The disparity was caused by differences in status, position, and power.
Tong Pass City possessed three large spirit veins, eighteen medium-sized spirit veins, and eighty-one small spirit veins.
Judging by the city's topography, the residences of Nascent Soul stage cultivators were located at the very center. The cave dwellings of Core Formation stage cultivators were situated in the surrounding protective positions, enjoying advantageous terrain and vast expanses.
From a topographical standpoint, the residences of Nascent Soul stage cultivators were the closest to the three large spirit veins.
The three large spirit veins, eighteen medium-sized spirit veins, and eighty-one small spirit veins of Tong Pass City were arranged from largest to smallest, extending outward from the center in the four cardinal directions.
The pure spiritual energy emanating from the three large spirit veins mostly remained within the central area of Tong Pass City, specifically near the residences of Nascent Soul stage cultivators and the cave dwellings of Core Formation stage cultivators.
The spiritual energy from the eighteen medium-sized spirit veins was largely shared among the cave dwellings of Foundation Establishment stage cultivators.
As for the spiritual energy emanating from the eighty-one small spirit veins, it nourished the other cultivators within Tong Pass City.
After observing for a while, Wu Tao nodded in satisfaction. His escape light converged, and he landed on the ground. He used the jade ring to activate the inherent restriction formations of the cave dwelling.
...
This cave dwelling, along with everything in its surroundings, occupied a considerable area, spanning tens of thousands of meters.
Furthermore, within this vast space, apart from himself and one other cultivator, all of it belonged to him.
Wu Tao rejoiced inwardly and did not immediately enter the cave dwelling. Instead, he leisurely walked a full circle around the exterior.
During this process, Wu Tao planted a formation flag into the ground at regular intervals.
These formation flags had been plundered from the storage bags of unfortunate individuals he had personally killed.
Although these formation flags were the lowest-grade array tools and served no other purpose besides a minor effect in trapping or harming enemies, they were still better than nothing.
...
Subsequently, Wu Tao strolled leisurely within and around this area.
As a result, after more than half an hour, he discovered several spirit herb fields meticulously cultivated by the previous owner.
Of course, there were no mature spirit grasses or herbs in these spirit herb fields. Even the most foolish previous owner of the cave dwelling would not leave them for Wu Tao's benefit.
However, this saved Wu Tao time.
It would have taken him significant effort to cultivate and develop spirit herb fields himself in the future.
Although Wu Tao did not place much importance on such matters, it was still a small surprise.
After all, as the saying goes, it was better than having nothing.
After surveying every corner of the surroundings, Wu Tao finally stopped before the main entrance of the cave dwelling. His expression darkened, as if he remembered something.
Wu Tao was reminded of Hong Bai.
Given the other man's temperament and disposition, the enmity between them could not be so easily resolved.
Hong Bai would undoubtedly seek an opportunity for revenge in the future. It was a pity he hadn't killed him directly at the time.
It seemed he would have to deal with him if the opportunity arose, only then could he truly relax...
Otherwise, Wu Tao always felt as if someone was watching him from behind, a lingering unease that prevented him from truly cultivating with peace of mind.
With his decision made, Wu Tao then truly began to carefully observe his cave dwelling.
This cave dwelling was situated beside a small lake surrounded by a bamboo forest. Putting aside other aspects, it exuded an elegant aura at first glance.
However, upon closer inspection, one would discover other subtle secrets within the cave dwelling.
The spirit gathering formations surrounding the cave dwelling were a given; most decent cave dwellings possessed them.
Within the vast bamboo forest, each bamboo stalk harbored a certain hidden mechanism.
The bamboos were planted and arranged in specific orientations, thereby making the interception, absorption, and gathering aspects of the spirit gathering formation more perfect as it operated.
...
The abundant spiritual energy from the surroundings was drawn into the spirit gathering formation. After being gathered, condensed, and purified, it all converged into the cave dwelling, specifically within the cultivation chamber.
After such a grand arrangement, the concentration of spiritual energy within the cultivation chamber was naturally high.
It was far superior to the cave dwelling he had in the Taiyi Immortal Sect.
...
The small lake beside the bamboo forest was also not as simple as it appeared.
Faint wisps of pure spiritual energy emanated from it. If one didn't perceive it carefully with their divine sense, they might not discover its secret.
Beneath this small lake lay a small spirit spring.
As a result, the water in the lake was naturally spirit spring water containing pure spiritual energy.
Spirit fish could be seen swimming on the surface of the lake from time to time.
The bamboo forest, the lake, and the cave dwelling stood adjacent to each other, complementing one another, forming a harmonious whole, a marvel of nature.
Looking at these spirit fish, Wu Tao suddenly thought of You Meng and Yin Yue, the cat and wolf, two gluttonous creatures who had been in his spirit beast pouch for a considerable time.
Upon this thought, Wu Tao quickly patted his spirit beast pouch and released You Meng, who might or might not have completed her metamorphosis, and Yin Yue.
A white figure darted out like lightning and, like a gust of wind, leaped towards Wu Tao!
Wu Tao was greatly startled and, just as he was about to do something, was already pounced upon and pinned to the ground by this white figure!
This white figure, covered in pure white fur with long limbs, was clearly an immature Silver Moon Snowback Wolf demon.
Yin Yue suddenly howled at the sky. The cramped living environment of the spirit beast pouch had clearly left it quite stifled.
Suddenly appearing in the open, Yin Yue seemed quite happy. It abruptly lowered its head and, with its mouth wide open, pressed down towards Wu Tao's head.
A pink tongue licked frantically across Wu Tao's face and neck, and gusts of hot breath sprayed onto his body.
The hot breath tickled Wu Tao immensely, causing him to burst into laughter.
Hearing the sound, Yin Yue retracted its neck, cocked its head, and grinned broadly, seemingly mimicking him.
Wu Tao reached out with his hands, encircling its neck. The soft wolf fur felt very comfortable against his skin.
Not only that, but he also playfully tousled Yin Yue's once neat and shiny fur.
Yin Yue did not resist, its eyes half-closed as it allowed Wu Tao to mess with it, like a docile large dog wagging its tail.
This person and wolf frolicked for a long time before they finally stopped.
...
It was then that Wu Tao had the time to observe You Meng's situation.
After such a long period, You Meng was still undergoing metamorphosis and had not awakened.
At this moment, You Meng had transformed into a round, cocoon-like form.
It emanated a blood-red glow, with a pattern of a cute little cat appearing on its surface.
Wu Tao looked at the cocoon and stroked his chin, a hint of annoyance in his eyes.
"Damn it, how long has it been? Why hasn't You Meng finished its metamorphosis? Could something have gone wrong?"
...
Wu Tao planned to create two more beast enclosures on the sides of his cave dwelling, one for You Meng and one for Yin Yue, the cat and wolf, to reside in.
The moment he thought of it, Wu Tao immediately got to work.
After all, whether done early or late, it still had to be done, and it was all his anyway.
The sooner it was built, the sooner he could put his mind at ease.
As for the materials for constructing the spirit beast enclosures, wasn't there a bamboo forest nearby?
The green bamboo in the bamboo forest was sturdy and thick, emitting a faint fragrance, making it ideal material for spirit beast enclosures.
As soon as the spirit beast enclosures were completed, Yin Yue chose one for itself and comfortably settled in.
Wu Tao then looked at You Meng, who had transformed into a pupa, and was reminded of the agonizing life-and-death contract that plagued him...
For the sake of safety, Wu Tao dared not leave You Meng outside. What if something happened to it? They would all die together, wouldn't they?
Thus, Wu Tao directly carried You Meng back into the cave dwelling.
During the seven days he was healing, Wu Tao had not slept a wink. He was already extremely exhausted, and after playing with Yin Yue during the day and then building two beast enclosures, the fatigue and drowsiness quickly washed over him. After the time it took for an incense stick to burn, Wu Tao, holding the pupa-like You Meng, fell into a deep sleep.
After an unknown amount of time, the semi-conscious and groggy Wu Tao suddenly smelled a faint, delicate fragrance. He was very familiar with this scent; it was like a woman's perfume...
Furthermore, Wu Tao felt as if something was tightly binding him in front, preventing him from moving, yet it was soft, not like a hidden weapon, but rather like a fleshy mass...
This sensation made the usually sensitive Wu Tao feel very uncomfortable.
In the next moment, Wu Tao abruptly awoke from his dazed, half-conscious state.
When Wu Tao opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was a naked, stunningly beautiful, seductive woman with purple hair, snow-white skin, and exceptionally large breasts.
At this moment, this enchanting and dazzling woman was holding him as if he were a doll, her long, slender, beautiful legs pressed against his waist.
This wonderful and seductive touch caused Wu Tao's heart to pound uncontrollably twice.
...
If another man saw such a scene, he would likely be consumed by envy and perhaps go mad.
However, at this very moment, Wu Tao's mind was completely blank.
Because who was this woman? Where did she come from? How did she end up in his bed? What on earth was going on?
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