The First Immortal of Destiny

Chapter 494: Chapter 494: Cultivation in the Subsidiary Courtyard_1

Due to the Soaring Serpent Bizarre Dragon’s immense size and terrifying aura, Shen Mo’s five senses could hardly perceive its entirety. Initially, he hadn’t even detected the Double-winged Flying Serpents concealed deep within the shadows of its scales. How, then, could he know the number and strength of these parasitic creatures? Now, thanks to the reconnaissance by his Gecko False Body, Shen Mo had a general understanding of the formidable obstacles awaiting him in the Mountain River Valley.

First, there was the incredibly terrifying life-force radiation emanating from the Soaring Serpent Bizarre Dragon. With the aid of the Reverse Dragon Curse, this particular challenge shouldn’t be insurmountable. Shen Mo merely needed to cultivate this technique to a higher level to withstand the alienating force.

Second were the Double-winged Flying Serpents—creatures mutated from other life forms due to the Soaring Serpent’s radiation. A brief probe had already drawn out a powerful, late-stage Class IV mutated creature. Shen Mo currently had no way of knowing if Class V or even stronger entities existed there. To address this, he would require a profound cultivation level—at the very least, he needed to form a Golden Core before he could attempt it again. Otherwise, with his current combat strength, merely half a step from the Golden Core Realm, he would be torn to shreds by the inherently gluttonous and savage Double-winged Flying Serpents when passing the colossal beast, even if he managed to withstand its life-force radiation.

The Flying Serpent, which the Gecko False Body had transformed into, gradually vanished into the depths of the shadows as it fought and tore at other powerful mutated creatures.

Cao Ren, watching from the side, was rather horrified.

He felt a surge of relief that he hadn’t presumptuously volunteered for the probing mission back then. Otherwise, his fate would likely be tragic. He would either be unable to withstand the Soaring Serpent’s terrifying radiation and mutation—his Dao Body and soul invaded and twisted until he degenerated into a parasite feeding on its shed skin and rotten scales—or, before even mutating, he would be torn to shreds by a swarm of Class IV mutated creatures! Neither outcome was much better than being captured by the Dragon Rearing Pool and ending up as a delicacy for some celestial being.

Cao Ren looked at Shen Mo, who wore a contemplative expression, unsure of what to say. Although he, too, worried about his father Cao Shanyue’s safety, he was unwilling to risk life and limb—potentially even his cultivation—to enter the Mountain River Realm merely to contact him. Besides, the Mountain River Dungeon was vast and resource-rich, more than enough to support a hundred thousand disciples. Never seeing his father again in this lifetime... well, it wasn’t entirely unacceptable. However, Cao Ren also knew that Shen Mo’s union ceremony with Zhao Lingyin was fast approaching. Given what had transpired, it was unlikely Shen Mo would simply let the matter rest.

”Let’s go,” Shen Mo said, suddenly turning around. His tone was calm.

”So, afterwards...” Cao Ren glanced towards the Soaring Serpent’s location, hesitating, wondering if he should try to dissuade Shen Mo.

After a period of recuperation, Shen Mo had recovered much of his strength. He immediately summoned his escaping light and flew towards the sect’s subsidiary courtyard.

”I’ve now found a method to enter the Mountain River Valley.”

”However, at present, neither my mastery of the Reverse Dragon Curse technique nor my own cultivation level is sufficient for me to cross this heavenly chasm.”

”After returning, I must redouble my efforts and raise my Cultivation Realm as quickly as possible.”

Cao Ren had only recently opened his Spirit Sea and wasn’t yet proficient in Escape Skills, making his flight speed rather slow. To accommodate him, Shen Mo intentionally reduced his pace and conversed with him via Divine Sense.

Once they successfully entered the Mountain River Realm, handling subsequent matters would become much simpler. There would be no need for all Sect Disciples of the Riverside Sect to cultivate the Reverse Dragon Curse. Besides, without the Destiny Panel, they wouldn’t be able to cultivate this magic to a level sufficient to counteract the mutations caused by the Soaring Serpent’s radiation. As long as Clam Girl Ming Yu was also within the Mountain River Valley, he could use her Skill, The Smallest and The Largest, to bring everyone else out!

Seeing that Shen Mo hadn’t lost heart, Cao Ren gave a sheepish smile, feeling he had overthought things. Simultaneously, inspired by Shen Mo’s determination, Cao Ren silently resolved to fully utilize the ’soul enters the Dark Blue Zone’ characteristic of the [Transforming Dragon Curse], along with the opportunities his Master had left him. He needed to elevate his Cultivation Realm to a higher level to face the looming crisis of the Dragon Rearing Pool!

After an eventful journey, the two finally returned safely to the subsidiary courtyard.

After parting ways with Cao Ren, Shen Mo resumed his usual cultivation routine: Alchemy, talisman making, Forging, studying the Array Path; meditating and consuming Elixirs to expand his Spirit Sea and bolster his Mana and True Yuan; and enhancing his proficiency in various cultivation methods through [Martial Performance].

However, having lost access to channels like the Alchemy Zone, Talisman Hall, Forge Hall, and the shops in Jiyun Town, Shen Mo now had to personally manage many tasks. Purchasing spiritual materials and selling finished Elixirs, talismans, and artifacts all demanded a portion of his time and energy.

After careful deliberation, Shen Mo decided to reveal some of his proficiency in these secondary professions. Given his Cultivation Realm, soul strength, and the exceptional Talent he had consistently demonstrated, possessing Grade II proficiency in crafts like alchemy, talisman making, and artifact forging wouldn’t attract undue attention. Moreover, his primary profits came from Grade III Elixirs and talismans, as well as mid to high-grade profound level magic artifacts. Selling even higher-level Elixirs, talismans, and magic treasures wasn’t actually very cost-effective. Revealing a Grade II proficiency level was entirely sufficient.

As Shen Mo had anticipated, when he ”casually” mentioned this to the disciples in the subsidiary courtyard, it didn’t cause much of a stir. Even Patriarch Zhou Zhiwei reacted as if it were only to be expected. Consequently, Shen Mo, emulating other Alchemists, Talisman Makers, and Forgemasters in the subsidiary courtyard, gathered a group of inner disciples to run errands for him.

Due to this drastic turn of events, the Riverside Sect’s main mountain gate, along with its treasury and resources, were all trapped within the Mountain River Realm. Maintaining the subsidiary courtyard’s operations was already a struggle for Patriarch Zhou. He simply couldn’t allocate more Spirit Stones or resources to pay the monthly stipends for the Spirit Sea Realm Elders and Qi Gathering Realm inner disciples assembled there. Therefore, all disciples had to find their own ways to earn resources for their cultivation. Disciples proficient in the Hundred Arts of Cultivation consequently became increasingly sought after.

Among those running errands for Shen Mo were Elite Disciples from the former Green Cloud Peak and Stars Peak. One of them was an old acquaintance of Shen Mo’s, Yao Ting, who had once saved Zhao Lingyin’s life. However, this Senior Sister Yao had been stuck at the peak of the Qi Gathering Realm for a considerable time. When the Soaring Serpent Bizarre Dragon descended, she happened to be journeying through other states, seeking an opportunity to open her Spirit Sea, and had thus narrowly escaped the calamity. Yet, her cultivation remained stalled, unable to break through that final barrier. Now that the entire Red Flame Zone had become exceedingly dangerous, Yao Ting could no longer venture out for experiential training as she once had. Currently, she planned to earn more Spirit Stones to purchase Grade IV Elixirs, hoping to forcibly break through to the next realm.

Due to their past connection, Shen Mo entrusted her with all the procurement of spiritual medicine materials and the sale of finished Elixirs, compensating her with a set percentage. Additionally, several other inner disciples were also earning their keep under Shen Mo.

This way, Shen Mo could focus solely on refining Elixirs, crafting talismans, and the like, without needing to personally handle the purchase of spiritual materials or the sale of finished products. While his income was significantly reduced compared to before, it was sufficient to sustain his daily cultivation. However, if he wished to accumulate more Spirit Stones for deducing new magic and cultivation methods, he would still need to find a way to make a windfall.