What puzzled Li Fan was that, according to the information he had previously looked up, the method of hidden cultivation should be restricted by the rules of heaven and earth after reaching a strength equivalent to the Golden Core Realm. The cultivation should slow down. However, in the case of Ye Feipeng, Li Fan did not see any restrictions in effect, at least not yet.
"Is it because of his demonic beast bloodline? Is there a distinction?" Li Fan was a bit unclear.
"Perhaps I can find an opportunity to experiment," Li Fan pondered, rubbing his chin.
...
In the two months when Ye Feipeng's strength soared, Zhang Haobo and Su Xiaomei had already left the Congyun Sea and arrived within the Nine Mountains Province, near the border with Shilin Province.
Looking at the vast expanse of white mist barrier that spanned the heavens and the earth, the two were greatly shocked. It was their first time seeing such a spectacle, and they stopped to watch for a long time before continuing toward the remnants of the Yuanzong in the Nine Mountains Province.
Deterred by this magnificent scene, Su Xiaomei felt her own insignificance for the first time. Along the way, she became much more reserved, acting low-key and only hurrying along.
This made Zhang Haobo breathe a sigh of relief. This little girl was not easy to take care of, with her explosive temper causing headaches. It was the first time she had ventured far from home, and whenever something happened, she liked to join in on the fun.
Seeing her looking small and acting big, others would sometimes make a few teasing remarks, and she couldn't bear it.
She would almost get into a fight immediately.
Several such incidents had occurred along the way. Fortunately, Su Xiaomei was not only hot-tempered but also not foolish.
She would only take the initiative if she confirmed that the opponent was a Foundation Establishment cultivator and she could handle it.
Once Su Xiaomei got involved in a fight, Zhang Haobo couldn't just stand by. They had to join forces to teach the other party a lesson and then quickly leave.
"I hope this calm period can last a little longer," Zhang Haobo said, looking at the rarely calm Su Xiaomei, thinking to himself.
However, things don't always go as planned in the world. After traveling through the Nine Mountains Province for some time and reaching the first mountain range, Su Xiaomei once again became impulsive.
This time, there was a checkpoint set up before crossing the mountain range, specifically at the passage through the Shixi Mountain.
Anyone wanting to pass through had to pay a certain contribution or spirit stones to be allowed through.
According to the map provided by Ye Feipeng, it was marked that the Nine Mountains had various mysteries, and cultivators could not fly above them. Therefore, to cross the Shixi Mountain, unless one was willing to endure hardships and risks by crossing mountains and ridges, they had to take these passages.
Before departing, the two had prepared some spirit stones.
They had also taken some when fighting others before.
So, they were not lacking.
However, seeing Su Xiaomei staring intently at the person collecting spirit stones ahead, her big eyes turning, it seemed like she was plotting something dangerous.
Zhang Haobo's heart suddenly hung in the air.
How could they dare set up checkpoints and charge fees in such a place without some background in strength?
These people were obviously not easy to provoke.
He quickly pulled on her clothes, using his eyes to signal Su Xiaomei not to cause trouble.
Su Xiaomei gave him a disdainful look and transmitted her voice, "Am I that stupid? So many people here are choosing to pay obediently, even those Foundation Establishment cultivators are doing the same."
"It's just a few spirit stones. Why would I rashly cause trouble?"
Zhang Haobo couldn't help but be a little surprised and asked, "Then what are you thinking?"
"Hehe, I won't take the lead. Someone else will take the lead for me. Look at that person!" Su Xiaomei pointed subtly at a cultivator ahead.
Following her gaze, Zhang Haobo saw that this person was almost reaching the place where spirit stones were being collected.
However...
It was only then that Zhang Haobo noticed the disdainful expression on the person's face.
It seemed that he was very contemptuous of the cultivators who had obediently paid the spirit stones before.
"Looks like a good show is about to happen," the excited Su Xiaomei said.
Zhang Haobo also became interested.
He knew that the technique Su Xiaomei cultivated was very sensitive to emotional changes in the surroundings.
For her to say this, it meant that the cultivator ahead would almost certainly come into conflict with the organization collecting fees.
But what made Zhang Haobo curious was that this person clearly seemed to have only Foundation Establishment cultivation. Where did his confidence come from?
Could it be that this person is a big shot with hidden cultivation?
Fortunately, he didn't have to wait long.
"A hundred low-grade spirit stones."
He stood proudly in front of the passage, not moving for a long time.
The black-robed cultivator in charge of collecting fees became a bit impatient and urged him.
"None!"
The man snorted coldly, looking down with disdain.
"None? A pauper causing trouble? Get out of here!" The black-robed cultivator glared and was about to make a move.
However, after seeing the contemptuous gaze, he couldn't help but feel a bit panicked and hesitated.
Having a broad view was crucial when navigating this chaotic Nine Mountains Province. Many cultivators had provoked the wrong people and were casually killed.
Looking at the demeanor of the person in front of him, unless he had a problem with his head, he was deliberately looking for trouble.
After thinking for a moment, the black-robed cultivator didn't rush to make a move.
Instead, he stepped back slightly, creating distance.
Then, he started calling for help.
After all, he was just a hired worker receiving rewards.
It wasn't worth risking his life for such a small reward.
If he couldn't handle it, someone else could.
"Wait for me!"
He issued a threatening remark and then retreated into the protective formation on the mountain road.
Soon, four or five cultivators rushed over from inside the mountain road.
The leader was a charming-looking Yuan Ying cultivator with long hair and a soft complexion.
He came to the troublemaker and observed him with interest.
"You're an interesting person. Since you have no spirit stones, you can go back. What's the point of blocking the way here? Are you trying to bully the Lingyuan Sect?"
The soft-faced man said with a smiling face, but his eyes were full of killing intent.
Above his head, a Peach Blossom Paradise suddenly appeared.
Pink petals fluttered in the wind, and the powerful pressure of the Yuan Ying cultivator instantly spread.
Many Foundation Establishment and Golden Core cultivators, affected by the pressure, turned pale and trembled.
To everyone's surprise, the Yuan Ying pressure seemed to have no effect on the troublemaker.
Instead, he smiled slightly and directly exposed the soft-faced man's identity, "Shen Yurou, you're still so effeminate."
Hearing this, Shen Yurou's face changed dramatically, and the Peach Blossom Paradise above his head suddenly disappeared.
With a stern expression, he stared guardedly at the troublemaker in front of him.
"Who are you exactly?"
The troublemaker patted his clothes casually and said, "Changed my clothes, and you don't recognize me? With a change of clothes, you won't recognize me anymore."
With his words, a golden light radiated from the blue cloth on the man's body, turning into a dazzling golden armor.
Shen Yurou was first stunned, then seemed to remember something and said in shock, "I am invincible?"
In an instant, he retreated violently.
After pulling away a considerable distance, he suddenly stopped.
Turning back, he looked at "I Am Invincible" with a puzzled expression and asked, "Didn't you break through to Nascent Soul? How did you revert to Foundation Establishment?"
"I Am Invincible" shrugged, looking indifferent, "Felt like I cultivated the wrong way, so I decided to start over."
(End of this chapter)