The First Immortal of Destiny

Chapter 539: Chapter 539 Entering the Palace_1

RUSTLE.

The branches of the towering tree swayed violently. Moments later, its leaves, as if entering autumn and winter, quickly turned yellow and withered. A profusion of golden leaves fluttered down, thickly carpeting Shen Mo’s feet before slowly fading into nothingness! Other than that, it was as if nothing had happened.

”Moro Shen, the unknown attack has been blocked,” Mi yammered from inside his sleeve.

”Yes!”

Shen Mo nodded slightly, a hint of relief in his eyes.

The warning from his [Chanjue] Destiny finally quieted, confirming that the Defense Spell conjured from the Mother Tree’s green leaf had indeed blocked the demonic power for him.

However, according to Mi, this tree that sheltered them could only block one more similar attack. After that, the Defense Spell inscribed on the Mother Tree’s green leaf by a Big Moro from the Flower Fairy clan would completely dissipate, unable to be conjured again for protection!

Whether attacks from the Evil Spirit would continue was unknown... Shen Mo couldn’t afford to delay. He swiftly conjured a spirit light and headed for the bottom of the abyss.

In this environment, it was inconvenient to use the Feather Transformation Charm. If his soul wasn’t already overtaxed, Shen Mo would have definitely used the [Sword Escape] Skill to reach the bottom of the Dragon Fall Abyss as quickly as possible. This would avoid complications and prevent exhausting the full power of the tree’s Defense Spell.

They were now only a hundred or so miles from the bottom of the abyss.

After about twenty breaths, Shen Mo finally entered the area of the Formation Prohibition set up by the Riverside Sect.

Along the way, they encountered various peculiar attacks, seemingly stray offensive Spells from powerful cultivators, demonic beasts, and other creatures battling within the Dragon Fall Abyss. Sharp sword Qi, flames that could burn through the dark fog, eerie lights filled with an aura of death, and fragments of broken magic treasures—all were blocked by the towering tree.

The unknown method of the Evil Spirit did not reappear...

This allowed Shen Mo and Mi to breathe a sigh of relief. After all, if this tree completely dissipated, they would have no way to resist a similar Evil Spirit attack upon leaving the Dragon Fall Abyss.

The Mother Tree’s green leaf contained a total of three Spells: two offensive and one defensive. Normally, these would be enough for Mi to handle Class V opponents multiple times. However, man proposes, but God disposes. Presumably, the Big Moro from the Flower Fairy clan never expected that she and Shen Mo would encounter an Evil Spirit!

Compared to the Suspended Fairy Mountain and the Heaven Patrolling Boat House, this Evil Spirit is even harder to defend against...

In the future, even Golden Core Realm cultivators might not be safe entering the Jade Pool Realm. It’s highly likely they would perish here due to the Evil Spirit’s methods.

Once I’m inside, I must try to collect all mature and usable spiritual medicines!

As for transplanting the foreign flowers and plants, that will have to be left to fate.

Due to the black fog and gloomy wind, Shen Mo’s five senses could only perceive a very small area. Furthermore, his Special Destinies, whether [Examine] or [Dharma Eyes], couldn’t discern the specific characteristics of this unknown Evil Spirit. Naturally, he couldn’t devise any countermeasures. Therefore, even if Patriarch Zhou Zhiwei himself came, he would find it difficult to survive this Evil Spirit’s methods.

Shen Mo had originally planned to transplant the foreign spiritual plants acquired from the Flower Fairy clan into the Jade Pool Dungeon. He hoped to gain long-term benefits from the Dungeon’s unique temporal properties. It seems that will be difficult to achieve now.

Of course, once he achieves Core Formation, his strength will increase dramatically. If he can then block the Evil Spirit’s methods with his own power, this plan might still be feasible.

More specifically, he’ll have to wait until he achieves the Golden Core, test his capabilities, and then he’ll know for sure.

A gray-black hall, constructed from iron and stone, stood like a colossal demonic beast in a corner of the abyss bottom. Surrounding it were layers upon layers of Formation Prohibitions, emitting a faint spirit light in the black fog. If anyone dared to force their way in, the formidable power of these Formations would instantly shred the intruder to pieces!

With the Void Palm, Shen Mo could project the phantom of an ancient Void Sun Mouse to forcefully break the Formation Prohibition. However, he chose not to do so. Instead, he retrieved an array compass from his Universe Bag. This was a key to the great hall guarding the entrance to the Jade Pool Realm, allowing control over the Formations both inside and out.

Yuan Heming, Zhou Zhiwei, Feng Daogu, Gongsun Jiuru—the four Supreme Elders—and Sect Master Yuan Qingshi each possessed one. The one Shen Mo held naturally belonged to Patriarch Zhou Zhiwei.

If he had no understanding of Formations, Shen Mo would likely have had to force his way in. However, with his mastery of the Array Path approaching Grade II, using the compass to open a path of life wasn’t difficult.

”Water and mountain signify obstruction ahead; thunder and water offer gentle resolution...” Shen Mo murmured, fiddling with the compass.

Soon, a faint light glowed on the compass. Under the towing of Qi, the layers of Formation Prohibitions shielding the great hall subtly shifted.

The next moment, Shen Mo, enveloped in a faint golden spirit light, plunged straight into the Formations. Aside from causing ripples of light to spread, he didn’t trigger the lethal power of the Formation Prohibitions!

Following the path of life, Shen Mo flew directly to the entrance of the great hall. Without hesitation, he pushed open the heavy bronze doors.

SQUEAK...

As the heavy doors creaked open, a stagnant, corrupt smell assaulted Shen Mo’s nostrils, causing his brows to furrow and his expression to shift.

Several thousand years ago, when he and Stars Peak’s Peak Master Zhou Shili had entered this hall via the Teleportation Array, he hadn’t smelled any such decaying odor.

Could it be... Elder Li, who was stationed here, met with some misfortune?

Before stepping into the great hall, Shen Mo checked the feedback from his [Chanjue] Destiny; there was no warning. Nevertheless, he didn’t put away the Soul Refining Flag or the Green Cloud Umbrella, nor did he deactivate the [Indestructible Body] Special Destiny.

With growing suspicion, he slowly stepped into the great hall...

The layout was the same as his first visit. The Teleportation Array in the hall was intact and functional. However, its destination was now unknown.

Unobstructed by black fog or chilling winds, Shen Mo’s spiritual sense quickly swept through the main hall. He found no trace of Elder Li, nor even the slightest hint of a living presence.

The sense of unease in his heart intensified. He immediately headed towards the side hall where Elder Li lived and practiced his cultivation.

When he pushed open the side hall door, the sight that greeted him made Shen Mo’s expression change drastically!

The side hall’s furnishings were typical of a cultivator’s living quarters. But on the jade bed lay a coral-red, fleshy mass.

No head.

No limbs.

No organs!

Only a lump of crimson flesh, squirming almost imperceptibly!

The robes, Universe Bag, and magic treasures scattered on the jade bed all indicated to Shen Mo the true identity of this fleshy mass: it was none other than Elder Li, who had guarded this place for many years.