Changes in Divine Wood Sect

After hosting a banquet for E Yun and others, Chen Mobai invited Qi Rui, Xi Jinghuo, Qi Hou and other friends from the sect the next day.

They were each given a cup of Second Grade Jade Bamboo Spirit Wine, and they all praised it highly.

Before leaving, Chen Mobai had Zhuo Ming give each person a jar of alms.

On the third day, Chen Mobai brought wine to visit the three Foundation Establishment leaders of the Spiritual Plant Department.

Two jars were sent to Inspector Sun Gaochang, a former leader. Although the other Minister and Deputy Minister were not close, they also personally sent one jar each. All of them were Second Grade Jade Bamboo Spirit Wine.

"Do you still have any wine? I'll buy it all."

Sun Gaochang was a heavy drinker; once he took a sip, he couldn't stop, and in no time he and Chen Mobai had finished a whole jar. Still feeling unsatisfied, they remained rational and left the remaining jar unopened.

"There are still some, but I haven't sent any to the sect Sect Leader yet. I have a favor to ask Minister Zeng of the Alchemy Department, so I need to send him two jars as well."

Chen Mobai answered truthfully, indicating that this Second Grade Spirit Wine could only be tasted internally at present. To truly brew and sell it on a large scale, they would have to wait until the first batch of planted Jade Bamboo Spirit Rice matured.

"What a pity."

Sun Gaochang sighed, and upon hearing that there was plenty of first-grade Jade Bamboo Spirit Wine, he immediately paid a deposit of one thousand Spirit Stone to reserve a large vat.

Chen Mobai didn't stand on ceremony and said he would have his apprentice send it over later.

"Junior Brother Chen, speaking of which, you're still officially part of our Spiritual Plant Department, right?"

After giving the gift, Chen Mobai was about to take his leave when Sun Gaochang called him back and said something abrupt.

"Yes, if it weren't for Inspector Sun bestowing the Divine Wood Sword upon me, I wouldn't have won the Sect Grand Competition so easily. If I hadn't won, I naturally wouldn't have been able to obtain the Foundation Establishment, and I might still be at the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer, waiting anxiously for the next batch of Jade Marrow Golden Ganoderma to mature."

Chen Mobai did not understand the meaning behind Sun Gaochang's words, but having spent time at his maternal grandfather's house every year since childhood, he was very familiar with these formalities and immediately expressed that the Spiritual Plant Department had given him Grace of Rebirth.

"It's like this, Junior Brother Chen. As you know, each of the sect's Twelve Departments only has three Foundation Establishment Cultivator on staff. If the three of us don't leave, you'll only be able to receive the benefits of an ordinary Foundation Establishment Elder. Do you have any plans to advance further?"

Sun Gaochang had shown Chen Mobai kindness and knew his personality well, so he got straight to the point.

"Does the inspector mean I should leave the Spiritual Plant Department?"

"Alas, you are mistaken. It is to promote you. The Hall Master Chu of the Reward Hall greatly admires you. In two years, there will be some changes in the upper echelons of the sect, and there will be many vacancies. You should go to the Reward Hall Inspector Envoy to gain experience. When a supervisory position in Twelve Departments becomes vacant, you can be promoted again."

Sun Gaochang's words were quite interesting. Was there going to be a change in the upper echelons of the sect? Chen Mobai exchanged a glance with him, knowing that this guy would definitely not say anything more.

Although Chen Mobai was nominally promoted by Sun Gaochang, the two were actually just friends who maintained a distant and platonic relationship.

Unlike E Yun and Yuan Chiye, who became close friends when they were both struggling, Sun Gaochang had his own circle of friends who were sixty years older than him. Unless Chen Mobai completely joined their ranks, the two could not be completely honest with each other.

His sudden remarks were definitely not Sun Gaochang's own idea. It must be that some changes are about to occur in the upper echelons of the Divine Wood Sect, and someone wants to recruit him as a combatant in advance.

Sun Gaochang also mentioned that person, the Reward Hall Master and Chu Zuoshu.

The Divine Wood Sect Three Halls Twelve Departments, Spiritual Plant Department happens to be under the jurisdiction of the Reward Hall.

If Chu Zuoshu were to transfer Chen Mobai to a higher position, it would be in accordance with the rules. However, he still had Sun Gaochang mention it beforehand, ensuring that Chen Mobai would not object to his actions.

"Thank you for your kind offer, Inspector Sun and Hall Master Chu. I will think about it carefully when I get back."

Chen Mobai was usually engrossed in cultivation and spent most of his time at the Divine Wood Sect in Little South Mountain, so he was completely clueless about the situation at the top and dared not agree rashly.

"Alright, alright, Junior Brother Chen, don't forget about my jar of wine."

Sun Gaochang personally saw Chen Mobai out the door, his chubby face beaming with smiles. At least in front of outsiders, the two seemed like true confidants.

"Must."

After greeting the other acquaintances from the Spiritual Plant Department, Chen Mobai arrived at the Divine Wood Hall.

Because E Yun had given prior notice, Meng Hong didn't go fishing today and waited for him to come over.

"Hmm, this wine is not bad. Didn't you have a whole vat left? Why did you only send me two jars?"

Meng Hong accepted the jar without hesitation, opened it, and after taking a sip, his face turned rosy, his whole demeanor became radiant, and he looked as if he had become two years younger.

"If the Sect Leader needs it, I'll dig out that vat and send it to you later."

Chen Mobai still respected Meng Hong very much. After all, when he had just Foundation Establishment, Meng Hong had given him the Flying Sparrow Hairpin, the Divine Wood Sword, and 10,000 Spirit Stone. He had always kept this kindness in his heart.

"Never mind, I was just saying. Just send over five more jars."

Meng Hong shook his head, then gestured for Chen Mobai to leave, as he was going fishing.

"Sect Leader, it's like this..."

Chen Mobai dared not delay Meng Hong's time, so he repeated what Sun Gaochang had told him. The person in front of him was the Divine Wood Sect Leader and a core member of the upper echelons, so he must know the meaning behind it.

Chen Mobai is still one of his apprentice E Yun's people, so you can't go wrong by asking him.

"That Chu Zuoshu guy, I've suppressed him his whole life, and now he's all eager to step down as soon as he hears I'm going to.

Upon hearing this, Meng Hong smiled wryly.

"Oh, the Sect Leader is going to abdicate?!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Mobai was startled. Although he had heard about this matter before, he did not expect it to happen so quickly.

E Yun, Zhou Wangshen, and others have only Foundation Establishment for a few years. If Meng Hong were to step down at this time, they might not be able to take over the Sect Master Position due to insufficient cultivation.

"I'm almost 180 years old. If I don't Core Formation now, I probably won't have the chance in this lifetime."

Meng Hong sighed and explained the reason.

In fact, anyone who is interested can figure out this by calculating his age. The best age for Foundation Establishment Cultivator to Core Formation is naturally before half of their lifespan has passed, which is 120 years old.

However, Meng Hong cultivated the Longevity Sutra, which added sixty years to his lifespan, allowing him to live to be 180 years old.

That is why many people had already thought of this when he completed his Foundation Establishment twenty years ago.

After all, compared to the Core Formation, the position of Divine Wood Sect Leader seems far too insignificant.

The other Six Major Sects in the Eastern Wasteland were all paying attention to this matter.

They all thought that Meng Hong would immediately step down Sect Master Position after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage and prepare for Core Formation, but they never expected that he would remain in charge for another twenty years.

"I have already reported this matter to the two elders, and I will officially abdicate in two years."

"If there are no unforeseen circumstances, Chu Zuoshu should take over. However, he is only at the peak of Chu Zuoshu Foundation Establishment. He only became the Sect Leader to obtain the Core Formation Spirit Medicine. Once you and your group have grown up, he will step down to prepare for Core Formation."

"But he has a stronger desire for power than I do. Among the next generation, Hong He and Yin Qingmei are disciples of Old Ancestor Fu, Zhou Wangshen and E Yun are my disciples, and his direct disciple Yue Zutao was crippled because he took the Longevity Tree Fruit. So he probably intends to train you to be the representative of his lineage."

Chen Mobai was slightly surprised to hear this, as he had not expected that Yue Zutao was actually Chu Zuoshu's disciple.

After Meng Hong decided to retire and complete his core Core Formation, he relaxed and talked to Chen Mobai about the personnel relationships of the Three Halls Twelve Departments.

"It's good that you're going to the Reward Hall. It will help balance the power of the Three Great Halls and prevent the Chu Zuoshu Rewards and Benevolence from falling into decline after the Reward Hall steps down."

With Meng Hong's words, Chen Mobai felt relieved.

After leaving the Divine Wood Hall, he went to the Alchemy Department.

Yan Jinye had arranged for Zeng Woyou to come in advance, and the latter had even prepared dinner beforehand.

Chen Mobai presented two jars of Jade Bamboo Spirit Wine. Although Zeng Woyou did not drink alcohol, he still praised the Second Grade Spirit Wine that his disciple had improved.

However, the environment in the Sky River Realm is such that good things are first taken by the owner, so Zeng Woyou did not mention the Medicinal Wine and pill formula.

"Minister Zeng, it's like this. I need Bamboo Fruit as the main ingredient to refine a kind of pill because I'm cultivating a Spiritual Sense Technique. The three Bamboo Fruit I had last time were very effective. I wonder if you could arrange a few more for me."

After a hearty meal and drinks, Chen Mobai made his request.

The two portions of Clear Eye Bamboo Spirit Dew Wang Xingyu refined at the end of last year have long been used up this year. He can exchange Vermilion Fruit with credits, but Bamboo Fruit is very rare in the Immortal Sect, and it would take at least a million Merit Points to buy it.

Chen Mobai currently has more Spirit Stone than Merit Points, so he has set his sights on the Sky River Realm.

Last time, Zeng Woyou asked him to save Yan Jinye, and he gave her three Bamboo Fruit. Chen Mobai, with a try-it-out mentality, went to her door and delivered two jars of wine.

How much do you want?

"Three per year."

As his cultivation level improved, especially with the advancement of his Spirit Controlling Technique, Chen Mobai's need for the Clear Eye Bamboo Spirit Dew grew, but three Bamboo Fruit were more than enough to satisfy him.

"Only Spirit Bamboo that is over 60 years old can be accelerated to produce Bamboo Fruit. There are still 46 bamboo trees on Green Bamboo Mountain. I can only get you six more Bamboo Fruit at most. If there are any more, even I, the Minister of the Alchemy Department, can't handle it."

Zeng Woyou was speaking the truth. He could use the excuse of needing to Alchemy to catalyze the Spirit Bamboo into Bamboo Fruit, but the quota was limited.

After all, he wasn't one of the two patriarchs who could control everything within the sect.

"Thank you so much, Senior Brother Zeng."

Chen Mobai was already quite satisfied with what he heard; at least it guaranteed him a steady supply of Clear Eye Bamboo Spirit Dew for the next two years.

Two years later, the Sect Leader will be replaced, and we'll see how things go then.

Anyway, he's already got his eye on it; there are still 40 Second Grade Spirit Bamboo on Green Bamboo Mountain.

The next day, Yan Jinye personally visited and delivered a Jade Box.

Inside were three Bamboo Fruit that had just been artificially ripened.

Spiritual herbs are at their most potent when freshly picked, so Chen Mobai didn't order six at once. He gave Yan Jinye the thousand Spirit Stone that Sun Gaochang had used to buy wine, as payment for the Bamboo Fruit.

After Yan Jinye sat for a while, E Yun and Yuan Chiye also came over.

"Then I'll take my leave."

Although Yan Jinye and Chen Mobai were very close, she did not want to be labeled as belonging to the E Yun faction.

"Junior Brother Chen, would you like to the Reward Hall?"

Once only the three of them remained, Yuan Chiye asked a question. Chen Mobai had already informed them of the matter using Message Talisman, and the reason he had called them over was precisely to discuss this matter.

"What the Sect Leader means is that I was fine in the past."

Chen Mobai's words meant that he wanted to go.

"Good. If Junior Brother Chen can take charge of the Reward Hall in the future, I will have more confidence in speaking in the Divine Wood Hall."

After understanding his implication, E Yun did not stop him and nodded gently.

"It's good that Chu Zuoshu Sect Master Position. Zhou Wangshen has obtained enough Longevity Tree Sap. It is estimated that after he comes out of seclusion, he will be able to achieve the Longevity Dao Body First Layer. At that time, I'm afraid only those in the late Foundation Establishment will be able to deal with him."

As soon as Yuan Chiye speaking, E Yun gave him a displeased look. "Zhou Wangshen was able to achieve great success in his Dao Body, all thanks to the Longevity Tree Sap that you gave him."

"It's not my fault. He gave too much, and the Sect Leader also hinted that if we get the Longevity Tree Sap, it would be best to give it to Zhou Wangshen and concentrate our efforts to create an Longevity Dao Body. It's better than having two half-baked ones."

Yuan Chiye defended himself, saying that everything he said was the truth.

On the side of the Divine Wood Sect, there is still some sect cohesion. Zhou Wangshen himself obtained a gourd of Longevity Tree Sap in the Divine Tree Secret Realm, and together with Yuan Chiye's gourd, it is just enough for one person to cultivate the Longevity Dao Body.

As the sect Sect Leader, Meng Hong would definitely favor his disciple Zhou Wangshen if he considered the overall situation of the sect.

Yuan Chiye happened to be short of Spirit Stone, so he went along with it.

E Yun couldn't criticize him for this either, since he still agreed with Meng Hong's point of view. Although he was in competition with Zhou Wangshen, he wouldn't let the competition escalate into internal strife.

"What is the Sect Leader's purpose in summoning you out of seclusion this time?"

After the three of them talked about Chen Mobai's appointment as Inspector Envoy at the Reward Hall and Benevolence, the topic returned to Yuan Chiye. He originally felt guilty towards E Yun, and after selling the Longevity Tree Sap, he planned to go into seclusion for ten or eight years before coming out. However, he was summoned out by the Sect Leader after only a little over a year.

"There's been a bit of trouble at the Spirit Stone Mine in the Lei Kingdom. There's a shortfall of 8,000 Spirit Stone. I need to go and investigate."

"Eight thousand Spirit Stone? I remember that Spirit Stone Mine can only extract twenty thousand Spirit Stone a year. Such a huge deficit, could it be that the local Cultivation Clan are colluding to deceive our Divine Wood Sect?"

Upon hearing this, E Yun immediately realized the problem.

"That's why I need to be sent over to investigate. Senior Brother Luo's report was also vague, and we need to consider the possibility that he might have been bribed. So this time I need to act secretly."

After hearing Yuan Chiye's words, Chen Mobai remembered something else.

He wonders if Luo Yixuan, whom he took a liking to last year, will become a true disciple in this year's Sect Grand Competition.

Although she had been hiding her own brilliance and letting Luo Yixiu steal the spotlight, Chen Mobai still saw at a glance that her talent and level of understanding were superior to Luo Yixiu's.

Among those who joined the Divine Wood Sect at the same time, Luo Yixuan was probably second only to herself, no worse than Yu Lian.