Chapter 244: Patch Sky Team

The train station in Danxia City.

A woman wearing sunglasses emerged with two teenagers.

"Is *this* the small place?" one of the bald teenagers asked, looking around with a hint of disdain in his voice.

"Let's go. The Deputy Cult Master hasn't descended from the heavens in a long time," the other teenager, who had a square face, said, picking up two large suitcases and leading the way out of the station. "Since he's tasked us with this pickup, we must handle it perfectly for him."

"Keep a low profile," the woman in sunglasses said through a private sound transmission to her two companions. "There are law enforcement cultivators patrolling at the entrance."

The two teenagers, who had initially been somewhat careless, immediately straightened their expressions. Feigning innocence, they obediently carried their luggage and passed through the ticket gate.

"Why didn't we fly?" the bald teenager asked after exiting the train station. Although his status as a Foundation Establishment cultivator meant he received good treatment on the train, he felt it was a significant waste of time.

"Every plane is equipped with a Tier 3 restriction. If we were to expose our identities, we wouldn't be able to escape," the woman in sunglasses explained. "Trains are different; they're only covered by Tier 2 formations. If the three of us go all out, we could still blast open an opening and get out." She added that while all three of them were Foundation Establishment cultivators, they also practiced secret techniques from ancient traditions. Although they could perfectly conceal their auras, they operated on the principle of 'better safe than sorry.' A considerable number of cultivators who practiced forbidden arts were exposed each year. Facing the relentless pursuit of the Immortal Sect's 'Sky-Mending Group,' their first consideration before any action was always an escape route.

"This small city actually has two Golden Core Perfected Ones overseeing it," the square-faced teenager exclaimed in wonder, looking up prominent figures in Danxia City on his phone. He saw Perfected One Scarlet Robe and Perfected One Shiqing. One should know that among the Immortal Sect's seventy-two blessed lands, some places didn't even have Golden Core cultivators.

"It is a bit extravagant, but Lord Shenyu has said we don't need to worry about these two Golden Core Perfected Ones. We just need to pick up our target," the woman in sunglasses replied. She finished loading the target's photo that had just been sent to her phone. After viewing it herself, she showed it to her two companions before immediately deleting it.

"Got it? Let's split up. I'll connect with our local contacts and find the target's location," she instructed.

The bald teenager nodded after hearing this, then made a call to a pre-arranged supplier to confirm that everything he needed was ready.

"Alright, I'll go pick up the weapons then," the square-faced teenager said. He seemed to be looking something up on his phone and eventually found a tourist attraction he wanted to visit. "There's a zoo outside the city. I'll go there to pass the time. Call me when you're done."

The woman in sunglasses frowned upon hearing this, but recalling his cultivation lineage, she could only nod. "Keep a low profile. Don't draw attention. This mission is mainly to train you."

The square-faced teenager's name was Tuoba Wanyi. Despite his young age, he was already at the third layer of Foundation Establishment and a key cultivation target for a certain lineage within the Ascension Sect. "Don't worry," he boasted. "There are no late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators in Danxia City, and if the two Golden Core Perfected Ones don't intervene, I'm invincible." Although he was only at the third layer of Foundation Establishment, Tuoba Wanyi was very confident in his strength. He had once fought head-on with a deputy leader of the Sky-Mending Group and escaped. It's worth noting that the deputy leader was a powerful cultivator at the sixth layer of Foundation Establishment, three realms stronger than him.

"Ascension unseen!"

After speaking this final phrase, the three turned and went their separate ways.

Chen Mobai withdrew his finger from Yang Jing's forehead. Golden light radiated in wisps, finally forming an equilateral diamond-shaped mark etched into her sea of consciousness.

"There. As long as her spiritual consciousness doesn't surpass mine, this seal will ensure she remains a normal person."

Three days passed in a flash. Under Chen Mobai's dedicated focus, he easily learned 'Tao,' fulfilling his promise to Qing Nu.

Seeing this, Kong Feichen, who was standing nearby, also offered his sincere thanks.

"But I feel like I'll be able to reach Foundation Establishment next year," Yang Jing said, sitting on the sofa and raising her hand to pose a question. "Because I cultivate the 'Two-Part Spirit Art,' my spiritual consciousness doubles every time I advance a realm."

"Oh? Are you really so certain you can reach Foundation Establishment next year?" Chen Mobai was surprised. To reach Foundation Establishment, he had toiled tirelessly for over three years at the Divine Wood Sect, and it was only with the combined power of the Immortal Sect's cultivation methods and resources that he could achieve it at such a young age. Even Qing Nu, with her Heavenly Spirit Root, wouldn't dare say she could reach Foundation Establishment next year.

"Actually, I could have reached Foundation Establishment this year, but I deliberately interrupted the process of 'hearing the Dao and comprehending it,'" Yang Jing replied, her words leaving Chen Mobai utterly speechless.

*Are you even human?*

"Hold it back a bit more," Big Sister Qing Nu decided. "If you truly can't suppress it, I'll refine a pill for you that can temporarily lower your realm. Anyway, college lasts ten years. Wait until one of us advances to the second layer of Foundation Establishment before you break through. We must always ensure that one of us is a higher realm than you, so we can suppress your second personality." Yang Jing nodded obediently.

Kong Feichen, who was listening, opened his mouth, wanting to say that this might be a bit too much. But recalling that he and Yang Jing both possessed 'Anomalous Spirit Roots,' and that she had already "heard the Dao" while he, despite consuming so many Foundation Establishment spiritual items, still failed to break through, he couldn't help but look dejected and fell silent.

"Does your spiritual consciousness doubling have any effect on my 'Spirit Control Art'?" Chen Mobai, however, noticed another point and couldn't help but ask.

"Yes, it does. Both the 'Spirit Control Art' and the 'Two-Part Spirit Art' are improved versions of the 'Spirit Devouring Art,'" Yang Jing explained, answering Chen Mobai's question. "It's just that the 'Two-Part Spirit Art' was reformed in the wrong direction, leading it to be categorized as a forbidden art. The 'Spirit Control Art,' however, is a successful improved version. As long as you don't exceed the limit of your Purple Palace Sea of Consciousness, your spiritual consciousness strength can double with each realm breakthrough." His eyes lit up, and he immediately sat down, urging her to explain in detail.

However, after listening, his expression became a bit troubled again. On the Immortal Sect's side, Foundation Establishment is divided into nine layers. This means from the first to the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment, there are eight breakthroughs in total, which could enhance spiritual consciousness sixteenfold. But the problem was that Chen Mobai had achieved Foundation Establishment using the 'Everlasting Life Scripture.' This cultivation method from the Celestial River Realm only differentiates between early, middle, and late stages, making for a maximum of two breakthroughs. Although 'Foundation Establishment Completion' is considered a realm, it is in fact the peak of late-stage Foundation Establishment. The cultivation method in the Everlasting Life Scripture concerning Foundation Establishment Completion primarily discusses how to form a Golden Core.

It seemed he would still have to find solutions through the 'Two-Phase Art' and the 'Critical Boundary Method.' After all, it would be too difficult for Chen Mobai to create a cultivation method for the Everlasting Life Scripture from the first to the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment from scratch. Although the 'Formless Puppet' possessed the function of deduction, it could only evolve cultivation methods to best suit one's own spirit root constitution; it could not create new cultivation methods. That would require at least a higher Golden Core realm to achieve. Fortunately, he still had the 'Pure Yang Scroll' as a fallback. This was a truly legitimate and supreme grand method, revised by the Immortal Sect ancestors, with nine layers for Foundation Establishment, nine for Golden Core, and nine for Nascent Soul. If he were to break through step by step, his spiritual consciousness might surge to an unprecedentedly powerful realm.

"Remember, your spiritual consciousness must not exceed the maximum capacity of your Purple Palace Sea of Consciousness, or your head will explode." Seeing his somewhat strange expression, Yang Jing emphasized it again, to prevent him from going astray.

"Don't worry, my Purple Palace is quite spacious right now." Qing Nu hadn't told her younger siblings about the Azure Wood Spirit Heart, so upon hearing Chen Mobai's words, both Kong Feichen and Yang Jing looked somewhat odd.

"The Clear Eye Bamboo Dew is almost ready. I'll need some more spiritual extracts," Qing Nu said, changing the subject. Chen Mobai immediately understood, offering to retrieve them from his home. After instructing Kong Feichen to look after Yang Jing, the two left and headed towards the alchemy lab at the Treasure Vase Pharmacy.

"You've worked hard."

"Not at all. I should be thanking you. Without your help, Yang Jing would surely have suffered a lot more." Qing Nu shook her head. With practiced movements, she crushed the dried spirit stones, measured the required amount, and poured them into the medicinal pool.

"By the way, have you heard of the Sky-Mending Group?" Chen Mobai suddenly asked a question. Qing Nu furrowed her delicate brows and nodded.

"That's a special authority agency under the Hall of Righteous Law. They recruit from the four major Dao Academies every year. Because my alchemy skills are quite good, I also received an invitation from their Fourth Group last year, but my mentor declined for me. What, did you receive an invitation too?"

Chen Mobai nodded. Three days prior, Lan Haitian had invited him to join the Sixth Group of the Sky-Mending Group. Lan Haitian had outlined the benefits: one year of service was equivalent to ten years for an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator, along with a full set of Tier 2 magical artifacts, the authority to command law enforcement in blessed lands during special circumstances, and even an annual allocation of spirit stones from the Immortal Sect. Chen Mobai inwardly scoffed at the mention of spirit stones.

However, Lan Haitian also mentioned that the Sky-Mending Group could allocate all resources of the Immortal Sect, such as the sacred medicine for forming a Golden Core, the 'Golden Liquid Jade Return Pill.' One could directly obtain it after serving sixty years in the Sky-Mending Group. This greatly tempted Chen Mobai. It was known that even the Weapon Dance Dao Academy couldn't gather all six hundred and sixty-six spirit herbs required to refine a single batch of 'Golden Liquid Jade Return Pills'; only the Immortal Sect possessed that capability. Lan Haitian stated that his sole reason for being in the Sky-Mending Group was to obtain a 'Golden Liquid Jade Return Pill.' He was nearing the end of his sixty years and was looking for a successor. He found Chen Mobai to be very promising; the talent for combat that Chen Mobai revealed during the Danxia City entrance exam four years ago had greatly impressed him. Over the years, as a representative of the Kunpeng Dao Academy, Lan Haitian had observed three more entrance exams and watched several excellent combat videos filmed by others online, but everyone felt too raw and inexperienced to him. *None were as good as Chen Mobai!*

With the salary, benefits, the promised position as a future successor, and the sacred Golden Core medicine like the 'Golden Liquid Jade Return Pill,' Chen Mobai almost accepted on the spot. Fortunately, he asked two more questions.

"What does the Sky-Mending Group do?"

"Nothing much. You've probably seen the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Six Gates, and Eastern Depot in TV dramas, right? It's pretty much that kind of function."

Upon hearing this, Chen Mobai instantly sobered up. "Does it involve combat?"

"Occasionally. The Immortal Sect's public order has been excellent for the past two decades. My last action was two years ago in Huayang Grotto-Heaven."

"In that case, forget it. I'm not good at combat, let alone facing cultists."

"Suppressing evil cults is our inescapable duty. Even if not for ourselves, we must protect all living beings of the Immortal Sect!"

Anyway, as soon as Chen Mobai heard about combat, he immediately shook his head and refused. He possessed the Celestial River Realm and now had the Divine Wood Realm as well. Resources were not an issue, so there was no need to risk fighting cultists. Although he coveted the 'Golden Liquid Jade Return Pill,' Chen Mobai had only just reached Foundation Establishment. It would be at least several decades until he could form a Golden Core, so he could consider it then. What if his business in the Celestial River Realm grew and prospered? He might even be able to gather the spiritual herbs for a batch of 'Golden Liquid Jade Return Pills.'

*Qing Nu, you must study alchemy diligently.*

If he truly managed to collect them all by then, only Qing Nu could refine them. Watching her graceful silhouette busy by the medicinal pool, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

The remaining potency of the 'Clear Eye Bamboo Dew' was entirely absorbed by his eyes, which even sent a signal of thirst. Only after dripping six drops did he feel a sense of saturation in his eyes, and he stopped.

"How does it feel?" Qing Nu asked. Chen Mobai lowered his head, looked at her, and then instantly turned away, somewhat embarrassed.

"Oh..." Qing Nu was initially a bit slow to react, but seeing the extra layer of spiritual light in his eyes and recalling Chen Mobai's mention of cultivating a spiritual eye, she suddenly realized something. She let out a small 'tsk' and immediately cast a concealment spell.

"Well, I just started practicing, so I haven't quite mastered the control yet. It won't happen next time," Chen Mobai swore. He had turned his head away the moment he sensed something amiss, and truly hadn't seen anything. He was a true gentleman.

"The medicinal pool can yield about twenty more bottles," Qing Nu said, her cheeks slightly flushed as she deliberately changed the subject. "If you're not using it to enhance your spiritual consciousness and merely for cultivating your spiritual eye, it should be enough for a year's supply."

Chen Mobai discreetly glanced at her shoulder, and only after confirming that he couldn't see through her concealment spell without exerting effort, did he confidently turn his head back. "I can't control it perfectly yet, but it should be fine in a couple of days." Pointing to his still glowing eyes, Chen Mobai nodded in thanks.

Beep, beep, beep.

At that moment, Kong Feichen sent a message. He and Yang Jing had prepared the food, and they could come eat.

"Come on, let's eat!" To reward Chen Mobai for his hard work with the seal, they had said they would cook a meal themselves today, and Chen Mobai was looking forward to it.

"Go buy a pair of glasses before we go back," Qing Nu said, pointing at Chen Mobai's still glowing eyes.

"I remember there's an optician's shop right here." Chen Mobai followed closely behind Qing Nu, not looking left or right. Since his eyes could now perceive a bit too much, he dared not casually look directly at others.

"Found it," Qing Nu's voice reached him, and Chen Mobai sighed in relief. Just as he was about to follow her inside, a bald teenager carrying a backpack cut between them. The bald teenager didn't pay any mind, as Chen Mobai and Qing Nu were several paces apart. He was in a hurry to cross the road and walked right through the gap between them.

However, because of this, Chen Mobai saw that the backpack he was carrying contained magical firearms and artifacts forbidden by the Immortal Sect. Without changing his expression, he followed Qing Nu into the optician's. While the young woman enthusiastically helped him choose glasses, Chen Mobai took out his phone and sent a message to Lan Haitian. Such dangerous matters were best left to the professionals.