Chapter 958: Yuan Ying Sixth Layer

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The peak of Golden Light Cliff was Mo Douguang's cultivation ground, so Chen Mobai landed halfway up the mountain.

As he stepped onto the stone steps on the mountain, he heard the howling mountain wind, subtly mixed with the clanging of metal. This was the distinctive sword hum created by the myriad cultivators practicing their swordsmanship on this fourth-tier spiritual vein.

At that moment, a spiritual sense, sharp as a sword, surged forth from the mountaintop.

This was, of course, Mo Douguang's; he had sensed Chen Mobai's arrival immediately.

"Junior Brother, please wait outside for a moment. I'm about to finish my cultivation."

Mo Douguang seemed to be cultivating and refining his sword qi. After speaking to Chen Mobai, he withdrew his spiritual sense.

Chen Mobai nodded slightly, then proceeded to the mountaintop.

Among the tranquil cultivation grounds of the Five Elements Sect's four Nascent Soul cultivators, Golden Light Cliff was the most modest, with only a few stone huts built on its summit.

After Chen Mobai arrived, he glanced at the dull gray Primordial Stone, the very item that had allowed him to cultivate Primordial True Qi. Beside it stood the tallest stone hut.

Inside was precisely where Mo Douguang was in seclusion.

About an hour later, the stone door opened, and Mo Douguang emerged.

"Junior Brother, you've waited long."

"Not at all..."

After exchanging pleasantries, the two sat at the stone table and benches, and began to discuss their business.

"Jin Ling'er is currently an assistant instructor at Golden Light Academy. If you wish to see her, I'll have Ning Leshan make a trip to bring her here."

Mo Douguang explained that Jin Ling'er's talent was exceptional; she was already at the late Qi Cultivation stage when she enrolled. After just two years at Golden Light Academy, she was ready to graduate, but Ding Ying, unwilling to waste her talent, sent her to Longevity Academy for several more years of advanced study.

However, Jin Ling'er quickly exhausted all learning opportunities at Longevity Academy. Being family-oriented, she then returned to Golden Light Academy to serve as an assistant instructor.

"When I return, I'll need to use the teleportation array in Golden Light Immortal City anyway, and I can conveniently meet with Ding Ying and Qi Rui there. So, I won't trouble Junior Nephew Ning."

Chen Mobai shook his head after hearing this.

If Ning Leshan had been present, he would surely have said it was no trouble and immediately gone down the mountain to bring Jin Ling'er up. But Mo Douguang was straightforward, so when Chen Mobai said this, he simply nodded.

"For the Big Dipper Gathering the year after next, who do you plan to bring, Junior Brother?"

Mo Douguang then inquired about another matter.

At the Starry Sky Dao Sect's Big Dipper Gathering, each Nascent Soul cultivator was permitted to bring two individuals. When the Five Elements Sect received the invitation, they had three Nascent Soul cultivators, which meant they had six available spots.

"If Qing Nü comes out of seclusion by then, I'll likely take her. As for my other disciples, I'll see who's available."

Chen Mobai hadn't truly considered this and simply voiced his immediate thoughts.

"My Metal Meridian happens to have two Core Formation cultivators. If Junior Brother has no objection, I'd like to take them to broaden their horizons."

Mo Douguang spoke, and Chen Mobai naturally nodded.

"Now that Zhou Ye has formed his Nascent Soul, I'll speak to Qu Xiuxian, the head of the Starry Sky Great Merchant Guild in the Eastern Wilderness. We should be able to get two more spots."

In recent years, thanks to the development of the Eastern Wilderness and the growing strength of the Five Elements Sect, the three border regions of the Eastern Continent enjoyed a favorable atmosphere. The Starry Sky Great Merchant Guild earned more spirit stones, and their relationship with the Five Elements Sect was exceptionally good.

Chen Mobai was confident that they would grant him this favor.

"I wonder if Zhou Ye will go?"

When Mo Douguang was young, he had attended the Big Dipper Gathering with Grand Ancestor Hunyuan. However, Zhou Ye, having entered the sect later, had not yet had that opportunity.

"We can ask him then. The list isn't urgent anyway."

Chen Mobai said that Zhou Shengqing was already confirmed not to attend. After all, as a Dharma Body Nascent Soul, with so many Nascent Soul cultivators present, someone would surely recognize him.

This way, in addition to the original two accompanying spots, they could bring one more person to replace Zhou Shengqing.

Many Core Formation cultivators within the Five Elements Sect longed to attend the Big Dipper Gathering.

Chen Mobai couldn't allocate all the spots to his own disciples; he would carefully select them later.

After discussing the matter, the two shared another pot of tea, and then Chen Mobai took his leave.

Putting down his teacup, Chen Mobai transformed into a streak of silver light and vanished from the spot.

"It seems Junior Brother's Void Dharma Body has also reached perfection!"

Mo Douguang, witnessing this scene, couldn't help but feel a touch of surprise.

After forming his Nascent Soul, he was already exploring the realm of condensing swords into threads. He could dimly sense the fluctuations of the void with his sword, gaining a deeper understanding than he had when merely observing void travel before.

Before forming his Nascent Soul, Mo Douguang had considered Chen Mobai immensely powerful. After forming his own, he found his Sect Master Junior Brother's cultivation even more unfathomable.

After Chen Mobai instantly teleported to Golden Light Immortal City, a sweep of his spiritual sense immediately located Golden Light Academy.

He landed on the training ground, watching the students, each holding a standard fine steel longsword, practicing a basic sword art. He couldn't help but recall his own time studying in the Sword Control Department of the Martial Weapon Dao Academy.

However, upon closer thought, he realized that he had been directly empowered by the Great Dao Tree and graduated, with no actual memories of studying.

This made it somewhat difficult to empathize.

"Esteemed Senior, this academy is an important place. Please do not spy without permission!"

At that moment, a crisp voice rang out. A woman, leading students in sword practice on the training ground, drifted lightly like a swallow and gently floated before Chen Mobai to speak.

The woman was clad in a golden long dress, her skin like snow, her demeanor elegant and refined, and her face exceptionally beautiful.

Chen Mobai saw her and knew he had found the right person, so he couldn't help but smile slightly. Still, to be safe, he asked a question.

"You are Shi Yukel, aren't you?"

The name Yukel had been given by Qing Nü back then. After twenty-three years apart, she had indeed grown into a beautiful young woman.

"That's right. May I ask who Senior is?"

Shi Yukel knew that anyone capable of flight was at least a Foundation Establishment cultivator. However, she had met Core Formation and even Nascent Soul cultivators from Golden Light Cliff since childhood, and she felt that the aura of the handsome and refined young man before her was deeper and more vast than anyone she had ever encountered. Thus, she asked with a tone that was both curious and cautious.

"You don't know me?"

Chen Mobai was somewhat surprised; theoretically, his portrait should be hanging in the corridors of all major academies.

"You..."

Upon hearing this, Shi Yukel indeed found the young man's face somewhat familiar. An image hanging in the principal's office quickly flashed through her mind, and her beautiful face registered a shock.

Just then, two streaks of spiritual light flew over from Golden Light Immortal City in the distance and landed beside Chen Mobai.

"Greetings, Sect Master. Why didn't you notify us in advance of your arrival, so we could prepare?"

The two who arrived were, naturally, Qi Rui and Ding Ying.

Chen Mobai had notified them using a Heaven-Reaching Instrument when he landed earlier. However, Ding Ying, who was in charge of the academy that day, had gone to the immortal city to purchase student supplies. Upon receiving the news, she rushed back with Qi Rui.

"It's been a long time."

Chen Mobai saw the two, whose appearances had matured considerably, and couldn't help but sigh softly.

Both of them were over a hundred years old, which, by the lifespan of Foundation Establishment cultivators, meant they were entering their prime. Ding Ying, with better aptitude, was already at the late Foundation Establishment stage, whereas Qi Rui was only at the peak of the middle Foundation Establishment stage, clearly having been stuck at his bottleneck for a long time.

"Let's find somewhere to catch up."

Chen Mobai spoke, and Ding Ying, as the principal of Golden Light Academy, immediately led him to her office.

Watching the three leave, the look of shock on Shi Yukel's face had not yet faded. She had never imagined she would encounter the Supreme Sect Master Grand Ancestor here.

"Teacher Shi, please come along."

Ding Ying knew Shi Yukel's identity and understood that Chen Mobai's visit likely meant he intended to bring this junior sister into the sect. After consulting Chen Mobai, she immediately waved her over.

Hearing this, Shi Yukel immediately gathered her qi and followed.

In the office, Chen Mobai took the seat of honor, with Ding Ying and Qi Rui seated on either side, discussing the establishment of Golden Light Immortal City and the academy over the past few decades.

Shi Yukel, meanwhile, sat opposite Chen Mobai, listening to the three converse.

"For these past few decades, you two have worked hard."

Upon hearing this, both their faces showed a hint of excitement.

Back when the sect aimed for balanced development, they established an immortal city and an academy in each of the Five Elements' five meridian territories. Qi Rui and Ding Ying were assigned to this place, and their achievements today truly demonstrated how they had overcome numerous obstacles.

Qi Rui was in charge of the immortal city, and Ding Ying was in charge of the academy. They knew that Feng Commandery in the Eastern Wilderness was a harsh and barren land with limited resources. After several years of exploration, they decided to leverage the unique characteristics of Golden Light Cliff's sword cultivators, developing Golden Light Academy into a specialized school dedicated to cultivating sword cultivators.

After Mo Douguang formed his Nascent Soul, this place became the supreme holy land in the hearts of all sword cultivators in the three border regions of the Eastern Continent.

It was precisely by this reputation that Golden Light Academy could attract some outstanding new students. However, even with this, it still ranked near the bottom in terms of overall strength among the various academies.

After all, ever since Chen Mobai took charge, the various academies in the Eastern Wilderness had hosted competitions for array masters, artifact refiners, talisman crafters, and alchemists, but never a combat competition.

The only strong point these sword cultivators from Golden Light Academy had was their combat prowess.

But now, the Five Elements Sect had no rivals to contend with. All their policies were primarily focused on development and construction, requiring various talents in the hundred arts of cultivation.

If it weren't for the continued dangers outside the Eastern Wilderness and the Five Elements Merchant Guild's need for sword cultivators for escort and protection, students from Golden Light Academy would likely face unemployment upon graduation.

If these Golden Light Academy students could enter Golden Light Cliff upon graduation, they naturally wouldn't need to worry; the sect would support them and arrange their employment.

However, for students whose aptitudes were insufficient and could only graduate without entering the main sect, Qi Rui and Ding Ying would do their best to use their connections to find them jobs.

Fortunately, their connections were decent. Moreover, the Five Elements Sect's activities—such as farming, mining, desertification control, Five Elements essence production, and security—all required a large workforce. So, even if a sword cultivator's skills didn't perfectly align with a job, as long as they were willing to work, they could earn a living.

However, because sword cultivators generally had stubborn personalities and tended to abandon tasks if things didn't go their way at work, graduates from Golden Light Academy had become less favored in the job market in recent years.

With graduation season fast approaching, the two were feeling anxious about this.

Chen Mobai listened and then fell into contemplation.

Qi Rui and Ding Ying had initially only intended to complete their mission, but now they had developed a deep affection for the place, treating and nurturing every student as if they were their own disciples.

Chen Mobai had always been clear and fair in his rewards and punishments for meritorious individuals.

"Coincidentally, the population for infrastructure projects within the Eastern Wilderness is nearing saturation. I plan to develop the desolate ruins between the Eastern Wilderness and the Eastern Barbarians."

Developing desolate ruins naturally required skilled combatants, which would be a significant boon for sword cultivators.

"Thank you, Sect Master!"

Upon hearing this, Ding Ying and Qi Rui's faces lit up with joy.

Even Shi Yukel couldn't help but feel delighted.

"Over these past forty years, your contributions and hard work have been outstanding. I promise you both an opportunity to form a Core. As long as you both cultivate to the perfected Foundation Establishment stage, the sect will provide each of you with a Core Formation spiritual medicine."

As Chen Mobai announced this reward, Ding Ying and Qi Rui became even more overjoyed.

Mu Yuan, Yin Qingmei, and others of their generation had already formed their Cores. Even Liu Wenbai, Yu Lian, and others who had joined the sect later than them had also formed their Cores. In their hearts, they were incredibly envious, but they also knew that compared to these individuals, they were lacking in both aptitude and connections.

Now that they had received Chen Mobai's promise, they immediately felt that their forty years of hard work had received the best possible reward.

Ding Ying and Qi Rui thanked him again and also asked for guidance on some cultivation issues.

Chen Mobai naturally answered each of their questions.

"This is the Scarlet Flame Sword Art, which I revised after forming my Nascent Soul. It can now be cultivated up to the Nascent Soul realm. You can study it when you have time."

Qi Rui also cultivated the Scarlet Flame Sword Art. Chen Mobai, recalling their friendship back on Azure Light Island, took out the complete, refined version of the Scarlet Flame Sword Scripture for him.

Qi Rui hadn't expected Chen Mobai to present a Nascent Soul-level cultivation method so readily, and his face was filled with inexplicable excitement.

He disregarded the presence of others and immediately began to comprehend it.

After reading it once, Qi Rui realized how superficial the Scarlet Flame Sword Art he had previously cultivated was. He even felt his mid-Foundation Establishment bottleneck begin to subtly loosen.

After Chen Mobai also guided Ding Ying in the cultivation of the Longevity Scripture, he turned to look at Shi Yukel, who had been sitting silently opposite him.

He thought to himself, "This child is truly honest; she doesn't even offer to pour tea."

"Long ago, I left a sword pill with you. Do you still have it?"

Chen Mobai spoke with a smile. This disciple had originally been intended for Qing Nü, and as her grand-master, he felt he should assess her in advance.

His first impression was quite good; she hadn't been spoiled and was a down-to-earth, good girl.

"Reporting to Sect Master, it is still..."

Shi Yukel hadn't expected Chen Mobai to ask her. She spoke somewhat hastily, then took out the sword pill hanging from her snow-white neck. She had worn it since childhood, unaware that Chen Mobai had refined it.

Chen Mobai took it and examined it, discovering that over twenty years, this sword pill had absorbed a considerable amount of metal qi. Although it possessed only second-tier power, it contained a subtle, imperceptible spiritual essence.

"Your talent is outstanding, and you can choose between two paths. One is sword cultivation, and the other is cultivating an immortal scripture secretly passed down by the ancient Longevity Sect. The former suits your physique and temperament, and with systematic cultivation and our sect's resources, forming a Nascent Soul will be no problem. If you can master Sword Intent in the future, I can even teach you 'One Sword Breaks Ten Thousand Spells' and 'One Sword Generates Ten Thousand Spells,' sword arts that lead directly to the Deification stage!

"As for the Longevity Sect's Golden Element Immortal Scripture, it can be cultivated directly to the Deification stage. However, whether you can truly succeed remains unknown. Within the sect, a grand-disciple from my Xiaonanshan lineage is cultivating this method, but they are only at the early Foundation Establishment stage currently."

"Neither of these paths will waste your Heavenly Gold Spiritual Root. You can consider them carefully."

After Chen Mobai finished speaking, he stood up, preparing to leave.

"Sect Master, may I take you as my master?"

At that moment, Shi Yukel spoke up, asking a question with a face full of anticipation.

She had known since childhood that her talent was exceptional, and all cultivators of the Metal Meridian treated her specially. However, to prevent her from becoming arrogant and complacent, no one had told her about the relationship between Chen Mobai and his wife and herself.

But now, as Chen Mobai spoke, she immediately realized that the Sect Master before her intended to take her as a disciple and promptly spoke up.

"Hahaha, don't worry. Your master is someone else, but she is also under my lineage. First, carefully consider your future path."

After leaving this remark, Chen Mobai put down the sword pill in his hand, gave a couple of instructions to Ding Ying and Qi Rui, and then vanished from the spot.

After leaving Golden Light Immortal City, Chen Mobai used its medium-sized teleportation array and arrived at Giant Wood Ridge.

He then made a trip to Xiaonanshan.

Zhuo Ming was in seclusion here, but Chen Mobai mainly came to check on the various spiritual plants he had cultivated. Although these items were mostly useless to him now, they could be exchanged for many valuable things at the Big Dipper Gathering.

"Master!"

Chen Mobai's arrival naturally couldn't be hidden from Zhuo Ming, who possessed the Earth Mother Seal. Over the years, not only Xiaonanshan but also the earth veins of the entire Giant Wood Ridge had become intimately connected with Zhuo Ming.

However, Zhuo Ming was low-key by nature, so besides Chen Mobai, only Zhou Shengqing had detected this phenomenon.

"It's been a long time since I, your master, returned. Ming'er, take me for a walk around."

Chen Mobai saw Zhuo Ming arriving on a green ox and immediately waved at his precious disciple. After acquiring the Yellow Dragon Immortal Abode, Xiaonanshan, as his place of origin, had almost been forgotten by him.

Zhuo Ming immediately nodded and dismounted from the green ox.

This green ox was given to her by Liu Wenbai back then. It had followed her on many journeys, north and south, and could be considered fortunate; it was now a second-tier creature with a rare sentience in its eyes. Seeing the master and disciple leave, it walked to the spiritual fields to help with weeding.

"This Enlightenment Tea Tree has actually ascended to the fourth tier!"

Chen Mobai looked at the slightly short, inconspicuous tea tree in the center of the tea garden and couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

Wenren Xuewei had cultivated it her entire life in the Immortal Sect and had only reached the peak of the third tier. Yet, under his hands-off approach, it had unknowingly achieved her lifelong wish.

"It's mainly thanks to the Myriad Transformation Thunderwater refined by Master's wife, and also because of the tea trees transplanted from various parts of the Eastern Continent by our Five Elements Sect disciples. It had just ascended to the fourth tier a few years ago when Master was in seclusion; thankfully, with the Earth Vein Grand Array, it easily survived the tribulation."

"Do you have any stock of this fourth-tier Enlightenment Tea?"

Given Chen Mobai's current status in the Immortal Sect, he could drink authentic Enlightenment Tea brewed from Great Toon Tree leaves. However, perhaps because he had consumed it too many times, it now had almost no effect on him.

He wondered if this fourth-tier Enlightenment Tea from Xiaonanshan, enhanced with extracts from various tea trees of the Heavenly River Realm, would have any effect on him.

"Master, this is this year's. All the previous ones were given to Master's wife!"

Zhuo Ming immediately took out a jar of tea leaves. Chen Mobai nodded lightly and reached out to take it.

Next, the master and disciple went to see the immortal peach tree on the mountaintop. This peach tree, under Zhuo Ming's meticulous care, had already reached high-grade fourth-tier. Unfortunately, because it had been forced to grow too quickly, it would no longer have the chance to ascend to the fifth tier.

Looking at the peach fruits hanging abundantly from the branches, Chen Mobai nodded with satisfaction.

He picked a few fruits for himself to preserve, and finally went to see the patch of Pure Bamboo forest.

Most of the Pure Bamboo seedlings given by Empty Mulberry Valley back then were planted here. After they thrived, Zhuo Ming also propagated and planted a batch on other suitable spiritual veins in the Eastern Wilderness.

However, only here in Xiaonanshan were there fourth-tier Pure Bamboos.

"The pure qi of this bamboo is very helpful for improving spiritual sense. You can pick and refine it directly for use."

Before Chen Mobai formed his Nascent Soul, he was able to perfect his spiritual sense by acquiring a piece of Pure Bamboo gifted by Ancestor Muqin. Although the Pure Bamboo cultivated here in Xiaonanshan was at most mid-grade fourth-tier, for Zhuo Ming, it was precisely enough.

After inspecting Xiaonanshan's spiritual plants, Chen Mobai selected some, planning to use them to exchange for spiritual items he needed at the Big Dipper Gathering.

As he was leaving, he casually asked Zhuo Ming if she wanted to visit the Eastern Peak.

"If there aren't enough spots, this disciple can go next time. However, this disciple's Nine-Ren Dharma Body has already reached the sixth stage of perfection, and there are no further cultivation methods. If Master can find them at the Big Dipper Gathering, I hope you can help this disciple acquire them..."

Zhuo Ming was very sensible, but she mentioned something Chen Mobai had overlooked.

"Then let's go together."

Chen Mobai had two spots himself, and it was decided they would be for Qing Nü and Zhuo Ming.

Anyway, he still had nearly a thousand years of lifespan, and with the Big Dipper Gathering happening once every sixty years, he could easily take all his disciples there at some point.

"Thank you, Master!"

Zhuo Ming heard this and thanked him with a joyful expression.

After leaving Xiaonanshan, Chen Mobai returned to the Yellow Dragon Immortal Abode.

Qing Nü had not yet emerged from seclusion, so he left a verbal message for the little yellow dragon girl, then activated the Turtle Treasure and returned to the Immortal Sect.

Time flowed by.

Soon, another two years passed.

Chen Mobai first utilized the Five Elements essence to perfect the Heavenly Palace realm of his external incarnation, then continued to consume Pure Yang Coalescing True Pills.

Although he had developed a resistance to the medicine, with the sheer quantity consumed, he still easily broke through to the sixth layer of the Nascent Soul realm.