I'm in Yellow Maple Valley, and I have one equipment slot!

Zhou Yuan did not rush to search, but spent several days exploring several large gathering places of cultivators within the territory of Dongyu Kingdom.

I learned about the distribution of local forces and the general situation of the spiritual veins.

Ultimately, he set his sights on a range of mountainous regions in the southeast of Dongyu Kingdom, known as the "Cangwu Mountains".

The spiritual energy in this mountain range is above average, not top-tier, but sufficient for Nascent Soul cultivators to cultivate.

More importantly, this place is relatively remote, far from the core areas of the major powers of Dongyu Kingdom, and only some small and medium-sized sects and cultivation families are located in the mountains.

Zhou Yuan, accompanied by Mei Ning, carefully explored the Cangwu Mountains.

His spiritual sense far surpasses that of his peers, and he is acutely aware of the direction of spiritual veins.

Finally, near a mountain peak called "Ling Shu Mountain", he sensed a rather pure spiritual energy that seemed to contain some special rhythm.

Ling Shu Mountain covers an area of ​​several tens of miles, with its main peak towering high, steep terrain, and lush forests.

There is a decent medium-sized spiritual vein in the mountains, with spiritual energy converging near the main peak, "Ling Shu Peak".

At this moment, the mountain is occupied by a small sect called "Ling Shu Guan".

The abbot was a middle-aged man in the late stage of Core Formation, and he had no more than a hundred disciples.

Zhou Yuan, carrying Mei Ning, landed directly on the summit of Ling Shu Peak, in front of a rather impressive cave dwelling.

This cave dwelling was clearly the residence of the abbot.

He raised his hand and sent out a sound transmission talisman, which entered the cave's protective barrier.

Before long, the stone door of the cave opened with a bang, and a tall, rugged-looking middle-aged man with a wide Taoist robe and a cultivation level of late Core Formation walked out with a look of surprise and wariness.

When he saw Zhou Yuan, who stood suspended in mid-air outside the cave, his aura unfathomable, and Mei Ning, who stood respectfully behind him, his expression changed instantly, and he quickly bowed in greeting:

"Junior Zhao Tie, Abbot of Ling Shu Temple, pays respects to Senior! May I ask your esteemed name and what brings you to my humble abode?"

His voice was loud, but his posture was extremely humble, clearly indicating that he had recognized Zhou Yuan's identity as a Nascent Soul cultivator and was feeling uneasy.

For a small sect like his, a Nascent Soul cultivator was already a giant they had to look up to.

"Zhou Yuan".

Zhou Yuan stated his name directly, getting straight to the point, his tone calm yet leaving no room for argument:

"I've taken a liking to the spiritual veins of your Ling Shu Mountain. I'm buying the mountain. You and your disciples should find another place to settle down."

"What?!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Tie's face turned deathly pale, and his body trembled slightly.

His hard-earned business, built up over many years, could be taken away with just a single sentence?

How is this any different from outright robbery?

However, his opponent was a Nascent Soul cultivator, and their strengths were worlds apart. He couldn't even muster the thought of resisting, and his heart was filled with despair and resentment.

"Yes...yes...this junior...this junior will make room for you right away, senior..."

Zhao Tie's lips trembled as he managed to utter a few words with difficulty, his heart filled with despair.

Circumstances dictated his actions, leaving him with no choice but to obey.

But my heart is filled with sorrow.

This Ling Shu Temple is the culmination of generations of his sect's efforts, but now it is about to be destroyed in his hands...

He turned around, his steps heavy, and prepared to return to his cave to gather his disciples, pack his belongings, and leave.

"Wait," Zhou Yuan's voice rang out again.

Zhao Tie froze, his heart skipped a beat. Could it be that this senior had changed his mind and was now going to kill them all?

He slowly turned around, his face even paler.

"What's the rush?" Zhou Yuan shook his head slightly, looking at his grief-stricken appearance. "I said, it's 'buying,' not 'robbing.'"

After saying that, he reached out and swiped his hand across the storage bag, took out a bulging storage bag, and casually tossed it to Zhao Tie.

Zhao Tie subconsciously took it, and when he probed it with his divine sense, he was immediately stunned.

The storage bag contained tens of thousands of low-grade spirit stones and thousands of mid-grade spirit stones, all neatly stacked.

In addition, there was a short, halberd-shaped magical artifact with a faint, ethereal glow, which was clearly an antique treasure of good quality!

Although it is just an ordinary ancient treasure, it is an unimaginably precious item for a Core Formation cultivator!

The value of these spiritual stones and ancient treasures far exceeds the actual value of the spiritual vein of Ling Shu Mountain and the simple buildings on the mountain!

"Senior...this...this is far too precious! I am unworthy of such an offer!"

Zhao Tie held the storage bag in both hands, trembling with excitement, and even began to stutter.

He thought he was going to lose everything, but he never expected to receive an extremely generous compensation!

This Nascent Soul senior is not a tyrannical villain, but a reasonable and generous benevolent person!

"Take it, you deserve it."

"I'll give you half a day to gather your followers and disciples, pack up, and leave this place. After that, Ling Shu Mountain will belong to me."

Zhou Yuan waved his hand, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"Yes! Yes! Thank you so much, senior! Thank you for your great kindness! I, Zhao Tie, will never forget you!"

Zhao Tie knelt down with a thud and kowtowed three times to Zhou Yuan, his face full of gratitude.

My feelings toward Zhou Yuan have changed from initial fear to heartfelt awe and gratitude.

"Go." Zhou Yuan stopped looking at him and turned his gaze to the scenery around Ling Shu Peak.

Zhao Tie bowed in thanks again, then carefully carried the storage bag and hurried back to his cave, presumably to gather his disciples and announce this "great news."

Mei Ning watched from the side, her eyes sparkling with admiration.

The senior's actions were indeed extraordinary, employing both kindness and severity, which was truly admirable.

Zhou Yuan did not delay any longer. After the abbot of Ling Shu Temple, Zhao Tie, and his disciples left with profuse thanks and reluctance, he began to make arrangements for Ling Shu Mountain.

His first task was to set up an array. Although Ling Shu Mountain was several dozen miles in circumference, it still felt cramped for a Nascent Soul cultivator.

Zhou Yuan took out several sets of high-grade array flags and array plates from his storage bag, including some exquisite items he had obtained from Nascent Soul cultivators and even from the Reverse Star Alliance's treasury during his time in the Chaotic Star Sea.

Centered on the main peak, Ling Shu Peak, he planted the array flags one by one into the mountain, the earth's veins, and even the void, according to their mysterious orientation.

The array plates were placed at several key spiritual vein nodes.

As he cast spells and infused spiritual power, layers of protective light shields of different colors and functions rippled outwards like waves.

Ultimately, they interconnected and merged, forming a complex super array that covered the entire Ling Shu Mountain area for dozens of miles!

This grand formation integrates multiple functions such as defense, attack, illusion, concealment, spirit gathering, anti-air, and early warning.

At its core, there are several layers of powerful restrictions specifically designed to counter spatial fluctuations and divine sense detection.

After the formation was activated, from the outside, the Ling Shu Mountain area only appeared to have slightly denser clouds and mist, with no other significant changes.

However, if any cultivator attempts to force their way in, they will immediately be subjected to continuous and relentless attacks from the formation.

Even a Nascent Soul cultivator would find it difficult to break through without paying a huge price.

Furthermore, the early warning system allows Zhou Yuan to detect any disturbance immediately.

Once the formation was complete, the spiritual energy within Ling Shu Mountain became noticeably richer and purer under the influence of the Spirit Gathering Array.

Only then did Zhou Yuan begin to formally open up the cave dwelling.

He chose a spot halfway up the main peak, Ling Shu Peak, a place with a cliff behind him, a deep ravine in front, a dangerous location, yet with a wide view, to carve out with his sword.

This time, he didn't just settle down casually like before, but planned it carefully. After several days of work, he carved out a large and complex cave dwelling.

With everything prepared, Zhou Yuan settled Mei Ning in a separate residence, and then returned to the core quiet room of the main cave.

Next, it's time to deal with the "residents" in those spirit beast bags.

He patted several spirit beast pouches at his waist, and the openings of the pouches flashed with spiritual light.

"Roar—!" "Woo—!" "Hiss—!"

Deep roars, sharp hisses, and muffled bellows rang out one after another, accompanied by a powerful demonic aura spreading outwards.

Six enormous figures appeared one after another in the extremely spacious "spirit beast area" that had been specially opened up inside the cave.

Two level-seven peak thunder whales, each over thirty feet long, with deep blue skin and faint crackling lightning!

A level seven peak Gale Beast with a wingspan of over ten zhang, bluish-black feathers, and sharp eyes!

A level seven peak Shadow Python, over twenty zhang long, with a dark body and scales gleaming coldly!

A level seven peak sea rhinoceros beast, resembling a giant rhinoceros, covered in thick bone armor, and exuding a savage aura!

And a level 7 peak-level split earth turtle (thick earth turtle) with a body the size of a small mountain, skin as rough as a rock, and short, thick limbs!

A total of six level-seven peak demonic beasts!

Either one of them, if placed in the outside world, would be enough to stir up a bloodbath, a powerful existence that would give even Nascent Soul cultivators a headache.

At this moment, they were released. Although they were suppressed by Zhou Yuan's spirit control technique and instinctively restrained their ferocity, the terrifying demonic energy and pressure that gathered together still made the air in the entire spirit beast area a bit heavier.

With a thought, Zhou Yuan released a small silver mouse from a special spirit beast pouch. It was only about a foot in size and had very bright, darting eyes. It was the Level 7 Silver Light Rat King!

This rat excels at treasure hunting and breaking barriers. Although its combat power is not as strong as the previous giant beasts, it plays a special role.

Looking at the seven demonic beasts before him, each with a different form and a powerful aura, Zhou Yuan nodded in satisfaction.

These are all things he has accumulated over many years in the Chaotic Star Sea, and they are an important component of his combat strength and potential aid.

He no longer confined them in the narrow spirit beast pouch, but planned to "free-range" them within the Ling Shu Mountain area.

He raised his hand and took out a large amount of prepared "feed" from his storage bag—including parts of the flesh and blood of transformed demon beasts, as well as several complete level-six demon cores!

These are all highly nourishing for level seven demonic beasts, accelerating their growth and laying a better foundation for their future transformation.

"From now on, you shall remain within this mountain and shall not leave the area of ​​the great formation without authorization..."

Zhou Yuan used his divine sense to directly imprint the command into the consciousness of these demonic beasts. The imprint of the spirit control technique made them unable to resist this fundamental instruction.

Sensing the undeniable majesty emanating from Zhou Yuan's divine sense, the several demonic beasts growled in submission, each picking up a portion of rations and departing.

They began searching for a suitable nest to settle down within the Ling Shu Mountain area.

With Zhou Yuan's prohibition and the great formation blocking their way, they could not leave the mountain and could only move within the designated area.

After dealing with the demonic beast, Zhou Yuan returned to his quiet room and began planning his cultivation.

His cultivation has now reached the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm, seemingly only one step away from the late stage.

However, the path of cultivation becomes a hundred times more difficult as you progress.

The bottleneck in the late Nascent Soul stage.

It varies from person to person.

Some people may only need a hundred years of hard work.

Some people may be stuck for hundreds of years.

Even to the point of never being able to break through.

Although Zhou Yuan had the advantage of having an equipment slot, he still couldn't accurately estimate how long it would take.

"Instead of pinning all your hopes on breaking through to the late Nascent Soul stage, it's better to first solidify your foundation and develop in all aspects."

Zhou Yuan quickly made a decision: "I have only cultivated the Heavenly Demon Art to the sixth level, and there is still a huge room for improvement in my physical strength."

He took out another Dragon Blood Pill.

He had taken one of these pills before, which improved his physical condition, but the medicinal effects were not fully utilized and there was still potential to be tapped.

Now that I'm practicing the "Heavenly Demon Art," I can use the power of this elixir to accelerate the tempering of my physical body.

After taking the Dragon Blood Pill, Zhou Yuan sat cross-legged and began to circulate the "Heaven-Supporting Demon Art" technique.

The intense medicinal power once again spread throughout his body, like molten lava flowing.

It impacts the limbs and bones.

He guided this power, refining his flesh, bones, meridians, and internal organs again and again according to the cultivation method...

The items in his equipment inventory continuously boosted his cultivation efficiency and comprehension.

Time stands still in the cave.

Time slipped away quietly as Zhou Yuan diligently cultivated himself day after day.

Eight years have passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day, Zhou Yuan slowly finished his practice in the quiet room. His eyes were filled with a restrained glint, and beneath his skin, a faint golden light flowed, giving people a strange feeling of being as heavy as a mountain, yet containing explosive power.

"The Heaven-Supporting Demonic Art, seventh level, is complete."

Zhou Yuan clenched his fist, feeling the surging power of his blood and qi and his incredibly resilient physique within his body.

The seventh level is equivalent to the early stage of Core Formation in body cultivation, where the physical strength is comparable to that of a level 5 demon beast!

With this physical body alone, he can withstand the magic weapon of a cultivator in the early stage of Core Formation without being injured!

Although it still provides limited help in combat during the Nascent Soul stage, the accumulation of quantity will eventually lead to a qualitative change.

Besides improving his body-refining techniques, he also accomplished an important task during these eight years—constructing a teleportation array.

Referring to the teleportation array on Biling Island, he successfully built a new teleportation array in a very hidden secret chamber deep inside the main cave.

On the other side of this formation.

It connects to the one that was pre-built in the cave on Biling Island more than a decade ago!

This means that from now on, he can travel back and forth between Ling Shu Mountain in Tiannan and Bi Ling Island in the Chaotic Star Sea in an instant!

This is not only a valuable escape route, but also a convenient passage connecting two resource-rich areas!

Whether it's mobilizing resources or transmitting messages, things have become infinitely more convenient.