Chapter 192: Resin Spirit Elixir
"This... how is this possible?!"
The demonic sect infiltrator stared in horror at the sword strike that seemed to tear through the heavens. He never could have imagined that a Foundation Establishment cultivator could unleash such a terrifying sword.
In that moment, the infiltrator felt as if he were facing a Nascent Soul Sword Lord. A sense of utter despair and helplessness washed over him completely.
After the dazzling sword light came a deathly silence. The arena was quiet because only Gu Mo remained standing. And the outside was silent because everyone had been left speechless by what they had just witnessed.
"No wonder you weren't worried at all. You were hiding such a frightening trump card." Above the dueling platform, atop a large leaf, Xuan Tianhen stood beside an elder from Shennong Valley, both observing the battle below.
The Shennong Valley elder's eyes brimmed with awe. The Grand Yan Sword Sect, located closest to Shennong Valley and a Nascent Soul sect in its own right, had a highly complementary professional focus. Xuan Tianhen was naturally familiar with Shennong Valley's elders and maintained good relations with many of them.
Whenever those Shennong Valley elders ventured into dangerous areas to collect spirit herbs, they would often invite Xuan Tianhen to accompany them.
This time, Gu Mo had journeyed alone to Shennong Valley as Xuan Tianhen's personally taught disciple. Xuan Tianhen knew the demonic sect wouldn't sit idly by, so he secretly followed to guard Gu Mo—and maybe kill a few enemies if any appeared.
Unfortunately, the infiltrators weren't foolish; they didn't act on the road, instead choosing to strike within Shennong Valley.
Xuan Tianhen and the nearby elder witnessed everything. The elder had wanted to intervene, but Xuan Tianhen held him back—he knew Gu Mo's true strength.
Despite only being in the Foundation Establishment stage, Gu Mo possessed Golden Core-level essence. Not only that, the power was highly compatible with him—it was energy he could fully utilize.
Golden Core power paired with the Grand Yan Sword Formation? In Xuan Tianhen's eyes, defeating a demonic sect infiltrator posed no problem. Since there was no danger, he didn't see the need to intervene.
However, at this moment, a tinge of regret stirred in Xuan Tianhen's heart—for he sensed that Gu Mo had just used a sliver of Immortal Force. That was a potential seed for his Nascent Soul breakthrough. Using it up now—how could he not feel distressed?
Even without that Immortal Force, the sword technique Gu Mo had just used was more than sufficient to eliminate the infiltrator. It just wouldn't have been quite as visually spectacular.
"Just average. Still too reckless," Xuan Tianhen muttered, shaking his head at his companion's praise. Clearly, he wasn't at all pleased with Gu Mo's decision to use Immortal Force.
"That's not cautious enough?" the Shennong Valley elder said in disbelief. "He used Immortal Force against a Golden Core infiltrator—that's caution to the extreme. Even if the enemy had some secret trump card, it would've been useless."
Of course, the elder also knew how important Immortal Force was. To possess it at the Foundation Establishment stage was a clear sign of a future Nascent Soul Sword Lord.
"Old Wu, about that Resin Spirit Elixir from your Shennong Valley—can I have a portion?" Xuan Tianhen turned to his friend after retracting his gaze from Gu Mo.
Naturally, he hadn't come to Shennong Valley just to guard Gu Mo. The Resin Spirit Elixir was one of his real goals—and it was for Gu Mo's sake.
"You really dare ask, huh? That's a resource reserved for our true inheritors," said Elder Wu with a roll of his eyes.
The Resin Spirit Elixir was a unique cultivation treasure of Shennong Valley, specially designed to accelerate progress for Foundation Establishment cultivators. At that stage, cultivation was largely about accumulating spiritual energy.
This elixir contained vast, gentle spiritual energy. Refining it could help cultivators quickly fill their meridians with spirit power, allowing them to spend less time stuck at the Foundation Establishment level and devote more effort toward breakthroughs.
Xuan Tianhen's goal in asking was clear—he wanted Gu Mo to swiftly bypass the spiritual accumulation phase. Gu Mo's combat strength already far surpassed his current realm, so there was no need to polish his skills at this stage.
And now that Gu Mo's strength had been exposed, the demonic sect would surely intensify its efforts against him. Xuan Tianhen needed Gu Mo's cultivation to catch up fast so he could face any dangers that might arise.
The Resin Spirit Elixir from Shennong Valley was unquestionably the best aid for Foundation Establishment cultivators.
"Come on, old Wu, with our friendship, isn't one portion worth it?" Xuan Tianhen said, thumping Elder Wu on the shoulder.
"Worth it? Of course it is. I never said I wouldn't give it to you." Elder Wu sighed. Though the elixir was a rare resource, as an elder, he could still manage to obtain a dose.
After all, this friend had saved his life several times. Now that Xuan Tianhen was asking him for something, even if it was troublesome, he had to get it done.
"Thanks. Next time I'll guard you for free," Xuan Tianhen said with a rare smile.
"Eh…"
Elder Wu sighed inwardly as he saw his old friend smile. He was well aware of the predicament the Grand Yan Sword Sect was facing. But even Xuan Tianhen, the sect leader, couldn't root out the infiltrators—what could an outsider like him possibly do?
---
Dueling Arena
Once Gu Mo slew the infiltrator, the barrier around the arena dissipated. As he walked out, countless gazes followed him—yet now, they were all filled with reverence. That sword strike had left a profound impression on everyone.
As a result, during the ensuing trade for Swordheart Bamboo, none of the other sword cultivators dared compete with him. Gu Mo ended up acquiring nearly the entire first batch from Ding Shiyan.
"Nearly" because part of that batch actually belonged to Gu Mo's true body. He planned to use this as a pretense to summon his avatar.
---
Leaf Courtyard
Gu Mo's true body and avatar sat across from each other, with Ding Shiyan beside them acting as the mediator.
"I'll leave the details of the trade to you two. I need to go harvest the Swordheart Bamboo." Ding Shiyan didn't linger after completing her matchmaking task. Harvesting the bamboo wasn't simple—if done improperly, the quality could be compromised.
"Thank you, Senior Sister Ding," Gu Mo said as he rose to see her off.
Soon, only Gu Mo's true body and avatar remained in the courtyard. Gu Mo activated the formation to block outside surveillance, then pressed his palm to his avatar's back, channeling his Golden Core essence into him.
The energy quickly replenished what the avatar had used up. This time, however, Gu Mo intended to fully fill the avatar's meridians with Golden Core essence—so that he could immediately break through upon returning.
He had already tested using Golden Core energy to break through—it worked. Not only that, the result was an Immortal Golden Core.
While Gu Mo no longer lacked Immortal Force, the depth and foundation of an Immortal Golden Core were still invaluable—not just for the Immortal Force itself, but for what it symbolized.
The transfer of energy went smoothly. Since the two bodies were of the same origin and shielded by a concealment technique, there was no risk of any aura leaking out.
Once the avatar returned to the Grand Yan Sword Sect, he could begin preparing for the breakthrough. After that, he would be sent to explore a particular hidden realm.
This was an ancient, damaged cave-dwelling artifact. Gu Mo feared that delaying even a single day might allow other cultivators to find it. He needed to retrieve the Void Crystal Core within it as soon as possible.
---
After completing the transaction with Ding Shiyan, the avatar left Shennong Valley. The return trip was uneventful.
---
Grand Yan Sword Sect
Upon returning, Gu Mo first visited his master and handed over the Swordheart Bamboo. After all, what he had obtained was only raw material—crafting it into flying swords would require a skilled artisan.
That wasn't Gu Mo's responsibility. As a Nascent Soul sect specializing in sword cultivation, the Grand Yan Sword Sect naturally had swordsmithing methods.
After leaving, Gu Mo found himself holding a vial of spirit elixir in place of the bamboo. Few people would recognize it—but as a disciple of Shennong Valley, he instantly knew what it was.
"Resin Spirit Elixir, huh…"
Gu Mo stared at the vial. He actually didn't need it—his avatar's meridians were already saturated with Golden Core essence.
Still, the elixir made for an excellent cover story. He had been wondering how to explain his sudden rise in cultivation. Now, the elixir made the perfect excuse.
It was just a shame that his master had spent a favor on it. Even for a Nascent Soul Sword Lord, obtaining this elixir from Shennong Valley was no easy feat.
---
"Rumble!"
Just as Gu Mo returned to his residence, a massive vortex of spiritual energy appeared in the sky.
"Someone's forming a core!"
He instantly recognized the phenomenon—but this vortex was far larger than usual for Foundation Establishment breakthroughs. And it was centered in the sect's most critical area.
Gu Mo immediately thought of his senior brother—the one he had never met. That brother had been in closed-door cultivation for a long time, preparing for this very moment.
"Looks like he has a real chance to form an Immortal Golden Core…" Gu Mo was deeply moved as he watched the vortex continue expanding.
This was the first time he had seen a cultivator attempt such a breakthrough the traditional way. His own path had been highly unorthodox.
---
"Excellent!"
Xuan Tianhen watched the swirling vortex with unconcealed joy. His youngest disciple already had Immortal Force at Foundation Establishment. Now his eldest was on the verge of forming an Immortal Golden Core—two future Nascent Soul Sword Lords.
If both matured, the Grand Yan Sword Sect's strength would rise dramatically. With their talent, they even had the potential to reach the Soul Transformation stage someday.
But amid his excitement, Xuan Tianhen stayed alert. The demonic sect would never sit idly by while Grand Yan produced an Immortal Golden Core cultivator.
---
"Clang!"
Suddenly, a sword light slashed toward the vortex core—but Xuan Tianhen blocked it just in time. A figure tumbled out.
"Sect Master… Who would've thought—I'm the infiltrator…"
The figure stared at him, eyes wild before briefly clearing. Indeed, the demonic sect's methods were insidious—before the secret art was triggered, no one could even tell they were compromised.
"Sigh…"
Looking at this sect elder—a long-time friend and peer—Xuan Tianhen's heart ached. But he had no choice but to strike him down.
"Don't hold back!" the elder roared. A moment later, consumed by killing intent, he transformed into a streak of light aimed at the vortex.
His goal wasn't to fight Xuan Tianhen—but to destroy the breakthrough in progress.
How could a Golden Core match a Nascent Soul? With a casual wave of his sword, Xuan Tianhen reduced him to dust. Still, killing his old friend left ripples in his heart.
---
"Heh… How did it feel, killing your friend with your own hands?" A voice full of malice echoed in Xuan Tianhen's mind, filled with negative emotions.
The demonic sect's technique was indeed impressive—striking just as his heart wavered, they tried to invoke his inner demons.
"Begone!"
Xuan Tianhen roared, unleashing razor-sharp sword intent to shred the voice. A Nascent Soul Sword Lord's will was not so easily swayed.
But clearly, sowing heart demons wasn't the true goal. That would have been far too ambitious.
The real aim had already been achieved.
The spiritual vortex in the sky was collapsing.
---
"No!"
Xuan Tianhen paled, dashing into the sect's spiritual core area.
There, he saw his eldest disciple with blood leaking from his nose and mouth—a clear sign of a soul attack.
This was the most secure part of the sect. Even a Nascent Soul couldn't easily infiltrate. So instead, the enemy used a soul-based technique to interrupt the breakthrough.
Such an interruption would usually kill the cultivator on the spot. But with the foundation for an Immortal Golden Core, the disciple had somehow survived.
Still, even though he lived, the failed breakthrough meant his future was effectively ruined.
"Master… I'm sorry."
Sensing Xuan Tianhen's presence, the youth opened his eyes slowly, eyes full of regret. He knew how much his master had hoped for him—but now, he had let him down.
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