I Have A Cultivation World Chapter 2348: 1060: Plan for the Five Elements Immortal Spirit Root (Part 3)

Chen Mobai currently held no genuine interest in the territories of the Island of Ten Thousand Immortals located deep within the Desolate Sea. He was merely utilizing those distant lands as a convenient pretext, intending to expand into them only when the Five Elements Sect grew so powerful that the Three Regions of the Eastern Continent Frontier could no longer contain its influence.

However, the coastal waters were a different matter. Although they were currently neglected and lacked spiritual energy because East Wu showed no interest in them—and the Myriad Stars Alliance rarely bothered with patrols—these areas had nominally fallen under the Alliance's jurisdiction during the Sun family's reign.

Chen Mobai now intended to officially bring these coastal lands under the banner of the Five Elements Sect.

"If that is the case, it remains necessary for Sect Master Chen to deliberate with the Great Elder. That region contains numerous underwater spirit fields belonging to the Immortal Island, which are considered assets of our alliance."

Ruan Lilong, acting as a representative for the Myriad Stars Alliance's younger generation, maintained his composure before Chen Mobai. He was careful not to make any hasty commitments.

"This is the coastline I have demarcated. Take it back to Brother Taishi, dear nephew. Should he find it acceptable, the Flying Sand Sect shall be considered a formal ally of our Five Elements Sect moving forward."

The moment Chen Mobai finished speaking, Zhou Wangshen produced a prepared map and unfurled it into the air.

Ruan Lilong squinted at the map, his brow furrowing slightly.

The boundary Chen Mobai had drawn pushed right against the absolute limit of what the Myriad Stars Alliance could tolerate.

Any further encroachment would undoubtedly meet with a firm rejection.

"Once the inventory from my caravan has been cleared, I shall deliver this map to the Great Elder for his final verdict," Ruan Lilong replied, withholding a definitive answer as the decision was beyond his authority.

"Then I shall leave it in your hands. Furthermore, the Rank-5 Sea Soul Agate you offered is of great significance to me. Is there anything you desire in exchange for such a treasure?"

Chen Mobai inquired. Ruan Lilong had presented the gift immediately upon arriving with Zhou Wangshen.

Disliking the weight of unpaid favors, Chen Mobai sought to settle the debt immediately.

"You have my thanks, Sect Master Chen. In truth, this item is a personal token of my gratitude. My Daoist couple perished at the hands of the Two-headed Demon King during the conflict with the Island of Ten Thousand Immortals. That beast met its end in East Wu, and Sect Master Chen provided me with the vengeance I sought..."

A look of understanding crossed Chen Mobai’s features as he listened to Ruan Lilong’s explanation.

"Be that as it may, I find it improper to simply accept such a significant gift from a junior. How about this: I perceive that you have reached Perfect Core Formation and are on the cusp of Nascent Soul Formation. I shall offer you some personal guidance."

Upon hearing these words, Ruan Lilong’s eyes sparkled with excitement, and he performed a deep, grateful bow.

As the Five Elements Sect’s prestige soared, Chen Mobai’s reputation as a Great Sage and Good Teacher had reached the East Land and the neighboring seas.

It was common knowledge that nearly all the cultivators who successfully reached the Nascent Soul and Core Formation stages within the Five Elements Sect over the past few decades had benefited from his tutelage.

Rumors in the Eastern Wilderness even claimed that even a cultivator cursed with mixed spiritual roots could easily achieve Foundation Establishment if they were guided by the Great Sage and Good Teacher.

While such tales were clearly exaggerated—as Chen Mobai typically only chose to mentor those whose innate talent already promised a high chance of success—he was far too fond of his reputation to bother correcting the public's vanity.

Ruan Lilong, a top-tier talent of the Flying Sand Sect at the peak of Core Formation, followed local etiquette by avoiding questions about specific cultivation techniques. Instead, he focused on personal obstacles, which Chen Mobai addressed one by one.

Initially feeling a bit timid despite his excitement, Ruan Lilong asked questions he thought he understood but was hesitant to put into practice.

Chen Mobai’s answers were sharp and decisive. He explained the underlying principles of feasible paths and, for those that were impossible, he provided immediate demonstrations to show why they would fail, offering several viable alternatives instead.

As the hours slipped away, Ruan Lilong became entirely lost in the pursuit of knowledge.

He bared every doubt and question he had gathered over two centuries of cultivation, regardless of how minor they seemed.

Showing no signs of impatience, Chen Mobai continued his instruction from dawn until the following night.

"I thank you, Sect Master Chen, for sharing your wisdom and clearing my path. Your benevolence is no different from that of a master!"

By the time Ruan Lilong finished his inquiries, it was already the dawn of the third day. He offered Chen Mobai a formal bow, the kind usually reserved for a disciple honoring a master.

"I have shared a great deal at once, so I have recorded my words onto a jade slip for you to study at your leisure upon your return."

Chen Mobai prevented him from completing the ritual. As Ruan Lilong stood, Chen Mobai used his divine sense to etch his teachings into a jade slip and handed it over.

"Escort him out; the next visitor is likely waiting with growing impatience."

Zhou Wangshen signaled his understanding and guided Ruan Lilong toward the exit of the great hall.

Clutching the jade slip, Ruan Lilong felt a pang of regret as he left.

He couldn't help but lament that he wasn't a member of the Five Elements Sect. Under the tutelage of a Great Sage and Good Teacher like Sect Master Chen, he might have attained the Nascent Soul stage long ago.

Unfortunately, it was far too late in his life to consider defecting to another sect.

With a heavy sigh, Ruan Lilong stepped out of the hall and noticed a Foundation Establishment cultivator waiting nearby, who watched him with a curious gaze.

"Farewell, fellow Daoist; I must now lead this individual inside to meet with the Sect Master."

Zhou Wangshen offered a polite hand-cup to Ruan Lilong, who quickly returned the gesture before watching the pair disappear into the hall.

Who could this Foundation Establishment practitioner be?

Immediately after departing, Ruan Lilong tasked the Myriad Stars Alliance staff with an investigation. He soon discovered the visitor's identity.

The man was Mei Longzheng, a renowned Beast Tamer hailing from the Stormy Immortal City.