After defeating Xiahou Weihuan, Lan Haitian went on to win thirteen consecutive matches in the Minor Red Heaven.
With his strength, no one could stand as his rival.
The reason for only thirteen consecutive victories wasn't that Lan Haitian was tired or unwilling to fight.
Rather, there was no one in the late stages of Foundation Establishment daring to challenge him online in the Minor Red Heaven.
Though he could still be matched with mid-stage Foundation Establishment opponents, Lan Haitian found it quite dull. After defeating a fifth-layer sword cultivator in the thirteenth match, he chose not to seek further matches and exited the Minor Red Heaven.
"Zijing, is there anywhere worth visiting within our academy?"
Hua Zijing, who had just watched two major battles within the Student Council, received a call from Chen Mobai, who asked her a rather odd question.
"Visit? Do you have friends coming over?"
As the vice president and head of the secretariat of the Student Council, Hua Zijing immediately thought of this when she heard Chen Mobai's question.
"Yeah, arrange the process for me, draft a document, and include lunch, preferably featuring the academy's specialty dishes."
"I'm the head of the secretariat for the Student Council, not your personal secretary. Arrange it yourself for your friends."
Hua Zijing replied with a hint of irritation after hearing this.
However, Ming-Yu and the others beside her were making gestures at her, indicating that it wouldn't be a problem for her to act as the president's secretary, and none of the Student Council members would mind.
"Oh, it's like this. My friend is coming over in a private capacity, but in reality, he's a helper invited by our academy. Besides visiting Red City Cave Heaven, it's also to properly entertain him and express our academy's gratitude."
Chen Mobai's words over the phone left Hua Zijing somewhat confused.
"Our academy's gratitude? Who is it? Someone of such high regard?"
"Lan Haitian!" After Chen Mobai mentioned this name, Hua Zijing's hand trembled, and her phone nearly dropped to the ground.
"Lan… Mr. Lan… is your friend?" The usually decisive and composed Hua Zijing suddenly stuttered.
"Yeah, during the entrance exam for the academy, the representative from the Kunpeng Refining Department was him. We hit it off right away and became close friends."
"This time, the Pure Yang Academy went too far. After hearing about Taishi Shu's defeat and being nearby, he came over to put Xiahou Weihuan and the others in their place."
"Gene Era"
"It's just a pity that Sima Xingyu didn't dare to enter the Minor Red Heaven for a match, otherwise we could have taken down those from the Pure Yang Academy in one fell swoop." Chen Mobai's voice came with a hint of regret, and Hua Zijing, along with everyone in the Student Council, were all shocked, their mouths agape.
"I understand, President. Rest assured, I will arrange everything perfectly to your satisfaction." In the end, Hua Zijing promised solemnly.
After hanging up the phone, she immediately began directing the Student Council members to run around purchasing ingredients.
Ming Yihua was about to start cooking, but was caught by the ever-watchful Hua Zijing and brought along to invite the chef.
"Isn't this a bit too grand?"
***
That day, after visiting Che Yucheng, Lan Haitian was brought by Chen Mobai to tour Red City Cave Heaven for half a day before arriving at the dining room arranged by Hua Zijing.
The table was laden with a dazzling array of sumptuous food, and Lan Haitian was a bit overwhelmed by the male and female servers in black suits attending to them.
"You stood up for our academy, no amount of grandeur is too much. Here, this is the transparent spirit fish that grows in the underground currents of Wanbao Cave. It's said to be exquisitely delicious, and even I haven't tasted it."
Chen Mobai couldn't help but swallow when he saw the dish being served. He had only heard of this spirit fish, which some students spent one academic credit to exchange for.
Hua Zijing and Ming Yihua immediately helped to cut the steamed, translucent fish that looked like crystal and placed it before them.
After tasting, both Chen Mobai and Lan Haitian couldn't stop praising it.
Without any added seasoning, the natural flavor was even more delicious than the best blood carp Chen Mobai had ever tasted.
However, this fish only had taste and couldn't enhance one's spiritual root.
After several dishes, Chen Mobai also brought out his own brewed Jade Sprout Spirit Wine.
Lan Haitian had a few sips.
This meal was suitable for both host and guest.
***
After the meal, Che Yucheng came over again.
He took the two to the core of Wanbao Cave, where Duanmu Longrong was.
"Pick one."
Duanmu Longrong had already prepared five Qi-Containing Orbs.
"I am not worthy of making such choices." Lan Haitian was a bit embarrassed.
In the morning, Chen Mobai had already told him about Wanbao Cave and the preciousness of the Qi-Containing Orbs. Moreover, he was only assigned by the Taoist master of the Southern Dipper, and the Refining Department didn't really need to thank him.
"Hey, just take it. Otherwise, the Southern Dipper will surely say we're stingy when you go back." Che Yucheng smiled and gestured for Lan Haitian to accept.
"Not bad, give and take is how relationships deepen. We, the four great academies, are branches of the same tree. You helped us this time, so it's only right to gift you a third-tier artifact." As Duanmu Longrong spoke, she took out an artifact piece and handed it to Lan Haitian.
"Then I'll take it." Lan Haitian picked up the five Qi-Containing Orbs and played with them, even trying to inject his spiritual energy to sense the attributes of the artifacts within.
Chen Mobai was originally just an observer, but Che Yucheng gave him a look, and with the tacit understanding between master and disciple, he immediately understood his teacher's intention: to give generously and earn a favor in return.
"The seals on these items block divine sense and spiritual energy; only the Bright Mirror Law Eyes can directly see through them."
After saying this, Chen Mobai activated his Bright Mirror Law Eyes and described in detail what he saw.
"You have a dual attribute of earth and metal in your true spiritual root. This Star Gathering Stone or the Heavenly Net Hand would suit you."
In front of Duanmu Longrong and Che Yucheng, Chen Mobai compared the images from the Wanbao Chart, asked Lan Haitian about his spiritual root, and gave his opinion.
"If we're talking about combat, naturally the Heavenly Net Hand is more suitable."
Lan Haitian said this and then opened the Star Gathering Stone.
"But in reality, I'm not someone who likes to fight. I only joined the Mending the Sky Division to obtain resources for Forming a Golden Elixir. After retirement, I'll probably just fish and tend to flowers and plants, so I choose this one."
The Star Gathering Stone was a third-tier lower-grade artifact, excavated from the extreme north of the Immortal Gate.
There, it naturally attracted meteorite impacts, and after millions of years of bombardment, the frozen rock layers contained the power of the stars. It was also nurtured at a magnetic pole and refined by a Refining Master of the Refining Department with spiritual fire. Just the material itself was already third-tier.
Most importantly, this Star Gathering Stone was still an artifact embryo, which could be refined by anyone into their personal magical artifact.
If Lan Haitian were to form his Golden Elixir, he could use his own elixir fire to refine the Star Gathering Stone into the shape of an artifact he liked.
For this reason, even though the Heavenly Net Hand was a third-tier middle-grade artifact, Lan Haitian still chose the Star Gathering Stone.
Besides saying he didn't want to fight anymore, there was probably also this reason.
"Thank you for the precious gift from your academy."
Although Lan Haitian had used many third-tier artifacts from the Immortal Gate over the years, as a cultivator about to form his Golden Elixir, his desire for a personal magical artifact was incomparable to any third-tier artifact.
The Star Gathering Stone contained the power of the stars and geomagnetism, very suitable for his spiritual root. Lan Haitian felt it in his hands and couldn't help but show a pleased expression, even with his cultivation level.
"With your foundation, plus the Golden Liquid Jade Return Elixir, perhaps soon we'll be fellow cultivators, establishing a good relationship in advance." Che Yucheng shared his thoughts.
Lan Haitian thanked him again, said goodbye to Duanmu Longrong, and the three returned the way they came, leaving Wanbao Cave.
"When you come to Huayang Cave Heaven, I'll entertain you properly."
At the gate of Red City Cave Heaven, Lan Haitian sincerely said this as they parted.
"Definitely."
Chen Mobai nodded with a smile.
Beside him were Hua Zijing and Ming Yihua, who finally couldn't help themselves and stepped forward to ask Lan Haitian for an autograph.
In the eyes of these proud children of the four great academies, celebrities were nothing special.
Only someone like Lan Haitian, a true cultivator, was worthy of their admiration.
After seeing him off, Chen Mobai returned to Building One.
***
"Has he left?"
"He said he's going to stay around Red City Cave Heaven for a while, to guard against Xiahou Weihuan re-entering the Minor Red Heaven after he leaves."
Che Yucheng nodded after hearing this.
"He could probably form his Golden Elixir, and giving him the Star Gathering Stone is just the right use for it."
"Teacher, with his talent, shouldn't forming a Golden Elixir be a sure success?"
"What do you know? There's no such thing as a sure thing in this world, and forming a Golden Elixir is not like Foundation Establishment, where you can rely on critical methods to ensure success. Once it fails, although the elixir's power can save one's life, the fall in realm and severe damage to one's vital energy might mean there's no second chance for forming a Golden Elixir." Che Yucheng shook his head and said something that made Chen Mobai worry.
Such a foundation as Lan Haitian's, with the Golden Liquid Jade Return Elixir, still had the possibility of failure.
Then, with his own shaky foundation, wouldn't his future be even more uncertain?
"Teacher, what do you think are his chances of forming a Golden Elixir?"
"About fifty percent."
"That low?"
"It's already quite high. His alchemy has reached the level of the Heavenly Spirit Root, plus the Golden Liquid Jade Return Elixir, and the solid foundation of his Six Imperial Scriptures, he's almost on par with those with innate Heavenly Spirit Roots."
Che Yucheng said this, and Chen Mobai remembered.
A fifty percent chance for a Heavenly Spirit Root to form a Golden Elixir, and there's a difference between acquired and innate?
"Of course, there is. Otherwise, why would Heavenly Spirit Roots be allowed to enter the four great academies without examination? Innate Heavenly Spirit Roots, favored by the great Dao of heaven and earth, can easily hear the Dao and establish their foundation, and when forming a Golden Elixir, they have a good chance of enlightenment."
Enlightenment?
It must be similar to the state after taking the Enlightenment Elixir.
Chen Mobai thought so after hearing this, but since he still wanted to maintain his genius persona, he dared not ask this question in front of Che Yucheng.
"Acquired Heavenly Spirit Roots, though not as good as innate ones, also have advantages for forming a Golden Elixir, with better affinity with the corresponding attributes of the spiritual energy of heaven and earth."
Che Yucheng didn't notice the change in Chen Mobai's expression and continued on his own.
"That's why cultivators at the peak of Foundation Establishment in the Immortal Gate, if they have enough longevity, will generally try to raise their spiritual root corresponding to their cultivation technique to above 80 points, which can increase their chances of forming a Golden Elixir by about twenty percent."
After listening, Chen Mobai couldn't help but feel he had learned something new.
Since he had just established his foundation, he hadn't yet looked for information about forming a Golden Elixir. Today, thanks to Lan Haitian, he learned about this and was glad he was very disciplined, always using spiritual stones to advance his Pure Yang Body whenever he had time.
He was also grateful for Che Yucheng's reminder. If it weren't for his teacher letting him hear the Dao and establish his foundation, he probably wouldn't have had the chance to obtain the Fire Spirit Body.
Because of this, his Fire Spirit Root had reached 63 points. Just by completing the Five Yang Body and Six Yang Body, his Fire Spirit Root could be raised to 81 points, just entering the threshold of the Heavenly Spirit Root.
By this calculation, just the Dual Phase Technique and the Fire Spirit Root could give him a fifty percent chance of forming a Golden Elixir, comparable to innate Heavenly Spirit Roots like Qing Nv.
If he could also obtain the Immortal Gate's Golden Liquid Jade Return Elixir, then forming a Golden Elixir would be almost a sure thing.
The more he thought about it, the more excited he became.
Chen Mobai wished he could immediately catch up with Lan Haitian, achieve perfect Foundation Establishment, and then form a Golden Elixir in one go, reaching the pinnacle.
"By the way, you can prepare to break the consecutive victory record of Ancestor Yuan Yang."
At this moment, Che Yucheng's words brought Chen Mobai back to reality.
"That's an easy task, probably just another fight with Lu Qiulong."
Chen Mobai shrugged. He had to admit, after so many battles in the Minor Red Heaven, it was Lu Qiulong who gave him the strongest sense of pressure. If they were outside and the latter could fully control his spirit, he might not be the opponent.
"No, your opponent will be Sima Xingyu."
But Che Yucheng smiled and mentioned someone Chen Mobai didn't expect.
"He's at the eighth layer of Foundation Establishment, how could he possibly be matched with me?" Chen Mobai was puzzled.
"He'll pay to reduce his cultivation to the sixth layer of Foundation Establishment, and then the operators of the Minor Red Heaven can match you with him."
"That way, even if he wins, what's the point? The Pure Yang Academy has lost all face."
Chen Mobai frowned. If he were from the Pure Yang Academy, he might never be able to lift his head online again because of this.
Probably even the people from the hundred and twenty prefectures could mock the students of the Pure Yang Academy.
"The face of Ancestor Yuan Yang is one thing, but mainly it's because Nangong Xuan Jade was provoked by my words and bet on a match with me."
"A bet?"
Chen Mobai didn't understand. What was the bet that made the Pure Yang Academy so shameless?
"The operation of the Minor Red Heaven currently only covers the territories where the Red City Cave Heaven's spiritual veins flow, but Gongye Zhixu wants to fully activate this spiritual treasure to cover all the blessed lands and cave heavens. In addition to a fifth-tier spiritual vein, it also requires a fifth-tier artifact as the core.
Previously, Gongye Zhixu's intention was not to trouble two masters with one matter, and wanted to borrow our academy's Nine Dragons Cauldron, which also had the right attributes. The dean initially agreed in his heart, but still wanted to discuss it with us, so he didn't agree on the spot. After I found out, I signaled the dean to let me handle this matter entirely.
After the Pure Yang Academy showed its ambition, I called Gongye Zhixu and said that the Pure Yang Academy's Yuan Yang Sword was also fifth-tier, and over the years, it has been maintained by the Immortal Gate's spiritual stones without falling in grade. This is also a huge expense, and the three great halls have had their complaints. If the Yuan Yang Sword could be used for the Minor Red Heaven, then the Immortal Gate's financial expenditure would be justified."
Chen Mobai blinked as he listened.
He still needed to learn a lot from his teacher's tactics.
Proofreader & Editor:Peter Pan