As for the Alchemy Path, I need to push a bit harder, trying to promote to Grade IV as soon as possible! Regarding my progress in the Talisman Path, it still depends on my luck, or whether I can find more Grade III or Grade IV talisman scrolls... It's unfortunate that in the Red Flame Country, talisman cultivators haven't established a Talisman Alliance, nor have they built something profitable like a Talisman Tower. For cultivators who have no master or family heritage, it's extremely difficult to improve on the Talisman Path! Fortunately, the Forging Path isn't entirely the same as the Alchemy Path and the Talisman Path. The basic runes are universal. As long as I've seen and comprehended enough magic artifacts, and continue to repair and forge new ones, I can still improve in this area.

Shen Mo thought to himself, quite proud of establishing the Talisman Room and the Myriad Immortal Warrior Tower. Besides aiding his Hundred Arts of Cultivation, these two shops, under the management of Shopkeeper Qian, had started to bring him an income of Spirit Stones.

In the second month, both shops made a profit of one thousand low-grade Spirit Stones. Shen Mo, holding a 60% share, received six hundred.

In the third month, Shen Mo handed over all the Elixirs, talismans, magic artifacts, and other items needed for the rewards of the Defense Division's cultivators to Shopkeeper Qian. The Talisman Room and the Myriad Immortal Warrior Tower directly profited by over two thousand five hundred low-grade Spirit Stones! His share amounted to one thousand five hundred low-grade Spirit Stones, equivalent to fifteen middle-grade Spirit Stones.

This was just the profit from the newly opened shops. Don't forget, Shen Mo also held 60% shares in Baodan Pavilion and Ascending Pill Shop. Based on their usual profits, these two established shops could provide Shen Mo with one thousand low-grade Spirit Stones per month. However, thanks to Shen Mo's procurement for rewards... From the following month, this profit increased to two thousand!

Moreover, this income didn't include what Shen Mo earned from alchemy, talisman making, and forging.

Whether I purchase spiritual materials from my own shops or sell finished products, I always calculate it based on market prices; everything is kept very clear! Otherwise, wouldn't I be giving Shopkeeper Qian 40% of the income from my side professions for free? That would mean I'm working for Shopkeeper Qian! Of course, I wouldn't do something so unfair.

Additionally, the monthly salary and rewards from the Defense Division were also a substantial income. Considering all these sources, his monthly income was now between forty and one hundred middle-grade Spirit Stones. If he had some free time and refined more Grade II or Grade III Elixirs, he could earn more. If he needed to go into closed-door cultivation or dedicate more energy to improving the Talisman Path or the Forging Path, he would earn less.

As for Shen Mo's Spirit Stone expenditures:

First was the Sacrifice Destiny ability, [Martial Performance]. It consumed one middle-grade Spirit Stone every day, with exceptional stability! However, Shen Mo was happy to do so, not feeling the slightest bit of reluctance. The reason was simple. Although the consumption for [Martial Performance] was large, it also greatly improved his magic and martial arts skills.

Shen Mo's mind shifted, focusing on the Destiny Panel.

[Destined Lord: Shen Mo]

[Skill: Sword Body]

[Cultivation Methods:

Purple Mansion Heart Scripture Elite (2,075/16,000)

Heavenly Origin Technique Master (1,335/10,000)]

[Martial Arts:

Supreme Clarity Sword Technique Epic (MAX)

Sword Control Spirit Technique Senior (5,265/12,000)

Big Dipper Seven Star Sword Formation Elite (3,155/15,000)

Constellation Great Hand Seal Junior (2,170/8,000)

All-Encompassing Sword Canon Junior (3,795/14,000)]

[Lightness Magic:

Thunderclap Rapid Step Elite (1,315/15,000)

Immortal Wind Cloud Physique Senior (640/5,000)]

[External Magic:

Dragon Elephant Blood Fiend Body Dragon Body (100/100)

Three-Heads Six-Arms True Immortal Technique Junior (2,560/8,000)]

[Soul Magic:

Divine Soul Contemplation Scripture Senior (1,020/6,000)]

Besides the addition of the 'Sword Body' Skill, his other cultivation methods and magic techniques had all improved to varying degrees.

After advancing to the Qi Gathering Realm Seventh Layer, Shen Mo had successfully cultivated Part I of the Purple Mansion Heart Scripture to its limit, equivalent to the Perfection level in the cultivation world. The progress bar was also stuck there, unable to advance further because the cultivation method was incomplete.

Consequently, Shen Mo made a special trip to the Magic Tower. He spent Spirit Stones and sect Merit Points to exchange for Part II of the Purple Mansion Heart Scripture. With the help of [Martial Performance], Shen Mo didn't need to borrow it for a month. On just the second day, he returned it to the second floor, much to the Keeper Elder's astonishment. Shen Mo had deliberately waited a day to avoid appearing too outrageous. Otherwise, with the help of [Martial Performance], it wouldn't have taken him long to master its contents after obtaining the jade slip. Even so, this shocked the Keeper Elder considerably; his expression was quite a sight!

Apart from this main cultivation method, his training focus remained on formidable magic and martial arts skills such as the Big Dipper Seven Star Sword Formation and the Constellation Great Hand Seal. As for the Heavenly Yuan Technique and other low-class cultivation methods, although Shen Mo still practiced them, he wasn't in a hurry to cultivate them to the 'Epic' stage. Shen Mo was quite eager to achieve Godlike Swordplay and Godlike Magic to obtain an Innate Divine Ability. But there's no need to specifically take time away from practicing high-class cultivation methods for that! When they're close to the 'Epic' stage, I can make a concentrated push to cultivate them to Perfection. As things stand... The Heavenly Yuan Technique will be the second cultivation method I perfect!

The second major daily Spirit Stone expenditure was the purchase of demonic beast corpses, Demon Cores, soul cores, and similar items to feed the Demon Soul Generals in his Soul Refining Flag.

With my current cultivation and strength, I should be able to suppress and command a Class III Soul General using the Soul Refining Flag. After much deliberation... I've decided to give the first promotion spot to the Possession Ghost, Horse Groom Lv. It's not that Master Hong Jue, the Ghost Bride, the Gold Piercing Ghost, the Green-skinned Ghost, and the many other mutated Demon Soul Generals aren't powerful enough. It's just that, for now, the Possession Ghost's Skill is more useful to me. Its ability to hide in the void and possess living creatures troubled me quite a bit in the past. To deal with this Possession Ghost, whose Realm wasn't high, I had to deploy almost all my Soul Generals and went through considerable effort to finally suppress and refine it. Back in the Abandoned Ghost Zone, Horse Groom Lv was only at the middle-stage of Class II. Now, after being Demon-corrupted by the minor Heavenly Demon Soul General and feasting on numerous Human Ghost corpses in the Underground Palace, he has advanced to the peak of Class II. Once he successfully advances to Class III, he will undoubtedly provide me with immense combat power.

With my current strength, even without exploiting Tian Qisheng's weaknesses, I should be able to defeat him. With Horse Groom Lv's help, I should be able to contend with a cultivator at Spirit Sea Realm, Layer III! Even if I can't win, self-preservation should be guaranteed!

Since advancing to the late-stage of the Qi Gathering Realm, Shen Mo hadn't fought with his full strength. Even he himself wasn't entirely sure about the extent of his strength's growth and could only make a rough estimate.

To cultivate the Possession Ghost to Class III as quickly as possible, Shen Mo spared no effort in purchasing corpses and other items that could serve as blood food for the Demon Soul Generals. Shen Mo couldn't leave at the moment, but once he had the chance in the future, he planned to make a special trip to the Ghost Nation Ruins. There are countless Soul Ghosts there that can serve as blood food for the Demon Soul Generals! Then, I'll be able to elevate all the Demon Soul Generals, like Master Hong Jue and the Ghost Bride, to Class III in one fell swoop!

The third major Spirit Stone expenditure was for the daily consumption of Elixirs. In this regard, Shen Mo was no different from other cultivators! Even with [Martial Performance] aiding his cultivation of the Purple Mansion Heart Scripture, refining Spiritual Qi, and increasing his cultivation base, Shen Mo still felt his progress was slow. Therefore, his daily intake of Elixirs had almost never ceased!

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