Meng Huang’s failure in her Foundation Establishment had returned Chen Mobai, the ever-optimist, to the ruthless reality of Immortal Cultivation.

The last failure he witnessed was from his own father’s attempt in Foundation Establishment.

He wondered how many of his friends would be forced into military service to participate in wars, due to their inability to establish their foundation, at the time of graduation.

With an indescribable sense of melancholy, Chen Mobai returned to the Tianhe Realm.

Two Message Talismans were blocked outside the Cloud Mist Array.

Upon reading them, he found out that they were from Zhuo Ming and Luo Yixuan.

Zhuo Ming had returned. Although the Jade Bud Spirit Wine from the South Mountain Shop hadn’t all been sold yet, a part of the Spirit Field needed to be harvested by the end of the year, so she put her business aside and came back first.

Luo Yixuan, on the other hand, had written a long list of her insights when she used the Flame Lighting Technique, as well as various changes to her body, and wanted to ask if her condition was normal.

Indeed, Chen Mobai had experience in that area.

After all, he had been planted with the Flame Lighting Technique by the Crimson Robed True Man, which had transformed his Five Elements Cultivation into the Pure Yang Scroll.

After reading the Message Talismans, Chen Mobai opened the Cloud Mist Array.

The dispersing cloud and mist on the mountain top signaled his exit from seclusion.

It wasn’t long before Zhuo Ming and Luo Yixuan joined him.

“Greetings, master.”

“Well, I’ve had some insights during my retreat, and have somewhat advanced in my cultivation. Today, I will teach you some techniques.”

Since taking on apprentices, Chen Mobai had rarely given formal lessons, because he was still a student himself and felt he wasn’t qualified to teach.

However, today, his emotions got the better of him and he suddenly felt like teaching a class.

“Congratulations on your advancement, master. Should we call senior brother to listen to your lecture?”

Zhuo Ming looked eagerly surprised, but Luo Yixuan, while congratulating him, smoothly suggested inviting their senior brother. She was always thoughtful in words and deeds.

“He’s still recuperating from his injuries. When he’s recovered and comes to South Mountain, I’ll give him an individual lesson.”

Upon hearing Chen Mobai’s words, Luo Yixuan nodded in understanding. Zhuo Ming, on the other hand, scratched her head awkwardly, feeling a bit guilty as she had not thought about Liu Wenbo.

Although Zhuo Ming was cultivating the Mother Earth Scripture and Luo Yixuan was practicing the Blackwater Cultivation, which differed from Chen Mobai’s Wood Fire Duality, once they reach the Foundation Establishment, learning Qi Cultivation techniques becomes as easy as solving elementary school math problems.

The lesson lasted until sunset, and both apprentices were both amazed and pleasantly surprised. They even took out pen and paper to take notes on parts they didn’t understand, intending to ponder over it later.

Chen Mobai felt like he still had more to say, but his teaching also helped him solidify his understanding of the realm he just broke through.

After the lesson, he planted the Flame Lighting Technique in Luo Yixuan again.

This time, due to his advancement, Chen Mobai found that the flame he gave through the Flame Lighting Technique could now last as long as nine days.

That could be considered good news.

After his disciples left, Chen Mobai contacted Yue Zutao through a Message Talisman to inquire about the investigation into the loss of the Lei Nation’s Spirit Stone Mine.

The latter informed him that there was still no news, but the materials for the Foundation Building Pill had been arranged by the Reward Virtue Hall. Zeng Woyou would start refining it after a month of quiet cultivation. This was also good news.

He hoped that Mu Yuan and Yu Lian would be successful in their Foundation Establishment.

Chen Mobai had always been confident in them. After all, he didn’t feel any difficulty when he was establishing his foundation.

He wasn’t planning to succeed the first time, and the second time he took the Foundation Building Pill, he succeeded with his eyes open and shut.

But after witnessing Meng Huang’s failure, he began to feel a bit apprehensive.

After showing his presence at the Divine Wood Sect, Chen Mobai returned to the Daoist Academy.

“Mr. President, congratulations on breaking through. Let me wish you a Happy New Year in advance.”

“Thank you, same to you.”

In the small western-style building of the Treasure Trove, Chen Mobai greeted a few resigned student council members. After they finished their tasks, they too were going to leave Crimson City and return home.

Fortunately, Hua Zijing chose to stay.

In this way, even without Chen Mobai, the student council could still operate.

“You have to work hard in the coming days.”

While Hua Zijing was petting a cat, she suddenly heard Chen Mobai’s words. She turned around somewhat puzzled to find that Chen Mobai, who was sitting in the president’s seat, had disappeared. His voice came from outside the open window.

“I’m bored at the academy. I’m going home.”

Hua Zijing was speechless, but as the secretary-general of the student council, she was used to it.

It was just like when Zuo Qiushi was there; she was always left in charge.

“Next year when I graduate, I’m curious to see who you’ll find to do all these things.”

Hua Zijing looked at the window from where Chen Mobai had left, voicing her frustration.

She was in ninth grade this year, and she would be a tenth grader when school started next year. She was set to graduate by the end of the year and did not plan on wasting time at the Daoist Academy. Instead, she aimed to join the Immortal Gate and obtain the Liquid Gold Jade Return Pill, like Zuo Qiushi.

Chen Mobai was fully aware of her plan, and he was already searching for someone new to be his secretary.

Many classmates did not come back to Red Sandstone City this year.

Among these included Qing Women, Yan Bingxuan, Song Zheng, Shi Yuanqing, Mo Simin, and so on.

Only Shi Jingjing and Cao Yaling would come back almost every year. After Chen Mobai had visited Shi Qujin, he had taken them out for a meal.

He received some good news during the meal.

Cao Yaling had apprehended the boundary technique and had tried to take the three Foundation Establishment treasures this year. Although she had failed, she was essentially halfway through the threshold of Foundation Establishment.

At the same time, he heard regrettable news.

Chen Si hadn’t been successful in establishing her Foundation.

She and Shen Juanxiu graduated in the same year, and in an attempt to avoid military service, Chen Si had no choice but to try to build her foundation. But ultimately, she failed.

“I didn’t expect that before leaving, even the chief of the Dance Tool Dao Academy would come to see me off.”

At the gates of the Cinnabarite Institute, Chen Mobai saw Chen Si, who was dragging a small suitcase. Seeing him, she smiled slightly, seeming quite cheerful.

Chen Mobai greatly respected her decision after her failure to establish her Foundation.

Chen Si did not choose to marry like Shen Juanxiu. Instead, she bravely faced the military service by choosing to enlist.

Along with Chen Mobai, Shen Juanxiu had also come over.

They left the institute gate and arrived on a wide road.

Shen Juanxiu wept like rain, making Chen Si, who was initially quite composed, unable to hold back the tears welling in her eyes.

“Take care.”

Chen Mobai gave Chen Si a set of Crimson Flame Sword Talismans and a rabbit puppet he had made. It was not only cute, but it could also serve as a companion for conversation. She accepted with a smile.

“Thank you, we’ll meet again someday.”

Watching Chen Si’s beautiful figure retreating, Chen Mobai thought back to their first encounter at the Immortal Gate High School. At that time, she walked in with a smile, and the sunlight outside the window poured onto her long black hair, as if it was coated with a thin layer of golden sheen.

Her elegant posture and the warmth in her eyes at that time were a beautiful scene Chen Mobai would never forget.

He wished he could reach out and ask her to stay, but he couldn’t find a valid reason.

Moreover, joining the military was Chen Si’s decision, and in her heart, there was still a flame burning, yearning for higher realms.

In the end, all Chen Mobai could do was watch her figure fade away under the grey sky.

Before this, Chen Mobai didn’t quite comprehend the feeling of separation. Now, he understood.

It was indeed very bitter.

Establishing one’s Foundation was already so challenging. He couldn’t help but wonder if any of his friends could walk with him to the realm beyond Foundation Establishment.

In the following days, Chen Mobai had dreams every day. He dreamt that after a long period of seclusion, when he woke up and opened the door, the world had changed, and a millennium had passed.

All his friends had turned to dust, dissipated between heaven and earth.

The dreams were so frequent that he thought he might be obsessed with it.

He immediately called Che Yucheng for advice. But to his surprise, Che told him that this was a sign of an epiphany and a symptom of realm improvement.

Generally, those who are cultivating the Divine Manipulation Technique would experience such situations.

Of course, if one couldn’t surpass this hurdle on their own, then they would indeed fall into obsession.

But Che Yucheng also reassured Chen Mobai. The Immortal Gate had plenty of medicine that could treat these situations, but it would be best if he could overcome it on his own, as it would result in greater rewards.

If he were to medicate, he would miss the rare opportunity to enhance his state of mind.

“You can choose to do something that makes you focus.”

On the phone, Che Yucheng shared some of his experiences.

He had also experienced this situation in the past. It was only when he engrossed himself in building an aircraft carrier puppet model that he could finally surpass this hurdle.

“What should I do?”

After hanging up the phone, Chen Mobai started to ponder.

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