Chapter 231: Little South Mountain

After Yuan Chiyuan entered seclusion for Foundation Establishment, Chen Mobai asked E Yun about the Divine Tree Secret Realm.

"This is a secret of our Divine Wood Sect, passed down orally. Since you've already reached Foundation Establishment, there's no harm in telling you."

"The Divine Tree Secret Realm is said to have been left by ancient cultivators. In the past, True Monarch Yiyuan entered it and, after acquiring the greatest fortune, it was supposed to collapse and vanish."

"However, the True Monarch, out of compassion for all beings, felt that later generations of cultivators should have an opportunity. So, he painstakingly transplanted three divine trees, connecting them to the ley lines of Giant Wood Ridge, thereby re-fortifying this secret realm and leaving behind an accessible entrance."

"Once inside, there are three paths, each representing a different type of trial. The opportunities you can obtain depend on your choice."

E Yun no longer treated Chen Mobai as an outsider and revealed to him all the secret legacies of the Divine Wood Sect.

Ancient cultivators, secret realms, divine trees — Chen Mobai didn't have much concept of these.

But True Monarch Yiyuan was very famous.

As the most recent ascended cultivator in the Sky River Realm, anything related to him in this Divine Tree Secret Realm was bound to be extraordinary.

"What are those three trials, then?"

Chen Mobai asked again, believing that the more he knew, the better prepared he could be.

E Yun smiled.

"The Great Dao, Magic Treasures, and Innate Talent!"

"What do they mean, specifically?"

E Yun didn't know the answer to this question. He shook his head and merely recounted his own experience from back then.

"After entering the secret realm, you simply need to show your truest self and proceed in one of the three directions."

"I fainted before the Great Dao Tree, obtained the Celestial Cicada Spirit Leaf from the Magic Treasure Tree, and acquired an ancient cultivation method from the Innate Talent Tree."

"When the three of us fellow disciples entered the secret realm, Zhou Wangshen and I quickly fainted before the Great Dao Tree. However, when we lost consciousness, Senior Brother Honghe was still steadily advancing. Perhaps he knows something about it."

Hearing this, Chen Mobai expressed his gratitude to E Yun.

In an environment like the Sky River Realm, E Yun's willingness to selflessly share his experiences and insights demonstrated his magnanimity.

"Is Senior Brother Honghe at Giant Wood Ridge? Would it be convenient for me to pay him a visit?"

Finally, Chen Mobai asked a question, taking it for granted.

He had always wanted to meet this former chief true disciple, who was hailed as one of the "Peerless Twin Prodigies" alongside himself, a genius in the way of the sword.

"Well, Senior Brother Honghe hasn't returned from Cloud Dream Marsh since he reached Foundation Establishment. If you wish to see him, you'll probably have to go find him there yourself."

Unlike Zhou Wangshen and E Yun, Honghe was not a sect leader's direct disciple. He had a reclusive personality but possessed extraordinary talent, excelling in body tempering, sword practice, formations, and automatons.

Like Chen Mobai, he was wholly dedicated to cultivation.

Cloud Dream Marsh was known as the prime treasure land of the Eastern Wilderness, and confident cultivators often resided there for extended periods.

After all, major trade associations from the Central Continent regularly stayed in Stormwind Dock and would pay high prices for demon beast inner cores.

"That's truly a pity."

Chen Mobai could only sigh, then coughed twice, pretending his injuries hadn't fully healed.

Cloud Dream Marsh was too dangerous. He certainly wouldn't go without a compelling reason.

Although Yuan Chiyuan had entered seclusion, he had largely completed the tasks E Yun assigned before his departure.

The benefits for a Foundation Establishment Elder of the Divine Wood Sect had also been applied for on Chen Mobai's behalf.

Among the twelve departments, there was a Spiritual Vein Department.

While this department sounded like it only managed the sect's spiritual veins, it actually oversaw real estate and shops in Giant Wood Ridge, as well as the Divine Wood Sect's establishments in various market cities across the Eastern Wilderness.

The benefits Chen Mobai applied for after advancing to a Foundation Establishment cultivator were disbursed by this department.

However, he first needed to go through the process at the Hall of Meritorious Deeds.

With E Yun, the sect leader's direct disciple, personally assisting, Chen Mobai completed all the procedures in less than a day.

Inside the grand hall of the Spiritual Vein Department, there was a miniature holographic model of Giant Wood Ridge.

"Two Martial Uncles, the glowing areas here represent properties that are already occupied,"

"You can choose from the remaining ones."

A tall, ordinary-looking female Qi Cultivator respectfully led E Yun and Chen Mobai to the model, pointing at the slightly transparent, suspended structure.

Chen Mobai nodded and examined it carefully.

He noticed that most of the courtyards and shops in Divine Wood City were already lit up, with not a single one remaining on the busiest street in the city center.

"Our sect shouldn't have this many Foundation Establishment Elders, should it?"

E Yun frowned when he saw all three hundred of the most prosperous shops illuminated.

He himself had directly rented his shop to a senior martial brother, receiving one thousand spirit stones in rent annually.

"Indeed, there aren't that many elders, but the ownership of these three hundred shops is not an issue. If Martial Uncle E Yun has time, you could discuss it with our department head."

The female Qi Cultivator from the Spiritual Vein Department wiped sweat from her forehead, answering E Yun's question with a hint of nervousness.

"Are there any larger shops?"

Chen Mobai spoke, effectively helping her out of an awkward situation.

"Yes, there are, but the larger the shop, the more secluded its location. Martial Uncle Chen, please look here."

The female Qi Cultivator breathed a sigh of relief and immediately pointed to the southern part of Divine Wood City.

"This won't do. Only mortals live here. No matter how large the shop, it won't earn many spirit stones."

E Yun saw this and immediately shook his head.

Divine Wood City was originally a place for mortals to live. After all, many cultivators had mortal descendants, and some labor-intensive tasks required mortals. Thus, the sect had opened up a plain here.

However, with the passage of time, its popularity grew, leading to its current state.

"I'll take this largest one. I'll probably open a rice shop or a tavern in the future, and I'll need storage space. A secluded location is fine."

Chen Mobai, however, chose the largest shop in the south of the city, spanning nearly one thousand square meters.

"Martial Uncle has good foresight. This was originally a granary, but later, for cleanliness, the sect leader promoted the use of Grain Abstinence Pills among mortals. The granary then became vacant and was later converted into a shop."

After choosing the shop, Chen Mobai also selected a courtyard, ostensibly to oversee the shop, picking a plot of over two hundred square meters also in the south of the city.

His main reason was for peace and quiet. After all, he was someone who could disappear at any time. Although he would only occasionally stay for a night in this courtyard, if his neighbors were all Foundation Establishment cultivators, his secret might be exposed over time.

Although E Yun didn't think highly of Chen Mobai's choices, he didn't interfere.

Only when it came to choosing the final cultivation spot, a cave abode with a third-tier spiritual vein, did he become serious.

"Junior Brother, these third-tier spiritual veins are also divided into high, medium, and low grades. For the convenience of cultivation, you absolutely cannot be careless."

"Martial Uncle E, the high-grade third-tier spiritual veins were all chosen over twenty years ago."

As the female Qi Cultivator said this, sweat beaded on her forehead again.

Everyone wanted the best spiritual veins, and the disciples of their Spiritual Vein Department maintained their high status in the sect precisely because of this authority.

As the sect leader's direct disciple, E Yun had been given a high-grade third-tier spiritual vein cave abode by Meng Hong after reaching Foundation Establishment. As for Zhou Wangshen, being a descendant of Old Ancestor Zhou, there was even less to say.

Although Chen Mobai was hailed as a peerless genius, if he wanted a high-grade third-tier spiritual vein, one of the current Foundation Establishment Elders would have to relinquish theirs.

Their Spiritual Vein Department would never dare to do something so offensive.

"If there are no high-grade ones, there should still be some mid-grade third-tier ones, right?"

E Yun clearly knew the ins and outs of the situation. His Junior Brother Chen was simple-minded, only focused on sword practice and farming. He figured if he didn't accompany Chen Mobai, the Spiritual Vein Department might try to fob him off with a low-grade third-tier cave abode.

"Yes, yes, there are! There are still seven mid-grade third-tier cave abodes. I'll mark them for both Martial Uncles so you can see which one is suitable."

The female Qi Cultivator immediately extended her index finger, cast a light spell, and marked the seven mid-grade third-tier spiritual vein cave abodes scattered throughout Giant Wood Ridge.

"Oh, why are there so many spirit fields here?"

Chen Mobai looked repeatedly and discovered large stretches of empty plains around one of the spiritual veins, appearing to be abandoned spiritual land.

"The previous head of the Spiritual Plant Department attempted to cultivate third-tier spirit rice here and reclaimed sixty *mu* of spirit fields. After his passing, this place was abandoned."

The female Qi Cultivator was quite competent to be on duty in the Spiritual Vein Department; she answered Chen Mobai's question without hesitation.

"Third-tier spirit rice? Could it be that this spiritual vein cave abode was originally higher than mid-grade third-tier?"

To open up third-tier spirit fields requires consuming some of the spiritual vein's essence. If these sixty *mu* of spirit fields were all third-tier, then the previous grade of this spiritual vein must have been quite high.

"Martial Uncle Chen truly is from the Spiritual Plant Department. This Small South Mountain was originally a fourth-tier spiritual vein, but its grade dropped to mid-grade third-tier to cultivate sixty *mu* of spirit fields."

Small South Mountain.

Chen Mobai thought the name sounded very pleasant and suited his low-key personality.

He looked again and again, feeling that this spiritual vein was a perfect match for him.

"This one will do."

E Yun also knew Chen Mobai's character, focused solely on sword practice and farming. Although Small South Mountain's spiritual vein rank was low among the seven mid-grade third-tier options, it had the advantage of so many spirit fields nearby!

"Martial Uncle Chen, we'll allocate Small South Mountain to you, but you'll need to go to the Spiritual Plant Department yourself to arrange for the cultivation rights of those sixty *mu* of spirit fields."

The female Qi Cultivator reminded him beforehand, and Chen Mobai expressed his thanks.

He still had some pull with the Spiritual Plant Department.

"I'll go with you. I'm acquainted with Deputy Head Jin of your Spiritual Plant Department."

E Yun went the extra mile. After helping Chen Mobai secure Small South Mountain, he accompanied him to the grand hall of the Spiritual Plant Department.

Upon arrival, E Yun went to find Jin Shanping, while Chen Mobai went to pay his respects to Sun Gaochang.

"Martial Bro—...Martial Uncle Chen!"

Lu Jun was also there with Sun Gaochang. When he saw Chen Mobai, he almost couldn't change his form of address.

With the announcement of the impending opening of the Divine Tree Secret Realm, virtually everyone knew that a true disciple had successfully established Foundation.

A little inquiry was all it took to find out who it was.

However, seeing Chen Mobai's successful Foundation Establishment firsthand, Lu Jun was still filled with emotion.

The image of the young man who had just emerged from the New Bud Hall, painstakingly collecting rice seeds and reclaiming spirit fields, was still vivid in his mind.

In the blink of an eye, this young man had achieved a breakthrough he could never hope to accomplish in his lifetime.

"Senior Brother Lu, long time no see."

Chen Mobai, however, was not yet accustomed to the custom of seniority based on cultivation level and continued to address him as "Senior Brother." Others didn't mind, as it was common for those who had just broken through; they usually got used to the new address after ten or twenty years.

"Welcome back, arrayed in glory! I thought you wouldn't want to stay in the Spiritual Plant Department after establishing your Foundation."

The chubby Sun Gaochang was very pleased that Chen Mobai came to visit him first and specially opened a pot of wine to entertain him.

This wine, incidentally, had been purchased from Chen Mobai himself.

"Not at all. I have no other hobbies in this life besides farming and brewing. Even if I were to become the sect leader, I would never leave the Spiritual Plant Department."

Chen Mobai's words slightly surprised Sun Gaochang, but he simply took them as a metaphor.

"Have you chosen a spiritual vein yet? I know of a cave abode that, while only low-grade third-tier, has twenty *mu* of medicinal fields cultivated at its base. If you secure it, I can arrange things so you get both the cave abode and the medicinal fields. Even if you don't manage them yourself, sub-leasing them to sect disciples could earn you at least a thousand sect contribution points annually."

"I was just about to tell Inspector Sun about that..."

Since Sun Gaochang brought it up, Chen Mobai honestly explained his purpose.

"Small South Mountain is indeed the most suitable place for you."

As an inspector of the Spiritual Plant Department, Sun Gaochang naturally knew about the abandoned spirit fields near Small South Mountain. After a moment's thought, he understood why Chen Mobai had chosen this location and couldn't help but clap his hands in approval.

"Lu Jun, pass on my order and handle this matter. Before Junior Brother Chen and I finish this pot of wine and leave, transfer the cultivation rights for those sixty *mu* of spirit fields to his name for the next ten years."

"Yes, Inspector."

Sun Gaochang's straightforwardness made Chen Mobai feel a little embarrassed.

Previously, he had lacked enough sect contribution points to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill and had to borrow from him to cover the deficit.

At this point, he no longer held any grudge over Lu Jun previously tricking him into joining the Spiritual Plant Department. Although Sun Gaochang's attitude only improved after Chen Mobai displayed his talent, Chen Mobai still owed him a debt of gratitude for becoming a true disciple and obtaining the Foundation Establishment Pill so quickly.

He resolved to cultivate diligently and generate better profits for the Spiritual Plant Department.

"Oh, and Junior Brother Chen, our Spiritual Plant Department falls under the Hall of Meritorious Deeds. If you're willing, you can also join the Hall of Meritorious Deeds now that you've established Foundation."

Towards the end of their drinking, Sun Gaochang suddenly brought this up.

Chen Mobai was about to agree offhandedly, but then he remembered E Yun. Since he was ostensibly E Yun's person, he felt he should ask for his opinion first.

He told Sun Gaochang honestly, who remained smiling and politely saw him to the door.

That evening, when he mentioned it to E Yun, the latter smiled slightly and offered a guess.

"The head of the Hall of Meritorious Deeds and my master are the only two cultivators in the Divine Wood Sect at the peak of Foundation Establishment. If my master steps down to attempt Core Formation, the calls for him to take over as sect leader are quite strong."

"Are you implying..."

"If he becomes the sect leader, the Hall of Meritorious Deeds will need a successor. He's likely set his sights on you."

Chen Mobai fell silent.

Inside, however, he was troubled.

What should he do?

It seemed his image as a genius was becoming increasingly ingrained in people's minds.