Chapter 269: Qing Yuan Treasure Pot

“Senior, it’s not gentlemanly to take what others covet.” Chen Mobai, being more experienced, spoke rather tactfully. Ming Yihua, who had been about to retort, held back upon hearing him speak.

“Youngsters, I’m about to participate in the Millennium Celebration of Chicheng Cave Abode, where I’ll be facing Foundation Establishment cultivators from other academies. Having this Mysterious Sun Cauldron would bring honor to our Wuqi Dao Academy. If you yield it to me, you’ll be making a contribution to the academy.”

Chen Mobai couldn't help but sneer at his words.

“Senior, it’s better to have some decency.” Ming Yihua spoke mockingly, and the narrow-eyed young man’s eyes flashed with a hint of embarrassment and annoyance.

Chen Mobai no longer paid him any mind and simply left the student union.

“What a shame. My artifact fragment hasn’t arrived yet, and that Mysterious Sun Cauldron might be opened by that fellow any moment.” After leaving the small Western-style building, Ming Yihua shook his head in resignation.

“You could also pay 800,000 Good Deeds first and secure that sealed artifact sphere.”

“Never mind. What I gain is my destiny, what I lose is my fortune. Without the Mysterious Sun Cauldron, I might unseal an even better Dharma artifact. So be it.” Ming Yihua was unwilling to spend so many Good Deeds and also unwilling to curry favor with anyone from the student union; such was his nature.

Chen Mobai understood this, and the two of them browsed the stalls in the square once more. Concealed by his black-rimmed glasses, he used his Void-Penetrating Spiritual Eye to examine all the sealed artifact spheres, committing to memory every clear outline and detail he could discern. He planned to cross-reference the information with the Myriad Treasures Map later that evening to see if he could find any Tier 3 Dharma artifacts as a bargain.

It was soon noon, and the two met up with Mi Yudao, finding a place to sit down.

“The person you encountered must have been Yuan Jinjun. He’s the most ill-mannered among the student union members, but his cultivation talent is extraordinary, making him one of the few top Foundation Establishment experts in the academy.”

“What level of an expert is he?” Chen Mobai was quite skeptical about the actual caliber of experts in the Immortal Sect.

“He’s at the Fourth Layer of Foundation Establishment. Reaching that realm before graduation means you’re already among the top practitioners.” While Mi Yudao’s words conveyed disdain for Yuan Jinjun, he still harbored considerable admiration for his cultivation level.

“Fourth Layer of Foundation Establishment? Who among the academy’s students has the highest cultivation?” Upon hearing this, Chen Mobai felt reassured and remained silent, but Ming Yihua, beside him, asked with curiosity.

“Excluding those who have applied for delayed graduation, the student union president, Zuoqiu Shi, naturally holds the highest cultivation at the Seventh Layer of Foundation Establishment.” As he spoke, Mi Yudao’s face was filled with aspiration.

“Seventh Layer of Foundation Establishment? What year is he in? If he hasn’t graduated yet, wouldn’t he be under thirty?” At the Wuqi Dao Academy, new students typically enroll around the age of twenty. To reach the Seventh Layer of Foundation Establishment within a ten-year university program, before graduation, indicated terrifying talent.

“President Zuoqiu is precisely in his tenth year. He was already at the Second Layer of Foundation Establishment when he enrolled. In other words, over ten years at the academy, he broke through five realms, achieving a minor realm advancement every two years on average.” Chen Mobai thought to himself, "That's still mediocre compared to Zhongli Tianyu," while Ming Yihua was utterly astonished upon hearing it.

“Does this president also cultivate the Grand Transformation Divine Art?”

“Of course. Without cultivating the ‘Can Tong Qi’ and having pre-prepared correlative items, no one could cultivate so quickly.” Mi Yudao nodded. Even so, Zuoqiu Shi’s ability to reach the Seventh Layer of Foundation Establishment before graduation made him the most outstanding talent at the Wuqi Dao Academy in the last thirty years.

“What realm is Zhongli Tianyu in now?” Chen Mobai suddenly asked, having always felt a strange sense of anticipation for this elusive, legendary figure from the 5012 cohort. However, after making a single appearance upon enrollment, this person had only been heard of, never seen. All the news circulating about him was the astonishing feat of breaking through a realm each year.

“Judging by his last display of turning earth into solid matter, he should be at the Fourth Layer of Foundation Establishment.” Mi Yudao refrained from making a definitive statement, choosing his words very carefully. The 5012 cohort was highly regarded by most seniors at the Wuqi Dao Academy precisely because of Zhongli Tianyu, an exceptionally unconventional genius. He was considered the next Zuoqiu Shi.

“Is there only one person at the Seventh Layer of Foundation Establishment in the academy?” Chen Mobai asked again. After two battles, he understood that only those at the late stage of Foundation Establishment could now pose a threat to him.

“There are two more: a male and a female senior student who delayed their graduation. However, they haven’t made an appearance in several years.” Although Mi Yudao’s cultivation wasn’t strong, he possessed an intimate knowledge of the Foundation Establishment cultivators within the academy. Through their discussion, Chen Mobai gained an understanding of the current general population breakdown on Mount Chicheng. Including students from all ten grades and those who had applied for delayed graduation, there were approximately six to seven hundred individuals in total. Among them, Foundation Establishment and Qi Condensation practitioners were roughly half and half.

“At our Wuqi Dao Academy, the average time to reach Foundation Establishment is around the middle of the seventh year. I just managed to hit that average. You two, one reaching Foundation Establishment in your fourth year and the other in your fifth, are already far above average. Even within the Myriad Treasures Grotto, you’d be considered geniuses. As for individuals like Zuoqiu Shi and Zhongli Tianyu, who were already at Foundation Establishment upon enrollment, we typically refer to them as ‘monsters’.”

“Most of the senior students who delayed graduation have become teaching assistants. A small number, however, seclude themselves all day in the Myriad Treasures Grotto, living in isolation while waiting to exchange their accumulated academic credits for a ‘Fire Elemental Golden Core Pill’ from the academy after reaching the Ninth Layer of Foundation Establishment. As such, they rarely emerge during weekdays.” Mi Yudao finished speaking, filled with emotion, as he knew this would be his own future path. Although he had successfully established his Foundation, making him a respectable figure back home, his best chance to form a Golden Core lay within the academy.

The “Fire Elemental Golden Core Pill” is a Tier 4 elixir unique to the Alchemy Department of the Wuqi Dao Academy. It can increase the success rate of Golden Core formation by ten percent for Foundation Establishment cultivators practicing fire-attribute techniques. For Foundation Establishment cultivators with non-fire attributes, the elixir’s effectiveness is halved. Although Mi Yudao was not fire-attributed, if he could acquire it, he could easily exchange it with cultivators from the Butian Dao Academy and Jumang Dao Academy for an “Earth Elemental Golden Core Pill” suitable for him. As for the ultimate sacred medicine for Golden Core formation, the “Golden Liquid Jade Return Pill,” only the Immortal Sect possessed it. Consequently, the top talents from the Four Great Academies with connections would, after graduation, attempt to join the Three Great Halls of the Immortal Sect, hoping to serve the nation, or participate in pioneering wars to accumulate credits for exchanging spiritual and elixirs that aid in Golden Core formation.

“Senior Zuoqiu is reportedly joining the Enforcement Bureau after graduation.” Mi Yudao then shared another rumor he had heard. Chen Mobai, however, wasn’t interested. He inquired about the names of the other two Seventh-Layer Foundation Establishment cultivators who had delayed their graduation. This meant that, aside from the teachers, only three students in the academy required his attention. Chen Mobai made a mental note of Zuoqiu Shi and the other two Seventh-Layer Foundation Establishment cultivators, thinking this to himself.

“It’s starting.” As they chatted, the long-awaited main event finally began. From the balcony of the student union’s three-story Western-style building emerged a tall, capable woman dressed in a white shirt and black suit trousers, with her short hair pulled back into a ponytail.

“That’s Hua Zijing, essentially the student union’s second-in-command. Zuoqiu Shi has made few appearances this year, so it’s likely she’ll take over as president after he graduates.” Mi Yudao, ever the well-informed, immediately provided the introduction. Chen Mobai observed Hua Zijing; she was a distinctive beauty, though her attire seemed a little conservative, which might have been intentional. Behind her stood two people Chen Mobai recognized. These were Lu Tiansuan and Yuan Jinjun, both members of the student union. Yuan Jinjun, in particular, was holding an artifact sphere, presumably the one to be unsealed today. Chen Mobai used his Void-Penetrating Spiritual Eye to examine it, discovering a bottle-shaped Dharma artifact inside. Hua Zijing produced an artifact fragment, and without any unnecessary words, immediately activated the power of the Divine Firelight. The crimson glow, like a silken ribbon, plunged into the white jade sphere, instantly dissolving the seal and the spiritual liquid into nothingness, revealing the true form of the sealed Dharma artifact within.

It was a bronze pot, with an empty spout and a long, slender handle resembling a snake, possessing a very pleasing aesthetic. However, after observing it, Chen Mobai subtly shook his head. The spiritual energy fluctuations suggested it was merely a low-grade Tier 2 Dharma artifact. Yet, at that moment, Chen Mobai noticed that the expressions of several Foundation Establishment cultivators nearby seemed quite off, filled with shock.

“It’s actually the Azure Origin Treasure Gourd!” Mi Yudao gazed at the bronze pot in Hua Zijing’s hand with an envious expression. Meanwhile, many academy students who recognized the bronze pot’s name began to exclaim in surprise, creating an uproar.

“What is an Azure Origin Treasure Gourd?” Chen Mobai didn’t understand why a low-grade Tier 2 Dharma artifact had generated such an enormous stir and reaction.

“It’s one of the Immortal Sect’s very few storage Dharma artifacts. Although it’s only a low-grade Tier 2, to some, its value almost rivals that of a Tier 3 Dharma artifact.” As a high-achiever in the Artifact Refining Department, Ming Yihua clearly knew the origins of the “Azure Origin Treasure Gourd” and immediately explained it to Chen Mobai.

“Oh, so it’s just a storage pouch!” Although that’s what he thought inwardly, Chen Mobai still feigned a “shocked” expression in response. In the Tianhe Realm, such an item was the most basic piece of equipment for Foundation Establishment cultivators. In the near future, if the Void-Nether Stone ore vein in Solitary Soul Ridge were to be exploited, it was estimated that even Qi Condensation cultivators of the Divine Wood Sect would each possess one. With this thought, Chen Mobai subtly concealed the storage pouch sewn into his wide sleeve.

Hua Zijing was overjoyed to have unsealed the “Azure Origin Treasure Gourd.” She held the bronze pot in her fair palm, showcasing it to the sixty-seven Foundation Establishment cultivators gathered in the square. Fueled by this excitement, students who had initially planned to wait immediately produced their long-prepared artifact fragments and unsealed the artifact spheres they had favored at the stalls. Instantly, flashes of divine firelight flickered in succession, resembling a spectacular crimson fireworks display erupting within the underground cavern.

Witnessing this, Chen Mobai suddenly had a thought: *Could this Hua Zijing be a shill? Her aim was to incite these individuals to unseal artifact spheres, thereby depleting a batch of spheres that might have been sealed for over a century.* The more he considered it, the more logical it appeared, but Chen Mobai didn’t voice his thoughts. He simply watched the successive flashes of divine firelight in silence.

In the blink of an eye, thirteen artifact spheres were unsealed. Amidst the flickering spiritual glow of Tier 2 Dharma artifacts, some faces beamed with joy, while others were etched with regret. One cut, heaven; another cut, hell. No wonder it was dubbed “high-stakes artifact gambling.”

After the Azure Origin Treasure Gourd was unsealed, nineteen artifact fragments were used on the plaza throughout the afternoon. The two best Dharma artifacts revealed were top-tier Tier 2: a Flowing Light Saber and a red-and-black Dharma robe. Among them, the red-patterned Dharma robe with a black base was a form of the Wuqi Dao Academy’s uniform, as well as one of its inherited ancient ceremonial garments. Each of the Four Great Academies had its own unique attire: The Wuqi Red-Black Robe, the Kunpeng Flying Fish Robe, the Butian Colorful Cloud Garment, and the Jumang Immortal Green Robe. Wearing any of these would draw envious glances from the public within the Immortal Sect. Chen Mobai could also apply for one after reaching Foundation Establishment. However, the academy only issued Tier 1 versions, and since everyone present was from the Wuqi Dao Academy, it wouldn’t convey any sense of superiority. Thus, he hadn’t bothered to claim one. But this unsealed Wuqi Red-Black Robe, having been meticulously woven and refined by an artifact master, had already reached the peak Tier 2 level. Hua Zijing immediately consulted the Myriad Treasures Map on the spot and discovered it had been left by a Golden Core cultivator. Aside from the Azure Origin Treasure Gourd, this Wuqi Red-Black Robe was the most valuable item. The senior female student who unsealed this defensive Dharma artifact was both thrilled and conflicted. She was thrilled by the significant gain but conflicted because the red-and-black robe was not quite her size.

“Look, some shameless person is about to unseal that one.” Ming Yihua pointed to the artifact sphere priced at 800,000 Good Deeds. Yuan Jinjun, accompanied by another plain-faced young man, approached the stall. The latter’s eyes glowed with a yellowish light as he carefully began to examine the sphere.

“That’s Ming Yu, the student union’s vice president. His ‘Bright Mirror Dharma Eye’ cultivation grants him an appraisal accuracy for artifact spheres that ranks among the top three in the entire Myriad Treasures Grotto.” Mi Yudao truly lived up to his reputation as an all-knowing individual; there was no one he didn’t recognize.

“Oh, why did he put it down?” However, to their surprise, after Ming Yu finished examining the artifact sphere, he shook his head. Consequently, Yuan Jinjun, who had been eagerly holding an artifact fragment, ready to unseal it, instantly lost interest and departed with Ming Yu.

“I’ll go ask.” Mi Yudao had extensive connections. He quietly slipped into the three-story Western-style building, sought out Lu Tiansuan for information, and quickly learned the full story.

“After Yuan Jinjun heard from you that the artifact sphere contained the Mysterious Sun Cauldron, he intended to intercept and unseal it. However, being suspicious by nature, he asked Ming Yu to examine it beforehand. Using his Bright Mirror Dharma Eye, Ming Yu found he could only discern a vague cauldron shape, without any of the distinctive patterns that would confirm it was the Mysterious Sun Cauldron. Since Ming Yu considered his Bright Mirror Dharma Eye to be the best in the academy, his inability to discern the cauldron’s patterns led him to conclude that the two of you were conspiring with the stall owner to trick Yuan Jinjun into spending 800,000 Good Deeds on that artifact sphere, making him a fool.”

After hearing Mi Yudao’s words, Chen Mobai and Ming Yihua exchanged glances.

“How could these student union members be so incredibly self-assured!”