Chapter 514: The Secret Technique for Extracting Lifespan Tree Sap

Red River had already completed his ten-year mission of guarding the Rain Country. However, he chose not to return to the sect afterward, opting instead to take on the mission of guarding Yunmeng Marsh. E Yun was also in the same situation.

Because Yunmeng Marsh was rich in resources and had many undeveloped areas, controlling a market there allowed them to acquire cultivation resources more easily than they could at the sect. Many Foundation Establishment cultivators in the Divine Wood Sect who still aspired to Core Formation would periodically undertake missions to guard Yunmeng Marsh. Typically, they would serve for ten years, then return to the sect to cultivate for ten years, repeating this cycle.

Red River, Chen Mobai's predecessor as the sect's invincible true disciple, was highly regarded for his talent by everyone in the Divine Wood Sect. His personality, in stark contrast to Chen Mobai's steady progression, involved constantly pushing himself to break through and improve. At Yin Qingmei's Foundation Establishment ceremony, Red River confidently sparred with Chen Mobai, only to be defeated in a single move by the Sword Fiend.

Although this was a setback for Red River, it ignited his fighting spirit, prompting him to cultivate even more diligently in the subsequent decade. He battled demonic beasts, enhancing his cultivation while simultaneously refining his combat techniques. Thanks to his personal efforts and the abundant resources of Yunmeng Marsh, Red River finally felt his bottleneck loosening recently. Without hesitation, he immediately consumed a precious elixir he had painstakingly refined, dedicating himself entirely to the breakthrough. A year later, he successfully advanced to late-stage Foundation Establishment and mastered a third-tier spell.

After breaking through, Red River felt the sky was vast and the earth boundless, the mountains tall and the rivers long. Everywhere he looked, every blade of grass and every tree brimmed with vitality. Just as he burst into laughter, preparing to return to the sect to test the sharpness of the Sword Fiend against Chen Mobai once more, a piece of news shocked him, causing his expression to change drastically.

"What? The sect and the Nanxuan Sect are at war in the Rock Country?"

With Ancestor Zhou unable to intervene, the Divine Wood Sect would surely be no match for the Nanxuan Sect, and they also had to beware of Mount Liujia, which had long been eyeing them. Upon hearing the news, Red River immediately analyzed the situation of both sides. Just as he was about to take a teleportation array to the Rock Country to aid the sect, Wei Chunfu, the market manager reporting to him, casually stated that the war had already ended.

"It's over? Did we lose?"

Red River had analyzed all the powers in the Eastern Wilderness and felt the sect's chances of victory were less than twenty percent. However, seeing Wei Chunfu's relaxed expression amidst his own surprise and doubt, he sensed something was amiss.

"We won. The Nanxuan Sect's stronghold, the Baose Mountain formation, has been breached by our sect. Core Formation cultivator Nan Xuanjing was killed on the battlefield by our Ancestor Chen, and Nan Shidao, a Core Formation cultivator from Mount Liujia, was also slain by Ancestor Mo from Golden Light Cliff. Only Zhao Xuankang managed to escape."

"Ancestor Chen? Is this an external reinforcement invited by the two ancestors from beyond the Eastern Wilderness?" Red River asked with a look of surprise, as there were no Core Formation cultivators named Chen in the Eastern Wilderness.

"It's Ancestor Chen Guixian. He had previously left Giantwood Ridge to seek a secluded spot for Core Formation. After successfully breaking through, he arrived just in time for the great war between the sect and the Nanxuan Sect."

"Nan Xuanjing prided himself on his high cultivation, but he had no idea that Ancestor Chen was a peerless sword dao genius whose talent surpassed even Ancestor Mo. After forming his core, his sword dao realm had reached an unfathomable level."

"It is said that Ancestor Chen wielded tribulation lightning with his sword, striking with 'Heavenly Punishment' with one sword and defeating foes with another. Finally, with an effortless expulsion, he demonstrated the profound technique of forming a sword pellet, easily severing Nan Xuanjing's head. His peerless demeanor is truly awe-inspiring."

After hearing Wei Chunfu's words, Red River froze on the spot, remaining silent for a long time.

He actually formed his core?! And I've only just reached late-stage Foundation Establishment!

The thought of having just come out of seclusion and intending to challenge Chen Mobai's Sword Fiend with his third-tier Azure Wave Condensing Light made Red River's cheeks flush slightly. Fortunately, it was just a thought at the time; he hadn't yet voiced it or put pressure on himself. Red River enjoyed pressure, but a Foundation Establishment cultivator challenging a Core Formation cultivator was no longer a matter of pressure; it was sheer madness.

How could he have cultivated so quickly?

Once he recovered his senses, Red River was equally astonished that Chen Mobai had progressed from Foundation Establishment to Core Formation in just over twenty years. It was known that even before Red River joined the Divine Wood Sect, he had encountered a fortuitous opportunity, allowing him to cultivate at a speed almost comparable to a Heavenly Spirit Root, progressing remarkably fast. Furthermore, within the Divine Tree Secret Realm, he had gained another immortal blessing. This was why he could break through so rapidly after Foundation Establishment, reaching the late-stage realm in merely thirty years. Even Yin Qingmei, who possessed a Heavenly Spirit Root, did not cultivate as quickly as he did. It was precisely this fact that had given him the confidence to catch up to Chen Mobai and even surpass him.

But now he was told that his target had achieved Core Formation! How could he possibly catch up now?

While Red River was confident in himself, he still held a deep reverence for the vast realm of Core Formation. Even with his abundant fortuitous encounters, he wasn't entirely certain of his success. Yet Chen Mobai had succeeded on his first attempt after reaching perfected Foundation Establishment?!

Red River put himself in Chen Mobai's shoes, pondering Ancestor Chen's identity as a sword cultivator and the circumstances surrounding his Core Formation, feeling he had vaguely uncovered some "truth." It must have been that Ancestor Chen, under the immense pressure from the Nanxuan Sect, took the step towards Core Formation driven by a powerful sense of responsibility to uphold the sect's banner, an unyielding sword dao will, and an unwavering conviction to succeed or die trying. As this thought struck him, Red River felt admiration for another person for the very first time in his life.

The environment in which Ancestor Chen achieved Core Formation was akin to being surrounded by lurking wolves. He had to leave the sect to avoid scrutiny, yet faced immense pressure not to fail. For any other cultivator, such overwhelming pressure alone would likely have caused inner demons, probably leading to the dissipation of their spiritual energy and death before they could even trigger the heavenly tribulation. Yet Ancestor Chen succeeded!

Red River, who always thrived under pressure, felt inferior to someone else for the first time. It should be noted that Red River had initially somewhat looked down on Chen Mobai. He believed that since Chen Mobai had mastered the Sword Fiend and was already invincible among Foundation Establishment cultivators, spending all his time cultivating within the sect was a disservice to his astonishing sword dao talent.

But now, Red River understood. He had been too superficial. Battling demonic beasts, adventuring in Yunmeng Marsh, or even engaging in life-and-death struggles with rogue cultivators and demonic cultivators—these were all merely superficial pressures related to physical survival. Only those who dared to single-handedly bear the burden of the sect's survival and protect the continuation of its legacy were truly great and courageous individuals. The more he analyzed Ancestor Chen, the more Red River recognized his own shallowness.

He immediately felt that he could no longer hide in Yunmeng Marsh; instead, he should emulate Ancestor Chen and shoulder the sect's future even while still in the Foundation Establishment realm. Consequently, Red River immediately applied to the sect to conclude his mission in Yunmeng Marsh. He then took teleportation arrays through several market towns before returning to Giantwood Ridge. To his surprise, upon his return, he received a tremendous piece of news. Ancestor Chen was summoning him, and Yin Qingmei was also to be present.

As both were introductory disciples of Fu Zongjue, and their cave dwellings were on adjacent mountains, they naturally reported the summons to Fu Zongjue immediately. Fu Zongjue was occupied with comprehending Mount Liujia's puppet techniques. After hearing his two disciples, he contacted Chen Mobai via the Spirit Communication Device. Upon learning that Chen Mobai intended to impart Core Formation insights, he expressed a slight doubt.

"Junior brother, their cultivation hasn't yet reached perfected Foundation Establishment. Wouldn't it be too early?"

"Core Formation, much like Foundation Establishment, is a transformation of essence, qi, and spirit. If one waits until perfected Foundation Establishment to 'clutch at Buddha's feet,' it will be too late. The sect will only grow stronger and external enemies will fear to invade when we have more Core Formation cultivators. I will first share my insights with them; even if it only increases their chances by ten percent, over a hundred years and several generations of disciples, we might gain another junior brother or sister."

"Junior brother, your vision is far-reaching and your perspective broad; I am not your equal. I will trouble you with my two disciples."

Upon hearing this, Fu Zongjue also felt that his own perspective was too narrow compared to Chen Mobai's. His thoughts were still constrained by the ancient belief that high-level inheritances should not be easily transmitted, and if they were, it should only be done one-on-one. The decision to impart Core Formation insights to Chu Zuoxu had already been made, but sharing them with Red River and Yin Qingmei would, by rights, require informing Zhou Shengqing. However, Zhou Shengqing was currently most averse to disturbance, so an agreement between Chen Mobai and Fu Zongjue alone would suffice. As Red River and Yin Qingmei were Fu Zongjue's disciples, there was no reason for him to object. After ending the Spirit Communication Device call, he explained the situation.

Upon hearing the words "Core Formation insights," Red River and Yin Qingmei instantly started breathing rapidly, their faces flushed, and their eyes gleamed with excitement.

The next day.

Red River, usually unconcerned with his appearance, uncharacteristically tidied his attire, shaved off the beard he had grown over the years, and donned what he considered his most presentable clothes. He thought he had taken a considerable amount of time, but Yin Qingmei was even more delayed. He had no idea what she was doing; she only barely appeared, arriving precisely at the scheduled summoning time.

"Ancestor Chen is an ascetic devoted to sword cultivation; what use is all that makeup?" Red River, an ascetic himself, couldn't help but let out a cold snort upon seeing Yin Qingmei with her elaborate makeup. He then proceeded ahead towards the Longevity Wood Dao field where Chen Mobai resided.

"This is basic etiquette and a sign of respect for Ancestor Chen. Didn't you shave your beard too?"

Although Yin Qingmei and Red River were nominally fellow disciples, their relationship was lukewarm. After all, Red River had remained outside the sect since reaching Foundation Establishment, returning only once every few years. Yin Qingmei, possessing a Heavenly Spirit Root, was a treasure of the sect and had not been permitted to leave its grounds during two major wars. Were it not for their shared master, Fu Zongjue, they would likely have had nothing to talk about.

"You're too late! When an Ancestor summons, one should arrive at least an hour beforehand!"

Chu Zuoxu was already waiting outside the Longevity Wood Dao field. As the sect leader, he immediately reprimanded the two upon their arrival. Red River frowned slightly and glared at Yin Qingmei beside him. She lowered her head, obediently enduring the scolding.

"Sect Leader, it seems it's time for Ancestor Chen to summon us."

As Chu Zuoxu continued his scolding with no sign of stopping, Red River promptly reminded him. Throughout the Divine Wood Sect, Red River only held reverence for Core Formation Ancestors. He believed that with his talent, he would eventually surpass all other Foundation Establishment cultivators, including the sect leader. Thus, seeing the potential for delay in receiving Core Formation insights, Red River immediately interrupted him.

"Ancestor Chen's disciple has arrived, so our matter is postponed."

Chu Zuoxu was merely finding an excuse to pass the time, so as soon as Red River spoke, he stopped reprimanding Yin Qingmei.

"Ancestor Chen's disciple? Is it Junior Brother Liu, or Junior Sisters Zhuo and Luo?"

Although Red River was arrogant, he was aware of the three Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Small Southern Mountain lineage, as they were disciples of his former rival.

"It's Junior Sister Zhuo. Junior Sister Luo went missing a few years ago after an incident. Didn't you know?"

"Oh?" Red River genuinely hadn't known. After all, he had previously only concerned himself with Chen Mobai, and Chen Mobai had chosen to handle Luo Yixuan's disappearance discreetly to avoid any unwanted attention.

After hearing Chu Zuoxu's words, Red River frowned slightly. He took note of this, thinking that if he ever had the chance in the future, he would leverage his connections to see if he could locate Junior Sister Luo.

Just then, an earthy yellow escape light descended, revealing a woman with a gentle demeanor, dressed like a village woman.

"Junior Sister Zhuo, is Ancestor Chen available now?" Upon seeing Zhuo Ming, Chu Zuoxu couldn't help but ask politely.

"Yes, Master asked me to bring you up."

Over the years, Zhuo Ming had been farming on Small Southern Mountain, always keeping a hoe and a fruit basket by her side. Without Luo Yixuan, who cared about appearance, to help her dress up, she had completely taken on the appearance of a village woman in recent years. As she spoke, an earthy yellow spiritual light surged forth, enveloping the three of them and ascending towards the largest branch of the Longevity Wood. In no time, the four arrived at the entrance of the wooden house situated on the branch. The large door was open, revealing a refined-looking young man in a red and black robe seated inside. In front of him sat another Foundation Establishment cultivator, a pure and elegant young woman, whose presence greatly surprised them.

"Junior Sister Gu Yan, I didn't expect to see you here." As the sect leader, Chu Zuoxu knew all the Foundation Establishment cultivators within the sect intimately. He recognized her as someone who had recently achieved Foundation Establishment in the past few years, after receiving guidance from Ancestor Chen. She had been incredibly lucky, acquiring a bag of Longevity Tree sap in the Divine Tree Secret Realm, which she traded for one hundred thousand spirit stones from Ancestor Chen. Why was she here today? Could it be that after Ancestor Chen achieved Core Formation, he found those one hundred thousand spirit stones too troublesome to keep?

"Martial Niece Gu Yan obtained a very useful secret art for me in the Divine Tree Secret Realm," Chen Mobai said with a gentle smile. "Today, Ming'er specifically brought her to explain it."

This secret art, which Gu Yan obtained from the Talent Tree, described a method for extracting Longevity Tree sap from the Longevity Wood, making it extremely useful for Chen Mobai. At this moment, Gu Yan also rose to bid farewell.

"Ming'er, please see off Martial Niece Gu," Chen Mobai instructed Zhuo Ming.