Chapter 339: Breakthrough

Chen Mobai naturally shook his head, refusing Che Yucheng's proposal.

"Teacher, although I've achieved a lot in swordsmanship, I truly prefer the path of puppetry. So, I think transferring to the Sword Control Department isn't for me."

Chen Mobai knew full well how he had achieved the "Sword Rainbow Spectrum" and "Sword Light Transformation" realms. Compared to Zhai Jianbai, he was merely a "fake" sword genius. Being around Zuo Gong, a Core Formation sword cultivator, for years would likely expose his secret, so it was best to keep his distance.

"Alright, I was just making a suggestion."

Upon hearing Chen Mobai's refusal, Che Yucheng's face showed a relieved expression. This disciple was so outstanding that Che Yucheng felt a bit at a loss. He would feel quite guilty if Chen Mobai's talents were truly held back in the Puppetry Department.

After bidding farewell, Chen Mobai headed to the student council. Under Hua Zijing's watchful gaze, he wryly resolved the accumulated student council matters that required his personal presence or signature.

"Alright, this is as far as I can go with you. From now on, you're on your own."

After all the year-end tasks were completed, Hua Zijing stretched and announced her resignation. They were in the conference room, where most of the student council's executive members were present.

"You've worked tirelessly these past two years."

After receiving the documents, Chen Mobai expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Hua Zijing. Without her help as vice-president and secretary-general, he would have been utterly overwhelmed at the start.

"It was merely my duty."

Hua Zijing waved her hand, then picked up the white cat lounging on the conference table, cradling it as she entered relaxation mode. The semester would also conclude in two months.

Since Chen Mobai became president, one of the three vice-presidents, Shen Yourui, had already graduated last year. The new addition was Ying Sizhen from the Alchemy Department, who was now successfully managing communications with the Alchemy and Spiritual Plant departments. With Hua Zijing's resignation, only Ming Yu remained from the three vice-presidents appointed by the former president, Zuo Qiushi. However, Ming Yu was a ninth-year student and would also be stepping down around this time next year.

"After Zijing graduates, Zhuang Jialan can take over the secretariat. And for the vice-president position, what about Lu Tiansuan?" Chen Mobai tapped the table and announced the appointments that the student council members had previously discussed.

Hua Zijing served as both vice-president and head of the secretariat. Zhuang Jialan's qualifications were not yet sufficient; promoting her directly to vice-president would spark gossip within the academy, implying nepotism. Lu Tiansuan was the first student council member Chen Mobai had met, and like Ming Yu, he was set to graduate next year. His qualifications were sufficient; though his communication skills were somewhat lacking, he was a pragmatic individual. The majority of the student council voted in favor of him serving as the third vice-president.

Thus, at this meeting, the new student council team was officially formed. However, this particular team would only be effective for one year. Chen Mobai, realizing he still had three years until graduation, felt the need to recruit more members.

"Brothers and sisters, the student council is recruiting new members this year. If anyone is interested, with me as president, you're guaranteed great benefits!" In the Cultivation Class's communication group, Chen Mobai began reaching out to his closest acquaintances in the academy.

"Hold on, brother, I'll join when I return at the end of the year." The first to respond, naturally, was Ming Yihua. He had spent the year away, following the academy's main contingent in refining large magical artifacts, but his task was finally nearing completion.

"What kind of benefits?" The group immediately buzzed with questions. Chen Mobai forwarded the exact same persuasive message he had used for Zhuang Jialan, and soon three individuals expressed their definite interest in such a good opportunity. These were Gong Ranran, Li Zimo, and Fan Yuanpu. After achieving Foundation Establishment, they realized they didn't have enough academic credits and were quite worried. Since the student council offered legitimate credit benefits, they all responded with enthusiasm.

Yun Yangbing, however, privately informed Chen Mobai that he would be traveling with his teacher throughout the immortal sect's territories starting next year. His task would be to map a specific area of the sect while appreciating the scenery, so he wouldn't be able to formally join the student council. Chen Mobai understood. Besides Yun Yangbing, Jin Shuwei, a student from the Formation Department, had also received a map surveying assignment. Both of them would be leaving the academy with their mentors for practical training. The three major departments of the Wuwu Daoist Academy—Formation, Artifact Refining, and Alchemy—all heavily emphasize practical application, advocating learning by doing. Therefore, they all offer these internship-like courses. True improvement, however, requires participation in such activities; working in isolation is not advisable.

In addition to those mentioned, Lan Yufan and Lu Zixuan had also successfully achieved Foundation Establishment. However, since their breakup, these two had not spoken in the group chat.

Just as Chen Mobai was about to close the chat, Lan Yufan suddenly messaged him privately: "Has Lu Zixuan joined the student council?"

"No. Why? Are you trying to avoid her?"

Chen Mobai, being astute, immediately guessed Lan Yufan's intentions upon seeing his message.

"Hmm, if she's not joining, then I'll come to the student council just for the fun of it."

"Alright, I'll send an application form in the group later. Just download it, fill it out, and email it directly to the student council." Chen Mobai now simply wanted as many student council members as possible to help shoulder the bulk of the responsibilities that would fall on him after Hua Zijing's graduation. After posting the application form and email address in the group, he instructed Zhuang Jialan, who managed the student council's email, about the matter and then left it at that.

He then became busy helping people appraise the Profound Artifact Orbs. As he was soon to lead a team to Jumang Daoist Academy, he might not be in the Myriad Treasures Cave at year-end, so he decided to move the appraisal process forward to the present. In any case, there was no harm in appraising them first before opening.

His reputation for the Void Insight Eye had already been established. As soon as the announcement was made, many Foundation Establishment cultivators who had missed out last year flocked to the student council's entrance, each carrying a sack full of Profound Artifact Orbs. Naturally, those from the Cultivation Class with connections were the first to have their orbs appraised. As newly established Foundation Establishment cultivators, they were entitled to one free artifact shard. This year, after searching extensively in the Myriad Treasures Cave and leveraging Chen Mobai's connections for free access to the Myriad Treasures Map, each of them brought three or four Profound Artifact Orbs. After Chen Mobai appraised each orb, Gong Ranran and Fan Yuanpu were overjoyed, as their orbs yielded top-grade second-tier magical artifacts on the spot. The other four, however, were persuaded by Chen Mobai not to use their artifact shards yet, as the items they had found were quite ordinary.

After assisting his peers from the Cultivation Class, Chen Mobai began his regular appraisal service. The only difference was that Zhuang Jialan had replaced Hua Zijing as the doorkeeper. Foundation Establishment cultivators entered one after another, some beaming with joy, others looking utterly dejected. However, compared to simply opening the orbs and receiving ordinary or unsuitable second-tier magical artifacts, at least they now had the opportunity to choose anew.

Since artifact shards could only be redeemed at year-end, even those Foundation Establishment cultivators who had identified desirable magical artifacts couldn't open them immediately. After everyone's orbs had been appraised, Chen Mobai organized an exchange session. He highlighted several well-appraised magical artifacts whose attributes were unsuitable for their current owners and introduced them to others who might find them useful. Through this exchange, most participants acquired magical artifacts they were satisfied with. The remaining few could only chalk it up to bad luck and had to return to various parts of the Myriad Treasures Cave to search for something suitable before the end of the year.

After this appraisal session, Chen Mobai's account was credited with 186 academic credits, a full 100 more than the previous year. Appraising one Profound Artifact Orb earned one academic credit. Having established his reputation last year, he finally reaped a significant harvest this year, a trend he expected to continue and grow over the next three years. It was quite exhausting, though. Continuously activating his Void Insight Eye consumed immense spiritual sense and energy. It was only thanks to his Clear-sighted Bamboo Spirit Dew and the warm currents from the Evergreen Tree Sap that he was able to complete all appraisals within three days. Otherwise, it would have been impossible.

Chen Mobai felt distressed when he lacked academic credits. But he felt even more distressed when he had academic credits he couldn't spend. Chen Mobai realized this wouldn't do. Since Wang Xingyu was in seclusion for Foundation Establishment, he would likely need Qing Nu's help to refine the three bamboo fruits he possessed. This meant he should ideally exchange for the remaining medicinal ingredients before leaving for Jumang Daoist Academy. However, the time was not yet ripe, and Luo Hezheng, the impartial keeper of the academy's treasury, would not make an exception for anyone.

With no other option, Chen Mobai sought out Che Yucheng.

"Teacher," Chen Mobai began, "I believe it's essential for those representing the academy in upcoming exchanges and competitions to acquire some medicinal pills and spiritual items beforehand. After all, we embody the prestige of Wuwu Daoist Academy. If these elixirs help us achieve breakthroughs, we might just bring great honor to the academy during the events."

Chen Mobai was naturally too embarrassed to admit he wanted to redeem Vermillion Fruits for himself. Instead, he devised a grand excuse that also garnered the signed approval of most students. Che Yucheng looked at the application form, signed by the entire student council and numerous Foundation Establishment cultivators within the academy, a hint of a smile appearing in his eyes.

"I will bring this up at this week's faculty meeting," Che Yucheng stated. "If it passes by a show of hands, Luo Hezheng will no longer obstruct you."

Che Yucheng always handled matters with a balanced approach and integrity. While he could, as Director of Academic Affairs, compel Luo Hezheng to comply, he chose not to. In fact, to avoid any perception of impropriety, he might even vote against the proposal. Chen Mobai was somewhat perplexed, but Che Yucheng's next sentence made his eyes light up.

"Making an exception just for your small team might be difficult to pass in the meeting," Che Yucheng explained. "However, if we use your team as the reason to open this year's academy treasury exchanges early for all students, I imagine no one would object."

Chen Mobai immediately grasped the implication in Che Yucheng's words. A vote by show of hands meant the majority ruled! As long as the matter benefited the majority, it would undoubtedly succeed.

Upon returning to the student council, Chen Mobai immediately explained the situation and instructed the Foundation Establishment cultivators from various departments who had appraised valuable items to persuade their respective mentors and department heads. Consequently, at the weekend faculty meeting, Luo Hezheng watched in bewilderment as nearly seventy percent of the teachers in the large conference room raised their hands in approval, passing the application to open the academy's treasury exchanges earlier this year.

"Teacher Luo, I'd like three Vermillion Fruits, one Minor Barrier-Breaking Pill, and one liter of Qi Replenishing Spirit Water," Chen Mobai said.

Chen Mobai, naturally, was the first to hear the news and rush to make his exchange.

"You rascal..." Luo Hezheng, seeing Chen Mobai, could only shake his head. He then opened the storeroom and retrieved the requested items. Under Luo Hezheng's watchful eye, Chen Mobai then harvested three Vermillion Fruits from the academy.

With both main ingredients for the Clear-sighted Bamboo Spirit Dew now ready, Chen Mobai immediately took a trip back to Xiaonan Mountain.

"Xuan'er," he said, "I need you to collect three sets of these medicinal ingredients for me. Your senior brother usually handles this, but he's currently in seclusion recovering, so I'm entrusting this task to you."

Luo Yixuan's efficiency in managing tasks proved to be even greater than Liu Wenbo's. She left with the list of medicinal ingredients in the morning and returned with three large bags in the afternoon.

"How were you so quick?" Chen Mobai inspected the three sets of auxiliary ingredients, confirmed their excellent quality, and couldn't help but look puzzled. Liu Wenbo typically needed about a week to purchase and gather all such ingredients in Shenmu City.

"Master," she explained, "I went to Inspector Sun of the Spiritual Plant Department and told him about it. He then wrote a note for me to give to a senior sister who manages the medicinal ingredient inventory there. She quickly prepared everything according to my list. Of course, I paid for them with my sect contributions; I didn't take them for free in your name, Master."

After hearing Luo Yixuan's explanation, Chen Mobai couldn't help but express his amazement. Compared to the modest and gentlemanly Liu Wenbo, she was indeed more clever and capable. The Spiritual Plant Department managed all the medicinal fields in Giant Wood Ridge and continuously acquired spiritual medicines cultivated by various immortal cultivation families across the four countries under the Divine Wood Sect. Throughout the entire Eastern Wilderness, only Huigu Valley could rival its vast inventory of medicinal ingredients. It was precisely by leveraging this resource that Zeng Woyou was able to become a third-tier alchemist.

Previously, to avoid exposure, Chen Mobai had always tried to have Liu Wenbo gather these items from the open market. He had developed a habitual way of thinking and hadn't adapted to the new circumstances. He was now a prominent direct descendant of the Divine Wood Sect's new sect master, so purchasing medicinal ingredients from the Spiritual Plant Department was entirely normal. Moreover, even if his pill formula was exposed, he had already laid the groundwork through Yan Jinye, suggesting he possessed an alchemist's inheritance, and many likely already suspected as much. He could simply present it as pursuing alchemy in addition to his current pursuits of swordsmanship and cultivation.

After praising Luo Yixuan, Chen Mobai took the ingredients and went into seclusion once more. He returned to Wuwu Daoist Academy, symbolically booked a room, and pretended to consume a Minor Barrier-Breaking Pill. Since his Dantian Qi Sea had already been cultivated to the peak of the Foundation Establishment realm, his Pure Yang Scroll advanced from the second to the third layer of Foundation Establishment as easily and smoothly as drinking water. All that was required was a sufficient quantity of Pure Yang spiritual energy. After his breakthrough, Chen Mobai placed the Minor Barrier-Breaking Pill back into his storage pouch.

He had only reached the second layer of the Pure Yang Scroll Foundation Establishment late last year. Although breaking through one layer per year was considered a normal pace, Chen Mobai, with only ten months having passed, still preferred not to reveal too much. While using a Minor Barrier-Breaking Pill for an early breakthrough would cause some surprise, it would still fall within acceptable bounds. After all, "Sword Light Transformation" could be attributed to astonishing comprehension, but progressing from the second layer of Foundation Establishment to its peak within a single year would defy explanation, even from a Soul Transformation ancestor. As long as his spiritual realm progression matched Zhongli Tianyu's, he wouldn't draw undue attention.

Thinking of Zhongli Tianyu, Chen Mobai realized he had an appointment to meet him.