I create patterns, regardless of your level of expertise.

Li Hao originally planned to go into seclusion for a year, but it ended up taking a full year and a half.

One reason is that after reaching the peak of the Returning Origin Realm, he attempted to break through to the Divine Soul Realm.

After all, he had the Soul Nourishing Pill given to him by Chen Jinbao, and he wanted to use quantitative change to cause qualitative change, to see if there was an opportunity.

But after trying it, I was still a little disappointed.

Although the large amount of Soul Nourishing Pills increased his soul strength, it did not solve the fundamental problem.

That is, he cannot sense his own soul.

This is a bit of a mystery. To give an analogy, it's like asking someone to sense their own appendix.

It means you know you have an appendix, but before it becomes inflamed, it's integrated with your body, so you can't feel it or control it precisely.

This is what is known as a "spiritual tribulation".

The solution seems quite simple: it requires a strong emotional fluctuation to sense one's own soul.

Only after sensing the soul can one further control and cultivate it.

It's difficult to experience intense emotional fluctuations when secluded in a closed room, so Li Hao is currently stuck at the peak of the Returning Origin realm.

Secondly, it also serves as a way to protect Song Yuqi.

Until a beam of azure light shot straight into the sky, carrying a powerful yin energy, as if even the clouds in the sky were about to freeze.

Li Hao himself was stunned.

"Is this the power of the Heavenly Frost Fiend? But why didn't I make such a big commotion when I broke through to the Yin Extreme Realm?"

Wu Liangsheng explained from the side, "The commotion during a breakthrough is usually quite significant; what's abnormal is what happened to you."

"I don't know how you did it. No matter what kind of energy it is, once it enters your body, it's like a mud ox sinking into the sea, not even making a ripple."

"There wasn't much of a strong fluctuation when it broke through, which is really strange."

Li Hao didn't know the specific reason, but it was definitely the fault of the creative mode.

In short, now that Song Yuqi has broken through to the Yin-Yang Realm, he can finally emerge from seclusion.

……

"Hey hey hey! I'm here!"

After being confined in the secret room for a year and a half, Li Hao's patience was almost exhausted. Now that he had returned to the world and was able to see the blue sky and white clouds, he was in a very good mood.

Others who noticed the commotion, such as Song Baicheng, Yang Lu, and Zhou Luo, had already rushed over.

"Congratulations on your successful completion of seclusion, senior!"

As everyone was about to kneel, Li Hao casually waved a gust of wind and lifted them up.

"Alright, we're all on the same side, let's not do this."

Li Hao spoke casually, but the subtle aura revealed in his hand gestures astonished everyone present.

What level has this reached? It gives them a feeling of awe and wonder, as if they can't see the end of a mountain!

"How's it going? Nothing major has happened in the past year and a half, has it?" Li Hao asked.

Song Baicheng stepped forward promptly and said, "Reporting to Senior, nothing major has happened; it's just some trivial matter."

"The Medicine Tower branch, originally located at the border of the three kingdoms, has now moved to the Yue Kingdom and established close cooperation with the Song family; Shen Lingyan is in seclusion, using the Yin Huai wood to attempt to break through to the Yin Yin Realm, but there has been no news of any progress yet."

Song Baicheng paused for a moment, then said, "In addition, there is another matter that I need to consult with you about, senior."

"It's about buying up various treasures at high prices..."

Actually, it's not a big deal. The root of the problem lies in Li Hao taking out a large number of spirit stones and pills and acquiring various treasures.

Because of this incident, many forces within Vietnam obtained a considerable amount of spirit stones and pills, and they recruited thugs extensively in order to expand their territory.

Despite recruiting many people, the various factions naturally started raising prices, but even with the increased prices, they still couldn't attract many more.

However, the conditions were exceptionally generous to people from other countries, thus attracting a large number of people from other countries to come and work as henchmen.

Although the Zhao family promptly ordered the border to be sealed off, it still couldn't stop some people from smuggling themselves across.

Furthermore, rumors circulated that the Yue Kingdom offered generous treatment and was willing to pay, attracting many people to the border, which was practically overflowing with people.

So Song Baicheng wanted to ask how to handle this matter.

Li Hao's answer was also very simple.

"Handle? Handle what? Let it be, let nature take its course, and leave everything to the invisible hand of the market."

"When there are more people, the unit price decreases, and when the unit price decreases, fewer people come. So, the more people there are, the fewer people there are in total."

Song Baicheng: ?

Li Hao stretched and said, "After a year and a half of seclusion, I'm practically growing mushrooms on my body. Time to have some fun for a couple of days."

"Then, I should go."

This matter has been discussed before, and now it's almost time for me to leave.

Afterwards, I'll first take a trip to the headquarters of the Medicine Tower in the central part of Dongli Continent. Firstly, I'll ask how Chaos Yellow Soil is doing, and secondly, I'll go out more and see if I can encounter an opportunity to break through the mental tribulation.

"Alright, everyone, you can all leave now."

Li Hao waved for everyone to disperse, then spent two days having fun before having someone bring over the carriage pulled by the Core Formation Spirit Stone.

Inside the carriage, Li Hao and Wu Liangsheng stared at each other, bewildered.

Wu Liangsheng: "Why are you looking at me? You don't want me to drive, do you? I'm just a spirit, and I have enemies everywhere."

Li Hao clicked his tongue and stroked his chin, saying, "It's indeed a bit inappropriate to have you drive the carriage. But I can't exactly drive it myself, can I? Me, a peak Guiyuan Realm expert, driving? That would completely lower my prestige."

"I need to bring along a follower, preferably someone who is carefree and has good judgment."

After a quick mental search, Li Hao selected a candidate.

"Bring Gao Yuanfan here!"

This kid is a carefree rogue cultivator, so it doesn't matter if he goes to other places with me. The most important thing is that this kid is really clever. He disappears as soon as something goes wrong. His eyesight is amazing.

In addition, he himself is at the Core Formation stage, which is not too bad, so he is suitable to drive the vehicle.

Half a day later, Gao Yuanfan, with a bruised and swollen face, was tied up like a dumpling and thrown into the main hall of the Qingyun Sect.

Gao Yuanfan was on the verge of tears.

"Damn it! What did I do to deserve this? Over a hundred Core Formation cultivators came to this remote mountain forest to arrest me? Did I break any heavenly laws?!"

"Gao Yuanfan, look who I am."

Li Hao's voice interrupted Gao Yuanfan's complaints. The people next to him untied the ropes and lifted him up.

Upon seeing Li Hao, Gao Yuanfan's wailing abruptly stopped, and he said sullenly, "So it's Senior Li Hao... No, Senior, I didn't offend you, did I? Is this really necessary?"

Li Hao didn't answer, but instead asked, "Gao Yuanfan, I'm giving you a chance. Come drive for me, room and board included, five thousand a month salary. Are you in?"

Gao Yuanfan's eyes lit up immediately.

"Five thousand spirit stones a month? I'll take it! It would be my honor to drive for you, senior!"

Five thousand spirit stones a month is enough to cover his daily cultivation expenses, and he can also use this opportunity to curry favor with Li Hao. Only a fool would refuse!

Li Hao nodded and said, "Then go change into some decent clothes. We'll set off in an hour."