Chapter 490: Long Life Dao Body Formed

Ah-choo! Chen Mobai, who was meditating, suddenly sneezed. "Another autumn and winter," he sighed, emerging from his wooden cabin to look at the withered leaves dancing in the cold wind outside.

The higher his cultivation, the faster time seemed to pass. He had only just opened the Golden Core realm in Wangwu Cave Heaven of the Immortal Gate at the beginning of the year, but in the blink of an eye, more than half a year had gone by. This was mainly due to the extended time he spent guiding Meng Huang'er through her breakthrough.

Ah-choo! Another sneeze. Chen Mobai scratched his head, a little puzzled. Ever since his cultivation had reached its current level, he hadn't experienced a cold or fever. Was someone thinking of him behind his back, and had he sensed it due to a strong thought?

“Alright,” Tu Daohua said confidently, rising from a pale altar constructed from various bird, beast, and fish bones. Streaks of fresh blood adorned his face, and he wore a bizarre black and red robe. “I have prayed to him for forty-nine days using the Nightmare Prayer Art. Even if this person has a resilient fate and can withstand the curse, he will start having nightmares from time to time, and his mind will weaken.”

“This is a Profound Heaven Dark Gold Pill.” Over the past forty-nine days, Zhao Xuankang had personally observed Tu Daohua worshipping the straw effigy, inscribed with Chen Guixian’s name and birth details, on the altar. As an elder of Xuanxiao Dao Palace specifically tasked with liaising with demonic sects, he was certain that Tu Daohua was not playing any tricks.

“When will the other pill be given?” Tu Daohua asked. “There must be a deadline, right? What if you drag it out, and I can't even come to your Xuanxiao Immortal City?” He opened the bottle and poured out the pill to examine it. After confirming it was satisfactory, he immediately began to contemplate the second one.

“We have already sworn a Dao Heart Oath to each other, so why worry?” Zhao Xuankang replied with a faint smile, then pointed to the straw effigy, which had turned an abnormal black and red after forty-nine days of worship.

“Here, take it. If you have similar matters next time, you can come find me again.” Tu Daohua, quite satisfied after receiving the pill, generously handed the straw effigy representing Chen Guixian to Zhao Xuankang.

“Can you also curse Huang Jinglu, the Daoist of Bathing Sun Sea?” Zhao Xuankang mentioned a name that immediately made Tu Daohua shake his head.

“Forget about disciples from major sects with Nascent Soul experts overseeing them,” Tu Daohua replied. “I’ve survived until now precisely because I am cautious and never provoke your major sects.”

Hearing this, Zhao Xuankang engaged in no further conversation with the demonic cultivator; he simply turned and left.

“This guy looks amiable, but he’s the most ruthless operator in Xuanxiao Dao Palace. Should I move?” After watching Zhao Xuankang leave, Tu Daohua hesitated. After all, demonic cultivators like himself are ostracized everywhere except within the Eastern Dawn Territory.

Many rogue cultivators even specialize in ambushing and killing demonic cultivators to seize their resources. However, after lengthy consideration, Tu Daohua recalled how long he had operated here. He realized that as long as he didn't encounter a Nascent Soul cultivator, he could withstand even three or four Golden Core cultivators for a period by relying on his formations. Furthermore, he had recently established ties with a major demonic sect, meaning he didn't have much to fear from Xuanxiao Dao Palace, whose Nascent Soul grand elder was nearing the end of his lifespan.

“It's better to be cautious,” he decided. “I'll set up a small teleportation array.” Demonic cultivators are masters of self-preservation, and true to form, Tu Daohua, after making his decision, traveled to the Eastern Wu Territory to find a large cultivation family he frequently collaborated with. He personally set up the teleportation array on an unnamed deserted island. With a secure retreat path, Tu Daohua returned to his secluded cultivation, taking the Profound Heaven Dark Gold Pill with a sense of peace.

***

Chen Mobai had forgotten when he last fell ill. Although it was just a common cold and fever, it was extremely strange for him. He cultivated the Pure Yang Dharma Body, which provided abundant Yang energy, and theoretically made him immune to all diseases.

Ah-choo! After sneezing three times in a row, he took the herbal soup brewed by Zhuo Ming and drank it in one gulp.

“Master,” Zhuo Ming said, “Minister Zeng believes you were overly worried about Junior Sister, and in your distraction, you caught a cold. You'll recover after finishing this round of medicine.” Besides Zhuo Ming, his eldest disciple Liu Wenbai was also present. He had already acquired a Foundation Establishment Pill and was preparing for his second attempt at Foundation Establishment.

“Alas, I only hope Xuan'er was chosen by a reclusive master and taken away as their successor.” To be honest, Chen Mobai felt his relationship with his missing junior disciple was decent, but not profound enough to cause him to fall ill from longing.

However, having grown up in the Immortal Gate, he had always placed great trust in doctors' judgments. Zeng Woyou was not only the head of the Alchemy Department but also the most outstanding physician in the Divine Wood Sect. Since he attributed the illness to longing for Luo Yixuan, Chen Mobai assumed it must be true.

“Master, Junior Sister is blessed by heaven and will be fine,” Liu Wenbai could only offer comforting words. Chen Mobai had already asked him to check Luo Yixuan’s soul lamp, which confirmed she was still alive.

“I merely caught a slight cold,” Chen Mobai said. “You two don't need to stay here to take care of me; go tend to your own matters.” In the Eastern Barrens, disciples were expected to show utmost filial piety when their master was unwell. Thus, upon hearing the news, Liu Wenbai and Zhuo Ming had both been meticulously attending to him at the Evergreen Wood Dao场 recently.

However, Chen Mobai was somewhat unaccustomed to such attentive care. He had his own hands and feet, and with his Pure Yang Dharma Body combined with the Evergreen Dao Body, a mere cold felt almost gone after just one night.

The two disciples exchanged glances and obediently left the wooden cabin. However, Chen Mobai sensed that they hadn't left the Evergreen Wood Dao场 but had stayed at the base of the tree roots.

Since his disciples were so filial, Chen Mobai naturally would not drive them away.

The next day, feeling almost fully recovered, he called them both up and began a long-awaited session of teaching and answering their questions.

Liu Wenbai's questions, naturally, revolved around Foundation Establishment. Chen Mobai used the Formless Puppet to perform a deduction for him, finding the probability of success was fifty-fifty.

It was a matter of a single thought. “Hmm, with your previous Foundation Establishment as a base, your physical body has already undergone marrow cleansing and tendon strengthening,” Chen Mobai explained. “The medicinal power of the Foundation Establishment Pill can be more effectively distributed to Qi condensation and spirit projection. There's a seventy percent chance you'll succeed in Foundation Establishment.”

As soon as Chen Mobai finished his encouraging words, Liu Wenbai, who had been feeling anxious, instantly gained a significant boost in confidence.

“Thank you, Master.”

After Liu Wenbai, it was Zhuo Ming’s turn. Her questions were all related to spiritual plants.

Over the past year, relying on her All-Things Spirit Sensitivity divine ability and the unique conditions of Giant Wood Ridge, she had easily become a third-tier spiritual plant cultivator.

In the Eastern Barrens, the certification requirements for the Hundred Arts of Cultivation were relatively broad; being able to care for one third-tier spiritual plant was considered sufficient. However, at the Immortal Gate, third-tier professional examinations randomly drew ten plant types from a question bank, and only the top 10% of candidates by score were permitted to pass.

The third-tier spiritual plant Zhuo Ming cared for was the Golden Sun Spirit Tree, the most abundant in Giant Wood Ridge. However, even after becoming a third-tier spiritual plant cultivator, she felt there was still much to learn. Therefore, while diligently communicating with spiritual plants using her All-Things Spirit Sensitivity divine ability to enrich her knowledge, she would also periodically seek guidance from Chen Mobai.

She found that although her Master's skill in spiritual plant cultivation was no longer superior to her own, his understanding and knowledge of the entire spiritual plant system constantly provided her with significant revelations.

For example, in the Xiaonan Mountain tea garden, Zhuo Ming knew how to care for each tea tree to ensure its survival and under what conditions the tenderest buds would sprout. However, none of the tea trees in the garden ever managed to grow to their full potential.

After Chen Mobai learned about this, he instructed Zhuo Ming to transplant some tea trees unsuitable for Xiaonan Mountain's ley lines, such as those gifted by the Snow Peak Bai Clan that thrived in harsh, cold regions. He then ensured that each remaining tea tree had sufficient soil space for its roots to grow and absorb spiritual energy, and he separated different tea trees using formations.

With these changes, Zhuo Ming felt the joyful emotions of all the tea trees in the garden. Through her All-Things Spirit Sensitivity divine ability, she envisioned the tender, emerald green sprouts emerging from the tea trees next spring.

Additionally, there were the ongoing hybridization experiments with third-tier spiritual rice. After each failure, Zhuo Ming would be at a loss as to how to proceed with the next round.

She possessed excellent spiritual plant cultivation skills but didn't know how to best apply them. Chen Mobai, who had grown up in the Immortal Gate and enjoyed watching agricultural programs with his family, happened to possess such a macroscopic perspective.

After answering Zhuo Ming's questions, Chen Mobai asked her some questions about her cultivation.

“I feel the Earth Mother Art cultivation is going quite smoothly, and I don't have any doubts,” Zhuo Ming replied. After her Foundation Establishment, the Earth Mother Art felt almost as if she had created it herself. Although its cultivation speed wasn't fast, her foundation was solid, and her progress was steady.

Mainly, this cultivation method could advance simply by continuously planting spiritual plants, which was a perfect fit for her.

Since there were no doubts, Chen Mobai felt relieved.

“Oh, right, Master,” Zhuo Ming added, “Junior Sister Gu successfully established her foundation. She said your lecture in Divine Wood City was crucial for her success and wants to thank you in person.” Chen Mobai, however, didn't recognize the Junior Sister Gu she was referring to.

“It’s Junior Sister Gu Yan,” Zhuo Ming clarified. “She entered the sect in the same batch as us, but since she’s from the Rain Kingdom, she didn’t interact much with our Cloud Kingdom lineage, so it’s normal that Master wouldn’t know her.” Zhuo Ming knew Gu Yan because Gu Yan's Spring Breeze Transforming Rain Art could condense abundant spiritual water, which was useful for irrigation, brewing, and other purposes.

“She cultivates a water-elemental cultivation method,” Chen Mobai noted, his eyes lighting up slightly. After confirming this, he then asked if she had entered the Divine Tree Secret Realm.

“Minister Lu said that in two years, after all this batch of true disciples have consumed their Foundation Establishment Pills, they will all be sent in at once,” Zhuo Ming replied, confirming her knowledge of the matter.

If it were anything else, Chen Mobai naturally wouldn't bother, but disciples who established their foundation with water-elemental cultivation methods had a high chance of obtaining Evergreen Tree Sap from the Dharma Treasure Tree. Therefore, he felt he might need to trouble Lu Yi again.

The next day, Zhuo Ming brought Gu Yan over. She was a gentle, fluid young woman with an ethereal smile. “Greetings, Senior Brother Chen,” she said.

Chen Mobai nodded. Zhuo Ming immediately brewed tea, and the three had a friendly conversation. He brought up his need for Evergreen Tree Sap and stated his price.

Gu Yan hesitated, but eventually nodded in agreement, swayed by the temptation of one hundred thousand spirit stones.

After the agreement, Chen Mobai carried two jars of spiritual wine to find Lu Yi.

“I still have to grant you this favor,” Lu Yi said. “Coincidentally, the Lian family patriarch also sought my help. This time, I’ll send two people in.” After speaking with Lu Yi, Chen Mobai learned that besides Gu Yan, Lian Maozhi of the Lian family from the Lei Kingdom had also successfully established his foundation a few days prior.

The Lian family patriarch and Chen Mobai were considered comrades-in-arms, having risked their lives for the Divine Wood Sect during the first war against Shanshan Peak.

Lian Maozhi’s successful Foundation Establishment meant the Lian family could solidify their position as the foremost family in the Lei Kingdom.

After the two entered the Divine Tree Secret Realm, each gained something. Gu Yan indeed obtained a gourd of Evergreen Tree Sap, and Chen Mobai happily exchanged it with her for one hundred thousand spirit stones.

However, Gu Yan mentioned that she had obtained a secret art related to Evergreen Tree Sap from the Talent Tree and asked if Chen Mobai could spare a few drops for her, if possible.

Chen Mobai only needed 76 drops of Evergreen Tree Sap to cultivate the first layer of the Evergreen Dao Body. Although the second layer also required Evergreen Dew refined from Evergreen Tree Sap, that was still far off for him. So he nodded, returning ten drops to Gu Yan, who in turn returned ten thousand spirit stones.

“I'm going into seclusion to cultivate the Dao Body,” Chen Mobai instructed Zhuo Ming. “When you have time, check on Xuan'er’s soul lamp, and if anything unusual happens, notify me immediately.” Before entering seclusion, he was still concerned about Luo Yixuan's safety, which was why he had specifically called Zhuo Ming.

“Yes, Master,” Zhuo Ming replied. This second disciple could now manage things independently in the Divine Wood Sect even without Chen Mobai, so Chen Mobai entered seclusion with great peace of mind.

Spring came and went, and soon six hundred days had passed. Under the Treasure Fire Body Forging Art, Chen Mobai finally refined Evergreen Tree Sap into every one of his bones.

On this day, he sat cross-legged on a branch of the Evergreen Wood. Faint flames of Azure Sun Fire rose from his entire body, making him glow like a dazzling fireball.

Extremely dense, fourth-tier high-grade spiritual energy transformed into tangible beams of light, flowing from Chen Mobai's seven orifices into all parts of his body. His fair skin gradually became transparent, making him resemble a piece of translucent jade, revealing his internal bones and meridians. Some physical imperfections present since birth slowly disappeared.

This physical body gradually evolved and improved towards its most complete state. The first layer of the Evergreen Dao Body, Immortality, enabled the cultivator to always maintain their physical body in its most perfect and flawless state.

Even if severely wounded, as long as the limbs remained intact, the cultivator could recover to a flawless state using vital energy and spiritual power.

Of course, recovering from severe injuries would reduce the cultivator's lifespan.

After an unknown period, the radiant flames of treasure fire around Chen Mobai's body slowly faded, and his skin returned to its fair complexion. He opened his eyes, feeling an unprecedented sense of ease and comfort in his body, along with even more vigorous vital energy. Even his Dantian Sea of Qi had expanded slightly, and he couldn't help but smile with satisfaction.

Being able to cultivate the Evergreen Dao Body before forming his Golden Core was a weight off his mind.

Subsequently, he took out a jade bottle from his storage pouch. Upon opening it, a glistening golden pill with ripple-like water patterns fell into his palm. This was the Golden Liquid Jade Return Pill!