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Chen Mobai: "Isn't the Lei Kingdom the territory of Zhou Wangshen?"

Yuan Chiye: "He was taken away by Old Ancestor Zhou. The Sect Leader can't very well go to Divine Wood to ask Old Ancestor Zhou for him, can he?"

Hearing this, Chen Mobai was slightly speechless.

In that case, it would be a good thing if Meng Hong stepped down early. With Zhou Wangshen's background and talent, if he were to cultivate the Longevity Dao Body, there would indeed be no one in the sect who could compete with him for the Sect Master Position.

Now, with Chu Zuoshu as a buffer, Chen Mobai might have a chance decades from now.

E Yun: "When are you leaving?"

Yuan Chiye: "I originally planned to leave after the Sect Grand Competition, but last night the Sect Leader sent the relevant documents through the Witchcraft Department, probably wanting me to set off as soon as possible."

Upon hearing this, E Yun and Chen Mobai frowned, exchanged a glance, and both sensed the discord in the conversation.

E Yun: "Junior Brother Yuan, there might be something fishy about this. You need to be careful."

Chen Mobai: "The Sect Leader isn't the kind of person who's impatient."

After listening, Yuan Chiye nodded slightly. He had already felt something was off, and after hearing their conversation, his suspicions were confirmed.

E Yun: "The garrison commanders of various countries are rotated every ten years. If I remember correctly, Senior Brother Luo should be handing over his duties back to his sect this year."

Every ten years, the Divine Wood Sect sends a Foundation Establishment Cultivator to guard the Four Kingdoms under its jurisdiction. This is one of the tasks that few people in the sect pay attention to. Although the Contribution Points and Spirit Stone are considerable, there is no place as rich in spiritual energy as Giant Wood Ridge for cultivation.

However, because not many people were willing to go, but not sending anyone was not an option, the Divine Wood Sect had a rule.

Every Foundation Establishment Cultivator who wishes to hold a key position in Three Halls Twelve Departments within the sect must have experience guarding Four Kingdoms.

After Shan Hongyi returned to his clan, E Yun had already taken over the position of Cloud Kingdom Guardian.

The Yun Country borders the Cloud Dream Marsh. He spends most of his time overseeing the development of the first spiritual realm in the Eastern Wasteland. As long as he doesn't suffer heavy losses from a beast tide, he can accumulate strength, influence, and even Spirit Stone in ten years.

Once the mission of guarding the garrison is over and he returns to his sect, E Yun can use the savings accumulated over the past ten years to attempt a breakthrough to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.

If it works out, then we can compete for the Sect Master Position.

If that doesn't work out, at best he'll be one of the Twelve Departments Minister, or perhaps the Deputy Hall Master Three Great Halls.

Before Meng Hong stepped down, he at least arranged a path for his disciples to rise in rank.

Lei Kingdom also borders Cloud Dream Marsh and was assigned to Zhou Wangshen. Last year, Spirit Stone Mine was discovered, and before Luo Shupin's term of guarding the area was up, Zhou Wangshen couldn't wait to go and negotiate with the local Cultivation Clan to show his presence.

"Senior Brother Luo must know the inside story about the Spirit Stone deficit. He didn't tell the sect and didn't come back. Either someone at the top is suppressing him, or he's run into trouble in the Lei Kingdom."

Yuan Chiye was not entirely unprepared; after receiving the Sect Leader's decree, he had already begun investigating the relevant people and events.

"You mean... betrayal?"

E Yun uttered those two words directly, and Chen Mobai remained silent.

"It's also possible that he's been controlled by hostile forces, after all, Senior Brother Luo is only at the early stage of Foundation Establishment."

Yuan Chiye, however, could not make such a judgment; he was more tactful.

However, in any case, Luo Shupin, the garrison commander of the Divine Wood Sect 'Lei Kingdom Guardian, must have encountered a problem regarding the shortage of Spirit Stone.

"Senior Brother Luo comes from the Cultivation Clan in Yun Country, and he happens to be under my command. After the Sect Grand Competition, I will also go to the Luo Family to investigate their strength." E Yun said, then he seemed to remember something and looked at Chen Mobai again, "The Luo Family has relied on Senior Brother Luo to send many people into the sect over the years. I remember there were two people in the same batch as Junior Brother Chen, and they were quite talented."

When Divine Wood Sect Yun Country was undergoing the spiritual transformation, E Yun did not show up; it was Yuan Chiye who handled everything. However, he had been observing in secret and still remembered several people with outstanding Spiritual Root.

That's why he was able to appear in time to save Chen Mobai when he was robbed by the South Mountain Bandits.

"The Luo Siblings both reached the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer last year. Luo Yixiu has profound spiritual power and is skilled in magic. If she hadn't met a true disciple, she probably would have entered the twenty-fourth sequence as well. Luo Yixuan is slightly less skilled."

Yuan Chiye had already found out everything. As soon as E Yun asked, before Chen Mobai could even speak, he had already given a detailed explanation.

"After the Sect Grand Competition, take my warrant and invite them to my courtyard for tea."

E Yun nodded and gave instructions to Yuan Chiye.

Upon hearing this, Chen Mobai's expression shifted slightly, but he didn't say anything more.

"By the way, Senior Brother E obtained a Demon Beast Inner Core in Cloud Dream Marsh last year. Does that mean the sect is going to start refining Yao Beast Foundation Establishment Pill again?"

Chen Mobai asked about another matter. Last year, the Divine Wood Sect had a great harvest in Cloud Dream Marsh, especially when E Yun and Hong He joined forces with the sect's Foundation Establishment Cultivator to hunt down a Second Grade peak Zhu Po Dragon.

"That's right. The Sect Leader has ordered Minister Zeng to put aside the other Alchemy tasks and focus all his efforts on refining the Foundation Establishment."

"It seems that before the Sect Leader abdicates, he is paving the way for your junior brother Mu Yuan as well."

Yuan Chiye said jokingly.

After Chen Mobai Foundation Establishment, Mu Yuan has held the Chief position among the Top True Disciple for two consecutive years, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, he will likely retain that position this year as well.

Yao Beast Foundation Establishment Pill is successfully refined, regardless of how many pills are produced, Mu Yuan will definitely receive one.

E Yun simply smiled and offered no comment.

The three talked for a while about how the situation would change after Meng Hong stepped down, until it got dark and Liu Wenbai returned from the Sect Grand Competition. Only then did E Yun and Yuan Chiye take their leave.

"Master, did Senior Brother win easily today?"

Zhuo Ming happily reported Liu Wenbai's battle results. The two of them had gone out early this morning. Although she hadn't signed up, she really enjoyed watching others Spell Duel.

"Good, remember to remind me to go and take a look before passing on the true teachings."

When he had just Foundation Establishment, Chen Mobai was still interested in watching the Sect Grand Competition, but now, the Spell Duel skills of the Qi Cultivation Disciple no longer attracted him at all.

If it weren't for the crucial importance of the true teachings, and the fact that he had his own disciples and several friends participating, Chen Mobai probably wouldn't have even bothered to watch the final rounds of the true teachings' duels.

"Master, are you going out so late?"

Zhuo Ming was just about to prepare some spiritual dishes and heat up a pot of wine when she saw Chen Mobai walking towards the door.

"I have an old friend to meet."

Before leaving, Chen Mobai sent out a Message Talisman. Liu Wenbai and Zhuo Ming didn't dare to ask him who he was going to see and watched him leave.

About half an hour later.

On a hillside Divine Wood City, Chen Mobai stood enjoying the breeze, feeling relaxed and content.

He saw a cold-looking young man dressed in black leaping from a distance. In no time, he had reached the foot of the hill. Upon seeing Chen Mobai, he jumped up and landed directly beside him.

"Uncle Chen, is there something important that you called me out so late?"

Yu Lian asked with a puzzled look.

This is within the Divine Wood Sect. If it were anywhere outside Giant Wood Ridge, he wouldn't have come here alone.

"With your talent and cultivation, becoming a true disciple should be a piece of cake."

Chen Mobai asked a question that Yu Lian didn't understand, even though the two of them had a brief conversation about it last time.

"Becoming a true disciple is for obtaining the Foundation Establishment. However, the next batch of Jade Marrow Golden Ganoderma will take another four years to mature. Becoming a true disciple before then will only expose my spells and Magic Artifact, which I am unwilling to do."

Yu Lian gave a reason that Chen Mobai agreed with.

Indeed, although becoming a true disciple means receiving more Spirit Stone as a stipend from the sect each year, it also provides access to excellent Spirit Land for cultivation.

However, for Yu Lian, who had already become a disciple of Shan Hongyi and Qi Refining in Third Grade Spirit Vein, and who had accumulated a considerable amount of Spirit Stone before joining the Divine Wood Sect, these benefits of being a true disciple were not very important.

The only thing that could attract him to become a true disciple was the Foundation Establishment.

In order to make a name for themselves and stand out in the most competitive Sect Grand Competition competition in the year the Jade Marrow Golden Ganoderma matures, it is indeed best to remain as still as a mountain now.

"What if I told you that the sect is already preparing to refine a batch of Foundation Establishment Pills?"

Chen Mobai said something that made Yu Lian's eyes widen.

"Is this true?"

Without Chen Mobai's reminder, Yu Lian had already thought of the Yao Beast Foundation Establishment Pill, after all, the most talented Chief of the Divine Wood Sect in the past hundred years had Foundation Establishment with it.

Such a successful example has led other True Disciple who previously had doubts about the Yao Beast Foundation Establishment Pill to now consider it the same as the Orthodox Foundation Establishment Pill.

If given the chance to obtain Yao Beast Foundation Establishment Pill, Yu Lian felt there was no need for him to hide any longer.

"It's a pity that the Sect Grand Competition has already started this year, and it seems you haven't registered."

Chen Mobai shook his head and sighed again.

"Once the true disciples are determined, sect disciples who have not registered have the right to challenge the Twenty-Four True Disciples."

Yu Lian said coldly. Although he was not interested in the true teachings, he was very clear about the rules of the sect.

"But even true disciples have the right to refuse challenges."

Chen Mobai asked another question, after all, if a disciple encounters a strong enemy in the Sect Grand Competition, even a true disciple can get injured. In order to prevent others from taking advantage of their weakness, the Divine Wood Sect also gives true disciples the right not to accept challenges.

"I will challenge those disciples who won easily and are in perfect condition. If I don't want to be ridiculed by the sect, they will definitely accept."

Yu Lian made up his mind the moment he heard about the Yao Beast Foundation Establishment Pill.

"Well, a batch of Yao Beast Foundation Establishment Pill probably only yields two or three pills. If you want to try your luck, you'll have to work hard."

After saying this, Chen Mobai smiled and turned to leave.

Why did Uncle Chen tell me this?

Yu Lian immediately pressed for details. Although he and Chen Mobai were from the same hometown, they had no interaction at all when they were at the New Bud Hall. Their only communication was about buying Crimson Sun Firewood, and Chen Mobai's attitude towards them was rather indifferent.

For Yu Lian, who came from a background of independent Rogue Cultivator and had already experienced a lot of killing before joining the sect, Chen Mobai's inexplicable show of goodwill made him somewhat uneasy.

"I value my hometown very much. You're a good person, so I'll just tell you this."

"If Uncle Chen has any instructions in the future, I will definitely do my best to fulfill them, as long as I can do it."

Faced with Foundation Establishment Cultivator, Yu Lian could only make this promise first.

"Let's talk about it when you're able to Foundation Establishment."

As he said this, Chen Mobai was already standing above the Misty Cloud Qi, having flown away from the small hill.

Seeing this, Yu Lian clenched his fists.

He must Foundation Establishment his Foundation Establishment.

Only by Foundation Establishment can one avenge the destruction of their sect.

The Sect Grand Competition quickly progressed to the crucial True Disciple Battle.

On the arena, Luo Yixiu arrogantly defeated one of last year's disciples, raising his head and puffing out his chest to display his "powerful" cultivation.

Meanwhile, in the private room on the second floor of the teahouse next door.

Dressed in a white palace gown, with a virtuous demeanor and fair skin, Luo Yixuan knelt before the two Foundation Establishment Elder of the sect with a worried expression.

"In order to avoid affecting your mindset Sect Grand Competition, I didn't inform you siblings immediately. Now that you've been eliminated in this round, I'm telling you first."

Across from Luo Yixuan, Yuan Chiye drank tea while telling her about the accident at the Spirit Stone Mine in the Lei Kingdom and the possibility that Luo Shupin might be in trouble.

"Please, my two senior uncles, understand that my grand-uncle would never betray the sect."

Luo Yixuan could only say this: the reason why their Luo Family was able to gain a foothold in Yun Country, besides the family's Foundation Establishment Ancestor, was because of Luo Shupin of the Divine Wood Sect.

In any case, once the charge of betrayal is proven, it's likely that not only the Luo Family members of the Divine Wood Sect will be implicated, but the entire Luo Family in the Yun Country could also be affected.

After all, although the major sects in the Eastern Wasteland have enjoyed peace and stability for the past few decades, the history of their rise to power is filled with bloodshed.

There are countless ways to make Cultivating Family and minor sects disappear.

"It is precisely because we trust Senior Brother Luo that the sect is sending people to investigate the truth."

After saying this, Yuan Chiye took out E Yun's handwritten letter and handed it to Luo Yixuan.

"After the Sect Grand Competition, Senior Brother E will invite you two siblings for tea and tell you in detail about everything you have seen and heard in the Lei Kingdom over the past few years. I'm informing you in advance so that you can remember it well and not miss anything."

After saying this, Yuan Chiye waved his hand, indicating that Luo Yixuan could leave.

Chen Mobai sat to one side drinking tea without saying a word.

Before Luo Yixuan left, she saw him open his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, under the silent pressure of the two Foundation Establishment Elder, he bowed his head and took his leave.

"Oh, Luo Yixiu has actually become a true disciple."

At this moment, Yuan Chiye opened the window and saw Luo Yixiu walking off the stage.

"Among our group back then, his talent was among the top five, so his achievements are to be expected."

Chen Mobai said something that left Yuan Chiye completely baffled.

"Top five? He was only the second person besides you to become a true disciple. How did you rank him into the top five?"

Faced with Yuan Chiye's question, Chen Mobai pointed to himself.

He was ranked first, Yuan Chiye had no objection.

"Yu Lian, Luo Yixuan, my apprentice, and then Luo Yixiu, he just happens to be fifth."

"I agree with Yu Lian, but as for Luo Yixuan, wasn't she eliminated even earlier than him?"

Yuan Chiye was still puzzled.

"She cultivated a unique technique to conceal her cultivation level and Spiritual Sense, but it couldn't fool my eyes."

Chen Mobai spoke softly.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Chiye looked on in surprise at Luo Yixuan, who had just walked out of the teahouse and was heading towards the smug Luo Yixiu Luo Yixuan. With Chen Mobai's reminder, he observed carefully and, with his Foundation Establishment level, indeed discerned a clue.