Zhengyang Sect.
A one-star Sect.
It was obscure in the entire cultivation world.
But in the surrounding Cangmang Mountains, it was definitely a hegemon!
It ruled over the surrounding low-tier Schools and small Cultivation Families.
However, today.
The atmosphere in Zhengyang Sect was a bit tense.
All the Cultivators in the School—including servants and disciples—were gathered in the main hall.
A vast crowd of people.
One little servant was very puzzled and quietly asked his companion next to him: "What's wrong? Why such a big show? Did something particularly important happen?"
His companion shrugged, looking disdainful: "If even you and I can stand here, how important can it be?"
"Silence!"
Just then.
The Law Enforcement Elder spoke a true word, immediately silencing the great hall.
After a moment.
The solemn Sect Master appeared at the head of the hall.
He got straight to the point: "Disciples from two-star and three-star Sects are coming to the mountains for experience!"
As soon as he said this, everyone was in an uproar!
Even under the Law Enforcement Elder's true word, they couldn't make any sound.
Yet, they still couldn't help but express their astonishment with their expressions and actions.
As Disciples of the one-star Zhengyang Sect, they fully understood the strength represented by the star ratings.
Whether it was a School or Spiritual object, the gap between each star rating was like an unbridgeable chasm.
That was a two-star or three-star power.
Their strength far exceeded Zhengyang Sect!
Why would those favored children of big powers come to these barren Cangmang Mountains?
The Sect Master saw the Disciples' confusion.
He explained: "It is rumored that a great treasure has appeared in the Cangmang Mountains!"
"Great treasure?!"
At this.
Not only were the Disciples excited, but even the Elders' eyes widened.
They knew the Sect Master came from a large School and had his own connections.
But they hadn't expected.
The Sect Master could actually obtain such secret information!
They all perked up their ears, wanting to know about the great treasure.
Perhaps it was a star-rated treasure~
The Sect Master glanced at everyone and poured a bucket of cold water: "Don't think about it. Even if we find it, we won't be able to keep it. And..."
Moreover, in the cultivation world, every nook and cranny had legends of "great treasures appearing, to be obtained by the fated."
After being fooled a few times, Cultivators also became smarter.
They completely disdained such news.
It's just that.
The news from the Cangmang Mountains seemed to come from a more powerful force, and it was very detailed.
Something about "emerald green plants."
Something about "faint glow."
Something about "emitting Spiritual Qi"...
The experts from nearby two-star and three-star Sects scoffed at such news, but they couldn't stop those Body Forging Realm Disciples from their eyes shining.
They lamented that they were truly favored children of heaven, as soon as they entered the Body Forging Realm, a great treasure appeared.
Wasn't this a treasure delivered to their doorstep?
The Sect Elders thought about it and decided it was good for the Disciples to gain some experience.
They were in the Body Forging Realm, a time when they needed to temper their Physical Body.
Even if they suffered a little, it would greatly benefit their future Cultivation.
Therefore, they agreed to the Disciples' request.
"That's how things are."
The Sect Master introduced the situation, his tone becoming serious.
"So, for this period, many Body Forging Realm Disciples will come to our Cangmang Mountains."
"They will be out for experience and will not display their Sect's banner, but they must not be provoked!"
"Put away your arrogance and act cautiously!"
"If you bring disaster upon Zhengyang Sect, no one will be able to protect you!"
With that, the Sect Master drifted away.
The Law Enforcement Elder stepped forward and added a few disciplinary measures.
Finally.
He sternly said: "What you usually do to those low-tier small Sects and small Families has already gone too far. This time, there must be no trouble!"
The Disciples responded with awe: "Yes!"
----
Li Zhuo had already learned from Little Red.
In the nearby mountains.
There should be a few small Cultivation Schools.
Li Zhuo's goal was to obtain a Qi Refining Realm Cultivation Technique from one of these Cultivation Schools.
This was not difficult.
Even axes and hammers made of "fine iron" could fetch a good price in low-level Cultivation Schools.
After all, the fine iron in his hand was completely different from what mortals called fine iron.
It could carry Magical Power, and could even almost be considered the prototype of a Magical Artifact.
The only problem was.
The distance was too far.
Little Red had only heard that there were Cultivation Schools in the nearby mountains, but did not know the specific route.
Li Zhuo did want Little Red to scout the way.
But.
If discovered by Human Race Cultivators, Little Red's fate would either be a spirit pet or snake soup.
Even.
If Human Race Cultivators inferred that Wanshou Mountain had treasures based on Little Red's level.
And they came here in droves to seek treasure.
Wouldn't Li Zhuo be exposed then?
Therefore, he could only rely on himself.
But.
How difficult was it to cross mountains and ridges?
Just in this nearby area, there were experts like Old Flood Dragon, Chi She Clan Leader, Bear Mountain Lord, and Pan Mountain Tiger.
In the vast mountains, there must be countless powerful creatures.
"It's a bit difficult..."
That being said.
Li Zhuo still decided to venture out of the mountain.
After all, with his poor Aptitude, he couldn't just create a Cultivation Technique by hand.
"First, prepare the provisions for the journey."
There were many difficulties, but they had to be solved one by one.
Among them, the most important was the food problem.
Smoked snake meat could be preserved for a long time, but it contained Spiritual Power, which easily attracted the covetous gaze of creatures.
It couldn't be taken.
Fruits were fine, but they only quenched thirst and were hard to fill the stomach.
He could take a little.
Li Zhuo thought for a moment and decided to find some nuts.
Being in a broadleaf forest area, it was naturally a Squirrel's paradise.
Where there were Squirrels, there were nuts.
Therefore.
Li Zhuo began to gently tap the broadleaf trees within the Safe Zone.
He tapped a few trees, and they all made dull sounds.
They were clearly solid, so there should be no nuts.
Li Zhuo was not discouraged and tapped each one.
After a while.
Thump, thump, thump!
"Hollow, found it!"
Li Zhuo was happy.
He went back, grabbed his axe, and aimed at the hollow part of the tree trunk.
He swung it hard!
Crack!
The axe sank into the tree trunk.
He pulled out the axe and looked into the crack, and sure enough, he saw many nuts.
"The bounty of nature, heh heh heh..."
While speaking, he swung the axe.
Li Zhuo was very strong, plus the fine iron axe.
In just three or two swings, a large gap was cut into the large tree.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...
The nuts in the gap slid down like a stream of water.
Li Zhuo was overjoyed.
He immediately took out the snake skin bag he had prepared earlier and caught the nuts.
There were even more nuts than Li Zhuo had imagined.
Li Zhuo filled two large bags before finally emptying the tree trunk.
Looking at the full harvest of nuts, Li Zhuo was extremely happy.
He grunted and grunted as he moved the two snake skin bags next to the hundred-poison bramble ball.
He began to sort through them.
"Hazelnuts, pine nuts... I don't recognize this one, nor that one... Enough!"
After preparing the food, Li Zhuo was thinking about what treasures to bring.
He looked up.
And saw a palm-sized Little Squirrel standing in front of the felled tree.
The Little Squirrel was holding a pile of hazelnuts in its arms, and its mouth was bulging, clearly having a good harvest.
But at this moment.
The Little Squirrel stared wide-eyed at the large tree.
It didn't even notice the hazelnuts slipping from its arms to the ground.
Looking at the shocked Little Squirrel.
Li Zhuo ate the nuts as if nothing had happened.
He even spat out a hazelnut shell with a "pfft."
This provocative behavior immediately attracted the Little Squirrel's attention.
The Little Squirrel looked at this Human Race "neighbor," then at the snake skin bags beside him.
It immediately understood what was going on.
The Little Squirrel's chest puffed out with anger, its eyes turned red, almost spitting fire.
The Little Squirrel's rich expression made Li Zhuo laugh: "You little fellow..."
Before he finished speaking.
The Little Squirrel pushed off with its hind legs, and the rocks beneath its feet were directly shattered.
And it arrived in front of Li Zhuo!
As fast as a streak of light!