Chapter 323: A Thoughtful Disciple

**Chapter 324: A Thoughtful Disciple**

**The Sword Cultivation Department.**

After finishing the treatment of disciples wounded in the recent war and the subsequent reward arrangements for the department, Xie Yuntian was just about to return to his quarters to rest when a disciple came in to report that Chu Zuochu and Fu Huakun from the Merit Hall had come to visit.

“You two have come at just the right time. I still need your help with the rewards for the disciples who went to war from my Sword Cultivation Department.”

All expenditures for spirit stones, elixirs, magical artifacts, and other items among the Three Halls and Twelve Departments must go through the Merit Hall. This department controls all financial authority within the sect.

Xie Yuntian wished to secure more spirit stones for his department's disciples. However, he could only submit the proposed amount, which still required the Sect Master's seal of approval.

The approval documents from the Divine Wood Hall would then be delivered separately to the Sword Cultivation Department and the Merit Hall. After that, the former would send someone to the Merit Hall. Once the two documents were confirmed to be consistent, the corresponding amount of spirit stones and material rewards listed could be claimed.

The key, of course, was the Sect Master's approval, but the Merit Hall's attitude was also crucial. After all, when it came to finances, every little bit that could be withheld would be, and reasons were easy to find.

This really tested the relationship between the various departments and the Merit Hall.

Xie Yuntian had an ordinary relationship with Chu Zuochu but was on good terms with Fu Huakun. Both had served as inspectors in the Punishing Evil Hall and were direct descendants of Patriarch Fu.

In the past, through this connection, the Sword Cultivation Department's spirit stones and resources were rarely withheld.

“Junior Martial Brother Xie, you are a very busy man, so I'll get straight to the point. We've come today to discuss the Azure Wood Qi with you.”

After reviewing the list of spirit stones and rewards Xie Yuntian had drafted for the disciples who went to war from the Sword Cultivation Department, Fu Huakun handed it to Chu Zuochu, who was beside him, then immediately got down to business. He knew Xie Yuntian's character and didn't beat around the bush.

“Azure Wood Qi? My Azure Yang Fire is about to reach completion. If I can condense the Qi, I'll be invincible among Golden Core cultivators and serve the sect more effectively. I believe it's perfectly fine for it to be reserved for me.”

Hearing this, Xie Yuntian frowned. He finally understood why Chu Zuochu had come along. However, since it concerned his cultivation path, he certainly wouldn't give in easily.

“Junior Martial Brother Xie, even Martial Uncle Mo only condensed fifteen strands of Azure Flame Sword Qi, and the sect now has twenty-one strands of Azure Wood Qi available. It's a bit unreasonable for you to monopolize all of it, isn't it?”

Chu Zuochu placed the Sword Cultivation Department's reward request list on the table, then softly spoke a sentence. It both expressed his stance and left room for Xie Yuntian to maneuver.

Xie Yuntian replied, “There's a possibility of failure when condensing Sword Qi, so reserving a few extra strands is to ensure I can truly achieve complete Sword Qi. After all, the sect could go to war with other major Eastern Wilderness sects at any moment. I believe prioritizing my mastery over distributing the Azure Wood Qi to two people would be better.”

Fu Huakun countered, “Junior Martial Brother Xie, haven't you even purified and sublimated your Azure Yang Fire yet? Furthermore, you still need at least ten to twenty years to reach Foundation Establishment perfection. At most, you can only condense twelve strands of Sword Qi right now. Sometimes, it's appropriate to leave some for the younger generation. How about this: we'll only let the Treasure Pavilion list five strands of Azure Wood Qi, leaving you with sixteen strands?”

Hearing this, Xie Yuntian frowned. A late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator could at most condense twelve strands of Sword Qi. He was currently at this realm. Even if he sublimated the Azure Yang Fire Seed, he wouldn't need all twenty-one strands of Azure Wood Qi.

However, people are greedy. With more baleful qi available, one naturally felt more confident during cultivation.

If it had been anyone else, Xie Yuntian would have certainly ignored them or simply shown his displeasure.

But these two in front of him were different.

Chu Zuochu was the head of the Merit Hall and the future Sect Master. He could have forcibly instructed the Treasure Pavilion to list the Azure Wood Qi and allowed Chen Mobai to exchange for it. However, Chu Zuochu still brought Fu Huakun along to discuss it with him, which was considered giving him ample respect.

Moreover, they had already reserved enough Qi for him to complete his Sword Qi.

If he continued to be ungracious, he would likely not only offend the future Sect Master but also sour his relationship with Fu Huakun in the future.

What Xie Yuntian found most puzzling about this situation was why Fu Huakun would be willing to step forward for a junior disciple.

“Junior Martial Brother Xie,” Fu Huakun's voice transmission suddenly reached his ears just as Xie Yuntian was contemplating. “During the Rolling Thunder Mountain incident, the usually strict Patriarch Fu had spoken highly of Junior Martial Brother Chen, and with Junior Martial Brother Chen's talent, his chances of forming a Golden Core were very high. It's always better to gain goodwill than to create animosity, don't you agree?”

After listening, his expression changed.

Given Fu Huakun's standing, there was no need for him to deceive Xie Yuntian.

In that case, this Chen Guixian had already caught Patriarch Fu's eye.

The thought that this person was barely thirty years old and had already cultivated Sword Light meant that as long as he didn't perish, his future achievements were indeed boundless.

“I'll consider it.”

Hearing Xie Yuntian's words, which weren't a direct refusal, Chu Zuochu and Fu Huakun exchanged a smile, knowing that the matter was mostly settled.

“I happen to be heading to the Divine Wood Hall,” Chu Zuochu said. “I'll help you submit this list to the Sect Master.”

Chu Zuochu picked up the list of rewards Xie Yuntian had prepared for the Sword Cultivation Department's expeditionary disciples from the table and took his leave first.

Fu Huakun stayed for a while longer and spoke with Xie Yuntian about Patriarch Fu, eventually leaving with satisfaction.

**Little South Mountain.**

On this day, Chen Mobai was observing the hybrid spirit rice sown in spring with Zhuo Ming.

Some varieties, which were double-cropped annually, could now have their adaptability observed in their finished state.

“These five varieties can be given special attention for their future development. As for the rest, after harvesting, you can take them all to brew wine.”

After examining all the spirit rice, Chen Mobai confirmed that five hybrid spirit rice varieties were adaptable to Tier 2 earth energy within a feasible range and had Zhuo Ming note them down.

As for those meant for brewing wine, they were the failed products from cultivating Jade Bamboo Spirit Rice.

Over the years, the spirit rice cultivated by the Little South Mountain lineage, apart from what was submitted to the sect, Zhuo Ming would take to brew wine, because selling the spirit rice directly on its own fetched too low a price, and it wasn't as popular as Nourishing Pills.

Thanks to the excellent wine yeast Chen Mobai brought from his hometown, the wines produced were quite good, with various flavors. Paired with different medicinal herbs, they were now considered a unique delicacy in Divine Wood City.

When Little South Mountain Shop was mentioned, even those in the sect dedicated solely to arduous cultivation knew that this wine shop's liquor was excellent.

Just then, a slender, graceful young woman in a moon-white palace dress, her delicate face slightly pale, walked over.

“Greetings, Master.”

Chen Mobai was slightly surprised to see Luo Yixuan. Although his young disciple, due to the Incantation of the Burning Lamp, was not greatly affected by the poisonous qi from the Pulse-Shattering Pearl, she still lost some vital energy. After returning to the mountain, he had instructed both her and Liu Wenbai to prioritize their recovery.

“Didn't I tell you to rest quietly? Why are you here again?”

“The Treasure Pavilion has listed five strands of Azure Wood Qi. Master, you previously asked me to pay attention to it, so as soon as I received the news, I rushed over.”

Hearing this, Chen Mobai's face lit up with joy. Chu Zuochu truly lived up to his reputation as the head of the Merit Hall and the next Sect Master; he actually managed to get it done.

“Ming'er, prepare some good wine. Your master needs to go express his gratitude to Hall Head Chu.”

Although Zhuo Ming didn't know why Chen Mobai was so happy, she obediently went to the wine cellar and retrieved a small jar of precious Tier 2 spirit wine, along with five jars of different varieties of Tier 1 spirit wine.

Luo Yixuan carried the wine and followed Chen Mobai as he flew towards Divine Wood City.

**The Treasure Pavilion.**

Chen Mobai presented his sect identity token, and a familiar Foundation Establishment cultivator stepped out.

His name was Chen Zhenwu. He was also one of the inspectors of the Merit Hall. On the previous Rolling Thunder Mountain battlefield, Chen Mobai had assisted Chu Zuochu in practicing the Eight Gates Azure Light Formation with him. Since they shared the same surname, they had chatted a bit more.

“Junior Martial Brother Chen, it's truly wonderful to meet you again within the sect.”

Chen Zhenwu was also one of the rotating elder stewards of the Treasure Pavilion. It was his turn on duty this month. If there were exchanges for valuable items like Foundation Establishment Pills, he needed to personally handle them.

Chen Mobai was not in a hurry to exchange for the Azure Wood Qi. Since Chu Zuochu had already arranged everything and the items were listed, and the person who could handle the exchange procedures was right in front of him, it meant that these five strands of Azure Wood Qi were indeed for him.

There were many Qi Cultivation disciples in the main hall. Upon seeing the two Foundation Establishment elders, they all showed expressions of respect.

“Junior Martial Brother Chen, let's talk inside.”

Chen Zhenwu led Chen Mobai and his disciple into a private room on the second floor of the Treasure Pavilion. A pot of tea had already been brewed inside.

“Although Azure Wood Qi was available within the sect,” Chen Zhenwu explained, “it had always been regarded as exclusive property by the Sword Cultivation Department. Therefore, it had never been listed in the Treasure Pavilion to prevent it from actually being exchanged by others. For this matter, Hall Head Chu specifically sought out Inspector Fu to mediate. They both invited Minister Xie for tea, and after repeated persuasion, he reluctantly agreed to release five strands. Junior Martial Brother Chen, you must remember this favor.”

Chen Zhenwu was not actually Chu Zuochu's subordinate; he was a direct subordinate of Fu Huakun, an inspector in the Merit Hall.

After Chu Zuochu was confirmed to become the next Sect Master, the position of Merit Hall Head naturally became a target for those with ambitions.

The most likely candidates were naturally Deputy Hall Head Luo Xue'er and Inspector Fu Huakun.

Among them, Fu Huakun had Patriarch Fu backing him, but his qualifications were not as extensive as Luo Xue'er's.

Luo Xue'er originated from the Divine Wood Hall. She was a direct descendant of the Sect Master's lineage. She had also served as an inspector in the Alchemy Department and as the head of the Spirit Plant Department. Her network of connections was extensive.

However, the main battlefield had not yet fully concluded, and both were exercising restraint. They were merely secretly trying to win over key figures who held votes.

As one of the inspectors of the Merit Hall, Chen Mobai also held a vote.

“Back on the Rolling Thunder Mountain battlefield, Inspector Fu also stood up for me,” Chen Mobai said. “Naturally, my inclination is to support him.”

Although Chen Mobai ultimately faced Mu Hanxiong himself, he definitely had to remember this favor.

Moreover, if Fu Huakun truly helped with the Azure Wood Qi matter, Chen Mobai would be even more inclined to support him.

Although Luo Xue'er had a higher chance of succeeding as the Merit Hall Head, in politics, even if one's stance was incorrect, one could not leave an impression of being unkind or ungrateful.

Chen Zhenwu then elaborated on the crux of the matter.

Xie Yuntian, as the head of the Sword Cultivation Department, due to his powerful combat abilities, subtly held the prestige of being the foremost among the Twelve Departments. However, although he had also cultivated Sword Light, the other crucial element for condensing Sword Qi, the Azure Yang Fire, had not yet been fully integrated.

All the Azure Yang Fire Seeds listed by the sect in recent decades had been exchanged for by Xie Yuntian.

As the only sword cultivator in the sect who had cultivated Sword Light before Chen Mobai, it was only a matter of time before Xie Yuntian's Azure Yang Fire Seed reached completion. If he wished to monopolize the Azure Wood Qi, no one would dare to disrespect him.

It was precisely for this reason that Azure Wood Qi had never been listed in the Treasure Pavilion, and it had been tacitly assumed to belong to Xie Yuntian.

Yue Zutao had also mentioned this matter before.

If Chen Mobai weren't now a direct subordinate of Chu Zuochu, with a promising future and the most likely talent among the next generation to form a Golden Core, if it had been anyone else, Chu Zuochu would have simply pretended not to know and let Chen Mobai figure it out himself.

But even so, Chu Zuochu still brought Fu Huakun along to talk to Xie Yuntian.

The Sword Cultivation Department was under the Punishing Evil Hall, and the head of the Punishing Evil Hall was Patriarch Fu. Even if Xie Yuntian didn't give face to Chu Zuochu, he had to give face to Patriarch Fu.

At Rolling Thunder Mountain, Fu Huakun had personally heard Patriarch Fu's praise for Chen Mobai. It was precisely for this reason that he was willing to intervene.

After Fu Huakun's persuasion, Xie Yuntian finally agreed to the matter.

The next step was to inform the Treasure Pavilion to list the Azure Wood Qi.

Before it was listed, Chen Zhenwu, the rotating elder, was naturally notified in advance to prevent it from being exchanged by other sect members.

“Each strand of Azure Wood Qi costs 1,000 sect contribution points, Junior Martial Brother. Are you prepared?”

After finishing the tea, Chen Mobai also proposed to exchange for the Azure Wood Qi. Chen Zhenwu smilingly accepted his sect identity token. After glancing at the amount displayed on it, he somewhat surprisingly deducted 5,000 points.

“Junior Martial Brother Chen, you truly keep your wealth well hidden.”

Chen Mobai found Chen Zhenwu's words a bit strange. After checking himself, he couldn't help but widen his eyes.

After deducting the sect contribution points for the Azure Wood Qi exchange, there was still a balance of 16,950 points.

“Ming'er has managed the spirit fields of Little South Mountain very well these past two years. I had no idea I'd accumulated so many sect contribution points.”

After a brief thought, Chen Mobai understood what had happened, but he still felt quite surprised.

The sixty mu of spirit fields on Little South Mountain were all used to cultivate Jade Bamboo Spirit Rice and experiment with various hybrid spirit rice varieties. Only six mu of these fields, due to their sparse spiritual energy, were Tier 1 and thus could be used to grow Jade Bud Spirit Rice for submission to the sect.

Even if the yield was two hundred jin per mu, that would amount to at most 3,600 sect contribution points over three years.

Adding that to what Chen Mobai had saved previously, and the 1,000 baseline contribution points the sect issued to each Foundation Establishment cultivator who participated in the war, he estimated it would be just enough to exchange for five strands of Azure Wood Qi.

But he hadn't expected that his sect account had unknowingly accumulated over twenty thousand contribution points.

“Master,” Luo Yixuan, noticing Chen Mobai's puzzled expression, said, while Chen Zhenwu went down to retrieve the Azure Wood Qi, “besides the spirit fields at Little South Mountain, Senior Martial Sister Zhuo is also tending to Little Yang Ridge. She hired a few sect disciples to look after it there. Last year, she even took me there to perform rain-making and fertilization. Inspector Sun of the Spirit Plant Department simply allocated the spirit veins of Little Yang Ridge, along with the two surrounding mu of medicinal fields and twenty-six mu of spirit fields, directly to Senior Martial Sister Zhuo. Nominally, Senior Martial Sister Zhuo took on the task of tending to the Little Yang Ridge spirit fields, but the Spirit Plant Department recorded the annual harvest under your name.”

Chen Mobai was very surprised to hear this.

Logically speaking, after he moved to Little South Mountain, the sect should have reclaimed Little Yang Ridge, which was previously his territory, and then reallocated it to other sect disciples.

Chen Mobai truly hadn't known about this matter. However, after a moment's thought, he understood the reason behind it.

There were many spirit fields in Great Wood Ridge, but few disciples specialized in cultivating spirit rice. The Little South Mountain lineage was considered the Divine Wood Sect's foremost expert in spirit rice cultivation. After Chen Mobai left, if the spirit fields he had cultivated at Little Yang Ridge were tilled by other sect disciples, they would certainly be wasted and neglected. Thus, Inspector Sun Gaogchang of the Spirit Plant Department simply allocated them directly to his disciple. Zhuo Ming, that child, likely did so out of filial piety and possibly had an emotional attachment to the Little Yang Ridge area. After all, even before Chen Mobai reached Foundation Establishment, she had followed him there to learn sowing, rain-making, pest control, and harvesting spirit rice.

After three years, such a large sum had accumulated without him realizing it.

It was even enough to exchange for Foundation Establishment Pills.

This disciple was too thoughtful and sensible.

Although she wasn't as eloquent as Luo Yixuan, she was practical and got things done. She should be a priority for cultivation in the future.

Chen Mobai felt he hadn't spoiled Zhuo Ming for nothing. It was certainly worth bringing back the Nine-Ren Dharma Body and Earth Master Inheritance Scroll for her on this trip.

“Junior Martial Brother Chen, here are the five strands of Azure Wood Qi. Please verify them.”

At this moment, Chen Zhenwu emerged, carrying a wooden tray on which rested five jade bottles, each sealed with a talisman.

“Thank you, Senior Martial Brother Chen,” Chen Mobai said. “I still need to go express my gratitude to Chu Zuochu and Inspector Fu. I'll take my leave now.”

After confirming everything was in order, Chen Mobai put the five strands of Azure Wood Qi into his storage bag.

“Then I'll see you out.”

Chen Zhenwu smilingly escorted Chen Mobai and his disciple downstairs. However, just as they reached the ground floor, they encountered an unexpected person.

“I want to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill.”

Mu Yuan stood at the entrance. His usually calm expression showed a slight ripple. After all, it concerned his lifelong cultivation path; even he experienced some emotional fluctuations.

“I also want to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill.”

From outside, two voices spoke in unison again. Yu Lian and Li Yixian from the Puppet Department walked in.

“Foundation Establishment Pills will only be listed tomorrow. You've come too early.”

Chen Zhenwu shook his head helplessly. He came out to tell Mu Yuan and the other two.

Chen Mobai saw the three standing in the main hall of the Treasure Pavilion. They seemed intent on waiting until tomorrow morning. His heart stirred slightly, and he walked over with a smile.

“Nephew Yu, I'll be in Divine Wood City for the next few days. If you have time after exchanging for your Foundation Establishment Pill, you can come find me. I have some insights on Foundation Establishment. While they might not compare to those of our predecessors, they could help you avoid some detours.”

Upon hearing Chen Mobai's words, Yu Lian's expression subtly shifted. He immediately offered solemn thanks.

“Thank you, Martial Uncle Chen. I will certainly come.”

Mu Yuan and Li Yixian, standing nearby, heard this. Their expressions varied.

Li Yixian, in particular, scratched his head and ears, looking as if he also wanted to come and listen. However, in the Sky River Realm, such matters were highly taboo. If Chen Mobai hadn't invited him, he would never have dared to proactively suggest it. Otherwise, he would be seen as trying to secretly learn.

Mu Yuan's expression remained unchanged. However, Chen Mobai could still discern a hint of struggle in his eyes. He seemed eager, yet also somewhat hesitant.

After all, it was precisely because of Chen Mobai's success that they now held the Foundation Establishment Pill from demonic beasts in such high regard.

As the only cultivator in recent decades to successfully reach Foundation Establishment by consuming a demonic beast Foundation Establishment Pill, Chen Mobai's experience would certainly be a guiding light for them.

But if Li Yixian didn't dare to bring it up, let alone Mu Yuan, who had clashed with Chen Mobai twice in the sect's grand competition and believed there was animosity between them.

Luo Yixuan, who was leaving the Treasure Pavilion with Chen Mobai, saw the expressions of Mu Yuan and the other two, and frowned in deep thought. She was carefully pondering the deeper meaning hidden in her master's words, silently contemplating and learning.

Next, she followed Chen Mobai to pay her respects to Chu Zuochu and Fu Huakun and express gratitude for the Azure Wood Qi matter.

The two happened to be together. The three then directly opened the fine wine Chen Mobai had brought and drank heartily.

Luo Yixuan poured the wine while carefully remembering every word spoken by these three high-ranking sect members.

This was her way of life, distinct from Zhuo Ming's.

(End of Chapter)