Under the shroud of pitch-black night, some distant, covetous demonic beasts whined and fled upon seeing this.
This human before them was too terrifying; the Three-Headed Black Flame Lion, an absolute standout among them, had been brutally killed.
Its death was also extremely tragic. This human was truly a tough nut to crack, not easy to deal with.
...
Looking at his once clean clothes stained red with the blood splattered from the Three-Headed Black Flame Lion, Wu Tao frowned slightly and changed into another set.
Afterward, he processed the corpses of the Three-Headed Black Flame Lions and packed them into his storage bag. Wu Tao then used a formation talisman to set up a simple formation.
Protected by the formation, Wu Tao began to conserve his energy, closing his eyes to rest.
The next day, as soon as dawn broke, Wu Tao was already awake and continued his journey westward.
After Wu Tao had been flying with his artifact for several hours, he reached the summit of a high mountain. As he stood on the peak, intending to survey the distance.
Suddenly, a bird's cry rang out.
As if a dark cloud had fallen from the sky, a colossal bird, over ten zhang in size, descended from above the clouds in a pounce.
Wu Tao sighed silently, straightened his body, drew his sword, and stood ready.
Formless sword energy shot straight into the heavens.
"Bang!"
The massive bird plummeted to the ground on the spot, the entire mountainous area dyed red.
This was the wilderness, full of danger and terrifying demonic beasts. One moment they might be majestic, the next they could be food for other creatures.
The roles of prey and predator constantly shifted based on strength.
This was a world where the strong preyed on the weak, a bloody realm where reason held no sway.
The strong lived, the weak perished; this was the most basic and crucial law here.
In the subsequent journey, Wu Tao fought bloody battles multiple times, encountering numerous dangers and slaying many demonic beasts.
There was no other choice. If he faltered even slightly, he would become food for other demonic beasts.
In just two or three days, his clothes were once again stained red with blood.
Or they were torn during battles, forcing him to change into new clothes.
This cycle repeated, nothing more.
...
Until he passed by a city inhabited by people.
Yifeng City was one of the few cities in the Ulas Tuss Grassland, spanning over fifty li in length and width, with a population of over five million. Among them, one percent were cultivators, making it an extremely prosperous city.
A large number of cultivators gathered in Yifeng City, making a living by hunting and selling demonic beast materials, using Yifeng City as a stronghold and supply station.
Yifeng City was controlled by the Siji Immortal Sect, a major sect in Qing Province. The Siji Immortal Sect was the ruler of the Ulas Tuss Grassland, controlling the entire region.
Yifeng City was permanently stationed with several high-level cultivators in the Core Formation stage to maintain order.
...
"Alas, we've suffered a huge loss this time. We failed to capture the Dragon Scale Horned Horse and lost seven members to the Eight-Branched White Scale Serpent!"
"Who knew that Dragon Scale Horned Horse would run into the territory of the Eight-Branched White Scale Serpent, a Foundation Establishment stage demonic beast."
"It's lucky for us brothers to have escaped. Pity Fang Ming, only fifteen years old, a mere child, who died on his first beast hunt with us."
"Shall we send some spirit stones to his family? Especially his parents, who have to bury their child!"
"Boss, don't worry, it's natural!"
Hearing the sighs of these rogue cultivators, Wu Tao shook his head and couldn't help but think: Rogue cultivators might be free, but to obtain resources like spirit stones, they truly had to exchange their lives for them. Less than one in ten survived!"
From afar, Wu Tao saw the majestic and imposing Yifeng City, and the terrifying formation that enveloped the entire city.
Having witnessed many grand scenes, Wu Tao was not shocked by the grandeur of Yifeng City. He merely quickened his pace and walked towards it.
In a short while, Wu Tao arrived at the city gates.
The guards at the gates were all burly and imposing, exuding killing intent. Sharp glints occasionally flashed in their eyes, sending a chill down one's spine.
It was clear that they were all cultivators at the peak of the thirteenth level of Qi Refining. The few captain guards were even at the late stage of the Foundation Establishment realm.
If that were all, it would be acceptable!
Under Wu Tao's divine sense, he clearly detected the presence of high-level Core Formation cultivators on the city walls.
"Such strict defenses. No wonder it has stood firm in the heart of the Ulas Tuss Grassland for thousands of years without being breached by demonic beasts!"
Wu Tao marveled inwardly.
Several captain guards patrolled back and forth at the city gates, shouting loudly, "Cultivators entering the city each require three spirit stones. Anyone caught sneaking in will not only be fined ten times the entrance fee but also imprisoned for a month. For more severe offenses, they will be executed on the spot!"
"Three spirit stones, that's so expensive."
Wu Tao, who had traveled extensively, remembered that most cities charged one spirit stone for entry. He couldn't believe Yifeng City demanded three, calling it outrageous and a blatant price gouge.
However, upon seeing that the robes of the cultivators entering the city were almost all stained with blood and everyone bore injuries, Wu Tao felt a sense of understanding.
Hunting a Qi Refining stage demonic beast could earn cultivators five to ten spirit stones or more. Hunting a Foundation Establishment stage demonic beast could earn two to three hundred spirit stones. A mere three spirit stones was just a small fraction of their earnings.
Taking out three spirit stones from his storage bag and tossing them to the captain guard, Wu Tao entered the city directly.
On the street, Wu Tao looked around. Overall, the architecture here was not particularly opulent.
The buildings were primarily constructed for sturdiness, appearing both grand and practical.
Of course, not all buildings were like this. In the distance, restaurants and inns rose high, four or five, even six stories tall, exuding a powerful aura. In some places, they were even gilded with gold paint.
...
On the road, Wu Tao encountered a man holding a seven-zhang spear. He pushed aside people blocking his path and walked forward.
The man's cultivation was not weak; he was at the middle stage of the Foundation Establishment realm. He wore a fierce demon tiger's head around his waist and was enveloped in a faint aura of killing intent. He arrived at a pavilion called the Monster Hunter's Pavilion and threw the bloody head inside.
The shopkeeper of the Monster Hunter's Pavilion sat on a chair, glanced at the man, then at the head on the table. After tapping on his abacus twice, he nodded and said slowly, "One head of a Crimson Gold Copper Tiger, bounty of two hundred and sixty spirit stones."
"Settle the bill later!"
"Why so little spirit stones! This is a Foundation Establishment stage Crimson Gold Copper Tiger, very strong, it has eaten many people!"
The man argued with the shopkeeper, clearly trying to get more spirit stones.
The shopkeeper squinted at him and replied, "A Crimson Gold Copper Tiger at the early stage of Foundation Establishment is priced like this. Take it or leave it."
"Pah, the City Lord is getting stingier these days!"
The man thrust his spear into the ground and grumbled.
"Farewell!"
The shopkeeper merely uttered these two words indifferently and waved him away.
The man cursed under his breath, slung his spear over his shoulder, and roared at the crowd behind him, "What are you all staring at?"
As he spoke, the man walked to the back to settle his payment.
Wu Tao noticed that most of the people on the streets were young and strong men. Many commoners were warriors carrying knives and swords. There were very few old, weak women on the streets.
Not to mention the cultivators on the front lines of combat.
As expected of a city that had stood for years in the Ulas Tuss Grassland without falling.
The martial spirit was evident. It was clear at a glance.
...
Having traversed over a hundred thousand li alone, crossing numerous perilous zones, and preparing to rest and recuperate, Wu Tao headed towards the nearest luxurious inn.
He was tired of eating demonic beast meat every day. He wanted to go in, sit down, order some delicious small dishes, and take a bath.
"Guest, you are a cultivator. Please proceed to the fifth floor!"
Although the waiter was a mortal, he wore a magical artifact that could detect spiritual energy. Upon detecting Wu Tao's cultivator status, he bowed respectfully and said.
Wu Tao tossed him a spirit stone and said calmly, "Yes, I won't be eating for now. Give me a superior room, prepare hot water, and then prepare a few delicious small dishes for me. Bring them up in an hour."
"Right away, guest, this way please."
The waiter pocketed the spirit stone and, with a beaming smile, led Wu Tao to the fifth floor.
Then, the waiter skillfully arranged a rather nice superior room for Wu Tao.
It was a spacious room, complete with an incense burner, a living room adorned with landscape paintings, a comfortable bedroom, and finally, a bathroom for bathing.
In the center of the bathroom was a small pool filled with hot water, from which steam rose, creating a hazy mist.
Taking off his clothes, Wu Tao leaped into the pool and let out a comfortable groan.
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