Chapter 37: Another Encounter with Xiao Fan and Xiao Fan’s New Opportunity

Chapter 37 - 37: Another Encounter with Xiao Fan and Xiao Fan's New Opportunity As time passed, the turmoil surrounding Qingxuan Cave gradually subsided. Great Elder Song Chaofeng was in seclusion on Sword Cliff, and his son Song Junjie had been stripped of his disciple status. Meanwhile, the news that Shen Mo had become the fourth true disciple had spread throughout Qingxuan Sect. Even if some didn't know who the sect master was or who the vice sect master was, everyone certainly knew about Shen Mo, the rising dark horse. Half a month later, Shen Mo stopped cultivating and got up from his bed. He frowned slightly. Since leaving Qingxuan Cave, he had been taking Foundation Stabilizing Pills and practicing the Flame Hell Destruction Manual to reach the peak of the Foundation Establishment Realm. However, even though the spiritual power in his dantian was fully accumulated, and his Dao foundation was stable, he just couldn't break through that barrier. It always felt like something was missing. "It seems that cultivation can't be achieved by shutting myself away; I need to go out and see more of this beautiful world." Shen Mo nodded slightly. In plain terms, he needed to seek opportunities. "Just in time for a meal, I'll go to the Dining Hall for some food." Shen Mo got up and headed straight for the Dining Hall. He pushed open the door and walked briskly. His robes had changed from the previous dark green inner disciple robes to the deep green robes with gold trim of a true disciple, indicating his elevated status. As he walked, all the inner disciples, no matter what they were doing, stopped to respectfully salute him. Their gazes were full of admiration and reverence. Shen Mo nodded slightly. He felt a bit emotional. A few months ago, he was a humble outer disciple, always at risk of being expelled from Qingxuan Sect. Now, he had become one of the four true disciples of Qingxuan Sect, enjoying the sect's resources. Even the inner elders would not easily provoke a true disciple. Because true disciples were highly likely to reach the Core Formation stage in the future. Offending a true disciple was essentially offending a future Core Formation cultivator. As he passed a deep pool, Shen Mo suddenly saw Xiao Fan and Liu Fei. Many disciples were gathered around them. These disciples surrounded Xiao Fan, their tones full of admiration. "Brother Xiao Fan, you really forged a perfect Dao foundation? That's incredible." "Yes, indeed. In our Qingxuan Sect, there are probably fewer than five people who have forged a perfect Dao foundation." Faced with this flattery and praise, Xiao Fan's face was full of confidence. Someone else said, "As far as I know, only two people in our sect have forged perfect Dao foundations: our sect master, Murong, and Brother Shen Mo." "So, Brother Xiao is the third after the sect master and Brother Shen Mo!" "To stand shoulder to shoulder with Brother Shen Mo, Brother Xiao is truly extraordinary!" Hearing this, the self-satisfaction on Xiao Fan's face suddenly stiffened. It was replaced by anger. 'Comparing me to Shen Mo, what do you mean by that? Am I inferior to Shen Mo?' At this moment, another disciple exclaimed, "Everyone, look! Brother Shen Mo is over there!" "Oh my gosh, it's really Brother Shen Mo! I'm a fan of his!" "Brother Shen Mo, I've always admired you. Can we become Dao partners?" "Get lost, do you think you're worthy of being Brother Shen Mo's Dao partner? Move aside, it's my turn!" The disciples quickly left Xiao Fan's side and flocked to Shen Mo. In an instant, only a few people remained around Xiao Fan, while more gathered around Shen Mo. Xiao Fan's expression turned from stiff to cold. He had just forged a perfect Dao foundation and entered the Foundation Establishment stage, just started enjoying the attention and adoration of others. Yet, in the blink of an eye, it was taken away. This feeling was too stifling! At this moment, several beautiful female disciples surrounded Shen Mo. They were of various types, all stunningly beautiful. Some bold female disciples even began to touch Shen Mo's body. Shen Mo smiled helplessly and had to activate his protective spiritual power to fend off their restless hands. Xiao Fan, furious, waved his hand and left with Liu Fei. Shen Mo watched his departing figure, lost in thought. "He truly deserves to be a reincarnation of a great one and a child of destiny. Even though I've intercepted many of his opportunities, he still managed to forge a perfect Dao foundation. In the future, he will surely receive the sect's preferential resources." "However, he still has many great opportunities on him, and I can't miss them." Shen Mo smiled faintly. He had just seen that Xiao Fan's life panel revealed new opportunities. [Name: Xiao Fan.] [Realm: Entry Level Foundation Establishment Realm.] [Fate: Child of Destiny, Graceful Immortal, Reincarnation of a Great Power, Surviving Against the Odds, Fiery Battle Body.] [Destiny: Will stop at the Major Accomplishment of the Nascent Soul Stage, become the Hall Master of the Scorching Heaven Palace, and be honored as the Immortal Chi Feng. He will bid for a valuable treasure at an auction, but his identity will be exposed, leading to a chase by old enemies, and he will ultimately die in battle.] [Recent Opportunity 1: Today, he will accept a mission to hunt the Amethyst Lion and go to Lion Roar Valley in the Qingcang Mountains. During his escape from the Lion King and rogue cultivators, he will accidentally discover a rudimentary cave left by a Nascent Soul stage cultivator in the southeast corner of Lion Roar Valley. In the cave's alchemy furnace, he will find three Pure Essence Foundation Pills. After consuming them, he will continuously advance and reach the Major Accomplishment of the Foundation Establishment Realm.] [Recent Opportunity 2: Three days later, after reaching the Major Accomplishment of the Foundation Establishment Realm, he will leave the cave and immediately counterattack the Lion King and the rogue cultivators, obtaining the Lion King's demon crystal and the treasures from the rogue cultivators.] [Recent Opportunity 3: Ten days later, following Liu Yuanfeng's orders, he will go to Qingshan City to secretly meet Ouyang Qian, the daughter of the deputy sect master of the Divine Sword Sect. The two will fall in love at first sight. Ouyang Qian will give him five bottles of Grand Foundation Pills, and after consuming them, he will reach the peak of the Foundation Establishment Realm.] [Recent Opportunity 4: One month later, he will again go to Qingshan City to secretly meet Ouyang Qian, and on the way, he will be intercepted by rogue cultivators. After killing them, he will find another part of the Forest Sword Art in their storage ring.] [Recent Opportunity 5: Two months later, he will go to Qingshan City intending to consummate his relationship with Ouyang Qian, but will be ambushed by the Hóng Fēngzhēng. After chasing it to its nest, he will find a storage ring containing three Earth-grade Everlasting Body Protection Pills.] Shen Mo pondered. He had heard of the Pure Essence Foundation Pills, which were said to be refined using secret methods to create Foundation Pills of the highest grade in the Profound Rank. One Pure Essence Foundation Pill was equivalent in potency to thirty ordinary Foundation Pills. However, the method of refining Pure Essence Foundation Pills had long been lost. As for the Grand Foundation Pills, they were similarly refined using secret methods and were a unique formula of the Divine Sword Sect. One Grand Foundation Pill was equivalent in potency to ten ordinary Foundation Pills. "Those Grand Foundation Pills are gifts from the deputy sect master's daughter to Xiao Fan, so I won't be able to obtain them." "But I definitely can't miss out on the Pure Essence Foundation Pills." "After consuming them, I have a high chance of directly reaching the peak of the Foundation Establishment Stage." "Additionally, I must obtain the other part of the Forest Sword Art." The Forest Sword Art was one of Shen Mo's trump cards. Although incomplete, it was still an Earth-grade spiritual weapon. If it were complete, even Core Formation cultivators would covet it. "Moreover, the Everlasting Body Protection Pills are excellent items. When I cultivate the Flame Hell Destruction Manual to break through to the Core Formation Stage, I will need to condense and destroy the Flame Hell Golden Core nine times." "Shattering the core will severely injure the body, and the Flame Hell Destruction Manual mentions that it requires treasures containing immense life energy to heal. The Everlasting Body Protection Pills are one such treasure!" Shen Mo was pleased. Since that was the case, he decided not to go to the Fire Hall but headed straight to the Mission Pavilion instead. The disciples in the Mission Pavilion saw him and immediately saluted, their expressions extremely respectful. Although Shen Mo had just become a true disciple, many had clearly seen that Liu Yunxuan was covered in injuries when he left Qingxuan Cave! Therefore, many disciples believed that Shen Mo's strength had already surpassed Liu Yunxuan's, making him the strongest among the four true disciples! It was only right to show respect to such a person!