Chapter 774: Drinking Etiquette

Within the Sea of Consciousness in his Purple Mansion, an ethereal, pure aura swirled, with shifting lights and shadows, seemingly concealing countless mysteries.

Chen Mobai sat cross-legged on a futon, cultivating by absorbing these natural, pure energies. The jade phoenix tree, formed from his spiritual consciousness at the center, began to grow inch by inch at an unprecedented speed after being nourished by the pure qi.

The phantom phoenix resting on the phoenix tree also seemed to rejoice, circling and dancing continuously around the canopy.

As time passed, the growth of the jade phoenix tree began to slow.

Using the 'Crown of Heaven and Earth's Beings' to observe himself, Chen Mobai monitored the 'Phoenix Saluting the Sun Diagram' throughout. He noticed that its progress, originally 11, had now reached 23.

He roughly calculated that the remaining natural pure qi would be sufficient for him to master the third level, 'Ritual of Drinking'.

Feeling his Purple Mansion was far from its limit, Chen Mobai nodded, opened his eyes, and once again consumed three sips of bamboo sap, refining three measures of natural pure qi.

A vast surge of even purer qi rose, forming a phantom segment of a pure bamboo above the Sea of Consciousness in his Purple Mansion. It poured towards the jade phoenix tree, causing threads of pure qi to descend immediately.

Thus, days passed one by one.

On the seventh day, Chen Mobai's face suddenly became translucent, radiating a faint luster. A wisp of sacred, pure qi blossomed from his brow, subtly intertwining into a magnificent five-colored bird whose wings seemed like clouds hanging from the sky.

As this five-colored phoenix gently flapped its wings, tiny silver particles soon shimmered throughout the cultivation chamber. Under his even more powerful spiritual consciousness, they gradually combined and condensed into threads of silver light, which Chen Mobai absorbed and refined.

These silver threads were pure Void power.

This was an attempt Chen Mobai made using the 'Ritual of Drinking' state, the third level of the 'Phoenix Saluting the Sun Diagram', which he had just mastered.

The enhancement effect of this level was even better than he had imagined.

Under the 'Ritual of Drinking', he could, according to his needs, solely condense and absorb the Void power from heaven and earth into his body for refining.

After the successful attempt, Chen Mobai breathed a sigh of relief and slowly ended his cultivation.

Over these seven days, he had, with the help of bamboo sap, refined all the natural pure qi into his body.

Not only had his spiritual consciousness realm advanced to the peak of Core Formation, but he had also made the most crucial breakthrough in the 'Phoenix Saluting the Sun Diagram'.

The Phoenix Saluting the Sun Diagram's third level was complete!

The progress displayed by his inner observation made him nod with satisfaction.

Confirming that his realm would not regress, he extended his hands, once again inviting the five-colored phoenix to empower the 'Ritual of Drinking' state.

Soon, faint crimson light points flickered throughout the cultivation chamber, then were drawn towards him, continuously gathering before him and transforming into streams of brilliant scarlet essence qi.

This was the purest fire spiritual energy. No longer concerned about filtering out foreign energies, Chen Mobai easily refined it, transforming it into a surge of pure Yang spiritual power that settled in his Dantian Sea of Qi.

After successfully attempting to absorb both Void power and fire spiritual energy, Chen Mobai stopped.

Although he wanted to continue cultivating here, the World Gate was about to open, and he needed to use his 'Ritual of Drinking' state to help those around him.

He had previously envisioned using this state to gather substantial Void power, artificially creating a condition similar to the World Gate's opening. Under such circumstances, Yan Bingxuan and Chen Xiaohei, by meditating for a period, would almost certainly be able to establish their Core Formation Domains.

However, this matter required some arrangement. For the sake of success, he obviously couldn't help Yan Bingxuan and Chen Xiaohei separately; he needed to gather them, allowing them the maximum time to comprehend before the World Gate opened.

Then Chen Mobai thought, since Void power naturally gathered around him during his cultivation, adding one more or one less wouldn't significantly impact him. He considered doing Pei Qingshuang a favor by letting her also experience and comprehend it.

After all, in the history of the Immortal Sect, there were a few unfortunate cultivators who, even after forming their cores, failed to successfully establish their domains.

Although Pei Qingshuang probably wouldn't be that unlucky, she certainly wouldn't miss such an opportunity.

As expected, when Chen Mobai called, she immediately agreed, saying she would book a flight to Wangwu Cave Heaven right away.

Originally, she had planned to continue consolidating her realm at Jumang Dao Academy and only come with True Lord Sanjue the day before the World Gate opened.

Now, hearing that Chen Mobai had actually mastered the 'Ritual of Drinking' state of the 'Phoenix Saluting the Sun Diagram', she was inwardly shocked by his talent and also felt extremely fortunate.

To think she could encounter such a good fortune!

After contacting Pei Qingshuang, Chen Mobai immediately called his daughter, Chen Xiaohei. However, Chen Xiaohei was full of confidence, stating that even without his help, she was certain she could successfully establish her Core Formation Domain.

After all, she had previously used three Void Stones from Chen Mobai, utilizing this resource, which could be considered the most precious in the Immortal Sect, to hone her ability to grasp Void power.

"Review it a bit more," he advised. "The Void power when the World Gate opens is different from the stable Void power within Void Stones; it's quite similar to what I gather with 'Ritual of Drinking'."

As the only person in the Immortal Sect who had personally experienced all three types of Void power, Chen Mobai was most qualified to speak on this.

He didn't want his daughter's efforts to be in vain because of this.

"Alright then, Dad, when should I come find you?"

Xiaohei was also an obedient daughter.

"I'll send you a location in a couple of days. I also need to help two of my friends, so when you come, just say you're a junior disciple that my Martial Arts Academy is heavily cultivating..."

The true relationship between father and daughter was still a family secret for now. If Yan Bingxuan and Pei Qingshuang were to find out, they might develop negative impressions.

It wasn't that Chen Mobai cared about it personally, but explaining his daughter's origin would inevitably involve revealing what happened with Shi Wanyu back then. Since she was now considered his Dao Companion, Chen Mobai didn't want her to be ostracized by his friends due to that past mistake.

"Okay, Dad, just let me know when!"

After speaking with his daughter, Chen Mobai called his good friend, Yan Bingxuan.

She was the one he worried about most.

Although he had told her many times that he had extracted quite a few Void Stones, Yan Bingxuan still couldn't change her thrifty nature. She had only just finished using that one Void Stone.

While she could already sense Void power, grasping, freezing, and refining it depended on luck.

Her success rate was only fifty-fifty!

"Many thanks!"

Upon hearing this, Yan Bingxuan's usually cool tone was filled with an indescribable joy.

"Later, I'll find a larger place. Besides you, there will be another good friend and a junior that our lineage values greatly..."

Chen Mobai explained a bit about Pei Qingshuang and Chen Xiaohei's backgrounds. Yan Bingxuan nodded slightly, indicating that he should simply inform her once the time and location were confirmed.

During this period, she had put down all her work, dedicating herself entirely to preparing for the significant event of the World Gate's opening.

The next day.

Chen Mobai, accompanied by Hua Zijing, met Pei Qingshuang, who had rushed over, at the airport.

"Let's use the Welcoming Immortal Hotel," Pei Qingshuang suggested while chatting in the car, hearing Chen Mobai needed a large cultivation chamber. "True Lord Sanjue's suite and my mother's are both empty. I'll stay in one, and the other can be our cultivation room."

Her status was special; she could directly use two of the most luxurious suites at the Welcoming Immortal Hotel.

As they were residences for Nascent Soul cultivators, they provided top-grade Rank 4 spiritual energy.

This was more than sufficient for their cultivation.

Chen Mobai heard this and found it excellent, settling on the idea immediately.

This way, Xiaohei wouldn't have to travel far; she could just come down from the mountain.

Yan Bingxuan might have trouble getting in, but Pei Qingshuang could help register her as a visitor then.

After confirming, Pei Qingshuang called True Lord Sanjue, who paid no mind to such a minor detail, but rather expressed astonishment that Chen Mobai had mastered the third level of the 'Phoenix Saluting the Sun Diagram'.

He felt that this young man's talent truly lived up to being the greatest in the Immortal Sect's history!

By the time they arrived at the hotel, the front desk had clearly been notified by True Lord Sanjue.

After Pei Qingshuang completed the registration, she directly received two room cards.

The suites at the Welcoming Immortal Hotel were essentially super-luxurious large apartments.

However, these were not the highest standard.

There were also detached villas, built in the most scenic parts of Five Peaks Immortal Mountain, exclusively for True Monarchs of the Spirit Transformation realm.

However, after their construction, they remained idle for most of the time.

These were built thousands of years ago, before the Rank 6 spiritual vein of Five Peaks Immortal Mountain was successfully established.

At that time, many Spirit Transformation cultivators practiced in seclusion within the Rank 5 spiritual veins of the Four Great Dao Academies, only coming here occasionally for discussions.

Upon learning this, Chen Mobai couldn't help but feel a sense of pity.

He wondered what a True Monarch's detached villa looked like.

He and Pei Qingshuang inspected the suite, and after confirming everything was in order, immediately notified Yan Bingxuan and Chen Xiaohei.

Soon after, Chen Xiaohei came down.

"Hello, Senior Brother Chen!"

She knocked and entered, first greeting Chen Mobai with a smile, then turned to look at Pei Qingshuang, who sat to the side, tall and stunning.

"Greetings, Councilor Pei!"

After Chen Mobai finished the introductions, Chen Xiaohei politely greeted Pei Qingshuang as well.

As True Lord Taohua's daughter, Pei Qingshuang swiftly completed the procedures to join the Kaiyuan Hall after forming her core, and was now an honorable councilor.

It was said that True Lord Taohua intended for her to develop within the Three Great Halls, and Wenren Xuewei strongly supported this.

Her mindset was similar to Chen Mobai's; if Jumang Dao Academy truly had no one comparable to her, she would rather spend her days drinking tea and cultivating amidst the mountains and rivers.

"Hello!"

Seeing Xiaohei enter, Pei Qingshuang also rose with a smile to greet her.

"You two chat for a bit; I'm going to pick up another friend."

At this moment, Chen Mobai received a text message that Yan Bingxuan had arrived at Five Peaks Immortal Mountain. Since it was her first time visiting this premier spiritual land of the Immortal Sect, someone from inside needed to pick her up.

As Chen Mobai spoke, he transformed into a silver light and vanished from the spot.

Witnessing this, Pei Qingshuang couldn't help but look envious.

Even with great confidence in successfully establishing her domain, she didn't believe she could master Void Walking at the Core Formation stage.

This was a spell that truly distinguished talent!

Within the Immortal Sect, some even equated the difficulty of mastering Void Walking at the Core Formation stage to that of an immortal art!

"I've troubled you!"

After entering Five Peaks Immortal Mountain, Yan Bingxuan said to Chen Mobai, who was meeting her, with a hint of embarrassment.

"Not at all. The World Gate happens to be here too. After we try to comprehend and grasp Void power today, we can go scout it out."

Ever since its last fluctuation, the World Gate had remained on the summit of Gathering Immortal Peak, personally guarded by Ancestor Qianxing.

Chen Mobai was even taken up there when he established his Core Formation Domain.

He remembered it had even triggered an anomaly in the Turtle Treasure!

The four characters, 'Gate of Grand Void', remained deeply etched in Chen Mobai's memory.

He wondered if there would ever be an opportunity for him to acquire this World Gate.

Throughout the history of the Immortal Sect, Spirit Transformation cultivators, when trying to comprehend realms beyond Spirit Transformation, all utilized the World Gate to attempt Void Refinement.

Unfortunately, no one was known to have succeeded.

Perhaps their aptitude or talent was insufficient, or the mysteries contained within the World Gate were too profound.

Chen Mobai, however, felt that if he could truly reach the Spirit Transformation stage, he might genuinely have a chance to use the World Gate to comprehend realms beyond it.

After all, he possessed the Turtle Treasure, and his external incarnation was almost a true Void Spirit Body.

He could try using the Turtle Treasure to absorb and refine the World Gate, or use it as a 'co-cultivator'.

The 'Tripartite Unity Sutra', a great Spirit Transformation method, allowed for augmentation.

For instance, if Chen Mobai were to take the 'Pure Yang Scroll' as his foundation and cultivate it to its pinnacle, he could then attempt to 'co-cultivate' with a 'device' that didn't conflict with the 'Pure Yang Scroll', opening his path to higher realms.

However, this would require finding a way to connect the foundation of the 'Pure Yang Scroll' with the subsequent path, and maintaining balance during cultivation.

The simplest approach would be, after mastering the 'Pure Yang Scroll', to 'co-cultivate' with a pure Yin 'device' for augmentation. With such Yin-Yang integration, Chen Mobai's foundation would be unparalleled through the ages, truly possessing the potential to become an immortal.

Alternatively, he could take the Pure Yang Fire attribute and try to add 'devices' of the other four elements. After continuously 'co-cultivating' the Five Elements' rotation, he might be able to cultivate the Primordial Dao Fruit to a realm no less than that of True Monarch Yiyuan.

However, although the Martial Arts lineage had a path of augmentation using the 'Tripartite Unity Sutra', very few could actually accomplish it.

After all, resources in the Immortal Sect were too scarce!

For example, True Lord Chengxuan's 'Scarlet Heart Treasure Mirror' was already one of the Immortal Sect's top-tier Rank 4 magic artifacts. If he wanted to do augmentation, the subsequent magic artifact for 'co-cultivation' could not be inferior to the 'Scarlet Heart Treasure Mirror'.

Moreover, he had formed his Nascent Soul with a fire-attribute cultivation method. To achieve balance and stability in his foundation through augmentation, he would need to cycle through the Five Elements.

Five Rank 4 magic artifacts, each corresponding to a different element—even as the head of the Martial Arts Academy, he couldn't accomplish that!

Chen Mobai felt that if he had the opportunity in the future, he could 'co-cultivate' with the World Gate.

Since the Turtle Treasure could refine the World Gate, its rank was clearly higher than the World Gate's.

Once his status was higher, he could first 'co-cultivate' with the World Gate to enhance his Void Dao. When he could no longer advance, he could feed it to the Turtle Treasure, perhaps using this as an opportunity to discover the Turtle Treasure's true mysteries.

Along the way, Chen Mobai pondered this hopeful future, and also didn't forget to introduce Five Peaks Immortal Mountain to Yan Bingxuan.

"Over at Yuanyang Temple, there's a set of Pure Yang artifacts left by Ancestor Yuanyang. You can go ring the bell there; it helps a bit with improving spiritual consciousness and mental state."

This was useless for a Core Formation cultivator like Chen Mobai, as the Pure Yang set was mostly dormant, its power less than one percent of its original.

But for Foundation Establishment cultivators, it was just right!

Upon hearing this, Yan Bingxuan also looked with interest towards Yuanyang Temple. The bell on the mountaintop, under the setting sun, appeared exceptionally deep and weighty!

Before long, the two arrived at the Welcoming Immortal Hotel.

As Chen Mobai brought Yan Bingxuan in, he found Pei Qingshuang and Chen Xiaohei sitting together, already on good terms, seemingly watching a TV drama.

"You're here," Pei Qingshuang said, rising to greet them. "Shall we eat first, or try to comprehend Void power?"

As someone who believed in diligent cultivation, Chen Mobai naturally chose the latter.

Soon, the four came to the cultivation chamber within the suite.

Chen Mobai sat in the center, explaining to the three women all the phenomena that would occur when he used 'Ritual of Drinking'. After confirming they understood, he nodded gently, closed his eyes, and began to activate the 'Phoenix Saluting the Sun Diagram'!

Soon, the three women saw his Sea of Consciousness at his glabella become translucent. A phantom of a five-colored phoenix flew from the canopy of a jade phoenix tree, flapping its wings, and burst forth from Chen Mobai's forehead.

The five-colored phoenix continuously circled Chen Mobai. Gradually, tiny silver light particles began to glow throughout the cultivation chamber.

Yan Bingxuan and Chen Xiaohei, who had already comprehended Void power using Void Stones, immediately closed their eyes and began to guide and grasp these particles.

However, compared to the Void power within Void Stones, which had settled for millions of years and become exceptionally docile, these Void particles adrift between heaven and earth were much more active.

But because Chen Mobai had used 'Ritual of Drinking' to extract these Void particles from nothingness, they didn't need to perceive them; they only needed to pour out all their spiritual consciousness to grasp, freeze, and even attempt to refine them.

With a concrete goal, even though they failed repeatedly, they also had repeated chances to try. Through these failures, they continuously summarized their experiences and grew more proficient.

Compared to them, Pei Qingshuang, as expected of a Core Formation cultivator, had already grasped and condensed her first wisp of Void power after only three or four attempts.

By the end of this cultivation session, Pei Qingshuang had even condensed the Void particles she had grasped into a silver thread, which she looped around her fair wrist like a silver bracelet.

Yan Bingxuan and Chen Xiaohei, on the other hand, opened their eyes with somewhat pale faces.

The former, after continuous attempts, barely managed to freeze a wisp of Void power. The latter fared slightly better, grasping three wisps.

"This truly is a bit harder!"

Chen Xiaohei's first words upon opening her eyes made Chen Mobai understand her meaning, and he secretly thought, 'This isn't good.'

Yan Bingxuan seemed to realize something, casting a suspicious glance at Chen Mobai and Chen Xiaohei.

"With your guidance this time, my apprehension has vanished. Thank you."

Fortunately, at this moment, Pei Qingshuang stood up, walked over, and thanked Chen Mobai.

The silver bracelet on her fair wrist also began to gradually dissipate into silver light particles during this process.

Within the Immortal Sect, there weren't many methods capable of refining and utilizing Void power.

Pei Qingshuang had not yet established her domain, so these condensed Void powers could only be allowed to slowly dissipate.

But her face now bore a confidence she hadn't possessed before.

Through this attempt, she could confirm that she wasn't one of those unlucky individuals impervious to Void power, and that she could successfully establish her Core Formation Domain with the help of the World Gate.

"Since that's the case, will you come again tomorrow?"

Seeing this, Chen Mobai also smiled and asked Pei Qingshuang.

"Of course, I've nothing else to do anyway, and you're my only friend here in Wangwu Cave Heaven."

Pei Qingshuang nodded, looking at Chen Mobai as she spoke.

Upon hearing this, Chen Xiaohei's delicate brows furrowed slightly as she looked at the tall, fairy-like female cultivator before her.

"Then, see you at this time tomorrow."

Chen Mobai nodded after hearing this.

In any case, he would be helping Yan Bingxuan and Chen Xiaohei for the next few days.

As for whether they could cross that threshold through this crash course and successfully establish their domains at the Foundation Establishment stage, just like him, that would entirely depend on their fortunes.

"I'll head back then!"

As Chen Xiaohei spoke, she took out a minor teleportation talisman.

After bidding farewell to Chen Mobai and the others, she also transformed into a silver light and vanished from the room.

"Does she live nearby?"

Seeing this, Pei Qingshuang couldn't help but ask.

Houses near Five Peaks Immortal Mountain had the highest prices in all of Wangwu Cave Heaven; only the wealthy and noble could reside there.

"Yes, she lives on the mountain opposite us!"

Chen Mobai didn't hide it, pointing out the window towards Immortal Gaze Peak, which was perfectly visible!

Upon hearing this, both Pei Qingshuang and Yan Bingxuan widened their eyes, looking utterly disbelieving!

"Is she... True Lord Yu's disciple?"

Immortal Gaze Peak was the cultivation ground of Ancestor Baiguang, one of the Immortal Sect's Twin Sages. On it, besides the Spirit Transformation True Monarch herself, lived her disciple, Yu Huiping.

If Ancestor Baiguang had taken a disciple, it would surely have caused a stir throughout the entire Immortal Sect.

But since they didn't know about such news, it could only be True Lord Yu's disciple.

"Sort of. When she was born, she had the Nine Yin Absolute Meridian, and she's considered a descendant of the Yu family. So, when True Lord Yu learned of it, she took her up to Immortal Gaze Peak and even asked True Lord Sanjue to help with the treatment..."

Xiaohei's background was no secret among the Immortal Sect's upper echelons. Pei Qingshuang would certainly learn about it immediately if she inquired with True Lord Sanjue.

So Chen Mobai simply told them.

"No wonder..."

Pei Qingshuang's face showed understanding after hearing this.

No wonder Xiaohei arrived so quickly after she and Chen Mobai settled on the room.

She had originally thought Xiaohei lived nearby, but never expected her to be directly opposite the hotel.

Just then, Pei Qingshuang suddenly recalled something else.

"What's wrong?"

Seeing Pei Qingshuang suddenly frown, Chen Mobai couldn't help but ask.

"Nothing, I just feel like I've overlooked something important."

Pei Qingshuang shook her head, then also bid farewell and returned to her suite.

Once only the two of them remained, Chen Mobai smiled and said to Yan Bingxuan, who nodded gently.

After leaving the Welcoming Immortal Hotel, they stopped by Yuanyang Temple. It was probably evening, past opening hours, so the temple gates were closed.

However, Chen Mobai primarily took Yan Bingxuan to the mountaintop to experience the Pure Yang Bell.

After the purification and clarity provided by this magic artifact, Yan Bingxuan's spiritual consciousness, somewhat depleted from comprehending Void power, quickly recovered most of its strength.

Her slightly pale face regained its rosy color as she descended the mountain with Chen Mobai.

"That's the home of my good friend, Zhongli Tianyu," Chen Mobai said, pointing to the Zhongli residence as they left, and spoke of his friend with a chuckle. "He's just chilling at home every day, waiting for his sixty years of service to be up so he can exchange for a Golden Liquid Jade Return Pill!"

Upon hearing this, Yan Bingxuan remarked with a hint of emotion.

"Your friends are all from such prominent families!"

Chen Mobai shook his head upon hearing this.

"It's not because they are from prominent families that they became my friends. It's because they are people I acknowledge, and that's why they are my friends."

These words made Yan Bingxuan involuntarily look up, gazing blankly at the refined young man walking ahead of her on the mountain path.

"Do you know who the first friend I ever acknowledged was?"

At this moment, Chen Mobai suddenly turned around. His figure, silhouetted against the setting sun, appeared exceptionally hazy and tall, causing Yan Bingxuan to involuntarily raise her hand to shield her eyes from the distant twilight glow.

"Who was it?"

Yan Bingxuan asked the two words, her voice slightly trembling.

"It was you!"

Chen Mobai's figure had, at some unknown moment, appeared before Yan Bingxuan. He stood beside her, watching the last sliver of the sun disappear over the horizon.

He would forever remember the day he sought Yan Bingxuan's guidance on Ice Manipulation Arts, and how, despite their unfamiliarity, she had selflessly taught him everything she knew. From that moment, he had considered her his friend.

Those two simple words brought an unprecedented joy to Yan Bingxuan's face. Her beautiful eyes narrowed, all traces of coldness vanishing, leaving only the gentlest smile.

Chen Mobai suddenly felt a slight coolness on his hanging right hand. He looked down and saw Yan Bingxuan smiling as she took his hand.

He paused, slightly startled, but didn't refuse or pull away.

The two stood on the mountain path, watching the last sunlight fade from the sky.

Soon, Five Peaks Immortal Mountain was enveloped in darkness.

But soon, tiny specks of starlight began to illuminate the sky.

However, for cultivators of their level, even darkness was as clear as daylight.

Seven days passed in a flash.

During these seven days, Yan Bingxuan and Chen Xiaohei diligently comprehended Void power every day, and, following Chen Mobai's guidance, condensed it into threads and other forms.

By the fifth day, both of them had mastered the principles of Void threads.

This meant they could also grasp the Void power of the World Gate.

On this day, True Lord Sanjue arrived at Wangwu Cave Heaven.

Chen Mobai also concluded this special training session.

"Rest well for two days. Don't feel burdened; just do your best!"

Chen Mobai said with a smile, instructing them to adjust their mental state and prepare to establish their domains!