Chapter 212: Jade Cauldron Sect Issues Annual Stipend, Shen Mo Heads to Qi Yun Mountain Range
Winter faded, and spring arrived.
In the blink of an eye, Shen Mo had already spent a full year in Dragon Snake Mountain.
During this time, a sect steward from Jade Cauldron Sect made a special trip to deliver Shen Mo's annual stipend.
The stipend was exactly as Lu Dongxuan had previously promised:
Thirty top-grade spiritual stones.
One Earth-tier crystal-forged spiritual weapon.
Ten strands of "One-Line Blue."
Ten bottles of "Infant Transformation Pills."
Five taels of "Stardust Sand."
And a uniquely designed blood-red token.
Top-grade spiritual stones are always highly valued as the core energy source for activating formations.
One of these stones is sufficient to power a Profound-tier formation for a thousand years without damage!
There's never enough of them.
As for the Earth-tier crystal-forged spiritual weapon, Shen Mo chose one through a sound transmission jade called the "Jade Belt."
It can store a defensive martial skill that lasts for two days, ready to be instantly activated in case of danger.
The embedded demon crystal is of the fourth rank, extending its duration.
Without it, it would only last for one day.
This item is quite useful.
In a critical moment, it could block an opponent's surprise attack, allowing him to counter and strike down the attacker.
Shen Mo instructed Huang Caiying to place eight of the ten strands of "One-Line Blue" into the lake.
He kept the remaining two to be steamed.
The ten bottles of "Infant Transformation Pills" are similar in effect to a single "Greater Infant Transformation Pill," so Shen Mo tossed them into his storage ring for future use.
The five taels of "Stardust Sand" were treated the same; they weren't immediately useful, so they also went into his storage ring.
What caught Shen Mo's attention the most, however, was that blood-red token.
The surface of the token was engraved with an ominous-looking vine.
"This is the Blood Vine Valley token? Elder Shen, I've heard that Blood Vine Valley is quite a treasure trove!" Mei Haihe, standing beside him, gazed at the token with bright eyes.
Shen Mo nodded slightly.
Blood Vine Valley is one of the three forbidden grounds controlled by Jade Cauldron Sect.
The First and Second Elders have access.
Inside the valley grows a rare and precious material known as "Vermilion Blood Spirit Valley Grass."
Consuming rice cooked with Vermilion Blood Spirit Valley Grass offers effects similar to taking an "Infant Transformation Pill."
Additionally, Vermilion Blood Spirit Valley Grass has a calming effect, ideal to consume before meditation to help cultivators quickly enter a training state.
However, the grass grows slowly, and the valley is home to formidable demon beasts, making it challenging to find the Vermilion Blood Spirit Valley Grass.
To protect the environment of Blood Vine Valley, Jade Cauldron Sect established rules allowing First and Second Elders to enter once per year, staying for up to five days each time.
If entry were unrestricted, Blood Vine Valley would eventually become a common mountain valley.
The Vermilion Blood Spirit Valley Grass would likely vanish as well.
"No rush. There'll be plenty of opportunities to enter Blood Vine Valley in the future."
Shen Mo waved his hand and stored the blood-red token in his storage ring.
Blood Vine Valley is a land of opportunity.
The valley is teeming with blood vines, stealthy and lightning-fast, difficult to defend against.
Many well-known Nascent Soul stage cultivators have met their end in Blood Vine Valley.
Besides Vermilion Blood Spirit Valley Grass, one can also find the remains of these fallen Nascent Soul cultivators.
Without a corresponding opportunity, Shen Mo saw no need to waste this entry.
"I'm heading out for a while. Dragon Snake Mountain will be in your care."
"Remember, when I return, I expect to see fifteen hundred jin of Flying Cloud Mother's silk."
Shen Mo glanced at Mei Haihe, speaking calmly.
Jade Cauldron Sect had tasked Dragon Snake Mountain with producing five hundred jin of Flying Cloud Mother's silk.
But after Shen Mo purified Flying Cloud Mother's bloodline, its quality had improved tremendously half a year ago.
Additionally, thanks to sufficient nourishment, the Blazing Fire Flood Dragon Egg no longer absorbs demon beast blood essence.
Together, these factors have multiplied Flying Cloud Mother's silk yield several times over.
"Understood! Rest assured, Elder!"
Mei Haihe's expression lit up with excitement.
He had contributed modestly to the bloodline purification process.
He had witnessed the tremendous improvement in Flying Cloud Mother's silk yield firsthand.
If this task goes smoothly, he could be promoted to an official member of the sect.
For a rogue cultivator, joining Jade Cauldron Sect is an unparalleled honor.
Huang Bayi and Huang Caiying also looked excited.
Dragon Snake Mountain hadn't seen such prosperity in decades!
…
Bei Yue Prefecture, Qi Yun Mountain Range
This area sits at the border shared by the three powers: the Shang Qing Sect, Jade Cauldron Sect, and Elixir River Sect.
As a result, when conflicts arise among the three sects' disciples, rogue cultivators often flock to the Qi Yun Mountain Range to seek refuge.
The mountain range has thus become a gathering ground for numerous ruthless and dangerous individuals.
Many Nascent Soul-stage cultivators among them have rallied rogue cultivators to claim their own territories.
The chaos here is so intricate that even disciples from the three sects must submit to the local power players.
At this moment, a figure approached from the southeast, finally descending onto the summit of a small mountain.
This person wore a fire-patterned mask, dressed in green, standing tall and proud with an innate aura of authority.
"According to fate's timing, it will still be half a month before Ye Yan and Xiao Fan arrive here."
"By arriving early, I can avoid interference and secure the treasures in the cave first."
A faint smile crossed his face.
Naturally, this man was Shen Mo.
Inside the cave at this location lay a Heaven-tier technique, The Divine Thunder Suppression Scripture, along with the helm of a demon armor.
Leaving such items unclaimed would be a true injustice.
"However, Ye Yan only began his search for the cave after overhearing some rogue cultivators discussing a map during his quest for rare demon beasts."
"I don't have such luck, so I'll have to find it slowly."
At that thought, Shen Mo's ears suddenly twitched.
He heard cries for help in the distance.
With a thought, he rushed toward the sound.
Before long, he reached a clearing in the forest.
In the center of the clearing, three rough-looking Foundation Establishment cultivators had surrounded an old man and a young boy.
"Sirs...we are just simple mortals moving to a new place; please let us pass," the old man pleaded.
The three cultivators, however, focused their gaze on the boy behind him.
One of them, a burly man, chuckled with a sinister grin, "Heh heh, old man, your grandson is quite fresh-looking; just the type our boss likes!"
"Now scram, hand over your grandson, and we might let you keep that feeble life of yours!"
The old man's face turned deathly pale.
The young boy, still too young, seemed unaware of the danger.
"I… I will never let you do such a thing!" the old man gritted his teeth.
The three cultivators sneered, "Stubborn to the end, huh? Then die!"
The leader drew a massive machete from his waist and swung it down mercilessly.
The old man, accepting his fate, closed his eyes, awaiting death.
However, the anticipated blow never came.
He opened his eyes and gingerly touched his neck.
His head was still attached.
What had happened?
He looked forward.
The three cultivators were making gurgling noises.
In the next instant, a thin line of blood appeared on each of their necks.
Suddenly, their heads flew into the air.
Blood spurted like a fountain.
The headless bodies fell heavily to the ground with a dull thud.
The old man's eyes widened in shock and disbelief.
Tap. Tap.
A figure in green attire approached.
"Elder, young one, are you alright?" Shen Mo asked casually.
The old man immediately knelt before Shen Mo, sobbing with gratitude, "Thank you… Thank you, Master, for saving us!"
Shen Mo helped him to his feet.
After a few questions, he learned that the man's family had lived in a small village on the northern slopes of Qi Yun Mountain Range since his great-grandfather's generation.
Recently, however, the local demon beasts had grown more aggressive.
Most of the villagers had been forced to relocate.
The old man's son and daughter-in-law had fallen prey to these beasts not long ago.
With no other choice, he had to take his grandson and move as well.
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