Chapter 546: Peach Blossom Master

Chen Mobai tested it with his Azure Yang Fire, confirming that the Spirit Sealing Tubes and Spirit Condensation Talismans were effective. After that, he took out a golden talisman.

The patterns on this talisman resembled flames, dazzling and brilliant.

"What kind of talisman is this? Did you draw it?" Qing Nü asked curiously. She knew Chen Mobai was an excellent talisman master; in the past two days, he had casually demonstrated his skill by easily mastering Spirit Condensation Talismans from first to third tier. She felt that with Chen Mobai's talent, his proficiency in talisman crafting should be comparable to her alchemy skills, perhaps even superior.

However, this was her misconception. Chen Mobai could achieve this entirely due to his Core Formation stage cultivation.

"This is an ancient talisman I obtained from opening a Void Blind Box. Two types of elixirs also came out with it, and I was just about to ask for your help in appraising them." Qing Nü didn't know what a Void Blind Box was, as it was a precious resource only accessible to Golden Core cultivators. After Chen Mobai explained, she looked enlightened. She then curiously took the Profound Heaven Dark Gold Elixir and the Blood Spirit Elixir, completing the appraisal with extreme professionalism.

There were no issues with their effects, though the elixir toxins were slightly above the acceptable limit. "Perhaps it's because they've been stored for too long, or poorly preserved," Qing Nü offered two explanations, saving him the trouble of finding excuses.

"After years of research, I've discovered that this ancient talisman is an extremely powerful True Fire Talisman. My Pure Yang Scroll can contain and control it, so I plan to refine and cultivate it to add another combat technique." As he spoke, Chen Mobai activated the Golden Flame Sword Talisman at his fingertips. After spiritual energy was injected, the patterns on the talisman ignited like real flames. As the golden firelight flickered into existence, a scorching heat flow, strong enough to slightly warp the void, emanated from it, and the ground beneath them began to scorch slightly, revealing the immense temperature of the Golden Flame.

Even with her water spiritual energy activated, Qing Nü, standing nearby, felt her body burning and sweat pouring out. Seeing this, Chen Mobai motioned for her to step back and immediately picked up the Spirit Sealing Tubes.

Once activated, the power of the Golden Flame Sword Talisman would slowly dissipate within three or four days, even if not directed at an enemy. Chen Mobai had already fully comprehended the Scarlet Flame Sword Art. If he were to rely on his own core fire and spiritual energy to refine the Azure Blaze Sword Aura, he could probably condense only a wisp of "Golden Flame" each day. It would likely take two or three years to refine the amount of Golden Flame contained within this sword talisman. After all, this Golden Flame Sword Talisman was personally drawn by the Nascent Soul cultivator, Patriarch Hunyuan, in the past, making its grade the pinnacle of third-tier talismans. Even if Chen Mobai could condense the same amount of Golden Flame, the power of a sword talisman he drew would likely be far inferior to this one.

He divided the Golden Flame, produced after activating the sword talisman, into three portions and injected them into three Spirit Sealing Tubes, then affixed three pre-prepared third-tier Spirit Condensation Talismans. This way, he would have "seeds" of the Golden Flame.

Next, he only needed to continuously refine the Golden Flame using the Flame Manipulation Art from the Pure Yang Scroll. Once he could fully control it, he could then use the Ignition Art to continuously expand and enhance the Golden Flame until it reached full mastery, which meant mastering the Blazing Sun Slash. At that point, in terms of combat, even without the Violet Lightning Sword, he would be formidable among Core Formation cultivators.

"I feel like the power of this Golden Flame is no less than that of the Grand Solar Pure Yang Fire." After Chen Mobai sealed the Golden Flame, the scorching heat that had warped the void and scorched the earth disappeared. Qing Nü gently wiped the fragrant sweat from her forehead and cautiously approached, a hint of lingering fear in her eyes. She felt that if even a single spark of that Golden Flame had landed on her, it could instantly turn her to ashes.

"It's pretty good. With these three tubes of Golden Flame as True Fire seeds, I can quickly master a high-grade third-tier True Fire Sword Art. In the future, by refining the Grand Sun Fire into it, I can even elevate its power to the fourth tier."

The "Blazing Sun Slash" of the Scarlet Flame Sword Art is based on the Golden Flame, which is condensed and sublimated from the Azure Blaze Sword Aura, while the "Extreme Sun Slash" requires further refinement with the Grand Sun Fire. This path is similar to the Grand Solar Pure Yang Fire, but its upgrade route is smoother, and because it's used in conjunction with a sword art, its combat capability is stronger.

It can only be said that the Heavenly River Realm is more diligent and skilled in researching combat techniques than the Immortal Sect.

Chen Mobai's Azure Blaze Sword Aura had already reached mastery. With the Golden Flame seeds and the profound techniques of the Pure Yang Scroll, he could easily cultivate the Scarlet Flame Sword Art to its peak, even without sparing spirit stones. This sword art was meant to be his signature technique for dominating the Eastern Barrens, and in the future, he might even have the opportunity to acquire the subsequent grand techniques of the Heaven-Burning Purifying Land. Even without that opportunity, after mastering the Extreme Sun Slash, Chen Mobai could still find a way to switch to the Grand Solar Pure Yang Fire path, as both involve Grand Sun Fire and lead to the same destination through different routes.

"You're truly amazing!" Upon hearing this, Qing Nü couldn't help but look at Chen Mobai with admiration. Even with her Heavenly Spiritual Root, it had taken her immense effort to master a single third-tier True Water spell, whereas Chen Mobai was already preparing to cultivate fourth-tier combat techniques.

"I only have a bit of talent in this area," Chen Mobai said modestly. He then attempted to draw a wisp of Golden Flame from a Spirit Sealing Tube and began refining it with the Flame Manipulation Art from the Pure Yang Scroll. This technique, reputed to be able to control all fires under heaven, finally found its practical application in his hands.

Three days later, Chen Mobai had completely mastered one tube of the Golden Flame. Next was using the Ignition Art. The remarkable aspect of this spell was its ability to use Pure Yang spiritual energy as fuel to ignite the heavenly and earthly spirit fires that a cultivator had mastered.

Chen Mobai immediately transformed the Golden Flame he had controlled with the Flame Manipulation Art into a seed, continuously injecting spiritual energy and Azure Blaze Sword Aura to catalyze its growth and enhancement. Unfortunately, the Ignition Art consumed an excessive amount of Pure Yang spiritual energy. With Chen Mobai's cultivation at the first level of the Golden Core stage, he could only sustain it for three days. Afterward, even while meditating within the most vibrant fourth-tier spiritual vein at the peak of the Danxia Mountain Range, it would take him seven days to recover.

"This won't do, it's too slow!" Chen Mobai couldn't help but frown slightly. The main reason was that his current task was to guard this place. Moreover, besides Qing Nü, Lan Haitian occasionally came to update him on the latest clear-up operations in Danxia City. Under such circumstances, he dared not use spirit stones to recover. If he were willing to spend spirit stones, the time needed to recover his spiritual energy could be more than halved.

"Why hasn't Elder Peach Blossom arrived yet?" Just as Chen Mobai grumbled daily, he finally, on a beautiful sunny day, awaited the Headmistress of Ju Mang Dao Academy. Lan Haitian, accompanied by a group of cultivators from the Enforcement Department of Wangwu Cave Heaven, stood respectfully beside a beautiful woman in a pink and white long dress. She was approaching Chen Mobai's location, riding clouds through the sky.

This was Chen Mobai's first encounter with Elder Peach Blossom. To be honest, he had seen many beauties in his life: Meng Huang'er and Yan Bingxuan, both possessing exquisite beauty and charm; Shi Wanyu, who was youthful, lovely, and full of vitality; and Qing Nü, by his side, who was an unparalleled beauty, extraordinarily captivating. Yet, compared to Elder Peach Blossom, all of them seemed to pale in comparison. Her beauty was almost otherworldly, as if she embodied all the feminine beauty Chen Mobai had ever witnessed: long black hair flowing like ink, slender phoenix eyes sparkling with clear smiles like a bright moon or a serene lake, a high-bridged nose, rosy cheeks, and a flawless oval face complemented by crimson lips, making her skin appear as fair as snow and as clear as jade. Elder Peach Blossom possessed both the alluring figure of a mature woman and the delicate freshness of a blossoming maiden, with a lively youthful aura about her brows. One could see any desired feminine charm when looking at her. "This must be a fairy!" This thought inexplicably surfaced in Chen Mobai's mind.

At that moment, Elder Peach Blossom, along with Lan Haitian and a large group, descended onto the peak of the Danxia Mountain Range. She gazed directly at the towering Jade Phoenix Tree that overshadowed everything. "Greetings, Elder!" Chen Mobai immediately walked over with Qing Nü to bow. "Hello, Headmistress!" Qing Nü also greeted her.

Upon hearing their greetings, Elder Peach Blossom turned, smiled at Qing Nü, and gave a slight nod in return. Afterward, Elder Peach Blossom continuously scrutinized the composed and elegant Chen Mobai, her gaze growing increasingly satisfied with each look.

"Shuang'er has mentioned you to me; she said you were quite good," Elder Peach Blossom finally spoke, just as Chen Mobai was beginning to feel uncomfortable under her scrutiny.

"Senior Sister Pei's sword path is astonishingly brilliant, and I deeply admire it. Since our parting at Shanhai Academy, we have often exchanged insights on sword cultivation." This was true; Pei Qingshuang frequently sought out Chen Mobai to chat, mostly under the pretext of seeking guidance on the sword path. If it were anyone else, Chen Mobai would likely have ignored them. But with Pei Qingshuang, he was willing to converse and share his understanding of the sword path. Although Chen Mobai's sword path cultivation was bestowed upon him by the Dao Tree's empowerment, it was a genuine cultivation. After years of practice, his practical experience in its application far surpassed that of Pei Qingshuang, a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Especially his ability to manifest sword light and form the Five Elements Sword Aura Array. Such a level of sword mastery was achieved by only a handful of sword grandmasters in the entire Immortal Sect, such as Nangong Xuanyu.

Pei Qingshuang, at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment, spent the long wait for the Golden Liquid Jade Return Elixir cultivating Frost Sword Aura, besides nurturing her bond with the Azure Frost Sword and attempting to achieve unity between person and sword and a clear sword heart. Among Chen Mobai's Five Elements Sword Auras, the Water Element Sword Aura was based on Profound Ice Aura, similar to hers. Relying on his experience of being two steps ahead, he often pretended to be a master when chatting with Pei Qingshuang. People's names precede them, like shadows following trees! After Chen Mobai was mistakenly believed by the Immortal Sect to have achieved enlightenment and formed a Golden Core, Pei Qingshuang regarded him as a second Patriarch Baiguang, treating his words as golden rules. Furthermore, Chen Mobai's sword cultivation realm was indeed two levels higher than hers, and his guidance provided genuine and useful experience, always greatly benefiting Pei Qingshuang and giving her sudden insights.

Consequently, whenever Pei Qingshuang returned home, she would praise Chen Mobai to Elder Peach Blossom as the greatest sword talent in all creation. When the mother and daughter chatted privately, they would be a bit more unrestrained. In Pei Qingshuang's mind, she even felt that at the same age, Patriarch Baiguang was inferior to Chen Mobai. And such an outstanding genius was, surprisingly, someone who disdained fame and fortune and was wholeheartedly devoted to his family. Such virtues made him the most ideal son-in-law. It was just a pity that Pei Qingshuang was still a bit shy. Whenever Elder Peach Blossom asked her if she had a crush on Chen Mobai, she would either deflect the conversation or directly run out the door, using the excuse of meeting Wenren Xuewei for tea to avoid the question.

"Chen Mobai, would you be willing to join my Ju Mang Dao Academy?" Elder Peach Blossom suddenly asked, her words startling Chen Mobai.

"This... I graduated from Wuqi Dao Academy, and my teaching position is still there, Elder, your kindness..." Among the four great Dao Academies, Ju Mang Dao Academy and Wuqi Dao Academy had the best relationship. At one point, Che Yucheng and Grandmaster Xinjie were sworn brothers. Furthermore, Elder Chengxuan's successful Nascent Soul formation was largely due to Ju Mang Dao Academy's past assistance, which provided a tube of Heavenly One True Water, allowing him to avoid the calamity of heart fire burning his body. But even with such good relations between the two academies, wasn't it somewhat inappropriate to poach someone in front of so many people? It wasn't just Chen Mobai who thought this; Lan Haitian thought the same.

"I'm not asking you to transfer your position to Ju Mang, but rather to transfer your household registration here. Although my Shuang'er may not be able to bear children for you in the future, her appearance and figure are inherited from me, and the higher her cultivation, the more beautiful she becomes. Among all the outstanding male cultivators in the Immortal Sect, you are the most pleasing to my eyes. Are you interested in becoming her Dao Companion and spending the rest of your lives together?"

Chen Mobai considered himself to have strong psychological resilience, but hearing Elder Peach Blossom's blunt words still startled him somewhat. "This... I don't have any emotional inclination towards Senior Sister Pei, and I am a dull person who only knows how to cultivate and farm; I wouldn't be a good match. Let's just forget about it!" Chen Mobai thought for a moment, then followed his inner convictions and politely refused. Such matters, if not decisively handled, would lead to trouble, so it was better not to be vague.

After he finished speaking, everyone present stared at him with shocked expressions. This was a Nascent Soul Elder personally seeking a son-in-law, and Pei Qingshuang would one day grow to possess the same beauty as Elder Peach Blossom, arguably the future most beautiful woman in the Immortal Sect. Only the gaze next to Chen Mobai was not shock, but tenderness and trust! It was Qing Nü.

After so many years together, she had absolute confidence in Chen Mobai. She believed him to be an extremely proud person, for whom family background or beauty were not criteria for choosing a partner. The friends he chose to associate with were soulmates with whom he had a spiritual connection. He would absolutely not treat anyone differently just because they were useful or had status! What did it matter if Pei Qingshuang was a second-generation immortal? Her standing in Chen Mobai's heart was certainly not as high as Qing Nü's, perhaps not even as high as Yan Bingxuan's. Thinking this way, Qing Nü felt that all the hardships she had endured in her life were for the sake of meeting Chen Mobai, a partner with whom she could give her whole heart.

"It's precisely because of you that I've been able to endure in this bitter sea of the Immortal Sect until now." Qing Nü was an orphan. With her younger siblings gone and her teacher, Gu Changfeng, nearing death, she had no remaining family ties in the Immortal Sect. Her only pillar of inner strength was Chen Mobai.