Impressive, Chengzhi

Nine Heavens Mountain stretches for tens of thousands of miles, its end nowhere in sight. The first three layers are particularly vast, occupying fifty percent of Nine Heavens Mountain's total area.

The reason the outer layers are so large is that Nine Heavens Mountain is structured like a series of concentric circles, with each layer wrapping around the one inside it. This means the innermost, ninth layer, is actually at the very center.

Even so, it took Ma Feifei and Yang Chengzhi nearly half a day to traverse the outer regions and reach the third layer. The vastness was one factor, but another was Ma Feifei still adjusting to his cultivation.

It was embarrassing, but Ma Feifei, who was nearly three ranks higher than Yang Chengzhi, wasn't even as fast as him.

Yang Chengzhi could cover dozens of meters with a single step, while Ma Feifei, despite using spiritual energy to boost his speed, kept falling behind. Not only was he not covering as much distance, but he was also consuming just as much spiritual energy.

Ma Feifei's control over his spiritual energy was simply not refined enough. Most of it dissipated into white halos around his legs, with only a small portion converting into actual propulsion.

However, Yang Chengzhi saw Ma Feifei's performance in a different light.

"Brother Ma's cultivation is truly unfathomable. He seems to draw upon the spiritual energy of heaven and earth with every step."

"He follows behind me at this unhurried pace, likely fearing I wouldn't keep up and wanting to save my face."

"I never expected Brother Ma, at such a young age, to be so considerate of others' feelings," Yang Chengzhi couldn't help but exclaim.

With this thought, Yang Chengzhi's image of Ma Feifei became even more majestic. He felt ashamed of his own weak cultivation, which prevented him from matching Ma Feifei's speed. With a renewed resolve, Yang Chengzhi gritted his teeth and channeled his spiritual energy, increasing his speed by another third.

"What the hell!" Ma Feifei was still meticulously studying how to use spiritual energy to increase his speed. When he looked up, he saw Yang Chengzhi inexplicably accelerating again, threatening to disappear from his sight.

By this point, they had entered the second layer of Nine Heavens Mountain. The spirit beasts they encountered were mostly level two or three. In terms of cultivation ranks, Ma Feifei should have been able to easily defeat any spirit beast here, but the problem was he had never even fought before, let alone killed a spirit beast!

What if Yang Chengzhi got lost if he ran off? And what if he encountered a spirit beast? Fight? That was a joke. Just passing by earlier, he had seen a spirit beast over ten meters tall, resembling a Tyrannosaurus Rex, looking ferocious. Its mere aura was enough to crush him. If a fight truly broke out, he'd probably forget how to even release his spiritual energy and just get swatted to death.

Even if he could win, he wouldn't kill it! Ma Feifei aspired to be a Buddhist cultivator, and he would never take a life.

Fortunately, during this time, Ma Feifei had gradually adapted to the rhythm of controlling his spiritual energy to accelerate. Combined with his inherently higher cultivation than Yang Chengzhi, he slowly managed to keep up.

Soon, they arrived within the third layer.

"We're here. This is the third layer," Yang Chengzhi said, stopping with Ma Feifei in the middle of a plain. As far as the eye could see, within a radius of tens of miles, they could see cultivators and spirit beasts locked in combat, the sounds of fighting never ceasing.

On the Azure Dragon Continent, ninety percent of cultivators were stuck before the Spirit Sect realm. Spirit beasts within Nine Heavens Mountain, ranging from level four to six, were primarily found in the third and fourth layers. This led to the highest concentration of cultivators hunting spirit beasts in these two layers.

In fact, it was even higher than in the outer regions.

"Then you go hunt spirit beasts. I'll just look around," Ma Feifei said, glancing at his surroundings before nodding.

He then took out a brush and paper and jotted down the following:

"Chengzhi has been studying for over ten days, gaining enlightenment. After a night of cultivation, his Spirit Master rank increased by seven levels. The next morning, he set off for Nine Heavens Mountain to hunt spirit beasts..."

Yang Chengzhi watched Ma Feifei suddenly take out writing materials and stand there, occasionally muttering to himself, feeling rather confused.

Weren't they here to hunt spirit beasts? Why was he writing? Was he composing poetry? Or an essay?

This just feels so out of place!

With a bewildered expression, Yang Chengzhi began his money-making journey. Ma Feifei, meanwhile, followed closely behind him, continuously writing with his brush, the two forming a unique spectacle.

Soon, Yang Chengzhi encountered his first spirit beast.

It was a level four Azure-eyed Wolf, about three meters long. Its fur was a shade of green, and its fangs were long enough to pierce through a person. It had only one eye, which was also green, making it quite distinctive.

Yang Chengzhi was confident against this type of spirit beast. He drew the Spirit Sword from his waist, channeling spiritual energy into it, causing it to emit a faint glow. Raising the sword, he charged forward.

Ma Feifei looked around but couldn't find a tree. He squatted down about fifty meters behind them, his eyes keenly focused on Yang Chengzhi and the Azure-eyed Wolf's battle, his brush never stopping as he wrote.

"Arriving at the third layer, we encountered a level four spirit beast. Chengzhi drew his Spirit Sword and charged, engaging the level four spirit beast in combat."

"Chengzhi's movements are agile, his speed so great that his figure is barely visible, only the faint glow of his sword can be seen."

"Soon, the level four spirit beast could no longer hold on, sustaining several sword wounds from Chengzhi and bleeding profusely."

"Roar..."

The spirit beast let out a furious roar, its aura surging by thirty percent. Its green fur stood on end, its green eyes gradually turning red. When it lunged at Chengzhi again, its speed had increased. Chengzhi hastily parried, being pushed back step by step, unable to retaliate.

"Wow, that's impressive! Is Yang Chengzhi going to lose?" Ma Feifei thought after writing this passage. He suddenly remembered that while he was writing a novel, Yang Chengzhi was actually fighting for his life! What if he made a mistake and died to a spirit beast? Wouldn't that be awkward?

But it shouldn't be like this! Based on Ma Feifei's understanding of the relationship between cultivator ranks and spirit beast levels, a Spirit Master at the seventh stage should be able to defeat a level four spirit beast, and even take on a level five. Even a level six spirit beast could potentially be defeated by someone with enough trump cards.

Compared to that, a level four spirit beast should be as easy to kill as cutting vegetables for someone at the seventh stage of Spirit Master.

In fact, Yang Chengzhi had been dominating the level four spirit beast from the start. However, Yang Chengzhi had intended to use it to familiarize himself with his post-breakthrough cultivation, so he was using this Azure-eyed Wolf as practice. He hadn't expected that after a while, as Yang Chengzhi became familiar with his cultivation, the Azure-eyed Wolf seemed to be growing stronger with each passing moment!

"This is bad, it's breaking through!" Yang Chengzhi realized as he fought, noticing the spiritual energy around the Azure-eyed Wolf swirling wildly. The spiritual energy from the heavens and earth was being drawn into its body.

Awooo! The Azure-eyed Wolf let out a long howl that echoed for miles!

"Damn it, it's advanced into an Azure-eyed Wolf King!" Yang Chengzhi was forced back dozens of meters by the shockwave of the howl, landing on the ground. He held his Spirit Sword, looking at the Azure-eyed Wolf in mid-air.

The Azure-eyed Wolf's green fur had now turned completely red, as were its eyes. Its body hadn't grown larger; in fact, it had shrunk slightly.

Azure-eyed Wolves were common on the Azure Dragon Continent and were a highly prolific species of spirit beast. Adult Azure-eyed Wolves were typically around level four, but exceptions existed. These exceptions were the Azure-eyed Wolf Kings, known as the evolved form of the Azure-eyed Wolf, whose cultivation could reach level five.

Furthermore, as they were renowned for their speed, they were considered a particularly troublesome type among level five spirit beasts. Generally, those below the Spirit Sect realm would not easily provoke an Azure-eyed Wolf King.

"This is so unlucky!" Yang Chengzhi said with a wry smile. He was currently only at the seventh stage of Spirit Master, and facing an Azure-eyed Wolf King was indeed quite difficult.

However, the newly evolved Azure-eyed Wolf King was clearly enraged by Yang Chengzhi's earlier attacks. It fixed its single eye on him and let out another roar, transforming into a blur and lunging forward. It was clearly intent on a fight to the death.

"It's evolving!" Seeing the man and beast clash again, and this time with Yang Chengzhi on the defensive, Ma Feifei was somewhat surprised.

He had heard of spirit beasts evolving before, but this was the first time he had witnessed it.

At this moment, Ma Feifei quickly picked up his brush and wrote: 'The Azure-eyed Wolf, toyed with by Chengzhi, harbored anger and exploded at its zero point, actually breaking through its internal shackles to be promoted to Azure-eyed Wolf King, becoming a Level 5 spirit beast. Facing the enraged Azure-eyed Wolf King, Chengzhi could only defend passively. His advantage was now gone. If Chengzhi cannot find a way to survive this desperate situation, he might meet his end under the Wolf King's claws.'

If Yang Chengzhi saw these words, he would probably be so angered by Ma Feifei that he'd die on the spot! When had he ever toyed with an Azure-eyed Wolf? He had clearly just wanted to stabilize his cultivation and practice a bit! Could that even be called practice?

However, Yang Chengzhi truly had no energy to concern himself with these matters at the moment. The Azure-eyed Wolf King's attack speed was too fast; he couldn't afford to be distracted for even a moment.

Although he was still in a state of passive defense, Yang Chengzhi had not sustained any substantial damage. His cultivation as a Level 7 Spirit Master was not just for show.

It was just that his spiritual power had already been depleted by more than half. If this continued, once his spiritual power dropped to a certain level, he would have no choice but to await death.

With this thought, Yang Chengzhi hardened his resolve and forcefully clashed with the Wolf King. His Spirit Sword collided with the Wolf King's claw with a 'ding,' splashing out a ring of light. Both man and beast were sent staggering back by the impact.

This also allowed Yang Chengzhi to create a distance of over ten meters between himself and the Wolf King.

Seeing this, Yang Chengzhi didn't dare to pause. He held his sword with both hands, the Spirit Sword held horizontally before his chest, its tip pointing skyward.

"Lightning Summoning Art!"

Yang Chengzhi called out softly, activating his spiritual power. The spiritual energy between heaven and earth began to surge, pouring into the sword tip. Immediately, a silent bolt of lightning streaked across the sky and struck the sword tip.

'Zzzzt...'

The entire Spirit Sword was actually covered in the power of lightning!

"Amazing, my Chengzhi!"