Proofreader & Editor:Peter Pan
After Taoist Master Zuogong left, Chen Mobai could finally attend class with peace of mind.
However, the fiery gazes of his junior classmates were a bit overwhelming, and he had no choice but to accelerate his learning pace.
Under the careful guidance of Zhai Jianbai, coupled with the effects of the sword-casting ring, Chen Mobai broke all records since the establishment of the Sword Control Department at the Weaponry Dao Academy.
In one day, he mastered the sword energy to form a gang!
In three days, the sword gang transformed into qi!
In ten days, the sword qi was like a rainbow!
In just two weeks, he went from nothing to mastering the first three realms of sword cultivation.
Although part of this was because he had already comprehended the technique of the Sword Rainbow Splitting Light, it was undeniable that on top of being first in talisman, puppetry, and agriculture, he now added "first in sword practice" to his titles.
To this, Zhai Jianbai, the original "first in sword practice," had no complaints.
After all, among sword cultivators, it was only right to let the sword do the talking.
Chen Mobai's sword dao realm was stronger than his, so he naturally took first place.
The Sword Control Department had ten classes, from low to high, with the first year mainly teaching "sword energy forming gang," and the second year imparting "sword gang transforming into qi."
Since Chen Mobai mastered "sword energy forming gang" in one day, he graduated from the first year after attending just one class.
Regarding this, although the other forty-six classmates in the same class were shocked, they felt it was only natural, considering he was a Foundation Establishment cultivator with an outstanding perspective.
Then, Chen Mobai skipped grades to the second year and graduated in three days…
After that, it was the realm equivalent to Foundation Establishment strength, "sword qi like a rainbow," which Taoist Master Zuogong had designated four academic years, from the third to the sixth grade, to teach. The instructor was his disciple and assistant, Wu Shizheng.
It was this realm that began to differentiate whether one had the talent for sword cultivation.
Generally speaking, among a hundred people, only a handful could pass and earn credits smoothly.
Even those who could cultivate "sword qi like a rainbow" had often failed at this stage and achieved success through accumulated effort.
For this reason, when Zhai Jianbai cultivated "sword qi like a rainbow" in his fourth year, the entire Sword Control Department regarded him as a sword dao genius.
And the subsequent "Sword Rainbow Splitting Light" was already the content of the seventh grade, and Assistant Professor Wu Shizheng of the Sword Control Department was only at this realm.
A sword cultivator of such a realm, if they wanted to advance further, only Taoist Master Zuogong was qualified to instruct.
In other words, Chen Mobai had jumped from the first grade to the seventh grade of the Sword Control Department in just two weeks.
Upon witnessing Chen Mobai's display of the Purple Fire Sword Light, the first-year students, despite being mentally prepared, were still incredibly shocked when they heard the news.
However, Chen Mobai was somewhat reluctant.
If it weren't for Taoist Master Zuogong's promise to count his skipped grades at the end of the term, he would have really liked to spend six years in the Sword Control Department.
After all, he only needed to show up for the final exams to secure the credits.
But since he could earn all six years' worth of credits from the Sword Control Department in advance, Chen Mobai agreed not to waste time in the lower grades and directly skipped to the seventh grade of the Sword Control Department.
However, he didn't stay in the seventh grade for two days before Taoist Master Zuogong kicked him out of the Sword Control Department.
Because from the seventh to the tenth grade, the main teaching was "Sword Rainbow Splitting Light."
Chen Mobai's comprehension of this realm was already on par with Taoist Master Zuogong.
"I have nothing left to teach you; you've graduated," Taoist Master Zuogong said with a sigh after checking Chen Mobai's sword dao foundation and signed his graduation certificate.
"That's not right, Teacher Zuo, aren't you a Golden Elixir sword cultivator? Your sword dao realm is far above mine; there must be something you can teach me," Chen Mobai said, scratching his head while looking at the graduation certificate from the Weaponry Dao Academy's Sword Control Department, unwilling to leave the office and eagerly looking at Taoist Master Zuogong.
"Condensing sword light, splitting sword light, merging with the sword, sword control flight—these you already know. It's just that your proficiency could be deeper. What's left is just more practice."
"However, the Immortal Gate hasn't opened for warfare in the recent century. In this era of peace, even I have no place to hone my sword skills. Learning these is enough for you."
"Beyond this is the fifth realm of sword cultivation, 'Sword Light Condensing Sha.'"
（Peter Pan's tip: Sha:Frightening and ominous ）
"This depends on what sword technique you practice and in which direction you plan to develop. Then, you'll need to spend a huge amount of Good Deed credits or join the relevant department of the Immortal Gate to find the appropriate earth sha qi."
"My cultivation is of the Geng Metal Sword Sha, which doesn't match your technique and spiritual root. At most, I can give you some pointers on experience. How about this, add my contact information, and if you have any doubts about sword practice, feel free to ask me."
Taoist Master Zuogong also felt that if he didn't guide a sword cultivation genius like Chen Mobai, it would be somewhat remiss, so he added him as a friend.
Then he sent over his insights and experiences organized from his sword practice.
After Chen Mobai received it and took a careful look, wasn't this just the textbooks from the first to the tenth grade of the Sword Control Department!
"Teacher Zuo, I graduated under your tutelage after all. If Teacher Che asks me what I learned in your class, what should I say?" Chen Mobai said with a pained expression, thinking of Che Yucheng's words, holding the graduation certificate, and sighing.
Upon hearing this, Taoist Master Zuogong's eyebrows twitched.
He thought indeed, if this youngster spread the word that he learned nothing in the Sword Control Department, wouldn't it seem like I, Zuo, have nothing to offer?
Let it be.
"Receive this."
In the end, Taoist Master Zuogong sent him an electronic version of a book called "Sword Sha Collection," which contained all the sword sha methods he had collected from the Immortal Gate.
Chen Mobai glanced at it and felt a bit disdainful.
The subsequent development of his Red Flame Sword Technique was set to be "Green Flame Sword Sha"!
So this thing was of no use to him, and moreover, due to the scarcity of resources in the Immortal Gate, out of the seventy-two types of earth sha qi, only thirteen could be collected.
Among the thirteen types of earth sha qi, six were on the verge of extinction and were no longer allowed to be extracted for the cultivation of spells or sword sha.
That is to say, the Immortal Gate could only use seven types of sha qi for cultivation.
Although the combination of different sword lights with earth sha qi could give birth to hundreds of sword sha, in reality, the most cost-effective and powerful ones were just a few.
"Flip to the last chapter."
Seeing Chen Mobai's undisguised expression, Taoist Master Zuogong impatiently directed him to look directly at the culmination of his life's research.
Chen Mobai uttered an "oh" and flipped to the last chapter:
[On the feasibility of using multiple sha swords to complement each other and form a Sword Sha Formation]
After reading the beginning, Chen Mobai exclaimed in surprise and couldn't help but continue reading.
Generally, sword cultivators only condense one type of sword sha, as they need to specialize in one to reach the sword dao's ultimate state of "one sword breaks ten thousand laws."
For many sword cultivators, especially those in the Immortal Gate, the ones who could cultivate sword sha were few and far between.
Generally, among ten Golden Elixir sword cultivators, only one or two have enough wealth and strength to obtain earth sha qi and condense all their sword light into sword sha.
The rest of the sword cultivators could only afford to condense one or two sword sha, symbolically indicating they had stepped into the fifth realm of sword cultivation.
Under these circumstances, Taoist Master Zuogong wondered whether it was possible to use these one or two sword sha to unleash power comparable to a complete sword sha?
In addition to being a sword cultivator, Taoist Master Zuogong was also a third-order Formation Master. He specialized in earth formations and collected all the sword sha methods circulating in the Immortal Gate, eventually writing this "Sword Sha Collection."
Two Yi Sword Sha, Three Phases Sword Sha, Four Extremes Sword Sha, Five Elements Sword Sha, Six Ruling Sword Sha, Seven Stars Sword Sha, Eight Desolations Sword Sha, Nine Heavens Sword Sha.
From one to nine, each had corresponding concepts and solid theoretical foundations. However, Taoist Master Zuogong had only completed the simplest Two Yi Sword Sha and Five Elements Sword Sha.
The rest, due to the lack of corresponding earth sha qi for experiments, remained in paper form.
"Since the publication of the Sword Sha Collection, aside from a few old friends who discussed it with me, you are the first student I've given it to. I hope you can complete all the Sword Sha Formations I've conceived in the future."
As he said this, Taoist Master Zuogong's face was filled with wistfulness.
If possible, he really wanted to personally complete all the theories in the Sword Sha Collection, but unfortunately, he lacked the financial resources, and the higher-ups were unwilling to allocate funds.
Taoist Master Zuogong understood this well, as there were many more important experiments prioritized over his.
Perhaps only when warfare opens will the theories of the Sword Sha Collection be valued by the Immortal Gate.
"Thank you, Teacher Zuo."
After reading it, Chen Mobai left Taoist Master Zuogong's office with satisfaction, holding his graduation certificate, and went up one floor to Che Yucheng's office.
"How did it go?" Che Yucheng asked.
"Teacher Zuo really gave me his ultimate technique."
Chen Mobai happily shared the details of the Sword Sha Collection with Che Yucheng.
"You, you're still too young."
However, after listening, Che Yucheng sighed deeply.
"The Sword Sha Collection isn't necessary to prove in the Immortal Gate. Taoist Master Zuogong has a copy of the Immortal Gate sword technique, which is the most precious thing in the Weaponry Dao Academy's Sword Control Department. I originally wanted you to take a look at that; maybe you could comprehend some of the mysteries of 'one sword breaks ten thousand laws.'"
Upon hearing this, Chen Mobai looked regretful, as if he had truly been fooled by Taoist Master Zuogong.
But in reality, he was thinking about how many types of earth sha qi there might be in the Tianhe Realm, and he planned to check the library or ask the Transmission Department later.
After all, he was now an exceptional sword dao genius under the sect leader's attention, and it was normal to prepare for sword sha in advance.
"Teacher, isn't it said that only the three great hall masters can cultivate the Immortal Gate sword technique?"
Chen Mobai tried to change the subject.
The "Immortal Gate Sword Technique," one of the seven great Divine Transformation methods, was well-known to Chen Mobai.
It symbolized the Immortal Gate's master, representing the strongest forces of opening, combat, and killing.
"The third-generation Kaiyuan Hall master came from our Weaponry Dao Academy. When he returned to his alma mater, he demonstrated a form of the Immortal Gate sword technique on the peak of Chicheng Mountain."
Che Yucheng revealed the reason, and Chen Mobai responded with an "oh."
However, he felt that with his current realm, watching the Immortal Gate sword technique would not yield much benefit.
It would be better to focus on the Sword Sha Collection, which might shine in the Tianhe Realm.
When he becomes a Golden Elixir cultivator in the future, he could ask Taoist Master Zuogong to see the Immortal Gate sword technique, and the latter would surely not refuse.
Even if he did refuse, it wouldn't be a big deal; he could just compete for one of the three great hall masters.
After all, wasn't his biggest dream as a child to become the master of the Immortal Gate?
His current small goal was to reach perfect Foundation Establishment, and for now, he set this as his big goal.
Thinking this way, Chen Mobai asked Che Yucheng about entering the Wanbao Cave.
"You're in luck; the process is already complete. Take this; Shaoyang will be waiting for you at the back mountain entrance tomorrow."
As Che Yucheng spoke, he handed a recommendation form stamped with the Weaponry Dao Academy's official seal to Chen Mobai.
"Thank you for your efforts, Teacher."
Chen Mobai sincerely thanked the old man before him, knowing that without Che Yucheng's intervention, it was uncertain whether the never-before-seen Taoist Master Shaoyang would recommend him, and the related academy procedures would probably be delayed.
"Prepare some spare clothes and toiletries. The Wanbao Cave has a fifth-order spiritual vein. Although most of the spiritual energy is used to nurture magical weapons, if you're lucky, you might still find a fourth-order low-grade cave for cultivation."
Che Yucheng reminded Chen Mobai of what to pay attention to in the Wanbao Cave, and the latter listened intently, committing it to memory.
***
That evening, back at home.
He put everything into his storage bag, then placed the storage bag into his backpack, stuffed some clothes inside for camouflage, and teleported to the Tianhe Realm.
Standing on the peak of Xiao Nanshan, which he hadn't visited in a long time, and breathing in the pure, fresh air, Chen Mobai felt exceptionally relaxed.
He activated the Formation and arrived halfway up the mountain.
Wearing gold-rimmed glasses purchased from Danxia City, he looked down at the spiritual fields that had been turned over and leveled, nodding in satisfaction.
Zhuo Ming was quite capable; some of the fields were even fully sown.
Some were planted with Golden Edge Jade Bamboo, the only second-order spiritual rice cultivation method of the Divine Wood Sect.
First, plant the jade bamboo, and after it grows, seal the rice seeds inside using a special method. After ten years, when you split open the jade bamboo, the mature jade bud spiritual rice inside will have absorbed the bamboo's fragrant spiritual energy, turning into second-order Jade Bamboo Spiritual Rice.
However, after harvesting the spiritual rice, the jade bamboo would wither.
It was the same principle as picking bamboo fruit.
This cultivation method was acquired by the Divine Wood Sect at a great cost during an auction before they split from the Five Elements Sect.
Chen Mobai felt there must be a better way.
The second-order Shuiqing Rice from his hometown, Qingshan Village, only took six years to mature.
The Jade Bamboo Spiritual Rice was not only complicated to plant but also required ten years to mature, definitely needing improvement.
Chen Mobai didn't dare to rashly introduce the mature rice varieties from the Immortal Gate, which had been improved over thousands of years.
Because in the Tianhe Realm, high-grade spiritual rice was the lifeblood of those major commerce associations, and the sudden appearance of such rice could lead to being targeted.
In the Eastern Wilderness, the only third-order spiritual rice seeds were allowed to be purchased and cultivated by Huitian Valley.
And every year, Huitian Valley spent a huge amount of spirit stones to buy rice seeds from the Xingtian Commerce Association. Even so, the other six major sects of the Eastern Wilderness coveted Huitian Valley's exclusive rights to this business.
For Golden Elixir ancestors who wanted to maintain vitality and extend their lifespan, only consuming third-order spiritual rice was effective.
Moreover, many body-cultivating cultivators, if they wished to advance further, the best method was to consume high-grade spiritual rice over a long period.
This third-order spiritual rice was always in short supply in the Eastern Wilderness.
Although Huitian Valley spent a lot on rice seeds every year, they gained even more after the harvest.
And the trade of this third-order spiritual rice only accepted high-grade spirit stones.