Chapter 663: Elevation of Status

The Pure Nine-Lotus Lamp:

He found it difficult to inquire about this matter with the two Nascent Soul Venerables, as it was considered a forbidden art, and he couldn't appear too interested. Nevertheless, he kept it in mind, planning to look up relevant information in the Immortal Sect's National Library once his cultivation level was higher and he could potentially utilize the secret art of "Instant Bloom."

Yuan Xu and Yu Yi stayed on Danxia Mountain's peak for three days. They jointly conducted several experiments on the Azure Jade Parasol Tree, and after obtaining the data they needed, they bid farewell and departed. Chen Mobai had initially intended to personally see them off, but the two simply shook their heads, stepped into the void, and vanished from his sight. This was "Void Walking"! Witnessing this, Chen Mobai couldn't help but feel a pang of envy.

After the two Nascent Soul Venerables departed, he immediately informed Venerable Cheng Xuan about the matter.

"Alas, what a pity..." Upon hearing this, Venerable Cheng Xuan also sighed aloud. A fifth-tier Vermilion Fruit Tree, as one could imagine, could not possibly be used just to grant him a single opportunity for Spirit Transformation. Nevertheless, this sparked a bit of desire in Venerable Cheng Xuan. If a fifth-tier Vermilion Fruit Tree wasn't feasible, what about a fourth-tier one? Furthermore, besides the Vermilion Fruit Trees, Mount Chicheng also cultivated several Fire Spirit Trees. These trees were primarily used to regulate fire meridians and were of lower value. Given his status, with some maneuvering, it might be possible to acquire a fourth-tier Fire Spirit Tree for an experiment.

Yuan Xu and Yu Yi also supported this idea. They had already begun collaborating on the research of "Instant Bloom," but theoretical discussion was ultimately no substitute for practical application. If Venerable Cheng Xuan was willing to be the first to attempt it, it would be beneficial for them, and even for the entire Immortal Sect.

However, an unexpected development occurred: the soon-to-be retiring Hall Master of Immortal Affairs also expressed a desire to participate. His lifespan was nearing its end, and he had originally intended to make one final attempt at the "Startling God Melody" after retirement. But with the option of "Instant Bloom" now available, he naturally wouldn't let it go. The Hall Master of Immortal Affairs was also a graduate of Butian Dao Academy, and his relationship with Yuan Xu was better. After he voiced his request, Venerable Yuan Xu could only remain neutral. Both parties, however, exercised great restraint, keeping the scope of their competition confined to a very small area to prevent more people from noticing any clues. After all, there were quite a few Nascent Soul cultivators in the Immortal Sect.

By the time Chen Mobai received the news, the competition between the two parties had already settled, with Venerable Cheng Xuan unexpectedly prevailing over the Hall Master of Immortal Affairs and securing the opportunity.

"I will be going into secluded cultivation for a long time. You might be needed to hold down the fort at the Dao Academy during this period." Venerable Cheng Xuan called Chen Mobai before entering seclusion. For this "Instant Bloom" experiment, a fourth-tier superior-grade Fire Spirit Tree was chosen. Venerable Cheng Xuan exhausted all his savings and favors within the Immortal Sect to secure this opportunity. The experiment location chosen was within a minor realm deep inside the Myriad Treasures Cave, as it possessed a fifth-tier fire meridian, and the Fire Spirit Tree was also located there. If Venerable Cheng Xuan could indeed make a breakthrough with this, the spiritual energy would be sufficient. This experiment would be presided over by Venerable Yu Yi, with Venerable Yuan Xu assisting. The latter still had research to do on the Asura Dharma Idol, and while multi-tasking was not an issue for him, Yu Yi could dedicate herself entirely to the project, so she was given the primary role.

"Principal, you're too kind. Vice Principal Duanmu and Teacher Che are still at the Dao Academy. How could it be my turn to be the 'face' of the academy?" Chen Mobai remained very humble when addressing a Nascent Soul Venerable.

"Duanmu consumed a Vermilion Fruit and a Nascent Cultivation Pill last year. She emerged from seclusion two days ago, but her breakthrough failed, leaving her severely weakened. She just submitted her resignation, wishing to return to her hometown for recuperation." Venerable Cheng Xuan, however, revealed news that Chen Mobai was unaware of. Upon hearing this, Chen Mobai's expression darkened, and he sighed repeatedly. He never expected that even Duanmu Longrong had failed! The hurdle of forming a Nascent Soul was truly difficult!

"Your teacher also originally wanted to retire to his hometown, but after Duanmu's failure, he had no choice but to stay and continue to stabilize the situation. There's also another matter: the opportunity to guard the fifth-tier Vermilion Fruit Tree after Duanmu. Originally, if you wanted it, no one in the Dao Academy could contend with you for it. But since you're not interested, all the remaining qualified individuals will be eager to compete for it." Venerable Cheng Xuan seemed to truly regard Chen Mobai as a future leader of Wuqi Dao Academy, informing him of all these matters one by one.

However, this was not Chen Mobai's fault; after all, a mere fifth-tier Vermilion Fruit Tree was simply not enough to bind him for three hundred years. Without him, a universally respected figure, holding them back, the other young Core Formation cultivators of Wuqi Dao Academy would naturally want to compete for this opportunity to form a Nascent Soul.

"I think True Man Shaoyang is a good choice." Chen Mobai directly stated his opinion. He always repaid kindness. Qin Beichen had given him a wisp of Pure Yang Violet Qi, accumulated through years of arduous cultivation, when Chen Mobai was forming his core, and Chen Mobai had never forgotten it. Although, looking back, he might have succeeded in Core Formation even without that wisp of Pure Yang Violet Qi, given his preparations at the time, before his core formation, it was a timely help in times of need—a true act of kindness. Now that Venerable Cheng Xuan brought it up, Chen Mobai would certainly support his former mentor.

"For this matter, all Golden Core True Men in the Dao Academy will vote. If you publicly show your support for Xiao Qin, it will significantly influence many people to vote for him." Venerable Cheng Xuan stated the crucial point; he was detached and would not express his own opinion on this matter. There were a total of fifty-seven Golden Core True Men who had graduated from Wuqi Dao Academy. Among them, those over three *jiazi* (180 years) no longer qualified to guard the Myriad Treasures Cave and the fifth-tier Vermilion Fruit Tree. Of those remaining who met the requirements, there were still sixteen. Excluding Chen Mobai, that left fifteen. And further excluding the unique Yu Tianguang, that left fourteen. True Man Shaoyang, Qin Beichen, also had decent support among them. However, those who achieved Golden Core cultivation were all top-tier in terms of connections, background, and talent. Five or six individuals were no less capable than Qin Beichen, some even surpassing him. Just as Venerable Cheng Xuan said, without Chen Mobai, the highly anticipated future leader, to overshadow them, everyone else had a chance. The news of Duanmu's failed breakthrough had not yet spread, so for now, things were calm. Once Duanmu returned to her hometown to recuperate, Chen Mobai would instantly become a highly coveted figure in the eyes of all Golden Core True Men at Wuqi Dao Academy. Because his potential for Spirit Transformation had basically been recognized as making him one of Wuqi Dao Academy's future leaders, if he expressed his support, it would essentially guarantee success.

"Why don't you come back for a visit?" Venerable Cheng Xuan suddenly said this.

"As a council member of Kaiyuan Hall, it's not ideal for me to move around freely..." Chen Mobai instinctively began to speak, but was immediately interrupted by Venerable Cheng Xuan.

"You can apply for it. I'll help you with the process; it will be very quick." If a Nascent Soul Venerable intervened, the process at Kaiyuan Hall would indeed be very swift, as Venerable Yuan Xu had handled it for Chen Mobai before.

"Alright then. It's also been a long time since I've seen my teacher." Chen Mobai no longer hesitated and nodded in agreement. Moreover, with Duanmu Longrong's failed Nascent Soul formation, it was only right for him to go and offer his condolences. It would also be a good opportunity to garner some votes for Qin Beichen.

With Venerable Cheng Xuan personally handling the arrangements, it was indeed incredibly swift. The very next day, Chen Mobai received notification from the Kaiyuan Hall's Rotating Committee that, in addition to Butian Dao Academy, he could now also travel to Wuqi Dao Academy. Of course, this permission had an expiry date: it was valid for ten years. However, as long as the two Nascent Soul Venerables who helped him apply were still around, his travel permit would automatically be renewed indefinitely by Kaiyuan Hall. This was because it amounted to Yuan Xu and Cheng Xuan acting as his guarantors.

After obtaining the travel permit, Chen Mobai informed a few people around him in Danxia City and then booked his ticket to Chicheng Grotto-heaven.

"Teacher, it's been a long time." In the office on the first building, Che Yucheng, who seemed to have aged considerably, smiled warmly as he watched Chen Mobai enter with a fruit basket and tea.

"You're here, have a seat." The teacher and disciple conversed for a long time, primarily with Che Yucheng asking questions and Chen Mobai answering. It seemed that people tended to become more talkative with age; Chen Mobai clearly felt that Che Yucheng spoke much more than he had when Chen Mobai was studying at the Dao Academy. If Venerable Cheng Xuan hadn't called them upstairs, Che Yucheng would probably have continued talking.

In the Principal's office, Duanmu Longrong, looking pale, was also present. Compared to their last meeting, the Vice Principal appeared to have been eroded by time; her once smooth and elastic skin had become loose and sagging, with even a few age spots on her face, and her hair was dry and white. Duanmu Longrong looked at Chen Mobai, a youthful and refined young man with a delicate complexion, entering the room, and her eyes filled with envy as she sighed softly.

"Teacher Duanmu..." After Chen Mobai presented her with his prepared gift, he wasn't sure how to comfort her, standing by the side, hesitant to speak.

"Don't mind me. This is what happens when one fails to break through to Nascent Soul after undoing the 'Embracing Core Technique'—it reveals one's most aged and true self." Duanmu Longrong, on the other hand, initiated the conversation. Downstairs in the office, Chen Mobai had already learned all the details from Che Yucheng.

The so-called "Embracing Core Technique" was a secret art created by cultivators of the Evergreen Arts from Ju Mang Dao Academy, combining it with dimensional insights. Its original intention was to mimic the characteristics of the Evergreen Arts, locking away all of one's essence, qi, and spirit to form a leak-proof domain. However, once the domain was released and one's full power erupted, this characteristic would fail, and all the traces of time that had been suppressed would surge forth and erode one's being. Later, a Golden Core True Man from Butian Dao Academy used the "Embracing Core Technique" to preserve his youth, only unleashing it during his Nascent Soul formation, and using that brief peak to overcome the bottleneck. Since then, this "Embracing Core Technique" became a standard for all Golden Core True Men in the Immortal Sect who wished to form a Nascent Soul but whose age was approaching or past their peak.

"If it were you, you would definitely succeed..." Duanmu Longrong had great expectations for Chen Mobai. Seeing his excessively youthful face, even without needing the "Embracing Core Technique," she wanted to persuade him once more to accept the path to Nascent Soul formation offered by Wuqi Dao Academy.

"Thank you, Teacher Duanmu, but I personally dislike constraints." Chen Mobai spoke honestly, and Duanmu Longrong could only sigh again in response.

Shortly after, Qin Beichen also arrived. Upon entering and seeing the incredibly aged Duanmu Longrong, he was greatly astonished. Evidently, the news of Duanmu Longrong's failed Nascent Soul formation was known only to those present.

"Xiao Qin, after Duanmu, would you be willing to take over her position, guarding the fifth-tier Vermilion Fruit Tree deep within the Myriad Treasures Cave?" Venerable Cheng Xuan asked. Upon hearing this, Qin Beichen's eyes lit up, and his face showed excitement. However, he glanced at Chen Mobai and, with some hesitation, did not immediately agree.

"It was Xiao Chen who recommended you, and I also feel that three hundred years would be too much of a waste for him. With his talent, he might become a second Old Ancestor Yuanyang, able to cross this great realm relying solely on his profound foundation, without needing external resources." Venerable Cheng Xuan's words made Chen Mobai feel somewhat embarrassed. He hadn't expected the boasts he usually made to maintain his persona to be taken seriously by the Principal. At that moment, however, he couldn't jump out and refute it; he could only humbly and self-assuredly wave his hand with a smile.

"Thank you." After hearing this, Qin Beichen understood why he was being given this opportunity. Besides Chen Mobai declining it, it was also because Chen Mobai had chosen him.

"After this, Xiao Chen, you and Xiao Qin should have a meal together in public, to convey your stance to everyone else." Chen Mobai nodded slightly at Venerable Cheng Xuan's words. It was better to settle this matter sooner rather than later; the longer it dragged on, the more prone it was to complications. Especially with Venerable Cheng Xuan about to enter seclusion.

"Take me to the fifth-tier Vermilion Fruit Tree. I'll explain the important points you need to be aware of..." Duanmu Longrong spoke to Qin Beichen, who immediately walked over respectfully and supported her trembling form.

After the two left, only three people remained in the Principal's office. But soon, another joined them. A virtual figure projected from the Scarlet Heart Treasure Mirror. It was Wang Shuye, the highest-ranking individual from Wuqi Dao Academy among the Immortal Sect's Three Great Halls.

"Alas, did Senior Sister still fail?!" Wang Shuye had been wondering why Venerable Cheng Xuan had summoned his spiritual consciousness for a meeting, and his face also clouded with sadness upon hearing the news. After Duanmu Longrong, it would be his turn. Compared to Duanmu Longrong, he only had one Nascent Cultivation Pill, making his chances of success even slimmer.

"I'm going into seclusion to comprehend a higher realm. From now on, if there are any major matters concerning the Dao Academy, the three of you shall discuss and resolve them." Upon Venerable Cheng Xuan's words, Chen Mobai suddenly realized. It turned out he was already one of the three highest-ranking Golden Core cultivators in Wuqi Dao Academy, below only the Nascent Soul realm.

"Principal, I'm still too young..."

"Just consider it helping me out." Chen Mobai's humble words were cut short by Venerable Cheng Xuan's statement, causing him to swallow his objections. He could only nod in the end, happily accepting his current position.

Exiting the first building, Chen Mobai felt his heart pounding fiercely and couldn't help but let out a long breath. Although he was already a sect master in the Eastern Wilderness, being suddenly elevated to such a position within the Immortal Sect still made him feel immense pressure.

"Oh, Uncle, why are you here?"