The First Immortal of Destiny

Chapter 28: Chapter 28 A Settled Dust_1

The moment the Double-headed Silver Ring Python opened its eyes, Shen Mo felt as if he had plummeted into an icy abyss!

Not good! Get back quickly!

He burst forth, pushing Thunderclap Rapid Step to its absolute limit. His illusory figure retreated like a bolt of lightning.

But it was too late.

The Demon Snake, feigning death to lure him closer, had been accumulating power for a lethal blow! How could it possibly let him escape beyond a hundred feet?

BANG!

It opened its vast maw, all its demonic power surging forth, coalescing into one final Water Wave Bullet that blasted towards Shen Mo.

”The Boulder Talisman!”

Facing the dying counterattack of a demonic beast nearing Class II, Shen Mo’s heart went cold, and he immediately activated his life-saving talisman.

SNAP!

The talisman burned out, and a mountainous shadow rose to guard Shen Mo.

But this time, the talisman couldn’t completely deflect the force of the Water Wave Bullet. Cracks spread like a spider’s web across the shadow, and under the heavy impact of the bullet, it eventually shattered.

PU!

As if struck by lightning, Shen Mo coughed up a mouthful of fresh blood, his aura weakening considerably. The Water Wave Bullet from moments before had been powerful. Although the Boulder Talisman had blocked most of its force, the remaining impact was not something a cultivator at Layer VIII of the Body Tempering Realm, like Shen Mo, could easily withstand.

Thank goodness... I’m wearing this inner armor.

Touching the Heart Protector inner armor on his chest, he felt a wave of relief. This inner armor was already damaged; after this strike, its condition worsened significantly. However, it had absorbed a significant amount of damage for him. Otherwise, that strike wouldn’t have just made him cough up blood; it could have been far worse.

I’m not dead... now it’s your turn!

Suppressing his agony, he glared coldly at the Double-headed Silver-pattern Python and slowly lifted his palm. Once again, two Li Fire Talismans ignited in his palm.

...

That damned beast is finally dead.

Shen Mo had used up all seven remaining Li Fire Talismans. The process took about the time an incense stick takes to burn. This time, the Double-headed Silver-pattern Python was truly, completely devoid of life.

RUSTLE.

He took out the Qingfeng Sword and cut into each of the python’s heads. From the pulpy brain matter, Shen Mo reached in and pulled out two round, translucent, pale blue crystals.

Indeed, there are Demon Cores.

Looking at the two Demon Cores in his hand, Shen Mo’s face lit up with excitement.

Demon Cores were unique to demonic beasts, serving as the wellspring of their power. Usually, only demonic beasts of Class II or above could form one. This Double-headed Silver-pattern Python’s power was on the borderline between Class I and Class II. Shen Mo hadn’t known if it had formed a Demon Core; he was merely testing his luck. It seemed this Double-headed Silver-pattern Python was closer to the Class II level than Shen Mo had imagined.

These two Demon Cores can be sold for at least ten Spirit Stones.

And... the Snake Gallbladder!

Cutting open the python’s belly, he retrieved a gallbladder and stored it in his Universe Bag as well. The gallbladders of snake-type demonic beasts are excellent materials for alchemy, their value no less than that of Demon Cores.

After stripping the Double-headed Silver-pattern Python of all its valuables, he refocused his attention on the Purple Sun Red Fruit.

That was the biggest gain of this journey!

Finally got it!

He snapped off the branch bearing the Purple Sun Red Fruit and transplanted it into the pot of spiritual soil.

”Whew~”

The moment the unripe Purple Sun Red Fruit was plucked, its Spiritual Qi began to rapidly dissipate. Fortunately, transplanting it onto the spiritual soil halted this loss.

Successful.

Seeing that the Purple Sun Red Fruit didn’t immediately wilt despite being plucked unripe, he breathed a sigh of relief. After carefully placing the pot with the transplanted spiritual soil into his Universe Bag, Shen Mo finally had the presence of mind to deal with his disheveled state.

He found a well among the fruit trees in the vast Spirit Field and prepared to draw some water.

SPLASH! SPLASH! SPLASH!

He began to wash himself thoroughly. The fierce battle had left his once immaculate white robes stained with blood, sweat, and the brain matter of the Double-headed Silver Ring Python, thoroughly mired in filth. He reeked of a foul, bloody stench. He had not yet reached the Qi Gathering stage and couldn’t use nature’s spiritual energy to condense water vapor for cleansing, so he had to use well water.

After a thorough rinse, he felt much better.

Next, let’s kill all those little Snake Demons.

With the Double-headed Silver-pattern Python dealt with, the remaining low-class demon snakes were naturally easy prey. It only took Shen Mo an hour to find and exterminate all the demon snakes lurking in the dark corners of the Spirit Field, too afraid to come out.

My movement speed... it feels much lighter!

While hunting the demon snakes, Shen Mo suddenly had a realization.

Could it be that Thunderclap Rapid Step has broken through?

With this thought, he looked at the information panel, scanning the messages for confirmation.

[You have successfully activated a Li Fire Talisman, drastically reducing your body’s Mana.]

[You have successfully activated another Li Fire Talisman, depleting your Mana.]

[You consumed seven Qi Restoring Pills. The medicinal power rapidly refilled your depleted Mana, restoring it to fullness.]

...

[In the heat of battle, you unexpectedly activated a special effect, earning 1 Destiny Point.]

[Facing the Double-headed Silver Ring Python’s lethal blow, you were greatly alarmed. By frantically activating Thunderclap Rapid Step, you unexpectedly comprehended the knack of the Swift Thunder’s Momentum, gaining +132 experience for Thunderclap Rapid Step.]

[Your Rushing Thunder, through diligent practice, has successfully advanced to the Senior stage, greatly enhancing its effectiveness.]

After carefully reviewing the messages, Shen Mo was overjoyed when he saw the last two.

During that fierce battle, I didn’t even notice that Rushing Thunder had advanced another level!

Recently, Shen Mo had been diligently practicing his cultivation method, martial arts, and magic. Both his Heavenly Yuan Magic and Shangqing Swordplay had progressed significantly, but Thunderclap Rapid Step alone had remained at the initial stage. He had originally thought it would take at least a few more months of practice to advance this movement technique to the next level. Unexpectedly, the life-and-death struggle had instead provided him with an opportunity for rapid improvement.

Rushing Thunder, having reached the Senior stage, seems to have made my body feel much lighter.

If I activate it with all my strength, my speed is at least thirty percent faster than before the breakthrough. However, it’s still a far cry from the ’body like rushing thunder, swift as a phantom’ described in the Manuals.

After some experimentation, Shen Mo roughly gauged the effects of the breakthrough and couldn’t help but feel elated.

...

「Zhao Family, outside the Spirit Field Valley.」

When Zhao Bing and his group saw Shen Mo strolling out, they eagerly asked about the situation.

”The big demon has been slain, and I’ve also eliminated all the low-class demon snakes,” Shen Mo announced to the Zhao Family members present. ”From this day forward, your Zhao Family can freely enter and cultivate your Spirit Field. You no longer need to worry about attacks from demonic beasts.”

Instantly, cheers erupted; the Zhao Family members were ecstatic.

”Immortal Master, your great kindness and virtue... our Zhao Family can truly never repay you!” Zhao Bing took a deep breath and bowed deeply. ”In the future, our Zhao Family shall erect a Longevity Tablet in your honor, Immortal Master, to commemorate your benevolence.”