On Yaochi Peak, Mo Qi became the sole permanent male resident. The female cultivators around him were initially uncomfortable. Before his arrival, they had lived without men and could act freely. Now, certain activities required more discretion, and they had to be extra cautious during bathing, fearing that any loud noise might be heard by their neighbors.
Some female cultivators gradually developed a sense of aversion.
To alleviate the tension and improve the atmosphere, Mo Qi would occasionally distribute various elixirs to them, such as Spirit Power Pills, Youthful Visage Pills, and Skin Beautifying Pills, covering a wide range. The Skin Beautifying Pills were particularly popular, making the skin fair, tender, smooth, and elastic, akin to an infant's. There were also Hair Darkening Pills. After prolonged cultivation of Ice and Snow divine abilities, their hair would turn snow-white. For some with good complexions, white hair could be an enhancement, but for those with duller skin, it made them appear aged, like old women. However, after using Mo Qi's Hair Darkening Pills, these female cultivators would regain their black hair overnight, and it would be glossy and lustrous.
Following the use of these elixirs, Mo Qi became as popular as his pills. Female cultivators visited his cave dwelling daily to ask for elixirs, employing various tactics such as acting cute, showing off, and flattering him. This situation irked Xue Nu. She was teaching him divine abilities and considered herself half a mentor, deserving of different treatment compared to other female cultivators. Yet, Mo Qi not only failed to give her the respect she felt she deserved but sometimes seemed to selectively forget her. While others received Skin Beautifying Pills, she did not! While others received Hair Darkening Pills, she did not! Even their master, Han Bing, had these elixirs.
Xue Nu became angry and refused to teach him techniques for several days. Mo Qi, however, paid no attention. Once the mental cultivation methods, hand seals, and basic procedures for a divine ability were taught, the rest primarily depended on self-comprehension. Even without Xue Nu's instruction, he could continue cultivating through his own understanding.
Xue Nu finally lost her patience and, for the first time, proactively entered Mo Qi's cave dwelling. Seeing Mo Qi meditating, she sat down herself. After a long while, she softly hummed, "When will you finish?"
Mo Qi opened his eyes, feigning surprise. "Oh, Xue, when did you arrive?"
Xue Nu pouted, thinking he was being disingenuous.
"You don't need me anymore, do you?" Xue Nu's tone carried a hint of belligerence.
"Of course, I do. How could I not? Master, why do you say such a thing? There are many areas where I need you, at least you still need to impart knowledge and teach me," Mo Qi said with a serious expression.
They had never formally gone through a master-disciple ceremony, so they were not true master and disciple. Before Mo Qi began learning the divine abilities, Lai Yao Shi had made it clear to Han Bing that it was merely an exchange of skills and not a formal apprenticeship. This arrangement was actually made to indulge Mo Qi's "lechery."
Mo Qi only referred to her as "Master" when he was joking.
"Don't call me Master. I am not worthy. You are my grand-disciple-uncle," Xue Nu said indignantly, her chest heaving slightly with anger.
Mo Qi feigned astonishment. "What's wrong, Xue? Did I do something wrong?"
"He's playing dumb," Xue Nu thought.
"Why do others have Skin Beautifying Pills, but I don't? Why do others have Hair Darkening Pills, but I don't?" Xue Nu asked, her two consecutive questions delivered with considerable force.
"I thought you didn't need them," Mo Qi replied with a calm smile. "Master, your skin is already like ice and snow, fair, tender, and smooth. Where would you need any Skin Beautifying Pills?"
This compliment was very pleasing, and Xue Nu agreed wholeheartedly. However, what woman is ever truly satisfied with her own complexion?
"I don't need them now, but I will need them in the future," Xue Nu glared at him. "And why don't I have the Hair Darkening Pills either?"
Mo Qi lowered his head, pondered for a moment, then looked up. "Let me put it this way: it's like a white cat. White suits it perfectly, so why force it to become a black cat?"
Xue Nu was very pleased with both reasons and felt a surge of delight.
But upon further reflection, she felt offended and her eyes widened in anger. "You're the white cat, and your whole family are white cats."
Mo Qi immediately apologized. "My apologies, it was a slip of the tongue. But what I meant was, you truly don't need to change your hair to black just because others have regained their black hair. Your white hair is like the legendary Goddess of Childbirth, who, when sending you for reincarnation, forgot to dye your hair white. And your cultivation of Ice and Snow divine abilities was a stroke of genius, perfectly completing this final touch, creating an impeccable masterpiece."
Xue Nu couldn't help but break into a smile. "Well, I think I still need some Skin Beautifying Pills."
"No problem," Mo Qi casually took out five Skin Beautifying Pills from his storage bag, hopped off the stone bed, and handed them to Xue Nu. "You can use these for now. Ask me for more when you've finished. I'll grant any request, any request at all."
Xue Nu left beaming with joy.
Besides refining elixirs for female cultivators, Mo Qi also refined other types. To avoid delaying his own cultivation of Ice and Snow divine abilities, he had Lai Yao Shi send medicinal ingredients to the peak. He used his leisure time to purify spiritual herbs and refine elixirs. Thus, in the following period, Mo Family elixirs began to circulate again from the territory of the Divine Elixir Sect. However, Mo Qi had agreed with Lai Yao Shi that he would also receive thirty percent of the income. Furthermore, the Divine Elixir Sect had to sell a portion of the elixirs to the Lingxiao Sect at cost price, and the Lingxiao Sect would then discuss distribution with the Divine Sword Sect.
Concurrently, a type of elixir refined using spiritual energy began to emerge in the Divine Mist Sect. It also had certain miraculous effects in some aspects. Although it couldn't compare to Mo Family elixirs, its low price made it popular with a certain customer base. Later, under the strong intervention of the Divine Mist Sect, this elixir was named Mo Zhen Family Elixirs, as Zhong Gui thought it would be more marketable. Indeed, after the name change, some people began to investigate the origins of Mo Zhen Family Elixirs and Mo Family Elixirs. This investigation uncovered some hidden connections, and the elixir became even more popular.
However, this practice later led other unscrupulous merchants to discover a business opportunity. This method was widely adopted, leading to the emergence of Mo Li Family Elixirs, Mo Zhang Family Elixirs, Mo Ti Family Elixirs, Mo Jiang Family Elixirs, and so on, in a dazzling array.
The Nine Gods Cultivation Realm entered an unprecedented period of prosperity and peaceful development. Due to Mo Qi's special relationship with the Divine Elixir Sect, he often introduced disciples from the Lingxiao Sect to participate in the Divine Wood Foundation Establishment at the Divine Elixir Sect, gradually helping the Lingxiao Sect improve its overall strength.
Mo Qi resided on Yaochi Peak for three full years. During this time, he diligently studied and practiced, finally achieving considerable success.
He not only mastered "Thousand Miles of Ice" and "Ice Wall" but also learned "Ice and Snow World" and "Snow Devours the Heart," abilities that Xue Nu herself did not possess. Moreover, any technique he used was far more powerful than when Xue Nu used it. This astonished not only Xue Nu but also Han Bing, who found it incredible. In her experience, men's physiques were not suited for cultivating such divine abilities.
Furthermore, during these three years, Mo Qi did not neglect the cultivation of the Divine Mind Vajra Art and other divine abilities. The Divine Mind Vajra Art had reached the sixth level. When the Body Protection Divine Light Shield was active, the divine light flowed and connected, as if he were clad in thick golden armor, making him appear invincible.
As for the cultivation of Earth Arrows, in addition to enhancing their silent penetration capabilities, he also focused on increasing their density. Now, when the divine ability was unleashed, it could condense into hundreds of arrows fired simultaneously, possessing a momentum that could shake the heavens and earth.
During these three years, Mo Qi also managed to learn about Pei Ru Xue's background through casual conversations. It turned out she was the master of Si Kong, the peak master of Shen Dun Sect's Shen Kong Peak!
Mo Qi was greatly shocked and, at the same time, filled with immense regret! Why had he shown such pity and gone to the trouble of covering her with fabric? If he had simply killed her then and there, the consequences would have been endless.
He suddenly thought of another question: how old was Pei Ru Xue? She must be older than she appeared.
As expected, due to cultivating Ice and Snow divine abilities, Mo Qi's hair had also turned white. He picked up a bronze mirror, looked at himself, and hesitated about whether to take a Hair Darkening Pill.
At that moment, Xue Nu walked in. "What's wrong? Don't want to be a white cat anymore?"
Mo Qi smiled. "There's already one white cat, and she's stunningly beautiful. How could I dare to imitate her?"
Xue Nu also smiled. "You have quite a bit of self-awareness!"
Seeing Mo Qi begin to pack his belongings, she looked reluctant. "Are you really leaving?"
Mo Qi nodded. "I really have to leave. But if you miss me, I can come back anytime."
Xue Nu rolled her eyes at him. "Don't flatter yourself. Who would miss you?" In her heart, however, she wondered if he was serious.
The one most reluctant to see Mo Qi leave was Lai Yao Shi, who pleaded tearfully. "Uncle-Master, please don't go. If you leave, our Divine Elixir Sect will have no backbone. What about the elixir matters? Once you're gone, all the elixir shops in our jurisdiction will instantly collapse. The losses incurred are minor, but the disintegration of morale will affect the sect's peace and stability."
Mo Qi patted his shoulder. "It's alright, Little Lai. I'm just changing my elixirs refining location. Look at how Lingxiao Sect is doing it now; you should do the same in the future. It's all the same."
"It definitely won't be the same. They certainly won't sell to us at cost price. Who would be that foolish..." He suddenly realized he had said the wrong thing and immediately covered his mouth, but it was too late.
Mo Qi seemed to see through everything and glanced at him sideways. "Don't think everyone is as cunning as you, like a greedy merchant. The disciples of Lingxiao Sect are all honest cultivators, not merchants."
Lai Yao Shi's face turned bright red. "I... I am also a cultivator seeking the Dao, not a merchant. What I meant was, if this matter were put to merchants, everyone would certainly try to gain a little advantage. But we cultivators have the responsibility to defend all living beings. Fame and fortune are all fleeting clouds. We will not covet those worldly things."
Mo Qi nodded. "Yes, alright. Little Lai has a high level of awareness. In the future, you just wait to go to Lingxiao Sect to acquire elixirs at cost price."
Lai Yao Shi's face contorted into a bitter gourd shape. "Alright."
Upon returning to Lingxiao Sect, Mo Qi first reported to Wu Fan.
Wu Fan was indifferent, as if his presence or absence made no difference.
This made Mo Qi feel particularly dejected. "I'm so outstanding, how can you not pay attention to me constantly? How can you not think of me all the time?"
Mo Qi then went to see Jin Dan. Brothers were different. Jin Dan was overjoyed to see Mo Qi, dancing with excitement and spinning him around a few times.
Then Jin Dan eagerly asked, "How is your cultivation now? You've been away for so many years of advanced study, you must be defying the heavens, right?"
Mo Qi felt ashamed. After these three years, his cultivation seemed to have not progressed much.
But fortunately, he had fully grasped the essence of Ice and Snow divine abilities, thus mastering another skill. Having more skills never hurt, and they could always shine at the right moment.
Jin Dan's question instantly reignited his desire to improve his cultivation.
So, he returned to his room and devoted himself to cultivation.
A few months later, news spread throughout the sect: Lingxiao Sect would hold a cultivation grand competition. The victorious cultivators would then participate in a competition involving disciples from all sects in the Nine Gods Cultivation Realm. After that, a portion of the winners would go on a mission, and then they would have the opportunity to train in the Northern Territory Cultivation Realm.
This competition did not have level restrictions, and even the master generation could participate. However, there was an age limit; only those under sixty years of age could compete, which disqualified many masters. In Lingxiao Sect, only Li Xue Mei was eligible.
Mo Qi did not know the significance of the Northern Territory training and wanted to hear Wu Fan's opinion.
Wu Fan said earnestly, "Child, the Nine Gods Cultivation Realm is merely a grain of sand in the myriad worlds of cultivation. If you wish to achieve something, venturing out is inevitable. Not to mention anything else, the Northern Territory Cultivation Realm is a gateway situated between the Nine Gods and the Heavenly Realm. If you wish to ascend and be deified one day, you must take this step."
Mo Qi had also heard Zhen Zhen's description of the Southern Continent and knew that north of the Northern Territory Cultivation Realm was the Qiong Lu Cultivation Realm, and further north of the Qiong Lu Cultivation Realm was the Heavenly Court. There were still some mortals residing in the Northern Territory, whereas the entire Qiong Lu Realm was a cultivation realm with no mortal inhabitants, essentially equivalent to the courtyard of the Heavenly Court, already at the doorstep of the Heavenly Court. Therefore, the Northern Territory was a gateway outside the Heavenly Court's grand courtyard. Entering this gateway was self-evident in its implications.