Chapter 455: Goodbye Meng Huang'er

In the blink of an eye, Chen Mobai had spent ten years at the Wuqi Dao Academy. For someone still relatively young, the events and experiences of these past ten years had been truly tumultuous. They were also the most brilliant ten years of his life since he gained consciousness. However, he believed this was merely the beginning, and he intended to maintain such brilliance for the next ten, hundred, or even thousand years.

Chen Mobai returned just as the graduation project results for the 5012 class were announced. Without a doubt, his lead project, the Faceless Puppet, secured first place. Second place went to Zhongli Tianyu, who refined a Talisman Treasure. The raw material for this Talisman Treasure was a high-grade, second-tier magic artifact from the Myriad Treasures Cave that was almost beyond repair. Zhongli Tianyu not only refined it into a Talisman Treasure using his lightning magic but also managed to imbue it with the power to reach the third-tier level when activated. If Chen Mobai's Faceless Puppet hadn't been so overwhelmingly powerful, Zhongli Tianyu's groundbreaking achievement would have undoubtedly secured him first place.

Third place was a third-tier magic artifact refined by Ming Yihua. Fourth place was a third-tier spiritual water refined jointly by the couple Wang Xingyu and Gong Ranran. Its mild medicinal properties could help many cultivators enhance their physical strength and slightly boost their spiritual sense. Fifth place was Yun Yangbing's third-tier array formation. Among their graduating class, only these projects reached the third-tier level. However, compared to previous years, this class could be considered quite outstanding. Zhongli Tianyu's graduation project, in particular, would rank among the top ten in the Wuqi Dao Academy's millennia-long history. It was just unfortunate that he encountered Chen Mobai, whose Faceless Puppet, a peak third-tier automaton, had already proven itself capable of competing among the very best.

After returning to the Immortal Sect, Chen Mobai was naturally pulled along by Ming Yihua and others for drinks. With graduation approaching, everyone who had been away returned, and their class was rarely gathered together at the academy, so they naturally drank to their heart's content.

It was three days later that Chen Mobai finally found time to visit the Myriad Treasures Cave. His visit to the student union was also a farewell. Aside from the younger members who had joined the student union during his tenure, many of the current high-ranking members were people he knew well, such as Zhongli Tianyu, Zhuang Jialan, Zhai Jianbai, and others from his class. There was also Bian Jingchun, who had settled in the Myriad Treasures Cave two years ago. She had made rapid progress in cultivating the Dragon Transformation Sutra with the aid of the True Dragon Cauldron. Upon learning this, Chen Mobai called out to her, and she readily agreed to join them. At the student union's farewell dinner, everyone indulged in another round of heavy drinking.

Halfway through the meal, Chen Mobai asked Zhongli Tianyu, "What are your plans after graduation?"

Although exceptionally gifted, Zhongli Tianyu was actually a very straightforward person. He took out the Eight Trigrams Mirror, which was still missing many fragments, and calmly stated, "I'll continue to hone my skills and find the remaining fragments of the Eight Trigrams Mirror."

Zhai Jianbai, someone deeply devoted to the sword, chimed in, "I will continue my exchange studies at the Mountains and Seas Academy for a while. If I can secure a suitable position in the Immortal Sect, I will also consider obtaining the Golden Liquid Returning Elixir." Even he needed to pass the civil service examination to form his core.

Zhuang Jialan was the same. After graduation, she planned to work as a teaching assistant in the Talisman Arts Department at the academy. If a civil service position allowed her to acquire the Golden Liquid Returning Elixir, she would then leave the academy. This was the common aspiration for most academy graduates. After all, within the academy, accumulating enough credits and work experience could also lead to obtaining the Five Elements Core-Forming Elixir. If there was no hope of obtaining the Golden Liquid Returning Elixir, they were generally willing to remain in this familiar environment.

"What about you?" Zhongli Tianyu asked, and everyone's gaze turned to Chen Mobai.

Chen Mobai set down his wine glass and uttered words that surprised everyone. "I'll pursue postgraduate studies at the Heaven Mending Dao Academy, and then return to develop my hometown."

"I can understand the postgraduate studies, but returning to your rural hometown – is it because you know you'd be assigned there if you took the civil service exam?"

"No, I don't plan to take the civil service exam. I simply want to go into business to revitalize my hometown."

"Business?" Many couldn't comprehend Chen Mobai's idea. Even Bian Jingchun, who felt she had a good relationship with him, began to try and dissuade him. After all, although Chen Mobai was said to possess the aptitude for Divine Transformation, if he wanted to form his core, it was best to serve the people within the Immortal Sect. Given his reputation and the Wuqi Dao Academy's support, he would certainly be able to obtain the Golden Liquid Returning Elixir as soon as he had enough work experience. Even the greatest talent was mere empty talk if not realized.

"I want to try forming my core on my own. If I truly can't achieve it, it won't be too late to join the Immortal Sect then," Chen Mobai explained. He could only repeat the words he had used to persuade Wenren Xueyi and others. As soon as he said this, all his friends who had been trying to persuade him fell silent. In the entire Immortal Sect, if anyone could form their core without the aid of a core-forming spiritual elixir, it would probably be him. Everyone simply assumed he had grand ideals and was highly ambitious. Zhuang Jialan and others on the side looked at Chen Mobai with expressions of adoration and longing, all thinking his last statement was incredibly "manly."

Zhongli Tianyu, who disliked alcohol and only drank yogurt, raised his cup towards Chen Mobai. "After graduation, let's see who can form their core first," he said, his words exciting everyone present.

"Sure, it'll give me some pressure too. Want to bet on something?" Chen Mobai thought to himself, confident he couldn't lose to Zhongli Tianyu, given his access to the vast resources of the Eastern Wilderness, with the Divine Wood Sect and Reversion Valley dedicated to refining Golden Liquid Returning Elixirs for him, plus his Two-Phase Technique. He readily agreed and even suggested a wager.

"What do you want to bet? Don't tell me you want my prized, signed complete set of 'One-Man World' comics?" Zhongli Tianyu frowned slightly. Having always been first from childhood, this was the first time he felt a pang of apprehension. Only against this guy in front of him did he lack confidence, his self-assurance shattered by too many losses against Chen Mobai.

"I have no interest in your comics."

"Alright, then I'll accept anything else." Hearing that Chen Mobai didn't want his comics, Zhongli Tianyu's brows instantly relaxed, and he accepted the bet nonchalantly.

"Aren't you afraid I'll ask for your Eight Trigrams Mirror?" Chen Mobai was surprised. He thought he finally understood Zhongli Tianyu's thought process, but it seemed he hadn't fully grasped it.

"If I gave it to you, would you dare take it?" Zhongli Tianyu retorted, leaving Chen Mobai speechless. Indeed. That artifact was the core cultivation tool of the Zhongli Patriarch, and only those with Zhongli clan blood could utilize its full potential. It would be useless even if Chen Mobai took it.

"In that case, let's set the wager: the loser performs one task for the winner that does not go against their principles," Chen Mobai suggested. He felt certain of victory and didn't want to keep "bullying" Zhongli Tianyu, especially since he owed his easy last two years at the academy to Zhongli Tianyu taking over the student union. Zhongli Tianyu, hearing this, also felt his chances of winning were slim and immediately nodded in agreement.

After a few rounds of drinks, as Chen Mobai was chatting with his friends, he suddenly overheard a junior at the next table say, "Oh, by the way, I heard Senior Sister Meng will be performing a song at the graduation ceremony."

"Senior Sister Meng, is that Meng Huang'er?" Chen Mobai asked Zhuang Jialan beside him, and received an affirmative nod.

"Yes, she is. Aren't you on very good terms with Senior Sister Meng? Didn't she tell you?" Zhuang Jialan asked, surprised. Chen Mobai shook his head. It had been a year since he last saw Meng Huang'er. After graduation, she had joined the Ministry of Culture and Arts, touring the entire Immortal Sect with the Cultural Troupe while simultaneously improving her cultivation. The two occasionally kept in touch, maintaining a reserved yet passionate relationship. The last time they spoke, Chen Mobai heard Meng Huang'er say that she had traveled to the sea with the Cultural Troupe. After performing for the naval forces, she had even visited the territory of the Spirit Venerable in the underwater world, which she said was an eye-opening experience. Chen Mobai recalled some fond memories, and the thought crossed his mind: "I should call her and ask. It's been a year, and I miss her."

By midnight, the student union group finally dispersed. After this last round of drinks, Chen Mobai's series of farewell dinners at the academy finally came to an end. He parted ways with Zhongli Tianyu and the others on the way back to the academy, heading towards the small wooden cabin in the mountains where he had lived for ten years.

Along the way, he took out his phone and dialed Meng Huang'er's number. It was quickly answered.

"I heard you're coming back to the academy to sing?"

"Yes, it's your graduation ceremony after all. I wanted to give you a gift, but after thinking it over, I couldn't decide on anything, so I finally settled on coming back to sing a song for you."

Hearing Meng Huang'er's words, Chen Mobai was touched and thanked her. "When are you coming back? I'll pick you up then."

"That won't be necessary." Just as Chen Mobai looked puzzled, Meng Huang'er's next words, full of allure, whispered in his ear: "I'm already here. I'll be waiting for you at our old spot." After she spoke, the call ended.

Chen Mobai felt as if he had drunk too much. Suddenly, his body grew hot, as if his blood was boiling. He rushed back at top speed. When he arrived and looked up, sure enough, the mountaintop villa, which had been uninhabited for a year, was lit up again. Chen Mobai didn't bother returning to his own wooden cabin; he flew up. On the balcony, his beautiful senior sister, whom he hadn't seen in a year, leaned against the railing with one hand, resting her other hand on her exquisite face, her chin cradled in her palm. She watched him fly over, her eyes narrowed in a smile. The bright yellow indoor light streamed through the glass onto Meng Huang'er, making her fair skin glow. One could even vaguely discern her perfectly graceful figure beneath her cream-colored formal gown.

"Long time no see, Senior Sister Meng." After landing, Chen Mobai looked at the celebrity senior sister he hadn't seen in a year. Meeting her watery gaze, he couldn't help but recall the wonderful times they had shared there before.

"Yes, it has been a while," she replied. The two, reunited after a long separation, were initially a little nervous. But the moment they saw each other, they exchanged a knowing smile and, with perfect understanding, each extended a hand, clasping them together.

As the villa lights dimmed, Meng Huang'er had, at some unknown point, settled onto the sofa. In the soft light, her pale skin was like a beacon guiding Chen Mobai. The beginning of any long-awaited reunion is always beautiful. Chen Mobai listened as Meng Huang'er recounted her experiences from the past year. Unfortunately, information about the Spirit Venerable's territory in the sea was restricted by the Immortal Sect, so she couldn't reveal specific details. As she spoke, Meng Huang'er also shared good news: she had reached the perfection of the first level of Foundation Establishment and, with the aid of the Barrier-Breaking Elixir Chen Mobai had given her, had a high chance of breaking through. Her minor realm breakthrough would also benefit her spiritual sense, which was one of her graduation gifts to Chen Mobai. Chen Mobai was even more touched by this and couldn't help but guide Meng Huang'er in her cultivation once more.

After three days of cultivation in the mountaintop villa, they had to bring this wonderful period to an end. The graduation ceremony rehearsals were about to begin. Chen Mobai was the graduating class representative and had to give a speech, while Meng Huang'er was the headline performer. Both needed to be there. Bian Yiqing himself had called to inform them. However, Bian Yiqing was unaware that when he called Chen Mobai, his disciple Meng Huang'er was right there with him, and when he called Meng Huang'er, Chen Mobai was behind her.

"How nostalgic..." Chen Mobai and Meng Huang'er, after a long time, walked out of the mountaintop villa and headed towards Mount Chicheng along the mountain path. They used to walk to school together just like this. That feeling back then had given Chen Mobai an unprecedented sense of satisfaction. And now, that sense of satisfaction still filled his entire being, perhaps even more profoundly.

Halfway, Meng Huang'er suddenly said, "Oh, right. I think your guidance has caused some changes in my mental state..." Chen Mobai was confused. *What guidance? What changes?*

Meng Huang'er's pretty face suddenly flushed crimson. She led Chen Mobai off the path to a large tree. "Here, should we try this?" she asked, her words leaving him astonished. "The cultivation of the Foundation Establishment chapter of the Profound Sound Marvelous Method requires experiencing various intense emotional fluctuations. However, ordinary settings no longer have much stimulating effect on me. I thought about it, and it seems that when I was with you on the train, that was the most stimulating and emotionally overwhelming time in my life..."

Hearing Meng Huang'er's words, Chen Mobai froze on the spot. He looked at the celebrity senior sister before him, her rosy lips pursed, her eyes alluring, her fair skin flushed with scattered blushes, as if he was seeing an embodiment of someone who wanted to devour him.

*How did it come to this?* Chen Mobai felt a faint pang of regret. If he had known this would happen, he shouldn't have guided Meng Huang'er in that particular way of cultivation back then. It seemed he had led her down a rather deviant path. Chen Mobai felt he bore immense responsibility for this and thus made an inner decision: He had to find a way to guide her back to the righteous path.