The First Immortal of Destiny-Chapter 461 Temporary Residence_1
As a formidable competitor at the Tianshan Grand Ceremony, Li Chen, the prodigy of the Ghost Corpse School, had been outstripped by Shen Mo by several levels.
However, with his exceptional talent and his Dark Spirit Body, his cultivation speed was not slow. He was now in the late-stage of the Qi Gathering Realm, not much different from Lu Ming of the Riverside Sect.
Seeing Shen Mo again, Li Chen was filled with immense emotion. Back then, we were both contenders at the Tianshan Grand Ceremony. Now, Shen Mo’s strength and status have greatly increased, making him a high-ranking member of the Riverside Sect. In contrast, I haven’t even opened my Spirit Sea yet!
However, compared to Xun Tian, who, along with Li Chen, was once hailed as one of the Ghost Corpse School’s "Twin Stars of the New Generation," Li Chen’s situation wasn’t too bad. Both of them were disciples of Yanshi Master of the Ghost Corpse School. With two such prodigies among his disciples, Yanshi Master’s own standing within the Ghost Corpse School had also risen significantly, albeit subtly.
Unfortunately, when the demonic tribulation at Tianshan first emerged, a group of Spirit Sea Realm cultivators present, along with subsequent reinforcements, stormed into the Heavenly Demon Realm to slay enemies. Tragically, eight Spirit Sea Realm experts among them, including Yanshi Master, perished in the Heavenly Demon Realm, their very corpses becoming blood-food for the demon heads.
As disciples of Yanshi Master, both Xun Tian and Li Chen lost their backing within the sect. Furthermore, their failure to achieve high rankings at the Tianshan Grand Ceremony had also contributed to a significant reduction in their stipends and status.
Especially Xun Tian; not only had he been defeated by Shen Mo early on, but this loss also led to an obsession that manifested as a heart demon, causing his cultivation to stagnate for a long period. Later on, this prodigy, who had once been famed alongside Li Chen as one of the "Twin Stars" of the Ghost Corpse School’s new generation, was unfortunately Demon-corrupted by a primal peak Class II Heavenly Demon while fighting against it. This happened due to a flaw in his Path Heart, and he ended up following in the footsteps of his deceased master, Yanshi Master.
The consecutive deaths of his respected master and fellow disciple dealt a heavy blow to Li Chen. Fortunately, he didn’t succumb to despair. Instead, he grew stronger with each setback. Relying on his Dark Spirit Body, he distinguished himself from the many elite Qi Gathering Realm disciples of the Ghost Corpse School and once again garnered the sect’s attention.
Now, Li Chen, as an Elite Disciple of the Ghost Corpse School, was also dispatched to this location to assist in the excavation of the Heavenly Monarch’s tomb. Upon Shen Mo’s arrival, several Elders of the Ghost Corpse School brought him and other disciples to pay a visit.
「 」
The Ghost Corpse School’s intention was not hard to guess. They were simply urging Shen Mo and the others to promptly mobilize their skilled disciples and cultivators to participate in the crucial task of breaching the core of the tomb. After all, over the years, the Ghost Corpse School had already overcome all the difficulties and obstacles they were capable of deciphering. As for what remained, their sect alone could no longer find disciples with the specific, exceptional expertise needed to break the deadlock.
They could only rely on the other major immortal sects, including the Riverside Sect and the other three of The Four Great Sects. If even The Four Great Sects, pouring all their efforts into it, still couldn’t completely dismantle the core of the Heavenly Monarch’s tomb, then, inevitably, they would have to send out a general call for heroes—a ’hero’s invitation’—to all powers and rogue cultivators in the Red Flame Country, inviting their uniquely skilled individuals to try their hand.
It could only be said that a Divine Bridge Realm Heavenly Monarch, with a lifespan of three thousand years, possessed profound accomplishments in various aspects. With a long lifespan and extensive experience, even if one wasn’t particularly adept in certain areas, over time and by drawing insights from other accomplishments, they could still reach a level that ordinary people would find difficult to attain.
Take the Supreme Elders of the Riverside Sect, for example. Regardless of their specific proficiencies, even in areas where their natural talent was lacking, by investing enough time and energy, they could still achieve considerable success!
According to Shen Mo’s knowledge, while the four Supreme Elders of the Riverside Sect could not reach the level of Zhao Lingyin’s master, Wu Gong, on the Alchemy Path—failing to enter Grade IV—each of them was at least a Grade II or even Grade III Alchemist. They were also fairly accomplished in other areas such as the Talisman Path, Forging, and the Array Path. Even if their talents limited them from reaching top-tier standards in the cultivation world, they could always secure a place in the second or third tier.
This phenomenon was even more pronounced for individuals at the Divine Bridge Realm Heavenly Monarch level. Such beings were already exceptionally intelligent and stunningly talented; with the accumulation of time, innate talent often ceased to be the primary factor limiting their achievements.
Indeed, the anonymous Heavenly Monarch buried in the Southern Poison Zone was a person of great erudition. Otherwise, the Ghost Corpse School wouldn’t have spent two hundred years trying—and failing—to fully unravel the numerous complex challenges and tests he had set up during his lifetime! 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢
Despite the urging from the powerful members of the Ghost Corpse School, Shen Mo maintained a calm and unhurried demeanor. Currently, Sect Master Yuan Qingshi, along with the Law Masters and Supreme Elders from the other three major immortal sects, were negotiating with the Ghost Corpse School. They were vying for the rights to control the Heavenly Monarch’s Ghoul and the associated cave paradise. Until an agreement was reached, neither Shen Mo nor the personnel dispatched by the other three sects would take any action.
Hence, after a banquet with several Ghost Corpse School Elders, Shen Mo casually found an excuse and sent them away.
「 」
"Brother Shen, Sister Lingyin has left the protective perimeter of the camp’s big array and gone out to collect poisonous herbs and flowers," Clam Girl Ming Yu said as she entered the pavilion where Shen Mo resided.
Since Zhao Lingyin had not yet opened her Spirit Sea, Shen Mo naturally had to take extra care of her, specifically arranging for her to lodge with Ming Yu. With this middle-stage Class III big demon looking after her, even if an expectant Class IV demon head were to attack this place, Ming Yu’s The Smallest Space would still be able to protect Zhao Lingyin completely!
Shen Mo had been well aware of Zhao Lingyin’s departure from the protection of the big array, thanks to his five senses and divine sense. However, he had been busy feasting with the Ghost Corpse School Elders at the time and couldn’t accompany her. Fortunately, this area was remote, devoid of demonic shadows, and lacked even powerful demonic beasts. One only needed to be cautious of the poisonous miasma, Demonic Qi, malevolent bewitched insects, and venomous bugs to avoid fatal threats.
Moreover, Zhao Lingyin carried quite a few High-grade Elixirs, including a Grade V poison-repelling Elixir, so she wouldn’t die from poisoning. Thus, Ming Yu had merely come to inform Shen Mo and wasn’t overly worried.
"Mm, I’m aware. Ming Yu, you may do as you please. I’ll go out and see."
Saying this, Shen Mo rose and left the pavilion. Sweeping his divine sense, he located Zhao Lingyin and then stepped out of the poison-resisting big array, flying to land beside her.
"What made you think of coming out to gather highly toxic flora? Are you planning to concoct a poison pill?"
Zhao Lingyin was about to pick a purple-red poisonous flower. As her magic artifact made the cut, shimmering oily pollen suddenly dispersed. She immediately billowed her sleeves, blowing the highly toxic pollen away.
After placing the petals of the purple-red poisonous flower into a specially prepared wooden box, Zhao Lingyin turned her head and smiled brightly, "I was just idle with nothing to do, anyway!
"I saw that this place has an abundance of strange flowers and exotic plants, so I thought I’d come out for a stroll...
"And while I’m at it, I can gather some flowers, herbs, and berries suitable for alchemy. Spiritual medicines personally prepared always have better efficacy than those bought from the market.
"Aren’t you supposed to be entertaining the Ghost Corpse School Elders? Go on with your business; you don’t need to worry too much about me."
Shen Mo executed a Palm technique, conjuring an Earth Bat phantom to bolster her. Then he took her hand, and they leisurely strolled through the colorful poisonous miasma. "Ever since the demonic scourge began, you’ve been engrossed in alchemy, and I’ve also had numerous affairs to manage.
"It’s rare for us to have a chance to go out together like this... Though this place isn’t a renowned scenic spot, it possesses its own unique and peculiar beauty. I’ll walk with you for a while; it won’t hinder your collection of spiritual medicines."
