The First Immortal of Destiny

A rich medicinal fragrance permeated the Alchemy Room in the cave mansion.

DANG!

DANG!

Shen Mo made a grasping motion in the air.

Over a dozen freshly concocted elixirs flew into a Special Jade Box.

Like large and small pearls dropping onto a jade plate, the elixirs clinked into the Special Jade Box, a clear and melodious sound that was pleasing to the ear and refreshing to the spirit.

"The quality of this batch of Qi Condensation Pills is quite good. Half of them have reached the Perfect level." Shen Mo held up the Special Jade Box, picked up an elixir, and examined it closely.

The Grade II Qi Condensation Pill was an elixir for refining the Mana within the body.

Even though Shen Mo possessed Purple Knack Spiritual Qi, long-term consumption of this pill could still improve its density to a certain degree.

For cultivators whose main cultivation method was of low grade and whose cultivation was superficial, the Qi Condensation Pill was undoubtedly a spiritual elixir that solidified their Mana.

Shen Mo hadn't possessed the recipe for this elixir long, so his proficiency hadn't increased much yet.

Shen Mo was quite satisfied with such a high perfection rate in a single batch.

His gaze fell on the Alchemy Path branch on the panel.

[Alchemy Path: Grade III (110/6000)]

...

[Qi Condensation Pill: Great (120/500)]

[Ethereal Void Pill: Great (85/500)]

[Bone Tempering Pill: Great (70/500)]

...

[Exorcism Origin Pill: Junior (150/1000)]

[Flesh Bone Pill: Novice (15/100)]

[Ganoderma Marrow Pill: Novice (25/100)]

[Madness Heart-devouring Pill: Novice (10/100)]

He had newly acquired recipes for five Grade II elixirs and three Grade III elixirs; among these, the Flesh Bone Pill and Ganoderma Marrow Pill recipes were both rewards from the Alchemy Tower!

As for the Madness Heart-devouring Pill recipe, Shen Mo had chanced upon it in the Alchemy Zone's trading area.

It was considered one of the more extreme types among Grade II elixirs.

In situations of depleted Mana and severe injuries, consuming a Madness Heart-devouring Pill could suppress the injuries and cause Mana to surge forth for a short period.

Their strength might even increase slightly, allowing a cultivator in a desperate plight to grasp a sliver of hope for survival!

Of course, the negative effects were also severe.

It would severely damage the cultivator's vitality, Dantian, and even their soul. Whether one could survive after the medicinal effects wore off was highly uncertain. Even if they were fortunate enough to survive, they would be plagued by excruciating pain and illness.

Therefore, even if one possessed the Madness Heart-devouring Pill, it would generally not be consumed unless it was a matter of life and death.

Thanks to these newly acquired elixir recipes, Shen Mo's attainments in the Alchemy Path had naturally advanced to Grade III as he practiced and increased his proficiency.

In the entire Riverside Sect, there were no more than ten Grade III Alchemists!

It could be said that in terms of the Alchemy Path alone, Shen Mo already stood among the top echelons of the sect.

However, advancing to Grade IV was still fraught with difficulties.

Unlike other Alchemists.

Other Alchemists were limited by their innate talent for the Alchemy Path, their breadth of knowledge, comprehension, and so on; every small step forward was extremely difficult for them.

Shen Mo had the Destiny Panel.

What restricted him were only high-grade elixir recipes and the consumption of spiritual medicines needed to increase proficiency.

As for alchemy resources, Shen Mo was not lacking for the time being.

However, Grade III and higher elixir recipes, much like many rare treasures, were not easily obtainable.

Breaking Alchemy records in the Alchemy Tower should earn me quite a few Grade III elixir recipes.

And Zhao Lingyin will offer elixir recipes as thanks.

She has broken many Alchemy Tower records, and her Master is a Grade IV Alchemist; they must possess numerous high-class elixir recipes.

If I can purchase some from her, I won't need to worry about elixir recipes for a while.

It's so troublesome not having a master!

I have to overcome so many difficulties on my own.

It's nothing like it is for Zhao Lingyin; she only needs to focus on refining her Alchemy Path skills, and her Master will prepare elixir recipes, spiritual medicines, and manuals for her.

It's not just the Alchemy Path; I'll face similar difficulties with the Talisman Path and the Forging Path in the future.

I should visit the Baodan Pavilion first. Shopkeeper Qian has probably been waiting for a long time.

Shen Mo placed all the elixirs he had prepared into his Universe Bag.

When he met Shopkeeper Qian this time, Shen Mo was still disguised in a black robe and a conical bamboo hat. However, beneath the disguise, he used the appearance of his alias, 'Mo Shen'.

He also presented himself to Shopkeeper Qian as Alchemist Mo Shen.

As for 'Mo Shen's disciple,' he had 'unfortunately perished' a month ago while hunting demonic beasts in the Linjiang Mountain Range.

Shopkeeper Qian was exceptionally enthusiastic about Alchemist Mo Shen visiting in person!

He served tea, offered lavish praise, and frequently lamented the 'pitiful fate' of 'Mo Shen's disciple,' nearly squeezing out a few tears.

But as soon as the discussion turned to the price of the elixirs, he immediately revealed his true merchant nature.

He insisted on the previous prices, resolutely refusing to mention any premium for the 'Mo Shen brand.'

Shen Mo was no pushover, however. After two Shichen of haggling, he finally secured a satisfactory price.

He then took out the elixirs of Perfect and Exceptional quality and completed the transaction with Shopkeeper Qian.

For the newly acquired elixir types, due to his current proficiency, many of the concocted pills were only of Good or lesser quality.

Shen Mo planned to set up his own stall to sell these. There was no need to tarnish his own reputation just to earn a few extra Spirit Stones in the short term.

After returning from the Jiyun Town Market, Shen Mo went directly to the Alchemy Zone.

The appointed day to meet Zhao Lingyin had arrived.

「Alchemy Zone, Cuizhu Elixir Room, Room A.」

Shen Mo, having reverted to his original appearance, was leisurely sipping fragrant spiritual tea.

His Flawless Dharma Eye was suspended above the elixir room, monitoring the Alchemists entering and exiting.

Not all Alchemists, like Shen Mo, possessed Nether Fire.

Some impoverished, newly-started Alchemists couldn't even afford a decent cauldron.

And they weren't disciples from the three Main Peaks!

Thus, to concoct elixirs, they had to rent elixir rooms in the Alchemy Zone.

Although the Cuizhu Elixir Room's environment was serene and elegant, crucial aspects like the cauldrons and pill-fire fuel were far inferior to those of other elixir parlors.

Consequently, its reputation among Alchemists wasn't very good.

Naturally, fewer people frequented it.

This made it convenient for Shen Mo's meeting with Zhao Lingyin.

Soon, through the vision of his Flawless Dharma Eye, Shen Mo saw Zhao Lingyin, cloaked in a long robe and veiled, entering the elixir room.

Her attire was very similar to his own when he went to the Jiyun Town Market.

Both had concealed their figures and faces, appearing quite furtive.

However, where such concealment might make others look shifty and rat-like, Zhao Lingyin's outstanding figure and temperament meant this disguise, on her, instead added an air of mystery.

More than once, Shen Mo saw Alchemists, whether entering or leaving, stop in their tracks, staring blankly as Zhao Lingyin walked into the elixir room.

If any of them recognized Zhao Lingyin's aura, she might have been exposed on the spot.

"Senior Sister Lingyin, why are you dressed like this?"

Seeing Zhao Lingyin push open the door and enter, Shen Mo greeted her with a smile.

Zhao Lingyin removed her veil, her gaze clear and earnest. "I was afraid of causing you trouble, Junior Brother."

"Oh."

Shen Mo nodded.

His impression of her improved somewhat.

A favored daughter of Heaven like her, who has had a smooth journey through life, is usually proud and arrogant.

For her to actually listen to someone else's advice is truly commendable.

Seeing the eagerness in her eyes, Shen Mo dispensed with unnecessary pleasantries.

He got straight to the point and began discussing insights into alchemy with her.

Zhao Lingyin truly lived up to her reputation as a prodigy of the Alchemy Zone; her understanding of the Alchemy Path was in no way inferior to Shen Mo's.

In fact, regarding the breadth of alchemical knowledge, such as systematic theory and inherited traditions, she far surpassed Shen Mo.

This was actually quite understandable.

She had been immersed in this path for years and had received personal instruction from a Grade IV Alchemist. It was hardly surprising that she surpassed Shen Mo, who was largely self-taught in this regard, in these aspects.