Chapter 20: Peace and Tranquility

Upon checking, Shi frowned immediately.

“It actually shows it’s not within the Immortal Gate’s territory?”

He reported this finding to his boss, who usually maintained a calm demeanor. The boss paused, almost thinking his subordinate was playing a trick on him.

“Our satellite access only allows us to locate the Immortal Gate’s blessed lands and grotto-heavens. Since we can’t find the address, it must be outside the Immortal Gate territory,” Shi explained.

After Shi finished speaking, the boss nodded slightly. “Alright, I understand. Keep a close eye on this account and notify me immediately if there’s any other news.”

Until they were 100% certain it was a Soul Transformation Grand Ancestor, they dared not disturb the Nascent Soul Venerable who was in seclusion. For now, this was all they could do.

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in unison.

Chen Mobai was still worried that the "Auxiliary Cultivation" operator might locate him, leading to questions from Immortal Gate security cultivators. It was only after two days, when no one came looking for him, that he finally relaxed.

That evening, Chen Mobai entered the Water Mansion again. Feeling the pure spiritual energy permeating the surroundings, he couldn't help but nod in satisfaction. Thanks to this second-tier treasure land and his diligent cultivation, his cultivation level was steadily improving. At his current pace, he should be able to attempt breaking through to the sixth level of Qi Cultivation in about two months.

However, this progress was still not enough for him. In his class, there were already Song Zheng and Yan Bingxuan, both at the seventh level of Qi Cultivation. Across the entire grade, there were twelve individuals at this level, all guaranteed admission to the two local major academies. Compared to them, Chen Mobai, at the fifth level of Qi Cultivation, was far from impressive. Moreover, there were three academic prodigies at the eighth level of Qi Cultivation, "Heavenly Chosen Ones" who had the potential to enter the Four Great Dao Academies.

Expanding the scope to the entire Danxia City, the number of geniuses from both private and public schools combined was countless. Not to mention the Heavenly Spiritual Root holder from Immortal Gate First High School, who had already been internally designated by Gou Mang Dao Academy upon admission. Additionally, two other geniuses with Heterogeneous Spiritual Roots had received exemption notices from the Natural Academy. It was rumored that some other high schools even had students at the ninth level of Qi Cultivation, but many were hiding their abilities, waiting to make a stunning debut during the college entrance exam to be selected by the Four Great Dao Academies.

“If only my spiritual root was more outstanding,” Chen Mobai sighed. Although the Immortal Gate’s motto was “Man can conquer heaven,” and stories of individuals with exceptional comprehension and amazing luck establishing merits during expansion wars, receiving rewards from the higher-ups, directly transforming into Heavenly Spiritual Roots, and then rapidly advancing to become venerated ancestors were broadcast daily on TV, those who actually achieved this were few and far between.

While sighing, he picked up his chopsticks and took a chilled fish slice from beside him, putting it into his mouth. The cool, refreshing sensation left him very satisfied. He took out his last spiritual power test paper and measured his spiritual root attribute. Sure enough, his water spiritual root had increased by 2 points, though temporarily. This was the last green carp he had caught near the Water Mansion. Perhaps he had overfished recently, as no green carp dared to approach within a one-li radius anymore. This one was the last, which he had kept chilled since yesterday. Chen Mobai felt no pity; after all, these green carp were delicious and had also boosted his spiritual root attribute.

He didn't waste the fish's efficacy. While his spiritual root was enhanced, he intended to begin cultivating the Five Elements Technique. Ultimately, he still didn't switch to cultivating the Black Water Technique. Besides his water spiritual root not reaching 33 points, it was also because this Black Water Technique had no follow-up chapters. Although the Five Elements Technique was common, the spiritual power cultivated from it was balanced and harmonious, allowing for seamless transition to any other cultivation method. Furthermore, if one didn't mind its weak combat ability, they could use points to exchange for the Foundation Establishment chapter and Golden Core chapter of the Five Elements Technique at the Immortal Gate National Library.

Historically, the highest cultivation of the Five Elements Technique was achieved by a Nascent Soul Venerable named Qingping from the Heaven-Mending Dao Academy. However, after Venerable Qingping broke through to the Nascent Soul stage using the Five Elements Technique, he immediately switched to another cultivation method, because at the same cultivation level, he couldn't defeat anyone.

Chen Mobai recalled the legend of Venerable Qingping's fondness for bullying weaker opponents. Before cultivating, he suddenly, as if possessed, picked up his phone, opened the Auxiliary Cultivation software, and typed "Five Elements Technique" into the search bar at the top. After typing "Five Elements Technique," he remembered that inside this Water Mansion, his phone received no signal at all. He couldn't help but let out a self-deprecating laugh, about to put his phone down and focus on cultivating.

Suddenly, a loading circle appeared on the screen. Then, with a flash, the circle transformed into a turtle shell, eventually filling the entire interface, as if it had connected to a signal. Thousands of pages of search results instantly appeared.

“This…” Chen Mobai felt his mouth go dry, because on the first page, the very first search result had a prominent title:

**Guaranteed Learning, All Insights for Breaking Through to Nascent Soul Stage with the Five Elements Technique**Author: Qingping

With trembling fingers, he tapped the screen. At this moment, Chen Mobai didn't bother to investigate why there was suddenly a signal in the Water Mansion. With a flash, the internet speed was incredibly fast. Chen Mobai clicked into an interface resembling a video website, with the exact title he had seen outside.

It was a video collection! There were twenty-eight videos in total, each thoughtfully labeled with a subtitle:

* Five Elements Technique Qi Cultivation First Level* Five Elements Technique Qi Cultivation Second Level* Five Elements Technique Qi Cultivation Third Level* ...* Up to the last one: Five Elements Technique Nascent Soul First Level

Chen Mobai eagerly scrolled to the interface for the Five Elements Technique Qi Cultivation Fifth Level and clicked to open it.

“Hello, students, this is your Teacher Qingping. Today we will continue to explain the fifth level of the Five Elements Technique. Please turn your Five Elements Technique textbook to page 26. Before we begin this lesson, I’ll go over yesterday’s homework. Although this fundamental Qi Cultivation technique is simple, it contains incredibly rich knowledge. It can even be called the Immortal Gate’s foremost Qi Cultivation technique, the very foundation of the Immortal Gate. This is also why the Immortal Gate strictly mandates that all cultivators must practice the Five Elements Technique during their enlightenment. Even cultivators with Heavenly Spiritual Roots must cultivate the Five Elements Technique to the seventh level before they can switch to a technique of their own attribute. So, what’s the reason behind this? In this lesson, Teacher Qingping will explain it in detail.”

Chen Mobai couldn't resist setting the video to double speed; Qingping was too long-winded. However, after watching the 45-minute instructional video, Chen Mobai's eyes lit up. He then re-listened to Qingping's explanation of the Five Elements Technique cultivation part from the beginning, at normal speed.

Immediately afterward, he eagerly sat cross-legged on the meditation cushion. Chen Mobai felt that he could now cultivate to the sixth level of Qi Cultivation within a month.