Chapter 219: True Transmission's Number One Weight

The day after the Grand Sect Competition ended, Chen Mobai was led by Yuan Chiye to a courtyard in Divine Wood City.

The courtyard was not large, but in the center stood a towering tree so wide that two people could barely encircle it with their arms. Though it was winter, the tree was lush and verdant, its branches full of leaves. A young man in a black long gown, with an ordinary face, sat on a stool beneath the tree. He had already brewed a pot of tea and, seeing Chen Mobai enter, smiled and beckoned him over.

"Greetings, Martial Uncle E Yun."

This was Chen Mobai's first time meeting the renowned disciple of the sect master. Meng Hong, the current Sect Master of the Divine Wood Sect, had a total of six personal disciples. Except for the eldest disciple, who had passed away early due to insufficient aptitude, the rest were all exceptional individuals. The second and third disciples had already reached the Foundation Establishment stage. The fourth disciple was Zhou Wangshen, and the fifth was E Yun. They complemented each other brilliantly. In the previous decade, if it hadn't been for Hong He's sudden emergence, they would have essentially taken turns holding the top spot among the true disciples. The sect master's sixth disciple was Mu Yuan, and without Chen Mobai, he would likely have been the leader among the Divine Wood Sect's three thousand Qi Refinement cultivators in the next decade.

"Please, have a seat, both of you."

Chen Mobai and Yuan Chiye sat down at his words. E Yun was an ordinary person, one whom no one would notice in a crowd. He had an average build, common looks, and his speech and mannerisms were quite unremarkable. Talking to him felt like being on the same bus, sitting side by side with a stranger, striking up a conversation out of boredom during a long journey. They talked about everything under the sun—from distant lands to daily life, food, clothing, housing, and travel. They were like travelers on a journey, drinking tea and chatting, and before they knew it, the sky had already darkened. This feeling was exceptionally comfortable.

"By the way, I haven't yet thanked Martial Uncle E Yun for your past assistance."

Chen Mobai was, of course, referring to the time he was pursued by the Southern Mountain Bandits in Yun Country.

"At that time, you had already joined my Divine Wood Sect. When a rogue cultivator pursues a disciple of our sect, I naturally cannot stand idly by," E Yun said, waving his hand to indicate it was a minor matter.

"I still wanted to thank you in person. In the future, if there's anything I can do for you in the sect, please don't hesitate to ask." As for whether he would agree or not, that would be decided later. This was Chen Mobai's internal thought. He felt that since one always had to take a side in the Divine Wood Sect anyway, it was better to commit to the person in front of him rather than worry excessively. At the very least, E Yun had genuinely shown him kindness. Moreover, his ability to join the Divine Wood Sect was also thanks to them.

"My master, the Sect Master, has reached the peak of Foundation Establishment and is preparing to form his Core soon. Before he enters seclusion for core formation, he hopes that a few of us disciples can compete with each other to cultivate a leader best suited to guide the Divine Wood Sect's development for the next hundred years. Second Senior Brother and Third Senior Brother are not interested in this, as their hearts are set on the Great Dao. So, he has been grooming Senior Brother Zhou, me, and Junior Brother Mu Yuan. I don't actually have much interest in it either, but if I want to advance further in cultivation, becoming the Sect Master is an excellent shortcut, so I have no choice but to compete with my senior and junior brothers. Junior Brother Chen is an unparalleled genius, and even more so, a pure sword cultivator solely devoted to the Dao. I imagine you wouldn't be interested in such matters. After this, you only need to cultivate according to your preferences within the sect, because for me, your growth into this astonishing sword is the greatest achievement."

E Yun's words, however, left Chen Mobai a little confused. He had indeed become the top true disciple, so calling him an unparalleled genius was somewhat accurate, but when had he become a pure sword cultivator solely devoted to the Dao? Moreover, he was quite interested in becoming the Sect Master. However, though he didn't understand the meaning behind E Yun's words, Chen Mobai wisely didn't ask. Instead, he posed the question that concerned him most.

"I heard that Martial Uncle Zeng is refining a batch of Foundation Establishment Pills. I wonder if I can exchange for one?" This had been his greatest motivation for becoming a true disciple. However, after the Grand Sect Competition, Meng Hong and the two elders had all smilingly flown away, leaving Chen Mobai, who had intended to ask the sect master about this matter, holding back until now.

"If it's successfully refined, and one or more pills are formed, if you want one, it's yours," E Yun stated unequivocally, easing Chen Mobai's earlier anxieties. It seemed that striving to become the top true disciple was indeed the right move. The internal atmosphere of the Divine Wood Sect seemed quite good; there were no hidden rules, and everything followed the explicit exchange order. As Chen Mobai thought this, he was unaware that if he hadn't displayed his unparalleled sword dao talent during the Grand Sect Competition, things wouldn't have been so smooth, and E Yun wouldn't have been so certain.

"Today, I just received my Spirit Rice; let's try it together," E Yun said, taking out some highly precious second-grade Spirit Rice. This was Jade Bamboo Spirit Rice, specially provided by the Divine Wood Sect's Spiritual Plant Department for Foundation Establishment elders. Chen Mobai tasted it and found it indeed extraordinary. Not only was it soft, fragrant, and glutinous, but it also had a delicate bamboo aroma. Upon consumption, it transformed into a cool energy that integrated into his blood and qi, nourishing his essence and even slightly clarifying his mind.

Upon inquiry, he learned that this Jade Bamboo Spirit Rice was an upgraded rice seed of Jade Bud Spirit Rice. However, its seeds needed to be buried within the matured nodes of Jade Bamboo. After the Spirit Rice matured, an acre of second-grade Jade Bamboo would have all its vital energy drained, converting into nutrients for the Spirit Rice's growth. This method was interesting, though it seemed a bit wasteful of bamboo. Chen Mobai made a note of this, thinking that after he reached Foundation Establishment, he could search for knowledge on this type of spiritual plant in the library. After all, once he reached Foundation Establishment, first-grade Spirit Rice would be of little use to him. Only prolonged consumption of second-grade Spirit Rice could enhance his blood and qi and strengthen his physique. While he could buy it from the Immortal Sect, nothing tasted as good as what he cultivated himself.

After finishing the Jade Bamboo Spirit Rice, Chen Mobai and Yuan Chiye bid farewell and left together.

"From now on, within the sect, just focus on cultivating your sword. No matter who asks you to do anything, you can simply put the responsibility on me." E Yun personally escorted them to the door, and before they left, he solemnly spoke these words to Chen Mobai.

"Thank you, Martial Uncle." Chen Mobai merely assumed that because he had become the top true disciple, they regarded him as a future Foundation Establishment cultivator, hence their high regard for him.

After his conversation with E Yun, Chen Mobai went to the Spiritual Plant Department. He hadn't forgotten that the Divine Wood Sword was borrowed and had to be returned after the Grand Sect Competition. However, as soon as he entered the Spiritual Plant Department, he noticed that people's attitudes towards him had completely changed.

"Junior Brother Chen... no, Senior Brother Chen, you're here."

"Senior Brother Teng, there's no need to be so polite."

Teng Jie happened to be on duty in the Spiritual Plant Department. Seeing Chen Mobai enter, his tone and demeanor were so respectful that Chen Mobai found it hard to adjust. They hadn't exchanged more than a few words when Lu Jun, who had received the news, rushed over, his attitude even more humble.

"Senior Brother Chen, Supervisor Sun knew you were coming and has been waiting for you since early morning. Please come this way."

Sun Gaochang? He was a dignified Foundation Establishment elder, an executive of the Hall of Rewards, and the supervisor of the Spiritual Plant Department. Why would he go to such lengths? Chen Mobai was utterly bewildered. Was the weight of being the top true disciple really that significant?