Chapter 26: Superior Profound Grade Dark Fire Crystal, Gathering the Five Elements for the Foundation

Chapter 26 - 26: Superior Profound Grade Dark Fire Crystal, Gathering the Five Elements for the Foundation Night. Shen Mo sat cross-legged on his bed, ready to cultivate. Once again, there was a knock on the door. He opened the door to find Zhao Rou, her waist slender and strong. Zhao Rou smiled sweetly, "Senior Brother Shen, the Sect Master is calling for you." Shen Mo nodded. Soon, under the night sky, he arrived at the courtyard atop the mountain, once again meeting his voluptuous and beautiful master. Murong Yue was by the pool, throwing fish food into the water. The goldfish leaped out of the water, scrambling for the food, resembling human greed. Tonight, Murong Yue wore a tight-fitting, fiery red palace dress that accentuated her figure. However, her brows were furrowed, indicating some worries. Seeing Shen Mo arrive, her expression softened slightly. "Disciple, how is your cultivation progressing?" Murong Yue asked with a smile. Shen Mo cupped his hands, "Master, I have broken through to the peak of the Qi Condensation Realm." There was no need to hide this from Murong Yue. He knew very well that his fate was closely tied to Murong Yue. If he could show unparalleled potential and an astonishing cultivation speed, Murong Yue would only grow fonder and more concerned about him. Only in this way would he become increasingly safe. Sure enough, upon hearing his words, Murong Yue's face showed a hint of surprise. "What did you say? The peak of the Qi Condensation Realm? But I remember a few days ago, you were only at the great success stage of the Qi Condensation Realm?" Shen Mo's words were so shocking that Murong Yue accidentally dropped the fish food into the pool with a splash. The goldfish swarmed from all directions, fighting for the food. Murong Yue, however, ignored the food and quickly walked up to Shen Mo. She extended her arm and pressed it against Shen Mo's lower abdomen. Shen Mo stiffened all over. If he hadn't realized that she was checking his realm by sensing the spiritual energy vortex in his lower abdomen, he might have drawn his sword in response. Just like a girl's, a boy's lower abdomen isn't something to touch casually! Hmm... it feels rather comfortable. He felt a stream of spiritual energy from Murong Yue's right hand enter his lower abdomen. The spiritual energy was strange, both warm and cold, possessing dual attributes. Shen Mo tried hard to suppress any sound, but a few unintelligible syllables still escaped his mouth. Murong Yue looked at him with a puzzled expression, then continued to examine the spiritual energy vortex. After a few dozen breaths, she finally confirmed it. Shen Mo's spiritual energy vortex had grown to an impressive size. It even far exceeded the size typical of a peak Qi Condensation Realm cultivator! "Indeed, very large," Murong Yue nodded with joy, "You have reached the peak of the Qi Condensation Realm." Shen Mo's breakthrough was the only good news she had heard in recent days. "You aren't cultivating the Blazing Fire Manual, are you?" Murong Yue suddenly asked. Shen Mo nodded directly. With Murong Yue's cultivation level, she would certainly be able to see through it during such an examination. He had already prepared a lie. However, just as he was about to speak, Murong Yue waved her hand, "Everyone has their own little secrets. I won't pry." Shen Mo felt moved. What a considerate woman! How can she be so understanding! "The reason I called you today, besides examining your cultivation progress, is to discuss the foundation for your Dao Foundation." Murong Yue said casually, "Do you know how to build a Dao Foundation?" "I do." Murong Yue nodded, "I will give you two choices." With that, she gently waved her jade-like hand. In her left palm, four crystals of different colors appeared. "These four crystals each contain pure spiritual energy of water, wood, earth, and metal attributes. They are high-grade Profound Grade items and can serve as the foundation for your Dao Foundation." "You are my disciple, so I will give you these four crystals. You will need to find the last foundation on your own, as I can't help you with everything." "With these five high-grade Profound Grade treasures, you can build a flawless Dao Foundation, surpassing those who build ordinary ones." She paused, "The second choice..." Murong Yue extended her right hand, revealing a black crystal emitting intense heat, "I once obtained a piece of Dark Flame Crystal by chance." "This is a superior-grade Profound Grade treasure, condensed from the body of a beast known as the Dark Flame Lion." "It can serve as the fire foundation for building a perfect Dao Foundation." "But I can only provide you with this Dark Flame Crystal. The other four superior-grade Profound Grade treasures must be sought and obtained by you." Murong Yue looked into Shen Mo's eyes and said calmly, "These are your choices. You can only choose one." "Now, make your choice." Shen Mo's expression was one of delight. At present, he already possessed the gold foundation Tiger Gold, the wood foundation Dragon Blood Tree Heart, and the water foundation Profound Yin Ice Marrow. He also had leads on the earth foundation Earth Vein Marrow. The only thing missing was a fire foundation. He had been worrying about where to find this opportunity, but his beautiful master had delivered it directly to him! "Master, I choose the Dark Flame Crystal," Shen Mo said without hesitation. Murong Yue was quite surprised. The first choice required finding just one more high-grade Profound Grade fire attribute treasure to begin building a flawless Dao Foundation. She had expected Shen Mo to choose this option. Unexpectedly, he chose the Dark Flame Crystal without hesitation. "This guy is just like me when I was young, ambitious and aiming high," Murong Yue thought with amusement. "Never mind, I'll let him be. When he struggles for years to find the superior-grade Profound Grade treasures without success, he will naturally come to me for those four high-grade Profound Grade treasures." A promise made is a promise kept. As the Sect Master, she would not go back on her word. After Shen Mo made his choice, Murong Yue handed the Dark Flame Crystal to him. Murong Yue seemed in a very good mood, pacing back and forth with a spring in her step. "What grudge do you have with the Lei family from Qingshan City?" Shen Mo's heart tightened, and he truthfully recounted how Lei Xiongjie and Lei Yong had persecuted him, omitting the fact that he had killed them. Murong Yue's gaze turned cold. "Bullying weak disciples, this issue never ceases!" She exhaled lightly, "The Lei family came yesterday to file a complaint, claiming Lei Xiongjie went missing on his way home and suspecting you of killing him." "I have already dismissed this complaint. There are people in Qingshan City who will look out for you. Even if the Lei family suspects, they won't dare to harm you or your father. Rest assured and continue your cultivation." Shen Mo cupped his hands and bowed deeply, "Thank you, Master!" He had anticipated this outcome. By demonstrating potential and strength, he ensured Murong Yue's absolute protection. "Go back. If there's an urgent matter, come find me," Murong Yue waved her hand. "Yes, disciple will take his leave." Shen Mo stepped back and left. As he departed, he heard Murong Yue humming an unfamiliar tune, clearly in a good mood upon learning of her disciple's rapid progress in cultivation. Shen Mo left the mountaintop courtyard and exited the sect during the night, heading to intercept She Yan's opportunity. She Yan was a person who lived by deceiving, stealing, and killing. Snatching such a person's opportunity gave Shen Mo peace of mind and satisfaction. Finding the Earth Vein Marrow wasn't difficult. Within two hours, Shen Mo returned to the mountains with the Earth Vein Marrow without any trouble. When he sat back down on his bed, his face was full of anticipation. "Gold foundation, Tiger Gold." "Wood foundation, Dragon Blood Tree Heart." "Earth foundation, Earth Vein Marrow." "Water foundation, Profound Yin Ice Marrow." "Fire foundation, Dark Flame Crystal." "These five foundations, all superior-grade Profound Grade treasures, would cost at least ten thousand low-grade spirit stones if bought." Shen Mo looked at the five floating treasures before him, a joyful smile on his face. He knew very well that without the life panel and intercepting opportunities, it would have been impossible to gather them in such a short time. "Time to build the Dao Foundation!" Shen Mo began refining the five treasures simultaneously. The distinct spiritual energies of the five treasures began to emit and quickly converted into spiritual energy within Shen Mo's body through his spiritual energy vortex. Deep within the spiritual energy vortex, the five types of spiritual energy began to settle and condense. A small platform slowly took shape. It seemed as if an invisible hammer of destiny was forging a flawless Dao Foundation.