Chapter 527: South Xuanjing's Storage Bag

Chen Mobai sat upright in his Daoist hut, a talisman brush in hand, meticulously drawing a talisman. Beside him lay a storage bag. It belonged to Nan Xuanjing!

After so many years in the Sky River Realm, opening storage bags had become commonplace for him, yet a Core Formation cultivator's bag still filled him with anticipation. He hadn't opened it immediately because his spiritual sense cultivation was inferior to Nan Xuanjing's, making him unable to unlock it. The blank talismans, which previously could solve this issue, were ineffective because his talisman crafting skill was still at the second tier.

The simplest method would have been to commission a third-tier blank talisman from a third-tier talisman master at the Immortal Sect, but Chen Mobai, cautious by nature, chose not to. This was because every blank talisman at the Immortal Sect required registration with the Enforcement Department before it could be traded. Thus, Chen Mobai had to practice crafting it himself. Fortunately, as a Core Formation cultivator, the third-tier talismans that had previously posed a challenge were gradually mastered with his full dedication.

With the final details filled in, this third-tier blank talisman glowed with spiritual light, fully formed. Chen Mobai breathed a sigh of relief, placing the talisman brush back on its stand. Just then, a distinctly crisp "clack" sounded. Chen Mobai looked up to see a thin crack appear on the tip of the recently used talisman brush on the stand. "I need to find a way to upgrade my main talisman brush," Chen Mobai murmured to himself.

These two main talisman brushes of his had been custom-made through Ming Yihua more than twenty years ago, and they had certainly served their purpose. However, now that he had reached Core Formation and his cultivation level was driving his cultivation skills into the realm of third-tier talismans, these two second-tier main brushes were becoming inadequate. It seemed he would need to return to the Immortal Sect when he had time, to inquire at the Talisman Master Association whether custom-making or directly purchasing a third-tier brush would be more cost-effective. For a third-tier talisman brush, Chen Mobai had no intention of collecting materials in the Eastern Desolate region. This was because third-tier spirit beasts in the Immortal Sect were finite, and he couldn't rashly produce materials of that grade; he planned to reserve the excuse of "void blind boxes" for more critical items. Alternatively, he could see if there were any suitable third-tier talisman brushes available in the Eastern Desolate.

With these thoughts, Chen Mobai picked up the third-tier blank talisman that he had spent a month practicing to master. After infusing it with spiritual power, he slapped it onto Nan Xuanjing's storage bag. With a rustling sound, Chen Mobai's wooden hut was instantly crammed full. Had he not quickly opened the roof, it would likely have burst from the sheer volume of items spilled from the storage bag. He had never imagined Nan Xuanjing's storage bag would contain so many items.

Besides gleaming spirit stones, there was a mountain of gold crystals; he counted a staggering two thousand pieces. Seeing this, Chen Mobai's face lit up with joy. With these, plus what he had obtained from the Desolate Ruins, he would have nearly enough resources to cultivate his Treasure-Dropping Golden Light technique to its highest level. As for why Nan Xuanjing possessed so many gold crystals, Chen Mobai had some theories. Within the Profound Firmament Dao Palace, gold crystals were a more precious cultivation resource than spirit stones. Many spells required refining the golden qi from these crystals to master, such as the famous Sun-Shooting Divine Halberd Art and the less common Treasure-Dropping Golden Light! As the patriarch of the Nanxuan Sect, these gold crystals were likely distributed to Nan Xuanjing by the Profound Firmament Dao Palace, serving not only as his personal cultivation resources but also as the stipends for all Nanxuan Sect disciples in the Eastern Desolate. However, these gold crystals were originally meant to be distributed annually, possibly representing ten or even twenty years' worth of funds. After Nan Xuanjing was slain by Chen Mobai, they all fell into Chen Mobai's hands along with the storage bag.

After placing the gold crystals in a separate storage bag, Chen Mobai then used his spiritual sense to count the spirit stones. This brought him even more pleasant surprises. Nan Xuanjing had considerable wealth, possessing a remarkable 256 high-grade spirit stones, far more than Chen Mobai himself. However, Chen Mobai estimated that Core Formation cultivators in the Eastern Desolate should, at a minimum, have a thousand high-grade spirit stones in their storage bags. Perhaps the memory of Fu Zongjue handing him 100 high-grade spirit stones without batting an eyelid had been too impactful, causing him to misestimate.

After bagging the spirit stones separately, Chen Mobai examined the remaining miscellaneous items: a bed, a table, chairs, and so on, indicating that Nan Xuanjing also valued comfort. After a quick scan with his spiritual sense confirmed they were just ordinary spirit wood, Chen Mobai burned them all. What remained were some artifacts. There were fragments of the Brocade Bead, shattered by his Purple Lightning Sword, and a collection of golden halberds, refined with the secret techniques of the Profound Firmament Dao Palace, ranging from first to third tier, likely intended as rewards for the disciples of the Nanxuan Sect. Chen Mobai selected one of each type for his collection, storing the rest in the miscellaneous item bag to take to the Artifact Forging Department later, to see whether they should be melted down or used to replenish the sect's treasury.

Finally, there were more than a dozen bottles of elixirs. Chen Mobai had always been wary of elixirs from the Sky River Realm, but a Core Formation cultivator's treasured collection was certainly something good. To avoid waste and out of curiosity, he summoned Zeng Woyou.

"Reporting, Sect Master, this is Ink-Blood Elixir... this is Aperture-Origin Elixir... this is..." Zeng Woyou, true to his role as head of the Alchemy Department, opened and sniffed each one, identifying their names and effects. Only a black elixir left him uncertain. "This... might be a Blood-Purifying Essence Elixir. After consumption, it can completely heal injuries and even lead to a breakthrough in cultivation. It's a demonic elixir, not circulated on the market, and I've never seen it, so I can't confirm." Hearing this, Chen Mobai recalled his battle with Nan Xuanjing, acknowledged Zeng Woyou's judgment, and nodded.

"This... could it be... the Profound Sky Dark Gold Elixir!" Zeng Woyou's voice trembled as he looked at a thumb-sized, dark golden elixir.

"Oh, is this elixir very famous?" Chen Mobai asked, a little surprised.

"This is the most renowned elixir of the Profound Firmament Dao Palace. Anyone who takes it can gain twenty years of lifespan."

"Increase lifespan!" Chen Mobai exclaimed, greatly astonished. This was about extending one's innate lifespan, the most precious kind of elixir in the Immortal Sect. He hadn't expected the Profound Firmament Dao Palace to possess such a miraculous elixir.

"Although the Profound Sky Dark Gold Elixir's effect weakens with repeated use, it is still hailed as the foremost elixir in Eastern Yi. Patriarch Jinfeng has survived until now precisely by relying on this elixir." After hearing Zeng Woyou's words, Chen Mobai nodded. This was truly the most valuable item in Nan Xuanjing's storage bag, but whether it could be consumed still required examination by a professional.

As he pondered whether to fly to Wangwu Blessed Land to find Qing Nv or have her come to Yumu City when he returned at year-end, Chen Mobai's Communicator suddenly rang. Yue Zutao had something to discuss with him. After dismissing Zeng Woyou, Chen Mobai answered the Communicator. Upon learning the matter, he notified the Inner Cabinet to convene a meeting.

After sorting and dealing with all the items from Nan Xuanjing's storage bag, Chen Mobai looked up again at the Evergreen Wood where Zhou Shengqing resided. As the phenomenon of nascent soul formation became increasingly powerful, the spiritual energy in Giant Wood Ridge became more and more uncontrollable. This caused the sect cultivators remaining in Giant Wood Ridge to complain bitterly.

"Sect Master, now even Qi Cultivation disciples dare not meditate and cultivate," Yue Zutao reported. Chen Mobai listened to Yue Zutao's report, feeling a headache brewing. The spiritual energy of Giant Wood Ridge was being drawn by Zhou Shengqing's nascent soul formation. Even Chen Mobai, a Core Formation cultivator, could only barely compete for it. Foundation Establishment cultivators were fine; being well-off, they could temporarily draw spiritual energy from spirit stones for cultivation. But Qi Cultivation cultivators were not so fortunate. Many disciples were struggling and only used spirit stones at critical moments for breakthroughs. Therefore, unable to absorb spiritual energy from heaven and earth, the Qi Cultivation disciples of the Divine Wood Sect began to voice their grievances.

Chen Mobai: "How many Qi Cultivation disciples are currently in the sect?"

Yue Zutao: "There are 2,687 registered disciples, about 1,500 of whom are in Giant Wood Ridge. Recently, quite a few disciples have been taking missions from the Spirit Treasure Pavilion, preparing to leave."

The Divine Wood Sect boasted three thousand Qi Cultivation disciples, but three consecutive wars had resulted in the loss of four to five hundred disciples. However, two years ago, one or two hundred new recruits were enlisted from the six nations, replenishing some fresh blood. When the Six Nations Guardians left the sect, they each took approximately a hundred Qi Cultivation disciples with them. Among them, besides low-level Qi Cultivators, there were also many former true disciples. For example, Qi Hou, whom Chen Mobai knew, went with E Yun to Yan Country. After failing Foundation Establishment more than twice, these individuals had suffered some loss of vital essence and were no match for the newly promoted true disciples in the sect. It was virtually impossible for them to obtain another Foundation Establishment Pill, so they wanted to try their luck one last time. Precisely for this reason, those who remained in the Divine Wood Sect were the backbone, and the future.

"Everyone, share your thoughts. Let's see if there's a solution." Chen Mobai sat at the head of the table in a side hall of the Divine Wood Temple, with Meng Hong, Mu Yuan, Yue Zutao, Xi Jinghuo, Luo Xue'er, and Yan Jinye seated on either side below him. This was the nascent form of the Inner Cabinet, and it was their first meeting, convened to discuss how to resolve the issue of Qi Cultivation disciples being unable to meditate and absorb spiritual energy.

"Let's distribute spirit stones to everyone," Xi Jinghuo proposed first. "Patriarch Zhou's nascent soul formation will last a maximum of two years. We can issue 5 low-grade spirit stones per month to each Qi Cultivation disciple in Giant Wood Ridge; that's only a bit over ten thousand stones."

But Luo Xue'er, who managed the Merit Hall and was intimately aware of the sect's current financial state, immediately shook her head in refusal. "The three major wars have almost depleted the sect's spirit stone reserves. What's left must be saved for unforeseen circumstances. Even the regular sect stipends had to be replaced with spirit rice. We simply don't have any extra spirit stones. If they are willing to take IOUs, I have no objection."

Yue Zutao: "These spirit stones are essential for the Qi Cultivation disciples' practice in Giant Wood Ridge. If we give them IOUs again, I'm afraid morale will truly collapse."

Yan Jinye: "Then how about distributing elixirs instead?" Although after Chen Mobai's teachings, Qi Cultivation disciples of the Divine Wood Sect who yearned for Foundation Establishment no longer consumed elixirs as unrestrainedly as before, their market price remained high, and they were still very popular among rogue cultivators and lower-level disciples.

Chen Mobai: "Nephew Meng, what is your esteemed opinion?" After everyone had spoken their turn, Chen Mobai, seeing Meng Hong still composed, turned to him and asked.

Meng Hong: "Reporting to the Sect Master, providing subsidies like spirit stones or elixirs is absolutely not feasible." At his words, everyone's gaze turned to him. Chen Mobai smiled slightly, motioning for him to continue. "If we were to distribute them, we'd have to consider not only the Qi Cultivation disciples within the sect but also those outside, because inequality, not scarcity, causes discontent. But then, the disciples in Giant Wood Ridge would feel unfairly treated. Why should those outside the sect enjoy the same benefits that they suffer within the sect to obtain? This bowl of water can never be leveled."

Hearing Meng Hong's words, everyone's faces showed understanding. Indeed, the older the ginger, the spicier it is; his perspective on the problem was far more thorough and profound than theirs.

Chen Mobai: "Then, in your opinion, how should this matter be handled?"

Meng Hong: "The best approach is to act as if we are unaware. If any disciples below dare to complain about this, it is an act of disloyalty to the sect. We should directly dispatch the Punishment Hall to apprehend and suppress them!"

At these words, everyone fell into contemplation. Chen Mobai looked at Meng Hong, who had uttered such ruthless words with a calm expression, and couldn't help but sigh, acknowledging that the Eastern Desolate was indeed different from the Immortal Sect. Here, there was no need to consider public resentment; high-pressure rule was their forte. Compared to Zhou Shengqing's nascent soul formation, even if all Qi Cultivation disciples of the Divine Wood Sect were sacrificed, it would probably be acceptable in Meng Hong's eyes.

Chen Mobai: "Does anyone else have other suggestions?" Yue Zutao's expression was hesitant, but after thinking it over carefully, he still felt that Meng Hong's method was the most suitable for the current situation.

"How many assignable missions are there within the sect?" Chen Mobai asked another question when he saw no one speaking.

Luo Xue'er immediately replied. The annual spirit stone budget for all three halls and twelve departments passed through her hands, so she could give a rough estimate for these matters. "Reporting, Sect Master, regular tasks like outlying manor patrols, spiritual field and herb garden harvesting, and spirit beast rearing can still accommodate about 300 more disciples."

Chen Mobai: "What about the Cloud Dream Lake area?" At this question, everyone exchanged glances. As the foremost treasure land in the Eastern Desolate, the Cloud Dream Lake area could likely accommodate not just the Divine Wood Sect, but even half the Qi Cultivation cultivators of the entire Eastern Desolate if they flocked there.

"Leave enough personnel to activate the Myriad Woods Grand Formation, open up monster hunting missions to the sect disciples, and send them to the markets in the Cloud Dream Lake area. Also, some personnel can be dispatched to the Six Nations: mining in Yan Country, aquatic products in Yun Country, spiritual fruits in Yu Country, and so on. Have the respective Nation Guardians cooperate; this provides them with manpower and is mutually beneficial. As for the remaining disciples within the sect, have the Formation Department and Spirit Vein Department jointly designate an area and set up a formation to calm the spiritual energy, so that they can also cultivate normally."