CHAPTER 59: CHAPTER 59 CONSUMING THE PURPLE SUN RED FRUIT_1

Everything had unfolded just as Shen Mo predicted.

This so-called Xuanzhi Superior Master was indeed an evil cultivator from the Demonic Path.

Twenty years ago, he had secretly begun collaborating with the Blood Robe Sect, a mortal Demonic Cult.

Using the lure of cultivation methods and elixirs, he secretly cultivated Blood Robe Sect members, leading them to collect items for Blood Sacrifices and kill mortals.

However, with the rapid growth of the Blood Robe Sect, their actions became increasingly intolerable for the martial arts society of Tianyou City.

Finally, five years ago, the Shen Family united righteous path forces and attacked the Blood Robe Sect, leading to their annihilation.

Xuanzhi Superior Master heard about the downfall of the Blood Robe Sect only several days later.

For him, exploiting mortals to collect items for Blood Sacrifices had proven advantageous, so naturally, he wouldn’t give up on it so easily.

Therefore, he rushed to the former Blood Robe Sect site, where he met the siblings Gu Ming and Gu Zhao.

He chose to fully support them in rebuilding the Blood Robe Sect, allowing him to continue refining his Soul Refining Flag via Blood Sacrifices.

"The Superior Master’s Skill is vast, and it was his support that allowed me to progress so quickly in my martial cultivation."

Gu Ming sighed and said, "He also promised that if I could successfully complete the Blood Sacrifice for his Soul Refining Flag, he would accept me as his Direct Disciple, teach me the Immortal Law, and guide me on the path of cultivation."

"Teach you Immortal Law and take you as his disciple?"

Shen Mo gave a cold smile. "Your body has already been eroded by his demonic cultivation method. It’s hard to say how many years you have left to live, yet you’re still thinking about cultivation?"

He could see that although Gu Ming’s martial prowess was formidable, he was only giving the appearance of prosperity while being destitute on the inside.

The cultivation method that man had taught him was most likely a malevolent one that damaged his Lifespan and consumed his essence.

Otherwise, his cultivation wouldn’t have progressed so rapidly.

Not just him; the same applied to Gu Zhao and the others.

Xuanzhi Superior Master was only cultivating them as tools and would never pass on teachings with sincerity.

This isn’t over yet.

Shen Mo rubbed his tense brows while sighing internally.

Originally, with the Blood Robe Sect destroyed and its leader captured and his cultivation crippled by him, Shen Mo had thought the matter settled.

But unexpectedly, an evil cultivator was involved.

If he wished to return to the sect in peace, he needed to settle everything without any lingering issues.

"What is Xuanzhi Superior Master’s strength?"

"A bit stronger than an Immortal Master."

"How much stronger?"

"The Superior Master once said his cultivation has reached the second layer of the Qi Gathering Realm."

Gu Ming answered seriously.

He had dared to fight Shen Mo to the death precisely because he hadn’t sensed the aura of the Qi Gathering Realm from him, which had given him such courage.

He hadn’t expected that although Shen Mo’s cultivation was still at Body Tempering Perfection, he possessed many hidden trump cards, and his combat prowess was not inferior to someone who had just entered the Qi Gathering Realm.

Despite this, Gu Ming estimated that this Immortal Master’s combat strength was still likely inferior to Xuanzhi Superior Master’s.

"’The second layer of the Qi Gathering Realm?’" Shen Mo murmured to himself, unsuprised.

If he were truly an evil cultivator of great renown, his name would typically be high on the Blacklist, constantly pursued and hunted.

There would be no need for such secrecy.

"According to the rules of the cultivation world, if a clue about an evil cultivator is found, it can be reported to the sect."

But...

He pondered for a moment, hesitant.

Shen Mo currently had two choices.

The first was to return to the sect and report the full details about Xuanzhi Superior Master to the sect Elders or those of higher rank.

The advantage was that he wouldn’t need to handle the subsequent events.

Cultivators from the sect would be ordered to eliminate this fiend.

The problem, however, was the time it would take to travel back and forth.

Moreover, when cultivators from the Riverside Sect arrived, they would only focus on eliminating the evil cultivator and wouldn’t care about the Shen Family’s safety.

If the Shen Family faced retaliation during this period, it could lead to their complete annihilation.

What was even more crucial...

Shen Mo lightly touched the Soul Refining Flag in his hand, feeling reluctant to give it up.

Although this Soul Refining Flag is a bloody evil item, it possesses considerable power.

Informing the sect would mean that the Soul Refining Flag, being connected to the matter, would also have to be handed over.

And he was somewhat inclined to keep this spoil of war for himself.

I’d better handle this myself!

After a moment of thought, Shen Mo made his decision.

Second layer of the Qi Gathering Realm. His strength is considerable, but if I can successfully break through, killing him shouldn’t be difficult!

He decided to stay in Tianyou City for one more day, consume the Purple Sun Red Fruit immediately, and attempt a breakthrough.

If the breakthrough was successful, he would order Gu Ming to lure out the evil cultivator behind the scenes and kill him, eliminating future problems.

After finishing the interrogation, Shen Mo descended from Lingfeng Terrace.

Several groups of Jianghu heroes had come to the Shen Family estate, all wishing to visit Shen Mo.

The incident of the Blood Robe Sect’s slaying of Bright King had quickly caused a sensation throughout Tianyou City. Many people came out of admiration, wanting to see this legendary Immortal Master for themselves.

As for these people, Shen Mo had Shen Zhiyun drive them away, refusing to meet with any of them.

"Although the Blood Robe Sect has been dealt with, there’s still an evil cultivator supporting them from behind..."

Shen Mo shared the information about Xuanzhi Superior Master with Shen Zhiyun.

Upon hearing this, Shen Zhiyun’s expression changed slightly. "Does this mean... our Shen Family might face retaliation from an evil cultivator in the future?"

"Don’t worry. Since it involves a cultivator, I will handle it."

Shen Mo shook his head. "I will stay with the Shen Family for one more day to resolve this matter before I leave."

"Choose a quiet room for me and don’t let anyone else disturb me."

"Understood." Shen Zhiyun nodded repeatedly.

「That night, in the guest room of the Shen Family.」

Shen Mo circulated the Heavenly Origin Technique, continuously absorbing the surrounding nature’s spiritual energy.

He was adjusting his state.

The time to breakthrough had come!

This time, to attempt breaking through to the Qi Gathering Realm, he needed to adjust his condition to its peak to maximize his chances of success.

HUFF!

He flipped his palm and the Purple Sun Red Fruit with dense thunder patterns appeared in his hand.

Finally... it’s time to start gathering Qi!

Placing the Purple Sun Red Fruit before him, Shen Mo then took out a large quantity of Yang-strengthening Powder and Minor Yuan Cultivation Pills from his Universe Bag.

Only after preparing all of this did he begin.

GURGLE!

He swallowed the Purple Sun Red Fruit. Soon, Shen Mo felt the fruit’s essence in his body rapidly transform into an immensely potent medicinal energy.

This medicinal energy was extremely potent, constricting his internal organs, countless meridians, and Chakras, causing a vague, throbbing pain.

[You have consumed the Purple Sun Red Fruit. Immense medicinal energy has exploded within your body. The continuously surging medicinal energy is becoming difficult for you to bear.]

Swallow it for me!

Sensing wave after wave of potent medicinal energy assaulting him, he didn’t dare to hesitate and immediately circulated the Heavenly Origin Technique to its utmost limit!

[You are circulating the Heavenly Origin Technique, gradually absorbing the medicinal energy and refining it into your body’s Qi and blood. Through this refinement, your physical vitality has increased.]

[While circulating the Heavenly Origin Technique, you have unexpectedly gained a point of Destiny.]

[Through your unyielding efforts, the medicinal energy in your body has been partially refined. Your current strength is approaching the limits of the Body Tempering Realm.]

The absorption power of the Heavenly Origin Technique, having reached the Senior stage, was immense.

Even though the medicinal energy of the Purple Sun Red Fruit was incredibly abundant, it was still rapidly refined, transforming into internal Mana and blood Qi.

With the continuous absorption and accumulation of medicinal energy, Shen Mo’s body became increasingly bloated, even expanding his physical size by a noticeable degree.

But he didn’t rush to begin breaking through to the Qi Gathering Realm.

He knew that opening multiple Dantians required a colossal amount of Qi, blood, and Mana, which would be rapidly consumed during the breakthrough.

NGH!

Roughly a quarter of an hour passed. Shen Mo continued to refine the medicinal energy of the Purple Sun Red Fruit until, finally... he sensed the critical point.

Like a pressure cooker at the brink of explosion, he began.

"Breakthrough!"

The moment he muttered this, the roiling Qi and blood within his body surged towards his Qi Sea.

This terrifying torrent of Qi and blood, like a burst dam, was unstoppable as it pounded against the sealed gate of his Qi Sea.

Breaching that gate meant condensing a Dantian and entering the Qi Gathering Realm.

WHOOSH!

Under the crushing force of Shen Mo’s terrifying Qi and blood, this gate to the Qi Sea was shattered with ease.

The instant the gate opened, Shen Mo observed internally as a small vortex slowly formed above his Qi Sea.

This vortex pulled continuously, generating a powerful suction that gathered all the turbulent Spiritual Qi within his body.

[You have successfully broken through, unsealing the gate to the Upper Dan Field within your body. A Dantian has condensed, and your strength is surging.]

This is... the Upper Dan Field...

Witnessing this, Shen Mo was overjoyed.

The formation of a Dantian signified a successful breakthrough.

But he didn’t stop. After so much preparation, he would not be satisfied with just an ordinary foundation.