Invincible Beyond Heavens: Cultivating With A Broken EXP System

In Red Cloud County, some cities were occupied by sects while others remained independent.

Iron Mist City, because of its strategic importance, had long been under the control of the Ice God Valley, one of the four major sects of the Southern Martial Domain.

Occupying a city was no simple matter. A sect had to possess enough strength to defend it, otherwise holding such territory would be meaningless. Maintaining control also required the constant presence of powerful experts. If those stationed experts were wiped out by enemy sects, it would deal a serious blow to the sect’s overall power.

Because of this, only truly strong sects dared to claim cities within Red Cloud County.

Most of the smaller cities remained under local rule, though even those had to pay taxes to the major sects.

Each year, even Martial Ascension Gate sent representatives into Red Cloud County to collect taxes from cities that were not directly controlled by the dominant sects.

Han Li looked at the damage around them and asked, “How much?”

The peak Qi Sea Realm martial artist swept his eyes across the shattered restaurant and ruined street before replying, “Fifty thousand gold coins for the restaurant, and another fifty thousand for the street.”

Without hesitation, Li Yun took out a gold card worth fifty thousand gold coins from his storage ring and flicked it toward the man.

“Here are another fifty thousand.”

Xue Ming also flicked out a gold card of equal value.

After receiving the two gold cards, the four peak Qi Sea Realm martial artists gave a brief nod and waved their hands.

“Let’s go.”

For true disciples of major sects, Iron Mist City allowed certain privileges. As long as no lives had been taken, they could settle such matters simply by paying compensation and leaving.

If ordinary martial artists without powerful backing had caused such destruction, they would have been thrown into prison before any explanation could be heard.

…

To the west of Iron Mist City stood a small mountain wrapped in dense fog. The thick mist coiled around its slopes like drifting clouds, making the mountain resemble a giant shadow slowly fading into the distance.

Standing atop the mountain, Wu Lin frowned as he looked around and said, “The fog is far too thick. Finding the markers shown on the map will not be easy.”

Shi Mo remained calm.

“If this map exists, then the tomb can certainly be found.”

According to the incomplete map, this small mountain was the first marker point. To continue, they had to locate the second marker.

Only by finding all five markers in sequence would the true route to the tomb reveal itself.

“The second marker is a lake,” Mu Lan said as she gazed down the mountainside. “If we follow the stream, we may be able to find it.”

Halfway down the slope, a small waterfall cascaded over the rocks. Its water gathered into a narrow stream that wound away into the misty distance. Though the dense fog obscured clear sight, everyone present possessed sharp enough senses to faintly trace its course.

The stream stretched far ahead, as though some mysterious unseen force was drawing its waters toward an unknown destination.

At the same time, Han Li, Han Xue, and Li Yun quietly communicated through sound transmission.

At the Qi Sea Realm, martial artists could use this technique to send words directly into one another’s minds without speaking aloud.

“Li Yun,” Han Li said through the transmission, “once we find the tomb, the three of us should join forces and kill one of them first.”

“My brother is right,” Han Xue added. “Their overall strength is greater than ours. Only by eliminating one of them first can we balance the situation.”

Li Yun’s expression remained calm as he replied, “The two of you do not need to interfere. The favor I once did for you has already been repaid by bringing me into this tomb expedition. As for those three, leave them to me.”

Han Li’s voice immediately turned firm.

“What nonsense are you saying? Do you think I, Han Li, am someone who fears death? Whether favors are owed or repaid no longer matters. I already regard you as a friend. Since you are my friend, then naturally I will stand with you through life and death, no matter what happens.”

Li Yun fell silent for a moment.

Then, in his heart, he made a quiet vow that no matter what dangers lay ahead, he would never allow Han Li and Han Xue to come to harm.

At the same time, Xue Ming, Yan Luo, and Fan Qing were also engaged in secret communication through sound transmission.

“The moment we find the tomb,” Xue Ming said coldly, “we should strike first and kill the weakest among them, Han Xue. Once she is eliminated, the remaining two will not be able to stand against us even if they fight together.”

Fan Qing gave a slight nod in agreement.

“That is indeed the best plan. Our combined strength already surpasses theirs.”

Although they believed they could defeat Han Li or Li Yun, neither of them was completely certain of killing either one instantly. Han Xue, however, was a much easier target, and removing her first would tilt the balance decisively in their favor.

Following the stream’s winding course, the group eventually arrived at the edge of a vast lake.

No one could tell how large the lake truly was, for its entire surface lay buried beneath thick white mist that stretched endlessly in all directions.

“According to the map, the third marker is a great waterfall,” one of them said. “If that is true, then the far end of this lake must connect to it.”

Each marker on the map was linked to the next in sequence. The stream from the mountain had led them here, so there had to be a path from the lake to the waterfall as well.

“Let us build boats first.”

No one wasted time hesitating.

The group quickly scattered, gathering wood and materials from the surrounding area. Before long, four sturdy boats had been constructed.

Li Yun boarded one together with Han Li and Han Xue.

Under the propulsion of qi, the boats glided rapidly into the depths of the mist-covered lake.

Several hours passed in silence before a deep roaring sound began to rise in the distance.

It was the thunderous crash of falling water.

As they moved closer, it became clear that the far end of the lake indeed ended in a massive waterfall. Beneath it lay what seemed to be a bottomless abyss.

“Go down.”

Mu Lan gave the command without hesitation, and her boat did not slow in the slightest.

Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh.

The four boats shot out over the edge of the lake and into open air, plunging downward like arrows released from a bow.

At the moment they neared the water pool below, everyone stamped on their boats and used the recoil to leap high into the air.

They landed safely beside the pool.

Before them stretched a vast canyon, ancient and imposing, its depths hidden beneath drifting mist.

This canyon was the fourth marker.

Li Yun gazed at the scene before him and let out a quiet sigh.

“As expected of the Misty Land. No one knows how many secrets are buried here.”

The region west of Iron Mist City was known throughout Red Cloud County as the Misty Land.

Even experts of the Essence Qi Realm had never been able to fully explore it.

For hundreds of years, its hidden depths had concealed countless mysteries, inspiring equal measures of curiosity and dread in all who entered.