Chapter 34: Arriving at the Airport

Chen Baolan was the uncle who, due to his extraordinary good looks, nearly became an internet celebrity. His spiritual root aptitude was similar to Chen Xinglan's, but unburdened by love or family, he reached the peak of Qi Cultivation Level 9 and attempted Foundation Establishment ten years ago. Unfortunately, he failed.

Chen Yulan, on the other hand, had married a wealthy local businessman and had one daughter.

"When is Uncle coming back?"

Chen Baolan was the only one of the three siblings who was constantly away. His return would mean the whole family was finally reunited, Tang Pancui asked.

"His flight is the day after tomorrow morning, arriving probably in the afternoon. I've already invited Yulan. We'll have dinner together at our house the day after tomorrow, as a farewell for me."

"Bah, bah, bah, what's with this talk of farewell? That's unlucky," she retorted.

Listening to his parents' conversation, Chen Mobai pondered what he could do.

"Oh, Dad," he said, "I still have a bottle of 'Qi Replenishing Spiritual Water' that I managed to buy. You can take it with you to Crimson Cloud Academy."

He remembered the unused bottle and immediately took it out of his school bag.

"Oh, your luck is good; you managed to get this," Chen Xinglan said. "However, this bottle of yours is a middle-grade first-tier item. For someone at Qi Cultivation Level 9, it can only shorten cultivation time by two or three days. You should keep it for yourself."

Chen Xinglan took it, looked at it, then shook his head and handed it back to Chen Mobai.

"Qi Replenishing Spiritual Water" was the most traded medicinal item in the Immortal Sect annually. It came in two tiers and six grades, with varying prices, and was suitable for cultivators at all levels of Qi Cultivation and Foundation Establishment.

As Chen Xinglan was at Qi Cultivation Level 9, this middle-grade first-tier "Qi Replenishing Spiritual Water," which was ten times more effective for Chen Mobai, would only have two or three times the effect for him.

"Don't worry, Dad," Chen Mobai reassured him, "for the past two years, whenever I've had time, I've been monitoring the flagship stores of those large pharmacies. As soon as any top-grade first-tier Qi Replenishing Spiritual Water is released, I'll immediately try to buy it."

At that moment, Chen Mobai regretted not using Guibao to access the Immortal Sect network.

Although higher-level access to the Immortal Sect network wasn't particularly useful, as items still had to be purchased through a scramble, at least flagship stores would notify you in advance when items would be stocked. You would just have to wait for the exact time and compete with other users based on speed and luck.

"I'm very happy that you have this intention," Chen Xinglan said, "but your own cultivation is the most important thing. Besides, didn't you say you're going to the Grand Dao Academy? You'll be leaving Danxia City then."

"Can't I just send it to you after I buy it?" Chen Mobai mumbled.

He mumbled, but he also knew that Chen Xinglan was speaking the truth.

"The most important thing in cultivation is single-mindedness," Chen Xinglan stated. "If your mind is constantly preoccupied with snatching up Qi Replenishing Spiritual Water, it will certainly delay your cultivation. This, in turn, would make me feel guilty. Such a disturbed state of mind would affect your vital energy, and you would certainly fail in Foundation Establishment."

Chen Xinglan said this with a serious expression, making Chen Mobai nod in agreement that if he got into a good Dao Academy, he would prioritize his own cultivation.

However, as he said this, he was thinking of the girl in the white nurse's uniform.

"Oh, right," Chen Mobai asked his parents, "Last time I saw a clerk bottling Qi Replenishing Spiritual Water at the Changqing Pharmacy near the street corner. Can you buy it directly there?"

"Don't even think about that," Tang Pancui replied. "The owner of Changqing Pharmacy is a Foundation Establishment cultivator and a second-tier alchemist certified by the Immortal Sect. He has already signed a twenty-year supply agreement with Baoping Pharmacy, Danxia City's largest pharmacy. All elixirs and spiritual water he refines can only be exclusively supplied to Baoping Pharmacy; he can't even sell them in his own shop."

As expected, his mother was very clear about matters right outside their door, and Tang Pancui's words left Chen Mobai feeling dejected.

"He's already a Foundation Establishment cultivator, how could he still bind himself like that!"

"What do you know?" Tang Pancui scoffed. "Baoping Pharmacy is a nationwide chain pharmacy authorized by Jumang Dao Academy. Alchemists need vast amounts of materials to improve. If they don't rely on large pharmacies, where would they get the chance to practice?"

Tang Pancui truly knew a lot; she spat and began to lecture Chen Mobai.

After hearing this, Chen Mobai completely gave up hope.

He had originally thought he could find a way to buy "Qi Replenishing Spiritual Water."

"So, Dad," he asked, "have you exchanged for the Foundation Establishment chapter of the Molten Fire Art?"

He remembered this matter and asked. This cultivation art from Crimson Cloud Academy could be cultivated up to the Core Formation stage and focused on artifact refining.

"I exchanged for it the day I broke through to Qi Cultivation Level 9," Chen Xinglan replied. "By the way, son, have you decided on your cultivation art after Qi Cultivation Level 7? Will it still be the Five Elements Art?"

Chen Mobai naturally didn't hide anything from his parents, telling them he had chosen the Pure Yang Scroll. However, he didn't mention that he had already exchanged for it. After all, ten thousand points was not a small sum, and explaining it would be a bit difficult, so he simply kept quiet about it.

"Oh, son, your ambition is quite grand," Chen Xinglan remarked. "Actually, the two major academies in our Danxia City were originally offshoots of the Pure Yang Palace. If my Molten Fire Art is cultivated to its peak, it can also lead to the path of the Pure Yang Scroll. However, cultivating the Pure Yang Dharma Body is extremely arduous; you must think it through carefully."

When Chen Xinglan was at Crimson Cloud Academy, he had seen many fellow students attempt to cultivate the Pure Yang Dharma Body, but very few succeeded.

"If one cultivates the Three Yang Body for Foundation Establishment, it can increase the success rate by ten percent," Chen Mobai explained. "I'm cultivating it for that very reason."

Chen Mobai stated his thoughts. His lifelong dream had originally been just to successfully establish his foundation. Although cultivating the Pure Yang Dharma Body was time-consuming, it could increase a cultivator's success rate when breaking through a major realm.

Now that he had acquired the turtle shell's fortuitous opportunity, he was confident he could reach the peak of Qi Cultivation Level 9 before turning 60, so he decided to put some effort into increasing his Foundation Establishment success rate.

If he could find enough spirit stones in the Heavenly River Realm, then the Pure Yang Scroll would be the most suitable cultivation art for him.

"Since that's the case, I won't say anything more," Chen Xinglan said. "How about this: I'll have your mom transfer ten thousand merit points to you."

The Immortal Sect stipulated that everyone's points were personal and could not be shared. However, merit points could be transferred. Chen Xinglan had Tang Pancui transfer ten thousand to Chen Mobai so that he could first accumulate the points needed to exchange for the Qi Cultivation chapter of the Pure Yang Scroll in his own account.

"No need," Chen Mobai quickly said, "You're about to go to Crimson Cloud Academy for Foundation Establishment, which is precisely when you'll need merit points. I've just reached Qi Cultivation Level 6; it's still early for me to break through to the late Qi Cultivation stage. Besides, when I need merit points, I'll naturally ask Mom..."

After much persuasion, Chen Mobai finally managed to stop Chen Xinglan from acting as if he were making final arrangements.

The family of three chatted for a while longer. Only when it was almost time for the last bus to school was Chen Mobai urged out of the house by his parents.

That day after school, Chen Mobai did not go to the Water Mansion.

It was rare for the whole family to be together. Tang Pancui also got off work early and bought many ingredients, showing off her cooking skills.

Chen Xinglan was in high spirits and drank two bottles of wine.

Chen Mobai didn't like the taste of alcohol, but he still accompanied his father for two drinks.

After class on the third day, Chen Mobai stopped pretending and simply didn't go to the school's cultivation room.

He was going to the airport to pick up his uncle, Chen Baolan.

Still using his student card, he took public transport.

But as soon as he entered the airport, he noticed something was off.

"Why are there so many people?!"