Having cultivated in the Xiaoyao Sect for nearly three years, Meng Yau had acquired numerous magical techniques but lacked any real combat experience.
A qualified cultivator must possess combat abilities commensurate with their cultivation level.
Merely reaching a certain realm would not suffice for a long journey on the path of cultivation.
The outermost regions of the Hundred Demon Mountains were not particularly dangerous. Even disciples at the Qi Refinement Third Level could explore them.
Meng Yau, now at the Fourth Level, could cautiously use her Spirit Void Steps. Encountering Qi Refinement Fourth or Fifth Level demonic beasts, she could either defeat them or escape.
While the reputation of the Hundred Demon Mountains sounded fearsome, as long as she didn't venture too deep, Meng Yau, with her cultivation at the Fourth Level, could manage to protect herself.
After deciding to go to the Hundred Demon Mountains, Meng Yau spent two days preparing many Spirit Elixirs. Though the effectiveness of Spirit Elixirs had greatly diminished, a bottle could still restore one-tenth of her spiritual energy, a non-negligible amount.
Equipped with her prepared Spirit Elixirs, Meng Yau headed towards the Duobao Pavilion. She needed to buy some essential items.
The first floor of the Duobao Pavilion was bustling with people. After some effort, Meng Yau finally managed to buy all the items she needed.
A map of the outer areas of the Hundred Demon Mountains, an ordinary hoe, five simple jade boxes, and a few large cloth bags.
The map cost two spirit stones, the hoe five, and the five jade boxes, in total, only one spirit stone. She also received a few worthless large cloth bags as a bonus.
In total, she spent eight spirit stones, leaving her with a pitiful one remaining.
"I only have one spirit stone left. I heard that the demonic beasts in the Hundred Demon Mountains are full of treasures.
Even low-level demonic beasts carry materials that can be used. I hope this journey goes smoothly, and I can earn more spirit stones."
The Hundred Demon Mountains were located north of the Xiaoyao Sect. Meng Yau walked northward, passing through
The two disciples guarding the gate were both at the Qi Refinement Fourth Level, likely assigned to the gatekeeping task by their factions.
"Halt! Who are you, and where are you going?" one of them demanded.
Meng Yau displayed her disciple token.
"I am disciple Meng Yau. I am heading to the Hundred Demon Mountains for training."
"Training? Alone? It's not like inside the sect; there are many rogue cultivators in the Hundred Demon Mountains who won't hesitate to kill or rob."
The disciple guarding the gate frowned at Meng Yau, finding it hard to believe her words.
Historically, those who went to the Hundred Demon Mountains for training, except for senior disciples at higher cultivation levels, usually went in groups of three or more.
This lone person before them, with only a cultivation level of Qi Refinement Third Level, seemed like seeking death.
"My social skills aren't great, and no one wants to team up with me," Meng Yau explained softly, a statement not entirely untrue.
But more importantly, cultivation was an individual journey from the start.
She never intended to find a team.
"This..."
The two gatekeepers looked at each other, somewhat dumbfounded.
Someone with such poor social skills was indeed rare.
"Don't worry, both senior brothers. I'm well aware of my cultivation level.
Meng Yau didn't plan to stay away for too long.
With less than a month remaining until the Grand Examination, she intended to return before then.
Exiting the mountain gate her field of vision suddenly expanded.
Meng Yau's eyes gleamed with determination – she had arrived at the Hundred Demon Mountains!
Speeding northward, even with Meng Yau's Qi Refinement Fourth Level cultivation, it took her an entire day to approach the foothills of the Hundred Demon Mountains.
Wiping the sweat from her face, Meng Yau took out the map.
Another twenty miles ahead, and she would reach Qingshan Town.
Qingshan Town was a market town, a gathering place for cultivators.
Such places formed when a large number of cultivators congregated to live and trade.
Rich in resources due to the Hundred Demon Mountains, Qingshan Town has a history of several hundred years.
While under the jurisdiction of the Xiaoyao Sect, it was not exclusively inhabited by disciples. Instead, many rogue cultivators resided there.
Although officially governed by the Xiaoyao Sect, the town attracted a diverse array of cultivators.
Given the abundant herbs and demonic beasts in the Hundred Demon Mountains, it served as an excellent choice for cultivation resources.
Therefore, Qingshan Town and its market had become a melting pot, with almost every type of cultivator present.
Even though it fell under the Xiaoyao Sect's control, a significant number of rogue cultivators resided there.
After all, obtaining cultivation resources outside the sect was challenging, while the herbs and demonic beasts here were bountiful.
This was also why the Xiaoyao Sect allowed Qi Refinement Third-Level cultivators to venture into the Hundred Demon Mountains for training but rarely alone.
Staying within the sect and diligently completing sect missions allowed disciples to earn spirit stones and improve their cultivation.
It was much more comfortable than competing with rogue cultivators for resources outside, where there was a real risk of loss, even life-threatening at times.
So, it was quite rare for disciples to go solo like Meng Yau.
She took a moment to gaze at the vast landscape before continuing towards Qingshan Town.
For teams with a large number of cultivators, rogue cultivators had to carefully assess their own abilities before attempting any mischief.
Just before nightfall, Meng Yau finally arrived at Qingshan Town.
Fortunately, as a disciple of the Xiaoyao Sect, she enjoyed the benefit of entering Qingshan Town for free.
Otherwise, after paying the one spirit stone entrance fee, she would have been forced to spend the night on the streets of Qingshan Town.
"Is this junior sister's first time in Qingshan Town?"
Guarding the entrance of the market town were two Xiaoyao Sect outer disciples.
Seeing Meng Yau, they smiled without any bias or discrimination based on her appearance.
"Yes, this is my first time leaving the sect."
Meng Yau nodded. She sensed that both senior brothers possessed profound cultivation, unable to discern their exact levels.
In such a situation, there was only one possibility – their cultivation surpassed hers.
"The hour is getting late. If junior sister needs accommodation, you can go to the Xiaoyao Residence that our sect operates."
One of the round-faced disciples spoke, "The fees are reasonable, and disciples of our sect get a fifty percent discount for lodging.
If you want to buy or sell things, you can visit our sect's Duobao Pavilion."
Meng Yau nodded and took note of this information.
"Today is not early.
If junior sister needs accommodation, you can go to our Xiaoyao Residence."
The round-faced disciple spoke again, "The charges are fair, and disciples of our sect get a fifty percent discount for lodging.
If you need to buy or sell items, you can visit our sect's Duobao Pavilion."
Meng Yau nodded and remembered all the details.
Before coming here, she only knew that Qingshan Town was under the jurisdiction of the Xiaoyao Sect, but she wasn't aware of the sect's business presence here.
Following the guidance of the two senior brothers, Meng Yau headed towards Xiaoyao Residence.
As expected, she received a fifty percent discount with her disciple token.
For the price of one spirit stone, she rented a single room for twenty days.
Meng Yau marveled at the high cost of living in the town.
Without the discount, one Spirit Stone would only cover ten days of accommodation.
For a month, accommodation alone would require three spirit stones.
After handing over her last spirit stone, Meng Yau was now completely penniless.
She could only hope for a fruitful day in the mountains tomorrow.
(End of chapter)