CHAPTER 66: CHAPTER 66 - ESTABLISHING OFFICE_1

This brief introduction surfaced in Shen Mo’s mind.

Shen Mo then continued to browse, finding information that included the introductory pithy mantra and some key points of cultivation.

This magic seems good; I’ll choose it.

After a quick scan, Shen Mo stored it.

There wasn’t much time left.

After a while, Shen Mo felt a wave of spatial repulsion from his side.

Shortly after, the world turned upside down. When he opened his eyes again, he found himself at the entrance of the Magic Tower.

"So, did you gain anything?" the Keeper Elder glanced at him and asked coolly.

"I’ve chosen a magic, Elder. Please look it over and register it."

Shen Mo nodded and handed over the "Purple Mansion Heart Scripture".

"It’s this cultivation method?"

When the Keeper Elder saw this cultivation method, his expression showed slight surprise. "You do have some skill. I’ve guarded this Magic Tower for many years, and this is the first time I’ve seen a new disciple obtain this magic."

The first floor of the Magic Tower mostly contains low-grade profound level elementary magic.

Truly good magic is rare, and the best among them is this "Purple Mansion Heart Scripture".

The better the magic, the harder it is to obtain.

Under normal circumstances, it’s very difficult for new disciples with insufficient cultivation to capture and retrieve them.

"I have registered it for you. You can take this jade slip," the Keeper Elder instructed. "This jade slip only contains the first volume of the ’Purple Mansion Heart Scripture’. If you succeed in practicing this cultivation method, you can go to the second floor of the Magic Tower to find the second volume."

"Also, remember that the jade slip can only be borrowed for one month. It needs to be returned on time before it expires. Don’t forget."

"This disciple remembers." Shen Mo bowed respectfully and put the "Purple Mansion Heart Scripture" into his Universe Bag before leaving.

「.......」

After returning to his residence, Shen Mo began to attempt cultivating this middle-grade profound level internal magic.

"’Heaven and earth are everlasting. The reason heaven and earth can be long and lasting is that they do not live for themselves; thus they can live long...’" Murmuring the heart sutra, he began to study it according to the cultivation principles recorded within.

The night passed in a flash.

After a night of cultivation, Shen Mo hadn’t made much progress, so he continued trying.

Originally, Shen Mo had planned to continue cultivating for a while, intending to only leave his residence after fully mastering the "Purple Mansion Heart Scripture". However, at that moment, someone came looking for him: Deacon Ma.

Shen Mo was quite surprised when he opened the door and saw him.

Why has Deacon Ma come?

"Fellow Daoist," Deacon Ma said, his face wreathed in smiles, "I told you yesterday that I would help you choose a location for your mansion. I have now selected a site."

"It’s on the Cloud Sea Cliff in the Inner Door area—a great location. If you have some free time, you can come with me to take a look."

Shen Mo’s heart lifted. The location for the mansion is set? He temporarily set aside his intention to study the "Purple Mansion Heart Scripture".

"Alright, then I’ll go with Deacon Ma to take a look."

The Spirit Vein area of the Riverside Sect was located in the center of its three Main Peaks: Rising Sun, Bright Moon, and Stars.

This was where the cave mansions of Inner Door disciples were usually established.

The location Deacon Ma chose for Shen Mo was on the Cloud Sea Cliff, situated in the middle section of the Spirit Vein area.

The Spiritual Qi here was more concentrated compared to other areas, and the scenery was exceptionally beautiful.

Standing on the cliff edge, one could overlook a landscape of mountain ranges shrouded in mist below.

"How about this place?" Deacon Ma gestured to the surroundings.

"This truly is an excellent, treasured location. Many thanks for your hard work, Deacon Ma."

Shen Mo stood on the cliff edge, looked around, and was quite satisfied with the place.

He had visited Chen An’s cave mansion. Chen An’s dwelling was at the lower end of the Spirit Vein’s terrain, where the Spiritual Qi was considerably weaker than here.

Securing such a prime location had clearly required considerable effort from Deacon Ma.

Deacon Ma, knowing what he was thinking, didn’t take undue credit. "I did indeed pull a few strings. However, the main reason the sect approved your registration for this area is your own remarkable potential."

As a Qi Gathering Realm cultivator who had opened all three Dantians, Shen Mo was bound to receive considerable preferential treatment once the sect was informed.

"Regardless, I appreciate your hard work, Deacon Ma. I, Shen, owe you for this."

Shen Mo didn’t take the other’s polite words at face value, considering it something he deserved.

After all, even if he was entitled to some preferential treatment, without Deacon Ma—someone familiar with the sect’s affairs—to handle things for him, the various procedures would have been quite cumbersome.

Hearing Shen Mo acknowledge the favor, Deacon Ma’s smile widened. "I can tell that Fellow Daoist Shen is no ordinary person. If you encounter any troubles in the future, feel free to seek me out."

"I, Ma, would be very willing to form a bond of goodwill with Fellow Daoist Shen."

Having cultivated in the Riverside Sect for many years, Ma Qian had been stuck at the Qi Gathering Realm Seventh Layer for a long time.

He knew his potential was exhausted and held no hope of breaking through to the Spirit Sea Realm to become a sect Elder in this lifetime.

His only wish was to find a way to be transferred from the outer areas. He had long grown tired of playing the big shot among those outer disciples.

Shen Mo naturally responded to Deacon Ma’s directness.

"Rest assured, Deacon Ma. If I, Shen Mo, achieve success in my cultivation in the future, I will naturally remember the help you’ve given."

After receiving Shen Mo’s promise, Deacon Ma accompanied him on a tour of the area before making an excuse and departing.

「......」

After Deacon Ma left, Shen Mo stood alone atop the Cloud Sea Cliff, rubbing his hands in anticipation. Now that the location for the Immortal Mansion has been selected, it’s time to establish it!

「......」

By noon, after a busy period, Shen Mo had managed to preliminarily establish his cave mansion.

He returned to his former dwelling and brought all his belongings over.

Then, he visited the Market to buy some furniture according to his needs.

The once empty and spacious mountain cave mansion soon began to feel like a home.

Ah, this is comfortable!

After much effort, the initial setup was complete. Lying on a rattan bed on the cliff edge, Shen Mo surveyed the scenery before him with satisfaction.

From now on, he could live here in peace.

These living conditions are worlds apart from the outer areas.

Taking a deep breath, Shen Mo felt a thrill of pleasure. In a place filled with nature’s spiritual energy, even the air is much sweeter.

However, it is still lacking some things.

Looking at the empty space before him, he planned in his mind: In the next few days, I need to find time to build a few more structures, such as an Alchemy Room, a Forge Hall, and a Talisman Making Room.

Additionally, I can go to the Market to buy some spiritual soil and cultivate a few acres of Spirit Field outside my cave mansion. Then I can plant some Spirit Fruits and spiritual medicines.

Only then can it be considered truly complete!

He fantasized about living a carefree life in his Immortal Mansion: cultivating in seclusion, eating simple meals, and, during his leisure time, freely practicing alchemy or forging in the various rooms of his mountain abode. It was truly delightful.

Just then, the Spirit Storage Rat suddenly leaped in front of Shen Mo, looking like it was begging for food, interrupting his pleasant reverie.

"You lazy thing," Shen Mo warned preemptively, "don’t you dare steal my Spirit Fruits and spiritual medicines when the time comes!"

EEK!

The Spirit Storage Rat pouted, letting out a cry that sounded somewhat aggrieved and mournful.

I need to find a chance to sign a Spirit Beast contract with the Spirit Storage Rat soon; otherwise, communication will remain difficult.

Although the Spirit Storage Rat was quite intelligent, its cultivation was still too shallow for it to speak human language.

With this thought, Shen Mo took out a bag of cooked food from his Universe Bag to placate it.