Chapter 458: Morning Bell

Host detected crossing the membrane of heaven and earth. Do you want to anchor this new world for future teleportation?

Chen Mobai had seen this pop-up prompt twice before: once in the Divine Tree Secret Realm of the Celestial River Realm, and again in the Tranquil Minor Realm of Jumang Dao Academy.

This meant he was now being led by True Lord Chengxuan into a minor world.

This must be the domain of the Nascent Soul True Lord!

It could even be recognized by the Turtle Treasure and considered a new world.

Thinking this, Chen Mobai immediately suppressed the phone's vibration. After all, he was standing next to a Nascent Soul True Lord and dared not be presumptuous.

At that moment, the silver light enveloping him dissipated, and a vast expanse of dark red light filled his vision. Looking around, he realized they had already arrived deep within the Myriad Treasures Cavern.

They were floating in mid-air. Looking down, he saw the black island at the center of the magma below them.

He wondered if this method of instantly moving people was a unique spell cultivated by True Lord Chengxuan, or a distinctive characteristic of a Nascent Soul domain.

Lost in thought, Chen Mobai silently followed True Lord Chengxuan as they slowly descended.

Duanmu Longrong, who had long sensed the activity above, had already emerged from the stone house. She seemed to have been notified in advance, and her expression showed no surprise upon seeing them.

“Teacher.”

Nevertheless, Duanmu Longrong still bowed respectfully to True Lord Chengxuan.

“Hmm, bring out that Black Gold Seal made from third-tier crimson copper and that Celestial Thunder Crystal Pearl.”

As the principal of the Artifact Dance Academy and the Immortal Sect’s foremost artifact refiner, True Lord Chengxuan had an intimate knowledge of all third-tier and above artifacts within the Myriad Treasures Cavern.

As soon as he spoke, Duanmu Longrong immediately retrieved two Imbued Artifact Orbs from the stone house.

Chen Mobai immediately stepped forward and exchanged one hundred credits for an artifact shard. Zhongli Tianyu, needing to refine a talisman treasure for his graduation project, had just opened an Imbued Artifact Orb, so his account currently had insufficient credits.

“Just owe it for now,” Duanmu Longrong suggested. “Stay on as a teaching assistant for a few years after graduation, and leave once it’s repaid.”

True Lord Chengxuan hadn’t even spoken yet when Duanmu Longrong proposed this solution. Zhongli Tianyu hesitated, but eventually nodded, understanding that not everyone had the privilege of asking the principal to refine an artifact for them.

The two artifact shards ignited fiery divine light, opening the two Imbued Artifact Orbs and revealing a dark red copper seal and a crystal pearl shimmering with lightning.

True Lord Chengxuan nodded, and with a gesture, he appraised the two items.

“Hmm, the spirituality is intact and they are well preserved.”

After affirming Duanmu Longrong's work, True Lord Chengxuan extended his other hand towards the magma outside the island and clenched his fist in the air.

This action seemed to possess the power of heaven and earth. The vast, boundless magma swirled and condensed with the movement of his five fingers. The fiery divine light that had incinerated the Imbued Artifact Orbs was actually drawn out by him, transforming into a stream of molten gold light that landed on the copper seal.

After a few breaths, this third-tier artifact transformed from a solid into a crimson liquid.

Is this the power of a Nascent Soul True Lord!?

Chen Mobai and Zhongli Tianyu both showed expressions of shock at this sight.

A third-tier artifact, with just a single palm movement, reverted to its original form. If that had landed on a person, they would probably have turned to ashes.

“Little Chen, do you have any specific requirements for the appearance of the Pure Yang Bell, for example, engraving your own mark or name?”

“No specific requirements,” Chen Mobai replied. “Simple and unostentatious is fine. My surname can be engraved on the inner wall of the bell.”

Chen Mobai intended to explore the Celestial River Realm with this Pure Yang Bell, and since everyone there was a formidable character, the artifact absolutely couldn't be too flashy or attention-grabbing.

However, since it was his innate artifact, after some thought, Chen Mobai still wanted to engrave a character to declare his ownership.

“If it’s Chen…” True Lord Chengxuan pondered, “why not use ‘Chen’ [晨, meaning morning]? ‘Chen’ implies the rising sun and a sense of vitality, which also aligns with the essence of the Pure Yang Bell.”

True Lord Chengxuan, having lived for many years, thought of a character that perfectly suited Chen Mobai’s preference.

After hearing this, he immediately nodded.

At this moment, True Lord Chengxuan had already begun inscribing seals and restrictions into the crimson copper, and gradually, the outline of this "Morning Bell" began to emerge.

“Give me a drop of your essence blood and a wisp of spiritual energy.”

Finally, True Lord Chengxuan spoke again. Chen Mobai immediately bit his fingertip and let a wisp of Pure Yang spiritual energy mixed with his essence blood fall onto the bell boss of the Morning Bell.

With a clang, the essence blood and spiritual energy integrated.

Chen Mobai felt as if his mind and spirit had been vibrated by the bell's sound. His spiritual consciousness, which had originally been enhanced by borrowing from Meng Huang’er, became even more solid and refined.

This was merely an artifact embryo, yet it already had such an effect. If it truly upgraded to a third-tier artifact, wouldn't it be even more incredible?

Chen Mobai felt his spiritual consciousness being tempered by the bell's sound and couldn't help but show joy.

Indeed, his choice of this Pure Yang Bell was correct.

With this, the third tribulation of his Core Formation would no longer be an issue.

“Take it,” True Lord Chengxuan instructed. “Nurture it using the methods from the Pure Yang Scroll. You’ll have to wait sixty years anyway before you can attempt Core Formation. If you infuse it with the Pure Yang spiritual energy cultivated over several decades after reaching Foundation Establishment Consummation, you might even be able to upgrade it to a third-tier artifact before Core Formation.”

True Lord Chengxuan gave Chen Mobai some pointers, and it was precisely for this reason that he was willing to refine it. Other Foundation Establishment students in the academy might have been hindered by their innate artifact embryo, delaying their cultivation progress.

But Chen Mobai was already at the seventh level of Foundation Establishment, and with his talent, he would definitely reach Foundation Establishment Consummation within ten years. The most grueling part of cultivation in the Immortal Sect was waiting for resources to break through to the next realm.

Qi Refining cultivators waited for the Three Foundation Establishment Treasures, Foundation Establishment cultivators waited for the Golden Liquid Jade Return Pill, Golden Core cultivators waited for Nascent Soul-forming spiritual items, and Nascent Soul cultivators waited for the Spirit-Shocking Melody, and so on.

True Lord Chengxuan, being an experienced cultivator, understood this best.

Therefore, he wanted to give the most outstanding graduates of the academy, those who would surely reach Foundation Establishment Consummation, something to occupy their time.

“Thirty-five minutes and twenty-seven seconds,” True Lord Chengxuan murmured, checking his phone’s timer. “Ah, I’m getting old. A hundred years ago, I could refine a third-tier artifact embryo like this in less than half an hour.”

After handing the Morning Bell to Chen Mobai, True Lord Chengxuan took out his phone to check the timer and couldn't help but sigh.

His words left all three of them unsure how to respond.

“This Celestial Thunder Crystal Pearl cannot be refined with fire; it requires cold refining,” True Lord Chengxuan explained. “The material of this crystal pearl is the same as the Zhen trigram mirror piece of your Eight Trigrams Mirror. I noticed you prefer lightning spells, so let’s enhance that strength.”

True Lord Chengxuan was indeed the Immortal Sect’s foremost artifact refiner; although Zhongli Tianyu had no specific requests, he still did his best.

However, since the Eight Trigrams Mirror was originally a fifth-tier artifact, True Lord Chengxuan didn’t dare to make drastic modifications. He simply affixed this Celestial Thunder Crystal Pearl to the Zhen trigram mirror piece with a special spiritual adhesive and added two restrictions.

As Zhongli Tianyu continuously cultivated with this artifact in the future, the Celestial Thunder essence contained within this crystal pearl would continuously merge into the artifact and his body. By the time he reached Core Formation, the power of the Zhen trigram in the Eight Trigrams Mirror could recover one or two tenths of its original strength.

“Thank you, Principal.”

Zhongli Tianyu clearly knew its value. After receiving the Eight Trigrams Mirror, he thanked True Lord Chengxuan.

“I hope that when I see you two again in the future, it will be at a grand assembly in the Kaiyuan Hall.”

Those who could attend the assembly in the Kaiyuan Hall were all cultivators of the Golden Core stage and above in the Immortal Sect.

True Lord Chengxuan saying these words meant he was already very optimistic about Chen Mobai and Zhongli Tianyu.

“We will certainly live up to the principal's expectations.”

Chen Mobai was naturally full of confidence. Possessing resources from two realms, he now had no fear of Core Formation.

This confidence also made True Lord Chengxuan laugh heartily. Then, silver light flickered around him, and he vanished from the spot.

“This… Teacher Duanmu, can you send us back?”

Chen Mobai watched True Lord Chengxuan teleport away, then looked at Duanmu Longrong not far away, and asked somewhat awkwardly.

Ultimately, Che Yucheng came in person and escorted both of them out.

However, Chen Mobai did not return to his wooden house.

He told Meng Huang’er that he was still in the Myriad Treasures Cavern, using the excuse that his innate artifact embryo had just been acquired and he hadn't fully mastered it yet, requiring a few days of nurturing using artifact-nurturing techniques.

Meng Huang’er was somewhat disappointed by this, but she was very understanding.

It so happened that she also used these few days to rent a room in Building Nine for cultivation. After regulating her essence, qi, and spirit, she intended to take a Barrier-Breaking Pill to break through to the second level of Foundation Establishment.

After Chen Mobai hung up the phone with Meng Huang’er, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhongli Tianyu was originally going back to the student union, but Chen Mobai, to prevent Meng Huang’er from finding out through him that his words were just an excuse, pulled him into the Minor Scarlet Heaven for a few rounds of sparring.

Now, their sparring was no longer the one-sided slaughter it once was.

Zhongli Tianyu’s progress in the past two years had been beyond imagination. He had not only defeated all current students from the Four Great Dao Academies and Ten Major Schools in the Minor Scarlet Heaven, but even many graduated Foundation Establishment cultivators had been defeated by him.

Only renowned Foundation Establishment Consummation cultivators like Wenren Xuewei, Lou Fengcheng, and Tao Mingqing were able to defeat Zhongli Tianyu in battles within the Minor Scarlet Heaven.

However, in another two years, when Zhongli Tianyu also reached the ninth level of Foundation Establishment Consummation, it was estimated that besides Chen Mobai, no other Foundation Establishment cultivator would be able to suppress him.

The two of them fought five matches in the Minor Scarlet Heaven. Although Chen Mobai won all of them, he almost had to use all his trump cards.

If he didn't use the three ultimate techniques—Flame Burst Art, Myriad Sword Incarnation, and Five Elements Sword Fiend Array—Zhongli Tianyu could even force a draw with Chen Mobai.

It could only be said that within the Foundation Establishment realm, Chen Mobai had already reached his limit, and any further improvement would require immense effort.

Meanwhile, Zhongli Tianyu and others, who he had previously left behind, had utilized the Minor Scarlet Heaven to make up for their shortcomings in combat, and were steadily catching up.

“No way, I can't become an old fossil whose experience is exploited.”

Although Chen Mobai liked to be a mentor, he didn't like becoming the "old wave" overtaken by the "new wave." So, after realizing this, he also felt a sense of urgency regarding Core Formation.

He even wondered whether he should wait for Meng Huang’er, or if he should first try to break through to Core Formation by himself once his Six Yang Body was cultivated and his Pure Yang Scroll Foundation Establishment was complete.

As his right hand's five fingers spread open, five streams of light flickered, forming a five-colored sword domain. After trapping and defeating Zhongli Tianyu, Chen Mobai was the first to exit the Minor Scarlet Heaven.

The two of them were inside the cave with the Fire Spirit Tree, and next door was Bian Jingchun, who was cultivating the Dragon Transformation Scripture.

This could be considered their secret base.

Glancing at the unconscious Zhongli Tianyu lying on the ground, Chen Mobai sat on a rock and took out his phone.

Earlier, during their battle in the Minor Scarlet Heaven, he had felt a text message, so he had used the Five Elements Sword Fiend Array to quickly end the fight.

Shi Wanyu: Hello, Senior Chen. Graduation is approaching, and I don't know if we'll have a chance to meet again in the future. I'd like to express my good wishes to you with a meal. Looking forward to your reply.

Did this mean an invitation to dinner?

After reading it, Chen Mobai did a bit of reading comprehension.

He still had a deep impression of Shi Wanyu, this youthful beauty, but he felt it would be better not to send too many signals.

When they parted ways at the Mountain Sea Academy, Chen Mobai felt he probably wouldn't have any more interaction with her. He didn't expect that at graduation, she would actually muster the courage to invite him on a date.

Chen Mobai: I’ve been busy with graduation ceremony matters recently. You also know I’m the Dao Academy’s chief student, so there are too many things I’m responsible for. I’ll invite you next time I’m free.

After thinking it over, Chen Mobai still politely declined Shi Wanyu.

Flowing Light Academy.

Shi Wanyu, upon seeing Chen Mobai’s reply, instantly lost her hopeful expression. Her usually bright eyes seemed to have lost their sparkle, and her lips trembled, as if she was about to lose control of her emotions and burst into tears.

In the shadows of the dormitory balcony, Chen Chun, seeing this scene, began to doubt if she had found the wrong person.

This girl in front of her couldn’t possibly not be the fated one, could she?

She couldn't believe that person would be such a 'love-struck brain'!

But immediately, Chen Chun encouraged herself, thinking that this must be the backlash from prying into too many heavenly secrets on a daily basis, making her cultivation of karmic ties not so smooth.

It was not yet time for complete failure. As long as Shi Wanyu realized that successful Foundation Establishment could also exempt her from military service, then everything would return to normal.

But shouldn’t this be common knowledge?

Who would first think of having children? Damn it!

Thinking this way, Chen Chun pondered the scenario for her next meeting with Shi Wanyu. Since the latter was currently heartbroken from a breakup, she decided not to show up yet.

Inside the Myriad Treasures Cavern.

After Chen Mobai declined Shi Wanyu, he suddenly remembered that back at the Mountain Sea Academy, she seemed to have given him a gift.

It was a white stone into which she had infused sword qi.

Just as he thought of it, Chen Mobai took out from his storage bag that palm-sized, exquisite sword pouch embroidered with a minimalist line drawing of their silhouettes together.

Just as he was about to open it, his phone suddenly rang.

It was Meng Huang’er.

I feel like I'm about to break through. Do you want to come over?

Of course.

A person so dedicated to cultivation would not miss any opportunity to improve himself.

As he stood up, preparing to leave, Chen Mobai carelessly poured the white stone out of the sword pouch...