Returning to Yongan Town

If the eighth stage of Body Tempering were divided into the early, middle, late, and perfection phases, Shen Mo's accumulation had reached the late phase, and he could faintly sense the barrier to a new breakthrough.

Had it been before, Shen Mo would have begun seeking an opportunity to break through.

However, he had learned from Uncle Chen that to open multiple dantians upon entering the Qi Gathering Realm, one had to firmly consolidate their foundation—the more robust the accumulation, the better.

A ten-thousand-foot tower rises from the ground.

Therefore, Shen Mo was not anxious to break through at this moment. Instead, he wanted to continue consolidating his cultivation, striving to reach a natural breakthrough only after his accumulation was perfected.

"One hundred Separating Fire Crystals allowed me to refine a total of twenty-three finished Separating Fire Talismans."

He took all the Separating Fire Talismans out of his storage bag and counted them, feeling quite satisfied.

Even if I overestimate the enemy, twenty Separating Fire Talismans are definitely enough to deal with that Two-Headed Python.

As for the remaining three, I'll go sell them at the market and trade for some defensive talismans.

He set off immediately and soon arrived at the Heavenly Talisman Hall in the market.

"Separating Fire Talismans sell for nine low-grade Spirit Stones."

Hearing that Shen Mo intended to sell talismans, the disciple tending the shop stated the acquisition price.

According to the normal market price, the retail price of a Separating Fire Talisman was ten low-grade Spirit Stones.

However, the Heavenly Talisman Hall's acquisition was not for personal use like ordinary cultivators; they were reselling them, so they naturally required a profit margin.

Shen Mo did not pay much attention to the difference of one Spirit Stone; after all, setting up a stall to sell to other cultivators would also cost him time.

He readily sold the three talismans and, after exchanging them for twenty-seven low-grade Spirit Stones, he purchased one Bedrock Talisman and one Earth Escape Talisman there as well.

He had personally experienced the effects of these two talismans and was quite satisfied; they were truly essential items for home and travel.

With these two talismans in hand for this trip to Yongan Town, Shen Mo felt his confidence greatly bolstered.

Even if something went wrong and he failed to slay the Two-Headed Python, he could at least ensure his own safety.

"Lastly, I need one more thing."

The necessary talismans were all prepared.

But for this trip, he still lacked a portion of Grafting Spirit Soil.

According to the Zhao Clan, the Purple Sun Vermilion Fruit currently being sown would take another two or three months to mature.

If he killed the Two-Headed Python, he could not stay at the Zhao Clan's spirit fields indefinitely, waiting for the moment of maturity.

Therefore, to prevent the Purple Sun Vermilion Fruit from being harvested before it was ripe, which would cause it to lose its medicinal efficacy, he needed this spirit soil to house the immature fruit so it could continue to grow.

Grafting Spirit Soil was not rare; it was something many spirit planters used.

The price was not too expensive either; one could obtain a pot for five Spirit Stones.

Shen Mo purchased this item at the stall of an inner-sect senior brother in the market.

After placing it into his Qiankun Pouch, Shen Mo officially set off!

Yongan Town, Zhao Clan.

Inside the inner hall, a family meeting was underway.

The Clan Head, Zhao Bing, sat at the very top.

Seated to his sides were his eldest son, Zhao Jiachang, and his second son, Zhao Jiaxing.

Behind them were some collateral clansmen.

At today's family meeting, they were discussing the issue of seeking aid.

"Father, the ancestor of the Chen Clan has agreed to come and help eliminate the demon, but they are not satisfied with our condition that all spirit fruit harvests for the next three years go to the Chen Clan once the matter is settled."

"The young master of the Chen Clan has already declared that the Zhao Clan must hand over ten acres of spirit fields as payment before the Chen Clan will take action."

"Ten acres of spirit fields? This Chen Clan is truly unreasonable! To disregard the many years of friendship between our two families and open their mouths like a lion!"

Hearing his son's words, Zhao Bing's expression turned gloomy, and he slammed his hand on the table.

"The Chen Clan has calculated that my Zhao Clan is in a desperate situation and has no time to look elsewhere."

"Regardless, the spirit fields are the ancestral property of the Zhao Clan; we must never give them up!"

"But if we don't seek the Chen Clan's help, how can we keep our spirit fields? If this drags on, the fields will lose contact with the spirit water and wither into ordinary soil."

"Isn't there that immortal master from the River-Facing Sect? He said he would return to help us eliminate the demon."

"That immortal master was likely just speaking casually; pinning our hopes on that is far too uncertain."

"We still need to prepare for both possibilities. If the appointed day arrives and the immortal master does not come, we will at least be prepared."

"What are you all talking about?"

Just as the members of the Zhao Clan were arguing incessantly, Shen Mo's voice appeared in the hall.

"Immortal Master?"

The crowd froze, then immediately turned to look toward the source of the voice.

Upon catching sight of Shen Mo, they could not help but be overcome with wild joy.

"Hahaha, I knew it! The Immortal Master is a man of his word!"

Zhao Bing hurriedly stepped forward and bowed in greeting.

"Did I not tell you all to wait a month for me?" Shen Mo had heard the Zhao Family clan members' discussion clearly earlier. "Why, after agreeing so readily, did you go seeking aid from others?"

"The Immortal Master is unaware..."

Zhao Bing's face turned awkward as he explained, "After you departed, the demonic aura within the spirit fields did not subside; instead, it grew increasingly intense."

"Everyone in my Zhao Family has been living in constant fear ever since."

Although those demonic snakes were currently only occupying the spirit fields and had not yet darted out to harm anyone at the Zhao Family residence, the threat remained unremoved, naturally leaving everyone in the Zhao Family unable to sit or sleep in peace.

Furthermore, because Shen Mo had only left behind a light, casual remark, the Zhao Family dared not pin all their hopes on him alone.

That was why they had thought to seek help from a friendly cultivation family.

"Enough." Shen Mo waved his hand, not dwelling on the matter.

"I have made thorough preparations for this trip. Today, I shall rid your Zhao Family of the calamity in the spirit fields!"

Hearing this, Zhao Bing's smile stretched from ear to ear.

However, he could not help but glance carefully outside the residence, seeing that apart from Shen Mo, there was no one else.

The smile on his face slowly froze, and he asked with some hesitation, "Is the Immortal Master here alone?"

The Zhao Family Head had assumed that on this trip, Shen Mo would have called upon friends and brought along quite a few experts from his sect.

After all, the last time he had come alone, he had fled in quite a sorry state.

"The previous failure was because I had not known of the existence of a Great Demon beforehand and was insufficiently prepared."

Shen Mo guessed what Zhao Bing was thinking and raised an eyebrow. "This time, I am fully prepared. The Family Head may rest assured."

Shen Mo instructed the members of the Zhao Family to wait for his news at the entrance and not to let anyone else intrude and disturb his demon-slaying.

Following that, he stepped once again into this region.

"Hiss! Hiss!"

This time, as he re-entered the spirit fields, those demonic snakes lurking everywhere lacked the courage to charge.

Upon sensing Shen Mo's aura, they acted as if facing a formidable enemy, scattering and fleeing in all directions.

Clearly, his previous performance of slaughtering snakes like chopping vegetables had left a deep, lingering fear in these low-intelligence minor demon beasts.

Shen Mo did not care about this; his primary target was never these small demonic snakes to begin with.

He would slay the Silver-Ringed Two-Headed Python first. Once the leader was decapitated, dealing with the remaining small demonic snakes would be far easier.