Chapter 588: 60 Foundation Pills

Since meeting Chen Mobai, Bian Jingchun had always felt overshadowed by him. After Chen Mobai achieved Core Formation, she believed she would never surpass him in her lifetime. To her surprise, Chen Mobai suddenly decided to learn artifact refinement and even sought guidance from her own teacher.

When Hong Mengkui called, Bian Jingchun happened to be making tea nearby. Hearing the news, she couldn't help but smile and send a text message: "Senior Sister, what level artifact refiner are you?"

Immediately, Chen Mobai texted back: "Me? Just third-tier, I guess!"

Bian Jingchun's hands trembled slightly as she typed. As the top graduate of the Weapon Crafting Academy, and with the guidance of master refiner Hong Mengkui, she had easily passed the third-tier professional assessment on her first attempt.

"Only third-tier?"

Chen Mobai's message made Bian Jingchun's eyes widen in exasperation. Her hands flew across the keyboard as she typed a long reply: "What do you mean 'only' third-tier? As a Foundation Establishment cultivator, third-tier is already the peak of my profession! And I passed the exam only two years after graduation. Few in the entire Immortal Sect can get this certificate before the age of thirty. I'm praised as a rising star in the Artifact Refiners' Association, and once I achieve Core Formation, fourth-tier will be no problem..."

"Oh, you haven't achieved Core Formation yet!"

Chen Mobai's reply made Bian Jingchun clench her fists. With no possible rebuttal, she could only retreat: "Junior Brother, I have something to attend to. Let's talk when I'm free."

Chen Mobai couldn't help but smile as he read Bian Jingchun's message. Only among the Immortal Sect could he find such relaxed and easygoing friends.

In the following period, Chen Mobai began self-studying knowledge related to artifact refinement. With his Core Formation realm, he absorbed the entire framework of Immortal Sect artifact refinement from first and second-tier textbooks within half a year. During this time, he naturally encountered some specialized knowledge that required consultation with experts. As these were relatively simple matters, Chen Mobai didn't bother the retired Hong Mengkui, instead seeking guidance from Senior Sister Bian Jingchun.

Bian Jingchun, of course, answered every question. She even posted about it on her social circle, boasting that she was guiding someone with the potential for Soul Transformation. This drew numerous praises from her good friends.

"This is third-tier knowledge. I can only offer my opinion. You should also ask Teacher Hong about this later."

When Chen Mobai called Bian Jingchun for advice again that day, she became cautious. She couldn't risk leading a Soul Transformation potential astray due to her own limited expertise!

After their discussion, Chen Mobai consulted Hong Mengkui, and the answer he received was largely similar to Bian Jingchun's. However, Hong Mengkui's explanation was more focused on the macro level, considering future upgrade possibilities for artifacts, overall balance, and so on, while Bian Jingchun typically provided standard answers based on the specific questions. Yet, the fact that she could answer every one of Chen Mobai's questions already indicated Bian Jingchun's extraordinary mastery in the path of artifact refinement.

Chen Mobai: "Senior Sister truly lives up to being the academy's top graduate. When teachers Hong, Deng, and others grow old, you'll be the one carrying the banner of artifact refinement for the academy!"

Bian Jingchun: "Oh, please. Among the younger generation at the academy, there's someone with even greater talent in artifact refinement than me. I'll probably only be able to carry the secondary banner."

Chen Mobai: "Who?"

Bian Jingchun: "Your good brother!"

Chen Mobai was genuinely unaware that Ming Yihua held such a position in the artifact refinement industry. But upon reflection, being able to obtain a third-tier artifact refiner certificate while still a student indeed showcased talent and skill superior to Bian Jingchun's. If not for the astonishing quality of the 5012 graduating class, which included him with his Soul Transformation potential and Zhongli Tianyu, a descendant of Soul Transformation cultivators, Ming Yihua, as the head of the artifact refinement department, would have rightfully been the leader of their cohort. After all, the Weapon Crafting Academy's artifact refinement major was undoubtedly the best in the Immortal Sect.

Unfortunately, his good brother was too busy now.

Amidst these thoughts, Chen Mobai had already self-studied for a year in the Immortal Sect, finally mastering all aspects of crafting his destined artifact. Since he didn't intend to get a third-tier artifact refiner certificate, after completing the foundational knowledge system of first and second-tier artifact refinement, he only needed to focus on this specific area. Hong Mengkui, who periodically checked his learning progress, was very puzzled by this, but Chen Mobai had already prepared an excuse: he was preparing to refine the Pure Yang set in the future.

"The Pure Yang set, you say... You achieved Core Formation early, so you have plenty of time to pursue that. However, for artifacts, one or two are usually sufficient. If you're truly free, you could try the 'Can Tong Qi,' as many fourth and fifth-tier artifacts in the Immortal Sect are currently idle." Hong Mengkui gently advised. Even as a master refiner from the Weapon Crafting Academy, his attitude towards artifact refinement was one of practicality and efficiency. However, his subsequent words made Chen Mobai's heart pound. "It's just that Patriarch Yuanyang's Pure Yang set belongs to the Pure Yang Academy, and Nanggong Xuanyu is also there. But with the influence of our Weapon Crafting Academy, if the principal were to intervene, it might not be impossible to acquire one or two pieces for you."

The Immortal Sect was currently in an era of peace and prosperity, but an expansion war might erupt decades later. At that time, sealed high-tier artifacts would surely be released by the Immortal Sect. If not for Nanggong Xuanyu, Chen Mobai, with his Soul Transformation potential, would be the prime candidate for the Pure Yang set. In that case, there truly was no need for him to refine the Pure Yang set himself.

Chen Mobai: "Teacher Hong, I'm planning to start practicing artifact refinement to apply my knowledge. Here are some designs I've created; please take a look."

Hong Mengkui: "Hmm, to truly integrate knowledge, uniting theory and practice is the fastest way."

Chen Mobai was now theoretically a quasi-third-tier artifact refiner. After examining the various parameter annotations on the blueprints Chen Mobai sent, Hong Mengkui nodded in satisfaction. But then he looked at the materials list and couldn't help but frown.

Hong Mengkui: "Just use first-tier materials to practice. These second-tier materials are too valuable for a beginner like you... And why are there even third-tier ones...?"

Chen Mobai: "The blueprints specify the best material grades, but I'll definitely downgrade them when actually practicing."

Materials were scarce in the Immortal Sect. If a cultivator wanted to refine their destined artifact, they would surely strive for perfection, and just collecting the materials would take a long time. For example, when Che Yucheng first achieved Core Formation, it took him a total of eight years to gather all the necessary chips, materials, and so on for refining a third-tier puppet. Some Core Formation True Lords couldn't even collect all the materials before their passing. There was no alternative; only a limited number of good items of third-tier and above appeared in the Immortal Sect each year, and everyone was vying for them. Some high-tier items were even being eyed by Nascent Soul Venerables.

"Thank you for your guidance, Teacher Hong."

As they spoke, the two concluded their session for the day.

Chen Mobai watched the disconnected video call on the screen, picked up the printed blueprints beside him, activated the Turtle Treasure, and returned to the Tianhe Realm.

"Sect Master, these are the artifact refinement materials collected according to your list."

In the Divine Wood Hall, Luo Xue'er handed a storage pouch to Chen Mobai. Materials were scarce in the Immortal Sect, but abundant in the Eastern Barrens! As the Sect Master of the Divine Wood Sect, he now had little concern for first and second-tier materials. Only the loss of third-tier materials would pain him. At Chen Mobai's command, Luo Xue'er began organizing the inventory of the Hall of Rewards, and with tasks also issued by the Spiritual Treasure Pavilion, the materials were gathered for him in less than half a month.

"Hmm, thank you for your hard work."

At this point, Wang Tingbo, the head of the Artifact Refinement Department, also stepped forward, stating that he had prepared the best artifact refinement room in the sect for Chen Mobai, with true fire strong enough to refine third-tier artifacts.

"Let's go, let's take a look together."

After hearing this, Chen Mobai immediately followed the others for an on-site inspection, then shook his head. The artifact refinement techniques in the Eastern Barrens were truly too backward. They used traditional true fire to melt ores, then shaped them with divine sense or poured them into molds, imbuing various restrictions and attaching spells during the artifact's formation. In this process, the temperature control of the true fire, the precision of the divine sense, and the spell enchantment all relied entirely on the refiner's personal skill. If any part of the refinement process wasn't perfectly controlled, the artifact would essentially be ruined.

The Immortal Sect was different. True fire temperatures could be precisely adjusted by machines simply by inputting the desired value, with the most expensive true fire reactors controlling it flawlessly. Even cheaper ones would only fluctuate by two or three degrees. Artifact shaping, material fusion, cooling times, and so on, could all be machine-controlled. Only the seamless transition between processes and the spell enchantment step truly tested the refiner's skill.

Nevertheless, since he was already there, Chen Mobai decided to try out the refinement room prepared by Wang Tingbo, which was touted as the best in the Divine Wood Sect, or even the entire Eastern Barrens. To avoid undermining his image as a peerless genius, Chen Mobai picked up a simple piece of Azure Yang Spiritual Wood. Then, with a sword-like gleam in his eyes, he carved a Divine Wood Sword in an instant of cold light. Relying on the material, this sword was undoubtedly second-tier. Furthermore, with Chen Mobai's Core Formation divine sense and the theories from the Immortal Sect, he easily infused a streak of purple fire sword light onto the blade. After one streak, he felt he hadn't reached his limit and proceeded to seal another... Only when he reached the third streak did the Divine Wood Sword in his hand start to glow red and show signs of burning, at which point he stopped.

"I'd say it's a second-tier mid-grade talismanic sword!" Chen Mobai, feeling slightly pleased, placed the sword on the platform in the refinement room.

"Sect Master is formidable!" Wang Tingbo, who was not good with words, stood by the Divine Wood Sword on the platform, observing and feeling the terrifying, intensely surging sword light from it. He could only manage these four words.

"The Sect Master can forge such a talismanic sword simply by thought; his artifact refinement skill is undeniably the best in the sect." Compared to him, Luo Xue'er was far more eloquent.

"It's a bit of a trick," Chen Mobai explained. "When enchanting, I used a method similar to talisman drawing. If a Qi Condensation cultivator wants to activate these two sword lights, they would need to use their blood as ink, supplemented by pure Crimson Flame spiritual power." Without his guidance, it would likely take a long time for someone to figure out the correct way to use the Divine Wood Sword Chen Mobai had refined.

He simply flicked his finger in front of everyone, and the sword on the platform immediately flew up. Then, he demonstrated sword manipulation techniques. The flying sword erupted with purplish-red fiery light, resembling a fire dragon as it darted back and forth within the refinement room, dazzlingly splendid.

"Sect Master, the Sect Grand Competition is coming soon, and this year is also the year we distribute Foundation Establishment Pills, which is very significant. How about making this newly refined Divine Wood Purple Light Sword the prize for the top true disciple?" After Chen Mobai finished demonstrating the flying sword, Yue Zutao immediately stepped forward and suggested. The main reason was that the Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Three Halls and Twelve Departments who had followed them were all eyeing the flying sword, wondering how they could get their hands on it later. This was the first flying sword personally refined by the Eastern Barrens' foremost sword cultivator, and it even contained two of his sword lights. Even if they couldn't comprehend it themselves, it would be good to leave it to their disciples and descendants. Yue Zutao also thought of this and simply spoke up first to prevent everyone from harming their camaraderie by fighting over the flying sword later.

"Divine Wood Purple Light Sword? That's a good name. Let's go with your suggestion." Chen Mobai smiled and swept his sword-finger. The flying sword, which had been dancing in mid-air, traced a line of fire as it landed in front of Yue Zutao, who immediately accepted it.

"I wonder which true disciple will be lucky enough to obtain this flying sword from the Sect Master!" Xie Yuntian, standing nearby, said enviously. His Crimson Flame Sword Art was second only to Chen Mobai's in the sect, and he was only a step away from Foundation Establishment Perfection, making him the one most eager for this Divine Wood Purple Light Sword. However, Yue Zutao's suggestion was actually good news for him.

As expected, after the Sect Grand Competition concluded, the winner was a true disciple from the Sword Training Department. After acquiring the flying sword, it naturally found its way into Xie Yuntian's hands. Chen Mobai, though he heard about this, merely smiled. At least Xie Yuntian still adhered to the sect's rules. Compared to the distribution of Foundation Establishment Pills, these minor matters were not something he wished to concern himself with.

Since Zeng Wolong had skillfully mastered the refinement of Foundation Establishment Pills, the Divine Wood Sect no longer had to suffer exploitation from the Rejuvenation Valley and could enjoy them exclusively. A total of ten Jade Marrow Golden Lingzhi had matured, and Zeng Wolong had already begun refining Foundation Establishment Pills one after another a year prior. Chen Mobai understood best that for a sect to become powerful, its future was paramount. Therefore, he had Zeng Wolong put aside all other tasks, even stopping his own refinement of Longevity Dew. He also mobilized other relevant departments, such as spiritual plant cultivation, to fully assist Zeng Wolong in refining Foundation Establishment Pills, with a warning that anyone who failed to perform would be sent to mine in Lone Soul Ridge after the Sect Grand Competition.

Thanks to the Spiritual Extraction method taught by Chen Mobai, and with all the sect's resources and manpower at the Alchemy Department's disposal, Zeng Wolong's pill success rate reached 80-90%. Over three years, ten batches of Foundation Establishment Pills were successively refined, yielding a total of 86 pills. After deducting the 30% owed to Golden Light Cliff, exactly 60 pills remained.