A Thoughtful Disciple

Sword Cultivation Department.

After Xie Yuntian finished dealing with the treatment of the disciples who were injured or killed in the war and the subsequent reward matters, he was about to go back to rest when a disciple came in to report that Chu Zuoshu and Fu Huakun from the Reward Hall had come to visit.

"You two have come at the right time. We need your help with the rewards for the disciples of my Sword Cultivation Department who went on the expedition."

All expenditures on Spirit Stone, elixirs, and magical Magic Artifact within the Three Halls Twelve Departments must be processed through the Reward Hall, which controls all the sect's finances.

Xie Yuntian wanted to get more Spirit Stone for his disciples, but he could only submit the amount he needed; he still needed the Sect Leader's stamp.

Then, the approval documents from the Divine Wood Hall were sent to the Sword Cultivation Department and the Reward Hall respectively. The former would then send someone to the Reward Hall to verify that the two documents matched. After that, the corresponding amount of Spirit Stone and material rewards would be collected.

The key is naturally the Sect Leader's approval, but the attitude of the Reward Hall is also very important. After all, when it comes to finances, every penny can be deducted, and it's easy to find a reason.

This puts the relationship between the various departments and the Reward Hall to the test.

Xie Yuntian's relationship with Chu Zuoshu was so-so, but he had a good relationship with Fu Huakun. Both of them were former inspectors of the Punishment Hall and were direct Direct Lineage of Old Ancestor Fu.

In the past, through this relationship, the Sword Cultivation Department rarely withheld Spirit Stone and other resources.

"Junior Brother Xie, you are a very busy person, so I will be frank. The two of us have come here today to discuss the matter of the Green Wood Sha with you."

After reviewing Xie Yuntian's draft list of Spirit Stone and rewards for the disciples of the Sword Cultivation Department who were going to war, Fu Huakun handed it to Chu Zuoshu beside him and then got straight to the point.

He knew Xie Yuntian's personality well, so he didn't beat around the bush.

"Green Wood Sha? My Azure Sun Fire is about to reach its peak. If I can condense the Fiend, I will be invincible among those below the Golden Core stage, and serve the sect better. I think it's perfectly fine to leave it to me."

Upon hearing this, Xie Yuntian frowned, finally understanding why Chu Zuoshu had come along. However, since it concerned his own Dao Path, he certainly wouldn't back down easily.

"Junior Brother Xie, Uncle Mo has only condensed fifteen Azure Flame Sword Sha, while the sect now has twenty-one Green Wood Sha. It's a bit unreasonable for you to monopolize them all."

Chu Zuoshu placed the list of requests for rewards from the Sword Cultivation Department on the table, and then said something that both expressed his attitude and left room for Xie Yuntian.

Xie Yuntian: "There is a possibility of failure in condensing the sword aura. The reason for reserving a few is to ensure that I can truly master the perfect sword aura. After all, the sect may be at war with other Eastern Wasteland Great Sect at any time. I think it is better to prioritize ensuring the Green Wood Sha to two people."

Fu Huakun: "Junior Brother Xie, you haven't purified and sublimated the Azure Sun Fire yet, and you still need at least ten or twenty years to reach the peak of Foundation Establishment. At most, you can only condense twelve sword auras. Sometimes it's necessary to leave some for the younger generation. How about this, we'll only have the Spirit Treasure Pavilion put five Azure Green Wood Sha on the shelves, leaving sixteen for you, how about that?"

Upon hearing this, Xie Yuntian frowned. At most, a late-stage Foundation Establishment can condense twelve sword auras. He is currently at this level, and even if he sublimates the Azure Sun Fire Seed, he still wouldn't need the amount of twenty-one Green Wood Sha.

However, people are inherently greedy; the more malevolent energy they possess, the more confident they will be when cultivating.

If it were anyone else, Xie Yuntian would definitely ignore them and give them a cold shoulder.

But these two people in front of me are different.

Chu Zuoshu is the Reward Hall Master and the future sect Sect Leader. He could have easily forced Spirit Treasure Pavilion to put Green Wood Sha on the shelves and let Chen Mobai exchange for it. However, Chu Zuoshu still brought Fu Huakun along to discuss it with him, which can be considered as giving him enough face.

Moreover, he has been given enough power to perfect his sword aura.

If they don't know their place, they might not only offend the future Sect Leader, but also strain their relationship with Fu Huakun.

What Xie Yuntian couldn't understand the most was why Fu Huakun would be willing to stand up for a junior disciple. "Junior Brother Xie, back at Rolling Thunder Mountain, the usually strict Old Ancestor Fu praised Junior Brother Chen highly. Moreover, with Junior Brother Chen's talent, his chances of Core Formation are very high. Giving a favor is always better than making an enemy, don't you think?"

Just as Xie Yuntian was pondering, he suddenly heard Fu Huakun's Telepathic Message in his ear, and his expression changed upon hearing it.

Given Fu Huakun's status, there was absolutely no need for him to lie.

So it seems that Chen Guixian has already caught the eye of Old Ancestor Fu.

The thought that this person was not even thirty years old and had already mastered Sword Light meant that, as long as he didn't perish, his future achievements were indeed limitless.

"I'll think about it."

Upon hearing Xie Yuntian's lack of direct refusal, Chu Zuoshu and Fu Huakun exchanged a smile, knowing that the matter was essentially settled.

"I'm going to the Divine Wood Hall anyway, I'll give this form to the Sect Leader for you."

Chu Zuoshu picked up the list of rewards Xie Yuntian had given to the disciples of the Sword Cultivation Department who had gone on the expedition from the table, and took his leave first.

Fu Huakun stayed for a while, talked to Xie Yuntian about some things concerning Old Ancestor Fu, and finally left satisfied.

Little South Mountain.

That day, Chen Mobai and Zhuo Ming were observing the hybrid Spirit Rice that had been planted in the spring.

For some crops that are harvested twice a year, we can already observe the adaptability of the finished products.

"These five are worth paying close attention to afterward. As for the rest, you can use them to make wine after harvesting."

After reviewing all the Spirit Rice, Chen Mobai confirmed that the five hybrid Spirit Rice varieties were within the feasible range for adapting to Second Grade Earth Qi, and had Zhuo Ming write them down.

As for those used for brewing wine, they are the failed products of cultivating Jade Bamboo Spirit Rice.

Over the years, Zhuo Ming has used the Spirit Rice grown by the Little South Mountain Lineage, apart from the portion paid to the sect, to brew wine, because selling Spirit Rice directly is too cheap and not as popular as Bigu Pill.

Thanks to the excellent yeast Chen Mobai brought from his hometown, the brewed wines are all quite good, with different flavors. Combined with various medicinal herbs, they have now become a unique flavor in Divine Wood City.

Mention Little South Mountain Shop, and even those in the sect who are solely focused on cultivation know that the wine from this wine shop is excellent.

Just then, a young woman in a White Palace dress, with a slender waist, graceful figure, and delicate but slightly pale face, walked over.

"Greetings, Master."

Chen Mobai was slightly surprised to see Luo Yixuan. Although the Pulse Breaking Bead Poison Gas had little effect on his little apprentice due to the Lamp Burning Technique, she had still lost some of her blood and energy. After returning to the mountain, he told her and Liu Wenbai to focus on recuperating.

"Didn't I tell you to rest and recuperate? Why did you come here again?"

"The Spirit Treasure Pavilion has put up five Green Wood Sha. Master, you asked me to keep an eye on them before, and I rushed over as soon as I received the news."

Upon hearing this, Chen Mobai's face lit up with joy. Chu Zuoshu truly lived up to his reputation as the Reward Hall Master and the next Sect Leader; he had actually managed to get things done.

"Ming'er, prepare some good wine. Your master is going to pay my respects to the Hall Master Chu."

Although Zhuo Ming didn't know why Chen Mobai was so happy, she still obediently went to the wine cellar and took out a small jar of precious Second Grade Spirit Wine, as well as five jars of different varieties of first-tier Spirit Wine.

Luo Yixuan took the wine and flew with Chen Mobai towards Divine Wood City.

Spirit Treasure Pavilion.

Chen Mobai showed his Sect Token, and a familiar Foundation Establishment Cultivator stepped forward.

This man was named Chen Zhenwu, and he was also one of the Inspector Envoy of the Reward Hall. On the battlefield of Rolling Thunder Mountain, Chen Mobai and he assisted Chu Zuoshu in practicing the Eight Gate Green Light Formation Chu Zuoshu. Because they shared the same surname, they chatted a bit more.

"Junior Brother Chen, it's wonderful to see you again in the sect."

Chen Zhenwu is also one of the rotating deacons of the Spirit Treasure Pavilion. This month is his turn to be on duty, and if there are precious items such as Foundation Establishment to exchange, he needs to handle them personally.

Chen Mobai was not in a hurry to exchange for the Green Wood Sha. Since Chu Zuoshu had made all the Chu Zuoshu, the items were on the shelves, and the person in charge of the exchange was right in front of him, it meant that the five Green Wood Sha were meant for him.

There were many Qi Cultivation Disciple in the main hall, and they couldn't help but show respect when they saw the two Foundation Establishment Elder.

"Junior Brother Chen, let's talk inside."

Chen Zhenwu led Chen Mobai and his apprentice into a private room on the second floor of the Spirit Treasure Pavilion, where a pot of tea had already been brewed.

"Although the Green Wood Sha exists within the sect, it has always been regarded as a forbidden possession by the Sword Cultivation Department. Therefore, it has never been listed in the Spirit Treasure Pavilion to prevent it from being exchanged by someone else. Hall Master Chu specially asked Supervisor Fu to act as a go-between for this matter. The two of them invited Minister Xie for tea and persuaded him repeatedly before he reluctantly agreed to give up five of them. Junior Brother Chen, you must remember this favor."

Chen Zhenwu was not actually one of Chu Zuoshu's men; he was a close Direct Lineage of Fu Huakun, the supervisor of the Reward Hall.

After Chu Zuoshu Sect Leader, the position of the Reward Hall Master naturally became the target of those with ulterior motives.

The most likely candidates are Deputy Hall Master Luo Xueer and Inspector Fu Huakun.

Among them, Fu Huakun has the support of his Old Ancestor Fu, but his seniority is not as deep as Luo Xueer's.

Luo Xueer comes from the Divine Wood Hall and is Direct Lineage of the Sect Leader. She has also served as the inspector of the Alchemy Department and the Minister of the Spiritual Plant Department, and has extensive connections.

However, the battle on the front lines is not yet over, and both of them are being very restrained, only secretly trying to win over key figures who can vote.

As one of the Inspector Envoy of the Reward Hall, Chen Mobai also held a vote.

"Back then on the battlefield of Rolling Thunder Mountain, Supervisor Fu stood up for me, so I naturally leaned towards him."

Although Chen Mobai ultimately faced off against Mu Hanxiong, he would definitely remember this favor.

Moreover, if Fu Huakun really did help with Green Wood Sha's matter, then Chen Mobai should support him even more.

Although Luo Xueer has a greater chance of succeeding the Reward Hall, in politics, even if her stance is wrong, she cannot leave people with the impression of being mean and ungrateful.

Chen Zhenwu then brought up the key point of the matter.

Xie Yuntian, as the Minister of the Sword Cultivation Department, possesses formidable combat strength and the prestige of being the leader of the Twelve Departments. However, although he has mastered the Sword Light, he has yet to fully integrate the Azure Sun Fire, another crucial element for condensing sword energy.

Xie Yuntian has exchanged all the Azure Sun Fire Seed that the sect has put on sale in recent decades.

As the only Sword Cultivator in the sect to master Sword Light before Chen Mobai, it's only a matter of time before Xie Yuntian's Azure Sun Fire Seed is fully mastered. If he wants to monopolize the Green Wood Sha, no one will refuse to give him face.

That is why the Spirit Treasure Pavilion has never listed the Green Wood Sha, and it has been assumed that it belongs to Xie Yuntian.

Yue Zutao had previously reminded people of this matter.

If Chen Mobai weren't already a direct Direct Lineage of Chu Zuoshu, with a promising future and the most likely Core Formation among the next generation to reach the Chu Zuoshu, Chu Zuoshu would have simply pretended not to know anything about anyone else and let Chen Mobai figure it out himself.

Even so, Chu Zuoshu still dragged Fu Huakun along to go find Xie Yuntian.

The Sword Cultivation Department is under the jurisdiction of the Punishment Hall, and the Hall Master the Punishment Hall is Old Ancestor Fu. Even if Xie Yuntian doesn't give face to Chu Zuoshu, he still has to give face to Old Ancestor Fu.

At Rolling Thunder Mountain, Fu Huakun personally heard Old Ancestor Fu's praise for Chen Mobai, which is why he was willing to step forward.

After being persuaded, Xie Yuntian finally agreed to the matter.

Then, we notified Spirit Treasure Pavilion to put the Green Wood Sha on the shelves.

Before putting it on the shelves, Chen Zhenwu, the rotating elder, was naturally notified in advance to prevent it from being redeemed by other members of the sect.

"Each Green Wood Sha costs 1,000 Sect Contribution. Junior brother, are you ready?"

After finishing his tea, Chen Mobai also asked to exchange for the Green Wood Sha. Chen Zhenwu smiled and accepted his Sect Token. After glancing at the amount on it, he was somewhat shocked and deducted 5,000 points.

"Junior Brother Chen is truly a man of great talent."

Chen Mobai was a little surprised by Chen Zhenwu's words, and after looking at it himself, he couldn't help but widen his eyes.

After deducting the Sect Contribution used to exchange for the Green Wood Sha, there was still a balance of 16,950 points.

"Ming'er has managed the Spirit Field of Little South Mountain quite well these past two years. I didn't even know I had made so many Sect Contribution."

After thinking for a moment, Chen Mobai knew what was going on, but he still felt very strange.

The Sixty Mu Spirit Field on Little South Mountain are all used to grow Jade Bamboo Spirit Rice and to experiment with various hybrid Spirit Rice. Only six acres of these Spirit Field, due to their thin spiritual energy, are only at the first level and can therefore be used to grow Jade Sprout Spirit Rice to supply the sect.

Even if the yield is 200 jin per mu, the maximum Sect Contribution in these three years would only be 3600.

Adding to the points Chen Mobai had previously saved up, and the 1000 contribution points guaranteed to each Foundation Establishment Cultivator sent out by the sect during this war, he estimated that it would be just enough to exchange for five Green Wood Sha.

But to his surprise, his sect account had accumulated more than 20,000 contribution points without him even realizing it.

"Master, besides the Spirit Field of Little South Mountain, Senior Sister Zhuo is also taking care of Little Sun Ridge. She has hired several disciples from various sects to look after it. Last year, she took me there to help with rainfall and fertilization."

Seeing Chen Mobai's puzzled expression, Luo Yixuan immediately came over and told him the reason when Chen Zhenwu went down to get the Green Wood Sha.

"Has the Spirit Field Spiritual Plant Department in that area not been taken back?"

Chen Mobai was very surprised when he heard this.

Logically speaking, after he moved to Little South Mountain, the Little Sun Ridge sect, which was previously his territory, should have taken it back and redistributed it to the other sect disciples.

"Inspector Sun of the Spiritual Plant Department allocated the Spirit Vein of Little Sun Ridge, along with the two acres of medicinal fields and twenty-six acres of Spirit Field, to Senior Sister Zhuo. In name, Senior Sister is now in charge of taking care of the Spirit Field of Little Sun Ridge, but the annual harvest is recorded in your name by the Spiritual Plant Department."

Chen Mobai was unaware of this matter, but after thinking about it, he understood the reason behind it.

There are many Spirit Field in Giant Wood Ridge, but very few disciples cultivate Spirit Rice. The Little South Mountain Lineage is considered the leading Spirit Rice cultivation expert in the Divine Wood Sect. After Chen Mobai left, if the Spirit Field he cultivated in Little Sun Ridge were to be cultivated by disciples from other sects, it would definitely be wasted and a waste.

So Sun Gaochang simply assigned it to his apprentice, Zhuo Ming. This child probably did it out of filial piety, and may have some affection for the Little Sun Ridge area. After all, when Chen Mobai had not yet Foundation Establishment, she followed him there to learn how to sow seeds, generate rain, control pests, and harvest Spirit Rice.

Thus, without Chen Mobai's knowledge, the harvest from the two mu of medicinal fields and the twenty-six mu of Spirit Field on Little Sun Ridge were all recorded in his account.

Over the course of three years, I've accumulated so much without even realizing it.

That's enough to exchange for Foundation Establishment.

This apprentice is so thoughtful and sensible.

Although she isn't as eloquent as Luo Yixuan, she's a practical person and should be given special attention in the future.

Chen Mobai felt that his love for Zhuo Ming had not been in vain, and that it was worth it for him to bring back the Nine Ren Dharma Body and the Earth Master Legacy Book for her on this trip.

"Junior Brother Chen, these are five Green Wood Sha. Please check them."

At this moment, Chen Zhenwu came out, carrying a wooden tray with five jade bottles on it, each sealed with a Talisman.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Chen. I still need to go and express my gratitude to Chu Zuoshu and Supervisor Fu, so I'll take my leave now."

After confirming that there were no problems, Chen Mobai put the five Green Wood Sha into his storage bag.

"Then I'll take you."

Chen Zhenwu smiled and escorted Chen Mobai and his apprentice downstairs, but just as they were going down, they encountered an unexpected person.

"I want to exchange for Foundation Establishment."

Mu Yuan stood at the door, his usually calm expression slightly fluctuating. After all, it concerned his entire life 'Dao Path, and even he was somewhat emotionally affected.

"I also want to exchange for Foundation Establishment."

Two voices came from outside the door in unison, and Yu Lian and Li Yixian from the Puppet Department walked in.

"Foundation Establishment Pills won't be available until tomorrow, you've come too early."

Chen Zhenwu shook his head helplessly and came out to talk to Mu Yuan and the other two.

When Chen Mobai saw the three people standing in the main hall of the Spirit Treasure Pavilion, seemingly planning to wait until the next morning, a thought stirred in his heart, and he walked over with a smile.

"Nephew Yu, I've been in Divine Wood City these past few days. If you have time after you've exchanged your Foundation Establishment, you can come find me. I have some insights into Foundation Establishment here. Although they may not be as profound as those of our predecessors, they can still help you avoid some pitfalls."

Upon hearing Chen Mobai's words, Yu Lian's expression shifted slightly, and she immediately expressed her gratitude solemnly.

"Thank you, Uncle Chen. I will definitely come."

Mu Yuan and Li Yixian, who were standing to the side, had different expressions upon hearing this.

Li Yixian, in particular, was scratching his head and ears, looking like he also wanted to come and listen to the lecture. However, in the Sky River Realm, such matters were particularly taboo. If Chen Mobai hadn't invited him, he would never have dared to bring it up, otherwise he would be seen as trying to steal knowledge.

Mu Yuan's expression remained unchanged, but Chen Mobai could still see some hesitation in her eyes, a mixture of longing and uncertainty.

After all, it was Chen Mobai's success that made them attach great importance to the Yao Beast Foundation Establishment Pill.

As the only cultivator in recent decades to successfully Foundation Establishment by consuming Yao Beast Foundation Establishment Pill, Chen Mobai's experience is undoubtedly a guiding light for them.

But Li Yixian didn't dare to mention it, let alone Mu Yuan, who had fought Chen Mobai twice in the Sect Grand Competition and thought they had a grudge.

Luo Yixuan, who left Spirit Treasure Pavilion with Chen Mobai, frowned and pondered deeply when she saw the expressions of Mu Yuan and the other two. She was carefully trying to figure out the deeper meaning hidden in her master's words and was silently thinking and learning.

Next, she followed Chen Mobai to visit Chu Zuoshu and Fu Huakun to express her gratitude for Green Wood Sha's matter.

The two happened to be together, so the three of them opened the good wine that Chen Mobai had brought and drank heartily.

As Luo Yixuan poured the wine, she carefully memorized every word spoken by the three senior members of the sect.

This is her way of surviving, which is quite different from Zhuo Ming's.