Chapter 474: Two Years

After Luo Yixuan left Great Wood Ridge, Chen Mobai accompanied Zhuo Ming to sow the Azure Jade Spirit Rice. He also conducted new hybridization experiments on the two acres of third-tier spirit fields. His goal was to cultivate a third-tier spirit rice suitable for the environment of Great Wood Ridge.

However, this was destined to be a long-term experiment. Fortunately, Chen Mobai had already trained Zhuo Ming. After giving instructions, he returned to his new cultivation grounds to begin secluded cultivation of the Longevity Dao Body.

The cultivation method for this body-forging technique, the best of the Divine Wood Sect, was very simple: it only required refining Longevity Tree Sap. Without the Longevity Tree Sap, one had to absorb water and wood attribute spiritual energy independently, but the efficiency difference between the two methods was immense. Even Zhou Wangshen, who possessed ample Longevity Tree Sap, spent nearly ten years to barely complete the first stage of the Longevity Dao Body. Relying solely on absorbing spiritual energy for advancement would likely take about ten times longer. Even for a Core Formation cultivator, dedicating a century to cultivating a body-forging technique that merely prolongs life, strengthens the physique, and enhances recovery was highly inefficient. However, with Longevity Tree Sap, it was a different story; ten years was a feasible investment, even for Qi Condensation cultivators.

Furthermore, Chen Mobai possessed the "Treasure Fire Body Forging Art," obtained from the Talent Tree. This secret art allowed him to quickly refine the potent life force within the Longevity Tree Sap using Azure Sun Fire, causing it to permeate his entire body and significantly accelerate the cultivation of the Longevity Dao Body.

For Chen Mobai, the only issue with cultivating this body-forging art was the insufficient quantity of Longevity Tree Sap. The first stage of the Longevity Dao Body required refining all 206 human bones into a single drop of Longevity Tree Sap, creating an indestructible skeleton. Subsequently, the immense life force would emanate from within through the bone network, permeating the internal organs, muscles, skin, meridians, and acupoints. Chen Mobai had already refined 30 drops previously, and with the 100 drops offered by Luo Yixuan, he still needed 76 more.

However, this was not a difficult task for him. At worst, he could cultivate a few more water-attribute cultivation methods and then harvest from the Magic Treasure Tree. In any case, this amount of time was a completely affordable investment for him. Ideally, Liu Wenbai would successfully establish his foundation. As his eldest disciple, Liu Wenbai cultivated both water and wood attribute techniques, making it possible for him to extract Longevity Tree Sap from the Magic Treasure Tree, similar to Luo Yixuan. Even if Liu Wenbai failed to do so, the Divine Wood Sect had many true disciples who cultivated water-attribute techniques.

With a backup plan in place, Chen Mobai no longer waited. After handling his immediate tasks, he began refining the Longevity Tree Sap, drop by drop. Azure Sun Fire was already refined and proficient in Chen Mobai’s hands. Using it as kindling, a single drop of Longevity Tree Sap, brimming with life force, was completely refined and integrated into one of Chen Mobai’s bones in just seven or eight days. Chen Mobai also experimented with refining Longevity Tree Sap without using the Treasure Fire Body Forging Art. The efficiency was twice as slow; it took half a month to refine and integrate one drop without the art. With each drop of Longevity Tree Sap refined, Chen Mobai distinctly felt his physical body grow stronger. This constant sense of change and improvement captivated him.

Furthermore, as he grew stronger, Chen Mobai noticed his control over spiritual energy and divine sense becoming increasingly precise, enabling him to perform subtle manipulations he couldn't achieve before. These minor improvements surprised and delighted him even more. This was because the final stage of Core Formation was a test of control. Chen Chun had told him that if he failed Core Formation, it would likely be due to an inability to manage the sudden surge in power at the last moment. He never expected that cultivating a body-forging technique would yield such a benefit. After realizing this, Chen Mobai became even more engrossed in cultivating the Longevity Dao Body.

A year quickly passed, and Chen Mobai had already refined half of the large bag of Longevity Tree Sap that Luo Yixuan had given him. One day, while he was cultivating, he suddenly felt a rapid surge of spiritual energy fluctuations beneath the Longevity Tree. Chen Mobai instinctively awoke from his meditation. He activated his Spirit Eye of Emptiness and looked down, quickly spotting his eldest disciple attempting to establish his foundation.

A moment later, Chen Mobai's face showed regret. His eldest disciple ultimately lacked sufficient foundation and could not succeed in one attempt. "Wenbai, don't force the transformation to avoid irreversible damage. If you fail, let nature take its course." His Spirit Eye observed the liquid spiritual energy gathered in Liu Wenbai's Dantian Qi Sea beginning to dissipate, but Liu Wenbai was trying to forcibly prevent this process and continue with the foundation establishment. Chen Mobai couldn't help but transmit a message to enlighten him.

Chen Mobai's three disciples revered him as a deity. Thus, as soon as Liu Wenbai heard his words, his face only showed a brief struggle before he dejectedly released his divine sense's control over the spiritual energy. The powerful spiritual energy that had gathered around him slowly began to dissipate. About fifteen minutes later, Liu Wenbai, pale-faced, opened his eyes. He saw Chen Mobai standing not far away, and his expression was one of dejection and despair.

"This disciple is incompetent; I have failed to establish my foundation."

"In most people's lives, failure is the norm, and success is merely an occasional event. What you need to do is to succeed after continuous failures." Over the years they had spent together, Chen Mobai had developed affection for this honest eldest disciple, even though he hadn't placed as high hopes on him as he had on Zhuo Ming. Seeing Liu Wenbai's pale face and despairing eyes, as if his life had reached its end, Chen Mobai couldn't help but offer comfort.

"Master, I will diligently manage the Small South Mountain shop from now on. I hope I can remain by your side indefinitely." Liu Wenbai grew up in the Eastern Wilderness. Although his nature was simple and honest, he was accustomed to seeing disciples without breakthrough potential being sent away by their masters, with their bonds gradually fading until they never met again. His ten years at Small South Mountain were arguably the most carefree period of his life. Now, after failing to establish his foundation, he was terrified that his master-disciple bond with Chen Mobai would also fade, leaving him feeling anxious.

"You are not yet forty years old, and this foundation establishment attempt didn't result in any loss of lifespan. You have at least two more chances. Why be so despondent? Rest well, and wait for the next batch of Jade Marrow Golden Ganoderma to mature." Chen Mobai actually still had a Foundation Establishment Pill. In the past, he had acquired two such pills from the Baose Market of the Southern Profound Sect, originally intended for Chen Xinglan. Unfortunately, after his father failed to establish his foundation again, he simply gave up. The remaining pill was originally meant for his cousin if she failed to establish her foundation. However, after some thought, he decided it was better to avoid leaving traces with the Immortal Sect, so he kept it. Chen Mobai had also considered giving this pill to one of his three disciples if they failed to establish their foundation. But observing Liu Wenbai's current state of mind, he felt that even if he gave him ten more Foundation Establishment Pills, Liu Wenbai would likely fail again. Thus, he decided to first temper his eldest disciple.

"Yes, Master!" Liu Wenbai's expression softened slightly after hearing this. Chen Mobai had him extend his hand and took his pulse. Only after confirming that the failed foundation establishment had left no lasting repercussions did he nod reassuringly and return to the wooden house in the tree.

About three days later, Liu Wenbai regained his mobility and sent Chen Mobai a message, indicating his desire to leave. "Although your failed foundation establishment didn't deplete your lifespan, it did injure your essence. Go back and rest well for two years. If you're truly bored, help Zhuo Ming with farming, but you absolutely must not engage in combat or overexert yourself during these next few years." Chen Mobai descended to see his eldest disciple off, giving him two personal instructions. Liu Wenbai nodded and, with a look of shame, departed from the Longevity Tree cultivation grounds.

Chen Mobai felt a sense of melancholy for two days regarding this matter. However, he was no longer the same person who would fall into a mental obstacle due to Elucidate Thought's departure and Meng Huang'er's failed foundation establishment. Now more mature, he could quietly accept reality. Throughout one's life, unsatisfying outcomes are constant. Only by extending one's life could one find those precious moments of success amidst numerous failures. Thus, Chen Mobai's motivation for cultivating the Longevity Dao Body grew even stronger.

During this period, he returned to the Heaven-Mending Dao Academy because his studies there were largely complete. He had graduated with full marks in his primary courses on governance and warfare. He still hadn't grasped the basics of the "Square Inch Book," but he wasn't bothered by it. From the Heaven-Mending Dao Academy's perspective, Master Yuanxu naturally preferred Chen Mobai to stay, as they needed his help to repair the Formless Puppets. For this reason, Fu Borong specifically met with Chen Mobai, stating that he could be arranged to become a permanent staff member of the Immortal Sect's Three Great Halls, ensuring a Golden Liquid Jade Returning Pill once he accumulated enough seniority, provided he agreed to remain at the Heaven-Mending Dao Academy.

However, Chen Mobai couldn't wait that many years. Furthermore, he harbored too many secrets and feared that too much exposure to Master Yuanxu, a being with a mind approaching the Soul Transformation stage, might lead to his secrets being accidentally discovered. So he politely declined, citing that his five years of study at the Heaven-Mending Dao Academy had broadened his horizons, and he had subtly grasped inspiration for Core Formation. Because of this, he lacked the energy to even contemplate the "Square Inch Book," a Soul Transformation cultivation method. Now, he only wished to return to his hometown for secluded cultivation, attempting to touch upon the path of Core Formation in the innermost sanctuary of his heart.

Upon hearing Chen Mobai's words, not only Fu Borong but even Master Yuanxu was taken aback. Fearing that he might indeed hinder a potential Soul Transformation talent of the Immortal Sect, he immediately approved Chen Mobai's graduation certificate. "Originally, if you had stayed, Master Yuanxu intended to personally open a realm gate for you..." Fu Borong said with a look of regret on the day Chen Mobai received his graduation certificate.

Chen Mobai was somewhat surprised upon hearing this. Within the Immortal Sect, establishing a Core Formation realm required the assistance of the precious treasure "Realm Gate," and using this treasure typically necessitated at least a Nascent Soul Master. After reaching the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment, Chen Mobai had already applied to establish a Core Formation realm on the Immortal Sect's official website. However, because the two new Golden Core True Persons in recent years had successfully established their realms during their own foundation establishment, no Nascent Soul Master had specifically expended their energy for such a minor matter, leaving him continually in line. He hadn't expected Master Yuanxu to be willing to take action specifically for him.

Nevertheless, Chen Mobai's resolve to leave the Heaven-Mending Dao Academy remained firm. Possessing resources from two realms, as long as he successfully formed his core, his future would be bright no matter where he went. Although a Core Formation realm was excellent, it was secondary compared to achieving Core Formation itself. Moreover, even if one failed to establish it during Foundation Establishment, there would still be opportunities after Core Formation. Therefore, when his study period ended, Chen Mobai decisively chose to graduate.

The only regrettable part for him was separating from Yan Bingxuan. Although she had grasped the basics of Qi cultivation, synthesizing her ideal Ice Soul Divine Light still required her to learn more knowledge and conduct numerous experiments. The Heaven-Mending Dao Academy offered the best experimental conditions for this, so remaining there was her best choice.

"I can also apply to graduate next year." On the evening Chen Mobai left the Heaven-Mending Dao Academy, as he and Yan Bingxuan walked on a road in the Western Profound Grotto-heaven, she suddenly spoke.

"What do you plan to do after you graduate?"

"The Crimson Cloud Academy has connections to the Natural Academy. I'll go there to be a teacher, and once I have enough seniority, I'll exchange for a Water Element Golden Core Pill, hoping to successfully form my core." As Yan Bingxuan said this, her eyes were fixed on Chen Mobai. There was a half-sentence she didn't utter afterwards. She wanted to keep up with his pace and walk alongside him.

Chen Mobai paused slightly upon hearing this, then couldn't help but advise her. "After I return, I might be in secluded cultivation for fifteen to twenty years. There's no need for you to come back with me. You should seize this rare opportunity to thoroughly enrich and improve yourself at the Heaven-Mending Dao Academy."

Yan Bingxuan frowned slightly upon hearing this. She wanted to express her true feelings but also felt that Chen Mobai's words made perfect sense. If he truly went into years of deep secluded cultivation after returning, there wouldn't be much point for her to be alone in Danxia City.

"Then, when you emerge from seclusion, remember to call me." Ultimately, Yan Bingxuan followed Chen Mobai's advice, deciding to remain in the Heaven-Mending Dao Academy to synthesize the Ice Soul Divine Light first.

"Yes, I'll call you first after I form my core!" Chen Mobai spoke with full confidence. If anyone else had said that, Yan Bingxuan would surely have dismissed it as bragging, but with him, she only felt his high spirits.

"After forming your core, I hope you can wait for me and not progress so quickly." Just before parting, Yan Bingxuan suddenly said this. Chen Mobai, however, didn't understand her meaning. He shook his head, stating that as a proponent of the realm-advancement faction, he would never cease his ambition to pursue higher realms at the fastest possible speed. Yan Bingxuan, speechless, escorted him to the airport.

After returning to Danxia City, Chen Mobai nominally leased a third-tier spiritual energy cultivation room at Danzhu Academy, leaving a puppet there to signify his presence for cultivation. In reality, his true body had returned to the Heavenly River Realm, where he continued cultivating the Longevity Dao Body, utilizing the fourth-tier high-grade spirit vein of the Longevity Tree.

Another year quickly passed. On this day, Chen Mobai finished refining the last drop of Longevity Tree Sap. He planned to go out and chat with Meng Hong to inquire if any newly established foundation cultivators in the sect had opened the Divine Tree Secret Realm. Going empty-handed would be impolite, so Chen Mobai decided to first return to Small South Mountain to fetch two jars of wine brewed by Zhuo Ming. As he flew above Small South Mountain, a look of surprise and doubt suddenly appeared on his face. He opened his Spirit Eye of Emptiness and looked down at the vast thousand acres of spirit fields. He discovered that at that instant, the boundless earth seemed to come alive, with a continuous flow of earth vein spiritual energy surging towards a certain spot at the foot of Small South Mountain. What was happening?