Chapter 420: Three Acquaintances

"The legend of Zidian Qingshuang is widely known. If you become the master of the Zidian Sword, wouldn't that essentially pair you with Teacher Pei Qingshuang?" Yan Feng remarked, a hint of curiosity in his voice. In the eyes of most within the Immortal Sect, Zidian and Qingshuang were undoubtedly meant to be together.

"Ah, let's not bring this up again. It's one thing for me as a man, but Senior Sister Pei is so pure and elegant. Such rumors would only damage her reputation." Chen Mobai had always been mindful of protecting a woman's good name. Seeing this kind of speculation emerge, he immediately made his position clear.

"Brother Chen's character is as pure as jade. I truly admire that," Yan Feng said, a newfound reverence in his tone. Information within the Immortal Sect was quite transparent; if one cared to investigate, Pei Qingshuang's identity was widely known. However, Chen Mobai, despite the possibility of becoming the master of the Zidian Sword, chose to keep a respectful distance from her, a second-generation immortal. This only deepened Yan Feng's already profound admiration for him.

"Most of the students who made it to the final rounds of our entrance exam have also achieved Foundation Establishment," Chen Mobai noted. The two then began reminiscing about the past. Their generation was considered the Golden Age of Danxia City over the past century. From their cohort, six students had successfully reached Foundation Establishment: Chen Mobai, Qing Nu, Yan Feng, Gong Xiangyu, Shi Yuanqing, and Cao Yaling. Among these, Chen Mobai and Qing Nu were also Dao Seeds from the Daoist Academy, generally recognized as having no impediment to forming a Golden Core. Besides these six, there were also Kong Feichen and Yang Jing, two geniuses with anomalous spiritual roots whose records had since been expunged by the Immortal Sect.

The last time Danxia City produced such exceptional students was a century ago, with True Lord Scarlet Robe, Yu Tianguang's, generation. If Chen Mobai and Qing Nu could successfully form Golden Cores, the caliber of their class would instantly surpass that of True Lord Scarlet Robe's, making it the most distinguished cohort in Danxia City's thousand-year history.

A millennium ago, Danxia City produced Yan Canzhang, a cultivator who achieved Golden Core Perfection. Although he failed to form a Nascent Soul, he was still revered as the most exceptional cultivator since the establishment of Danxia City, a truly blessed land. This Yan Canzhang was Yan Feng's ancestor and an alumnus of Shanhai Academy. Yan Feng's decision to come here was, in a way, a pursuit of his ancestor's path.

"So that's it. No wonder you possessed a Heavenly Heart Sword Talisman back then." A flicker of realization crossed Chen Mobai's face after he and Yan Feng discussed Yan Canzhang.

"Actually, before our ancestor passed away, he left behind over a hundred Heavenly Heart Sword Talismans. After I used one, my family still had more than a dozen remaining, but to fetch higher prices, we publicly claimed they were the very last ones," Yan Feng said with a chuckle.

The Immortal Sect maintained an orderly lineage; powerful high-ranking cultivators, before their passing, typically left sufficient assets for several generations of their descendants to cultivate. For instance, Old Ancestor Zhongli bequeathed a furnace of Golden Liquid Jade Reversion Pills and a furnace of Nascent Soul Transformation Pills. If his descendants proved capable, Nascent Soul Venerables would emerge in every generation, potentially sustaining their lineage for ten thousand years. Although Yan Canzhang was merely a Golden Core True Lord, he was a fourth-rank Talisman Master. The Heavenly Heart Sword Talisman was his magnum opus. Before his demise, even though he had spent most of his merits and wealth to extend his lifespan, he still possessed the skill of drawing talismans. The one hundred Heavenly Heart Sword Talismans were the family's foundation left for his descendants. As one of the few "unranked" talismans in the Immortal Sect, a single Heavenly Heart Sword Talisman could be exchanged for a complete set of the Three Treasures for Foundation Establishment. It was precisely for this reason that for a millennium after Yan Canzhang's passing, the Yan family consistently produced Foundation Establishment True Cultivators in every generation.

"Since the Heavenly Heart Sword Talisman is so precious, why haven't your Yan family descendants tried to draw them yourselves?" Chen Mobai, having been an ordinary citizen in Danxia City, hadn't known how powerful the Yan family was. No wonder Yan Feng was considered the top favorite during the entrance exam; everyone had expected him to enter one of the Four Great Daoist Academies.

Upon hearing Chen Mobai's question, Yan Feng offered a wry smile, shaking his head. "Although the Heavenly Heart Sword Talisman is unranked, its drawing difficulty is nearly equivalent to that of a third-rank high-grade talisman. While our Yan family descendants have indeed produced third-rank Talisman Masters, their success rate for drawing this particular talisman is less than one percent."

"Furthermore, drawing this talisman requires third-rank Jade Cloud Talisman Paper and Flying Rainbow Talisman Ink," Yan Feng continued. "The raw material for Jade Cloud Talisman Paper is third-rank Jasper Parasol Tree sap, and for Flying Rainbow Talisman Ink, it's third-rank Cinnabar Spirit Sand. At its peak, my Yan family could acquire and produce these, but now, I doubt there's a single factory in the entire Immortal Sect capable of manufacturing this specific paper and ink."

The Heavenly Heart Sword Talisman was a collaborative creation by Yan Canzhang and another fourth-rank Talisman Master from the Heavenly Book Academy. Thus, the method for drawing this talisman is available in the libraries of both academies. However, the Yan family undoubtedly also possesses Yan Canzhang's personal notes on its creation. Yet, even with this, a millennium has passed, and no cultivator among the Yan family's descendants has fully mastered the Heavenly Heart Sword Talisman.

"I see..." Chen Mobai nodded in understanding after hearing this. He then pulled out his phone and searched for information about the Heavenly Heart Sword Talisman on the Talisman Master Association's forum. Soon, a complete video series appeared, detailing everything from the preparation of the talisman paper and ink to the drawing techniques. The president of the Talisman Master Association was none other than Venerable Yu Yi, the headmaster of the Heavenly Book Academy and the sole fifth-rank Talisman Master. It was therefore perfectly normal for the association to possess all the relevant data for this talisman.

The forum contained numerous posts related to the Heavenly Heart Sword Talisman, detailing the various difficulties involved in drawing it. Talisman paper and ink of third rank and above were essentially custom-made. As the raw materials for Jade Cloud Talisman Paper and Flying Rainbow Talisman Ink originated in Danxia City, local talisman factories were typically chosen for their production. However, due to the generally mediocre skill level of factories in Danxia City, there were no longer any talisman cultivators capable of producing third-rank Jade Cloud Talisman Paper and Flying Rainbow Talisman Ink. Even previously, only cultivators from the Yan family could skillfully produce them. This was precisely why Yan Feng stated that no one in the entire Immortal Sect could produce them; among his family's inheritors, only his Foundation Establishment grand-uncle still possessed these techniques. Yet, this Yan family elder was now retired, enjoying his golden years.

After seeing Yan Feng off, Chen Mobai pondered whether he could make Jade Cloud Talisman Paper and Flying Rainbow Talisman Ink his next goal once his own talisman factory was established and running smoothly. If he could pass the examination to become a third-rank Talisman Master, he could also set mastering the Heavenly Heart Sword Talisman as his next objective. After all, if he could bring this item to the Eastern Barrens, he would undoubtedly earn a substantial amount of spirit stones. Occasionally connecting with old classmates was quite beneficial; it even provided new ideas for wealth creation.

As Chen Mobai mused, his thoughts drifted to Yan Bingxuan. Since the situation with the Zidian Sword was now entirely clear, and the final round was still months away, perhaps he should return to Chicheng Cave Abode first. Then, he could head to the Eastern Barrens to see if he could acquire Water Mist Ice Crystals. After all, having obtained the Snow Spirit Water, Yan Bingxuan was certainly going to attempt Foundation Establishment this year. Even if she failed, she would at least have another chance next year. Furthermore, Meng Huang'er had already comprehended the Boundary Law, and helping her achieve Foundation Establishment swiftly would be one less concern for Chen Mobai.

However, just as Chen Mobai was about to bid his farewell, Pei Qingshuang suddenly arrived to inform him that the final round had been moved up.

"What's going on?" Chen Mobai asked, somewhat bewildered.

"To avoid any further complications, and since all four of you are already here at Shanhai Academy, we decided not to waste your time and simply conclude this matter directly," Pei Qingshuang stated with a shrug, being completely frank. Chen Mobai, however, felt that Shanhai Academy was being excessively cautious. Old Ancestor Baiguang's reincarnated form had already been eliminated by Hao Cao; it was inconceivable that another Transcendent Soul reincarnation would appear to disrupt their final round. Nevertheless, as it was a decision made by Shanhai Academy, the host with ultimate authority, and one that was entirely advantageous to them without any drawbacks, Chen Mobai naturally raised no objections.

"When is the final round?" Chen Mobai inquired, getting straight to the most crucial point.

"Seven days from now," Pei Qingshuang replied. "The twelve peerless sword dao geniuses selected by Teacher Hao Cao will also arrive. At that point, it will be the sixteen of you from whom the Zidian Sword will make its choice." After Pei Qingshuang finished, Chen Mobai nodded, indicating his readiness. He reasoned that in terms of cultivation, he couldn't possibly surpass the three Golden Core True Lords within a year anyway, so this arrangement was actually more favorable. Now, it just depended on whether the Zidian Sword had a fondness for spirit stones.

"Don't disappoint me." Before leaving, Pei Qingshuang's eyes glinted, and she uttered a remark that made Chen Mobai subtly furrow his brow.

"I'll do my best," he replied, wanting to say more, but finding himself only able to utter those words when met with Pei Qingshuang's clear, piercing gaze. *I don't think we're that familiar, are we?* Chen Mobai mused to himself, watching her graceful figure turn and depart. However, he quickly brushed these minor thoughts aside and began to fully immerse himself in preparations for the upcoming final selection round for the Zidian Sword.

As Shanhai Academy was not his own territory, he didn't dare to take out his storage bag or teleport to the Eastern Barrens while there. Having not contacted Meng Huang'er for some time, he decided to simply go to the hotel where she was staying.

Given Chen Mobai's character, after Meng Huang'er had mastered the Boundary Law, their relationship would ordinarily have reverted to its usual state, as it was before their prior arrangement. To avoid any suspicion, he even booked his own room at that hotel. After drawing a talisman in his room to prevent prying eyes, he retrieved all the spirit stones from his storage bag.

Among these, the most valuable were naturally the five high-grade spirit stones. These had originally been intended for the Formless Puppet to condense pure Yang purple qi. However, Chen Mobai considered that if he used all the high-grade spirit stones, the Formless Puppet would be unable to unleash its Foundation Establishment-level power when encountering a formidable enemy in the future. Furthermore, the pure Yang purple qi held little benefit for him at present, so after condensing about half a yellow gourd's worth, nearly a wisp, he decisively halted the process.

In addition to these five high-grade spirit stones, he also had the raw spirit ore obtained from Lone Soul Ridge. This colossal spirit stone contained spiritual energy roughly equivalent to three or four high-grade spirit stones, but since Chen Mobai had absorbed some while consuming the immortal peach fruit, its current quantity was less than three high-grade spirit stones' worth. Nonetheless, Chen Mobai believed this would make the best introductory gift for the Zidian Sword. Its immense size would allow the Zidian Sword to fully immerse itself and luxuriate in a bath of spiritual energy; aside from the spirit stone's grade, even the Sea Calming Sword received similar treatment.

After deciding on the appropriate treatment for the Zidian Sword, Chen Mobai was about to return to Xiaonanshan when he suddenly received a text message on his phone. It was from Meng Huang'er. "Is it convenient for you to come over now?" Chen Mobai read it, somewhat puzzled, and replied, "Should I go to you, or will you come to me?" Meng Huang'er texted back: "Either is fine." Chen Mobai then sent: "Then you come over. I've drawn a talisman in my room; it's more secluded and secure." A short while later, a knock sounded at his door. Chen Mobai rose to open it. Before he could utter a word, a fiery, graceful figure had already slipped into his embrace, her fair, high-heeled legs simultaneously kicking the door shut behind her.

Afterward, Chen Mobai returned to Shanhai Academy, his face etched with sighs of regret. Had he known how things would turn out, he certainly wouldn't have gone to Meng Huang'er's; it had been a complete waste of an evening. Yet, what was done was done. He could only learn from the experience and strive not to repeat the mistake. With that thought, Chen Mobai shook his head, clearing his mind of any images that might hinder his cultivation, and began to await the final round of the Zidian Sword's selection.

Soon after, the twelve peerless sword dao geniuses, under the arrangement of Shanhai Academy, arrived one by one at White Stone Cave Heaven.

"Huh, why are you two here?" Chen Mobai exclaimed, utterly surprised to find two acquaintances among the twelve peerless sword dao geniuses. Even more astonishing, upon learning he was present, they had come together to visit him.

"I saw the call for submissions and thought it seemed quite fun, so I sent in a piece of white stone," Zhongli Tianyu said, a faint hint of arrogance on his face. He had only recently begun learning the Purple Firmament Divine Thunder Sword Art, from which the Purple Thunder Grand Law was derived. It had taken him three days to master the Purple Firmament Sword Qi and another three days to figure out the technique for infusing it into the white stone. He had initially sent it to Shanhai Academy merely to join in the fun, never imagining that Hao Cao would actually select him and certify him as a peerless sword dao genius. This outcome made the already proud Zhongli Tianyu even more pleased. He even began to wonder if he had misdirected his talent for the past twenty years; if he had focused solely on the sword dao from the start, would he now be capable of defeating Chen Mobai?

"You fella..." Chen Mobai muttered, feeling an inexplicable tightening in his fists as he looked at the smug and self-satisfied Zhongli Tianyu.

"Chief, I actually just wanted to verify my sword dao realm," Zhai Jianbai explained. "After learning about the white stones, I gave it a try and never expected to be selected by True Lord Hao Cao." Zhai Jianbai himself was surprised that a white stone he had casually sent out at the beginning of the year had resulted in a personal reply and invitation from the headmaster of Shanhai Academy.

"How many strands of sword qi did you infuse?" Chen Mobai asked. He knew that, compared to himself, this individual who had achieved Foundation Establishment through profound understanding was a true sword dao genius. Therefore, his selection as one of the twelve only affirmed Chen Mobai's belief that Hao Cao was indeed a sword dao grandmaster with impeccable judgment.

"Two," Zhai Jianbai replied honestly, even producing his own white stone.

"Huh, I thought this thing could only be infused with one strand?" Zhongli Tianyu remarked from the side, a puzzled expression on his face as he observed the white stone in Zhai Jianbai's hand, shimmering with two distinct shades of golden light.

"It seems you were chosen simply because your Purple Firmament Sword Qi perfectly aligns with the essence of the Zidian Sword." After explaining the principle behind the white stone, Chen Mobai mercilessly delivered a jab at Zhongli Tianyu.

"How many did you infuse?" Zhongli Tianyu asked, seemingly a little unconvinced.

"Not many, just five," Chen Mobai replied nonchalantly, a statement that caused Zhongli Tianyu to deflate.

"Excuse me, is Senior Brother Chen Mobai here?"