Chapter 36

Chapter 37: Advancing to a Higher Level

...

Chen Mo also knew the importance of cultivation and no longer paid attention. He walked up to a steward of the General Affairs Hall and said gently, "I would like to check the list of missions related to the Jialong Mountains."

The middle-aged steward, who had developed some goodwill towards Chen Mo from the previous incident, frowned and said, "Chen Mo, the Jialong Mountains are fraught with danger. Even the outer regions are extremely perilous for a disciple at your level, which is mid-stage Spirit Apprentice. If you want to take on cultivation missions, it would be better to choose a different place."

"Thank you for your advice. Rest assured, I will only explore the outer regions. If I encounter any danger, I will run away," Chen Mo replied politely.

Seeing his determination, the middle-aged steward did not try to dissuade him further.

Chen Mo thought for a moment, then selected several missions in the Jialong Mountains, mostly involving the collection of spirit herbs and the killing of certain beasts to extract their essences. After noting them down, he slung a bag over his back, dressed in a simple green robe, and set off for the Jialong Mountains.

...

That night.

The Chen family estate, nestled by the mountains and water, was a picturesque scene. A cool breeze blew in the evening, and the sounds of birds and insects filled the air.

In the brightly lit reception hall of Chen Deshui's residence, Chen Deshui sat in the main seat facing south. His sunken eyes emitted a cold, eerie light, his hooked nose and thin, sharp lips exuded a cold and selfish demeanor.

"Chen Mo!"

Chen Deshui slammed his hand on the table, his recent plans repeatedly thwarted. He never imagined that Chen Mo, a worthless person like a speck of dust, could kill two of his powerful subordinates, and even their bodies could not be found. The Zhou Liang he sent to destroy the spirit fields had not returned, and it was unknown whether someone was secretly helping him. Regardless, he must kill Chen Mo to avenge his anger.

"Chen Mo, that kind of waste, even if he returns alive, could he possibly defeat Xu Hao and break Ouyang Qing? It's absurd. He could even kill the high-stage Spirit Apprentice Zhou Liang. I think someone is helping him." Chen Bo, who resembled the deceased Chen Ye in appearance but was much more muscular, with his mountain-like muscles exuding strength, said, "It must be the young patriarch, Chen Xuan, who is secretly causing trouble."

"Hmph!" Chen Deshui snorted, a shadow of gloom passing over his face. "The patriarch has been closely watching us these days, so we can't make a move against that boy within the clan. Since that boy dares to go out for training, he is seeking his own death."

Chen Bo had a cruel and fierce smile on his face. "Father, why don't I go for training and kill him in the Jialong Mountains to avenge my brother?"

"No, you must focus on your cultivation for the next three months and defeat Chen Xuan in the clan competition." Chen Deshui's face was dark. "I will deal with Chen Mo in my own way."

He then beckoned, and a thin, bony middle-aged man approached.

This man had an ordinary appearance, with high cheekbones and piercing eyes. Although thin, his bones were larger than those of ordinary people, and some were even protruding, exuding a fierce and violent aura.

"Liu Lei, you know what to do next, no need for me to instruct you." Chen Deshui's deep voice carried an air of authority.

"Yes." Liu Lei replied respectfully, his face expressionless, and then turned and left.

...

Roars echoed through the air, lingering for a long time.

This was a vast mountain range, stretching for thousands of miles. All around, towering ancient trees were everywhere, their branches and leaves so lush that they blocked the moonlight. Several large, black birds perched on the branches, emitting hoarse, eerie cries under the cold moonlight, creating a particularly sinister and terrifying atmosphere.

This was the Jialong Mountains, where the dangers were numerous, with countless beasts and swamps. Throughout history, few people had managed to traverse from north to south and return alive, even some super-strong individuals dared not rashly venture deep into the mountains.

At this moment, Chen Mo only dared to train in the outer regions.

At the base of an unnamed giant peak, a natural cave lay hidden, with overgrown grass at the entrance and a dry, spacious interior, making it an excellent resting place.

Deep in the cave, on a green stone, Chen Mo sat cross-legged, his five fingers pointing upwards. The Bright Mystic Qi in his dantian nourished his meridians, cleansing his channels.

After a night of intense cultivation, the Mystic Qi had grown stronger. The rapidly circulating Bright Mystic Qi slowly stagnated in his meridians, causing a faint pain, finally reaching the brink of a breakthrough.

Finally, the moment had come. Breaking through to a higher realm was the constant goal of every cultivator. If it were anyone else, they would have already started the breakthrough with great excitement.

At this moment, Chen Mo remained abnormally calm and steady, carefully controlling the Mystic Qi in his body, guiding it along the designated path in his meridians. All his pores opened, continuing to absorb the spiritual energy from the surrounding air. After nine full cycles, his meridians were swollen to the point of bursting, unable to contain any more Mystic Qi.

The Mystic Qi then flowed out from his limbs and bones, slowly converging in his dantian, gathering strength to forcefully break through the final barrier preventing Chen Mo from advancing to the high-stage Spirit Apprentice.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Wave after wave of powerful Mystic Qi, like surging waves, fiercely battered the barrier leading to the high-stage Spirit Apprentice. Initially, the barrier wobbled slightly, but in the end, it remained as solid as a rock, firmly blocking the passage.

One effort, then another, and finally, the third effort was exhausted. After several full-force impacts, the Bright Mystic Qi was almost depleted, and his meridians were slightly damaged from the intense impact. In the short term, he would not have the strength to continue breaking through the barrier.

"Failed? No, I cannot fail." Chen Mo's handsome face, which had been weary, now showed an unwavering determination. He gritted his teeth and took out a second-grade pill, the "Mystic Condensation Pill," which he had cherished for a long time.

Cultivation was a path of defying the heavens, and besides talent, resources were indispensable.

In just a month and a half, Chen Mo had exhausted all his Spirit Gathering Pills, but he had also pushed his cultivation to the peak of the mid-stage Spirit Apprentice. Naturally, this was also due to his own efforts and hard cultivation.

Swallowing the Mystic Condensation Pill, worth over a thousand gold coins, the medicinal power quickly took effect. He then activated the Great Brightness Divine Technique, enduring the needle-like pain in his meridians, and the few remaining Mystic Qi slowly circulated in his body, absorbing the continuous medicinal power. Soon, it coalesced into a more powerful force.

After a short while, the Mystic Qi in his body seemed to have filled all his meridians, reaching the limit of his control. The Bright Mystic Qi surged out, like a flood, fiercely rushing towards the final barrier.

"Bang... Bang..."

Chen Mo's body trembled violently, his dantian contracting and expanding. His eyes suddenly opened, and a sharp light flashed in his dark pupils. His mouth slightly opened, and a murky breath, like an arrow, was expelled.

With the expulsion of the turbid breath, Chen Mo's face immediately brightened, his eyes lively and profound.

"High-stage Spirit Apprentice."

Chen Mo extended his hands, looking at his palms, clenching his fists, and feeling the powerful force within his body. He couldn't help but let out a long, internal roar, venting his extreme excitement. However, now was not the time to be happy. He suppressed his excitement and, after calming down, circulated the Bright Mystic Qi, producing a thin green liquid to repair his damaged meridians.

In just over two months, Chen Mo had advanced from the early stage of the initial Spirit Apprentice to the high-stage Spirit Apprentice, a cultivation speed that even the elite disciples of the clan could not match.

But this was far from enough. In the clan competition in half a month, there were many high-stage Spirit Apprentices, and with his current strength, he was still somewhat lacking.

It was said that among the elite disciples of the clan, a few who had reached the peak of the high-stage Spirit Apprentice were now, under the protection of their elders, attempting to break through to the Spirit Master realm. As he progressed, his opponents would not stand still and wait for him. Thinking about the clan competition in a month and a half, Chen Mo felt the pressure increase.

Just breaking through to the high-stage Spirit Apprentice required more resources than Chen Mo had initially estimated. Having gotten used to the rapid increase in strength from using the valuable first-grade Spirit Gathering Pills, he found the recent slow progress in cultivation even more frustrating. Without the aid of pills, relying solely on the small amount of Mystic Qi accumulated from daily breathing and meditation, it was unknown when he could advance again.

No wonder people say that literature is for the poor and martial arts for the rich. The importance of resources becomes more evident as one progresses in cultivation. Many highly talented individuals break through to the mid-stage Spirit Apprentice before the age of fifteen, but without clan support, they can only train hard and achieve limited results throughout their lives. In his clan, apart from the patriarch and the elders, only a few exceptionally talented direct-line descendants, with the support of the clan, spent countless resources to barely advance to the Spirit Master realm by the age of twenty, showing the terrifying cost of cultivation.

"I can't just keep training hard. I must quickly obtain some resources to speed up my cultivation."

"I am currently at the intersection of the forest's center and the edge. If I venture a bit deeper, I will surely find some precious spirit herbs in the depths of the forest. With my high-stage Spirit Apprentice strength, as long as I am cautious and avoid the powerful beasts, the chances of finding good things will be better."

Chen Mo frowned, recalling his recent explorations at the edge of the forest. After killing over a dozen first and second-stage beasts, he only obtained a few low-grade beast cores and mission materials.

He even mistakenly entered areas dominated by powerful beasts several times. If it weren't for the powerful recovery ability of the Bright Mystic Qi and the quick escape using the Willow Fluff Technique, he would have been killed by the beasts long ago. Recalling those extremely dangerous moments, he still felt a lingering fear.

"As long as I can gather enough resources and quickly advance to the Spirit Master realm, I can heal my brother's injuries, revitalize our family, and no longer be ridiculed by others. Whether it's taking risks in the forest or facing even more severe challenges, I have nothing to fear."

Thinking of this, Chen Mo's young face became even more stern, his eyes filled with determination.

"Huh? It's the middle of the night, where has Little Eight gone again? When he returns, I will definitely give him a good scolding. Since entering this forest for cultivation, this guy always mysteriously disappears."

...

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