The First Immortal of Destiny

Zhao Lingyin was quite popular among the cultivators in the Alchemy Zone. Besides her exceptional talent in the Alchemy Path, her appearance and demeanor must have also played a significant part.

Shen Mo hadn't thought much of it when he caught a glimpse of her from afar outside the Ascending Pill Shop. However, seeing Zhao Lingyin up close now, Shen Mo discovered that not only was she stunningly beautiful, but she also possessed a refreshing and otherworldly charm.

She was like a delicate and elegant white orchid, unexpectedly blooming before his eyes; the more he looked, the more beautiful she seemed!

No wonder she's considered heaven's favored daughter; she's outstanding in every aspect, Shen Mo inwardly sighed. A hint of masculine amusement touched his thoughts. I wonder which lucky bastard will eventually win her favor? His ancestors must have accumulated immense merit for him to even catch her Dharma Eye.

Passing Zhao Lingyin, Shen Mo continued towards the trading area of the Alchemy Zone without stopping.

The Earth Yuan Pill bestowed by Peak Master Zhou Shili is quite satisfactory. It's among the best of Grade II Elixirs, with a very strong effect on consolidating blood and Qi. Even though my Dragon Body has already reached Perfection, the Three-Heads Six-Arms True Immortal Technique still relies on blood essence primality, so this kind of Elixir is of great benefit to me. What a pity that despite a long search last time, I couldn't find the elixir recipe for this pill. I hope I can get it today.

And also the Ethereal Void Pill, Qi Condensation Pill…

Shen Mo was pondering over various Grade II Elixirs.

The elixir recipes for Grade III Elixirs are not only expensive but also rare in the Alchemy Zone, even for those Grade III and above.

He had managed to buy the elixir recipe for the Exorcism Origin Pill previously, partly due to good luck, but Shen Mo had also put in considerable effort. If he encountered another such opportunity, he would naturally buy it.

Currently, Shen Mo could afford a Grade III elixir recipe worth two to three hundred Spirit Stones.

However, matching Zhao Lingyin's proficiency in refining hundreds of types of Elixirs would be a challenge for him.

Leaving aside the cost of spiritual medicinal materials for now, just considering Grade II elixir recipes, two hundred of them would require more than ten thousand Lower Grade Spirit Stones.

It wasn't as if he were truly fascinated by the Alchemy Path!

The Alchemy Path was merely a means for him to accumulate wealth and provide resources for his own cultivation. He needed to weigh multiple factors: the practicality and potency of various Elixirs, the cost of raw materials, and the difficulty in gaining experience from refining them. Choosing those with the highest cost-benefit ratio would suffice.

"Junior Brother, wait a moment."

While Shen Mo was deep in thought, the delicate figure suddenly appeared in front of him.

"Oh... Senior Sister Lingyin, can I help you with something?"

Shen Mo was somewhat surprised. Zhao Lingyin had clearly walked some distance away, yet now she had specifically turned back to call out to him. What is she up to? he wondered.

Surely she couldn't have gotten lost in the Alchemy Zone and be asking me for directions, right?

Zhao Lingyin's eyes, clear as water, rippled slightly. She seemed to be carefully examining Shen Mo. Her gaze grew progressively brighter, and her serene demeanor subtly shifted.

This gave Shen Mo a vague sense of unease.

"Are you Mo Shen?"

...

Shen Mo's facial expression didn't change much, but his heart was thrown into turmoil.

When he transformed using his disguise, the Three-Heads Six-Arms True Immortal Technique not only changed his appearance but also adjusted his soul's aura. Even Lou Feng, a Spirit Sea Realm expert, hadn't been able to perceive anything unusual.

Yet, Zhao Lingyin's cultivation was only at Layer VI of the Qi Gathering Realm. How did she see through me?

"Senior Sister Lingyin, you must be joking!" Shen Mo said, his tone flat. "To just randomly bump into someone on the road and ask if he's Alchemist Mo Shen… This sounds like a sign of a Heart Demon's intrusion. Senior Sister Lingyin, perhaps you should take a Demon Suppressing Pill to dispel this Heart Demon's karmic obstacle!"

Being told she might have a Heart Demon didn't annoy Zhao Lingyin. Looking seriously into Shen Mo's eyes, she spoke firmly, "When you passed by me, I smelled the scent of Elixirs."

"Cultivators frequenting the Alchemy Zone are either Alchemists or here to buy Elixirs. Isn't it normal for them to carry some scent of Elixirs?"

Zhao Lingyin shook her head, a unique light shining in her eyes. It was the look of conviction and pride in her own field of expertise.

"There are the scents of four types of Grade II Elixirs. They are the Sweet Rain Pill, Dragon Power Pill, Great Yuan Cultivation Pill, and Demon Suppressing Pill."

"Moreover, every one of these Elixirs is of exceptional quality!"

"And Mo Shen just recently refined these four Elixirs in the Alchemy Tower. I don't believe this is a coincidence."

"Therefore, Junior Brother, you are Mo Shen!"

Shen Mo's brow furrowed. He had changed his physique and appearance, altered the aura of his soul, and even changed his clothes and accessories. Yet, he hadn't considered the lingering scent of Elixirs on his person!

Who could have possibly guessed that Zhao Lingyin would be so incredibly sensitive to the scent of Elixirs! Not only could she distinguish the types, but she could even determine the quality of the Elixirs by their smell. Such astounding talent... one couldn't help but admire it!

Of course, no matter how reasonable her deductions were, Shen Mo wouldn't admit it. "Senior Sister, you truly have amazing skills, but I am indeed not Alchemist Mo Shen! I still need to return to my peak to attend an Elder's lecture, so please excuse me for not being able to stay longer."

"Junior Brother Mo... No, Mo Shen is just a pseudonym. Junior Brother!"

Zhao Lingyin had been searching painstakingly for so long. Now that she had found him, even though she still didn't know Shen Mo's real name, how could she possibly let him leave so easily? She immediately used a Lightness magic to block Shen Mo's path.

WHOOSH!

Shen Mo moved with lightning speed. His hand, like an iron vise, shot out and clamped around Zhao Lingyin's slender throat.

Although Zhao Lingyin was an Alchemist, she also possessed a Green Wood Spirit Body and had cultivation at the middle-stage of the Qi Gathering Realm; her strength was by no means weak. Yet, despite channeling all her Green Wood mana, she found herself unable to break free from his grip.

Just as she considered using a magic artifact or employing magic, she looked up and met Shen Mo's cold, hard gaze. It was a look that seemed to warn her: make one rash move, and he would snap her neck! Wisely, she abandoned the struggle.

"Zhao Lingyin!"

Gripping her, Shen Mo brought his face close to hers, his voice dangerously low, "Zhao Lingyin, let me tell you the truth. If I were really Alchemist Mo Shen, the first thing I would do is kill you!"

"Your dedication to the Alchemy Path is understandable!"

"But have you ever considered this? When Alchemist Mo Shen broke your alchemy record and became renowned throughout the Alchemy Zone, it was an immense honor!"

"If he had no concerns, why would he leave a false name on the Alchemy Tablet?"

"Offering a reward of twenty middle-grade Spirit Stones to pry into someone's background was already inappropriate!"

"And now, you've hired people to watch the Alchemy Tower day and night, attempting to uncover his true identity..."

"Actions like these could put him in an extremely perilous situation!"

"Have you ever stopped to think about any of this?"

Although Shen Mo's fierce expression and harsh tone were an act, his words genuinely reflected his long-held worries and frustrations.

Knowing Zhao Lingyin's personality, she wouldn't easily change her mind once she'd decided on something. Further denials would be useless.

As long as I firmly deny being Mo Shen, she won't be able to produce any concrete evidence. Besides, I can also use this opportunity to threaten and warn her from the perspective of "Mo Shen." That way, hopefully, she'll stop causing me so much trouble!

Zhao Lingyin had initially seemed composed. However, as Shen Mo continued his sharp questioning, her expression gradually changed. The initial delight and joy of having found "Mo Shen" slowly transformed into self-reproach.

Her bright eyes dimmed, and a layer of mist seemed to cloud them. She bit her lip lightly, looking very much like a little girl who knew she had done something wrong.