The First Immortal of Destiny

"You're saying you saw Foreign Realm Demons at the ruins of the Cloud Sword Sect?"

Yuan Qingshi, clad in a crimson robe, with Bright Vision, stared intently at Lu Ming and Shen Mo, earnestly asking the question.

"Sect Master, this matter is absolutely true..."

Lu Ming, his spirit still unsettled, alongside Shen Mo, relayed the matter in detail to the high-ranking figures of the Riverside Sect present.

Even though these figures usually held prominent positions and possessed the composure to remain unfazed even if Mount Tai collapsed before them, upon hearing this news, they were all invariably astounded.

"For the time being, this matter must not be disclosed to the entire sect, lest it incite panic among the disciples!"

In the intensely grave atmosphere, Yuan Qingshi finally spoke, "Supreme Elders, I intend to contact the Law Masters of the other four major sects to discuss countermeasures. I hope you will all accompany me."

"Naturally!"

These Supreme Elders might not manage the sect's daily affairs. However, the reappearance of the Foreign Realm Demons was no small matter; it would change the entire landscape and current state of the cultivation world in Red Flame Country. Naturally, they would accompany him.

"The three Peak Masters, when you return, check on the disciples within your peaks and compile a list."

"The times are about to change. This mortal realm is becoming turbulent, and we need disciples to venture out and track the Heavenly Demons."

After exiting the Longevity Hall, Shen Mo and Lu Ming walked down the path, both somewhat dejected.

"Lu Yao and the others... none of them escaped..." he murmured, a whirlwind of emotions in his heart.

When he had first fled back to the sect, Shen Mo, despite his suspicions, had clung to a sliver of hope. But now, aside from him and Lu Ming, none of the other senior martial brothers had returned. It was almost certain they had perished.

The Heavenly Demon had descended.

The peaceful environment he had always known seemed to have vanished. In the future, he might face the deaths of more sect members, perhaps even... those dear to him.

Lu Ming was in no better state than Shen Mo. Though mature and composed by nature, he had never experienced true bloodshed and carnage. His elder cousin, Lu Yao, had sacrificed himself to help him escape, by bravely engaging that Foreign Realm Demon, thus securing Lu Ming's survival. After returning to the sect, every time Lu Ming closed his eyes, the resolute image of his cousin's back would appear before him.

"If we both try to escape, neither of us will make it! I'll hold this demon head off; you run first!

"Lu Ming, you are the sole hope for the rise of our Lu Family!

"Live well, and bring glory to our Lu Family!"

Since parting ways after leaving the Longevity Hall, Shen Mo and Lu Ming had remained incredibly silent, not exchanging a single word. They both needed time to process everything that had happened.

For various reasons, the Sect Master had temporarily suppressed the news that the Demon Channel had reopened. Shen Mo and Lu Ming were both ordered to remain silent; they were forbidden from disclosing the deaths of Lu Yao and the others to anyone.

The Riverside Sect clearly needed to consult with the other Four Great Immortal Sects on how to respond. The specific outcomes of these discussions were beyond what someone of Shen Mo's standing could access. However, from the atmosphere within the sect, as well as certain unusual activities and pieces of news, he could still sense the feeling of an impending storm.

"Shen Mo, over the past couple of days, I've noticed a few core disciples leaving the sect, looking like they've been traveling hard." Cao Ren, sitting at the stone table in his cave mansion and sipping spiritual tea, said leisurely, "A rumor is circulating within the sect that these core disciples found a hidden treasure and have gone to seek it out together."

"Seek treasure?" Hearing Cao Ren's words, Shen Mo gave a bitter smile and shook his head.

He doesn't know the inside story, but I do.

The core disciples, all at the Spirit Sea Realm, were the pillars of the Riverside Sect. Their simultaneous departure from the sect was most likely an arrangement made after discussions between the Riverside Sect's upper echelons and the Four Great Immortal Sects. But was their departure a simple evacuation, or were they on a mission somewhere?

Shen Mo felt a vague sense of unease about the future.

"You usually have a lot of free time in the sect and love to gather news. Have you heard of any unusual developments outside recently?" Shen Mo asked, taking a sip of spiritual tea.

The spiritual tea left a slight bitterness as it went down his throat, which then gave way to a lingering, clear fragrance. Usually, when Shen Mo drank this spiritual tea, he would feel his spirits soothe, becoming as leisurely as Cao Ren. But today, he couldn't calm down no matter what.

"Unusual developments?" Cao Ren raised an eyebrow slightly and shook his head. "Haven't heard of any. Do you know something?" He could tell that Shen Mo was agitated, clearly troubled by something.

"It's nothing." He shook his head, not attempting to tell Cao Ren the secret about the Foreign Realm Demons.

Besides, the sect's higher-ups had already issued a gag order. Just telling Cao Ren this news would likely scare him half to death. And with his tendency to gossip, the entire Riverside Sect would know within half a day.

After seeing Cao Ren, who had come by for a visit, to the door, Shen Mo let out a long sigh and pushed those matters from his mind.

No matter how the situation in the cultivation world changes, personal strength is always the ultimate foundation and support.

The path ahead is obscure, the direction unclear, but strengthening myself—that can never be wrong! Across the boundless void, where mountains, rivers, and the very earth offer no firm footing, one can only rely on oneself.

He returned to his cave mansion, sat down on the jade bed, and then opened the Destiny Panel.

[By observing Lu Yao and other senior martial brothers battling the Python Dragon in the lake, you gained insights, deepening your understanding of combat.]

[While observing the battle, you unexpectedly received a fortuitous opportunity: Destiny Point +1.]

[By using the Soul Refining Flag to devour the Heavenly Demon and refine the Flag Soul, you gained a new understanding of cultivation, and your cultivation level has increased.]

[While wielding the Soul Refining Flag, you unexpectedly received a fortuitous opportunity: Destiny Point +1.]

[You consumed a Green Wood Qi Transformation Pill. The immense medicinal power was almost too much for you to bear, nearly causing your body to explode.]

[While refining the medicinal power, you unexpectedly received a fortuitous opportunity: Destiny Point +1.]

On the information panel, numerous messages from Shen Mo's recent journey appeared. He quickly scanned through them and found that his Destiny had increased by a full 20 points during this trip. Most of these points were gained during life-or-death encounters, such as when he was attacked by the Heavenly Demon while flying back to the sect on his sword.

Evidently, the closer one is to a life-or-death crisis, the more likely one is to trigger the Destiny Panel's random fortuitous opportunities.

Alright, let's allocate these points!

Holding these twenty Destiny Points, he casually added them to his Basic Destiny and cultivation Talent, just as he usually did.

[You consumed 10 Destiny Points attempting to elevate your Talent to a new level. Failure.]

[You consumed 10 Destiny Points attempting to elevate your Talent to a new level. Success.]

[Congratulations! Your Basic Destiny Talent has evolved from 'Highly Talented' to 'Genius'.]

When he saw the change in his Talent, he was stunned.

"It actually... worked?"

Ever since Shen Mo's Talent had reached the 'Highly Talented' level, he had tried to enhance it countless times, almost always ending in failure. He never expected that this casual, almost hopeless attempt would actually succeed!