The First Immortal of Destiny

"Such speed could be described as swift as the wind and quick as lightning."

"If I enter into a battle in the future, be it for escape or ambush, having cultivated Thunderclap Rapid Step to the Senior level will greatly benefit me!"

This month, Shen Mo had almost exhausted all the Spirit Stones in his possession. In return, however, his power had increased dramatically.

I wonder if I can now match a cultivator of Qi Gathering Layer IV? Even if I'm defeated, the difference shouldn't be too great, right?

Clenching his fist, the abundant power within his body gave Shen Mo confidence.

In this survival-of-the-fittest cultivation world, only power could provide him with a sufficient sense of security.

In these past few days, I've accumulated a lot of Elixirs. I need to find some time to deal with them.

One consequence of his increased strength was that his Spirit Stones were completely spent; he was left utterly destitute.

After inventorying the Elixirs in his cave mansion and Universe Bag, Shen Mo found a total of seventy Qi Coalescing Pills and sixty Soul Nurturing Pills.

In addition to these Grade II Elixirs, he had recently refined many Grade I Elixirs.

Of course, he no longer touched basic Elixirs like Yang-strengthening Powder and Qi Restoring Pill, as their grade was too low and they no longer provided him with experience points.

Adding all these Elixirs together, they should sell for over a thousand Spirit Stones.

Placing the Elixirs into Jade Vases, then wrapping the vases in a parcel, Shen Mo, carrying the heavy bundle, left his cave mansion.

He went to the Market in Jiyun Town, found a stall, displayed all his Elixirs, and marked their prices.

Initially, he planned to sell them in the sect's Market, directly to the medicine hall affiliated with the sect. However, he reconsidered. Selling so many high-quality Yang-strengthening Powders and Qi Restoring Pills within the sect could attract unnecessary trouble. His alias, "Mo Shen," was on record in the Alchemy Zone, and it wouldn't be good if they traced the sales back to him.

He didn't want to draw attention to himself right now. Maintaining a low profile was safer.

So, after some deliberation, he went directly to the Market in Jiyun Town to sell them.

The items did sell fast!

Within half a day, nearly all the Elixirs Shen Mo had displayed at his stall were sold.

Shen Mo had initially thought it would take a day or two to sell so many Elixirs. However, he hadn't expected the customer traffic to be so high; the selling efficiency far exceeded his expectations.

"According to Market rules, you've earned a total of one thousand one hundred Spirit Stones here. As per the one percent tax rule, you need to pay eleven Spirit Stones as the stall fee."

The Market manager in Jiyun Town quickly calculated the accounts and handed Shen Mo a receipt.

After he paid the fee, he left the Market.

Just as Shen Mo entered a grove, preparing for a Flying Escape on his sword, a group of people suddenly jumped out.

"Fellow daoists, what can I do for you?"

Looking at the hostile expressions of the group before him, Shen Mo frowned slightly.

"We saw you in the Market earlier. You did good business, made quite a bit, didn't you?"

Upon hearing this person's words, Shen Mo raised an eyebrow. Robbers?

Although cultivators prided themselves on transcending the mundane world, they were, in fact, still human. Many things that occurred in the mortal world were also common in the cultivation world. For instance, murder for treasure and robbery were favorite pastimes for some of the more powerful cultivators who couldn't find sufficient cultivation resources. Cultivators without backing needed to be especially careful when entering or leaving places like the Market.

They know I sold many treasures and earned a lot of Spirit Stones. It seems they've been watching me for a while.

Only then did Shen Mo realize that one of them had also been running a stall near his in the Market.

"Cut the crap! Hand over all the Spirit Stones and treasures in your Universe Bag!"

"Otherwise, don't blame us for taking action!"

There were four people in their team. The leader had already reached Qi Gathering Layer III, and the remaining three were at Qi Gathering Layer II. Therefore, facing Shen Mo, who was only at Qi Gathering Layer II, they naturally considered him easy prey.

Let's see what you've got then!

Shen Mo had never encountered robbery before because he was a disciple of the Riverside Sect. As one of the Five Great Sects of Red Flame Country, the Riverside Sect was arguably the most powerful force in Qing State. Even the most desperate cultivator wouldn't dare to easily rob a Riverside Sect disciple.

However, today, fearing recognition by fellow sect disciples in the Jiyun Town Market, he hadn't worn the attire of a Riverside Sect disciple. These guys probably thought Shen Mo was a rogue cultivator like them.

Although revealing his identity would likely deter them from attacking, Shen Mo didn't do so. This was because, after days of accumulation, he had long been looking for an opportunity to test his current combat strength!

"Go to hell!"

Seeing Shen Mo's defiance, the black-clad cultivator leading the group immediately launched a palm strike at him.

"Break!"

Shen Mo moved the Dragon Sparrow Sword in his hand lightly, dispatching a wave of sword Qi. The palm print was easily torn apart, and the sword Qi continued, heading straight for the faces of the four robbers.

"Oh no, this one's tough!"

Their expressions changed drastically as soon as they engaged. Shen Mo's strength clearly far exceeded their expectations.

Before they could even feel regret, Shen Mo activated his Thunderclap Rapid Step, which he had cultivated to the Senior level, and charged towards them.

THUD!

THUD!

THUD!

Wind seemed to gather beneath Shen Mo's feet as he stomped, each step like a flash of lightning. His figure, like a phantom, swiftly closed in on the Qi Gathering Layer III cultivator.

"Die!"

As his sword thrust out, blood splattered through the air. The leader was struck before he could react, his throat slit and his breathing instantly cut off.

"Brother Wang!"

With the black-robed cultivator dead, the remaining three turned ashen-faced with fear.

This guy is clearly at Qi Gathering Layer II, how can he possess such terrifying combat power?

Shen Mo, having killed a Qi Gathering Layer III cultivator with a single strike, was quite satisfied with his own strength.

My guess was indeed correct. Now, ordinary cultivators below Qi Gathering Layer IV would be no match for me!

Thinking this, Shen Mo held the Dragon Sparrow Sword horizontally before him. His gaze fell upon the three surviving men.

"Senior, spare us!"

The remaining three, their faces pale, immediately begged for mercy.

But Shen Mo gave them no opportunity to plead.

Your methods are practiced, and your roles are well-defined. You must have done this sort of thing many times.

If I were weak today, would you spare me?

After killing the remaining three, Shen Mo searched their belongings but found only one Universe Bag. Obviously, these rogue cultivators were all poor; a Universe Bag was a luxury for them. Only the leader, the Qi Gathering Layer III cultivator, had possessed one.

Shen Mo didn't have high hopes for the treasures in that Universe Bag. They were just a group of low-class rogue cultivators; how much wealth could they possibly possess?

After returning to his cave mansion via Flying Escape on his sword, Shen Mo used a Realm Breaking Talisman to open the Universe Bag. As expected, it contained only some miscellaneous items and not even a hundred Spirit Stones.

Hmm, what's this?

As he was taking inventory, a jade slip caught his eye.

[Mechanism Pavilion: Secret Treasure Information]

The Mechanism Pavilion? Is that the organization in Red Flame Country that deals in information?

He knew a little about the Mechanism Pavilion. During a chat with Guo Zhao on the peak, Guo Zhao had mentioned that the Mechanism Pavilion bought and sold all kinds of information. This included sect clues, secrets of prominent families, royal court secrets, information on the tombs of powerful cultivators and ruins containing hidden treasures and opportunities—they had it all. As long as you could afford the price, they could get you any information.

This jade slip... I wonder where they got it.

Never mind where they got it, let's check it out first!

After a moment, the information from the jade slip flowed into Shen Mo's mind.

The ruins of the Cloud Sword Sect!

Located deep in the Void Sky Mountain Range.

These ruins had supposedly been lost, their location unknown to all. However, three months ago, some rogue cultivators, while exploring undeveloped land, stumbled upon this location. It was speculated that many undiscovered treasures remained hidden in these ruins.

Information about exploring some ancient ruins?

After digesting the information, Shen Mo grew somewhat excited. According to the information, the sect whose ruins these were had been quite wealthy, so there were undoubtedly many treasures still inside.

I've been cooped up in the sect long enough lately.

I can go take a look!

...