Chapter 312: War Aftermath Gains

"Retreat." Ji Dingjin's voice echoed in the sky.

However, he didn't even need to speak. After witnessing Chen Mobai incinerate Mu Hanxiong into ash, the cultivators from Rolling Thunder Mountain, who had come from Yan Country to attack, had already lost all will to fight.

Some Foundation Establishment cultivators had already guessed the mirror's grade, their eyes filled with a mixture of fear and a hint of greed.

But Mu Hanxiong's ashes still drifted in the sky, and no one dared to take another step towards Chen Mobai.

In fact, once the retreat order was given, everyone eagerly withdrew.

They feared that if they lingered even a moment, they too would be incinerated by this refined young man from the Divine Wood Sect.

Chu Zuoshu did not stop them either. After all, they were outnumbered, and simply fending off this mountain assault was already a remarkable achievement.

It's worth noting that before the battle, he had even signaled Chen Mobai and the others that if the Earthen Metal Blade Array was breached, everyone should scatter and flee.

Before leaving, Ji Dingjin cast a deep glance at Chen Mobai. With his powerful divine sense, Chen Mobai naturally noticed the look.

The moment their eyes met, Chen Mobai saw profound killing intent in Ji Dingjin's gaze.

He had a feeling that the old man would likely sacrifice his own life to take him down.

If Chu Zuoshu hadn't been present, Ji Dingjin would probably have attacked already.

"Do not pursue a desperate foe." The Yan Country cultivators escaped through a large, un-repaired breach in the Earthen Barrier. Seeing this, the over three hundred surviving cultivators on Rolling Thunder Mountain were about to charge out but were stopped by Chu Zuoshu.

Three streaks of spiritual light rose into the air; these were Lian Chenghai and the other Foundation Establishment cultivators from Lei Country. One of the original four was missing; the Bao family patriarch had been unlucky and died at Mu Hanxiong's hands.

The three of them called out together, stopping the Qi Cultivation cultivators from Rolling Thunder Mountain who were about to give chase.

Chu Zuoshu also gathered the Divine Wood Sect members. Seeing their numbers, his expression involuntarily darkened.

In the battle of Rolling Thunder Mountain, Yan Country lost six Foundation Establishment cultivators and over two hundred Qi Cultivation cultivators. On Lei Country's side, one Foundation Establishment patriarch from the four great families died, two of the eight Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Divine Wood Sect's Hall of Merit also perished, and nearly a hundred other Qi Cultivation cultivators were lost.

Had Chen Mobai not used the Six Yang Divine Fire Mirror to kill Mu Hanxiong, striking fear into the Yan Country cultivators, and had the Earthen Metal Blade Array not begun to repair and close, trapping Ji Dingjin, this battle might not have ended so quickly.

The two deceased Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Divine Wood Sect were Feng Feixiong and Liu Mingjing. Both were early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators and died during the siege.

Chen Mobai had become acquainted with them on this journey, but tragically, before he could truly get to know them, they had already closed their eyes forever.

Chu Zuoshu directly cremated their bodies on Rolling Thunder Mountain, but their storage bags had been plundered by the Yan Country cultivators.

"Record the merits of these two junior brothers. In the future, if any of their descendants or disciples achieve peak Qi Cultivation, the sect's Foundation Establishment Pills will be prioritized for them."

Yue Zutao listened to Chu Zuoshu's words and nodded with a solemn expression.

At this moment, Lian Chenghai and the other two also walked over. They were accompanied by a sorrowful-looking boy of fifteen or sixteen, and they presented a storage bag.

"Reporting to Hall Master Chu, this is the most outstanding spiritual root talent of the Bao family in this generation. He should be the one to take that Foundation Establishment Pill. If possible, we hope he can become a disciple under Hall Master Chu. This is the Bao family's apprenticeship gift."

Chu Zuoshu nodded, agreeing with the first half of Lian Chenghai's statement.

"I haven't taken a disciple in a long time, but the Foundation Establishment Pill is my promise. When the next batch of Jade Marrow Golden Ganoderma matures, as long as he reaches peak Qi Cultivation, the first pill will be given to him."

Since he did not agree to take a disciple, Chu Zuoshu naturally did not accept the storage bag.

"After Brother Bao's death, the three subordinate branches of the Bao family have already started infighting. Although Qi Yuan was designated as Brother Bao's successor in advance, I'm afraid that even if the Foundation Establishment Pill is issued, it might not reach Qi Yuan's hands."

Lian Chenghai sighed and handed the items to the young man named Bao.

"Immortal Master Chen, I wish to become your disciple and learn swordsmanship."

After receiving the storage bag, Bao Qiyuan suddenly gritted his teeth, turned directly, and knelt before Chen Mobai, offering the bag with both hands.

"For an elder of our sect to accept a disciple, the person must first be a disciple of our sect."

Chen Mobai paused, but still politely refused.

At the same time, he raised a hand, and gentle Longevity spiritual power lifted Bao Qiyuan to his feet.

The Divine Wood Sect indeed had this rule. Yuan Chizhi had mentioned it when Chen Mobai was studying in the New Sprout Hall.

When Foundation Establishment cultivators traveled outside and encountered someone with exceptional spiritual root talent, they would first have the prospective disciple join the Divine Wood Sect before officially taking them as a personal disciple.

As for why this extra step was necessary, it was a rule passed down from the era of the Five Elements Sect, established by Grand Ancestor Hunyuan.

Although the Divine Wood Sect had split off, they still acknowledged this founding ancestor.

"Then perhaps he could first join your esteemed sect? Would that be acceptable?"

Seeing this, Lian Chenghai immediately interjected to smooth things over.

Such a small request was, of course, readily agreed to by Chu Zuoshu.

This battle with Tremor Peak was a pre-planned strategy by the upper echelons. After this, the sect's Qi Cultivation disciples would certainly suffer significant losses. It was estimated that the ten-year cycle for recruiting disciples might be shortened.

As the future sect master, Chu Zuoshu still had the authority to admit a Divine Wood Sect disciple in advance.

"The Earthen Metal Blade Array has been repaired, but too much spiritual energy has been extracted from the earth脈. So, if Tremor Peak attacks again, it might not have the same power as it did today."

After Lian Chenghai arranged for Bao Qiyuan to leave, he returned to discuss the next course of action with the Divine Wood Sect members.

When Fu Huakun made his move, it was Lian Chenghai who was controlling the array disk, repairing the grand array.

Before the war between the two sects, he had always been in charge of operating this Earthen Metal Blade Array, so he was quite familiar with it.

"With Junior Brother Chen's sword light acting as a deterrent, Tremor Peak will certainly not dare to come here again after this battle."

When Fu Huakun said this, the Foundation Establishment cultivators present rarely smiled, all looking at Chen Mobai with admiring gazes. Chen Mobai merely shook his head modestly, indicating that the victory was due to everyone's collective effort.

"No wonder when I said I was bringing you out, the Sect Master seemed a bit reluctant. So that's why..."

As Chu Zuoshu spoke, he recalled the time when they left the Divine Wood Hall.

He had naturally noticed the spiritual message exchange between Chen Mobai and Meng Hong. He had initially thought that his Sect Master brother had some other secret task to assign, but now, upon reflection, he understood the reason for Meng Hong's regretful expression.

To be honest, using this peerless divine sword, which had been nurtured within the sect, on this battlefield was a bit of a waste.

However, on second thought, if it hadn't been for Chen Mobai this time, while Rolling Thunder Mountain might have made Tremor Peak lose some "teeth," their own group would likely have suffered significant casualties.

Furthermore, being able to kill Ji Daoyuan and Mu Hanxiong—Tremor Peak's future and present—was already an extremely huge gain.

"We still need to be wary of further reinforcements from Tremor Peak's main headquarters. With Ji Daoyuan and Mu Hanxiong dead here, Ji Zhenshi will certainly not let it go."

Yue Zutao was the calmest among them, and he brought up the worst-case scenario.

After all, the opposing Yan Country was Tremor Peak's main stronghold. One of their nine peak masters, Mu Hanxiong, had died, but they still had six late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators. If Tremor Peak deployed the full strength of the two countries under its command, Rolling Thunder Mountain, even with the Earthen Metal Blade Array, might not be able to hold.

"The main sect army won't arrive for another two days. Junior Brother Chen has revealed such astonishing sword dao talent; I fear Tremor Peak will stop at nothing to keep him here."

Yue Zutao's face showed worry. If he were Ji Zhenshi, upon hearing that the Divine Wood Sect had produced a peerless genius who, even in the early Foundation Establishment stage, had mastered the Sword Rainbow Division Light, he would certainly act.

"If Tremor Peak acts in such a way, they might lose half of their sect's strength."

Chu Zuoshu, however, smiled and then delivered some good news.

"Quan Shanlin has already set out with twenty Foundation Establishment cultivators from the sect as an advance party and should arrive by tonight."

Qi Cultivation cultivators couldn't fly and had to be transported by the sect's flying boats and airships. But Foundation Establishment cultivators were different; by sacrificing spiritual energy and artifact durability, they could reach this place from Giant Wood Ridge in just four or five days.

Within the Divine Wood Sect, it was the Hall of Punishment that was responsible for external military expeditions.

However, Quan Shanlin required the sect master's decree to rally all the sect's Foundation Establishment cultivators. Moreover, sect elders needed to prepare magic tools, talismans, and arrange their affairs before going into battle, so it took three days to prepare before setting off.

Fortunately, Tremor Peak's preparations were also insufficient, allowing Chu Zuoshu to stall until this day.

"Junior Brother Chen, that mirror you used to kill Mu Hanxiong doesn't seem to be an ordinary second-grade magic tool."

That evening, while Chu Zuoshu and others were secretly welcoming Quan Shanlin and the other sect cultivators, Chen Mobai and Yue Zutao were having tea together. Halfway through, the latter suddenly asked.

"That's right, it's the third-grade Six Yang Divine Fire Mirror."

Yue Zutao breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, then said seriously.

"Junior Brother Chen, third-grade magic tools are extremely precious. Only the two grand ancestors and the sect master possess them within the sect. In the future, if you are alone outside, it's best not to reveal it."

"Thank you for the advice, Senior Brother Yue. Today was a life-or-death moment, and since I was surrounded by fellow sect brothers, I felt confident enough to use it."

Earlier, during the strategy discussion, Chen Mobai had felt everyone's gaze lingering on him. Even Chu Zuoshu seemed to hesitate before speaking, clearly wanting to ask about the third-grade magic tool. However, in the Sky River Realm, inquiring about others' magical treasures and cultivation techniques was a highly taboo matter, even among fellow disciples.

It took great resolve for Yue Zutao to ask.

This also indicated that after being saved by Chen Mobai today, he had come to regard the latter as a true friend.

"After this battle at Rolling Thunder Mountain, Junior Brother Chen, your name will likely echo throughout the Eastern Desolation. However, after the war ends and Master inherits the position of sect master, it would be best for you to calmly cultivate and advance your realm within the sect. If you form a Golden Core, our Divine Wood Sect will truly be able to rest easy, and perhaps even return to the Five Elements Sect and dominate the Eastern Desolation."

Yue Zutao's words revealed a lot of information.

"If I could, I would also like to stay on Little South Mountain, practicing swordsmanship and drinking. Unfortunately, Senior Brother Yuan was the one who brought me into the sect. If something happened to him and I didn't come, my conscience wouldn't be at peace."

All of Chen Mobai's words came from the heart. The reason he felt a bond with the Divine Wood Sect, apart from his few disciples, was the sincere treatment he received from E Yun, Yuan Chizhi, and even Sect Master Meng Hong.

Now, with Yuan Chizhi's fate unknown, he truly couldn't sit still on Little South Mountain.

"Fortune favors the righteous. By the way, Junior Brother Chen, you killed three Foundation Establishment cultivators this time. Were your gains substantial?"

Yue Zutao immediately changed the subject, bringing up something more cheerful.

Chen Mobai, however, shook his head and placed two storage bags in front of him. He first emptied the left one: apart from over two hundred low-grade spirit stones, there was a cultivation technique, a set of armor, and five bottles of pills whose purpose he didn't know.

"Mu Hanxiong's storage bag, along with his body, was turned to ash by the third-grade magic tool. Ji Daoyuan's storage bag only contained these spirit stones, this book 'Nine-Ren Dharma Body,' and this set of first-grade superior armor. For him to be Tremor Peak's most prominent disciple, he was still less wealthy than Zheng Wulu."

Chen Mobai said with a disdainful expression, simultaneously shaking the right storage bag.

With a rustle, over two thousand low-grade spirit stones piled up into a small mound. On top were fifty translucent mid-grade spirit stones, a second-grade flying sword radiating spiritual light, a cracked heart-protecting mirror, and, of course, the standard assortment of various pills.

As a family patriarch, Zheng Wulu's wealth far surpassed Ji Daoyuan's, with over seven thousand spirit stones alone.

This second-grade superior flying sword was worth nearly two thousand spirit stones. Unfortunately, the second-grade inferior life-saving magic tool, the heart-protecting mirror, was damaged blocking Chen Mobai's sword light.

"Junior Brother Chen, haven't you heard the saying, 'Among the hundred arts of cultivation, alchemy is the wealthiest, and body cultivation is the poorest'?" Yue Zutao said with a chuckle.

Among cultivators, alchemists were the wealthiest, while body cultivators were the poorest. This was because the latter needed to constantly purchase spirit beast flesh and blood, spirit rice, and spirit vegetables, along with various pills to strengthen their vital essence and temper their muscles and bones. Essentially, no matter how many spirit stones they had, they would spend them all.

Even if Mu Hanxiong's storage bag hadn't been incinerated by the Six Yang Divine Fire Mirror, it's estimated that its contents wouldn't have been much more than Ji Daoyuan's.

Everyone knew that among the seven great sects of the Eastern Desolation, the cultivators of Tremor Peak were the poorest.

After Ji Zhenshi formed his Golden Core, he even "sold himself" as a bodyguard to the Profound Sky Grand Merchant Guild to acquire a set of third-grade armor. He was still under contract, having to escort goods whenever needed.

Hearing this, Chen Mobai felt a little better, at least knowing that Mu Hanxiong was also a pauper, so his own loss was minimal.

"Junior Brother, you can have Lian Chenghai handle these pills. The Lei Country cultivators gathered here will make it easy to sell them. As for this flying sword, its value has risen considerably due to the war between our two sects. If auctioned, it could probably fetch over two thousand spirit stones."

Yue Zutao's suggestion resonated with Chen Mobai. However, this flying sword had earth and metal attributes, which didn't align with his dual phases. If he kept it for a disciple, he might have to hold onto it for a long time. It would be better to directly exchange it for resources that could enhance his combat power.

"Senior Brother Yue, do you have an Azure Sun Fire Seed?"

Yue Zutao was one of the most skilled spiritual planters in the Divine Wood Sect at condensing tree seeds, and one of the few Foundation Establishment cultivators who could access and care for the sect's third-grade Golden Sun Spirit Trees. These spirit trees, when advancing in grade, would occasionally burst forth with Azure Sun Fire Seeds under certain conditions.

Both Azure Sun Spirit Trees that failed to advance and Golden Sun Spirit Trees that successfully advanced could potentially produce Azure Sun Fire Seeds.

As a Heavenly and Earthly Spiritual Fire, the Divine Wood Sect would send dedicated spiritual planters to collect Azure Sun Fire Seeds when spirit trees advanced. If they were lucky, they could collect one Azure Sun Fire Seed from ten Azure Sun Spirit Trees advancing.

"I understand what Junior Brother Chen means. I saw your fire seed is almost ready to evolve into a complete 'Azure Sun Fire.' You want to merge two fire seeds to shorten the process, correct?"

As Yue Zutao spoke, he took out a ceramic jar from his storage bag.

Chen Mobai opened it and saw an Azure Sun Fire Seed burning within.