The First Immortal of Destiny

[Destinied Lord: Shen Mo]

[Realm: Late-stage Divine Bridge Realm]

[Alchemy Path: Grade V (11095/12000)]

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[Qi Restoring Pill: Elite (MAX)]

[Yang-strengthening Powder: Elite (MAX)]

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[Dragon Tiger Formless Pill: Elite (MAX)]

[Flesh Bone Pill: Elite (MAX)]

[Dreamy Birth Pill: Elite (MAX)]

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[Unnamed Elixir One: Unskilled (5/100)]

[Unnamed Elixir Two: Unskilled (5/100)]

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[Enlightenment Pill: Unskilled (20/100)]

[Seven Emperors Marrow Pill: Elite (MAX)]

[Exorcism Pill: Elite (MAX)]

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[Five Qi Gathering Pill: Unskilled (5/100)]

"With further study on two Grade VI elixir recipes and by refining dozens of newly crafted elixirs, my expertise in the Alchemy Path could likely ascend to Grade VI!" Shen Mo fiddled with the Five Qi Gathering Pill, repeatedly utilizing [Dharma Eye Candle Wisp] to inspect its quality attributes, and couldn’t help but sigh emotionally.

Evaluating an alchemist’s grade depends on their ability to successfully craft higher-grade elixirs, regardless of yield and quality!

Many years ago, Shen Mo had already entered the ranks of Grade V alchemists. The quantity and quality of Grade VI elixirs he crafted far surpassed his peers, but he had not yet truly entered Grade VI; not due to negligence or lack of dedication to the Alchemy Path, but being limited by the overall alchemical expertise of the Red Flame Sect and the impossibility of accessing more advanced recipes.

Now, with Guan Ling’s compensatory "Summary of Enlightenment Pill Recipe" and nearly endless materials from the Immortal Realm, there are no more barriers on the path to becoming a Grade VII alchemist!

In Shen Mo’s mind, the value of this jade slip is equal or even superior to a lower-grade celestial artifact.

With higher-level alchemical expertise, he could refine higher-grade spirit elixirs, thereby greatly enhancing his cultivation efficiency.

Moreover, the entire sect would also benefit...

No longer needing to sell roughly processed alchemical materials, they could be crafted into high-class spirit elixirs for sale, earning more benefits which would, in turn, continue to enhance the sect’s overall alchemical expertise;

Sect disciples could acquire high-class spirit elixirs from the sect at cheaper prices to enhance their strength, further expanding the sect’s influence!

As the sect prospers further and more resources are acquired externally, the manpower and material resources at Shen Mo’s disposal become increasingly overwhelming, capable of supporting his cultivation to even higher Dao Realms.

Of course, all of this requires time and should not be rushed!

"I’ll try consuming one to see its efficacy?" Shen Mo said, placing one of the Five Qi Gathering Pills into his mouth and beginning to exercise his cultivation method to refine the medicinal power.

Theoretically speaking.

Such newly refined elixirs need to be tested first by prisoners and medicinal slaves to verify their properties and reliability before they can be safely consumed.

Even the Red Flame Sect detains a batch of heavily sinful cultivators to act as medicinal slaves.

There are even many disciples within the sect who voluntarily test the elixirs of Herb Hall’s alchemists either to earn cultivation resources or to seize a chance for breakthrough;

The Enforcement Hall has even established many sect rules for addressing this phenomenon!

Shen Mo, however, does not need to do this; he trusts the feedback from the Destiny Panel and the insights from [Dharma Eye Candle Wisp].

The elixir he refined is indeed a "Five Qi Gathering Pill that enhances cultivation", not some "mystically bizarre, seemingly a spirit elixir but actually a poison pill"!

[You consumed a Five Qi Gathering Pill, a boundless and extraordinary force filled your body. You continually operate your cultivation method, gradually transforming the medicinal power into the power of chaotic Yuan, strengthening your Essence and Qi, with an enhancement in your cultivation.]

[During this process, you unexpectedly obtained a fortuity, Destiny Point +1.]

Not long after, Shen Mo had entirely refined and absorbed this spirit elixir, resulting in a slight increase in his cultivation.

He opened his eyes and gave a slight smile to Zhao Lingyin, who appeared worried, saying, "There is no issue, the effect is better than I anticipated."

"Its medicinal nature is mild and neutral, with very little pill’s poison. Even Golden Core Realm cultivators can consume it, but it’s enough to take Grade V elixirs during usual cultivation. Consuming this elixir while breaking through minor realms will yield the best results!"

"This spirit elixir contains exceptionally large medicinal power."

"Golden Core Realm cannot entirely refine the medicinal power for their own use, the majority would leak away and be wasted. Regular consumption of this elixir would induce drug tolerance, reducing its effectiveness during breakthroughs compared to before."

These words from Shen Mo were specifically addressed to Zhao Lingyin.

Even Golden Core Realm cultivators with abundant resources cannot afford to consume Grade VI spirit elixirs daily;

Only someone like Zhao Lingyin, who is herself a Grade V alchemist and has Shen Mo, a Great Cultivator of Divine Bridge Realm and Red Flame Sect’s Law Master as her Dao companion, could treat Grade VI spirit elixirs like candy!

"Mm, I understand." Zhao Lingyin nodded, examining the purple-hued elixir in her hand, musing, "I recall Mengze is currently in seclusion attempting a breakthrough. How about... you send her the remaining elixirs."

"Hmm?"

Shen Mo looked at her slightly surprised, seeing her clear and sincere gaze, devoid of any teasing intent, seemingly stemming from genuine care.

"Though your relationship isn’t bad, you don’t appear particularly close or inseparable. When did you become so well-acquainted as to care about her cultivation and want me to deliver breakthrough elixirs to her?"

Zhao Lingyin’s fair face showed a slight irritation. Her delicate fingers pinched Shen Mo’s face, playfully teasing, "Isn’t it because you two childhood friends are mutually affectionate! I intend to treat her tenfold or a hundredfold better, so she may feel guilty."

"In this way, should she dare do anything against me, she won’t be able to bypass the test of the Path Heart. At the least, her realm would regress; at the worst, she might perish."

"I’ve done a good deed, effectively removing an ’eyesore’, and you can’t blame me."

"..."

Shen Mo listened somewhat dumbfounded, unable to totally grasp Zhao Lingyin’s intentions in saying these words.

As a Grade V alchemist and the Law Master’s wife, even if Zhao Lingyin usually stayed at the mansion or in Herb Hall crafting elixirs, disliking social interactions, there were plenty eager to volunteer as "eyes and ears" to gain her favor; thus, she was always well-aware of the subtle dynamics and overt interactions between Shen Mo and Chen Mengze.

Such candidness today left Shen Mo confused about whether Zhao Lingyin was expressing discontent or had some other purpose.

While Shen Mo’s thoughts swiftly circulated, Zhao Lingyin let go of pinching his cheek, switching to gently caressing him, her brows relaxing and gaze filled with endless tenderness and affection, whispering softly, "I still remember what you told me. That time you mentioned you and Mengze are destined but unbound..."

"But I saw then, you had some feelings left for her! Maybe at that time, even you couldn’t differentiate whether it was familial affection, friendship, or romantic love."

"Yet I understood, this was no ordinary relationship between family and friends! It was a mix of regret, admiration, empathy, yearning, desire, woven into emotions of passion..."

"Even after a hundred years, I can still sense this sentiment hasn’t faded."

Shen Mo smiled warmly, accepting Zhao Lingyin’s words, drawing her into his embrace with a large arm: "So what? Do you plan to ’eliminate’ Senior Sister Chen as a formidable foe, or do you intend to keep a close eye on me?"