The First Immortal of Destiny

ROAR!

The moment the Evil-eating Centipede emerged from the Spirit Pet Bag, it stirred up a gust of foul, evil wind and charged towards the sky.

Connected by the Spirit Pet Contract, the Evil-eating Centipede’s roar echoed in Shen Mo’s mind: Master... Kill... It was filled with ferocity and ruthlessness!

Having dwelled in an Ancient Cultivator’s Tomb for many years, feeding on corpses, burial goods, and various filth, its gnosis had become extremely muddled. Even if its strength had continuously grown, the chance of it developing true intelligence was slim. It was even less intelligent than top-grade Demon Soul Generals like the Ghost Bride.

Shen Mo didn’t expect it to perform any delicate tasks. As long as it was strong enough to serve as a mount and assist him in killing enemies, that would suffice.

Just like now, he didn’t want to get entangled with Yan Dacheng, so he let this Spirit Pet act on his behalf!

”Ah, so it’s him! No wonder he’s not afraid of offending Yan Dacheng.”

As soon as the Evil-eating Centipede appeared, Shen Mo’s second identity was revealed.

Many of the Golden Core Realm cultivators present had witnessed the scene where he seriously injured and abducted the Taiyi Spirit Sword a few months ago, and the memory was still fresh in their minds.

”I only recently emerged from the ancient battlefield of immortals and demons. Who is this fellow Daoist you speak of?” another cultivator asked in confusion.

”The rogue cultivator Shen Qingyun from Wangxian Mountain, who had somehow offended the Taiyi Sword Alliance. Just three months after he left the ancient battlefield, he attracted the Taiyi Spirit Sword to traverse thousands of miles to strike him... This centipede demonic beast appeared once at that time, and it even bit the body of the Spirit Sword with its venomous fangs...”

”This Spirit Pet is one thing. No matter how ferocious, it’s merely at the peak of Class IV; it likely can’t injure Yan Dacheng. However, if this person is pushed to use the sword technique that severely wounded the Taiyi Sword, Yan Dacheng certainly wouldn’t be able to withstand it.”

”A fierce man who dares to snatch even the mountain-protecting magic treasure of a major immortal sect! It’s been several months, and the Sword Alliance still hasn’t made a move. Even if he injures or kills Yan Dacheng, the True Martial Hall probably couldn’t do anything to him unless... a Divine Bridge Realm Heavenly Monarch personally intervenes!”

”The Heavenly Monarch in the Daoist temple hasn’t appeared for many years, has he? Unless it’s a matter of the sect’s survival, he probably won’t concern himself with worldly affairs!”

”...”

Although Yan Dacheng was naturally domineering, given his status, there were naturally many people who knew him or wanted to curry his favor. Soon, information regarding ”Shen Qingyun” was relayed to him.

”HUMPH! What an arrogant fool! He’ll meet his doom sooner or later!” Yan Dacheng scolded, though a hint of hesitation flashed in his eyes.

At this moment, the Evil-eating Sky Centipede had broken through the damaged formation above Tianyin Valley and rushed before him.

Immediately, Yan Dacheng was shrouded in rusty energy, his fists furiously unleashing torrents of Thunder Fist Energy as he battled the Evil-eating Centipede and flew towards the Ninth Heaven!

BANG!

BOOM!

Sounds like muffled thunder, accompanied by the roars of the Evil-eating Centipede, continuously echoed from the sky.

Flashes of rusty light and foul, poisonous light erupted repeatedly, tearing the clouds to shreds!

Everyone in Tianyin Valley was a Golden Core Realm expert. The range of their five senses was extremely vast, allowing them to clearly observe every detail of the battle between Yan Dacheng and the Evil-eating Centipede.

The Evil-eating Centipede was incredibly ferocious. Its methods of attack were simple yet brutal: it would either ram with its massive demonic body or tear and bite with its venomous fangs and sharp claws. It relied on its incredibly tough carapace to withstand Yan Dacheng’s relentless barrage of attacks.

Previously, when Shen Mo sought to subdue this Centipede Demon, he had deployed the immensely destructive Big Dipper Sword Array. Even then, the array couldn’t breach its carapace, and he had to spend several days whittling down its defenses with the array’s power.

Although Yan Dacheng hailed from a major immortal sect and possessed peak Golden Core Realm strength, and the magic and martial arts he employed were formidable, he still couldn’t overcome the Evil-eating Centipede. He could only maintain a stalemate, albeit with a slight advantage!

After the two sides had battled fiercely for over a hundred breaths, Yan Dacheng abruptly threw several punches, sending the Evil-eating Centipede flying. He then transformed into a rainbow of rusty light and sped into the distance.

”I have urgent matters to attend to today, so I won’t accompany you further!”

”It’s merely a creature from the Outer Zone. Only a rogue cultivator would treat it as a treasure. I’ll leave it to you, then. Farewell...”

Before he left, he didn’t forget to offer a stubborn parting taunt to Shen Mo.

But who in Tianyin Valley wasn’t astute? Everyone could see that this Elder from the True Martial Hall had lost his nerve and didn’t want to escalate matters.

As his escaping light departed, those in Tianyin Valley who knew him yet disliked his style broke into derisive laughter.

”Elder Yan, from today onwards, you will probably have to change your name to Yan Small-Cheng...”

”This demonic centipede doesn’t seem very powerful. Fellow Daoist Yan, why don’t you fight it again? If you can slay it, wouldn’t you have materials for refining treasures?”

”Your True Martial Hall is nothing compared to the Taiyi Sword Alliance, but you *do* have a Heavenly Monarch presiding! Wouldn’t it be laughable if a fellow Daoist like you just scurried away like this?”

”...”

Those who dared to mock Yan Dacheng were mostly late-stage or peak Golden Core Realm cultivators, or at the very least, cultivators from immortal sects on par with the True Martial Hall.

Among them was one who had bought the remains of two ancient cultivators from Shen Mo. He was also a peak Golden Core Realm cultivator. His mocking words were so vitriolic that even Shen Mo found them somewhat grating to hear.

However, no matter how they taunted or egged him on, the escaping light Yan Dacheng had become showed no sign of stopping, disappearing over the horizon within a few breaths.

Although Yan Dacheng was accustomed to being domineering, he was far from a reckless brute. He knew who he could afford to offend and who he couldn’t.

These cultivators of the same realm were obviously just hoping for a bigger show...

Only after clashing with the Evil-eating Centipede did he realize how troublesome this demonic beast was.

Its carapace was indestructible, comparable to a spiritual-level magic treasure. Ordinary magic and martial arts couldn’t injure it in the slightest. Its fangs and claws were incredibly sharp and coated in potent venom; even a peak Golden Core Realm cultivator like himself wouldn’t dare be casually scratched or bitten!

If this stalemate dragged on, it would take at least ten days to half a month to determine a victor.

Besides, even if he used his trump card and managed to severely injure or even kill this demonic beast, what would be the point?

The demonic beast’s master, ’Shen Qingyun,’ was still waiting in Tianyin Valley. Judging by descriptions from the Outer Realm, this ’rogue cultivator from Wangxian Mountain’ was no pushover!

Yan Dacheng considered his own strength considerable, but he knew he had no confidence in blocking the assault of a top-grade Spirit Sword, let alone severely injuring and then abducting it... A simple comparison told him he was very likely no match for Shen Qingyun; there was no need to offend him deeply.

Otherwise, if he ended up killed or injured, he would be the one to suffer the loss!

If he were killed on the spot, everything would come to naught—that goes without saying. Even if he were merely severely injured, it would impact his future cultivation path.

Even if the other experts in the True Martial Hall, or even the Heavenly Monarch of his sect, were willing to avenge him, that would be a matter for the future. It wouldn’t hold much significance for him personally.

Therefore, after uttering those harsh words, he departed with utmost determination, not even glancing back once.

”...”

Seeing Yan Dacheng leaving so decisively, Shen Mo was also momentarily stunned!

”This Elder Yan must have realized your true strength after learning your background. He probably concluded he wasn’t your match, which is why he retreated so hastily,” Lady Scarlet said, covering her mouth with a light giggle. ”You’ve been living in seclusion these past few months, even having your attendant disciples handle the buying and selling of spiritual items. You probably don’t realize that the name ’Shen Qingyun of Wangxian Mountain’ has spread throughout the entire Caiyi Country!”