Chapter 548: Returning to the Sect

Pure Nine-Lotus Treasure Lantern:

“You are the master of the Violet Lightning Sword, and my daughter is the master of the Azure Frost Sword. If the two of you practice the Violet-Azure Demon Refining Scripture together and condense the Nine Heavens Pure Spirit Violet Radiance Qi, the chances of breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage will greatly increase. In the future, you will be the second pair like Green Stone and Green Mirror; won’t you become an envied divine couple, with your twin swords merged as one?”

Revered Peach Blossom reiterated her suggestion, this being the primary reason she wanted Chen Mobai as her son-in-law.

With her as a backer, Pei Qingshuang's successful formation of a Core would undoubtedly be assured. Even if she failed this time, Revered Peach Blossom could use her own Nascent Soul cultivator's years of service to help Pei Qingshuang exchange for another Golden Liquid Jade Restoration Pill.

However, when it came to spiritual treasures for Nascent Soul formation, even she couldn't procure a second set for Pei Qingshuang.

This meant that if Pei Qingshuang couldn't successfully form a Nascent Soul on her first attempt, she might be stuck at the Core Formation stage for the rest of her life.

And among the immortal sects, the most suitable method for Pei Qingshuang to significantly increase her chances of forming a Nascent Soul was to cultivate the Violet-Azure Demon Refining Scripture.

Although her daughter had not yet spiritually communicated with the Azure Frost Sword, Revered Peach Blossom knew it was only a matter of time. As long as Pei Qingshuang could form her Core and her cultivation grew steadily, the Azure Frost Sword, seeing hope, would eventually yield.

The combined power of Violet Lightning and Azure Frost would allow them to more easily draw upon the energy of the Two Poles and refine it into the Nine Heavens Pure Spirit Violet Radiance Qi. Given her status, Revered Peach Blossom was well aware of this.

After reading Lan Haitian's battle report on the slaying of the Master of the Blooming Monastery, Revered Peach Blossom learned that Chen Mobai had astonishingly achieved Human-Sword Unity with the Violet Lightning Sword, and his sword heart was thoroughly clear. Her emotions were utterly shocked.

She was most clear about her daughter's talent in swordsmanship. Though it was partly due to her using Enlightenment Tea to give special tutoring, within the immortal sects, her daughter was only inferior to the four individuals such as Hao Cao and Nangong Xuanyu.

But compared to Chen Mobai, the gap was simply too vast!

It could only be said that his potential for Soul Transformation was truly terrifying!

Given the stark difference when comparing him to her own daughter, Revered Peach Blossom now firmly believed in Chen Mobai's aptitude as the immortal sect's foremost genius.

This was also one of the reasons she accepted the Danxia City mission this time.

To see if she could find herself a fine son-in-law!

“Thank you for your generous offer, Revered One, but I believe relying on external individuals or objects to assist in Nascent Soul formation can lead to an unstable foundation. Therefore, I wish to form my Nascent Soul by myself.”

Since Chen Mobai had refused from the beginning, he naturally wouldn't go back on his word later.

However, he still came up with an excuse and stated that if he successfully formed his Nascent Soul in the future, he would use the Violet Lightning Sword to help Pei Qingshuang, provided it didn't affect his own foundation.

Upon hearing this, Revered Peach Blossom's expression turned somewhat cold.

Forming a Nascent Soul by himself!?

What a joke!

Even she, a spiritual plant of heaven and earth with a profound foundation, needed the continuous drip irrigation of Myriad Transformation Thunder Water from the predecessors of Jumang Daoist Academy to finally take on human form.

She admitted that this young man might possess the potential for Soul Transformation, but he was a bit too self-confident and arrogant.

It seemed she would have to wait for him to experience enough hardships before trying to recruit him as a son-in-law again.

Revered Peach Blossom had a long lifespan, and was confident she could wait until Chen Mobai reached the peak of Core Formation, only to hit a wall before the Nascent Soul barrier.

Behind Revered Peach Blossom stood a group of young men and women with youthful faces. Though all were at the Foundation Establishment stage, it was clear at a glance that they were Jumang Daoist Academy students who had not yet ventured out of their "ivory tower."

At this moment, they all looked at Chen Mobai with expressions of reverence.

Over the past two or three decades, Chen Mobai had been a legend within the Daoist academies and schools, and the goal they aspired to.

And today, Chen Mobai resolutely refused Revered Peach Blossom, expressing his confidence in forming a Nascent Soul by himself, which shocked and filled them with even greater awe!

Neither stunning beauty nor the opportunity for Nascent Soul formation could make him bow his head or furrow his brow.

Was this the confidence and Dao heart of the immortal sect's foremost genius!

“In that case, I'll take over here. You may leave now.”

After Chen Mobai's second refusal, the smile vanished from Revered Peach Blossom's face. With a gentle flick of her sleeve, she turned directly and walked towards the Jade Phoenix Tree.

How could she just turn hostile so quickly!

Chen Mobai was somewhat unaccustomed to Revered Peach Blossom's manner. Everyone in the immortal sects treated him with politeness and deference.

“The Headmistress is just like that; she has a straightforward personality and doesn't like beating around the bush.”

Qing Nü, however, leaned closer and explained in Chen Mobai's ear.

Perhaps due to her transformation from a spiritual entity, Revered Peach Blossom had attained the Nascent Soul realm upon manifesting. Unlike Revered Narcissus, who had spent ten years mingling in Kunpeng Daoist Academy, Revered Peach Blossom exhibited a disposition of doing as she pleased, speaking whatever came to mind.

After all, her starting point was the Nascent Soul realm, and only Soul Transformation Patriarchs throughout the entire immortal sect could make her cautious.

Therefore, hearing Chen Mobai repeatedly reject her good intentions, Revered Peach Blossom was naturally quite displeased.

If it weren't for the fact that the Dance Weapon Daoist Academy, backing this young man, happened to have a Soul Transformation Patriarch, Patriarch Bai Guang, Revered Peach Blossom would certainly not have let the matter rest.

However, upon hearing Revered Peach Blossom's words dismissing him, Chen Mobai was inwardly delighted.

“Then I'll leave this troublesome task to you, Revered One.”

After a polite remark, Chen Mobai cheerfully packed up his tea table, tea set, and other items he had laid out on the mountaintop, and left the place with a relaxed expression.

This fellow...

Seeing Chen Mobai's demeanor, Revered Peach Blossom couldn't help but feel even more annoyed. In the past, whenever she showed displeasure at the academy, those below her would sigh helplessly and comply with virtually all her requests.

“Headmistress, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now.”

At this moment, Qing Nü also came over and asked Revered Peach Blossom.

“We'll be setting up the Water Essence Clear River Grand Formation shortly. I recall you have the Heavenly Water Spirit Root, don't you? You'll be of great help.”

Revered Peach Blossom, however, called out to Qing Nü. This time, she had brought a group of Jumang Daoist Academy students, treating the mission as a practical internship. With the help of Qing Nü, an outstanding graduate, she would have a much easier time.

“Oh...”

Upon hearing this, Qing Nü's face, which had been full of smiles because Chen Mobai had refused Revered Peach Blossom, instantly fell. She lowered her head and replied.

“Lan Haitian, lead the immortal sect's people to suppress the fire veins of Danxia Mountain in these locations using spirit nails. Once I instruct the students to embed the formation flags, you can then release...”

Soon, Revered Peach Blossom began issuing commands. With a swipe of her slender right hand in the air, a gigantic 3D map appeared, vividly manifesting the entire Danxia mountain range. Then, with another movement of her left hand, an azure-blue formation diagram materialized and settled onto the 3D map. As the two overlapped, red and blue dots immediately began to light up.

The red dots indicated the spiritual hubs of the fire veins that Lan Haitian needed to suppress with spirit nails.

The blue dots marked the positions where the Jumang Daoist Academy students needed to embed the formation flags.

At least all those present were Foundation Establishment cultivators. After Revered Peach Blossom's single explanation using the 3D graphics, they virtually all understood it perfectly.

Then, through continuous coordination, they began suppressing the fire veins, spiritual plants, and setting up the grand formation...

When Chen Mobai reached the foot of the mountain, he glanced back. Seeing the enthusiastic activity already underway on the mountain, he left with peace of mind.

With Revered Peach Blossom overseeing the situation, even if the true form of the Divine Imperator Palace Master were to appear, they wouldn't be able to turn the tables!

Furthermore, due to the incident with the Master of the Blooming Monastery, Danxia City was likely now on the immortal sect's priority list. From now on, the Heaven-Mending Squad would surely focus their attention here, meaning there was no longer a need to worry about infiltration and covert operations by the Ascension Cult.

After leaving the Danxia mountain range, Chen Mobai returned to Danxia City.

Besides visiting his parents and family, he also wanted to find out if any acquaintances had been apprehended by Lan Haitian.

He found that there were quite a few.

The principal of Immortal Sect Fifth High School, as well as several teachers who graduated from the two local academies, were still being held.

Besides these, his former deskmate Lu Hongsheng, who had returned from military service, had also attended a local academy.

In addition to these Qi Cultivators, there was also Shi Qujin, a Foundation Establishment cultivator with whom Chen Mobai had a good relationship...

Upon learning of Chen Mobai's return, his high school homeroom teacher Chai Deyun, Lu Hongsheng's wife Yu Shu, his old classmate Shi Jingjing, and others, all came to his door bearing gifts.

“I'll go and ask for you.”

Chen Mobai had always been very considerate of others, but since it concerned the Ascension Cult, he also needed to understand the situation.

Chen Mobai waited two days, until Lan Haitian returned from the Danxia mountain range, and invited him to a meal.

“Most of these have already been investigated thoroughly and can be released.”

Lan Haitian was very straightforward upon hearing this, and the next day, he released everyone except Shi Qujin.

“The status of Foundation Establishment cultivators is different. If they are to be released, the procedure will be much more complicated. It requires a seal of approval from the Enforcement Department over at Wangwu Grotto-Heaven. However, rest assured, I've already spoken with Lan Haitian and asked him to expedite the process as quickly as possible.”

Sitting at home, Chen Mobai said to Shi Jingjing, Cao Yaling, Shi Yuanqing, and Xu Yuan, who were seated opposite him.

Shi Qujin had graduated from Chixia Academy, and because he had stayed in Danxia City for a long time, practically never leaving, and was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he was apprehended under heavy suspicion.

Even though Cao Yaling and Shi Yuanqing were both Foundation Establishment cultivators, they had personally come for this matter, but were helpless.

“Thank you, old classmate, for helping to smooth things over.”

As Shi Qujin's daughter, Shi Jingjing repeatedly thanked Chen Mobai upon leaving. She had married Xu Yuan; neither of them had successfully reached Foundation Establishment. They had held their wedding after returning from military service, and now had a son and a daughter.

Were it not for Shi Qujin's arrest, their lives would have been perfectly happy and fulfilling.

“It's nothing. Brother Shi and I have a good relationship. As long as it's not related to the Ascension Cult, I'll definitely help.”

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Chen Mobai watched his four old classmates leave, feeling a slight pang of emotion.

The scene of them playing and joking in the classroom in earlier days still seemed vivid before his eyes, yet in the blink of an eye, the lively and adorable Shi Jingjing had become a mature woman.

Even Cao Yaling and Shi Yuanqing, both Foundation Establishment cultivators, were reserved and respectful in his presence. This scene made Chen Mobai feel a sense of loneliness.

As years passed, nothing could ever return to how it once was.

Feeling a surge of emotion, Chen Mobai knew that his time with his family would become increasingly scarce in the future. Thus, he specially brought his parents back to Qingshan Village to celebrate the Spring Festival with his grandparents.

After the New Year, Chen Mobai returned to Yumu City.

He didn't go to see Gu Changfeng, and continued to govern through non-action, as before.

Instead, Yumu City and Qingsang Academy, after hearing about Chen Mobai's glorious achievement of slaying the Master of the Blooming Monastery with three swords, took the initiative to visit him and inquire if he had any instructions for the new year.

In response, Chen Mobai stated that everything should proceed as usual, then left behind a Formless Humanoid Puppet and returned to Giant Wood Ridge.

He first checked Luo Yixuan's soul lamp, and after confirming that his young disciple was still alive, he then summoned Zhuo Ming.

“Master, recently, while caring for that black spiritual plant, I've been hearing an unfamiliar voice guiding me...”

After Zhuo Ming finished reporting on her current tasks, she hesitated for a moment before also mentioning Zhou Shengqing's guidance.

“That is the Daoist sound left behind by a senior. Just listen to it. If you encounter anything you don't understand in the future, you can also confide in it; perhaps you'll receive an answer.”

Chen Mobai knew it was Zhou Shengqing, so he reassured Zhuo Ming and told her to treat him as another teacher.

“Yes, Master!”

With Chen Mobai's permission, Zhuo Ming finally relaxed. In the Heavenly River Realm, even within the same sect, changing allegiances while one's master was still alive was a very serious matter.

Liu Wenbai was not in Giant Wood Ridge. He had gone to the Ming Kingdom last year, arriving at the Five Elements Sect's Primal Chaos Immortal City before Chen Mobai.

After meeting with his disciples, Chen Mobai then summoned Yue Zutao, who reported on various sect matters.

Mainly, there were more rebellions in Yan Kingdom, Xiao Kingdom, and Hong Kingdom, as they were newly subjugated territories. Fortunately, the three kingdom protectors had brought many disciples from the sect, and with the Divine Wood Sect as their backing, they could summon Foundation Establishment cultivators at any time, so the rebellions were now mostly suppressed.

“In Yan Kingdom, Xuanao Dao Palace has sent another Core Formation cultivator, Fang Xuanyang. Centering on the Nanxuan Sect of Baose Mountain, he is gradually encroaching upon and recruiting rogue cultivators by using Foundation Establishment Pills. Sect Master, how do you think we should handle this?”

Another Core Formation cultivator?

Chen Mobai couldn't help but frown slightly. He was tempted to take up his sword and go to Yan Kingdom to slay him, but remembering that Zhou Shengqing had not yet transformed into a Dharma Body Nascent Soul, and Xuanao Dao Palace had a true Nascent Soul cultivator, he immediately calmed down.

Perhaps this Fang Xuanyang was sent by Xuanao Dao Palace specifically to test whether Zhou Shengqing had truly formed a Nascent Soul.

“I'll write a letter; you can pass it to E Yun.”

After some thought, Chen Mobai decided to defeat the Nanxuan Sect honorably through commercial means.

After Yue Zutao left, Chen Mobai began cultivating in seclusion at his Longevity Wood Daoist sanctuary.

With the continuous conversion of high-grade spirit stones, his speed in enhancing the Golden Flame using the Ignition Art greatly increased. Soon, within just one month, he condensed the nine Azure Flame Sword Baleful Auras into a fist-sized Golden Flame.

This Golden Flame was precisely the minimum requirement to cast the Blazing Sun Slash.

That day, Yue Zutao and others, who were working in Divine Wood City, suddenly felt two powerful and intense spiritual energy fluctuations emanating from the direction of the Longevity Wood. Following that, a warm breeze swept through, and the snow on the rooftops suddenly melted into water. This scene caused them to feel a touch of surprise.

Among the crowd, only Xie Yuntian from the Sword Practice Department seemed to realize something.

He looked towards Chen Mobai's Longevity Wood Daoist sanctuary with an expression of profound reverence!