Cultivation Starts from Farming Chapter 990 - 426: Ten Thousand Demon Mountain, Making Things Difficult (Part 3)

Furthermore, whispers of 'fallen objects from the Upper Realm,' though exceptionally faint, are sufficient to incite madness, transforming this location, despite its fearsome reputation, into a beacon for countless desperate souls risking everything.

At this very moment, an unremarkable gray Escape Light, its aura completely concealed, cautiously approached what was commonly known as an entry point to the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain.

As the Escape Light vanished, it revealed a cultivator of average appearance and build, in the Early-stage Nascent Soul realm, none other than Xu Ping in disguise.

"So, this is the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain? It truly lives up to its formidable name," Xu Ping remarked to himself, a sense of awe filling him.

He had not even fully entered the mountain range; merely by being near its periphery, he could distinctly sense the delicate and volatile nature of the surrounding space, akin to a brittle sheet of ice that could fracture at any instant.

One could readily imagine that within its depths, the potent teleportation Divine Techniques that Nascent Soul Cultivators depended upon for their safety might prove entirely ineffective. Moreover, any battle generating excessive disturbance could easily trigger calamitous spatial rifts.

These unpredictable, all-consuming spatial rifts posed a mortal threat, capable of annihilating even Late-stage Nascent Soul Cultivators if they were unfortunate enough to be caught.

This perilous reality is precisely the reason why even the most accomplished cultivators hesitate to enter this place without grave necessity.

Suppressing his burgeoning apprehension, Xu Ping directed his flight towards a checkpoint manned by Star Palace Cultivators at the mountain's entrance.

Within the territories governed by the Star Palace, almost every significant secret realm and dangerous zone had long been claimed by them, with checkpoints established to levy tolls.

After parting with a sum of Spirit Stones that would sting an ordinary Early-stage Nascent Soul Cultivator, Xu Ping was issued a temporary access Token.

Just as he prepared to venture into the mountain range suffused with demonic energy, a voice, languid yet imbued with command, resonated:

"Halt!"

Xu Ping stopped in his tracks and turned his gaze towards the source of the sound.

He observed a young man clad in the distinctive garments of a Star Palace Core Disciple, radiating an aura of insolent arrogance as he fixed his gaze upon Xu Ping.

This individual, despite his youth, had already achieved Early-stage Nascent Soul cultivation, a testament to his considerable standing within the Star Palace and his exceptional inherent talent.

"May I inquire what counsel this Star Palace friend wishes to impart?" Xu Ping pivoted, brought his hands together in a formal gesture, and responded with measured tranquility.

The young man surveyed Xu Ping from head to toe, as if assessing a piece of merchandise, and inquired with indifference, "State your name, and to which sect or faction do you belong?"

Perceiving the interrogative tone, Xu Ping felt a flicker of displeasure, his brow subtly creasing, yet he maintained his composure and replied, "I am known as Li Feiyu, a cultivator who walks the path alone, unaffiliated with any sect or force."

"A Lone Cultivator?"

The young man scoffed and casually propelled a specially marked Star Palace storage bag towards Xu Ping, issuing a directive, "Upon entering, all spoils you acquire must be placed within this bag, and you shall surrender half upon your departure."

"Surrender half?"

A chill descended upon Xu Ping's heart, though his expression remained composed as he countered, "To my understanding, no such stipulations exist for the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain; only an entrance levy is required."

The young man's countenance immediately cooled, and his tone turned sharp and hostile: "Hmph, rules? Here, my Star Palace dictates the rules!"

"If you find this displeasing, you are free to depart this instant, and you needn't even contemplate seeking a refund!"

A subtle glint of murderous intent flashed within Xu Ping's core.

This fellow from the Star Palace is indeed excessively domineering.

Assessing him as unaffiliated and merely at the Early-stage Nascent Soul level, their clear intention was outright robbery.

Judging by his arrogant demeanor, this was likely not his inaugural act of such extortion.

Were they situated in the outer seas, solely for his insolent attitude and presumptuous actions, Xu Ping would have long ago struck him down with his sword.

However, being deep within Star Palace controlled territory, he had no recourse but to rein in his lethal impulses.

Following a brief pause, Xu Ping, appearing resigned, accepted the offered storage bag.

Observing this, the young man's expression shifted to one of smug satisfaction, as if acknowledging Xu Ping's pragmatic decision.

Nevertheless, he still seemed apprehensive and added coldly, "To preclude any attempts at subterfuge, a mark must be placed."

With that declaration, and without awaiting Xu Ping's assent, he flicked a finger, implanting a barely perceptible yet uniquely identifiable tracking Mana mark directly into Xu Ping's robes.

Xu Ping offered no resistance, nor did he utter a word, simply enduring the imposition in silence.

Only then did the young man appear mollified, dismissively waving his hand as though shooing away an insect: "Proceed. May fortune favor you. Try not to perish within, lest the Star Palace forfeit a share of potential spoils."

Xu Ping remained impassive, turned, and stepped into the oppressive, demonic miasma of the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain.