Chapter 380: Tenfold Price Difference

**Chapter 380: A Tenfold Price Difference**

The Vermillion Fruit Tree is the most prized spiritual plant in the Immortal Sect, second only to the Great Chūn.

Although the Vermillion Fruit Tree that Chen Mobai transplanted is only a second-tier specimen, it is still a highly coveted spiritual item for many Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Originally, there was only one Vermillion Fruit Tree in the Immortal Sect, a fifth-tier specimen planted deep within the Myriad Treasures Cave, at the very core of the fire meridian.

All the Vermillion Fruit Trees cultivated by the Daoist Academy of Martial Arts on its various mountain peaks were grown from branches of this original source tree.

The Fire Spirit Tree was a spiritual plant accidentally cultivated during research into the Vermillion Fruit Tree's branches. However, compared to the easy-to-cultivate Fire Spirit Tree, the Vermillion Fruit Tree is much more delicate.

In addition to requiring a suitable fire meridian environment, vital earth energy and water vapor are also essential. Furthermore, these three types of spiritual energy must be maintained within a specific proportional range for the Vermillion Fruit Tree to thrive and, subsequently, blossom and bear fruit.

“I see,” Chen Mobai said, his expression showing sudden understanding after listening to the explanation from the spirit plant cultivation student.

He had extensive research in agriculture and a good understanding of spiritual plants, so he grasped the concept immediately.

“Old Chen, this Vermillion Fruit Tree needs to be planted as soon as possible after leaving its soil, to prevent its vitality from being affected.”

Wang Xingyu, a second-tier alchemist and second-tier spirit plant cultivator, reminded him. He had helped Chen Mobai select ripe Vermillion Fruits for exchange every year. For this transplant, Chen Mobai had invited his good friend to assist with its care.

“Don’t worry, I’ve arranged for a specialized transport vehicle; it will arrive tomorrow.”

In truth, if possible, Chen Mobai would have liked to personally pilot his Scarlet Cloud Mist Brocade to transport this exceptionally valuable Vermillion Fruit Tree to Danxia City. However, the Immortal Sect strictly controls individual flights across multiple Blessed Lands and Grotto-Heavens, requiring prior application. Even with connections, the process would take ten days to half a month.

Fortunately, the custom-made transport vehicle Chen Mobai ordered had been delivered two days prior, so it could be used.

“But the academy is really stingy, giving you a tree with no fruit,” Wang Xingyu grumbled, looking at the Vermillion Fruit Tree before him, which was over three meters tall with numerous branches but no fruit.

“It’s good enough that I could exchange for it. Old Chen, once your Vermillion Fruit Tree has sufficient vital energy, share a branch with me in the future. I want to see if I can cultivate a small one.”

A charming, delicate young woman with a graceful appearance stood beside Wang Xingyu and spoke. She was Gong Ranran, from the small circle of the Transformation Divine Class, majoring in spiritual plant cultivation.

However, she specialized in the cultivation and planting of flowers, plants, and trees, while Wang Xingyu focused on medicinal herbs used for alchemy.

Due to their similar interests, the two had been close friends since their first year. However, as talents of the academy, they both exercised great restraint.

It wasn’t until last year, when Wang Xingyu successfully reached Foundation Establishment, that they formally confessed their feelings for each other and began dating.

However, they had kept their relationship well hidden. Chen Mobai only learned of it today when he saw Wang Xingyu bring Gong Ranran along.

“No problem. Once the first batch of fruits on this Vermillion Fruit Tree ripens after the transplant, I’ll call you two over for a fruit-tasting banquet, and then you can take a branch.”

The Vermillion Fruit Tree will only blossom and bear fruit after it has sufficient vital energy.

However, after transplantation, as the Vermillion Fruit Tree adapts to its new environment, the first fruits it bears will only be first-tier.

A first-tier Vermillion Fruit blossoms in one year, bears fruit in another, and ripens in a third, requiring a total of three years.

A second-tier Vermillion Fruit, on the other hand, blossoms in three years, bears fruit in three, and ripens in three, taking nearly ten years to harvest.

The fruits of the fifth-tier Vermillion Fruit Tree at the Daoist Academy of Martial Arts are among the Immortal Sect's most valuable treasures. Consuming them greatly benefits cultivators practicing fire-attribute cultivation techniques and can even assist in forming a Nascent Soul.

It is said that the current headmaster of the Daoist Academy of Martial Arts, True Master Cheng Xuan, was able to successfully form his Nascent Soul precisely because he consumed a fifth-tier Vermillion Fruit.

It is for this reason that many cultivators in the Immortal Sect are willing to cultivate Vermillion Fruit Trees.

Because, theoretically, if a Vermillion Fruit Tree is nurtured with sufficient spiritual energy, it can eventually upgrade to a fifth-tier tree after several millennia.

Although cultivators do not have endless lifespans, planting a Vermillion Fruit Tree today might allow descendants a hundred generations later to enjoy its fruits.

The next day, Chen Mobai, Wang Xingyu, and Gong Ranran departed from Chicheng Mountain together, riding in the transport vehicle carrying the Vermillion Fruit Tree.

Transplanting spiritual trees requires professionals. Although Chen Mobai had some knowledge, he invited Wang Xingyu and Gong Ranran, both spirit plant cultivators, to ensure success.

Along the way, Gong Ranran continuously applied her Water Nourishment Art to ensure the Vermillion Fruit Tree maintained its vitality.

“Old Chen, your place is truly spacious.”

After five days of continuous travel, they arrived at Danxia City. Wang Xingyu jumped out of the vehicle, his eyes lighting up as he surveyed the neatly planned puppet factory with its towering workshops.

“The factory buildings and formations here were set up last year with the help of Yun Yangbing and his team. These marked points are where trees will be planted in the future to serve as formation nodes.”

Chen Mobai pointed to the numerous excavated pits across the vast wasteland, then to the small hill at the center of the formation. The core array disc of the Three Suns Unified Qi Formation was buried there, and the Vermillion Fruit Tree was also to be planted on it, serving as a hub connecting the formation with the fire meridian.

“Leave it to us,” Wang Xingyu said with great enthusiasm. He and Gong Ranran used their Object Manipulation Art to carefully move the over three-meter-tall Vermillion Fruit Tree from the transport vehicle. After repeated surveys and experiments, they determined its final position.

“This is it.” Gong Ranran put down the jade plate artifact she used to survey the flow of earth meridians, pointed a finger, and drew a half-meter diameter circle on the sunny side of the small hill.

Chen Mobai and Wang Xingyu immediately took out their magical tools and began digging. Before long, they had excavated a pit large enough for the Vermillion Fruit Tree to be placed.

“Next, it will require daily watering and artificial rain. Once the spiritual tree adapts to the environment and starts budding, it means the transplant was successful.”

As a genius specializing in the cultivation of flowers, plants, and spiritual trees at the Daoist Academy of Martial Arts, Gong Ranran had also studied the Vermillion Fruit Tree for two years and was very familiar with its habits.

“You might have to work hard for a while longer.” Chen Mobai certainly didn’t understand the Vermillion Fruit Tree as deeply as Wang Xingyu and Gong Ranran did. He had invited them to ensure the transplant’s success.

“This will be a perfect practical application for our spiritual plant cultivation course.” However, Wang Xingyu and Gong Ranran both had expressions of blissful contentment.

After confirming their relationship, they were in the midst of a passionate romance. No matter the environment, as long as they were by each other’s side, it felt like paradise.

After Chen Mobai treated them to a meal in Danxia City, he remembered that both were spirit plant cultivators and would surely appreciate spiritual wood. So, he took them to the Scarlet Cloud Academy to see the fourth-tier Jade Phoenix Tree.

“It’s truly magnificent! Perhaps only the Great Chūn Tree, which suppresses myriad waters and mountains, could be grander than this Jade Phoenix Tree,” Gong Ranran said, standing among the phoenix trees at the foot of the mountain, gazing at the towering jade tree atop the highest peak, which seemed to connect heaven and earth, steaming with mist and clouds. Her eyes revealed a look of infatuation.

In terms of appearance, even the fifth-tier Vermillion Fruit Tree at the Daoist Academy of Martial Arts was not as impressive as this Jade Phoenix Tree.

“The young phoenix tree saplings here are all branches of the Jade Phoenix Tree, and I’m cultivating one myself.” As the mountain peak where the fourth-tier Jade Phoenix Tree resided was a retreat for Golden Core True Persons, they could only explore the Scarlet Cloud Academy at the base of the mountain. Chen Mobai bought two young phoenix tree saplings as thank-you gifts for Wang Xingyu and Gong Ranran.

Both of them were delighted with the gift.

Since the Scarlet Cloud Academy sold many flowers, fruits, and root systems of the Jade Phoenix Tree, all excellent materials for alchemy, Wang Xingyu, as an alchemist, purchased a large quantity. Compared to Yun Yangbing, he had gained a plentiful harvest in Danxia City.

For the next month, Gong Ranran helped care for the Vermillion Fruit Tree, while Wang Xingyu traveled between the puppet factory and the Scarlet Cloud Academy, attempting to learn and refine the academy's alchemy system, which centered around the Jade Phoenix Tree.

He purchased materials according to their respective pill formulas and began refining Purple Fire Pills, Clear Fire Pills, Flowing Fire Pills, Azure Fire Pills, Jade Fire Pills, and so on, one by one.

Whenever Wang Xingyu encountered something he didn’t understand, he didn’t act arrogantly due to his status at the Daoist Academy of Martial Arts. Instead, he humbly sought advice from the teachers at the Scarlet Cloud Academy.

Many of the teachers at the One Hundred and Twenty Prefectures were only at the ninth level of Qi Condensation. When Wang Xingyu, a Foundation Establishment True Cultivator from the academy, sought their guidance, they were somewhat flattered and eagerly shared their true skills.

By the time Chen Mobai’s Vermillion Fruit Tree was successfully transplanted, Wang Xingyu’s study of the Scarlet Cloud Academy’s alchemy system had also entered its most crucial stage. He decided to apply for an external internship from the academy, just like Chen Mobai.

During her boredom while caring for the Vermillion Fruit Tree, Gong Ranran also helped Chen Mobai plant the one hundred Fire Spirit Tree saplings.

Seeing this, Chen Mobai went back to the Scarlet Cloud Academy and bought more young phoenix tree saplings. He also traveled to Yumu City, a neighboring city renowned in the Immortal Sect for cultivating spiritual wood, to purchase saplings of Azure Cypress Spirit Wood, Purple Pine Spirit Wood, White Willow Spirit Wood, Rosewood Spirit Wood, and other varieties. He gathered exactly one thousand saplings and planted them on the thousand-wood nodes of Yun Yangbing’s formation.

Naturally, he didn’t forget to mix in some Scarlet Sun Spirit Tree saplings among them.

Two months later, by the time Wang Xingyu had finally mastered the Scarlet Cloud Academy’s alchemy system, Chen Mobai’s previously barren puppet factory had taken on a proper form.

Chai Lun and his team had completed all the puppet production, and the custom-made equipment from Tiangong Artifact Factory had also been delivered. Chen Mobai had been staying there recently, busy with the final debugging of the puppet factory.

The factory occupied only a tiny fraction of the wasteland. On the rest of the vast land, various types of spiritual wood saplings were sparsely planted, one after another.

Once these saplings fully matured, they would not only transform the area into a place of spiritual beauty but also complete the "Fiery Sun Thousand Wood Unified Qi Formation" laid out by Yun Yangbing and his team, turning it into a vast forest.

“Old Chen, I actually have you to thank this time.” Wang Xingyu wore a joyful expression. After incorporating the Scarlet Cloud Academy’s alchemy system into his knowledge framework, his alchemy skills had greatly improved, and he was now confident he could pass the examination for a third-tier alchemist.

He had already been a second-tier alchemist during his Qi Condensation stage. In recent years, his alchemy had been in a bottleneck because he hadn't yet reached Foundation Establishment.

He had originally intended to let his skills improve naturally, but he unexpectedly received an opportunity to elevate his alchemy to a higher level by helping transplant the Vermillion Fruit Tree in Danxia City.

“Mainly, it’s because you’ve reached Foundation Establishment. The advancement of your cultivation is the key to breaking through in alchemy.” Chen Mobai, however, had a clearer perspective as an outsider. Wang Xingyu, being the top alchemist of their generation, possessed exceptional talent. Even without the Scarlet Cloud Academy’s alchemy system, he would have found other knowledge to absorb as nourishment for his skills.

When alchemy breaks through from the second tier to the third, the advancement of one’s cultivation is paramount.

After all, throughout the Immortal Sect's history, while many cultivators possessed skills in the Hundred Arts of Cultivation that surpassed their cultivation level by one tier, there were almost none who transcended by two tiers.

Besides the strict examinations of the Immortal Sect, it’s also because many tier-transcending items require spiritual sense and spiritual power far beyond what a cultivator can withstand.

For instance, if the current Chen Mobai were to draw a third-tier Azure Wood Divine Thunder Talisman, he believed he could achieve it after some practice. However, if he were to draw a fourth-tier one, he wouldn’t be able to, even if his cultivation increased tenfold.

“Old Chen, then we’ll head back to the academy now.” After Wang Xingyu mastered the essence of the Scarlet Cloud Academy’s alchemy, there was no longer any need for him to remain in Danxia City.

“I also need to thank you two this time. Please accept these two jars of wine.” Although Gong Ranran was primarily the one helping this time, and Wang Xingyu mostly went out to study, Chen Mobai still thanked both of them.

“There’s no need for formalities between us.” Both of them had previously tasted the spirit wine brewed in Chen Mobai’s hometown, so they readily accepted the gift.

After seeing them off, the debugging of Chen Mobai’s puppet factory also reached its final stage.

Zhou Tiangong had also been there during this period. With Chai Lun, the three talents from the puppet-making department gathered to adjust various operational issues of the puppet factory.

“Phew, it’s finally successful.” After three days and three nights of continuous operation without any equipment or puppet alarms, Chai Lun sighed in relief and drained the tea on the table.

“Thank you for your hard work, senior brothers.” Chen Mobai sincerely thanked Zhou Tiangong and Chai Lun. Both waved their hands, indicating it was their duty.

“Although this puppet factory is running successfully, it’s currently only capable of producing talisman paper and talisman ink. Junior Brother, you’ve acquired such a large piece of land; do you have plans to expand into other industries in the future?” Zhou Tiangong held the talisman paper produced entirely mechanically by the puppet factory over the past two days. As he felt for the differences between it and manually produced talisman paper, he asked Chen Mobai.

“In the future, once the fire poison is cleared, I plan to develop it into a forest, a medicinal field, and then raise some spiritual beasts. I might start with a pharmacy, and if it’s profitable, then consider expanding into the artifact refining industry.” Chen Mobai briefly outlined his industrial plan. However, for the next ten years, his focus would definitely be on talisman paper and talisman ink, to see if he could utilize the spiritual wood resources from the Divine Tree Secret Realm to establish a firm footing within the Immortal Sect.

However, whether he earns merit points in the Immortal Sect is not the main concern. After all, the resource exchange here has already been strictly categorized by rigid tiers and timeframes, making the amount of merit points secondary.

The key is to sell these items to the Heavenly River Realm.

For instance, the first-tier high-grade talisman paper in Zhou Tiangong’s hand would only sell for 80 merit points in the Immortal Sect market.

Yet, at the Divine Wood Sect, Chen Mobai had seen the listed price in their sect’s shop: one spirit stone per dozen.

A dozen is twelve sheets!

Translating that, it’s a tenfold price difference.

As long as the Divine Wood Sect can provide sufficient protection, Chen Mobai is confident he can corner the entire Eastern Desolation’s market for talisman paper and talisman ink.

(End of Chapter)