Chapter 482: Not Familiar

Chen Mobai genuinely didn't know.

He knew about the Immortal Sect's two Transformation Realm Ancestors, three Hall Masters, and fourteen Nascent Soul Reverends. Beyond these, he hadn't specifically sought to learn about other Golden Core Masters, except for those he had personally met. Furthermore, Yu Huiping was taken as a disciple by Ancestor Baiguang three or four hundred years ago, a time when Chen Mobai's great-great-grandfather hadn't even been born.

However, it wasn't too late to know now. Upon confirming from Zhongli Tianyu that Xiao Hei was indeed from Wangxian Peak, Chen Mobai actually felt relieved. With a contemporary Transformation Realm cultivator backing her, at least her life wouldn't be in danger. Thinking this, he subtly exhaled in relief.

In the following days, he had originally intended to visit Reverend Qingping at the Yingxian Hotel. Unfortunately, he learned from the Golden Core Master Zhongli Yue that although Reverend Qingping had been assigned there, she had actually gone to Ancestor Qianxing's Juxian Peak long ago to use the sixth-tier spiritual energy for her breakthrough.

Because of this, Chen Mobai didn't dare to pay an unannounced visit. After staying at Zhongli Tianyu's for two days, he felt it was inappropriate to keep imposing and bid farewell.

"I have many empty rooms here; you can stay for half a year or a year without any problem," Zhongli Tianyu offered, thinking Chen Mobai was embarrassed.

"I have a few friends also in Wangwu Grotto-Heaven, and it's inconvenient for me to come and go from here. I'll just find a hotel outside," Chen Mobai explained. With Chen Mobai saying this, Zhongli Tianyu couldn't insist he stay.

"Xiao Chen, feel free to visit more often when you have time," the Golden Core Master Zhongli Yue said politely as they parted. Chen Mobai smiled and nodded.

As he walked out of the Five Peaks Immortal Mountain, Chen Mobai was actually hesitant about whether to go to Wangxian Peak to see Xiao Hei. However, after the bell rang, he was in a more rational and calm state, deciding that his encounter with the little girl was merely a brief meeting, and it was best not to disturb her too much. Nevertheless, just as Chen Mobai was about to leave, he couldn't help but turn and glance at Wangxian Peak. He used to think children were troublesome, but he hadn't expected little girls to be quite adorable.

With these thoughts, Chen Mobai returned to the Wuqi Daoist Academy's office in Wangwu Grotto-Heaven. He gathered with familiar faces like Zuoqiu Shi and Bian Jingchun, discussing the experiences and knowledge he had concerning the creation of a Golden Core Domain. However, at their level, they had already learned the steps involved from various sources: comprehending the void, grasping the void, condensing the void… Ultimately, success depended on one's individual aptitude.

"Our chances aren't great, but for you, Junior Brother Chen, I suppose there should be no problem," Zuoqiu Shi remarked during their discussion, as everyone present was aware of Chen Mobai's astonishing talent.

"There's no certainty in this. Even Ancestor Baiguang didn't succeed when he was at the peak of Foundation Establishment, did he?" It was Bian Jingchun who spoke, genuinely considering Chen Mobai's situation. Chen Mobai was now widely recognized as having the potential for Transformation Realm. If he failed to establish his Golden Core Domain, people from other Daoist Academies who hadn't found an opportunity before would likely start attacking him verbally online and mocking him relentlessly.

"Senior Sister Bian is right," Zuoqiu Shi conceded. After hearing Bian Jingchun's words, Zuoqiu Shi also felt his own comment was inappropriate. As his own people, they shouldn't add fuel to the fire.

"What's going on?" Chen Mobai asked, a bit confused. He had only stayed at the Five Peaks Immortal Mountain for two days; had something happened outside? Or was it directed at him?

"News of the Gate of Realms opening has spread throughout the entire Immortal Sect, becoming the top trending topic recently. Some TV stations even made a program about it, listing the most likely successful candidates and letting the public vote. Among them, Junior Brother Chen, you ranked first with a 73% vote rate," Sun Daoji explained. As Sun Daoji spoke, he turned on the TV and switched to the Immortal Sect's most popular variety channel. A host and several guests from various fields were discussing which of the current batch of Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer cultivators was most likely to establish a Golden Core Domain.

"Isn't that just natural?" Chen Mobai said, looking at himself in first place on the screen. It was just like when Ding Chunzhi ranked him first on the Foundation Ranking back at Jumang Daoist Academy. Considering his past achievements, strength, and talent, he was undoubtedly the number one Foundation Establishment cultivator at present.

"Junior Brother Chen, being praised too highly can lead to a hard fall. The host of this variety show, Nie Wenzhan, is from Chunyang Academy; he's setting you up for a fall," Bian Jingchun warned. Chen Mobai naturally saw through it as well. On the show, Nie Wenzhan, as the host, proclaimed himself Chen Mobai's number one fan, showering him with lavish praise. If other guests expressed even a slight lack of confidence in Chen Mobai's ability to create a Golden Core Domain, he would unceremoniously retort: "Who are you to comment on someone with Transformation Realm potential! Do you even understand the value of the number one Foundation Establishment cultivator! Chen Mobai is invincible among his peers across all Daoist Academies; you're all just jealous!" His actions truly exemplified the saying, "one fan is worth ten haters." Clear-headed cultivators wouldn't generally bother, but those with more extreme personalities, after watching the show, were immediately provoked into rebellious thoughts.

For a time, although Chen Mobai's vote rate remained first and continued to rise, if he failed to establish his Golden Core Domain, the backlash would be immense. At that point, those online who had been holding back their resentment would swarm out, openly mocking and even directly confronting him.

"As long as I remain at the top, these people will forever be forced to praise me against their will," Chen Mobai stated. If it had been before, Chen Mobai might have felt anxious, but now he was full of confidence. Sitting casually in his seat, he uttered words that stunned everyone present.

"Junior Brother Chen, if this continues, you might lose some public goodwill," Bian Jingchun cautioned. As someone with experience who had also handled public relations in Chicheng Grotto-Heaven, Bian Jingchun was very well-versed in using media to ruin reputations.

"It doesn't matter. I don't live for them. Those who are influenced by others' words and lack their own objective judgment are not worth paying attention to. If I were to even acknowledge them, I would have already lost," Chen Mobai said. Hearing this, Zuoqiu Shi and the others all marveled at Chen Mobai's youthful yet remarkably open-minded demeanor.

"No wonder Junior Brother Chen has achieved so much. In terms of state of mind alone, we are far inferior to you," they praised. Amidst the praise, Chen Mobai smiled reservedly and raised his wine glass, toasting everyone.

At that very moment, the variety show on TV began an off-site phone interview with a celebrity, and soon a well-known alumna, familiar to everyone present, appeared on the screen: Meng Huanger! She appeared to be at home, wearing simple loungewear. Her unadorned face was delicate and refined, her eyes long and slender, and a faint smile played on her lips. Every movement she made before the camera was perfect. Chen Mobai had once heard her say that these seemingly spontaneous contact programs were actually pre-scripted. It seemed this time was no different, but he wondered why she would participate in this particular program.

"Ms. Meng Huanger, as an alumna of the same Daoist Academy, what are your thoughts on Chen Mobai? Do you believe he is the most likely person to establish a Golden Core Domain when the Gate of Realms opens this time?" the host Nie Wenzhan asked, immediately putting Chen Mobai on a pedestal with his words, showing his "die-hard fan" side. According to the script, as a fellow graduate of the Wuqi Daoist Academy, Meng Huanger was supposed to cooperate by praising him, making sure everyone in the Immortal Sect watching the Gate of Realms knew that if Chen Mobai failed, it would be an intolerable injustice.

"Chen Mobai? I know him, but we're not very close!" Meng Huanger replied. To Nie Wenzhan's surprise, Meng Huanger didn't follow the script. Unwilling to give up, Nie Wenzhan pressed again, reminding Meng Huanger to stick to the script: "Aren't you alums? And there's a photo of the two of you at the train station online, isn't there? Your fans also say you're very good friends."

"We are alums, but not from the same year. And he's a pure person who only focuses on studying and cultivation; I really don't have much interaction with him. Since I don't know him well, I won't comment," Meng Huanger stated. After Meng Huanger finished speaking, Nie Wenzhan knew she definitely wouldn't follow the script. Nevertheless, he continued in his role as a "die-hard fan," lecturing on how outstanding and powerful Chen Mobai was – invincible among his peers, a sword dao genius. "He will definitely succeed in establishing his Golden Core Domain. If he doesn't, he won't be worthy of Transformation Realm potential!" However, with his last statement, Nie Wenzhan revealed his true intentions. Meng Huanger frowned slightly and then abruptly ended the call, leaving Nie Wenzhan alone and awkward in front of a black screen.

"Aren't you two quite close?" Bian Jingchun asked teasingly. (Bian Jingchun and Zhuang Jialan were good friends; during their time at the Myriad Treasures Cave, when not cultivating with the True Dragon Cauldron, Bian Jingchun would visit the student council to chat with Zhuang Jialan, learning many things from her.)

"She's helping me," Chen Mobai said, shaking his head with a wry smile, knowing Bian Jingchun could see through it. "But this might lead to her getting spammed with private messages." Meng Huanger didn't want to be elevated so highly, so she tore up the script. However, this might negatively affect her reputation in the industry and lead to some uninformed citizens having a poor opinion of her. After all, alumni relationships were highly valued within the Immortal Sect.

"Didn't she join the Immortal Sect's Department of Arts and Culture after graduation? Why don't we invite her to the next gathering?" Zuoqiu Shi suggested, remembering that all Immortal Sect department headquarters were in the capital, Wangwu Grotto-Heaven, so Meng Huanger should theoretically be there when she didn't have performance duties.

"I don't have her contact information," Sun Daoji replied, shaking his head helplessly, "and the path of the Department of Arts and Culture is different from ours." Sun Daoji shook his head helplessly. Compared to them, who had to painstakingly strive to obtain Golden Liquid Jade Elixirs, the cultivators of the Mysterious Sound and Marvelous Arts Dao in the Department of Arts and Culture had a much easier time after Foundation Establishment. Everyone present regretted not having talent in that area; otherwise, they would at least have a direct path to success. The difference between having a Foundation Establishment Mysterious Sound and Marvelous Arts cultivator and not was like heaven and earth.

"She's not in Wangwu Grotto-Heaven recently," Chen Mobai interjected, stopping their line of thought.

Bian Jingchun first looked confused, then her expression cleared: "How do you know that? Have you contacted her?"

"Yes, I called her before I came. She has some performance tasks," Chen Mobai nodded. He didn't have many friends, and Meng Huanger was among his closest. Since he had come to Wangwu Grotto-Heaven, it was natural to contact her beforehand.

"That's really a shame," Zuoqiu Shi and the others said regrettably. But Chen Mobai didn't mention one thing: Meng Huanger's performance tasks weren't numerous, and she could make it back just before the Gate of Realms opened.

Half a month quickly passed. On this day, the Gate of Realms Management Bureau summoned them all. A specialist spent an entire day explaining in detail matters concerning the establishment of Golden Core Domains. Here, Chen Mobai also met Wenren Xuewei.

"Congratulations on successfully forming your Golden Core," Chen Mobai said.

"Thank you. I merely took a step earlier. With your aptitude, you'll catch up sooner or later," Wenren Xuewei replied. Wenren Xuewei's eyes were clear and bright, her red lips parted softly as she spoke, and her demeanor was as gentle as water. Standing by the window with Chen Mobai, they conversed warmly. Those who had originally intended to greet the newly formed Golden Core cultivators hesitated when they saw the two standing together, feeling somewhat unworthy.

At that moment, someone Chen Mobai knew walked over. It was the former Chief Disciple of Jumang Daoist Academy, who had also reached the Ninth Layer of Foundation Establishment. He first bowed to Wenren Xuewei, then greeted Chen Mobai. After him, Taishi Shu of Kunpeng Daoist Academy also came over. Only Daoist Master Ling pretended not to see them and turned to leave through the back door, but Chen Mobai called him. When he was a postgraduate student, the two had quite a few interactions at Butian Daoist Academy. Primarily, Daoist Master Ling was Fu Borong's designated successor, and sometimes he had no choice but to interact with Chen Mobai, a person who gave him an ache in his bones just by looking at him.

"Long time no see, everyone!" Zuoqiu Shi exclaimed with a hearty laugh, seeing that the three familiar faces had all arrived. Previously, the four of them, as chief disciples of their respective Daoist Academies, had been equally renowned. Unfortunately, after Chen Mobai's sudden rise, the world had forgotten them all, remembering only the strongest.

"How about we compete again this time?" Taishi Shu suddenly challenged Chen Mobai. Her heroic face was full of confidence, and her gaze was sharp.

"Compete in what?" Chen Mobai asked.

"The Golden Core Domain, of course. To see who can successfully establish it. What, are you afraid?" Taishi Shu retorted. Taishi Shu, as another genius from Kunpeng Daoist Academy who had mastered the power of primordial magnetism after Lan Haitian, was considered second only to Chen Mobai, and thus the second most likely person to establish a Golden Core Domain. She had always held a grudge about losing to Chen Mobai. This was a good opportunity to wipe away her past humiliation. Before coming, she had even specifically consulted Lan Haitian for successful experiences, giving herself a fifty to sixty percent certainty of establishing her Golden Core Domain. She wanted to seize this opportunity to redeem herself.

In response, Chen Mobai merely smiled faintly and uttered a remark fitting his current persona and status: "I've won too much; I no longer feel anything about victory. I hope you can let me experience the taste of defeat."