To repair the Nine-Extreme Crystal Sand, a considerable amount of spirit gold deposits would be consumed!

However, fortunately, the material of the Purple Gold Halberd obtained from Liu Yu was extraordinary; after being refined nine times, a significant amount of Crystal Sand Energy could be obtained.

He had originally planned to refine this halberd into a Flying Sword for backup.

But previously, he had taken half and refined it into the Spirit Banned Shield for Uncle Chen.

Now, I'm afraid there isn't enough material to forge a Flying Sword!

Using it to replenish the Nine-Extreme Crystal Sand wouldn't be considered wasteful either.

He melted the Purple Gold Halberd into a mass of purple-gold liquid, repeatedly stripping away the dross and impurities.

After nine such refinings, only a ball of Purple Gold Energy the size of a green jujube remained!

Shen Mo's thoughts stirred.

He summoned the slightly shrunken Nine-Extreme Crystal Sand, then refined the extracted Purple Gold Energy into it.

SCRAPE!

SCRAPE! SCRAPE!

Amidst the fine grinding sound of metal, the infused purple-gold color quickly blended with the original hue of the Crystal Sand Energy.

It was just like a spoonful of clear water dripping into thick ink!

After a moment, Shen Mo retracted the considerably enlarged ball of Crystal Sand Energy into his Chakra.

The White Ape Master, merely at the Second Layer of the Spirit Sea Realm, rendered me powerless to resist!

However… compared to directly facing the Heaven Abandoned Ghost King, the situation has improved significantly.

If I were to use all my abilities, even if I were ultimately defeated and killed, I could still injure the White Ape Master. If I were determined to flee, I could escape, even if it meant sustaining injuries.

Unlike when I fought the Ghost King—I couldn't defeat him, nor could I escape!

At that time, the Heaven Abandoned Ghost King had just entered Class III, and its Skills weren't refined; its strength should have been inferior to the White Ape Master.

If he were to fight it again, Shen Mo was confident he could contend with it for a long time without being defeated.

The path to immortality is long and arduous. I must persevere and cultivate!

Suddenly, a middle-grade Spirit Stone in his hand crumbled into dust.

His Special Destiny [Martial Performance] continued to deduce and cultivate the martial arts and cultivation method.

「...」

Besides daily cultivation, he also practiced Alchemy and made talismans to earn Spirit Stones.

Shen Mo also took some time to visit Lake Heart Cottage.

He didn't spend long with Zhao Lingyin, only enough time to refine two batches of Grade II Elixirs.

Of course, it was Shen Mo who helped her refine them.

Zhao Lingyin, meanwhile, clung to his side, watching him perform Alchemy while playfully challenging him with her zither.

Shen Mo hadn't kept the matter of avenging Chen Mengze and his daughter from her either.

Zhao Lingyin didn't think there was anything wrong with his actions. She merely chided Shen Mo for taking such risks and became a little sulky.

After being coaxed with kind words, she quickly brightened up again.

「...」

「More than half a month passed in the blink of an eye.」

Shen Mo refined a batch of Elixirs and sold them in a bundle to Shopkeeper Qian.

Then, he changed his appearance and aura and sold all the spoils of war from the secret vaults of the Liu and Wu families, converting them into Spirit Stones.

He also purchased a batch of materials for Alchemy and talisman making, preparing to head to Tianshan City.

However, just on the eve of his departure, he received a summons from Elder Huang.

Shen Mo, completely bewildered, hurried to Star Hall. As soon as he entered the main hall, he found several elite disciples from the peak waiting quietly.

Besides Elder Huang, there was another Spirit Sea Realm Elder in the hall.

Seeing Shen Mo arrive, Elder Huang nodded at him.

Then, he addressed the disciples in the hall, "Now, demonic traces have appeared everywhere in the territory of the Red Flame Country.

"After consultation between the Law Master and the Supreme Elders, it has been decided to send disciples from within the sect to govern the mortal world!

"In addition to guarding our sect's properties, they are also responsible for sweeping out infiltrating demon heads, exterminating troublemaking evil cultivators, and urging all parties to prepare for war.

"You are all elite disciples of Stars Peak, your strength is extraordinary, and you should undertake this great responsibility!

"This is an order from the sect; it cannot be refused or neglected..."

Shen Mo's expression remained unchanged, but inwardly he was somewhat puzzled.

It wasn't unusual for disciples from the peak to be dispatched to guard various regions.

He had known beforehand that numerous familiar elite disciples from the peak had been given this assignment.

But he was merely at the Qi Gathering Realm Layer V—how had he also been included on the dispatch list?

The duty of guarding a region, though a temporary position, was still considered high-ranking and came with immense responsibility. Setting aside tasks like eliminating Heavenly Demons and exterminating evil cultivators, which were extremely risky and demanded formidable strength... merely urging the various factions to prepare for war involved numerous intricacies. Although the Five Great Sects had dominated the Red Flame Country for a thousand years, nominally, the other families, small immortal sects, and rogue cultivator factions were not under the jurisdiction of the Five Great Sects. Therefore, the Five Great Sects had established the Defense Division. And, with the demonic calamity imminent, they had reinforced the responsibilities of the Demon Slaying Hall... Only through such means could they use might to intimidate and righteousness to unite, commanding all factions to resist the demonic calamity together. However, the current situation was not like the critical time decades ago when the demonic calamity swept through the Red Flame Country, threatening to extinguish all life. Within their assigned regions, those cultivating families, small immortal sects, and rogue cultivators might treat the dispatched disciples politely, but they would by no means obey their every command. How were the dispatched disciples supposed to urge them to actively prepare for war?

Moreover, there was a key point Elder Huang hadn't mentioned. That was the need to urge all factions to submit their due share of resources to the Demon Slaying Hall. This was the most difficult part!

If a dispatched disciple possessed overwhelming strength and powerful backing, and the region they were assigned to guard didn't even have a single Spirit Sea Realm expert, the matter would be simple; they could just use martial might to intimidate. But if the guarded region was filled with powerful immortal families, small immortal sects, and rogue cultivators who themselves had Spirit Sea Realm experts, then it would be almost impossible to make any headway. They could only act as drudges, rushing about to deal with hidden Heavenly Demons and troublemaking evil cultivators... and still be unable to press for a sufficient quota of resources to submit to the Demon Slaying Hall. They would also face harsh criticism from the sect; it was truly a thankless task!

A few days ago, Li Zhong and others had complained incessantly about this matter in their Sound Transmission Talismans.

Several elite disciples from ordinary backgrounds had met with much indifference and were almost worried sick!

In the hall, Elder Huang continued, "Those who undertake this duty and perform their tasks properly will also receive plentiful merit from slaying demons and Sect Merit.

"However, if one neglects their duties and the following incidents occur, the Enforcement Hall will hold them accountable!

"Firstly, if due to negligence, a lurking Heavenly Demon is not discovered in time, allowing it to devour numerous mortals and cultivators and thereby advance to become a high-class Heavenly Demon...

"Secondly..."

The disciples in the hall listened attentively. Even Shen Mo put aside his distracting thoughts and listened carefully to Elder Huang's explanation.

Fortunately, the sect seemed to understand the difficulties faced by the dispatched disciples. They hadn't harshly emphasized the various punishments for failing to compel factions to submit resources, which showed considerable flexibility!

After finishing the announcements, Elder Huang added, "All dispatched disciples may come forward to receive ten middle-grade Spirit Stones, one Bone Viewing Mirror, and one Command Jade Slip..."

Shen Mo also stepped forward and received his allotted resources and command.

As he scanned the Command Jade Slip with his sense, his eyebrows quickly furrowed.

The reason was simple: he was assigned to guard Hongye City and the surrounding area within a hundred-li radius.

Tian Kang, who had caused him trouble before, hailed from the Tian Family... whose ancestral land was right within Hongye City.

Moreover, this place was one of the most prosperous regions in Qing State.

Several large towns were situated nearby, home to many powerful cultivating families, and it even encompassed the mountain gates of several small immortal sects.

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