiercer than for the Nascent Soul Transformation Pill.

Yan Qiongzhi was able to obtain it due to Chen Mobai. Although the three Nascent Soul formation spiritual medicines were equally renowned, their actual values varied. It was generally recognized that the Nascent Soul Transformation Pill was the most useful, followed by the Infant Nurturing Pill, and finally the Embryo Nurturing Pill. Not only Yan Qiongzhi and Pe Qing Shuang, but Lan Haitian also chose the Embryo Nurturing Pill. However, Lan Haitian truly lived up to his reputation as the Immortal Sect's top genius before Chen Mobai. He had already successfully formed his Nascent Soul two years prior.

With Venerable Peach Blossom bidding him farewell with a hint of apology, Chen Mobai transformed into a silver light and vanished from the Jumang Daoist Academy.

"Huh, his Great Void Shift feels surprisingly effortless." Venerable Peach Blossom watched Chen Mobai leave, a hint of surprise and doubt in her eyes. As the spiritual plant of Jumang Daoist Academy, she had witnessed successive cultivators of the Evergreen Art perform the Great Void Shift. Yet, none of them were as unearthly and seamless as Chen Mobai. In the past, after Wenren Xuewei performed it, the surrounding void power would fluctuate for a long time before settling. It was like a stone thrown into a lake. But Chen Mobai's shift this time was like blowing a breath onto the lake's surface, merely creating faint ripples. The void power quickly settled, becoming as calm as a mirror. "Could this young man truly possess a Void Spirit Physique?" Venerable Peach Blossom recalled the rumors circulating within the Immortal Sect, and a look of surprise crossed her face. Yet, in her heart, she grew even more determined to matchmake him with her daughter.

Having left Jumang Daoist Academy, Chen Mobai had just returned to Danxia City when he received news from Lan Haitian. "Congratulations on successfully forming your Nascent Soul!" Chen Mobai hadn't contacted Lan Haitian in a long time. Upon seeing the message, he called back to offer his congratulations.

"Thank you. But I've just formed my Nascent Soul, and you're already nearing Divine Transformation," Lan Haitian said, his face filled with emotion. "I still remember when we first met in Danxia City, you were just a high school student..." Although he was gentle with others, he held himself in high regard internally. Even Yan Qiongzhi, who was equally renowned, seemed inferior to him. When Chen Mobai displayed astonishing talent during the entrance examination, Lan Haitian merely thought that this young man might make a name for himself in the Wuqi Daoist Academy. But when they met again in Danxia City, Chen Mobai had already established his foundation and easily killed a Cult of Ascension cultivator with a single sword strike. Lan Haitian then felt that this person could succeed him and become the sharpest blade of the Heaven Mending Group.

However, Chen Mobai subsequently shattered Lan Haitian's expectations again and again. He single-handedly suppressed the most outstanding Foundation Establishment prodigies of the Four Great Daoist Academies and Ten Great Academies over the past sixty years. He attained enlightenment and formed his Golden Core. He even successfully formed his Nascent Soul solely relying on his powerful foundation and talent, without waiting for the three spiritual medicines for Nascent Soul formation. And now, he had undeniably become the foremost Nascent Soul cultivator in the Immortal Sect. After forming his Nascent Soul, Lan Haitian truly understood how terrifying Chen Mobai's talent was to achieve all of this. So-called geniuses like himself were only qualified to look up at him from the foot of the mountain, where he stood at the peak. As for everyone else, they probably couldn't even see through the clouds shrouding the mountaintop.

"Divine Transformation is incredibly difficult. Even I need the Immortal Sect's resources to glimpse my path..." Chen Mobai said humbly in front of the true genius, Lan Haitian. He then asked about the message Lan Haitian had sent him: "It's quite a pity that Councillor An failed to form his Nascent Soul. Fortunately, we had another contingency plan, otherwise, the Startling Spirit Melody might not have been performed successfully this time." The message Lan Haitian sent Chen Mobai was to inform him of An Guanglei's regrettable emergence from seclusion. An Guanglei was one of the two cultivators at the peak of Golden Core in the Cultural Department, and he was also the one who received the Embryo Nurturing Pill this time. Despite having the support of all Immortal Sect factions, and even Venerable Plum Blossom personally calculating an auspicious day for his Nascent Soul formation, he still ended up failing.

"Ultimately, it was due to insufficient talent," Lan Haitian said. "I have already informed Venerable Three Absolutes about this, asking him to help treat Councillor An. Even though he failed to form his Nascent Soul, once he recovers, he can still contribute to the Startling Spirit Melody in another way." Lan Haitian informed Chen Mobai of the Immortal Affairs Hall's arrangements for An Guanglei. Chen Mobai had no objections.

Next, they discussed another cultivator who was transforming into an "Asura Dharma Aspect." "Venerable Yuan Xu has been by his side throughout, diligently checking for any deficiencies or errors," Lan Haitian explained. "After all, this is essentially a first for the Immortal Sect, so we're very concerned about potential problems..." Lan Haitian, after forming his Nascent Soul, was internally designated as the next Head of the Immortal Affairs Hall. His primary tasks, aligned with Gongye Zhixu's goals, included the Startling Spirit Melody and the upcoming pioneering war. Therefore, various powers within the Immortal Affairs Hall were now being transferred to him. The organization of the Startling Spirit Melody, following Lan Haitian's emergence from Nascent Soul formation, became the first major task entrusted to him. Although Chen Mobai, as the Head of the Rectification Hall, was no longer actively involved in affairs, Lan Haitian habitually sent him relevant information and updates. However, Chen Mobai had been in secluded cultivation at the Yellow Dragon Grotto-Mansion in the Tianhe Realm, so he hadn't responded. This time, having coincidentally returned, he made a call.

"It seems Venerable Yuan Xu has been working hard," Chen Mobai commented. "By the way, are you familiar with the spiritual veins in the Sea Domain...?" After discussing the arrangements for the Startling Spirit Melody, Chen Mobai asked Lan Haitian about the spiritual veins in the Sea Domain. Although he had a good relationship with Water Immortal, she was now a Divine Transformation Patriarch after all. It would be best for him to inquire about all aspects thoroughly before calling her. Furthermore, Water Immortal was lazy by nature, so asking her to make arrangements would likely be difficult. It would be better to determine the target first, and then directly ask her for a fifth-tier water vein location. Lan Haitian, true to his graduation from Kunpeng Daoist Academy, was intimately familiar with this subject.

"Thank you. Next time I emerge from seclusion, I'll invite you for a meal at Wangwu Grotto-Heaven." Chen Mobai recalled how, when both he and Lan Haitian were at the Golden Core stage, they would secretly meet every time they went to Wangwu Grotto-Heaven. This was mainly because Lan Haitian was involved in covert operations at the time, so the places he arranged were very secluded. Thinking back now, it was quite interesting.

"Venerable Pure Yang, you're too kind. It should be my treat." After exchanging a few polite words and ending the call, Chen Mobai first sent a text message to Water Immortal, and she immediately called him back.

"This is simple. I have a magic artifact that contains spiritual energy equivalent to a high-grade fifth-tier water vein," Water Immortal said. "Come and pick it up..." After hearing this, Water Immortal actually had a better method. In reality, cultivators from Kunpeng Daoist Academy and True Spirit Academy were already in secluded cultivation forming their Nascent Souls in the Sea Domain. The only remaining suitable locations were her own dwelling places, but she certainly couldn't relocate for Yan Qiongzhi. So, she gave Chen Mobai a magic treasure. Chen Mobai immediately performed the Great Void Shift and went to the Sea Domain.

"Here, I'll give you the incantation for refining it." In a palace located at the deepest part of the ocean, Water Immortal saw Chen Mobai enter, rose from her pearl couch, opened a nearby drawer, took out a pure white shell, and casually handed it to him.

"Isn't this..." Chen Mobai took the shell, his heart stirred. He recalled how, before the annihilation of Dragon God Star, the Spirit Venerable had used a shell to condense all the water sources of an entire planet, demonstrating a peak, nearly sixth-tier artifact refining technique.

"That's the one. Remember to return it to me after you're done with it." Water Immortal nodded, confirming Chen Mobai's thoughts. This magic artifact contained all the seawater of Dragon God Star. If Water Immortal unleashed its full power, she could submerge all Thirty-Six Grotto-Heavens and Seventy-Two Blessed Lands on the Native Star. Of course, the refining incantation taught to Chen Mobai only covered the part about entering it to draw water-element spiritual energy for cultivation.

"Thank you." Chen Mobai thanked Water Immortal. The latter, however, waved her hand dismissively.

"After the Startling Spirit Melody, you should also be close to Divine Transformation," Water Immortal said. "Then, during the next pioneering war, I want a Heaven and Earth Embryonic Membrane to upgrade my domain. You're not allowed to snatch it from me." Chen Mobai nodded with a wry smile after hearing Water Immortal's words. The Heaven and Earth Embryonic Membrane was considered one of the best spoils of war in world-creation level conflicts, especially for the Kunpeng lineage. However, even without this matter, Chen Mobai would not object if Water Immortal made a request. After all, he had received considerable care when he was in the Rectification Hall. "It would be great if one pioneering war could yield two Heaven and Earth Embryonic Membranes..." As Chen Mobai left the Sea Domain, an outrageous thought flashed through his mind.

Before heading to the Academy of Natural Studies, Chen Mobai sent a text message to Yan Bingxuan. Yan Bingxuan had long since consolidated her cultivation realm. Upon seeing the message, she immediately took half a day off and returned to her residence early to prepare. After Chen Mobai arrived, the two, who hadn't seen each other in a long time, barely exchanged a few words before succumbing to their passion. They reveled in joy throughout the night, and only as the sky outside the window began to brighten did Chen Mobai remember the real purpose of his visit. Since the shell concerned Water Immortal, a Sea Domain Divine Transformation cultivator, and involved a refining incantation, it wasn't suitable for Yan Bingxuan to hand it over.

After their final morning "surf," Yan Bingxuan struggled to find her phone amidst the scattered pile of clothes on the bedroom floor. Disregarding her disheveled state, she called Yan Qiongzhi. Soon after, Yan Qiongzhi arrived. The moment she entered, she saw Chen Mobai sitting on the sofa, and her expression immediately changed to one of surprise. She promptly bowed. "Greetings, Head of the Rectification Hall."

"This is a supreme treasure from a Sea Domain Divine Transformation cultivator..." Chen Mobai didn't beat around the bush. He directly explained the origin, function, and refining incantation of the shell, then handed it to Yan Qiongzhi.

"Thank you, Venerable One." Chen Mobai nodded in response to Yan Qiongzhi's thanks. He then revealed the progress of the Startling Spirit Melody to her. "Councillor Xiao Yuping should successfully form his Nascent Soul within two years at most," Chen Mobai said. "At that time, the Immortal Sect will have the profound sound and wondrous art cultivators from the Cultural Department perform the Startling Spirit Melody together. If you don't want to miss it, you'll have to redouble your efforts."

As soon as Chen Mobai finished speaking, Yan Qiongzhi's expression turned solemn. Although she knew the Immortal Sect was preparing the Startling Spirit Melody, she had believed that if there were no Nascent Soul cultivators to preside over it, the project might be postponed. This was precisely why she hadn't rushed to consume the Embryo Nurturing Pill. Even those peak Golden Core cultivators who chose the Nascent Soul Transformation Pill shared this idea, hoping to enjoy both benefits. The existence of the Asura Dharma Aspect and Venerable Yuan Xu's research on using Sea Soul Agate as a substitute were top-tier secrets of the Immortal Sect. Only Divine Transformation cultivators, specifically the Heads of the Three Great Halls and core Nascent Soul cultivators like Yuan Xu, were aware of it. For Yan Qiongzhi, this was another immense favor. It was precisely at this moment that she truly realized how beneficial it was to have someone powerful looking out for you.