Chapter 345: I Will Take Action

Chen Mobai recalled a newly acquired wood-element spell from the talent tree, with a strange expression.

The spell was called "Jiamu Art."

It seemed to follow the same principle as "Pure Green Art," which he had used to enhance the Azure Sun Fire – both were for elevating spirit objects.

However, Pure Green Art enhanced fire, while Jiamu Art enhanced wood.

This spell allowed one to select an ordinary first-tier Red Sun Wood, then absorb the essence of about ninety-nine other Red Sun Woods of the same tier to upgrade it into a second-tier Azure Sun Wood.

But Jiamu Art seemed incomplete.

Logically, there should have been subsequent steps for upgrading Azure Sun Wood to Golden Sun Wood, and Golden Sun Wood to Longevity Wood.

However, Chen Mobai had only obtained the method for upgrading Red Sun Wood to Azure Sun Wood.

He was a bit unimpressed.

Although Azure Sun Wood was considered a precious spirit object for Qi Cultivation cultivators, with many second-tier magical artifacts and puppets of the Divine Wood Sect being crafted from it, it was no longer of much use to Chen Mobai.

If there had been a way to upgrade Azure Sun Wood into Golden Sun Wood, he would have been very excited.

Still, it wasn't entirely useless.

He had previously used the Gourd Sword Art to cut down many Red Sun Spirit Trees in the Divine Tree Secret Realm, so he could use them to upgrade a dozen or twenty Azure Sun Woods without waste.

However, these would have to be dealt with later, as he was about to head to Jumang Dao Academy.

Fortunately, leaving wood exposed to the elements for a while wouldn't be an issue.

Chen Mobai considered that synthesizing thousands of felled Red Sun Spirit Trees by himself would be a waste of his cultivation time.

It seemed he needed to prepare for crafting proxy processing puppets in advance.

With these thoughts, Chen Mobai took out his phone and returned to the Immortal Sect.

After exiting Building No. 9, messages started pouring in.

It was Hua Zijing constantly urging him, wondering why he, the core student council president leading the team, hadn't shown up yet when they were almost departing for Jumang Dao Academy.

"Senior Sun, Senior Chi has arrived as well."

Inside the student council headquarters, Chen Mobai met the other two Foundation Establishment Tier 9 graduates that Che Yucheng had found.

Among them, Sun Daoji was the top graduate from twenty-five years ago and had spent two years with Bian Jingchun in the student council, making them acquaintances.

The other, Chi Shicheng, was the oldest, having graduated thirty-five years ago. He wasn't the top graduate due to his poor social skills, focusing instead on technical aspects. He was now an academician in the Immortal Sect's ancient biology research department.

Chi Shicheng agreed to go to Jumang Dao Academy this time because a project he had accumulated required observing the Great Toon Tree, and it was conveniently on the way.

"It's been a long time since I've been to Chicheng Mountain; it looks almost exactly as it did when I graduated," Sun Daoji remarked. He was a slender young man with sharp facial features. Compared to the quieter Chi Shicheng, who wore square-rimmed glasses, Sun Daoji, once also a Dao Academy top student, had long since mingled with the student council members.

"Senior Sun, I heard you went to Wangwu Immortal Cave five years ago to establish a Golden Core domain. How did that turn out?" Bian Jingchun asked, a question she was very keen on.

In the Immortal Sect, Foundation Establishment Tier 9 cultivators, provided they had no criminal record, could apply to the relevant Immortal Sect department to use the World Gate and establish a Golden Core domain.

Although Foundation Establishment Tier 9 cultivators were not numerous, there were still hundreds of them.

Due to the preciousness of the World Gate, and the fact that each activation required a Nascent Soul Grandmaster to personally open it, it was naturally impossible for these top-tier existences in the Immortal Sect to be constantly on standby for matters like establishing Golden Core domains.

Therefore, after Foundation Establishment Tier 9 cultivators submitted their applications, the Immortal Sect would temporarily hold them until a sufficient number of applicants accumulated. Then, the matter would be reported to the three Hall Masters, who would then invite an available Nascent Soul Grandmaster to open the World Gate.

This process could take anywhere from ten to twenty or thirty years.

Of course, there was another scenario: if a Foundation Establishment cultivator successfully formed a Golden Core, such an individual's application to the Immortal Sect for using the World Gate to establish a Golden Core domain could be quickly arranged.

In such cases, other Foundation Establishment cultivators waiting in line could also seize the opportunity.

It was precisely for this reason that Foundation Establishment cultivators in the Immortal Sect would immediately apply once they reached Tier 9, as there would be a long waiting period during which they could perfect their Foundation Establishment.

Bian Jingchun had only recently broken through to Foundation Establishment Tier 9 three years ago and had missed the opportunity five years prior when the Righteous Law Hall Master opened the World Gate.

"If I had succeeded, the Immortal Sect would have already publicized it for all the world to know," Sun Daoji said jokingly, which brought a subtle, reserved smile to Bian Jingchun's face.

"Out of the ten people in our batch, my performance was decent; I barely managed to comprehend the power of the void. However, the subsequent steps of shattering the void and establishing a domain were completely beyond me."

"Xiahou Weihuan was the closest to success, followed by Tao Mingqing from Taiyuan Academy and Lou Fengcheng from Butian Dao Academy."

"They all comprehended sufficient void power, but they didn't perform well enough in the step of shattering the void. As a result, even with the World Gate's assistance, they couldn't establish and condense a Golden Core domain."

After hearing Sun Daoji's words, Chi Shicheng, who had been silent, suddenly spoke.

"The key to a Golden Core domain lies in the first step: only by having one's divine sense absorb enough void power can one create enough void fragments to condense a domain when shattering the void."

Chi Shicheng was the earliest graduate present, and his cultivation had long reached the perfected Foundation Establishment stage. His attempt to establish a Golden Core domain using the World Gate in Wangwu Immortal Cave had been even earlier than Sun Daoji's.

"Listening to Senior Chi, did you perhaps also venture into the latter two steps?" Sun Daoji's eyes lit up, for only those who had personally experienced establishing a Golden Core domain could understand the meaning behind Chi Shicheng's words.

"My accumulation was insufficient, and I stopped at the step of shattering the void, unable to glimpse the profound mysteries of the final establishment," Chi Shicheng sighed, this matter having always been a regret in his heart.

"Indeed," Sun Daoji agreed, "I doubt I could accomplish that final establishment step even if I went through it several more times. I wonder how Lan Haitian and Yan Qiongzhi managed to do it."

Among the living Foundation Establishment Tier 9 cultivators in the Immortal Sect, only Lan Haitian and Yan Qiongzhi had successfully established Golden Core domains. It was precisely because he understood the difficulty that Sun Daoji admired them even more.

"Lan Haitian is extraordinarily talented, having mastered both the Yin and Yang sections of the Six Imperial Sutras. The mutual oscillation of his primordial magnetic force allows him to inherently perceive void tremors, so he likely had corresponding training and preparations long before attempting to establish his Golden Core domain."

"Yan Qiongzhi is low-key, so there's not much information on her, but based on my theoretical analysis over the years, she might have temporarily elevated her ice spirit power to the 'void-freezing' realm. This would allow her to surpass everyone else in the 'shattering the void' step, creating enough void fragments."

As a researcher, Chi Shicheng became more talkative when discussing these topics.

"Doesn't that mean Taishi Shu also has a chance to successfully establish a Golden Core domain during her Foundation Establishment stage?" Hua Zijing, also in the room, asked with surprise. After welcoming Bian Jingchun, she seemed to have accepted her role, and she had also helped arrange accommodation and food when Sun Daoji and Chi Shicheng arrived.

So, when Chen Mobai and the other three were having their discussion, Hua Zijing sat nearby, holding a white cat and listening.

Besides her, Zhongli Tianyu and Zhuang Jialan were also present. Zhongli Tianyu, as the designated next president, had already begun his symbolic presence at the student council headquarters under Chen Mobai's arrangement.

"Taishi Shu has only mastered the Yang section of the Six Imperial Sutras; only one pole of the bipolar primordial magnet has been formed. It's uncertain if this still aids in establishing a Golden Core domain. However, Kunpeng Dao Academy is the foremost in the Immortal Sect, with the most legacies, so perhaps she truly could succeed."

Over the years, Taishi Shu had made many moves in the Minor Crimson Heaven, so the foundation of her cultivation method was naturally well-understood.

She also used primordial magnetic force, though not as overbearing and perfected as Lan Haitian's. Nevertheless, even so, she was implicitly invincible among late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, aside from seasoned figures like Xiahou Weihuan and Sima Xingyu.

Even mastering just one section of the Six Imperial Sutras was incredibly formidable.

Chen Mobai, even with his perfected sword light, was almost defeated by Nangong Xiu, who had only mastered the Rain section.

"It doesn't matter if we don't establish a Golden Core domain now; we can always try again after forming our Golden Cores," Sun Daoji chuckled, reassuring himself.

Chen Mobai immediately seized the opportunity to change the subject, discussing some of the formidable opponents they might encounter at the upcoming offline exchange meeting.

"Pei Qingshuang from Shanhai Academy possesses extraordinary sword dao mastery, having inherited the true teachings of Hao Cao. It's said that even Lan Haitian wouldn't dare to face her directly."

"Jumang Dao Academy also has Wenren Xuewei, who possesses a Heavenly Spirit Root. Although she's as low-key as Yan Qiongzhi, she was already Foundation Establishment Tier 9 upon graduation. Over the years, it's rumored she's been cultivating two other spirit root enhancement techniques, aiming to gather all three major Heavenly Spirit Roots for her Eternal Spring Art cultivation. It's unknown what her current status is."

"Besides these two female cultivators, Qi Huanzhi from Kunpeng Dao Academy, who has mastered the Bright section of the Six Imperial Sutras, should not be underestimated. He has only ever lost to Lan Haitian."

The lists of participants for this offline exchange meeting from all major Dao Academies and Academies had been released the day before yesterday. While Chen Mobai didn't know many of the people on the list, Bian Jingchun and the other two were very familiar with them.

They were all top experts, ranked among the top twenty in their Foundation Establishment Tier 9 circle.

"If I were to fight them, I'd probably only last a few dozen moves, managing to draw out some of their abilities. To truly bring honor and victory to the Dao Academy, we might need Senior Chi and Junior Sister Bian."

Sun Daoji was quite self-aware, knowing he was only of average standing among Foundation Establishment Tier 9 cultivators. After reviewing the formidable list of participants from the Dao Academies and Academies, he truly had no confidence against people like Pei Qingshuang.

"I'm a researcher; my combat abilities are average," Chi Shicheng said, spreading his hands, indicating that his main purpose for going this time was to observe the Great Toon Tree, and they shouldn't count on him for combat.

"Senior Chi, you're being modest. You've perfected Foundation Establishment; your cultivation is the highest among the three of us," Sun Daoji said, disbelievingly.

"I'm serious. In terms of actual combat, I'm probably not even as good as you," Chi Shicheng insisted.

Hearing Chi Shicheng's words, Sun Daoji was perplexed. Based on his understanding of Che Yucheng, he would surely arrange for a master capable of holding the fort.

If he lacked confidence, and Chi Shicheng was a researcher, then only one person remained.

Everyone looked at Bian Jingchun, who nodded and spoke honestly.

"The Dao Academy lent me the True Dragon Cauldron."

Hearing this, Sun Daoji breathed a sigh of relief. As long as someone was there to back them up, it was fine.

Chi Shicheng's eyes, meanwhile, gleamed. The fourth-tier True Dragon Cauldron was related to a pending research project in his department, and he wondered if he could use this opportunity to study it thoroughly.

At this moment, Chen Mobai finally understood why Duanmu Longrong had said what she did when sending him off.

It turned out that if the Dao Academy wanted to gain a good reputation at this offline exchange and not be suppressed by academies like Taiyuan, Chunyang, and Shanhai, they might indeed need Bian Jingchun to activate the power of the True Dragon Cauldron.

"Senior Sister Bian," Chen Mobai began after realizing this, "the True Dragon Cauldron's power is too overbearing. If you encounter an insurmountable opponent, it's perfectly fine to give up. You shouldn't damage your foundation for the sake of a ranking in one offline exchange."

"I know you've received instructions from Teacher Duanmu," Bian Jingchun replied, "but the Dao Academy nurtured me and lent me the True Dragon Cauldron to cultivate the Dragon Transformation Sutra. If I can exchange a few years of my foundation for the title of 'First' for the Dao Academy, I would be more than willing."

The Martial Arts Dao Academy had been weak in the Immortal Sect for a long time, though in the last two years, it had regained some of its past glory due to Chen Mobai's astonishing undefeated record in the Minor Crimson Heaven.

However, in the minds of some, the Martial Arts Dao Academy had merely produced a promising Chen Mobai.

In terms of true hard power, it was still inferior to the other three major Dao Academies, and possibly even to the top three among the Ten Great Academies, such as Taiyuan.

Bian Jingchun was proud to be a graduate of the Martial Arts Dao Academy, and she deeply wished to use this opportunity to secure another first place for the academy.

By taking it one step at a time, when Chen Mobai also perfected his Foundation Establishment in the future, he could once again prop up the academy's prestige.

If the Martial Arts Dao Academy could maintain its first-place ranking in several consecutive exchange meetings among the Dao Academies and Academies, it could restore its glory and reclaim its most prosperous position.

"Rankings, to some, might seem very important, but to me, they are merely numbers," Chen Mobai stated.

"At this exchange meeting, no matter what our Martial Arts Dao Academy's ranking is, we will always be one of the Four Greats, a sacred place in the hearts of millions of Immortal Sect students."

"A few years of declining rankings are no problem at all. After all, we only recruit a few dozen new students each year. And if you let ten thousand people choose between a Dao Academy and a common Academy, all ten thousand would choose a Dao Academy."

Chen Mobai's words left Sun Daoji feeling very satisfied. Indeed, graduates from a Dao Academy and a common Academy were simply on two different levels. In the minds of the masses in the Immortal Sect, the Four Great Dao Academies were sacred places. Perhaps there were higher and lower grounds among these sacred places, but even all ten major academies combined couldn't match the appeal of the Martial Arts Dao Academy.

"Since Junior Brother put it that way, then I'll agree to it," Bian Jingchun said, shaking her head helplessly. "I'll only activate the True Dragon Cauldron once."

"No, Senior Sister, my intention is for you not to use it even once."

"For this offline exchange meeting, you just need to perform at your normal level. No matter who comes from the other Dao Academies and Academies this time, our Martial Arts Dao Academy will be first."

"Because I will take action!"