The group continued creeping forward cautiously under concealment, but to their surprise, demon beasts were pitifully scarce in this area. Those they did encounter were extremely low-level, with even the strongest only at the third or fourth tier. It was as though this area were forbidden ground for high-level demon beasts. Although the sight brought everyone a measure of relief, they hardly dared lower their guard. If anything, it made them all the more uneasy.
They reached the foot of the pointed, cone-shaped peak without incident. Surprisingly, a sizable hot spring lake lay before the mountain, sending up wisps of white vapor. Exotic flowers and unusual plants blanketed the slopes ahead, while streams of spring water rushed down the mountainside, splashing into the lake amid billows of steam. From the look of it, this peak was actually a volcano with quite a few hot springs, though it showed no signs of erupting. Despite the abundance of strange flowers and plants and the astonishing spiritual qi, however, there were no spirit herbs to be found, much to everyone's disappointment.
"Everyone, be careful! According to the map, the Primordial Chaos Immortal's cave abode should be halfway up the mountain!" Li Xiaoya reminded them. With that, he continued flying ahead, passing cautiously over the lake. The water did not seem particularly deep, and there appeared to be no demon beasts lurking within it.
Everyone flew safely across the lake, then headed up the mountain.
"Huh?" Just as they were approaching the mountainside, Li Xiaoya suddenly exclaimed in surprise and stopped. A bank of rolling mist lay ahead. It seemed perfectly ordinary, but his divine sense had detected a trace of restrictions, prompting him to halt.
"There seem to be restrictions up ahead!" Everyone had considerable cultivation and naturally noticed something amiss as well.