Chapter 341: Eight-Trigram Mirror Fragments

This offline sparring event at the Daoist Academies is an exchange meant to showcase the future of the Immortal Sect's top universities. Therefore, it naturally requires the most outstanding talents currently enrolled to be presented.

While Chen Mobai was confident in his combat prowess, his cultivation level was still somewhat low. The chief disciples of the other three academies were all prodigies who had reached Foundation Establishment before even enrolling. Two years prior, they had already broken through to Foundation Establishment Layer 7, which led Zuoqiu Shi to feel he could no longer compete, prompting him to step down and make way for others.

However, the Sect Scion from Jumang Daoist Academy and Daoist Master Ling from Butian Daoist Academy are both in their tenth year and are set to graduate, just like Hua Zijing. Prodigies of their caliber will naturally seek to acquire the Golden Liquid Jade Return Pill, aiming for the highest probability of forming a Gold Core, and will not remain in the academies to waste their time.

It was precisely for this reason that when Chunyang Academy proposed the offline exchange, both academies readily agreed. Their minimum goal was to suppress Wuqi Daoist Academy once more before their graduation.

Naturally, the offline exchange had another objective: to introduce the academies' next generation of chief disciples to the wider world. Chen Mobai, still in his prime, has three years until graduation, but this doesn't deter him from grooming another next-generation chief disciple who can represent the academy.

Having spent two years in the student council, he initially found it quite interesting. However, now considering Hua Zijing's impending graduation and Zhuang Jialan's current stage of development, he expects to be extremely busy over the next three years, prompting him to consider stepping down.

Nonetheless, the title of the academy's chief disciple must not be sullied by his chosen successor. He needed to select a formidable character, capable of commanding respect from the other Daoist Academies.

After careful consideration, Zhongli Tianyu emerged as the only viable candidate. His progress was astonishing; this year alone, he had already broken through to Foundation Establishment Layer 7. With the Nascent Soul legacy artifact, the Cantong Qi, and the ample resources from his academy-affiliated family, he advanced a layer each year, proving even more prodigious than the Sect Scion and the other two.

Among the remaining students at Wuqi Daoist Academy, Hua Zijing and Ming Yu were the highest-level cultivators, both at Foundation Establishment Layer 6. Their achievement of such a level, beyond their inherent talent and powerful spiritual roots, was primarily due to leveraging student council resources to earn more credits than other students.

Ming Yu, in particular, even before Chen Mobai became president, had privately accumulated an unknown amount of merit points by cultivating Spirit Eye techniques and assisting others in appraising artifact-containing orbs.

However, upon reaching Foundation Establishment Layer 6, both of them found themselves stuck. In fact, ninety-nine percent of the academy's students are unable to break through to Foundation Establishment Layer 7 before graduation, with only one or two managing it every decade on average.

These individuals are considered true Dao Seeds, highly favored to form Gold Cores. This is precisely why Zuoqiu Shi effortlessly joined the Immortal Sect's Law Enforcement Department after his graduation.

Che Yucheng informed Chen Mobai of Zhongli Tianyu's breakthrough to Foundation Establishment Layer 7. Che Yucheng had initially intended to publicize this news with a campus-wide announcement.

After all, this represented Wuqi Daoist Academy's burgeoning prosperity, with talented students emerging one after another, hinting at a promising future.

However, Zhongli Tianyu disagreed, preferring not to draw attention to himself.

He only informed Che Yucheng because Che Yucheng shared a close relationship with the Zhongli family patriarch. Before Zhongli Tianyu even arrived at the academy, the patriarch had instructed him to consult Che Yucheng for any matters.

There was also another matter: three fragments of the Zhongli Bagua Mirror were concealed within the Myriad Treasures Cave. Zhongli Tianyu was entitled to receive clues for one fragment from Che Yucheng upon breaking through to Foundation Establishment Layer 4, then again at Layer 7, and finally upon graduation.

A few days prior, Che Yucheng had just informed Zhongli Tianyu about the second fragment. This was how Chen Mobai learned of Zhongli Tianyu's whereabouts.

He had actually visited that location before.

Using a minor teleportation talisman, Chen Mobai returned to the Myriad Treasures Cave and greeted Zhuang Jialan at the entrance. "Is the President heading deeper into the Myriad Treasures Cave?" she asked. "Yes, I need to meet someone," he replied. "Do you need me to accompany you?"

Chen Mobai waved his hand, signaling that he would go alone.

In his seven years at the academy, he had only met Zhongli Tianyu once, at the start of the academic year. He knew Zhongli Tianyu had a peculiar temperament, and their current meeting might well escalate into a serious fight. If Zhuang Jialan were to accompany him, it would inevitably restrict his actions.

Furthermore, he felt it best that no third party witness his sparring session with Zhongli Tianyu, to spare Zhongli Tianyu any potential embarrassment.

After entering the main cavern of the Myriad Treasures Cave on his Crimson Cloud Smoke Gauze, Chen Mobai called Mi Yudao.

"'Senior Brother Mi, that artifact-containing orb you found within the fire spirit tree might be opened today,' Chen Mobai said. Upon hearing this, Mi Yudao immediately stated he would come over."

He had previously discovered an artifact-containing orb lodged between the roots of a fire spirit tree and some shattered rocks. Chen Mobai identified it as a formation plate. However, apart from this one, another such orb was actually located inside the fire spirit tree's trunk.

Chen Mobai's Void-piercing Spirit Eye couldn't even see through that particular orb. He had initially believed it was due to interference from multiple energies, but now he realized it contained a sealed fragment of the Zhongli Bagua Mirror.

This magical artifact was Fifth-Tier in its prime. Although his Void-piercing Spirit Eye was well-trained, it was incapable of seeing through an item of such a high tier, even a mere fragment.

After waiting for Mi Yudao at the cave entrance, Chen Mobai and he entered together.

They traveled for five or six hundred meters, eventually arriving back at the location of the fire spirit tree.

A young man, dressed in a white short-sleeved shirt with a bowl cut and bangs obscuring his eyes, had just reached into the tree trunk and retrieved the artifact-containing orb that sealed the Bagua Mirror fragment.

Mi Yudao naturally recognized Zhongli Tianyu. He opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to speak, then hesitated, only to appear on the verge of speaking again. Finally, he sighed, not daring to utter a single word.

"'Don't you two know the rules? I've already claimed this cave,' Zhongli Tianyu said coldly, turning to face them after retrieving the artifact-containing orb."

"'That artifact-containing orb was registered by Senior Brother Mi in our student council's Myriad Treasures Map,' Chen Mobai said. 'It merely contains a sealed formation plate, unrelated to your Bagua Mirror, and it's a living seal. We hope you won't disrupt the flow of spiritual energy nearby.'"

Chen Mobai pointed to the artifact-containing orb nestled between the fire spirit tree's roots and the shattered rocks, then gestured to Mi Yudao, explaining that he was the initial discoverer. He implied that, by the rules, if Zhongli Tianyu also wished to take it, a small compensation of merit points would be appropriate.

"'I'm not interested in that,' Zhongli Tianyu replied. Having secured the Bagua Mirror fragment, he didn't even spare a glance for the other artifact-containing orb that contained the formation plate."

Just as Mi Yudao let out a breath of relief, Zhongli Tianyu pointed towards the cave entrance, gesturing for them to leave.

"'Now that our official business is concluded, I have a personal matter to discuss,' Chen Mobai began, using the orb as an opener before getting straight to the point. 'I wonder, Student Zhongli, if you'd be interested in participating in this offline exchange event at the Daoist Academies?'"

"'No interest,' Zhongli Tianyu replied, not even looking directly at Chen Mobai or Mi Yudao. 'Since I'm in a good mood today, disappear from my sight immediately. Don't make me personally remove you.' His eyes, concealed beneath his bangs, remained fixed on the artifact-containing orb in his hand. A Bagua Mirror, appearing as though it had been shattered and then reassembled, materialized in his palm."

The moment the mirror appeared, the previously unmoving artifact-containing orb began to emit tendrils of firelight. These then surfaced on its spherical surface, forming a 'Li' trigram.

At that very moment, the Six Yang Divine Fire Mirror within Chen Mobai's Dantian Qi Sea suddenly began to vibrate, as if it had encountered a primal power that greatly attracted it.

Within the Immortal Sect, particularly in the academies, there was no concern about treasure snatching. Thus, Chen Mobai did not hold back and promptly released his Six Yang Divine Fire Mirror.

The bronze mirror instantly erupted with a radiant Yang firelight, seemingly intent on drawing in the 'Li' trigram from the orb's surface.

"'Are you seeking death?' Zhongli Tianyu exclaimed, misunderstanding the situation as he witnessed it. However, he finally lifted his head and looked at Chen Mobai."

His bangs parted, revealing a pair of eyes as dark as ink and as deep as the night sky. Faint Bagua symbols swirled within them, manifesting wind and thunder.

"'My apologies, my natal artifact seems to have some connection with your Bagua Mirror, causing it to momentarily act beyond my control,' Chen Mobai explained, simultaneously reaching out to halt his Six Yang Divine Fire Mirror. His objective, however, had already been achieved."

"'Senior Brother Mi, why don't you head back first?' Chen Mobai suddenly asked, turning to Mi Yudao. The latter hesitated for a moment but, recalling his friend's combat prowess, eventually nodded."

"'Be careful,' Mi Yudao cautioned. 'I'll wait for you at the student council. If you're not back tonight, I'll inform Director Che about this.' Mi Yudao's words made Chen Mobai chuckle involuntarily."

Although Zhongli Tianyu was at Foundation Establishment Layer 7, he was certainly no match for Chen Mobai. Nevertheless, Mi Yudao's concern was genuine, so Chen Mobai didn't elaborate further, merely waving him off to leave first, so as not to interfere with their sparring.

"'Hmph, don't worry, at most I'll just teach him a lesson,' Zhongli Tianyu scoffed. As he spoke, he raised his right hand, and a stream of verdant qi coalesced in his palm, instantly transforming into a crescent-shaped arc blade which he then slashed towards Chen Mobai."

"'Does Student Zhongli not recognize me?' Chen Mobai wondered, finding it peculiar. In the Immortal Sect, no Foundation Establishment cultivator dared to use such a probing move against him anymore."

He didn't even resort to his sword light. Instead, the Yi Wood Divine Thunder erupted from his palm, a flash of green lightning that, while shattering the qi arc blade, also struck towards Zhongli Tianyu's forehead.

Zzzzz! Yet, a purple bolt of lightning flashed into existence before Zhongli Tianyu's forehead, completely absorbing and dissipating the Yi Wood Divine Thunder.

"'Your lightning spell is well-practiced, but I am the Thunder Emperor,' Zhongli Tianyu declared. As he spoke, he formed a phantom grip with his right hand, and a purple bolt of lightning, sharp as a blade, condensed in his palm, taking the form of a long spear which he then hurled towards Chen Mobai."

With a thunderous roar, the ancient cave, whose age was unknown, began to tremble from the force of the lightning spear.

Chen Mobai frowned, intending to leave a profound impression on Zhongli Tianyu. He resolved to inflict a complete defeat upon him, specifically in the lightning arts, Zhongli Tianyu's greatest strength.

He elevated the power of his Yi Wood Divine Thunder to the peak of Tier 2. Green electric light extended and condensed in his palm, forming a web of lightning. With his perfect comprehension of this lightning spell, the power was precisely calibrated to ensnare the purple lightning spear.

After experiencing it firsthand, Chen Mobai felt that Zhongli Tianyu's lightning spell seemed even grander than his own, specializing in destruction and annihilation with a terrifying power of obliteration. Could it possibly be the renowned Purple Firmament Divine Thunder?

Even as he pondered, the two opposing lightning forces, under his precise control, simultaneously dissipated into thin air.

This indicated that the power of his Yi Wood Divine Thunder and the Lightning Spear were perfectly balanced and equal.

Zhongli Tianyu's eyes widened sharply at the sight. Coincidence? He certainly didn't believe it was entirely within Chen Mobai's control, but at this moment, he realized that this individual, whose cultivation was far inferior to his own, seemed remarkably potent.

"'You are fortunate to witness my complete form,' Zhongli Tianyu declared, finally growing serious. The 'Xun' and 'Zhen' trigrams manifested within his eyes, hidden beneath his bangs. Then, he abruptly vanished from his position."

"'Impressive speed,' Chen Mobai commented. Having endured countless battles, his grueling fight with Lu Qiulong had particularly sharpened his experience against high-speed adversaries."

After offering a compliment, he flicked his right thumb backward. A burst of green electric light erupted like a drill. Zhongli Tianyu, who had moved behind Chen Mobai, looked stunned as he was struck by the Yi Wood Divine Thunder. Yet, a purple lightning bolt instantly flashed forth, blocking the electric discharge.

In a flash, the electric light and lightning erupted into a blinding brilliance. Just as Zhongli Tianyu expected a massive explosion, both forces abruptly dissipated into nothingness once more.

What kind of monster is this guy?! After this happened twice in a row, Zhongli Tianyu finally grasped the terrifying extent of Chen Mobai's abilities.

This person's combat ability was completely toying with him. But Zhongli Tianyu was an exceedingly proud individual. The true form of the Bagua Mirror emerged on his forehead, and the wind and thunder trigrams in his eyes materialized. He abruptly unleashed six or seven bolts of purple lightning, which then converged in his palms, forming a colossal lightning orb that he hurled forcefully towards Chen Mobai.

The immense power of this lightning orb far surpassed the Tier 2 level. Zhongli Tianyu could only manage to unleash it by harnessing the strength of the Bagua Mirror.

With this move, he refused to believe Chen Mobai could perfectly neutralize it as he had before. By now, Zhongli Tianyu knew he was no match for the monster before him, but he was determined to break free from being completely dominated.

Even if it only made this guy take a single step back... As Zhongli Tianyu's eyes widened, bangs flying, and he unleashed his most potent lightning orb, Chen Mobai finally turned to face him.

Their eyes met. Chen Mobai suddenly smiled, then, under Zhongli Tianyu's incredulous gaze, he raised his right hand once more. Green lightning condensed in his palm, forming bright, mirror-like lightning water. He then seemed to splash it, transforming the lightning water into a clear, transparent barrier.

The colossal lightning orb, clasped in Zhongli Tianyu's hands, struck the lightning water barrier. It was like a stone plunging into the deep sea; although it created ripples, the surface quickly returned to calm.

Finally, the light and shadows dissipated, revealing Zhongli Tianyu's clasped hands and Chen Mobai's slender right palm. Chen Mobai extended his right hand, reaching past Zhongli Tianyu's frozen hands, and gently patted his forehead, thus claiming victory in their sparring match.

To be honest, he felt no sense of accomplishment. It just felt a bit like bullying.