Chapter 328: The Inheritance of the Eternal Life Sect

"If I'm not mistaken, you obtained the Azure Sun Seed in the Divine Tree Secret Realm, correct?" Meng Hong pondered for a moment before asking.

"Sect Master, do you recall that I once took ten steps before the Grand Dao Tree and witnessed the 'Everlasting Sword' that could cleave through the void?" Meng Hong naturally remembered this event vividly. When he reported it to the two ancestors, they were also greatly astonished. The secret realm was later opened again, even without any disciples reaching Foundation Establishment, but neither the two ancestors nor Meng Hong managed to acquire such an opportunity before the Grand Dao Tree.

"Is there a connection between these two things?" Knowing that Chen Mobai wouldn't bring up irrelevant matters, Meng Hong sensed a crucial link and asked directly.

"The reason for my rapid progress in swordsmanship is because the 'Everlasting Sword' was imprinted into my Sea of Consciousness," Chen Mobai explained. "Afterward, I frequently entered seclusion to comprehend this astonishing sword art. One day, I had an epiphany and entered a profound, enlightened state."

"However, when I awoke, I found myself not on Mount Xiaonan, but within the Divine Tree Secret Realm."

Upon hearing this, Meng Hong's expression subtly shifted. "Are you certain?"

"Absolutely. I clearly remember the three Everlasting Trees in that place. To confirm, I visited the nearest Artifact Tree, and it was during that visit that I obtained the Six-Yang Divine Fire Mirror."

As he spoke, Chen Mobai calmly took out his Six-Yang Divine Fire Mirror and handed it to Meng Hong. "The refining method for this artifact is completely different from what we use in the Eastern Wilderness. Sect Master, please take a look."

Meng Hong hesitated for a moment, then took the ancient bronze mirror with both hands. He examined it carefully, noting the incredibly exquisite lines and patterns, the perfectly blended materials, and the craftsmanship's superior skill and intricacy, which was incomparable to anything in the Eastern Wilderness. What astonished him most were the restriction formations applied to the artifact, which fit seamlessly and perfectly.

"It actually has three spells attached!" Meng Hong exclaimed. Generally, an artifact with even one attached spell was considered a masterpiece, doubling its value. Artifacts with two attached spells could only be crafted by Sheng Zhaoxi, the foremost artifact refiner in the Eastern Wilderness. As for artifacts with three attached spells, Sheng Zhaoxi had only completed two in his lifetime, and both were due to fortunate coincidences.

As soon as Meng Hong spoke, Zhou Shengqing and Fu Zongjue, who had been in the back hall of the Divine Wood Palace, no longer concealed themselves and walked out.

"Greetings, Ancestors." Chen Mobai had initially thought only one ancestor was present, but seeing both, he and Meng Hong immediately bowed.

"Rise. May we examine your artifact?" Zhou Shengqing asked politely. Chen Mobai, of course, nodded.

After Zhou Shengqing and Fu Zongjue had both inspected it, they exchanged glances and drew a conclusion. "The refining technique of this artifact far surpasses the artifact refining heritage of the Eastern Wilderness. It might even be the work of a fifth-rank Grandmaster of Artifact Refining. It's truly possible that it was left in the secret realm by the Everlasting Sect or by Ancestor Yiyuan."

"Ancestor Yiyuan?" Chen Mobai asked, looking puzzled after hearing the two ancestors' words.

"Our Divine Wood Sect's Ancestor Hunyuan obtained a partial inheritance from True Monarch Yiyuan. When he founded the Five Elements Sect, he referred to himself as a disciple of Yiyuan. After I formed my core, Ancestor Hunyuan also took me to pay respects to True Monarch Yiyuan's ascension plaque, which is why he is respectfully called Ancestor," Zhou Shengqing explained to Chen Mobai. However, when Fu Zongjue formed his core, Ancestor Hunyuan had already passed away, and the Divine Wood Sect had branched off from the Five Elements Sect, so Fu Zongjue had not paid respects to True Monarch Yiyuan's ascension plaque, which was enshrined at the Five Elements Sect's main headquarters.

"I see," Chen Mobai said, a look of realization dawning on his face. This meant that the "Primordial Dao Fruit" was True Monarch Yiyuan's inheritance. 'A cultivation method left by an ascended immortal,' he thought. 'If I get the chance in the future, I must study it carefully and compare it to the Divine Transformation cultivation methods of the Immortal Sect to see which is superior.'

"However, Ancestor Yiyuan was able to ascend because he obtained some treasures left by the Everlasting Sect. This Divine Tree Secret Realm is one of the Everlasting Sect's inheritance grounds. So, your artifact could have been left by the Everlasting Sect, or it could have been left by Ancestor Yiyuan for his later disciples."

As he spoke, Zhou Shengqing handed the Six-Yang Divine Fire Mirror back to Chen Mobai, who took it, inwardly wondering if his lie would be exposed.

"Can you control your entry and exit from the Divine Tree Secret Realm yourself?" Fu Zongjue suddenly asked. Chen Mobai hesitated, then shook his head.

"To answer the two ancestors, I can only occasionally cross into the Divine Tree Secret Realm when I experience a breakthrough in my cultivation. Afterward, I merely need to undergo the so-called 'Everlasting Dao Inquiry' before the Grand Dao Tree to return to Mount Xiaonan." Chen Mobai could use this to explain any future sudden disappearances, claiming he had gone to the Divine Tree Secret Realm, which he could indeed do.

"Besides this artifact, did you gain anything else?" Meng Hong asked. Chen Mobai nodded and then revealed the two secret techniques he had obtained from the Talent Tree: "Spiritual Radiance Myriad Transformations Art" and "Spiritual Radiance Weapon Assimilation Art." These two secret arts were supreme marvels for those who primarily cultivated the Scripture of Everlasting Life. However, they were of little use to him, so he decided to offer them, thereby reinforcing the veracity of his previous statements.

After listening, Zhou Shengqing's eyes immediately lit up. He then sat down cross-legged right in front of the three of them. About fifteen minutes later, he opened his eyes, and a wisp of azure lightning flickered within their depths.

"Indeed, our Divine Wood Sect's cultivation methods are derived from the Everlasting Sect's inheritance, but they are incomplete after all. If I had obtained these Spiritual Radiance Myriad Transformations Art and Spiritual Radiance Weapon Assimilation Art at the Foundation Establishment stage, I might have cultivated the Divine Wood Radiance twenty years earlier!"

After rising, Zhou Shengqing opened his right hand. A stream of dark green energy swirled in his palm, forming the ethereal outline of a lightning bolt.

"Congratulations, Senior Brother! Your Everlasting True Qi has advanced further. It seems you are one step closer to forming your Nascent Soul," remarked Fu Zongjue, the only one present who understood Zhou Shengqing's cultivation level. He looked on with envy at the dark green energy in his palm.

"Once young Meng forms his core, I too will leave the sect to seek my opportunity to form a Nascent Soul. The final years of my life will depend on whether fate allows it," Zhou Shengqing said with a sigh. Beside him, Meng Hong immediately bowed respectfully.

"If I'm not mistaken, Chen Guixian, you must have met the requirements before the Grand Dao Tree during your first entry into the Divine Tree Secret Realm, thus being recognized as an inheritor of the Everlasting Sect." After confirming that Chen Mobai's artifact and cultivation methods both came from the secret realm, Zhou Shengqing had already conjured a "very plausible" explanation.

"It seems our Divine Wood Sect is truly blessed with great fortune to have recruited a talent like you into our ranks. You know, Senior Brother Zhou and I only managed to reach the ninth step before the Grand Dao Tree, unable to pass the Everlasting Dao Inquiry. Indeed, the tenth step is a significant hurdle," Fu Zongjue said, agreeing with Zhou Shengqing's assessment, nodding to Chen Mobai with a mix of regret and satisfaction.

"Did the two ancestors not retry the trial before the Grand Dao Tree after forming your cores?" Chen Mobai asked, voicing his confusion. The key to opening the Divine Tree Secret Realm was held by the Divine Wood Sect, so no one would stop them if they wished to enter.

"To be frank, after hearing about your Everlasting Sword, we did open it once," Fu Zongjue replied. "However, before the Grand Dao Tree, each cultivation realm has its own trial intensity. The Everlasting Dao Inquiry that we, two Core Formation cultivators, had to endure was far more terrifying. Although young Meng, relying on his peak Foundation Establishment cultivation, only needed to undergo a Foundation Establishment level trial and managed to force his way to the final step, he was directly teleported out due to his advanced age."

"As for the Artifact Tree and Talent Tree, there's no need to mention them. Our spiritual energy imprints had long been infused into them, and there was no further feedback."

Hearing Fu Zongjue's words, Chen Mobai secretly broke out in a cold sweat. Fortunately, the rules of the Everlasting Sect's inheritance ground were quite stringent for cultivators from the Heavenly River Realm. Only he, being from the Immortal Sect, had a way to "milk" the Divine Trees.

"The Five Elements Sect has another inheritance secret realm left by Ancestor Yiyuan, which might also be related to the Everlasting Sect. If you ever get the chance, you could go there to meditate in seclusion and try it out," Zhou Shengqing suddenly said, making Chen Mobai's eyes widen.

"Ancestor, would that even work?"

"It wouldn't hurt to try. The 'Primordial Dao Fruit' is in that secret realm. If you can obtain that cultivation method, I'll credit you with ten million sect contribution points."

Upon hearing Zhou Shengqing's words, cold sweat appeared on Meng Hong's forehead. He cautiously reminded him, "Ancestor, the sect's current treasury of spirit stones doesn't even amount to ten million."

"It's fine, we can put it on tab. The sect already owes me several million contribution points, so another ten million won't make much difference," Zhou Shengqing retorted, leaving Meng Hong with no choice but to force a smile. Once a cultivator reached the Core Formation stage, the sect could offer little assistance; it was essentially the Core Formation cultivators who protected the sect. Especially with Zhou Shengqing nearing peak Core Formation and preparing to form his Nascent Soul, only things like the Voidstone mine and those millennium-old spirit herbs could truly entice him.

"If I get the chance in the future, I will try it," Chen Mobai said. He was now quite curious about the "Primordial Dao Fruit." After all, the Immortal Sect had never had an ascended cultivator, though the concept of ascension existed in ancient Daoist traditions. The Ascension Sect, in particular, was renowned. He wanted to understand why, in the Heavenly River Realm, reaching the peak of cultivation could lead to ascension.

"Good. It would be best if you also successfully form your core. Then, a few of us, along with Junior Brother Mo, can 'kill our way back' to the Five Elements Sect," Zhou Shengqing said directly, revealing his lingering dissatisfaction with the sect's past split.

"Young Meng is about to form his core now," Fu Zongjue reminded him.

"The Ethereal Flower and the Void-Piercing Ganoderma are both prepared for him. It's just a pity that the fourth-rank Dragon Blood Pill was snatched by Ji Zhenshi. That old fellow took it himself and broke through to late Core Formation, otherwise, it would have been a surer bet," Zhou Shengqing said irritably. He had prepared two core-forming spiritual items for Meng Hong, and had even managed to bid for a Dragon Blood Pill, which could enhance vitality and blood qi, within the Eastern Barbarian territories. Unfortunately, he was careless and Ji Zhenshi killed him and stole it.

Chen Mobai's mouth twitched slightly upon hearing this. He didn't know what a Dragon Blood Pill was. However, the Ethereal Flower and Void-Piercing Ganoderma were both primary ingredients for the Golden Liquid Jade Return Pill. To his surprise, Zhou Shengqing intended for Meng Hong to consume them raw, rather than refining them into a pill. What a waste of precious resources! But he could only pretend not to have heard. After all, even if he were given these two spirit herbs, he wouldn't be able to transform them into the Core Formation spirit medicines of the Immortal Sect.

"From now on, just focus on cultivating well within the sect," Fu Zongjue finally advised Chen Mobai earnestly. In their opinion, Chen Mobai's chances of forming his core were far greater than Meng Hong's.

"Yes," Chen Mobai replied, inwardly breathing a sigh of relief. This meant that his explanation today had convinced the two ancestors.

As they left the Divine Wood Palace, Meng Hong escorted him out and reminded him not to forget about Mu Yuan. Since it concerned his own Core Formation, Chen Mobai was naturally proactive. The very next day, he sent Luo Yixuan to find Mu Yuan and Li Yixian. The two were already waiting in Divine Wood City and arrived at Chen Mobai's courtyard in less than half an hour.

Building on Yu Lian's success, Chen Mobai once again shared his teachings, guidance, and wisdom. The Non-Phase Puppet's deduction showed that Mu Yuan could achieve Foundation Establishment in one attempt, while Li Yixian would fail. There was a significant difference in their spiritual roots. Mu Yuan's wood spiritual root was an astonishing 57 points, whereas Li Yixian only possessed ordinary three-attribute true spiritual roots. However, Li Yixian's puppets were powerful, which was why he had consistently ranked among the top three in the sect's grand competitions for the past few years. Given this, Chen Mobai could only offer as much help as possible, detailing the problems they might encounter during their breakthrough and advising them on how to resolve them.

"You don't need to have any doubts. Just be firm in your belief that you can succeed in Foundation Establishment. Take the pill and take that step," Chen Mobai told Mu Yuan. Hearing this, Mu Yuan's eyes brightened, and the confidence he had displayed while dominating the sect's Qi Cultivation disciples for years returned. Mu Yuan was naturally a very confident person, but he struggled to feel confident in Chen Mobai's presence.

"Your spiritual roots are average, and you've consumed too many pills to increase your cultivation, making your spiritual energy impure. You will likely stop at the step of condensing gas into liquid," Chen Mobai told Li Yixian frankly. Li Yixian was dejected upon hearing this but still thanked him for the guidance.

"When you find yourself unable to condense liquid spiritual energy, don't force it. Just give up naturally. Your chances of succeeding with a second Foundation Establishment Pill are still very high." This last remark from Chen Mobai lifted Li Yixian's spirits slightly. Although he couldn't enter the Divine Tree Secret Realm, as long as he could establish his foundation, he would have a chance to ascend to higher realms.

"Thank you, Martial Uncle Chen." The two then took their leave.

They were both quite convinced by Chen Mobai's assessment. Upon returning, they completely followed his instructions, refining their spiritual energy and consuming the medicinal wine to replenish blood qi.

However, it proved that success or failure was determined early on in one's cultivation journey. Due to his excellent spiritual roots, Mu Yuan's efficiency in refining spiritual energy was twice as good, so he rarely took pills to boost his cultivation. His spiritual energy was almost free of pill toxins. Furthermore, with the nourishment of the Everlasting Spiritual Energy on his body and spirit, he successfully completed the transformation of his essence, qi, and spirit in one go after taking the Foundation Establishment Pill, thus successfully establishing his foundation.

Li Yixian, on the other hand, stopped at the step of condensing gas into liquid. Due to pill toxins, his spiritual energy was unable to proceed when trying to condense the fifth drop of liquid spiritual energy. However, he remembered Chen Mobai's advice and did not force it, instead giving up naturally. His failed Foundation Establishment did not cause significant damage to his essence, qi, and spirit. Not only did it cleanse his tendons and marrow, but by experiencing the process of condensing gas into liquid once, it also forced out some pill toxins, laying a solid foundation for taking a second Foundation Establishment Pill in the future.