Chapter 1116: Back Mountain Gatekeeper

After Yu Tianguang's release, all he wanted was to live a good life. For him, merely being able to breathe freely was already a great satisfaction.

However, despite his release, he still needed to report his whereabouts to the Enforcement Department periodically for record-keeping. Furthermore, because he had been arrested in Danxia City, Immortal Sect regulations prohibited him from going there and from working in the education sector. This was despite him having sworn before his release not to reveal a single word of his knowledge about the Soul Devouring Art to anyone else.

"It's good that you're out..." At the Dancing Weapon Dao Academy, Cheng Xuan looked at Yu Tianguang, whom Chen Mobai had brought back, with a look of relief. When Cheng Xuan was still the principal, he had been searching for successors capable of forming a Nascent Soul, and Yu Tianguang was one of the individuals he favored; he had even personally refined Yu Tianguang's natal magical artifact embryo.

"Principal, I'm sorry!" Yu Tianguang saw Cheng Xuan and apologized, trembling with shame. During his imprisonment, he could only read old newspapers and books, roughly up to the time when Chen Mobai became the Head of the True Law Palace and the Immortal Sect won the pioneering war on Dragon God Star. He was unaware of the significant changes that had occurred within the Immortal Sect and the Dancing Weapon Dao Academy.

"I'm not the principal anymore; Chunyang is," Cheng Xuan said, shaking his head. He helped Yu Tianguang to his feet, pulled him to a chair, and asked about his time in confinement.

"Perhaps Chunyang gave instructions; I was relatively free inside." At this point, Yu Tianguang thanked Chen Mobai again. The latter waved his hand, indicating it was his duty, and then personally brewed and offered him a cup of tea.

"Speaking of which, our Dao Academy's current top position in the Immortal Sect is entirely thanks to you recommending Chunyang to the academy back in Danxia City..." Cheng Xuan recounted Yu Tianguang's greatest contribution: it was during his tenure that Chen Mobai, by achieving first place in the entrance examination, narrowly entered the Dancing Weapon Dao Academy.

"...If you hadn't recognized his talent, the Dao Academy would have lacked a Nascent Divinity True Monarch, and perhaps I might have long since passed away unnoticed..." Yu Tianguang was about to say that with Chen Mobai's talent, he would have achieved what he had today even without his recommendation, when he heard Cheng Xuan's words and his eyes immediately widened.

What? Nascent Divinity? He only formed a Nascent Soul a hundred years ago! He ascended to Nascent Divinity so quickly?

"Chunyang, you... you..." Yu Tianguang stammered, his voice trembling. He had already been deeply moved when Chen Mobai, as the Head of the True Law Palace, personally came to pick him up from prison. Now, knowing that this person was already the Immortal Sect's top Nascent Divinity True Monarch, he was so shocked he couldn't speak clearly.

"My achievements today are largely due to True Person Yu's help in converting my Pure Yang spiritual energy with the Lamp Lighting Art, which laid the foundation for the Pure Yang Scroll, a Nascent Divinity cultivation method." Chen Mobai smiled faintly, speaking very humbly.

"True Monarch, you flatter me; I merely offered a negligible amount of help." Yu Tianguang was self-aware. At that time, seeing Chen Mobai's excellent combat abilities, he thought Chen Mobai might become the face of the Dancing Weapon Dao Academy, like Lan Haitien, and thus wanted to recruit him. However, he only thought Chen Mobai could at most form a Nascent Soul, never imagining he would now ascend to Nascent Divinity.

"Let's not dwell on this. What are your plans for the future, Little Yu?" Cheng Xuan chuckled. Regardless, Chen Mobai was now the leader of the Dancing Weapon Dao Academy, the towering tree of their lineage.

After listening, Yu Tianguang repeated what he had told Chen Mobai.

"In that case, you could find a simple job in Red City Cave Heaven, or perhaps at the Heavenly Crafting Artifact Factory. With your Core Formation cultivation base, being a senior consultant wouldn't be an issue." Cheng Xuan proposed a good plan. Yu Tianguang's attainments in artifact refining were decent, and after his unsealing, he had recovered his Core Formation realm. The Heavenly Crafting Artifact Factory was directly affiliated with the Dancing Weapon Dao Academy, and its current director, Zhou Tiangong, was also an acquaintance of Chen Mobai.

"I think it's better for me to live in seclusion. Although I have two True Monarchs vouching for me, I'd rather not cause any trouble for the Dao Academy." Yu Tianguang shook his head. He was already content just being able to breathe free air. If he went to the Heavenly Crafting Artifact Factory, the entire factory would be put on the Enforcement Department's priority list, and inspections would become frequent.

"If that's the case, why not go to the back mountain and help guard the gate?" Chen Mobai offered his suggestion after hearing this.

"The back mountain? Isn't that..." Cheng Xuan initially didn't react, but then his eyes widened, and he looked at Chen Mobai with some disbelief.

"Yes, Ah Xing has been guarding the main gate for so many years and felt he was the only one who never got a vacation. He complained to me recently. With True Person Yu there, they can perfectly split the shifts—one day on, one day off. Furthermore, the back mountain gate isn't usually open, and no students go there, so it's very quiet and leisurely." Chen Mobai nodded, explaining the reason for this arrangement.

Qianxing's reincarnated self, under Chen Mobai's arrangements, had already formed a Foundation. However, due to his addiction to games, he was unwilling to give up his gatekeeper job and had been doing it for over a decade. But no matter how leisurely the job, not having a vacation for over a decade was unbearable. Earlier, when Deng Daoyun celebrated his Nascent Soul formation, all staff at the Dancing Weapon Dao Academy were given a holiday. Qianxing's reincarnated self also attended the banquet and casually mentioned it to Chen Mobai when they met. Chen Mobai naturally took his former leader's matter seriously. He had originally planned to recruit externally, but before he could instruct Zhuang Jialan, he heard that Yu Tianguang had been released. Someone with a past record like him would be perfect for a gatekeeper or security guard position. Moreover, Qianxing's reincarnated self had also self-taught the Soul Devouring Art. Chen Mobai felt they would be a perfect match as partners.

"Little Yu, are you willing to be a gatekeeper?" Cheng Xuan, after hearing Chen Mobai's telepathic explanation, also nodded and then asked Yu Tianguang. The latter thought for a moment, decided it was indeed the most suitable for him, and nodded.

Subsequently, the two Nascent Divinity True Monarchs of the Dancing Weapon Dao Academy personally took Yu Tianguang to see his new workplace.

"Principal, old principal, why are you both here today?" As soon as they flew down from the sky, they were spotted by Qianxing's reincarnated self, who was sitting in a lounge chair playing on his phone. The latter immediately hit the pause button and asked with a curious expression.

"Didn't you say it yourself, Ah Xing, that working alone from morning till night is too tiring? So we found you a new person." Chen Mobai smiled and conversed with the young man in front of him. Cheng Xuan, standing beside him, also wore a benevolent expression, occasionally interjecting to ask how the young man was doing, if he was satisfied with his various benefits and accommodations, and so on.

"Great! Someone's finally here. Just to be clear, I have more seniority, so I'll definitely be the team leader." Qianxing's reincarnated self was named Chen Xingxing. Due to his long-term internet addiction, his personality was somewhat unrestrained and blunt. Seeing Yu Tianguang's aged appearance, he immediately asserted his leadership.

"Of course. You're the veteran employee, rich in experience. This is Little Yu's first time working, and he might not be fully adapted to everything, so we'll have to trouble you to guide him more." Cheng Xuan stood to Chen Xingxing's right, nodding with a smile, and pointed to Yu Tianguang. Chen Mobai also wore the same kind expression.

This struck Yu Tianguang as very strange. He thought, could this Chen Xingxing also have the potential for Nascent Divinity, or perhaps he had an extremely powerful background? But no matter how powerful, could it be greater than a Nascent Divinity True Monarch? Why were the two Nascent Divinity True Monarchs of the Dancing Weapon Dao Academy being overly polite?

"Little Yu, get to know Ah Xing well. You can start work tomorrow." Cheng Xuan said to Yu Tianguang. Yu Tianguang nodded, then proactively introduced himself to Chen Xingxing.

"Oh, by the way, what's your number? I'll add you as a friend first." Chen Xingxing nodded, picked up his phone, and asked.

Yu Tianguang was instantly awkward. He had just been released from prison and hadn't had time to buy a phone.

"We came in a hurry. Little Yu must have forgotten his phone in the interview office. Ah Xing, why don't you tell him your number, and Little Yu can add you when he gets back." Cheng Xuan immediately came up with an excuse. Chen Xingxing didn't suspect anything, casually rattled off a string of numbers, and then stared straight at them.

Chen Mobai immediately understood that Chen Xingxing wanted to play his game and they were in the way. He quickly took Cheng Xuan and Yu Tianguang and said their goodbyes.

Halfway there, Cheng Xuan left first, heading to the deepest part of the Myriad Treasures Cave. Deng Daoyun had refined a Dao Fruit from a Cauldron Jade Tree a few years ago and was now preparing to upgrade his natal magical artifact. Cheng Xuan was busy guiding him, hoping to lay the foundation for Deng Daoyun's natal artifact to reach the fifth tier.

After Chen Mobai brought Yu Tianguang back to his office, he asked Zhuang Jialan to help purchase a new phone. He then used his true form, the Azure Bird Nascent Soul Dharma Idol, to unleash the Great Dao of Pure Yang, illuminating Yu Tianguang's entire body and helping him stabilize his cultivation realm.

This scene made Yu Tianguang feel the immense power of a Nascent Divinity True Monarch, and his expression became even more respectful.

"Your natal magical artifact is still sealed in the Enforcement Department's warehouse. I've already sent someone to retrieve it, and it will be delivered in a few days. Get along well with Ah Xing; his talent is exceptional. Perhaps after me, he will be the one supporting the Dao Academy." Chen Mobai found it difficult to reveal Qianxing's true identity, so he said this subtly.

"So that's it, no wonder..." After hearing this, Yu Tianguang's expression cleared with understanding. As he had suspected, Chen Xingxing indeed possessed the potential for Nascent Divinity. This greatly excited him; the thought of potentially witnessing the emergence of a third Nascent Divinity True Monarch in the Dancing Weapon Dao Academy filled his eyes with anticipation.

"Take these spirit stones. Although you were delayed for a hundred years, when the Divine Master Xuan descended upon your body, to unleash greater power, he expanded your Dantian and Qi Sea to the perfected Core Formation level. Now that you're unsealed and I've stabilized your realm with the Great Dao of Pure Yang, from now on, you only need to absorb spiritual energy to cultivate your spiritual power, and you'll reach the ninth level of Golden Core in the shortest possible time." As Chen Mobai spoke, he handed a box of prepared high-grade spirit stones to Yu Tianguang. Yu Tianguang's understanding of the Immortal Sect's spirit stones' value was still from before his imprisonment, and seeing so many, he repeatedly refused.

"Take them. Don't worry about them being too precious. I'm a Nascent Divinity now; these things are inconsequential to me." Chen Mobai directly placed them in Yu Tianguang's hand, who then sheepishly put them into his spatial realm.

"The back mountain is peaceful and uneventful. Cultivate well. If you can catch up in the future, I'll see if I can arrange an opportunity for you to form a Nascent Soul," Chen Mobai said. Although Yu Tianguang looked ancient, he was actually only 330 years old. He had only waited 64 years after graduating from the Dancing Weapon Dao Academy before successfully forming his Core with allocated resources. It was precisely for this reason that Cheng Xuan had placed great hopes on him back then. After that, he served in Danxia City for over a hundred years and was then imprisoned for another hundred years. Considering his age, there was still a slight hope for him to form a Nascent Soul.

After hearing this, Yu Tianguang became even more excited, repeatedly expressing his gratitude.

At this moment, Zhuang Jialan returned with a new phone. Chen Mobai asked her to take Yu Tianguang to get his gatekeeper uniform, arrange accommodation, and so on.

Watching Yu Tianguang leave, Chen Mobai suddenly felt his mind lighten slightly. Although his realm hadn't improved, he felt a step closer to the Great Dao. The thread connecting him and Yu Tianguang had begun when he was eighteen, and only now, after over a hundred years, had it finally concluded. This also made Chen Mobai understand why Qianxing and Bai Guang, after reaching Nascent Divinity, remained secluded in Five Peaks Immortal Mountain, rarely appearing unless for major events. These "threads"—if they could be resolved, it was fine, but many were intractable dead knots. For instance, Bai Guang's regret regarding his parents was eventually resolved only by transferring it to Shi Wanyu's body through the method of "Subtracting to Seek Emptiness." However, for Chen Mobai, it was best if there were fewer such threads, but if they couldn't be resolved, he wasn't afraid. After all, the One Yuan Dao Palace's inheritance contained methods to transfer one's threads to disciples. Of course, to make things easier for his disciples, Chen Mobai planned to divide his threads into two parts: one part, along with the Fruit of Dao Law, would go to Jiang Zongheng, and the other to Zhuo Ming. Both of them had high talent and potential for Nascent Divinity, so they could bear the burden. As for Liu Wenbai and Luo Yixuan, they could simply focus on their cultivation; he wouldn't let them bear such a great responsibility.

Thinking of this, Chen Mobai remembered that he hadn't yet gone to the Great Catalpa Divine Tree to request two pieces of tree heart for making wood spirit talismans. He picked up his phone, preparing to call Wenren Xuewei. But then he immediately recalled that he had hung up on her the previous night. Tao Hua Shangren had something to say. It would be a good opportunity to go to Jumang Dao Academy and meet them both. Chen Mobai's relationship with the Jumang lineage was quite good. His ability to comprehend the Great Dao of Pure Yang owed much to the fifth-tier Myriad Transformations Thunder Water fostering the Five-Cornered Ancient Maple. For this reason alone, he should give Tao Hua Shangren a chance to speak.

Amidst a flash of silver light, Chen Mobai instantly teleported to the location of the Great Catalpa Divine Tree. Soon after, Wenren Xuewei, having received his message, also arrived from the Immortal Sect by performing a Great Void Teleportation.

Familiar with the way, Chen Mobai entered the consciousness space of the Great Catalpa Spirit and spoke to the green-eyed maiden about her impending transformation.

"After the Immortal Sect overcomes the next great calamity of the pioneering war and I achieve Void Refinement, I will release the Heaven Canopy Earth Net Grand Array, allowing you, senior, to be free."

Although the outcome wasn't as hoped, compared to the endless confinement before, there was at least now hope for freedom. Therefore, the green-eyed maiden rose and bowed slightly to Chen Mobai, expressing her gratitude.

"Then I shall look forward to the day True Monarch achieves Void Refinement."