The First Immortal of Destiny

Shen Mo released Fairy Pei Yu, Master Hong Jue, and Yang Chengxiong (Horse Groom Lv)—all middle-stage Class V Demon Soul Generals. After implanting them with Soul Splitting Runes, he commanded them to remain at the former site of the Dragon-suppressing Sect and guard the tens of thousands of Red Flame Sect Members constructing the Mountain Protection Array.

As for himself, he appeared in a mountain range southeast of Jade Spring Mountain, a million miles away.

Jade Spring Mountain harbored countless mineral deposits. However, even if the mountain was enormous, it could not withstand continuous mining and excavation by billions of cultivators over thousands, if not tens of thousands, of years. Therefore, Jade Spring Fairy had once issued a decree forbidding cultivators and various Xiu Xian Forces on the mountain from mining its mineral resources. This was to prevent the mountain from being riddled with holes, which would destroy its topography, earth veins, and Spirit Veins, thereby disrupting the layout of its Immortal Blessed Land. Establishing a sect entrance on the mountain’s surface, constructing a big array, or cultivating a spiritual field, for example, were not restricted by this decree.

For cultivators, underground minerals were indispensable resources for cultivation, including raw Spirit Stone mines, various types of jade, refined iron, immortal gold, and so on. Not to mention, mining these resources was one of the most important sources of income. Without them, daily cultivation would be greatly affected. It would not be long before cultivators would have to live like the Demons in the mountains—consuming raw meat, drinking blood, and using bones as tools.

Thus, Xiu Xian Forces with some assets would choose to secure territory outside Jade Spring Mountain. They would drive out the demons and monsters, both above and below ground, construct a formation barrier, and then send disciples and menials to mine the underground deposits. They could also collect various spiritual grass, exotic fruits, immortal wood, and other resources. Additionally, some immortal sects, Cultivating Families, and rogue cultivators lacking the power to exploit and protect external resource-rich areas would choose to pledge allegiance to a powerful Xiu Xian Force. After agreeing to conditions, such as contributing a portion of their profits, they could then mine and gather in that force’s territories.

For instance, the Dragon-suppressing Sect, thousands of years ago during its peak, had secured a large territory outside Jade Spring Mountain. However, with the fall of Fulong Immortal Master and the Sect’s gradual decline, most of these lands and enterprises had been sold off or taken by other Xiu Xian Forces through various overt and covert means. In recent years, the main sources of income for Fulong Sect cultivators had been reduced to two. One was a spiritual field planted within the sect entrance. The other was venturing into resource-rich lands controlled by other powerful Xiu Xian Forces for mining and gathering spiritual plant resources, a risky and costly endeavor. The Sect’s entire income could barely support True Master Bian’s cultivation, let alone the vast resources required by the disciples within the Sect for their own cultivation. Under such circumstances, the Dragon-suppressing Sect had no choice but to sell off its core territories.

The territory Shen Mo coveted was located between two Immortal Mountains. Although slightly elevated like a hill, the overall terrain was relatively gentle. This place was as desolate and remote as Five Dragon Mountain. It was extremely far from the two Immortal Mountains where great demons resided, densely forested, and seldom trodden. Quite a few Class IV Demons were scattered about. Some wandered alone, while others had gathered groups of demons and monsters, declaring themselves kings of their domains. Additionally, some rogue cultivators without significant backing practiced their cultivation in these mountains.

Soon after arriving, Shen Mo, commanding his Demon Soul Generals, had them devour all Class IV Demons within a ten-thousand-mile radius. He captured two that had not consumed humans and possessed relatively pure auras, appointing them as Sect Enforcers. As for the remaining low-class Demons, he did not kill them, leaving them for his disciples to gain experience. Most of the rogue cultivators in the mountains appeared destitute and down-and-out in Shen Mo’s eyes, so he did not drive them all away. Only thousands of deeply hidden evil cultivators had nowhere to hide from his incredibly powerful and keen five senses. He rooted them out one by one, feeding them all as blood-food to his Demon Soul Generals.

After clearing the area, he learned that this place was called Blood Snake Ridge. This name likely originated from a species of small, blood-red snake inhabiting the mountain range. Traces of them could be seen everywhere—in the dense woods, streams, rivers, and even underground. However, this type of small snake could not even be considered a Class I demonic beast. A strong mortal could kill one with a wooden stick. Its blood, flesh, bones, skin, scales, teeth, poison glands, and organs were largely useless. They were primarily a food source for other demons and monsters, occupying this mountain range only due to their terrifying reproductive capabilities. After Shen Mo examined them using ”Insight into All Beings,” he quickly lost interest in these small snakes. If they were used as food, a Class III early-stage Demon Soul General, eating non-stop day and night for years, would likely still not advance to Class IV. Thus, they were not worth further consideration.

Later, he selected an open area on Blood Snake Ridge with rich Spiritual Qi and released tens of thousands of Red Flame Sect Members. Although Blood Snake Ridge was very far from the two Immortal Mountains, he could not guarantee that a Class V great demon from the mountains or elsewhere would not venture there. Therefore, he needed to establish a Yin-Yang Five Elements Array to provide protection for Red Flame Sect cultivators going out to gather resources.

In addition to the Mountain Protection Array, Shen Mo also dispatched his disciples to construct a high-class Teleportation Array, directly linking it with the Sect’s main quarters on Jade Spring Mountain. Using this array as the center, low-class Formations were gradually built within a ten-thousand-mile radius around Blood Snake Ridge, weaving a comprehensive network of Teleportation Arrays. Immense differences existed between Teleportation Arrays of different grades regarding required formation materials, Spirit Stone consumption upon activation, teleportation distance, and more. The Teleportation Arrays established in the Sect’s core area and within the big array at Blood Snake Ridge were naturally high-class Teleportation Arrays. Otherwise, crossing a million miles would be difficult. The Teleportation Altars built around Blood Snake Ridge’s Mountain Protection Array, however, did not need such powerful effects. As long as they could teleport thousands or tens of thousands of miles, it would be convenient for disciples to commute. After all, most of those performing mining tasks were disciples in the Body Tempering Realm, or even numerous mortals without Mana. In case of danger, they could be quickly teleported back to the Blood Snake Ridge base. To return to Jade Spring Mountain, they could use the high-class Teleportation Array at the base. This approach would meet various needs while greatly saving on formation materials and the Spirit Stones required to activate the Formations.

「Three months later.」 The Yin-Yang Five Elements Array and the high-class Teleportation Arrays at the Crimson Flame Sect Mountain Gate at the foot of Jade Spring Mountain, and at the Blood Snake Ridge base, were all completed. Low-class Teleportation Arrays and supporting fortresses were also established in the ten-thousand-mile area around Blood Snake Ridge that Shen Mo had designated. After completing these tasks, Shen Mo activated the Mountain Protection Array outside the main gate, using its concealing power to prevent outsiders from prying. Then, he fully deployed his cave paradise, settling it within the Yin-Yang Five Elements Array.

From this day forward, the hundred million creatures of the Green Cloud Cave and the million Sect Disciples of the Red Flame Sect formally settled at Jade Spring Mountain. What Shen Mo needed to do next was enter a period of secluded cultivation to restore the cultivation level lost when he used [Rebirth from the Residual Body]. Routine sect affairs could be handled by the senior members.