Chapter 460

Shi Wanyu immediately replied that she was available; she didn't dare to feign disinterest.

Upon receiving her reply, Chen Mobai opened his phone and casually searched for nearby restaurants. He aimed to choose a highly-rated one, but discovered that the top-rated establishment was, surprisingly, the maid cafe.

As the maid cafe was also a suitable place for discussions, he booked a private room.

While waiting for Shi Wanyu, Chen Mobai took out his phone to research the graduate program at Butian Daoist Academy online.

Thanks to Fu Borong's assistance, Chen Mobai didn't have to worry about the most arduous part of the application process for students – submitting materials and waiting for admission. He had been invited to enroll directly.

It was much like his entrance exam experience in Danxia City: back then, Chen Mobai had to conquer numerous challenges and emerge as the top student to qualify for the Four Great Daoist Academies, whereas Qing Nü had been directly invited and admitted by Jumang Daoist Academy.

Now, it was finally Chen Mobai's turn to enjoy such preferential treatment.

However, one concern lingered for him: whether Yan Bingxuan's application would be approved by Butian Daoist Academy.

He felt conflicted, simultaneously hoping her application would be accepted and rejected.

*Knock, knock, knock!*

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

Chen Mobai looked up to see a maid attendant escorting Shi Wanyu into the room. Shi Wanyu was as radiant and captivating as ever.

Shi Wanyu's face was pure and innocent. She wore a white long-sleeved shirt with a slightly open collar, accentuating her slender waist. Her skirt draped gracefully, revealing a pair of long, slender legs. A thin belt cinched her waist, and her entire presence exuded a fresh, elegant, girlish charm.

"Long time no see,"

Chen Mobai stood up and greeted Shi Wanyu with a smile.

"Senior..."

Although Shi Wanyu had summoned the courage to invite Chen Mobai, she still felt awkward and overwhelmed upon meeting him. After he spoke, she mumbled a greeting and then stood rooted to the spot, unsure how to continue the conversation.

"Let's order first."

Chen Mobai, noticing her discomfort, addressed the delicate and dignified maid attendant standing by the door. The attendant immediately approached them respectfully, kneeling on the floor to present the menu.

This was the maid cafe's unique ordering ritual. Chen Mobai had been somewhat surprised during his first visit, but by now, he was accustomed to it.

"Is there anything you'd particularly like?"

Chen Mobai opened the menu and asked Shi Wanyu if she had any preferences. She replied that anything was fine. He then ordered a pot of black tea, beef brisket with potatoes, and a small tiramisu cake, before passing the menu to her.

Shi Wanyu, taking the menu, very reservedly ordered a cup of coffee, a vegetable salad, and a chocolate crisp.

Once the maid attendant had left, they were the only two people remaining in the room.

Noticing the awkward silence threatening to return, Chen Mobai chuckled and took out the sword pouch he had already retrieved from his storage bag.

"Your sword qi is beautiful."

He took out the white stone, placed it on the table, and addressed the sword qi, which was continuously flashing with various colored lights.

Once Chen Mobai had initiated the conversation, Shi Wanyu gradually shed her initial shyness, beginning to reveal her lively personality.

"Since you were chosen by Principal Hao Cao of Shanhai Academy, you're clearly an outstanding sword dao genius. Honestly, when I first saw your white stone, I was startled. I thought you had infused many streams of sword qi into it. You know, even I..."

Seeing that Shi Wanyu truly didn't understand these concepts, Chen Mobai began to explain about white stones, sword qi, and the process of infusion.

"Ah, I see. But I can only infuse a single stream of sword qi, and that's my only real accomplishment. It's just a shame that our Liuguang Academy doesn't have any dedicated sword cultivation teachers. I've been fumbling through my cultivation after infusing the sword qi, just practicing blindly, and I don't even know if I'm doing it correctly."

Hearing Shi Wanyu's words, Chen Mobai became curious and asked about Liuguang Academy.

It turned out that this university, like Yanshou Academy, was a specialized institution primarily focused on the various applications of light and skilled in analyzing the spectrums of different vital energies.

For instance, concerning the "Fire Elemental Divine Light" within the Myriad Treasures Cave of Wuqi Daoist Academy, Liuguang Academy possessed a complete spectrum detailing the types of vital energies and the number of steps required for its complete condensation.

It was considered a leading authority in this field within the Immortal Sect.

Unfortunately, among the 120 prefectures, only a small number of students successfully completed their Foundation Establishment, and these individuals became the primary focus of the school's attention and training.

Shi Wanyu's academic performance upon enrollment was average, and she hadn't displayed any exceptional talents later on, nor had she achieved Foundation Establishment. Consequently, she naturally didn't attract much attention from Liuguang Academy.

Then, after she was chosen by Hao Cao and recognized as an unparalleled sword dao genius, she also missed her final opportunity for Foundation Establishment in her last year, due to the absence of Foundation Establishment-level sword cultivation teachers at Liuguang Academy.

"I see. Couldn't you transfer schools?"

Chen Mobai felt pity for Shi Wanyu. He believed that with her talent, she could have successfully achieved Foundation Establishment if she had been guided by an excellent sword cultivation teacher.

"After all, there's only one year left, and I didn't dare to take the risk. At least I can secure a graduation certificate by completing my studies at Liuguang Academy."

Shi Wanyu said with a wry smile. Just then, their ordered meals arrived.

Chen Mobai poured himself a cup of black tea, took a small sip, and then asked, "Have you ever attempted Foundation Establishment?"

Shi Wanyu shook her head. "Students at our academy can only apply for one of the Three Treasures of Foundation Establishment. The other three people in my dorm tried, but they all failed. I don't believe I'm any better than them. Although I'm already at Qi Refining Level Nine, my weak personality has always prevented me from making a decision, so I've postponed it until now."

Chen Mobai nodded. As their relationship was merely that of ordinary friends, he didn't presumptuously offer to take Shi Wanyu's pulse or examine her internal spiritual energy.

"You should still give it a try. After all, if you don't succeed in Foundation Establishment, you'll either have to marry or serve in the military. But if you do succeed, at least you'll be able to control your own destiny."

As they were friends, Chen Mobai offered some advice, then shared his own experiences with Foundation Establishment, including key insights like the spiritual energy vortex.

Shi Wanyu, however, didn't seem to be listening very attentively, appearing to be preoccupied with other thoughts.

Chen Mobai watched her lower her head to sip her coffee and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

It seemed the people from these 120 prefectures truly lacked ambition.

No wonder some renowned teachers were reluctant to work there; this lack of interest created a vicious cycle where student-teacher resources deteriorated. Even a hidden gem like Shi Wanyu would be unable to shine due to such an environment, and might even be buried and assimilated, as she was now.

After they finished discussing white stones and Foundation Establishment, Chen Mobai asked Shi Wanyu about her plans after graduation.

"I haven't decided yet, but military service can be postponed for up to a year and a half. I plan to work and save some money, then take out a loan to see if I can acquire the Spirit Ascension Powder. Combined with the Qi Condensing Liquid I can obtain from the academy, I'll have two of the Three Treasures of Foundation Establishment, and I'll make one final attempt before my military service."

Shi Wanyu was quite uncertain about her future. She had no confidence in her ability to achieve Foundation Establishment, but she also strongly wished to avoid military service.

This led her to single-mindedly desire to have a child.

The moment this thought crossed her mind, she looked up and met Chen Mobai's gaze. Her cheeks instantly flushed crimson, and she quickly, shyly lowered her head.

Chen Mobai was utterly perplexed by her reaction but didn't dwell on it. He then brought up the Boundary Method, a profound Foundation Establishment cultivation art.

As expected, Shi Wanyu was unaware of it. Her eyes lit up the moment she heard about such a profound technique.

However, upon learning that even the geniuses of the Four Great Daoist Academies couldn't necessarily master it, her face fell once more.

"Since you're applying to postpone military service, you could use that time to cultivate and try. Who knows, you might even master it."

Hearing Chen Mobai's comforting words, Shi Wanyu nodded gently.

By this point, they had finished their ordered dishes. While the taste was good, the portions were rather small.

"Let's order some more."

Chen Mobai intended to get up, open the door, and call for a server. The private rooms here were equipped with sound and vibration-dampening enchantments, making it impossible for those outside to hear anything unless the door was opened from within.

"I'll go order. I want to try what you just ordered. Would you like to try mine? The coffee is quite good."

Shi Wanyu suddenly spoke. Chen Mobai hesitated for a moment but then politely nodded, agreeing to her suggestion.

Shi Wanyu, with a mix of excitement and apprehension, stood up and walked towards the door. Just as her hand reached the doorknob, Chen Mobai's voice suddenly rang out, causing her entire delicate frame to tremble.

"Oh, right. I invited you this time, so please don't secretly go out and pay the bill. That would put me in a very awkward position."

"Haha... you caught me..."

Shi Wanyu's voice trembled slightly as she spoke, feigning embarrassment, before quickly opening the private room door.

Chen Mobai watched her leave, not giving it much thought.

When he had previously treated Yan Bingxuan to grilled fish, she often secretly paid the bill. Noticing a peculiar look in Shi Wanyu's eyes this time, he was suddenly reminded of this and decided to give her a preemptive warning.

He hadn't expected to be right.

Chen Mobai shook his head, lamenting the lack of sincerity between people.

After a short wait, a knock sounded at the door. The enchantments of this private room allowed outside sounds to be heard within.

Chen Mobai employed the spell for controlling the enchantments, which he had been taught when booking the room. From his seat, the door automatically opened.

Shi Wanyu walked in, her innocent face adorned with a faint blush, as if she had indeed done something sneaky like paying the bill.

As an experienced individual, Chen Mobai instantly discerned her current uneasy state. He sighed inwardly but remained silent, careful not to provoke her somewhat sensitive emotions.

"Have a seat."

Chen Mobai saw the radiant girl hesitating at the doorway and, with a continued smile, invited her to sit.

It must be said that Shi Wanyu's beauty was exceptional, and she clearly understood her own allure, as her attire and grooming perfectly complemented her figure.

Her legs were long and slender, and the slightly transparent white leggings she wore, when taut, not only made her skin appear fair and translucent but also accentuated their smooth, naturally elongated curves. As she walked over in her small leather shoes, she possessed an irresistible beauty that invited admiration.

Shortly after a somewhat nervous Shi Wanyu sat down, a knock sounded at the door, and the newly ordered coffee, cake, and other food items were brought in.

"Senior, this coffee is quite good. You should try it."

Shi Wanyu picked up her newly ordered black tea and said with a smile. Chen Mobai, showing politeness, picked up the coffee in front of him, clinked his cup with hers, and took a small sip.

The taste was indeed excellent. One sip led to another.

Before long, he had finished the entire cup.

Just as Chen Mobai was about to eat the chocolate crisp and prepare to conclude his meeting with Shi Wanyu and depart, an indescribable, strange sensation surged through him.

His gaze suddenly fixated on the slender, beautiful legs of the girl, crossed and pressed together before him. His keen eyesight allowed him to discern every detail of the white fabric, and an irresistible urge suddenly compelled him to reach out and intimately caress the graceful curves of her legs.

Fortunately, Chen Mobai's self-control was still strong. He sensed that something was amiss and attempted to stand.

But at that moment, a scorching flame suddenly ignited within his heart, and he promptly lost consciousness.

He didn't know how much time had passed, but Chen Mobai awoke from his unconsciousness.

He felt an indescribable headache and struggled to his feet.

To his surprise, he found himself still in the maid cafe's private room, albeit lying on the sofa.

"I was set up! Could she be a member of the Ascension Cult?"

Because he had never encountered dangerous situations within the Immortal Sect, Chen Mobai instinctively lacked the vigilance he possessed in the Tianhe Realm.

As he muttered to himself, Chen Mobai immediately closed his eyes and began to meditate.

However, he found no impediments to his cultivation; both his spiritual energy and divine sense were perfectly clear.

Next, Chen Mobai took out his phone, intending to call Che Yucheng about the incident. However, at that moment, he suddenly noticed something strange.

Chen Mobai stood up from the sofa and walked to the nearby trash bin. There, he saw some tissues and a pair of torn, discarded white stockings.

In that instant, Chen Mobai's expression changed to one of utter shock.

He never imagined that, after a lifetime of caution, he would be undone by a mere young girl.

An indescribable surge of anger welled within him. Just as he prepared to call Bian Jingchun, intending to use her connections in Chicheng Dongtian to locate Shi Wanyu, a knock sounded at the door.

Chen Mobai frowned, and as he pondered whether to open the door, someone he least expected walked in.

"Would you like your fortune told?"

Chen Chun asked Chen Mobai, her face devoid of expression.