Chapter 282: Jindan Formation Probability

After Lan Haitan defeated Xiahou Weihuan, he continued to participate in thirteen more matches in Little Vermilion Heaven. With his strength, he naturally had no rivals. The reason for only thirteen consecutive wins wasn't that Lan Haitan was tired or unwilling to fight. Instead, it was because no late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators dared to go online in Little Vermilion Heaven.

Although he could still be matched with some mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, Lan Haitan found it quite uninteresting. After defeating a fifth-level sword cultivator in his thirteenth match, he chose not to queue again and exited Little Vermilion Heaven.

"Zijing, is there anything worth visiting in our Daoist Academy?" Hua Zijing, who had just watched two consecutive major battles at the Student Council, received a call from Chen Mobai. The latter asked a rather strange question.

"Visit? Do you have friends coming over?" As the Vice President and Head of the Secretariat of the Student Council, Hua Zijing immediately thought of this upon hearing Chen Mobai's question.

"Yes, please arrange the itinerary, write me a document, and include lunch. It would be best to feature the academy's special cuisine."

"I am the Head of the Student Council Secretariat, not your personal secretary. If your own friends are coming, you should arrange it yourself," Hua Zijing replied, annoyed. On the side, Ming Yu and others kept winking at her, gesturing that there was no problem with her being the president's secretary and that they, the Student Council members, had no objections.

"Oh, it's like this. Although my friend is nominally visiting privately, he's actually a helper invited by our Daoist Academy. Besides touring Mount Chicheng this time, he's also here to be properly entertained as a token of our academy's gratitude." Chen Mobai's words on the phone left Hua Zijing a bit confused.

"Our Daoist Academy's gratitude? Who is it? Who has such prestige?"

"Lan Haitan!" As Chen Mobai spoke the name, Hua Zijing's hand trembled, and her phone nearly fell to the ground.

"Mr. Lan... is he... your friend?" Hua Zijing, who was usually decisive and composed, suddenly stammered.

"Yes, when I took the entrance exam for the Daoist Academy, he was the representative from Kunpeng Daoist Academy. We hit it off immediately and became close confidants. This time, Pure Yang Palace went too far. After he heard that Taishi Shu had lost, he happened to be nearby, so he came over to deflate the arrogance of Xiahou Weihuan and the others. It's a pity Sima Xingyu didn't dare to enter Little Vermilion Heaven for a match, otherwise we could have swept away that group from Pure Yang Palace today."

Chen Mobai's regretful voice came through, and Hua Zijing, along with the other Student Council members, gaped in shock.

"I understand, President. Don't worry, I will arrange everything perfectly to your satisfaction." Finally, Hua Zijing solemnly agreed.

After hanging up the phone, she immediately began directing the Student Council members to run errands and purchase ingredients for the event. Ming Yihua was about to sneak away but was spotted by her keen eyes and roped into helping, tasked with inviting the chefs.

"Isn't this a bit too grand?" On this day, Lan Haitan, who had just visited Che Yucheng, was taken by Chen Mobai on a half-day tour of Mount Chicheng, and then arrived at the Student Council dining room arranged by Hua Zijing. The vast array of sumptuous food, coupled with a man and a woman in black suits serving them on either side, left Lan Haitan a little overwhelmed.

"You championed our Daoist Academy; no amount of grandeur is too much. Come, this is a transparent spirit fish that grows in the underground currents of Myriad Treasures Cave. It's said to be incredibly delicious, and I haven't even tasted it yet." Chen Mobai couldn't help but swallow when he saw the dish presented. He had only heard of this spirit fish, with rumors of students spending one credit point to exchange for this delicacy.

Hua Zijing and Ming Yihua immediately helped them cut the steamed, translucent, crystal-like fish meat and placed it in front of their seats. After tasting it, both Chen Mobai and Lan Haitan praised it highly. With no seasonings added, its natural steamed flavor was even more delicious than the Vermilion Blood Carp Chen Mobai considered his favorite. However, this fish only offered taste and couldn't enhance spiritual roots.

After several more dishes, Chen Mobai also brought out his homemade Jade Bud Spirit Wine. Lan Haitan had two small cups. The meal was thoroughly enjoyed by both guests and hosts.

After eating, Che Yucheng arrived. He took the two of them down to the core of Myriad Treasures Cave, where Duanmu Longrong resided.

"Pick one." Duanmu Longrong had already prepared five container spheres.

"This junior feels unworthy of such a gift." Lan Haitan was a bit embarrassed. Earlier that morning, Chen Mobai had told him about Myriad Treasures Cave and the preciousness of these container spheres. Furthermore, he was merely acting on the instructions of True Person Nandou; the Divine Weapon Daoist Academy didn't actually need to thank him.

"Hey, just take it. Otherwise, Nandou will surely say we're stingy when you go back," Che Yucheng said with a smile, motioning for Lan Haitan to accept.

"Exactly. Mutual exchange deepens friendships. Our four great Daoist Academies are connected. It's only right that we offer you a third-tier magic tool for your help this time." As Duanmu Longrong spoke, she produced a spirit tool shard and handed it to Lan Haitan.

"Then this junior will humbly accept." Lan Haitan picked up all five container spheres and toyed with them, even trying to inject his spiritual power to sense the attributes of the magic tools within.

Chen Mobai was initially just observing, but Che Yucheng gave him a look. The understanding between master and disciple was unspoken, and Chen Mobai immediately grasped his teacher's meaning: this was about going the extra mile to do a good deed, and incidentally, earning himself a favor.

"The seal on these things blocks divine sense and spiritual power. Only a spiritual eye technique can see through them directly." After saying this, Chen Mobai immediately activated his Void-Piercing Spirit Eye and then meticulously described what he saw. "You have dual earth and metal True Spirit Roots. This Astrolabe Stone or these Sky Net Gauntlets would be more suitable for you."

In front of both Duanmu Longrong and Che Yucheng, Chen Mobai referred to the image data in the Myriad Treasures Atlas and, after asking about Lan Haitan's spirit roots, offered his opinion.

"If it's for combat, the Sky Net Gauntlets are certainly more suitable," Lan Haitan said, then opened the Astrolabe Stone. "But actually, I'm not a person who enjoys fighting. My previous reason for joining the Heaven-Mending Team was just to acquire resources for Core Formation. After retirement, I'll probably just fish and tend to plants, so I choose this one."

The Astrolabe Stone was a tier 3 low-grade magic tool, excavated from the extreme northern lands of the Immortal Gate. That area naturally attracted meteorite impacts, and after millions of years of bombardment, the permafrost rock layers contained celestial star power. It was also nurtured at a geomantic magnetic pole. After being refined by a craftsman from the Divine Weapon Daoist Academy with spirit fire, its material alone was already tier 3. Most crucially, this Astrolabe Stone was merely a magic tool embryo, which could be refined by anyone into their natal magic treasure. If Lan Haitan achieved Core Formation, he could use his Core Fire to refine this Astrolabe Stone into the shape of his preferred magic tool.

It was precisely for this reason that even though the Sky Net Gauntlets were a tier 3 mid-grade magic tool, Lan Haitan still chose the Astrolabe Stone. Besides his stated desire to no longer fight, this reason was likely also a factor.

"Thank you for the treasure from your esteemed academy." Although Lan Haitan had used many tier 3 magic tools from the Immortal Gate during his years in the Heaven-Mending Team, as a cultivator on the verge of Core Formation, the longing for a natal magic treasure surpassed any other tier 3 item. This Astrolabe Stone contained the power of celestial stars and terrestrial magnetism, making it highly suitable for his spirit roots. Upon receiving it and feeling its essence, even at his cultivation level, Lan Haitan couldn't help but beam with joy.

"With your foundation, plus the Golden Elixir Returning Pellet, perhaps soon we will be fellow cultivators. Consider this establishing a good connection in advance," Che Yucheng spoke his mind.

Lan Haitan thanked them again, bid farewell to Duanmu Longrong, and the three returned the way they came, leaving Myriad Treasures Cave.

"One day, when you come to the Hua Yang Grotto-Heaven, I will host you properly," Lan Haitan said sincerely at the gate of Mount Chicheng as they parted.

"Definitely," Chen Mobai replied with a smile. Beside him were Hua Zijing and Ming Yihua, who had followed along. They finally couldn't resist stepping forward and asking Lan Haitan for an autograph. In the eyes of these chosen talents from the four great Daoist Academies, celebrities meant nothing. Only true cultivators like Lan Haitan were worthy of their admiration.

After seeing them off, Chen Mobai returned to Building 1.

"Has he left?"

"He says he'll be staying in the Chicheng Grotto-Heaven for a while longer, to guard against Xiahou Weihuan re-projecting into Little Vermilion Heaven after he leaves." Che Yucheng nodded upon hearing this. "He'll likely achieve Core Formation, so giving him this Astrolabe Stone is putting it to good use."

"Teacher, I feel that with his talent, shouldn't Core Formation be a 100% success?"

"What do you know? Nothing in this world is 100%, and Core Formation is not like Foundation Establishment, where you can rely on the critical method to make a breakthrough. Once you fail, though elixirs can save your life, your cultivation realm plummets, and your vitality is severely damaged, making a second attempt at Core Formation highly unlikely." Che Yucheng shook his head, uttering words that worried Chen Mobai. If Lan Haitan, with such a solid foundation and the Golden Elixir Returning Pellet, still had a chance of failure, then what about someone with a flimsy foundation like himself? Wouldn't his future be even more uncertain?

"Teacher, then what do you think his probability of Core Formation is?"

"Around fifty percent."

"That little?"

"It's already very high. His Point Gold Technique cultivation has reached the Heavenly Spirit Root realm, coupled with the Golden Elixir Returning Pellet and the profound foundation of his Six Supremacy Scripture, he's almost comparable to those with innate Heavenly Spirit Roots." When Che Yucheng said this, Chen Mobai suddenly remembered. Heavenly Spirit Roots having a fifty percent chance of Core Formation—is there still a difference between acquired and innate ones?

"Of course there is. Otherwise, why would Heavenly Spirit Roots be exempt from entrance exams to the four great Daoist Academies? Innate Heavenly Spirit Roots are favored by the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth. Not only can they easily comprehend the Dao and establish their foundation, but during Core Formation, they are very likely to achieve enlightenment."

Enlightenment? That must be similar to the state achieved after taking the Enlightenment Elixir, Chen Mobai thought to himself. However, he was still trying to maintain his genius persona, so he didn't dare to ask Che Yucheng this question.

"Acquired Heavenly Spirit Roots, though not as good as innate ones, still benefit Core Formation, as they have a better affinity with corresponding elemental spiritual energy," Che Yucheng continued, not noticing Chen Mobai's change in expression. "Therefore, Foundation Establishment Completion cultivators in the Immortal Gate, if they have sufficient lifespan, generally try to raise their spiritual roots corresponding to their cultivation method to over 80 points. This can increase their Core Formation probability by about twenty percent."

Chen Mobai listened intently and felt he had learned a great deal. Since he had just completed Foundation Establishment, he hadn't yet looked for Core Formation related information. Learning this today through Lan Haitan, he was fortunate that he was very self-disciplined, pushing the progress of his Pure Yang Dharmakaya with spirit stones whenever he had time.

However, he also had to thank Che Yucheng for the reminder. If his teacher hadn't made him comprehend the Dao and establish his foundation, he probably wouldn't have gained the Fire Spirit Body opportunity. It was precisely because of this that his fire spirit root had increased to 63 points. As long as he completed the Five Yang Body and Six Yang Body, his fire spirit root could reach exactly 81 points, just stepping over the threshold of the Heavenly Spirit Root. Calculating this way, just his Two Phases Art and Heavenly Fire Spirit Root could give him a fifty percent chance of Core Formation, comparable to someone with innate Heavenly Spirit Roots like Qing Nv. If he could also obtain the Immortal Gate's Golden Elixir Returning Pellet, then Core Formation would basically be a certainty.

The more he thought about it, the more excited he became. Chen Mobai wished he could immediately catch up to Lan Haitan, cultivate to Foundation Establishment Completion, and then achieve Core Formation in one go, reaching the pinnacle.

"By the way, you can prepare to break Yuan Yang Patriarch's winning streak record now," Che Yucheng's words brought Chen Mobai back to reality at this moment.

"Isn't that an easy feat? I guess it's just another fight with Lu Qiulong," Chen Mobai shrugged. He had to admit that among all his battles in Little Vermilion Heaven, Lu Qiulong had given him the strongest sense of pressure. If the latter could fully manifest his spirit outside, Chen Mobai might not be his match.

"No, your opponent will be Sima Xingyu." But Che Yucheng smiled and named someone Chen Mobai hadn't expected.

"He's at the eighth level of Foundation Establishment. How could he be matched with me?" Chen Mobai looked puzzled.

"If he voluntarily lowers his cultivation to the sixth level of Foundation Establishment, then the operators of Little Vermilion Heaven can match you with him."

"Even if I win that way, what's the point? Pure Yang Palace will lose all its face," Chen Mobai frowned. If he were from Pure Yang Palace, he'd probably live his life unable to hold his head high online because of this. People from the 120 Prefectures would likely mock Pure Yang disciples.

"Yuan Yang Patriarch's prestige is one thing, but mainly it's because Nangong Xuan Yu was provoked by my words earlier and made a bet with me."

"A bet?" Chen Mobai was puzzled. What kind of bet would make Pure Yang Palace so shameless?

"The operation of Little Vermilion Heaven can currently only cover the areas where Mount Chicheng's spiritual脉 flows. But Gongye Zhixu wants to fully activate this spiritual treasure to cover all grotto-heavens and blessed lands. Besides a fifth-tier spiritual脉, it also needs a fifth-tier magic tool as a core to attach to. Previously, Gongye Zhixu suggested not bothering two masters with one task, and borrowing our academy's Nine Dragon Cauldron, as its attributes were suitable. The dean initially agreed, but wanting to discuss it with us, he didn't agree on the spot. Later, when I found out, I hinted to the dean to let me handle this matter entirely. Once Pure Yang Palace revealed their wolfish ambitions, I called Gongye Zhixu and told him that Pure Yang Palace's Yuan Yang Sword is also fifth-tier, and has been maintained at that grade by the Immortal Gate's spirit stones all these years. This is a huge expenditure, and the Three Halls already had reservations about it. If the Yuan Yang Sword could be used for Little Vermilion Heaven, then this financial expenditure of the Immortal Gate would also be justifiable."

Chen Mobai blinked when he heard this. He still needed to diligently learn his teacher's methods.