Chapter 405: Trade with Meng Huang'er

## Chapter 405: The Transaction with Meng Huang'er (12k)

"Damn it, I refuse to accept this!"

After Chen Mobai released the suppression of his Myriad Swords Dharma Body, Zhong Li Tianyu rose once more. His Dragon-Horse form had been shattered, but the Eight Trigrams Immortal Lightning Robe on his body still barely maintained its integrity.

Upon standing, Zhong Li Tianyu controlled his Eight Trigrams Mirror, preparing to fight again. He felt that with his Foundation Establishment eighth-layer cultivation, coupled with his third-tier lightning art and his life-bound artifact, even if he wasn't Chen Mobai's match, he shouldn't have lost so miserably. He believed he deserved a grand battle lasting hundreds of rounds before finally being defeated, a fitting outcome for his year of diligent cultivation.

With a "thump," Chen Mobai's Myriad Swords Dharma Body descended again, suppressing Zhong Li Tianyu once more. The Eight Trigrams Mirror, which had just flown over, was intercepted in mid-air by Chen Mobai's Six Yang Divine Fire Mirror. Although this once-powerful fifth-tier artifact was now incomplete, Chen Mobai knew it would be troublesome if it unleashed its full power. He had struggled significantly when Pei Qingshuang wielded a fourth-tier sword artifact.

"Alright, alright, little Zhong Li, you need to mature a bit. What Junior Brother Chen said is not wrong; your talent is great, but if you only focus on yourself, it will be easy to fail the inner demon tribulation during Core Formation. In my opinion, it's better to spend two years settling down in the Student Union. It will also serve to temper your inner restlessness with worldly affairs."

At this moment, Bian Jingchun stepped in to mediate. Over the past year, she had intended to use the True Dragon Cauldron to refine her Taiyin Dragon Transformation Scripture. However, to her surprise, Zhong Li Tianyu, in a flight of fancy, also began cultivating the Dragon Transformation Scripture. The True Dragon Cauldron was a powerful artifact refined by a master artificer of the Weapons Dao Academy, forged from a primary dragon vein of another realm. This dragon vein contained the True Dragon Dharma form, capable of manifesting any dragon-attribute being. It was precisely for this reason that Bian Jingchun could use the True Dragon Cauldron to refine and reference the White Dragon form that suited her.

Then, one day during meditation, Zhong Li Tianyu suddenly recalled the Immortal Lightning spell associated with the Eight Trigrams Mirror, whose original form was the innate divine ability of the ancient divine beast Dragon-Horse. This Dragon-Horse was also a descendant of true dragons in mythology, so he wondered if he could seize this opportunity to master it and transform it into his own divine ability. Acting on the thought, Zhong Li Tianyu immediately sought out Bian Jingchun. Although she was reluctant to give up her time with the True Dragon Cauldron, the artifact was not hers, and if the matter reached the higher echelons of the academy, the Zhong Li clan's background was beyond her comparison. As a result, for the past year, Zhong Li Tianyu had monopolized most of the True Dragon Cauldron's usage time.

Compared to Bian Jingchun, Zhong Li Tianyu was indeed extraordinarily talented. In just one year, he had actually used the True Dragon Cauldron to fuse the Eight Trigrams Immortal Lightning into his divine ability and cultivated the Dragon-Horse form using the Dragon Transformation Scripture. Unfortunately, even such a powerful Zhong Li Tianyu was still effortlessly suppressed by Chen Mobai. However, for Bian Jingchun, this was a good thing. She wanted to send Zhong Li Tianyu away so she could properly cultivate the Dragon Transformation Scripture with the True Dragon Cauldron. Zhong Li Tianyu's achievement of the Dragon-Horse form in a year, though he had a foundation and had been exposed to the Dragon Transformation Scripture since childhood, greatly spurred Bian Jingchun, making her feel somewhat ordinary.

After being defeated twice by Chen Mobai and persuaded by Bian Jingchun, Zhong Li Tianyu finally recognized his situation. Once he confirmed he couldn't win, he stopped being stubborn, unwilling to risk another beating.

"What spell was that you used just now? Is it similar to the Dragon Transformation Scripture or some other spirit-taming art?"

Chen Mobai's Myriad Swords Dharma Body was quite intimidating and indeed powerful, suppressing the third-tier Eight Trigrams Immortal Lightning in one move. One must know, this was one of the Immortal Sect's six most powerful lightning arts; the old ancestor Zhong Li had once relied on this very technique to suppress the universe and open up the outer heavens. Yet Chen Mobai suppressed it with a single hand, which was truly excessively powerful.

"This is the Seven Star Sword Arms of Yin and Yang Five Elements, taught to me by Teacher Zuo Gong. However, I've only just begun to learn it and can only form arrays with five-element sword light, lacking sufficient sword fiends. If you'd like to learn, I can teach you." Chen Mobai smiled faintly, slightly concealing the truth, and mentioned the book "Collection of Sword Fiends."

Bian Jingchun and Zhong Li Tianyu naturally knew Zuo Gong, the Core Formation sword cultivator from the Sword Control Department. After listening, they couldn't help but exclaim in admiration. "Teacher Zuo, once hailed as the Immortal Sect's strongest sword dao genius in a hundred years, is truly worthy of his reputation to have created such a terrifying sword dao divine ability." However, after hearing this, both of them gave up the idea of cultivating the Myriad Swords Dharma Body. This was because Earth Fiend Qi was simply too precious in the Immortal Sect. Although the seven types of Earth Fiend Qi (yin, yang, five elements) were all purchasable, their paths were set after Foundation Establishment. One cultivated the Dragon Transformation Scripture, the other lightning arts; they truly had no time to spare for sword dao, unless they were to get stuck at Foundation Establishment Completion for a long time and were extremely bored.

"Since this True Dragon Cauldron is so useful, what do you two think? Is there a Dragon Transformation form suitable for me?"

After tidying up the cave, the three found a place to sit down and chat. Chen Mobai expressed his admiration for Zhong Li Tianyu's talent, given that his third-tier lightning art was entirely due to direct empowerment. If he had to cultivate it himself, he estimated it would only rise with his realm after Core Formation. Since the True Dragon Cauldron was so useful and conveniently at hand, he felt it would be a waste not to use it.

Upon hearing Chen Mobai's words, Bian Jingchun's face, which had been bright from successfully persuading Zhong Li Tianyu to leave, immediately fell. Chen Mobai also had a profound background; if he wanted to use the True Dragon Cauldron, she wouldn't be able to compete.

"Junior Brother Chen cultivates the Pure Yang Scroll, right? If you really want to force it, there's probably only the Blazing Dragon form. However, this Blazing Dragon has always been a myth in the Immortal Sect; there's never been actual evidence proving its existence." Bian Jingchun immediately spoke, half-answering and half-dissuading. The Dragon Transformation Scripture also originated from spirit-taming arts, and for it to reach great mastery later, it still required refining corresponding spiritual beast essence blood. For instance, her Taiyin Dragon Transformation Scripture was based on a drop of third-tier white snake essence blood. Zhong Li Tianyu, on the other hand, directly used the power source of the Eight Trigrams Mirror as his foundation, as the original Dragon Tortoise primordial spirit of Ancestor Zhong Li was fifth-tier and had long been integrated into the Zhong Li clan's bloodline. Zhong Li Tianyu's cultivation of the Dragon-Horse form in one year, besides his incredible comprehension, was also due to his bloodline and the Eight Trigrams Mirror, his associated artifact. As for the Blazing Dragon suitable for Chen Mobai, it was purely a myth, supposedly a fire dragon born from the heart of the earth. There was no reliable spiritual beast essence blood in the Immortal Sect.

"It's not entirely without. My ancestor had a work called 'Myriad Dragon Forms,' which is only circulated within our family. It contains his conjectures about various dragon dharma forms he encountered across the Immortal Sect and other realms, and among them is a chapter on the Blazing Dragon of the Earth's Core. He said that the essence blood extracted from a type of fire earthworm that grows in volcanoes can be used to approach and enhance the Blazing Dragon form."

Zhong Li Tianyu's words left Bian Jingchun speechless.

"Fire earthworms? Forget it then, it doesn't fit my aesthetic." However, Chen Mobai shook his head directly after hearing this. As someone who paid so much attention to his image, how could he melt the essence blood of an earthworm into his body to cultivate the Dragon Transformation Scripture!

"Red-chained snakes also work, but the essence blood extracted from them leans towards the Coiling Dragon form, and its compatibility with the Pure Yang Scroll isn't as high." Zhong Li Tianyu continued, "Of course, I think you could also choose not to cultivate the Blazing Dragon form. The evolution paths of the Great Sun Golden Crow, Vermilion Bird, and Sun-Swallowing Divine Ape, these three fire-attribute divine beasts, are also no less inferior to the Blazing Dragon of the Earth's Core." He then added, "After all, with your talent, even if you purely cultivate spirit-taming arts, I imagine you can reach the pinnacle."

Chen Mobai immediately waved his hand modestly after hearing Zhong Li Tianyu's words. "My talent is actually quite ordinary. The achievements I have today are only due to some fortuitous encounters and diligence." This was true. Since he couldn't use the True Dragon Cauldron, he put the matter of cultivating the Dragon Transformation Scripture out of his mind. As for spirit-taming arts, although they could be compatible with any cultivation method if chosen appropriately, it was definitely not something he would consider at the moment. However, he did think of the Sky-Swallowing Serpent he kept in the divine tree secret realm. This creature was said to potentially evolve the essence blood of any mythical dragon-snake divine beast. He wondered if it could relate to the legendary Blazing Dragon.

"Do you also cultivate a wood-attribute cultivation method?" Just then, Zhong Li Tianyu suddenly asked a question. Chen Mobai's cultivation of the Pure Yang Scroll was common knowledge, but besides his sword fiends, his other powerful combat technique was the third-tier Aetherwood Divine Lightning. Therefore, everyone speculated that besides the Pure Yang Scroll, he might have another hidden secret art.

"That's right, I also cultivate a longevity-extending cultivation method." Chen Mobai didn't hide it. After all, in the Immortal Sect, many cultivators would also cultivate health-preserving methods to increase their lifespan. It was perfectly reasonable for him to comprehend the true essence of the third-tier Aetherwood Divine Lightning from this.

"Aetherwood Divine Lightning is a branch of Myriad Illusions Green Lightning. You could try that path." Zhong Li Tianyu was born on a stormy night, supposedly imbued with the essence of thunder and lightning, so he had been interested in all kinds of lightning arts since childhood. This Myriad Illusions Green Lightning was the lightning of vital force, and also a terrifying lightning art that could strike the mind directly and annihilate the soul. It was the innate divine lightning of the ancient divine beast Kui Niu, and the ultimate form of the four types of lightning: Jia Wood, Yi Wood, Ren Water, and Gui Water. Chen Mobai didn't know much about lightning arts, but Zhong Li Tianyu was intimately familiar with the Immortal Sect's six great divine lightning arts and couldn't help but offer guidance.

"Although all living beings can become dragons, this Kui Niu doesn't have a dragon form, so it can't use the True Dragon Cauldron." But Chen Mobai understood his own talent well. If he had to purely rely on his own efforts to cultivate Myriad Illusions Green Lightning, he felt it would be impossible to even get started in this lifetime. Bian Jingchun, listening nearby, also quickly nodded, echoing Chen Mobai's words and stating that Kui Niu was not among the dragon-type dharma forms.

"Besides Kui Niu, Myriad Illusions Green Lightning is also the innate divine ability of another supreme divine beast." Zhong Li Tianyu snorted, showing his dissatisfaction with their lack of lightning art knowledge, and reminded them.

"Which one?" Chen Mobai truly didn't know this, and Bian Jingchun was initially puzzled as well. But since she had cultivated the Taiyin Dragon Transformation Scripture, she had some knowledge in this area and immediately understood whom Zhong Li Tianyu was referring to. Even in distant myths, it was the king of the supreme divine beasts!

"Azure Dragon!" Bian Jingchun uttered these two words with a solemn expression.

Upon hearing this, Chen Mobai was instantly overjoyed. Even as an outsider, he knew the name of the Azure Dragon—the supreme among the supreme, the divine dragon even among all mythical dragons. "This Azure Dragon form seems quite suitable for me. Which spiritual beast essence blood in the Immortal Sect can align with this Dragon Transformation evolution path?"

As soon as Chen Mobai said this, Bian Jingchun's face went from green to white. She felt her three-year leave seemed insufficient.

"Green snakes will do, but don't hold out too much hope. At most, you'll probably only achieve the Green Flood Dragon form. For true dragon transformation, you'd at least need a realm like my Ancestor Zhong Li's." The Azure Dragon was a myth among myths. To fully manifest its dharma form, even a Nascent Soul Venerable might fall short. Zhong Li Tianyu was only providing a Dragon Transformation Scripture path suitable for Chen Mobai. But that was enough. His words opened up an extremely broad world for Chen Mobai.

When he reached Core Formation with the Two Forms Scripture in the future, all the spiritual energy from the Longevity Scripture would be swallowed by the Pure Yang Scroll. However, it would be truly regrettable to abandon his third-tier Aetherwood Divine Lightning. Combat aside, his success in cultivating spiritual plants in the Eastern Barren was entirely due to this Aetherwood Divine Lightning. If, after Core Formation, he could continue this Aetherwood Divine Lightning through the Dragon Transformation Scripture, not only would he not lose this powerful lightning art, but he could also directly open up subsequent advancement routes. As long as he achieved the Azure Dragon form, even with his aptitude, he would surely be able to comprehend Myriad Illusions Green Lightning. The vital force-stimulating power of Myriad Illusions Green Lightning surpassed Aetherwood Divine Lightning. The "Myriad Transformation Lightning Water" condensed from it was the most precious spiritual water in the Immortal Sect's spiritual plant market, possessing the effect of activating all spirits and promoting the growth of all things.

"Are there any third-tier green snakes in the Immortal Sect?" Chen Mobai happily imagined the wonderful scene of cultivating the entire Eastern Barren with Myriad Transformation Lightning Water in the future, and couldn't help but ask the most crucial point.

"You'll have to ask a professional about that; I'm only interested in lightning arts." Zhong Li Tianyu shook his head. Spiritual beasts were beyond his scope of interest; he had never bothered to learn about them. Chen Mobai then looked at Bian Jingchun, who seemed a bit dejected and only shook her head.

"Let me see..." Chen Mobai took out his phone and scrolled through his contacts. In the entire Immortal Sect, no one knew more about spiritual beasts than the Kunpeng Daoist Academy and the True Spirit Academy. Although Chen Mobai knew many people in the Kunpeng Daoist Academy, he only had Lan Haitan's contact information and didn't know how his Core Formation was progressing. After editing and sending a text message, seeing no reply from Lan Haitan, Chen Mobai guessed he was still in secluded cultivation and didn't presumptuously call him. He thought about asking Lu Qiulong from the True Spirit Academy but realized he hadn't added him as a friend. However, he had another way to contact Lu Qiulong. He directly logged into Little Scarlet Heaven, searched his battle records, found the match with Lu Qiulong, and sent a friend request. But Lu Qiulong was clearly not on Little Scarlet Heaven at the moment; Chen Mobai waited for a while but his friend request wasn't accepted.

"I'll ask Lu Qiulong when I have time; he should know." As he spoke, Chen Mobai didn't wait any longer. Seeing that it was almost time, he prepared to take Zhong Li Tianyu back to the Student Union.

"Farewell, Junior Brothers." Chen Mobai also invited Bian Jingchun, but she hadn't used the True Dragon Cauldron for some time and was unwilling to waste time. She shook her head, forced a smile, and saw the two off.

"Senior Sister Bian seems a bit low-spirited." As Chen Mobai left with Zhong Li Tianyu, he suddenly noticed this but couldn't figure out why.

"It's nothing, she's always like that." Zhong Li Tianyu shrugged indifferently. Every time he saw Bian Jingchun, she seemed somewhat dispirited, and over time, he came to believe it was just her personality. Chen Mobai nodded upon hearing this and paid no further attention.

"Opportunity comes once, maybe twice, but not thrice. If you give up halfway again this time, your character might not be strong enough in the future, and you'll suffer greatly." Back in the Student Union's small Western-style building, Chen Mobai continued to earnestly persuade Zhong Li Tianyu in his office. Zhong Li Tianyu pouted impatiently, but after two beatings, he dared not talk back.

"Jialan, from now on, you supervise him. If this fellow runs off, notify me immediately." Chen Mobai thought about meeting Meng Huang'er tonight and needed to return to Little Southern Mountain beforehand to retrieve the Phaseless Puppet, so he planned to leave early. However, fearing Zhong Li Tianyu would only remember the beating and not the words, he called Zhuang Jialan.

"Understood, President."

"I'm human too; I need my normal rest time." Zhong Li Tianyu protested, highly displeased.

"Alright then, Jialan, report to me every half month. If his overall attendance is insufficient, I'll come back and deal with him."

"If I work hard for the academy's students, will there be any compensation?" Zhong Li Tianyu suddenly asked this question, and Chen Mobai habitually mentioned academic credits. "Academic credits aren't very useful to me. How about this: I've just mastered the Eight Trigrams Immortal Lightning, and my control isn't very proficient. You suppress your combat power and spar with me a few rounds in Little Scarlet Heaven." Chen Mobai was somewhat surprised to hear this from Zhong Li Tianyu, thinking the guy wasn't as foolish as he seemed. "Alright, but I have something to do tonight." However, Chen Mobai was also keen on nurturing Zhong Li Tianyu, so he readily agreed to this request.

"It's a deal." After agreeing, they clasped hands to seal the oath. Chen Mobai felt that this time, Zhong Li Tianyu wouldn't just be three-minute hot. However, for Zhong Li Tianyu, only the last piece of the Eight Trigrams Mirror in the academy remained a concern, so tempering his character in the Student Union was indeed beneficial for him. After all, after graduation, he would have plenty of time to cultivate lightning arts and improve his cultivation. Chen Mobai left the Student Union with peace of mind.

Upon returning to his wooden house, he looked up, opening his Cave Insight Spiritual Eye to confirm Meng Huang'er's presence, but found he could only see a layer of mist. As a big star, Meng Huang'er apparently valued her privacy greatly; this villa was even protected by an array, which his Cave Insight Spiritual Eye couldn't penetrate.

Chen Mobai teleported to Little Southern Mountain, opened the Cloud Mist Grand Array, and finding no communication talismans or similar items, retrieved the Phaseless Puppet and clicked to return to the city. Back home, he took out his phone and called Meng Huang'er.

"Yes, I'm here." Meng Huang'er answered, seemingly relieved.

"Then wait a few minutes, I'll be right up." Chen Mobai confirmed, hung up, and to avoid exposing his storage bag, he controlled the Phaseless Puppet, carrying two boxes of tea, and flew towards the mountaintop. This was his first visit to Meng Huang'er in eight years, ever since he rented the wooden house here. To be honest, it felt quite strange.

In his first year of academy, he had been full of curiosity about Meng Huang'er, the big star, and wondered if he could become her friend. However, later, due to busy studies and his own efforts to acquire Foundation Establishment Pills, there was no opportunity for deeper mutual understanding, and they never met again. It wasn't until after he reached Foundation Establishment that he added Meng Huang'er's contact information during a chance encounter on his way to school. Subsequently, because Meng Huang'er's voice was helpful for his Divine Sense cultivation, and at his own initiative, their relationship finally made some progress. But then, for some reason... they lost contact again! Chen Mobai could only recall these limited interactions with Meng Huang'er.

The mountain they lived on was not high, so Chen Mobai, with the Phaseless Puppet, quickly flew to the top. At the center of the mountaintop was Meng Huang'er's small villa. In front of the two-story building was a large flower sea, with a grassy path winding through it. Beyond the flower sea stood rows of green pine spiritual trees, and a small stream encircled the area, carrying the fragrance of pine, flowers, and grass as it flowed around half the mountain. But amidst this exquisite scenery, an even more beautiful girl captivated Chen Mobai's attention.

"Over here." Chen Mobai had intended to land at the main entrance and walk in, but Meng Huang'er waved to him from the large balcony on the second floor, so he flew directly towards her. Meng Huang'er leaned her hands on the glass railing of the balcony, resting her smooth, fair chin on them. Her long dress gently swayed with the mountain breeze, closely clinging to her tall and graceful figure, revealing elegant and delicate curves. Chen Mobai looked down from the air, his gaze centered on Meng Huang'er, surrounded by the mountain scenery, flowers, green pines, and leaves, forming a beautiful picture. He couldn't help but take out his phone and capture the scene.

"Truly beautiful." After flying to Meng Huang'er's side, Chen Mobai showed her the photo he took on his phone. The composition was indeed perfect; the girl and the surrounding scenery blended perfectly, but the center of attention was undeniably her.

"Thank you." Meng Huang'er blushed slightly and lowered her head upon seeing the photo.

"This is Snow Needle Spirit Tea. Long-term consumption can purify the mind and enhance comprehension." Chen Mobai directed the Phaseless Puppet, which was following him, to place the two boxes of tea on the small glass table on the balcony. Meng Huang'er thanked him again.

"Before, after you failed your Foundation Establishment, I wanted to comfort you, but I didn't know how to speak." The two sat on the small sofa on the balcony. Chen Mobai began to get into character, looking regretful.

"After failing Foundation Establishment, all I wanted was to hide far away. If you had tried to comfort me, I might have felt even worse." Meng Huang'er said understandingly. After forcefully attempting Foundation Establishment and failing, she had healed her injuries, turned off her phone, and spent half a year resting and clearing her mind. At that time, she was truly disheartened and wanted nothing to do with anyone. It was only with the passage of time that she came to terms with it and emerged from her self-imposed isolation.

"Coincidentally, I have a Phaseless Puppet given by Teacher Che. Although this thing cannot increase the probability of Foundation Establishment, it can help you find flaws and omissions and simulate the Foundation Establishment process for your cultivation method." Students of the Weapons Dao Academy could use the Phaseless Puppet once. Meng Huang'er had already used it during her first Foundation Establishment attempt. It was precisely that demonstration, which showed her Foundation Establishment as successful, that made her determined to take the Foundation Establishment Three Treasures even without comprehending the Boundary Law.

"The Phaseless Puppet is merely a puppet; it only has 'yes' or 'no' options. If your Foundation Establishment probability exceeds 50%, it will show 'success.' Its main purpose is to check for defects and loopholes in your cultivation method." Chen Mobai explained the Phaseless Puppet's operating mechanism and principle with a smile, listening to Meng Huang'er's pouting complaints. However, there was no such thing as a 100% success rate for Foundation Establishment probability; one could only seek comfort. Even with comprehension of the Boundary Law, failure was possible, but the Boundary Law allowed the cultivator to pause the Foundation Establishment process, giving them unlimited opportunities for exploration and trial-and-error.

"Then I'll have to trouble you. Not long ago, I finally got my turn in the queue for a Foundation Establishment Treasure simulation, and it showed my success rate for this Foundation Establishment attempt is only 46%, even lower than the first time." As Meng Huang'er spoke, she used her phone to display a screenshot from the Foundation Establishment Treasure. As a big star, she had some influence to jump the queue to use the Foundation Establishment Treasure. Chen Mobai looked at her interface. It showed that she had selected Foundation Establishment Three Treasures, Mysterious Fire Spirit Liquid, Jade Marrow Pill, Spirit Artifact Foundation Establishment Technique, and had input her previous Foundation Establishment experience, which even included the Spirit Energy Vortex method. Yet, despite all this, Meng Huang'er had still failed at the "condensing qi into liquid" stage last time, only condensing five drops of liquid spiritual energy. This also indicated that she had effectively completed the first step of "tendon and marrow cleansing," making the Mysterious Fire Spirit Liquid and Jade Marrow Pill almost ineffective for her.

"If you try Foundation Establishment again, the 'tendon and marrow cleansing' step can be easily completed without obstacles; you only need a Vein Protection Pill." Using Mysterious Fire Spirit Liquid and Jade Marrow Pill would be a bit wasteful. Chen Mobai didn't say it explicitly, but that was his meaning.

"I don't feel confident, and there's no harm in taking more." Meng Huang'er spoke her mind. Although the Immortal Sect advocated against waste, she, as a special talent, received some preferential treatment.

"That's fine. However, your key issue is still the 'condensing qi into liquid' step. After all, your voice can help us improve our divine sense; after being exposed to it for so many years, I imagine you'll easily pass the divine sense out-of-body stage." Chen Mobai spoke offhandedly, but Meng Huang'er pouted again, looking wronged.

"My voice is useful to everyone else, but I'm immune to it myself. Only the 'Heart Tone Mysterious Sound' that emanates from my entire being during breakthroughs can be useful to me." Chen Mobai was surprised to hear this; such a thing actually existed. No wonder, with her conditions, she hadn't succeeded in Foundation Establishment. It turned out she was immune to her own voice.

"What is 'Heart Tone Mysterious Sound'?" Chen Mobai asked again. If it was useful even to Meng Huang'er herself, wouldn't it be even more useful to him?

"My Mysterious Sound Wonderful Method has various accompanying 'heart tones.' When performed with the heart, it can cause the body's apertures to resonate in unison, transforming into mysterious sounds that refine the spirit. These are the 'Heart Tone Mysterious Sounds'." Chen Mobai understood after hearing this. No wonder everyone felt so refreshed and purified, body and mind, after listening to Meng Huang'er sing. It was because their own apertures were harmonized by the music, playing the most suitable 'heart tone' within their bodies. And these 'Heart Tone Mysterious Sounds' required the performer to pour their heart and spiritual energy into them, so the effect was best when heard in person.

"Then how can your 'Heart Tone Mysterious Sound' be induced?" Chen Mobai continued to ask. Meng Huang'er explained that each time she broke through a cultivation realm, her Mysterious Sound Wonderful Method would spontaneously draw forth 'Great Dao Celestial Music,' which in turn would trigger her own 'human music' to cleanse her mind.

"What is 'Great Dao Celestial Music'?" Chen Mobai always asked when he didn't understand. Meng Huang'er, using her delicate, snow-white fingers, explained each point to him.

"Music is divided into Celestial Music, Earth Music, and Human Music. Celestial Music is the sound of the Great Dao itself operating the cosmos, the 'auditory path of the Dao.' The Immortal Sect's 'Spirit Shocking Melody' plays Celestial Music, allowing listeners to personally hear the Great Dao."

"Earth Music is the resonance caused by all things in heaven and earth. It is the frequency most suitable for the existence of matter itself. If this frequency is disrupted, it can be shattered, and this is also our sound cultivators' method of attack."

"And Human Music is the resonance of the human body's apertures, tendons, bones, and so on. My 'Heart Tone Mysterious Sound' triggers this. In this state, anyone can achieve the most perfect mental state, cultivating with double the efficiency, and even potentially entering mysterious states like 'hearing the Dao and comprehending the Dao'!"

Chen Mobai was greatly surprised to hear this. "Hearing the Dao to establish foundation" was also Human Music? Did that mean Meng Huang'er could help others establish foundation?

"After I establish Foundation, if I perform a song with my whole heart, it can, on average, increase a Qi Refining cultivator's Foundation Establishment success rate by 5%." Because each person's Human Music was different, Meng Huang'er could only try her best to induce resonance with her voice. According to data from predecessors, this average was 5%. But this was already quite remarkable, equivalent to a living, inexhaustible source of Foundation Establishment Three Treasures.

"Didn't Jiang Yuyuan establish Foundation? If you invited him to perform for you, would it help?" Chen Mobai asked again. Meng Huang'er shook her head bitterly. "Cultivators of the Mysterious Sound Wonderful Method are immune to each other. The only thing that can help us is the Great Dao Celestial Music." It was precisely for this reason that, in the Immortal Sect, cultivators with other options generally wouldn't cultivate the Mysterious Sound Wonderful Method. This path was simply too unkind to the cultivator themselves. The Mysterious Sound Wonderful Method was a cultivation method that sacrificed oneself for the benefit of others.

"If that's the case, I think you should change your cultivation method while you haven't established Foundation yet; there's still time." Chen Mobai couldn't help but speak his mind after hearing this.

"But the Mysterious Sound Wonderful Method can perform the Spirit Shocking Melody. Once it plays, we have the possibility of directly comprehending Nascent Soul mysteries within the Great Dao Mysterious Sound." Meng Huang'er, however, shook her head and stated the Mysterious Sound Wonderful Method's sole purpose. The Immortal Sect once had a most brilliant era, where four Nascent Soul cultivators were born within a mere hundred years. These four were precisely due to listening to the Spirit Shocking Melody. Among them, three were listeners, and one was the performer. The first to achieve Nascent Soul was this performer. After playing the Spirit Shocking Melody, their mind drew close to the auditory path of the Great Dao, permanently resonating their Human Music with Celestial Music, merging with the Dao. In just a hundred years, they went from early Nascent Soul to achieving the Dao, becoming the Immortal Sect's fastest Nascent Soul cultivator. Therefore, although the Mysterious Sound Wonderful Method was a sacrifice for the cultivator, these sacrifices could potentially lead to ultimate transcendence, with their divine sense infinitely detached, like a butterfly fluttering and roaming in the great Dao's ocean of sound, forever in a state of comprehending the Dao. It was for this reason that many sound cultivators in the Immortal Sect still hoped for this and diligently studied the Mysterious Sound Wonderful Method, hoping to one day play the Spirit Shocking Melody again.

"The choices you make for yourself are always the right ones." Chen Mobai could only encourage Meng Huang'er in this way.

Then he activated the Phaseless Puppet, but he still needed Meng Huang'er's most detailed body data. "I have my medical report from last year, but the human body is slowly changing every moment. I should probably go to the hospital for a new check-up." Meng Huang'er was about to get up to ensure perfection, but Chen Mobai immediately stopped her and took out his Six Yang Divine Fire Mirror. "This item of mine was forged in imitation of the Headmaster's Scarlet Heart Precious Mirror and has similar functions. If you don't mind, I can help you with a scan." After Chen Mobai spoke, Meng Huang'er's delicate face blushed slightly. She was a girl with normal sentiments and felt she should blush at this moment, showing her bashfulness.

"Do I need to stand up?" After a long silence, Meng Huang'er spoke first.

"No, sitting is fine, but don't cross your legs." Chen Mobai immediately directed Meng Huang'er, who was on the opposite sofa, into position with a professional demeanor. Her long dress just reached her knees. After she uncrossed her right leg, her long, slender, fair legs straightened and came together beneath the hem of her skirt, like exquisite ivory art. The Six Yang Divine Fire Mirror quickly completed its scan. Chen Mobai took a glance, marveling at her perfect body and leg proportions, but maintained a calm expression. He swiftly imported Meng Huang'er's body data and the full text of the Mysterious Sound Wonderful Method into the Phaseless Puppet. "I'm about to start. Make sure to record everything carefully yourself, and we can discuss any parts you don't understand later." Meng Huang'er nodded nervously. Chen Mobai, familiar with the process, began the Foundation Establishment simulation.

The simulation proved that the Foundation Establishment Treasure was reliable; this Foundation Establishment simulation indeed failed, meaning a success rate of less than 50%. "Sure enough, it's still not enough!" Meng Huang'er's expression dimmed upon seeing the result. Chen Mobai discussed the process of her Mysterious Sound Wonderful Method's operation with her and found no significant issues. After all, as a key cultivation target, she lacked no guidance from teachers. Chen Mobai stopped the Phaseless Puppet and could only offer a tactful suggestion. "Senior Sister, perhaps you should wait a bit longer. Anyway, you still have another year next year, and maybe you'll comprehend the Boundary Law then." Meng Huang'er was one year ahead of Chen Mobai. Next year, Chen Mobai would be a ninth-year student, and she would be a tenth-year student, which was considered her last opportunity. If she still didn't succeed in Foundation Establishment, she would either have to marry or serve in the military. However, as a potential candidate for the Spirit Shocking Melody, Chen Mobai believed the Immortal Sect would likely grant her a few more years, as the Mysterious Sound Wonderful Method held immense value for the general populace of the Immortal Sect.

"Junior Brother, actually, there's one more condition I didn't check on the Foundation Establishment Treasure. If I were to include it, it could significantly increase my success rate." At this moment, Meng Huang'er gritted her teeth and said something that surprised Chen Mobai.

"Oh, may I ask what it is?"

"I possess an art called the Heaven-Aligning Art, which borrows the auspicious fortune of individuals with great luck to temporarily enhance my own fortune. After using this spell, I will be blessed with boundless fortune and smooth sailing during Foundation Establishment."

"Such a spell exists in the Immortal Sect!?" Chen Mobai heard of this "Heaven-Aligning Art" for the first time and showed a surprised expression. But then he realized why Meng Huang'er was telling him this.

"Senior Sister, do you mean...?"

"Precisely. Junior Brother, as the chief of the academy, both your talent and cultivation speed are among the very best in the Immortal Sect. You are definitely a person of great fortune, perhaps even a legendary protagonist of your era. If you are willing to temporarily lend your fortune to me during my Foundation Establishment, I believe I can overcome this obstacle." Since Meng Huang'er had already spoken, she no longer hesitated, blurting out her entire plan in one breath.

"Senior Sister, I actually believe that this talk of fortune is unreliable. Immortal Sect cultivators should be more materialistic." In the Immortal Sect, the vast majority of cultivators believed that having power and realm in hand was the most practical and graspable existence, while notions of fortune and merit were mere superstitions. Chen Mobai had received the most orthodox education from the Immortal Sect since childhood and used to believe solely in power and realm. However, after obtaining the Turtle Treasure, he had subtly changed, realizing that sometimes luck was quite important. But in front of Meng Huang'er, he still pretended not to believe in fortune. This was because he didn't want to lend his fortune to Meng Huang'er; who knew if this Heaven-Aligning Art had side effects, what if it was a one-way loan?

"Junior Brother, we can be honest. Before performing the Heaven-Aligning Art, we can agree on a mutual Dao Heart Covenant. You can state any conditions you have." After Meng Huang'er opened up, she felt like she had broken through her inner inhibitions and frankly began discussing the transaction.

"Senior Sister, truly, I have no other demands from you." Since Meng Huang'er had said so, Chen Mobai honestly spoke his mind. Although listening to her Heart Tone Mysterious Sound provided various benefits to his divine sense, Chen Mobai felt that these benefits were not worth him allowing Meng Huang'er to use the Heaven-Aligning Art on him.

"If I establish Foundation, the Mysterious Sound Wonderful Method can draw a wisp of Great Dao Celestial Music to act upon me. Although only I can hear this Celestial Music, I can use it to perform with Heart Tone Mysterious Sound, which will also be greatly beneficial to you. It is said to be especially useful for breaking through divine sense bottlenecks." Meng Huang'er first offered one condition. However, she believed this might not be very appealing to Chen Mobai, for he was a true genius. Any bottleneck would not trap him for long, and perhaps he would not even encounter any divine sense bottlenecks at all. But Chen Mobai's eyes lit up upon hearing this. This sixth-layer divine sense bottleneck had trapped him for a whole year. Since taking the Enlightenment Tea, he had tried all sorts of methods, whether meditating in stillness or using external aids. His third-tier Snow Needle Immortal Sprouts tea was almost gone, but he simply couldn't break through. However, Chen Mobai had long been mentally prepared for this, knowing he wasn't a genius and encountering bottlenecks was normal. He even felt that as long as he could break through this divine sense bottleneck before graduation, it would be acceptable. Now, Meng Huang'er was saying that if she succeeded in Foundation Establishment, it would actually help with this. Chen Mobai suddenly felt that if they agreed on various restrictive conditions beforehand, ensuring no one-way loan and no side effects to his future Dao path, this Heaven-Aligning Art was not out of the question.

"Moreover, each time I break through a minor realm, my Heart Tone Mysterious Sound will also resonate at its most intense rhythm. In the future, when I break through from Foundation Establishment first layer to Foundation Establishment ninth layer, you can also be by my side. This can greatly enhance your divine sense." Chen Mobai remained silent for a long time. Meng Huang'er thought the first condition was not useful to a genius like him, so she gritted her teeth and offered a second bargaining chip. For her, this was almost giving up her entire Foundation Establishment period's youth.

"I need to go back and consider it carefully." After hearing these two conditions, Chen Mobai almost couldn't help but nod in agreement. But fortunately, his will was firm, and at the critical moment, he resisted the temptation, feeling that for safety's sake, he should go back and check relevant information or consult Che Yucheng.

"If these aren't enough, I have one last condition." Meng Huang'er knew that the first two conditions were not appealing enough to a genius like Chen Mobai. After all, even without her, this chief would sooner or later reach Foundation Establishment Completion, and even the insurmountable barrier of Core Formation would probably only delay a transcendent figure like him by at most sixty years. So, she gritted her teeth and stated her last and most precious condition.

"When I reach Foundation Establishment Completion, I can cultivate the Mysterious Sound Wonderful Body. The process of triggering Core Formation will also draw forth Great Dao Celestial Music. If you engage in dual cultivation with me at that time, you can directly listen to the sound track of the Dao through my body when it is in its most fervent state." She continued, "Predecessors have recorded that Foundation Establishment cultivators have the opportunity through this to directly break through the great realm bottleneck of divine sense, opening their Purple Mansion Sea of Consciousness to the Core Formation level while still in Foundation Establishment." Meng Huang'er's voice became calm as she spoke, "If you agree to establish a Dao Heart Covenant with me, I am willing to offer this as well." As she said this, Meng Huang'er's face had completely calmed down. At this moment, she had no other emotions; her mind was solely focused on overcoming the Foundation Establishment barrier. Moreover, if they engaged in dual cultivation, she too might be able to use Chen Mobai's pure primordial yang to break through her own divine sense great realm bottleneck during Foundation Establishment. This would be a mutual contribution and mutual help.

"Senior Sister, your words are too impactful. My young heart can barely process it." After hearing this, Chen Mobai couldn't help but feel ashamed and break into a sweat at Meng Huang'er's determined pursuit of the Dao. Heaven knows, he was still a pure boy. Listening to her words and seeing the beautiful woman with snow-white skin and jade-like limbs before him, his originally simple thoughts suddenly began to wander to inappropriate fantasies.

"These are all the conditions I can offer. If you are willing, we can sign the Dao Heart Oath on the spot. If not, please grant me one last shred of dignity and promise that only you will know what I've said today, alright?" Meng Huang'er's exquisite face showed a look of profound sorrow. Hearing her so helpless, and meeting her appealing eyes, Chen Mobai finally couldn't bear it.

"Sigh, since you've put it this way, how can I possibly refuse?" As soon as he said this, the dim, sorrowful light in Meng Huang'er's eyes suddenly lit up with a brilliant glow, like a ray of bright sunlight piercing through long, gloomy clouds, incredibly beautiful and dazzling.

"Then let's discuss the contract." Meng Huang'er's previously forced calm expression completely broke. Her ability to say what she had today required the greatest courage of her life. Now, having received an affirmative reply, an inexpressible shyness suddenly surged within her. This was not the feigned blush and shyness from before, but true embarrassment. The thought of being intimate with this stunning young man in the future, along with all the shame she thought she would endure, suddenly flooded her mind, causing her entire body to turn red.

*Calm down, it's just a simple mutual transaction. We are each taking what we need, each using the other.* Meng Huang'er constantly repeated this phrase in her mind, telling herself to maintain a normal heart. For the sake of achieving Nascent Soul, all these sacrifices were worth it. Moreover, with the stunning potential of this young man, it was not impossible for him to succeed in Core Formation and even become a master of the Immortal Sect in the future. She was merely selling her most precious resource to the best possible trader. It was just that Chen Mobai hadn't graduated yet; if he had more exposure and understanding of the Immortal Sect's temptations, he might not have even considered Meng Huang'er's conditions. This young man might become her greatest reliance in the coming centuries.

Meng Huang'er, having hypnotized herself that this was merely a transaction, finally regained her composure. She took out the papers she had prepared earlier, on which she had already written the three conditions she had mentioned, as well as details about the Heaven-Aligning Art, and her life-bound guarantee that this spell would not cause any side effects that would affect Chen Mobai's future Dao path.

Chen Mobai also came back to his senses at this moment, silently cursing himself for being unable to resist temptation. But if he were to back out now, he feared Meng Huang'er would be so ashamed as to commit suicide. Besides, this matter was, for him, entirely beneficial without any harm. Nevertheless, he still read through it word by word, circling any clauses he found inappropriate. By the time both had no objections to the contract, the sun was already setting.

"Your place really has the best view on this entire mountain." Chen Mobai stood by the balcony railing, gazing at the distant sunset glow. The faint yellow light fell upon Meng Huang'er's flawless, fair face beside him. He suddenly couldn't help but reach out and take her right hand, which was resting on the glass railing.

Meng Huang'er trembled all over.