Zhao Lingyin's focused demeanor while refining Elixirs was as beautiful as a painting. She was enchanting, akin to a Fairy.

In Shen Mo's view, Zhao Lingyin's refining of the Qi Restoring Pill and other Elixirs for which he had broken the records on the Alchemy Tablet had approached the "Reaching the Peak" level! But she lacked a Destiny Panel. She was just that tiny bit behind him in terms of refining speed. This infinitesimal gap... She might be able to make progress through countless refinements, improving further from an already high starting point. But there was a high probability that she would stagnate. Even if she tried her hardest, not only would she not make any progress, but it would also affect her Path Heart, making it hard to even maintain her current level of proficiency in Alchemy. Shen Mo didn't mince his words regarding this.

Seeing how Zhao Lingyin didn't even heed the advice of her Master Wu Gong showcased her stubbornness. However, Shen Mo was different. He was the only Alchemist in the entire Alchemy Zone who had broken her alchemy records. Therefore, Zhao Lingyin was more receptive to his words. In fact, after finding Shen Mo and discussing a lot with him, Zhao Lingyin's obsession had lessened considerably; otherwise, she would not have stepped into the Grade IV level.

"I understand. Junior Brother, don't worry, I won't ruin my Alchemy Path cultivation."

「Two days later.」

Shen Mo transformed his appearance using the "Three-Heads Six-Arms True Immortal Technique." He walked out of the Cuizhu Elixir Room and headed directly to his cave mansion in the Inner Door. Zhao Lingyin, however, waited for him to leave and then another two hours before she returned to the Spirit Gathering Peak, keeping a low profile with her robe and veil.

For the remaining three days, Shen Mo closed his doors and did not go out. He cultivated rigorously while awaiting the Tianshan Mountain Ceremony.

"BUZZ!" The Sound Transmission Talisman vibrated wildly. Shen Mo swept a glance at the message on it, then got up and left his cave mansion.

"Senior Brother Lu, I know the way to the Purple Heaven Palace. You didn't need to come and fetch me."

A person was standing at the entrance of the cave mansion. It was Lu Ming, who was going to the Tianshan Mountain Ceremony with Shen Mo. Having not seen each other for a while, his aura had deepened, giving off a feeling as if he were holding back a thunderbolt, ready to strike.

"I was just afraid you'd be late," Lu Ming explained, then looked Shen Mo up and down, evidently surprised. "You've also cultivated to Layer III? Your speed is no slower than mine."

It wasn't that Lu Ming looked down on Shen Mo. He possessed a Thunder Body and had the backing of the Lu Family and his Peak Master. That was how he had been able to advance so rapidly after entering the Qi Gathering Realm, reaching Layer III in just half a year. Shen Mo, on the other hand, had no family to rely on, nor did he have the specific support of Peak Master Zhou Shili. Yet, in terms of cultivation progress, he hadn't fallen behind Lu Ming in the slightest.

"I just broke through recently, so I can't compare to Senior Brother Lu. I see a thunder light in your eyes; you must have mastered another profound Thunder-type magic."

As the two conversed, they summoned their Flying Swords and flew towards the Purple Heaven Palace as streaks of light.

As soon as he landed, Shen Mo was somewhat surprised. Many people were standing in front of the Purple Heaven Palace. In addition to Stars Peak's Peak Master Zhou Shili, Stars Peak's Elder Huang Changqing, and two other Spirit Sea Realm Elders were also present. Based on the subtle differences in their robes, one of them should be an Elder from Rising Sun Peak, and the other an Elder from Bright Moon Peak.

Furthermore, numerous Qi Gathering disciples were waiting in the square before the palace, representing all three Main Peaks. Among the Stars Peak disciples, Shen Mo even recognized several Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters, all of whom looked like they were also heading to the Tianshan Mountain Ceremony.

"Senior Brother Lu, why are the Peak Master and the others making such a grand display?" Shen Mo asked. "Aren't we the only two from the Riverside Sect attending the Tianshan Mountain Ceremony?"

Lu Ming shook his head, also somewhat puzzled. "My Master didn't explain it to me in detail. But he did mention that a Peak Master personally attends every Tianshan Mountain Ceremony. You and I are both disciples of Stars Peak, so it's not strange for my Master to attend. As for the others, I'm not too sure."

Shen Mo nodded slightly. Upon careful consideration, it did make sense. The Tianshan Mountain Ceremony directly influenced the sect's distribution of benefits for the coming year, and with the recent appearance of Heavenly Demon traces, the matter had become even more critical. No matter how much importance the Peak Master and the others placed on this ceremony, it wouldn't be excessive. As for the Elite Disciples from each peak, perhaps the sect intended to use this ceremony as an opportunity for them to interact with Elite Disciples from other immortal sects, to better prepare for a potential Heavenly Demon invasion.

However, the fact that Peak Master Zhou Shili himself, along with Elders and disciples from other Main Peaks, were going to witness him and Lu Ming compete for rankings at Tianshan Mountain, put considerable pressure on Shen Mo.

It wasn't that he feared losing face due to a lack of strength. He was worried that if he used his full power under such scrutiny, he might reveal some of his minor secrets. For example, the "Thunderclap Rapid Step" and "Immortal Wind Cloud Physique" were illicitly obtained. He had acquired these two types of magic from the Above Cloud Sect; one through a trade with a discarded disciple of the Above Cloud Sect, and the other by killing a member of the sect and looting the corpse. Once he used them, there was a risk someone might identify their origins. As for evil cultivator magic artifacts like the Soul Refining Flag, he wouldn't even consider bringing it out.

However, as his strength had grown, Shen Mo's confidence was incomparable to what it was half a year ago. He was confident that even without using trump cards like the Soul Refining Flag, he could still contend with the new talents of the other Four Great Sects!

Shen Mo and Lu Ming stepped forward to greet Peak Master Zhou Shili and the three Elders.

"You've done well, young man!" Peak Master Zhou Shili looked at Shen Mo with appreciation. "In half a year, not only has your cultivation not fallen behind, but you've also reached a profound level in external cultivation methods." He continued, "Perform well in the Tianshan Mountain Ceremony. If you achieve good results, I won't be stingy with rewards."

Compared to the benefits they were fighting for, even the most generous rewards for Shen Mo and Lu Ming would be a mere drop in the ocean. It seemed Zhou Shili had already encouraged Lu Ming beforehand and was now making a similar promise to Shen Mo.

"Disciple will definitely give it my all, to repay the sect for its nurturing," Shen Mo declared.

Although Shen Mo had mentally resolved not to reveal all his trump cards while competing for the rankings, it didn't affect his outward determination. Under certain conditions, he would indeed do his best, even if... it was just for the sect's rewards.

After Shen Mo and Lu Ming arrived, they didn't set off immediately but waited for a while in the square before the palace. After about the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn, two streaks of light flew over and landed one after the other.

Upon seeing the faces of the newcomers, Shen Mo's mouth twitched.

The newcomers were Zhao Lingyin and her Master Wu Gong. They were clearly also going to Tianshan Mountain in Zhong State via the Teleportation Array, along with Shen Mo and the others. However, just a few days ago, during their alchemy exchange in the Cuizhu Elixir Room, Zhao Lingyin hadn't breathed a word about it to him.

Noticing Shen Mo's odd expression when their eyes met, Zhao Lingyin winked at him playfully.

"Are you and Alien Minister Wu also heading to Zhong State? Why didn't you tell me beforehand?" Shen Mo communicated using his sense.

Unless it was a Golden Core patriarch, even a Spirit Sea Realm expert would find it difficult to intercept the sense communication of a Qi Gathering cultivator. Therefore, Shen Mo felt comfortable conversing with Zhao Lingyin this way, even in front of the Peak Master, Elder Huang, and Alien Minister Wu.

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