I Have A Cultivation World Chapter 2321: 1052: (Part 4)

“Principal Yan, the primary reason I requested your presence is because I require your assistance with a specific matter…”

Following a brief exchange of pleasantries, Chen Mobai cut to the chase and described the task of raising the ice silkworm.

“Of course, True Monarch!”

Yan Qiongzhi gave her consent without a moment's pause after listening to him.

“Since this undertaking might interfere with your own cultivation, I have prepared several items to serve as your compensation…”

Noticing her ready agreement, Chen Mobai produced the rewards he had readied. When the Rank-5 Ice Soul Cold Crystal emerged from the void, a flicker of emotion finally broke through Yan Qiongzhi’s habitually stoic face.

“Are you skilled in Artifact Refining?”

Chen Mobai posed the question as he passed the Ice Soul Cold Crystal and the ice silkworm eggs over to Yan Qiongzhi.

Given his current standing, he felt no need to invent a backstory for the origin of such rare materials. Yan Qiongzhi would never dream of questioning him; coming from a Deity Transformation True Monarch like Chen Mobai, their legitimacy was beyond doubt.

“I have studied the craft, though my knowledge is limited to creating jewelry and similar trinkets.”

With hands that trembled slightly, Yan Qiongzhi accepted the gifts and answered his inquiry.

By the standards of the Immortal Gate, she was ranked as a Rank-3 Artifact Refiner. However, considering her current cultivation realm, she could easily attain a Rank-4 certification if she applied herself to further study.

“You should attempt to grasp the essence of ‘The Union of Differences’ from our Dance Tool Dao Academy. Ultimately, the Xuan Bing Jue offers no path toward Deity Transformation. Tell me, did you perceive your own Dao within the Shocking God Sonata?”

Chen Mobai’s natural instinct for mentoring surfaced as he began to provide Yan Qiongzhi with guidance.

“I caught a glimpse, but because the performance was cut short, it felt as elusive as a flower in the fog or the moon reflected in water.”

Yan Qiongzhi could only manage a wry, bitter smile at the memory.

She had waited an eternity for the Immortal Gate's millennial performance of the Shocking God Sonata, only for it to be marred by the Death God’s Tribulation. Furthermore, because the Immortal Gate lacked a dedicated Ice-System Deity Transformation technique, she could not advance as smoothly as Master Chengxuan. Unlike those who could follow established paths like ‘The Union of Differences,’ she was forced to navigate the darkness alone. Even hearing the full sonata might not have revealed a Great Dao compatible with her nature.

“If you can hatch this ice silkworm, it will be the equivalent of a Rank-5 True Spirit. By nurturing it with your own True Qi and studying ‘The Union of Differences’ simultaneously, your prospects of reaching Deity Transformation will be quite high.”

As he spoke, Chen Mobai handed a transcribed copy of the Ice Heaven Cultivation to Yan Qiongzhi.

“This was brought by Ancestor Yun Ya of the Dan Ding Sect, along with the silkworm. It is a legacy once used by the White Crane Dao Arena specifically for weaving the Pure Yang Immortal Robe. I recovered it from the depths of the Yuping Small Realm after I developed my Second Primeval Spirit. I believe you are the only one in the Immortal Gate fit to practice it…”

Chen Mobai slightly altered the history of the Ice Heaven Cultivation, fearing that claiming he had realized it himself would seem too incredible. The technique was clearly the result of millennia of refinement. Additionally, Chen Mobai himself did not possess an Ice Spirit Root.

“This is such a precious gift; I am truly overwhelmed.”

Yan Qiongzhi was deeply stirred by his words.

Among the Ice Spirit Root cultivators of the Immortal Gate, the ceiling had always been the Ninth Layer of the Nascent Soul stage. Those who tried to transition to the Six Imperial Scripture found themselves unable to even grasp the basics. In contrast, the Ice Heaven Cultivation was a pure ice-attribute manual.

Scanning the text with her Divine Sense, Yan Qiongzhi felt its profound depth and elegant simplicity. While the instructions for Qi Cultivation, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, and Nascent Soul were less exhaustive than those in the Xuan Bing Jue, it contained the crucial chapters for Deity Transformation. As she studied it, the hazy path she had glimpsed during the Shocking God Sonata suddenly sharpened into focus.

She realized then that this was her gateway to Deity Transformation. It was a path not just for her, but for Yan Bingxuan and every Ice Spirit Root cultivator in the Immortal Gate.

“My own energy is stretched thin, and there are more pressing matters requiring my focus. However, I hope that Bingxuan’s journey does not end at the Nascent Soul stage. I want there to be a viable path for her to reach Deity Transformation within the Immortal Gate, and I am placing that responsibility in your hands.”

Chen Mobai spoke with total sincerity.

His bond with Yan Bingxuan had become common knowledge ever since he provided Yan Qiongzhi with the resources for Nascent Soul formation. Since Yan Bingxuan’s natural talent was lower than Yan Qiongzhi’s, the latter was the ideal candidate to blaze the trail for Ice Spirit Root practitioners. While the Three Yin Dao Fruits in the Tianhe Realm offered another possibility, Chen Mobai preferred to have multiple contingencies.

“Rest assured, True Monarch. I shall commit the remainder of my life to this goal—for the sake of the Immortal Gate, for Xuan’er, and for myself.”

Recognizing that Chen Mobai’s efforts were largely motivated by his feelings for Yan Bingxuan, Yan Qiongzhi admired his resolve.

“On another note, you haven’t mentioned my situation with Bai Guang to her, have you?”

With the serious business concluded, Chen Mobai asked the question casually.

“I assure you, True Monarch, I know absolutely nothing.”

Yan Qiongzhi nodded immediately, signaling her total discretion.

Internalizing this, Chen Mobai felt a pang of frustration: [Aren't women supposed to be incapable of keeping secrets? How could you stay silent about this? If you don't talk, how will Bingxuan ever understand the hardships I face...]

“Sigh, keeping this secret from her weighs heavily on me. I fear it might even manifest as a heart demon when I attempt true Deity Transformation.”

Chen Mobai feigned a heavy sigh, his expression clouding with artificial worry.

“True Monarch, what should be done then?”

Hearing this, Yan Qiongzhi became anxious. To her, keeping the truth from Yan Bingxuan had required immense self-control. However, Chen Mobai was the leader and the beacon of hope against the Ming Wang Star; if he were to suffer a heart demon or fail his breakthrough, the fallout would be catastrophic.

“A man must have the bravery to face the truth. I believe she deserves to know everything.”

Chen Mobai acted as if he were wrestling with the decision before speaking with feigned determination.

“True Monarch, if you do that, I worry she won't be able to handle the shock.”

Yan Qiongzhi considered Yan Bingxuan’s already fragile mental state; learning the truth might very well shatter her Dao Heart entirely.

“That is exactly what I fear. It is why I haven't dared to see her or tell her personally since the Death God’s Tribulation.”

Chen Mobai sighed once more. The warnings Bai Guang had given him were still fresh in his mind. While he longed to be with Yan Bingxuan, he couldn't risk her life—especially since Bai Guang had entered the Cultivating Void stage and was notoriously temperamental. Looking back, Chen Mobai wondered if his confrontation with Bai Guang was born of true courage or if he had simply been blinded by rage. After all, Bai Guang had effectively dismantled the "virtuous man" persona he had spent a lifetime building.

“True Monarch, perhaps I could broach the subject with her first, to give her some measure of psychological preparation.”

Nevertheless, he still harbored the hope that his true body could eventually master the three highest Great Daos.

And