Chapter 52: Build Foundation Failure

"Here!"

Early in the morning, Qing Nü called Chen Mobai over and handed him sixteen tubes of Qi-replenishing spiritual water. "It was my first time, so I didn't have much experience. I only managed to mix this many successfully." Qing Nü said, her pretty face slightly flushed with embarrassment.

"You've done very well. Get some good rest, and I'll bring you the next batch of medicinal ingredients in a couple of days." Based on the results, he had probably lost over two thousand contribution points, but Chen Mobai still smiled and comforted her. After all, his contribution points came easily, so he didn't feel too bad about the loss.

"Thank you." Hearing the young man's gentle words, Qing Nü, who had been looking down, couldn't help but lift her head, then gently rubbed her slightly reddened eyes.

Chen Mobai offered a few more words of comfort, then asked his homeroom teacher for leave. He was going to Scarlet Cloud Academy to deliver the Qi-replenishing spiritual water to his father, who was in seclusion, along with a copy of a Foundation Establishment cultivation experience he had transcribed, which ranked relatively high on the auxiliary software.

It took Chen Mobai nearly an hour and a half by bus to reach Scarlet Cloud Academy. Fortunately, this place was considered one of Danxia City's tourist attractions, so no procedures were required for entry; otherwise, Chen Xinglan would have had to come out and pick him up. At the foot of Jade Spirit Peak, Chen Mobai encountered Yan Xiang again, the man who had given him the phoenix tree saplings.

"Waiting for Old Chen, are we? He usually comes out around noon." Yan Xiang's face was kindly as he held a roster, seemingly checking something.

"Hello, Uncle Yan. Are you busy? Is there anything I can help with?" Chen Mobai asked politely. The latter immediately waved his hand, indicating he could manage on his own.

"Some representatives from the Daoist academies and imperial colleges are residing on the spiritual peak, right? I need to prepare their daily meals, and there are some dietary restrictions to be mindful of. I just need to double-check the ingredients." Only after Yan Xiang spoke did Chen Mobai realize that, without him noticing, half the semester had already passed. The college entrance examination was only about forty-five days away.

"So, do you feel confident about getting into a Daoist academy or imperial college?"

"I'll do my best." Chen Mobai wasn't arrogant; his face was humble. Primarily, he had been busy exploring the Celestial River Realm during this period and hadn't done his schoolwork for a long time, so he truly wasn't very confident in his knowledge reserves.

However, he had now cultivated his spiritual sense, greatly increasing his learning efficiency. As long as he worked hard during this time, he should be able to catch up. While the college entrance examination's score threshold was relatively easy to meet, the entrance exams for the various Daoist academies were the most difficult hurdle. Especially the entrance exams for the four major Daoist academies; every year they were considered hellishly difficult, and in many years, Danxia City didn't even admit a single student due to a lack of qualified candidates. However, it was precisely this "rather go without than have substandard" attitude that made gaining admission to the four major Daoist academies the lifelong dream of every student in the Immortal Sect.

*Creak!*

Just then, the wooden door of Chen Xinglan's cave abode opened, and he walked out.

"Didn't I tell you to focus on your college entrance exam? Why are you wasting time coming here?" Chen Xinglan first greeted Yan Xiang, then, after the latter left, he frowned and reprimanded his son.

"I managed to get some Qi-replenishing spiritual water, so I brought it to you. Also, this is a compilation of Foundation Establishment cultivation experiences I found online; you can take a look when you have time." Chen Mobai handed Chen Xinglan ten packaged tubes of Qi-replenishing spiritual water, along with a notebook he had printed at a local print shop.

"Son, I appreciate your intentions, but I also want you to understand that your achievements would make me happier and prouder than my own successful Foundation Establishment." Chen Xinglan spoke to Chen Mobai with a serious expression. Chen Mobai met his father's gaze for a long time before lowering his head.

"I understand, Dad."

"This Qi-replenishing spiritual water is mid-grade first-tier; for me, its effect is barely better than nothing. But since it's your intention, I'll take half of it. As for the Foundation Establishment cultivation experiences, Scarlet Cloud Academy's library has at least a thousand copies, and all of them are insights related to my 'Molten Fire Art.' Don't spend your time on these things in the future. Work hard yourself. If you can get into one of the ten major imperial colleges, your mother and I will be proud of you for the rest of our lives." After a good talk, Chen Mobai understood Chen Xinglan's feelings.

For a father, a son's success is a source of greater joy than his own achievements. Chen Mobai couldn't quite understand this, perhaps because he didn't have a son. However, he didn't argue with his father, simply nodding in silence.

After having lunch together, the father and son parted ways. Chen Xinglan returned to his cave abode to continue his seclusion. Chen Mobai stood at the bus stop, waiting for public transportation.

"Young brother, I didn't expect to see you here again." At that moment, a familiar voice rang out. Chen Mobai turned his head and saw the young man in the blue and white robe who had asked for directions near his home earlier. He smiled and greeted him.

"Hello, are you a student here?"

"I'm just here to visit a senior who teaches here. I haven't yet asked for your name, young brother. I've only been in this blessed land of Danxia for a few days, and to meet you twice shows we are truly fated."

"My name is Chen Mobai, and I'm a student at Immortal Sect Fifth High School!" If he were in the Celestial River Realm, Chen Mobai certainly wouldn't dare to reveal his identity, but on the Mortal Star, as a disciple of the Immortal Sect, his face was open and candid.

"My name is Lan Haitain." As soon as Lan Haitain stated his name, Chen Mobai recalled the business card Qing Nü had held, which seemed to identify him as a classmate of the Evergreen Pharmacy owner. It appeared he might indeed be a true Foundation Establishment cultivator. Chen Mobai thought to himself, maintaining a calm demeanor.

Just then, the bus back to Danxia City arrived. Chen Mobai said a quick goodbye to Lan Haitain. "My bus is here; I'm leaving now." If he hadn't had something to do today, Chen Mobai would have wanted to chat with Lan Haitain longer.

"May we meet again if fate allows." After bidding farewell, Lan Haitain walked towards the highest spiritual peak of Scarlet Cloud Academy.

"You're too late; we were just waiting for you." Under the canopy of the Jade Phoenix Tree, several people were already seated. Seeing Lan Haitain arrive, a young man in a white suit couldn't help but say with a frown.

"My apologies. I was up late last night chatting by candlelight with a senior brother I hadn't seen in a long time, and I lost track of time in the excitement." Lan Haitain's face was filled with apology.

"Alright, now that everyone's here, let's take a look at this year's examination papers." The Crimson-robed True Person, seated at the head, nodded and motioned for the man in green robes beside him to hand the copied papers to the representatives of the four major Daoist academies and several imperial colleges.

"Wasn't True Person Shiqing supposed to preside?"

"She had a breakthrough a few days ago and entered death seclusion, so she sent word to entrust the matter to me." As he spoke, the Crimson-robed True Person had a look of frustration on his face.

Back in Danxia City, Chen Mobai arrived at Wu's Gold Shop, where he had done business before, carrying a large bag full of exchanged gold.

"Cough, cough... it's you..." However, Wu Wan's condition greatly surprised Chen Mobai. The once full-faced, elegant young man now looked gaunt, with pale hair, as if he had suddenly aged from youth to middle age.

"I failed my Foundation Establishment, losing vital essence and blood, and my Qi Condensation realm also dropped from perfection. Please excuse my appearance."