Before the Great Dao Tree

"Sect Leader, if it was true that having Returning Heaven Valley refine Foundation Establishment before delayed Yan Shaoyin's cultivation, then under the current conditions, it probably won't be a big deal for him."

Chen Mobai knew that Chu Zuoshu was someone who was easily persuaded, so he directly spoke his mind.

When the Primordial Ancestor was alive, the Five Elements Sect imposed strict requirements on the number of Foundation Establishment that Returning Heaven Valley had to refine, so Yan Shaoyin had to do it himself. But now that there are no Nascent Soul cultivators, the conditions are much more lenient, and they can even use the materials provided by the sect to train their own disciples.

"Indeed, since we split from the Five Elements Sect, in just a few decades, Returning Heaven Valley has cultivated two more Third Grade Alchemy. If this continues, they may really surpass us in the future."

After listening to Chen Mobai's words, Chu Zuoshu took out the dossier of Returning Heaven Valley and looked at it, and couldn't help but shake his head slightly.

"However, suppressing Returning Heaven Valley and agreeing to Zeng Woyou to refine the Orthodox Foundation Establishment Pill are two different things. If I bow down to him on this matter, and everyone in the Three Halls Twelve Departments does the same thing in the future, then will I have no choice but to keep retreating?"

For the same reason, compared to suppressing Returning Heaven Valley, Chu Zuoshu's primary task was to establish his own prestige.

Although he had been in charge of the Reward Hall for decades, it was not as prosperous and had as many disciples as Meng Hong. He was appointed as the Sect Leader because there was no suitable candidate other than him.

At this critical moment, Zeng Woyou suddenly jumped out and went against Chu Zuoshu, which naturally displeased him.

"Currently, the sect only has Senior Brother Zeng as a Third Grade Alchemy. He is responsible for refining many things, including the pills that the two elders take daily. If things drag on for too long and the two elders get involved, it may be detrimental to the Sect Leader."

Chen Mobai's words were tactful, but Chu Zuoshu understood them and couldn't help but frown.

The two patriarchs chose him to succeed as Sect Leader mainly for a smooth transition. If Chu Zuoshu performs well, he can, like Meng Hong, accumulate contributions and wait for the right time to use the sect's power to obtain Core Formation Spiritual Object, and then step down and hand over the position to a worthy successor.

However, if internal instability is caused from the beginning, disturbing the two patriarchs, even if the matter is resolved in the future, the impression of the Divine Wood Sect will probably be greatly reduced.

"I can't possibly back down. If he's willing to admit defeat in public, it wouldn't be a bad idea to refine two batches of Orthodox Foundation Establishment Pill for him."

Upon hearing Chu Zuoshu's words, Chen Mobai knew that his next words would make sense.

"To Sect Leader's dignity, our sect will not give the seven batches of Orthodox Foundation Establishment Pill refined by Returning Heaven Valley to Senior Brother Zeng. However, if we can find the ingredients for a few more batches of Foundation Establishment Pills for Senior Brother Zeng, I think he will be very willing to bow down to the Sect Leader during the meeting of the Three Halls Twelve Departments."

Chu Zuoshu didn't quite understand what he was saying. He drank a cup of wine, his face full of confusion.

"You mean to purchase medicinal herbs such as Jade Marrow Golden Ganoderma from outside in the name of the sect? Wouldn't that be redundant? If I did that, I would be looked down upon even more."

"Sect Leader, don't we have to give three Jade Marrow Golden Ganoderma to Golden Light Cliff in every batch?"

Chen Mobai gently reminded him, and Chu Zuoshu was taken aback at first, then his expression suddenly became clear.

Will Golden Light Cliff agree?

"I heard from Senior Brother Sun Gaochang that every time the Jade Marrow Golden Ganoderma matures, the Spiritual Plant Department prepares ten batches of Auxiliary Medicine for refining Foundation Establishment and sends them to Returning Heaven Valley at the same time. We also go to collect the Foundation Establishment and then deliver them over. I think as long as the quantity is correct, even if they find out, they won't say anything."

As brother sects, Divine Wood Sect and Golden Light Cliff are closely connected. Whenever they fight, they only need to shout, and the other side will usually come.

For example, in this battle against the summit of Mountain Shaking Peak, if Mo Douguang hadn't intervened, Divine Wood Sect might not have been able to win.

So although in name the Divine Wood Sect only needs to give Golden Light Cliff three Jade Marrow Golden Ganoderma every ten years, since the Sword Cultivator of Golden Light Cliff only know how to fight and are not good at farming or Alchemy, the Auxiliary Medicine are also prepared by them.

Of course, Golden Light Cliff will also give Spirit Stone, but since the two factions have a good relationship, it's basically like giving them away for free.

Chen Mobai's idea was to let Zeng Woyou refine the three batches of Foundation Establishment at Golden Light Cliff, and regardless of the final number of pills produced, they could simply make up the difference.

Given these conditions, the latter would certainly be willing to yield to Chu Zuoshu at the meeting.

"I understand what you mean, but it's best to clarify this matter with Golden Light Cliff beforehand. Any trust begins to crumble from small acts of carelessness. The group of disciples from our sect who went to Golden Light Cliff for exchange and study will be returning next month. Jia Songyang should be escorting them. He is one of the Twelve Sword Holders of Golden Light Cliff and a rare person in charge. I'll talk to him first."

After hearing these words, Chen Mobai looked at Chu Zuoshu with even greater admiration. No wonder the two patriarchs unanimously chose him to succeed as the sect Sect Leader; his interpersonal skills were truly superb.

But Chu Zuoshu shared the same thought, believing that Chen Mobai was very adept at understanding human relationships. The more he thought about it, the more brilliant the plan seemed, as it would not only enhance his prestige within the sect but also allow him to gradually break free from his dependence on Alchemy at Returning Heaven Valley.

Suppressing Returning Heaven Valley was a policy of the Five Elements Sect, and it was no longer feasible after the passing of the Primordial Ancestor.

The reason why the Divine Wood Sect still follows this rule is because when it first separated from the main sect, it did not have a single Third Grade Alchemy and could only Returning Heaven Valley for help.

Now that the sect's development has entered a stable phase, and given that Alchemy can no longer be used to distract Yan Shaoyin from his cultivation, the focus should shift to training high-level Alchemy.

"Golden Light Cliff doesn't have Third Grade Alchemy, but compared to Returning Heaven Valley, they'd definitely be more willing to trust our Divine Wood Sect. If we analyze the matter in detail, I think Senior Brother Jia would agree with the Sect Leader's opinion."

"As long as we can Golden Light Cliff obtains more than 12 Foundation Establishment, given the relationship between our two sects, this matter will definitely be accomplished. Leave the rest to me."

Having resolved a troubling matter, Chu Zuoshu's previously weary expression instantly brightened.

After having a couple of drinks with him, Chen Mobai also took his leave.

"Junior brother, someone suggested that you take Jian Guo Town Guardian. What do you think?"

"If the sect needs me, they will naturally not refuse."

Chen Mobai came here today mainly for this reason. It's been almost three or four months since Luo Xueer mentioned it, and there's still no sign of it.

The experience of guarding a town is related to his future rise to the upper echelons, so it's definitely better to determine it as early as possible.

However, he couldn't very well try to pull strings and build connections on his own, since he was portrayed as a genius Sword Cultivator in the Divine Wood Sect and had to maintain a cool and aloof demeanor.

I'll take this opportunity to come in front of Chu Zuoshu Zeng Woyou and remind him with my face.

Sure enough, Chu Zuoshu had the idea.

"Someone raised this issue before, but since not many people agreed with it, it has been put on hold for the time being. I will push it forward again in a couple of days."

Although there was no promise in his words, Chen Mobai knew that his appointment Jian Guo Town Guardian was practically a done deal.

Chu Zuoshu is, after all, the Sect Leader now. If he really wants to do something, most of the Three Halls Twelve Departments will not openly obstruct him.

Two days after returning to Little South Mountain, Yan Jinye came over again.

"Senior brother, Inspector Sun came to see Master last night, and Master personally apologized to the Sect Leader at today's assembly."

Although the matter of the three furnaces of Foundation Establishment Pills at Golden Light Cliff has not yet been confirmed, as long as Chu Zuoshu makes a promise to Zeng Woyou, the sect's credibility is guaranteed.

Therefore, upon hearing this condition, Zeng Woyou didn't hesitate at all and immediately submitted to Chu Zuoshu.

However, since the materials for the Foundation Establishment had not yet been obtained, Zeng Woyou did not tell Yan Jinye about it. Chen Mobai, on the other hand, did not care and explained the reason, but also instructed her to keep it a secret and not to spread it.

"Not only is my senior brother exceptionally talented, but he is also adept at interpersonal relationships. It is evident that his swordsmanship has reached a level of effortless mastery and transcendence."

"If I could, I would just want to farm, but unfortunately, in this world, if I don't wield a sword, I can't protect the peace of this land."

As Chen Mobai spoke, he pointed to Little South Mountain and the Sixty Mu Spirit Field at its foot.

"My senior brother's realm is far beyond my reach."

After resolving the issues with Zeng Woyou and Chu Zuoshu, Chen Mobai accepted the three Bamboo Fruit with a clear conscience.

As his Spiritual Sense realm deepened, the effects of the Clear Eye Bamboo Spirit Dew became less pronounced. This was because he used the Clear Eye Bamboo Spirit Dew to nourish his Spiritual Sense seed through Splitting Spirit Manifesting Thought; if he used it directly on his main Spiritual Sense, it would no longer provide any improvement.

Therefore, he has been focusing on improving his Void Glimpse Spiritual Eye lately and has rarely cultivated his Spiritual Sense.

However, after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, Chen Mobai felt an improvement in himself from another body-tempering method.

He used 23 drops of the Longevity Tree Sap to refine his skull. Although he used the Precious Fire Body Tempering Technique to refine it, much of the vitality and spiritual energy were still hidden inside the bones. After all the bones in his body were refined into the Longevity Tree Sap, this spiritual energy would form a perfect cycle and gradually permeate his flesh and meridians.

Now, Chen Mobai is able to use the Longevity Sutra Longevity Tree Sap dormant within his bones, thereby enhancing his Void Glimpse Spiritual Eye and even slowly opening up his Purple Mansion Sea of Consciousness.

It can only be said that since they are cultivation methods from the same source, the Longevity Sutra has a natural ability to control the Longevity Tree Sap.

His Void Glimpse Spiritual Eye also showed signs of reaching a high level of mastery.

After seeing Yan Jinye off, Chen Mobai received the decree from the Sect Leader of the Divine Wood Hall.

He will succeed Liu Ruzhong, who will return next year, as the Jian Guo Town Guardian.

Chen Mobai naturally accepted the order.

Although the Jian Guo Town Guardian can take a break in Giant Wood Ridge, he still needs to inspect the six markets within Jian Country's territory, as well as the nine medicinal herb fields and fourteen mining Branch Courtyard of the Divine Wood Sect.

But that's all for next year.

After instructing his three disciples in Spell Duel, Chen Mobai announced that he had gained further insights and needed to go into seclusion for cultivation, so he once again sealed off the summit of Little South Mountain.

On the other side of the Immortal Sect, the Offline Exchange Competition of the Daoist Academy is about to begin, and he needs to go there first to confirm the candidates from the Wuqi Dao Academy.

However, Chen Mobai did not return to the Immortal Sect first, but instead "detoured" to the Divine Tree Secret Realm first.

He has already reached the peak of Foundation Establishment and feels confident that he will be able to reach the end in front of the Great Dao Tree.

The Divine Tree reaches for the sky.

The grayish-brown Bark bears the marks of time, yet it also possesses Skyward, awe-inspiring weight, and a majestic presence.

Chen Mobai recalled the two times he had stepped in front of this Great Dao Tree. The first time, he used the Formless Puppet. With the help of the power of this Third Grade Puppetry, he stepped to the tenth step and obtained the realm of Sword Rainbow Light Splitting, which established his supreme reputation for Magic Combat Victor between the two realms.

The second time was on Sudden Impulse, when he tested it out using the power level of his true form.

Unfortunately, he stopped at seventh place. Although it was still a good result, he felt a little ashamed, as he had wasted so many resources.

And today, he stood in front of the Great Dao Tree once again.

When I reached the seventh step, although I felt pressure in my Spiritual Sense and body, compared to the exhaustion that seemed to have drained my energy before, I now only felt like I was warming up with a little sweat after exercise.

It feels quite comfortable.

So he took the eighth step.

He faintly heard a buzzing sound in his ears, and the slight tinnitus caused his vision to blur for a moment. The pressure, three times stronger than before, impacted his Purple Mansion Sea of Consciousness, forcing Chen Mobai to stop and digest the impact of this trial.

Not only was his Spiritual Sense being impacted, but the spiritual energy in his dantian and the blood energy in his physical body were also being consumed at the same time.

Only then did Chen Mobai realize that the Longevity Dao Inquiry Pass was a comprehensive trial of a cultivator's essence, energy, and spirit. However, the cultivators in the Sky River Realm focused more on improving their spiritual power than on their Spiritual Sense. That's why they would faint during the trial because their Spiritual Sense couldn't withstand it.

The capacity of a wooden barrel depends on the shortest stave.

Since the Formless Puppet is Puppetry, the tests on spiritual power and physical body are ineffective. Only the Spiritual Sense that Chen Mobai possesses within it has a limit, so it can only take ten steps.

Compared to the previous time, Chen Mobai's Spiritual Sense realm has improved a lot, but it is still a weakness compared to the Longevity Scripture at the Foundation Establishment Longevity Sutra.

During this eighth step, I actually felt a slight ringing in my ears.

But this side effect is negligible for him.

He glanced at the Great Dao Tree that was right in front of him and took his ninth step.

The impact on their Spiritual Sense was even more terrifying, and they also felt a faint sense of dizziness in their minds.

However, it is still within the acceptable range.

Step 10.

The sudden headache caused Chen Mobai to involuntarily clench his teeth, and the perfect Longevity Spiritual Power in his dantian began to be consumed frantically.

However, at this moment, the effect of refining the Longevity Tree Sap into his skull became apparent. A gentle and warm spiritual energy enveloped his Purple Mansion Sea of Consciousness, allowing him to quickly regain consciousness.

Then, he took the eleventh step! "Cough cough..."

Chen Mobai raised his hand to wipe the corner of his mouth. The bright red blood on his palm made him frown slightly, and the intense pain in his head was also making it difficult for him to bear.

If it weren't for the continuous flow of warm currents generated within his skull, nourishing his Purple Mansion Sea of Consciousness and relieving his headache, he would probably have already fallen into a coma.

That's why he felt he hadn't reached his limit yet and could take another step forward.

Without hesitation, taking advantage of the fact that the spiritual energy of the Longevity Tree Sap had not yet been exhausted, Chen Mobai stepped forward again, taking the twelfth step! With a "hiss," his vision suddenly turned blood red. He knew that this was because his eyeballs were bloodshot, or rather, he was bleeding from all seven orifices.

At this point, even with the spiritual energy of the Longevity Tree Sap protecting him, he had reached his limit.

That's all for now, I'll come again next time.

The moment Chen Mobai turned around, a Green Leaf fell and landed on his forehead.

He experienced the scenes that his Spiritual Sense had gone through in the Formless Puppet once again.

[Twelve Steps Before the Great Dao Tree, Top-Top Grade of attainment, one can become Longevity Sect Holy Son.]