Steep peaks rose, the peak named Siguofeng.

Siguofeng is one of the tallest peaks within the Upper Scenic Celestial Peak Gate. It is like a sharp sword piercing the sky, steep and imposing, with its peak covered in perpetual snow and ice.

This mountain has numerous caves excavated from bottom to top, specifically for the Upper Scenic Celestial disciples who have made mistakes to retreat and reflect.

These caves are also known as the Forbidden Caves.

According to the sect’s regulations, once a disciple enters the Forbidden Cave due to a mistake, they cannot step out without a decree during the period of punishment, resolving all daily needs inside it.

Violators face increased punishment at the least and expulsion from the sect at the most.

Accompanied by a disciple from the Precepts Hall of Upper Scenic Celestial, Zhang Yuan climbed Siguofeng and entered one of the Forbidden Caves.

This particular Forbidden Cave hadn’t been occupied for a long time. The stone table, stone stools, and floor were all covered in thick dust, and the walls were bare, presenting very basic living conditions.

This is actually quite normal, as it’s similar to a prison, not a place for enjoyment.

"You are not to leave for a year."

The Precepts Hall disciple said coldly, "Someone will come daily to bring food, so reflect well here and avoid causing trouble!"

Zhang Yuan nodded imperceptibly, "Understood."

After the Precepts Hall disciple left, he began to inspect his future residence for the coming year.

The area of this Forbidden Cave wasn’t large, perhaps around ten to twenty square meters outside, with an inner room divided into a bedroom and a toilet.

The toilet did not have a commode.

A groove was dug into the floor, where water trickled continuously into a bottomless small hole, cleverly designed and very clean.

The bedroom contained only a stone bed, with no bedding or anything of the sort.

Zhang Yuan didn’t mind, even grateful for his foresight.

Before coming up to Siguofeng, he had considered that the living conditions here might be poor, so he deliberately purchased some daily necessities at Lin Xian Manor, stored in his Storage Space.

Since you’re here, you may as well settle in. This path was chosen by himself, so Zhang Yuan naturally had no complaints.

In fact, Zhang Yuan felt that being punished to reflect on Siguofeng for a year was more like protection from Upper Scenic Celestial for him.

Otherwise, if he were directly expelled from the sect, could Zhang Yuan even appeal?

He picked up a broom placed in the corner of the outer room and carefully cleaned the rooms inside and out.

Then he sat down on a large stone at the entrance of the cave.

Zhang Yuan’s position was quite high, and he saw peaks in the distance enveloped in white mist, the sky high and the clouds sparse with the sun shining brightly, and strong winds howling in the front, though the cave remained calm inside!

This scene naturally evoked a strong sense of solitude.

Zhang Yuan sat cross-legged on the large stone, and a bit of lingering resentment within him gradually faded away, bringing immense peace to his mindset.

Who knows how much time had passed? As the sky darkened, a Daoist child came along the narrow path to the front of the cave, carrying a food box.

He gave a respectful bow to Zhang Yuan, "Senior Brother."

Zhang Yuan came to his senses and nodded slightly at him, "Hello."

The Daoist child put down the food box, revealing an innocent and pure smile, "Senior Brother, this is today’s dinner. After your meal, just leave it here, and I’ll come by to collect it in the morning." 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Zhang Yuan nodded, "Thank you."

However, the Daoist child did not immediately leave but scratched his head, looking like he had something to say but hesitated.

Zhang Yuan smiled, "Is there anything else?"

The Daoist child replied with cheer, "Senior Brother, do you need a bed cover, tea cups, or plates?"

He knew Zhang Yuan was an outsider martial artist, not an Upper Scenic Celestial disciple, so he was courteous but not in awe.

Zhang Yuan became interested, "How are they sold?"

"Infinite Celestial Venerable!"

The Daoist child bowed and said, "Senior Brother, we don’t talk about buying and selling, only about fate. You and I are connected, so we barter, fair and just!"

"Alright then."

Zhang Yuan found it very interesting, "I’ll take a full set, how do we exchange?"

He initially planned to use the stored items in his Storage Space, but since the other party proposed a trade, naturally, he went along with it.

This way, he could avoid revealing his abilities while also giving an open transaction path for the supplies in his space.

A significant customer!

Upon hearing that Zhang Yuan wanted everything, the Daoist child’s spirit lifted, and he meticulously explained the pricing of the material trade.

It turns out that although the conditions on Siguofeng were harsh, with nothing much in the Forbidden Cave, it wasn’t an unsolvable issue.

As long as one was willing to pay in Daoist Merit, not just beds and plates, even the free ordinary meals could be upgraded to medicinal diets for nourishing the body.

Eat, drink, use, play...

Everything is available!

The Daoist child listed a big pile, prompting Zhang Yuan to secretly shake his head.

There’s nothing new under the sun, Upper Scenic Celestial being one of the Daoist Ancestral Courts, boasts a millennium of impressive heritage.

The accumulation of problems below is not small!

Of course, he wasn’t a hot-blooded, angry youth, with no thoughts of discontent.

So he ordered a batch of daily items from the other party, upgrading the two free meals a day to three medicinal meals daily.

Zhang Yuan paid 157 Daoist Merits for this.

For other Martial Pavilion martial artists, using these precious Daoist Merits for life enjoyment would be utterly unwilling.

Since each merit was hard-earned, often obtained at the risk of life.

However, Zhang Yuan was an exception.

He had previously acquired all of Yue Yihuo’s Daoist Merits, totaling over three thousand, in addition to his usual accumulation.

Over a hundred was utterly negligible.

The Daoist child, having made a large transaction, was overjoyed and immediately transported a batch of daily items to Zhang Yuan.

As for the transfer of Daoist Merits, he had ways to handle it without requiring Zhang Yuan to worry.

Thus, that night Zhang Yuan leaned on a warm and comfortable bed, reading leisure books with the myrrh lamp placed by the bedside, nearly lacking only a pretty maid to massage his legs beside him.

But Zhang Yuan did not indulge in these external matters.

In the days that followed, he entered into a rigorous training mode.

Practicing the "Primordial Celestial Spirit True Method" in the morning, the "Breaking Army Saber Technique" in the afternoon, and enduring through the "Six Harmonies Qilin Body" at night.

Occasionally, he also spent some time on mastering the "Great Stone-Throwing Hand."

Day by day, he gradually got used to the cultivating life in the Forbidden Cave, accumulating his strength and cultivation little by little.

No friends, no social interactions, no tasks, nor need to venture into Mo Yuan.

Except for the little Daoist child who delivered meals daily, Zhang Yuan didn’t even see a second person.

These repetitive days could be described as extremely dull and boring.

However, Zhang Yuan mindfully enjoyed this solitude, savoring the taste of loneliness, ultimately finding joy in it!

Unintentionally, his cultivation realm increased considerably.

But for Zhang Yuan, the enhancement of power was actually secondary.

What mattered most was that he was able to truly calm his heart this time, organizing past gains, generating new insights and understanding of Martial Arts.

Solidifying his foundation!