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

Chapter 333 We must not underestimate the heroes of the world! Auspicious Connection!

Soon after, Zhou Yuan brought Xiao Zi to the edge of the second layer of restrictions on the outer perimeter of the Tianyue Mountains.

This layer of restrictions is more complex than the first layer. Amidst the flowing spiritual light, there are faint sounds of wind and thunder, clearly possessing both early warning capabilities and a certain degree of lethality.

Zhou Yuan was not impatient. He sat down cross-legged again, and his powerful divine sense, like an invisible spider web, carefully extended out to analyze the spiritual energy channels and rune structure of the restriction.

It took him almost half an hour to find a tiny flaw in the restriction above a hidden valley in the northwest—perhaps a flaw left over from when the formation was set up, or perhaps an unstable node caused by the erosion of the long years.

"Little Purple, there."

Zhou Yuan opened his eyes and pointed to a slightly chaotic area of ​​space above the valley.

Xiao Zi understood its meaning, and the purple horn on its forehead lit up again. A more condensed purple spatial ripple shot out, precisely cutting into the spatial node where the loophole was located.

Without a sound, a spatial rift, barely wide enough for one person to pass through, was torn open once more.

Without hesitation, Zhou Yuan and Xiao Zi slipped into the crowd.

Thus, relying on his profound understanding of formations and Xiao Zi's miraculous spatial abilities, Zhou Yuan, like an invisible ghost, penetrated layer after layer of Yueyang Palace's proud protective formation.

The third, fourth, fifth—and all the way to the ninth layer, although each layer of restrictions was more intricate and powerful, they were all passed through without incident thanks to Zhou Yuan's patient analysis and Xiao Zi's precise breaking of the gaps.

However, just as Zhou Yuan was trying to break through the tenth layer of restrictions with Xiao Zi, a sudden change occurred!

This layer of restrictions feels completely different from the previous nine layers.

It is no longer a simple defense or early warning system, but has incorporated a kind of extremely subtle detection ability!

When Zhou Yuan's divine sense probed into it for analysis, although he was extremely careful, it still caused a very subtle fluctuation of spiritual energy when it touched a transparent membrane that was almost imperceptible and resembled a water bubble at a certain point in the core of the restriction!

"not good!"

Zhou Yuan's expression changed slightly, and a sense of alarm arose in his heart!

He could clearly feel that the moment the thin film was touched, a subtle yet powerful probing divine sense, like an activated mechanism, instantly swept across his location!

It was discovered!

Indeed, one should not underestimate the heroes of the world!

As a leading force of the righteous path in the Great Jin Dynasty, Yueyang Palace's protective array is indeed unique, especially in the core layers of restrictions, which conceal detection methods that even he could not fully see through at the moment!

Almost at the same moment the probing divine sense swept over, a powerful aura soared into the sky from the direction of Nantian Peak and rushed toward Zhou Yuan's location at an astonishing speed!

Zhou Yuan sighed, knowing that it was no longer possible to sneak in silently. He simply stopped concealing himself, stood with his hands behind his back, and waited for the arrival of the expert from Yueyang Palace.

A moment later, a crimson streak of light streaked across the sky like a meteor and landed dozens of feet in front of Zhou Yuan.

The radiance faded, revealing an old woman dressed in crimson palace attire, holding a cane adorned with coiled dragons, her face aged but her eyes exceptionally sharp. The old woman emanated a scorching and vast aura, clearly indicating she was also a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator!

"Who are you? Why have you trespassed into my Yueyang Palace? And why have you broken through ten layers of my palace's protective barriers in such a bizarre way?!"

The old woman's eyes were like lightning, fixed on Zhou Yuan. Her voice carried a hint of surprise and sternness, but she did not make a move immediately.

The other party was also in the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm, and was able to break through ten layers of restrictions silently before she discovered it. This ability made her quite wary.

Faced with the old woman's questioning, Zhou Yuan remained silent for a moment, choosing neither to deny nor conceal the truth. Since he had already been discovered, further attempts to cover it up would only make him look worse.

He cupped his hands in a gesture of respect and said, "I am Zhou Yuan, a wandering cultivator from overseas. I have come here unintentionally, but I have my own reasons. If I have caused any disturbance, I hope you will forgive me."

"Zhou Yuan, a wandering cultivator from overseas?"

The old woman frowned slightly. She seemed to have heard the name somewhere before, but couldn't quite place it.

She looked Zhou Yuan up and down, her mind racing.

This person was able to break through ten layers of restrictions without making a sound; his understanding of formations was simply astonishing!

Moreover, although this person's aura was only at the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm, he gave her a faint sense of unfathomable danger, especially the strength of his divine sense, which made her feel somewhat apprehensive! He was probably already at the peak of the late stage!

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, you are also a late-stage Nascent Soul expert. Why would you do something so unbecoming of your status? Sneaking into my Yueyang Palace, what exactly is your intention?"

The old woman spoke again, her tone still stern, but slightly gentler than before.

She had already made up her mind. If the other party could give a reasonable explanation and the request was not excessive, she did not want to completely antagonize such a mysterious and powerful cultivator of the same level.

Just then, five or six more auras of varying strengths were rapidly approaching from afar.

Clearly, it was the old woman's outburst of aura and the fluctuations caused when Zhou Yuan triggered the restriction that alerted the other Nascent Soul cultivators in Yueyang Palace.

Several streaks of light descended one after another, revealing five cultivators: four men and one woman, with cultivation levels ranging from the early to the middle stages of the Nascent Soul realm.

When they saw Zhou Yuan confronting the old woman, their expressions changed, as if they were facing a formidable enemy.

"Senior Sister Sun, what happened? Who is this person?"

A middle-aged man in the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm asked in a deep voice, while Zi Guang stared warily at Zhou Yuan.

The old woman surnamed Sun waved her hand, signaling them to be patient, her gaze still fixed on Zhou Yuan, waiting for his answer.

Seeing that the other party did not immediately shout for battle, Zhou Yuan felt somewhat relieved.

He composed himself, then bowed again to the old woman surnamed Sun and the several elders of Yueyang Palace who arrived later, and said sincerely, "Fellow Daoists, to be honest, I have come here with no ill intentions. I have only come for the Haoyang Bird kept by your palace."

"The Haoyang Bird?" The old woman surnamed Sun and several elders were all taken aback and looked at each other in bewilderment.

"Not bad." Zhou Yuan nodded. "I am currently refining a treasure, which requires several feathers of the Haoyang Bird as core materials."

"I have long heard that your esteemed palace keeps purebred Haoyang birds, so I came here specifically to request a few. However, I know that these birds are precious, and I fear that your palace will not be willing to part with them easily. That is why I resorted to this desperate measure, hoping to sneak in first and see if I could discuss the transaction with the person in charge of your palace in person. I did not expect that my skills were not good enough and that I would disturb you, fellow Daoist. I am truly ashamed."

His words were half true and half false; he admitted his mistake in infiltrating the area while also clarifying his purpose, giving the other party a way out.

After hearing Zhou Yuan's explanation, the old woman surnamed Sun's expression softened considerably. She pondered for a moment, then exchanged glances with the elders beside her, having already made her decision.

"So it was for the feathers of the Haoyang Bird." The old woman surnamed Sun spoke slowly, her tone becoming calm. "Although this item is precious, it is not untradeable. Since Fellow Daoist Zhou has come with sincerity, I will give you face and arrange this transaction with you."

"Senior Sister Sun?"

The elders were all taken aback when they heard this, not expecting that Senior Sister Sun would so easily agree to an outsider who had trespassed into the mountain gate.

The old woman surnamed Sun raised her hand to stop their doubts, looking at Zhou Yuan with a deep gaze: "Fellow Daoist Zhou was able to infiltrate the core of my Yueyang Palace with such methods, which shows that you have extraordinary abilities and your understanding of formations is beyond ordinary people. I like to make friends with fellow Daoists who have real skills. A few feathers in exchange for a favor from you, I think this is a worthwhile deal."

Her words were both a way of currying favor and an investment.

In the long run, befriending a Nascent Soul cultivator with unfathomable strength and expertise in formations might be more valuable to Yueyang Palace than a few Haoyang Bird feathers.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yuan was overjoyed and smiled, "Fellow Daoist Sun is so straightforward!"

"Excellent!" The old woman surnamed Sun smiled as well. "Fellow Daoist Zhou, please follow me."

She led the way, guiding Zhou Yuan through several layers of inner restrictions, until they arrived at a secluded, steaming valley on the back of Nantian Peak.

In the center of the valley, there is a huge volcanic hot spring, bubbling and steaming. Beside the hot spring, a head of entirely red...

A magnificent bird, resembling a phoenix but with only three legs and a tuft of golden feathers on its head, was lazily preening its feathers.

This bird's aura is roughly at the peak of a level seven demon beast; it is the Haoyang Bird.

Upon seeing the old woman surnamed Sun arrive with strangers, the Haoyang bird cautiously raised its head, let out a clear cry, and revealed a wary look in its eyes.

The old woman surnamed Sun patted the neck of the Haoyang bird reassuringly and said a few words to it. The Haoyang bird gradually relaxed, but still looked at Zhou Yuan with curious eyes.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, this is the Haoyang Bird raised by my Yueyang Palace. How many feathers would you like? This old woman can fetch them for you."

.

"That's what the old woman surnamed Sun said."

She didn't mention the level eight Haoyang Bird, which was clearly the true treasure of Yueyang Palace and wouldn't be easily shown to others or used for trading.

Zhou Yuan understood this as well; he was already quite satisfied with obtaining the feather of the level seven Haoyang Bird.

He carefully examined the feathers of the Haoyang bird and said, "I need the feathers from the tail of this bird. Is that possible?"

'

The elderly woman surnamed Sun nodded: "Okay."

She personally took action and used a special method to remove the number of feathers Zhou Yuan needed.

The Haoyang bird cried out in pain a few times, but the old woman fed it medicine to soothe it.

Zhou Yuan accepted the Haoyang Bird feather, which radiated a scorching heat and was as red as fire, and was very satisfied.

As agreed, he took out four high-grade spirit stones and several bottles of pills he had refined himself, which were quite helpful for Nascent Soul cultivators to improve their cultivation, and handed them over.

"Fellow Daoist Sun, this is a small token of my appreciation. I hope you will accept it."

The old woman surnamed Sun accepted the spirit stones and pills, scanned them with her divine sense, and a hint of surprise appeared in her eyes.

Those bottles of pills were of extremely high quality, containing pure and mild medicinal power, clearly made by a master.

Her opinion of Zhou Yuan rose even higher.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou is very generous, so I won't stand on ceremony." The old woman surnamed Sun accepted the reward with a smile.

The transaction was successfully completed, and Zhou Yuan felt a weight lifted off his shoulders.

He did not take his leave immediately, but instead accepted the invitation of the old woman surnamed Sun to stay at Yueyang Palace for several hours, enjoying tea, discussing philosophy, and exchanging cultivation insights. The old woman surnamed Sun was still very curious about how he had silently broken through the ten layers of restrictions, and couldn't help but ask again.

Zhou Yuan no longer concealed anything and explained with a smile, "To be honest, the restrictions in your palace are indeed exquisite and intricately linked. If I hadn't happened to have a spirit beast with exceptional talent to assist me, I would never have been able to sneak in so easily."

As he spoke, he patted the spirit beast pouch and summoned Little Purple.

As soon as Xiao Zi appeared, she jumped onto Zhou Yuan's shoulder and curiously looked around at her surroundings.

"Is this the little beast?"

The old woman surnamed Sun looked at the tiny, adorable purple baby, no bigger than a palm, with surprise in her eyes.

She could hardly believe that such a seemingly harmless little creature could tear through space and penetrate the layers of restrictions in her Yueyang Palace.

Zhou Yuan smiled slightly and gave Xiao Zi a command. Xiao Zi let out a low cry, and the purple horn on its forehead flashed with light. The space in front of it rippled like water, silently cracking open a spatial rift about a foot long, which then quickly closed up again.

The elderly woman surnamed Sun and the several elders of Yueyang Palace who were accompanying her witnessed this scene. They all gasped in shock and looked at Xiao Zi with a mixture of astonishment and fervor!

"Spatial divine power! It's actually a legendary spatial divine beast!" The old woman surnamed Sun murmured in disbelief. She finally understood how Zhou Yuan had broken through their proud protective mountain array. With such a divine beast, there were probably very few places in the world that could truly confine him.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou is blessed with great fortune, to have such a rare beast of heaven and earth recognize him as its master. This is truly the envy of others."

L

The old woman surnamed Sun sighed, a hint of envy flashing in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.

She knew that such a divine object was not something she could covet.

"Fellow Daoist Sun, you flatter me." Zhou Yuan smiled modestly and put Xiao Zi back into his spirit beast pouch.

After chatting for a while longer, Zhou Yuan rose to take his leave. The old woman surnamed Sun personally saw him off at the mountain gate and warmly said, "Fellow Daoist Zhou, if you need any other materials in the future, or encounter any difficulties, you can send someone to my Yueyang Palace. As long as it is within my power, I will certainly help you!"

"Thank you for your hospitality, Fellow Daoist Sun. Until we meet again!" Zhou Yuan cupped his hands in greeting to the old woman surnamed Sun, then, without lingering, his figure transformed into a pale golden streak of light, soaring into the sky and quickly disappearing into the horizon.

After leaving Yueyang Palace, Zhou Yuan was in high spirits. He had not only successfully obtained the Haoyang Bird Feather, but also formed a good relationship with Elder Sun of Yueyang Palace, achieving two goals at once.

He discerned the direction and turned his gaze to the distant central part of the Great Jin Dynasty, which was the last stop of his journey and also the most important destination—the capital of the Great Jin Dynasty!

"Next, let's see what good things the Grand Gathering of Treasures in the Great Jin Capital will bring me."

Zhou Yuan's eyes were filled with anticipation.

The speed of the escape light suddenly increased, like a golden meteor streaking across the sky, rushing towards the heart of the Great Jin Dynasty.