Chapter 122: Peaks Gather Like Waves, Rage Like Angry Tides
Qingxuan Sect Mountain Gate.
Bamboo Tree Courtyard.
Shen Mo stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the courtyard gate.
His eyes were unfocused, as if he were comprehending something.
At a certain moment, he instinctively activated a martial technique.
A wisp of spiritual energy burst forth, connecting with the metal-element spiritual energy in the heavens and earth.
In an instant, two large bronze doors materialized beside him.
The patterns on the surface of the doors were intricately detailed.
They seemed so real that one could almost touch them.
After forming the two bronze doors, Shen Mo didn't stop. He continued to observe the courtyard gate.
Suddenly, more metal-element spiritual energy was drawn to him, gathering and constantly reshaping itself.
This mass of spiritual energy swirled and expanded, gradually increasing in size.
About the time it takes to burn a stick of incense later, the energy mass abruptly unfurled, taking the shape of a large door.
However, the patterns on this door were not as refined as those on the previous two bronze doors.
But they weren't much worse, either.
It was only then that Shen Mo seemed to emerge from his state of enlightenment. Seeing the three bronze doors floating beside him, he smiled with satisfaction.
With a thought, the three bronze doors shifted freely.
At times, they appeared in three different directions.
At other times, they appeared together in one direction.
They were incredibly agile.
Shen Mo nodded in satisfaction.
The Earth-grade defensive martial technique, Fourfold Mystic Door, had now been cultivated to the third level.
He was close to reaching the fourth level.
When that time came, he would be able to simultaneously summon four bronze doors.
Even if one door was destroyed, he could quickly reform it.
Combined with the demonic armor bracers he wore, his defense would be nearly invincible!
Shen Mo then looked inward at his dantian.
There were now some subtle changes within.
The ocean of spiritual energy had expanded once more, and he was just a step away from reaching the peak of the Core Formation stage.
Above the ocean of spiritual energy was a smooth and flawless Perfect Dao Platform.
Atop the Perfect Dao Platform was a crimson-gold Core, covered in cracks.
But now, between the Dao Platform and the Core, a lotus seat had appeared.
This lotus seat was layered and radiant, captivating in its beauty.
At first glance, the petals seemed to resemble countless human hands.
Upon closer inspection, they were indeed ordinary petals.
This was the first lotus seat formed after Shen Mo refined the Thousand-Handed Lotus.
Once all nine lotus seats were gathered, it would be time for him to nurture his Nascent Soul.
At that moment, there was a knock on the door.
"Shen'er, may I come in?" came the voice of Murong Yue from outside.
Shen Mo quickly walked over and opened the courtyard gate.
Standing before him was his graceful master, Murong Yue.
"Master, what brings you here so suddenly?" Shen Mo asked as he sat down.
Murong Yue casually sat on a stone stool beside him and chuckled at his words. "What's this? Can't I visit you without a reason?"
Shen Mo also smiled. "Master, I didn't say that. Those were your words."
They exchanged a smile.
Murong Yue only let down her serious and cold demeanor in front of Shen Mo, showing a more relaxed and casual side.
After sharing a brief laugh, Murong Yue chuckled lightly. "Alright, to be honest, there isn't much. Sect Master Liu from Storm Rain Sect sent me a bottle of Great Essence-Replenishing Pills."
"I'm already at the peak of Core Formation, so taking these pills won't have much effect on me anymore. I thought I'd bring them to you."
With a wave of her hand, Murong Yue produced a jade bottle and placed it on the stone table.
Shen Mo was slightly surprised.
A bottle of Great Essence-Replenishing Pills was worth five bottles of Essence-Replenishing Pills.
They were typically circulated only among the five sects of Xuanjing Prefecture.
At most, they were used as rewards.
Liu Menghu giving a bottle to Murong Yue was likely to maintain the alliance between their two sects.
And Murong Yue giving them to him warmed his heart.
His master was truly kind to him.
"Master, I have something for you as well," Shen Mo said with a smile.
Murong Yue covered her mouth and laughed. "What could you possibly have for me?"
Shen Mo waved his hand, and two pills appeared in his palm.
Murong Yue was initially startled, then showed a look of astonishment. "Taiyi Soul-Nourishing Pills? And you have two of them?"
"But I recall you already gave one to Liu Menghu."
Shen Mo then recounted how he had discovered three Taiyi Soul-Nourishing Pills in the Alchemy King's Cave.
Murong Yue's eyes widened in disbelief.
"This… such a grand stroke of luck exists in the world!"
Shen Mo smiled. "Master, I've already taken a Taiyi Soul-Nourishing Pill. Even if I take another, it wouldn't be much more effective."
"I remember your physique is top-tier Earth level?"
"After taking this Taiyi Soul-Nourishing Pill, you might very well break through to Heaven level!"
Murong Yue murmured, "Heaven level…"
These two words immediately set her heart racing.
A Heaven-level physique is something every cultivator dreams of obtaining.
But such a physique is one in a million, far from something easily acquired.
Now, such an opportunity was right before her!
"No... no, this is your fortune. You have a brighter future ahead than I do. I can't take away your chance," Murong Yue instinctively wanted to nod but then firmly shook her head.
However, her eyes still revealed a deep longing.
This contradictory expression made Shen Mo chuckle.
"Master, you say you don't want it, but your body is being quite honest," he teased.
For once, a blush appeared on Murong Yue's face.
To say she didn't want such a precious treasure would be a lie.
When she said those words earlier, she was fighting hard against her inner desires.
Shen Mo patiently persuaded her, "Master, you're currently the strongest combatant in Qingxuan Sect. If you acquire a Heaven-level physique, you'll only grow stronger, and even facing the sect masters of the five sects in Xuanjing Prefecture, you'd be their equal."
"When that time comes, as the junior sect master of Qingxuan Sect, I'd naturally live a more secure life. Don't you think that's a reasonable plan?"
Murong Yue hesitated for a moment. "You're right."
"Then take it!"
Shen Mo stepped closer to Murong Yue and brought the Taiyi Soul-Nourishing Pill to her lips, his tone deliberately a bit forceful.
Murong Yue's heart warmed, and her eyes became slightly misty.
She took a deep breath. "Alright, I'll take it!"
Shen Mo smiled. "Then take it here, and I'll guard you while you cultivate."
"Alright!" Murong Yue smiled through her tears. "I never thought there'd be a day when my disciple would be the one guarding me."
She immediately swallowed the Taiyi Soul-Nourishing Pill.
The surging medicinal power spread throughout her, penetrating deep into her bones and soul, subtly enhancing her physique.
The sensation was almost otherworldly.
Murong Yue couldn't help but let out a soft, contented moan.
Moments later, the spiritual energy surrounding Qingxuan Sect began to converge on Bamboo Tree Courtyard.
In an instant, two massive vortices formed around Murong Yue.
On the left was scorching hot fire-element spiritual energy.
On the right was chillingly cold ice-element spiritual energy!
This was Murong Yue's physique, the Blazing Fire Profound Ice Body.
It possessed both fire and ice spiritual roots.
Such a spectacular phenomenon immediately attracted attention from the outside.
Elders, deacons, and disciples all cast their gazes towards Bamboo Tree Courtyard, both astonished and delighted.
"This incredible aura—whose physique is evolving?"
"Isn't that Bamboo Tree Courtyard? It's the junior sect master's residence!"
"That can't be right. Many people say the junior sect master already has a Heaven-level physique. How could it evolve further?"
"Wait, I just saw the sect master enter Bamboo Tree Courtyard. Could it be the sect master?"
"Hiss... maybe we should keep our opinions to ourselves and just watch."
At this moment, within Bamboo Tree Courtyard.
Two completely opposite forces surged wildly.
This caused the courtyard to display contrasting scenes.
The two poor bamboo trees suffered; one turned into an ice sculpture, while the other was scorched bare.
Murong Yue herself was similarly affected.
The left half of her palace robe was burned to ashes.
It exposed her smooth, fair, and captivating body.
However, this view didn't last long.
Murong Yue quickly realized the situation.
She let out a startled cry, her face turning crimson, and hastily covered herself. "Turn around, turn around!"
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