Chapter 750: Expressing Respect

Chen Mobai hadn't expected Qing Nü to wake up at such an opportune moment, right when he was hosting Wenren Xuewei. Her languid emergence from the inner bedroom would lead any normal person to make certain associations. If word got out, it would certainly damage both his and Qing Nü's reputations. Fortunately, Wenren Xuewei was not one to gossip. Still, Chen Mobai offered an explanation.

"I recently had a cultivation breakthrough," he explained, "and mastered a powerful spell that surpasses my current realm. Using it made my body feel a bit uncomfortable, but at this critical time of the Immortal Sect's leadership transition, I didn't want others to know, so I invited Qing Nü to help me with a check-up and adjustment." Hearing this, Wenren Xuewei merely smiled faintly, nodding gently to both Chen Mobai and Qing Nü, indicating her acceptance.

"Hello, Senior Sister Wenren, long time no see," Qing Nü said. At this moment, having recovered from her dazed state, she immediately greeted Wenren Xuewei after Chen Mobai finished speaking. Back in the Dao Academy, Wenren Xuewei had guided her due to their shared Water Spirit Root, so their relationship was quite good.

"You haven't returned to the Dao Academy since you graduated, have you? It must have been decades. Time truly flies." Wenren Xuewei still wore a faint smile. By now, she had brewed the Green Cicada Spirit Tea Chen Mobai had set out. With a graceful sweep of her hand, three cups of clear, lightly fragrant tea landed in everyone's hands.

"Qing Nü needs to maintain secrecy within the Heaven-Mending Group," Chen Mobai explained, taking his tea. Wenren Xuewei nodded, aware that Qing Nü had joined the Heaven-Mending Group while still at the Dao Academy. Besides, only a small number of successful individuals usually returned to their alma mater after graduation.

Wenren Xuewei was merely looking for an excuse. She had, after all, been aware of Chen Mobai and Qing Nü's close relationship back at the Jumang Dao Academy. She was surprised that their feelings hadn't faded after so many years apart, with them still maintaining such a connection despite the distance.

"By the way, you mentioned feeling a bit unwell just now. Would you like me to take a look?" Wenren Xuewei asked. "Due to my Evergreen Art, my body has shattered and reassembled countless times, and I frequently assist Senior Immortal Three-Absolute with the most dangerous medical experiments. I've truly inherited his medical expertise." Chen Mobai couldn't help but smile faintly at Wenren Xuewei's words. "Finally, she asked."

"It's nothing major, really," Chen Mobai replied. "I just mastered 'Void Walking,' and my body isn't quite used to instantly traversing space, teleporting from one place to another. After a few more attempts, I'll adapt."*Drip!*Wenren Xuewei's hand trembled, and a few drops of tea splashed from the cup she had just lifted to her lips, landing on the glass coffee table. Her beautiful peach blossom eyes widened in utter shock. "You've mastered... Void Walking!" Even having heard it directly, Wenren Xuewei found it hard to believe.

It was the first time Chen Mobai had seen such an expression on the usually graceful Wenren Xuewei, and his vanity was greatly satisfied. At his current status and cultivation realm, showing off to ordinary people no longer brought any sense of accomplishment. However, within the Immortal Sect, and especially in front of someone acknowledged as having the potential for God Transformation, Chen Mobai rediscovered that long-lost sense of initial excitement. He smiled softly. His form, still seated on the sofa, suddenly shimmered with silver light, then vanished from his spot, abruptly reappearing at the tea ceremony table to re-condense and boil water.

"Your talent is probably unprecedented in the Immortal Sect's history." After witnessing Void Walking firsthand, Wenren Xuewei was completely convinced.

"Oh, no, I'm still not as good as Patriarch Yuanyang," Chen Mobai said humbly. "And I only managed to comprehend the key to Void Walking after my breakthrough with the Square Inch Book. Besides, my teleportation distance isn't like those Nascent Soul Grandmasters who can travel hundreds of miles in one go, much less comparable to your Grand Void Teleportation." Chen Mobai knew his ability wasn't truly Void Walking, but rather the Grand Underworld Array. So, after his display in front of Wenren Xuewei, he immediately became humble.

"It's already very impressive," Wenren Xuewei countered. "After all, we are both only at the Core Formation realm. To master Void Walking is already a record in the Immortal Sect's history." Hearing Wenren Xuewei's words, Qing Nü, who was beside them, suddenly looked up at her. "Senior Sister Wenren, you've mastered it too?" Qing Nü was somewhat incredulous.

"You could say that," Wenren Xuewei replied modestly. "However, my ability to use it is only because the predecessors of my Jumang Dao Academy left behind a method for harnessing void power through the strength of the Great Toon Tree. It's not like Junior Brother Chen, who comprehended it through his own talent. I can only *use* the method, while Junior Brother Chen *knows* the method and can use it. The difficulty between the two is vast." Chen Mobai had previously witnessed her Grand Void Teleportation, which was an advanced version of Void Walking. If she could use Grand Teleportation, then Void Walking was clearly no issue for her.

"Senior Sister Wenren is too modest," Chen Mobai said. "Mastering it is mastering it; there's no superior or inferior." Fearing Wenren Xuewei might ask him for specific tips on Void Walking, Chen Mobai, after his display, immediately urged her to drink the tea and sample the new Green Cicada he had cultivated.

"Hmm... this tea!" Compared to Qing Nü, Wenren Xuewei was practically a grandmaster in the Immortal Sect's tea ceremony. Just one sip, and she instantly understood the grade and value of the Green Cicada Spirit Tea.

After Chen Mobai finished explaining the origin and effects of the Green Cicada, she drained the remaining half-cup in her hand, then closed her eyes, savoring the taste. "Could you give me a tea branch?" she asked. "My Dao Comprehension Tea hasn't absorbed this new type of tea before."

After savoring the tea, Wenren Xuewei spoke to Chen Mobai. He naturally nodded in agreement, then opened his personal domain and retrieved a first-grade Green Cicada tea seed, which he had specially prepared and re-cultivated in the environment of Danxia Mountain. "Many thanks!" Seeing this, Wenren Xuewei was quite touched.

"There's no need for formalities between us," Chen Mobai said with a smile. "For the next thousand years of the Immortal Sect, we two will need to work together to lead the Wuqi and Jumang lineages." Chen Mobai noted that Wenren Xuewei consistently used "we" when speaking with him, clearly intending to continue and even strengthen the bond between their ancestors. He, naturally, gave an an explicit affirmation. With both parties willing, Chen Mobai and Wenren Xuewei, as future leaders of their respective Dao Academies, easily reached a consensus.

"Well then, I won't disturb you two any longer. I'll also take this opportunity to transplant this new tea seed into my own domain." Wenren Xuewei smiled as she accepted the tea seed, then bid farewell. As she left, she waved to Qing Nü, who, somewhat embarrassed, flushed crimson and hastily stood up. "I should be going too..." The two women surprisingly walked to the door simultaneously.

"Then I'll see you off," Chen Mobai said, rising. His main concern, however, was Qing Nü. Wenren Xuewei lived on the floor above, so the three parted ways at the staircase. Chen Mobai then personally escorted Qing Nü out. On the way out of Five Peaks Immortal Mountain, he handed her a talisman.

"This talisman has a beacon I set," he explained. "Activate it if you need me. If you're close, I can teleport directly to you. If you're far, I'll still sense it and come to you as quickly as possible." Qing Nü happily accepted it.

After seeing Qing Nü off, Chen Mobai returned to his room. A short while later, a knock sounded at the door again. Wenren Xuewei's beautiful, slightly embarrassed face appeared before him. She had come to ask for advice on cultivating the Green Cicada tea seed, as she had noticed its leaves were wilting after transplanting it into her personal domain. As an excellent spirit plant cultivator, she had likely identified several issues, but knowing Chen Mobai was just downstairs, she decided to consult him in person.

"I think it might be because the spirit soil isn't compatible..." After listening, Chen Mobai immediately offered his opinion. Then, at Wenren Xuewei's invitation, he entered her personal domain, and the two began discussing the newly planted tea seed.

"Just as I thought," he said. "It seems suitable spirit soil needs to contain fire and earth attributes. I hadn't realized this before." Chen Mobai dug out a piece of spirit soil from his own domain, replaced the soil in Wenren Xuewei's domain with it, and after replanting the tea seed, its leaves indeed began to unfurl again.

This Green Cicada Spirit Tea was Chen Mobai's improved version. At lower grades, it could grow and survive without dragon vein qi, but to advance to the third grade, it would require a supply of dragon vein qi. However, if Yan Xinjie was correct, the Jumang Dao Academy was the source of all spiritual veins on the entire Diyuan Star. So, when Wenren Xuewei returned and planted it there, it would certainly grow successfully.

"Thank you, you've gone to so much trouble." Seeing the problem resolved, Wenren Xuewei narrowed her eyes, smiling in gratitude. Chen Mobai then watched as she took out a tube of spirit water, dripped it onto the tea seed, and the originally palm-sized tea sprout visibly grew several new leaves at a rapid pace.

"Is this... Myriad Transformation Thunderwater?" Chen Mobai asked, surprised by the sight.

"It's a nutrient solution created by diluting Myriad Transformation Thunderwater a hundredfold," Wenren Xuewei explained with a smile. "A few drops usually save a lot of effort when cultivating first and second-grade spirit plants." Chen Mobai couldn't help but sigh with emotion upon hearing this.

"It's a pity I've used up all my Myriad Transformation Thunderwater," he lamented. "I wonder when I'll be able to queue up to buy another portion."

"Well, it's not entirely impossible..." Wenren Xuewei said, hesitating slightly after hearing Chen Mobai's words.

"Oh, has your Dao Academy recently refined more Myriad Transformation Thunderwater?" Chen Mobai asked, somewhat surprised. Wenren Xuewei, however, shook her head and explained the reason.

"Last time, didn't the Headmaster refine your Water Spirit Pearls into Face-Setting Pearls? Cui'er used one to commune with the Azure Frost Sword, but it seems one pearl isn't quite enough. So, even though Cui'er received the Golden Liquid Jade Return Pill, she hasn't taken that final step because she can't fully commune with the Azure Frost Sword..." Hearing Wenren Xuewei's explanation, Chen Mobai immediately understood. This was good news for him.

Of the eighty-eight pearls that Fury River had given him, he had given away many, but still had sixty-four remaining. If Senior Immortal Peach Blossom was willing to exchange Myriad Transformation Thunderwater for them, he could even go back to the water veins and get dozens or hundreds more from Fury River.

"I actually have some left over," Chen Mobai said. "Senior Sister Pei was quite hospitable to me back at the Mountains and Seas Academy. When you go back, please take this one to her for me. I'm hoping she can reach Core Formation soon; after all, as one's cultivation realm grows, old acquaintances become fewer and fewer." As he spoke, Chen Mobai went all out, directly producing a Water Spirit Pearl and asking Wenren Xuewei to deliver it. Seeing his immense generosity – casually giving away something so valuable – her pupils dilated in shock.

"Alright, I'll make sure to convey your message to the Headmaster." Wenren Xuewei understood Chen Mobai's intention: he wanted to exchange pearls for Myriad Transformation Thunderwater. However, she had never before witnessed someone pave the way for a business deal by first "giving away a hundred million" to build connections.

The two then discussed matters related to the Immortal Sect's leadership transition. Their two lineages primarily aimed to support each other, ensuring their people wouldn't be unfairly removed from power by the Heaven-Mending and Kunpeng factions during this transfer of authority.

This time, with Ying Guanghua taking over as the Lord of the Immortal Affairs Hall, he would inevitably bring a group of his direct lineage from the Orthodox Law Hall. Consequently, the Immortal Affairs Hall would need to clear out positions for these new appointees. The purging of these individuals would be the source of friction among the four lineages. Ying Guanghua naturally wanted to remove those not affiliated with the Heaven-Mending lineage. He would ask people from the other three lineages to voluntarily step down, with the Heaven-Mending lineage then yielding some positions in the Orthodox Law Hall or the Kaiyuan Hall as an exchange and compensation.

Among them, the Kunpeng faction was powerful, so the positions and seats offered by Heaven-Mending would be better. The Wuqi and Jumang factions, being weaker, might suffer losses. But that was still considered fortunate. Public officials not belonging to the four major lineages felt this leadership transition meeting was nothing short of a tumultuous storm. One might wake up to find themselves banished outside the imperial capital, forced to voluntarily relinquish their positions. These individuals naturally wanted to resist, so they would seek out the four lineages, hoping for protection and so forth.

Chen Mobai, Wenren Xuewei, and other leaders would choose individuals who were useful to them, weighing the pros and cons to decide whether to accept their allegiance and exchange their lineage's interests with Heaven-Mending to protect these people.

Almost every personnel change had far-reaching implications, and it was precisely for this reason that Chen Mobai needed to arrive early and, with Wang Shuye's assistance, begin to sort out and weigh decisions from a holistic perspective.

In comparison, Wenren Xuewei was slightly more relaxed. She believed that as long as she reached the Nascent Soul realm, everything lost would eventually return, so the Jumang lineage only intended to protect its own people.

As Chen Mobai discussed these matters with her, with both being candid yet also holding back some information, they made deductions about the future structure of the Three Great Halls, ensuring that neither lineage would suffer significant losses during this transition.

The day of the leadership transition quickly arrived. In the grand hall of the Kaiyuan Palace, over three hundred eligible Immortal Sect council members entered one by one and took their seats.

Soon after, almost everyone had arrived, except for the main platform reserved for the chief and deputy lords of the Three Great Halls, and a few seats in the very front row. Shortly, the deputy lords of the Immortal Affairs Hall and the Kaiyuan Palace emerged one by one from a side door, taking their places on the outermost seats to the left and right of the main platform.

After Gongye Zhixu and Ye Yun'e, a flash of silver light appeared, and Senior Immortal Water Immortal, with white hair and white eyebrows, materialized out of thin air, sitting next to Ye Yun'e.

After the three deputy lords on the main platform, everyone's gaze shifted to the first row. Soon, silver light flickered, and Yuan Xu, Qing Ping, and Meihua—three Nascent Soul cultivators from the Heaven-Mending lineage—appeared, taking seats in the very first row. After these three, two more flashes of silver light indicated the arrival of Headmaster Beiming of the Kunpeng Dao Academy and Senior Immortal Yunhai from the Academy of Nature. The latter had also studied at the Kunpeng Dao Academy and trained in the sea realms, thus being considered part of the Kunpeng lineage.

After the Nascent Soul Grandmasters appeared, the members of the Kaiyuan Palace Rotating Committee, who shared their row, all rose to greet them. Wang Shuye was among them.

"It seems Cheng Xuan and the others are unavailable; it's just the five of us this time," said Senior Immortal Beiming. He was a stern-faced middle-aged man, burly with broad shoulders and deep-set eyes. His entire demeanor was cold and serious, clearly a formidable and awe-inspiring expert who greatly valued rules. Among the headmasters of the Immortal Sect's four great Dao Academies, he was both the youngest and the most powerful in cultivation.

"The Headmaster is in seclusion and cannot be disturbed," Wang Shuye explained. "As for Senior Immortal Yu Xiao, he dislikes going out, so neither has come." Senior Immortal Beiming nodded, accepting this explanation, then looked at Nie Tinglan, the person in charge of the Jumang Dao Academy.

"Senior Immortal Peach Blossom and Three-Absolute haven't arrived either. It seems the Wuqi and Jumang factions intend to remain withdrawn and unchanged," he said. Nie Tinglan smiled awkwardly, offering a similar excuse about being busy in seclusion.

Nascent Soul Grandmasters held a transcendent status within the Immortal Sect; even for such important meetings, their attendance depended entirely on their mood. With no desires or demands, the absence of the two lineages' Nascent Soul Grandmasters at this transition meeting was a clear signal to let the Heaven-Mending and Kunpeng factions do as they pleased. They were simply waiting for the next thousand years, for their two potential God Transformation cultivators!

"Sometimes, placing all hopes on the future signifies a lack of confidence in one's current strength, a failure to grasp the present," Senior Immortal Beiming suddenly stated. "Cheng Xuan's breakthrough this time might not necessarily succeed!" Wang Shuye's expression changed at Senior Immortal Beiming's sudden remark, but he could only pretend not to hear the Nascent Soul Grandmaster's skepticism, giving two dry laughs as he prepared to return to his seat.

"Where is that Chen Mobai from your Wuqi Dao Academy? Didn't he come this time? Which one is he?" Senior Immortal Beiming spoke again, addressing Wang Shuye.

"He should be arriving soon," Wang Shuye replied. "Perhaps there was some traffic." Wang Shuye had already looked around and hadn't seen Chen Mobai, so that was all he could say in response to Senior Immortal Beiming's question.

"Emerging from a century of seclusion, I never expected anyone in the Immortal Sect to dare claim the potential for God Transformation," Senior Immortal Beiming continued. "The one with the Evergreen Art is fine; at least he's guaranteed a Nascent Soul. But as for the other one, who's been hyped up so much, I wish to see him with my own eyes..." Senior Immortal Beiming continued speaking, his words clearly aimed at someone. Wang Shuye's brow furrowed slightly upon hearing this.

Just then, Senior Immortal Beiming's expression changed. Not only he, but the other four Nascent Soul Grandmasters also sensed two unfamiliar void fluctuations, and they involuntarily rose, turning their heads towards the entrance. Every move of the Nascent Soul Grandmasters was watched by over three hundred Core Formation council members. Seeing their reaction, everyone followed their gaze. Then, in the two empty seats in the middle of the grand hall, two points of silver light abruptly materialized from nothing, then rapidly expanded into two human figures.

The silver light became blindingly bright in an instant, and the figures solidified from void to reality: a handsome young man in a Wuqi red-and-black robe, and an elegant young woman in a Jumang celestial green gown. After materializing from the void, the young man gently reached out and supported the slightly trembling young woman.

Wenren Xuewei's Void Walking was performed by harnessing the power of the Great Toon Tree, and because she hadn't fully comprehended its true principles, her physical body endured immense pressure with each use. This time, because it was only Void Walking, it was relatively fine, but her comparatively fragile internal organs felt a tearing pain. Noticing this, Chen Mobai concernedly helped her steady herself.

"Thank you!" Wenren Xuewei's slightly pale complexion instantly returned to a healthy flush under the effects of her Evergreen Art, showing no sign that her internal organs had strained during the recent teleportation.

"Have a seat," Chen Mobai said. "The meeting starts in about fifteen minutes..." Seeing this, Chen Mobai smiled softly, released her hand, and was about to sit down when he noticed that everyone in the grand hall seemed to be staring at them. Especially the gazes from the very front row, filled with shock and astonishment. Chen Mobai felt a little strange. He checked the time, confirming they weren't late.

Then he spotted Wang Shuye and couldn't help but wave to him across the distance. Before the leadership transition, he was just an ordinary Kaiyuan Palace council member, so his seat was in an inconspicuous spot.

Near Wang Shuye, Chen Mobai also saw Senior Immortal Yuan Xu and Senior Immortal Qing Ping, whom he had met before. After a moment's thought, he decided to go say hello. "Want to come along?" Chen Mobai asked Wenren Xuewei. She smiled charmingly, nodded, and followed him towards the first row.

As they walked, all the council members rose to their feet, their faces showing respect. Soon, they reached the very front.

All Nascent Soul Grandmasters of the Immortal Sect had their images available online, so Chen Mobai recognized each one. Nevertheless, he pretended not to know them and had Wang Shuye introduce him. Wenren Xuewei did the same, having Nie Tinglan introduce her.

"Talented individuals emerge throughout history; the new generation surpasses the old!" Senior Immortal Yuan Xu suddenly declared after greetings were exchanged, prompting Senior Immortal Beiming beside him to glance at him.

"Hahaha, back when you two opened your Core Formation domains, it was I who activated the gate for you," Senior Immortal Qing Ping said, clearly overjoyed as he greeted them. "Who would have thought, you two actually managed to master Void Walking at the Core Formation realm! Truly worthy of being considered the most exceptional talents with potential for God Transformation after the two Patriarchs." After all, he had opened the gates countless times, but only when he did so had two such astonishing talents in the path of the void emerged. Perhaps thousands of years from now, he, Senior Immortal Qing Ping, would be forever remembered in history because of this.

"Oh, no, not at all," Chen Mobai said. "We two haven't even reached Nascent Soul yet; our achievements are far inferior to yours, Grandmasters. We wouldn't dare claim the potential for God Transformation!" In front of outsiders, Chen Mobai was always very humble. Because they had previously reached a consensus that the Wuqi and Jumang factions would always advance and retreat together within the Three Great Halls, he used "we," and Wenren Xuewei, with a faint smile, also offered similarly modest words.

"This is Senior Immortal Beiming, and this is Senior Immortal Yunhai..." After greeting the three Nascent Soul Grandmasters from the Heaven-Mending lineage, they soon approached the two from the Kunpeng lineage.

In front of such a crowd, Senior Immortal Beiming could only stand up, shake Chen Mobai's hand, nod, and then sit down without a word. In contrast, Senior Immortal Yunhai was smiling and amiable, even chatting with Chen Mobai and Wenren Xuewei for a long time.

"After the meeting, we can have tea together," Senior Immortal Yunhai invited. "Qiongzhi often tells me about you two." As Senior Immortal Yunhai extended the invitation, Yan Qiongzhi, also a Kaiyuan Palace council member, approached at his summons.

Chen Mobai and Wenren Xuewei naturally didn't refuse, immediately nodding their agreement. Although Senior Immortal Yunhai politically belonged to the Kunpeng lineage, he maintained good relationships with the other three. Yan Qiongzhi and Wenren Xuewei had become friends when he introduced them during a visit to the Jumang Dao Academy.

"It's almost time," Chen Mobai said, glancing at the clock high in the grand hall. "We should return to our seats." Senior Immortal Yunhai nodded with a smile. Then, along with Yan Qiongzhi, the three left the first row.

While on their way back, Chen Mobai noticed that all the Core Formation council members in the grand hall were looking at him with respectful gazes. He knew this was not only because he was the future leader of the Wuqi Dao Academy lineage for the next few centuries, but also because of the powerful talent he had just displayed.

In the history of the Immortal Sect, those who had mastered Void Walking at the Core Formation realm were limited to the Void Spirit Body and practitioners of the Evergreen Art. Therefore, Chen Mobai could be said to be truly the only one who had achieved this solely through his own formidable talent.

The potential for God Transformation was well-deserved! In fact, "potential for God Transformation" might not even be enough to describe his monstrous talent.

This was because Patriarch Zhongli's notes, left before his nirvana, mentioned that cultivation beyond God Transformation was related to the void. If Chen Mobai's talent was truly so heaven-defying, he might just become the first person in the Immortal Sect's history to potentially break through the God Transformation realm!

Realizing this, everyone rose to their feet and expressed their respect for him.