Chapter 290: Returning Home in Glory

Chen Mobai called Yan Bingxuan again because Qing Nü didn't return. As they had agreed not to return home last year, the beautiful Yan Bingxuan also stayed in Natural Academy, diligently cultivating to improve her Ice Spirit Root.

However, there was good news: her best friend and class monitor, Mo Simin, had returned. Although Chen Mobai's relationship with her was just acquaintances, she was at least a familiar face.

After greeting Hua Zijing and entrusting the student union matters to her, Chen Mobai booked a flight back to Danxia City that very night. Wu Shangru had already made all the arrangements. The Mayor of Danxia City, knowing that Chen Mobai was moving his household registration back, personally came to witness the transfer contract between the two.

The Mayor of Danxia City, Qin Baipeng, was a graduate of the Heavenly Tome Academy. He had a lean face but piercing eyes, and his presence exuded the upright, vigorous posture of a slender bamboo.

"To achieve such cultivation and still think of returning to your hometown, you will become the second Crimson-Robed Immortal," Qin Baipeng said with great satisfaction after witnessing Chen Mobai and Wu Shangru sign both contracts.

"Greetings, Mayor. I wonder if the usage rights for this industrial land can be renewed?"

The land for the Flying Talisman Factory was allocated by the Immortal Sect of Danxia City to Wu Shangru, a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Chen Mobai would officially acquire the factory in four years. Due to the change in ownership of the buildings on the land, the land use rights would automatically become void. A new land use agreement would need to be re-signed with the Immortal Sect government of Danxia City under Chen Mobai's name.

"No problem. Once your household registration is transferred back, I will immediately allocate this land under your name." Qin Baipeng was also a decisive man and clarified the matter on the spot.

"Then can my household registration be moved out now?" Wu Shangru immediately asked, receiving a negative shake of the head from Qin Baipeng.

"A little more time won't hurt. Little Chen still needs to study for four years at Chicheng Grotto-Heaven before graduating. Once he moves his household registration back, you can move yours out. Since you've already started your new position there, these four years won't make much difference." Wu Shangru already knew this. He had previously intended to appeal to the two Golden Core Immortals for intervention if Qin Baipeng truly refused to let him go. However, he had at least received a definite answer, though he would still have to wait another four years.

"Actually, there's no problem if I move my household registration back now," Chen Mobai suggested, feeling a bit bad for Wu Shangru, who had worked diligently on the Talisman Factory for fifty years, now to be given to him for free.

"Oh, in that case, that would be for the best," Qin Baipeng said, smiling. The Immortal Sect had a regulation that allowed students to voluntarily choose whether or not to transfer their household registration to the local area after enrolling in a university there. When Chen Mobai enrolled, he chose this option, wanting to experience what it was like to have household registration in a major Grotto-Heaven. Since moving it back now offered such benefits, he decided it would be better to do so earlier, which would also fulfill Wu Shangru's wish. As expected, as soon as he spoke, all three present were overjoyed.

To avoid any complications, Qin Baipeng personally accompanied Chen Mobai to handle the household registration transfer back. After Chicheng Grotto-Heaven received the receipt from Danxia City, they did not object and immediately stamped their approval.

"That's how it is with the major Grotto-Heavens," Qin Baipeng said with a hint of sarcasm after completing Chen Mobai's household registration transfer back. "They usually don't scrutinize those moving out, but for those moving in – unless it's a mandatory Immortal Sect requirement like for your academy students – they'll practically investigate three generations of your ancestors." He then stamped his approval for Wu Shangru's household registration transfer out.

"My cultivation partner is registered in Huayang Grotto-Heaven. If it weren't for you holding me back, I would have moved my registration there long ago," Wu Shangru grumbled slightly. If Qin Baipeng hadn't blocked him all these years, he would have long since flown away like a dragon entering the sea, leaving this small place called Danxia City.

"Your current wealth is entirely due to the support of the Immortal Sect in Danxia City. Now that your cultivation is high, you think you can just clap your hands and walk away with tens of millions in assets? It's not that easy," Qin Baipeng retorted, his tone uncompromising. Wu Shangru, knowing he was in the wrong, could only give a sheepish smile.

"Ensure a smooth handover of the Flying Talisman Factory, otherwise, even if you go to Huayang Grotto-Heaven, I'll still have ways to affect your reputation," Qin Baipeng warned Wu Shangru during a meal they shared. The latter would undoubtedly ensure this, even without the former's admonition. After all, on this Terrestrial Star, no cultivator could stand against the Immortal Sect's system.

In the following days, Chen Mobai familiarized himself with the operations of the Flying Talisman Factory under Wu Shangru's guidance. He finally saw the fully automated talisman ink production equipment he had long dreamed of. By simply loading raw materials and having staff operate the machines, high-quality, almost impurity-free talisman ink could be produced in a set amount of time. There were three such machines in the entire factory, all left by Wu Shangru for Chen Mobai. In addition to the talisman ink machines, there were also paper-making and printing machines. Chen Mobai even found a device for making talisman brushes. However, according to Wu Shangru, this device was a second-hand item he had acquired and could only produce first-tier talisman brushes.

Although the Flying Talisman Factory was not large, it was fully equipped with all the necessary devices and machines for talisman crafting, representing Wu Shangru's fifty years of dedication. Yet, for the sake of forming a Golden Core, he decisively gave it all up.

After giving Chen Mobai the tour, Wu Shangru gathered all the factory employees and announced the transfer. Except for Tang Pancui and some senior staff who already knew, most people, though shocked, were mentally prepared. After all, Wu Shangru had mentioned this several years ago. In the Immortal Sect, cultivation realm always came first. Compared to the possibility of forming a Golden Core, this factory had indeed become an obstacle to Wu Shangru's further advancement.

"I will stay here for another half a year to ensure a smooth handover of the factory to your mother." Chen Mobai was still studying and naturally couldn't manage the factory for an extended period. Wu Shangru had considered this and proactively offered his help. Meanwhile, Tang Pancui, usually carefree, felt a bit overwhelmed at this moment. After all, she had worked her whole life, and suddenly being made the boss's wife was quite disorienting.

"Thank you, Uncle Wu," Chen Mobai said, grateful that with this promise, he could relax significantly.

Back home that evening, he discussed the matter with Chen Xinglan, hoping his father would also resign from his job and help at the Flying Talisman Factory. Chen Xinglan naturally agreed.

Chen Mobai stayed in Danxia City for half a month. Besides helping his parents take over the factory, he also took the time to visit the Crimson-Robed Immortal. Unfortunately, the Crimson-Robed Immortal had been in seclusion since last year and was still unavailable. Taking this opportunity, he had a small gathering with Chan Si, Shen Juanxiu, and Luan Jingsheng.

Among them, Shen Juanxiu had failed her Foundation Establishment again and had completely given up hope. Under her family's arrangements, she was now dating, looking for someone agreeable to marry, and then manage the family business. Chen Mobai could only offer a few words of advice, urging her never to abandon the mindset of striving for higher achievements, no matter where or when, and to maintain hope for her Foundation Establishment even if she married and had children.

Due to Shen Juanxiu's successive failures, Chan Si also developed a slight apprehension towards Foundation Establishment. Although she had already prepared the Three Treasures of Foundation Establishment, she was now engrossed in studying the Boundary Law, hoping to comprehend this divine Foundation Establishment technique before taking that step. In any case, she was still young, and Chen Mobai fully supported her decision. However, if she couldn't achieve Foundation Establishment before graduation, she would have to serve in the military for ten years. While for some, this was an excellent opportunity for tempering and insight, for most, it might simply be a hardship.

Luan Jingsheng, on the other hand, was still accumulating merit points to purchase the Three Treasures of Foundation Establishment. He could claim one from the academy, but he still needed to find a way to acquire the other two. Therefore, he had obtained a first-tier Talisman Master certificate and had been diligently studying in recent years, hoping to qualify as a first-tier Artifact Forger. These three old friends from Danzhu Academy all had bright futures.

When Shen Juanxiu heard that Chen Mobai had acquired the Flying Talisman Factory, her eyes lit up. Her family's spirit sand mine primarily supplied various talisman factories in Danxia City, along with some individual buyers. The Flying Talisman Factory's spirit sand procurement and supply had not previously come from her family. Now that Chen Mobai was in charge, she felt she should strive for this business.

"Given our relationship, I will naturally prioritize you. However, since I've just taken over, I'll need to maintain the previous operational model for the first two years. Once I've familiarized myself with everything, I'll switch the spirit sand supplier to your family," Chen Mobai replied. Before Chen Mobai achieved Foundation Establishment in the Immortal Sect, most of his initial capital came from Shen Juanxiu's generosity, so he naturally agreed to her request.

"Great! I graduate next year and will officially join the family business. Securing your order then will be a good achievement for my promotion," Shen Juanxiu said, delighted. The Immortal Sect's military service system had a principle: if a female cultivator became pregnant, she could be exempted from service. This was why Shen Juanxiu was hastily preparing for marriage. However, female cultivators who did this essentially gave up the possibility of Foundation Establishment, which was why Chen Mobai had advised her earlier.

"Brother Luan is a first-tier Talisman Master. If you're willing, you can join my Flying Talisman Factory. The talisman crafting industry is largely saturated, but there's still considerable room for development in talismanic artifacts, which I plan to focus on in the future." Chen Mobai also invited Luan Jingsheng, who was undoubtedly talented, having been able to forge talismanic artifacts like the Five Transformations Umbrella even before graduation. Luan Jingsheng was naturally willing. He hadn't accumulated enough merit points yet, and joining a larger company offered more promising prospects than making small gains with Wu Wan.

"So, it's just me, the only one excluded by you, a Foundation Establishment cultivator?" Chan Si joked. Chen Mobai dared not agree, so he laughed and raised his wine glass in a toast to her.

"If Teacher Chan is willing to join our company, I would gladly welcome you with open arms."

"Forget it. I've already gathered the Three Treasures of Foundation Establishment, and my only focus now is on achieving Foundation Establishment. If I fail in the future, then I'll come to your company to earn some merit points." Hearing this, Chen Mobai wished her success in her Foundation Establishment.

After arranging Luan Jingsheng's onboarding, Chen Mobai went to visit Shi Qujin. "Nephew, you truly are the chief disciple of the Weapon Dance Academy. Your Void-Piercing Spirit Eyes are probably no longer inferior to mine," Shi Qujin remarked inside the Jade Artifact Hall, where the two Foundation Establishment cultivators drank tea and chatted, while Shi Jingjing and Cao Yaling listened nearby. Shi Qujin, drawing on his many years of cultivating the Void-Piercing Spirit Eyes, noticed the crystalline luster in the depths of Chen Mobai's gaze, like pure void, and couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

"Just lucky. I obtained some spiritual items suitable for cultivation at the academy." Chen Mobai, not mentioning that his Void-Piercing Spirit Eyes were already superior to Shi Qujin's, humbly changed the subject, talking about moving his household registration back and taking over the Flying Talisman Factory.

"Ah, I truly envy Little Wu," Shi Qujin said. "At least he has the chance to abandon everything and pursue the possibility of forming a Golden Core." Shi Qujin had already known about this, as there were fewer than fifty Foundation Establishment cultivators in Danxia City, and those with a chance to form a Golden Core would always try to go to the major Grotto-Heavens. Wu Shangru having hopes of forming a Golden Core and his departure were already anticipated. However, they had not expected Chen Mobai to return and take over.

"We never expected you, nephew, to be willing to come back."

"The academy offers the Fire Element Golden Core Formation Pill. My household registration location doesn't matter. If I had the chance to obtain a Golden Liquid Jade Restoration Pill, I'd probably be even more eager than Uncle Wu," Chen Mobai said with self-deprecation. Shi Qujin, however, couldn't bring himself to smile. He estimated that he would never cultivate to the ninth level of Foundation Establishment in his lifetime and had resigned himself to this fate many years ago.

"Nephew, please visit often when you have time." After visiting Shi Qujin, which also served to express his goodwill to the other Foundation Establishment cultivators in Danxia City, Chen Mobai bid farewell and left.

In the following days, Chen Mobai invited classmates like Mo Simin, Shi Jingjing, and Cao Yaling for a meal, but unfortunately, many declined with excuses. He didn't mind and began to focus wholeheartedly on managing his first enterprise.

The Flying Talisman Factory had an annual output value of approximately 20 million merit points, with last year's profit being 1.2 million merit points. Chen Mobai found this perplexing. A Foundation Establishment cultivator working for someone could also earn a salary of a million merit points annually, so wouldn't Wu Shangru's efforts in running the factory have been in vain? Wu Shangru personally provided the answer: he also had a personal brand talisman shop on the Immortal Sect Network, where he sold high-quality talismans of second-tier and above, generating another million merit points in profit. Since the raw materials came from the Flying Talisman Factory, it was pure profit for him. No wonder Wu Shangru had so readily given up his enterprise in Danxia City; he had clearly established his own brand long ago. Chen Mobai could only admire him and couldn't fault him. However, Wu Shangru still promised that from now on, he would pay merit points for the talisman paper and ink he took from the Flying Talisman Factory.

Chen Mobai humbly sought Wu Shangru's advice on business experience, and the latter answered every question.

"Uncle Wu, if I wanted to acquire four million merit points in a short period, do you have any good suggestions?"

"That's simple. The talisman factory I left you is a high-quality asset with no debts or loans. You can mortgage its property rights and land use rights with the Immortal Sect Bank. Not to mention four million, you could easily borrow eight million, double that amount."

Upon hearing this, Chen Mobai expressed his gratitude for the valuable lesson.