Chapter 279: Nine Mountains, I Am Invincible

What puzzled Li Fan was that, according to the information he had previously consulted, this secret cultivation method should be restricted by the rules of heaven and earth once one's cultivation reached the Golden Core stage. Cultivation should have become progressively slower. However, Li Fan hadn't seen these restrictions take effect on Ye Feipeng—at least, not yet. "Is it because of his demonic beast bloodline? Are there different rules for him?" Li Fan was somewhat perplexed. "Perhaps I can find an opportunity to test this," he mused, stroking his chin.

In the two months that Ye Feipeng's strength had rapidly advanced, Zhang Haobo and Su Xiaomei had already left the Congyun Sea and entered Jiushan Province, near its border with Shilin Province. Looking at the boundless white mist barrier stretching across the heavens and earth, both were deeply awestruck. It was their first time witnessing such a wondrous sight, and they paused to observe for a long while before continuing their journey towards the Chaoyuan Sect ruins in Jiushan Province.

Awed by the magnificent scene, Su Xiaomei felt her own insignificance for the first time. She became much more restrained along the way, acting discreetly and simply rushing on. This brought a sigh of relief to Zhang Haobo. This young lady was truly difficult to look after, with her short temper and troublesome nature. Moreover, it was her first long journey since "growing up," and she loved to get involved in any commotion she encountered. When others saw her precocious demeanor, they would sometimes tease her a little, but she couldn't tolerate it at all. She would be ready to fight at a moment's notice. Such incidents had occurred several times along their journey.

Fortunately, Su Xiaomei was only short-tempered, not foolish. She would only strike first if she confirmed the opponent was a Foundation Establishment cultivator whom she could defeat. When Su Xiaomei got into a fight, Zhang Haobo couldn't just stand by. They would have to team up to teach the other party a lesson, then quickly depart. "I hope this period of calm lasts a bit longer," Zhang Haobo thought to himself, looking at the rare calm in Su Xiaomei.

However, things rarely go as planned in this world. After traveling through Jiushan Province for some time, they arrived before the first mountain range, where Su Xiaomei became restless and her old habits resurfaced. This was because a checkpoint had been set up before the path leading through the first mountain, Shixi Mountain. Any cultivator wishing to pass had to pay a certain amount of contribution points or spirit stones to be allowed through. According to the information marked on the map Ye Feipeng provided, each of Jiushan Province's nine mountains had unique mystical properties, preventing cultivators from flying over them. Therefore, to cross Shixi Mountain, one either had to brave unknown risks and trek over the peaks, or take one of the paths that cut through the mountain.

They had naturally prepared some spirit stones before their journey, and had also conveniently acquired some during their previous skirmishes, so they weren't lacking. However, seeing Su Xiaomei stare intently at the people collecting spirit stones ahead, her large eyes darting around, seemingly plotting something dangerous, Zhang Haobo's heart instantly sank. If they didn't have some formidable backing, how would they dare set up a toll checkpoint in such a place? These people were clearly not to be trifled with. He quickly tugged on her clothes, signaling with his eyes for Su Xiaomei not to cause trouble.

Su Xiaomei rolled her eyes at him and transmitted her voice, "Am I that foolish? So many people here choose to pay obediently, even Golden Core cultivators do. It's just a few spirit stones; why would I rashly cause trouble?" Zhang Haobo was somewhat stunned and asked, "Then what are you planning?" "Hehe, if I don't step forward, someone else will. Look at that person!" Su Xiaomei subtly pointed towards a certain cultivator ahead.

Zhang Haobo looked in that direction, seeing that the person was already approaching the spirit stone collection point. However, Zhang Haobo then noticed that the person's face held a constant expression of mockery. He seemed to disdain the cultivators who had obediently paid their spirit stones earlier. "There's a good show to watch," Su Xiaomei, who seemed to relish chaos, said excitedly. Zhang Haobo also became interested. He knew that the cultivation method his sister practiced made her highly sensitive to emotional changes around her. Her words meant that this cultivator was almost certainly going to clash with the toll-collecting organization. What made Zhang Haobo curious, though, was where this person's confidence came from, given that he clearly appeared to only have Foundation Establishment cultivation. Could he be a powerful expert who had concealed his true cultivation?

Fortunately, he didn't have to wait long. "One hundred low-grade spirit stones." The man stood at the entrance to the path, head held high, making no move for a long time. The black-robed cultivator responsible for collecting fees grew impatient at the sight and urged him on. "None!" The man sneered and cast a disdainful sideways glance. "None? What's a pauper doing here? Get out of the way!" The black-robed cultivator's eyes widened, and he was about to force the man away.

However, upon seeing the other party's gaze, which was akin to looking at an ant, he couldn't help but feel a sudden panic and hesitated. In this line of work, discernment was extremely important. In this chaotic Jiushan Province, countless cultivators had provoked the wrong people and were casually killed. Judging by the demeanor of the person before him, unless he was mentally unstable, he must have concealed his cultivation and deliberately come to cause trouble. The black-robed cultivator pondered for a moment and did not rush to act. Instead, he retreated slightly, creating some distance. Then he began to call for others. After all, he was just an employee getting paid for his work. It wasn't worth risking his life for such a small reward. If he couldn't handle it, someone else naturally could. "You wait!" he uttered a harsh warning, then retreated into the protective formation within the path.

Soon, four or five cultivators came rushing out from within the path. The leader was a Nascent Soul cultivator with flowing long hair and a feminine countenance. He approached the provocative man, examining him with keen interest. "You're quite interesting. If you don't have spirit stones, just leave. What's the meaning of blocking the way here? Don't tell me you think our Lingyuan Sect is easy to bully." The effeminate man said with a smile, yet his eyes were full of murderous intent. Above his head, a Peach Blossom Grotto-Heaven suddenly manifested. Pink petals drifted down with the wind, and the powerful pressure of a Nascent Soul cultivator instantly spread through the air. Many Foundation Establishment and Golden Core cultivators, affected by the Nascent Soul pressure, instantly turned pale and trembled.

However, to the surprise of all cultivators present, the Nascent Soul pressure seemed to have no effect on the provocative man at all. Instead, he smiled slightly and directly exposed the effeminate man's identity: "Shen Yurou, you're still as effeminate as ever." Shen Yurou's face instantly changed upon hearing this, and the Peach Blossom Grotto-Heaven above his head suddenly vanished. His expression turned stern, and he stared warily at the provocative man before him. "Who exactly are you?" The provocative man brushed his clothes and said somewhat casually, "You don't recognize me just because I changed my outfit?" As he spoke, a golden light suddenly emanated from the blue cloth robe the man was wearing. It transformed into a glittering golden armor.

Shen Yurou was stunned for a moment, then as if remembering something, he exclaimed in horror, "Wo Wudi?" In an instant, he rapidly retreated. After putting a considerable distance between them, he suddenly stopped. Turning back, he looked at Wo Wudi and asked with a suspicious expression, "Didn't you break through to the Spirit Transformation stage? How did you revert to Foundation Establishment cultivation?" Wo Wudi shrugged, appearing nonchalant. "I felt like I cultivated incorrectly, so I just started over."