Chapter 432: Yan Bingxuan Foundation Establishment

After spending a day in the Mirror House, Chen Mobai bid farewell to Yan Qiongzhi and Yan Bingxuan.

“Won’t you stay a few more days to gain further insights? The Snow Spirit Water will also arrive the day after tomorrow, so you could wait until Xuan’er completes her Foundation Establishment before you leave,” Yan Qiongzhi said, a little surprised, attempting to persuade him to stay.

“I’ve heard that for those with an Ice Spiritual Root, the highest chance of successful Foundation Establishment comes from cultivating in a state of utter tranquility and purity of mind. I shouldn’t stay here and disturb Bingxuan,” Chen Mobai replied, shaking his head. He returned the handwritten copy of the Purple Azure Demon Refining Scripture to Yan Qiongzhi, who could only nod in understanding.

“Xuan’er, please see him off.”

Yan Bingxuan, standing nearby, nodded gently. After their goodbyes, they walked side by side out of the Natural Academy.

The two fell silent on their journey; perhaps all their conversations had been exhausted during their stroll that night. They arrived at the airport in quietude.

“I hope the next time we meet, it will be after you’ve successfully established your foundation,” Chen Mobai said with a smile to the beautiful Yan Bingxuan before they parted ways. She looked up, and a determined expression appeared on her cool, serene face.

“Yes, I will succeed.”

After that, they waved goodbye.

As he reached the end of the corridor, Chen Mobai suddenly looked back. Yan Bingxuan was still standing there. Their eyes met, and a hint of reluctance flickered in each other’s gaze, yet both remained restrained, simply sharing a knowing smile.

The reason for his departure was that Chen Mobai had many things to attend to before the year ended.

First, at the Daoist Academy, Meng Huang’er was graduating, and he didn't know when they would meet again, so he had to see her off.

He also needed to appraise spirit tool orbs for the Daoist Academy students. Credits were a valuable commodity, allowing him to exchange for many desirable items. However, since his dantian and Purple Mansion had already been developed to the Foundation Establishment Consummation stage, he no longer needed precious breakthrough elixirs. Instead, he planned to acquire another artifact fragment or save up to exchange for a Five Elements Gold Elixir in the future.

Having handed over the student council president position to Zhongli Tianyu, Chen Mobai found this year exceptionally relaxed. He didn't bother the other student council members; he simply set up a table and chair in the plaza, and people naturally came to him.

With ample time this year, Chen Mobai spent several days in front of the student council plaza, appraising more items than in previous years. He earned a total of 127 credits, which, combined with last year’s remainder and credits from exams, brought his student ID account balance to a surprising 180 credits.

Chen Mobai habitually went to Teacher Luo to exchange for a year’s supply of Qi Replenishing Spiritual Water and Vermilion Fruit.

“Brother, where are you?” Chen Mobai called Wang Xingyu after preparing the main and auxiliary ingredients for the Clear-Eyed Bamboo Dew, hoping his good brother could help him refine it.

“I’m busy on my honeymoon; I already left early…” Wang Xingyu’s words made Chen Mobai hesitant to ask, so he simply offered a couple of blessings.

With his good brother not at the Daoist Academy, should he seek out Qing Nü? Chen Mobai had all the ingredients ready; he couldn't just waste them. However, ever since Kong Feichen left the immortal sect with Yang Jing, Danxia City had become a sorrowful place for Qing Nü. To avoid stirring up painful memories, she hadn't returned to her old home in a long time. Chen Mobai couldn't possibly make a special trip to the Jumang Daoist Academy just for this.

Fortunately, as the Daoist Academy’s chief disciple, he had a wide network and quickly thought of another acquaintance. Ying Sizhen, one of the vice presidents of the student council, had been promoted during his tenure and was also graduating this year. He had already stepped down a few days ago but was still at the Daoist Academy. Chen Mobai called him, and Ying Sizhen agreed without hesitation. He was also a second-tier alchemist, and although it was his first time refining Clear-Eyed Bamboo Dew, with the spiritual herbs and Chen Mobai not minding trace amounts of elixir toxins, the task was completed smoothly.

To express his gratitude, Chen Mobai offered him two spiritual herbs, but Ying Sizhen only accepted one.

*He’s truly someone worth befriending,* Chen Mobai thought to himself after taking the Clear-Eyed Bamboo Dew from Ying Sizhen.

That night, at Meng Huang’er’s mountain-top villa.

“After this farewell, I wonder when we’ll meet again?” Chen Mobai leaned against the balcony, sighing as he looked at Meng Huang’er, who lay languidly on the sofa, her face flushed from drinking.

“If you want to see me, I can come find you anytime. The literary department is quite闲 on weekdays; we only need to perform during festivals,” Meng Huang’er said, swirling the wine in her glass. Since Chen Mobai was returning to Danxia City tomorrow, this evening was their farewell, and she had suggested they drink a little.

The wine, of course, was brought by Chen Mobai, brewed from Azure Jade Spiritual Rice. It was strong on the palate with a powerful aftertaste. After two glasses, Meng Huang’er’s cheeks were flushed, her beauty like a blooming flower. However, in front of Chen Mobai, she didn’t need to maintain her composure as a big star. Her fair fingers, holding the transparent wine glass, glowed like jade in the warm yellow light emanating from the room. She took another sip, her already flushed cheeks becoming even more alluring, her almond eyes shimmering, her charm captivating.

“It’s been a long time since I heard you sing. As a parting gift, could you sing me a song?” Chen Mobai looked at the charming young woman, her face flushed with wine, and couldn’t help but recall their first meeting, prompting him to ask.

“Alright, what would you like to hear?” Meng Huang’er put down her wine glass and rose from the lazy sofa on the balcony. Her slightly drunken eyes were soft and alluring, filled with a shy smile. Standing tall and graceful, she radiated beauty.

“‘Stepping on the Moon’,” Chen Mobai requested. That song was associated with his first impression of Meng Huang’er. Nearly ten years had passed, and aside from a more mature demeanor, her figure and appearance seemed unchanged, like a celestial maiden, a flower just beginning to bloom, indescribably beautiful.

“Alright, but that’s a duet. Do you want to sing it with me?” Meng Huang’er came closer to him, playfully winking.

“I’ll accompany you, be a backing vocalist.” At Chen Mobai’s cultivation level, he wouldn’t forget a song after hearing it once. Although he hadn't cultivated the Mysterious Sound Wonderful Art and couldn’t achieve the same effect as Meng Huang’er and Jiang Yuyuan, he could certainly provide accompaniment for a complete performance.

“Bright moon, bright moon, a mournful cry…” The beautiful voice, unforgettable after just one listen, resonated in Chen Mobai’s ears again. Nine years ago, he had watched from below as the ethereal, pure maiden in splendid robes, like a moon goddess, performed on stage. Now, she was whispering beside him. Her clear, ethereal voice, as if bestowed by heaven, flowed like a gentle breeze through the mountains, carrying a soft, enchanting grace, or like the tinkling of jade beads falling, playing the most beautiful rendition of “Stepping on the Moon” Chen Mobai had ever heard. The only regret was his ordinary backing vocals, devoid of technique, filled only with emotion.

Unconsciously, both of them became somewhat inebriated. Chen Mobai seemed to return to Danxia City nine years ago, and Meng Huang’er once again donned her sheer white dress, her drunken, charming face transforming into her exquisite performance makeup.

Delicate clouds weaving skillfully, beauty like jade.

The next day, on his way back to Danxia City, Chen Mobai couldn't help but recall the beautiful dream he had had after drinking. That clear, ethereal voice and those tender, watery eyes were indeed intoxicating and irresistible. Fortunately, Chen Mobai’s Dao Heart was firm; he still resolutely woke up that morning and caught his flight home.

This year, Danxia City felt even more solitary for Chen Mobai. Even his sister, Wang Xinying, hadn't returned, choosing to stay at the Taiyuan Academy. His other old classmates, having failed to establish their foundations, had fallen into self-isolation. Some, with weaker wills, had even begun to give up on themselves, enjoying their last year before graduation.

Someone like Lu Hongsheng, who was still stuck at Qi Refining Level 6, had, ironically, accepted his fate early on and had been enjoying life for several years already. However, after having a meal with him, Chen Mobai felt that this fellow was fortunate. Yu Shu, the beautiful girl who used to sit in front of him in high school, had started dating him. They now planned to get married and have a child before graduation. When Lu Hongsheng went to serve in the military, Yu Shu would remain in Danxia City as the child’s sole guardian.

“If I had known I could marry Yu Shu, I would have started working harder in high school…” Lu Hongsheng had originally been carefree, even intending to just muddle through his ten years of military service. But now, with a girlfriend and plans for marriage and children, he had matured instantly. He began to lament why he hadn't worked harder when he was younger. Even if he couldn’t be as outstanding as Chen Mobai, if he had cultivated spiritual sense, learning the hundred arts of the immortal sect would have been much easier. Even serving in the military, he could have been assigned to a technical branch. He wouldn't be like he was now, where even if he wanted to learn and improve, he couldn’t compare to those peers who had developed their Purple Mansion Sea of Consciousness.

“The military is a great melting pot, and another kind of school. Although your studies in the immortal sect might be considered a failure now, if you work hard there, you might still grasp an opportunity for Foundation Establishment. Work hard; I hope that a hundred years from now, you’ll still be my friend.” Chen Mobai had deep affection for his former deskmate, Lu Hongsheng. However, progress in cultivation was something that required self-awareness; it couldn’t be forced through persuasion. Nevertheless, if he was realizing it now, it wasn't too late. After all, most of them would be around 28 years old after college graduation, leaving thirty-two years until the sixty-year deadline for Foundation Establishment. The ten years of training in the military were precisely meant to uncover the hidden talents among those filtered out by the immortal sect universities, though the screening method would be arduous. Moreover, when the Minor Scarlet Heaven opened, the immortal sect announced that a war of expansion was imminent within a century. At that time, the first to be conscripted would be cultivators with military service experience. If one failed to distinguish themselves in the first thirty years of life, then achieving Foundation Establishment in the subsequent thirty years would require desperate effort. And Lu Hongsheng was now prepared for this. Chen Mobai only hoped that a family could truly change his lazy and indolent nature.

After seeing Lu Hongsheng, Chen Mobai also visited several other classmates. To his surprise, Shi Jingjing, whom he had always considered lax and indolent, had decided to join the military service.

“I can’t help it, there are no men around that I find appealing. And the ones I do find appealing, like someone as excellent as you, even if I were willing to have your child, you certainly wouldn’t agree,” Shi Jingjing said, as direct as ever. Chen Mobai could only offer an awkward smile and didn’t respond.

“Don’t lose heart, you still have one last year. Maybe you’ll succeed,” Cao Yaling comforted her friend. Even after Cao Yaling had established her foundation, their friendship remained strong, much like Xu Yuan and Shi Yuanqing. Chen Mobai had originally thought that Xu Yuan and Shi Jingjing would make a good match, but both seemed to hold expectations for their own Foundation Establishment and had no intention of giving up just yet, wanting to spend another ten years training in the military.

As graduation approached, everyone had to make a choice about their future. Marriage and children were the most gentle and stable futures offered by the immortal sect to all. Military service, on the other hand, offered a glimmer of hope to ambitious cultivators.

Another pairing, Chen Mobai never would have guessed. Song Zheng and Mo Simin had started dating. Yan Bingxuan had told him this. She had already received the Snow Spirit Water and was preparing for Foundation Establishment, so she had called Chen Mobai for an entire evening before going into seclusion.

Chen Mobai: *That’s strange. How did their personalities lead to them dating?*

Yan Bingxuan: “Min’er pursued him. She didn’t want to go to the military. Since she and Song Zheng were both at the Heavenly Scripture Academy, and after all these years of spending time together, she felt he was a good person, so she brought it up.”

Chen Mobai: *Indeed, a woman pursuing a man is like crossing a thin veil.*

Yan Bingxuan on the other end of the phone was silent for a moment.

Yan Bingxuan: “After Song Zheng failed his Foundation Establishment, his personality isn’t as stubborn anymore. He also wants to change himself, so he started dating Min’er. But whether it will work out depends on if they can get married before graduation next year.”

In high school, Song Zheng and Yan Bingxuan had competed against each other for a while to secure the top spot in their class. But now they had both grown up, and they found their past childish behavior amusing.

It was only after daybreak that Chen Mobai hung up with Yan Bingxuan. Finally, he didn’t forget to wish her success in establishing her foundation.

After chatting with all his classmates and friends in Danxia City, Chen Mobai realized that under the immense pressure of their final year before graduation, everyone seemed to have matured within this short period. For the first time, Chen Mobai felt admiration for the people who had established this system in the immortal sect.

*This is the root of stability in governance.*

However, for him, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he had already stepped out of that system and could make decisions for himself.

At the end of the year, he once again applied to the relevant departments in Danxia City for a discounted sales permit. This time, with last year's experience, he started promotions half a month early, so sales were even higher than the previous year. A total of 300,000 talisman papers were sold, bringing Chen Mobai 21 million merit points in income. After paying off the mortgage for his Six Yang Divine Fire Mirror, he was finally debt-free.

What made him even happier was that the Flying Talisman Factory's production of Jade Talisman Paper had finally stabilized this year, ensuring that all refined papers were of Grade 2 low-grade quality. For other talisman factories, this would merely be considered acceptable, but for the Flying Talisman Factory, which lacked strong foundations, it was a joyous occasion. Although they still hadn't turned a profit this year, Chen Mobai paid out bonuses as usual, instructing workshop director Pan Kaiqiang to continue leading the workers in refining Grade 2 talisman paper and ink next year. The goal was to train a batch of skilled workers through extensive experience, preparing for the Grade 3 talisman paper and ink needed for the Heavenly Heart Sword Talisman in the future. Pan Kaiqiang, aware that the Flying Talisman Factory had been operating at a loss for two consecutive years, felt a pang of guilt upon receiving the bonus but secretly vowed to produce better products for the company in the future.

After tidying up his business affairs in Danxia City, Chen Mobai moved the million talisman papers produced by the puppet factory this year to Xiaonanshan.

Two days later, his three disciples, who had finished dealing with the fire spiritual rice, returned. Liu Wenbo even brought Lan Lingping’s disciple, Xue Ting. Chen Mobai met her, then called for Zhuo Ming, his second disciple who was most skilled in cultivation. He asked Zhuo Ming to guide Xue Ting, telling them that how much she learned would depend on her diligence and hard work. Zhuo Ming naturally had no doubts about her master's arrangement. She took Xue Ting to her own courtyard mountain, first having her learn about spiritual oil yellow vegetables on the terraced fields there, then gradually guiding her through the cultivation of fire spiritual rice.

At the end of the year, the four master and disciples of the Xiaonanshan lineage were certainly going to gather.

“You’ve all worked hard,” Chen Mobai said, nodding to his three disciples, then asked if they had any doubts or unresolved questions in their cultivation this year.

Liu Wenbo, as the senior disciple, spoke first. He had previously depleted some vital energy on the Thunder Country battlefield due to the Pulse-Breaking Pearl, and had only just recovered this year. This re-cultivation, however, gave him a different experience, and he sought guidance from Chen Mobai as to why.

“It’s simple. Your previous understanding of the cultivation art was incorrect… or rather, incomplete, one-sided. As your experience and cultivation grow, you will increasingly recognize the full scope of the cultivation art. However, to discern whether your understanding is correct or not requires guidance from someone of a higher realm.” Chen Mobai, as their master, was that higher-level person. His guidance provided Liu Wenbo with a deeper understanding of the Two-Phase Art, Azure Water Art, and Eternal Life Scripture.

Next was Zhuo Ming. She was a little embarrassed because she had the most questions. After all, among the Xiaonanshan lineage, her cultivation was the lowest, only at Qi Refining Level 8. Moreover, she also cultivated the Nine Blades Dharma Body, but she herself was completely clueless about body tempering. So, over the year, she had accumulated enough questions to fill a small booklet. Chen Mobai took it and nodded, seeing that these questions reflected Zhuo Ming’s diligence and hard work. He began to explain each one. Although he hadn't cultivated the Nine Blades Dharma Body himself, with the Boundless Puppet, deducing the Qi Refining section was effortless.

“Master, this year I again felt that my Qi Refining realm is about to break through. Is it too fast?” Finally, Zhuo Ming asked a question, a little insecurely. One level of progress per year was considered genius in the Eastern Desolation; some true disciples of the Divine Wood Sect didn't have such speed.

Chen Mobai, however, knew this was Zhuo Ming’s normal speed. After all, her earth spiritual root was exceptionally outstanding, and over the past two years, she had personally managed the cultivation of thousands of acres of spiritual fields and comprehended the essence of the Earth Mother Art. Coupled with an ample supply of spirit stones and spiritual rice, it would be problematic if she *hadn't* progressed. Yet, he understood Zhuo Ming’s mindset; she considered her aptitude ordinary. To reassure her, he personally checked her pulse, then feigned a casual nod: “It’s normal progress. However, to solidify your foundation, you shouldn’t try to break through. When your spiritual energy naturally overflows, your dantian and Qi Sea will naturally open, which will also benefit your Foundation Establishment in the future.”

“Thank you, Master, then I feel relieved.” As expected, Zhuo Ming’s anxiety immediately vanished after hearing his words, her round face breaking into a wide smile. This second disciple was the one Chen Mobai had the highest hopes for, considering her his true successor. As long as she cultivated step by step, Foundation Establishment was definitely not an issue, so Chen Mobai guided her with the utmost care.

When it was Luo Yixuan’s turn, though she also had a pile of questions, Chen Mobai took one look and knew they were forced. He raised a finger and lightly tapped her smooth forehead, causing her to cover her head, eyes welling up, and kneel on the grass, saying she was wrong.

“Wrong about what?”

“Master, I’m wrong about everything.”

“You child, you’re just too clever.” Chen Mobai saw Luo Yixuan’s tear-filled eyes, as if she were genuinely a little scared, and couldn't help but chuckle, signaling her to get up. But Luo Yixuan still dared not rise, remaining kneeling. She then meticulously confessed how she had used her master’s name to lord it over the Luo family and act presumptuously.

“This is indeed a bit wrong,” Chen Mobai murmured to himself, genuinely surprised that Luo Yixuan had done such a thing.

“Master, this is also my fault. I didn’t manage the spiritual rice transportation well, and Junior Sister was only trying to help me complete the task quickly, which is why she requisitioned the Luo family’s spirit camels,” Liu Wenbo knelt down at this moment to plead for Luo Yixuan. Zhuo Ming, seeing both of them kneeling, felt awkward standing, so she also knelt.

Chen Mobai: “Were spirit stones paid for requisitioning the Luo family’s spirit camels?”

Liu Wenbo honestly replied: “Yes, at market price. I originally wanted to give more, but the Luo family dared not accept.”

Chen Mobai: “If it was paid, then there’s nothing to it. However, Xuan’er, you are also going to establish your foundation someday, and you’ll have over two hundred years of lifespan in the future. The frustrations you suffered as a child should be released; don’t hold onto them, lest they become inner demons in the future.”

Hearing her master say this, Luo Yixuan finally breathed a sigh of relief and stopped crying.

“Your disciple humbly obeys Master’s command.” She looked up, her face tear-streaked like pear blossoms in the rain, and shyly bowed to Chen Mobai again.

“Alright, all of you get up. There’s no need for so many formalities among my disciples.” Chen Mobai lightly waved his sleeve, and his three disciples were lifted by his spiritual power to their feet. He then returned Luo Yixuan’s question booklet to her: “Next time, don’t write such superficial things to waste your master’s time.” It was then that the three realized why their master had tapped their junior sister’s forehead—it was because of this small matter. Luo Yixuan’s face turned crimson, and she lowered her head in embarrassment.

“Master, this is the income from Xiaonanshan Shop this year. Because we added two new shops in Cloud Country and Snow Country, the income is slightly higher, totaling 48,367 low-grade spirit stones,” Liu Wenbo said, seeing his junior sister almost wanting to crawl into a crack in the ground. He immediately took out a storage bag and handed it to Chen Mobai. Chen Mobai contentedly took it and saw that it contained 480 mid-grade spirit stones, plus the remainder.

“Master, the pathway with the Blowing Snow Palace is now established. Next year, I plan to expand Xiaonanshan Shop to Frost Country. Also, regarding Rain Country and Thunder Country within the sect’s territory, perhaps you could also greet Uncle-Master Zhou and Uncle-Master Honghe?” Liu Wenbo had been managing the shops outside for the past two years, and the large flow of spirit stones passing through his hands had given him an unprecedented sense of purpose. Now, he only wanted to make Xiaonanshan Shop bigger and stronger, spreading it across the entire Eastern Desolation.

“Thunder Country is not an option for now; a war is about to break out, and opening there might just turn it into ruins. Although Frost Country is also under the Blowing Snow Palace’s territory, it borders Thunder Country and Rock Country, so if the war expands, it’s highly likely to be affected. Let’s not go there for now either.” Rain Country, guarded by Honghe, was at the southernmost tip of the Divine Wood Sect’s territory, bordering the Five Elements Sect. Before the great battle with Shaking Mountain Peak concluded, it should be fine. It was a pity that Honghe was a stickler for rules and wouldn’t come unless there was something significant from the sect. Chen Mobai could only write a letter and give it to Liu Wenbo, instructing him to bring some gifts and visit Honghe after the New Year. He figured that for his sake, expanding Xiaonanshan Shop there shouldn’t be a big problem.

“Here, your New Year’s money,” Chen Mobai said after everything was discussed. He took out 300 low-grade spirit stones, giving 100 to each disciple. All three disciples happily accepted, as this was equivalent to a year’s worth of benefits from the Divine Wood Sect.

“Ming’er, go open a new jar of spiritual wine. Xuan’er, go pick some bamboo shoots. Wenbo, go catch some paddy fish. I’ll go pick two stalks of Jade Bamboo Spiritual Rice and also catch a few spirit chickens. Tonight, the four of us, master and disciples, will have a good gathering.” Today was equivalent to New Year’s in the Eastern Desolation, and Chen Mobai felt it was necessary to prepare something delicious for his disciples, deciding to cook himself. “Oh, and that Blowing Snow Palace disciple is probably lonely by herself. Bring her along too,” Chen Mobai remembered before heading down the mountain, telling Zhuo Ming, who immediately nodded.

“This is…” When Xue Ting was brought over by Zhuo Ming, she saw Chen Mobai holding a spatula, dripping oil and stir-frying. Her beautiful eyes widened slightly, as if she couldn’t quite believe what she was seeing.

“You can find a tree stump and sit for a bit. I’ll go kill the chickens.” Liu Wenbo and Luo Yixuan were from aristocratic families; they could cook rice, but killing chickens was beyond them. However, Liu Wenbo, due to his family’s teachings, was skilled at cleaning fish. Then, to Xue Ting’s disbelief, Zhuo Ming rolled up her sleeves and efficiently chopped off the chicken’s head, drained its blood, plucked its feathers, and gutted it.

“Today, your master will make you some Spicy Diced Chicken. I happened to see these wild mountain peppers when catching the spirit chickens. I guarantee you’ll find it incredibly satisfying,” Chen Mobai said, taking out various seasonings from his storage bag. After taking a bowl of stir-fried bamboo shoots out of the pot, he began to put the chicken processed by Zhuo Ming and the fish cleaned by Wenbo into the wok, one after another. On the other side, Luo Yixuan had already skillfully skewered chicken wings and drumsticks with wooden sticks, placing them over the bonfire to roast continuously.

“Junior Niece Xue Ting, the meal is simple, but please don’t mind,” Chen Mobai said after finishing the dishes, placing down the pots and pans. He carried two large basins of food over. Soon after, Liu Wenbo and the other two also came over with cooked spiritual rice, warmed spiritual wine, and roasted chicken wings and drumsticks.

“Greetings, Uncle-Master Chen, Senior Brother Liu, Senior Sister Zhuo, Senior Sister Luo.” Xue Ting seemed to be a woman of few words, only managing the simplest greetings.

Chen Mobai waved his hand, indicating they could start eating. Luo Yixuan immediately poured him a cup of spiritual wine, then placed the best chicken wings and drumsticks she had roasted in front of his seat.

“Your physique is special, so I specially cooked a pot of fire spiritual rice. Eating it mixed with this Grade 2 Jade Bamboo Spiritual Rice should be even more beneficial for your vital energy,” Liu Wenbo said, splitting open a section of jade bamboo and mixing the spiritual rice inside with a bowl of fire spiritual rice, then handing it to Xue Ting.

“Thank you, Senior Brother Liu.” Xue Ting seemed not to have expected such treatment at Xiaonanshan. Witnessing the master-disciple relationship she had never seen before, she felt a profound impact on her heart. She looked down at the bowl of spiritual rice, resembling white and red jade, handed to her. After a slight hesitation, she removed her veil.

Indeed, she was exquisitely refined, as pure as a narcissus. The four master and disciples were also astonished by her fairy-like beauty, but it was merely appreciation.

“Junior Sister Xue Ting, you’re truly beautiful,” Luo Yixuan complimented politely.

“Not at all, Senior Sister Luo’s beauty is like a celestial maiden; I am far from comparable,” Xue Ting replied modestly.

After admiring Xue Ting's true face for a moment, Chen Mobai lost interest, as it was roughly on par with his junior disciple. He called his senior disciple over and began drinking with him. However, the one with the best alcohol tolerance in Xiaonanshan was Zhuo Ming.

“Would you like a drink? This is also a specialty of our Xiaonanshan. For those with a cold constitution, it has unique benefits,” Luo Yixuan said, taking care of the newly arrived Xue Ting. After taking small bites of the spiritual rice, Xue Ting indeed felt her vital energy warm up and flow smoothly. Hearing this, she became interested and took a tiny sip. With that one sip, her fair cheeks immediately flushed with a delicate blush, her normally cold demeanor dissipated, and her eyes sparkled, her expression becoming enchanting.

Unfortunately, this charming, easily intoxicated face was only seen by Luo Yixuan. The three master and disciples on the other side were already slightly tipsy, their heads buzzing from the drink.

The next morning, Zhuo Ming took Xue Ting back to her courtyard mountain, while Luo Yixuan stayed behind to tidy up the summit of Xiaonanshan. Liu Wenbo was sprawled on the grass, fast asleep. Chen Mobai didn't bother him. After motioning for Luo Yixuan to leave, he returned to his wooden hut, took out a mid-grade spirit stone, sobered up, and began cultivating the Pure Yang Dharma Body.

A new year, and time for continued diligence.

After the New Year passed in the Eastern Desolation, it was Danxia City's turn for celebrations. However, without his sister Wang Xinying's lively presence, it felt somewhat desolate this time. After the New Year, Chen Mobai returned to the Martial Arts Academy. He sat in his wooden hut, and although he no longer had any expectations, he couldn’t help but look up towards the mountain peak. Meng Huang’er had bought the mountain-top villa and had given Chen Mobai a set of keys even before graduating. However, without the beautiful woman waiting there, Chen Mobai found it quite unaccustomed, and at first, his heart felt a little empty.

Thus, he focused his attention on work. One day, while he was busy with the preliminary work of assembling the Boundless Puppet, he suddenly received a call from Yan Bingxuan.

“I successfully established my foundation!”

When Chen Mobai heard these words, a genuine joy welled up within him, followed immediately by a strange sense of anticipation.