Chapter 459: Are You Free?

A somewhat strange white stone landed in Chen Mobai's palm. Its jade-white exterior shimmered with rainbow-like light.

Chen Mobai was greatly surprised. What was going on? He knew that after painstakingly injecting his Five Elements Sword Qi into it, it had only glowed with five colors. How could the white stone, when Shi Wanyu injected her sword qi, display so many colors? Could she be even more talented than him, a peerless sword cultivation genius? That was impossible. Chen Mobai knew perfectly well how many resources he had used and how many times he had received empowerment from the Grand Dao Tree to reach this stage. Even Zhai Jianbai, a true sword cultivation prodigy, couldn't infuse five streams of sword qi into a white stone at his age. How could a mere student from Liuguang Academy be better than him?

Amidst his shock, Chen Mobai hadn't yet realized the seriousness of the issue. He sat down, activated his Void-Gazing Spiritual Eye, and carefully observed the white stone in his palm. Gradually, he discovered a pattern. The dazzling rainbow-like glow flickered on and off periodically, like a pulsating rainbow lamp. When lit, it was incredibly brilliant; when dim, it was just a simple white light, similar to the stone's natural color. If Chen Mobai's Void-Gazing Spiritual Eye hadn't been cultivated to mastery, he probably wouldn't have noticed this detail. In other words, it was a white light sword qi, but a beautiful one that could shimmer with various colors.

After understanding this, Chen Mobai subtly sighed in relief. He recalled that Shi Wanyu was also one of the peerless sword cultivation geniuses selected by Hao Cao, the headmaster of Shanhai Academy. It was understandable that she could achieve this. One could even say that Shi Wanyu's talent in sword cultivation surpassed Chen Mobai's.

Thinking this, Chen Mobai put the white stone back into his sword pouch. He didn't notice that the white light sword qi had flickered through fourteen different colors. In a hurry to help Meng Huang'er achieve her breakthrough, he put the sword pouch back into his storage bag and vanished from the spot. Of course, before leaving, he informed Bian Jingchun next door to prevent Zhongli Tianyu from waking up, finding him gone, and yelling.

Upon arriving at Building 9, being well-versed in such matters, he calmly checked into a room. Later that evening, he knocked on Meng Huang'er's door to listen to her singing. Another one of his youthful dreams was fulfilled. A feeling of satisfaction, combined with the aid of the Profound Sound Marvelous Technique, made Chen Mobai feel his divine sense improve once again. His divine sense, which had originally decreased in volume after being tempered and solidified by the morning bell's chimes, returned to its previous peak. Moreover, during this process, the young Phoenix Parasol trees within Chen Mobai's Purple Mansion Sea of Consciousness bloomed and bore fruit, nearly filling all the peripheral areas.

Time flowed like water. Soon, it was the day of the graduation ceremony. First on the agenda were the student performances. Compared to Meng Huang'er, who was a professional, their movements were unpolished and their facial expressions ordinary, but they excelled in their vibrant energy and the heartfelt nature of each act. Zhuang Jialan hosted the graduation ceremony, charmingly guiding each act according to the rehearsal schedule. After the student performances, Che Yucheng, the Dao Academy's teacher representative, took the stage to speak.

Chen Mobai sat in the backstage lounge, watching the stage displayed on the wall screen. As he looked at the grand hall, rarely filled with so many people, he suddenly felt a touch of nervousness for some reason.

“I don’t really feel any difference between Foundation Establishment Layer Two and Layer One,” said Meng Huang’er, the celebrity, who was also in the lounge with Chen Mobai. She sat on the sofa, her long, fair fingers idly playing with a jade flute artifact. She was the finale act, with a flute solo at the end of her operatic performance, meant to convey the theme of immortal cultivators' long and profound lives.

“Your Profound Sound Marvelous Technique leans towards support, so the changes in your spiritual power and divine sense aren't very significant. You'll feel the difference when you break through from Layer Three to Layer Four. By the way, do you have any tips for not getting nervous on stage?” Chen Mobai asked, after answering Meng Huang'er's question about her stage performance experience.

“I’ve forgotten,” Meng Huang’er tilted her head. “I’ve been singing since I was very young. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been accustomed to performing on stage and don’t feel nervous.” The memory of her first performance was already somewhat blurry.

“I see. Well, I’ll take another look at my speech then.” As the student representative, Chen Mobai had a speech to give. He had meticulously written the draft, even calling his maternal grandfather for advice to refine it word by word, ensuring it was as formal as possible and beyond reproach.

“If you’re really nervous, there’s still a bit of time. I can help you relax.” At that moment, Meng Huang'er suddenly said something with a playful smile that surprised Chen Mobai. He instinctively nodded, though his gaze remained fixed on the draft in his hand. Then, his expression grew strange, and by the time he wanted to stop her, it was too late.

It was then that Chen Mobai realized Meng Huang'er’s performance attire for today was the very set he had mentioned—the same one she wore when he first saw her perform the ‘Stepping on the Moon’ song in Danxia City. Layers of light, sheer white fabric formed her dress, unable to conceal her slender figure. Her exquisitely beautiful face was adorned with delicate makeup, a plum blossom forehead ornament graced her smooth brow, and two crescent-shaped diagonal blushes on her cheeks complemented her fair skin, all enhanced by gorgeous earrings. She exuded an even greater elegance than when he first met her.

Meng Huang'er felt her movements were a little stiff, so she instinctively reached up to sweep her long, dark hair from her face, letting it fall behind her shoulders. He didn't know how she had perfected it, but every gesture was simple and graceful, yet full of captivating charm.

With her help, Chen Mobai completely relaxed. If only there had been more time, he would have wanted to listen to Meng Huang'er sing again.

“Today, we graduate…”“This is an important day, and a milestone in our journey…”“Here, I want to thank my teachers… classmates…”“We are about to face new challenges; we must bravely step out of our comfort zones, explore new, unknown worlds, and realize our dreams…”“Finally, I want to thank the Dao Academy, which has given me the most wonderful memories of my life. These ten years will forever remain in my heart.”“Thank you all…”

After Chen Mobai finished his mature speech, the students below the stage generously gave him a thunderous applause. Of course, some eccentric individuals were disappointed by the stable demeanor of the Dao Academy's most outstanding disciple in the past century. However, those who knew Chen Mobai understood that this was precisely his style. He took every step steadily, never making a single mistake on matters of principle.

At the end of the graduation ceremony, the eagerly anticipated Meng Huang'er took the stage. All the students from her cohort who had once slandered her at the Dao Academy had also graduated. No one would now say she had entered through the back door, for she had successfully reached Foundation Establishment. And due to her outstanding influence within the Immortal Sect, Meng Huang'er had now become a distinguished alumna of the Dance Artifact Dao Academy. However, this was common in the Immortal Sect: if you surveyed ten people, perhaps half wouldn't know Chen Mobai, the chief disciple of the Dance Artifact Dao Academy, but certainly nine would know that the celebrity Meng Huang'er was a graduate of the Dance Artifact Dao Academy. In a way, the Dance Artifact Dao Academy gained greater renown among the populace because of Meng Huang'er. Thus, the junior students sitting below the stage in the grand hall anticipated Meng Huang'er's performance even more than Chen Mobai's speech and all the preceding acts. And Meng Huang'er clearly did not disappoint them.

Entering in exquisite ceremonial robes, she exuded a classical aura that captivated everyone. Her flowing long hair was now elegantly adorned with a hairpin. With a gentle smile on her face and unusually rosy cheeks, she gracefully stepped onto the center of the stage, like a celestial maiden. Watching Meng Huang'er's beautiful dance and listening to her ethereal singing, Chen Mobai couldn't help but applaud. How truly beautiful!

After the graduation ceremony, the dispersing students were still excitedly discussing the celebrity senior sister, Meng Huang'er. Chen Mobai, however, gave a wry smile. After bidding farewell to Che Yucheng, he first returned to his wooden hut. Meng Huang'er's schedule was tight; immediately after the graduation ceremony, she had to return to her performing troupe. Thus, she didn't want to waste her last night at the Dance Artifact Dao Academy. Chen Mobai could only accompany her wholeheartedly, and they lingered for some time on the way back. That night, Meng Huang'er, dressed in her performance finery, exuded an unprecedented allure.

The next morning, as he saw her off, Chen Mobai suddenly felt a pang of reluctance to part. However, both of them were very rational. They clearly understood that if they were truly together, they might hinder each other's progress. Thus, with great self-control, they bid farewell at the fork in the road at the foot of the mountain.

“I’ll let you know when I next achieve a breakthrough,” Meng Huang’er said, her face flushed, as she pulled her small suitcase and turned to leave.

“If you’re ever passing through Danxia City, you can come find me too,” Chen Mobai called out to Meng Huang'er's graceful retreating figure. Although he would be studying at Butian Dao Academy for the next five years, postgraduate studies weren't as formal as regular schooling; they were very flexible. He only needed to report to the academy at the beginning of the year and present his achievements when he wished to apply for graduation. It didn't matter if he wasn't at Butian Dao Academy for two or three years during that period. Therefore, for the foreseeable future, Chen Mobai would likely be cultivating in both realms from Danxia City for extended periods, only visiting Butian Dao Academy for a few days occasionally.

Meng Huang'er, nearly out of sight, clearly heard him. Without turning around, she waved a hand behind her, indicating she understood. What a wonderful senior sister! Chen Mobai was very fond of Meng Huang'er. Regardless of whether their arrangement would ultimately help him break through to the Core Formation level divine sense, everything she had provided him with so far brought him great satisfaction.

After Meng Huang'er left, Chen Mobai didn't immediately depart from the Dance Artifact Dao Academy; he still had some unused credits. Moreover, because they knew he was leaving, many Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Myriad Treasures Cave brought their accumulated years' worth of Artifact-Infusing Orbs, hoping he would help appraise them all. Naturally, Chen Mobai wouldn't refuse. After all, once he left the Dao Academy, he wouldn't be able to earn credits. This was the perfect opportunity to earn enough to exchange for the Spirit Water for Qi Supplementation, which he needed to cultivate the Pure Yang Scroll to Foundation Establishment perfection. Although the academy had a rule that each person could only exchange for a year's worth, Chen Mobai easily bypassed this by transferring credits and using his friends' allowances.

After appraising all the Artifact-Infusing Orbs, Chen Mobai was about to pack his things and leave.

“Come on, I’ll take you to tour Chicheng Grotto-Heaven,” Bian Jingchun said as she walked in, having also invited Zhongli Tianyu and Zhuang Jialan. Chen Mobai, thinking he hadn’t booked his ticket anyway, joined them. It was a bit embarrassing to admit, but in his ten years at the Dance Artifact Dao Academy, he had never properly explored Chicheng Grotto-Heaven. He had visited when the Minor Chitian first opened, but that was solely to restore the academy's glory, and he had only visited the Dao Academy stalls, never truly touring this grand grotto-heaven city, which ranked among the top five in the Immortal Sect.

As Chen Mobai walked through the city with Bian Jingchun and the others, he suddenly spotted a familiar place. “Oh, I didn’t expect this maid café to still be here.” He had once consulted Yu Rulin, the chief disciple of the Longevity Academy, here to compensate for the lifespan lost after consuming the Everlasting Tree fruit.

“I’ll wander around on my own for a bit. I’ll find you later.” Thinking of this, Chen Mobai grew interested. After telling Bian Jingchun and the others, he walked the same path he had taken before. Although many of the Dao Academy's and academies' shops and stalls had disappeared during Chicheng Grotto-Heaven's millennial celebration, establishments like the maid café remained due to their excellent reception. For instance, at the True Spirit Academy's cat café, Chen Mobai recalled Hua Zijing upon seeing it. He wondered how she was doing after passing the civil service exam.

Just then, Chen Mobai arrived at an alley. It was here that he had met the successor of the Divine Mechanism Pavilion. After learning about the mystery of this lineage from Che Yucheng, he had always been apprehensive about the three tribulations of Core Formation that the sunglasses girl had spoken of, deeply fearing that he might accidentally stumble and capsize in a ditch. He took out the card he had drawn from his storage bag and slowly walked into the alley.

The Divine Mechanism Pavilion lineage, in ancient times, practiced by assisting potential emperors; all the fated individuals they sought out were "latent dragons." Precisely because of this, Chen Mobai's confidence in himself grew stronger. He felt that ever since obtaining the turtle treasure, he had escaped a mediocre fate, and even forming a Nascent Soul in the future seemed hopeful. However, as he thought this, Chen Mobai also remembered Shi Wanyu. Since she was able to benefit from his opportunity and had also received a divination from the Divine Mechanism Pavilion, perhaps she too had a chance to change her ordinary fate. Since he was already in Chicheng Grotto-Heaven, why not ask if she was still around?

In her dorm, Shi Wanyu, looking dispirited as she packed her bags to go home, heard her phone buzz. She listlessly tapped the screen and glanced at it casually. Then, her eyes brightened as never before!

Chen Mobai: Are you free? I've finished with the graduation ceremony. Would I have the honor of inviting you to dinner?