Chapter 1114: Unable to Return to the Past

"Thank you for your efforts, Saintess Yuan."

In Beiyuan City, Chen Mobai smiled as he took the Green Mirage Bottle from Yuan Zhen's hand and returned the now empty Northern Profound Hollow Cauldron. Over the years, he had continuously refined immortal spiritual energy, enhancing his Ten Thousand Swords Dharma Body, which had now fully stabilized at the fifth-tier level.

"It's my pleasure." Yuan Zhen smiled brightly. After putting the Northern Profound Hollow Cauldron back into her storage bag, she naturally picked up the already brewed Enlightenment Tea from the table.

"When I was in the Eastern Domain earlier, I met Seniors Wuchen and Dakong, and we discussed joining forces to deal with the Profound Flood Dragon Imperial Court..." Chen Mobai spoke about the Primeval Water-Controlling Banner while sipping his tea.

After listening, Yuan Zhen's expression turned serious. She naturally harbored deep hatred for the Profound Flood Dragon Imperial Court, but dealing with such an adversary was beyond the current capabilities of the Nine Heavens Demon Extermination Sect. However, if the Five Elements Sect, the Moral Sect, and the Grand Void Ethereal Palace were all willing to help, then this matter could indeed succeed. The key lay with the Abyssal Stabilizing Sea Pearl.

"I'll return and consult with the Sect Master and Ancestor Ni." Yuan Zhen nodded, indicating she would relay the message.

Although the Nine Heavens Demon Extermination Sect now had a new Spirit Transformation cultivator, its strength had not yet recovered to what it was during Yuan Qingque's time. Initiating a war with an adversary like the Profound Flood Dragon Imperial Court would carry immense risks. Moreover, without the Primeval Water-Controlling Banner, any conflict would be nothing more than minor skirmishes.

After Chen Mobai had Gu Yan see Yuan Zhen off, he took the immortal spiritual energy needed for his cultivation, left the Green Mirage Bottle in Donghuang, and returned to the Immortal Sect.

"Principal, we've received the latest news from Five Peaks Immortal Mountain: Zhongli Tianyu has successfully formed his Nascent Soul." In the office, Zhuang Jialan reported the latest and most significant news from the Immortal Sect to Chen Mobai.

With Yuan Xu's skill, refining a batch of Nascent Soul Transformation Pills was naturally effortless. The allocation of pills had been determined long ago, and since Chen Mobai and the other Spirit Transformation cultivators did not object, the pills smoothly went to Zhongli Tianyu and the others. Chen Mobai was not surprised by Zhongli Tianyu's success; after all, if it weren't for him, Zhongli Tianyu would have been the foremost talent of their generation. Thinking of this, he took out his phone and sent Zhongli Tianyu a congratulatory text message. However, there was no reply, leading him to believe Zhongli Tianyu was currently consolidating his cultivation realm.

Chen Mobai put down his phone and asked Zhuang Jialan, "What about the two from our Dao Academy?" This batch of Nascent Soul Transformation Pills contained eight pills in total, and Deng Daoyun and Wang Xinfu from the Wuqi Dao Academy were also on the list. Compared to Zhongli Tianyu, who had already become a disciple of Qi Yuheng, Chen Mobai naturally cared more about these two individuals from his own academy. Before they received the Nascent Soul Transformation Pills, Chen Mobai had personally given each of them a supreme-grade spirit stone, a complete Nine Heavens Pure Spirit Purple Splendor Qi, and Pure Yang Purple Qi, while also personally providing guidance for a period.

"Director Deng is deep within the Myriad Treasures Cavern, currently condensing sixth-tier fire spiritual energy. It seems he's close to success. As for Councilor Wang, he stopped absorbing spiritual energy some time ago, so it's likely he failed." Zhuang Jialan nodded, relaying everything she knew.

After listening, Chen Mobai nodded slightly. Then, his divine sense circulated, instantly taking control of the spiritual vein flow of Chicheng Mountain. From this, he deduced that Deng Daoyun had indeed formed his Nascent Soul and was currently in the stage of merging it with his divine consciousness. At this stage, he could already be considered a Nascent Soul cultivator. Knowing this, a smile appeared on Chen Mobai's face.

The Wuqi Dao Academy, due to him and Cheng Xuan, both Spirit Transformation cultivators, and the fact that he was the only Spirit Transformation Principal, firmly held its position as the Immortal Sect's top university. However, in terms of the number of Nascent Soul cultivators, it somewhat fell short of its title as the top university. Although the higher echelons of the Immortal Sect knew that Jiang Xuanzhu and Yan Qiongzhi both belonged to their lineage, and even Yu Yi had actively drawn closer to the Wuqi lineage in recent years, none of these were cultivated by the Wuqi Dao Academy itself. Consequently, during online debates, students of the Wuqi Dao Academy were often at a disadvantage on this point. This was also because Chen Mobai's promotion was too rapid; he ascended to Spirit Transformation from the Nascent Soul realm within a hundred years, leaving a void in the Wuqi Dao Academy's Nascent Soul cultivator ranks. Now, with Deng Daoyun's successful formation of his Nascent Soul, the students of Wuqi could finally argue with full confidence online.

"Please extend my regards to Wang Xinfu. This failure is nothing; consider it accumulating experience. He's still young, and it's not impossible to strive for the Immortal Sect's Nascent Soul formation resources next time." Chen Mobai did not forget to comfort the one who failed. After all, since he resigned as the Master of the Hall of Righteous Law, the Wuqi lineage relied entirely on Wang Xinfu and Hua Zijing in the Three Great Halls. Although Wang Xinfu failed this time, he was still under three hundred years old. Chen Mobai believed that after the next pioneering war concluded, the Immortal Sect's resources would experience another massive surge. By then, he could also legitimize some of the resources from the Heavenly River Realm and arrange another opportunity for Wang Xinfu to form his Nascent Soul, which would certainly not be a problem.

"Yes, Principal." Zhuang Jialan nodded and immediately went to carry out the task.

At this moment, Zhongli Tianyu called back. Chen Mobai answered and heard him exclaim, "Finally, I'm only one realm away from you again!"

Chen Mobai replied, "That's not the right mindset. You shouldn't compare yourself to me; the more you compare, the more despair you'll feel. Even if you want to advance, find a suitable target. Lan Haitain is good; his talent is no worse than yours, and he only formed his Nascent Soul a dozen years before you. If you work hard, you might be able to catch up to him in the later stages..."

Previously, Chen Mobai thought it was quite good for Zhongli Tianyu to view him as a goal. After all, he believed that at most, he could only reach Spirit Transformation by relying on the resources of the Heavenly River Realm, and achieving Void Refinement was merely a distant thought, not something he truly expected to accomplish. However, after entering the Purple Cloud Palace and acknowledging his master, Chen Mobai's perspective and insights had both sublimated. His master, Dao Venerable Zixiao, was an existence who had ascended to the other shore and achieved eternal Dao. His senior brothers and sisters were all top-tier mighty figures in the Grand Cosmos. His classmates were at least at the Void Refinement stage, with outstanding ones like Wangji, who sat in front of him, even being Dao Harmonization True Immortals. Chen Mobai felt that he could at least secure Void Refinement and strive for Dao Harmonization. If Zhongli Tianyu continued to set Chen Mobai as his goal, his painstakingly reshaped Dao heart would likely become increasingly fractured as time passed. This was because the further one progressed in cultivation, the greater the disparity became; even a minor realm could be an unbridgeable chasm.

Zhongli Tianyu: "I have something to do, I'm hanging up now!"

As soon as Chen Mobai finished speaking, he heard a busy signal. To think this kid hung up on him—how outrageous! Chen Mobai was quite annoyed. He had been kindly advising, yet he didn't expect Zhongli Tianyu to be so thin-skinned and unable to hear the truth. It seemed that after forming his Nascent Soul, he felt capable again. Just as Chen Mobai stood up, ready to teleport over and lecture him in person, he suddenly remembered that Zhongli Tianyu was now someone else's disciple. He grudgingly sat back down.

Soon after, Deng Daoyun successfully formed his Nascent Soul. Although the phenomenon accompanying it could not compare to Chen Mobai's Spirit Transformation, it was still exceptionally grand. Upon hearing the news, Cheng Xuan also rushed over immediately.

"Excellent, excellent! With Little Deng successfully forming his Nascent Soul, I can finally rest assured!" Cheng Xuan was extremely pleased. As the head of the Artifact Refining Department, Deng Daoyun had virtually been groomed by him personally, and he also cultivated the *Cantong Qi*, making him arguably the most direct true successor of the Wuqi Dao Academy. Deng Daoyun's successful Nascent Soul formation signified that their lineage now had a successor.

"Once Teacher Deng has gained a few more years of experience, I'll be able to consider retirement." Chen Mobai felt the same way as Cheng Xuan. His primary reason for becoming the Principal of Wuqi Dao Academy earlier was the lack of suitable personnel. On the Immortal Sect's side, his connections with the Three Great Halls had been severed. Once his connections with the Dao Academy also ended, only his own personal connections would remain, which would be greatly beneficial for achieving Void Refinement.

"Junior Brother, what do you plan to do after you retire? Will you enter secluded cultivation on Wangxian Peak, or will you leave the Diyuan Star?" Cheng Xuan asked curiously. Chen Mobai's cultivation was already the highest in the Immortal Sect. However, in his daily life, he showed no other hobbies besides cultivation.

"I haven't really considered it in detail; I might leave. But currently, all my thoughts are focused on the next pioneering war. Only after surviving that can I talk about anything else." As his cultivation advanced, there wasn't much left in the Immortal Sect that held Chen Mobai's interest. In the future, he would definitely devote more of his energy to the Heavenly River Realm. Once the Purple Cloud Palace descended, he would gradually fade from the Immortal Sect. Leaving was one option, or he might, like Bai Guang, simply announce he was entering deadly secluded cultivation for several centuries, not to be seen.

"Indeed, the Immortal Sect still has a great tribulation to overcome." Cheng Xuan also nodded upon hearing this.

When Deng Daoyun emerged from seclusion after forming his Nascent Soul, it was customary for every newly advanced Nascent Soul cultivator in the Immortal Sect to pay respects to a Spirit Transformation cultivator. It was very convenient for him, as Chen Mobai and Cheng Xuan were already waiting for him in the office. Next came the celebrations. Deng Daoyun considered his Nascent Soul formation a minor achievement, but Chen Mobai and Cheng Xuan believed it was something that brought great joy to the entire Wuqi lineage. Soon, prominent figures from the Wuqi Dao Academy within the Immortal Sect all arrived at Chicheng Mountain.

"How envious I am!" Seeing Deng Daoyun surrounded by admiring peers, Ming Yihua secretly vowed that one day he, too, would successfully form his Nascent Soul.

"Don't worry, next time our lineage will primarily promote you and Senior Sister Bian." At their table were all former members of the Spirit Transformation Class, arranged by Zhuang Jialan at Chen Mobai's request. He sat at the head of the table, with Ming Yihua and Yun Yangbing to his left and right. Hearing his good brother's words, he smiled and gave his promise.

"Old Chen, I must have accumulated good fortune for eight lifetimes to have you as a brother." Ming Yihua was overjoyed upon hearing this. Although he had a vague idea that he would be specifically groomed when he was assigned to the military, now that Chen Mobai, a Spirit Transformation cultivator, had said it personally, it was a definite fact.

Hearing their conversation, Wang Xingyu and the others at the table wore expressions of envy. However, Ming Yihua's eighth-layer Golden Core cultivation was indeed second only to Chen Mobai's at the table, followed by Yun Yangbing's sixth-layer Golden Core cultivation. Everyone suspected that Chen Mobai had given his two good friends more cultivation resources, but they only thought it to themselves.

Gong Ranran kicked her husband Wang Xingyu under the table, subtly gesturing toward the wine glass in front of him with her eyes. Back in the Dao Academy, their relationship with Chen Mobai was also good. However, after graduating, they focused on their family life. Additionally, Wang Xingyu was introverted and rarely took the initiative to contact Chen Mobai, so their relationship gradually faded. Not long ago, their family's elder uncle, Wang Xinfu, failed to form his Nascent Soul, casting a shadow over their family. Now, with a rare opportunity to speak with Chen Mobai, Gong Ranran felt Wang Xingyu couldn't miss this chance.

"True Monarch, I haven't congratulated you on your Spirit Transformation yet..." Understanding his wife's intention, Wang Xingyu immediately raised his wine glass and stood up to toast Chen Mobai.

"Oh, what kind of relationship do we have? Calling me True Monarch feels a bit too formal!" Upon hearing this, Chen Mobai immediately corrected him. The reason he arranged this table today was to relive the simple and beautiful times they shared back in school. He found a hint of that feeling with Ming Yihua, but as soon as Wang Xingyu spoke, Chen Mobai was pulled back to the cold reality. He was no longer an ordinary student of the Wuqi Dao Academy; he was a top-tier Spirit Transformation True Monarch of the Immortal Sect.

"My apologies, Old Chen... I'll drink this first!" Wang Xingyu stammered slightly before downing the wine in his hand.

"My husband isn't very good with words, as you've always known." Gong Ranran also immediately stood up to smooth things over, raising her wine glass at the same time.

"Then let's all have a drink together. It's been a long time since we last met; I've missed you all dearly!" Chen Mobai looked at their respectful gazes, knowing that things could never go back to how they were. After sighing inwardly, he stood up and clinked glasses with everyone.

"Old Chen, I knew you were extraordinary back then, possessing the potential for Spirit Transformation, which is why I named our class 'Spirit Transformation Class'..." After receiving Chen Mobai's promise, Ming Yihua continuously raised toasts. His words made everyone at the table nod in agreement, and some even praised his foresight.

"Is that so?" Chen Mobai, however, couldn't quite recall. He only remembered that after leaving Che Yucheng, he had a drink with Ming Yihua and Yun Yangbing because they all cultivated the Pure Yang Scroll, and then was haphazardly pulled into the class.

"It was exactly like that. If you don't believe me, ask them." As soon as Ming Yihua finished speaking, everyone nodded again.

"Thinking about it now, the time spent at the Dao Academy was the most relaxed and joyful. All we had to do was study and cultivate diligently, without worrying about anything. If the sky fell, Seniors Qianxing and Baiguang would handle it. Now, however, I'm the only one who can bear the burden..." No one dared to respond to Chen Mobai's lament. Most of them were at the Golden Core stage at best, and some were even stuck at Foundation Establishment.

"Old Chen, the capable bear more burdens. You are now the hope of the Immortal Sect's three hundred million beings. If you ever have any worries, you can always talk to us." Yun Yangbing spoke. Among the Spirit Transformation Class alumni present, he was the one who interacted with Chen Mobai the most. He was now also the Deputy Director of the Sky Veil Earth Network Administration, making him someone who could somewhat understand Chen Mobai's sentiments.

"Haha, I was just saying. Come, let's continue drinking..." Chen Mobai smiled as he raised his cup, but deep down, he knew that things could truly never go back to how they used to be.