Chapter 477: 336: In Front of the Dao Tree-1
Chapter 477: 336: In Front of the Dao Tree-1
Chapter 477: Chapter 336: In Front of the Dao Tree-1
“Sect Leader, if we had asked Back to Sky Valley Alchemy to produce Foundation Establishment Pills before, truly it would have hindered Yan Shaoyin’s cultivation. But now under these conditions, I’m afraid it is probably of little consequence to him.”
Chen Mobai knew Chu Zuoshu was receptive to advice, so he directly expressed his thoughts.
When the Hun Yuan ancestor was alive, the Five Elements Sect demanded a harsh quota of Foundation Establishment Pills from Back to Sky Valley. Yan Shaoyin had to personally handle this, but now there are no more Nascent Soul Cultivators and the conditions have become much looser, so they can even use the materials they provide to nurture their own disciples.
“Indeed, since we split from the Five Elements Sect, Back to Sky Valley in just a few decades, has nurtured two Rank-3 Alchemists. If this continues, they might eventually surpass us.”
After hearing Chen Mobai’s words, Chu Zuoshu brought out the Back to Sky Valley scroll and couldn’t help but shake his head after reading it.
“However, suppressing Back to Sky Valley and agreeing to Zeng Woyou’s request to concoct orthodox Foundation Establishment Pills are two different things. If I concede on this matter, in the future will I have to step back every time any one of the people from the three halls or twelve departments tries to pull this kind of stunt?”
The reason is still the same. Compared to suppressing Back to Sky Valley, Chu Zuoshu’s top priority is to establish his prestige.
Though he had held the Reward Virtue Hall for decades, he did not have as many flourishing disciples as Meng Hong. He held the position of sect leader because there were no other suitable candidates.
At this crucial moment, Zeng Woyou suddenly stepped forward to challenge Chu Zuoshu, which naturally did not sit well with him.
“We only have Elder Brother Zeng as a Rank-3 Alchemist in the sect now. He even has to handle many tasks such as refining the elixirs for the two ancestors’ daily use. If matters were to drag on and the two ancestors were to inquire about it, it could be disadvantageous to you, Sect Leader.”
Chen Mobai worded his thoughts very tactfully, but Chu Zuoshu understood and couldn’t help but furrow his brows.
The reason the two ancestors chose him to be the successor was mainly for smooth transition. If Chu Zuoshu does well, he can accumulate contributions like Meng Hong, obtain Gold Core Spiritual Material with the power of the sect when the time is ripe, and then vacate his position for someone more capable.
But if internal unrest were to occur from the start and disturb the two ancestors, even if he manages to resolve the issue later, his reputation in the Divine Wood Sect would probably take a significant hit.
“I can’t possibly back down. If he’s willing to admit his mistake publicly, I wouldn’t mind giving him two furnace loads of orthodox Foundation Establishment Pills.”
Upon hearing Chu Zuoshu’s words, Chen Mobai knew that the words he planned to say next should resonate well.
“For the sake of the Sect Leader’s dignity, the Seven Furnace loads of orthodox Foundation Establishment Pills that our sect asked Back to Sky Valley to refine should not be given to Elder Brother Zeng. However, if we can find other materials for several furnaces of Foundation Establishment Pills and give them to Elder Brother Zeng, I believe he would be more than willing to admit his mistake at the meeting of the three halls and twelve departments.”
Chu Zuoshu didn’t quite understand what he meant, so he took a drink with a puzzled look on his face.
“Are you implying that we buy Jade Marrow Golden Mushroom and other medicinal materials in the name of the sect? Would that not be redundant, and I’d actually be seen in an even worse light if we did that.”
“Sect Leader, don’t we always have to give three Jade Marrow Golden Mushrooms to Golden Cliff in each batch?”
Chen Mobai gently reminded him, Chu Zuoshu was taken aback at first, then his expression cleared.
“Would Golden Cliff agree to this?”
“I’ve heard Brother Sun Gaochang mention that whenever the Jade Marrow Golden Mushroom matures, the Spirit Plant Division always prepares enough auxiliary medicine for ten furnaces to refine Foundation Establishment Pills at the same time and sends them to Back to Sky Valley. We collect the Foundation Establishment Pill and then deliver it. So long as the quantity isn’t off, even if they find out, they won’t say anything.”
The Divine Wood Sect and the Golden Cliff, being sibling sects, always back each other in a fight. Whenever one is in trouble, the other essentially responds.
For instance, in the war against the Mountain Shaker Peak this time, if Mo Douguang hadn’t intervened, the Divine Wood Sect might have really lost.
Thus, even though the Divine Wood Sect only needs to give Golden Cliff three Jade Marrow Golden Mushrooms every ten years, because the sword cultivators of Golden Cliff only know how to fight and aren’t proficient in farming or alchemy, the Divine Wood Sect helps them with the preparation of auxiliary medicine.
Of course, Golden cliff also gives Spirit Stones, but considering the good relationship between the two sects, their exchanges are essentially half trade, half gift.
Chen Mobai’s idea is to let Zeng Woyou refine the three furnaces of Foundation Establishment Pills that were meant for Golden Cliff. Regardless of how many pills are successfully refined, they would make up for the shortfall in quantity.
With these conditions, the latter would surely concede to Chu Zuoshu in the meeting.
“I understand your intention. However, we should first clear things up with Golden Cliff, as any trust can start to crumble from the smallest oversight. The disciples who are visiting Golden Cliff for exchange study will return next month. Jia Songyang, who is one of the twelve sword bearers of Golden Cliff and a pretty responsible individual, should be escorting them. I’ll discuss this matter with him first.”
Upon hearing these words, Chen Mobai looked at Chu Zuoshu with renewed admiration. No wonder the two ancestors unanimously chose him as the sect leader. His management of interpersonal matters was certainly at an expert level.
Then again, Chu Zuoshu also had similar thoughts about Chen Mobai, considering his understanding of human nature outstanding. The more Chu thought about it, he felt that this plan was extremely clever. It would not only enhance his prestige in the sect but also slowly liberate them from their reliance on Back to Sky Valley Alchemy.