Chapter 267: Merging Divinity into Oneness

In the following days, Chen Mobai continued to 'farm' on the Magic Treasure Tree while waiting for the Student Union to contact him. After his water-attribute cultivation technique yielded the Longevity Tree Sap, he experimented to see what 'guaranteed minimum' fruits the other four elemental spiritual energies would produce.

After continuous attempts, he found that gold-attribute spiritual energy produced a grain of metal, wood-attribute a withered leaf, earth-attribute a clump of soil, and fire-attribute a spark. Among these, the metal was identified as refined iron. This was a second-tier material, essential for crafting most magic artifacts. If refined with Pill Fire, it could even reach third-tier quality. When incorporated into a flying sword, it would not only enhance its power but also elevate its grade. Unfortunately, the refined iron Chen Mobai obtained from the fruits was only grain-sized. To collect a sufficient amount, he would need to cultivate an unknown number of gold-attribute techniques.

The withered leaf was an ordinary leaf from the Azure Sun Spirit Tree, usable as talisman paper for second-tier talismans. The clump of soil, however, was quite extraordinary. It contained powerful vitality, surpassing even the most spirit-rich second-tier fertile fields in Xiaonan Mountain. He speculated it might be spirit soil from a third-tier or higher spiritual field. Unfortunately, when spread out, it was merely a thin layer in his palm, not even enough for planting flowers. Chen Mobai poured this clump into his *Firmiana* seedling bonsai, which he had cultivated for several years, and thought no more of it.

Finally, there was the spark, which he found to be the most useful. The moment the fruit was opened, this spark flickered and almost extinguished. Chen Mobai immediately used his own Azure Sun Fire Seed to absorb this spark. Since they were flames of the same origin, they merged effortlessly. This spark was also Azure Sun Fire. However, compared to his fist-sized Fire Seed, this spark was as insignificant as a lit match. But even so little, it was still Azure Sun Fire. After absorbing it using the Pure Azure Art, he felt his Azure Sun Fire Seed distinctly improve.

Chen Mobai estimated that if he could absorb another hundred Azure Sun Sparks, his Fire Seed would likely fully transform into 'Azure Sun Fire'. It was worth noting that when he used the Pure Azure Art to absorb the fire spiritual energy from Chicheng Mountain in the Myriad Treasures Cave to refine his Azure Sun Fire Seed, a year's effort was only equivalent to refining five Azure Sun Sparks. One Azure Sun Spark alone could save him over two months of arduous work.

Gazing at the Magic Treasure Tree, which soared into the clouds, Chen Mobai's eyes inexplicably brightened. This truly was a treasure tree. Compared to the Talent Tree, which only provided cultivation techniques, this Magic Treasure Tree was a massive treasure trove waiting for him to explore. The only pity was its miserliness, only yielding a tiny bit each time. After mentally complaining, Chen Mobai practiced the spells from the Scripture of Eternal Life once more, then returned to the Myriad Treasures Cave.

It was the official end of the semester. Chen Mobai smoothly passed all his course exams with high scores, earning all his credits. Including those 'freeloaded' from the Sword Control Department, he accumulated a total of 48 credits. He didn't have a habit of saving credits. After exchanging for two Vermilion Fruits he had long coveted, he used his remaining 8 credits, plus 2 credits left over from previous years, for a total of 10 credits to exchange for a second-tier 'Spirit Restoration Pill'. This was a product of the Alchemy Department of the Dancing Artifact Dao Academy, specifically designed to heal injuries to divine sense.

Chen Mobai's divine sense was naturally unharmed, but he had been cultivating the Spirit Control Art. After a year of continuous use of the Eye-Clearing Bamboo Spirit Dew, the other *Firmiana* seedling, formed by his split divine sense, finally bloomed and bore fruit. This indicated that the second layer of the Spirit Control Art, 'Spirit Division and Thought Manifestation,' had been mastered, and he could now attempt the third layer, 'Spirit Fusion and Unity'. To be honest, he had originally estimated that even with the Eye-Clearing Bamboo Spirit Dew, it would take two years to reach this stage. However, after refining the Longevity Tree Sap into his 23 skull bones, he found that his efficiency in cultivating divine sense had greatly increased. Moreover, under the enhancement of the Lamp Lighting Art, the combination of the Eye-Clearing Bamboo Spirit Dew and Longevity Tree Sap produced a synergistic effect, where one plus one was greater than two. Not only did his Void-Piercing Spiritual Eyes achieve mastery, but the strength of his divine sense also reached the level required for 'Spirit Fusion and Unity' within a year.

He searched for advanced cultivation insights for this technique on his auxiliary training software. Among the many recommended miraculous elixirs, the 'Spirit Restoration Pill' was the third most frequently mentioned, and the Dancing Artifact Dao Academy happened to have it in stock, so Chen Mobai directly exchanged credits for one. The other two best elixirs were 'Five-Fungus Hundred-Flower Paste' and 'Heavenly Fragrance Eight-Treasure Pill,' both third-tier. Among these, the 'Five-Fungus Hundred-Flower Paste' was a signature product of the Jumang Dao Academy and the Imperial Medical Palace. It required five types of century-old Ganoderma lucidum combined with the essences of a hundred different spirit flowers, capable of instantly recovering any injury to one's spirit, qi, or mind, not just divine sense. The 'Heavenly Fragrance Eight-Treasure Pill,' on the other hand, was an elixir specifically for divine sense injuries. Any divine sense problem below the Core Formation stage would be cured instantly upon consumption, restoring one to peak condition. The Dancing Artifact Dao Academy had refined it once six years prior, under the guidance of the head of the Alchemy Department, and still had three pills in stock. However, Chen Mobai shook his head and gave up hope after seeing the credit cost for exchange. One pill astonishingly required 120 credits.

After exchanging all his credits for the year, Chen Mobai immediately delivered the two Vermilion Fruits to Wang Xingyu, along with the spirit essence, auxiliary medicines, and two other bamboo fruits. Wang Xingyu patted his chest and declared that this time he would definitely succeed in refining the Eye-Clearing Bamboo Spirit Dew without any pill toxins. He was different from half a year ago; he had gained experience. Chen Mobai merely smiled at this. For him, that slight pill toxin was negligible under the enhancement of the Lamp Lighting Art.

Naturally, he didn't return to Danxia City this year. After calling his parents, maternal grandfather, and other relatives, Chen Mobai found a place in the Myriad Treasures Cave, set up a restriction, and then teleported into the Divine Tree Secret Realm. In this small world, where he was the only one, Chen Mobai sat beneath the sky-scraping Magic Treasure Tree and consumed the 'Spirit Restoration Pill'.

Three days later, he opened his eyes, a hint of regret flashing within them. The 'Spirit Restoration Pill' was indeed effective, but unfortunately, its medicinal properties were still slightly insufficient to completely merge his two split divine senses into one. If he had one more pill, he would surely succeed. Nevertheless, he had already merged most of them. After using the power of the Spirit Restoration Pill to begin the process, the rest would require slow, persistent effort. The difficulty of the Spirit Control Art was somewhat beyond his expectations, but its effects were astonishing. His divine sense had grown by a remarkable 1.6 times. When he employed the 'Heaven-and-Earth Search Art,' obtained from the Talent Tree, the range his divine sense could cover after leaving his body expanded from twelve meters to twenty meters. If he could fully merge them, he felt it should reach thirty meters. Chen Mobai began to look forward to that day, because once he completed his first Spirit Fusion and Unity, he could then cultivate the 'Spirit Severing Slash'. This move was an absolute killing blow against anyone whose cultivation realm was inferior to his own.

Just as he returned to the Myriad Treasures Cave and habitually checked his phone, a hint of joy suddenly appeared on his face. Ming Yihua had successfully established his foundation! His good brother had spent almost the entire year in secluded cultivation, and with various favorable conditions, he finally emerged full of vigor at the end of the year. As the second person in the Spirit Transformation Class to successfully establish his foundation, he was even more boisterous than Chen Mobai. When treating them to drinks, he was incredibly generous and spirited, almost eager to announce it across all the Dao Academy's teaching buildings.

This year, four more people in the Spirit Transformation Class comprehended the Critical Law: Gong Ranran, Li Zimo, Fan Yuanpu, and Jin Shuwei. Those who dared to cultivate the Grand Spirit Transformation Art, apart from Chen Mobai who had a 'cheat code,' were all exceptionally talented and remarkably self-confident. Being able to comprehend the Critical Law in their fifth year was above the Dao Academy's average. Spurred by this, they immediately declared they would go into secluded cultivation upon returning, vowing not to drink next year's celebratory wine unless they had successfully established their foundations. Lan Yufan, the other cultivator who had comprehended the Critical Law last year, sat quietly in a corner, drinking without a word. Without Ming Yihua's success, he might have remained composed, but now he was growing a little anxious. He glanced at his girlfriend, Lu Zixuan, beside him, wondering if being in a relationship was affecting his cultivation progress.

Just then, the triumphant Ming Yihua slowly floated into the air, his feet suspended, showcasing the unique flight technique of Foundation Establishment cultivators. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, everyone pulled him down and took turns plying him with drinks until he was completely drunk.

Apart from Ming Yihua, another student from the Class of 5012 also successfully established their foundation this semester. However, that person was not part of the Spirit Transformation Class's clique. It was Zhai Jianbai from the Sword Control Department. He was a true sword cultivation genius, diligent in his practice. After serving as a teaching assistant for a year, his foundation was perfected. He sat with his sword embraced on the training grounds for seven days, and the moment he opened his eyes, his gaze was like a shooting star—he had successfully established his foundation.

After the Spirit Transformation Class's small gathering at the end of the year, Chen Mobai returned to his wooden cabin outside the campus, indulging in a rare day of relaxation. That evening, as he was reading a book on the Netherworld Great Array, a clear, spring-like voice suddenly drifted down from above. It was sweet as honey, melodious and exquisite. Chen Mobai closed his eyes, intoxicated by the soul-stirring operatic aria.

It was notable that he and Meng Huang'er had been neighbors for five years since he enrolled in the Dancing Artifact Dao Academy, yet this was the first time he had enjoyed the celebrity's ethereal voice. It had to be said, for a musical genius chosen by the immortal sect's upper echelons to cultivate the Spirit-Stirring Melody, her voice was indeed captivating and incredibly soothing. A long, long time passed. As the clear notes faded from his ears, Chen Mobai, feeling refreshed, opened his eyes, sensing an unprecedented lightness and comfort in his divine sense. A look of delight graced his face. The third layer of the Spirit Control Art, 'Spirit Fusion and Unity,' had surprisingly progressed further during this operatic song. If he could listen a few more times, it might even be perfected directly.

Involuntarily, Chen Mobai recalled his dream from when he first saw the Jade Phoenix Opera Troupe perform: to listen to Meng Huang'er sing for him every day. Five years ago, part of his reason for renting this wooden cabin, besides its seclusion, was this very desire. Unfortunately, for five years, during the Qi Refining stage, he was busy acquiring Foundation Establishment Pills, and after Foundation Establishment, he was preoccupied with obtaining resources to cultivate various spells. Only now had he barely begun to pursue this dream.

Chen Mobai took out his phone. He had coincidentally met Meng Huang'er once after his Foundation Establishment, and she had proactively added him as a friend. "Senior Sister Meng, your rendition of 'Immortal by the River' was truly beautiful." He tentatively sent a message of praise. However, two minutes passed without a reply. Just as Chen Mobai thought the celebrity might not have seen it, Meng Huang'er, who had silently calculated enough time had passed and could no longer remain reserved, finally replied. Beep, beep, beep went the notification sound.

"Thank you. Are you at the foot of the mountain?""Yes, I am. My good brother successfully established his foundation today, so I had some drinks and decided not to return to the Myriad Treasures Cave to cultivate. I'm staying here for the night to rest."

Chen Mobai had an innate talent for conversing with women. Soon, they were exchanging messages, chatting for over half an hour. Meng Huang'er expressed her envy towards her junior schoolmates who had successively established their foundations. As a seventh-year senior, she still hadn't comprehended the Critical Law and hesitated to take that final step. Chen Mobai immediately reassured her that with her talent, it was only a matter of time. Then, he thought about sharing his insights and tips for comprehending the Critical Law, but upon reflection, realized he had comprehended it by taking pills and had no personal insights to offer.

Never mind, he decided to change the subject. Chen Mobai mentioned that he had recently encountered Bian Yiqing, Meng Huang'er's teacher, in Che Yucheng's office. Bian Yiqing was leading the Dancing Artifact Dao Academy's students to participate in this year's Chicheng Grotto-Heaven University Alliance Exchange Conference, and he was fortunate enough to be a member of the team.

Meng Huang'er replied: "I'll be performing on stage during the Millennium Celebration, and I'm also on the Dao Academy's list. So, it seems we'll be teammates!" The topic change was very successful. Meng Huang'er immediately began talking about the hardships of her daily rehearsals and touring. When she first enrolled, she hadn't yet achieved perfect Qi Refining. Being split between multiple tasks—managing coursework, cultivating, and touring nationwide to help sentient beings awaken their spiritual roots—led her to fail two elective courses, a fact her fellow Dao Academy students mocked for a long time. Once this topic was opened, Chen Mobai didn't need to guide the conversation anymore. Meng Huang'er's 'chatterbox' seemed to activate automatically. She stopped typing and simply sent long voice messages. Chen Mobai tapped to listen, and a satisfied expression appeared on his face as he heard her exquisite voice.

The next morning, he was planning to visit his neighbor of five years up the mountain and incidentally inquire about Meng Huang'er's singing and vocal training habits, intending to 'stake out' at the right time in the future. To his surprise, before he even left the house, a red spiritual light descended from the sky. This small wooden cabin had never been visited by a Foundation Establishment cultivator before. Early in the morning, Chen Mobai almost thought he was back in Xiaonan Mountain. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was Ming Yihua. After sobering up, he eagerly rushed over, saying he wanted to visit the Myriad Treasures Cave. Unlike Chen Mobai, who had accumulated over 100 credits during his five years at the Dao Academy and met the requirements, Ming Yihua had not. However, since his mentor Qin Beichen was still in secluded cultivation, Ming Yihua could only come to Chen Mobai, his 'Senior Brother' who had resided in the Myriad Treasures Cave for a year. Since his good brother rarely had something to ask of him, Chen Mobai reluctantly abandoned his plan to visit his neighbor and instead took him to familiarize himself with the Myriad Treasures Cave.