Chapter 37: Dream of Surprise

"You are currently under the effect of the 'Dream Awakening Melody,' but it will fade after some time, and you'll revert to your original state." Chen Xinglan's words were like a splash of cold water, dousing Chen Mobai's premature joy.

"However, you can use this opportunity to thoroughly experience the divine sense. This way, when you break through on your own next time, it will be much easier if you follow this feeling."

"Can I download this Dream Awakening Melody online and listen to it every day? Wouldn't that mean I'd be constantly under the effect of cultivating divine sense?" Chen Mobai, with a hopeful expression, thought he had come up with an excellent idea.

Chen Baolan shook his head. "You're thinking too simply. The Dream Awakening Melody isn't just music; it's a supplementary cultivation method passed down by the Immortal Sect, evolved from the 'Spirit Awakening Melody.' It only works if you listen to it live, and the performer sings with their whole heart." Chen Baolan knew Chen Mobai wasn't the first to have such an idea.

"What is the Spirit Awakening Melody?" Chen Mobai asked again.

"It's the Immortal Sect's foremost supplementary divine skill. A Grand Cultivator in the late Nascent Soul stage, after hearing this melody, can experience the realm of Spirit Transformation once. Unfortunately, no cultivator has mastered it in two thousand years. Grandmaster Bian is the closest to mastering the Spirit Awakening Melody among masters of musical cultivation, but unfortunately, his spirit root is not strong enough. Limited by his cultivation bottleneck, he could only master the Dream Awakening Melody." After listening to Chen Baolan's explanation, Chen Mobai gasped.

"If that's the case, why not use the Immortal Art of Mending Heaven to purify Grandmaster Bian's spirit root into an immortal one? A grandmaster who has mastered the Spirit Awakening Melody would be invaluable, perhaps allowing our Immortal Sect to gain a few more Spirit Transformation ancestors."

If Chen Mobai could think of this, the higher echelons of the Immortal Sect surely would have too. "The Immortal Art of Mending Heaven can only be performed by Spirit Transformation ancestors, and our two ancestors have been in seclusion for over three hundred years," Chen Baolan explained. Chen Mobai immediately understood.

Grandmaster Bian was a musical talent who emerged only in the last fifty years. Compared to Spirit Transformation ancestors, whose lifespans are measured in millennia, he was truly insignificant. The Immortal Sect's Three Great Halls and Four Grand Daoist Academies would never disturb two ancestors in seclusion for such a minor matter.

"However, it's said that Meng Huang'er and Jiang Yuyuan both possess exceptional spirit root aptitude and talent in the musical path, no less than Grandmaster Bian. They are true Dao Seeds, discovered by the Immortal Sect after searching all thirty-six Grotto-heavens and seventy-two Blessed Lands." "If these two can reach the Nascent Soul stage, the Immortal Sect's inherited Spirit Awakening Melody can be played once more."

"The venerables of the Immortal Sect are likely waiting for them to grow. That's why Grandmaster Bian personally leads the Jade Phoenix Troupe on national tours. While enlightening cultivators across the country, they are also accumulating blessings and merits, all so that one of them can achieve the Nascent Soul stage in the future." Chen Baolan, who spent years traveling with the Lingxiu Academy's research team, often led by a professor who was a member of the Immortal Sect's Three Great Halls, knew far more than Chen Xinglan.

"Enlightening cultivators across the country?" Chen Mobai, again catching a key detail, looked at Chen Baolan with confusion.

"Why do you think the Jade Phoenix Troupe works so hard to tour nationwide, performing twenty consecutive shows in every Grotto-heaven and Blessed Land? You don't think they're just doing it to earn a few merit points, do you?" Chen Baolan retorted. Chen Mobai subconsciously nodded, thinking, 'Isn't that the case?'

"The Immortal Sect's higher echelons have a much grander vision. Consider this: since Grandmaster Bian's 'Dream Awakening Melody' can allow you to grasp divine sense—something usually only achievable in the late Qi Refining stage—how could they possibly hoard such a blessing? With such a profound source of good fortune, it's naturally meant to benefit the masses and sentient beings." "After Grandmaster Bian gained fame thirty years ago, the Immortal Sect arranged for him to tour the entire country. He single-handedly worked tirelessly to enlighten most of the talented Qi Refining cultivators in the Immortal Sect, helping them perceive divine sense."

"Otherwise, why do you think Grandmaster Bian, despite being merely a Foundation Establishment cultivator, could become an instructor at the Dance Instrument Daoist Academy and be respected by everyone? It's precisely because the current generation of mid-level Foundation Establishment cultivators in the Immortal Sect were mostly enlightened by his 'Dream Awakening Melody' during his eight-year national tour." "If you successfully reach the Foundation Establishment stage in the future, you must show him the respect due to a teacher should you meet him."

After listening to Chen Baolan's explanation, Chen Mobai felt a profound respect for Grandmaster Bian Yiqing, the master of opera. Although the Immortal Sect was certainly a driving force, Bian Yiqing's dedication to traveling through all thirty-six Grotto-heavens and seventy-two Blessed Lands for eight years, just to enlighten the Qi Refining cultivators of his parents' generation three decades ago, was an act of immense merit and virtue. It would not be an exaggeration to call him a living saint.

"In that case, Meng Huang'er and Jiang Yuyuan are also following Grandmaster Bian's former path, enlightening cultivators of our generation in the Immortal Sect." Chen Mobai realized this, and his initial confusion about his sister Wang Xinying's fervent admiration for the stars now seemed like his own narrow-mindedness.

"Their cultivation is still somewhat shallow, but with Grandmaster Bian guiding them, they will eventually master it. Last year, both were admitted to the Dance Instrument Daoist Academy without examination. They are now essentially studying part-time while touring and cultivating, with the hope that one of them can achieve the Nascent Soul stage in the future." As Chen Baolan said this, he lacked confidence.

The Nascent Soul realm was simply too difficult to reach. Even with a Heavenly Spirit Root, there was only a one percent chance. Although Meng Huang'er and Jiang Yuyuan possessed excellent spirit roots, had the Immortal Sect's backing, received personal guidance from a grandmaster like Bian Yiqing, and were accepted into the Dance Instrument Daoist Academy, the likelihood of either of them forming a Nascent Soul was, according to the Venerables of the Stargazing Academy, extremely slim.

If not for the intense yearning of several Nascent Soul Venerables for the Spirit Awakening Melody, the Immortal Sect might not have invested such immense resources in them. Of course, Chen Baolan did not share these details with Chen Mobai, as he didn't want to dampen his nephew's enthusiasm for cultivation. If Chen Mobai knew that even the Jade Phoenix Troupe members had only a sliver of a chance to form a Nascent Soul, then for him, with his ordinary True Spirit Root, wouldn't the path ahead seem completely blocked compared to theirs?

"If only someday I could listen to Meng Huang'er sing for me every day." Chen Baolan, however, had no idea what his nephew was currently thinking. If he knew Chen Mobai's secret wish, he would certainly roll his eyes. Even the three Hall Masters of the Immortal Sect might not receive such treatment.

Chen Mobai knew his wish was far-fetched, but he was still a teenager. Although his resolve in cultivation was firm, some worldly desires had not yet dissipated with the passage of time and the elevation of his cultivation realm. Perhaps when he was seventy or eighty, reflecting on his thoughts today, he would scoff at the delusions of his youth.

"Let's go. It's a rare chance to have heard Grandmaster Bian's 'Dream Awakening Melody' today; let's go back and celebrate." Just then, Chen Xinglan called for Chen Baolan and Wang Jianyuan to have a few more drinks. Chen Baolan readily agreed. Wang Jianyuan, however, shook his head, gesturing to his daughter, who was asleep on his back.

"You two go ahead and drink. I'll take Xinying back to rest first."

Wang Xinying was only at the fourth level of Qi Refining. Although she also experienced a sensation from the 'Dream Awakening Melody,' she certainly hadn't grasped divine sense. Nevertheless, the benefits were significant. After a good night's sleep, her realm, which she had forcibly broken through with the aid of pills, might become stable.

Chen Mobai helped call a taxi and saw his aunt's family into the car.

Before leaving, Chen Baolan gave the prepared gift to Chen Xinglan. "Big Brother, for your breakthrough to the ninth level of Qi Refining, this is a small token of appreciation from Jianyuan and me. Don't mind his usual blunt words; he's actually very happy for you." "Let's go, why say so much!" Wang Jianyuan, feeling a little awkward, held his daughter and closed the front passenger door.