Chapter 760: Appreciation (7K)

The great art of "Withered Wood Revives" was originally created by the Heavenly Venerate to heal spiritual plants that failed their tribulations. Among all living beings in the world, spiritual plants face the most difficult tribulations. Out of thousands of spiritual plants attempting a tribulation, very few succeed. Despite some having the potential for insight, spiritual plants inherently possess weak sentience. Even a peak Tier 4 spiritual plant's sentience is only comparable to that of an infant, making it virtually impossible for them to cultivate successfully on their own. Therefore, this great art of "Withered Wood Revives" is extremely important to the Longevity Sect. It can rejuvenate nearly dead spiritual plants, allowing them to shed their ailments and regain vitality.

This Five-Horned Ancient Maple was also a peak Tier 4 spiritual plant long ago, but during its breakthrough, it was struck by a heavenly tribulation, leaving only a tiny remnant of its fundamental primordial energy. And this tiny bit of primordial energy was the seed of hope for its recovery.

After soaking it in diluted Myriad Transformation Thunderwater, Chen Mobai began to cast "Withered Wood Revives" on the charred Five-Horned Ancient Maple. He had only mastered this great art last month, through dual cultivation with Yin Qingmei. While visiting, he also delivered the crafted Green Bamboo Yin-Void Sword and other magical artifacts to Yin Qingmei and her companions. Upon his return, Chen Mobai effortlessly elevated "Withered Wood Revives" to the Tier 4 level, utilizing the Grand Dao Tree's empowerment. However, this Five-Horned Ancient Maple was inherently of extremely high quality, and Chen Mobai wasn't sure if he could succeed.

A vibrant green light descended, but there was no reaction whatsoever. But Chen Mobai did not lose heart. He continued to sustain the great art, letting the green light cover the entire Five-Horned Ancient Maple, while also constantly listening with his "Echoes of the Empty Valley" technique. As time passed, he suddenly felt an extremely subtle aura emanating from within the tree. The Myriad Transformation Thunderwater, which had been soaking the charred and withered bark, began to slowly seep in. Subsequently, the damaged and dead outer skin gradually started to crack.

Seeing this, Chen Mobai immediately became alert, continuing to control the diluted Myriad Transformation Thunderwater with his divine sense, letting it drift like rain onto various parts of the Five-Horned Ancient Maple. He didn't know how long passed, but the cracks suddenly expanded across the entire charred bark of the Five-Horned Ancient Maple, and then began to fall off in flakes, as if an invisible hand were peeling away its damaged outer layer, revealing the wood grain beneath. At the same time, Chen Mobai's "Echoes of the Empty Valley" also discerned the intent of that wisp of primordial energy. He closed his eyes and began to resonate more carefully and deeply.

At that moment, Chen Mobai felt as if he had become this spiritual plant, experiencing thousands of years of temporal changes at an extremely slow pace. He immediately entered the "Square Inch Book" state, detaching his consciousness to avoid being altered or assimilated by these vast temporal traces. In the "Square Inch Book" state, Chen Mobai was like an observer pressing a fast-forward button, witnessing the ancient maple tree's infinitely glorious past. Long ago, it had been the master and protector of this land; a single falling leaf could stir the autumn wind, and a single thought could shake the vast wilderness.

It had also endured several heavenly tribulations, and it had narrowly survived the previous ones. But during the last one, its immense primordial energy dissipated under the might of heaven and earth. Endless tribulation lightning descended from the sky, shattering all of its proud Fire Maple spiritual leaves. Simultaneously, extremely cold earth fire surged forth, seeping from its roots up to its trunk and branches, freezing its true spirit. Without its true spirit, its vast and fiery primordial energy became chaotic, burning it from within. Had it not coexisted with this power for nearly ten thousand years, it would likely have been completely incinerated, turning into a mountain of dust. Even so, under such terrifying heavenly tribulation, only its main trunk remained. The pain of near-death was so intense that if Chen Mobai hadn't detached himself using the "Square Inch Book," he might have felt it acutely during the resonance, suffering severe damage to his divine sense.

Fortunately, powerful spiritual plants possess extremely tenacious vitality. Even after enduring such a terrifying heavenly tribulation, the Five-Horned Ancient Maple still retained the seed of primordial energy for recovery. Under the continuous application of the great art of "Withered Wood Revives" and the constant irrigation of Myriad Transformation Thunderwater, this ancient tree finally regained its vitality today.

Chen Mobai didn't know how much time had passed before he opened his eyes. All of his spiritual water diluted with a single drop of Myriad Transformation Thunderwater had been used up. By this time, most of the charred bark of the Five-Horned Ancient Maple had peeled off, and several tender shoots had grown from the gaps in the formerly burned branches. This indicated that the spiritual plant had fully recovered.

"That was quite simple!" Chen Mobai couldn't help but show a relaxed expression, seeing how easily he had saved the spiritual plant. Of course, the quick response was also due to the effects of the Myriad Transformation Thunderwater. He diluted another drop and, after pouring half of it, stopped only when he perceived the Five-Horned Ancient Maple's simple thought of satisfaction. With the help of this Immortal Sect spiritual water, the newly recovered Five-Horned Ancient Maple had already begun to absorb some earth vein spiritual energy through its roots, initiating self-repair and enhancement.

However, the most crucial period was yet to come. It required more careful observation to ensure that the newly recovered Five-Horned Ancient Maple, still in its fragile stage, could repair itself correctly and receive sufficient spiritual energy, water, and other necessary provisions. This would require a spiritual plant master who understood the Five-Horned Ancient Maple intimately. Besides Chen Mobai, only Zhuo Ming fit the description.

In the past, Chen Mobai would have simply notified his disciple to come and assist him with this task. But now he had another idea.

"Greetings, Sect Master!"

Down the mountain, Gu Yan and a newly established female Foundation Establishment cultivator named Wei Qiurong saw Chen Mobai descend. Leading a dozen Five Elements Sect disciples, they respectfully bowed. The previous Foundation Establishment cultivator here, Xin Tingzheng, had passed away peacefully last year, having reached the end of his lifespan. Wei Qiurong was a true disciple of the Spiritual Plant Department before achieving Foundation Establishment, which is why she was assigned here. However, she had actively sought out this assignment. After all, this Heavenly Peng Mountain Villa was at least a low-grade Tier 4 spiritual vein. If she cultivated in Giantwood Ridge, she would at most enjoy Tier 3 spiritual energy.

"I used a secret art to activate the vitality of this Five-Horned Ancient Maple. For the next few years, this spiritual plant will continuously absorb the earth vein spiritual energy from Heavenly Peng Mountain to recover. During this process, I will invite a powerful spiritual plant master, a friend of mine, to help look after it. Remember not to treat her lightly."

As soon as Chen Mobai finished speaking, Wei Qiurong immediately nodded solemnly, stating that the Sect Master's friend was her senior, and she would respect her as she would the Sect Master himself. Chen Mobai believed her words. The cultivators here were not as distinct and individualistic as those in the Immortal Sect. Especially the Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Five Elements Sect's Wood Meridian, they revered his words as if they were divine.

Chen Mobai planned to bring Qing Nu here. These days, he had also told Qing Nu about the situation in the Sky River Realm, feeling it was time for her to emerge from the Divine Tree Secret Realm and experience this world. Conveniently, the earth vein spiritual energy in the Divine Tree Secret Realm was largely suppressed by the Three Divine Trees, forcing Qing Nu to rely on spirit stones to sustain her cultivation. She worried daily about spending hundreds of thousands of good deeds points, and her constant fretting had worn Chen Mobai's ears raw.

Chen Mobai had considered letting Qing Nu cultivate in his Longevity Wood Dao field. However, even though he was the Sect Master of the Five Elements Sect, there were still Zhou Shengqing and Fu Zongjue, and it would be difficult to explain Qing Nu's sudden appearance to them. After all, the Longevity Wood Dao field was the most crucial spiritual vein core of the Wood Meridian. It was impossible to allow Qing Nu, a stranger to the Five Elements Sect, to reside there indefinitely without reason. Chen Mobai had also considered taking Qing Nu to Beiyuan City before, but precisely at that time, he had mastered "Withered Wood Revives," which made him think of the Heavenly Peng Mountain Villa. This was also a Tier 4 spiritual vein, and it was somewhat wasted on the sect's Foundation Establishment and Qi Cultivation cultivators on a daily basis. It would be perfectly suitable as a cultivation spot for Qing Nu.

First, he would arrange a cover identity for Qing Nu as his friend. Then, when the time was right, he would find a suitable background for her and take her as a Dao companion, allowing her to naturally integrate into the Five Elements Sect. With this thought, Chen Mobai returned to Giantwood Ridge with Gu Yan.

As soon as he returned, he heard another good piece of news. Yue Zutao had emerged from his seclusion. He had successfully formed his Golden Core, and his cultivation realm was already consolidated. As the first chief true disciple of the Divine Wood Sect after the sect's split, Yue Zutao possessed exceptional talent. After taking the Longevity Tree Fruit, which locked his cultivation, he couldn't break through his realm and stopped taking any elixirs that boosted spiritual power, which further honed his will. Later, with Chen Mobai's help, he resolved this issue using the Twin Phases Technique, which was essentially equivalent to forming a Golden Core once before. Therefore, Yue Zutao's success was within Chen Mobai's expectations.

"Greetings, Sect Master!"

After forming his Golden Core, Yue Zutao was somewhat spirited. Usually gentle as jade, he now exuded a vibrant aura, like a young man whose name had appeared on the imperial examination's golden list.

"Hahaha, no need for formalities. The sect has gained another Golden Core cultivator, and it's you, which makes me very happy." Chen Mobai warmly invited Yue Zutao to drink tea, having already brewed a pot of Snow Needle Immortal Bud.

"If not for your guidance, Sect Master, and your selfless sharing of Golden Core formation insights, I certainly wouldn't have succeeded." Yue Zutao clearly knew the primary reason for his successful Golden Core formation. Thus, after forming his Golden Core, he held Chen Mobai in even greater respect.

Chen Mobai asked him if he had any doubts about his cultivation after forming his Golden Core. After answering them one by one, he bestowed upon him the complete text of the Longevity Immortality Scripture. This was revised by Zhou Shengqing after he formed his Nascent Soul, and it was considered the Five Elements Sect's first truly successful Wood-attribute Nascent Soul cultivation method. Upon receiving it, Yue Zutao scanned it with his divine sense and was very excited to see that it even contained content on Nascent Soul formation. This signified that the sect's highest legacy had been fully bestowed upon him.

"I have a grand plan that concerns the sect's future for hundreds, even thousands of years. It had been stalled due to the lack of someone to oversee its execution. Now that you've formed your Golden Core, I want to entrust this plan to you. Are you willing?"

"Sect Master, please just give the command!"

Hearing Yue Zutao's words, Chen Mobai nodded in satisfaction and then brought up the matter of the Five Elements Merchant Guild.

"When I served as the Vice Hall Master of the Hall of Rewards, I also thought about this issue. Our Five Elements Sect has taken control of the Eastern Barrens. If we want to continue to grow and develop, and even support you, Sect Master, in advancing further to form your Nascent Soul, we must step out of the Eastern Barrens and interact with other major sects in the Eastern Domain."

Unexpectedly, Yue Zutao had already thought of this point himself. He also shared his ideas for the Five Elements Merchant Guild. After listening, Chen Mobai felt that he had truly chosen the right person. Although he possessed a wealth of financial theories, under the relatively primitive business model of the Sky River Realm, it still required a local expert like Yue Zutao, who understood various customs, to manage it for there to be any chance of success. Business isn't as simple as having good products and automatically doing well. There are many intricacies involved, especially in a place like the Sky River Realm, where there are almost no rules. It truly requires a leader with outstanding personal ability to ensure profitability. The biggest reason for the success of Chen Mobai's Little South Mountain Shop was that it was backed by him, the Sect Master of the Five Elements Sect, the largest sect in the Eastern Barrens. Only then could it rely on good products to earn huge profits in the nineteen counties of the Eastern Barrens.

"Take my command and select the people you need within the sect. If this venture succeeds, the position of Hall Master of the Hall of Rewards will be yours after I step down in the future."

Yue Zutao's expression became slightly agitated upon hearing this. Within the Five Elements Sect, the status of the Hall Masters of the three great halls was the highest. In the future, if resources useful for Golden Core cultivators became available, he would also have the advantage of being close to the source.

"This Green Bamboo Yin-Void Sword and the beast hide inner armor were specially crafted for you. After you form your Golden Core, you'll be able to fully unleash their power." Finally, Chen Mobai took out two Tier 3 magical artifacts, one for offense and one for defense, and handed them to the greatly excited Yue Zutao. He had originally been wondering if, after establishing the Five Elements Merchant Guild and leaving the Eastern Barrens, he could go to the Eastern Barbarians or the Eastern Lands to purchase a Tier 3 magical artifact for himself. He hadn't expected the Sect Master to have already prepared them for him! This instilled in him a deep sense of loyalty and willingness to serve.

"Thank you, Sect Master, for bestowing these treasures!"

Amidst Yue Zutao's excitement, Chen Mobai also imparted to him the incantations and mental techniques for refining magical artifacts. The former memorized every word and even carved them onto a jade slip on the spot. Chen Mobai also mentioned some goods he could provide, such as Tier 1 talismans and talisman ink produced by his puppet factory. These would be the foundation for opening up markets in the Eastern Barbarians and even the Eastern Lands. The industrialized products from the Immortal Sect would undoubtedly be a "dimensional strike" against the lower-tier markets of the Sky River Realm. This had already been proven in the Eastern Barrens. Currently, there were no longer any small workshops producing low-grade talismans or talisman ink in the Eastern Barrens. They had all been monopolized by the Little South Mountain Shop.

Besides talismans and talisman ink, Chen Mobai also instructed him to check which spiritual items among the Five Elements' five meridians were similar to Green Yang Fire or Longevity Tree Sap, and to market them with the concept of "pure, natural, and pollution-free, safe for cultivators to refine and consume." Yue Zutao understood some parts but not others, yet he still made a note of it.

In addition to these, Chen Mobai also prepared Immortal Peach Fruits and Age-Retaining Pearls. However, the Five Elements Merchant Guild would need to maintain a low profile when operating externally, so these items couldn't be introduced at the very beginning. Immortal Peach Fruits were fine, as they only boosted spiritual energy. Even with the selling point of being "pill-toxin-free," they would probably only sell for slightly more than ordinary elixirs, given that cultivators in the Sky River Realm weren't yet terrified of pill toxins. The number of cultivators here who didn't rely on elixirs for advancement was negligible. But Age-Retaining Pearls were different. Chen Mobai had inquired and found that similar items existed in the Sky River Realm, but they were extremely rare and sold for prices comparable to Tier 4 elixirs. After all, female cultivators would essentially go wild upon hearing that something could grant eternal youth. However, these items were still in the spiritual pool of the Gou Mang Daoist Academy. Since Chen Mobai had refined twenty of them at once, the quantity was somewhat large, so they wouldn't be available for pickup until the end of this year.

In addition to these, with Qing Nu's arrival, Chen Mobai also planned to include various elixirs from the Immortal Sect into his product lineup. At that time, these elixirs could be gradually unlocked for sale as Qing Nu's cultivation improved and the Five Elements Sect's strength grew. Chen Mobai's plan was that once he and Qing Nu formed their Nascent Souls, they could sell Golden Liquid Jade Return Pills and Five Elements Golden Core Pills. If they reached the Deity Transformation stage, then they could introduce the three spiritual medicines for Nascent Soul formation. He intended to proceed steadily, step by step.

After Yue Zutao left, Chen Mobai summoned Ma Wuniang, the head of the Spiritual Beast Department. Previously, Chen Mobai had brought the Sky Swallowing Serpent out of the Divine Tree Secret Realm. When Zhuo Ming was present, she would help look after and feed it. After Zhuo Ming left, this task was handed over to the Spiritual Beast Department. As the Sect Master's spirit beast, Ma Wuniang naturally took utmost care of it with extreme diligence. Chen Mobai considered that the Sky Swallowing Serpent harbored a fragment of Yang Jing's divine consciousness, making it somewhat like Qing Nu's younger sister. From now on, he planned to have Qing Nu take it to Heavenly Peng Mountain, providing her with a spiritual companion.

A short while later, Ma Wuniang arrived with a spiritual beast bag. Chen Mobai released the Sky Swallowing Serpent. It had been exceptionally well-cared for, incredibly plump and nearly twenty meters long. However, it was lazily coiled up. Upon seeing Chen Mobai, it symbolically stretched its head out and flicked its tongue, showing its affection.

"Sect Master, the spirit serpent is currently at a critical juncture of advancement and transformation. Once it passes this stage, it can upgrade to a Tier 2 spirit beast." Because Chen Mobai had commanded that the Sky Swallowing Serpent only be fed wood-attribute ingredients, nurturing it from a young age towards the attributes of a Green Dragon, Ma Wuniang had only been able to feed it spiritual fruits and leaves over the years. To raise it to such a size under these conditions, Ma Wuniang must have put in a great deal of effort.

"Hmm, very good. You've worked hard." Chen Mobai calculated that the Sky Swallowing Serpent had been with him for exactly fifty years. To grow to peak Tier 1 in such a short time was considered fast for a demonic beast.

After rewarding Ma Wuniang, Chen Mobai put the Sky Swallowing Serpent back into the spiritual beast bag and then went to the Divine Tree Secret Realm.

"Xiao Chen really is something. Why didn't he tell me about this!" As soon as Qing Nu heard that this was Yang Jing's divine consciousness fragment, given to him by Kong Feichen, she immediately started lecturing her younger brother. After all, she had still been at the Gou Mang Daoist Academy at the time, and it could clearly have been given to her.

"The Sky Swallowing Serpent is, after all, a product of the Ascension Cult. He was probably afraid that the Immortal Sect would suspect you because of it." Chen Mobai uncharacteristically spoke up for Kong Feichen.

"Even so, he shouldn't have made you bear this risk. If you didn't possess the Void Spirit Body, and the Immortal Sect discovered you raising Jing'er, it would definitely affect your future advancement within the three great halls." Qing Nu continued to scold Kong Feichen; this younger brother never did anything to spare her worries.

"Come on, I'll take you to see the Heavenly Peng Mountain Villa!" Chen Mobai decisively changed the subject.

"Actually, as long as I'm with you, it doesn't matter where we are." Hearing this, Qing Nu blushed and uttered these words. Chen Mobai immediately shook his head, stating that since he had the ability, he must provide her with the best cultivation conditions. Qing Nu placed the Sky Swallowing Serpent into her spiritual beast bag, then looked back at the wooden hut where she had lived for half a year with some reluctance. She took Chen Mobai's hand and left the place.

The rich Tier 4 high-grade spiritual energy outside the Longevity Wood Dao field invigorated Qing Nu, and she couldn't help but take several deep breaths. "Giantwood Ridge is the headquarters of my Five Elements Sect's Wood Meridian. I initially joined the Divine Wood Sect here and gradually developed and improved myself." Chen Mobai, riding the Red Cloud Mist Gauze, flew into the sky with Qing Nu, then continuously pointed at the sprawling medicinal and spiritual fields below as he introduced them.

"That's my Little South Mountain. It's also a Tier 4 spiritual vein. I transplanted an Immortal Peach Tree to its peak. It was originally Tier 3, but through my enlightenment, it is now Tier 4." As he spoke, Chen Mobai brought Qing Nu down to the summit of Little South Mountain. Chen Mobai wanted to pick a ripe Tier 3 Immortal Peach Fruit for her to taste, but Qing Nu immediately stopped him. She had already reached Foundation Establishment Completion; consuming more wouldn't further her cultivation.

"These peaches actually taste quite good." Chen Mobai actually knew this. He just wanted Qing Nu to sample the taste of the spiritual fruit. But Qing Nu firmly shook her head and refused. This Tier 3 Immortal Peach Fruit, if placed in the Immortal Sect, could sell for at least tens of millions of good deeds points. "It shouldn't be wasted like this!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Mobai smiled and picked one. "Besides boosting spiritual energy, this Immortal Peach Fruit can also enhance spirit roots. I hope your Water Spirit Root value can increase to 100 points." Qing Nu was touched by this. Seeing that Chen Mobai had already picked it, she could only accept it. Only one Tier 3 Immortal Peach Fruit matured each year. Starting this year, Chen Mobai had already instructed the Spiritual Treasure Pavilion not to stock this spiritual fruit, saying they would reconsider after Qing Nu had finished consuming them. After consuming all the Tier 3 and Tier 4 Immortal Peach Fruits, and with the addition of the Jadeblood Carp, Qing Nu's Heavenly Water spirit root would certainly be able to upgrade to an Immortal Water spirit root. Although he didn't know the specific benefits of an Immortal Spirit Root, since he had the ability to enhance it, he would certainly max out Qing Nu's spirit root.

"Thank you!" Qing Nu's mindset from the Immortal Sect hadn't fully changed yet; she still found these items extremely valuable. She carefully cast a spell to preserve the spiritual fruit and then placed it in her storage bag.

Seeing this, Chen Mobai smiled and led her on a tour of his bamboo forest and tea garden on the mountainside. The Tier 3 Pure Bamboo, Tier 3 Green Cicada Spirit Tea, Snow Needle Immortal Bud, and Enlightenment White Tea all left her greatly astonished. In contrast, the tens of thousands of acres of spiritual fields stretching out at the foot of the mountain seemed somewhat ordinary to her. The cultivation scale of these spiritual grains was indeed quite small compared to those in the Immortal Sect.

After touring Little South Mountain, Chen Mobai took Qing Nu and left Giantwood Ridge.

"These three Tier 4 spiritual plants are the same species as the Talent Tree and Magic Treasure Tree in the Divine Wood Realm!" Flying in mid-air, Qing Nu pointed at the three Longevity Woods and spoke. Chen Mobai nodded, then pointed at his own and began introducing it first. "...Another one is Senior Brother Fu's Dao field, and the last, furthest one, belongs to Senior Brother Zhou. He is a Nascent Soul cultivator, and the most powerful individual in our Five Elements Sect."

As soon as she heard the words "Nascent Soul," Qing Nu's face showed admiration, mixed with a hint of worry. "Won't taking a stranger like me in and out of the secret realm and major formations arouse their suspicion?"

"Hahaha, don't worry. As long as I'm not trying to split the Five Elements Sect again, they will support me no matter what I do." Chen Mobai briefly explained his achievements and status within the Five Elements Sect over the years, and Qing Nu's eyes sparkled with wonder.

"So, you've achieved such great feats in this world!"

"I was educated in the Immortal Sect from a young age and disapproved of division, so from the moment I joined the sect, I began preparing for unification. To this day, the mortal realm of the Eastern Barrens is unified, and in the cultivation world, only the Reverting Heaven Valley remains. I suppose you could say I've made some small achievements." Chen Mobai spoke very modestly, and Qing Nu, filled with admiration, asked him about the specific deeds of his campaigns to unify the Eastern Barrens. Chen Mobai seemed to have opened a floodgate, talking incessantly about everything he had done in the Eastern Barrens over the years. Although he had established unparalleled merits here, he was lonely. Because there was no one around with whom he could share his true self! Although he had fellow disciples, friends, and disciples, he dared not share the secret of his origins from the Immortal Sect with anyone in his heart of hearts! But now, Qing Nu was here. The achievements he had hidden in his heart for over fifty years could finally be poured out.

Because Chen Mobai's accomplishments in the Eastern Barrens were simply too numerous, he had only managed to give a rough overview by the time they flew to Heavenly Peng Mountain. However, by this point, Chen Mobai's desire to share had largely been satisfied.

"Come on, this is Heavenly Peng Mountain Villa!" He landed, riding the Red Cloud Mist Gauze, and Wei Qiurong immediately flew over on her escaping light.

"Greetings, Sect Master, and this Daoist friend!" She didn't know how to address Qing Nu, but knowing she was a friend invited by Chen Mobai, her attitude was very respectful, though her eyes were still full of doubt. After all, Qing Nu was not a Golden Core cultivator. In her view, someone of the Sect Master's stature should at least be friends with cultivators of the same realm.

"This is Qing Nu, my best friend. She's here at my invitation to look after the Five-Horned Ancient Maple. From now on, whatever her needs are, you must fulfill them." Chen Mobai's words were practically the highest command. Wei Qiurong immediately nodded solemnly, then bowed to Qing Nu.

"Daoist Qing, my name is Wei Qiurong. This is my communication talisman." Qing Nu found this primitive communication talisman very strange. Chen Mobai transmitted a sound explanation, and only then did she understand.

"I'll take Qing Nu up to have a look first." Leaving Wei Qiurong to wait at the foot of the mountain, Chen Mobai and Qing Nu ascended to the summit together. It was only at this moment that Qing Nu realized this world actually had heavenly tribulations.