Chapter 34: Receiving the Flight

Chen Baolan was the uncle who, due to his exceptionally handsome looks, nearly debuted as an online celebrity. His spiritual root aptitude was similar to Chen Xinglan's, but unburdened by love or family, he reached the peak of Qi Cultivation Layer 9 ten years ago and attempted Foundation Establishment, though unfortunately he failed.

As for Chen Yulan, she married a wealthy local merchant and had one daughter.

"When is Uncle Baolan coming back?" Tang Pancui asked. Among the three siblings, only Chen Baolan was away all year; his return would complete their family gathering.

"His flight is the day after tomorrow morning, arriving in the afternoon. I've already told Yulan. We'll have dinner at our place the day after tomorrow night, as a farewell for me."

"Pfft, pfft, pfft, don't talk about farewells, that's bad luck!"

Listening to his parents' conversation, Chen Mobai wondered what he could do.

"Oh, Dad, I still have a bottle of 'Qi Replenishing Spirit Water' that I managed to buy. You can take it to Chixia Academy too." He remembered the unused bottle he had and immediately took it out of his backpack.

"Oh, you're lucky to get your hands on this. But your bottle is a Tier 1 Mid-grade. For someone at Qi Cultivation Layer 9, it can only shorten the cultivation time by two or three days. You should keep it for yourself." Chen Xinglan took it, glanced at it, shook his head, and handed it back to Chen Mobai.

"Qi Replenishing Spirit Water" is the most traded medicinal item in the Immortal Sect annually. It comes in two tiers and six grades, with varying prices, suitable for cultivators at different stages of Qi Cultivation and Foundation Establishment.

Chen Xinglan was at Qi Cultivation Layer 9. This Tier 1 Mid-grade "Qi Replenishing Spirit Water" was ten times more effective for Chen Mobai but only two or three times effective for him.

"Don't worry, Dad. For the past two years, whenever I had free time, I've been keeping an eye on the flagship stores of those large pharmacies. As soon as a Tier 1 High-grade Qi Replenishing Spirit Water becomes available, I'll snatch it up." At this moment, Chen Mobai regretted not using Gui Bao to access the Immortal Sect network. Although the high clearance on the Immortal Sect network wasn't particularly useful since it still required quick purchasing, at least flagship stores would give advance notice of when items would be stocked. You just had to wait for the exact time and compete with other users based on speed and luck.

"I'm happy you have that thought, but your own cultivation is the most important thing. Besides, didn't you say you're going to the Grand Dao Academy? You'll be leaving Danxia City then."

"Can't I just mail it to you after I get it?" Chen Mobai grumbled, though he knew Chen Xinglan was speaking the truth.

"The most important thing in cultivation is single-mindedness. If your mind is preoccupied with trying to purchase Qi Replenishing Spirit Water every day, it will surely delay your cultivation. That would only make me feel guilty, and such a state of mind influencing your spiritual energy would definitely lead to failure in Foundation Establishment." Chen Xinglan said solemnly, making Chen Mobai nod in agreement that if he got into a good academy, he would prioritize his own cultivation.

However, as he spoke, his thoughts drifted to the girl in the white nurse's uniform.

"By the way, last time I saw staff bottling Qi Replenishing Spirit Water at the Evergreen Pharmacy at the street corner. Can we buy it directly there?" Chen Mobai asked his parents.

"Don't even think about it," his mother replied. "The owner of Evergreen Pharmacy is a Foundation Establishment cultivator and a Tier 2 alchemist certified by the Immortal Sect. He has already signed a twenty-year supply agreement with Danxia City's largest pharmacy, Baoping Pharmacy. All elixirs and spirit waters he refines can only be exclusively supplied to Baoping Pharmacy; he can't even sell them in his own shop."

As expected, his mother was very knowledgeable about local matters. Tang Pancui's words made Chen Mobai feel disheartened.

"He's already a Foundation Establishment cultivator, how could he still 'sell himself' like that!"

"What do you know?" Tang Pancui retorted. "Baoping Pharmacy has distribution authorization from Jumang Dao Academy and is a nationwide chain. Alchemists need vast amounts of materials to improve. Without aligning with a large pharmacy, how would they get the opportunities to practice?" Tang Pancui clearly knew a lot, and she spat before beginning to lecture Chen Mobai.

After hearing this, Chen Mobai completely gave up hope. He had initially thought he might find a channel to purchase "Qi Replenishing Spirit Water."

"So, Dad, have you exchanged for the Foundation Establishment chapter of the Blazing Fire Art?" He remembered this and asked. This cultivation technique from Chixia Academy could be cultivated up to the Core Formation stage and was focused on artifact refining.

"I exchanged for it the day I broke through to Qi Cultivation Layer 9. By the way, son, have you decided on a cultivation technique for after Qi Cultivation Layer 7? Are you still sticking with the Five Elements Art?"

Chen Mobai naturally didn't hide anything from his parents, telling them he had chosen the Pure Yang Scroll. However, he didn't mention that he had already exchanged for it, as 10,000 points was not a small sum, and it would be difficult to explain, so he simply omitted it.

"Oh, son, your ambitions are quite grand. Actually, the two major academies in our Danxia City originated from the Pure Yang Palace. If I cultivate my Blazing Fire Art to its peak, it can also lead to the path of the Pure Yang Scroll. However, cultivating the Pure Yang Dharma Body is truly tormenting. You must think this through carefully." When Chen Xinglan was at Chixia Academy, he had seen many fellow students cultivate the Pure Yang Dharma Body, but very few succeeded.

"If one can form the Three-Yang Body for Foundation Establishment, it increases the success rate by ten percent. That's why I'm cultivating it," Chen Mobai explained his reasoning. His lifelong dream had always been to successfully achieve Foundation Establishment. While cultivating the Pure Yang Dharma Body was time-consuming, it could increase a cultivator's success rate when breaking through major stages. Now that he had obtained the tortoise shell's fortuitous encounter, he was confident he could reach the peak of Qi Cultivation Layer 9 before turning 60. He decided to put some effort into increasing the Foundation Establishment success rate. If he could find enough spirit stones in the Sky River Realm, then the Pure Yang Scroll would be the most suitable cultivation technique for him.

"In that case, I won't say anything more. How about this: I'll have your mother transfer 10,000 merit points to you." Immortal Sect regulations stated that everyone's cultivation points were personal and could not be shared. However, merit points could be transferred. Chen Xinglan asked Tang Pancui to transfer 10,000 to Chen Mobai so he could accumulate the necessary points in his account to exchange for the Pure Yang Qi Cultivation chapter.

"No, thanks. You're about to go to Chixia Academy for Foundation Establishment, which is exactly when you'll need merit points. I've only just reached Qi Cultivation Layer 6; it's still too early for me to break through to the late Qi Cultivation stage. Besides, when I need merit points, I'll naturally ask Mom..." After much persuasion, Chen Mobai finally stopped Chen Xinglan from acting as if he was making final arrangements.

The family of three chatted for a while longer until Chen Mobai was almost late for the last bus to school, at which point his parents finally ushered him out the door.

That day after school, Chen Mobai didn't go to the Water Mansion.

The family was rarely all together. Tang Pancui left work early, bought many ingredients, and showcased her cooking skills. Chen Xinglan, in high spirits, even drank two bottles of wine. Chen Mobai didn't like the smell of alcohol but still shared two drinks with his father.

After classes on the third day, Chen Mobai dropped all pretense and directly skipped the school's cultivation room. He was going to the airport to pick up his uncle, Chen Baolan.

He still used his student card and took public transport. But as soon as he entered the airport, he noticed something was off. Why were there so many people!