The First Immortal of Destiny

Chapter 451: 451

Ultimately, Shen Mo’s elevation within the Riverside Sect had been far too rapid, and he hadn’t accumulated a strong enough support network. Many of his peers were still muddling through in the Inner Door; even those with the fastest cultivation progress, such as Lu Ming and his cohort, had yet to cultivate to the Spirit Sea Realm! Had Yang Xuan obtained the position of new Peak Master, given his connections, a large number of peers and juniors would have enthusiastically offered their services, quickly bolstering the operations of a major Main Peak.

Fortunately, Shen Mo, having attended high-level meetings, presented compelling arguments and persuaded Sect Master Yuan Qingshi and others to forcefully dispatch Spirit Sea Realm Elders from the three Main Peaks and various major halls to Green Cloud Peak. As for Qi Gathering Realm Deacons, although skilled administrators were scarce, mediocre ones were plentiful and could be carefully vetted later on. Through much effort and bustling activity, Shen Mo managed to lay the groundwork for Green Cloud Peak. What remained was to recruit disciples to maintain the normal operations of the Main Peak!

About a month and a half after the Mountain River Realm battle, Guo Xun, who was tasked with the crucial duty of setting up the formation, and Jiang Lingfeng, who remained stationed in the Wando Archipelago, finally sent talisman messages.

On this day, Shen Mo, the Peak Masters of Sun, Moon, and Stars Peaks, and all the Hall Masters, appeared outside the Teleportation Altar in Purple Heaven Palace!

BUZZ!

The Teleportation Altar suddenly flared with spirit light. A moment later, Jiang Lingfeng, who had not returned to the Riverside Sect for over half a year, was the first to step out of the altar. She was followed by the weary-faced Guo Xun, and a Spirit Sea Realm Elder he had invited, who was proficient in the Array Path. Behind them were nearly a hundred Bloody Fiend School disciples, brimming with Blood Qi!

Having just stepped out of the grand formation, these Bloody Fiend School disciples looked around, their faces filled with astonishment and curiosity. Upon seeing Shen Mo, they all showed respect, bowing deeply and greeting in unison, ”Greetings, Patriarch!”

Although these Bloody Fiend School disciples had been meticulously selected and were among the best in cultivating the complete version of the Dragon Elephant Blood Fiend Body, most had yet to reach the Qi Gathering Realm due to their relatively short cultivation period. However, their presence was indispensable for the peak’s inauguration ceremony. An exclusive area within the Riverside Sect’s Outer Door had been allocated for them to live and cultivate. Once their strength reached the Qi Gathering Realm, they could smoothly join Green Cloud Peak.

Subsequently, after a series of procedures—such as examination with the Bone Viewing Mirror, identity registration and issuance of identification jade pendants, and paying respects to the Sect Master—these Bloody Fiend School disciples, led by an Outer Deacon, left the square outside Purple Heaven Palace and headed to the peripheral areas. Meanwhile, several Spirit Sea Realm Elders, who had been waiting for some time, also followed the Deputy Hall Master of the Evil Punishing Hall into the Teleportation Altar. They were heading to the Bloody Fiend Sect’s mountain gate to relieve Jiang Lingfeng and continue eliminating the Priests and evil cultivators from all corners of the Wando Archipelago. Additionally, they were tasked with crucial duties such as prospecting for Spirit Banned Frost Sand and other mineral deposits, and enforcing the Riverside Sect’s policies!

With the arrival of the Bloody Fiend School disciples, the peak’s inauguration ceremony was fast approaching. Shen Mo was busier than he had been in the preceding days. Even busier was Yu Yan, who had just assumed the position of Hall Master of the Immortal Welcoming Hall; a large number of prominent figures from various immortal sects were constantly arriving at the Riverside Sect from all over, all requiring his personal reception.

Because it was still during the period of demonic calamity, those attending the ceremony from The Four Great Sects were mostly figures equivalent to Peak Masters, representing their respective Sect Masters. As for other immortal sects, generally, their Sect Master or Deputy Sect Master attended in person; only those who truly couldn’t get away would send a sect Elder with gifts.

By the day of the peak’s inauguration ceremony, the fourth Main Peak, Green Cloud Peak, was already festooned with lights and decorations, brimming with the joyous atmosphere of the grand ceremony. A large number of renowned figures from the cultivation world of Red Flame Country gathered at Green Cloud Peak to witness this momentous occasion for the Riverside Sect. Compared to the inauguration ceremonies for Bright Moon Peak and Stars Peak centuries ago, the celebration for establishing the Green Cloud Peak lineage was comparatively modest. Yet, in the eyes of the attendees, it still appeared grand and majestic!

Though it had been an overcast and rainy day, powerful cultivators from the sect had dispelled the dark clouds, revealing a brilliant sun. Fleecy, cotton-like clouds shimmered under the sunlight, resembling a golden tapestry unfurled across the heavens. Various auspicious phenomena, meticulously orchestrated by disciples in coordination with the Mountain Protection Array—such as celestial maidens scattering flowers, auspicious dragons and phoenixes appearing, vibrant propitious clouds, and ethereal melodies drifting—enveloped the entire Riverside Sect in an ethereal beauty and an overwhelming Spiritual Qi!

Sect Master Yuan Qingshi personally officiated the various rites and procedures of the grand ceremony. As the new Peak Master, Shen Mo was inevitably in the spotlight, attracting considerable attention. Many marveled at his youth and achievements; those unaware of his true background secretly surmised he must possess an extraordinary backing within the Riverside Sect!

After performing the rites to inform Heaven and the ancestors, Yuan Qingshi, witnessed by the many honored guests, personally conferred upon Shen Mo the title of Peak Master of Green Cloud Peak and presented him with the exclusive robe, headdress, belt, and Jade Tablet befitting his station.

”Peak Master Shen, upon receiving this position, you should remember: Great achievements are built upon ambition, and vast enterprises upon diligence; only through decisiveness can future hardships be overcome!” As Yuan Qingshi handed the Green Cloud Sword—a symbol of authority and command—to Shen Mo, he imparted these words. This sword, originally a low-grade spiritual level Flying Sword from the Riverside Sect’s Treasure Hall, had been forcibly renamed the Green Cloud Sword and bestowed upon Shen Mo as one of the symbols of his office. The circumstances were compelling; even if the Artifact Spirit within the sword harbored dissatisfaction, it dared not reveal the slightest hint of it.

Shen Mo accepted the Green Cloud Sword. After refining it with a drop of his blood, he held the sword and intoned, ”This disciple shall surely remember the Sect Master’s teachings! I will diligently fulfill my duties and not betray the sect’s high hopes.”

DONG!

DONG! DONG!

The high-suspended Daoist bell resounded with majestic clarity, each of its dozen or so tolls representing a century of trials weathered by the Riverside Sect.

As the ceremony progressed, it was followed by a banquet to entertain the esteemed guests. At the banquet, regardless of status, Shen Mo accepted every toast offered. After three continuous days of drinking, even with his robust vitality, he began to feel the strain.

Following the grand feast, a smaller, more intimate banquet was held at GuanYun Mansion for close acquaintances. Most of those who had some amicable connection with Shen Mo attended this banquet, unless there were significant grievances between them. Zhao Lingyin, of course, was present, practically a co-hostess at GuanYun Mansion. Also present were Chen Mengze and her father, Cao Ren and his father Cao Shanyue, Lu Ming, Qian Xiaofeng, Yao Ting, Li Zhong, and others.

To Shen Mo’s pleasant surprise, Chen Mengze was showing signs of breaking through to the Spirit Sea Realm, likely to achieve it within the next month or two. To aid her, Shen Mo specifically sought out Zhao Lingyin to exchange for several Grade IV Elixirs, intending to increase Chen Mengze’s chances of successfully opening her Spirit Sea!

As for Uncle Chen, Shen Mo made no secret of his intentions and directly arranged through the Affairs Hall to transfer him to Green Cloud Peak as an inner deacon. In the future, Uncle Chen would no longer need to lead Outer Disciples and newly promoted Inner Door disciples on perilous expeditions.

Furthermore, Cao Ren, who cultivated the [Dragon Transformation Spell], had also made astonishing progress in his cultivation. In the short time they hadn’t seen each other, his cultivation had leaped from the Qi Gathering Realm Layer V to Layer VII. Considering his original Talent, even reaching the late-stage of the Qi Gathering Realm in his lifetime would have been a remarkable achievement. It could only be said that the benefits he reaped from his soul being able to wander the Dark Blue Zone far exceeded Shen Mo’s imagination. However, the higher his Cultivation Realm, the closer he drew to the moment he would be captured by the ”Dragon Rearing Pool”!