Chapter 329: I Have a Friend…

After Mu Yuan established his foundation, Chen Mobai also breathed a small sigh of relief. At least two fruits were now guaranteed. Although he had deduced the correlation between the Longevity Tree fruits and the wood spirit root himself, he felt confident in his findings.

Yan Jinye and Yue Zutao both had astonishing wood spirit roots, and only then had they obtained Longevity Tree fruits from the Treasure Tree. Mu Yuan's wood spirit root was no less impressive than Yue Zutao's. Based on previous experience, he was sure to get a Longevity Tree fruit, but he didn't know if it would be a small or medium-sized one. If it was a small fruit, it would be redundant for him and thus wasted. Yu Lian had his Wood Spirit Talisman, which guaranteed at least one large fruit. If Mu Yuan also received a Wood Spirit Talisman, then there would be two large fruits, which would also be redundant.

Chen Mobai was quite troubled. He thought for a moment and decided he needed to consult a professional. The top institution for spiritual plants in the Immortal Gate was undoubtedly Jumang Daoist Academy. He happened to have a good friend who was a top student at Jumang Daoist Academy.

Qing Nü: What's wrong?

Chen Mobai: I have a friend at the academy who hybridized a very interesting spiritual fruit. If consumed as a set of three, it can elevate one's cultivation realm. However, these three fruits must be consumed and refined in a small, medium, and large sequence to be effective. But despite his efforts, he only harvested three fruits: small, large, and large. I'd like to ask if one of the large fruits could be processed to reduce its spiritual efficacy, allowing it to substitute for a medium fruit.

Qing Nü: Theoretically, it's feasible. But it requires observation using high-precision magical artifact equipment. First, measure the spiritual power contained in the small and large fruits. Then, establish a growth model. Determine the curve range for a medium fruit. Finally, reduce the spiritual efficacy of the large fruit to within that curve.

Chen Mobai: Is this difficult?

Qing Nü: It's not particularly difficult. If you have samples, the model curve can be created in two or three days. However, the magical artifact equipment is quite rare. I don't know if your academy has it.

After speaking, Qing Nü also sent a link to a paper from Jumang Daoist Academy on determining the ripeness of Big Chunshen Tree fruits. It not only detailed the steps but also listed the required magical artifact equipment.

Chen Mobai: Thanks, I'll ask a teacher at the academy.

After sending a grateful emoji, Chen Mobai immediately called his familiar agriculture teacher, Lin Wenkuang. Fortunately, Wuqi Daoist Academy lived up to its reputation as the top academy in the Immortal Gate. Although it couldn't compare to Jumang Daoist Academy in spiritual plant cultivation, it possessed all the necessary magical artifact equipment.

"These were all discarded by the Immortal Gate's Agricultural Academy," Lin Wenkuang explained, "but for our academy, they are more than sufficient."

Chen Mobai followed Lin Wenkuang to the laboratory for determining the ripeness of seeds, fruits, and various other crops. A complete set of equipment was laid out there, and the usage instructions were contained in a dedicated, several-hundred-page manual. With his authority as Student Union President, applying to use this laboratory was naturally very easy. He could come whenever the academy's spiritual plant cultivation department had no classes. After completing the procedures and formalities, Lin Wenkuang directly handed the key to Chen Mobai, who also took the manual.

Chen Mobai's eagerness to learn was very strong.

However, he didn't forget the important matter. After returning to Giant Wood Ridge, he gave the Wood Spirit Talisman to Mu Yuan, as they had agreed upon when he provided guidance. Mu Yuan, being such a proud and arrogant person, would naturally not go back on his word. Fortunately, the Treasure Tree was not the Talent Tree. Otherwise, after Mu Yuan used the Wood Spirit Talisman, he would have discovered changes in his spiritual root.

However, just in case, Chen Mobai decided that after the Divine Tree Secret Realm opened, he would also enter it to observe Yu Lian and Mu Yuan and prevent any mishaps.

"The items produced by the Treasure Tree's fruits are of great use to me. But this is, after all, your opportunity. Consider this second-tier top-grade Divine Wood Shield and Spirit Leaf Talisman as my compensation to you."

Yu Lian's foundation establishment was largely due to Chen Mobai's great kindness, so his reluctance to accept gifts was understandable. However, Mu Yuan had a profound foundation himself. Even without Chen Mobai's guidance, he would very likely have succeeded in establishing his foundation after taking the Foundation Establishment Pill. Therefore, Chen Mobai felt he still needed to offer some compensation.

"I promised you; I don't need these."

However, given Mu Yuan's character, how could he accept? After taking the Wood Spirit Talisman, he immediately departed.

"With his personality, he's definitely going to suffer losses in the future."

Luo Yixuan, who was standing nearby, saw Mu Yuan leave. She pursed her lips and mumbled.

"What do you mean 'this guy'?" Chen Mobai tapped his young disciple's smooth forehead. "You should call him Senior Uncle now." After two years of getting along, Luo Yixuan had understood his personality and had become more lively, sometimes forgetting her manners. Chen Mobai, however, thought to himself that if the opportunity arose in the future, he should still offer Mu Yuan some compensation.

Good things come in pairs.

After both Yu Lian and Mu Yuan had established their foundations, Yuan Chizhi, who had disappeared before the great battle between the Divine Wood Sect and Trembling Mountain Peak, returned.

"You wouldn't believe it. I first ran to Yan Country. But then I sensed that the sect would definitely have a big battle with Trembling Mountain Peak. So I kept running, entering Xiao Country. Finally, I dashed into the Cloud Dream Lake. I encountered many powerful demonic beasts. Fortunately, I'm good at escaping. After countless hardships, I finally found the island market that the sect had established there."

E Yun personally brought Yuan Chizhi back. The three of them were in his courtyard, drinking heartily in a long-awaited reunion.

"It's good that you're back." Chen Mobai said with a smile.

"Has Senior Brother Fu returned? When we parted ways and fled for our lives, fate was uncertain. It seemed he went in the opposite direction from me, towards Frost Country."

Yuan Chizhi asked with concern. Fu Xingzhou had not yet returned, but Ancestor Fu had reached an agreement with the Blowing Snow Palace that if they found him, they would send him back as agreed.

"I hope he's safe and sound too." Yuan Chizhi and Fu Xingzhou had fought together, and he uttered a sigh of emotion.

However, the next day, Yuan Chizhi was summoned by the Sect Master to the Divine Wood Hall. It was said that Ancestor Fu was also there. Most of the cultivators dispatched by the sect during this war had returned alive; only Fu Xingzhou was still missing. After Yuan Chizhi truthfully reported everything he knew, he only received a thousand basic contribution points. However, he was promoted into the Divine Wood Hall, becoming an Elder of Internal Affairs there, which could be considered fulfilling his wish.

Subsequently, Meng Hong officially announced his resignation as Sect Master. Chu Zuoshu was designated as the next Sect Master. However, according to tradition, he still needed to formally decline the offer three times before accepting. But everyone knew he was about to become the Sect Master. Invitations to the Seven Great Sects were already being prepared. After Chu Zuoshu took charge of the Divine Wood Hall, the position of Hall Master of the Hall of Meritorious Deeds would become vacant, and Luo Xue'er and Fu Huakun both began to take action.

During one of his duties, Chen Mobai was called by Luo Xue'er for a brief talk. This Senior Sister, who was in the late stage of foundation establishment, spoke in a way that made people feel as if they were basking in a spring breeze, and she eventually asked a subtle question.

"Senior Brother Liu, who serves as the Defender of Jian Country, will complete his term next year. Is Junior Brother Chen interested?"

Defender of Jian Country? Chen Mobai was surprised to hear this. Among the four countries under the Divine Wood Sect's jurisdiction, since Giant Wood Ridge was located in Jian Country, the so-called Defender of Jian Country was actually a titular position. One could even stay within the sect for ten years and still be considered to have completed the assignment. It was precisely for this reason that the position of Defender of Jian Country had always been highly competitive. After all, for Foundation Establishment cultivators in the sect, if they wished to take up important positions in the Three Halls and Twelve Departments, they needed to have a record of serving as a Defender. Compared to Yun Country, Lei Country, and Yu Country, Jian Country was undoubtedly the easiest and best posting. Moreover, Giant Wood Ridge had abundant spiritual energy, while other places at most had third-tier spirit veins.

"If it can be achieved, that would naturally be for the best." Chen Mobai replied, as he felt that with his capabilities, becoming the Sect Master of the Divine Wood Sect in the future would be well within his reach. And to become Sect Master, one certainly needed to be promoted step by step. A ten-year record as a Defender was an unavoidable hurdle. If it could be completed within the sect without leaving, that would definitely be ideal.

"I will bring this matter up during the discussions of the Three Halls and Twelve Departments. Junior Brother Chen should also prepare early." Luo Xue'er said with a smile, then she departed.

Chen Mobai pondered for a while. He was a bit unsure and wanted to consult someone. Unfortunately, Chu Zuoshu had recently taken charge of the Divine Wood Hall. He was busy preparing to take over as Sect Master, and he was surrounded by various busybodies. Yue Zutao was still temporarily serving as Defender in Lei Country. After E Yun sent Yuan Chizhi back, he returned to Cloud Dream Lake the very next day. He was the Defender of Yun Country and was also gaining experience for his resume. After thinking it over, Chen Mobai could only go to Sun Gaochang.

"I support Inspector Fu. But Deputy Hall Master Luo's proposal also greatly interests me. I wonder if Senior Brother Sun has any advice?"

"In my opinion, Junior Brother, just support Inspector Fu. Even if your vote is added, it won't affect the overall situation."

"Oh, what do you mean by that, Senior Brother Sun?"

Chen Mobai was a bit puzzled. Sun Gaochang, however, smiled and took a sip of the new wine Chen Mobai had brought.

"If I'm not mistaken, Hall Master Chu will become the Sect Master. But the position of Hall Master of the Hall of Meritorious Deeds will likely be left vacant."

"Why is that?"

Sun Gaochang held up two fingers and pointed to the sky, then held up a third. Chen Mobai thought for a moment, and a look of realization dawned on his face. Within the sect, the Hall Master of the Divine Wood Hall was Ancestor Zhou, and the Hall Master of the Hall of Punishments was Ancestor Fu. Only the Hall Master of the Hall of Meritorious Deeds had been Chu Zuoshu previously because the sect did not have a third Core Formation cultivator. This was commonly known as "no tiger in the mountain." Now that Meng Hong had abdicated, and given his advanced age, he would definitely achieve Core Formation within a short period. If he succeeded in Core Formation, then all three Hall Masters would be Core Formation cultivators, which would establish the Divine Wood Sect's prestige, and Meng Hong would then naturally take over as Hall Master of the Hall of Meritorious Deeds. Therefore, before Meng Hong achieved Core Formation, the position of Hall Master of the Hall of Meritorious Deeds should be left vacant. If he failed to achieve Core Formation, then Meng Hong, as the former Sect Master, would certainly not take over the Hall of Meritorious Deeds; he would likely fade out and become a behind-the-scenes elder.

"Furthermore, whether Junior Brother can become the Defender of Jian Country depends on the Sect Master. Deputy Hall Master Luo proposes it, but she's not the one who makes the final decision." Sun Gaochang added that both he and Chen Mobai were direct subordinates of Chu Zuoshu, so he could speak more plainly now.

"Thank you for clearing my confusion, Senior Brother Sun." Chen Mobai left the Spiritual Plant Department, looking enlightened.

Three days later, Chu Zuoshu officially took over as the Sect Master of the Divine Wood Sect, and decrees and official documents were sent to every cultivator in the sect. However, the inauguration ceremony would be held at the beginning of next year, to give the other great sects of the Eastern Barrens time to react.

After becoming Sect Master, Chu Zuoshu became even busier. Although the war had ended, Meng Hong had cleaned up the mess before abdicating. So Chu Zuoshu only needed to distribute compensation to the injured and deceased disciples, but this was also the most troublesome task. Especially for those disciples whose spiritual veins had been poisoned by the Vein-Shattering Beads' toxic gas, although the Alchemy Department had put all its effort into treatment, many still suffered damage to their foundations, and it was estimated they would lose two or three years of cultivation time. For young cultivators, it wasn't a major issue. But for those aiming to compete for core discipleship, it was very likely they would miss the Foundation Establishment Pill because of this.

Xie Yuntian of the Sword Practice Department proposed delaying the refinement of Foundation Establishment Pills by three years. Chu Zuoshu found this proposal reasonable. However, there were also many who opposed it, and he became somewhat indecisive. Consequently, the Three Halls and Twelve Departments began to argue over this matter. In this war between the two sects, disciples from the Sword Practice, Body Cultivation, and Formation Departments were practically all dispatched to Lei Country. The impact of the Vein-Shattering Beads was severe for them. For the future of their department's disciples, the heads of these three departments were willing to cast aside all dignity.

It was quite interesting to see cultivators argue. However, Chen Mobai only heard about this from Xi Yisheng. As Deputy Head of the Sword Practice Department, he happened to be qualified to attend as an observer.

And just as the higher echelons of the Divine Wood Sect began to argue over this matter, Yu Lian and Mu Yuan finally awaited the opening of the Divine Tree Secret Realm. Because Lu Yi of the Merit Transmission Department used this matter as an excuse, he first withdrew from the ongoing argument. Chen Mobai, who had been waiting for this day for a long time, went to the Divine Tree Secret Realm in advance to wait. His true body was before the Treasure Tree, and his Formless Puppet was before the Talent Tree, all to prevent any mishaps.

In the sky, silver light flickered, and then the void seemed to crack open like a dark lightning bolt, revealing a jagged fissure. Two figures descended from this void fissure. They were Yu Lian and Mu Yuan. After they entered, they immediately controlled their magical artifacts to stop their descent, then landed in the dense forest.

Chen Mobai waited for three days and finally awaited Yu Lian's arrival. He was very obedient. Before the Treasure Tree, he directly took out the Wood Spirit Talisman and activated it. Then he vanished from the spot. When he reappeared, he held an unopened yellow fruit in his hand. Curiosity was on Yu Lian's face; however, he ultimately did not open the fruit. Instead, he put it into his storage bag. Then he flew towards the Talent Tree.

Chen Mobai nodded, but in his heart, he wondered why Mu Yuan still hadn't arrived. He waited for a full five days. Neither before the Treasure Tree nor the Talent Tree did he see Mu Yuan arrive. Could he have gone to the Great Dao Tree and been directly teleported out after the trial? Chen Mobai thought of this possibility, and sweat instantly beaded on his forehead. He felt that given Mu Yuan's personality, it was indeed possible. Could he really fail at the last step in a place like this?

Chen Mobai gritted his teeth, took out a communication talisman, and began searching for Mu Yuan. He found that it actually worked, which meant Mu Yuan was still within the Divine Tree Secret Realm. What exactly was he doing then? Chen Mobai, who had breathed a sigh of relief, had already seen Yu Lian in front of the Talent Tree. Holding this doubt, he followed the communication talisman and flew towards Mu Yuan's location.