Chapter 347: Repairing the Sky and Dancing with the Device

Before departing for Jumang Daoist Academy, Bian Jingchun pulled Chen Mobai into a one-on-one duel in the Minor Scarlet Heaven.

However, when they sparred later, she was more sensible, no longer trying to block the sword aura head-on.

But even so, she only managed to hold on for a bit longer.

After ten consecutive defeats, Bian Jingchun, undeterred, wanted to continue honing her recently improved Dragon Transformation Scripture through combat. However, Chen Mobai had nearly mastered the Azure Flame Sword Aura, so he made the excuse of needing to rest and recuperate, no longer tormenting her.

Just then, Zhuang Jialan announced that the entire team participating in the offline exchange had arrived.

Among them, besides Zhongli Tianyu and Zhai Jianbai, whom Chen Mobai had arranged, there was another acquaintance: Jiang Yuyuan.

"Senior Jiang, are you alone this time?"

Chen Mobai asked curiously. Seeing him, he suddenly remembered that Meng Huang'er seemed to have replied to a message last time; what was it she said?

"Yes, I'm also graduating next year. After that, I'll be going to the Immortal Sect's Department of Arts and Culture for further study. My time will likely be divided between cultivation and various officially arranged performances, so while I still have a bit of free time, I want to visit more different places."

Jiang Yuyuan was a handsome man, appealing to both men and women, with a perfect physique, a handsome face, and slightly bronzed skin; his entire being exuded a masculine, valiant beauty.

As a Golden Core Dao Seed with the potential to master the Soul-Stirring Melody, Jiang Yuyuan gradually began to withdraw from the Jade Phoenix Troupe after establishing his foundation. Influential figures had already arranged his path to forming a Golden Core.

"Sixty years of artistic performances will perfectly meet the Immortal Sect's minimum service requirement, and I'll be able to receive a Golden Liquid Jade Restoration Pill."

Hearing Jiang Yuyuan's words, everyone's faces showed envy.

One must know that even chief graduates of the Dancing Weapon Daoist Academy like Sun Daoji and Bian Jingchun couldn't guarantee obtaining a Golden Liquid Jade Restoration Pill after sixty years of public service.

Because there were too many people ahead in the queue.

On the contrary, Chi Shicheng, being a valuable researcher who had completed several difficult projects over the years, was the most likely among the three present to obtain a Golden Liquid Jade Restoration Pill through the queue.

As for Jiang Yuyuan, he was guaranteed a Golden Liquid Jade Restoration Pill as long as he completed the minimum sixty years of service in the Immortal Sect's Department of Arts and Culture, which naturally aroused everyone's envy.

"It's a pity, but Meng Huang'er probably has no hope," a student council member said regretfully. "I heard she hasn't mastered the Critical Method yet."

Jiang Yuyuan frowned slightly upon hearing this.

"Indeed," another replied, "but her talent was inherently limited, unlike us who earned our way in through exams. It's normal for her to fail in establishing her foundation."

Hearing these words, Chen Mobai's expression became slightly displeased. He glanced at the two who had spoken, and the one who was about to say more immediately fell silent.

"President, Teacher Luo is here!"

Seeing the atmosphere become a bit somber, Zhuang Jialan immediately ran over and called out.

"Jialan, please host Senior Jiang and give him the Dancing Weapon red-and-black robe."

This trip represented the facade of the Dancing Weapon Daoist Academy, so uniforms were naturally required. After the list was confirmed, the student council collected everyone's measurements and then asked the Artifact Forging Department to help with the weaving and production.

After Chen Mobai nodded apologetically to the displeased Jiang Yuyuan, he walked towards his office.

Although he was nominally the chief leading the team from the Dancing Weapon Daoist Academy, the academy would certainly send a teacher to oversee.

Coincidentally, this year, the Daoist Academy's repository opened early, and Luo Hezheng, having completed his duties ahead of schedule, volunteered for the task.

"This time, I'm mainly going to Jumang Daoist Academy to exchange some precious medicinal ingredients and pills," Luo Hezheng said. "You can coordinate and arrange the offline exchange matters as you see fit."

The very first sentence upon meeting Luo Hezheng made Chen Mobai pause for a moment, but for him, it was actually a good thing.

"Understood, Teacher Luo."

Soon, the day of departure arrived.

In the President's office on the third floor of the student council, Chen Mobai, with Zhuang Jialan's help, put on his Dancing Weapon red-and-black robe.

And by his side was Hua Zijing, holding a comb, helping him style his long, flowing black hair—which had regained its luster after his lifespan was restored—into a high bun with a long ponytail.

"Will this be the last time you help me with my hair and attire?"

Chen Mobai sat before the mirror, looking at himself in the wide-sleeved robe, exuding a composed aura, and suddenly said this to Hua Zijing beside him.

"Of course. From now on, Jialan will be helping you."

Hua Zijing picked up the Flying Sparrow hairpin from the table, a slight sigh on her face, and steadily inserted it into her own high bun.

"Which department of the Immortal Sect did you choose?"

Chen Mobai stood up and asked.

"I didn't choose it; I was assigned to the Social Affairs Bureau under the Ministry of Civil Affairs within the Immortal Service Hall," she replied. "I might be assigned to a certain grotto-heaven or blessed land for ten or twenty years of initial experience, and then slowly accumulate years of service to see if I can use connections to get promoted later."

With Hua Zijing's capabilities, passing the civil service exam was quite simple. As a student of the Dancing Weapon Daoist Academy, the most challenging aspect for ordinary people—waiting for vacancies—was also being arranged through the academy's connections. However, exactly where she would be assigned was still uncertain.

She had to wait for a civil servant in a Social Affairs Bureau somewhere to retire or be forced into retirement this year.

"In that case, I'd actually hope you could come to Danxia City."

Chen Mobai said, stroking his chin. He didn't plan to take the civil service exam after graduation; instead, he wanted to engage in business to earn merit points. If Hua Zijing could be assigned to his hometown, it would be a joyful reunion of old friends.

"Oh, no, I have ambitions too," Hua Zijing said dismissively. "I want to go to a Great Grotto-Heaven and achieve political accomplishments."

Chen Mobai laughed.

"It's time, President."

Zhuang Jialan on the side reminded them, and hearing this, Chen Mobai and the other two walked towards the door.

This time, a total of ten people from the Dancing Weapon Daoist Academy formed a team to participate in this offline exchange.

Besides Bian Jingchun and her two companions, the team included Chen Mobai, Zhongli Tianyu, Zhai Jianbai, Jiang Yuyuan, Zhuang Jialan, and two other tenth-year Foundation Establishment students. Like Hua Zijing, these two were also graduating this year, but their resumes weren't as impressive as hers, so they wanted to attend this offline exchange meeting of Daoist academies to enhance their credentials.

"Let's go, the flight route has been approved."

As Chen Mobai and the other two walked downstairs, Luo Hezheng had just put down his phone and said to him.

The Dancing Weapon Daoist Academy had its own flying artifact.

However, any flying artifact wishing to fly over the Immortal Sect's territory needed to apply for a flight route with the Aeronautics Bureau.

Chen Mobai instructed the three vice presidents to ensure good communication and exchange between teachers and students during the upcoming final exam period and to perform their duties diligently until the end of the year.

"Zijing, if you have time, come over and help too."

Before leaving, Chen Mobai said to Hua Zijing, who was standing nearby, that although she had already stepped down from her position, he still felt she should step up at this moment.

"Alright, leave this to me," Hua Zijing said, her tone unusually compliant. "Jialan, this guy can be a bit slow-witted sometimes. You'll have your work cut out for you on this trip."

Hua Zijing, uncharacteristically, did not retort; she nodded and then instructed Zhuang Jialan, who was accompanying the team.

As Secretary-General, Zhuang Jialan needed to help arrange their accommodation and other logistics at Jumang Daoist Academy, so she was also included in the team roster.

"Understood, Senior."

Zhuang Jialan nodded solemnly.

Rumble!

When Chen Mobai led everyone to the sky above Ten Thousand Treasures Cave, a flying artifact was already hovering in mid-air, emitting a loud sound as it disturbed the air currents.

It was a bullet-shaped, elliptical flying artifact with wings at its tail.

Luo Hezheng flew up first, opened the cabin door, and stepped inside.

After Chen Mobai led the team inside, he found that it actually had sofa seats, enough for twenty people.

"Everyone, find a seat," Luo Hezheng said. "Due to the Immortal Sect's flight speed limits, we can't fly at maximum speed, so it will take three days to reach Linwu Grotto-Heaven."

As Luo Hezheng spoke, he took out a card and inserted it into a slot on the flying artifact's control panel. Then he entered the flight route password authorized by the Immortal Sect's Aeronautics Bureau on the interface. Soon after, Chen Mobai and the others felt a strong push from behind.

Linwu Grotto-Heaven.

As the location of Jumang Daoist Academy, it was the most heavily forested mountainous and hilly region in the Immortal Sect.

Sitting inside the Daoist Academy's flying artifact, Chen Mobai and the others looked through the windows and saw the countless mountains and valleys below covered in green. From above, it looked like a vast green ocean covering the immense land.

As the flying artifact descended lower and lower, towering trees came into view. The golden leaves atop the trees signified the harvest season, and faintly, through the lush foliage, they could see various red, white, purple, and pink flowers on the grassy ground.

After the landing cabin door opened, Chen Mobai smelled an unprecedentedly fresh air. It carried the crisp scent of leaves, the fragrance of fresh flowers, and the subtle elegance of vegetation. A refreshing sensation spontaneously arose within him.

Stepping out of the cabin door, they saw an endless sea of trees beyond the airport. Their excellent eyesight allowed Chen Mobai to see birds chirping happily in the forest and even hear the faint sound of flowing water.

If one could live permanently in a place like this, it would surely be very beneficial for health and well-being.

"Are you friends from the Dancing Weapon Daoist Academy?"

Just then, a clear voice rang out. Two young people, a boy and a girl, wearing Jumang Immortal Cyan robes, stood in the open space, greeting them.

"I am Song Yuexin, and this is Wang Mengyuan," the girl said. "We are responsible for picking you up this time."

The girl spoke again. Chen Mobai nodded and smiled at them and then followed them out of the airport.

Inside Linwu Grotto-Heaven's terminal building.

Thousands of people waiting for their flights suddenly stood still in unison, staring blankly as twelve men and women, clad in pure white robes adorned with colorful clouds, neatly passed through the exit and walked grandly towards them.

"This is... the Heaven-Mending Cloud Robe!"

"It's people from the Heaven-Mending Daoist Academy," someone whispered. "They must be here to participate in this offline exchange and competition, which will determine the new ranking of the Daoist academies."

"Which one is Daoist Master Ling?" another asked. "It's said he has mastered the Heaven-Mending Daoist Academy's 'Inch Square Book,' and among the chiefs of the four great Daoist academies, he's the only genius who has mastered a complete Divine Transformation cultivation method."

"That one," someone pointed out. "But he can only stand in the second row. Who are the other two standing in front of him?"

The people waiting in Linwu Grotto-Heaven's terminal building were abuzz with discussion, and their chatter naturally reached the ears of those from the Heaven-Mending Daoist Academy.

Lou Fengcheng glanced at Daoist Master Ling behind him and said something pointedly.

"The outside world has high expectations for you," he said. "Don't lose again."

"Yes, Senior."

Daoist Master Ling replied expressionlessly. When Minor Scarlet Heaven first had its open beta, he lost to Sima Xingyu. Although there were extenuating circumstances, he had still lost, and in the Heaven-Mending Daoist Academy, a place where merit was paramount, this had drawn considerable criticism.

"Alright, let's go. Jumang Daoist Academy's vehicles have arrived."

The leading teacher of the Heaven-Mending Daoist Academy said this. Just as they were about to leave, the Jumang Daoist Academy student who was greeting them suddenly let out a surprised sound.

At the same time, the gaze of thousands of people in the waiting hall shifted towards another exit.

Ten men and women, uniformly clad in red-and-black wide-sleeved robes, walked in. Leading them was a handsome young man with a high bun and a long ponytail.

Due to Minor Scarlet Heaven's expansion over the past two years, many people recognized this face.

Since his debut, he had held the undisputed top rank in Minor Scarlet Heaven's leaderboard as the chief of the Dancing Weapon Daoist Academy: Chen Mobai.

"Why is he in the lead?"

Lou Fengcheng saw Chen Mobai walking at the very front, while Sun Daoji, whom he knew, was in third place, and he couldn't help but frown slightly.

According to the tradition of their Heaven-Mending Daoist Academy, the strong naturally took the lead.

But although Chen Mobai dominated in Minor Scarlet Heaven, he was, after all, only at the early stage of Foundation Establishment. How could he possibly be ranked before Sun Daoji, who was at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment?

There was simply no respect for hierarchy!

Lou Fengcheng, seeing this scene, was very displeased, but the rules of the Dancing Weapon Daoist Academy were, after all, different from those of their Heaven-Mending Daoist Academy, so he didn't go up to criticize them.

At this moment, the group opposite also seemed to have noticed the people from the Heaven-Mending Daoist Academy.

Chen Mobai, who was leading, actually stared at their group. Then, pointing at them, he turned and asked the people behind him. Sun Daoji immediately leaned close to Chen Mobai and seemed to say something.

Just as Lou Fengcheng looked puzzled, Chen Mobai actually nodded and then actively walked towards their side.

As soon as Chen Mobai moved, the remaining nine people from the Dancing Weapon Daoist Academy naturally followed.

Ten young men and women, wearing red-and-black wide-sleeved robes, like a continuous bank of fiery clouds, advanced towards the twelve standing individuals from the Heaven-Mending Daoist Academy.

In an instant, the previously noisy waiting hall fell silent.

Everyone was watching the handsome young man leading the group.

Many recognized this individual who, in recent years, had become the most renowned chief of the Dancing Weapon Daoist Academy.

Could it be youthful arrogance, about to lead to a provocation right here in the airport?

This thought surfaced in many people's minds, and some even took out their phones and started video recording, preparing to capture the "fierce conflict" that might ensue.

As everyone held their breath, even those from the Heaven-Mending Daoist Academy, seeing the fiery clouds advancing towards them, felt an invisible pressure.

Lou Fengcheng frowned. As the de facto leader of this expedition, he naturally could not retreat.

He stepped forward, just as he was about to directly face the pressure from the Dancing Weapon Daoist Academy, when the handsome young man leading the opposing group actually gave him a seemingly friendly smile.

"So you are Senior Lou," Chen Mobai said. "Back in Danxia City, you, as a representative of the Heaven-Mending Daoist Academy, personally witnessed my entrance examination. I never expected to meet you again here. It truly is fated."