Resolving the Heart Knot (6k)

Amidst the shimmering silver light, Chen Mobai had already arrived at the Divine Tree Secret Realm.

After skillfully handling the Mystic Mist Talisman, the scene before him left him slightly stunned.

Within the area previously shrouded in mist, a small portion of the Crimson Sun Spirit Tree had become bare, leaving only the trunks and branches.

Where are the leaves? Just then, a Mysterious Light rushed towards Chen Mobai. He casually waved his hand, and the Heavenly Wood Spiritual Light, which he hadn't used for a long time, transformed into a ball of light, enveloping the Mysterious Light.

Upon closer inspection, it was indeed the Sky Swallowing Snake.

However, half a leaf remained uneaten at the corner of the snake's mouth. Trapped within the Heavenly Wood Spiritual Light, it thrashed and twisted restlessly, but was unable to break free.

This was the first time Chen Mobai had ever seen a snake that ate vegetables, and he couldn't help but marvel at it.

He placed the Heavenly Wood Spiritual Light in his palm before his eyes, activated his Void Glimpse Spiritual Eye, and carefully examined this masterpiece of the Ascension Cult Sect from top to bottom.

After consuming the Spirit Stone he gave it, the Sky Swallowing Snake had evolved into a true Demon Beast, and the spiritual energy fluctuations throughout its body had reached the level of the early stage of Qi Refining.

However, perhaps due to extreme hunger and excessive consumption of tree leaves during this period, a trace of Wood Attribute has been mixed into the flesh and spiritual power of this Sky Swallowing Snake.

Chen Mobai did not intervene. After confirming that the Sky Swallowing Snake could survive in the Divine Tree Secret Realm, he set up an even wider Mystic Mist Talisman and then threw the slightly dark green snake in his palm into it.

"We need to find a way to establish a spirit beast contract with the Sky Swallowing Snake."

As the white mist continued to form and envelop the area he had designated, Chen Mobai was thinking about how to establish a mental connection with the Sky Swallowing Snake he had been feeding.

However, Chen Mobai did not consider the spirit beast contracts within the Immortal Sect, because the spirit beast protection forces, led by the Kunpeng Daoist Academy, advocated for harmonious and equal coexistence between cultivators and spirit beasts, so there were no master-servant contracts.

When Lu Qiulong fought Chen Mobai, he wanted to go all out, but was dissuaded by his spirit beast because the two were equal friends.

If this were in the Sky River Realm, there wouldn't be so much nonsense. At the cultivator's command, the spirit beasts would immediately start fighting.

Since the Sky Swallowing Snake's origins were highly questionable, Chen Mobai felt it would be better to use a spirit beast contract from the Sky River Realm.

Do it as soon as you think of it.

He clicked on Turtle Treasure again and was teleported to Little South Mountain.

It was also time to go to Divine Wood City to watch the Sect Grand Competition for his junior apprentices. Chen Mobai first sent Message Talisman to Yuan Chiye and other familiar friends, inviting them to get together.

Then Chen Mobai called over his Senior Disciple.

"Wen Bai, I remember you are a disciple of the Spirit Beast Department, right?"

"Yes, Master."

"What are the customs surrounding signing contracts with spirit beasts within sects?"

Liu Wenbai immediately began to explain in detail the three types of contracts in the Spirit Beast Department.

"Generally speaking, Qi Cultivation Disciple only sign Blood Curse Contract. As long as the strength of the spirit beast does not exceed one Major Realm above the beast tamer, this contract will remain in effect."

"Then comes the Spiritual Sense Contract, which requires the cultivator to inject a wisp of Spiritual Sense into the spirit beast's Sea of Consciousness. Even if the cultivation level is higher, the cultivator can still control it."

"The highest level is the Soul Contract, but that requires the spirit beast and the cultivator to be in perfect harmony and trust each other to be established. It is a contract that will never be betrayed, but it also means that they will share both glory and loss."

After listening, Chen Mobai immediately ruled out the Soul Contract and then inquired in detail about the methods of the blood curse and the Spiritual Sense contract.

Liu Wenbai immediately explained the key points of the Blood Curse Contract, which he had learned in his family when he was a child. However, since the Spiritual Sense Contract was obtained from the sect's Scripture Pavilion, it could not be revealed according to regulations.

However, these were all minor matters for Chen Mobai.

He immediately rode the Crimson Cloud Mist Silk with his Senior Disciple to the Scripture Pavilion. As Foundation Establishment Cultivator, he easily obtained the contents of the Spiritual Sense Contract.

After obtaining the items, Chen Mobai did not rush to the Divine Tree Secret Realm.

He took Liu Wenbai to watch Luo Yixuan's Sect Grand Competition in Divine Wood City, where they saw her using Black Water and Ice Breath to defeat a sect disciple who was also at the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer.

"Not bad, you've got a third of my former glory."

Chen Mobai was filled with relief upon seeing this scene.

Back when he Qi Refining, he fought fiercely against Demon Beast on Green Light Island and passed the entrance exam in Vermilion Cloud City, all thanks to his superb "Ice Spell".

Now that Luo Yixuan has fully mastered his Ice Spell, she defeated her opponent without using Second Tier Magic Tool and advanced into the ranks of the Twenty-Four True Disciples.

At this moment, he couldn't help but recall the scene when he diligently practiced the Ice Breath under Yan Bingxuan's guidance.

Seeing Luo Yixuan gracefully maneuvering the Black Water Ice on stage, Chen Mobai felt a sense of accomplishment as a teacher.

"Master."

A short while later, Liu Wenbai brought Zhuo Ming and Luo Yixuan over. The two women were pleasantly surprised to see him.

"Xuan'er did a good job."

Chen Mobai praised her, and Luo Yixuan smiled sweetly, gave a slight curtsy, and her eyes shone with undisguised joy.

"Ming'er, although you have been eliminated, don't be too discouraged. Just strive to become a true disciple within six years."

Zhuo Ming nodded, but she hadn't really cared about winning or losing. She had only lost after three rounds, which was already a breakthrough from her previous best performance.

The four of them did not watch the upcoming Sect Grand Competition, but returned to Chen Mobai's courtyard in Divine Wood City.

"Master, my next opponent is my brother."

On the way back, Luo Yixuan suddenly said something.

"Luo Yixiu?"

Chen Mobai had almost forgotten about this person. After the great battle at the Mountain Shaking Peak, Luo Shupin was proven not to have betrayed the sect, so Luo Yixiu was able to continue cultivating in the Divine Wood Sect.

"Yes, the family will support him to obtain at least one Foundation Establishment Pill, seemingly betting on his success in Foundation Establishment."

According to the rules of the Sky River Realm, after Luo Yixuan joined the Little South Mountain Lineage, it was equivalent to her getting married. Although she still had some ties with the Luo Family, she was definitely not as good as Luo Yixiu, a male Direct Lineage with a pure and upright lineage.

Therefore, the Luo Family still poured resources into Luo Yixiu, hoping that after he successfully Foundation Establishment, he could replace Luo Shupin in protecting the family within the sect.

"In this match, you don't need to hold back like before. Go all out and let everyone see how outstanding you are."

Chen Mobai understood Luo Yixuan's inner conflict and said this to her with a smile, indicating that he would support her in everything.

"Yes, Master!"

As expected, after hearing this, Luo Yixuan narrowed her eyes and smiled even more happily.

In the first half of her life, she controlled her cultivation progress and Luo Yixiu at the center of everything, compromising and making concessions. The repression of being able to pretend to be inferior to her brother when she was clearly more outstanding made her personality somewhat distorted.

Fortunately, she met Chen Mobai, a good teacher, and was nurtured by the simple and honest environment of the Little South Mountain Lineage, which gradually transformed her into a normal female cultivator.

However, Luo Yixiu remained a knot in her heart.

This is a good opportunity to Sect Grand Competition once and for all.

That evening, Chen Mobai invited Yuan Chiye and Yan Jinye to reminisce.

E Yun and Yue Zutao are still stationed outside the sect, one guarding the Yun Country and the other guarding the Lei Kingdom, and neither of them plans to return this year.

Another familiar newly Foundation Establishment Yu Lian, was also sent by the sect to carry out a secret mission. Chen Mobai vaguely guessed what he was going to do, but did not interfere.

Besides the three Foundation Establishment, Chen Mobai also invited Qi Rui, Xi Jinghuo, and other friends he had made during his Qi Refining days. Everyone gave him face and came.

Zhuo Ming opened five jars of new wine. Although they were all only first-grade, they tasted different, and everyone was very satisfied with them.

The next day, Chen Mobai his two disciples to sit in a teahouse and watched Luo Yixuan and Luo Yixiu on the fighting stage.

At first, Luo Yixiu was full of confidence because he had never lost to Luo Yixuan since childhood.

Even before the fight, he was still trying to persuade Luo Yixuan to admit defeat, lest he accidentally hurt her.

In response, Luo Yixuan only said one sentence.

"Brother, actually I've been letting you win all along."

However, Luo Yixiu was furious at this truth and took the initiative to make a move, wanting to prove that he had defeated his sister by virtue of his strength.

But reality is cruel. Without using the Divine Wood Sword, Luo Yixuan relied on the Ice Spell taught by Chen Mobai to defeat Luo Yixiu's three proud spells.

"How is this possible..."

On the arena, after being defeated by Luo Yixuan, Luo Yixiu was incredulous. He stood there dumbfounded, muttering to himself, unable to believe that his more than 20 years of being the number one in his clan was all thanks to his sister's humility.

"Brother, I won't let you have your way again from now on."

After saying this, Luo Yixuan turned around and left the ring.

In that instant, Luo Yixuan suddenly felt the gloom that had been weighing on her heart since childhood dissipate.

She had never felt so relaxed and at ease, as if her Spiritual Sense and body had been freed from their constraints, drifting leisurely in a clear river, fully enjoying the freedom of breaking free from everything and flowing freely towards the endless sea.

With an unprecedented sense of ease, Luo Yixuan arrived at the teahouse.

Upon reaching the second floor, Luo Yixuan saw her master sitting upright by the window, nodding and smiling at her.

This is her light, the sun that dispelled all her gloom!

"Master, your disciple has won."

Luo Yixuan couldn't believe that this was her own voice, filled with a lightness and coquettishness that she had never dared to imagine in the first half of her life, as if she were showing off her achievements to the most important person in her life and eagerly wanting his approval.

This feeling is like when I was a child and proudly told my mother that I had surpassed my brother in my cultivation progress, except that back then I was slapped by my mother.

Then, his mother even physically injured him, causing him to lose his cultivation level.

He also gave himself a cold warning, vowing never to surpass Luo Yixiu in the future.

Although she knew her mother meant well, Luo Yixuan still can't forget that slap. It didn't hurt physically, but it hurt her heart.

"You did a great job, I'm very happy."

Chen Mobai's simple sentence made Luo Yixuan feel a completely different life.

Here, she no longer needs to suppress herself and can fully unleash her talent. She also doesn't have to worry about being noticed for her beauty and talent and being bought away like her mother, as a breeding tool.

"Master, let me pour you some tea."

Luo Yixuan ran over with a cheerful laugh, picked up the teapot on the table and poured tea for Chen Mobai, and of course she didn't forget Liu Wenbai and Zhuo Ming.

"Junior Sister's talent far surpasses ours."

Liu Wenbai took a sip of the tea that Luo Yixuan had poured for him, and recalling her Wanhua Ice Spell on the arena, he couldn't help but sigh from the bottom of his heart.

He felt that even in his prime, he might not be a match for Luo Yixuan.

"Yes, I wonder when I will be able to Qi Cultivation Perfection."

Zhuo Ming, who was standing to the side, also sighed and spoke up. She had always considered herself to be the least talented person in the Little South Mountain Lineage.

The reason he was able to become Chen Mobai's disciple was entirely due to good luck. He had already joined Chen Mobai's sect when he was in Little Sun Ridge, and then, when Liu Wenbai was becoming a disciple, he Spiritual Mechanism and followed suit. Only then did Chen Mobai, who was short of disciples, reluctantly nod and accept him.

She completely agreed with what Liu Wenbai said.

In her view, the Little South Mountain Lineage's master was an unparalleled genius in swordsmanship, a top-notch genius since the Divine Wood Sect split off, and even throughout the history of the Five Elements Sect.

Next up is Junior Sister Luo Yixuan. Not only is she clever, but her talent is probably second only to Master and Yu Lian, who have already Foundation Establishment, among her peers.

Then there's the eldest brother, who is also a cultivation genius and has his family as a backing.

Compared to the dazzling others in the Little South Mountain Lineage, Zhuo Ming felt very ordinary and had always been somewhat inferior. It was precisely because of this that she devoted herself to the only things she could do well: farming, brewing wine, and running the shop.

In her view, this was the only way she could repay Chen Mobai for his kindness in teaching her.

"Ming'er, just follow the steps of cultivation. I guarantee that you will become a true disciple and obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill in six years."

Seeing Zhuo Ming's lack of confidence, Chen Mobai, who knew that she had the most outstanding Xiantian Spirit Root Value among the Little South Mountain Lineage, couldn't help but offer words of comfort.

It has to be said that Chen Mobai is now highly regarded by his three disciples. As soon as he said this, Zhuo Ming became much more confident, clenching her little fists to cheer herself up.

"Wen Bai and Ming'er, please prepare some good wine for your master. After the Sect Grand Competition ends, Xuan'er and I will visit the Sect Leader and others together."

It's almost the end of the year, and everything needs to be taken care of.

Chen Mobai will be appointed as the Jian Guo Town Guardian at the beginning of next year. Although he will not have to leave the sect, he was able to obtain this position thanks to the efforts of Chu Zuoshu and others, so he will definitely have to give them a gift.

In the ensuing Sect Grand Competition, Luo Yixuan, having resolved her inner conflict, made great strides, advancing from 12 to 6, then from 6 to 3, winning two more rounds to rank among the top three true disciples!

Unfortunately, they lost to two other players in the finals and only managed to get third place.

Even so, Chen Mobai was already very satisfied.

The reason for this achievement is mainly due to the successful Foundation Establishment of Mu Yuan and Yu Lian, coupled with the fact that Li Yixian, who ranked third last year, Foundation Establishment Failure and did not participate due to injury. This is because the overall quality of this year's Sect Grand Competition has declined.

Regardless, Luo Yixuan's name became known to all the Qi Cultivation Disciple of the Divine Wood Sect after this Sect Grand Competition.

As the only female cultivator among the top three, Luo Yixuan possesses stunning beauty, outstanding cultivation, and a powerful background.

Suddenly, this junior sister from Little South Mountain became the white moonlight in the hearts of many Qi Cultivation Cultivator in the Divine Wood Sect.

When Chen Mobai took Luo Yixuan to visit Chu Zuoshu, Fu Huakun, Zeng Woyou, Weng Chuanyou, Xi Yisheng, Sun Gaochang and other veteran Foundation Establishment, these senior figures from the Three Halls Twelve Departments of the sect actually spoke a few words to her in a friendly manner.

Xi Yisheng even secretly Telepathic Message to Chen Mobai, asking if he could try to match Xi Jinghuo and Luo Yixuan up.

In response, Chen Mobai tactfully said that he would let nature take its course and would not interfere with the choices of his juniors, as long as they agreed.

Xi Jinghuo was also a good friend of Chen Mobai, but according to his understanding of this friend, he was also a person who was devoted to practicing swordsmanship.

It took about half a month for Chen Mobai and Luo Yixuan to see off all the Foundation Establishment Cultivator who were on friendly terms with him.

Of these, Zeng Woyou was in seclusion helping the two elders refine a batch of pills and was not seen, but Chen Mobai's visit indicated that he had come.

For those he wasn't familiar with, such as Xie Yuntian, the Minister of the Sword Cultivation Department, although he didn't go in person, he sent Luo Yixuan to deliver two jars of fine wine to each of them.

It's never wrong to be overly polite.

After making his rounds, Chen Mobai was about to return to Little South Mountain when an unexpected person came to visit him.

"My name is Liu Ruzhong. I have long admired Junior Brother Chen. I have just finished reporting for duty at the Divine Wood Hall, Sect Leader asked me to come and hand over the matter of Jian Guo Town Guardian to you."

Liu Ruzhong was a refined-looking Confucian scholar, with a distinctive goatee on his chin.

"So it's Senior Brother Liu. I should be the one visiting you."

This man was the garrison commander of the Jian Country; anyone who could hold such a position must have an extraordinary background.

He is Fu Zongjue's Unregistered Disciple. After returning this time, he will serve as the inspector of the Spirit Beast Department. The previous inspector was injured in the battle with the Mountain Shaking Peak and felt that his days were numbered, so he voluntarily resigned.

Within the Divine Wood Sect, Foundation Establishment Cultivator who can sit in the upper ranks of the Three Halls Twelve Departments are generally knowledgeable about human relationships and social interactions.

Needless to say, Liu Ruzhong took the initiative to visit Chen Mobai, hoping to befriend him.

Luo Yixuan immediately went to Little South Mountain Shop in front and asked Zhuo Ming to bring over two jars of good wine, and helped pour the wine.

"That's roughly the situation of the seven Cultivating Family and Five Markets Jian Country. If Junior Brother Chen wants to take it easy, just take a tour of each market and inspect the sect's shops. People from the Seven Great Families will come over to express their opinions."

Liu Ruzhong gave a slight hint: after all, Jian Country was the main base of the Divine Wood Sect, and the Seven Great Families all had to act according to the whims of the Divine Wood Sect. However, they also had their own intricate sect relationships, and every year they would give tribute to the garrison commander.

"Among them, the Fu Family is the family from which the Old Ancestor Fu originated, and the Wang Family is the family left behind by the disciple of the Old Ancestor Zhou. Both families have influence over the two patriarchs."

Before leaving, Liu Ruzhong gave Chen Mobai a special reminder.

"Thank you for clearing up my doubts, Senior Brother Liu."

When Chen Mobai saw Liu Ruzhong off, he specially asked Luo Yixuan to fetch two more jars of wine.

"Master, when are you going to inspect the market?"

When only the master and apprentice were left, Luo Yixuan asked curiously.

"Let's wait a while after the beginning of the year."

Chen Mobai didn't really care about the tributes from the Seven Great Families. Liu Ruzhong said that according to the rules, each family would give the town guard one hundred Spirit Stone every year, but he already looked down on that amount.

Chen Mobai, who had loved watching the "Immortal Sect to Wealth" program since childhood, deeply understood that if you wanted to get rich, you had to go into business.

His next step is to create his own Puppet Factory and develop the resources of the Divine Tree Secret Realm.

At the beginning of next year, with Hua Zijing graduating and leaving, and many new people joining the Student Union, he will definitely need to stay for a while.

Besides these things, he also needs to find a way to cultivate and see if he can break through the bottleneck of the peak of the mid-stage of the Spiritual Sense Foundation Establishment.

Fortunately, thanks to the Enlightenment Tea, he was already confident in the Second-tier Talisman Master assessment of the Immortal Sect; otherwise, he would have had to take time to review Talisman Making.

At this moment, Liu Wenbai and Zhuo Ming also came over. They were organizing this year's account books at Little South Mountain Shop and taking stock of the Spirit Wine and Spirit Rice in the storeroom.

"Here's what we'll do, Wen Bai. Next year, you and I will go together to inspect the five major markets of Jian Country. You come from the Cultivating Family and are familiar with the ins and outs of this place. After the inspection, you will represent me to communicate with the Seven Great Families of Jian Country."

"I am filled with trepidation, fearing that I may not be able to do a good job."

"Just do things impartially. You are a steady person, and I believe you can do a good job."

Chen Mobai, the eldest disciple, certainly didn't have any outstanding strengths, but his steady personality made him the most suitable among the three disciples for this task.

Zhuo Ming is too naive, Luo Yixuan is too clever.

"Yes, disciple will certainly live up to Master's high expectations."

In this way, his three disciples each inherited one of Chen Mobai's three factions.

Liu Wenbai was in charge of external affairs, acting as his liaison for the establishment of the Jian Country and the future markets of various countries in the Eastern Wasteland; Luo Yixuan was in charge of internal affairs, and in the past two years, she had been taken to visit the high-ranking officials of the sect's Three Halls Twelve Departments, and they had basically recognized her as Chen Mobai's representative.

As for Zhuo Ming, he will continue to manage Little South Mountain and keep him by his side as a successor to the Legacy Disciple.

After finishing all his business in Divine Wood City, Chen Mobai left his three disciples behind and, using the excuse that he had gained some new insights into his cultivation, went back to Little South Mountain to cultivate in seclusion.

Before leaving, he also asked Mu Yuan about the situation of the former Sect Leader, Meng Hong.

However, since he went into Core Formation his core, no one knows his current situation. They can only wait for the Heavenly Omen of his Core Formation formation to come and see for themselves.

Chen Mobai could only sigh as he left Divine Wood City.

The Divine Tree Secret Realm!

Chen Mobai used the Heavenly Wood Spiritual Light to Sky Swallowing Snake in his palm. Then, sword energy burst forth from his fingertips, opening a wound for himself and dripping out a drop of Essence Blood.

The Sky Swallowing Snake ate the leaves while curiously watching Chen Mobai's actions.

After several unsuccessful attempts to resist, it now reflexively gives up resistance and lets Chen Mobai do as he pleases whenever it sees the Heavenly Wood Spiritual Light.

Essence Blood from his fingertip fell onto the forehead of the Sky Swallowing Snake.

At the same time, a leaf from the Jade Wutong in Chen Mobai's Sea of Consciousness left his body, merged into his Essence Blood, and seeped into the Chaos and dark Purple Mansion Sea of Consciousness of the Sky Swallowing Snake.

With his Foundation Establishment realm, it was naturally a piece of cake for him to establish a blood curse and Spiritual Sense Contract with a mere Qi Refining early stage spirit beast.

After completing the task, he discovered that he could now decide the life or death of the Sky Swallowing Snake with a single thought.

This Little Black Snake has been imprinted with his mark, both in its physical body and in its Sea of Consciousness.