CHAPTER 47: CHAPTER 47 ACCUMULATION_1

The mastery of the Bloody Dragon-shaped Body brought about significant changes for Shen Mo; he was now a cultivator of both spiritual techniques and physical conditioning.

For the better part of the next month, he spent his time consolidating and adjusting to these changes.

In his spare time, he continued his regular alchemy and talisman-crafting practices.

The Spirit Storage Rat, as agreed, came every day for its share of meat.

At the same time, it would also bring a gift as a reciprocal gesture.

Sometimes, it brought Dark Crystal Ore.

Other times, it brought low-class wild Spirit Fruits from the forest.

Occasionally, it would bring back a sun-dried demonic beast corpse.

Sometimes, it even managed to find a piece of Spirit Stone somewhere and eagerly trotted over to present its gift, seeking praise.

However, gifts as precious as the jade slip of the ’Dragon Elephant Blood Fiend Body’ never appeared again.

Shen Mo, however, was content with this.

After all, his work was merely to roast some meat for the Spirit Storage Rat to enjoy.

The supplies for roasting were provided by the sect kitchen, so he only contributed his labor at no cost to himself.

Receiving some items in return was already a good deal.

His daily routine was just to prepare the roast meat and wait for the rat to bring that day’s gift.

The experience was similar to opening blind boxes, which Shen Mo eagerly anticipated.

With such a fulfilling schedule, time passed quickly.

In the blink of an eye, the two-month assignment of guarding the Dark Crystal Mine had come to an end.

"Today is the day to return to the sect," Shen Mo mused, looking at his reflection in the bronze mirror after washing his face.

These past two months have been quite fruitful.

His initial intention in coming here with Chen Mengze had merely been to earn those fifty Spirit Stones and casually practice alchemy while slacking off.

But when good fortune came knocking, it was hard to turn away.

Not only did he gain the friendship of Guo Zhao here, from whom he received the Dragon Sparrow Sword and also learned the art of forging, but there was more.

Moreover, he encountered the Spirit Storage Rat here, obtained an excellent body tempering cultivation method, and acquired various other small items. These were gains beyond his initial expectations.

[Destinied Lord: Shen Mo]

[Cultivation: Body Tempering Realm, Layer IX]

[Talisman Path: (Grade I) 784/1,000]

[Alchemy Path: (Grade I) 597/1,000]

[Forge: (Grade V) 300/500]

Opening his stats page, Shen Mo reviewed his experience points in the Talisman Path, Alchemy Path, and Forging.

During this period, he had practiced alchemy and talisman crafting a roughly equal number of times.

But the increase in experience points in the Alchemy Path far exceeded that in the Talisman Path.

The difference was due to the alchemic insights from the Red Cloud Cauldron, which had saved him many missteps.

"Ninety-four Minor Yuan Cultivation Pills, thirty-one Qi Restoring Pills, thirteen portions of Yang-Strengthening Powder."

"Twenty-two Lightness Talismans, six Li Fire Talismans, four Mind Concentration Talismans, and three Power Measurement Talismans."

He took out all the elixirs and talismans from his Universe Bag and tallied them up. The quantity was considerable. Although the talismans and elixirs from the first month had all been exchanged for Demon Cores and demonic beast corpses, his efficiency in alchemy and talisman crafting had improved with increasing experience. Thus, he had managed to accumulate many more in the past twenty-odd days.

"Lastly, the Destiny Panel!"

He opened his Destiny Panel and reviewed his current basic attributes.

[Vitality: Robust]

[Talent: Superior]

[Luck: Ordinary]

[Appearance: Dignified]

[Wisdom: Average]

[Fate: ???]

[Lifespan: ???]

In total, three of his attributes were white-grade and two were green-grade.

In the past two months, Shen Mo had gathered nineteen Destiny Points, all of which he had used in attempts to elevate his Basic Destiny attributes.

However, the failure rate was astonishingly high.

Despite using all nineteen Destiny Points, he had only managed to upgrade the Wisdom attribute of his Basic Destiny from its original grey grade, ’innately dull,’ to its current white grade, ’utterly mundane.’

Overall, my current destiny is only slightly better than that of an ordinary person.

Shen Mo wasn’t particularly satisfied with this, but neither was he disappointed.

Because changing one’s destiny was, in itself, not an easy task.

As long as he could continuously acquire Destiny Points, he believed his fate would eventually improve.

The path is long and arduous; I must take it one step at a time!

"Junior Brother Shen, the disciples for the handover have arrived. Pack your things; we’re about to leave!"

Pushing the door open, Guo Zhao walked into the cave mansion.

Seeing Shen Mo, he gave him a brief instruction, then hurriedly exited to coordinate with the disciples taking over, handing over the roster, records, and other items to his successor.

"Are we leaving already?"

Shen Mo went to find Chen Mengze, who was also packing.

He had already placed everything he needed to take with him into his Universe Bag.

But... a sense of emptiness still pervaded him now that departure was imminent.

SQUEAK! SQUEAK!

Even from afar, he could hear a creature’s cries.

Simultaneously, a dark shadow darted toward him.

The Spirit Storage Rat had come looking for food again.

"Alright, it’s all yours."

Shen Mo had already prepared ten pounds of roasted meat, all of which he laid out before it.

SQUEAK! SQUEAK!

Previously, Shen Mo had usually given it at most three pounds of meat.

This was the first time he had offered ten pounds. Seeing such a generous amount, the Spirit Storage Rat was overjoyed, and the tuft of fur on its head quivered excitedly.

It quickly began to devour the food ravenously.

As Shen Mo watched it eat, he gently stroked its soft, fluffy body, a touch of reluctance in his heart. "I’m leaving. After this meal, you’ll have to find food for yourself."

SQUEAK!

At his words, the Spirit Storage Rat paused, staring blankly at him. Suddenly, the meat in its mouth no longer seemed so delicious.

Didn’t we have an agreement? I find you gifts, and you provide the meals...

A large question mark seemed to appear in its small eyes.

Shen Mo sighed and said apologetically, "I am a disciple of the Riverside Sect. My presence guarding the Dark Crystal Mine was a sect assignment, so I cannot stay here permanently."

"Today, my assignment is complete, and I must return to the sect."

"Our acquaintance was a matter of fate, but no banquet lasts forever."

"I will roast some more meat for you to eat gradually after I’m gone."

Shen Mo said, then his tone shifted as he proposed, "Alternatively, if you’re willing to leave with me and come to the Riverside Sect, I can guarantee you’ll have meat with every meal."

Having spoken, he looked quietly at the Spirit Storage Rat, awaiting its decision.

This Spirit Storage Rat was quite intelligent and possessed certain Skills.

Although these Skills didn’t seem particularly formidable at the moment.

But as long as it was fed, the creature would bring him things in return, a rather profitable exchange.

Naturally, Shen Mo hoped to tame this creature and keep it by his side.

However, this ultimately depended on its decision, and Shen Mo couldn’t force it.

SQUEAK! The Spirit Storage Rat tilted its head back, gazing at Shen Mo. Its tiny eyes seemed to be deep in thought.

Since birth, or at least as far back as its memory extended, it had always lived by the Lancang River and had never ventured beyond this area.

The Spirit Storage Rat was quite hesitant, now that it was suddenly being asked to leave its territory.

Besides, Shen Mo had said he would roast more meat for it. Even if he leaves, I shouldn’t have to worry about food for a short while, right?