I Have A Cultivation World Chapter 2349 - 1060: The Five Elements Immortal Spirit Root’s Plan (Part 4)

The Five Elements Sect boasts an impressive legacy across nearly every field of the Hundred Arts of Cultivation, yet they have historically struggled with beast taming. To rectify this flaw, the leadership has been actively searching for ways to bolster their expertise.

Mei Longzheng, recognized for his profound mastery over spirit beasts, has recently been recruited as a guest lecturer for the Spirit Beast Department. Rumors suggest that arrangements are already being finalized for him to join the faculty at the Scholarly Mansion.

Ruan Lilong couldn't help but admire the situation after looking into Mei Longzheng's background. He mused that it was no shock the Sect Leader was hailed as a Great Sage and Good Teacher; even the highest levels of the sect were deeply invested in the quality of education.

It appeared to him that the meteoric rise of the Five Elements Sect was largely due to Sect Master Chen’s brilliance in managing academic affairs.

In recent times, the official Scholarly Mansions established by the Five Elements Sect have inspired a wave of followers. Across the major Immortal Cities protected by the sect, various cultivation clans and smaller powers have been opening their own private academies and tutoring centers, sprouting up like mushrooms after a spring rain.

These institutions utilize the very same curriculum developed by Chen Mobai and Qing Nu for the Scholarly Mansions. Furthermore, they often attempt to recruit instructors directly from the Mansion's own staff.

Initially, these prominent cultivation families simply wanted to give their children a competitive edge. By teaching them the curriculum ahead of time, they hoped their offspring would be better prepared for formal enrollment.

Such a head start was vital for seizing opportunities. If a student managed to graduate as the top scholar of the Scholarly Mansion, the Five Elements Sect would reward them with the highly coveted Foundation Building Pill.

Flush with wealth from recent infrastructure investments in the Eastern Wilderness, these families and allied powers have been spending Spirit Stones like water to poach talented teachers from the Scholarly Mansion.

Chen Mobai has only recently become aware of this trend.

In his view, this development is completely unacceptable.

The Scholarly Mansion was founded with the intent of allowing the Five Elements Sect to scout and cultivate every hidden genius in the region. However, this new system meant that the top-ranked students were merely those backed by wealthy factions who could afford private training.

Since resources for each grade are distributed based on merit rankings, this skewed environment would cause the truly talented children of the commonfolk to be pushed aside and ignored.

Chen Mobai is realistic enough to know that perfect equality is impossible in any world, yet he remains committed to pursuing fairness as much as he can.

Consequently, he issued a strict decree: any teacher affiliated with the Five Elements Sect’s Scholarly Mansions is strictly forbidden from accepting outside employment, whether for private tutoring or teaching for external organizations.

Violators face severe consequences, ranging from formal warnings and the loss of their teaching license to direct prosecution under sect law.

While some external teachers were tempted away by massive piles of Spirit Stones, those with deep roots in the Five Elements Sect immediately cut ties with outside interests to clear their names.

To ease the transition, Chen Mobai’s decree included a clause stating that all past infractions would be pardoned, focusing only on future conduct.

The plan to hire Mei Longzheng for beast taming instruction had been in motion for some time. However, when King Zhou reviewed the file for approval, he performed a routine background check that unmasked Mei Longzheng’s secret history with the Beast Taming Sect.

As a result, Mei Longzheng’s appointment was halted by King Zhou’s office.

Upon discovering the situation, Chen Mobai realized that this man could be a very strategic asset.

Inside the grand hall.

Mei Longzheng was brought in under the watchful eye of King Zhou. The moment he laid eyes on Chen Mobai, his strength failed him and his legs began to shake.

When King Zhou first summoned him, Mei Longzheng assumed it was merely a meeting with the ruler of East Wu. He had been trying to guess the reason for the summons, never imagining he would face the "Killing God" himself.

“The Dreamcatcher Academy has frequently complained about a shortage of skilled beast taming instructors. I have reviewed your credentials, Mr. Mei, and find them quite impressive. Would you be willing to take on the honor of educating the future disciples of my Five Elements Sect?”

Even though Mei Longzheng was visibly trembling, Chen Mobai addressed him with a soft and gentle tone.

“Ah... It would be my greatest honor!”

Startled, Mei Longzheng gulped and quickly signaled his eager acceptance.

The director of the Spirit Beast Department in Stormy Immortal City had discussed this role with him long ago, but after such a long silence, Mei Longzheng assumed the offer had been withdrawn.

He never expected that his hiring would require the personal attention of the Sect Master himself. The Five Elements Sect’s dedication to schooling was truly intense.

“Excellent. However, there is one more detail. To ensure the moral and ideological integrity of our faculty, the sect performs thorough background checks. We discovered that you, Mr. Mei, originally come from the Beast Taming Sect of the Eastern Land. What brings you to the Eastern Wilderness to find work?”

Chen Mobai already had his suspicions, but he wanted to hear the man's story directly.

“Reporting to Sect Master Chen, I was sent here on a mission. As your sect’s power grew, my Beast Taming Sect hoped to tap into this market and eventually establish a Commerce Association here.”

“But I am a man of limited talent. I failed to build any reputation for the Beast Taming Sect and eventually grew complacent, simply using the skills I learned to scrape together a living.”

“Over the years, I truly came to love this land. I even took out a loan recently to purchase a home, intending to spend the rest of my days here rather than returning to the Eastern Land.”

Mei Longzheng was careful not to mention his specific orders to spy on the Yellow Dragon Cave Mansion.

Instead, he offered the excuses he had meticulously prepared for such a confrontation.

His story seemed perfectly logical.

“That is heartening to hear. If Mr. Mei has found a sense of belonging here, then my decade of work developing the Eastern Wilderness and its Immortal Cities has been a success.”

Chen Mobai nodded, appearing quite pleased with the answer.

“On a side note, your sect’s Great Elder, Mu Youyi, recently claimed he heard from spies in the Eastern Wilderness that my Spirit Beast, the Devouring Heaven Serpent, is practicing the Beast Taming Sect’s forbidden True Spirit Transformation Method. They demanded an explanation. Do you happen to know anything about that, Mr. Mei?”

The moment Chen Mobai finished speaking with a pleasant smile, Mei Longzheng collapsed to his knees, shivering violently and bowing his head to the floor repeatedly.

“Sect Master Chen, I swear it has nothing to do with me! I was only following orders!”

“I was a disciple of the Beast Taming Sect once, and I suppose I still held some lingering loyalty to them.”

“But I truly wish to start over in the Eastern Wilderness and live out my life in peace. Sect Master Chen, when your True Spirit Yellow Dragon faced its tribulation recently, I acted as if I saw nothing. I did not send word back to the Beast Taming Sect.”

“I beg for your mercy! I am prepared to cut all ties with the Beast Taming Sect and serve the Five Elements Sect for the rest of my life...”

Mei Longzheng’s desperate rambling caused King Zhou to narrow his eyes, his Qi stirring as he prepared to strike. He felt it was his duty to handle this execution so the Sect Master wouldn't have to stain his own hands.

“Oh? You mean you didn't report the news, Mr. Mei?”

Chen Mobai asked, sounding genuinely surprised.

“It is the truth! I can swear a soul oath!”

Mei Longzheng raised his hand immediately, desperate to prove his new loyalty to the Five Elements Sect.

“That simply won't do. Mr. Mei, as a disciple of the Beast Taming Sect, your duty is clear. You must send this information back at once. Make absolutely sure that Great Elder Mu Youyi is informed.”

As he spoke, Chen Mobai stood up and personally helped Mei Longzheng to his feet. His words left both the spy and King Zhou completely stunned.

“...Huh?”

“Is Mr. Mei unwilling to send the message?”

Chen Mobai’s eyes narrowed slightly as he asked. Mei Longzheng immediately began nodding his head like a chicken pecking at grain.

“I’ll send it! I’ll send it right this moment!”