The First Immortal of Destiny

Everyone agreed with Lu Ming's proposal. After all, they had all witnessed how dangerous the situation had been. If Shen Mo hadn't pointed out its weakness, they might have ended up as food for the Python Dragon.

Lu Yao agreed to give Shen Mo a portion. However, the portion he allocated was only forty percent of the Python Dragon's flesh; the truly valuable parts had nothing to do with Shen Mo's share.

Fang Ming obtained the Python Dragon's horn, intending to use it to craft a magic artifact. Duan Rui, on the other hand, received the Python Dragon's blood essence. This blood essence was an excellent material for creating talismans and setting up Formations. As for the flood dragon tendon and the most valuable inner core, they naturally belonged to Lu Yao.

Lu Yao seemed to feel that Shen Mo's portion was too small, so he said, "Once we get into the tower, if there are any treasures, you can choose a few too." He originally had no intention of sharing any treasures with Shen Mo. He felt that this casual remark was sufficient.

Shen Mo said nothing about this distribution. Although his guidance was critical, he hadn't actually fought. Besides, he hadn't informed them of the Python Dragon's weakness to save them, but to save himself. Recouping the hundred Spirit Stones he had spent was already a good outcome.

This much Python Dragon meat should last for a while.

After he had finished grilling all the meat of the Double-headed Silver Ring Python, he had to resort to using the lean meat of low-grade demonic beasts like the Red-browed Deer for his barbecues. Even though his finances improved considerably later, and he switched his staple to the meat of the Double-horned Red Bull, it was still inexpensive and of low quality. Whether considering the texture of the meat or the nourishing Mana it contained, it was far inferior to that of a high-class demonic beast.

「Inside the Treasure Hall of the tower.」

After Shen Mo and his companions dealt with the Python Dragon, they quickly entered the tower. This time, no further troubles awaited them. In a secret chamber hidden within the tower, they finally laid eyes on the treasures.

SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!

Inside the secret chamber, treasures wreathed in flowing light hovered in the air, shining as dazzlingly as stars. But when Shen Mo and the others burst in, and their presence was sensed, these precious items began to scatter in all directions. The scene was quite similar to when Shen Mo had been searching for cultivation methods in the Magic Tower.

"This Treasure Hall was likely a place where the Cloud Sword Sect allowed disciples to select items in the past," Lu Yao said directly upon stepping into the Treasure Hall and observing the situation. "Therefore, it has a similar 'flowing cloud' mechanism, preventing the treasures from being easily caught. Everyone, claim your treasures based on your own abilities!"

According to their original agreement, they were supposed to gather all the items in one place before distributing them. But now, with the treasures darting about, it was clearly beyond everyone's expectations. They decided to seize the treasures first and then discuss arrangements based on the situation.

Then, his spiritual pressure began to lock onto the streams of light in the Treasure Hall, intending to capture them. Meanwhile, the others also began to claim treasures.

Shen Mo did not act immediately. Inside the Treasure Hall, dozens of streams of light flitted about, the auras of the treasures within them varying in strength. Shen Mo needed to inspect them carefully to select his targets, hoping to find the best and most suitable items for himself.

Bright Vision, condense!

He murmured inwardly, and a purple glow ignited in his pupils. Immediately, he saw through the flowing light to the appearance of the various treasures and the strength of their auras.

Soon, Shen Mo was attracted by two rapidly moving streams of light, one green and one purple.

[The Big Dipper Array]

[Control Sword]

Both these treasures were jade slips. Judging by their names, one was likely some kind of special Formation. The other appeared to be a treasure that could help cultivators comprehend the Sword Path.

I'll choose these two.

Others might not have noticed, but with his Destiny Dharma Eye, Shen Mo could discern that the auras of these two treasures in the Treasure Hall were considerably stronger than the rest. Undoubtedly, these were the two most valuable items.

Having made his selection, Shen Mo promptly joined the others in the scramble.

SWISH! SWISH!

The two jade slips, enveloped in flowing spirit light, were as slippery as loaches and extremely difficult to seize. However, thankfully, Shen Mo's Thunderclap Rapid Step technique had recently advanced to the Senior level, allowing him to barely keep up.

After a full two hours, Shen Mo finally managed to secure these two prized treasures.

Meanwhile, Lu Yao and the others had also obtained many treasures. Their cultivation levels were much higher than Shen Mo's and Lu Ming's, so their efficiency in capturing treasures far exceeded that of the pair. While Shen Mo and Lu Ming had just managed to secure two items each, the others had already collected four or five apiece.

By now, few precious treasures remained darting about. Spotting an opportunity, Shen Mo once again focused on an Elixir that pulsed with a powerful aura. After some effort, he finally managed to secure it as well.

At the same time, the spirit light in the Treasure Hall completely vanished, signifying that all the items had been taken.

Clutching seven treasures, Senior Brother Fang looked at Shen Mo and Lu Ming and said with a laugh. Duan Rui's haul was no smaller, and Lu Yao had the most, with a full ten items. Shen Mo had only obtained three items, and Lu Ming, like him, also had just three.

"Should we pool all the treasures we've collected and redistribute them?" Duan Rui frowned, looking towards Lu Yao.

"No need. Let's adhere to the rule: whoever gets it, owns it." Lu Yao, who had likely obtained some remarkable treasure, was clearly unwilling to put it up for redistribution.

The same was true for Fang Ming, who also agreed with Lu Yao's sentiment. Now that everyone had their treasures in hand, no one wanted to contribute them for redistribution, fearing they might lose out. After all, they had each obtained multiple items.

As for the treasures Shen Mo and Lu Ming had obtained, no one else paid them much mind. After all, their cultivation levels were the lowest, so the few items they had managed to intercept from among the many treasures were unlikely to be particularly valuable.

Shen Mo was quite content with this outcome. If it were a matter of value, he believed, either The Big Dipper Array or Control Sword, both of which were enveloped in green and purple spirit light, would be worth more than all ten of their treasures combined. Even the Elixir he obtained later, though of lesser value, was worth at least five ordinary treasures. In truth, he was the one who had gained the most from this venture.

Of course, Shen Mo had no intention of revealing this and maintained a facade of disappointment. It was best to make his fortune quietly.

With the precious treasures secured, the group didn't leave immediately. Instead, they retreated to the entrance gate of the immortal sect's ruins, each finding a quiet spot to rest and examine their haul.

Shen Mo retreated to a deserted area to the north before he dared to take out the two jade slips for inspection.

[The Big Dipper Array]

He first picked up the jade slip for The Big Dipper Array and probed it with his sense.

BUZZ!

As his sense permeated it, the jade slip immediately radiated a brilliant light. Then, the scene before Shen Mo's eyes transformed.

The setting sun was the color of blood, and living creatures suffered devastation. Towering figures, wreathed in the Demonic Qi of demon heads, looked down upon the endless creatures below, slaughtering them wantonly. They devoured human Flesh and Blood to strengthen themselves. The world was in turmoil; nine out of ten homes stood empty.

This scene sent a chill down Shen Mo's spine, his teeth chattering.

Could these be... the Heavenly Demons mentioned in the ancient records?