Chapter 241: Life Winner

"Excellent, the Vermilion Fruit truly lives up to its reputation as a specialty of Mount Chicheng. Its fire-element spiritual energy is warm and mellow."

In the alchemy room of the Treasure Vase Pharmacy in Danxia City, Qing Nü took the jade box Chen Mobai handed her. She opened it and couldn't help but nod with satisfaction.

"This item can only be harvested after its exchange is confirmed. As soon as I heard your request, I took Wang Xingyu, who was ranked first in alchemy in our class, and searched every Vermilion Fruit tree on every peak of Mount Chicheng. We selected the highest quality second-tier one."

For this, Chen Mobai even took a week off at the end of the semester to tutor Wang Xingyu.

"Let me see your Bamboo Fruit now."

Qing Nü then opened another jade box Chen Mobai had placed on the table. The pure, crisp spiritual energy made her narrow her eyes and nod gently.

"With both main ingredients ready, we still need twenty-four auxiliary herbs. Are you prepared?"

The elixir they were preparing to refine was called 'Clear-Eyed Bamboo Spirit Dew,' a spiritual liquid used to cultivate spiritual eyes and enhance divine sense.

Due to his cultivation of the Blazing Sword Art, Chen Mobai's eyesight had slightly declined from prolonged exposure to the Qingyang Fire Seed.

So he consulted Qing Nü about whether there was any miraculous elixir for this condition.

Coincidentally, the Bamboo Fruit possessed the medicinal effect of brightening the eyes and clearing the mind. Qing Nü consulted numerous texts from the Gou Mang Daoist Academy and found the prescription for 'Clear-Eyed Bamboo Spirit Dew.'

The Bamboo Fruit is cold in nature, requiring another mild, yang-natured spirit fruit as a main ingredient to neutralize it.

The Vermilion Fruit, a specialty of the Wuqi Daoist Academy, perfectly fit the requirement.

As for the twenty-four auxiliary herbs, they were even simpler to acquire.

When there's work to be done, the disciples shoulder the burden.

For this, Chen Mobai specifically returned to the Tianhe Realm. He then emerged from seclusion, summoned his eldest disciple, and entrusted him with the task.

Liu Wenbai did not disappoint. Despite the differing names of spiritual herbs between the two realms, he managed to collect eighteen of them using Chen Mobai's hand-drawn illustrations and descriptions of their medicinal properties.

Given enough time, he likely could have acquired the remaining six as well.

However, Chen Mobai decided not to trouble his disciple further.

He returned to the Immortal Sect and spent 200,000 Merit Points online to purchase the last six.

To refine the 'Clear-Eyed Bamboo Spirit Dew,' Chen Mobai invested over 100 spirit stones and 200,000 Merit Points in auxiliary herbs. Fortunately, the Bamboo Fruit was an unexpected gain, and the Vermilion Fruit could be exchanged with academic credits.

Otherwise, in the Tianhe Realm, it would have cost at least nearly a thousand spirit stones to gather the materials for a single refinement.

"The extraction of the medicinal properties of these two main ingredients will take half a month. It seems my holiday this year is ruined."

Qing Nü said, seemingly complaining, and Chen Mobai could only offer an awkward smile.

"Thank you for your hard work."

"It's no trouble. Just help me guide my younger siblings in their cultivation."

Hearing this, Chen Mobai immediately thumped his chest, vowing to complete the task.

Kong Feichen and Yang Jing also returned this year, likely summoned by Qing Nü.

"By the way, what's the best way to handle this 'Jadewood Spirit Heart'?"

After discussing the minor matters, Chen Mobai then brought up the main topic with Qing Nü.

The 'Clear-Eyed Bamboo Spirit Dew' was merely a second-tier spiritual liquid. Qing Nü had passed the second-tier alchemist examination after her second semester at Gou Mang Daoist Academy, and refining this spiritual liquid, if done carefully, carried virtually no chance of failure.

However, the 'Jadewood Spirit Heart' was different. Chen Mobai had checked, and spiritual items capable of opening the Purple Mansion Sea of Consciousness in the Immortal Sect were at least third-tier.

Although Qing Nü was already studying the knowledge required for a third-tier alchemist, refining a third-tier elixir still carried the possibility of failure.

"I checked the records. This item is actually best refined in its original state, but with your current Foundation Establishment Stage One cultivation, you genuinely can't perfectly absorb the full efficacy of the Jadewood Spirit Heart in one go."

"Coincidentally, don't you have an old classmate who cultivates ice spiritual energy? You can absorb a portion first, then have her cast an ice seal spell to reseal the opened Jadewood Spirit Heart."

"I'll prepare a portion of Origin Spirit Water, and you can buy a sealed container. Under triple sealing and nurturing, the Jadewood Spirit Heart's spiritual essence can be guaranteed not to be lost."

After listening, Chen Mobai couldn't help but give Qing Nü a thumbs-up.

As expected, she's a professional.

No time like the present. After hearing Qing Nü's plan, he immediately picked up his phone and called Yan Bingxuan.

"Hello, old classmate, are you back?"

"I arrived yesterday! Why didn't you tell me? I would have picked you up at the station."

"It's fine. It's been a while since we last met, how about we get together for a meal?"

"No one special, just familiar faces."

"Alright, see you tonight."

After arranging to meet the beautiful Yan Bingxuan, Chen Mobai made an 'all set' gesture to Qing Nü, completely oblivious to the slight twitch at the corner of the stunning girl's mouth in front of him.

"Oh, right, where are your younger siblings? Do they want to come along? I just brought two of the purest-tasting Greenblood Carp from my hometown. They're absolutely a culinary delight you've never tasted."

The pillar industry of Chen Mobai's eldest disciple's family was fishing. At the end of the year, he, as their teacher, mentioned how much he missed the taste of Greenblood Carp.

When Liu Wenbai brought New Year's goods, he specifically delivered a tank containing nine of them.

One of them was even a second-tier Greenblood Carp King.

Qing Nü was initially still a bit annoyed, but remembering the delicious fish Chen Mobai had brought before, she swallowed her saliva and nodded involuntarily.

At least he still remembers that I like fish!

Two fish seemed just enough for five people, so Chen Mobai didn't invite anyone else.

"Oh, Class Monitor, why are you here?"

When Yan Bingxuan arrived, she was accompanied by Mo Simin. Chen Mobai secretly wondered if there would be enough food.

"Just happened to be on the way."

Mo Simin's mouth also twitched when she saw Chen Mobai and Qing Nü already seated. However, she was worried about her naive best friend, Yan Bingxuan, going into this 'battlefield' alone. With the mindset of 'If I don't go to hell, who will?', she resolutely followed along.

"Alright then. Owner, bring the dishes."

After all, they were old classmates, and Chen Mobai wouldn't turn them away. It was the same restaurant they ate at during their graduation farewell four years ago. He had already delivered the two Greenblood Carp to the restaurant earlier, and they were now perfectly roasted.

"Where are your younger siblings? Why aren't they here yet?"

After the dishes were served, Chen Mobai saw that Kong Feichen and Yang Jing hadn't arrived yet, and couldn't help but ask Qing Nü beside him.

"They were slightly delayed by something. They'll be here soon."

This wait lasted half an hour. The two only arrived when Chen Mobai and the others had finished one fish.

"Hurry up, we've been waiting for you! Fortunately, I had the foresight to save one."

After a year apart, Kong Feichen had become much more mature. He wore a white lab coat, and had a neatly parted hairstyle. Upon arrival, he first greeted everyone, and then sat down.

Yang Jing, on the other hand, was different. She sat down without a word and immediately started eating.

"By the way, wasn't it said that the success rate for Foundation Establishment with special spirit roots is very high? How did you fail?"

Chen Mobai directly brought up a sensitive topic. Kong Feichen glared at him, and the delicious food in his mouth immediately lost its taste.

"He has a knot in his heart. In ancient terms, he has a 'heart demon'. Unless this heart demon is overcome, he cannot advance further."

Qing Nü didn't hide anything, quickly picking up fish meat while talking about her younger brother's situation.

"A heart demon?"

Chen Mobai glanced at Yang Jing, who had been eating nonstop since sitting down.

"It's pretty much what you're thinking, so I might need your help."

"How can I help?"

Regardless of his relationship with Qing Nü, Kong Feichen had run errands for them both several times over the past two years, so it was only right for him to help.

"We can talk about it later when we have time. Let's eat first."

After saying this, Qing Nü lowered her head and resumed devouring the fish meat.

"This fish tastes even better than last time."

After finishing her meal, Yan Bingxuan elegantly put down her chopsticks and wiped her mouth.

"Indeed it is! It's a specialty from my hometown, found nowhere else."

"I've been to your hometown, and they don't have this kind of fish there."

"Huh?"

Hearing this, Chen Mobai looked surprised and puzzled. He stared blankly at Yan Bingxuan, unable to comprehend that she would actually travel so far just for fish.

"Is that true?"

Everyone present stopped their chopsticks in shock upon hearing Yan Bingxuan's words, and Mo Simin couldn't help but blurt out a question.

"During the second year's holiday, I came back. You weren't around, and I didn't know how to pass the time, so I took an impromptu trip and explored Qing Shan Village. The wine there was good, but there was no such fish."

Yan Bingxuan's clear gaze met Chen Mobai's. He couldn't help but look away, but quickly concocted an excuse.

"I didn't explain it clearly. The Grand Void Mountain Range is vast. Actually, there's a lake three peaks away from Qing Shan Village. Its bottom connects directly to an underground river, and the fish that live there are the kind we're eating."

"When you have time, take me to see it."

"Alright... However, I'll be refining the Clear-Eyed Bamboo Spirit Dew with Qing Nü for a while, so I might not have time until after half a month."

As he said this, Chen Mobai feigned being too busy and sighed, shaking his head.

"Oh, I see."

When she said this, Yan Bingxuan's tone remained flat. Yet, Chen Mobai inexplicably felt a pang of guilt.

"Really, I'm not lying to you. Coincidentally, I also have a spiritual herb that needs your help to be sealed with ice."

"Is that so? Alright then, I'll help you."

He wondered if it was his imagination, but Chen Mobai felt that Yan Bingxuan's last sentence revealed a different emotion.

Qing Nü now only wanted to say one thing.

What do you two have to do with alchemy? I'm enough on my own. Are you just here to cause trouble?!

However, considering Chen Mobai might be in a difficult situation, she pouted and silently continued eating her fish.

On the side, Kong Feichen clenched his fists. If he hadn't known he couldn't win, he would have been unable to resist making a move.

After paying the bill, everyone parted ways.

When Chen Mobai arrived home, his parents were sitting in the living room watching TV.

"Son, your uncle arrives tomorrow evening. Go pick him up at the airport. Then call your aunt's family as well, and we'll all have dinner together."

"Alright. Mom, do you plan to go back to Qing Shan Village anytime soon?"

"No, why?"

Chen Mobai shook his head, indicating nothing was wrong. He couldn't exactly say he needed to set the scene to prove that Greenblood Carp was truly a specialty of the Grand Void Mountain Range.

Never mind, I'll take it as it comes. At worst, I'll just say school has something urgent, and I have to go back early, truly having no time.

Thinking this to himself, Chen Mobai returned to his room.

Strangely enough, after he achieved Foundation Establishment and returned to his hometown, the annoying paparazzi reporters from before had vanished without a trace, not a single one appearing before him.

Perhaps this is what comes with a higher cultivation realm.

With that thought, Chen Mobai sat cross-legged on his bed, and holding a spirit stone, began cultivating the Pure Yang Dharma Body.

Today was precisely the day he completed the Three Yang Body.

By midnight, after the spirit stone in his palm had withered, Chen Mobai finished his cultivation. The three-colored spiritual light within him receded, and he opened his eyes.

Spiritual Roots: Gold 23, Wood 31, Water 21, Fire 44, Earth 10.

Looking at the results displayed on the spirit-testing device's screen, Chen Mobai couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

Finally, there was something decent to look at.

Having consumed Jade Bamboo Shoots, his Wood spiritual root had previously increased again.

However, after his Wood spiritual root reached 33 points, the Jade Bamboo Shoots had no further effect on him. It seemed this was a bottleneck. This time, completing the Three Yang Body had cost him another two points, and he wondered if he could recover them by eating more bamboo shoots.

As for his Water spiritual root, there was no need to wonder. The Greenblood Carp had long since ceased to be effective for him, and after the Three Yang Body was completed, the value of this spiritual root had plummeted.

Once he achieved the Four Yang Realm, it would drop below 20.

However, this way, he would once again fall within the 'True Spirit Root' category, a positive development despite the drop.

But the best news was that he could now attempt Foundation Establishment using the Pure Yang Scroll.

With his existing Foundation Establishment cultivation providing a strong foundation, reverting to cultivate the Qi Refining chapter of the Pure Yang Scroll was simply effortless and pleasant. He directly brought his Pure Yang spiritual energy to the ninth level of Qi Refining completion within half a year.

If it weren't for waiting for the Three Yang Body to be completed, he could have long ago lifted the Critical State Art and begun the Two-Phase Cycle.

However, this was also good. He could take this opportunity to give a live demonstration of how to achieve Foundation Establishment.

The next day, Chen Mobai went to the airport to pick up Chen Baolan and then met up with his aunt's family. This was considered a celebration for his successful Foundation Establishment.

After the family celebration concluded, the principal of Immortal Sect Fifth High School came to visit.

Naturally, he wanted to invite Chen Mobai, a renowned alumnus, back to take some photos and perhaps request some calligraphy, intending to put up a banner.

He couldn't postpone it, so he could only go with a wry smile.

With the principal's arrangement, reporters finally dared to take photos.

On the corridor wall of Immortal Sect Fifth High School, a photo of Chen Mobai gazing into the distance was added.

After the news spread, his former classmates learned that this top student who had been admitted to Wuqi Daoist Academy had actually succeeded in Foundation Establishment and would be returning home in glory this year. They couldn't help but invite Chen Mobai, wanting to catch up.

Left with no choice, he could only ask his old class monitor, Mo Simin, to help organize a get-together.

At the same restaurant where they had their graduation farewell meal, Chen Mobai's group and Gong Xiangyu's group ran into each other. Both were old classmate gatherings, and Gong Xiangyu's group naturally centered around Qing Nü, the Celestial Spirit Root from Gou Mang Daoist Academy.

"Oh, what a coincidence again."

Gong Xiangyu's face flushed. He knew he couldn't directly confront Chen Mobai, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, but with so many classmates watching and having organized the gathering himself, he absolutely couldn't back down.

"Hm, don't forget to come tomorrow. I'll wait for you at the usual spot."

Just as he was about to step forward and retort, a clear voice rang out from behind him.

Without needing to turn around, he knew it was Qing Nü's voice.

It was then that Gong Xiangyu realized he was no longer qualified to speak to Chen Mobai.

"Do you want me to come help tomorrow?"

The person asking was Yan Bingxuan, who was beside Chen Mobai. He had mentioned two days ago that he needed her help with something.

"Sure, I guess."

Chen Mobai seemed to agree with great reluctance.

Witnessing this scene, everyone had but one thought.

Is this what they call a 'life winner'?

Damn it, I'm so envious!