Chapter 684: Gold Core Fifth Layer

Pure Nine-Lotus Treasure Lamp.

In addition to the contribution values for various spiritual items, there were also values for cultivation techniques. However, the value of these techniques could only be determined after a detailed appraisal by the Transmission Department. Furthermore, if a cultivation technique obtained from the Talent Tree had already been discovered and submitted to the sect for contribution points, it would naturally hold no further value.

As soon as this new policy was announced, all Foundation Establishment cultivators who had previously obtained cultivation techniques and secret arts from the Talent Tree eagerly sought out the Transmission Department. Previously, according to the rules of the Divine Wood Sect, these were considered private gains and could be kept by individuals. However, the majority of this group of Foundation Establishment cultivators, who were allowed to enter due to the new policy, would definitely choose to exchange their gains for contribution points or spirit stones. Since they were required to spend ten years in Hong Nation performing free desertification control, their cultivation resources would undoubtedly be scarce. They would try every means to accumulate spirit stones before departing.

It was precisely because of this that the Divine Wood Sect suddenly gained thirteen new secret arts from the Longevity Sect. Among them, three were specifically beneficial for spiritual plants: enhancing spiritual plant affinity, sensing spiritual plant moisture, and assisting spiritual plants in flowering and bearing fruit. After obtaining them, the Transmission Department assigned a contribution value to each spell that the sect did not already possess, using this as a reward, and then submitted them to Chen Mobai for approval. Chen Mobai slightly increased the contribution values for the three spiritual plant-enhancing spells, setting a benchmark for future exchanges to encourage a good farming atmosphere within the sect.

After completing these preliminary tasks, Chen Mobai reviewed the list of Foundation Establishment cultivators within the sect who had applied to enter the Divine Tree Secret Realm. Because of the added condition of ten years of free desertification control, the response was not as enthusiastic as during the initial survey. But this cooling-off period was just right! Due to Chen Mobai's example of obtaining the Longevity Sect's legacy within the Divine Tree Secret Realm, most Foundation Establishment cultivators who were eager to form a Core or were advanced in age wanted to try their luck in the secret realm. In contrast, those mediocre Foundation Establishment cultivators, after weighing their options, felt it was not worth sacrificing ten years of their precious time.

Chen Mobai looked at the list; the first batch consisted of twenty-six Foundation Establishment cultivators. He felt there were too many and considered removing some. However, upon closer thought, these individuals represented the Divine Wood Sect's accumulation over nearly a century. He decided not to be the 'bad guy' and simply let them all enter at once, which would also save trouble. After Chen Mobai's approval, the Transmission Department immediately carried out the instruction.

The results were quickly revealed. What pleased Chen Mobai the most, naturally, was the discovery of two portions of Longevity Earth, which he had designated as a strategic material on the list. Once discovered, sect disciples were required to submit it to the sect. However, no one would refuse the price of 100,000 contribution points. After all, Foundation Establishment cultivators worked hard year-round on tasks for the Spirit Treasure Pavilion, typically earning only three to four thousand spirit stones annually. A single portion of Longevity Earth was worth 100,000, representing an immense profit even if it meant spending twenty years on desertification control.

Other items like Verdant Wood Spirit Heart and Azure Sun Fire had no mandatory exchange requirements. Foundation Establishment cultivators could keep them if they needed them, or sell them to others if someone offered a higher value than the sect's contribution points. After all, these were earned by them through ten years of effort.

However, among these, some also discovered Longevity Tree Fruits, and quite a few—four in total: two medium fruits and two small fruits. Learning from Yue Zutao's past experience, all Foundation Establishment cultivators who discovered Longevity Tree Fruits exchanged them for contribution points with the sect; not a single person kept them. And for Chen Mobai, this was certainly good news, because he could easily obtain large fruits using Wood Spirit Talismans. Combined with these, there would be two complete sets of Longevity Tree Fruits, sufficient to cultivate two cultivators who had mastered the Longevity Scripture at the Foundation Establishment stage.

However, the Divine Wood Sect was not under as much external pressure at the moment, so at Chen Mobai's suggestion, Yue Zutao sealed these Longevity Tree Fruits using a secret method. For this matter, Chen Mobai specifically returned to Giant Wood Ridge. Afterward, he copied the cultivation techniques and secret arts useful for spiritual plants, then summoned Liu Wenbo and sent them, along with the two portions of Longevity Earth, to Zhuo Ming, who was far away in Hong Nation.

Having finished these tasks, Chen Mobai summoned Jiang Zongheng to ask about the unification of the Eastern Barrens. He learned that Yan Nation had once again conquered Hong Nation, but the nation-building army was still firmly held back below the plateau by Lei Nation. However, according to Jiang Zongheng's estimation, the balance would be broken within the year, and the Divine Wood Sect's dominion was about to enter its final unification battle. Chen Mobai was very interested upon hearing this, keen to see who would ultimately emerge victorious!

However, at this very moment, he felt signs of a breakthrough in his Pure Yang spiritual power! His cultivation realm was certainly of utmost importance, so Chen Mobai could only entrust the matter entirely to Jiang Zongheng and return to the Immortal Gate for secluded cultivation.

At Danxia Mountain, beneath the sky-shrouding Azure Jade Parasol Tree, astonishing spiritual energy from heaven and earth continuously gathered and surged. Dark clouds filled the sky, and faint lightning could be seen. If this were in the Celestial River Realm, cultivators would likely revere such a celestial phenomenon. However, the Immortal Gate had long understood that this was a phenomenon caused by cultivators rapidly absorbing spiritual energy during a breakthrough, leading to a high-pressure concentration of spiritual energy.

"Councilor Chen's last breakthrough was seven years ago, wasn't it? He's made progress again so quickly...""This is the potential for Soul Transformation...""Perhaps in our lifetime, we'll see the first Nascent Soul Venerable appear in our Danxia City..."

Chen Mobai did not conceal the signs of his breakthrough. After all, he needed to periodically maintain his public persona at the Immortal Gate, so several Foundation Establishment teachers from the academy residing halfway up the mountain detected it. After reaching the middle stage of Golden Core, each subsequent breakthrough in cultivation required more time than in the early Golden Core stage. A breakthrough in seven years was still due to Chen Mobai having maximized external conditions and the boost from the Golden Crow Sun-Swallowing Pill. Otherwise, according to his estimation, it would have taken ten years to reach this current progress.

After confirming that his Pure Yang spiritual power had been thoroughly refined by the Lamp-Lighting Art and all pill toxins had been dispelled, Chen Mobai no longer hesitated and activated the cultivation method of the fifth layer of the Pure Yang Scroll. In an instant, the already surging spiritual energy of heaven and earth became even denser. Beneath the parasol spiritual tree at the mountain peak, a pure spiritual light faintly emerged through the leaves, echoing the dark clouds and lightning in the sky, dazzlingly bright.

This marvel lasted for seven days and seven nights. Subsequently, the spiritual energy fluctuations at Danxia Mountain's peak began to subside, the dark clouds dispersed, and a light rain fell, cleansing the overflowing heat generated after the Pure Yang Scroll's breakthrough. After the rain stopped, Chen Mobai smelled the fresh scent of grass and earth in the air, feeling completely relaxed and at ease. For this breakthrough, he did not consume any elixirs; he merely held two high-grade spirit stones, and success came naturally. This greatly pleased Chen Mobai, who had originally prepared many items, as these barrier-breaking aids were exceptionally precious, and even with his status and position, it was difficult to find more. Since he hadn't used them this time, he would still be full of confidence for his next breakthrough.

In his excellent mood, Chen Mobai once again activated the Sound of the Empty Valley, listening to the Azure Jade Parasol Tree beside him. This time, he heard more things. Unfortunately, although this spiritual tree was a peak fourth-grade, its mind was akin to that of a child. Besides images of itself rooted on the mountaintop, absorbing mist and dew, and regulating fire veins, it primarily conveyed scenes of its interactions with Shi Qing. In its perception, Shi Qing was like its elder sister, guiding its growth and awakening its spiritual intelligence.

Gradually, Chen Mobai discerned traces of Shi Qing imparting techniques to the Azure Jade Parasol Tree. This must be the "Instant Bloom" technique. Chen Mobai immediately recorded all of this. Unfortunately, his cultivation was still insufficient, and the power of the peak fourth-grade Azure Jade Parasol Tree was too immense for him. He was unable to discern some of the technique traces engraved deep within its trunk. Chen Mobai felt only slight regret about this. After all, if he were to use "Instant Bloom," he would need to reach at least the Nascent Soul realm, which was far too early for him, having just broken through to the fifth layer of Golden Core. In any case, the Azure Jade Parasol Tree was right beside him. As long as he continued to steadily advance his cultivation at the Immortal Gate, it would eventually belong to him.

Thinking this, Chen Mobai ceased using the Sound of the Empty Valley. He then spent three days recovering his depleted spiritual consciousness and spiritual power. After confirming that his realm was completely stable, he descended the mountain with a smile. Although the Immortal Gate had grown accustomed to his rapid, unstoppable progress, Chen Mobai still habitually shared each breakthrough with Yan Bingxuan. To his surprise, Yan Bingxuan also had good news to share with him.

"I've broken through to the seventh layer of Foundation Establishment!"

Chen Mobai was also very pleased to hear this. The two were classmates. Yan Bingxuan successfully established her Foundation in the year Chen Mobai was about to graduate, and it had been 38 years since then. Although she couldn't compare to the prodigies of the Four Great Dao Academies, Yan Bingxuan's foundation was exceptionally solid. After all, she had also dedicated part of her energy to improving her Ice Spirit Root. From high school until now, her Ice Spirit Root had reached 72 points. At this rate, by the time she reached the perfected Foundation Establishment stage, it would surely be over 80 points, which would also increase her success rate for forming a Core.

"Congratulations," Chen Mobai said.

Upon hearing Chen Mobai's words, Yan Bingxuan's usually cool demeanor revealed a rare hint of tenderness, her elegant features instantly becoming captivating. "I'm finally a little closer to you."

This remark made Chen Mobai, who was about to mention his own breakthrough, fall silent for a moment. But he quickly smiled, raised his wine glass, and toasted Yan Bingxuan, changing the subject. "I hear Xuanshuang Company's profit reached ten million merit points this year."

"Yes," Yan Bingxuan replied, "and it's largely thanks to your spirit stones. They allowed us to fully utilize the essence-energy puppets and take on more orders for custom fiend-qi spiritual liquid..." Speaking of this, Yan Bingxuan also beamed with joy and began recounting the company's development over the years to Chen Mobai. Among these developments, with Chen Mobai's advice and support, the previously extremely obscure Essence Qi Department of the three major academies also began to flourish. Because employment was guaranteed upon graduation, and the pay was decent, many local students from Danxia City and Yumu City, especially female students who married and had children after graduation, considered Xuanshuang Company their top employment choice.

The two, who hadn't seen each other in a long time, found a rare moment of relaxation and confided in each other as close friends. After spending a pleasant night with Yan Bingxuan, Chen Mobai accompanied her to Xuanshuang Company the next day. Many employees were very surprised to see him, their hidden boss, arrive.

"Here, this is what you asked for last time." Yan Bingxuan took a sealed box from her safe and handed it to Chen Mobai, who accepted it with a smile. He then accompanied her on an inspection of the company's various laboratories before bidding farewell.