Chapter 53: Expelled from the Sect

Indeed,

Although he knew the success rate of Foundation Establishment was very low, Chen Mobai still felt a huge impact after truly witnessing an example of failure.

He still remembered the first time he met Wu Wan, holding a scroll, possessing a scholarly demeanor, and making others feel comfortable in his presence. If it weren't for his later attempt to create a fake transaction to gain points, Chen Mobai's first impression of him would have been truly excellent.

"Are you here to sell gold?"

"Yes, take a look at these; how much can I get for them?"

Chen Mobai didn't ask Wu Wan about the specifics of his Foundation Establishment failure. As soon as the latter spoke, he immediately placed the forty gold bars he had exchanged at the Five Elements Sect's silver shop in Nanxi Market from his bag onto the table.

"Please wait, let me get the scales."

Wu Wan coughed lightly and took down the spirit-tool scales from the shelf, specifically designed to measure the weight and purity of gold. Since the gold was refined with spiritual energy by cultivators for trade in the Sky River Realm, its purity was beyond question.

"The price of gold has risen slightly. How about 4300 merit points for these?"

"That's fine, let's go with that price."

Chen Mobai nodded, and the two quickly completed the transaction.

"Did that needle case sell?"

"No, I'm using it myself."

"If you have any artifacts that need appraisal in the future, you can come to me again. I'll give you a discount."

"Alright."

After agreeing, Chen Mobai bid farewell and left Wu's Gold Shop.

He wondered if Wu Wan would be able to cultivate to the peak of Qi Condensation again before he turned 60. If he could, he surely wouldn't give up another chance to attempt Foundation Establishment. Many cultivators in the Immortal Sect did not consider marriage before the age of 60, all for the sake of achieving Foundation Establishment. For example, Chen Mobai's grandparents both attempted Foundation Establishment twice before turning 60. Only after their appointed time of death did they start considering procreation and forming a family. It was precisely for this reason that after giving birth to the three siblings, Chen Xinglan, the two elders, whose essence and blood were depleted, passed away suddenly when Chen Mobai was very young.

This was also one of the two main schools of thought within the Immortal Sect. One believed that with worldly attachments, the path to immortality would inevitably fail. The other argued that only by embracing the world could one achieve God Transformation and transcend the mortal realm. Chen Mobai had also seen cultivators from both factions debating on various forums and had pondered the question himself. If possible, he naturally wished to cultivate with a clear mind, free from worldly distractions. However, if achieving Foundation Establishment meant abandoning his family, friends, and emotions, he would certainly be unwilling.

At this moment, he deeply wished for a teacher who could answer the doubts in his heart.

Unbeknownst to him, he had already returned to his neighborhood. He looked up, and there was the Evergreen Pharmacy. He couldn't help but smile slightly. After selling the gold, he now had over 6000 merit points remaining on his card, enough to purchase materials for another pool of Qi Replenishing Spirit Water. However, to avoid attracting the attention of the Immortal Sect's regulatory department by trading too much gold, he was already planning to investigate the medicinal materials market in the Sky River Realm to see if he could acquire the three main ingredients there. The four auxiliary ingredients were industrial raw materials that could only be produced on Earth Star. Fortunately, they were inexpensive and not exclusively used for alchemy, so buying a bit extra shouldn't attract attention.

Suppressing the distracting thoughts in his mind, Chen Mobai stopped overthinking. His cultivation progress was what truly mattered. As long as he had enough Qi Replenishing Spirit Water prepared by Qing Nü, and having already cultivated his spiritual sense, he could advance to the seventh layer of Qi Condensation before the entrance exams of the Four Great Daoist Academies.

He walked into the Evergreen Pharmacy and waited for a while. But Qing Nü didn't come out. Had the small alert formation in the backyard failed? He waited a bit longer, but still saw no one. Chen Mobai couldn't help but call out.

"Is anyone here!"

After calling out three times, just as Chen Mobai was about to call Qing Nü, an old man with a prominent nose, deep-set eyes, and wearing a purple robe walked out. He glared unhappily.

"What's all this noise? Can't a man even get some sleep in the afternoon!"

"Um, excuse me, are you Senior Gu? I'm a friend of Qing Nü."

Qing Nü had mentioned her teacher's name before, and Chen Mobai, naturally remembering the name of a Foundation Establishment expert, asked politely after bowing.

"Hmph, don't come looking for her here anymore. I've already expelled that ungrateful disciple from the sect!"

"What!" Chen Mobai's eyes widened in disbelief. "Senior Gu, what do you mean by that? What happened to Qing Nü?"

"Hearing that voice, I recall now. You're that young boss who provided for my unworthy disciple's alchemy, aren't you? Hmph, don't you know that every alchemist's alchemy furnace and medicine pool are personal taboos? I could pretend not to know that ungrateful disciple used you as a dupe, but she shouldn't have used my medicine pool for practice. Committing such a taboo makes expulsion from the sect a light punishment. In the past, I would have crippled all her cultivation!"

"Just for that? What kind of feudal and antiquated thinking is this!"

Hearing Gu Changfeng's sarcastic remarks, Chen Mobai couldn't help but raise his voice, speaking up for Qing Nü.

"You audacious brat, how dare you speak to me like that."

Gu Changfeng erupted in rage. The powerful spiritual aura of a Foundation Establishment cultivator erupted, making it difficult for Chen Mobai to breathe, his legs turning weak, almost forcing him to his knees. Under the invisible, heavy pressure, Chen Mobai's initial anger gradually dissipated, and clarity emerged in his mind. He couldn't help but speak again.

"Senior Gu, Qing Nü used your medicine pool for alchemy because she was entrusted by me. If you are angry, I can compensate you for your losses, and even help you build a new medicine pool. Qing Nü is innocent, and if you expel her from the sect, I will feel guilty for the rest of my life."

"Hmph, quite the big talk. Do you know how many merit points even the smallest medicine pool requires?"

"I don't. Please tell me, Senior. Even if I don't have that many merit points right away, I certainly won't default on the payment."

"The medicine pool in my shop is a low-grade second-tier, worth 800,000 merit points."

"In that case, please give me an account number, Senior. I will transfer the funds to you once I've gathered them. I only ask that you reconsider your decision."

Hearing this, Gu Changfeng narrowed his eyes. Unbeknownst to Chen Mobai, he had already withdrawn his spiritual pressure, and Chen Mobai could breathe freely again.

"It's too late. I've already canceled her disciple registration at the Ministry of Education's Inheritance Hall. She is no longer my disciple, Gu Changfeng."

After saying this, he waved his sleeve, and a powerful surge of spiritual energy pushed Chen Mobai out of the pharmacy.

"Don't come here anymore. You're not welcome."

"Then tell me where I can find Qing Nü?"

His only reply was the resounding slam of the door.

Naturally, Chen Mobai couldn't force open a door sealed by a Foundation Establishment cultivator. He could only turn and head towards Qing Nü's residence from his memory. He remembered the platform where Qing Nü disembarked when they went to see the Jade Phoenix Troupe. It was two stops away. He didn't have time to wait for a vehicle and instead traveled directly using his light body technique.

Inside the pharmacy, Gu Changfeng silently watched Chen Mobai's hurried departure. He then turned to look at the jade business card with a blue background and black characters lying on the counter.

Lan Haitian.