Chapter 631: Yuan Yang Sword Technique

Pure Nine-Lotus Treasure Lamp

In the blink of an eye, Chen Mobai had already been stationed in Danxia City for a year. Every day, he cultivated on the mountaintop, absorbing the pure fire-vein spiritual energy to practice the Pure Yang Scroll, and his progress was rapid. It wasn't until this day, when he suddenly noticed his spiritual energy refinement speed had slowed, realizing that the Golden Crow Holding Sun Pill within him was nearing depletion, that he remembered he was still the sect master of the Divine Wood Sect.

Before returning, he went down the mountain to find Yan Bingxuan. Her fiend energy company had already established its basic team structure, consisting of thirteen people divided into two groups: one responsible for Verdant Wood Fiend Energy, and the other for synthesizing Fiery Yang Fiend Energy. Fiery Yang Fiend Energy was chosen because of the abundant fire veins in Danxia City, which prompted Chai Lun to first create fire-element essence puppets. Furthermore, Chen Mobai nominally cultivated the Primordial Yang Sword Fiend, so he needed this as a cover.

However, it was also time to upgrade his yellow gourd. While the Primordial Yang Sword Fiend could easily overcome opponents at the Foundation Establishment stage, most of Chen Mobai's future adversaries would be Core Formation cultivators, necessitating an upgrade to at least Tier 3. Unfortunately, the Wuqi Dao Academy did not possess the complete Primordial Yang Sword Art, so Chen Mobai had no choice but to spend 100 million points to download it from the Immortal Gate Library. These points were precisely what he had acquired from his last purchase of a void blind box. Without a moment's hesitation, he immediately redeemed them for this, the Immortal Gate's second-ranked sword art.

The Primordial Yang Sword Art was naturally profound and extensive, yet its central theme, discussed throughout, was another peak extreme of sword dao with which Chen Mobai was intimately familiar: "One Sword Breaks All Techniques!" After reviewing it, Chen Mobai extracted its essence, resolving to disregard the myriad exquisitely intricate moves and divine abilities detailed within the sword art, and instead focus solely on learning the most crucial aspect: the Primordial Yang Sword Fiend. If he could cultivate this orange-red radiance to its pinnacle, then the yellow gourd in his possession was destined to become a formidable weapon that would strike terror into the hearts of all living beings.

However, this was a long and arduous path, primarily requiring higher-grade Fiery Yang Fiend Energy. Long ago, Chen Mobai had tasked the Divine Wood Sect with searching for Tier 3 and higher Fiery Yang Fiend Energy across the Eastern Wilderness, offering a reward of 100,000 spirit stones. While a substantial reward was sure to yield clues, regrettably, the highest grade discovered was only top-grade Tier 2 Fiery Yang Fiend Energy. However, his bounty remained prominently displayed at the top of the Spirit Treasure Pavilion, motivating the Divine Wood Sect and the countless cultivators across its seven subordinate nations to continue their search. Although Chen Mobai harbored expectations regarding this, he was not in a rush. This was because within the Immortal Gate, Tier 4 and even Tier 5 Fiery Yang Fiend Energy existed. Specifically, it was located in the Wuqi Dao Academy, where he had graduated, within the core of the spiritual vein at the deepest part of the Myriad Treasures Cave.

However, within the Immortal Gate, spiritual items of Tier 4 and above were not permitted for trade; only after advancing to the Nascent Soul stage would one qualify to access certain types. Nevertheless, Chen Mobai had already claimed it as his own. As long as he could form a Nascent Soul, it was likely that the entire Wuqi Dao Academy would become his, not to mention this Fiery Yang Fiend Energy. It was precisely this confidence that led him to always keep the yellow gourd by his side, rather than bestowing it upon his disciples.

In the past, Patriarch Yuanyang had fully mastered the Primordial Yang Sword Fiend by utilizing the spiritual vein of Mount Chicheng. The Pure Yang Academy's establishment in Chicheng Grotto-Heaven was also for this very reason. Danxia City, a region abundant in fire veins, also once possessed a natural Fiery Yang Fiend energy cavern capable of producing Tier 3 fiend energy. Regrettably, a thousand years ago, when the Jade Green Phoenix Tree advanced to Tier 4, it caused the collapse of this cavern. Yan Bingxuan's company, in addition to artificially synthesizing Fiery Yang Fiend Energy, had also discovered the ruins of this collapsed cavern and was preparing to restore it. If they could continuously procure natural Fiery Yang Fiend Energy, their new company would undoubtedly be able to establish a firm foothold in the Immortal Gate's energy market. Furthermore, Chen Mobai could use this as a cover, ensuring that even if he revealed a more powerful Primordial Yang Sword Fiend within the Immortal Gate in the future, it would not attract undue attention.

Yan Bingxuan's company was registered under the name "Xuan Shuang," a name she personally selected. When Chen Mobai arrived, she was clad in a research-specific white lab coat and a pair of glasses equipped with various observation and analysis functions, intently observing strands of multicolored light suspended within the laboratory. Upon her beautiful features was an expression of seriousness Chen Mobai had never witnessed. As strands of five-element essence interacted, she directed her researchers to operate various instruments, meticulously adjusting the proportions and quantities for fiend energy synthesis. The entire experimental process lasted for nearly half an hour. Ultimately, the multicolored strands of light merged, transforming into a wisp of dark red airflow that hovered in mid-air, resembling a red thread vaguely floating on the water's surface. The successful synthesis of this wisp of Fiery Yang Fiend Energy prompted everyone in the laboratory to applaud joyfully. Only Yan Bingxuan merely let out a sigh of relief, her cool elegance undisturbed.

"'You've worked hard!'" A gentle voice rang out from behind her, causing Yan Bingxuan to turn around in surprise; she had been so engrossed in the experiment that she hadn't noticed anyone else had entered. Upon seeing Chen Mobai, who bore a gentle smile, the cool elegance on her face subtly melted, and a faint arc curved at the corner of her lips. The two walked out of the laboratory side by side.

"'Why did you come?'"

"'I had an epiphany in my cultivation and am preparing for secluded cultivation. I might not be able to see you for a long time, so I couldn't resist coming over.'"

Chen Mobai's words caused the reserve on Yan Bingxuan's face to completely melt away, and her cool, aloof demeanor suddenly softened. However, this was a stark contrast to her usual demeanor. She couldn't help but gently raise a slender hand to cover her mouth, yet her smile was irrepressible, blooming like a flower and instantly taking one's breath away.

"'Let's go to my office and sit for a bit.'" Yan Bingxuan suggested, noting that since they were in the outskirts, there wasn't anywhere to stroll.

"'Let's go for a walk in the Parasol Tree Forest near Chixia Academy.'" Chen Mobai, however, shook his head and suggested a different location. The primary reason was that upon his arrival, nearly everyone from Xuan Shuang Company had flocked over, eager to catch a glimpse of the rarely seen Golden Core True Person. He disliked being surrounded by people.

"'I'll just grab something; please wait for me at the entrance.'" Although the simple white lab coat couldn't conceal Yan Bingxuan's impressive figure, she decided it would be better to change clothes since she was going for a walk with Chen Mobai. She also genuinely had something to give Chen Mobai.

"'Here are three wisps of Tier 2 Verdant Wood Fiend Energy.'" At the entrance of Xuan Shuang, Yan Bingxuan, now in different clothes, handed a packaged transparent box to Chen Mobai. This represented the culmination of another team's year-long research, but Chen Mobai shook his head, declining to take even one wisp.

"'The company is currently operating at a loss. Leave these to be processed into spiritual liquid for market circulation; that way, your financial burden will be lighter.'"

In the Immortal Gate market, activating some high-power equipment and magical artifacts necessitated the addition of either spiritual liquid or spirit stones. Under conditions of spirit stone regulation, spiritual liquid had become the most widely transacted energy source for the general populace. Because fiend energy was essentially a high-grade spiritual energy, an essence of heaven and earth, a single wisp contained more than ten times the energy of ordinary spiritual energy. Therefore, after being blended and diluted with special liquids, it could serve as a substitute for spirit stones. Furthermore, many specialized devices within the Immortal Gate required energy of a matching attribute for activation. For such needs, specialized energy companies would be commissioned to customize fiend energy spiritual liquid. Xuan Shuang was now positioning itself in this niche. After all, with Chen Mobai's backing, companies with such demands in Danxia City and Yumu City would naturally prioritize them.

In the Immortal Gate market, Tier 1 fiend energy spiritual liquid was priced at approximately 10,000 merit points per liter, while Tier 2 had already soared to over 100,000, continually rising based on specific customization requirements. Generally, one wisp of fiend energy could be diluted into approximately ten liters of spiritual liquid. While the exact yield might fluctuate due to factors like equipment quality and technology, it would generally not exceed this 1:10 ratio. If these three wisps of Verdant Wood Fiend Energy were processed into spiritual liquid for sale, they could generate at least four to five million merit points in revenue for Xuan Shuang Company. After deducting expenses such as salaries, equipment depreciation, and bank interest, a profit of around one million merit points should remain. Chen Mobai stood to receive 500,000 merit points, an amount he now considered entirely negligible. However, it would offer a much-needed respite to Yan Bingxuan, who had invested her entire life's savings.

"'Thank you!'" Upon hearing Chen Mobai's words, Yan Bingxuan lowered her head and softly expressed her gratitude, then put away the Verdant Wood Fiend Energy she held.

"'Why are we being so formal with each other? Let's go. I've heard the Parasol Tree Forest is most beautiful at dusk when bathed in the setting sun.'"

Chen Mobai smiled faintly. Neither of them employed any escape techniques; instead, they walked like ordinary mortals through the natural surroundings outside the city, admiring the grass and trees along their path. Though few words were exchanged, a wonderfully harmonious and beautiful atmosphere permeated their walk.

Yan Bingxuan had changed into a color-blocked camisole sweater with a slightly loose hem. The soft fabric at her chest was lifted high, emphasizing her upright curves. However, Chen Mobai could tell at a glance that she had made an effort to conceal something; this particular contour was not reflective of her true proportions. The grass was lush and green, and a gentle breeze occasionally carried wisps of fragrance, softly scattering Yan Bingxuan's hair. Chen Mobai couldn't help but glance at her, his eyes drawn to the expanse of her snow-white skin. Against the backdrop of two black straps, her snow-white, rounded shoulders appeared even more radiant, their pristine glow drawing the eye. The delicate lines of her collarbone compelled one's gaze downward to a generous expanse of dazzling white against the cream-colored fabric, truly a sight that outshone frost and rivaled snow. At that moment, Yan Bingxuan's gaze met his, and the expression on her face was a radiant smile he had never witnessed before. Only when in Chen Mobai's presence would she shed the cold mask she typically wore. With her icy composure melted away, her lips curved gently, and her eyes sparkled with a soft brilliance, exuding an unprecedented charm and allure from within. As they walked on the lush grass, Chen Mobai felt as though the breeze caressed his face, and his heart was filled with nothing but pure delight.

"'We've arrived!'" Before they knew it, they had arrived at the Parasol Tree Forest. Bathed in the light of the setting sun and evening glow, it was indeed a breathtakingly beautiful sight. Yet, in each other's eyes, the most beautiful scenery at that moment was none other than the other person!

(End of Chapter)