The First Immortal of Destiny

Just after leaving the Market of Jiyun Town, Shen Mo noticed more than a dozen figures trailing him. They were of varying strengths, ranging from the early to late stages of the Qi Gathering Realm. This surprised him somewhat. The first to come after him was surprisingly not Lou Feng, the Spirit Sea Realm expert.

"The top-grade Demon Slaying Sword and the Gold-Thunder Demon Pearl, combined, are worth ten thousand low-grade Spirit Stones!"

"Many cultivators in the Qi Gathering Realm might not accumulate such wealth even after toiling for more than ten years."

"And I am only at Layer III of the Qi Gathering Realm; no wonder so many people are enticed."

"In their eyes, I must seem like a three-year-old child carrying gold through a bustling market—foolish and conspicuous!"

"Ha! Since they've delivered themselves to my doorstep, they can't blame me for using them to recoup some losses..."

Just as Shen Mo was about to deploy the Soul Refining Flag, he swiftly retracted it.

In the field of view of his Flawless Dharma Eye, Lou Feng, the Spirit Sea Realm expert, was flying through the air, rushing towards him at high speed.

"Consider yourselves lucky!" Shen Mo snorted coldly.

Turning into a hidden forest path, his body and appearance quickly reverted to their original state. He also changed into the standard robe of an inner disciple of the Riverside Sect.

Then, he summoned a low-grade Flying Sword.

He flew back to the sect on his sword.

Having suddenly lost the scent of their "fat sheep," the group of more than ten malicious Qi Gathering Realm cultivators quickly fell into disarray. Some broke off from the group and departed on their own. Others, unwilling to give up, accosted a passing cultivator to interrogate them. Still, others set their sights on Shen Mo, who had reverted to his identity as a Riverside Sect disciple, intending to fly up, intercept him, and question him thoroughly.

However, even when riding a low-grade Flying Sword, Shen Mo's sword-riding speed far exceeded that of ordinary people. In an instant, he left the group far behind, shrinking to a tiny dot before disappearing into the misty mountains and white clouds.

Apart from this group of Qi Gathering Realm cultivators, Lou Feng, with his powerful spiritual sense, also failed to recognize Shen Mo as the brawny-faced bidder. He could only curse his bad luck and begrudgingly return to the Market to continue searching for other Gold-type spiritual materials.

Upon returning to the sect, Shen Mo once again sealed his cave mansion.

There was still much to do! Refining the profound level high-grade Demon Slaying Sword. Smelting the Gold-Thunder Demon Pearls into a Big Dipper Sword Embryo, allowing it to transform and upgrade into the Tianshu Sword. Continuing to cultivate, improving the proficiency of various magic arts and combat techniques. The stagnant Divine Soul Contemplation Scripture also needed to be mastered. He also had to concoct a batch of elixirs of perfect quality or higher to send to Shopkeeper Qian under the name of Mo Shen. Additionally, he needed to replenish all the elixirs and talismans he had consumed.

「...」

Time passed relentlessly, day and night.

The arduous days of cultivation might seem dull and monotonous to others, but for Shen Mo, they held a joy that outsiders couldn't comprehend.

The Demon Slaying Sword had been refined. Another Big Dipper Sword Embryo had successfully transformed into a profound level middle-grade Dao Sword. Due to the abundance of Gold-Thunder Demon Pearls, the aura of the Tianshu Sword was stronger than the Celestial Machine Sword; with two more Gold-Thunder Demon Pearls, it could be upgraded to profound level high-grade.

All the consumed elixirs and talismans had been replenished. However, there was still no progress with the Divine Soul Contemplation Scripture, which left Shen Mo somewhat dejected. He even briefly considered switching to a different Soul Magic art. Fortunately, his unyielding cultivation had yielded some insights. Perhaps soon, he would be able to successfully visualize the "Fierce Sun" Soul Phase.

Furthermore, with an ample supply of Spirit Stones, the Destiny [Martial Performance] operated continuously. On the panel, the cultivation methods he focused on were all improving rapidly. As the Purple Mansion Heart Scripture and the Three-Heads Six-Arms True Immortal Technique grew increasingly profound, Shen Mo's cultivation at Layer III of the Qi Gathering Realm stabilized, and his vitality grew stronger each day. His progress in the three secondary professions had not lagged either.

[Destinied Lord: Shen Mo]

[Cultivation: Qi Gathering Realm, Layer III]

[Talisman Path: Grade II (2320/3000)]

[Alchemy Path: Grade II (2905/3000)]

[Forging: Grade II (1470/3000)]

Compared to the Talisman Path and Alchemy Path, Shen Mo's Forging Path could not improve significantly in the short term, unless he was willing to expend considerable effort and time to create an alias as a Forgemaster, repairing and refining magic artifacts for others. Currently, Shen Mo was not considering this approach.

As for refining standard magic artifacts, not only was it time-consuming and laborious, but it also hardly earned many Spirit Stones. The improvement to the Forging Path was also very limited. The experience and insights gained from repeatedly refining the same type of magic artifact were too meager.

Even his most proficient secondary profession, the Alchemy Path, faced the awkward predicament of slow progression. There was no other reason: he had maxed out his proficiency with all Grade II Elixirs.

[Minor Yuan Cultivation Pill: Elite (MAX)]

[Qi Gathering Pill: Elite (MAX)]

...

[Qi Coalescing Pill: Elite (MAX)]

[Soul Nurturing Pill: Elite (MAX)]

[Demon Suppressing Pill: Elite (MAX)]

[Great Yuan Cultivation Pill: Elite (MAX)]

[Dragon Power Pill: Elite (MAX)]

[Sweet Rain Pill: Elite (MAX)]

[Exorcism Origin Pill: Great (90/500)]

Apart from the Grade III Exorcism Origin Pill, the Alchemy Path experience provided by refining other elixirs had become negligible.

"I should head to the Alchemy Tower soon and fleece some benefits from the Alchemists Alliance."

"There are refining records for four types of Elixirs I can improve."

"If a Class III elixir recipe is rewarded then, it would also save me a considerable sum of Spirit Stones."

With these thoughts, Shen Mo stretched his limbs and rose, heading out of his cave mansion.

Following a familiar path, he arrived at the Alchemy Zone. He found an uninhabited spot and activated the Three-Heads Six-Arms True Immortal Technique to alter his appearance. His build became leaner than his original form, and his facial features were also changed.

Due to his cultivation base, the two external magic arts he practiced, and the influence of his Basic Destiny, Shen Mo outwardly appeared to be in his early twenties, younger than his actual age. Now, by using magic to adjust his facial bones, flesh and blood, and skin, he made himself look slightly older. However, not excessively so.

After all, the Alchemy Tower was designed to nurture alchemical geniuses. The Alchemy Tablet recorded the achievements of Alchemists under the age of thirty. Transforming into the guise of a fifty or sixty-year-old Alchemist would likely attract unwanted attention and suspicion upon approaching the Alchemy Tower. Looking under thirty is just right!

His Spirit Pet Bag, Universe Bag, Identity Jade Pendant, and other such items were all carefully concealed. He donned a plain white Alchemist's robe. In an instant, an unfamiliar Alchemist, appearing to be nearly thirty, stood where he had been.

"Not bad at all. From now on, this will be the appearance for my alias, Mo Shen."

Shen Mo glanced around and, seeing few people nearby, made his way towards the Alchemy Tower.

"Senior Brother, are you here to break the Alchemy Tablet record?"

Before Shen Mo could even enter the Alchemy Tower, a portly disciple, newly entered into the Qi Gathering Realm, hurried over and greeted him cheerfully.

"What are you doing, Junior Brother? I've never heard of welcoming cultivators stationed outside the Alchemy Tower!" Shen Mo hadn't intended to engage with him. However, just before entering the Alchemy Tower, he caught a glimpse of the portly cultivator taking out a jade slip and jotting something down.

Thus, he changed his mind, turned, and inquired.

The portly cultivator hastily tucked the jade slip back into his robes and chuckled sheepishly, "I'm just trying to earn a few Spirit Stones to help fund my alchemy practice."

"Oh?" Shen Mo grew more curious.

His gaze towards the portly cultivator was clearly questioning.