Chapter 466: Three Years

Upon entering the Bupian Dao Academy, Yan Bingxuan chose to specialize in the most renowned Qi System cultivation.

The so-called Qi System is dedicated to researching various combinations and arrangements of spiritual energy from heaven and earth, enabling the artificial synthesis of different forms of malevolent qi, spiritual power, divine light, true qi, and so on.

Its origin traces back to the artificial synthesis of Earth Fiend Qi, pioneered by Venerable Yuanxu. Subsequently, numerous geniuses at Bupian Dao Academy built upon this foundation, developing methods to create artificial high-grade spiritual energy using the essence of the Five Elements as raw material, through various conditions and reactions.

Because Venerable Yuanxu founded this discipline, it was named "Qiology."

For instance, Chen Mobai's Pure Yang spiritual power can be artificially synthesized by the Qi System using fire-attributed spiritual energy, even without a cultivator present.

Yan Bingxuan chose this path not only because the system lacked researchers but also because she wished to elevate her Dark Ice spiritual power to "Ice Soul Divine Light" through her research into Qi.

Once she masters the Ice Soul Divine Light, she will be able to perform the freezing techniques taught by Yan Qiongzhi, which will be highly beneficial for establishing her Golden Core Domain in the future.

Naturally, Chen Mobai fully supported her decision.

After all, with his high hopes of forming a Golden Core, he wished for his friends to continuously improve and accompany him on his journey.

When Chen Mobai had free time, he would also attend classes with her, mainly because he was very curious about Qiology and wanted to understand its principles.

However, his main focus remained on cultivating the Inch Scripture, as well as studying governance and military strategy, to prepare himself for leading the entire Eastern Barrens in the future.

The cultivation of the Inch Scripture, however, was progressing very slowly.

Yet, Chen Mobai maintained a calm mindset, knowing that once he formed a Golden Core, he would have ample time.

With Yan Bingxuan by his side, what would have been dry and tedious studies now held an ineffable delight.

Shortly after the start of the semester, Meng Huang'er secretly visited once. With Chen Mobai's assistance, she successfully broke through to the third level of Foundation Establishment.

In this peaceful and content state of mind, Chen Mobai's cultivation also steadily improved. His spiritual sense, which had grown when he heard the profound heart-sound during Meng Huang'er's breakthrough, was now, under the daily vibrations of the morning bell, gradually refining like iron ore hammered into fine steel.

Needless to say, his cultivation of the Pure Yang Scroll naturally broke through to the eighth level of Foundation Establishment by the end of Yan Bingxuan's first year studying at Bupian Dao Academy.

At this rate, he would meet the minimum requirements for forming a Golden Core by the time his studies concluded.

However, not everything went as planned. After taking the modified Foundation Establishment Pill provided by Chen Mobai, Chen Xinglan still failed to break through.

It proved that his father was indeed a very ordinary cultivator.

Even though Chen Mobai had used the Faceless Puppet to simulate the breakthrough multiple times, he could not overcome that threshold.

After this attempt, Chen Xinglan completely let go. Lying on a hospital bed after his Foundation Establishment failure, he held Chen Mobai's hand and said, "Your father has attempted Foundation Establishment twice; my wish is fulfilled. From now on, you don't need to worry about my Foundation Establishment. For the rest of my life, I will live well with your mother. If you, my son, succeed in forming a Golden Core, just light an incense stick at our graves every ten years."

For an ordinary cultivator past their sixtieth year, a failed Foundation Establishment attempt typically meant a greater loss of lifespan. Although Chen Mobai had purchased longevity elixirs through Yu Rulin, Chen Xinglan looked much older after being discharged from the hospital.

Chen Mobai felt that he might pass away earlier than his mother, Tang Pancui.

As for his mother, Tang Pancui, she had not cultivated spiritual sense for many years. Even if Chen Mobai tried to help her, simulating her personal data with the Faceless Puppet showed that even with a Foundation Establishment Pill, her chances were slim.

Furthermore, Tang Pancui herself had no desire for Foundation Establishment. When Chen Mobai mentioned it, she simply shook her head and refused.

Chen Xinglan's two failed attempts had cast a shadow over her, with her lesser talent and perseverance, making her dread the process. She now only wished to live out her remaining years peacefully with her family, avoiding the pain of a failed transformation.

Regarding this, Chen Mobai could only nod helplessly.

Birth, aging, sickness, and death are inevitable for everyone. Even a grand ancestor of the Soul Transformation stage, upon reaching the end of their lifespan, can only pass away silently, their primordial spirit perishing!

Even with the Turtle Treasure, Chen Mobai could only hope for a lifespan of a thousand years at most.

However, his father's Foundation Establishment failure still left him dejected for a few days.

Life is full of dissatisfactions, but fortunately, Yan Bingxuan was there to accompany him in Danxia City, allowing him to share his feelings with her.

After speaking, he recovered.

After returning to Bupian Dao Academy with Yan Bingxuan for the new semester, Chen Mobai left a Faceless Puppet in the academy to study, while his true body went to Xiaonan Mountain to cultivate, leveraging its abundant spiritual energy.

Amidst their busy schedules, more than half a year passed in a flash.

One day, Chen Mobai emerged from his seclusion to check a communication talisman outside the Cloud Mist Array.

He received some bad news.

Zeng Woyou had attempted to refine two batches of Foundation Establishment Pills, but both had failed, utterly disappointing all the true disciples awaiting them, including his junior apprentice, Luo Yixuan.

Some of the more extreme individuals were already privately cursing, saying that Zeng Woyou, the Head of the Alchemy Department, overestimated himself. Despite clearly lacking the ability to refine Foundation Establishment Pills, he insisted on monopolizing the sect's precious Jade Marrow Ganoderma, thereby squandering many people's chances at Foundation Establishment.

After all, if the medicinal ingredients for these two batches of Foundation Establishment Pills had been given to the Huetian Valley for refinement, they would have yielded at least seven or eight pills.

Under these circumstances, as Zeng Woyou prepared to refine a third batch of Foundation Establishment Pills, overt and covert pressures began to mount.

Four of the twelve departments jointly petitioned Chu Zuoshu to revoke his order and prevent Zeng Woyou from continuing to squander the sect's precious Jade Marrow Ganoderma.

Chu Zuoshu was very hesitant about this.

He had never been particularly amicable with Zeng Woyou, and it was only after Chen Mobai's persuasion that he had agreed to Zeng Woyou refining the Foundation Establishment Pills.

Now that Zeng Woyou had failed twice, he could rightfully stop the process.

However, Zeng Woyou had already practiced with two batches. If they gave up now, wouldn't the precious ingredients from the previous two batches all go to waste?

Although the Eastern Barrens didn't have the professional term "sunk cost," Chu Zuoshu undoubtedly harbored this mentality.

And it wasn't just him; many within the Divine Wood Sect who supported Zeng Woyou used this very reason.

"Junior Brother Chen, you've come at a good time."

When Chen Mobai came to visit Chu Zuoshu, the latter was troubled by this matter.

"Sect Master, as you know, Department Head Zeng has helped me greatly. If you ask me, I definitely support him."

After hearing the situation, Chen Mobai immediately made his stance clear.

Within the Divine Wood Sect, he and Zeng Woyou belonged to the same faction.

"In that case, let's give him one last chance. Twice is enough, but not thrice. Go to the Alchemy Department and tell him that if this batch also fails, he can step down from his position as Head of the Alchemy Department."

Chu Zuoshu still harbored some resentment from when Zeng Woyou had disregarded his authority. He decided to use this opportunity to settle old scores.

Chen Mobai had a good relationship with Zeng Woyou, so to prevent the latter from being held fully accountable, he had no choice but to run this errand.

"Junior Brother Chen, don't worry. Actually, I already succeeded with the second batch. It was just the final step of pill condensation and purification that I didn't get right, turning the three formed Foundation Establishment Pills into duds. If I just get one more chance, I can definitely refine proper Foundation Establishment Pills."

After hearing Chen Mobai's message, Zeng Woyou paid no mind to the possibility of being removed from his position as Head of the Alchemy Department. After all, he was the Divine Wood Sect's foremost alchemist, and even without an official post, the sect would still rely on him for refining high-grade elixirs.

"Oh, could I see these duds?"

As Chen Mobai finished speaking, Yan Jinye, who was nearby, immediately handed him a jade box.

As Zeng Woyou's disciple, she had assisted with the refinement of the Foundation Establishment Pills and had been involved in both failed batches.

"Although they are duds, their medicinal properties are actually fine. It's just that the pill toxins exceed by two or three-tenths. Even if one successfully establishes their foundation after consuming them, it would probably take over a decade to purge the toxins."

"But even as duds, if placed in external markets, rogue cultivators would be willing to pay thousands of spirit stones for them."

"Even within our sect, many elderly former true disciples have recently sought connections to acquire these duds."

Watching Chen Mobai examine a Foundation Establishment Pill with gray marks, Zeng Woyou began to explain, asserting that his alchemy skills were now impeccable, lacking only in the final details of purging pill toxins.

"I see. If it's just a matter of pill toxins, I have a good method."

Chen Mobai hesitated for a moment. Considering that if he successfully formed his Golden Core, the Divine Wood Sect would essentially be his sect, and the sect had expended immense resources to refine the Golden Liquid Jade Restoration Pill for him, he decided to disclose the matter of spirit extraction to enhance the Divine Wood Sect's strength.

There was also another consideration: he wanted to cultivate Zeng Woyou.

After all, the Qi Supplementing Spiritual Water from the Immortal Sect only reached peak Grade Two. After forming a Golden Core, he wouldn't be able to rapidly improve his spiritual power and break through realms using it. If he wanted to maintain rapid progress in his cultivation, he would certainly need to start consuming elixirs from the Eastern Barrens.

Although he possessed the Lamp Burning Art, which could refine pill toxins, the amount he could refine was limited. Informing Zeng Woyou about the spirit extraction method beforehand was also for his own benefit.

"Only the two of you should know about this. Under no circumstances should it be spread to a third person."

Initially, Chen Mobai had exchanged a pill formula for Yan Jinye's Longevity Tree Fruit and felt he owed her a little. So, he asked her to stay, even though she had intended to excuse herself to avoid suspicion.

"There's actually such a secret technique... This must be one of the foundations of the ancient Longevity Sect that dominated the Heavenly River Realm... Junior Brother Chen, rest assured, I will swear a Dao Heart Oath..."

Zeng Woyou was visibly excited upon hearing this. He was an alchemy fanatic, and with no hope of forming a Golden Core, his sole desire was to break through to become a Grade Four alchemist.

With this spirit extraction method, he felt a sliver of light had appeared on his previously bleak path forward.

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother Chen. Your great kindness is hard to repay. If you ever have a command in the future, just give the word."

Yan Jinye, standing nearby, also had a slightly flushed face, her eyes gleaming with excitement. After swearing her Dao Heart Oath, she was eager to try out this spirit extraction method.

"Junior Brother Chen, as long as I remain the Head of the Alchemy Department, I will raise my hand in agreement to all your proposals in sect meetings. Furthermore, whenever you wish to refine any elixir in the future, simply command, and if I have time, I will prioritize your matters."

Hearing Zeng Woyou's words, Chen Mobai nodded in satisfaction, intending to have a few more drinks with him. To his surprise, the former could not contain himself and rushed towards the alchemy room.

"Senior Brother Chen, this spirit extraction method still needs to be tested with other elixirs first. I'll go help Master. Please sit..."

Not only Zeng Woyou, but Yan Jinye also followed suit. After saying this, she ran out after her master.

Chen Mobai looked at the instantly empty hall and couldn't help but chuckle. He raised his hand, finished the clear tea in his cup, and then calmly rose to return to Xiaonan Mountain.

Time flew by swiftly.

After receiving the spirit extraction method and several attempts, Zeng Woyou finally began refining the third batch of Foundation Establishment Pills.

As the standards in the Eastern Barrens differed from those in the Immortal Sect, an elixir was considered successfully refined as long as its pill toxins were below five percent.

Having mastered the spirit extraction method, Zeng Woyou finally succeeded.

One batch yielded four pills: two were exquisite, and the other two had minor flaws, with their pill toxins slightly exceeding five percent.

However, for the Eastern Barrens, this was already a commendable achievement.

After all, this was Zeng Woyou's first successful refinement. It's worth noting that when the four Grade Three alchemists from Huetian Valley first succeeded, even with Yan Shaoyin's guidance, they only managed to produce two or three pills.

Upon his success, Zeng Woyou instantly swelled with pride. During the sect meeting, he slammed the four Foundation Establishment Pills onto the table, glaring at the heads of the four departments—the Spirit Plant Department, Spirit Beast Department, Body Forging Department, and Talisman Department—who had previously petitioned to stop his alchemy.

"Senior Brother Zeng's mastery of alchemy is truly a blessing for our sect!"

Shi Fengping, the Head of the Spirit Plant Department, being flexible, immediately began to flatter Zeng Woyou with a smile, which only drew a cold snort from the latter.

"From now on, don't even dream of buying any elixirs refined by this old man."

Hearing Zeng Woyou's clearly targeted words, Shi Fengping and the others looked embarrassed. Eventually, Chu Zuoshu cleared his throat and mediated.

"Since the Foundation Establishment Pills have been refined, Junior Brother Zeng will be tasked with using the sect's Jade Marrow Ganoderma in the future."

Hearing Chu Zuoshu's words, Zeng Woyou's face lit up with joy. If he were to break through to become a Grade Four alchemist, he would first need to refine a large quantity of Grade Three elixirs.

And Foundation Establishment Pills were the most frequently refined Grade Three elixirs among the major sects in the Eastern Barrens. With the spirit extraction method, if he persisted in refining, he might genuinely be able to attempt refining Grade Four elixirs in his lifetime.

"Then, these two exquisite Foundation Establishment Pills will first be distributed to the sect's true disciples. The two flawed ones, with their imperfections noted, will be auctioned to the cultivation families who accompanied our Divine Wood Sect on the expedition to Mount Hanshan."

As the Sect Master, Chu Zuoshu also finalized the distribution of this batch of Foundation Establishment Pills during the sect meeting.

Everything was done according to the rules, and thus, it passed unanimously.

The top two true disciples of this generation in the sect were Li Yixian and Luo Yixuan.

Luo Yixuan, who was on Xiaonan Mountain helping Zhuo Ming induce rain over the spiritual fields, trembled with excitement upon receiving the message from Divine Wood City. Her hand seals for the spell went awry, causing several mu of spiritual fields to be flooded.

"I'm sorry, Senior Sister!"

Luo Yixuan immediately reined in her spiritual power, halted the rain-inducing spell, and then continuously apologized to Zhuo Ming, who was beside her.

"It's alright. I'll go straighten things out. Go tell Master about this good news."

Although Zhuo Ming looked envious that Luo Yixuan had obtained a Foundation Establishment Pill, she remained calm. After all, her junior sister's spiritual root talent was the most outstanding among the three of them, and she had consistently held a spot among the top three true disciples for years, so obtaining a Foundation Establishment Pill was well within her expectations.

"Thank you for your hard work, Senior Sister. I'll go tell Master right away."

At this moment, Luo Yixuan shed her usual pretense of modesty and elegance. Her small face glowed as she joyfully skipped towards the summit of Xiaonan Mountain.

Chen Mobai's true body had been cultivating here, absorbing dense spiritual energy and spirit stones. Having just completed a cultivation cycle, he heard the commotion outside and opened the Cloud Mist Array.

"Excellent. Your master is very pleased."

Luo Yixuan's face lit up with happiness upon hearing Chen Mobai's words, feeling that her efforts over the years had been recognized and that she had not brought shame to her master.

"Is your sect contribution enough?"

"This disciple has accumulated over three thousand points over the years, but it's still far from enough."

Chen Mobai asked the crucial question, and Luo Yixuan lowered her head, a little embarrassed.

"Your master will transfer ten thousand contribution points to you. Use them to exchange for the Foundation Establishment Pill. Then, use your own contributions at the Spirit Treasure Pavilion to acquire some array formations, talismans, and other items beneficial for Foundation Establishment."

"Thank you, Master, but this is too much. This disciple only needs to borrow seven thousand contribution points. I have already collected most of the other supplementary items for Foundation Establishment over the years."

Luo Yixuan had accompanied Chen Mobai in the battle for Mount Hanshan and had acquired many spoils of war. After converting them into spirit stones, she had used most of them to purchase spiritual items needed for her Foundation Establishment.

"No need to decline. I have long prepared the contribution points for the three of you to exchange for Foundation Establishment Pills. If you succeed in Foundation Establishment later, you can repay me; if you fail, consider it a gift from your master."

Chen Mobai smiled slightly, then took out his sect token and simultaneously sent messages to his other two disciples.

Before long, Liu Wenbo and Zhuo Ming also arrived.

When Chen Mobai explained the situation, both disciples looked agitated and bowed deeply to him.

"No need for such formality. I hope that when I emerge from seclusion next time, I will see all three of you have successfully established your foundations."

With these words, Chen Mobai waved his hand and led his three disciples, flying towards Divine Wood City.

Over the years, he had sold Fire Spirit Rice to the Blowing Snow Palace, so his contribution points on his account hadn't increased much, but he still had over fifty thousand.

After transferring ten thousand points to each disciple, a matter that had weighed on Chen Mobai's mind was finally settled.

He returned to Xiaonan Mountain to continue consuming Qi Supplementing Spiritual Water and cultivate in seclusion.

Time flowed like water, and soon two years had passed.

One day, Zhuo Ming, who was at the foot of the mountain frowning at the ripe Azure Jade Spirit Rice, suddenly felt the ground beneath her begin to emanate a trembling fear.

She immediately turned her head to look at the mountain peak where her master was in seclusion.

A bright mirror had appeared in the sky at some unknown moment, reflecting the glorious sunlight like a blazing sun. It emanated immense spiritual power that made the ley lines of Xiaonan Mountain tremble with fear.

Zhuo Ming faced the blazing sun formed by the bright mirror and felt an intense heat she had not experienced since she began cultivating. Beads of sweat seeped from her slightly yellowed skin, soaking her clothes.

"Has Master perfected his divine art?"