The second layer of the Divine Art, “Spirit Division and Thought Transformation,” requires one to split their own divine consciousness.

Chen Mobai had searched the internet for related content, and according to practitioners, this kind of pain is unbearable for ordinary people.

It’s like being hit hard on the head with a stick, and even with the aid of thought-soothing incense, one needs a month of recuperation to get through the weak period of consciousness splitting.

Although he was very confident in himself, Chen Mobai was still somewhat worried about the unknown intense pain.

Therefore, before officially splitting his consciousness, he felt it was better to do a small experiment first.

Splitting the consciousness-formed young green tung tree into two would definitely be painful, but plucking a flower or fruit from it shouldn’t hurt as much, right?

With this thought, Chen Mobai’s consciousness moved slightly, and he felt as if his forehead was pricked by a fine needle, the pain almost imperceptible.

Then the flower fruit fell from the top of the young green tung tree, planting itself at the edge of the Purple Mansion Sea of Consciousness.

The Divine Art operated, and the nurturing effect of the thought-soothing incense began to take effect.

Chen Mobai saw the flower fruit of the young green tung tree turn into a seed in the shortest time, then it began to take root and sprout, growing one, two, three tender shoots.

This was equivalent to the consciousness he had split off, which in a short time, had grown to the equivalent of the eighth level of Qi Refining.

And the original main consciousness had almost no damage, only weakened by about ten to twenty percent.

But it was still at the Foundation Establishment level.

Compared to what those who had practiced the Divine Art before him said about being severely injured, consciousness dimmed, and experiencing unbearable pain, he felt like he had just sweated after a workout.

Although he didn’t know the principle behind it, Chen Mobai stopped the act of splitting his consciousness and continued to observe the sapling that had grown from the flower fruit of the original young green tung tree.

Half a month later.

Chen Mobai sat in the wooden house, opposite him was a formless puppet.

Their four eyes met, and the feeling of looking at oneself was very novel.

The second layer of the Divine Art, “Spirit Division and Thought Transformation,” had been mastered.

Although he didn’t know the reason, Chen Mobai didn’t delve into it. After all, the result was good, and there was no period of weakness.

He guessed that it might be because the flower fruit of the green tung tree was originally a spiritual medicine that increased divine consciousness, such as the Clear Fire Pill, which was refined with it as the main ingredient.

So, by accidentally using the flower fruit of the young green tung tree for Spirit Division and Thought Transformation, he had inadvertently created a trick for practicing the Divine Art.

Next, he just needed to nurture the newly grown sapling again, and when it blossomed and bore fruit, he could practice the third layer of the Divine Art, “Spirit Integration and Return to One.”

Since he was already at the Foundation Establishment level, and his main consciousness was not weakened, he just needed to spend energy on enhancing the new sapling’s consciousness, estimating that it would take at most two to three years to complete.

Even if he took elixirs to assist, it might be possible to halve the time.

Just as he was preparing to try the tactic of the formless puppet and his own body attacking together again, a transmission talisman flew to the door.

It was his disciple Zhuo Ming knocking.

Since he had already said he was going into seclusion to practice spells, Zhuo Ming definitely wouldn’t come to disturb him unless it was something important.

So Chen Mobai immediately ended his practice, withdrew the consciousness attached to the formless puppet, and got up to open the Formation.

“Sorry to disturb Master.”

“No trouble, is there something the matter?”

“Senior Brother Yuan… no, Uncle Master Yuan Chiyi has succeeded in Foundation Establishment. Uncle Master E Yun sent a message, inviting you to celebrate together.”

This was indeed good news. As a member of the same sect, Chen Mobai indeed needed to make a trip.

“Mm, go dig up a jar of spirit wine I buried at Little Sun Ridge last year, and come with me.”

“Yes, Master.”

In the evening.

Chen Mobai brought his disciple to Shenmu City.

It was still E Yun’s courtyard.

Under the big tree at the center of the courtyard, the three of them sat around a small square table, drinking and chatting merrily.

“I was able to succeed in Foundation Establishment this time, thanks to Brother E’s Cicada Spirit Leaf, it’s just a pity…”

Chen Mobai arrived late, and after listening to Yuan Chiyi’s explanation, he understood the reason.

Originally, when he was at the step of condensing Qi into liquid during his Foundation Establishment, even with thorough preparation, he only managed to condense six drops of liquid spiritual power before running out of strength.

Just when he was about to fail, the Cicada Spirit Leaf given to him by E Yun flew up on its own, merged into his dantian, releasing a large amount of pure wood spiritual energy, helping him complete the Qi condensation into liquid. It even rushed into his Purple Mansion, protecting Yuan Chiyi’s consciousness from leaving the body, completing the transition of essence, Qi, and spirit, and advancing to Foundation Establishment.

“Since this ‘Cicada Spirit Leaf’ shone in your hands, it shows that it was fated for you, there’s no need for self-reproach, it’s yours to use.”

Although E Yun had a bitter smile on his face, he still graciously gave the opportunity he obtained from the Divine Tree Secret Realm to Yuan Chiyi.

There was no choice but to give it away. After Foundation Establishment, the “Cicada Spirit Leaf” seemed to have become a life-bound magical treasure, merging with Yuan Chiyi’s essence, Qi, and spirit.

If E Yun forcibly took back this spiritual item, it would destroy Yuan Chiyi’s foundation.

Even if he was reluctant, he could still distinguish the importance of the matter.

“Thank you, Brother, for your generosity. I am willing to work like a horse or dog in return.”

For Yuan Chiyi, E Yun’s kindness was truly greater than heaven.

Without the Cicada Spirit Leaf, he would not have been able to succeed in Foundation Establishment this time. Although he was old enough to compete for the next batch of Foundation Establishment Pills refined from Jade Marrow Golden Ganoderma, he definitely wouldn’t be able to enter the Divine Tree Secret Realm.

“This Cicada Spirit Leaf is so miraculous? If combined with a Foundation Establishment Pill, wouldn’t it ensure a successful Foundation Establishment.”

Chen Mobai, however, thought of another direction and raised a key point that neither E Yun nor Yuan Chiyi had noticed.”I will write a report to the sect leader about this matter, and it might even be placed in the library for future generations to consult,” E Yun said. Since everyone’s fortunes in the Divine Tree Secret Realm were essentially different, and it seemed that only he had obtained the Cicada Spirit Leaf, the feasibility of this idea still lacked sufficient samples for verification.

However, Zhuo Ming, who was serving wine on the side, had her eyes shining brightly, committing this spiritual item to memory.

Cicada Spirit Leaf!

“It’s just a pity that Junior Brother Niu failed in his Foundation Establishment.”

The three of them then talked about another true disciple of their faction, Niu Longyuan from the Spirit Beast Division. He wasn’t as lucky as Yuan Chiyi; despite making many preparations, he ultimately failed to cross this threshold.

“By the way, Junior Brother Chen, Sister Ding came to me a few days ago, saying that she had some misunderstandings with you before and wanted me to help clarify.”

This Sister Ding was naturally Ding Ying.

After the sect competition, she immediately went into seclusion and took a Foundation Establishment Pill, but unfortunately, due to insufficient foundation and luck, she failed.

“I’ve long since stopped worrying about it.”

The trivial matters of the past were like passing clouds to Chen Mobai after his advancement to Foundation Establishment.

Moreover, there was no real grudge between Ding Ying and him.

In fact, it was he who had rashly sought her out, and at that time, Chen Mobai indeed lacked status, so it was normal for her to look down on him.

“That’s good to hear. Sister Ding heard that you were looking for materials to make talisman brushes, and it just so happens that she had collected some wolf hair in her early years. After making her talisman brushes, she had some left over and asked me to pass them on to you.”

E Yun handed over a box of wolf hair, and upon inspection, Chen Mobai found the quality to be even better than the Xuanling Rabbit fur he had.

Ding Ying, having been the chief of the Talisman Making Division for so many years, naturally wouldn’t keep anything of poor quality.

“I have no grudges with Sister Ding, and it’s good that we’ve cleared things up, but I won’t accept the gift.”

After his Foundation Establishment, Chen Mobai felt that he should be more magnanimous and pushed the box of wolf hair back.

“Junior Brother Chen, Sister Ding will only be at ease if you accept it. She has good talent, and if there is another Foundation Establishment Pill in the next session, she has a good chance of succeeding. I can’t bear to see her living in fear every day.”

E Yun spoke softly, highlighting the underlying issue.

Chen Mobai considered the situation from the perspective of a cultivator from the Tianhe Realm and couldn’t help but shake his head with a wry smile.

Indeed, if he didn’t accept the box of wolf hair, Ding Ying would feel that he still harbored resentment for her past mockery. Even as a true disciple, the thought of having a grudge with a promising Foundation Establishment elder would surely leave her restless.

If her mentality were slightly worse, it could ruin her life.

“Alright, since Brother E insists, I will accept it.”

Chen Mobai accepted E Yun’s advice, resolving another karmic tie.

Next, the three of them discussed the results of this batch of true disciples taking the Foundation Establishment Pill.

Aside from Yuan Chiyi, five others succeeded in Foundation Establishment, but three of them were taking the pill for the second time.

That meant a total of four people would enter the Divine Tree Secret Realm.

Chen Mobai calculated the success rate, excluding himself and Yuan Chiyi as anomalies, and including Honghe, Zhou Wangshen, and E Yun, who had succeeded at the beginning, eight true disciples succeeded in Foundation Establishment.

That was just over a thirty percent success rate.

One could only say that the Foundation Establishment Pill truly lived up to its reputation as a supreme spiritual medicine, it’s just a pity that the Immortal Gate lacked the main ingredient and couldn’t refine it.

“This is the record from the library about the Divine Tree Secret Realm. However, many senior brothers and sisters who obtained fortunes there were unwilling to disclose them, so it only records some well-known spiritual items.”

When Chen Mobai and Yuan Chiyi were leaving, E Yun handed them two prepared scrolls.

After thanking him, they each returned to their residences in Shenmu City.

Chen Mobai, accompanied by Zhuo Ming, arrived at the property he had acquired after his advancement to Foundation Establishment. Although it was in a place populated by mortals, the spiritual energy was decent, testing at the level of a first-grade superior.

One could only say that the Ju Mu Ridge area had a thriving spiritual vein.

In his own courtyard, Chen Mobai sat on a reclining chair and took out the book about the Divine Tree Secret Realm.

The book was quite thick.

Upon opening it, he realized that it contained not only records from the Shenmu Sect but also from the time before the sect split, when it was still the Five Elements Sect, and the records of Foundation Establishment disciples entering the Divine Tree Secret Realm.

After browsing through it, Chen Mobai found many enticing items.

For instance, the Green Wood Spirit Heart that could expand the Purple Mansion Sea of Consciousness, the defensive Spirit Leaf that could block a third-tier spell attack once, and the tree sap that was greatly beneficial for body refining secret techniques, among others.

Among these, the most famous was Mo Taoist Master from Golden Light Cliff.

He obtained a tree branch in the Divine Tree Secret Realm and refined it into his life-bound flying sword, becoming the number one sword cultivator in the vast Eastern Desolation.

Next was the chief true disciple of the Shenmu Sect from twenty years ago, who obtained a “Longevity Tree Fruit.” After consuming it, he directly advanced from the early stage of Foundation Establishment to the middle stage, saving decades of effort.

The “Longevity Tree Fruit” was what Chen Mobai coveted the most.

He was a proponent of the realm suppression theory, but he wondered if there were any side effects to using the “Longevity Tree Fruit” to advance in realm, as its effects were truly heaven-defying.

Moreover, if it could take one from the early stage to the middle stage, could it also elevate one from the middle stage to the late stage?

Or perhaps, directly to the peak of Foundation Establishment in one go?

The more he thought about it, the more he desired it.

Compared to the “Longevity Tree Fruit,” all other treasures seemed insubstantial.

The next day.

He visited E Yun again to inquire about the “Longevity Tree Fruit.””You’re talking about this, but I guess after you see Senior Brother Yue’s current state, you won’t want it anymore. He’s also in Shenmu City, I’ll take you to visit him.”

E Yun didn’t waste any words and directly took Chen Mobai to the courtyard next door.

A youth with white hair and a youthful face sat leisurely in a bamboo chair, sipping tea. Around his yard, Chen Mobai saw various talisman papers, talisman ink, some broken magical instruments, and even a pill furnace.

“Oh, what brings my junior brother here to see me today?”

The youth spoke and acted very young, but Chen Mobai could sense an air of twilight about him.

“This is the current head disciple of our sect, I brought him here to visit you.”

E Yun introduced Chen Mobai, and then Senior Brother Yue fetched two chairs from inside the house, gesturing for them to sit down.

“I know him, he’s about to enter the Divine Tree Secret Realm, isn’t he? So you brought him here to see my outcome.”

Senior Brother Yue, named Yue Zutao, mocked himself. Although his real age was not yet sixty, his body was actually a hundred years old.

“What happened here?”

At Yue Zutao’s invitation, Chen Mobai felt his bone age and was taken aback.

“The fruit of the Tree of Longevity has astonishing effects, but it actually converts your lifespan into realm and power.”

“I didn’t know before I took it, thinking I had encountered an incredible opportunity, but over the past twenty years, I found not only could I not break through my realm, but my lifespan was also shortened by forty years.”

“To warn the disciples who come after, every time new junior brothers and sisters enter the Divine Tree Secret Realm, I let them feel my bone age and urge them not to consume the Tree of Longevity fruit unless absolutely necessary.”

After Yue Zutao explained, Chen Mobai understood.

This fruit, in addition to consuming lifespan, also locks your realm at the step right after your breakthrough.

For the past twenty years, Yue Zutao had tried everything, consumed countless elixirs, but apart from being able to increase his spiritual power, he was unable to break through to the later stages of Foundation Establishment, as if he was stuck in the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.

“This matter even alarmed Ancestor Zhou, who took me to Huitian Valley to seek medical advice. Master Yan said that by consuming the fruit, I used up forty years of lifespan, which is equivalent to gaining forty years of meditative cultivation overnight, breaking through the realm.”

“After that, in addition to paying with forty years of my life, I also need to stay in the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment for forty years before the bottleneck to the later stage of Foundation Establishment can be opened.”

“No matter what elixirs I take to increase my cultivation, in the forty years after consuming the fruit, I can at most reach the peak of the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, unless I consume a spiritual item of a higher grade than the Tree of Longevity fruit to break the effects.”

Saying this, Yue Zutao showed a face of helplessness. The Tree of Longevity is a fourth-grade spiritual tree, and its fruit is naturally also fourth-grade, already the highest quality spiritual item in the Eastern Desolation.

Let alone whether there is a fifth-grade spiritual item that can counteract the side effects of the fruit, even if there is, not to mention Yue Zutao, even the Shenmu Sect might not be able to afford it.

So over the years, he stopped cultivating and instead became engrossed in spiritual plants, talismans, elixirs, and artifact refining, among other things.

He has achieved some success, now being the one within the sect with the highest success rate in cultivating second-grade tree species.

As the three were chatting, another visitor arrived.