Chapter 498: Qingsang Academy

“Son, have you really formed your Golden Core!?”

Chen Mobai smiled and nodded at his parents, who were watching him on a video call. On the other end, Chen Xinglan and Tang Pancui were overcome with excitement after receiving his confirmation.

“If you hadn’t come from my own womb, I wouldn’t believe I gave birth to such an outstanding son,” Tang Pancui exclaimed, making Chen Mobai chuckle. The family video chatted for nearly an hour before their excitement finally subsided.

“Son, let us know in advance before you come back. Forming your Golden Core is a huge milestone; we definitely need to host a grand celebration with dozens of tables and invite all our relatives and friends.” While Chen Mobai did wish to publicly announce his successful Golden Core formation, he shook his head with a wry smile at the idea of such an elaborate banquet.

Tang Pancui had actually wanted to celebrate when he reached Foundation Establishment, but Chen Mobai felt it wasn't quite appropriate since Foundation Establishment was only a mid-level achievement within the Immortal Sect. They had opted for a simple family meal instead. However, with his successful Golden Core formation this time, Tang Pancui was determined to celebrate for three days and three nights.

“Let’s discuss this when our son comes back,” Chen Xinglan said with a chuckle, waving at the screen. “We’ll hang up for now.” With that, the family disconnected their call.

Although Chen Mobai had anticipated that forming his Golden Core without the aid of elixirs would cause a sensation in the Immortal Sect, he hadn't expected it to be this monumental. Ever since the Wuwu Dao Academy announced his successful Golden Core formation, nearly everyone with his contact information had called. Even those who were more reserved sent congratulatory text messages.

Chen Mobai could only reply selectively. Glancing at his contact list, he first called Meng Huanger, acknowledging her significant contribution to his successful Golden Core formation.

The two chatted affectionately for a while, and only after agreeing on a time for their next meeting did Meng Huanger reluctantly hang up. She was currently on tour with the Cultural Department and couldn't leave at the moment; otherwise, she would have flown over to celebrate the day she received the news.

After finishing with Meng Huanger, Chen Mobai checked his missed calls. He found a text message from Qingnu.

It simply read: “Congratulations on forming your Golden Core.” *That’s it?* he thought.

Chen Mobai felt that given their relationship, Qingnu should have at least called. Perhaps their connection had become a bit strained due to less contact in recent years while he focused on forming his Golden Core.

Just as Chen Mobai was considering calling her, a call from Yan Bingxuan suddenly came through. “Hello?” he answered without hesitation, recognizing the caller ID.

Yan Bingxuan: “I was in seclusion, trying to break through a realm, so my phone was off. I just turned it on and saw a missed call from you. Is everything alright?”

Chen Mobai: “Haven’t you seen the latest trending news?”

Yan Bingxuan: “I haven’t had a chance to check yet. I thought you might have something important, so I called you back first.”

Hearing Yan Bingxuan’s typically detached and calm tone, Chen Mobai couldn't help but let out a soft cough before sending her the link to the Wuwu Dao Academy’s official website.

Three seconds later, her voice shot up: “You formed your Golden Core!”

Her sudden high-pitched tone carried an unmistakable shock and joy that Chen Mobai could feel even through the phone screen.

After so many years of acquaintance, it was the first time Chen Mobai had ever heard such a rich display of emotion from the usually reserved Yan Bingxuan.

“Didn’t I promise to tell you first after forming my Golden Core?” Chen Mobai said with a feigned sigh. “I called you, but you didn’t answer.”

Chen Mobai said with a hint of helplessness, to which Yan Bingxuan offered an embarrassed apology.

“The joy I felt then, I wanted to share it with you,” Chen Mobai continued. “Although the moment has passed, the joy remains the same. I have formed my Golden Core.”

Chen Mobai, who valued a sense of ceremony, ended his call with Yan Bingxuan by uttering those four words, sharing the elation of his breakthrough with his dear friend.

“Yes, I can feel it!” Yan Bingxuan replied with an unprecedentedly gentle tone.

He wasn't sure why, but even though Yan Bingxuan wasn't particularly talkative, Chen Mobai found himself constantly searching for topics to extend their conversation, and she would always reciprocate. That feeling of awkwardness mixed with mutual longing was starkly different from his conversations with Meng Huanger and utterly captivated Chen Mobai.

If not for a sudden call from Ming Yihua, Chen Mobai estimated he could have chatted with Yan Bingxuan until the next morning.

“I’ll hang up then. I’m coming back this year,” Yan Bingxuan said finally. She had already graduated from Butian Dao Academy but remained there to continue her study of the Ice Soul Divine Light using the academy’s equipment, rarely returning to Danxia City.

Her intention to return this year was, naturally, to celebrate Chen Mobai’s successful Golden Core formation in person.

“Alright, I’ll wait for you,” Chen Mobai replied. After saying these words, he switched to Ming Yihua’s call, feeling a sense of anticipation.

Ming Yihua: “Holy cow, Old Chen, you’re incredible…”

Conversations between close friends were much more casual. After graduating, Ming Yihua had been internally recruited by a relevant department of the Immortal Sect due to his outstanding artifact refining skills. All his phone calls with outsiders were recorded to prevent any leakage of classified information.

Chen Mobai: “Alright then, next time you’re free, come find me in Danxia City. I’ll treat you to drinks…”

After finishing his call with Ming Yihua, Chen Mobai then had to reply to each member of his God Transformation class. Close friends like Yun Yangbing and Wang Xingyu called him back personally, while others sent text messages.

This task alone took Chen Mobai two or three days. Finally, after finishing his call with Hua Zijing, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Just as he was about to put down his phone, a new text message suddenly came in. It contained only two simple words: “Congratulations.”

Chen Mobai, who had been feeling somewhat indifferent, was momentarily stunned when he saw the sender’s name: Shi Wanyu.

They hadn’t seen each other since their graduation. So many years had passed that he had almost forgotten about this friend.

However, that past incident still weighed on his mind. So, after a moment’s thought, Chen Mobai deleted the message, pretending he hadn’t seen it.

Now that he had formed his Golden Core, their paths were destined to diverge. Given that, it was better not to re-establish contact.

***

At Wufeng Immortal Mountain, Zhongli Tianyu frowned slightly as he looked at the text message Chen Mobai had sent.

“He was able to form his Golden Core successfully without elixirs; I should be able to as well, right?” Zhongli Tianyu asked Zhongli Yue, who was beside him. As one of only three Golden Core cultivators in the Zhongli family, she was low-key but also the most likely to form a Nascent Soul.

It was precisely for this reason that she had been stationed at Wufeng Immortal Mountain. “I don’t think you can do it,” Zhongli Yue replied directly.

Zhongli Yue shook her head, directly cutting short Zhongli Tianyu’s aspirations.

“Why not? I’m a descendant of a Soul Transformation cultivator, and I have the Bagua Mirror as a companion spiritual treasure. Forming a Golden Core shouldn’t be an obstacle for me.” Zhongli Tianyu was somewhat unconvinced. He felt that while his talent might be slightly less than Chen Mobai’s, the blessing of the Bagua Mirror, a Soul Transformation legacy treasure, should be enough to close that gap.

“You are merely a descendant of a Soul Transformation cultivator; he possesses the innate talent for Soul Transformation. You should continue to cultivate diligently and only attempt Golden Core formation after you acquire a Golden Liquid Jade Return Elixir.” Zhongli Yue had met Chen Mobai twice and had a favorable impression of the polite young man.

However, during their first meeting, she hadn't found him as astonishing as rumored, not sensing the overwhelming innate talent for Soul Transformation that was supposedly overflowing from him. But then Chen Mobai successfully opened a realm, leading Zhongli Yue to believe that he might have been deliberately modest and restrained in her presence.

Now, hearing of his success in forming his Golden Core without elixirs, Zhongli Yue was even more convinced that her previous assessment had been limited, and this young man truly possessed the innate talent for Soul Transformation.

“I can try anyway. There’s still a long time until I reach sixty years of service,” Zhongli Tianyu said, still unwilling to give up. He wanted to keep pace with Chen Mobai and not be left behind.

“You are not him,” Zhongli Yue stated, her expression firm. “Without the aid of elixirs, you definitely won’t be able to form your Golden Core. Why make a futile attempt that only depletes your vital essence?” Though Zhongli Tianyu was very reluctant, he could only utter a soft “Oh” and lower his head.

In truth, he already knew this. Before Venerable Yuanxu introduced the Realm Treasure, his Soul Transformation aristocratic family had received early access for internal testing. Zhongli Tianyu himself had simulated Golden Core formation and only succeeded when a Golden Liquid Jade Return Elixir was included in the process.

“Damn it, will I never catch up to him in this lifetime?” Zhongli Tianyu, who had been endlessly arrogant since childhood, always believing himself second only to heaven, suddenly found himself filled with self-doubt.

Even if he managed to form his Golden Core successfully with the aid of a Golden Liquid Jade Return Elixir, he would still be more than forty years behind Chen Mobai, who had already reached this realm. His talent was already inferior to Chen Mobai’s, and with so much time passed, the latter might even be ready to attempt Nascent Soul formation.

“Perhaps I should just stop comparing myself to him?” This thought suddenly flashed through Zhongli Tianyu’s mind.

***

Chen Mobai, of course, was unaware that members of the Soul Transformation aristocratic families were discussing his talent behind his back. That day, he once again visited Building One on Chicheng Mountain.

This time, however, he wasn’t there to see Che Yucheng, but to pay his respects to the Principal. The Dao Academy had immediately reported the news of his Golden Core formation to Venerable Chengxuan, but as Nascent Soul cultivators require extensive periods for a single cultivation session, it took until now for a response.

Had it not been for waiting for Venerable Chengxuan, Chen Mobai would have already returned to the Tianhe Realm.

“Excellent. The Pure Yang lineage finally has a worthy successor,” Venerable Chengxuan said cheerfully as Chen Mobai entered.

The two conversed for a long time, with Venerable Chengxuan doing most of the talking. He stated that if Chen Mobai was willing, the Dao Academy’s spiritual treasures for Nascent Soul formation could be given to him after Duanmu Longrong.

Before Chen Mobai left, Venerable Chengxuan spoke earnestly: “I know that after forming your Golden Core autonomously, you might think forming a Nascent Soul won't be difficult. However, I still want to advise you that the most suitable path for forming a Nascent Soul, given your cultivation of the Pure Yang Scroll, is through our Wuwu lineage. Within the Immortal Sect, attempting to form a Nascent Soul solely on your own is almost impossible.”

The only exceptions are cultivators of the Everlasting Spring Technique.

“Thank you for your guidance, Principal,” Chen Mobai replied. “But if I could achieve something no one else has, wouldn’t that be fascinating?”

Chen Mobai’s words left Venerable Chengxuan momentarily stunned.

“My child,” Venerable Chengxuan said, regaining his composure, “Success is what makes things interesting. If you fail, you will realize that all your previous efforts were in vain.”

Venerable Chengxuan had witnessed countless proud individuals. Without exception, they all eventually bowed their heads in the face of failure and quietly passed away.

Only he, step by step, established his Foundation and formed his Golden Core within the Immortal Sect’s system, eventually becoming a Nascent Soul Venerable.

This demonstrated that the path many had successfully traversed was indeed the correct one. The initial pioneers, for the most part, had failed.

“Then I just won’t fail,” Chen Mobai declared. Venerable Chengxuan couldn't help but let out a wry chuckle.

“Ah, youth,” Venerable Chengxuan sighed with a smile. “I still have over two hundred years of lifespan left. I hope you change your mind before I pass away; that way, I’ll still be alive to help you arrange your path to Nascent Soul formation.”

“The Principal will surely reach Soul Transformation,” Chen Mobai said with a pleasant smile, making Venerable Chengxuan burst into hearty laughter.

After leaving the Principal’s office, Chen Mobai went to visit Che Yucheng. Qin Beichen happened to be there as well. After Chen Mobai thanked him again, Qin Beichen took the opportunity to excuse himself, leaving the master and disciple alone.

“I won’t interfere with the choice you’ve made, but I still want to advise you that the opportunity to take charge of the Wuwu lineage is incredibly rare,” Che Yucheng said earnestly. As his teacher, he seemed to be aware of the content and outcome of the conversation between Venerable Chengxuan and Chen Mobai.

Chen Mobai: “The Dao Academy has countless talented individuals. My experience is shallow, and if I were to take over, I fear I wouldn’t command the respect of the others.”

Che Yucheng: “As long as you are willing, the Principal, I, and Senior Sister Duanmu will all support you.”

Unbeknownst to him, Chen Mobai had already become the favored future of everyone in the Wuwu Dao Academy. They all believed he could lead the Dao Academy to new glories. Even if he couldn’t become the second Old Ancestor Baiguang, forming a Nascent Soul would certainly be achievable with the Dao Academy’s resources.

After all, 99% of those who achieved Golden Core formation through enlightenment without elixirs in the history of the Immortal Sect had gone on to successfully form their Nascent Souls. The only exceptions had died in outer realms during the pioneering wars.

“Teacher, I’m not being modest, but I am still young,” Chen Mobai pleaded. “Please let me take it easy for a few more years.” While Chen Mobai could directly refuse others, with Che Yucheng, he could only resort to appealing to their relationship.

“Alright then,” Che Yucheng conceded. “But you should first join the Dao Academy’s teaching staff. That way, your seniority can start accumulating tomorrow. If you want a somewhat easier role, you could find an academy to be a principal, like Little Yu, and get accustomed to it.”

The “Little Yu” Che Yucheng referred to was the Crimson Robe True Man, Yu Tianguang. The 120 academies of the Immortal Sect were largely offshoots of the main Dao Academy, and Danzhu Academy was one of Wuwu Dao Academy’s branches.

“Then how about I become the vice principal at Danzhu Academy?” Chen Mobai suggested. He was a home-loving person and didn’t wish to leave his hometown.

“That won’t do,” Che Yucheng said, shaking his head. “An academy can only have one Golden Core cultivator at most; we can’t waste educational resources.” He then listed the universities among the 120 academies that still lacked a Golden Core cultivator to oversee them.

Coincidentally, in Yumu City, adjacent to Danxia City, there was Qingsang Academy, jointly operated by Wuwu Dao Academy and Jumang Dao Academy. Although the current acting principal was from Jumang Dao Academy, he would undoubtedly be willing to step down and yield his position if Chen Mobai were to take over.

Chen Mobai knew that Yumu City had no Golden Core cultivators. If his talisman paper business was to become legitimate and truly flourish, controlling that city would be essential.

“Qingsang Academy it is then,” Chen Mobai decided.