Chapter 200: Return to the Daoist Academy

At noon, Chen Mobai wearily put down his third-year talisman course textbook. Then his vision blurred, and he nearly dozed off. He had never realized that studying could be such a painful endeavor. If it weren't to maximize the effects of the Enlightenment Pill, he definitely wouldn't have forced himself to study for an entire day and night.

After twenty-four hours of intense mental activity, Chen Mobai felt completely drained, as if all his energy had been sucked out. His mind felt empty, his body weak, and even the flow of spiritual energy in his dantian and qi sea began to slow slightly. Chen Mobai immediately used a "Recovery Talisman" on himself. After a long while, his physical exhaustion finally receded. However, his consciousness felt so empty that he started seeing shadows and experiencing hallucinations.

Having told his grandparents that his seclusion would last several days, Chen Mobai, realizing his state wasn't right, stopped trying to endure it. He lay directly on the bed and fell into the deepest sleep. He slept profoundly, losing all sense of time. When he finally woke up, it was still dark outside. He picked up his phone and checked the date. He realized he had slept for a full seven days and seven nights.

Chen Mobai rubbed his still-swollen temples, got out of bed, and couldn't resist calling Qing Nü. The effect of this "Enlightenment Pill" was simply too potent. Compared to the benefits, the side effect of merely seven days of sleep seemed almost negligible.

Qing Nü, however, asked Chen Mobai in detail about his experience with the pill. Upon learning he had slept for seven days, she grew a bit worried and immediately hung up to consult her mentor. She only breathed a sigh of relief after confirming that this was normal. However, through this consultation, she also learned that each student could only exchange for one such pill, and after taking it, they couldn't take a second one within ten years.

Qing Nü didn't pay attention to the first half of that information, as she didn't need the Enlightenment Pill anyway. However, she immediately relayed the latter half to Chen Mobai, advising him not to take a second pill within ten years. Chen Mobai felt a bit regretful upon hearing this. Although the emptiness and fatigue after the enlightenment state were somewhat uncomfortable, the sensation of comprehending everything and grasping all knowledge was truly wonderful. He had indeed been thinking about taking it a few more times to develop himself into an all-round immortal cultivator. Under the effect of this pill, Chen Mobai had not only completely mastered all the knowledge of first-order talismans but had also gained some understanding of second-order ones. Now, even if he were to draw the Crimson Flame Three Swords Talisman, he felt he could succeed with just a few attempts.

"For the next six months, it's best not to intensely deplete your spiritual consciousness," Qing Nü instructed him, then had to hang up because it was time for her shift at the medicine pond.

"Okay. By the way, did you receive the item?"

"Yes, I did. It's a beautiful bell; I love it very much."

"I'm glad you like it."

"If..."

Qing Nü's last sentence was cut short as she hung up the phone. Chen Mobai didn't think much of it; his mind was still somewhat muddled from the after-effects of the enlightenment state. He lay down and fell asleep again.

When he woke up from this sleep, he finally felt his spirit, energy, and vitality had returned. After emerging from seclusion, he demonstrated his eighth-level Qi Cultivation to his grandparents and Tang Pancui, signifying that his retreat had been very successful. His three family members were naturally overjoyed. His grandmother immediately butchered an old hen, and his grandfather brought out a jar of aged yellow wine he had buried five years ago. As for Tang Pancui, she couldn't wait to go around the village, boasting to all their aunts and uncles.

"Third Aunt, you wouldn't believe my son..."

While Chen Mobai and his grandfather enjoyed their drinks, news of him breaking through to the eighth level of Qi Cultivation at the age of twenty had already spread throughout Qing Shan Village. Soon, Chen Mobai found Qing Shan Village unbearable. Many neighbors came to his door with their children, bringing good wine and rice, hoping Chen Mobai would take their children as disciples. He was merely at the Qi Cultivation stage himself; how could he possibly mislead others' children? But the villagers were simply too enthusiastic; even after he refused, they would bring their children to wander around him daily, making Chen Mobai, who had wanted to study quietly, feel as if he were back in Danxia City.

Left with no choice, Chen Mobai told his grandparents that he would leave his mother there to draw attention, while he directly bought a train ticket back to the Scarlet City Grotto-Heaven. One night, he didn't ask his grandfather to drive him. Instead, he drew and affixed two "Divine Movement Talismans" to himself and left Qing Shan Village directly. Thus, he returned to the Daoist Academy after staying at home for less than half a month.

Upon his return, Chen Mobai discovered that Ming Yihua had come back even earlier than him. Nearly half of their cohort had already returned. At the school gate, a few students from the Transcendent Class gathered for a meal, sharing their experiences from home, which were all largely similar. Chen Mobai finally understood why most students at the Martial Arts Academy chose to stay on Mount Scarlet City during the holidays. It wasn't because they were diligent, but because it was peaceful here.

"Old Chen, this wine tastes great." Ming Yihua was drinking the yellow wine Chen Mobai's grandfather had given him before he left. Although this particular jar was only two years old, the excellent yeast and high-quality "Clear Water Rice" used made it exceptionally enjoyable for Ming Yihua and the others, despite its shorter aging period. The wine was clear and transparent, with a rich aroma upon opening. It was sweet and delicious on the palate and not immediately intoxicating. After a while, a mellow flavor spread through the stomach, leaving one gently buzzed. However, the yellow wine had a considerable lingering effect, yet upon waking the next day, one felt an extraordinary sense of comfort and relaxation throughout the body. It was as if all muscles and bones had been activated, and qi and blood flowed smoothly. The efficiency of refining spiritual energy even increased by one percentage point.

This yellow wine, in the Sky River Realm, would sell for at least 5 spirit stones per jar. Chen Mobai had tasted the Jade Bud Spirit Wine bought by Qi Rui; at 1 spirit stone for a small jar, it was completely inferior to his. He felt that once he reached the perfected Qi Cultivation stage, he could develop an integrated business of farming, brewing, and running a store to earn spirit stones. Of course, first, he would need to improve his brewing skills. Although he had his grandfather's yeast, the "Clear Water Rice" wasn't available, so he would have to use the Jade Bud Spirit Rice from Giant Wood Ridge, which might result in a different taste. However, Chen Mobai believed that with the abundant spiritual energy in Giant Wood Ridge, even if his brewing skills were a bit lacking, the resulting wine wouldn't be significantly worse.

"By the way, Old Wang, aren't you from the Alchemy Department? Do you have any extra Qi Replenishing Spirit Water you could sell me?" Chen Mobai asked a young man named Wang Xingyu from the Transcendent Class.

"As much as you need; this stuff is easy to refine," Wang Xingyu, his face flushed from Chen Mobai's wine, thumped his chest and guaranteed it.

The Qi Replenishing Spirit Water Qing Nü had refined for Chen Mobai before she went to Ju Mang Daoist Academy had run out. She was now following a good mentor and had many opportunities to improve her alchemy skills, so she no longer needed external support. Of course, even if Qing Nü agreed, Chen Mobai didn't want to take up her time.